1. Log in now to remove adverts - no adverts at all to registered members!

Off Topic Council spending.

Discussion in 'Sunderland' started by Brian Storm, Jan 8, 2015.

  1. Brian Storm

    Brian Storm Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 31, 2012
    Messages:
    48,871
    Likes Received:
    16,295
    In light of the NHS thread and the strain it's under and who's to blame, I noticed the aging population came up, Imagine my shock when my council sent me a little half informed breakdown of where they spend my money. My first surprise was who much goes on social care, secondly how little goes on benefits which made me wonder have the Tories missed the point yet again as they shave 33million pounds off our council budget whilst spending millions reforming the benefits system only to throw genuinely ill people off benefits without actually managing to deal with the cheats.

    The aging population and the incapacitated is a bigger problem than I thought. I was attacked a few months back, called lazy and cheat because although fit to work, I'm a full time carer to my partner. I informed this person that I could go back to work but as a result my partner would need excessive support from social care where the costs that would comfortably eclipse the amount paid to me and my partner in benefits. Infact, if anything, people like Joe and Myself who are determinate to take the strain of care out of our love for our partners actually aid the system and we're not the hindrance some would make us out to be. It got me wondering, in this ageing population, where are their kids? their families? What are they doing to help ease the strain? The private care sector is where my career lies when I am fortunate enough to work and recall the astronomical cost to councils and the NHS outsourcing the care to private care companies like the one I worked for, only for most of my clients not even receive a visit once a year from family members. 1. I think the Tories have completely missed the boat on this problem and 2. I believe families and loved ones need to take more responsibility in the care of their own family members.

    Here's a breakdown of my councils spending.

    Darlington’s Government grant has been cut by £33.3million after allowing for inflation – that’s 41% less to spend on all of the services that we run for people across the Borough. These means we’ve had to make some tough decisions on what to spend our money on.

    Last year we set a two year budget and worked out where we could save £13.7 million. We are now in the second year of that journey and starting to make these savings. However, over the next four years, a further £12m needs to be saved. To make sure that vital services keep running next year and beyond we are proposing to increase Council Tax by 1.99% in 2015 – this will raise an extra £760,000. Take a look at this chart to see how our money is being spent.

    please log in to view this image


    £53.9 Million - Social Care.
    Our biggest spend is on social care. This includes looking after the elderly, children in care and protecting vulnerable adults.

    £15.9 Million - Environmental Highways and Regulatory Services
    Environmental: Emptying bins, improving recycling rates, clearing up and prosecuting for fly-tipping and tackling vermin problems, the Council covers a wide range of environmental services.

    Highways: From re-surfacing roads to repairing street lights, it’s hard to think of a journey that doesn’t involve a road, footpath or school crossing that we look after

    Regulatory services: From making sure that cafes and restaurants in the town meet food hygiene standards to working with trading standards to tackle fake goods.

    £4.4 Million - Financial Costs.
    Like most councils, Darlington has a debt which it has to repay.

    £3 Million - Arts, Culture and Leisure
    Sports centres: We think it’s important to put money into affordable sports facilities in the Borough so that people can keep fit and healthy. From all-weather football pitches at Eastbourne Sports Complex to the swimming pool at the Dolphin Centre.

    Theatre and Museum: The Civic Theatre, libraries and the Head of Steam museum are all part of Darlington’s history and we want to develop these attractions for future generations.

    2.9 Million - Democracy
    This is the cost of running the Council and includes elections, the electoral role, members’ allowances, audit fees, committee administration and corporate planning.

    £2.6 Million - Other
    £1.8 Million - Development and Regeneration

    This covers important projects to grow Darlington’s economy and create jobs like the new cinema and leisure complex and Central Park.

    *£0.7 Million - Housing, Welfare and Benefits

    http://www.darlington.gov.uk/your-council/consultations/budget-2012-16-your-darlington/

    Not sure how the money is spent in your area, will be
    interested to see. But how it's spent in my area is scary when you look at the Tories previous policies and their latest manifesto.

