Sir, – Having just received a leaflet about the Conservatives' performance in Hambleton District compared to the Independents in Richmondshire– the information is dead right.
The CCTV cameras have been switched off in Richmond and the incidents of vandalism have occurred. The information board for the Friary tower has been broken and petrol bombs being thrown onto the road last year being two criminal occurrences since then.
Public toilets have closed and believe me it is a problem especially if you have ever had the misfortune to have to take water tablets.
Richmondshire refuses to reduce the number of councillors. Do we really need so many wards and councillors in Richmond? When I first came to Richmond we always voted for councillors that covered the whole of Richmond.
As for the council tax, the Band H charge is £178 in Hambleton and £408 with Richmondshire. My mother lived in Bedale for more than 30 years and she had a house with a very large ground area and garden. I have lived in a small semi in Richmond and the rates/council tax were always cheaper for her house and no one has ever explained why.
Also, in Richmondshire also have to pay £17 to get the green bin emptied – no charge in Hambleton.
Can the councillors in Richmondshire please note this and take some lessons from Hambleton on how to do it.
At one time Richmondshire shared managers and services – what happened to all that? Please can we purchase our services from Hambleton as we need every penny.
LYNNE KEMP
Richmond.
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