Letter to the Leader of Derby City Council

[mistaram]

Bet the person who wrote that would struggle to run a bath At least 50% of their complaints happened before this council was formed

[KingCharlieGeorge]

Bet the person who wrote that would struggle to run a bath At least 50% of their complaints happened before this council was formed

Most councils have had to cut services because of vastly reduced funding from the Tory Government (since 2010). Then the Tories attack those councils saying how disgusting it is that the councils are cutting back!!

[ramAnag]

Most councils have had to cut services because of vastly reduced funding from the Tory Government (since 2010). Then the Tories attack those councils saying how disgusting it is that the councils are cutting back!!

Absolutely true...like.

[swaledale]

Most councils have had to cut services because of vastly reduced funding from the Tory Government (since 2010). Then the Tories attack those councils saying how disgusting it is that the councils are cutting back!!

Yes thats true, but its also true that the manner in which those cuts have been delivered is in many cases and Derby is one example shambolic, with front line staff having wage cuts or freezes and management trousering large pay increases (to manage the stress of a reduced budget!) - Councillors at various authorities often of labour persuasion have also no problem with increasing their allowances whilst cutting jobs and wages, it is all about choices and some of these poor choices or wilful mismanagement took place prior to the cuts being imposed.

I don't support the slash and burn approach to public services, the cuts often hit the poorest and most vulnerable in society, BUT there was and still are inefficiencies that could be resolved that would save thousands of pounds and often cuts are made to make a political point, rather than because thats the best way of saving money.

[FrenchTrimmed]

Yes thats true, but its also true that the manner in which those cuts have been delivered is in many cases and Derby is one example shambolic, with front line staff having wage cuts or freezes and management trousering large pay increases (to manage the stress of a reduced budget!) - Councillors at various authorities often of labour persuasion have also no problem with increasing their allowances whilst cutting jobs and wages, it is all about choices and some of these poor choices or wilful mismanagement took place prior to the cuts being imposed.

I don't support the slash and burn approach to public services, the cuts often hit the poorest and most vulnerable in society, BUT there was and still are inefficiencies that could be resolved that would save thousands of pounds and often cuts are made to make a political point, rather than because thats the best way of saving money.

Like very much - absolutely spot on. Those with their snouts in the trough very rarely vote to have the trough reduced in size. That's why people have a distrust and dislike for politicians, both local and national, as well as people in senior positions in local administration, the NHS, the civil service etc., who never seem to be called to account properly and seem to manage to escape from their incompetence with massive pay offs. For example we have a certain Colin Jones who has received £320,000 of taxpayers' money and has had his NHS pension safeguarded despite allegations of lewd conduct and questions about his work. He was able to demand compensation from his employers for the loss of two jobs! Then we have the Teflon Mr Vaz rescued from what you would have thought was an indefensible position by his fellow Labour MPs. One could go on and on and on but it is clear that when the pressure is on those in positions of power and authority in public life almost always ensure their interests are protected and that ordinary people have to foot the bill in increased taxes and cuts to services.

[Akwesasne]

Yes thats true, but its also true that the manner in which those cuts have been delivered is in many cases and Derby is one example shambolic, with front line staff having wage cuts or freezes and management trousering large pay increases (to manage the stress of a reduced budget!) - Councillors at various authorities often of labour persuasion have also no problem with increasing their allowances whilst cutting jobs and wages, it is all about choices and some of these poor choices or wilful mismanagement took place prior to the cuts being imposed.

I don't support the slash and burn approach to public services, the cuts often hit the poorest and most vulnerable in society, BUT there was and still are inefficiencies that could be resolved that would save thousands of pounds and often cuts are made to make a political point, rather than because thats the best way of saving money.

Have you not used the term "Slash & Burn" in the wrong context ? It is a very efficient ancient agricultural method where undergrowth is slashed and burned and the ashes used to fertilize the land. The people then move on after a few harvests and then at some future date return to repeat the process. The method has been used for over two million years so therefore is proven and sustainable. Hardly the end result of what's left after council has done their deadly deeds to compensate for the tax dodging exploits of individuals and corporations who refuse to pay for necessary infrastructure.

[ramspride]

Yes thats true, but its also true that the manner in which those cuts have been delivered is in many cases and Derby is one example shambolic, with front line staff having wage cuts or freezes and management trousering large pay increases (to manage the stress of a reduced budget!) - Councillors at various authorities often of labour persuasion have also no problem with increasing their allowances whilst cutting jobs and wages, it is all about choices and some of these poor choices or wilful mismanagement took place prior to the cuts being imposed.

I don't support the slash and burn approach to public services, the cuts often hit the poorest and most vulnerable in society, BUT there was and still are inefficiencies that could be resolved that would save thousands of pounds and often cuts are made to make a political point, rather than because thats the best way of saving money.

Swales - Like