     
    #1
    Vincemac likes this.
  2. Tel (they/them)

    Tel (they/them) Sucky’s Bailiff

    Joined:
    May 11, 2011
    Messages:
    61,295
    Likes Received:
    55,496
    Stockport Council declare (on an excel sheet) everything over £500, I looked at one once and it sent me into a coma.

    Needless to say it was ridiculous how much they were being charged for some things, such as an alarm company who done some work on a care home £2,800 FFS.

    I got a breakdown of where my tax went about a month ago, and around 80% of it went on benefits, which obviously pleased me no end.

    I'd have preferred them to lie to me and tell me it all went on painting post boxes a different shade of red.
     
    #2
  3. Brian Storm

    Brian Storm Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 31, 2012
    Messages:
    48,871
    Likes Received:
    16,295
    That won't be council spending though fella, things like jsa and incapacity benefits will come out of the state pot. Councils spending on benefits will cover council tax benefit and housing benefit. Are you sure 80% on benifits is right though fella? It doesn't add up.

    this for 30k a year job from last year.

    please log in to view this image



    that's 23% on welfare, 19% on the NHS and 15% on pensions.

    Anyway, we're digressing, I meant it to be about how councils budgets are spent. I thought it would be of interest to the people from Sunderland in particular as I know they've have many issues with their council and how the money is spent.
     
    #3
  4. Tel (they/them)

    Tel (they/them) Sucky’s Bailiff

    Joined:
    May 11, 2011
    Messages:
    61,295
    Likes Received:
    55,496
    Yeah, it's nowt to do with the council. I just included that as I thought it was interesting, I've never had a 'breakdown' of where my tax has gone before.

    I know what my council spent my money on, it's a wide piece of path that stretches about a mile that was designed for cyclists to use but they still use the road, great idea!
     
    #4
  5. password invalid

    password invalid Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 4, 2012
    Messages:
    7,845
    Likes Received:
    709
    This would only concern those who pays in money ,lets face it if you dont most wouldnt care what money goes where ,and before you start this is a general view i believe ,i wonder how many care to look at their local councils minutes and search what funds are spent on and who quotes for the works its quite obvious money is being spent like water in some quarters ,i know what things cost in the building trade and i was shocked at some of the ammounts being quoted and accepted by councils even at the lowest level.where i live
     
    #5
  6. Brian Storm

    Brian Storm Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 31, 2012
    Messages:
    48,871
    Likes Received:
    16,295
    Stop showing your teeth please fella.

    Thing is fella, I don't pay in at the moment, but I have most of my adult life but I still care, so weather it's your view or the general consensus as you claim and weather it's even true or not, it doesn't apply to me and it won't apply to the genuine people like me who are out of work for what ever reason and are frustrated and want to return to work. I'm skint and I'm sick of it, but at the moment I have little choice. I could go to work and turn my lady's care over to the Government, or could have in the past(at this stage of her rehabilitation it would be refused, besides, it would probably set her recovery back and cost even more). I'd be quids in working while it costs the country thousands more a week. But I don't think it's right that my lady becomes a bigger strain to the country for lower standard of care than I can give her at much cheaper cost of the country. This way my lady gets a proper bedside manner from a loved one too. Make no mistake, me not working and caring for partner saves the country thousands of pounds a week to what it would if the State cared for her. Had this discussion with you and many an occasion and don't wish to go there again. So that's all I'm saying on it and I'll stick to topic, council spending. <ok>

    Contracting must be the biggest waste of money for councils, weather that's out sourcing to private care companies who charge a fortune, to like Tel said where the they bring in maintenance contractors. The more services are sold off the more outsourcing is needed. You can see problems from your building background. Mine is care, the mark up on private care is scary, they take nhs patients and charge the country private care prices which comes out of the NHS and council's pot, which in all honestly isn't always an improvement on government owned homes. Private Care companies are for profit businesses unlike state care.
     
