Council Tax Benefit Changes Consultation

This week like many residents in ESBC I received a letter from Tory Councillor Bernard Peters regarding changes to the Council Tax benefit.

This change is another cut by the Tory Government.

The letter states that there is eight week consultation which ends on 29 October 2012.  But the letters have been received two weeks before end of consultation period.

Can Cllr Peters tell the residents of ESBC why he has sent the letter so late and what are his motives?

How to evict Hot Dog Trader?

The Tory controlled ESBC has removed Hot Dog vendor from Station Street after serving the local population for over thirty years.  But they have handled this relatively simple matter like this:

First the Council told all Street traders that they will be moved to Market Square. But after over 4000 signature petition the Council was forced to do a U turn and told the traders they can stay in Station Street.

Then they told the traders they will have to retender for their pitches as the Council wants to attract new traders with different offerings.

The Council duly commenced advertising campaingn and paid for adverts in different Newspapers spending cash whilst cutting vital services.

Despite the advertising campaign the response was very poor and the existing received applications from existing traders.

Throughout this process, the Council did not consult properly and instead tried to restrict communications. 

They then evaluated the applications and awarded four pitches to existing traders.  The only one to lose out was Hot Dog Vendor and after over thirty years service, he has bowed out.

So after months of uncertainty, U turns, confusion and at a considerable cost to the tax payers, the Tory Council has evicted the Hot Dog trader.  It can only be described as utter shambles and waste of money. 
Whilst all this wasgoing on the Lib Dem Councillor who represents the Town Centre Ward went totally quiet. 
The next big project for these Tory Councillors is to kill the Market. 

http://www.burtonmail.co.uk/News/Final-curtain-for-hot-dog-vendor-as-he-is-given-boot-15102012.htm

http://www.burtonmail.co.uk/News/Council-under-fire-over-gag-order-on-street-food-traders-24092012.htm

http://www.burtonmail.co.uk/News/Business-born-out-of-redundancy-is-under-threat-from-council-19092012.htm

http://www.burtonmail.co.uk/News/Health-food-not-an-option-at-iconic-Splash-Wagon-13092012.htm
http://www.burtonmail.co.uk/News/Hungarian-refugee-who-became-a-Burton-gem-12092012.htm

http://www.burtonmail.co.uk/News/Council-is-going-cold-on-80-years-of-success-11092012.htm

What is the truth?

Councillor Grosvenor has tried to clarify the situation in respect of salary increases for ESBC Heads of Service in a letter to Burton Mail.

But we are even more confused!

The figures are given on pages 59 & 60 of Statement of Accounts and they appear to be self explanatory.

I asked Councillor Grosvenor a straight forward question: What was salary increase for the rest of the staff? 

Can Councillor Grosvenor tell us if all employees received a similar percentage pay increase as Heads of Service?

The point is these salaries are awarded to senior officers in the wake of job & service cuts. 

Unacceptable fiasco...

At the Council Meeting on 24 September 2012, I asked the Leader of the Council, Cllr Grosvenor, a question regarding problems with benefit overpayment.
http://www.burtonmail.co.uk/News/Leader-quizzed-on-725000-in-overpaid-benefits-27092012.htm

But the Leader was unable to give a satisfactory response.

The issue is that at 31 March 2012 i.e. 6 months ago the Council had overpayed benefits to the tune of massive £725,000.  Since then it has been trying to recover overpayments.  OK makes sense but this is where the problem starts!

The Council apparently uses 'Northgate System' for tracking overpayments.  But for the last 6 months there is a problem with the system and no one knows what the current overpayment figure is.

For people who are receiving benefits don't know if the right amount is deducted from their benefits.  So people could be overpaying or under paying.

Here is summary of the problem...

The Council has overpaid £0.75M (public money) in benefits.  They have been charging people, who are on benefits already and with not a lot of cash, to recover the overpayments.  But after 6 months they don't know if the problem is getting better or worse.  Also people on benefits don't know if the correct amount is deducted from their benefit and may be facing extra hardship.

