LETTERS
Having read Julian Knight MP’s article on Solihull Police Station closing I was frankly shocked by what he had said.
Under his party’s government the police have been cut to the bone across the West Midlands. Of the 42 regional police services, the West Midlands had the joint highest cuts in central government funding (26%) in the years 2011-2016. Can Mr Knight let us know which cut in funding he opposed?
The sad truth is that the people of Solihull are caught in the middle of a campaign of ‘austerity’ that the Conservative government have designed, but are blaming on anyone who isn’t Conservative when they hold the knife to distribute the cuts. It’s a sad state of affairs when we have a government and representatives who seem unable to accept responsibility for their decisions. The people of Solihull deserve better.
Anyone who wants to know more on this can see the full facts on fullfact.org and type “police funding” (or go to https://fullfact.org/crime/police-funding-england-and-wales/).
Max McLoughlin
Green Party Shirley South Councillor
Solihull Council have definitely got their priorities wrong paying out severance pay to its senior management who have had to give up work due to ill health.
I visit the library and can see they are short staffed due to budget cut backs. I understand from the staff that the majority are paid between £15,000 and £21,000.
The government’s national living wage from April 2018 is £15,064.92 and unions say it should be £16,835. The severance pay to the head of service could have paid for eight to ten full time staff.
I wonder if any of the library staff would get a pay-out if they had to give up work due to ill health, I very much doubt it!
(name withheld on request)
Can I just applaud and thank the editor’s comment in the Observer last week thanking 4×4 owners for their help and support during the bad weather.
Many people are quick to moan and groan about these vehicles for various silly reasons and how they are only ever bought by mums for the school run or they never get taken off road. Blah blah!!
Let’s hope these same people never have to be rescued or require one in a emergency situation. Like them or not 4wd security is a life saver in any weather conditions.
G Dales.
I have received my Council Tax bill for 2018/19.
Can you please explain why the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner budget has gone up by 10.3%?
What more are we going to get for our money?
Please detail the individual budget lines that go to make up this increase eg manpower ..ie numbers of employees, salary costs… including that of the WMPCC post holder and separately that of his direct employees. together with comparative costs for 2017/18 and the budget for 2018/19.
If you are not empowered to supply this then please state where I can get this information or is it a Freedom of Information request?
Colin Downes
