Sir, – It is utterly disingenuous of the leaders of Fife Council to claim they had no choice but to embargo the budget proposals until 24 hours before the meeting when the council formally sets the budget (Budget plan “cloak and dagger” claims, Courier February 25).
Other local authorities such as Edinburgh were in exactly the same boat as far as final figures from the UK and Scottish governments were concerned, but they did not seek to keep their residents in the dark.
If the leaders were able to consult the unions privately before then as well as informing numerous Fife Council officers and Fife councillors months ago when “savings” options were compiled, there is absolutely no reason why the proposals could not have been published and gone out to public consultation well before Christmas.
This would have allowed Fifers to participate in an informed public discussion which in turn would have given the SNP-Labour coalition at Fife Council valuable information about the views of those whom their budget will directly affect – which might then have influenced councillors’ final selection of cuts.
Why didn’t the SNP-Labour coalition do that?
Because, in Councillor David Ross’s words, “we didn’t want to start raising unnecessary concerns amongst staff”.
In the event, staff and others have been very anxious about prospective cuts, because they knew about them on the union grapevine and from leaks to newspapers, but they, and everybody else in Fife, were denied any chance to have their say about them.
This may have spared the SNP-Labour coalition a certain amount of grief, but it has done absolutely nothing for public trust in the council.
At a time when community engagement and empowerment is all the rage, what does this say about those in charge at Fife Council?
Linda Holt.
Independent Councillor,
East Neuk and Landward,
Anstruther.
First aid lessons are worthwhile
Sir, – I am in my late 60s and I was very fortunate that we had a junior Red Cross group here in Kinross when I was 12, from 1963 onwards.
Apart from first aid, there was another two classes that I also attended.
I passed all three classes with flying colours and won three medals.
Together they stood me in good stead for my later years as I did my nurse training and became an enrolled nurse.
I was married and had three lovely sons but, unfortunately, I wasn’t able to carry on with my nursing career as my circumstances changed.
That’s why I think it is a good idea for children at five years and up to learn first aid (Build an army of lifesavers, Courier campaign, February 24).
It is such a worthwhile cause.
Sheila Robertson.
13 Causeway Court,
Kinross.
Smart to invest in future
Sir, – It is incredulous that anyone in Scotland can cast aspersions on the set-up of the Scottish National Investment Bank. Small businesses in Scotland have been calling out for a local Scottish-focused lending organisation, that would provided supportive longer term funding as opposed to the quick, quarterly turnaround of the major banks like, but not exclusively, RBS.
The writer seems, incorrectly, to be of the opinion that the merchant banking community would be instrumental in setting the SNIB up and hence would be “milking it” from the start.
As I understand it this organisation will not be open to the casino organisation of ‘The City’
The comment by Mrs Cook that this £2bn fund should be reallocated to education indicates she does not understand the education pipeline.
Investing in the future is smart for both the young and the pensioner community, as opposed to holding back funding in a conservative, tight-fisted what’s mine is mine environment.
Alistair Ballantyne.
Birkhill,
Angus.
Smoking fires is a burning issue
Sir, – The burning of coal and logs has always been an emotive subject, and as a retired installer/retailer of wood burning and multi-fuel stoves, as well as being a regular user, I feel reasonably qualified to give an opinion.
Using bituminous coal in most areas has long been forbidden thanks to the clean air act and using a bog standard woodburner was also forbidden but often installed by people buying them from online merchants and DIY stores.
The correct appliances are called cleanburn as they burn off most of the volatiles which cause the problems if they are used with seasoned wood for a minimum of one year.
The two bad things are house coal and unseasoned wood.
If you try to burn unseasoned wood it generates a creosote-like substance which will line your chimney.
People then add house coal to the fire to encourage burning and of course this adds soot to the mixture.
This causes chimney blockage at quite an alarming rate and can, of course, lead to chimney fires.
I personally have been burning seasoned wood for over 30 years and my chimney was checked last year when some maintenance was being done and there was no soot in it whatsoever.
The people who have woodburning stoves should shut off the radiators in their room and enjoy the fire as it should be used.
Duncan Stewart.
Burnside house,
Burnside of Duntrune,
Angus.
Paucity of ideas from union side
Sir, – Former Prime Minister Gordon Brown’s latest fable about “division” has been elaborated on at length (Scotland could become one of the West’s most divided nations, Courier, February 20).
Brown’s speech was full absurd and bald-faced lies.
He spoke about things he is largely or wholly responsible for.
He cited no real evidence to substantiate the vague claim of division sown by the independence campaign.
Brown’s analysis fails to see the increase in control at Scotland’s disposal to grow the economy if it were not a colony of Westminster.
After independence the democratically elected Scottish Government would spend its income more effectively than the Tories.
Scotland would not contribute to vanity projects such as Trident and HS2. Scotland could target spending on better priorities.
An independent Scotland would have the ability to borrow which Holyrood currently is unable to do.
Brown is a political failure.
He is a British Nationalist who has called for the British Empire to be “celebrated”.
The fact he is being tasked with “saving” the union shows the desperation, political bankruptcy and paucity of ideas on the unionist side.
Alan Hinnrichs.
2 Gillespie Terrace,
Dundee.
Lesser spotted drain cleaner
Sir, – I have just seen something I thought was extinct.
I know this may be difficult to believe but I saw a large vehicle clearing a roadside drain.
If we can breed them this would prevent the flooding that is caused by blocked drains.
Clark Cross.
138 Springfield Road,
Linlithgow.
