Free grit for all!
 

I've just come out of a full council meeting (no, I can't believe it either) and Cllr Britcliffe has given us all some genuinely 'good news' regarding grit for the winter. For the next fortnight, everyone in the borough is entitled to ask for a 16kg bag of grit in order to prepare for the winter, a scheme which I honestly think is a decent gesture.

The only problem with that was highlighted afterwards when we had a quick think about it and Cllr Ciaran Wells pointed out that if every household in the borough asked for a bag at the current price of grit it would end up costing around £6.6m!

Hyndburn Council can be contacted on 01254 388111.

Re: Free grit for all!
 

Yum.

Grit pudding, and all the trimmings, for Christmas.

God bless us, every last one.

:D

Re: Free grit for all!
 

Please could mine be popped through my letterbox, with next year's calendar?

Re: Free grit for all!
 

The Americans enjoy their 'grits'-enjoy yours.Just don't ask for more.

Re: Free grit for all!
 

ell its okay I don't need one

Re: Free grit for all!
 

I will help jaysay save our local economy by not taking one either.
I still have a bag I bought last year.
Lets all refuse the offer and get free poll tax instead with the £6.6 million Britcliffe has stashed aside to help us all out and get some more medals for himself.

Re: Free grit for all!
 

Well at least something has come out of last years fiasco during the winter. Our mob have been putting salt bins out over the past few weeks in convenient places the first time in a while and have been buying in a huge stock pile. Looks like the petro-chemical plants wont be keeping us ice free this year.

Re: Free grit for all!
 

Can i have Two...cos i've no doubt my neighbour will nick one!!:rolleyes:

Best Regards - Taggy

Re: Free grit for all!
 

On the flip side though what would be the cost of litigation if the weather is as bad as last year with all the accidents?

Re: Free grit for all!
 

Forget the grit which just sounds like a gimmick and 5 minute wonder.

While you were all together what was said about the markets?

Re: Free grit for all!
 

What was said about the job losses at Tesco ???

Re: Free grit for all!
 

If it is 16 kg won't get you far, you'll use 1.5-2 kg a day easily.

Re: Free grit for all!
 

I have 3 within 2 mins slipping n sliding distance. :D 100kg min in each. :D

Re: Free grit for all!
 

....and what was said about cutting the Council budget by a third over the next 4 years? Are you telling me you all got together and talked grit???????

Re: Free grit for all!
 

Nothing about those issues. The meeting was really about the core strategy.

Re: Free grit for all!
 

This counsel HAS A STRATERGY ?? :rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:

Re: Free grit for all!
 

Even dictatorships have strategies :)

Re: Free grit for all!
 

Is it worth setting up a poll to see if any of us can come up with the correct figure ?

Re: Free grit for all!
 

That's where the incredulity sets in.

The last full council meeting was in July, we're supposed to have them every six weeks to discuss the really important issues across the borough but for one thing the Leader of the Council doesn't like them that regularly and for another the last scheduled one was cancelled altogether following the death of John Griffiths rather than merely postponed.

Today's meeting was what is referred to as an extraordinary meeting in which only one major issue is discussed that cannot wait until the next scheduled full council.

The current Conservative majority is just two, with the three independent councillors likely to support Labour during voting, hence the majority is lost and any awkward motions which may be put to the council have a real chance of being passed.

If the Baxenden bye-election goes the wrong way for Cllr Britcliffe then the few remaining full council meetings until next May will be somewhat tricky for him.

Re: Free grit for all!
 

I might be wrong here but I recall the number of households in Hyndburn being 35,000ish.

6.6 million / 35000 = 188 roughly.

So a 16kg back of grit costs £188. Pull another one Britcliffe.

Re: Free grit for all!
 

Oh Dear.

Looks like someone needs a new slide rule or calculator.

Aprox. 80,000 people in the Borough. Everyone agree?

Assume about 2.7 people per household. Everyone agree? (OK, I'm being a bit mean - it's maybe 3)

Still, That makes 30,000 households. Everyone agree?

£6.6m divided by 30,000 = 220

Thats £220pds per 16kg bag of grit, or £13,750 quid per metric ton

I think someones got their decimal point mixed up somewhere. I know Britcliffe's bad enough, but I would have assumed the local government in waiting would at least be able to do their sums. I doubt if grit is more than £100 per ton.

Re: Free grit for all!
 

To clarify, it was implied that each person in Hyndburn would be eligible for a bag of grit. That is almost certainly not the case and I'm not going to knock the scheme too far because it might actually help those who were completely gritless last winter and ended up confined to their homes.

