Council budget cuts

[sheltie87]

i think that its a disgrace that there going to start charging the bairns that want to learn an instrument at the school. why should they have to pay. its the council thats balls'd it up. not the bairns. i think they should start with middle manegment.... thats where all OUR money is getting wasted.

[Guest Anonymous]

with over 3000 voters working for the council you can be damn sure they will never bite the bullet and try and find savings there. where as bairns don't vote

[icepick239]

Under these new Budget restraints, will Mrs. Grains be paying all or contributing towards, her Taxi Fares to and from Lerwick.

[unlinkedstudent]

I've been pondering over this one for a while - in light of the financial dilemma, would now be a suitable time to review the policy concerning the housing packages offered to "key workers" to encourage them to come and work/live in Shetland?

 

Given the general skills shortage within Shetland, one could argue that all jobs that have been vacant (regardless of those within the NHS/Council) are "key" (blow Government policy/guidelines). Now I'm aware that many people come to work here and get Council housing for a maximum of two years - is this deadline totally enforced?

 

Whilst difficulties may ensue in selling homes down sarf, many people rent these out and thus get an income that not only covers their mortgage payments (if applicable), additional insurance, managing agents' fees, etc., but also benefit from social housing rents.

 

Social Housing was always deemed for those less fortunate/more in need.

 

Now given that Housing is a separate budget, do the other Council Departments pay Housing if a key worker gets a place/jumps the queue?

 

Granted, not all "key workers" offered Council housing do have their own properties elsewhere and it is difficult knowing how to strike the balance between encouraging them to work here and hence fill vacancies but at the same time, consider the hardships faced by others whom may have waited ages for a Council property, to no avail.

 

Just wondered what people thought in view of proposed cuts.

[Guest Anonymous]

Under these new Budget restraints, will Mrs. Grains be paying all or contributing towards, her Taxi Fares to and from Lerwick.

i would have thought one of the sons could have run her back n fore, after all shes seen them ok , and theres more cuts to look at .............

[paulb]

I've been pondering over this one for a while - in light of the financial dilemma, would now be a suitable time to review the policy concerning the housing packages offered to "key workers" to encourage them to come and work/live in Shetland?

 

Given the general skills shortage within Shetland, one could argue that all jobs that have been vacant (regardless of those within the NHS/Council) are "key" (blow Government policy/guidelines). Now I'm aware that many people come to work here and get Council housing for a maximum of two years - is this deadline totally enforced?

 

Whilst difficulties may ensue in selling homes down sarf, many people rent these out and thus get an income that not only covers their mortgage payments (if applicable), additional insurance, managing agents' fees, etc., but also benefit from social housing rents.

 

Social Housing was always deemed for those less fortunate/more in need.

 

Now given that Housing is a separate budget, do the other Council Departments pay Housing if a key worker gets a place/jumps the queue?

 

Granted, not all "key workers" offered Council housing do have their own properties elsewhere and it is difficult knowing how to strike the balance between encouraging them to work here and hence fill vacancies but at the same time, consider the hardships faced by others whom may have waited ages for a Council property, to no avail.

 

Just wondered what people thought in view of proposed cuts.

 

its enforced unless its in a low demand area. there is no free housing.

 

if your one of the few lucky ones that get a relocation package(nhs 8k to cover all costs solicitors fees for selling your house and buying. moving costs and payment of housing costs if needed. ferry fares as well nearly missed that one.) all are paid in arrears after invoices have been submitted. most posts now are short term and don't get the relocation package.

 

it can be classed as a perk but as you know it costs a lot to move up here. without staff coming into shetland the nhs would find it very hard to cope. i can't comment on the council as i don't know.

 

historically the nhs had housing that the council now have and that is why they can help get someone accommodation. but even then you still have to apply.

 

i know without the relocation package we could not have moved up here. same with a lot of others. and just like you not everyone has tens or hundreds of grand falling out of there pockets.from flogging their palaces down south.

[unlinkedstudent]

^^ Cheers for explaining about NHS but I know of a few people who moved up here shortly after me and they do have their own properties that they are renting out as they can't sell them at the moment. They don't work for the NHS incidentally but did get Council property.

[paulb]

then they either pay the rent or morgage intrest tends to be the rent its cheaper.

[MuckleJoannie]

I imagine the houses offered to incoming staff are the same as before, in out of town areas. When I was with the SIC the people I knew who moved up here were put to Brae, Firth, Aith or the Ness. These were areas where there was no immediate demand from locals for the houses.

[JordanKZ]

I never actually knew that the council paied for instrument lessons.

 

When I was in high school, we had to pay for our tuition when it came to learning an instrument and it was my understanding that this was the same in most places.

person mode>

 

Here's an idea, how about cutting the wages/benefits of some of the higher up people in the council? Or dropping some pointless committees or maybe making a decision when required rather than dragging it out for months and costing more money.

 

Just a thought.

[keetiebairdie]

If da cooncil are supposed tae be tightening their belts, beginning wi the (relatively)paultry amoont dey will save by getting youngsters fameilies tae pay for music lessons, dey coulda saved even mair by no giving the £100,000.00 handout tae da horsey group in November.

 

How many cooncilors faimilies are involved in music? How many o dem hae connections wi horses? No dat wir saying dat aa da hobbies shudna be helpit, but hit does seem dat some groups hae prefered status whit is no fair an seems baised.

 

An when ir expsnes lik Mrs Grains traivel tae be curtailed?

 

Wir no happy.

[Ghostrider]

^^ Wills tried to pull the plug on the Golf Course, but they were having none of that either. I wonder how many councillors, a member of their family, or close associate play golf?!?

 

Although I'd rather watch paint dry....inside the tin, than have anything to do with golf, I've nothing against it or anyone that plays it. But considering the council have been baling them out numerous times for the last 30 odd years, maybe its time to face facts. Either the participants need to put a little more of their money where their mouths are, or accept that Shetland just isn't big enough to justify the facility. It is only a small percentage of the population who are benefitting after all, probably a lot fewer than are getting music tuition.

[Skunnered]

with over 3000 voters working for the council you can be damn sure they will never bite the bullet and try and find savings there. where as bairns don't vote

I'm sure they could find lots of "efficiency" savings within their staff and admin costs, much more than they will gain by charging for music lessons. It seems strange that the discussions were all about front-line services, rather than reducing the huge number of employees. Presumably that's a "taboo" subject?

[tlady]

The purse strings need to be tightened, and in a BIG way.

 

Does anyone know the absenteeism rate of council staff?

 

I think the council would save quite a bit on the wage bill if they stopped paying sick pay for their employees from day 1.

 

In the "real world" employees don't get paid for the first 3 days of sickness, then they get sick pay .. which is a pittance.

 

I'm not saying they should go on statutory sick pay, but not being paid for the first couple of days would guarantee to increase the attendance figures, as people would think twice about having the odd sick day if it was hitting them in the pocket.

[Skunnered]

^^Are you telling us for sure that they get paid sick pay from day 1? If that is the case, then it's absolutely barmy, because businesses don't pay that. They have to keep costs down in order to survive.