The high lights are:

• 2.5% Council Tax increases for the next three years (Inflation runs around 3%).
• £180k to improve the Public Toilets.
• Decriminalise on Road parking in Wyre Forest.  This will bring on road parking enforcement under the control of the local council.
• £17k grant towards completing the restoration of the War Memorial in Kidderminster.
• Money to improve the districts car parks, and to provide more spaces.
• CCTV systems for Stourport and Bewdley.

The Cabinet will hold a public meeting as part of the 26th January Cabinet to consult the districts tax payer on their budget proposals.

We began the evening, honouring Cllr John Wardle MBE JP DL, by making him an Alderman.  It was inspiring to hear tales from his 50 year public service.

Then we went to the ordinary council meeting.  The agenda had been kept light, to ensure it was short.  Other parties submitted questions, and there was three motions.

The first motion was predictably about Nathans' letter to the Shuttle commenting on the national pension crisis.  Nathan had previously made a personal apology to Unison for any offence cause, he repeated this in the Shuttle, and he also made an un conditional apology to Council tonight.

The liberals motion asked for him to apologise further, then Labour amended the motion to ask him to resign.  After a drawn out debate, the amendment and original motion were lost.

I don't see this as a victory for the Conservative Party in Wyre Forest.  What we do need to do, is to recognise that an error in judgement has been made, and we now need to move on.

I heard David Milliband, who is the local Govt Minister give an address and take some questions.  He does not appear to have his mind set on Local Govt re organisation, but said he just wanted to start the conversation.  I am not sure I believe him.

He interestingly said that Central Govt had a lot to learn from Local Govt.  The Conservatives are the largest party in Local Govt.  He appeared to get flustered when the question of regional Govt was raised, and failed to give a clear rebuttle.  It is strange how these issues all come together, Police Re organisation, Local Govt review, Local Govt funding review ............

Another point David Milliband reminded his LGA audience of was that he last addressed them on 8/7/05, the day after the London Bombings, and today, the day after the Oil Depot explosions.

What this means to you and me, is that the Govt will announce how much money they are giving to local authorities next year (2006/2007).  The grant is very late this year, and there is big fears in local Govt that the grant will not be very generous, leading to a high council tax.  We have pledged locally that we will keep it low.  So the next few months will be interesting.

We introduced the lowest ever council tax increase this financial year (3.94%) in Wyre Forest, whilst at the same time achieving a balanced three year budget.

Kind Regards

                -Tav.-

Your wish is my command ..............

Two leading liberal councilors have publicly called for the sacking of Cllr Desmond, following his letter in last weeks Shuttle.

Nathan is the Cabinet Member for Leisure Services (not Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure and Commercial Services as stated by the liberals), and has performed his role with considerable drive and professionalism over the last 18 months.  And long may he continue.

It would appear that the Liberals think Nathan was having a direct attack on Wyre Forest employees, perhaps the liberals didn’t read (or maybe understand) his letter properly, as he was commenting on a NATIONAL ISSUE, not a Wyre Forest specific issue.

Nathan is one of the first to commend our hard working staff at the District Council, and it is outrageous for anybody to say otherwise.  Nathan was making his personal view, he was not representing the view of the Council or the administration.  He was not commenting in his capacity as a Cabinet Member.

This country is based on a principle of free speech, where people can put their views freely.  Well it would seem that this is only true in the eyes of the liberals when they agree with it, or couldnt score any political points from it.

It is about time they grew up, and got on with the job of representing the people that elected them.