The problem is that I don't think it is deliverable if every household phones up, just over 40,000 I believe.

Re: Free grit for all!
 

Spread the word, certain hillside areas are going to need it more than others.

I'm just hoping the bin at the top of my street gets filled regularly, watching several tons of bin wagon skating towards my car last January was quite enough excitement.

Re: Free grit for all!
 

Oops..I missed Nicholson's earlier post.

So all 80,000 people are legible for a bag?

£6.6m divided by 80,000 = £82.5pds per bag, or £5.16p per kilo, or £5,156pds per metric ton. Still not quite there, Ken.

Re: Free grit for all!
 

No it isn't. Whoops. Perhaps a certain tongue-in-cheek element is missing?

The implication is more that if everyone in Hyndburn phoned up it would cost a fortune and would probably end up disappointing more than it helped.

I personally hope that those who really need it get it first, such as those in Baxenden, just before the bye-election....

Re: Free grit for all!
 

Yeah, I'm aware of the logistics of implementing such a scheme.

Nevertheless, you and the labour group have come up with a figure of £6.6m. How do you arrive at that figure, or were you just playing silly buggars in the meeting and afterwards?

Re: Free grit for all!
 

Just playing silly buggers afterwards. We do that sometimes to remind ourselves that we still have a sense of humour. We were there to thrash out the Core Strategy today and did not engage in petty party politics during the meeting, neither did any of the Conservative or Independent councillors.

Only one man tried it on and failed, can you guess who that was?

Re: Free grit for all!
 

It wouldn't by any chance be the knob who failed to become n M.P. candidate would it?:D

Re: Free grit for all!
 

I've just looked at the piece on the LT website. That's saying that people can apply for free delivery of the said grit for use on quote '...private pathways and driveways..'.

Eh? Whats going on here? Is this right? if so, Ken, why didn't you mention this bit earlier? If it is right, this is highly discriminatory. It means that those people living in Hyndburn in a two-up-two-down access direct from the street are not going to be legible for this hand out; the people who will get it will be the better off living in detached or semi's with a drive or pathway - people who can most afford it.

If this ain't blatant electoral bribary, I don't know what is; it is certainly against the concept of universal provision for local services and as such may well be illegal. Get on it, Ken.

Re: Free grit for all!
 

One way to find out, I live in a terraced house. I'll let you all know how I get on.

It doesn't half stink though. I was sat about 10 feet from it today as Cllr Britcliffe demonstrated what a 15kg (I felt sure he said 16kg) bag looked like and it wafted across for over an hour so you'll need a shed at least.

Our nearest grit bin was empty four days before Christmas and by New Year I simply decided to scatter the ash from the fire on the road. Desperate times call for desperate measures but it worked a treat.

Re: Free grit for all!
 

......so let's get this clear. The Council meeting scheduled for September was cancelled because a date couldnt be agreed before December......

....and today, 8th November, there was a meeting of full Council, but they didnt discuss the things they should have discussed at the September meeting, because those matters have been put back till December.......Instead they discussed dishing out free grit.

Hmmmm. I think I understand.:confused::confused::confused::confused :

Re: Free grit for all!
 

Ken, this has got to be wrong. People's pathways and driveways are their own private property; as such, it is their responsibility to keep them clear (or not, if they so wish). Stocks of grit held by the council should be for public use only and on the basis of need (I can see a case for distributing grit to pensioners or to those on wheels or using sticks); but allocating the stuff according to the type of house you live in and for private consumption cannot be right and as such I would suggest you take this further as to the legality of the action.

Re: Free grit for all!
 

I live in Baxenden and last year was a complete nightmare getting out of Southwood Drive. The Close I live on was totally shut off for 3 days and we had to leave our car elsewhere or we just would not have got out.

What was to blame for this - not the lack of grit supplied but the selfish people who took the grit to clear there own driveways and paths.

The grit should be distributed to local councils and should be used to clear as many roads as possible and the paths of the elderly and infirm and not for selfish (it's only me that matters) individuals.

Last year my father who lives about 5 miles away was taken ill during the night and we would have had no chance of getting out but had left the car at a friends near the main road so managed it that night.

The people at the Council should be ashamed at themselves for allowing grit to be used for individual circumstances and we should all pull together at times like this and use the grit that is available for the best use possible to benefit everybody.

Re: Free grit for all!
 

It was just the meeting at about the core strategy, and to look at some of the representations we received on the strategy . It was the only real item on the agenda. The grit thing came up in what is loosely called correspondence, a device that the Leader of the Council brought in to basically bring up anything he wants.

The proper full Council won't be held until December, after the Baxenden bi-election of course.

