EREWASH TORY LEADER BOTTLES IT!

At last weeks Erewash Borough Full Council meeting Cllr Chris Corbett threw a strop and moved that the meeting be adjourned. Much of the business of the meeting had not been transacted. This odd move was inexplicable and was met with bemusement by the Labour Members.

There was no advantage either to the Council or to the many members of the public who were in the gallery in the Tory Group move. Why Cllr Corbett the Tory Leader bottled out is hard to fathom and when he finally has to climb down he will face considerable embarrassment. As I've told him before he can't keep chickening out.

OSBORNE'S DROPPED US IN IT!

Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne suggested it would be chaos if he changed his mind over the cuts. The real effects of his approach to reducing the deficit are yet to fully felt by the public. Just the cuts to local government grant will push the costs for some local services up and reduce some services with other services being eliminated altogether. The increase in V.A.T. and inflation will create unemployment and reduce the total tax take. If he is hoping to rely on other Countries to pull us away from recession then it is a huge gamble by Osbourne. Effectively the Local Government and Central Government cuts are having to be organised and implemented by others, with people like Pickles and Osborne in denial over the actual choas they are causing.
As the Tory led Coalition keep saying "We're all in it together." and we are, right up to the neck.

SOLVING THE SERVANT PROBLEM

If Mrs Osbourne's comments are anything to go by, how long will it be before the minimum wage is scrapped or by-passed. She can always re-designate her staff as interns or apprentices or trainee assistant mansion managers. I'm really saddened that "like most mothers she worries about upsetting the cleaner." It's a hard life being a millionairess. It's comforting to know Marie Antoinette is alive and well and living in 11 Downing Street.

As the Tory led Coalition fight to grab recession out the jaws of recovery, even the out going Leader of the C.B.I. Sir Richard Lambert sees the writing on the wall. The newly Knighted Sir Dick, crowned Osbourne's misguided "politically motivated" cuts. He said "measures that cut spending but killed demand would actually make matters worse." His comments are refreshing, but has he lost his chance of a seat in the Lords? He seems just the right sort of material to me, on the basis of his Parthian shot. Well done old chap.

However could the devilishly cunning Tory plan be to drive down wage rates and increase unemployment to solve the servant problem. Perhaps Sir Richard is not in on the secret. I await events with interest.

P.S.What always perplexes me is how more poverty encourages the poor but that more wealth motivates the already filthy rich. I must admit that the logic of it evades me.

WEST PARK LEISURE

I went around the Long Eaton West Park Leisure Centre today. Checked out the facilities, which are in a good state of repair and much improved with the aid of the grant from Sport England. However it still seems to me there is untapped potential. For years moving the cafe to the ground floor has been discussed but not implemented. A cafe/restaurant on the ground floor and relocating the gym to the upper floor would add value to the facility giving an increase in customer base and create business and job opportunities. I also think an outdoor all weather floodlit facility, perhaps two five-a-side pitches, could add revenue without unduly increasing costs. Also the flume needs upgrading to make the wet side more attractive.