Does it really take 6 months to fix a software problem?  What is the cost of the system which does not work?  How & why did Council purchase this system?  Why is the system not changed?

The Tories boast about efficiency savings and take great deal of pleasure in cutting jobs in the name of efficiencies. 
Is this what they mean by efficiencies? Utter fiasco and more misery for the most vulnerable.

Is this satisfactory level of service from the Tory controlled Council to its taxpayers?

Meeting

Had a meeting this morning with Jon Wheale (new PPC) and Labour Party Colleagues to discuss campaining for next elections leading to General election in 2015 to win back Burton seat from the Tories.
It was a great opportunity to meet Jon Wheale and discuss strategy for next few years.

Plans to Kill Off the Market approved

This evening the Cabinet has agreed to proposals which will see the death of the Burton Market.

The Conservative Councillors Grosvenor, Hardwick, Peters, Jessell and Leease unanimously voted to:
a) move outdoor market to Station Street
b) Demolish brick buildings outsie the Market Hall
c) Use the area in front of Market Hall as car park

The Conservatives simply do not want to listen to the Traders and Shoppers.

The proposed changes will kill off the Market for good!!

Listening to the nature of the questions, were the Conservative Councillors so naive about the proposals or were they being patronising to room full of people or were they simply playing to the press?

Excellent Response at Burton Market

Today we had an excellent response from the shoppers and traders of Burton Market.  There was overwhelming response to retain the market in Market Place.  People were so keen to give their views and queued to do so.  There was very strong feelings and passion regarding the market. 
These are some of the words used in response the Council's proposal to move outdoor market to station street:
Sad, Ridiculous, Appalling, Awful, Disgusting
I cannot understand why the Council will not listen to such strong feelings and views and scrap this ill thought and hasty proposal.
I was also striking to note that people were very aware that people involved with this proposal and decision makers are not market users and not even come from Burton.
I think the Tories should sit up and take notice!

Burton Market Consultation

Labour Party is holding consultation/listening event in respect of changes to the Burton Market.  On Thursday the party members met with Market Traders and customers.  It was so successful that they are going back on Saturday 28th July.
My fear is that the Tories have made up thier mind and will press ahead with the changes without paying much attention to the what people are saying like they have done with Street Traders.

 http://www.burtonmail.co.uk/News/Market-proposals-have-upset-the-applecart--26072012.htm

Family Fun Day

Queen Street Community Centre has organised a Community Fun Day on Saturday 4th August 2012 from 10.00am - 1.00pm.
The day will be packed with fun activities such as:
Bouncy Castles
Balloon Artist
Childrens Entertainment
Arts & Crafts
Crafts Fayre
Burton Albion Penalty Shootout
and lots more...

Its free entry so come along and join the party

Where is the Logic in Council's decision to move Street Traders?

Here is the extract from the Council's own report with response/evidence of consultation together with the recommendations to move the Traders. 

Summary of Street Trading Consultation



5.5 The consultation was launched in tandem with a press release on Friday 25th May 2012 and ran until Friday 15th June 2012 (3 weeks in total). Consultation letters were sent out to the various stakeholders cited below together with all documentation being made available via the website. Responses were invited electronically via the main Licensing portal or alternatively in hardcopy format.


5.6 Those invited to comment included:- Existing Street Traders, all fixed premises operating on the pedestrian zone of Station Street (including religious premises), fixed premises operating on High Street between the rising bollards, all fixed premises located at the market place including religious premises, existing market traders, Town Centre Management, operators of Worthington Way, Burton Place and the Octagon Centre shopping centres, Staffordshire Police, Staffordshire Fire & Rescue, Staffordshire County Council, Burton College, the Customer Services Centre and Waste Management.


5.7 The Head of Regulatory Services and the Environmental Health Manager met with the existing Street Traders on Monday 11th June in order to discuss the consultation document and listen to the views of the group.


