Tories say No Cuts in Services but ...

The Schools are breaking up next week for Summer Holiday.

During the holiday the Council provides sports activities for young people.  However I noticed that the Council's website is out of date.  Actually it still shows details of Easter Holiday activities.

http://www.eaststaffsbc.gov.uk/Services/SportEastStaffs/Pages/SportintheHood.aspx

The Tories say that they are not cutting services but it appears that after £1.2M cut in budget there is no one to update Council's website.  Is communication and up to date information important for ESBC? How do people access and benefit from services if they don't know about them?

Tories say No Cuts in Services but ...

I requested refurbishment/relocation of Cricket pitch in Anglesey Park in May.

Over 2 months later I am still awaiting details from the Council.  The last communication I received regarding this issue was over a month ago advising me that the Council is obtaining quotes.

How long does it take to get quotes?
When will the work be undertaken?

Tories say they are not cutting services but presumably there is lack of staff to deal with the workload. 

Is this a result of over £1 Million cut in the budget?
 

Tories say No Cuts in services but ....

In May this year part of Anglesey Ward was designated Alcohol Free Zone (AFZ).  This was a planned event and has taken a long time to gather evidence required to obtain a legal order.  Obviously signs are required to distinguish and inform people that they are entering or within AFZ.  The Council provided some signs which are quite small in size and have been mounted such that they don't catch one's attention and certainly there are not enough of them.
I have requested additional signs located at least at the both ends of the streets within AFZ and areas where there are hotspots such as Uxbridge Street.
After over a month since this request was made there is still no confirmation if and when these signs will be provided.  The estimated cost of additional signs is circa £500.
The Tory controlled Council is prevaricating because they apparently can't afford a few hundred pounds for additional signs.
The question is why is there no money for these signs in the budget?
According to this report the Council under spent by £200,000 last year.
The Tories say No Cuts in Services but can't afford a few hunderd pounds for extra signs.
Is this adequate level of service?  Make your own mind!!

Tories say No Cuts in Services but ....

I have requested a floor mounted bin.  However I have been advised that this is not possible due to lack of money.

Litter cleaned at last

After over 3 months of chasing, I am advised that the litter shown below has been cleared.  If there are no cuts in Services as the Tories tell us then why has it taken so long?  Surely people should not endure this mess for months.  The people can see and feel deterioration or cuts in Council Services.

Over 3 months ...

Tories can deny that they are not cutting services but they must explain why after 3 months this litter is not cleaned?

Is it really possible to cut over a million pound in budget and maintain same level and quality of services?

Tory Cuts or not??

I have learned that the Council provided broadband for some of the Councillors has been terminated.  We were told that the Council will not longer provide broadband for Councillors after December 2011.  However it appears that broadband service has been terminated much earlier.  Moreover apparently the Councillors were not notified either.
Without broadband access the Councillors are unable to access documents on the website and crucially the vital communication link is broken.  When we receive all of our Council communication electronically it means the Councillors are practically unable to send and receive information.
We know the local Tory administration is in denail about the cuts but who is responsible for this fiasco??

Why is the Council consulting on behalf of Developer??

We were told by ESBC last night in a meeting that no tax payers' money has been spent on this Development Brief for land South of Branston. Indeed it was confirmed that this is not ESBC document as it is produced and paid for by the Developer.
If this is the case then can the Council's Tory Leadership explain:
a) who is paying for publishing the consultation on ESBC website?
b) why are responses sent to ESBC?
c) who pays for the officer time dealing with queries and responses?
d) is the Council website free for all public consultations?

Land South of Branston

Attended a public meeting at Riverside Hotel, Branston in relation to development of land known as South of Branston.  This site had an industrial use and is heavily contaminated.

The meeting was attended by nearly 200 people so much so that the meeting room did not seem big enough as many people were standing and spilling over into corridors.

The main concerns were traffic especially in Main Street, contamination and flooding.  The character of village feel will also be compromised by hundreds of new houses.

Many people made numerous valid points and some of the residents have quite in depth knowledge of the site and history of previous attempts to develop the site.

The overwhelming message from the residents is "We don't want this development".  I guess it is up to the Council to make the decision to allow development on this site or not.

I suspect if the access to the site is not permitted from Main Road and the Council insists on grade separated junction on A38 along with flooding and contamination risks then the site will be dead as the cost of infrastruture and clean up will be prohibitive.