SIR,
As chairman of the Welsh Electors Community Group
I was pleased to see the letter, and comments, in The
Beacon concerning councillors' expenses.
It was reassuring that some people had the courage
to openly raise this issue through the columns of The
Beacon.
It appears it has now been decided that an
independent body will decide in the future just how much
councillors are paid.
My initial thought, on considering this, was "What a
mess these councillors are making of our town".
They are elected to represent the people, but, once
in office, they seem to forget that fact. Hopefully, we will
soon see an end to that thanks to a new policy document
now out, which I have seen.
Then there was the story in The Beacon, in which
people are being asked for their comments on the County
Council's budget plans, which include increasing class
sizes (to save £10,000) and increasing the cost of adult
education.
I remember, years ago, being told that there was an
Act of Parliament limiting class sizes. Then there is the
suggestion of a green waste service, which once again
council taxpayers will have to pay for. And what about the
plan for a fortnightly refuse collection.
Then there is the plan to reduce the quality of
ingredients in school meals, once again to save money.
If it was not so serious it would be a joke, but no
one is laughing.
I sincerely hope the people of Monmouthshire reject
all these options. Fortnightly refuse collections were tried
elsewhere and it was found they encouraged rats, etc.
We are being told this is all being done to encourage
taxpayer's involvement in decision making. Perhaps I am
being a little cynical, but is it possible these decisions
have already been taken?
Gary Whitcombe
(Monmouth)