BenjaminM
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@wxm 12030 wrote:
The reduction in central funding to Councils started some time ago in England, and has only just started in Wales?
I think you should tell Eric Pickles that because it doesn’t reflect what he was quoted as saying on this morning’s BBC web site.
Quite the opposite actually.And please, could you explain the 2nd paragraph as I can’t make head nor tail of it, even with its’ unnecessary question mark.
@MP1953 12016 wrote:
On the news this morning was an item about rate rises in England of 0.6 to 0.8 % did I hear from somewhere that Wrexham is going to be 3% ??
A factual statement as far as it goes, but one that does not tell the complete story.
Councils in England are given massive financial incentives by central government to keep their Council Tax rise to below 2%, they do not however afford that luxury to Wales, making it necessary to raise council tax to fund Local Authority functions.
As a comparison, the average Band D charge in England is in the region of £1460 whilst in Wales, it is approximately £220 lower, at around £1240.
In addition, WCBC has achieved the lowest percentage rise in all of Wales.
Wait until you see what percentage rise there will be on the Police precept… You can bet your life that will be of a greater magnitude than WCBC’s 3%….. Then will be the time to assess whether we are getting value for money.Katia, I think you have attributed the quote to the wrong person.
I think you will find that that comment was made by Jimbo, not me. Just putting the record straight.
@Chris 11958 wrote:
I dont if its worthy of its own thread but another example of how WCBC spends our money Security For Town Eyesore Costs Over £20k | Wrexham.com
Another example of selective reporting where Wrexham.com have only published information that is intended to cause dissent and portray WCBC in an unfavourable light.
No mention has been made of the reasons for the security measures being implemented (although they have been promulgated) or as to why WCBC as owners of the properties on Grosvenor Rd are responsible for the ongoing business rate until a purchaser has been found. Or do you think they should be treated differently?
I, for one, smell a rat as to the real reason for the FOI request. Was it made on a ‘nice to know’ basis or for some other reason? Now that would be interesting to know!
I also note there has not been one mention of the fact that WCBC have managed to achieve the lowest percentage increase in Council Tax in the whole of Wales, without resorting to the ‘advice’ of the armchair economists who frequent these forums.
Perhaps it is now time that in the interest of fairness, the balance should be redressed.An expected chastisement from my wannabe nemesis although I do accept some of his text…. in part.
I do not object to contributors expressing an opinion, relevant or not, but what does irritate me intensely, is when the same thing is said repeatedly in more or less the same words on numerous occasions.
The average intelligence of contributors (judging by the lucidity and content of posts) is quite high. It does all of us a disservice when we are constantly bombarded by repetition after repetition of the same worn out mantra as if we had the collective intelligence of an amoeba.
As I was always taught, one good morning in a day is enough for anybody.
In your own business Alun, do you have to play a CD constantly before the words become familiar to you? I would like to think not.
The analogy is there if it would only be recognised.@wxm 11869 wrote:
The Council states the purpose of this process “to ensure Wrexham and it’s people are supported to fulfil their potential and prosper”. The conjoined themes of People, Economy and Place are cited as central to achieve this.
The four observations and questions seek to find out if more money can be put back into residents pockets (part of the prosperity subject), to challenge the large budget line of schools & education to see if it can be done better to assist people fulfil their potential, and to question does such a large administrative structure (represented here by money) serve the public best, or could it be done better and more fruitfully.
Another selective response that neither addresses the points raised or indeed adds anything further to the debate.
Incidentally, I was not specifically referring to the four observations made, but more generally to the other 40+ other observations that you have made where you have said virtually the same thing, repeatedly.
Can’t you just allow people to make up their own minds without the incessant bombardment of figures, as meaningless on their own, as they are selective?
I fail to see how this is furthering you Don Quixotical cause.
Or perhaps maybe, I have got it wrong. Did I hear you say ‘again’?Yet another interminable table that people who have that particular bent, are well able to view without incessant reproduction on this forum.
What amazes me is that although they are promulgated with numerous observations and questions, I find it very difficult to find a post where a workable solution is proffered by the contributor.
Sometimes! I think that a real life Norris from Coronation St has suddenly appeared on the scene, who loves nothing more than gather info and gossip, then disseminate it to foment dissent, for whatever purpose.
Another contributor questions why we should be paying an additional 3.5% this next financial year for less services. The answer is simple. Because of the reduced income received from National and Welsh Governments. The contributor also fails to put this figure into the wider context of Wales where Cardiff and Pembroke have announced a 5% increase in their Community Charge, with more likely to follow. Rather than decrying WCBC for a 3.5% increase, they should be applauded for their prudence.IF you had made the effort to research guidance regarding union officials in the workplace, perhaps you would not have made the statement regarding paid union representation in such a bald manner as to be totally misleading.
Each and every employer has an obligation to provide the necessary facilities and resources for union officials to function effectively within the workplace, and for the official(s) to be paid employees. Check the ACAS guidance for confirmation.
That being the case, WCBC, just like any other employer, adhere to that obligation. The money must therefore, be financed from within, ie via the Council Tax receipts.
As to the Unions in Wrexham making no public comment, I would have thought that there is little or no reason why Joe Public needs to be made aware of ongoing negotiations until an agreement is finalised which is unlikely to happen until the budget is agreed or otherwise.
Do you make the statement that ‘staff are being kept in the dark’ advisedly, or is that another inaccurate assumption?
Furthermore, if some employees have shown their willingness to accept voluntary redundancy, why do you consider it necessary for the Unions to divulge the details of ongoing negotiations until a satisfactory settlement is obtained?
Put yourself in the same position as the employees, would you expect your settlement to be broadcast far and wide? Truthfully!!!I have an extreme distrust of Councillors who stand for election as an Independent and then, when elected, form a political ‘group’.
Using the accepted dictionary definition, an ‘independent’ is a person who is “free from influence, guidance or control of another or others” or “affiliated with or loyal to no one political party or organisation”.
Irrespective of the topic under discussion, ( in this particular instance, Plas Madoc) that person should vote as conscience dictates, not at the behest of a pseudo ‘leader’ of a bunch of political misfits, afraid to nail their real political affiliations to the mast for fear of being unelected.
They can be classified as neither fish nor fowl and certainly not true to their electorate.
