Most cash goes on staff pensions

Mar 11 2010 Buckinghamshire Advertiser

AS A resident of Amersham-on-the-Hill, I was unaware of any local consultations about parking meters. But no surprise there, as why actively publicise 'controversial' local authority spending/taxation.

Needless to say, what is left of shops in the town will suffer a death nell. Most of the shops provide convenience purchases and locals park for a short time. If people have to pay meter charges they will just shop elsewhere.

Amersham has already announced increases in car park charges, which has caused an outcry in the current economic climate, and no doubt the reason why town councillors are nervous about these proposals from Buckinghamshire County Council.

If the county council can afford the costs involved in more street furniture and consequent administration/enforcement costs, why are our roads still covered in potholes owing to chronic poor road maintenance?

This is a serious accident issue for cyclists and motorists alike.

As revenue raising is the likely reason, then like the rest of us in the real world I would like to see reductions in costs. Not by immediately focusing on front-line services, but by first reducing staff, pay and pensions. The bottom line is that 20 per cent of our council tax goes on staff pension contributions and BCC also has a growing £311million pension fund deficit for us to fund (2007/8 Tax Payers Alliance figures).

It would be to the benefit of us all if local councils spent less and encouraged businesses to recover. And after all, Amersham does not have a major parking problem. We would welcome more people to spend money in our town.

DAVID NEEP

Long Roof Hervines Road

Amersham