Tory led Council - expensive?

The dust has barely settled on another set of elections and the horse-trading deals that were not deals but are deals become clear. The fact is the Tory minority led council is going to be just as expensive if not more so than the last administration.

Andrew Hall Chair Thorpe Bay Residents Association

Tories campaigned on the back of excessive spending by the previous administration but then created more cabinet positions with more salary expense.

Talking of "jobs for the boys" the Conservatives paid back Woodley's support by giving him Place Scrutiny, Tricia Cowdrey People Scrutiny and Kathy Murphy Vice chair.

What services will they cut?

What does this all mean in the scheme of things for us the ordinary individual?

It means real services will have to be cut. Now that may not affect many in Thorpe but those that are not as privileged as

I put myself out there

Talking of which, Thorpe Ward is represented by a man guilty of misconduct charges, with yet more charges to be heard. It beggars’ belief that the same person who has been cited in a report for bullying and was very rude to a lady councillor in the chamber, could represent us as our Mayor.

Before anyone shouts sour grapes hold fire. I put myself out there, but the people didn't want what I was offering. I can live with that because that's what democracy is all about but don't say you haven't been warned.

some in Thorpe will be hit very hard.

I find it very poor that there are no major opposition Councillors chairing any of the committees. It means that with the current set up the Conservatives can railroad through pretty much whatever they like. It also means that services will have to be cut to balance the books. You can't scrap the evening parking fees losing £000s revenue without causing cuts to services elsewhere. Very few were in favour of those fees but last year's financial events left the previous administration with few options. So, what services will they cut? Libraries, dimming lights again or social housing builds. Whatever they do it will affect the city greatly.

Another waste of our money

Then there's the trucks that they said they will stop. How? As I said previously where were they when this was being proposed? The permissions have already been granted. If pursued, this will be yet another waste of our money. As far back as September 2022 I wrote to all parties involved requesting a dialogue to use alternative means to transport the aggregate. This was greeted with a good response. According to Cllr Cox I was supporting Bellway but funny how when an election is looming it is used as a Council amendment.