Friday 9 October 2009

Make sure you vote....BUT....

A story in today's BFP urges you to vote to say whether you would like to 'pay more tax for better services'. Although I argued unsuccessfully for a telephone poll if such an exercise were to be conducted at all, now that it's official I too urge you all to vote.

My fear however is twofold. Firstly, that Mr & Mrs Average will not bother to reply, thus leaving the 'decision' to a minority. A telephone poll of 1,000 residents, demographically representative, would have cost little if any more than the postal vote and be as statistically sound as all the national opinion polls we read about every week.

Secondly, I am concerned that the electorate should think that doubling the element of their council tax that goes to the council (currently £13.84) might produce 'street wardens, CCTV, improved bus services and support for local art projects' or 'day centres or additional PCSOs.'

Doubling the current tax would produce less than £200,000 a year. It won't go that far, especially after the inevitable mounting adminstrative back-up needed to run new services.

4 comments:

Bury Boy said...

My vote has not arrived yet. That said I am in favour of cutting administration futher to fund what ever.

The sooner council's ( that all of them not just the town council) realises the economy truth and cut administration costs AT ALL levels the better.

Charlotte Howard said...

My vote arrived Saturday. I say 'my' vote, but it was addressed to 'the resident'.

Mrs F and I are now fighting over who should complete it, but there is no option that expresses your view.

Bury Boy said...

There is a discussion going on at YourBury.co.uk about simlar things, the main concern seems to be the unique bar code and reference numbers for each vote, as well as the lack of consideration for comment and alternatives. It seems as if the Town group are seeking a mandate, that is a change from the ABC elected mandate, and the Tory club voting block dont you think.

Charlotte Howard said...

By 'town group' do you mean ABC/Independent/LibDem/Labour coalition?