Dear Editor

I write further to A Lamb’s letter printed in this weeks Kidderminster Shuttle.

It is absolutely correct to say that Wyre Forest has received a fair and just financial settlement for 06/07.  This is only after several years of the District being short changed, for example £377k was re distributed from our grant last year to other Authorities.

The increase may look large, but you have to take into account the extra services that the Council has to provide; Free Travel for OAPS, Civil Contingencies, Election administration, to name a few.

It is also unfair to compare the Councils costs to inflation, as this does not take into account that the cost of employing people has risen 6% (Mainly Pension Costs), Energy has risen 25%, and fuel 13%.  I have championed an efficiency program that will see £1,722,000 saved over three years.  The picture is not quite so black and white as A Lamb appears to suggest.

I am very conscious that the Council Tax is a sensitive tax, that is why I am proposing setting a 2.5% increase for the next three years, which is half of the Councils current finance strategy.

Yours Faithfully,
 

Cllr John Campion
Cabinet Member
Finance & Corporate Affairs

Dr. Richard Taylor (Wyre Forest) (Ind): If he has not done so already, will the Prime Minister find time to read at least the summary of the report from the Health Select Committee on primary care trusts? If he agrees with the thrust of the summary, will he try to persuade Ministers in the Department of Health that the proposed reorganisation of the NHS, the 25th since 1982, is the wrong one at the wrong time?

The Prime Minister: I do not think that it is the wrong time to consider these matters, given the shift to practice-based commissioning and payment by results. It is important that we look at the right way to configure the PCTs, and that is something that people are consulting on. However, the hon. Gentleman will know from his constituency—and, after all, he has a special interest in the matter—that there has been major investment in health care over recent years. Contrary to some of the publicity today, the result of that investment is the fact that waiting lists are at the lowest level since 1988. Also, many people who used to wait two years for an operation now get it within months

His resignaton came after his admission that he was a recovering alcholic last week.  The media frenzy was too much to bear, and he subsequently lost the support of the Lib Dem Parlimentary Party.  He had no choice but to go.  I wish him luck in the future.

All Stourport cash office transactions will be conducted the the Wyre Forest Community Housing Office, in Stourport High Street during this period.

On certain days, access to the Civic will be via the rear enterance, which will be clearly signed.  If you need further information contact the Council on k 820505.

The range of Council services available to the people of Stourport will be greatly increased once the new hub is opened.

There was a review of the CCTV system in Kidderminster, now that it is almost a year old.  There was some very interesting statistics showing how effective it was in helping catch criminals.  There was some very valid points made, including how we should link our system with the Weavers Wharf and Swan Centre System.

It bodes well for the proposal to extend the system to Bewdley and Stourport.