On another note reference to an earlier post on this blog cllr Montaut told me that the meeting he attended in his own ward (Central), the other night, where the council leader attended; was nothing like their usual exchange in the chamber. Cllr Montaut stated he was far more cordial and it was an  interesting meeting.  Is cllr Montaut keeping his powder dry for his October council meeting broadside in the chamber?

Labour are out campaigning  canvassing this morning and more than likely talking to the people about the impending cuts, which Cllr Rod Bluh has stated will change the council beyond recognition. As I said previously I believe the autumn will see  a strong political wind, it will either blow in with it or rage out with it. I think you do not need a crystal ball to know that  there will be a polical wind of change hitting us all both nationally and locally.  It may be the start of a hurricane season as Swindon gets caught in the worldwind reaped from the seeds  that have been sewn by the LibDem Conservative government cuts to Swindon’s budget.

I have an inkling  that there are some people in this town who cannot wait for the political balance to change beyond recognition, and I am sure one is cllr Montaut.

However I am hearing that Derique also complaned bitterly about the fact that he had tried to stop £30,000 of Section 106 money being transferred from Central Ward to Old Town Ward for housing. Anyone who knows both wards will find that hard to comprehend. Deriques fought and lost that one 2-0 so far to Rod.

Will it be 3-0 as Derique opens up with a campaigning  complaining broadside he claims that the Conservative failed to prepare for the cuts from their own  LibDem and Conservative government, here they are:

DFT – Integrated Transport Block reduced by £550k to £177k. This money was allocated to Swindon in late 2007

DFT – Road Safety Grant £80k – withdrawn in total. This money was allocated to Swindon in late 2007

I find this puzzling as Cllr Perkins is saying this is the peoples one chance to get involved in a beauty contest of Libdem Conservative cuts, and yet the parents of a child at a day centre are asking Cllr Mallinson for answers about his consultation as no one from their centre has been spoken to?

I am sure cllr Mallinson and Cllr Perkins both executive (cabinet) members know exactly what is going on and no doubt cllr Mallinson has been involved in genuine consultation. Perhaps they may wish to tell the people of this town exactly what is going on from their informed perspective, or do we have to wait for the publishing of  the papers for the  executive (cabinet) meeting on 22nd September? 

I was surprised to see on BBC news at 10.30PM on Tuesday night a clip of the NMI and a very short announcement that Swindon Borough Council and the NMI. That was it a short burst of known facts it aroused my interest and yesterday there was talk of a new announcement by the council shortly concerning this historic building.

I am worried that this project, which the Labour council steered the tax payers clear of from 1986 until the Conservatives took over the council in 2006 has also done  the same until just before the run up to the elections this year, which I am sure  is totally coincidental. (See article Final demand for Mechanics decision taken by Planning Committee, which has members from all 3 major political parties on council)

 From the BBC website it is   informing the public that  the deputy leader of Swindon Borough Council is declaring  ”What we have found is very depressing.”  I am also like some people in the town are also depressed by the news that  more money will have to be found BBC  http://ow.ly/2ypHh by a council that is facing mass redundancies and cut backs to essential services.

More episodes are no doubt waiting to air in this continuing  Swindon soap opera saga matter.  In July BBC reported  link http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/10567606

Here are the articles relating to the council’s decision by planning committee from Swindon Advertiser  April 2010 http://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/news/local/7861466.Council_may_move_into_Mechanics__to_do_safety_work/

http://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/news/local/7987492.Final_demand_for_Mechanics/ 

I am concerned that this matter may now be a new priority over other council priorities and its pressure may outweigh the current pressures in respect of services? I hope I am proved wrong and there will be a happy ending to this saga

At the moment the plan is to hold a special meeting of the West Swindon Forum on Tuesday 28 September 2010, 7.00pm in the library.  The purpose of the meeting is to get residents involved in shaping the new Swindon Core Planning Strategy, probably through a facilitated session.   This on the agenda for the meeting on the 13th September, but this will be an introduction and taster as there  not be  enough time to do this justice.  A flyer for the special meeting will be produced that aims to use wording that will be meaningful and hopefully will attract and interest residents. Also Roger Ogle will get the word out via the Link making it a prominent feature.

