Two councillors dissent from 'Robin Hood' claim to PM
Thursday, 6th January 2011.
Two Conservative members have publicly dissociated themselves from a letter written by Haverhill Town Council to prime minister David Cameron protesting they are having to be like a legitimate Robin Hood and dish out council tax to help relieve poverty in the town.
The council agreed in December to write expressing its concerns about proposed changes to benefits and social housing, and the leaders of the three political groups on the council agreed to sign the letter.
The letter was proposed by Cllr Maureen Byrne, the Labour leader, and supported by Cllr Elaine McManus, town mayor and Conservative group leader, and by Cllr Margaret Marks, formerly a Conservative but now sitting as the only Independent member.
But two councillors who were not present at that meeting registered their disapproval at Tuesday night's council meeting when the leaders came to sign the letter.
Cllr Anne Gower, who is also a Suffolk county and St Edmundsbury borough councillor, and Cllr Karen Richardson, who is also a St Edmundsbury borough councillor, asked town clerk Gordon Mussett to record the fact that they did not agree to the letter being signed on their behalf.
In the letter the council says it finds itself 'acting as a (legitimate) modern-day Robin Hood, using our council tax (which is discounted for those on certain benefits) to fund charities working to alleviate debt, reduce child poverty and provide furniture to those leaving their previous family home'.
"All we ask is a fair deal for our residents," the letter goes on. "If the Government had seen fit to (say) equalise the amount per capita for health in Suffolk to other counties, our residents might then recognise that the outcome would be a fairer society for all.
"If the funding formula cuts to principal councils had been equal our residents would not be asking why the cuts in Suffolk are greater than in (say) Richmond, Surry.
"We also ask for any reductions to affect our residents equally. Statistics show that, in particular, child benefit is more likely to be paid to the mother than the (sometimes absent) father, and any changes will thus affect women to a greater extent than men."
Councillors go on to say that, despiute any good work they may do locally, they can become 'tainted' by national politics.
"In 2003 the Labour group loca;lly suffered the backlash of Iraq at the polls and has never recovered," the letter says. "The void was filled by the Conservatives."
"In 2011 it is likely to be the Conservatives who suffer a similar backlash. The anxiety is that on this occasion the void will be filled by extremist groups, populated by individuals who feel their voices are not being heard by the present Governmemnt. Please listen to us before it happens."
The council agreed in December to write expressing its concerns about proposed changes to benefits and social housing, and the leaders of the three political groups on the council agreed to sign the letter.
The letter was proposed by Cllr Maureen Byrne, the Labour leader, and supported by Cllr Elaine McManus, town mayor and Conservative group leader, and by Cllr Margaret Marks, formerly a Conservative but now sitting as the only Independent member.
But two councillors who were not present at that meeting registered their disapproval at Tuesday night's council meeting when the leaders came to sign the letter.
Cllr Anne Gower, who is also a Suffolk county and St Edmundsbury borough councillor, and Cllr Karen Richardson, who is also a St Edmundsbury borough councillor, asked town clerk Gordon Mussett to record the fact that they did not agree to the letter being signed on their behalf.
In the letter the council says it finds itself 'acting as a (legitimate) modern-day Robin Hood, using our council tax (which is discounted for those on certain benefits) to fund charities working to alleviate debt, reduce child poverty and provide furniture to those leaving their previous family home'.
"All we ask is a fair deal for our residents," the letter goes on. "If the Government had seen fit to (say) equalise the amount per capita for health in Suffolk to other counties, our residents might then recognise that the outcome would be a fairer society for all.
"If the funding formula cuts to principal councils had been equal our residents would not be asking why the cuts in Suffolk are greater than in (say) Richmond, Surry.
"We also ask for any reductions to affect our residents equally. Statistics show that, in particular, child benefit is more likely to be paid to the mother than the (sometimes absent) father, and any changes will thus affect women to a greater extent than men."
Councillors go on to say that, despiute any good work they may do locally, they can become 'tainted' by national politics.
"In 2003 the Labour group loca;lly suffered the backlash of Iraq at the polls and has never recovered," the letter says. "The void was filled by the Conservatives."
"In 2011 it is likely to be the Conservatives who suffer a similar backlash. The anxiety is that on this occasion the void will be filled by extremist groups, populated by individuals who feel their voices are not being heard by the present Governmemnt. Please listen to us before it happens."
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