Poole Council has a budget allocation for lighting of footways and this is used to improve lighting along footways throughout the Borough. It is used where the Council feels it will achieve the most benefit. The Council states that requests have been received from Merley residents for additional lighting along Ice Lane, along with a request from a Councillor. This is the lane that runs from Montacute Avenue to Merley Lane.
The recent (March 2007) erection of lights along a stretch of Ice Lane cost £1200.00 per lamppost.
Bearing in mind the Council’s justification, residents will note there is a parallel lit route to this stretch of Ice lane, along Longspee Road & Mimosa Avenue.
The Council also state that the path is “still not lit to current standards and there are still a few gaps”. In other words, at some stage in the future, we will get even more lights along Ice Lane.
Ever wonder how your Council tax is being spent?
There have also been two areas along Ice Lane, where the footpath has badly flooded, one at the junction for Egdon Drive and Montacute Way, the other on the stretch running down to Merley Lane.
The Council made an abortive attempt to correct the flooding at the junction several years ago – it was obvious to anyone who had witnessed the flooding that the Council efforts would be in vain. In other words our money was wasted. Sure enough, several years later, more work was needed to eliminate the problem and it has worked – well done Poole Council – at the second attempt!
Ever wonder how your Council tax is being spent?
Similarly with the flooding along the stretch running down to Merley Lane, an attempt was made in 2006, by the Council to eliminate the flooding. It has not worked. . In other words our money was wasted yet again.
Ever wonder how your Council tax is being spent?
What can you do about it?
The recent circa £5,000.00 spent by Poole Council for the Ice Lane lights is probably the tip of the iceberg, in terms of wasted resources and begs the following questions:
1. Where is the evidence that supports the justification for this expenditure?
2. How are the budget priorities of the Council being set?
3. What is the Council’s policy on light pollution?
4. What is the Council’s energy conservation and carbon footprint policy?
5. Why were residents not consulted prior to the placing of the order for the erection of these lights?
6. What implications are there for yet further lights at Merley?
7. What is Mr John McBride, Poole Council Chief Executive doing to ensure end of financial year budgets are either spent wisely, or reconsolidated, so as to reduce Council Tax rises?
8. What actions will Mr John McBride, Poole Council Chief Executive take to ensure action is taken against Council managers and staff who waste our taxes?
Your options
If you are happy with the way Poole Council is spending your taxes, then please move on and read the other great stuff that is in Merley Magpie.
Otherwise, if you feel strongly about such matters, then please write to: Mr John McBride, Chief Executive, Strategy Directorate, Civic Centre. Poole. BH15 2RU expressing your concerns and ask for answers to the questions above.
|