Dearest Wilt

Your prediction was correct: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hereford-worcester-13905201 The Conservatives have won again, although it is a minor victory.

We see you have picked up on the Wolverhampton case – it is not such a bad place you know.

The people are largely poor, it is high density and of a highly mixed ethnic/cultural diversity, with a great deal of poverty by UK standards. However, we agree that all the agencies should have prevented this child death. I also agree the Wolverhampton website is ugly – the people however are generally sound of heart and good natured. We know this from personal experience.

Salopian

Yikes! Shropshire County Council http://www.shropshire.gov.uk/ HAVE actually gone ahead with a major slashing of salaries: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-shropshire-13891587

This is probably unique and a first in the public sector. We have been keeping an eye on this developing story since much earlier in the year when it was first muted but Salopian believed it was possibly just a negotiating starting point – he did not believe it would ever come to fruition. These people at Shropshire County Council seem to mean business.

Although the unions are mouthing off about strike action we suspect that nothing will come of it – most in these rural parts rely heavily upon the local council in one way or another and those employed by the Council will prefer to, we believe, take a pay cut (and other reductions in service conditions) rather than have no work at all.

Shropshire on the whole is a very prosperous County with high property (home) ownership and prices – those people (many depending on public service payroll) will have mortgages to pay. That will make them think not only twice but several times before contemplating strike action.

Whereas we do not always agree with Wilt, we do kind of agree that the Shropshire approach is rather attractive (assuming you do not work for Salop). Carry on working with a reduced salary, or otherwise not work and find your own way. Either way the deficit in the budget will be addressed or, NO, it will not be offset by increased Council Tax.

We rather like this approach and Salopian can carry on with business, which is rather fine, thank you – although not quite to Wiltish fashion.

Whilst referring to Wilt, the Salopian’s recently availed themselves again of Wilt’s accommodations in North Wales (free of charge) and apart from the occasional rain showers we did rather enjoy those glorious beaches with our own version of Salty Dog. It was wonderful, thank you Wilt & Mrs Wilt.

In the mean-time our (alleged) errant Asian local community sex offenders are still on trial – more on that at a later date.

Meanwhile some other local midlands news: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-13884165

Our Mark Pritchard MP has created a bit of a flurry in Parliament with his Bill on banning wild animals from the circus – good for him. He is a good bloke, a good MP and not a lover of the Speaker of the House who he regards as a bit of a twit. We do not agree with him so far, and far better a representative of his southern colleague who represents Telford, David (the useless) Wright.

Slightly wider afield, and Wilt has not picked up on this yet, we have the emerging of a ‘Climbe’ type case in Wolverhampton – a privately fostered child murdered that was preventable. Shame on Wolverhampton – it would not have happened on Salopin’s watch, believe me.

See the article here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-13885392

On that sad note Salopian signs off.

Salopian

In the normal quiet backwater of Shropshire there is a sudden flurry of news.

First we had Sir Elton John in concert: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-shropshire-13749699 and very good he was too.

Meanwhile just down the road in Wellington there are concerns about some local Asian men sexually exploiting young girls, some under 16 years in age: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-shropshire-13766736 That will not go down well in a predominantly white rural Shropshire community if the allegations are proved to be true. There could be ‘trouble at mill’ in otherwise largely very polite Salop.

The local Shropshire County Council are proposing a 5.4% pay cut, a reduction in holidays and sick entitlement: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-shropshire-13765258 And they sound serious about these proposals. This does seem to be a rather unique approach by a council – we will watch with interest.

Salopian

Is this really true?: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-13627199 – try commuting via the M6 between Birmingham and junction 10a or vice versa anytime between 07:00 – 10:00 am & 16:00 – 19:00 pm to find out.

If only a half hour commute was feasible would be brilliant.

Salopian

We approve:  http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-shropshire-13511324 Most of the firemen wander around the area offering other services such as painting and decorating – and some of them on long term sick leave!

Meanwhile this chap seems to think he owns Offa’s Dyke: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-north-east-wales-13509267

We walked it (the whole length) many years previously and have the photo album to prove it.

Other news in Salop: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-shropshire-13546821 means that a walk with (or without) the dog will not allow anyone to get a refreshing cup of tea and the railwaymen are up in arms again: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-13540736

Everything normal here in the Midlands!

One bit of sad news: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-shropshire-13538150

We hope he recovers soon.

Salopian

One Shropshire Council recently transferred out of  Tory control to Labour control. They are not getting off to a good start: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-shropshire-13395987

They have covered up the sign in the interim “to avoid confusion.” Or is it to avoid embarrassment?

