The Weather in...

? Liberal Blogs ?

View Our Guestbook
Sign Our Guestbook

Printed & Published by M. Price, 39 Whinchat Grove, Kidderminster, Worcs.

Friday, December 23, 2005

Cemetery again...

We are getting a new flood of letters and phone calls from upset and angry relatives who have discovered that a family grave in Kidderminster Cemetery has been "staked" and "banded" and that they face a hefty repair bill. Obviously this is a time of year when people try to visit family graves.

If YOU are having problems let us know.

posted by Oborski, 10:26 | link | comments

Yet another phone mast proposal...

Plans for a phone mast on the Texaco Garage site at the Bruce Road Junction on Kidderminster's Birmingham Road have been attacked by local Liberal Councillor Rachel Lewis.

Cllr Lewis said "the proposed site is in the centre of a residential area and I am seriously concerned about the long term inplications of siting a mast in this location".

"O2 have written to local residents saying that they intend to site a 12.5 metre mast at this site but as yet they have not applied for planning permission."

"I would urge all local residents to make their views known as quickly as possible."

posted by Oborski, 10:21 | link | comments

O.K.?

I noticed the other night that at least one Wyre Forest District Council Cabinet has a screen saver on his Council lap top which reads "Conservatives rule Wyre Forest. O.K." If they think of themselves as "rulers" what exactly do they think of everyone else?

posted by Oborski, 10:20 | link | comments

Wednesday, December 21, 2005

The Times reports...
Two Jags and his mystery council tax bill

JOHN PRESCOTT, who has presided over a huge increase in council tax bills, is being challenged to declare whether he is avoiding paying any council tax himself.

posted by Oborski, 15:42 | link | comments

Sunday, December 11, 2005

Let's still hope for full apology...

We received a letter from UNISON on Saturday. They are not happy with "apology" - so we await further developments with interest.

posted by Oborski, 18:19 | link | comments

Thursday, December 08, 2005

Let's hope for full apology...

IF a full and acceptable apology has gone to Wyre Forest Unison Secretary Terry Clark we will quite happily withdraw our Notice of Motion (scroll down below). We await confirmation.

Councillor won't quit

by LILSA HERITAGE

A WYRE Forest District Council cabinet member who branded public sector workers "leeches" has apologised for his remarks but is refusing to resign despite coming under fire from opposition members.

Conservative, Nathan Desmond, regretted his choice of words in a row over workers' pensions and pay but vowed not to quit.

In a letter to the Shuttle/Times and News, Mr Desmond, who represents Oldington and Foley Park, criticised the secretary of trade union, Unison's, Wyre Forest branch, Terry Clark, for calling for better retirement pensions for council workers.

Some members of the council's opposition parties, angered by Mr Desmond's comments, called for his resignation.

Labour councillor Chris Nicholls, representing Cookley, said: "He heaps contempt on public sector workers, who perform vitally important jobs for very little reward.

"Almost half of the council's workforce earn less than £16,000 a year - nowhere near the national average. The least that this very valuable workforce can expect is a decent pension at the end of their working life.

"We support the action of Unison and Terry Clarke in seeking a settlement, which is in line with other public sector workers. We call for councillor Desmond to resign immediately."

Liberal member, Mike Oborski, of Offmore and Comberton, also voiced his concern and has tabled a motion deploring Mr Desmond's comments. Angry Liberal members had called for a public apology for the offence the comments caused.

Mr Desmond rejected any calls for his resignation but apologised for the wording of his letter.

He added: "It was never my intention to criticise or undermine the employees of the Wyre Forest District Council. I fully recognise that the council employees are dedicated and committed and have my full support.

"In the letter, I was trying to highlight public concern over the crisis in pensions and the widespread anxiety around the political spectrum that the current pension arrangements are unsustainable.

