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The Tories try to claim they've changed. Many thanks to the office of John Spellar MP for this information on what the Tories are up to.
Essex Tories To Privatise All County Council Services
The Tories on Essex County Council are preparing to privatise all Essex County Council services including education, adult and children’s care, libraries and transport. The startling decision is outlined in a tender process that the County Council has just begun to seek a partner to run all the existing services. Speaking about the shocking announcement Cllr Paul Kirkman, Leader of the Labour Group said:
“The Tories have gone nuclear on public provision of services. They have done this behind closed doors without any public discussion whatsoever. In a very short space of time we could have no public services provided by the County Council. We have already seen the disaster in adult residential care and closure of homes for the elderly following their sale to private company Excel, we may soon see Excelcare libraries, youth services and children’s centres. This Tory administration is driven by outdated Thatcherite ideology.”
Bournemouth
Tory run Bournemouth is spending more than £90,000 on a report on how to save money. The council is set to go £2.4 million in the red and has hired consultants to get them out of the financial mess. The consultants are recommending the contracting out of three council departments to private firms. (The Mirror,15 October 2008).
Fylde & Wyre, Lancashire
Tory run Fylde & Wyre councils in Lancashire which share rubbish collection have distributed a free DVD to residents in the two boroughs to refresh their memory about how to recycle their rubbish. The ten minute film also aims to educate residents about what waste to place in which bin and tells them not to place large items, such as a ‘wooden door frame’, in the garden waste bin. (Daily Mail, 4 September 2008).
Dudley
Tory Dudley Council have spent more than £5,000 on Braille signs to advise squash players what colour sport shoes are acceptable and tell users about safety on court. The Royal National Institute of Blind People said, “Blind and visually-impaired people are able to play many sports but not squash.” A council spokesperson said, “The signs conform to legislation set out in the Disability Discrimination Act”. (Daily Mail, 13 October 2008).
Suffolk
Hundreds of staff at Tory run Suffolk County Council are to be taught how to think positively using controversial psychological training techniques endorsed by TV hypnotist Paul McKenna. They are spending £1,000 a head to send 400 staff from manual workers to managers on the programme which will teach them to adopt a successful mindset. The council defended how the £400,000 is being spent, saying it would help staff prepare for the challenges of the future. (Daily Mail, 12 October 2008).
Ealing
Tory Ealing Council was forced to sack three officers after it was revealed in the national press that they arranged to house an Afghan asylum seeking family in a £1.2 million detached property. The council initially tried to blame government legislation for the affront to tax-payers, but then decided to take responsibility by sacking three members of staff. (Daily Mail, 10 October 2008).
Breckland Council, Dereham
Painting the words ‘respect zone’ in a car park may seem a bizarre way to stop yobs using it to urinate, race cars and play loud music but that is what this Tory council have done. A spokesperson explained that “we have problems in this car park with boy racers and other anti-social behaviour.. We’ve created this respect zone near the houses. The plan is that we will put up signs asking people not to play music or rev engines in that area and to respect people living nearby. We know it won’t deter everyone but hopefully it will improve the situation and it’s been a scheme which has cost us very little.” (Daily Mail, 9 October 2008).
Guildford
Roadside snack vans will be forced to close unless they offer healthy alternatives such as salads and low fat yoghurts, environmental health officers from the Tory authority will inspect menus during routine hygiene checks. A council spokesperson said “the aim is to give consumers a wider choice and move away from the sole provision of high calorie, high fat fast foods”. Anyone who fails to meet the strict new standards will lose their street traders licence. (The Telegraph, 10 November).
Bromsgrove, Worcestershire
A gardener who fenced off his allotment with a 3 foot high ring of barbed wire after being targeted by thieves has been ordered to take it down by the Tory council – in case intruders scratch themselves. Mr Malcolm erected the fence in desperation after around £300 worth of equipment was stolen, the council ordered its removal on health and safety grounds. (Daily Mail, 10 October 2008).
We couldn’t put it better ourselves!
“I'm not going to rant on about it all being political correctness gone mad (although it is). What it demonstrates is that these councils are presided over by weak politicians who have little control over their officers. It's about time they learned what the word Conservative actually means”.
Iain Dale, Tory Blogger.