sammydarlo
Registered: 03/02/09
Posts: 2
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| #16 |
Its totally wrong to close the south park aviary, whats £35,000 out of a total council budget of £260.1 MILLION!!.
Stop wasting money on projects that don't need to be done (and there are plenty) including cycle lanes 6 feet long that no one uses anyway! and speed bumps all over the council estates (i notice private housing roads with speeding problems don't get the same "safety traffic calming bumps" installed)
And why arn't cyclists riding bikes with NO LIGHTS, NO protective clothing (cycle helmets for THEIR OWN safety) and NO reflective clothing never pulled up and given a fine when riding around at night? I see plenty of them, but the policeand the commuinity officers never seem to spot them.
At the same time the council want to create even more little hitlers and take over parking regulation from the police- whom we already pay for!
Use the wages SAVED from NOT taking over parking to keep the aviary - or is it a case of getting more income from tickets issued over trivial offences from the council managed "parking wardens"??  - Another indirect tax from a labour run council determined to follow in its big brothers footsteps in central government and tax tax tax fine fine fine.
Even George Orwell didnt forecast it to be this bad.
Why does it cost £25,000 a year to run the Mayors Charity shop? surely as a "shop" it should be standing on its own two (or more) feet and paying its own way? thats what shops do, or they go bust- think woolworths-so it shouldnt cost the rate payers or the council anything- it should be making money to donate to charity, otherwise all the council are doing is donating £25,000 a year of council tax payers money to a charity of the mayors choosing each year in the most expensive way possible, by running a LOSS MAKING shop and paying extra for the privelidge of doing so???
On the subject of public toilets- just where are people supposed to go when in desperate need? Public loos are few and far between as it is- there was a lady in the Cornmill Centre recently asking when their toilets would open (this was at approx 11am last sunday) the scurity guard said they didnt open till 12, when asked where the next public toilets were, he told the lady under the covered market- but that they no longer open on a sunday anyway- so where exactly was this lady supposed to "go"??
No wonder the town centre is dying, i very rarely venture into town at all now, i refuse to pay extortionate parking charges and public transport is an even more expensive farce. (even when the bus does actually turn up).
As for those 80p solar powered parking meters in places such as Victoria Road (where parking used to be free) i have stopped using those shops nearby as i object to paying a council imposed surcharge (80p parking fee) just to pop in to buy a pastie at the bakers or fish and chips from the chippie or something from the fruit and veg shop which takes 2 minutes!
I was born and have lived in Darlington all my life and i still remember the days when it was an honour and priviledge to be a councillor and not an EXTRA PAID job!! with massive expences perks- people did it FOR FREE!! out of pride and a love for their town. And rates were a damn site less comparatively too.
Its all very well you lot in your ivory towers running up rate increases, but i'm a pensioner on a fixed income and i cannot afford your constant increases- way above inflation, let alone pension rises.
And what do i get for my £1200+ per year? my bin emptied - whoopee!  but woe betide me if i put it out too early (or late) 'cos then you'll see fit to impose a fine!!.
Up the People's Revolution!! Its time to get rid of these dictators and send them packing back to Russia -oops i forgot even russia has freedom these days, maybe communist china might suit them better? 
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gymbunny
Registered: 04/02/09
Posts: 2
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| #17 |
I was very disappointed to hear the councils proposals to limit the opening times of the Eastbourne Sports Complex gym area. This is a valuable community resource that I regularly use as well as many others that I know. It offers an alternative to the Dolphin Centre which is often overrun with noisy teens and school parties and can be quite an intimidating atmosphere for some users. I can see why the council would consider this option as now they will be able to collect revenue from gym users as well as collecting extra revenue from their extortionate car parking fees,as at Eastbourne Sports Complex car parking is free(for now!).
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mattybrown
Registered: 09/02/09
Posts: 3
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| #18 |
I too cannot believe that our council is going to get rid of South Park's aviary. I always enjoy taking a look whenever I go to South Park. It's been there my whole life. I think that if anything, the council should look to reduce the money it's spending on our dismal fireworks displays that are held in the park each year. I'd like to see a lot more money spent on South Park, and our other parks over the next year. Whilst local people are having a tough time of things financially, it's always nice to take a stroll through our parks to take your mind off the state of our country's economy.