"I fully accept that, in hindsight, my choice of wording may have been unfortunate and I unreservedly apologise for any offence caused. I certainly didn't intend my words to be interpreted as an attack of Wyre Forest district council employees."

posted by Oborski, 13:43 | link | comments

Wednesday, December 07, 2005

Love those Tories!

...look up "dracula" on the national Tory web site and what do you still find - "Michael Howard" of course!

posted by Oborski, 20:02 | link | comments

Tuesday, December 06, 2005

Council Provisional Financial Settlements for 2006/2007 - mixed news...

Liberal Group Finance Spokesman Cllr Graham Ballinger has welcomed the Government's Provisional Financial Settlement for Wyre Forest for 2008/2007.

Cllr Ballinger said "The proposed 8.6% increase in grant of £579,000 above inflation bringing us up to a total grant of £7.282 million is extremely good news for Wyre Forest - particularly as the average increase for local authorities is only 4.6%"

Cllr Ballinger said "this settlement means that we should be heading for a very low Council Tax increase in Wyre Forest without any risk to services. That can only be good news for all local residents particularly those who are already hard pressed to meet Council Tax bills."

Meanwhile the Liberal Leader at County Hall, Cllr Mike Oborski, described the Provisional Financial Settlement for the Worcestershire County Council as "absolutely appalling".

"While Birmingham will get £567 per head from the Government next year Worcestershire will receive £441 per head less meaning just £126 per head!. Evening allowing for the good deal which Wyre Forest is getting as a District this is till crazy as the County Council is responsible for the big three expensive services - Education, Social Services and Highways - all of which are desperately in need of major investment locally."

"The coming year could be a difficult one financially at County Hall."

We have received the following District Council briefing on the Provisional Financial Settlement from the Government for next year:

The Provisional Finance Settlement was announced by Local Government Minister, Phil Woolas on 5^th December 2005.

Nationally the increase in Government Grant is an average 4.5% for 2006/07 and 5% increase for 2007/2008.

Wyre Forest will receive for 2006/2007 an above inflation increase of £579,000 (8.6%) based on an adjusted base for 2005/2006 ie Total Formula Grant of £7.282m (as compared with £6.077m 2005/2006).

Wyre Forest’s provisional grant for 2006/2007 is as follows :-

Revenue Support Grant £1,173,000

Business Rate Grant £6,109,000

Total Formula Grant £7,282,000

For 2007/08 Wyre Forest’s provisional notification of grant is £7.670 million, an increase of 7.3% over an adjusted Total Formula Grant for 2006/2007.

No other information is currently available, however, the settlement is significantly higher than anticipated in the Council’s Finance Strategy and is therefore welcome news for the District.

A full report will be made to Cabinet on 22^nd December 2005.

Here is the initial official County Council response...

Government grant gives County Council more challenges

Worcestershire County Council may be challenged to find more ways of saving cash without reducing the quality of its services in light of the first part of its grant from the Government for 2006/07.

The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has announced how much cash councils will get in the next financial year for their day to day services. This includes funding providing social care, maintaining highways and running libraries, among many others. Funding for education will be announced in the next 48 hours.

Worcestershire is one of the worst-funded authorities of its type in the country and the second-worst funded County Council. And this year's provisional settlement from the Government looks like it has once again left the county lagging behind its neighbours such as Birmingham, Warwickshire, Gloucestershire and Black Country councils.

Worcestershire's funding from Government per head of population is £125.47. The shire council average is £147.84, meaning the county is £13.8 million short of the normal amount of Government assistance.

Cllr Adrian Hardman, Cabinet Member for Finance, said: "Once again the settlement hasn't done us any favours and there could be a funding gap of around £3 million just to maintain funding for services at their current levels. With or without the threat of capping from Government, we don't feel it's right that Council Taxpayers should bear the brunt of our funding situation, so a Council Tax increase above five per cent is not an option. Using the Council Tax to cover up Governments lack of funding is not an option.

