Another District Wide. Another missed opportunity!

This District Council faces making £6.1 million of cuts. Not that you would know from the front cover of this propaganda magazine. (3 pages of District Wide - google docs)

Turning to page 3 and Cllr Ian Bates doesn't say anything about the impending cuts. On pages 8 and 9 there is a set out under the banner - Council tax - planned increase halved.

So how did the Council halve the planned increase? Not a mention of this in the article below the headline.

No mention of closing the Public Conveniences. 
No mention of charging for car parks. 
No mention of the £6.1 million deficit. 

But there is a mention of the on coming storm in the graphic on page 9.

Each white box informs the reader of how much has to be saved each year. £1 million + £1.6 million + £1.6 million + £1.9 million = £6.1 million of cuts. Why can't HDC admit this?

Further down the page is a paragraph asking for our feedback. HDC asks the following:

• Should we increase charges for services such as car parking and leisure centres?
• Should we introduce charges for services that are currently free and, if so, which ones?
• Are there services that we could reduce or stop altogether?
• Should we just increase council tax, if the government will let us?

That is all fine an well. The point I will make is this is like pinning the tail on the donkey. Unless proper information is given on the working and finances of HDC are given there is no real point. I'll take each point separately.

• Should we increase charges for services such as car parking and leisure centres?

What will increases raise? What are the consequences?

• Should we introduce charges for services that are currently free and, if so, which ones?

What services do you provide for free?

• Are there services that we could reduce or stop altogether?

What services do you provide and at what cost. How can I decide what should be reduced or stopped.

• Should we just increase council tax, if the government will let us?

To get rid of this deficit by increasing Council tax would mean an average rise of £102. Is this what I'm agreeing to if I just say yes!

I find this article a waste of time. It hides the truth. Trumpets at the halving of planned increase but doesn't say the reductions were due to the closure/transfer of toilets. It misses the opportunity of having a conversation with residents on the decisions that need to be made. Yes, the residents have been told but in such a way as to cover up the severity of the forthcoming cuts!