2011 spring web version - Merley Community Centre

It is clear that our country is experiencing
an economic crisis as this
government has inherited a huge
deficit in its budgeted accounts
which had to be covered by international
loans, the interest of
which is costing billions of pounds
annually.
Draconian cuts in monetary grants
to local government are the result
of the 'fast track' method of recovery
the Government has chosen,
consequently local councils' income
has been significantly reduced
resulting in a 'tightening of
proverbial belts'.
In order to relieve some of the
financial pressure without affecting
local services too much; vis: Social
Services, Education, Road Maintenance
et. al. the Government prepared
a plan – 'The Big Society',
where local councils entered into
partnerships with neighbouring
councils and voluntary organisations.
The depth of this financial 'Black
Hole' however has called for even
more drastic measures, including
greater reductions in Government
funding - resulting in more efficiency
drives and greater reduction to
local services, until the original
cause is remedied.
In an effort of collateral limitation
the government has chosen the
path of 'decentralised policy conceptualisation'
with the Localism
Bill which passes some policy formulation,
and its associated responsibilities
and accountability,
Localism
14
to local government, communities
and local residents. See
http://www.lga.gov.uk/lga/core/
page.do?pageId=15692252
The outcome of this for Borough
of Poole residents is that there will
be cutbacks in some services,
such as in street cleaning, weed
reduction and vegetation control to
name a few. So as individuals, if
one sees a drain cover blocked by
leaves or other debris please take
the initiative and clear the offending
item away. If one sees some
weeds starting to grow along the
kerb or footpath then next time the
garden is sprayed with weed killer,
spray these weeds also.
As a residential area we need
more organisation as a community.
Councils in most instances will
only entrust such responsibilities
to 'official' organisations, e.g., the
Community Centre and the
Church. Perhaps we need to build
up volunteer groups that could
help cut back overgrown vegetation
and pick up litter throughout
our area.
This is our area of which we should
be proud and welcoming, so
please could we work together during
these troubled times, helping
our neighbours if necessary (every
little helps!) to arrive at the desired
outcome.
So please, no more of 'it's the
Councils job'. We are in this together.
P. Maiden
Local Councillor