One thing that seems to missing from all the discussions is that these are services that are funded in part by the people of Walsall who pay council tax to the council to provide such services.

Why dont the council put out the cost of the various non jobs within the council – such as democracy officers, equality officers, Team Leader, Networks Salary: £39,855 – £42,547 Plus on costs so closer to £50,000 which would keep Bentley open each year? Or how about the YOS Practitioner – Restorative Justice – Salary: £21,519 – £30,011 a couple of these posts would pay to keep the newish Darlaston Leisure Centre Open!

Why don’t the council tell us what they actually spend OUR money on? The bins are being collected every other week, there are massive pot holes in the road, Walsall and local town centres are run down, parking charges are going up.

The council seem to be able to swallow huge amounts of cash with very little as an end product.

The local elected officials should hang their heads in shame – keep taking but don’t give.

It stinks – a bit like Walsall town centre the drains still have not fixed- or has this got something to do the with the amount of waste coming out of the town hall. Mike Bird you are a disgrace for ruling ove this farce!

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This suggestion by Walsall Council beggars belief, we are constantly told by Health Organisations about the fears of obesity. However, this goes out of the window in Walsall’s case. We also have an Olympics 2012, which most readers will remember Nick Gillingham, our Olympic swimmer from Walsall would have swam in our very pools, how many more potential champions will be deprived the chance to swim?
It is perfectly clear that Walsall council have greater priorities to spend their money on than unprofitable leisure centres, but hang on, does the council tax pay for local amenities? Unfortunately our nearly 4 percent rise per household, where pretty much all of us pay an extortionate amount of money to get our bins emptied, but really do not benefit from much else. Perhaps the council need to ascertain why not many people use the leisure centres. Have they considered marketing them and bringing their facilities up to the 21st century?
I bet not, this idea of cutting costs is as old as the hills and in an ever changing time, we do not seem to advance beyond a certain level. We offer outdated facilities at ridiculous prices and then complain and threaten to withdraw when the uptake is low, take public transport for example. Instead of cutting services and putting more people towards the realms of unemployment, why not try to change and revamp the centres, for example use more user friendly opening times, or actually marketing the facility.
I just hope that this is remembered when it comes to the local and national elections as if you consider that we are funding out of control expenses scandals, at unknown amounts. We are funding this government, as they believe the money is given to them by each of us to do as they please. However, if they are not offering value for money or anything in return, perhaps they don’t want our vote either, best thing to do is ask yourself which one of these to be elected is right for me, if they don’t cut the ice, then just vote for “none of the above” as they don’t deserve your vote.

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