“Much that I’d been warned about in relation to the way in which West Dorset District Council conducts its affairs appears to be true. There is precious little “democracy” as evidenced by the fact that there’s virtually no debate on major issues.” So argues independent councillor Alistair Chisholm, who was elected in May 2011.
Posts from the “Politics” Category
I haven’t heard a cuckoo yet but I have seen the next best thing. A man, a very brave man, canvassing for the Liberal Democrats.
In all this talk of the Big Society, there’s something missing. Energy.
Dorset County Council's newspaper Your Dorset. The Red Bladder questions its value at a time when the council is planning to cut £31 million.
SO, EVEN in these straitened times, Dorset County Council has still managed to bring us yet another edition of that little belter Your Dorset.
A 16-page, full-colour publication that unashamedly assures us that the council is constantly striving to make our lot a better one and glorifying in its own spectacular achievements in a way that would make even the Communist-era Pravda blush.
Self-gratifying, vainglorious and Panglossian are words that might spring to your mind when thumbing through its turgid prose but they are not ones that I would use to describe it – I would be a lot blunter.
It comes at a time when old Eric ‘give him the money Mable’ Pickles, our much-loved Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, keeps harping on about what a waste of money these ludicrous rags are.
After all they have to be written, designed, printed and then, probably most costly of all, distributed to every household in the county. None of that comes cheap.
Still the bigwigs in County Hall are facing tough decisions, burdens must be shouldered and the pain shared out.
So come on then lads, which is it to be, lollipop ladies guarding and protecting the children of the area or another batch of free lining for the bottoms of their hamster cages?
We know that you are all wonderful on the Council, we know that you labour tirelessly both night and day to improve our lot and we know that making cuts hurts you just as much as it hurts us.
So for pity’s sake stop telling us about it in expensive publications and, just for once, face up to your proper responsibilities.
Editor’s Note: You can download a PDF of Your Dorset by clicking on this link – that is, if you never got your copy, or you’ve mislaid it, or you’re visiting from elsewhere and you’d like to assess it for yourself.
Your Dorset is written by the county council’s communications team, designed by Deep South Media of Bournemouth, printed by Newsquest in Weymouth, and distributed by the Royal Mail. The council says the cost is about 12 pence per copy.
THE GREEN PARTY is re-launching itself in Bridport.
It’s hoping to attract new members who are fed up with Conservative-Liberal Democrat policies on social justice and the environment.
The party normally meets once a month in Dorchester, but this Monday it’s gathering in Bridport.
Julian Jones said: “Many people are opposed to the policies of the Coalition and looking for a alternative.
“The Greens have a real chance of winning seats in the May local elections so we are inviting both long established members and new people to come to this meeting to help achieve change.”
Time: 7.30pm, Monday 24 January.
Place: The Red Brick Cafe on St Michael’s Trading Estate in Bridport.
Contact Julian Jones on 01308 458959 for more information or just turn up.
IT SEEMS that all the news is about cuts these days and this is no exception. Money available for bus passes for older people is being significantly reduced.
At the moment, responsibility locally lies with West Dorset District Council but as of April 2011, it will be with Dorset County Council.
Up to now West Dorset has been offering extra concessions e.g. free travel before 9.30am. Older people elsewhere in the UK – depending on the goodwill of their councils – have to travel after rush hour.
What seems to make sense in towns and cities where buses are busy with people travelling to work does not necessarily add up in remote parts such as ours.
Imagine you live in Melplash and need to go to Yeovil for the morning. If you can no longer take the 07.44, the first bus available is at 10.24, getting you to Yeovil at 11.20.
And if you want to travel from Beaminster to Weymouth without going around the houses, then you can no longer do it for free as the only bus is at 08.45.
The consultation ends this Friday, 14th January (it started on 3rd December). Seems a bit short but I have only just been made aware of this (then again, I don’t qualify for free travel yet!).
I understand that this consultation has had a postal survey and a web survey. If you qualify for a free bus pass, are affected by the proposed changes but have not been made aware, here is your chance:
http://consultationtracker.dorsetforyou.com/concessionarytravel
A Dorset County Council spokesman commented: “Whilst the official deadline is 14 January we will be processing responses received for at least 5 working days after the deadline.”
He went on: “We are consulting, amongst other things, on the possibility of restricting the use of passes before 0930 on weekdays in West Dorset, East Dorset and North Dorset (this restriction already applies in Christchurch, Purbeck and Weymouth & Portland).
“The final decision will be made by councillors taking into account the much reduced government grant and the impact on passengers of such restrictions.
“It is, however, highly likely that where buses are infrequent officers will be recommending that exemptions are allowed (there are already precedents for this in areas where the pre-0930 restriction already applies).
“We are currently identifying those journeys likely to be recommended for exemption and it is quite a long list!”
DORSET County Council hopes to save about £45,000 a year by reducing the size of its adverts about roadworks in local newspapers.
Is this a dodgy assault on the public’s democratic right to information?
Or a sensible move to safeguard front-line services?