Less to celebrate this Christmas (From Your Local Guardian)

Less to celebrate this Christmas

9:01am Wednesday 17th December 2008 in Your Say

A report in the Staines Guardian (Adult care leaves lot to be desired, November 27), together with a report in a national newspaper a few days ago serve to illustrate that actions of local Government, in the County of Surrey and The Borough of Spelthorne, have ensured the electorate has even less to celebrate than they thought this Christmas.

The Staines Guardian Report recorded The Commission for Social Care had reduced the Surrey Council rating from a low two star rating to an even lower one star rating, for its provision of adult care. Adult care includes the provision of help for people with mental problems and to pensioners in need of help.

The Staines Guardian report also records only two other councils in the whole country share the distinction of having the low one star rating.

The national newspaper paper article, on the spending of money on propaganda and publicity, reports local Government, in total, has doubled its spending of taxpayers’ money since 1997.

Only third from the top of the big spenders is Surrey County Council with a reported spend of £6.2m.

Spelthorne Council is reported as having the dubious honour of recording the biggest increase of any council over the past twelve months. A period in which it has increased such expenditure almost three-fold.

The report also says that the large total increase in such expenditure has occurred despite the fact that 218 councils reduced their spending.

The remaining 224 other councils raised their expenditure, including Surrey County Council and Spelthorne Council.

If past performance is anything to go by this festive season will see an assortment of our local Government representatives having the audacity to spend yet more of our tax money wishing us, each and everyone, the compliments of the season.

In truth they should be hiding their heads in shame.

Courtesy of the Staines Guardian, and at no cost to readers, may I wish all readers a Happy Christmas and good health in the New Year.

Mr Geoffrey Virr
Wolsey Road
Sunbury
Middlesex