5.8 A total of 59 representations have been made to the Council on this matter (including a collective response from existing Street Traders), 46 of which (78%) were opposed to a Market Place relocation. Outside of this the Council received 4,200 signatures also opposing the relocation proposal.


5.9 The breakdown of responses is as follows:-


Supportive


 Staffordshire County Council have no objections to the proposal on the basis that basis that the Council accepts full responsibility for the placement of Street Trading facilities on the highway; the County Council shall incur neither responsibility nor liability for any third party claim nor associated cost as a result of such an activity and the County Council are consulted as regards any proposed changes to the current street trading positions previously agreed. There is also an expectation that the Council formally acknowledges acceptance of these conditions.


 Staffordshire Police generally support the proposal, stating the Street Traders in the Market Place would form a focal point for customers wanting to purchase such items. Presently drunks ‘hang about’ at the top of Station Street near the late night vendor creating a potential flash point. If the night-time pitch were to relocate, there could be a potential loss in trade and the need for sufficient CCTV coverage in the Market Place.



 Staffordshire Fire & Rescue saw no issue with the proposal as long as emergency vehicle access was maintained, enabling ease of access and egress to fixed premises and associated fire exits on the market place, namely St Modwen’s Church and neighbouring premises. Ease of access should also be maintained as regards fire hydrant points in the said area.


 The representations from Town Centre Management, the managers of Coopers Square and the Octagon Centre all generally supported the move, however there was a perceived need for investment together with sympathetic planning, in order to create a food court feel and destination point. There was also an acceptance this was part of the bigger picture as regards the town centre.


 The Environment Manager for the Council was broadly in favour of the proposal and the synergy with the public realm strategy. However consideration would need to be given to the spacing of the trailers for road sweeper access, vendors would need to continue to contribute to litter clearance by way of condition and waste bin provision would need to be reviewed in the area.


 2 representations from the market traders were in support of the proposal and stated that any increase in potential foot fall to the market place would be welcomed.


 It should be noted that no representations were received from religious premises, or Burton College.


Opposed


 Individual responses together with a collective response were received from the existing Street Traders. All the said traders are resoundingly opposed to the relocation proposal as they see the Market Place as a failing location. The traders are of the view they have built their businesses up (over an average 18 year period) in their present positions and therefore compliment the general footfall in Station Street.


 The Market Place is seen as a dead space and a very poor relation to current and future pedestrian flow. Some of the traders have experience of trading in both the Market Place and Station Street and can vouch for the substantial loss in earnings potential as a direct result. The traders are however keen to have further dialogue with the Council and to further explore as to how they can complement the regeneration of Station Street albeit retaining their current trading positions.


 The traders would welcome the addition of market traders down Station Street on certain days, thus creating more of a buzz and a destination point, which is of mutual benefit to all concerned, including the fixed premises on Station Street. The traders are also not opposed to the revamping of their trailers to portray a ‘corporate look’.


 It has also been suggested that the provision of electrical hook-ups on Station Street could improve the scope of trailer that could be used due to the constancy of supply.


 In support of their case the Street Traders have canvassed 3,525 signatures from their customers who wish to convey the following message to the Council – ‘We the valued customers of the street traders strongly object to the proposal of ESBC to relocate the street traders to the market square as we prefer their current location’.



 A total of 35 representations were received from fixed premises on Station Street, High Street and Market Place. 32 of the representations were opposed to the relocation proposal on the basis that the market place is not considered a viable option for such small businesses


 In addition, a total of 675 customer signatures were canvassed by business premises specifically located on Station Street which supported the retention of the Street Traders in their current position, as they are seen as a valuable, popular dimension in Station Street which compliments footfall in the area for all concerned.


 The 3 representations in support of the proposals support a de-cluttering of Station Street and the broader concept of a ‘piazza’ style market place, where persons could meet and socialise, however the re-location of the current trade vehicles was considered at odds with the existing architecture and potential of the market place.