    #6
    Vincemac likes this.

  7. Brian Storm

    Brian Storm Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 31, 2012
    Messages:
    48,871
    Likes Received:
    16,295
    They put some our town. they run parallel to pavements and are mostly used by pedestrians. <doh>
     
    #7
  8. Tel (they/them)

    Tel (they/them) Sucky’s Bailiff

    Joined:
    May 11, 2011
    Messages:
    61,295
    Likes Received:
    55,496
    They'll come in handy though as the nation grows fatter and fatter... wide paths, designed for fat people to walk on, except they'll get free taxi's everywhere <laugh>

    Out of interest Bri, what was your previous job? In my head you were a chef, for some reason.
     
    #8
  9. Brian Storm

    Brian Storm Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 31, 2012
    Messages:
    48,871
    Likes Received:
    16,295
    aye, they'll be changed from cycle lanes to mobility lanes <laugh>

    I've worked in kitchens and bars, but switched to care. My last job I worked as Support worker to Adults with learning difficulties in most part in an Acute Unit for severe challenging behavior. We had people held at her majesties pleasure mate. I was attacked on a daily bases. Crazy unit. I also worked at other homes for the same company, with various levels of behavioral problems and coping capabilities. I also spent time going round the country helping to provide care in brand new units while permanent staff were being found. Was there about 6 years, mostly in the Acute unit getting attacked <laugh>
     
    #9
    Dispicable_Tel likes this.
  10. password invalid

    password invalid Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 4, 2012
    Messages:
    7,845
    Likes Received:
    709
    I am agreeing with you here the spending goes in most cases unnoticed or people just dont know or care ,
     
    #10
    Brian Storm likes this.
  11. monty987

    monty987 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 1, 2011
    Messages:
    8,512
    Likes Received:
    3,740
    A new theatre in London is going to cost about £20 m, so that is a joke, and the new British library cost about £50 m yet ours get closed !. I will pay for my tablets if that helps the NHS, and huge money should be shifted to them, by scrapping the arts hand outs etc. It sees to be the southerners get the best deals.
     
    #11
  12. joeisonfire

    joeisonfire Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 25, 2011
    Messages:
    2,352
    Likes Received:
    837
    Sunderland councils ain't released yet, sure it was Feb/March last year
     
    #12
  13. The Relic

    The Relic Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 21, 2014
    Messages:
    2,210
    Likes Received:
    1,142
    They have to because most cyclists use the pavement! What happened to bobbies on the beat?
     
    #13
  14. Brian Storm

    Brian Storm Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 31, 2012
    Messages:
    48,871
    Likes Received:
    16,295
    Cuts and Paperwork mate. I know a couple of coppers, went to school with them and one of them arrested me :emoticon-0136-giggl. They reckon they can't fart without having to file a report. They spend most of their careers in the office pen pushing. Polar opposites to the 70s where coppers pretty much did what the **** they want.
     
    #14
  15. Deleted #

    Deleted # Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 27, 2011
    Messages:
    20,571
    Likes Received:
    9,877
    I take my hat off to you and care workers like you mate, I am obviously quite well aware of the strains and also personality needed to do the job. It's not a job I could do, mental health or no mental health, if some ****er started attacking me I'd dig them back, I've got absolutely no self control, I'd be sacked within an hour <laugh>

    With regards to the spending, my biggest gripe is them two at the bottom... Overseas aid and contribution to the EU budget. I'm not happy paying into either, if I'm being completely honest. While there's shortages in this country, other countries can take a skip and a jump, to put it bluntly.

