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Thursday, February 22, 2007
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12 comments:
Just thought I'd post a comment saying that I HAVE ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO SAY AT ALL ABOUT ANYTHING.
Mind you, there are an awful lot of roadworks around at the moment.
AND have you counted and mourned for all the trees that have been killed recently
Yours
Ho hum
Treebeard
You lucky residents of Swanage will be paying from the beginning of April more council tax than any other householders in Purbeck.
Those with memories not that long can remember former mayor Tony Miller boasting that the investment the town council was making in the caravan park would be reaping rich rewards.
He was predicting a zero town council tax, and even, that the residents might expect a bit back.
Well that was then. This is now.
And the amount the town council is asking from you is going up rather more than 22 %.
Not the 5 % that the other council tax setting authorities - the Police, the Fire Brigade, Dorset County Council and the Purbeck Council have all been forced to keep within.
The Government says 5 %.
Swanage says 22 %
As a parish council it doesn't have to stick to 5 % and the books have to be balanced.
This year the average council tax for Swanage town council has been
£67.60.
From April you will be paying £82.55 on average.
In terms of the whole council tax it isn't much.
The County council takes over £1,000.
Purbeck has increased its share from £138.60 to £145.39.
The police cost us on average £156.51.
Considering the concerns about the police coverage of Swanage that might be considered steep.
The Fire service takes £53.19.
Total, for those, just over £1,400.
Then there's £82.55 for Swanage.
Have you heard any debate about it.
Have I missed the discussion?
What is happening in Washpond Lane between Brickyard Lane and the turning before Herston Yards Caravan site ? There is a huge amount of fairly unsympathetic tree felling and hedge clearance; and the adjoining fields are all marked out with posts and tapes. Is this some kind of environmental improvement work ? the pleasant wooded lane is going to take years to recover and right now is a total mess. Does anybody know ?
The third road crossing [outside Somerfield] is currently having works done. Is any of this work really necessary, where is the gain, what is the cost?
Shore Road
Shore Road is now going to be closed over the summer. Ocean Bay to the Mowlem.
I know there are going to be mixed views on the implications of this, but it IS happening. Now with this in mind and the fact we are having tuk-tuks, change is in the air my friends.
I'm proposing that on saturdays in the summer, we have several street performing pitches in this space and allow entertainers to work in these areas. I'm writing to the council to suggest this. What do people think.
PLEASE lets not debate the pro's and cons of this here, it is happening wether we like it or not, I just want some feedback about having covent garden style entertainers here.
Thanks
Water has been pouring down the track leading to the Prospect Crescent allotments for the past 3 weeks (at least) I know we have had a lot of rain recently, but this is extraordinary - is it a seasonal stream, a burst water pipe or a certain large pond requiring more drainage facilities ? Does anyone know (or care) ?
I must just say that I was delighted to see that our Sun reading - not got the reading age necessary for the Torygraph - Council have finally decided to help our young people.
They are redecorating the Chav Hut.
How nice - I wonder if they consulted with our future tax payers over the colour scheme?
One last point, will the fence be taken down?
I hear the hospital is going to be closed at night- presumably the person who told me this was referring to the minor a&e department. Anyone know about this?
No wonder council tax is shooting up.
The chief executive of Dorset County Council had a 14% rise last year to £157,184.33 in 2005-6 and this included a lease car allowance of £4,500 and private medical insurance of up to £675.
It's almost as much as the prime minister gets.
Though I guess the book and lecture deals after a stint with DCC will be less lucrative.
But, for anyone who has had anything to do with DCC and has torn their hair out over its seeming lack of efficiency, it's a quite astonishing sum.
A quarter of it would be excessive.
And he isn't the only one to get more than £100,000.
The TaxPayers' Alliance says his deputy got £124,774.13 last year, a 13.9% rise, and three others received a shade more than £119,000 - including one who left after an efficiency review reducing the number of directors.
"A Blues Covent Garden" the Advertiser said. Out of season on what would otherwise have been a quiet weekend in March.
The Swanage Blues Festival is BIG, with people coming from all over the UK and abroad, and the BBC, national newspapers and magazines recognising its importance with substantial coverage.
What I saw was a seaside town out of season, full of people who had flocked there to revel in a joyous festival atmosphere. Meanwhile the shops, pubs and restaurants, like the hotels and guest houses, were taking a great deal of extra money. I know how much my wife and I spent, and we did not begrudge one penny. It was marvellous!
But did you know that for a year beforehand, Steve Darrington puts a huge amount of effort, time and his own benefit money into creating this annual success for Swanage? Sadly he overdid it this time and collapsed Saturday lunchtime, spending the rest of the weekend in bed, so he didn't even get to enjoy it himself.
Can you honestly say that he got your support? Did you put up a poster, make a donation or take out an advertisement on the website (for £12 a year, that's all he asks). He can't do it without you, you know.
You can still help. Steve's already launched himself into arrangements for next year, and he's got plans for other weekends. But he can only do it if you, the people of Swanage, offer your help, support or financial backing.
You can contact him via the website www.swanage-blues.org or phone him on 01929 422338. Don't he shy, he can't afford to be and still make it happen again.
why are these figures about fat cat county council bosses hidden away on yr website?
Dont you think its interesting enough to know why our council tax is going through the roof.
HOUSING CRISIS AREA MEETING
New Lobby/Action/Support Group.
WEDS APRIL 19th, 7PM, The Red Lion meeting room, High St, Swanage.
Numerious readers of The Gazette have requested that a meeting be set up for all those affected in whichever way by the articles in The Gazette over the past three months regarding the current housing crisis - locals, second home owners, businesses, etc. Everyone welcome. Come and give your opinion - action, not reaction is required. Please make the effort to attend if you have an opinion to express.
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