WE ASKED WHAT YOU THOUGHT about additional Police Community Support Officers PCSOs being paid for via Town and Parish Councils? This response and point of view came in from one of our regular correspondents on the Hedon Blog, Jim Uney which raises other questions about the spending priorities of the East Riding Council (ERYC).
“East Riding of Yorkshire Council have got their priorities wrong again” Jim Uney
“Although delayed, my opinion on the PCSO’s funding is the same as the two Gentlemen posters on this site.
As the East Riding of Yorkshire Council can subsidise un-essential amateur music festivals such as Beverley’s three main festivals to the cost to ERYC ratepayers of £27,000, (Hull Daily Mail, May 25th) then it is apparent that there is plenty of funding available already without placing extra financial hardship on Hedon ratepayers by increasing the local precept.
The biggest grant of £12,000 goes to Beverley and East Riding early music festival, another £9,5oo has been awarded to Beverley and East Riding Folk Festival, while the Beverley Chamber Music Festival will receive £5,500.
As well as maintaining support for Beverley’s main festivals, the council will fund two annual events in Bridlington, which will receive £12, 500, Goole Junction arts complex and Pocklington Arts Centre will receive £7, 500, and £6,000, respectively. The Reveal Open Studios event has been granted £3,000.
If these events are such a money spinner (as is suggested) then the groups concerned could declare themselves a limited company and go to the bank for a loan. I for one would not then have to pay, as are the rest of East Riding ratepayers, to enable these people to enjoy their entertainment at my expense.
East Riding of Yorkshire Council have got their priorities wrong again, and the question remains, How much money is directly returned to the Council from these so-called successful events? None I expect!
This waste of public money is not a “one off” either; the funding arrangement to art organisations across the county to the tune of £57,000 per year is agreed for Five years!”
Jim Uney, Hedon
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