10/1/2008

Woking

Letters from January 10 2008

Council tax hikes being sneaked in by back door

EDITOR — More publicity needs to be given to the many stealth tax increases slipped through by Woking’s Conservative councillors when most of us were busy with preparations for Christmas.

Notable among these was a doubling of the cost of green waste sacks thereby making it cheaper to drive with a load of sacks to Martyrs Lane than to use the street collection service.

Then there is the no less than a 20 fold increase in the charge for spare black sacks. These are a strange way to implement a ‘Vote Blue — Go Green’ philosophy.

All these and the other stealth taxes are being imposed in the cause of a ‘no increase in council tax’. It is hardly a work of genius to hold one tax constant by increasing lots of others.

This policy is being pursued regardless of its social, environmental and economic consequences. But the Tory hands are tied by their irresponsible pledge not to increase council tax. Of course, no one likes paying taxes but why the hang-up about one tax and not the others? After all it was the Conservative Party that introduced the council tax, following its poll tax debacle.

‘No Council Tax Increase’ makes a popular election gimmick but has no justification in terms of fairness or enlightened social policy. Council tax affects us all while these stealth taxes affect only a minority, often a vulnerable one, and so there is less fuss.

The Tories want more money from Woking residents. There may be good reasons for this but surely it could be done in a more rational, sensible and equable way? 
John Craig
Broomhall Road
Horsell

Recycling is not so green

EDITOR — On 12th night I took my Christmas tree to the recycling location near Woking Leisure Centre in order to be ‘green’ and recycle the tree.

I noticed a solid stream of cars going to the centre loaded with trees of varying sizes and shapes and got to thinking…

Let us assume I am ‘average’ and I travelled a total of four miles to deliver this tree to the council and I drove in a car that was cold when I started the journey so for the first four miles  probably used 0.25 of a gallon as a cold car is inefficient. Cost of about £1.50.

But there are eight million Christmas trees in the UK and the majority have to be disposed of (some replanted) so assume that only five million people did what I did (which is probably understating the position). That means five million multiplied by 0.25 of a gallon = 1.20 million gallons of petrol / diesel to be green and dispose of the trees.
Or to put it another way, at say £5 a gallon that is £6 million we as a country spent in being green to dispose of our trees.

How many tons of CO2 is that? Not very green, is it?

Why can the council not collect the trees in a one off collection in their green waste collectors? It would be far greener.
Philip Thomas
Robin Hood Road
Woking

Hospital’s first class care for my Katie

EDITOR — I am writing this letter as I know as well as anyone that the only thing we generally hear about is how bad the NHS is.

I believe people are so quick to criticise but never really take the time to praise when it is due.

My daughter Katie was admitted to St Peter’s Hospital through A&E with a potentially life threatening condition. She then spent five days all over Christmas on Ash Ward.

It is hard enough having a child in hospital at any time but over Christmas is tough on everyone. From the minute Katie stepped in the hospital the care she received was first class. On Christmas Day we had Santa visiting, the local choir and fire brigade all offering their time to come and give presents and make Christmas as good as it could be for the families.

The staff were incredible and the ward was spotless at all times. We would like to thank everyone who made Katie’s recovery as smooth as it was.

She is a national level gymnast and although not back in full training is pleased to be back with her friends doing what she does best.

So for 2008 make it your resolution to give the NHS the benefit of the doubt as they really do deserve a lot more credit than they get.
Claire Carter
Scotland Bridge Road
New Haw

No festive glitz here

EDITOR — Why is it that Horsell was the only village in the area which singularly failed to put up any form of Christmas trees or lights this year?

No doubt all will plead poverty and blame the council but with so many shops, pubs and restaurants, is it asking too much to provide at least some festive cheer?

Bah humbug to all those Scrooge-like shopkeepers who appear to have made so little effort this Christmas yet still expect residents to shop locally rather than in the many out-of-town shopping centres.
Name and address supplied

Fond farewell to special bobby

EDITOR — PC Nick Griggs has just retired after serving for many years as local community policeman for Byfleet, West Byfleet and Pyrford.

Nick has been a pillar of strength and I am sure the overwhelming majority of residents will want to join me in thanking him for his work on behalf of the community.

He has been extremely well-respected and was always prepared to go that extra mile when asked for assistance.
We wish Nick well and hope we shall continue to see him in the area.

Part of Nick’s legacy has been the well-trained and effective team of community support officers he leaves behind.  I am sure they will provide excellent support for Nick’s successor, PC Philip Beach, whom we welcome.
Cllr Brian Taylor
Parvis Road
West Byfleet

Defend this principle

EDITOR —  Amnesty International members in Woking are asking people to petition the Prime Minister at http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/notadaylonger/ not to erode basic civil liberties dating back to the Magna Carta.

New proposals to detain terrorism suspects for 42 days without charge will seriously undermine human rights in this country and have a negative impact on community relations, policing and intelligence-gathering.

The Home Secretary has conceded that parliamentary scrutiny of decisions to hold people for 42 days would take place after the event — merely ‘rubber-stamping’ the Home Secretary’s decision.

Habeas corpus, the right not to be imprisoned without a fair hearing, is the bedrock of British justice.

The case that it should be eroded has not been convincingly made; the case that it should remain has been made for nearly 800 years.
Amnesty International Woking: Alisa Moore, Peter Breddall, Ruth Breddall, Jon Holy Field, Franko Kowalezuk, Monica M. Britto Vidal, Rebecca Rowland, Rabyah Khan, Aditi Rao, Michael, Lousie, Celemenes Gresser, Claire Taylor Jay and Nadia Shabir.

First printed in: Woking News and Mail