A Boost for the BID Options

[Grumpy]

I see that West Berkshire Council have just pumped another £12,500.00 into the Bid project to prevent it running out of cash.

Was this authorised by councillors, or was this a decision taken by one of the council officers?

I wonder which council service will lose this 12.5K?

[John C]

I see that West Berkshire Council have just pumped another £12,500.00 into the Bid project to prevent it running out of cash.

Was this authorised by councillors, or was this a decision taken by one of the council officers?

I wonder which council service will lose this 12.5K?

As BID is for businesses only why is the WBC using that much extra council tax to fund something for another month when I don't even get a say on it ie

http://www.westberks.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=24889

[NWNREADER]

Where is the source/reference, please?

[Grumpy]

Where is the source/reference, please?

My source is within West Berks, where apparently pet projects are funded by council officers without any reference to councillors.

This payment could be confirmed by an FOI request by any NWN reporter, but I fear that there may be some reluctance because of a conflict of interest between editorial and advertising departments. NWN have benefited substantially from advertising revenue for the BID. Advertising appears to have been targetted at the whole community rather than the business sector.

There was an initial payment of £7,000.00 in February, and now a further payment of £5,500.00 has been authorised, because the BID has overspent on it's original budget.

NTC have also contributed a further £2,000.00 but this was authorised properly by councillors.

NTC are very keen for the bid to succeed because they will get £30,000.00 towards their Christmas Lights.

[dannyboy]

NTC are very keen for the bid to succeed because they will get £30,000.00 towards their Christmas Lights.

see what I mean.

[Jayjay]

I see that West Berkshire Council have just pumped another £12,500.00 into the Bid project to prevent it running out of cash.

Was this authorised by councillors, or was this a decision taken by one of the council officers?

I wonder which council service will lose this 12.5K?

Well it looks like the elderly. They have saved £92,000 on 'meals on wheels', increased laundry by £3.10 a week, taken travel tokens away and are voting today to reduce care services by a further £700,000.

[Cognosco]

Well it looks like the elderly. They have saved £92,000 on 'meals on wheels', increased laundry by £3.10 a week, taken travel tokens away and are voting today to reduce care services by a further £700,000.

Have you ever known taxpayers not having to stump up cash for Newbury businesses?
The town is only in existence for business and to give employment to our beloved councils.
Look at Standard life we gave them half of Newbury and what did the council say to every critic "They gaveus a new shopping centre you know". Even though it is more than half empty and probably will stay that way.

[dannyboy]

Have you ever known taxpayers not having to stump up cash for Newbury businesses?
The town is only in existence for business and to give employment to our beloved councils.
Look at Standard life we gave them half of Newbury and what did the council say to every critic "They gaveus a new shopping centre you know". Even though it is more than half empty and probably will stay that way.

Currently town businesses cough up £1000 pa for the Xmas lights. Should the BID go ahead then those same businesses will be paying far more towards those lights. Seems like a saving for the tax payer there.

Funny, I was in PW today & I'd say it is 75% full.

But then, never let the truth obscure your **** tinted glasses eh?

[Cognosco]

Currently town businesses cough up £1000 pa for the Xmas lights. Should the BID go ahead then those same businesses will be paying far more towards those lights. Seems like a saving for the tax payer there.

Funny, I was in PW today & I'd say it is 75% full.

But then, never let the truth obscure your **** tinted glasses eh?

Maths a problem at school was it?

Don't forget to deduct the £12500 from the lights bill! Also don't be surprised if this is the last donation either.
Who benefits from the Christmas lights I thought it was for the town businesses to attract more punters to spend more in their shops?
Of course I may not be quite thinking on the same lines as your highly knowledgeable self though?

[dannyboy]

Maths a problem at school was it?

Don't forget to deduct the £12500 from the lights bill! Also don't be surprised if this is the last donation either.
Who benefits from the Christmas lights I thought it was for the town businesses to attract more punters to spend more in their shops?
Of course I may not be quite thinking on the same lines as your highly knowledgeable self though?

Did maths to degree level if you must know.

You **** right the lights are for the businesses which is why the BID is a win win - Businesses pay a larger % for their own lights thus reducing the burden on the taxpayer.

[Grumpy]

As BID is for businesses only why is the WBC using that much extra council tax to fund something for another month when I don't even get a say on it ie

http://www.westberks.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=24889

Thanks for the map it is very interesting.

That little blip in West Street. Is that to give an extra vote to Camp Hopson?

Two council controlled properties - Speenhamland School and the Library could easily have been excluded to save taxpayers the extra levy, but then that would have deprived West Berks of 2 more votes. Why should a school be forced to pay a levy for the business community?

What will NTC do with the £30,000.00 that they will be saving? Reduce the precept perhaps?

[Grumpy]

This payment could be confirmed by an FOI request by any NWN reporter, but I fear that there may be some reluctance because of a conflict of interest between editorial and advertising departments. NWN have benefited substantially from advertising revenue for the BID. Advertising appears to have been targetted at the whole community rather than the business sector.

Another full page ad in NWN today. That takes care of 2k from the new funding.

[Cognosco]

Did maths to degree level if you must know.

You **** right the lights are for the businesses which is why the BID is a win win - Businesses pay a larger % for their own lights thus reducing the burden on the taxpayer.

My point exactly why should taxpayers pay for the lights at all if it is to attract punters into businesses?
Keep this expenditure up and add it to each taxpayers weekly shopping bill and see what reaction you get then?

[Grumpy]

I see that West Berkshire Council have just pumped another £12,500.00 into the Bid project to prevent it running out of cash.

Was this authorised by councillors, or was this a decision taken by one of the council officers?

I wonder which council service will lose this 12.5K?

Funded with a £13,000.00 donation from last years underspend caused by "brutal cuts" in the adult social care budget.

WBC getting it's priorities muddled again.

(NWN Page 7 "Council's underspend will plug this year's gaps")

Don't Standard Life owe us £300,000.00 p.a. from the carparks that they bought for £1?