DO SOCIALIST PHILANTHROPISTS SPLASH OUT WITH OTHER PEOPLES MONEY?

...and local government philanthropists!

It would now appear that since the government has taken the axe to public funding of the arts, with Arts Council England losing 30% of its budget over the next four years and national museums cut by 15% over the same period, that two well-known Tameside philanthropists; councillors John Taylor  and Brian Wild, have stepped in and taken it upon themselves to ‘commission’ original artworks, seemingly for display in Dukinfield's Town Hall!

 

Now that may all be very well and I congratulate the artist Ms Saffron Coultard on the expert execution of her work, but before we all prostrate ourselves with gratitude, perhaps the councillors could answer the question of who is actually paying for this pastiche?

Have these art savvy councillors put their hands in their own pockets to buy this work and donate it, or, have they ‘commissioned’ this work on behalf of the Tameside Taxpayer?

Now it could be that one of Tameside’s Financial wizards have explained the theory of philanthropical tax-breaks .... or maybe the chair of the Arts committee plied them with strong drink after a late cabinet session and acquainted this nouveau riche pair of the sheer attractiveness of investing in the arts.

However, I suspect it more likely that these local governmental entities, have striven to create even more devious ways to relieve us of ever greater sums of our money

We are now at the point where the total amount that council takes from residents over the course of a year far exceeds the council tax demand we receive each year.

  

Not only is Tameside council increasingly abusing its ability to snatch money from us at every turn, but to rub even more salt in the wounds, they refused point blank to hold a referendum on the 3.5% council tax increase.

Every week we read dubiously penned letters from sitting career councillors who prattle on about ‘democracy’ and no end of ‘consultations to ascertain the wishes of the people; especially when trying to get elected, then, low and behold, they declare that having to seek our democratic consent for another raid on our personal wealth, is a no go! - In other words, to hell with what residents think, just pay up!

And what was Kieran Quinn’s pathetic excuse for the council failing to live within its means, and triggering the recent 3.5% council tax rise?

This town ain't big enough for the both of us!

The ever rising policing precept to the council!  - Which then begs the question of why then does Tameside council use the money destined for local policing services, spend it on recruiting restricted-power PCSOs to make up for a shortage of real police on our streets?

What I can’t understand is why it is that too few people stand up and demand these local government entities explain why they need so much of our hard earned cash and unambiguously account for its use?