Building a greener, cleaner, safer community
We are told that many of the proposals before us are not cuts at all, but ‘transformation’, some supposedly motivated by environmental concern, and that they would have been planned even if the finances were not in disarray. If that is true, what kind of council would willingly vote to close Children’s Centres, like the […]
Less than one year ago, we had local elections, and although the administration between May and now might be the same, with one notable exception, the policies today could not be more different than what was promised. Madam Mayor, today is Shrove Tuesday, otherwise known as Pancake Day, so I will try my hardest not […]
When we declare that we’re going to “Transform early years and youth services to be targeted at the most vulnerable,” the statement is disingenuous in a number of ways. The euphemistic use of the word ‘transformation’ suggests we’re about to see a massive improvement to our services but what we’re actually talking about is a […]
Let’s talk potholes. Barely six months after launching a much-lauded 24-hour fix-it policy, this Tory administration decided to scale it back, having concluded, “Job done.” After one of the wettest and windiest winters on record, Royal Borough residents might be excused for thinking such a statement was premature. Standing water and frosty mornings are not […]
I have attended many council budget meetings over the years — too many I am sure some of you think. However, I have never seen a budget so appalling or the spin more misleading. I want to take you back to the important people in this — the residents you are supposed to be supporting. How […]