According to the Evening News, Norwich City Council has employed political lobbyists for a sweet sum of £150,00 to lobby MP's for the unitary status. The Conservative spokesman, Anthony Little has criticised the move accusing the council leaders of making it hard enough to get new signs and menial costs released and then £150,000 is splurged on this. Malthues is in complete agreement with this for once.
£150,000 could do so much for this city. It could sort out dirty parks, make a real investment in local services or give more support to those in the poorest wards. It seems crazy that the council is paying this sum! I don't expect my council to waste my council tax on this idiocy. If someone can justify this sum then i will be very suprised! When the supporters of the unitary bid moan around council funding for their projects then I damn well know what my reply will be!
Showing posts with label Unitary. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Unitary. Show all posts
Wednesday, 18 April 2007
Saturday, 14 April 2007
SNP, Independence and Unitary
The talk of the elections has so far concentrated on Scotland and Wales. There has been little talk so far of what might happen within England and Norfolk. Maybe that is because the most controversial outcome might be the victory of the SNP and a road to independence. Maltheus isn't convinced that this is the greatest idea that Salmond or Scotland has had - Sure Ireland has a thriving economny but Maltheus doesn't reckon that Scotland would be able to make that jump - Without having to go through a very painful period.
One of Norwich's issues is the Unitary bid at the moment and Maltheus isn't too confident that voters know about this or even care! On the doorsteps it is crime, education, health that matter rather than a little bit more independence for some and a little less for others. Now, the o bearded one -Steve Morphew- would argue that actually by tackling the unitary bid you tackle the other problems. But Maltheus can't see that playing well on the doorstep and so that might be why Labour isn't mentioning it on their literature?
So with the EDP's help - What are the Unitary bids pro's and cons?
- Advantages of home rule:
-Decisions on services in Norwich will be made by councillors who represent the city.Less confusion over who provides services.
-The new unitary authority would be able to have a stronger focus on urban needs such as deprivation, educational attainment and health issues.
-Closer working with local communities and neighbourhoods.Higher profile nationally and internationally
-Better targeting of resources on deprived areas.
Educational attainment in the city would rise.
Disadvantages of home rule:
-Higher council tax bills created by the £18 million set up costs for the new authority and £32 million overall change and transformation costs.
-Redundancies among social care and cultural services staff.
-Possible closure of some libraries.Extra confusion due to a two-tier system.Widespread disruption and breaking up of services which currently work well.
-The city council's balances being taken to a level below that recommended for council services.
All the parties in city hall bar the Consevatives seem to be in favour of the bid but interestingly Maltheus hears of grumblings in the Labour County ranks. Not keen on a decrease of power?
One of Norwich's issues is the Unitary bid at the moment and Maltheus isn't too confident that voters know about this or even care! On the doorsteps it is crime, education, health that matter rather than a little bit more independence for some and a little less for others. Now, the o bearded one -Steve Morphew- would argue that actually by tackling the unitary bid you tackle the other problems. But Maltheus can't see that playing well on the doorstep and so that might be why Labour isn't mentioning it on their literature?
So with the EDP's help - What are the Unitary bids pro's and cons?
- Advantages of home rule:
-Decisions on services in Norwich will be made by councillors who represent the city.Less confusion over who provides services.
-The new unitary authority would be able to have a stronger focus on urban needs such as deprivation, educational attainment and health issues.
-Closer working with local communities and neighbourhoods.Higher profile nationally and internationally
-Better targeting of resources on deprived areas.
Educational attainment in the city would rise.
Disadvantages of home rule:
-Higher council tax bills created by the £18 million set up costs for the new authority and £32 million overall change and transformation costs.
-Redundancies among social care and cultural services staff.
-Possible closure of some libraries.Extra confusion due to a two-tier system.Widespread disruption and breaking up of services which currently work well.
-The city council's balances being taken to a level below that recommended for council services.
All the parties in city hall bar the Consevatives seem to be in favour of the bid but interestingly Maltheus hears of grumblings in the Labour County ranks. Not keen on a decrease of power?
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