Strapped for cash - Page 2

Margaret Pilkington · 11-02-2005, 19:42

Excuse my ignorance A-B, but who is this Hannah whats-her-face?

WillowTheWhisp · 11-02-2005, 22:02

She's more of a "was"

http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/...hy/arendt.html

Acrylic-bob · 12-02-2005, 06:50

I've just been having a squint at HBC's balance sheet for 2003/2004, it's on the front page of their website if any of you are interested (Tealeaf?).

Here's an interesting little gobbet of info: did you know that HBC is in the habit of making car loans to it's employees? No, neither did I.

Last year this amounted to £600,000.

That's right, you read it correctly, they handed out SIX HUNDRED THOUSAND POUNDS OF OUR MONEY SO THAT COUNCIL EMPLOYEES COULD GET CHEAPER CAR LOANS THAN THE REST OF US SCHMUCKS!

Sorry I'm Shouting, I'm just so Bl**dy angry!

Acrylic-bob · 12-02-2005, 07:11

A few suggestions to balance the books for the coming year

On 2003/2004 figures a 3% cut in salaries and pensions would yield £565,290.
Calling in the car loans would yield a further £600,000

In addition how about cancelling the Mayor Making ceremony altogether?
How about selling off the Mayor's Car and making the drivers redundant.
How about cutting Councillor's allowances. How much fat would that trim from the accounts?

"Financial rigour" my backside!

Acrylic-bob · 12-02-2005, 07:38

HBC paid our worthy town fathers a total of £191,900 in allowances in 2003/2004 which is up from £145,221 in the previous year. What the total for 2004/2005 will be is anyones guess, but you can bet it won't be less.

WillowTheWhisp · 12-02-2005, 07:58

We could do with someone in there to keep a tight grip on the purse strings.

Of course they could argue that the car loans are a source of income. I wonder if anybody ever defaults on them and what level of interest they pay.

Acrylic-bob · 12-02-2005, 08:24

Well, it's got to be cheaper than getting a loan from anyone else, otherwise what would be the point.

gemz 1 · 12-02-2005, 08:41

maybe they wouldn't be so in debt if they stopped proposing stupid ideas (tubbyland coppice!) and going ahead and doing it even though everyone opposed to it.

Acrylic-bob · 15-02-2005, 13:54

Digging around, as you do, I came across an explanation of how much more of our money council employees are entitled to...

Meals allowances of up to £23.55 per day.

Eye tests £15 plus £50 towards the cost of glasses and a further £25 if necessary.

In addition to the car loan (this one kills me!) The authority will grant £62 per month towards the cost of a car loan taken out with the authority.

Additional Life Insurance paid by the Authority for all employees.

Health screening for Principal Officers.

Reductions on Leisure Services of 20% to 50%.

Use of a free Mini Gym at Cannon Street.

25 year long service award, currently £350.

Relocation Expenses:£3,500 plus...

Legal Fees for purchase/sale of property
Estate Agents Fees
Moving expenses
Surveyors fees for valuation and mortgage
Storage Charges
Indemnity Insurance
£1000 contribution to new furnishings.

And they still cannot keep the streets clean or collect the rubbish efficiently. It is perhaps no wonder that they cannot balance the books. Something for you to think about while you are slogging your guts out for £4.20 per hour and worrying how you will be able to afford this years council tax increase.

removal-man · 15-02-2005, 14:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by Acrylic-bob

Digging around, as you do, I came across an explanation of how much more of our money council employees are entitled to...

Meals allowances of up to £23.55 per day.

Eye tests £15 plus £50 towards the cost of glasses and a further £25 if necessary.

In addition to the car loan (this one kills me!) The authority will grant £62 per month towards the cost of a car loan taken out with the authority.

Additional Life Insurance paid by the Authority for all employees.

Health screening for Principal Officers.

Reductions on Leisure Services of 20% to 50%.

Use of a free Mini Gym at Cannon Street.

25 year long service award, currently £350.

Relocation Expenses:£3,500 plus...

Legal Fees for purchase/sale of property
Estate Agents Fees
Moving expenses
Surveyors fees for valuation and mortgage
Storage Charges
Indemnity Insurance
£1000 contribution to new furnishings.

And they still cannot keep the streets clean or collect the rubbish efficiently. It is perhaps no wonder that they cannot balance the books. Something for you to think about while you are slogging your guts out for £4.20 per hour and worrying how you will be able to afford this years council tax increase.

I THINK YOU NEED TO GET OUT MORE GET A HOBBY . TRAIN SPOTTING OR WHATEVER.

lettie · 15-02-2005, 15:58

£23.55 per day for meals!!!!! Where and what are they eating at our expense????? Or, is this merely the cost of taking chief pen-pushers from various regeneration funding boards to lunch, then frittering the grants on half assed projects.

Terry · 15-02-2005, 16:29

Have just decided to emigrate back to Accy and get a job on the council