Blogs 2013 | Homepage - Kidderminster Shuttle

I have lived in Bromsgrove all my life and before retiring worked on electrical and electronic control systems for over 40 years. I take a keen interest in matters affecting the town and district of Bromsgrove and the rest of Worcestershire on issues such as bus services but particularly projects aimed at protecting and enhancing the countryside and I was a member of the ‘Droitwitch Canals Trust’. Being a keen rambler I know Worcestershire’s countryside well, having for instance walked the complete Malvern Hills Ridge walk, the full length of the Birmingham Worcester Canal and the 22 miles around the Droitwich Canals and River Severn. Living in the 50s, before television and the motorways transformed our lives, I have witnessed many changes within Worcestershire. While because of the need to constantly update my skills and interest in science and technology - which includes involvement in radio communication before the Internet – has also given me the opportunity to both increase my contacts and now the opportunity to write about the changes that interest and concern me today.

Worcestershire’s Councils: Time for changes!

If Worcestershire’s Councils were reduced and restructured, this could save thousands of pounds and give far greater local accountability. The Shire Counties surrounding Worcestershire have already been restructured and rationalised, with far less Councillors, and recently even the leader of Bromsgrove District Council has stated his support for the idea of a North Worcestershire Unitary Authority. In this era of ever more austerity measures to get public spending under control, we can’t now afford the luxury of having all these highly paid Councillors and Council Officers, with mega-salaries and massive pension provision, paid for by families now struggling to pay their ever-rising energy and food bills and at the expense of cuts to necessary services to balance the books; in a period where the government is now constantly cutting its contribution to local council funding.

‘Local Television’; do we want it and will we watch it?

The Culture Secretary has said that there’s a huge appetite for local news and information in communities the length and breadth of the country; so the Government is giving several cities and towns the opportunity of getting ‘Local Television’ transmitted.

Libraries and books; what’s their future in the electronic information age?

Super libraries, multi use libraries, or community run libraries; what is the future for our libraries? Will plans for library provision in Worcestershire provide the level of service we expect, or what can be afforded? Electronic books and online research can lessen the reliance on bulky outdated books but libraries and books can provide other benefits; such as social interaction and the tactile satisfaction that handling books bring to many people; especially young children.

Manufacturing is our best route to recovery.

Britain can’t borrow and build its way back to prosperity; if this was the answer Spain would not be in the financial mess it’s in today. Greece - Europe’s weakest economy - manufacturers no premium products for export; while Europe’s strongest economy, Germany, designs and manufactures modern hi-tec products for export, with a reputation of engineering excellence, under well known names such as Mercedes and BMW. Therefore manufacturing should be the main route to recovery of the British economy, rather than the unrestricted building of thousands of houses on green belt land and unutilised industrial sites, which the Government is embarking on.Mistakes in manufacturing have been made in the past through the wrong people being in charge, such as with ‘MG Rover’, but manufacturing is still our best hope for the future.

Can loneliness and isolation harm your health?

Are vulnerable elderly people living on their own more prone to health problems, caused by lack of regular contact with other people, leading to despair and depression; the latest research appears to show this is the case. Maybe if more people realised and appreciated the problems many older people faced, positive steps could be taken to improve their quality of life, such as calling round to check if they are ok, chatting with them and helping with a few basic chores; all of which could make a big difference to their lives.

Can proposed changes within Worcestershire’s hospitals be halted?

Without increased funding for hospital services within Worcestershire or reductions in P.F.I. payments, cuts or re-organisation of hospital services seem unavoidable.

Looking forward to retirement?

Raising the state pension age, requiring people to work longer, will not work out as expected.