COUNCIL BUDGETS

Dont know how the rest of you are feeling but the people that I am meeting out there in the street are concerned that our Council's are just spending the monies from the rates like there is no tomorrow.

I go across two councils because I live in Cottesloe and I have investments in Mosman Park.  Personally Mosman Park is a far better run Council without a doubt, their meetings usually go from 6 to 7.30 pm and then you are invited in for a wee drop and a nibble to get to know your Councillors, Mayor and CEO which is really advantageous for all.

Cottesloe I have been to four times and it starts the same time and seriously they have not finished before 10.30 to 11.00 pm and then its off home you go.  Time management for Cottesloe is outrageous and the person chairing the meeting needs to get it under control as its their job.

Budgets:  always a bone of contention isnt it.  My belief is that the sporting clubs of any description can fund raise themselves to get whatever renovations they need, back when I was involved we did and it made us such a stronger community and we actually got to know everyone in that club. What the hell happened - Councils have too much money obviously they feel the need to have a "community chest" for people to apply for grants etc. Now obviously I am not talking about the grants they get from the Government sure bang that into the Community Chest for sure but not the rate payers money.

User should pay really seriously if you use a club then you pay a bit towards it by your membership and then if you need extra money fund raise for it, its good for the kids too to experience that.  Having the old hand out and expect to get money - hmmm that's pretty obvious its the way we have gone over the years - well it wouldn't be if I was on top of the tree that's for sure.

Not only should they pay for their repairs and maintaining the building they should all be paying either rent or some form of rates and that includes schools, churches and any other free loader getting away with it.  Times have changed, times are tough, people have not had wage increases for three years or more (unless you are a CEO) its time to buckle up Councils and look after your ratepayers and stop thinking you can just keep putting up the rates.  Take a leaf out of Cambridge Council they have not had a rate increase for a couple of years.

Makes me think we should have amalgamated the Councils and had one CEO and the Mayor for each Suburb and increase the planners.  We would save a couple of hundred thousand at least.

MAKE YOUR OWN DECISIONS AND GIVE IT A REAL GO!!

SELLING MOSMAN PARK & THE WESTERN SUBURBS!!

KEEPING IT REAL IS OUR MOTTO!!