Salopian

This article caught my eye: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-13126425

It is probably no surprise that numbers of looked after children are increasing under the current economic pressures on families which causes added tensions and conflicts for parents – added to which there are major reforms to welfare/benefit reforms; the latter is no bad thing – too many have become too comfortable on benefits.

There are no easy answers to these problems which ultimately impact directly or indirectly on children; there are shortages of social workers and those who are currently employed are not coping, with that age old (but we think partially systemic and ‘cultural’) sickness absence problem ever present. Excessively generous service conditions do not so much as alleviate the problem but in fact help exacerbate the problem.

Budget cut backs are yet a further problem that create a challenge to managing these tensions and pressures – less people are having to do more with less.

What is certain however, putting more into child protection: “As a result, more resources are being put into child protection.” Is seriously not the answer – putting more resources into family support is the answer.

Salopian

By Salopian

This rather unfortunate incident http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1372823/Boyfriend-18-charged-attempted-murder-knife-attack-14-year-old-girl-school-gates.html of the stabbing of a 14 year old girl by her 18 year old stalker shocked both the midlands and the UK. Not quite up to US standards of wild youths with semi-automatic weapons killing indiscriminately but none the less a tragedy for both victim and assailant. Even the 18 year old is just a child, but that does not excuse him.

“That could have been a daughter of mine” – as this author and other parents exclaim, together with similar expressions by grandparents, brothers, sisters and aunties and uncles. Others similarly simply reflect that matters could have been much worse, as did the police and those local brave pupils, teachers and parents who intervened.

This development is without precedence in the UK – yes we had Dumblane  and several similar incidents in the UK; but they were committed by more mature adults who really should have known better. We have yet to see any pattern which emulates the extremes of some US students who have run amok and brought tragedy to numerous victims.

What now for the tragic assailant? How will his victim move on, together with her family? And let us not forget those unfortunate enough to witness the event and to have themselves suffered grievous harm of either or both physical and emotional assault.

Coupled with the above, let us not forget the events in Northern Ireland  http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-12948992 where the loss has been of even greater tragedy – the loss of life. And to what end exactly? Other than the obvious loss to his family and friends, colleagues and the general shock to the community, is anything progressed? Are we clearer on the objective or the community the better for this cruel and cowardly murder?

By Salopian

One despairs.

Salopian

On the earlier note (from Wilt) on Medical Practice (i.e. his GP) Salopian man recently had an appointment with his (private) dentist. It was not quite like this however: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-shropshire-12647702

Our dentist is a rather petite young woman (Jessica we are told) who could not I imagine, fart if she tried and certainly has a very nice bedside (or chair side) manner.

The charming “hygienist” who brushes my teeth would probably not say “boo to a goose.” Even if she wanted to.

However if you live in North Shropshire (Salop to us rural Salopians) you might be wondering if Matthew Walton (35 yrs) from Whitchurch might be your first choice.

Personally, I prefer young Jessica sticking her tits in my ears whilst she jams open my mouth to investigate my teeth. I have fantasies about it!

However, is what Matthew Walton is accused to have done require him to be struck off? Is it that bad, really?

“The General Dental Council in London ruled his conduct required immediate suspension of his registration “for the protection of the public” said the BBC.

The BBC added by quoting the General Dentil Council: “For the protection of the public and in the public interest, immediate suspension of your registration is necessary.”

Could they have not simply said to him you ‘stupid fart’ (excuse the pun) – you utter idiot, please do not do this again. Why sack him after years of medical training, at huge cost, and confine him to the scrap heap?

Is there any mention of poor dental treatment – absolutely not!

It’s the GSCC all over again, but this time with glairing white teeth – where do these tribunal people come from?

Not much better here in Salop Wilt!

Mind you, those up in Whitchurch can be an odd lot – really.

Salopian

Hello Wilt and Watchful & Readers/Commentators

Library Picture

Wow – I can write my own posts, add pictures and images and generally expand this most excellent of Blogs. Our subject matters are shared but I shall be taking a Midlands perspective in particular, as that is my now main area of interest – unlike Wilt on a wider social care physical geography.

Here is some local news: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-shropshire-12645358

Clearly the cuts are ever growing. Wider afield, sick pay, sick leave, annual leave and other terms of service are being curtailed – not a bad thing even if all this is budget driven (which it is not)! Some of it is Tory backlash against Labour ideology – and you know, most people Ispeak to locally actually welcome the cuts. Strange but true.

Salopian