This week's Bromsgrove and Droitwich Standard letters...... - The Bromsgrove Standard

This week's Bromsgrove and Droitwich Standard letters......

Bromsgrove Editorial 25th Sep, 2020   0

Where’s all the social housing promised for Bromsgrove?

HAS social house building come to a halt in Bromsgrove?

I know the old council office building is being redeveloped and also the old Vauxall garage site, but let’s face it, it just is not enough!

With thousands of tenants on BDHT’s waiting list, waiting to downsize or even looking for a home, the rate of buildings going up is just not sufficient, to meet ever increasing demands.

Since the Introduction of the under occupancy laws (bedroom tax) councils were simply not ready. It was a fact that a lot of single people or couples, could not downsize because of the lack of one-bedroomed accommodation availability.




This also included the shortage of not just two, but one bedroomed disabled properties.

If people in this category cannot downsize, then everything comes to a grinding halt.


It’s clearly obvious this country’s population is exploding, in our overcrowded cities and that effect is coming to our towns.

It’s a fact whether people like it or not, Bromsgrove has to expand to accommodate it’s people.

This council has to release the brake and red tape and get a substantial building programme off the ground and into production now.

The Bromsgrove Whinger

 

Other Worcestershire MPs should follow Javid’s lead

WORCESTERSHIRE’S Conservative MPs face a decision over the Internal Markets Bill, which is still proceeding through Parliament.

Government spokesman Brandon Lewis openly admitted in the House of Commons it would break international law if passed by negating some of the terms of the EU Withdrawal Agreement signed by this Government in January.

This flagrant breach of both law and good faith has been roundly condemned by three former Conservative leaders and four former Prime Ministers as well as opposition parties, but the Government seems adamant it will persevere on this dangerous course.

Their rationale has been confused and contradictory, absurdly claiming it is only a minor infringement in specific areas, that it is necessary for preserving the Good Friday Agreement or it is essential to preserving the United Kingdom.

It is a piece of brinkmanship and an attempt to bully or blame EU negotiators of which we should all be ashamed.

As former Conservative leader, and Brexit supporter, Michael Howard pointed out, how can we criticise Russia, China or Iran for undermining international law when we have just done it ourselves.

Our local MPs may have defended their support of Brexit to date, despite their own possible reservations, by appealing to the democratic mandate of the referendum, however dubiously obtained.

But surely they cannot think it is in the interests of their constituents, or of the country, to trash our long-cherished reputation as a law-abiding and trustworthy nation.

It can only damage our international standing and our chances of achieving future trade deals or other co-operation across the world.

It really will not do for Harriet Baldwin to defend it as part of a ‘strong negotiating position’ or Nigel Huddleston to call it merely ‘a safety net’, as reported in the Evesham Observer last week.

They should join colleagues like Sajid Javid who have shown the courage to challenge this Bill and help to vote it down.

If they really wish to ‘Make Britain Great Again’ they surely would.

Ros Gowers

Secretary

Mid Worcestershire Labour Party

 

Sixth richest nation can afford free TV licences for pensioners

LIKE 6,000 other Bromsgrove pensioners, we have received a demand for £157.50 from the BBC, to pay for our over 75s TV licence.

We do feel betrayed, as, for 20 years, successive Governments have assured us that this benefit was ‘free for life’.

As the sixth richest nation in the world, surely we should have the will to finance this modest measure.

Imagine the uproar if housing benefit or family allowance were suddenly withdrawn, and recipients told to ‘find the money yourself’.

This is exactly what has happened with free TV licences, a positive measure to prevent social isolation .

An extra £3 per week can easily be found by millionaire BBC ‘celebs’, but OAPs are in the lowest income groups, and will have less money for food and heating.

A nation is judged by the way it looks after its vulnerable people, and you may feel that Britain has treated its elderly very shabbily.

Wartime Baby

Bromsgrove

 

Support animals overseas get veterinary help

BRITAIN is renowned as a nation of animal lovers – many people would go to any length to ensure their precious pets are healthy and happy.

Thankfully, access to veterinary care is usually quick and easy with more than 25,000 vets across the country.

Sadly, it’s very different for animals in developing countries, including working animals. A severe shortage of vet services means too many must endure pain and suffering without the vital care they need. In Zimbabwe there are just 340 vets in the entire country.

SPANA believes all animals deserve high quality veterinary care, including working horses, donkeys, elephants and camels, transporting goods, people and water in the world’s poorest communities. Our vets are often their only hope, providing free treatment not be available otherwise.

This World Animal Day (October 4), we’re asking for your support to ensure no animal has to suffer in silence.

Visit spana.org/worldanimalday for more.

Geoffrey Dennis

Chief Executive, SPANA (the Society for the Protection of Animals Abroad)

 

Editor’s Comment

THE FACT £2,000 was raised in 24 hours to clean up Droitwich’s St Peters Field after travellers trashed it and for security to prevent future illegal encampments shows the public’s passion for maintaining and protecting our green spaces.

But often evictions just move the issue to another green space nearby or in a neighbouring town.

Why not have more designated traveller sites with a caveat that if they pitch up anywhere else they will be immediately removed, by force if necessary.

 

We welcome your letters…..

What pressing issues do you feel need addressing in Bromsgrove, Droitwich, Rubery and South Birmingham? Send us your views to [email protected]

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