My local council

11 Aug 2010

Quote by GnV
Don't forget their copper bottomed pensions and the fact Councillors now pay themselves kenty
That's where all your money is going and why they have to cut services...

Don't say things like that GNV..........yes the public sector do like a pension or three. lol

Around here where I work there are 23 units paying between four and six thousand pounds a year, and around the corner there are 11 units paying 5 grand a year and 14 that are paying 9 grand a year.
Now for that money not a single business gets anything from that including mine. We all have to pay for private waste collections too.
That alone is a vast sum of money when all added up, and I just cannot see how councils spend the money they do, it is nothing short of a scandal.
In most businesses the biggest outlay is wages....including firms national insurance contributions which are high also. Does the same thing apply to councils with huge ammounts of staff, doing jobs where they make the titles up as they go along, and paying them huge ammounts of money.
Maybe they should look at their wage bills and the ammounts they pay some of their staff. But I bet councils would much rather cut costs than staff!!!
On the other thread it was muted that the average salary was 13 grand a year, that was blown out of the water big time, and there were many links put up highlighting the crazy job titles, and the excessive wages they were paying. I cannot be bothered to look again but I believe they are all over staffed, and spend far too much money on expensive out side contractors, and pay high earners in the council far far far more than they would be worth in the private sector......still it is not their money in real terms........is it?

11 Aug 2010

Is your local area unique in providing solely rubbish collection.
Or do you not value the other services such as police and fire fighting?

11 Aug 2010

Quote by Ben_welshminx
Is your local area unique in providing solely rubbish collection.
Or do you not value the other services such as police and fire fighting?

Do you not read anything I write Benny?
The police ain't worth a light unless it is murder, as they take about four months to turn up for anything. All they do is send a plastic plod along who cannot even save people from drowning....Google the link.
Firefighters I luckily enough have never had to use, unlike my bin.
Did you not see any of my points, as am not going to bother repeating them again just for your benefit.

11 Aug 2010

Well yes you repeatedly say all you worry about is your bins but I assume you use all the other services too albeit passively in the case of the police and fire services or actively in terms of using the roads.

11 Aug 2010

Quote by Ben_welshminx
Well yes you repeatedly say all you worry about is your bins but I assume you use all the other services too albeit passively in the case of the police and fire services or actively in terms of using the roads.

Already explained the first two....the roads?
Ah yes the roads. Does my road tax of 240 quid a year per car not cover the cost of the roads? I always thought that is what I paid my road tax for....upkeep of the highways.
Or the fuel duty we all pay, does that not go towards the road upkeep? No? Well what do those things pay for then?
Now pot holes caused by councils doing slap dash cheap repairs, that is another matter all together.
This may go towards explaining things to you...

11 Aug 2010

Quote by kentswingers777
Christ this is tedious.
It's the same story again. Up to 10% of recyclables isn't recycled because it's contaminated. SO it goes to the incinerator or the landfill.
Now, you like to have a rant about how wicked it is that council's fine people for putting the wrong stuff in their bins. One contaminated bin in a ten ton load can mean all ten tons goes to landfill, producing an additional cost of £480. So, to get that cost down, don't you think it's right that people who waste council money by messing up their recyclable waste should be fined?
And if you and Nipper don't like the odd barb(ie) Ken . If you want a civilized debate, do your bit.

Sorry Woody I think people are finding it very interesting, and certainly the only one who is finding it tedious is your fine self.
Is somebody by any chance standing behind you every time you post? Thought not but for someone who finds it all so tedious, you ain't half got a lot to say on the subject.:hunk:
If you do not like the content or in fact the thread itself, then you can very simply move on to one of the other threads, which are over that a WAY>>>>>>>>>>

Quote by woody then
then cut out the constant abuse of people who work for, or contract for, councils or the government

Oh and btw..........as a taxpayer and a higher bracket taxpayer as well, IF I do not like what I see councils or National Government do, then I have a democratic right to moan, and on occasion moan directly.
That is what you can do in this fine country of ours.

