Vulnerable people are hit yet again
i am actually fuming! A letter has just plonked through my letterbox from the Stroke Association telling me that the funding for both their services will be stopped as from April 2012.
Another service for the vulnerable and disabled kicked to the wayside by local government while they sit in their offices, which I dare say have all amenities, and decide which vulnerable community they can get rid of next.
This is so unfair. My husband would not be so outgoing or be able to speak at all if it wasn’t for the help he has received.
I dare say he would be sat at home doing nothing at all or in a home being cared for at the council’s expense, as we couldn’t afford it.
I realise they have to make cuts somewhere but why is it the vulnerable and disabled that have to suffer.
Mrs Joyce Smith,
on behalf of Mr John Smith
Abbey Lodge,
Landcross Drive,
Northampton.
Hospital helipad is ready for use
The unresolved saga regarding the provision of helipads to serve our hospital’s A&E departments continues.
Accident victims are being airlifted to Coventry to the serious detriment of local family and friends.
We now learn of a new national body called the County Air Ambulance Trust who are to raise funds to build helipads nationwide at A&E departments.
Meanwhile those involved might like to investigate the fact that a well maintained and approved helipad already exists in the grounds of the old Cliftonville Boys School, now part of St Andrew’s Hospital.
This facility – close to our own A&E department – is, I am led to believe, still available if required.
Might I inquire if statistics are available to show how many times the Air Ambulance was called out to deal with emergencies during 2011 and to which hospital they were taken?
Could it be a coincidence that the base for the WNAA is at Baginton Airport . . . Coventry?
Kenneth A J Smith,
Pitsford.
Fast Euro retreat for Cameron
David Cameron has proved to be the Grand Old Duke of York in his dealings with Europe.
In December he uses the veto with great fanfare and in January he retreats at a pace faster than Usain Bolt.
As Ed Miliband said, his veto was just for Christmas not life.
David Cameron has proved to be a disaster for our country, both nationally and internationally.
Geoff Howes,
Alliston Gardens,
Northampton.
Why MK is in the top five
A recent report has identified the top five cities primed for growth in the years to come. It comes as no surprise that Milton Keynes is in the top five.
The Centre for Cities report’s conclusion will not come as a surprise. In the current climate it is logical that knowledge industries, highly qualified workforce, a strong private sector and high levels of entrepreneurial activity are likely to help a city, while reliance on a shrinking public sector, and an industrial legacy may make it vulnerable.
Milton Keynes has been at the forefront in recent years when it has come to innovation and planning whereas Northampton has been slow to adapt to its external environment. Ikea being a perfect example where inaction and political interference stopped this development coming to Northampton.
The planning services in Northampton have been abysmal and the leadership on offer to the people of Northampton has been mediocre. This unprecedented calamity, which has befallen us, has come about from years of moving from one crisis to another.
Northampton missed out on the much-needed infrastructure projects in the past such as new and improved train and bus stations and shopping facilities.
The last administration at the Guildhall went from “Astra Gate” to “Fountain Gate” without any intervening period whatsoever. It paid the price for a lack of vision and even at the end failed to understand the full force of the antipathy of the voters of Northampton.
The more politically savvy and Teflon chief executive and co still seem to remain in their positions regardless of the detritus around them.
The haughty, condescending and arrogant County Hall who pontificate need to understand the urban areas of the county more intricately and not only in two-dimensional terms.
Now is the time for the Government to be bold and radical and to free small/medium enterprises and companies of regulations and to reduce taxes where possible.
Merely maintaining the status quo is no longer sustainable. This premise has been proved spectacularly in Northampton.
David Acock,
Booth Lane South, Westone, Northampton.
I have to move car every day
MY family have lived in St George’s Street for 70 years and when parking restrictions were brought in last year, during the consultation I asked for residential or permit parking and also advised I was willing to pay for the permit.
The council’s reply was, due to religious premises and businesses in the area, permit parking was deemed not needed. At the time I was the only private residence in a house plus 10 flats at the top of the street, there are now 14 more flats that have been renovated.
The council brought in two-hour parking between 8am and 1pm. This means I can park outside my property for 23hrs a day and I have to move it every day for one hour to another bay, which is fine as long as I am not ill or away and unable to move it.
The council could have still had the two-hour parking but the vehicles that are registered to owners who live in the street be exempt. I am sure with today’s technology this would be achievable.
Roger Desborough,
St George’s Street, Northampton.
Portrait a fitting tribute for post
How sad are the recent letters bemoaning hanging of the portraits of former county council chairmen in County Hall. It seem to symbolise the lack of pride in our county’s rich civic heritage.
Northamptonshire, in its own quiet way from earliest days, has made so many great contributions to the life and character of our country, not least in the part its regiments played in the many battles of the first and second world wars.
The chairman not only chairs the council meetings, but carries out many other duties within the county, supporting and encouraging volunteer groups and organisations in their work.
It should also be remembered that the chairman of the council is the county’s number one citizen and as such has precedence immediately after the Queen or the Lord Lieutenant on civic occasions when not present.
It is therefore only fitting that the important role they have played during their year(s) of office should be recognised in a tangible way and a portrait is, in my opinion, a very suitable way. Historically this the way in which it has always been done and puts a face to a name for future generations.
Graham Smith,
Nether Heyford.
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Comments
There are 5 comments to this article
Page 1 of 1
jimorourke
Saturday, February 11, 2012 at 02:01 PMYou do understand Mr Smith that there is a serious recession on and services for the poor elderly disabled are being cut? Why should the chair of the county council be immune from our country and county's financial difficulties? The PM says "we're all in it together"? Apparenty not.
jimorourke
Saturday, February 11, 2012 at 01:58 PMI really think it is absolutely terrible that council funding for the stroke association has been cut. But we must not forget that these cuts are made by politicians. It's not the fault of the office staff many of whom are having their wages cut while the council spends our money on potraits of chair persons you never even knew existed.
jimorourke
Saturday, February 11, 2012 at 01:51 PMI must say I did enjoy Mr Acock's letter, it was very amusing and quite accurate. Its these same "absymal " leaders who think they warrant two potrait sittings in London at outrageous public expense. This just says it all about these county council leaders that potraits of themselves are their priority for use of our council tax..
jimorourke
Saturday, February 11, 2012 at 01:23 PMI don't agree with the Chairman of the County Council having a potrait made of them. This is a pure waste of councilk tax, which many people in our town and county really struggle to pay. How many people, apart from these vain and pompous politicians, will actually see, or want to see these famous potraits that we have paid for without ever agreeing to do so. . We really must stop lionising jack in a box politicians and stop kicking other public sectors workers who do an extremely difficult job . And to have a politician's potrait done at such great public expense while help for the disabled has been cut is unbeliavably crass and totally insensitive . Have they no shame?
Trash1
Wednesday, February 8, 2012 at 07:41 PMDear Mr Kenneth A J Smith, I would like to attach the link to the air ambulance website, this should tell you all about the helipad landing!! http:www.wnaa.co.ukwhat-we-donewsorganisation-newsconfusion-over-air-ambulance-doorstep-campaign If you lived in Thrapston and had serious burns WNAA would take you to the specialised truma unit in Birmingham not Coventry or Northampton. The Air Ambulance flies over many hospitals to take the patient to where they will get the best possible care and treatment!!!!!
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