Explanation still does not justify spending (From Warrington Guardian)

Explanation still does not justify spending

9:40am Thursday 17th May 2012 in Letters

IN response to Clr Mclaughlin trying to justify a ‘106 agreement’, in no way do I accept her explanation.

No matter what she says, if a contractor is expected to do several thousands of pounds of work free of charge for the council, they must allow for that in their quotations.

To my way of thinking that means the quotation would have to be vastly inflated to cover themselves for unforeseen work that would be expected of them – it does not take an idiot to realise that.

I have been in business myself for more than 25 years and have never come across anything like a ‘106 agreement’.

Regarding the solar panels, she said the money was borrowed by the council to carry out the work amazing in today’s current climate the council is borrowing money which indicates it has not got that money to spend in the first place.

Politicians and councillors should live in the real world (we’re all in it together), and like most of the Warringtonians who in the present climate can’t afford to spend or borrow money, it’s a case of if we can’t afford it we don’t get it.

It’s a pity the council does not work on the same principle but of course it’s not its money it is spending, it is ours.

She also said that the solar panels benefit people in fuel poverty. I am 100 per cent behind that, but how does must people living in the council houses without solar panels feel?

Clr McLaughlin offered me her e-mail address for further comment.

I thank her for the offer but prefer any comments from myself to be in the public domain.

D BROWN Warrington