"We don't want to compromise the quality of services we currently provide, so what we shall have to do is what we've proven we're so very good at over the last six years, making efficiency savings. That means tightening our belts without making cuts.

"However, in 2004/5 we achieved £3.1 million worth of efficiency savings and have a target of £6.5 millionthis year. To square the position we'll have to increase that by another £3 million at least, which is starting to be a very big ask.

"Considering Worcestershire has had a value for money culture from it's start, you have to wonder just where these savings are to be found, if at all. It is time the Government faced up to the problems shire authorites have, and not just produce a funding system which favours a section of the country, as is shown by the treatment of Metropolitian areas such as Birmingham."

Worcestershire's grant for services outside of education is around £69 million, an estimated 3.8 per cent increase on last year. Because the education block has not yet been announced, comparisons with last year's settlement or Council Tax predictions CANNOT yet be made.

posted by Oborski, 16:14 | link | comments

Wyre Forest Christmas refuse collection service...

Get full details here (pdf file).

posted by Oborski, 12:34 | link | comments

Roads gritted by the County Council...

...in bad weather. See the map (pdf file).

posted by Oborski, 12:28 | link | comments

Monday, December 05, 2005

Street light hits the ground...

...on Offmore!

posted by Oborski, 22:05 | link | comments

Live in Wyre Forest? Need physiotherapy on the NHS? Here's what to do...

...Forget it! They are not accepting any referrals - you'll simply have to suffer! Yet another painful disaster brought to you by local NHS bosses! It's a total scandal and disgrace!

posted by Oborski, 21:18 | link | comments

Another...

...rude, abusive and brainless Tory Troll so the "Comment" feature goes off again. Debate is fine but not that sort of stuff. Sad!

posted by Oborski, 21:13 | link | comments

Council Motion...

Angry Liberal members of the Wyre Forest District Council have tabled a motion deploring Tory Cabinet Member Cllr Nathan Desmond's comment that Council staff "act like leeches and suck this country dry".

Liberal Group Leader Cllr Mike Oborski said "People are perfectly entitled to express their views on pensions and pay but in using the word "leeches" Cllr Desmond has gone too far. His choice of words is sickening, offensive and inappropriate."

"The Council work force are dedicated and hardworking and deserve respect and proper consideration."

"If Cllr Desmond issues a full and appropriate apology that is acceptable to Mr Clarke then we will be perfectly happy to withdraw the Motion."

"If he does not do so then we will pursue the Motion and the Liberal Group will have to reconsider its attitude to the minority Tory administration. So far we have been as helpful and co-operative as possible. It is extremely difficult to believe that the Liberal Group could consider any continued assistance until this matter is finally resolved."

The Motion says:-

This Council totally disassociates itself from the comment of the Cabinet Member for Leisure and Community Safety in the Kidderminster Shuttle on 24th November 2005 that "Those like Mr Clark on the left of politics believe that he and his members have a divine right to act like leeches and suck this country dry".

This Council does NOT regard its staff as "leeches" out to "suck this country dry". Council believes that it’s officers and staff are dedicated and hard working, deserve a fair deal, and are entitled to be treated with respect and consideration.

Council calls upon Cllr Desmond to apologise immediately for the widespread offence which he has caused.

posted by Oborski, 21:10 | link | comments

We liked the way he voted...

So we've tabled this Motion for Wyre Forest District Council's December Meeting...

Council congratulates Dr. Richard Taylor MP on his principled behaviour in supporting the Conservative and Liberal Democrat Parties in their Parliamentary opposition to the Government’s illiberal proposals for the Introduction of ID Cards and to the 90 Day Detention Clause in the Prevention of Terrorism Bill.

posted by Oborski, 15:11 | link | comments

These vehicles are parked over 30 feet from the junction?

We don't think so!

posted by Oborski, 15:04 | link | comments

When is an "option" not an "option" - 2

Writing to the Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS TRust the Rt. Hon. Jacqui Smith, MP for Redditch, moans that she...