Please go to www.talkswindon.org to add to the discussion follow the link here  http://www.talkswindon.org/index.php?topic=6269.msg41405;topicseen#msg41405

In 2006, the European Commission issued an EU Directive banning the use of mercury in measuring instruments. Although the Directive was generally welcomed to control the widespread use of this highly toxic pollutant, it was feared that it would also result in the end of the production of mercury barometers and, in particular, restoration work on antique instruments. Barometer production in Britain dates back to the mid 1600s but today in Britain there are only 3 recognised craftsmen involved in their making and restoration.

I am please that our South West Conservative MEPs did, however, succeed in driving through the Parliament an amendment to the Directive which exempted barometers and other measuring instruments over 50 years old which use mercury. This, it was hoped, would protect craftsmen involved in the restoration of these highly decorative and valuable antiques. However, life is never that simple and it became obvious that the Government agency responsible for implementing the Directive required greater clarification about the work of barometer restoration, particularly in regards the replacement of integral mercury thermometers.

 A campaign, led by Phillip Collins (Not The Drummer Singer) of Devon’s Barometer World and supported by South West Conservative MEP Giles Chichester has taken 4 years to achieve resolution. At long last their efforts have been successful and common sense has prevailed and restoration of our barometer heritage can continue.

 I would particularly like to compliment the officials at the Environment Agency South West for their constructive response to Giles  Chichester and Phillip Collins’  appeal for a compromise and flexible approach to interpretation of EU rules. We need more of this from UK subservients civil servants and local authority enforcement agencies.

What I find offensive is that we are about to see a group of  politicians from privileged backgrounds dismantle the very fabric of this society, their planned cuts will crush the life out of our community, make no mistake about that. I am sure Gideon will be faffing around shouting  ”Dont Panic” somewhere in the background Vince Cable will be heard to utter “We’re all doomed”and As Gove opens his mouth to say something Cameron may utter those well know words  “don’t tell him Pike”.  Oh what a carry on!

Meanwhile here in Swindon Cllr Rod Bluh Conservative leader of Swindon Borough Council has grabbed the bull by the horns, (he really had no choice after he had been gourde by Eric Pickles cuts) and proposed the following cuts savings? :  (I accept that there is a lack of specific detail, and  I assure you that I do not  know the details of which services have been earmarked ie if day centres will close or where the county ground facilities will be relocated to in this global list? ) ALMOST £2 Million of cuts savings, in a full year 2011/12 ar ebeing proposed. 

As you can see there are some painful decisions ahead for the council and some major reprovison of services to be undertaken. It looks like the phoney war is drawing to an end, both nationally and locally.  As the “Winter Offensive”  begins with its opening barrage of the conference season, the autumn statement cuts to spending and a refreshed and rejuvenated  Labour party lead by  a new general. I am sure that we will keep the home fires burning, even if its only the political ones! 

What I wonder is after the political bonfire of cuts, whose political careers will be left in the embers to rake over?

The Telegraph does go on to remind us that:

  “Among the 50 licensed mail operators in the UK are foreign companies, such as TNT of Holland and DHL, an arm of Deutsche Post, which can inflict significant damage on Royal Mail while enjoying protected markets at home. A move to a more level playing field, under which most EU member states would follow Britain in opening up their postal markets, was set for the end of the year – but instead, other governments have shored up their national operators, leaving the UK, and Royal Mail, exposed.”

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/royal-mail/7955567/Royal-Mail-must-be-rescued-from-foreign-invaders-and-red-tape.html 

Does that mean we must all save the royal mail from carpet baggers now and stop condem over regulation by turncoat business secretary Vince Cable?  My own experiences of postal services  in Germany, in which  I had a devil of a job to find a post box. In my opinion it appeared to me that all the post boxes there; had been located to suit the needs of the mail carrier and not those of the customer?

The alarm bell has sounded and it is in your own interest to protect your pillerbox from the greedy grab of the condem coalition and its friends in big business. Is Vince Cable now nothing more than a  LibDem      and a  willing conservative lackey stooge   patsy fronting  the conservative’s aim to strangle the Royal Mail?