A higher bracket taxpayer no less?
You can moan all you like Ken. None of us can stop you, even when you know the square root of sod all about the subject in question. I object to the way you routinely insult and demonize people who work for local authorities. That's all.

11 Aug 2010

Quote by Ben_welshminx
Well yes you repeatedly say all you worry about is your bins but I assume you use all the other services too albeit passively in the case of the police and fire services or actively in terms of using the roads.

our council tax contributes towards fire brigade and police bengy it doesn't mean that their under council control
((((((((((shudders at the thought))))))))
unlike refuse, social services local taxation ,public bathe parks library`s and so on
and i don't think the question has be raised regards police or fire brigade so yours it not much of a point to make .
yes if your asking these services (non council controlled )are indeed probably value for money (except the 5 million pound empty police station in our local town ) dunno

11 Aug 2010

Quote by awayman
You can moan all you like Ken. None of us can stop you, even when you know the square root of sod all about the subject in question. I object to the way you routinely insult and demonize people who work for local authorities. That's all.

It is purely because I do not agree with your ramblings Woody, that gives you the hump. Oh well such is life.
Is there a law now that says you cannot " insult or demonize " someone purely because they work for the local council? Is it in anyWAY against the AUP on this site? Thought not.
You really should not let your personnel feelings cloud your judgment on such matters, as that way the facts get distorted.
Plus I knew you could not keep AWAY from posting. lol

11 Aug 2010

On Monday I telephoned a local council who I thought was responsible for roads, as there was suddenly a hole appeared in the road and a numpty put temporary traffic lights there with a mad time from when they changed.
Hence the traffic was a nightmare.
Apparently when the local bod from the council eventually found the road in question, he did not know about any lights at all. He then said it was nothing to do with Gravesham council but the Highways agency, and then gave me the number.
So it seems that not all road problems are dealt with by the local authority, as I would have imagined.

11 Aug 2010

Quote by kentswingers777
...stuff
Already explained the first two....the roads?
Ah yes the roads. Does my road tax of 240 quid a year per car not cover the cost of the roads? I always thought that is what I paid my road tax for....upkeep of the highways.
No as your link so usefully points out it goes into the pot with all the other taxes your 'road tax' is for the privilege of using the roads central government then allocates monies for maintenance of roads...they are not connected
Or the fuel duty we all pay, does that not go towards the road upkeep? No? Well what do those things pay for then?
See my previous point
Now pot holes caused by councils doing slap dash cheap repairs, that is another matter all together.
Those slap dash cheap repairs are usually the work of the bright shiny privately owned utility companies...who singularly fail to synchronise their repair and maintenance works often resulting in the same patch of road being dug up several times in a short period
This may go towards explaining things to you...

11 Aug 2010

woody then wrote:
I object to the way you routinely insult and demonize people who work for local authorities.

ok objection noted wave

11 Aug 2010

Listen, what is wrong with making people take their own glass to a centralised bottle bank rather than have a gas guzzling lorry come and collect it?
After all, most glass put out for collection is either beer or wine bottles (if one reads the papers correctly about the UK home drinking habits) so why not save more of the planet (and some money) by making them take their own empties back when they go for replenishments?
Or I am being too simplistic by far?

11 Aug 2010

Quote by GnV
Listen, what is wrong with making people take their own glass to a centralised bottle bank rather than have a gas guzzling lorry come and collect it?
After all, most glass put out for collection is either beer or wine bottles (if one reads the papers correctly about the UK home drinking habits) so why not save more of the planet (and some money) by making them take their own empties back when they go for replenishments?
Or I am being too simplistic by far?

Yes, good point, when I was much younger, not so long ago, we used to take back our glass bottles to the village garrage where we got some money for doing so. In fact we used to walk the village collecting everyone's bottles lol

11 Aug 2010

Quote by Bluefish2009
Listen, what is wrong with making people take their own glass to a centralised bottle bank rather than have a gas guzzling lorry come and collect it?
After all, most glass put out for collection is either beer or wine bottles (if one reads the papers correctly about the UK home drinking habits) so why not save more of the planet (and some money) by making them take their own empties back when they go for replenishments?
Or I am being too simplistic by far?

