More readers' letters

NOW that we have, more or less, been brainwashed in accepting the £multi-million deficit in council finances, are we about to become aware of further consternation in council quarters?

I refer to the plight of Jarvis shareholdings, having lost 90% of value, during the last 12 months, falling from 125p per share, to a staggering 13p.

Pension funds experienced the dangers of investing members finances into the private sector, so is it time for council tax payers, to receive 'copper bottomed' guarantees as to future council services provided for from our tax payments?

VE JAMES, River View, Hampton Bishop.

Let's hope they're listening still

LESS than a year ago Herefordshire Council appeared not to be listening to warnings by our local newspaper and local residents apropos the distinct possibility of the government capping councils that sought excessive rises in council tax.

When the warnings turned to reality, and the Hereford Times was inundated with letters from local residents expressing utter contempt for the actions of the council, the chief executive attempted to defend an untenable position, as evidenced by another barrage of letters published by the Hereford Times.

After a recent scare-mongering campaign, which resulted in another episode of unhappy letters, Mr Pringle now appears to be attempting to play down the scale of the financial 'imbalance'.

Perhaps all those previous letter writers can now feel their justified actions have at least resulted in a greater degree of listening.

We can only hope that the newly acquired awareness of the strength of public feeling translates into actions that are prudent and sensible.

MIKE MORGAN, Tupsley, Hereford.

Correcting this misconception

I WISH to correct a misconception.

At an open meeting of Kington Town Council on November 17, summoned to discuss the implications of the 2004 Audit Commissioners Report which had been issued in the public interest, a member of the public implied the said report had been commissioned by an independent group of five councillors, collectively branded the Gang of Five.

The report of the Audit Commission covered the inspection of accounts for the financial years 2001/02 and 2002/03. Three of the named five individuals were not councillors during the period under investigation.

The five joined as an independent group in June 2004 in an abortive attempt to call an extraordinary meeting to question the non-disclosure of official correspondence from the Inland Revenue. By law five signatures are required to call such a meeting.

On June 11, the term Gang of Five first appeared in the media. The Audit Commission had more or less completed its scrutiny of the council prior to the formation of this group. The so called Gang of Five did not commission the said audit and could not have done.

The most telling observation by a member of the public at the meeting, a past Mayor of Kington, recorded that if the recommendations directed at the Kington Town Council in the Audit Commissioners Interim Report dated June 2001 had been fully implemented the occasion for the 2004 Audit Report would not have arisen.

It was said by a councillor that the 2001 Interim Report cost the council and thus the council taxpayer £6,000.

The Audit Commission found little evidence that the findings of the Interim Report had been addressed.

ALLAN LLOYD, Hergest Road, Kington.

County's chance for a great resource

As a former lecturer and NATFHE chairman of Herefordshire College of Technology, I have always been amazed that all the Folly Lane colleges have not been dissolved and replaced by an institute of further and higher education.

It is the only logical thing to do for the learners but, sadly, all three boards of governors and all three principals have agendas which put the learners needs in second place.

What could be a golden opportunity will probably be lost to local politics, a snob mindset of many parents and students who attend the Sixth Form and the lack of vision of the local LSC.

Go on Herefordshire, create what could be a great educational resource of the West Midlands.

Pip Williams, Major's Close, Abergavenny, Monmouthshire.

Compliments to all concerned

EVERYONE concerned with the closure of St Mary's of Hope (Hereford Times, December 23) should be complimented on the way it was handled.

The closure of any school is a sad occasion, but the council, diocese, staff - and not least parents - have done the right thing in the right way.

With the prospect of more schools falling below the threshold in future, it is important the council continues to take these decisions sensibly and sensitively. Parents and children should be involved as early as possible. The needs of the children should be of most concern.

It is also important school buildings are, wherever possible, used for the good of the whole community rather than sold. By daring to look at new ideas, and working with other public bodies when appropriate, the buildings can continue to have a purpose and a benefit for everyone.

TOM CALVER, Wrockwardine, Lyde, Hereford.

Delight for this retired peeler

WHAT a joy it was to read the article on Santa Nigel, (Hereford Times, December 23). It certainly brought back memories, as I was one of the (orange) peelers sent to quell the situation.

I also served on the Ross Christmas Carnival Committee in the 70s and 80s when so many volunteers made it such a memorable day for the children.

The torch light parade still escorts Santa through the streets of Ross-on-Wye where the crowds give him/her a huge welcome.

ALAN BLOMFIELD, (retired police sergeant), Ross-on-Wye.