Is it political as the other European governments have not followed suit?

Join the debate on www.talkswindon.org  Link to the thread here http://www.talkswindon.org/index.php?topic=6250.msg41232;topicseen#msg41232

This is my blog and to allow balance there are links at the bottom of this post by Cllr Rod Bluh Leader SBC. However here is my take on the Budget using some of the leaders comments.

The Council Budget Brought to Life

So what are the services that the Council provides and what do they cost? Here are just a few examples to bring things to life:

• The cost of providing care for older people and vulnerable adults is £40 million per annum of which £18 million is spent providing residential and nursing care for 660 people.
• Swindon’s 12 leisure centres and recreation sites cost £11million a year to run, with income of £9m. This means that it costs £7.88 per person in Swindon to provide these facilities each year, with an average subsidy for each visit of 55p.
• There are 246 children from Swindon in care, costing an average of £39,000 for each child each year, or more than £9.5million in total.
• Waste collection and disposal, recycling, and operating the Household Waste Recycling Centre costs £9.5million a year or £108 a year for each household.
• Street cleaning, graffiti removal, litter picking, clearing abandoned vehicles and emptying dog excrement bins costs £2.6million a year, or £30 a year per household.
• The council receives around 1,300 planning applications a year, which cost £600,000 to determine.
• The cost of providing community facilities in 2010/11 will be £260,000. Last year, 48 community groups and other organisations used them or, put another way, 134,000 people.

 A 33% cut whether it is by division of 3 is still 33% but some argue its best to make it in one hit as inflation alone over 3 years is likely to be 11-12%. Thus giving 45% but add in 5% for surprises and its a nice round figure of 50% of the 2009/10 budget figures as used by Cllr Edwards in February 2010.

I accept I have over simplified this, but (yes there always is a but) underestimating the impact of of a cut of 33% on a £114 million is some £40million and Rod Bluh  has stated that is a figure saved in the last 5 years. I am not suggesting a 33% cut on the whole budget as it is something that no responsible person would dream of. (However the Swindon Advertiser has reported a £45million shortfall see link below).  The savings to comment on are on the services as outlined, but it is still a bitter pill to swallow.

The FSB, and SSEP and Chamber of Commerce have as far as I can see not commented on this loss? This time it is not only SBC making its cuts in isolation but the Police, Fire, NHS, MOD, and civil service will all cut back RAF Lyneham will be gone soon. Rod Bluh has stated the council has saved £40 million add this to the shortfall £45 million and Swindon is losing about a £1 million pounds a month, 200k a week, how long can this be sustained by the Swindon economy. If ever there was a case for regeneration it is now, and it needs to be here within 3 years or 5 at the latest.

The shake up in the public sector and its cutting has no previous model to follow. The model always works in the other direction, usually the public sector is expanded with big projects like Roosevelt’s Tennesse Valley Project, Hitler’s Autobahn projects of the 1930s, Stalin’s 5 year plans and our own project of nationalisation and public sector expansion under Atlee after WWII, which was incidentially the result of a coalition government.

Furthermore, it is unlikely there will be an increase in Council Tax levels as Pickles plans to give a veto to voters to reject council tax rises in 2012 and thereafter. I think we can assume there will be no increases for the next 3 years!

I do hope people will contribute, but we know that usually happens after the cut is announced and the pain felt. It is clear that there is going to be a lot of pain ahead for everyone.

http://www.swindon.gov.uk/yourcouncil/budgetsandexpenditure/budget2010/budget-recenthistory.htm

Budget cuts proposed a sum just short of £2,000,000 that is 2 million pounds of cuts for you to comment on   http://www.swindon.gov.uk/yourcouncil/budgetsandexpenditure/budget2010/budgetproposals.htm

Swindon Advertiser http://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/news/8339557.Play_scheme_cuts_could_affect_thousands/

Want to comment? 

I think that was a force for good and has lasted over 60years even after an assault by Thatcher the patient did not die. I do not think that this coalition will be as compassionate as their political forbears of the last coalition.