I feel that the council has allowed some of our parks, such as Eastbourne and Lascelles parks, fall into a state of ruin over the years. When I was a child, the parks had a lot more happening in them and they were far better maintained. What ever happened to park keepers? My guess is that they were axed due to budget cuts. Now a days, I steer clear of the parks, as there's nothing there but foul mouthed youths and vandalised play equipment.
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worriedparent
Registered: 09/02/09
Posts: 1
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| #19 |
Whilst closing the aviary is a shame, i'm more concerned about the idea to charge parents for cycle and pedestrian training. The training really gives children confidence to use the roads safely, and charging could mean a child misses out then gets knocked over and killed. Its also another cost for parents who are hard pressed anyway. Even if you dont have kids it will impact on you as more parents will drive their children to school, adding to the chaos on the roads in the mornings.
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HS
Registered: 11/02/09
Posts: 1
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| #20 |
The closure of Eastbourne Sports Complex during the day would be a great loss to the residents of Darlington. The centre was opened up to the public to try and encourage residents in the community to become fit and promote good health. We are constantly reminded that we are a nation of unhealthy unfit people and now the Council want to take away the use of Health and fitness facilities at the complex. I travel from the other side of the town to use the facilities there as the Dolphin Centre does not provide Pilates classes during the day and not everyone wants to go out at night to keep fit and healthy. Pilates is an activity that can be enjoyed by all ages and the class is attended by many people that have back and mobility problems. It is often difficult for some people to go to the Dolphin Centre at night and parking is not free and close by as it is at the Eastbourne Sports Complex. Doctors and physios recommend Pilates as an exercise activity to help with rehabilitation after injuries. The Centre's Gym is also used by many people recovering from health problems and to take away this facility during the day would be detrimental to residents health and well being. If the facility is taken away it shows the residents of Darlington that the Council is not committed to making us all fitter and healthier. |
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Jenny
Registered: 30/10/08
Posts: 4
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| #21 |
Thankyou to everyone who has taken part in this forum so far, please keep the views coming, they are very challenging (in a good way) and very helpful to the Cabinet in making their final recommendation to Council.
A special thanks to those of you who came to the Talking Together event last night. Many of you will be pleased to know that the South Park aviary, Mayors Charity Shop and cycle training were all discussed.
Us Councillors always learn a great deal from listening to residents. This is a difficult year financially for the Council as well as for many individuals, and it's more important than ever that we listen carefully to what you have to say.
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mattybrown
Registered: 09/02/09
Posts: 3
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| #22 |
Perhaps if daytime classes such as Pilates at the Eastbourne Sports Complex are actually quite popular, they should be moved to the Dolphin Centre if the daytime closure goes ahead? |
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gymbunny
Registered: 04/02/09
Posts: 2
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| #23 |
I don't see why Eastbourne Sports Complex should be closed and classes moved elsewhere. As residents and council tax payers of Darlington we already struggle to find any decent sports and fitness venues in the town due to the councils cut backs. If the only option is to attend venues on an evening many people will inevitably miss out on keeping fit and active which in turn will lead to an upsurge in obesity and other health related problems in the future (something the government is supposedly trying to avoid!). During the current financial climate I think it is unfair of the council to expect people to pay out more than they need ie for parking on top of entrance fee, as for some people visiting the complex not only keeps them healthy, but can also be an important lifeline with regard to socializing and keeping up to date with current events going on within the area. Please Darlington Borough Council for once listen to the people you are supposed to represent and do away with this proposal.
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KateS
Registered: 12/02/09
Posts: 1
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| #24 |
I would just like to say that the Mayors Charity shop should remain open. The staff there recycle so many items, which are passed on at very moderate cost, to those in need. And just as importantly, they always make time to have a chat to everyone who comes in, whether to donate or to buy, and as such are as much a social service to the town as a shop. I do hope the money will be found to keep it open. The town and the shop staff deserve our support. |
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Carbert
Registered: 12/02/09
Posts: 1
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| #25 |
Get rid of some of the dead wood at the top. Especially those who cause so much debt to the council tax payers.
Why do we need so many overpaid personnel in the town hall. Try reorganising the system then us council tax payers may get some value for money.
Cut out some of the daft projects that have no benefit whatsoever to the council tax payers. Afterall it's our money that is being wasted.
Having said all that we may then get a reduction in council tax.
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DBC1
Moderator
Registered: 02/07/08
Posts: 18
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| #26 |
This forum has now been locked, as the deadline for the budget consultation was February 12. Thank you for taking part. |
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