Council tax increase – and I voted for it!

February 4, 2010

Well, what did happen on the council tax increase debate? The answer is that it is going to be an increase of 4.25% and what is surprising is that I voted for it!

One of my reasons for standing for election to the County Council two years ago was due to my frustrations in council and business tax going up each year, but the services we receive going down.

Last year, I voted against the 2.99% council tax increase, and supported the Conservatives proposals for just a 2% increase.

Taking into account that inflation is very low at present, the proposed increase of 4.25% seemed high in real terms. Under normal circumstances, I could never support such a high council tax increase, but at last weeks meeting I did support and vote for the 4.25%. I supported this with difficulty as I do find it hard to justify when people have either lost their jobs or are seeing a small increase in there wage packets.

When the 4.25% proposal was first brought forward a few weeks earlier at the council’s board, I didn’t support the increase.

This year’s council budget does seem to be designed to boost reserves, as the belt tightens on Council spending. To maintain much needed investment in our schools is my main reason for supporting this year’s increase.

Let’s not forget that following the forthcoming general election spending cuts will be inevitable whoever wins, and saving our secondary schools and other services, where we can, appears to me to be a valid cause.

Leave a Comment » | conservatives, council tax, councillors, powys county council, public services, taxes, welsh conservatives | Tagged: , | Permalink
Posted by russellgeorge

Happy new year!

December 31, 2009

This year will be an exciting one for those interested in both local and national politics, like me. We will have a general election before July and as a Conservative myself I of course hope we will have a Tory government.

I will also be working hard to get our candidate for the Conservative Party in Montgomeryshire elected, Glyn Davies. I’ve just read Glyn’s new year message and I am particularly happy to see him mention how he will do his best to bring pride, integrity and respect to the position of an MP. No man woman or MP can be perfect, but each can strive to do there best.

Anyway, happy new year. Part of Glyn’s Message is below:

NEW YEAR MESSAGE  from  GLYN DAVIES, Parliamentary Candidate for the Conservative Party in Montgomeryshire.

As I type these words on my computer, our 2 year old granddaughter, Ffion is ‘helping’ me.  In the next room, our week old grandson, Darragh is crying for his mother to feed him. All around me, is the hub-bub of family life.  Inevitably, all this creates context for how I think about the New Year. If all of us are here to celebrate next Christmas together, healthy and content, 2010 will have turned out to be a good year, whatever else may happen.

A General Election will dominate my 2010. The result will be important for the UK, for Wales, and for Montgomeryshire. I hope it brings change. It will also be decisive for Ffion, Darragh and all the rest of us. If I were to be elected Member of Parliament for Montgomeryshire in 2010, the responsibility would demand a huge commitment. And it would be given, because Montgomeryshire matters to me. It’s home, and always will be.

As a politician, my aim has always been to reach out across party loyalities. So often we agree about what’s right. My support for our soldiers in Afghanistan, my wish to help the elderly, and those suffering from dementia, from renal problems, from Parkinson’s Disease, my love of Rural Wales, the wildlife with which we share our world, and the Welsh Language, is shared across all parties - as is my determination to always win a fair deal for Montgomeryshire. Most of us want a nation that is fairer, safer, greener, and where every individual matters – even though we may not always agree on the best way to achieve all these things. But most of all, I would do my best to bring pride, integrity and respect to the position of MP for Montgomeryshire.

Leave a Comment » | conservatives, councillors, elections | Tagged: , , , , | Permalink
Posted by russellgeorge

I’m not on my own

April 7, 2008

I left our meeting this morning feeling so glad that I’ve got the backing of my party, the Welsh Conservatives.

I have the constant support of our parliamentary candidate Glyn Davies and our association chairman Simon Baynes who has just been elected (unopposed) to represent his area on Powys County Council and the Montgomeryshire Conservatives.

Walking into the office this morning, there was a real buzz of being part of a strong team. I couldn’t help but feel sorry for the many “independent” candidates throughout Powys who don’t have the backing of a strong political party.

It is great to be able to phone up the office and get advice on a particular issue, normally from Pam. And if she can’t help, she’ll know someone who can.

On leaving the office this morning I did feel bad that I hadn’t thanked Pam enough for all she’s doing for each of the candidates. Sometimes when you are totally focussed on the campaign, it is difficult to get a moment to properly say thank you.

Surely it makes sense for a county councillor to be part of a wider group, one that has influence in the Welsh Assembly, in London and in Europe? What can an independent councillor do when they face issues that affect our local area but are decided by bodies outside of Powys?

What is more, as well as offering advice, expertise and resources, I know that the more backing I receive from my party, the more of my time will be freed up to devote to the important issues that matter to you.

If I’m privileged enough to be elected, I’ll feel reassured to know that I’m not on my own.

1 Comment | conservatives, independent candidates, issues, montgomeryshire conservatives, powys county council, welsh assembly, welsh conservatives | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by russellgeorge

Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.

Join 1,289 other followers