“The Government don’t seem to want to increase national tax, but are happy for Council tax to have to rise to pay for services. They are putting the onus on the Council when they should be thinking about raising funds nationally.”
Hapless Hinchcliffe announces Bradford’s 2021-22 budget including the now annual 5% increase.
It might help if Bradford’s collection rate (approx 95% for the last three years) got a bit closer to the national benchmark (around 98%). You can find the budget and comment here -what else have you got to do this weekend? If you ring for a paper copy get ready to bounce around several departments.
Third World Bradford
Here is a tale all too common in modern Bradford and at considerable cost to the public purse.
Members heard that dormer windows were installed…and a roof extension was built, without planning permission several years ago. Enforcement action was started by the Council in 2016. Planning officers told members the house was in the St Pauls Conservation Area of Manningham.
A report to the committee said the dormers were “poorly designed” and urged members to refuse the plans.
When in Rome springs to mind but it gets worse and small wonder people think the law is something to be toyed with.
Councillor Mohammed Amran (Lab, Heaton) said the applicants had most likely been misled by the builders and told that the work did not need planning permission. He suggested the plans be approved. Cllr Amran was paid £26,432 in the year to March 2020 with a Special Responsibility Allowance for…planning.
Chair David Warburton (Lab, Wyke) said: “It might be handy for the Council to send out a newsletter to identify these problems and let people be made aware of planning rules and regulations.”
Cllr Warburton creamed the same amount from the gravy train so he can dish out stellar advice such as the above.
Wheeze Of The Week
Concerned about the potential reluctance of the Great Unwashed for a vaccine produced quicker than any in history, the Chief Blusterer had an idea.
“I know Nadeen!” he said excitedly to his newly chose Vaccine Guru, Mr Zahawi.
“‘Er it’s Nadhim Sir”
“No matter! What we’ll do is we’ll test it on the Northerners, they seem gullible enough. Let’s tell them they can only have a pint if they have a jab first! A jab a pint! Brilliant!” The Chief Blusterer looked pleased with himself. “Let’s whack the mole with the Northerners!”
“But didn’t they vote you in after all those promises you made to them about levelling up and new train sets?”
“Pah!” spluttered the Blusterer “Even I knew that was bollocks! Ring the army, we’re off to Bradford! Where is it by the way?”
Did They Really Mean This?
The problem with the PC bunch is they always trip over in the end. I wonder how long it will be before grovelling apologies from Barclays and statues of ex-employees – not mine – are defaced?
Handbags Matter
More woeful PC from the pathetic BBC here.
Steve “Tommo” Thompson has been suspended by the BBC from his punditry duties after referring to a scuffle between two players as “handbags”…after complaints from listeners (Radio Lincolnshire) about the outdated phrase…the BBC said the phrase “handbags” was not in line with their standards.
Set aside any disbelief at yet more PC from the metropolitan elite but just how many listeners can Radio Lincolnshire actually have?
Northern Poorhouse
Daily I read of the Northern Powerhouse and grand plans especially rail related; HS3 they call it. Now it appears, if it happens at all, it may well be a budget version and guess who could miss out?
The article – here – suggests Bradford could be omitted from the chosen route. It would effectively condemn Bradford to that of an economic desert.
The likely savings are estimated at £4bn. The estimated final cost of Crossrail 2 has ballooned to more than £40bn, more than double the £17.6bn cost of the embattled Elizabeth line.
But that’s all right because it’s London.
Carbuncle Time
Remember a few weeks ago How To Polish A Turd with plans to “renovate” one of Bradford’s ugliest buildings? Well, not content with one carbuncle, here’s the next.
Bradford’s Civic Society has called for a city centre building, designed by the same architects’s (sic) firm behind Seattle’s Space Needle, to be listed.
Which is a bit like submitting the first ever cake you baked for Bake Off. Amongst various quotes was this: Arndale House is considered by many to be an excellent example of understated 1960s architecture.
I would list it…for demolition.
Hotair Hussain
Desperate for any old fool to fill their pages, the local rag afforded another full page for my MP to express his latest views. In the interests of brevity an abridged version is below.
“Me, me and more me.”
Several commentators, having given due consideration to the latest outpourings from Hotair, offered a similarly abridged summary comment – “bell end”.
Meanwhile, with Boris floundering, how did Under New Management Labour react this week in the crucial Commons Vote? They abstained suggesting that new management or not, it’s same old, same old. The Blusterer probably cannot believe his luck.
More Self Promotion
The Trumpit’s Christmas edition will be out next Friday, delayed like much else, by recent events. Blame Boris!
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