Re: Free grit for all!
 

It might make more economic sense, and be greener too, if Peter knits everyone in the borough a pair of thick socks, to wear over their shoes, to prevent u all from slipping about.

Always happy to help, and also keen to recycle, shall I start unraveling the wooly works of art in the Market Hall?

Re: Free grit for all!
 

does mr britcliffe think .. mmm give every person a bag of grit in november .. and they will clear the path outside their house and throw grit down .. and save us doing it ...

Re: Free grit for all!
 

Where we are the Council doesn't even bother although we pay our contributions like everyone else, we aren't deemed important enough in our estate ? Further to that any grit we do put down is self bought & not supplied by any agency. We are also informed as to what is expected of us as good citizens (& if we don't want ambulance chasers knocking on the door).

Ice and snow removal requirements | Germany | Winterdienst - Schneeräumen | The German Way

The main thrust of the article comes under the heading "Who has to do what ?" Chapters 3 & 4. So briefly if you don't fancy reading it all :-

• The homeowner or tenant is responsible for clearing snow from walkways in front of the property.
• If the homeowner or tenant is not at home or otherwise unable to clear snow, he/she must get someone to do it.
• Most localities require that walkways be kept free of snow between the hours of 7 a.m and 8 p.m., meaning that if it continues to snow you may need to shovel more than once that day.

Can't see what all the fuss is about ! ;) :D

Re: Free grit for all!
 

More a case of 'there's a bye-election in Baxenden next week, this will win a few votes', not forgetting the coincidental visit of Baroness Warsi to the area.

I'm just wondering how much we paid in security for that visit? The cynic in me can't truly believe she came to Baxenden just to chat to the residents.

Re: Free grit for all!
 

Just to be even more clear, the Labour party supported deferral of the September council meeting as a mark of respect to Cllr Griffiths. We offered any evening in the following few weeks as an alternative but this was not accepted and instead it was cancelled completely.

Cllr Britcliffe really needs to win Baxenden or he cannot command a majority in the council chamber. In the next week the gloves will come off and we'll see how desperate he really is.

Re: Free grit for all!
 

I think you should all wonder how councillor Moss and Councillor Wells have calculated the cost of this Grit exercise and ask what propaganda you read on this site from Councillor Moss. You all really need to ask yourselves do you really want these people in charge of Hyndburn cause your council tax maybe tens of thousands if you let them calculate it as they got £6.6 million for the grit get a calculator !!!

Re: Free grit for all!
 

Or maybe until we know a little more about you, (14 posts and counting), we should treat what you say with a pinch of salt?

Mossy or you, may post what you like on the site, it's up to the reader to believe or not, but until we read just a little more input from you, why should your truth be any better or less biased than his?

Until we fall hook, line and sinker for either of you, allow us a little bit of sense.

(So far my monies on Mossy, he has at least made some form of impression, (even if it's only his Butt cheeks in his Computer chair)).
:)

Re: Free grit for all!
 

Re: Free grit for all!
 

It doesn't take a genius to realise that repeating, would bias us towards you, (whoever you are).

I'm sure if what you have pointed out is confirmed as correct or he will put forward an apology for being incorrect.

But until we know more about you and your attitudes to life, why should we believe you either? After all you claim it to be outrageous but haven't given us any firm evidence that it IS wrong.
:)

Perhaps it's time you used the Introduce yourself thread?

Re: Free grit for all!
 

You'd better get your orders in! On the internet, even buying in bulk(large numbers of 25kg bags) it works out about £3 per 16kg. If the budget is £15,000 thats only 5000 homes, £120,000 for all the homes(40,000?).
Didn't I read that if you don't touch the snow/ice on your path/drive/footpath and someone slips it's not your fault? If you try to clear it and they slip you're liable? The opposite of Germany?

Re: Free grit for all!
 

Talking of statistics, and miscalculations, for goodness sake DO NOT read post 154, in the linked thread below.

Someone got in a dreadful tizz, mixing up commas and decimal points, which resulted in millions being reduced to mere thousands.

http://www.accringtonweb.com/forum/f...tml#post691676

If you don't heed my warning, do have a chair handy.

If Cllr. Moss got you a bit giddy, this'll make you feel faint.

Re: Free grit for all!
 

I seem to remember with amazing clarity living in Oswald St in 1947 when there was quite a snowfall.
Each householder/tenant cleared the pavement in front of their house.
Doubt that there was any grit/sand/salt provided by the Council in those days - people seemed to be proud of the cleanliness of the pavements and doorstep - dolly stones even.
Are people unable to do that now without more free handouts?

Re: Free grit for all!
 

