“Well I think we have all gathered that a 0% increase in council tax is only on the county council's element, so it will go up.

There's nothing wrong in principle with consultants but why is it that when torries announce use of consultants it's a good thing and when labour used them they were wasting money????

The main problem with the local council regardless of leadership is that they do not bother to look at the skills they have internally before jumping outside and paying over the odds outside the council.”

“Andyman, all very well, but given the local Tories' track record...

Like I say, that money could be better used to keep the services open and running.

Does the council really need those savings? I am increasingly thinking no.”

“I see not very sensibles not in the real world again.
Employing people on a contract for a week, or to resolve specific problems as consultants has many financial benefits.

Or should they be employed full time to do two or three weeks work, be paid excessive salaries, and the taxpayers foot the bill; thought not.”

“Albert if you look at the Post from last Saturday I think the fire service is putting the tax up by 3%.

That proves your point.”

“"No matter what the actual savings to themselves people are fed up with Council Tax increase year after year after year from labour especially in a recession."

So the tories said "Vote for us and we'll freeze council tax".

Except tory-controlled Gedling council has just announced a 2% rise in their element of it, with cuts in their services, and we're yet to hear what the increases will be for the Police and Fire Authority, both of which are counted separately, and for Parish councils.

So your council tax is going up anyway, whether you agree with the freeze, and the cuts in jobs and services, or not.”

“"So you do have a problem with democracy then, what arrogance suggesting all those who voted on the zero rate increase promise didn't really know what they were doing.

No matter what the actual savings to themselves people are fed up with Council Tax increase year after year after year from labour especially in a recession. Why is that concept so hard for you to grasp. Yes it may only save us a pound a week but its the principle of the thing. District Councils should be following suit but not long before they have to face the voters

Lee, Nottingham"

Brilliant, your second paragraph serves to dissprove your first.

If, as you suggest, people voted for the 0% increase on "principle" (as opposed to them actually desperately needing the £1 a week) in the current economic climate, without thinking about the impact this would have on services then can I humbly suggest that they haven't got a clue what they are doing and shouldn't be allowed to vote.

I cannot believe what you have just said. You sound like one of these blue rinse grannies who make mountains out of molehills because, well, its the principle that counts. Can I suggest you get some proper principles and don't make thousands of other people suffer so you can save the £1 a week you don't need just to make some stupid point.”

“Jeeeze if Sensibles upset at Labour losing the county council whats he gonna be like after the general election when Labour have been dumped on their @.rse!”

“"Maybe if employee's in the public sector had the same work ethic as the private sector,..."

I presume you mean only being in it for the money and being willing to trample over anyone and everyone in the name of personal progression? Don't think it'll catch on myself........”

“Take note of Sensible's last remark:
Methinks there is a link!”

“Lee it's not voters' fault; they were not given the full truth.

And what you contributors don't get is that it's more than the staff; it's your services being hit.

And I notice an imposter has written in Badger's name again...”