Yes, good point, when I was much younger, not so long ago, we used to take back our glass bottles to the village garrage where we got some money for doing so. In fact we used to walk the village collecting everyone's bottles lol

Perhaps I should ask Cameron for a job as a bottle bank tsar... pmsl
I have the credentials!!

11 Aug 2010

Quote by GnV
Perhaps I should ask Cameron for a job as a bottle bank tsar... pmsl

I am suprised that the local council have not thought of that one, and taken a few wallys on with a 150 grand a year price tag....they usually pay people way more than they are worth. wink

11 Aug 2010

Quote by kentswingers777
Of course I have to work to budgets, but cannot understand your arguement.
If I have to explain budgets to you Kenny then it is getting a bit too much too explain.
The introduction of fortnightly collections around here have been going now for about two years, long before any so called cuts.
Cuts have been in for a long time now. Every year savings have to be generated, in other words cuts or to put a spin on it new thinking or innovation. So when you say they are not in yet it is only the new cuts that have been announced that will have to be brought in as well.
Call me a cynic Davey but as I detest the way my council operates, did they bring in these new measures to make things better from a financial point of view, or just another way to extort money from people through fines?
Both I would guess. But the question I would like to know the answer to is how many fines have been given? The ones that have been in the paper around here are usually given by the court and when you read in the paper that Mr X was advised in 2008 12 times and then in 2009 8 times and eventually took them to court...........I wouldn't say that is exessive use. Some councils may but I hear in the papers they have the powers given to them but they use them sparingly. Similar to the Smoking legislation that went through. Possibly a hundered persistant offenders a year are fined. Bugger all really.........but if you want to believe that council officials go around fining all and sundry then that is your opinion. Just it is wrong, but you can have it.
Nothing will convince me any different as I want my general waste emptied every week. For 1300 quid I expect that at least.
You pay about £200 to your district council Kenny. The rest goes to your County for schools, police, fire, etc. So to keep saying you spend £1300 for emptying your bin is just wrong again I am afraid.
As I have said in the past Davey.....they say they are cutting back but that has not stopped them from spending vast and I mean vast sums of money on their plush brand new offices, which if memory serves me right is going to be around 6 yes 6 million quid. The same council who in 2008 spouted they might not have enough money to put the Christmas lights up in Bexleyheath high street.
I do not know your council. How many offices does it have around the area? How many council buildings? How old is/are it/they? What are the maintenance costs? Any upgrade requirements required?
Without these types of answers then I couldn't answer. It could be a waste of money, but then again it could save the taxpayer money over a ten year period. Simple business answers and solutions. You did say you were a businessman didn't you Kenny? Short, medium and long term aims?
If things are that tight would 6 million quid have been better spent within the very community they are supposed to be serving? Not into some lovely brand new building with chambers lined in gold leaf.
Depends if it saved money in the long term that could then be invested back into the community it is there to serve. Without all the facts and not a sound bite nobody here can answer that question for you Kenny.
It is like most things in life, it is all well and good both local and national Government spouting about cuts to this and cuts to that, as the people at the higher end of both of them to them it will not matter one jot.
If you are talking about their pay then that is one thing I can agree on. When a Local Authority worker gets more than the PM then something has gone wrong with the payscales.
Councillors and MP's impliment the cuts but on their salaries nothing will affect them at all, it is the Mr and Mrs taxpayer that will be hit.
As above
Luckily enough for me the cuts will hopefully not affect me a huge ammount, what I want is my rubbish to be collected every week like it has been for years, then I may see a bit of value for the huge ammount I pay every year.
Of course they won't effect you Kenny.......until you need that service. Most council services are very specific and most people do not know they exist until they are required. Then they are grateful for them. I hope you or anybody else don't need them......but if you do, you'll be glad they are there.
As for your bins Kenny, does the bin wagon come to your street every week? Isn't that a weekly service?