Why should we Less? Just because he has a low post count does not mean he can't see the £6.6 million is a ridiculous amount.

A quick google here shows grit costing 24.5p per kilo or £235 per ton and that is only when you buy it at a ton a time in 25Kg bags. If you were spending £6.6 million you would get a little discount :rolleyes:

HBC's website is suggesting the current population is about 82,220

6600000 / 245 = 26,938 tons of salt they could buy

26938 / 82200 = 0.33 tons per person in Hyndburn or about 20 bags each (16kg bags)

So I think the £6.6 million is rubbish.

It would cost more like £300,000 to give everyone in Hyndburn a 16Kg bag each

Re: Free grit for all!
 

Helpful being my middle name...

Councillors - Nick Whittaker

Welcome, by the way.

Although I'll probably get a virtual slap now. As we are only really supposed to say hello to people in their introduction thread.

Manners being of the utmost importance to us, here at Accy Web.

;)

Re: Free grit for all!
 

Cinders used to be used.

Though she's now to old to do it for us.

:D

Re: Free grit for all!
 

As well as my request to have mine popped through the letterbox, any chance I could have Free Trade grit?

Thank you.

Re: Free grit for all!
 

I was wondering how long it might take. But just been sent an email suggesting that the Council put a picture of John Wayne, and the film True Grit on the front of every bag of grit that the Council sends out. I'd download the picture but I'm afraid the technology defeated me.

Re: Free grit for all!
 

Lol, that matters not.

God loves a trier.

Have some gritty karma.

:p

Re: Free grit for all!
 

The muslims might not like a piccy of John Wayne on their grit bags. They might complain and then Mr Britcliffe would be in serious trouble.

Re: Free grit for all!
 

Because My Dear Neil,

Unlike you he gave us no figures to contradict, only his own propaganda.

Thank you however for what I am sure are absolutely perfect examples of mathematics.

Had he had the foresight to do this himself I possibly wouldn't have said anything.

:)

Re: Free grit for all!
 

You being quiet. I doubt it :)

Re: Free grit for all!
 

Thank's for that rindy.:)

Just shows doesn't it Neil He's not quite as neutral or unbiased as he might seem, if he doesn't say who he is still, It's good to have him on board so long as in future WE ALL, know who he is.
;)

Re: Free grit for all!
 

I didn't mention 'quiet' Just not saying anything.

Re: Free grit for all!
 

be very surprised if he stays around, or even admits it, hope he does though, his Lord n Master may not be well suited though.:D

Re: Free grit for all!
 

Just remind me never ever to be sarcastic with figures again.

At least it's drawn a Conservative councillor out like a particularly effective poultice. Stick around Nick, it might give you some insight into the popularity of decisions by your party leader.

Re: Free grit for all!
 

Has Peter given his blessing for you to post on here or was it under his instructions after seeing the vaguest chance to find fault with me? I didn't get the chance to thank him the other day, he mentions Accyweb at every council meeting now and I find it extremely flattering that he follows my postings so closely.

Hi Peter!

Oh, and as requested:

Re: Free grit for all!
 

Come, come.

Simply everyone should know this.

Sarcasm is the lowest form of grit.

Re: Free grit for all!
 

Sarcasm is actually very dangerous when used incorrectly.

It cost the council in the region £78bn in legal fees last year.

Re: Free grit for all!
 

Oh NOoooo, you mean it wasn't true? How easily I can be suckered by an honest face!
:eek:

Re: Free grit for all!
 

This might qualify as my first public 'lie'.

Front page of The Observer this week if you're quick, Peter. I'll be finished in Rishton.

Re: Free grit for all!
 

Confused.

Does that mean the hired assassin will carry out their work in Rishton, rather than elsewhere in Hyndburn?

I do hope this isn't being funded from the public purse.

:D

Re: Free grit for all!
 

Well if you do want your free Grit
you must call 01254 388111 or email [email protected] with full name and address and details of where on the property the grit can be delivered
this must be done between November the 12th and November the 26th

This is according to last nights Telegraph

Re: Free grit for all!
 

A hit wo/man often uses very imaginative ways to dispense with his/her task, the guy/gal is an artist in their own right so, yes, there will be a grant for that.
http://planetsmilies.net/person-smiley-1258.gif

Re: Free grit for all!
 

Garinda, please stop going on, and on, about this!

Oh, sorry, it's you Less.

Carry on.

:D

Re: Free grit for all!
 

I notice that Nick hasn't been back since, perhaps he's waiting on instructions from TheLeadersOfficeHBC. For anyone that still thinks I was being serious about £6.6m, I wasn't and I'm truly sorry for the distress and inconvenience this caused Cllr Whittaker.

