Government childcare announcement: More Conservative chaos hurting families
Ian Shires
Liberal DEMOCRAT Activist Learn more
The case for a radical, liberal left
Blue light bill bombshell as emergency services face £144m fuel and insurance costs
Government childcare announcement: More Conservative chaos hurting families
The case for a radical, liberal left
Blue light bill bombshell as emergency services face £144m fuel and insurance costs
Have your say about what New Invention needs and what part you can play
by Ian Shires on 20 April, 2017
Come along and join the buzz in #newinvention on Saturday.. we would love to hear your views #newinventionneedsyou
I live in dolphin court and I’m disabled and need to use a electric mobility scooter to get around but their is one big issue with where I live, there are no dropped curbs by me from my flat to get from my side to go to the square, I have contacted Walsall council regarding this BIG problem and was told I have to pay for this problem, I was really disgusted by this remark ? Can you help please.
I hear what you say Simon and the cars that park up on the pavement can’t help either.
There is a real issue around funding. I know most people think that there are loads of officers at the Council swanning around doing nothing. Well that might have been the case many years ago but believe me that’s not the case now. Staffing levels have more than halved in recent years. What makes matters worse is that Central Government has slashed £123 million from the Council’s Budget since the financial crisis began back in October 2008, the current government is taking a further £86 million away from Walsall over the next three years. This is happening at a time when spending on adult social care and children’s services is going through the room as the government cuts back on the NHS. Most of the money the council spends on services comes in the form of grants directly from the government. Council Tax accounts for around 17% of what the Council spends.
So what’s all this got to do with your enquiry about drop curbs? Everything I’m afraid. As Social Care and Children’s Services accounts for a large % of the Council’s spending there is not much left for other services. That having been said should not stop us from trying to make things easier for people who rely on mobility scooters to get around. It may take some time but I will ask what would be needed to help you gain reasonable access to services at The Square etc.
Will do what I can to help.
Kind regards
Ian