Dave_Notts

11 Aug 2010

SO what are we moaning about councils doing or not doing I am a bit lost.
In fact in edit, what do they do apart from emptying bins and raising taxes that folk hate em so much for? The way some folk go on one would think they bear a grudge.
Nar I give up again. Its just whinge whinge whinge based on ignorance.

11 Aug 2010

Quote by Ben_welshminx
SO what are we moaning about councils doing or not doing I am a bit lost.
In fact in edit, what do they do apart from emptying bins and raising taxes that folk hate em so much for? The way some folk go on one would think they bear a grudge.

Oh I bare a grudge alright Benny.
Yes it seems you are a bit lost if you cannot understand what people have been writing about here....I won't explain it for you.

11 Aug 2010

What did the council do to you?

11 Aug 2010

What makes me laugh is the way some people think, it is evident they keep chickens and grow their own veg, recycle everything even their smelly old socks, and then try and make a few bob no doubt down their local boot fair.
They have no issues at all with their council tax ammounts, see councils as saviours of the community, and eat good healthy food.
Good luck to them but I have better things to do with my time............I cannot think of anything more boring to be honest.
Still am sure the local boot fairs are excellent value for money.....funnily enough I almost went to one a year or so again, then I realised it would not be to my advantage.
What a way to ruin a good ol Sunday just to try and save a few bob....maybe the councils should look at that the next time they are looking to make cuts. lol

11 Aug 2010

Quote by kentswingers777
So it seems that not all road problems are dealt with by the local authority, as I would have imagined.

Local Authority can be District or County. You probably called your District Council who does not deal with roads. If you had called County then they do take care of the roads as they have the Highways department.
Shame you wasted a phone call......but be gratefull you don't work for a council, because if you made a human error you would be called a tosser or wanker by some judgemental people who didn't know you or knew what you did lol

Dave_Notts

11 Aug 2010

Quote by Dave__Notts

So it seems that not all road problems are dealt with by the local authority, as I would have imagined.

Local Authority can be District or County. You probably called your District Council who does not deal with roads. If you had called County then they do take care of the roads as they have the Highways department.
Shame you wasted a phone call......but be gratefull you don't work for a council, because if you made a human error you would be called a tosser or wanker by some judgemental people who didn't know you or knew what you did lol

Dave_Notts
Actually Davey it was not wasted at all, as they just transferred me, as the nice gentleman said " really the customer services should have told you this was not the right department when she transferred you ".
Just cannot get the staff even though I explained in very simple terms why I was ringing. Still it did not cost anything as I rang on my firms phone and I do not pay for that.....the firm does. wink

11 Aug 2010

Quote by flower411
Many of us thrive because of it

Sorry did not realise you thrived on boot fairs.
Are they any good?
Do they hold any real value?
Just curious as really not my cup of tea browsing through other peoples rubbish that they no longer want.
Mind you though I have heard they have stands there that sell brand new things like boot leg cd's and perfume.
Only what I have been told of course.

11 Aug 2010

Quote by kentswingers777
Just cannot get the staff even though I explained in very simple terms why I was ringing.

I know you ain't to blame. You possibly couldn't. You explained exactly what you wanted.....to the wrong Council. Good move :thumbup:
Next week Kenny tells how to complain to BT by phoning Virgin rotflmao

Dave_Notts

11 Aug 2010

Quote by flower411
Many of us thrive because of it

Sorry did not realise you thrived on boot fairs.
Are they any good?
Do they hold any real value?
Just curious as really not my cup of tea browsing through other peoples rubbish that they no longer want.
Mind you though I have heard they have stands there that sell brand new things like boot leg cd's and perfume.
Only what I have been told of course.
rotflmao

Yet again you comment on something you clearly know nothing about!!
Hence the question marks....think we have been down that road before....remember?
A ? = question that normally responds with an answer...........simples.

