The Best Guide for the NN12 Area

I still question the idea of maintaining services, that cannot be the case with staff leaving and not being replaced. And a lot of savings through increased efficiencies only demonstrates that the councils were wasteful in the past if such savings can be made. And there is only so much in 'efficiencies' that can be applied to any organisation without impacting on deliverable services.

But that said, I am pleased that the councillors now understand that they cannot prevent council tax rises for ever, and there comes a time when they will need extra money to try to maintain services.

No rises over previous years, during a time of expansion in some areas of the region, had to have a negative impact on deliverable services (if only due to inflation), unless such growth was self funding, or the joint working made great savings, but I'd like to see the facts and figures on those facts.

They could also retain, and share, community grant scheme money if they didn't throw it all at one or two projects. Would somebody like to show where the grant scheme money actually goes?

Nick Holder

At last SNC has bitten the bullet and realised that local tax has to be increased to fund local services. It is the only response to central government's objective of relinquishing responsibility for countrywide service provision from central taxation. Thankfully Band D in South Northants can probably take the hit, but in poorer districts one wonders how they will cope.

The problem with passing on the burden to local authorities to raise the money, and spend it, is it depends on who and what is in that area, and that is why some services have to be nationally funded.

If you have a high elderly population in an area, somewhere like Eastbourne for example, their elderly social care needs will be higher, but the income from business, and even housing, is going to be lower per person.

The Government need to think more carefully about such issues, rather than just look at the financial facts and figures without considering the demographics of a region/area.

Nick Holder

If Mr Holder, or any other resident, wants to see where the SNC grants money is spent then have a look on the SNC website:-

This link gives the list in pdf form
http://www.southnorthants.gov.uk/2652.htm

This link gives more general information
http://www.southnorthants.gov.uk/grantscommunity.htm

Ian McCord

Thank youIan, ... and where did the biggest 2 payments go in the last year? (2016/2017) And who/how many people will it benefit? And will that project provide something new to the town, or simply duplicate an existing project?

I'd be interested in your comments on this matter.

Nick Holder

Nick

I have thought long and hard about whether to ignore your comment or whether to respond to it as I believe that the internet is not the place to air grievances.

However, I find it offensive that you are using this forum to belittle all the time and hard work given by a group of volunteers to improve their town. I assume from your comment, although you do not actually state it, that you are referring to Towcester Youth Coffee House (TYCH), a charity that has been in existence since 1995. There are approximately 1,800 11-18 year-olds attending Sponne School at the present time. Another 2-3,000 homes are being built that will draw in new families with teenage children. Surely, looking at these numbers, you have to agree that there is plenty of room for two youth facilities in our town.?

TYCH did an extensive amount of research prior to starting their ambition to improve their facility and all survey results indicate are that there is a lack of youth provision.

TYCH is certainly not new to the scene and, in fact, predates the other 'provision' that you again do not name, but hint at. I'm glad that when the second youth provision was set up in Towcester they didn't receive this type of negativity.

Perhaps, rather than continue this discussion on-line, you would like to meet with the volunteers to gain a clearer understanding of their objectives and their intension to work in harmony with other youth providers? You can contact them through their Facebook page or website: www.towcesteryouthcoffeehouse.org.uk.

Anyone else reading this comment who would like to assist TYCH with improving their facility for the youth of Towcester, we are looking for financial contributions, donations of building material and/or time from tradesmen who can assist with the building work. Please contact us via the aforementioned website.

Gail