At least HDC finally admits why the Council is in a spending crisis

In the latest District Wide, HDC has gotten around to explain why it is in such a financial mess.

"For many years we have used our capital an revenue reserves to keep the Council tax level down". There we have it. Finally HDC has admitted what I've been banging on about for ages. HDC has spent the reserves and has to cut, raise charges and raise Council Tax.

Why couldn't this council inform the people of Huntingdonshire this had been going on way before this week?

District Wide - another lost opportunity!

I recently received another propaganda magazine from Conservative run HDC. Reading through the good news magazine I would have problems finding anything wrong at HDC. No mention of the deficit or the £6.1 million of cuts to come. No mention of any strategy over how these cuts will be implemented.

Of course the Conservative run HDC wants its residents to live in a dreamworld where everything will be alright.  So only good news is in and all the bad news out is left out!

Hard Times, Hard Choice - What Options?

Having received a magazine from the Town Council. Another from the District I now get one from the County Council. Well part from the CCC. Much of the middle was from the NHS.

On page 3 Council Leader Jill Tuck says: "This edition, we focus on our budget and a tough set of decisions, created by central government’s need to cut public spending."


The first question I have to ask is: where is the focus in on CCC's budget and the tough set of decisions? Apart from a small piece on Page 6 saying: "The Council had a budget ‘gap’of just under £16 million for the coming financial year, so savings have had to be made." there isn't much else.

The second question is: where are the options? Time and again the District and County Councils are informing us that cuts are on the way but nothing about what could be cut.

At least I can read this magazine on-line. Unlike HDC or SNTC which don't have their publications on-line.

Cuts are going to happen. But where the axe is going to cut is a secret.

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!