Unlike ELDC we cannot hike our pensions up to cover these costs, as they can by pushing council taxes ever upwards whilst reducing services to the public. They COULD (if so minded) make considerable savings in these areas:
1: Reduce the number of District Councillors from 60 to (say) 40 and save (about) £100,000 in 'expenses'. Problem already solved!
2: Reduce the number of staff at Manby by one third to just over the levels they were five years ago, and save on salaries and pensions
3: Get rid of one deputy leader (why are two needed?) and save an instant £10,000
4: Discontinue the pointless 'propaganda' sheet - the East Lindsey Messenger. This glossy self congratulatory publication is probably only read by older residents - and district news could easily be spread via press releases to the local newspapers.
5: Pay councillors justified 'expenses' only against receipts - not as set 'allowances'.
6: Dramatically reduce the use of consultants and their exorbitant costs.
With 60 (or preferably 40) district councillors - and many VERY highly paid managers - they should have a wealth of knowledge and experience between them to be able to make most decisions. If they are unable to do so, over highly complex issues, then that is when the consultants are minimally used.
7: Discontinue using Kenwick Park as a hotel for visitors or temporary employees or as a meeting place or a venue for business lunches. Manby offices are suitably luxurious to be able to offer 'coffee and biscuits' to visitors. They do NOT warrant 5 star wining and dining at tax payers' expense.
No doubt there will be huffs and puffs of outraged indignation from some quarters- or 'nit picking' over the figures I have estimated - but I am sure the public can understand what I am saying.
Maybe, if the above suggestions are implemented, I could be paid a 'consultant's bonus' for saving so much money - but I doubt it, as the mandarins would never accept that they are wrong, and we are right.
R FISHER
Horncastle
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