...is disappointed to learn that the Chairman of the Trust has closed the door on any further changes at Kidderminster.

....suggests the total closure of the Kidderminster Birth Centre and the removal of the night time service at our minor injuries unit to help keep services at Redditch.

Hands off Jacqui! There must be NO MORE cuts at Kidderminster Hospital!

posted by Oborski, 13:37 | link | comments

Thursday, December 01, 2005

Christmas Quiz...

This is for fun - unless you live in the Offmore & Comberton Ward - in which case print out the questions, ring the right answer, add your name and address and return to Christmas Quiz, 6 Osborne Close, Kidderminster DY10 3YY, by Noon on December 31st 2005. You might then win a bottle of scotch! (In the case of a draw the wimnner will be drawn from among those entries having the most right answers.)

1. Christmas trees were introduced to England by:
Henry VIII : Charles II : Prince Albert

2. Our image of Father Christmas owes a lot to:
Coca-Cola : Art Deco : Italy

3. On the 1st Christmas of which war did troops stop fighting and play football?
Word War I : World War II : Vietnam

4. Turkeys were introduced to Britain from:
Turkey : America : India

5. At midnight on Christmas Eve perfectly behaved Polish children can hear:
Angels sing : Animals talk : Devils howl

6. In the Soviet Union Father Christmas was replaced by:
Uncle Joe : Sergei Bear : Jack Frost

7. Christmas Cards started in the reign of:
Victoria : Elizabeth I : Anne

8. Christmas was banned by:
Cromwell : Hitler : Nixon

9. St Nicholas Day is:
Dec 6 : Dec 24 : Dec 25

10. New Years Eve is known in parts of Europe by which Saint’s Name:
St Nicholas : St Silvester : St Paul

posted by Oborski, 19:35 | link | comments

Latest Focuses...

Broadwaters / Greenhill / Offmore & Comberton

Offmore & Comberton Survey Results

posted by Oborski, 19:32 | link | comments

Council workers are NOT "leeches"!

From this weeks letter column of the Kidderminster Times & Shuttle...

COUNCILLOR Nathan Desmond's denunciation of council staff as "leeches" out "to suck the country dry" is as misguided as it is despicable.

Of the "leeches" working for Wyre Forest District Council, 83.8 per cent earn less than £25,000 a year and 44.2 per cent earn less than £16,000 per year.

As Unison have already pointed out, on retirement the "leeches" can expect an average pension of £3,695 a year while the pension for women "leeches" averages just £1,616 a year.

Those who Councillor Desmond knows as "leeches" are known to us as hard-working and dedicated workers, who deserve a fair deal and to be treated with respect and consideration.

Councillor Desmond is a cabinet member for Culture, Leisure and Commercial Services, the very department which employs many of our lowest-paid council workers.

Given his apparent total disdain for council staff and council services, he should be sacked from that post without delay.

COUNCILLOR MIKE OBORSKI

Liberal group leader

COUNCILLOR GRAHAM BALLINGER

Liberal finance spokesman

UPDATE...

We've tabled this Motion for December's full Council Meeting...

This Council totally disassociates itself from the comment of the Cabinet Member for Leisure and Community Safety in the Kidderminster Shuttle on 24th November 2005 that "Those like Mr Clark on the left of politics believe that he and his members have a divine right to act like leeches and suck this country dry".

This Council does NOT regard its staff as "leeches" out to "suck this country dry". Council believes that it’s officers and staff are dedicated and hard working, deserve a fair deal, and are entitled to be treated with respect and consideration.

Council calls upon Cllr Desmond to apologise immediately for the widespread offence which he has causes.

posted by Oborski, 16:42 | link | comments (7)

GET IN TOUCH! E-MAIL

POST

PHONE

FAX

LINKS

Government grant gives County Council more challenges

GET IN TOUCH!
E-MAIL