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Acrylic-bob · 12-10-2004, 06:08

Recently we have learned of Messrs Britcliffe and Rix’s plans to sell off our Victorian Market Hall. We have also learned of further plans to sell off parks and recreation grounds. Why? Because the council, for the second year in succession, has overspent. To the tune of £1.8 Million pounds last year and £ 480,000, so far, this year.

Shocking figures which should give every person in the borough cause for concern. But that is not the whole story. Not by a long chalk. It was revealed, almost casually, last week that the real extent of the borough’s indebtedness was a figure far in excess of these paltry amounts. How does £60 Million grab you?

That’s right. SIXTY MILLION POUNDS

Which, given that the borough’s annual budget is a mere £41 million, is, to say the least, excessive. Can you imagine what the interest on these loans must be costing us every day?

Is it any wonder then that the borough never has enough money to finance it’s projects and has to rely on government and European handouts? Is it any wonder that the council is doing everything it can to make it’s/our assets as saleable a commodity as it can.

A mark of how desperate the situation really is, is contained in the sad story of Chaigley Manor. Now that it is sold the trustees are sitting on a £600,000 fund. Which they intend to use to support children’s groups in the borough. Britcliffe has even tried raiding this pot to fund the budget deficit.

Am I the only person in the borough who thinks that Britcliffe and Rix should resign -NOW?

12-10-2004, 06:08	#1
Acrylic-bob God Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Tragic Conn Posts: 4,007 Blog Entries: 15 Liked: 2 times Rep Power: 2470	Selling Hyndburn by the Pound. Recently we have learned of Messrs Britcliffe and Rix’s plans to sell off our Victorian Market Hall. We have also learned of further plans to sell off parks and recreation grounds. Why? Because the council, for the second year in succession, has overspent. To the tune of £1.8 Million pounds last year and £ 480,000, so far, this year. Shocking figures which should give every person in the borough cause for concern. But that is not the whole story. Not by a long chalk. It was revealed, almost casually, last week that the real extent of the borough’s indebtedness was a figure far in excess of these paltry amounts. How does £60 Million grab you? That’s right. SIXTY MILLION POUNDS Which, given that the borough’s annual budget is a mere £41 million, is, to say the least, excessive. Can you imagine what the interest on these loans must be costing us every day? Is it any wonder then that the borough never has enough money to finance it’s projects and has to rely on government and European handouts? Is it any wonder that the council is doing everything it can to make it’s/our assets as saleable a commodity as it can. A mark of how desperate the situation really is, is contained in the sad story of Chaigley Manor. Now that it is sold the trustees are sitting on a £600,000 fund. Which they intend to use to support children’s groups in the borough. Britcliffe has even tried raiding this pot to fund the budget deficit. Am I the only person in the borough who thinks that Britcliffe and Rix should resign -NOW? __________________ Enough is ENOUGH Get Britain out of Europe