    Nice trainers by the way, I've got the black and green ones, lush. I will definitely be meeting up with you at some point before the season is over. Take care fella
     
    #15
  16. Tel (they/them)

    Tel (they/them) Sucky’s Bailiff

    Joined:
    May 11, 2011
    Messages:
    61,295
    Likes Received:
    55,496
    Respect brother, my gran spent her entire life looking after people less fortunate than her, literally from the day she left school until, well after she retired she was still doing shifts, now she's in a care home being cared for, she has alzeihmers. My mum also went into care (working), specifically treating Cancer patients, she spends a lot of her time comforting and caring for people in the latter stages of terminal cancer, I feel it's a depressing job to be in but she gets a lot of satisfaction from it.

    I guess I just thought you were a chef 'cause you know a lot about growing stuff and making good grub. The carer thing makes much more sense actually. <ok>
     
    #16
  17. Brian Storm

    Brian Storm Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 31, 2012
    Messages:
    48,871
    Likes Received:
    16,295
    In all honesty lads, it was a laugh a minute and never a dull moment. So many wonderful personalities. Some days being attacked was just frustrating, something I couldn't be doing with that day but in must part it was fine as the conflict management techniques(restraining) were very effective. Full moon was the worst times as they'd kick off together, very dangerous time. Myself and my colleagues would would be attacked whilst restraining something else. But SAFC83 fella, you say you couldn't do it. It's definitely a job you can either do or can't do. Before you even hit the shop floor you've got to read their files and actually read about all the stuff they've done, that's tough. I like many gave it a go anyway as it was a job and beggers can't be choosers and I really took to it.

    But God bless your Mum Tel. Really, she's cut from a very special cloth. I helped set up a dementia unit in the midlands and it was heart breaking fella. I can't work in dementia ever again and won't. That my friend is just too much for me. Your mum is truly an incredible woman.

    SAFC83. Those are my custom design Sambas off the Adidas site. Got the perfect outfit for them. Getting 'GET FUNKY' embroiled down the side. Got to try and raise 80 quid to get them so not counting on getting them for a while. :p
     
    #17
  18. Tel (they/them)

    Tel (they/them) Sucky’s Bailiff

    Joined:
    May 11, 2011
    Messages:
    61,295
    Likes Received:
    55,496
    Sounds like you had a ball mate, in your last job, good on you for getting stuck in!

    Yeah my gran's got the alzheimers going on, latter stages, she's just a cabbage now, she's got no quality of life from an outsider's point of view and it's incredibly hard to watch her go through it. I'm told she's in no discomfort, which is obviously comforting to me, but I made my peace with her condition a long time ago, I have millions of memories of her laughing and joking with the whole family and that's how I'll remember her, not like she is now.

    My mum doesn't just look after Cancer patients now, she has an array of people who need help, she says there's somebody who she pops round to see who goes into way too much detail about her and her boyfriend's bedroom antics, positions, orifices used, where he shot his load, mum is horrified by it but the funniest part is that she's not got a boyfriend, she's just a compulsive liar! <laugh>
     
    #18
  19. Brian Storm

    Brian Storm Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 31, 2012
    Messages:
    48,871
    Likes Received:
    16,295
    Ah compulsive lying. The backbone of reasoning from my clients. I lost count of the free paid holidays I had from suspensions from false accusations. Standard procedure to suspended pending investigation, by the time a week has passed they miss the people they've made allegations against they U Turn and drop the allegations. One example, I've got giant dick like a black man apparently and can go all night and really know how to satisfy a man <laugh> 1 I'm not gay 2 if I was I'd set my sights higher than a middle aged man with learning disabilities, 3 my dick isn't giant, and 4 turns out I wasn't even on shift at the alleged time of the incident so I got a paid week in the pub.

    Yeah, 95% of my clients were healthy and physically able, I couldn't work with dying people or people who are losing their mind. I'm just not strong enough mentally to do the job. Up most respect. Your mum is the type of person who should be getting honor from the queen, not Sheridan ****ing Smith
     
    #19
    Dispicable_Tel likes this.

Share This Page