We learn only one thing from history – ‘We don’t learn from History’. In 2006 Lewes and Wealden District Councils had successfully gone down the recycling route. Their County council then signed a long term contract with an incineration company. This guaranteed to burn a fixed tonnage. So as to achieve this the County Council ‘capped’ the recycling of the 5 District Councils. Continue reading Ryeview – June 2010
Mrs. Thatcher told us that: “There is no such thing as Society.” The latest Tory leader claims that: “We have a broken society.” How something that doesn’t exist can be broken baffles me. When Tony Blair became Prime Minister he promised to close the gap between the poor and the rich. The reverse has been delivered. We are now in a position where 40% of the population have no hope of owning their own house. An even greater number lose out on education. Continue reading Ryeview – February 2010
When I lived in Aberdeen my landlady asked me to look at an overflowing gutter. I said she would need to provide a ladder. No problem, the ‘street ladder’ was at number 36. She would arrange for the ladder to be available. What a sensible idea, the community working together at a very low individual cost. It seemed to work wonderfully. Fast forward 40 years. Today we would ask: Who is responsible? Has a risk assessment been carried out? If the ladder breaks will the person using it sue? Who is responsible for Health and Safety? Today everyone gets their own ladder to repair their own isolated castle. Continue reading Ryeview – January 2010
The 1st World War has almost gone beyond living memory. In 1919, Local Authorities were given powers to compulsory purchase, demolish and clear slums. They were replaced by new council houses. This was done to the post WWI mantra of ‘homes fit for heroes’. Continue reading Ryeview – December 2009
When did we lose our democracy? Many people are wondering why we bother with politicians. ‘They are all the same’; ‘they are all in it for themselves’. Although these views are overstatements there is a large basis of truth behind both. Continue reading Ryeview – November 2009
“Cuts” is Labour as well as Tory political language. Liberal Democrats want to show their macho qualifications. Nick Clegg calls for “Bold and even savage cuts in public spending”. He calls for a freeze in the public sector pay bill and cutting back on public sector pensions. Continue reading Ryeview – October 2009
Before the 2001 and 2005 General elections Labour made big green promises. John Prescott said there would be a reduction in traffic. If not he would resign. There wasn’t and he didn’t.
In recent weeks out have come the promises: more renewable energy; less Greenhouse Gases and more green jobs Continue reading Ryeview – August 2009
A massive overspend has come to light at a meeting of Ryedale Councils Audit Committee. Councillors were informed that: “There are some significant weaknesses in budgeting management.”
John Clark asked a typical awkward question, “How much?” Continue reading Ryeview – August 2009
The need for people to connect to nature is beyond doubt. People have a need to get out, take to the hills, take the dog for a walk or just go down to the park. There has been research in the US that shows there is a correlation between antisocial behaviour and the state of public parks. Continue reading Ryeview – July 2009
‘Go forth and multiply’; ‘You are all in it for yourselves’; ‘You have all got your noses in the trough’; ‘You all urinate in the same receptacle’; ‘there’s no point you are all the same’. These phrases are all ringing in my ears from canvassing for the County Council elections. Continue reading Ryeview – June 2009