Wilmslow's plans to celebrate Queen’s Platinum Jubilee

Wilmslow Town Council spending AGAIN

Oh come on....it’s a celebration!

Would you rather it went towards filling a couple of the 10,000 pot holes across the region ??

Not me!

I was a Wilmslow Town Councillor for four years and during my term of office I expended a great deal of time and energy arguing against unnecessary and wasteful expenditure. In the past couple of weeks the Town Council has committed £100,000 over three years to replacing perfectly acceptable Christmas lights, and £25.000 on bread and circuses to celebrate the Queen’s platinum Jubilee. It is very easy spending other people’s money.

Curmudgeons.....

Keith Chapman

All elected officials are there, to represent the views of their constituents and not their own personal opinions.

With Regards to Christmas Lights
In 2011 the majority of town councillors voted in favour of appointing Blachere, a leading supplier of outdoor Christmas lighting, with the exception of Councillor Don Glover who voted against the proposal.
Councillor Glover questioned the expense at last month's meeting saying "I'm concerned about the cost both now and in the future. I think the cost is too much."
Councillor Ruth McNulty said, "They will light Wilmslow as well as it's ever been lit."
Councillor Jim Crockatt said, "It is quite important for the traders of Wilmslow, after all, they are the ones who are going to benefit from the quality of the lighting"
Councillor Gary Barton said, "It is not just an investment in lights it's an investment in our town centre."
Councillor Jo Milnes said "The alternatives were cheaper because they look cheap. Yes it's a substantial cost but I don't think we should be doing this on the cheap. Wilmslow will benefit tremendously from having such beautiful lights."
I note that in 2011 the report does not state that you vote against the proposal.

With regards to the Diamond (60 year) Jubilee expenditure
At their meeting, on Monday 20th February 2012, councillors agreed to allocate a budget of £10,000 towards a Picnic in the Park.
Can you remember how you voted?

With regards to the Platinum (70 year) Jubilee expenditure:
The Town Council has allocated a budget of £22,500 to deliver the following events at the Carrs:
• A beacon event on Thursday 2nd June, budget £12000) - including a band and the unveiling of a permanent beacon
• A big-screen event on Saturday 4th June (budget £6500) - to live broadcast the Jubilee Concert from Buckingham Palace
• A community picnic event on Sunday 5th June (budget £4000)

In 2011 the council was made up of 15 Conservative councillors
In 2021 the council is made up of 8 Conservatives, 5 ROW, 1 Liberal Democrat and one vacant seat.

All I can say is that I am glad that in 2011 and 2021 the council decided to vote the way it did.

It is NOT “other people’s money”. It is the council's money to be spent how it determines and for the benefit of the Town as a whole.

The most significant word in all this CELEBRATE. After all we have gone through in the past 19 months, let’s indeed celebrate as a community a joyous and unique occasion.

Allow Wilmslow to enjoy some cheaper champagne, IF the food bank receives from you the equivalent value.
In the meantime turning off Christmas Lights has some merit, if Cllrs are committed to reducing our carbon footprint.

Stuart Redgard, I was somewhat disappointed by the tone of your post as I have always regarded you as someone who would tolerate other peoples views, and with whom I have always got on well personally. I support the work of Wilmslow Town Council but not all their decisions. The previous Christmas lights were perfectly adequate and I did not oppose them for that reason. I thought the picnic in the park was a bit extravagant but felt the expenditure was acceptable in the overall context of the budget. The main items I supported during my time on the council were the Neighbourhood Plan, the provision of allotments, and grants to local volunteer groups. I opposed schemes such as council offices and thoughts of substantial expenditure on an arts centre when there are several suitable venues for arts events already in the town such as the Green Room, the United Reform Church and the leisure centre. I am afraid I cannot agree that the precept is ‘council money.’ It is money raised from the people of Wilmslow and councillors should be mindful of that. I don’t think the political make up of the Town Council is relevant as there was in my time no coordinated vote of Conservative members and I always voted as I felt appropriate. I very much hope Stuart that when we meet in the future we can have a reasoned and balanced discussion on this topic and on any other subject. I believe that we both have Wilmslow’s best interests at heart and you yourself have always acted in the public interest particularly in devoting your considerable personal time to the Neighbourhood Plan meetings.

Keith Chapman, I am somewhat confused by your last post. I have no problem with you having a different opinion than mine and sharing it. I just don’t see things the way you do with regards to council spending on the Christmas lights and jubilee celebrations.

I didn’t think spending £100k on a toilet block and cafe was the best opinion available, but I’m quite willing to admit that it’s been a huge success.

As for the precept, we will have to disagree.