Unfair, Unaffordable and Unnecessary

The implications of Bolsover's dreadful decision to put Council rents up by an average of 9% and warden charges by up to 26% are starting to become all to clear. Cameron has eagerly announced new right to buy discounts of up to 75% meaning that it won't be long before many tenants find it cheaper to buy than rent. And with properties being given away like this they'll be no money to build any more houses and less coming in in rent to service the £94 million loan the Council will be saddled with.

The only fair and affordable strategy is to keep rents down, whether the Government like it or not (what's it got to do with them anyway??) That way money continues to flow into local shops and the costs to us all in paying for tenants on benefits is minimised. So its good news that the petition to get Bolsover to re-think their decision is now up and running in shops on the many estates across the District. If you want a copy of the petition or the poster drop me an email on kerr.duncan@hotmail.co.uk. Later on we will be holding the first meeting with the Campaign to Defend Council Housing so watch the blog for further details.

Duncan

Things can only get better

Bolsover's new recycling service has settled down well and the Council can take some credit for it. I say "some" because the service was one of the worst in the country. This chart http://www.resource.uk.com/article/Latest/Waste_Collection_Authority_Performance_chart
published in January shows Bolsover 232nd of 235 authorities.

Hopefully Bolsover will now be climbing the table but a lot of work is needed to match the best Councils in the country. The staff trying to lead on this won’t be encouraged by the news that the Council's Climate Change group has, I hear, been suspended.

One rule for you......

I understand that following my blog revealing Bolsover Council's decision to splash the cash on a new civic car for the Chairman it has now been decided that other Councillors can book the car to attend their meetings as well.

Curiously the idea of providing pool cars is nearly what I proposed at a recent Council meeting when it was rejected out of hand. I say "nearly", because I proposed a fleet of high efficiency, low emission cars that could be used by staff not one 7 seat luxury car for Councillors. Spot the difference?

I'll keep working on it.....

Getting things right

Congratulations to the Economic Development staff at Bolsover for getting the Council highly commended by the Local Government Chronicle. There are some excellent initiatives here such as the apprenticeship scheme I have commented on earlier. And of course if we saved money in some other areas, that don't deliver outcomes for the community, the Council and its residents could do even better.

More smoke and mirrors

Important news from the Campaign to Defend Council Housing it seems that the much vaunted self financing of Council housing is another sham, with national government continuing to take hundreds of millions from Council tenants whilst weakening their security of tenure. Here's what they say:

Rent and Right to Buy policies threat to tenants

New right to buy discounts will not lead to one for one replacement of council homes sold. Only extra sales above current predictions will be replaced. This ensures Government continue to get their 'cut': a further £498 million by 2015 robbed from council housing. And new homes will be at up to 80% market rents, with fixed-term tenancies - not the secure, genuinely affordable and accountable homes desperately needed by the nearly 5 million people on council waiting lists.High council rent increases this year will be followed by further big rises over the next three years, if current targets are imposed. These would mean 36% rent rises over five years, well above the 22% inflation predicted. With a new round of privatisation also threatened, tenants, with trade unions and councillors, are stepping up campaigning against these attacks, and for investment in council housing.Tenants will join trade unions, MPs and councillors to protest at the Housing Minister's HQ in London from 8am on 28 March to demand investment in council housing with really-affordable rents and secure tenancies.