are set to lobby the government to allow them to continue to pump shit into our rivers and seas without fines. I guess they are really saying that they want permission to avoid doing their job. They have a virtually guaranteed profit set by OFWAT. They claim that a clean up would cost hundreds on every households water rates. Not with me in government it would not. Profits would be based on compliance with the law – if their share price goes down juster-nationalise them.
There is too much talk about the lack of inward investment (basically pleading for tax breaks for companies). Sort out Brexit and there would be no problem. I accept the freedom of movement problem, but we have, and always have had control over migration. Investment in infrastructure and education, tax breaks for renewables, etc. would make this country welcoming again. We had years of low corporation tax, and look where that got us.
Freeport seems like a disaster waiting to happen on so many fronts. But for a government benefit of ideas there is little option than to pass the buck.
Council taxes will go up 5% this year just about everywhere. Wages for council leaders are also set to increase. Why should any council (public service) pay over 100 people more than £100000. Time for decentralisation from Westminster and focusing on the local councils. Open government is desperately needed. I know who my local MP is, and how he votes! I do not agree with him. but it is transparent to a degree. Who is the leader of the council? How much are they paid? What are their policies? What are the difficulties they face?
Weston-super-Mare has little super about it nowadays. It is the sinkhole of beautiful North Somerset. Positives from the council are the discrete flood defences. Street furniture along the sea front is nice. However it reflects the Banksy “dismal land” exhibition. I am being rather snobbish here when I state that it is a down market sea side town reliant on day trips and b&b visitors from the lower deciles economically. I was once told by the Head of Tourism for the town that it was not even a fish and chip town, but a burger and chips one. Parking is extortionate – I realise the Council needs funds, but really! The town centre is empty properties, tattoo parlours, betting shops, charity shops, phone shops and a smell of weed. Now Marks and Spencers has gone it offers little to the weekend shopper from the surrounding wealthy hinterland. I live 15km away and have not been there since pre-epidemic.
W-s-M has lots of positives. Not just a rather gorgeous beach (it is still there when the tide goes out to reveal the less glorious, but more interesting for wading birds, mud banks), but a pedestrianised High Street and an indoor shopping centre (Sovereign Centre). My idea would be to slash business rates but also place restrictions on the types of shops. Incentivise local crafts and cafes to offer a different experience. Keep the very touristy bit to the sea front, James St, West St, area and Dolphin Square. Then develop an up market (or middle market) to the north. W-s-M needs both to succeed.
Transport – I really should apply for my free bus pass! But a reasonably priced regular/ or organised (e.g. In Sandford and Banwell and Locking camp there will be a bus at 9am, or what ever, and a return at 4pm or whatever, on a Saturday for the cost of £5. For a 50 seater coach that would pay the operator £250. Sell tickets in advance and lay on extra coaches if necessary. We have the technology! The £5 could probably be doubled. Bus companies have lost the will to enterprise under the governments pro-car regime.
This area is fantastic and to have a smelly drain at its centre is sad!