WELL now we can see that Gloucestershire County Council has really bought the great big lie that is the Tory 'big society'. A society where they leave us to provide the basics that local government should provide.
They say these cuts are necessary. But where then is the cut to our tax? Reduce the services – retain the taxes. No, in fact, increase the costs to ordinary people.
For example, the county response to the CSR seeks an additional £1 million in revenue from parking alone. In a rural area like the Dean that's ridiculous for anyone who drives to work. I park in Newent five days a week. At £3 a day I'm paying another £720 a year (on a 48 week year) in back-door taxes. And for what? A new 'Life Skills Centre' but cut 1,000 jobs at the council? And you can't tell me that services won't be affected.
What else? "...reshaping the service on a core group of libraries" – if that isn't government-speak for closing libraries, I don't know what is.
Free school buses are also set to disappear. How does that help the environment and reduce congestion?
They say "Gloucestershire County Council wants to work with communities to develop the interest, entrepreneurial skills, networks, governance, volunteers, social enterprises etc that will be needed for them to flourish." – I say how about just focusing on providing essential services?
In March there will be a national demonstration against these cuts. Anyone who wants to save the Forest should join us to organise a mass turnout.
Carl Spiby
St Briavels