25/08/04

My mother, who is 87 years old, loves to walk into Northallerton from her home in Romanby, but constantly has to look over her shoulder for bikes coming up on footpaths.

The majority of people riding the bikes don't even slow down to pass her and on many occasions she has had to get off the path and stand on the side of the road to let them get past.

I was with her on the High Street in Northallerton recently when a man cycled down the footpath at great speed, missing us by inches.

Why are the CCTV cameras not picking up this problem and police officers not coming out of their offices and telling people to ride their bikes on the road?

I have heard of many people being injured by bikes. Is it going to take a death before North Yorkshire Police do anything about it? - Annetta Donnelly, Northallerton.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT

THE confused thinking of Councillor Kevin Thompson (HAS, Aug 14) will make the debate on the future of local government even more difficult for the electorate because he is not reading what Government ministers are saying on the subject.

Nick Raynsford, in a speech on June 21, outlined the 'Local Vision' for local government, which will be debated at various locations over the next six months.

Unfortunately for the electorate, there now appears to be an unholy alliance between Durham County Council and The Northern Echo to promote Option One of the local government reorganisation.

The most important theme of 'Local Vision' is to allow stakeholders, which means the electorate, an opportunity to participate at a local level in the future development of the basic necessities for a prosperous future.

"The aim of the Local Vision work is to generate a shared vision of the future of local government through a process of debate."

Instead of debating the issue, Durham County Council has decided, through the columns of HAS, to engage in a derogatory campaign against stakeholders who support Option Two.

The reason for this I suppose is because they cannot be classed as 'local' and therefore are in danger of being voted out of office in a future referendum.

The Liberal Democrats should, if they have any ideas that would promote a prosperous future, enter the debate so that stakeholders would know their real thinking and their vision for the next ten years. - Thomas Conlon, Spennymoor.

THE Government's Audit Commission draws upon very detailed assessments of services when reaching conclusions about council performance. These assessments start and finish with the residents that a council serves.

In this light, T Kelly (HAS, Aug 20) can be assured that the Government's rating of Durham County Council as an Excellent Council is based on the real life experience of the 78,238 young people in our schools, the 39,000 people receiving social care services from our staff, or the 300,000 people who lend books from our libraries.

It's a shame that Mr Kelly didn't read to the conclusion of my letter (HAS, Aug 16). He wants first-rate public services at least cost. I reminded him that in November's referendum we have a second vote in County Durham on the future shape of local government. His choices are stark:

Option A: to establish one council serving County Durham - this would build upon an experienced and well-rated council and save between £14.5m and £21m per year compared to the current local government arrangements.

Option B: to create three councils without experience of running schools or other major services that would cost even more than the current local government arrangements. For me the choice is clear. - Ken Manton, Leader, Durham County Council.

FIRE SERVICE

HOW long is the private sector worker going to put up with the likes of the whingeing firefighter's letter (HAS, Aug 17)?

Does he not realise how well off he is?

He is one of the public service pension members for the year 2003. The public sector pension liability costs a total of £580bn, exceeding the national debt which stands at £40bn.

The firefighter contributes 11 per cent for 25 years, retiring with a pension at the age of 50 with half of their present wage. His pension incurs no risk, the money required to fund it is found directly from the public purse, which in turn is funded by the poor old tax payer.

The private sector worker's pension is different. He or she contributes 15 per cent for an average of 45 years, retiring at the age of 65 on a pension of who knows what. For pensions rely on the gains made by investment, which comes at a substantial risk. If the investment has not been good, as in the last few years, it could end up after a life time contribution almost worthless.

This situation is particularly galling to the thousands of British workers in the private sector who in recent years have found their company pension scheme has gone bust, leaving them with next to nothing for their old age.

The firefighter also asks where has the money gone from higher council tax as his latest pay rise has not been paid. He will be pleased to note that 20 per cent of the councils' firefighters' budget goes straight into providing funds for their pensions. - M Kellett, Crook.

POSTAL VOTING

THE scrapping of witness signatures for the regional assembly vote will no doubt make voting in the referendum on November 4 a lot easier.

But fraud will be easier, multiple voting will be easier and influencing vulnerable voters will be easier.

All these problems occured in other parts of the country in June, but not in the North-East. Referendums were scrapped in Yorkshire and the North West because of such problems.

Surely the Electoral Commission's report should be scathing for postal ballots?

What slipped under everyone's radar is that this Electoral Commission report on June's postal ballot is not due out until this Friday - before the August Bank Holiday. Perhaps an ideal place to bury bad news?

As rain is forecast again for this week, who would have noticed this little leak? - Neil Herron, Campaign Director, North-East No Campaign.