 The Council received a total of 3 representations from existing market traders, 1 of the representations was opposed to the proposal, stating the activity would detrimentally affect premises which do not sell food and would essentially put their customers off visiting the area. In addition it was also stated that St Modwens church may also be detrimentally affected by the change, as food odours etc would be unwelcomed.( Although the Church did not respond)


 A total of 5 comments were received from members of the public concerning the proposal. All 5 representations opposed the move to the market place stating this would see the demise of the traders generally as the location would prove non-viable. It was also felt that the traders are already in the best position, providing a welcomed dimension to the Station Street gateway, a sense of hustle and bustle and a welcomed stop-off point for commuters arriving from the train station and town centre workers generally.


 The Council received a representation from the Chair of Licensing Committee expressing the counter view that the open market should move to Station Street, with the Street Traders remaining in their current location. It was suggested this would free-up the market place for other uses and create a stronger retail feel in the Station Street area as a result. There was also some doubt as to whether a “food court feel” could be generated by the proposal, resulting in a further down grading of the perception of the market place.

Recommendation(s)



1. That the Street Traders be relocated as soon as possible to the Market Place in the short term ( potentially until April 2013) ;


2. That subject to the outcome of the consultation on the location of the Street Market, the Street Traders become part of the overall market and be co located.


3. That the Street Traders operate under market trading licences in the future.
 
It seems that the Conservative controlled Council had made the decision to move the Traders and undertook the consultation to meet statutory requirements or give the impression that they listen to public when they had no intention to change their mind.
There is overwhelming support to retain the Traders in current location and I fail to see the logic to move the Traders.

Who is the Council listening to?

Recently the Council decided to move the Street Traders from Station Street where they have been for decades.  This is an area of high footfall and obviously good for business for the Traders.
This decision appears to be rushed and despite petition with 4000 signatures from local residents the Council did not listen and went ahead with moving the traders from Station Street.
So this raises the question Who is the Council Listening to?
It appears that the voice of local people does not matter any more to the Conservative run Council.  I think the Conservative Councillors should tell us their real motives otherwise the residents will continue to speculate.

What is going on at ESBC??

In February the Council decided to cut Pest Control service.  However the Council has certain duties and it stated in this report "...the Council will need to reserve some monies to match-fund and deliver the sewer baiting activities in ‘hot spot’ areas across the borough to control rat populations; plus some monies to tackle both rats and mice on council owned land and action works in default for rodent control..."
However I have found out that the Council has not got anyone to deal with it's statutory duty since cutting the Pest Control Service.

I have been informed that the Council is still in a process of  appointing an external Contractor.  This is extremely poor and irresponsibe planning by the Tory controlled Council that has left the Borough without this vital service which could affect the health and well being of residents.

This is the true impact of cost cutting exercise. 

Chestnut Grange Opens

Chestnut Grange development (over 55 care home) has opened.  Councillor Carruthers and I visited the new development this week and were very impressed with the layout, quality and services provided from this site.
The accommodation consists of 67 Units of 1 & 2 bedroom flats.  There is a restaurant and cafe' within the complex which also boasts hairdressing salon and IT suite.  It even has guest room where guests can stay overnight when visiting their family.
There is a true community feel and it is evident that a lot of attention has been given to cater the needs of the residents.
We thoroughly enjoyed the visit!

Briefing Meeting

Attended a briefing meeting today in respect of Uttoxeter Leisure Centre.  An update was given on the 2 preferred options which are quite a distance apart.  However there was no map available showing location of the proposed options.  So I felt we had a stab in the dark.  I am not convinced that this is the best way to decide such an important matter which is intended to improve the recreation, health & well being of the residents.
Incidentally we are compelled to attend these briefing meetings where no decisions are taken but one Councillor traveled all the way from Uttoxeter but had to leave the meeting whilst this item was discussed.  Why can't he participate in the briefing session where no decisions are taken and listen to what the Council is proposing?