Seeing as how its been a quiet day, and since I have a link to the site on my blog, congratulations (belated) to East Fife on winning the 3rd Division title by a mile. Hope for a similar result next season in the 2nd.
C'way the Fife
Saturday, 3 May 2008
Beau Derek and the Council Cuts
Just some more info on the cuts in public services in Renfrewshire under Beau Derek supported by his lib/dem gofers.
4 libraries to close (Gallowhill, Todholm, Elderslie, Bargarran)
5 neighbourhood housing offices to close
£500 p.a. charge for residents in sheltered housing for the warden service (which is being reduced from 24 to 3 hours per day)
Charges for attendance at elderly day-centres
Cost of kids swimming lessons doubled
Cuts in the park ranger service
2 nurseries to close
Apex community centre in Ferguslie Park (Terry's pitch) to close
Rough Sleepers Initiative for the homeless to close
Museum and observatory opening hours cut
Recycle Renfrewshire funding withdrawn
3 day centres for the disabled to close
Education budget cut by the equivalent of 2 teachers per school
And if Labour think they are off the hook on this can I remind them that:
they passed the policy which made warden charges possible
they closed libraries in Kilbarchan, Johnstone Castle, Spateston, Inchinnan,Brookfield, Houston, Langbank, Howwood, and the Johnstone teenage libraries (and we wonder why our kids are poor readers)
they closed and privatised post offices
they closed community centres like the East End community centre for which a replacement was promised and never materialised
they privatised our schools (opposed and now adopted by the SNP)
and they tried and failed to give away our council housing to a crony body, sorry ..housing association.
It's not until you see the cuts listed like this that you can see how the old, the very young, the vulnerable and the disabled are being targeted.
It's a public disgrace.
4 libraries to close (Gallowhill, Todholm, Elderslie, Bargarran)
5 neighbourhood housing offices to close
£500 p.a. charge for residents in sheltered housing for the warden service (which is being reduced from 24 to 3 hours per day)
Charges for attendance at elderly day-centres
Cost of kids swimming lessons doubled
Cuts in the park ranger service
2 nurseries to close
Apex community centre in Ferguslie Park (Terry's pitch) to close
Rough Sleepers Initiative for the homeless to close
Museum and observatory opening hours cut
Recycle Renfrewshire funding withdrawn
3 day centres for the disabled to close
Education budget cut by the equivalent of 2 teachers per school
And if Labour think they are off the hook on this can I remind them that:
they passed the policy which made warden charges possible
they closed libraries in Kilbarchan, Johnstone Castle, Spateston, Inchinnan,Brookfield, Houston, Langbank, Howwood, and the Johnstone teenage libraries (and we wonder why our kids are poor readers)
they closed and privatised post offices
they closed community centres like the East End community centre for which a replacement was promised and never materialised
they privatised our schools (opposed and now adopted by the SNP)
and they tried and failed to give away our council housing to a crony body, sorry ..housing association.
It's not until you see the cuts listed like this that you can see how the old, the very young, the vulnerable and the disabled are being targeted.
It's a public disgrace.
Cash for Honours
Just thinking about Shir Sean, not that I'm suggesting anything improper in respect of himself, got me to thinking about the Cash for Honours problems which Bliar faced in his closing days.
Both Ruth Kelly and Lord Levy were questioned under caution and under the guidelines should have been required to give a sample of DNA for the database even if subsequently not charged with any offence.
Why won't the Met. confirm whether this happened? One rule for them etc.
Both Ruth Kelly and Lord Levy were questioned under caution and under the guidelines should have been required to give a sample of DNA for the database even if subsequently not charged with any offence.
Why won't the Met. confirm whether this happened? One rule for them etc.
Friday, 2 May 2008
Beau Derek Mackay
I see Beau Derek in the local paper today trying to encourage council employees to go to work by bike to save the planet. If he really means it why don't the council close the council office car parks to all but bikes and disabled drivers. That would be easier than a bike purchase loan scheme and it might just let them see just how difficult they have made it for everyone but themselves to park in Paisley Town Centre.
Perhaps councillors and council officers should be made to pay a commercial rate for the free parking they get from the council tax payers, or at least have the benefit assessed for tax so that they can employ more smoking enforcement officers (nicotine fascists) to harass town centre traders and pubs.
Of course they have to look after themselves, they're councillors after all, but have they no shame. Bike is becoming the only way to get around the town, but with pot-holes 6 inches deep even that is a bit dangerous.
Perhaps councillors and council officers should be made to pay a commercial rate for the free parking they get from the council tax payers, or at least have the benefit assessed for tax so that they can employ more smoking enforcement officers (nicotine fascists) to harass town centre traders and pubs.
Of course they have to look after themselves, they're councillors after all, but have they no shame. Bike is becoming the only way to get around the town, but with pot-holes 6 inches deep even that is a bit dangerous.
I'm Back
It's been a while but but I'm back in the land of the Blogosphere and hope to be posting regularly again soon.
Meanwhile you have let it all go to the dogs. Where has all of the piss-taking gone. Surely the big clunking fist deserves more than he's getting. Labour are paying the price of their own corporatism. As they moved away from community values and individuals and tied themselves firmly to capitalism they are suffering from the credit squeeze in the same way as the banks and financial institutions they have come to love. The English middle classes, don't you just love them. They have reduced voting with your wallet to an art form. Labour are getting what they deserve in the English local elections, but the Tories under Big Dave Cameron are no better, in fact they are remarkably similar.
The SNP have made a complete arse of things in Scotland. They have not increased the council tax, but instead have cut services to the most vulnerable right through the country. But surely the same price for less is an increase. Perhaps they should re-introduce 'O' level arithmetic. They carry on with PFI schools and hospitals even although they opposed them previously. What happened to those extra police, student debt, a referendum and an end to the council tax Oh, and by the way, where is Sir Sean's new house?
The Lib/Dems, well, anything at all for a taste of power please, including kissing Salmond's arse.
They have become a parody of themselves. Remember when they stood for something, even if it was something different in every town. Now they stand for nothing.
That's enough to start back with.
Meanwhile you have let it all go to the dogs. Where has all of the piss-taking gone. Surely the big clunking fist deserves more than he's getting. Labour are paying the price of their own corporatism. As they moved away from community values and individuals and tied themselves firmly to capitalism they are suffering from the credit squeeze in the same way as the banks and financial institutions they have come to love. The English middle classes, don't you just love them. They have reduced voting with your wallet to an art form. Labour are getting what they deserve in the English local elections, but the Tories under Big Dave Cameron are no better, in fact they are remarkably similar.
The SNP have made a complete arse of things in Scotland. They have not increased the council tax, but instead have cut services to the most vulnerable right through the country. But surely the same price for less is an increase. Perhaps they should re-introduce 'O' level arithmetic. They carry on with PFI schools and hospitals even although they opposed them previously. What happened to those extra police, student debt, a referendum and an end to the council tax Oh, and by the way, where is Sir Sean's new house?
The Lib/Dems, well, anything at all for a taste of power please, including kissing Salmond's arse.
They have become a parody of themselves. Remember when they stood for something, even if it was something different in every town. Now they stand for nothing.
That's enough to start back with.
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