11 Aug 2010

Quote by Dave__Notts

Just cannot get the staff even though I explained in very simple terms why I was ringing.

I know you ain't to blame. You possibly couldn't. You explained exactly what you wanted.....to the wrong Council. Good move :thumbup:
Next week Kenny tells how to complain to BT by phoning Virgin rotflmao

Dave_Notts
Really?

Where it clearly states... " maintain and repair roads and street lighting, cycle paths, footpaths and bridleways ". Under the title...." How your local council helps you " !!
Explain please why ringing up my local council who do repair roads, is the wrong council? Even customer service obviously thought the local council did.
How is the mere resident supposed to know what roads in a borough are repaired by the local council or the Highways agency?
You are obviously so much cleverer than some of the idiots like me on here Davey.

11 Aug 2010

Quote by kentswingers777
You are obviously so much cleverer than some of the idiots like me on here Davey.

Sometimes you are so right Kenny.
Lets explain councils again for you Kenny.
You have a County Council and a District Council (sometimes these are Boroughs/Rural/Urban/etc). These are both called Local Authorities but people generally call them "The Local Council". Each have different roles and services that have to be delivered to the local community.
Why are they called Local Councils then? Well I would hazard a guess and think the Kent County Council may be responsible for where you live. Is that Local? Now Nottinghamshire County Council is local to me but it is not local to you. Hopefully we now know what local means.
Whats the difference? County generally deal with schools, social services, highways, etc. District deal with bins, homelessness, garden maintenance, home repairs, public housing stock, etc.
This is a simplified version and if you want in depth knowledge then you should google your own councils and the websites will tell you all about their services for you.
You'll notice I haven't talked about Unitary Authorities......as this may be too much at this time.
How is the mere resident supposed to know? Well you know those leflets that "Tells us feck all" that you throw in the bin? Perhaps if you read one you would know. You know the internet thing because you don't use libraries. The council also has a website that tells you what departments are available. This all boils down to people not taking responsibility for their own actions and wanting to be hand held all the way.........or in other words nannied. I thought you hate that? Must only be when someone else does it or want it dunno

Dave_Notts

11 Aug 2010

Quote by flower411

You are obviously so much cleverer than some of the idiots like me on here Davey.

We all spotted that ages ago !!! :giggle:
Now now Flo...........we don't want that to be construed as a spat now, as we know what happens when it gets to that.........don't we?

11 Aug 2010

Quote by Dave__Notts

You are obviously so much cleverer than some of the idiots like me on here Davey.

Sometimes you are so right Kenny.
Lets explain councils again for you Kenny.
You have a County Council and a District Council (sometimes these are Boroughs/Rural/Urban/etc). These are both called Local Authorities but people generally call them "The Local Council". Each have different roles and services that have to be delivered to the local community.
Why are they called Local Councils then? Well I would hazard a guess and think the Kent County Council may be responsible for where you live. Is that Local? Now Nottinghamshire County Council is local to me but it is not local to you. Hopefully we now know what local means.
Whats the difference? County generally deal with schools, social services, highways, etc. District deal with bins, homelessness, garden maintenance, home repairs, public housing stock, etc.
This is a simplified version and if you want in depth knowledge then you should google your own councils and the websites will tell you all about their services for you.
You'll notice I haven't talked about Unitary Authorities......as this may be too much at this time.
How is the mere resident supposed to know? Well you know those leflets that "Tells us feck all" that you throw in the bin? Perhaps if you read one you would know. You know the internet thing because you don't use libraries. The council also has a website that tells you what departments are available. This all boils down to people not taking responsibility for their own actions and wanting to be hand held all the way.........or in other words nannied. I thought you hate that? Must only be when someone else does it or want it dunno

Dave_Notts
Being patronising Davey does you no favours.
I shall have to go and have a swim now to cool off.

11 Aug 2010

Certainly no threat attached at all...not my style.
Just a bit of very friendly advice from one member to another, I did say the word member.