Last year our Council Tax went up by almost 20% In what way have you benefited?

But this year even though the Council kept the rise within the inflation rate, what they do not want you to notice is that the people of Aspatria are now paying the second highest rate of council tax in the whole of the Borough.

So just what do we get for the vast amount of Council Tax that we pay? Especially when you consider that we are now paying  the second highest rates in Allerdale. Higher even than Cockermouth and Keswick. Ok so we have street lights and we get our bins emptied. I must be first to admit that the Refuse Disposal Engineers (Bin Men) do a first class job here in Aspatria. They get on with the job without complaint and are very helpful and friendly.

But where else does our money go? Police? well you do see them passing through in their cars. I suggest that if you see someone walking the streets dressed in a Police uniform, dial 999. He is obviously an imposter, up to no good. Although we now have PCSO's, not quite sure what power they have though.

We don't have a leisure/sports centre, Cinema, Youth facilities, well not strictly true, the council do supply some really solid bus shelters for them to hang around in. Until they are moved on WHEN a passing police car comes along. In truth you can't say we have a swimming pool, or many of the other things most towns have. Even our library isn't anything to shout about, if you want a book they will have to order it for you, which means paying a fee. Don't know how long you will have to wait though! Even then you have to know the title and/or Author. In most other libraries you can look up the your choice on a computer, and you get some really good CD's and DVD's, not here, the choice is extremely limited. Even though they have added some lately. 

I've noticed that Wigton is in line for a multi million pound regeneration, not that I'm against it. So is this where our Council Tax rise is going? Or could we be paying for the new shopping centre in Workington also? 

Why should the people of Aspatria subsidise the people living in luxury in the likes of Keswick and Cockermouth. If we had the facilities then I'm sure we wouldn't mind paying our Council Tax. On that note why are we paying for a Mayor and Parish Councillors? Just what do we get for it? Nothing that I can see.

Any other things you think we should have? Then why not email me or fill in the Guest Book on the HOME page.

One way the Sheriff of Nottingham (Allerdale Council) can give us back some of the money they took from us is to find a good building for the youth to use as a youth club. Because from what I've heard the Headmistress of the school where the present youth club is situated, thinks it's an eyesore and wants it demolished. Where would the kids go then? The council could put some computers in and teach the kids some computer skills and possibly give them a few activities to do, or even a disco.

 Oh well just a thought!!!!