The Tories and LibDem Coalition Have Cut 1.4 Million from Swindon Council’s Budget

The council’s administration is talking of saving millions, and we know that the LibDem Tory coalition has lopped 1.4 Million from the SBC budget, why? What do the LibDem Tory government hope to gain from this move. People deserve to know what the people they voted for are doing to oppose the Libdem Tory coalition cut of £1.4 Million pounds, and how they can be informed of the cuts that are coming the council executive (Cabinet) has a meeting on 22nd September  to discuss the cuts see earlier posts on this blog. Once this has been decided on 22nd the West Swindon public will get their opportunity  to learn about core services and what it means for them. Here is the lastest thoughts on this pressing matter.

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

Meddling Brussel Eurocrats interfer in Barometer restoration?

Have the pipsqueak, penpushers of Brusssels been thwarted by British commonsense again?

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.

Ashes to Ashes Who Do You Think You Are Kidding Mr Cameron?

The Telegraph wails out its warning like a siren in August 1940, Eagle day may well have been August 14th 1940, when the Battle of Britain began, but the telegraph reminds us that we are in a phoney war. It even hopes that no one will be offended  for doing so, I do not feel offended by the Telegraph. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/comment/personal-view/7956894/A-phoney-war-before-the-battle-of-the-cuts-begins.html

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?

Is Royal Mail To Be Regulated To Death? Is it Political?

The Telegraph has sounded the alarm bells ringing reminiscent of the bells being clanged loudly across RAF airfields 70 years ago warning us the Royal Mail is about to be attacked not only  from within by redtape, but by unknown  invaders?  I know the Telegraph can stir the blood but seriously is it really some sort  of  fifth column attack  plot against the Royal Mail?  If this is surely the case?  Does this mean that  there is a  shadowy figure, a parody of a Quisling (Puppet) secretly undermining the defences of the Royal Mail?

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