Page 3 - link magazine

The Link Magazine • March 2005 3
Good news for tax payers. Bad news
for town's voluntary organisations N/MidWinter
Swindon Council's Conservative cabinet agreed a three per cent council tax rise on 2 February, to be
confirmed on 21 February by the full council. Computer Services
Whilst householders in an aver- Cabinet member for finance What makes it voluntary is that • Specialising in domestic user
age band D property will see their coun Nick Martin said the council responsibility for the organisation home visits
monthly council tax bill increase by had achieved £10 million in econo- is vested in a management com- • Virus Protection/Removal
£2.33, a 23 per cent cut in the budget mies and efficiency savings. At the mittee who are unpaid.
• PC and Server Health Checks
to support voluntary organisations same time he was pleased the coun- • Labour regained the Walcot seat
could force some to close. cil was able to direct £5.5 million from the Conservatives when West • Website Design and Implementation
Mike Bawden leader of Swin- each to Education and Social Serv- Swindon resident Peter Mallinson • Hardware Procurement
don Council said his Conservative ices. won a by-election in February.
• Networking Solutions/Troubleshooting
group were responding to de- The Labour opposition were The Conservatives have an over-
mands at last year's elections. "Peo- quick to criticise the controlling all majority of 8, with 33 seats. Tel: 01793 706806
ple made it very clear that they group for pushing through cuts to Labour have 20 and the Liberal
Mobile: 07762 645296 REGISTERE
were fed up with big council tax voluntary organisations and a Democrats 5.
rises. We pledged to keep council package of staff reductions, re-
tax low if we got into power." duced opening times at council
The 3 per cent or less rise was leisure facilities and increased
supported in a number of consul- charges on leisure services for Con- Charles Lucas
ME
tations carried out by the council cession 2 Swindon card holders. RR I VV^A T E & Marshall ed over 12
before the cabinet
decision, through 'WE COME TO YOU
the Swindon Peo- AT HOME OR WORK'
ple's Voice panel,
via the council's * FREE
web site and We're on 0 collection & delivery
printed question- * Servicing & repairs
naires.
The respond- BIKE WE ALSO SELL
ents did not want `! side DOCTOR * New cycles
grant reductions * Parts & accessories
to the voluntary
sector - the least
For experienced, practical help call 1
acceptable action Swindon 511055 a^,^„o•s
in the paper and
web site re-
sponse. Never-
theless the cabi-
net went ahead Can Chiropractic help me?
Keen on voluntary organisations: The Mayor of Swindon
with a £252,000
coun Peter Stoddart met representatives from many of the How much will it cost?
cut to the coun- town's groups at a community fayre on 29 January, includ-
cil's £1.2 million ing several that could close if council cuts go ahead We are often asked, "What's the best way
commitment to
of finding out whether a doctor of
voluntary organisations. Labour Leader Coun David
y
chiropractic can help lil problem?”
Coun Bawden thanked the peo- Nash said it was'disgusting' to see
ple who had taken the time and the council strike at the voluntary We believe the answer can be found in a
trouble to give their views. "Set- and community sector and warned complete chiropractic consultation and
ting the level for council tax is one that history could be repeated as examination, including x-rays. And to help
of our hardest jobs. It really helps the last time the Conservative find out for sure, we will do a complete
us to know what local people group ran the council with a ma- These procedures normally
consultation and examination, including cost £100 or more!
think." jority in the 1970s, it was forced to
Social Services are still looking introduce a supplementary tax de- x-rays, if necessary, for iust (Does not include personal
injury cases or car accidents
for £50,000 savings which are likely mand when budget calculations £15. re nItinn in insurance claims.)
to come from budgets set aside for went wrong.
two East Swindon family centres, Paul Dixon of Voluntary Action Testimonials
which serve the poorest wards in Swindon said it was not clear yet From Angie: My ten week old daughter hated travelling in the can
the borough. where the £252,000 funding cuts
Every journey was a nightmare , for both her and me. Now two
In another proposal, pensioners would fall. "Organisations in re-
attending day care centres could ceipt of council grants are rigor- months after cranial treatment from Dr Mark Blokland at the
be hit by a £26 daily charge from ously examined by officers and Ridgeway Chiropractic Clinic, she happily travels. In fact she falls
April, having seen a rise from 65p councillors to ensure they will de- asleep most times. Travelling i.e now a pleasure ... Thanks Mark
to £5 in October. liver what the council wants and Teresa writes: After coming to Ridgeway Chiropractic Clinic for
r
The cabinet accepted that cre- will provide value for money. t eatment I no longer feel tired and lethargic. I now feel alive! 1 have
matoria and cemetery charges "The funding the council gives a complete feeling of 'well-being'. My monthly maintenance
y
r
should only rise by inflation and to groups provides excellent value programme is my t eat to m self ... Thanks Circa.
that a proposed £50,000 to the for money as it enables them to
Artscape budget should not go draw in significant additional If you are experiencing any of these symptoms,
ahead. funding from other sources, like call otn- office for an appointment A4361
It also withdrew the threat of business, central government and 01793 814567
charging council workers for car Europe. This is lost to Swindon if Mark Blokland and Associates (GC( Registered) oM451t6 °' " °'
parking, and promoted Gavin the council won't back its own or- Ridgeway Chiropractic Clinic
Jones, the director of cultural ganisations." www.ridgeway-health.com "^361
change, to deputy chief executive • A voluntary organisation can be
Fairwalec Stables, High Street. WmLighton
and gave him a £22,000 pay rise. run by paid staff or volunteers.