Has anyone phoned up for their sack of grit yet?

Re: Free grit for all!
 

According to the Telegraph Ken you cant order the grit until the 12th of November
read post 66:D:p

Re: Free grit for all!
 

It cold come under the guise of public funded art:rolleyes:

Re: Free grit for all!
 

Anybody know if its good on Kellogg's Frosties:rolleyes::D;)

Re: Free grit for all!
 

It was announced at the Rishton Area Council by Cllr Horne that you can order now.

:p

Re: Free grit for all!
 

Mind of information is our Stan, Ken:D

Re: Free grit for all!
 

Don't believe everything you read in the press Mick.

As a service to the forum I just phoned up and ordered a bag.

It is a per household thing not per person.

Re: Free grit for all!
 

Don't know.

Try it, then tell the rest of us.

;)

:D

Re: Free grit for all!
 

Rather you than me.

The bag shown to us by Cllr Britcliffe on Monday smelled heavily of fish.

Re: Free grit for all!
 

Are you positive it was the grit?

Re: Free grit for all!
 

Could have been a sack of red herrings.

Re: Free grit for all!
 

Oh dear.

I hope no one thinks I was being vile and vicious.

I wasn't.

It's highly unlikey Cllr. Britcliffe ever smells of fish.

I meant someone in the room, prior to your meeting, had perhaps consumed some fish.

A kiddies tea party, with little fish finger sandwiches, for example.

Re: Free grit for all!
 

Well it would wouldn't it:D

Re: Free grit for all!
 

You should have been a politician G. ever the diplomat:D

Re: Free grit for all!
 

I've done some filthy jobs in my life, but my ambitions were never that low.

;)

Re: Free grit for all!
 

Pray Tell:rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:

Re: Free grit for all!
 

Just occured to me. How many days will a 16kg bag last:confused:

Re: Free grit for all!
 

with winds like tonight about 5 mins.:D

Re: Free grit for all!
 

dont you think you being an optimist there cashy .. it wouldnt hit the floor up here its that bad at the minute ...:D:D:D

Re: Free grit for all!
 

We'd be better off with sand bags tonight.

What, with lashing rain, and gales.

You all know, we'll never see another snowflake for ten years now, don't you?

Now we all have a free dolly bag of grit.

They should rename Sod's Law.

I won't.

For libel reasons.

:D

Re: Free grit for all!
 

Bet Lancsdaves impressed wi tonights weather.:eek:

Re: Free grit for all!
 

Why?

I missed that.

He's not putting up a TV ariel is he?

Let Emu do it.

:eek::D

Re: Free grit for all!
 

Heard a rumour that his shop roof is leaking.

Wet T Shirt comp, on Saturday I think:eek:

Re: Free grit for all!
 

Oh dear.

:(

Do those shops have flat roofs?

We were only saying the other day. Flat roofs, fine in Biblical lands. Not such a good idea in one of the wettest places in the world.

Re: Grit Cliffe!! Spend! Spend! Spend!
 

Is this part of the Big Society Campaign? Give us a job to do ourselves? What next? Give us a brush for street cleaning and dog bags for pooh picking?

Market Hall cost £17.500 for celebritiy entertainers on Wednesdays. How much was the publicity?
Compare that to the profits gained by all the markets traders. Then we see if has paid dividends.

Re: Free grit for all!
 

I do believe that part of the get people back to work effort will include a human chain of dole scroungers to hand-ball bags of grit salt from Cheshire to Accrington.:eek:

Re: Free grit for all!
 

On a more sensible note I am informed that the bags of grit/salt will be allocated on a first come first served basis and the cost to one supplier was £10 000.

Re: Free grit for all!
 

Right, you lot - some questions:

1) Did any of you put in an order for the free grit?

2) If so, has it been delivered?

3) If it has been delivered, what area (roughly) do you live in?

Re: Free grit for all!
 

I ordered some for the residential home i work in on Park Road & was told it would be delivered sometime during w/c 29th November - I'll let you know if/when we get it

Re: Free grit for all!
 

I ordered one & was told to expect delivery from Monday 22nd, & that deliveries should be made within one week. I've not received it yet! I'm on Avenue Parade.

Best Regards - Taggy

Re: Free grit for all!
 

Did you see Peter on Friday evening on local news with regard to this. Seems they had been requested 7,500 bags, and it was the last day (26th), and, dang, who forgot to order one... :rolleyes:

Re: Free grit for all!
 

I nicked mine out of a back yard in Rishton.:hidewall::D:D