21/01/03

The people of Durham cannot be asked to finance a council which seems to have a problem in making difficult decisions in deciding where it should spend the money it has.

I think that the people of Durham could find a better way to spend the money than subsidising the Gala Theatre.

On June 21 last year, Colin Shearsmith, chief executive of Durham City Council, said: "We know there is some concern that the debts accrued by Entertainment Team will affect next year's council tax figures. We can reassure local people that there will be no knock-on effect from this year's invoices to next year's council tax bills."

Now he has admitted that, from next year, the people of Durham will foot the bill to support the Gala Theatre.

On July 5 last year, Mr Shearsmith stated the Gala is doing very well, it is enjoying full houses, good numbers in the restaurant and at events. It is not a troubled theatre.

But if it is not a troubled theatre why is it losing money and why ask the taxpayer of Durham to subsidise it?

It is now time for an independent public scrutiny committee to be formed to oversee every penny spent on our behalf. Real democracy and accountability. - DT Murray, Coxhoe.

WAR ON IRAQ

THIS is an open letter to the Prime Minister. As a resident of your Sedgefield constituency, I wish to express my deep concern over the prospect of our country going to war with Iraq.

If, as it seems, an attack upon Iraq is inevitable, the only thing that could possibly deter America would be the withdrawal of British support.

Our armed forces should not be placed at the disposal of a foreign power to deploy as it sees fit.

The vast majority of British people are opposed to war with Iraq. Why should we legitimise President Bush's war aims?

If ever there was a time for a British Prime Minister to listen to the voice of the nation, that time is now.

The message is clear: pull back now before we get dragged into America's war. - AS Holmes, Ferryhill.

IT looks like we, the British people, are being brainwashed and led by the nose into an unjustified war by George Bush and Tony Blair, a pair of warmongers.

Are we the British public going to be like blind sheep following their leaders to war?

It is time to stand up and say no to war with anyone. We are not rushing to defend Britain as in World War Two, this war would be a crime and only over oil for the US. If one British life is lost, Mr Blair should be held accountable and charged with manslaughter. So come on, say no to war. - FN Holdstock. Catterick Garrison.

COUNCIL SERVICES

I HAVE read (Echo, Jan 10) Durham County Council's comments on untreated roads.

I understand that we are to expect another hefty rise in council tax to cover the county council's social services commitments. For how much longer are the people of this area to go on paying more and more money out of their already stretched budgets to finance what appears to me to be an anything but prudent county council?

May I suggest that a large sum of money can be saved by not supplying councillors with expensive computers, cutting back (indeed cutting out) so called fact-finding trips abroad and, dare I mention, the sacred councillors' allowances.

I remember the days when all elected councillors received only their bus fares to council meetings and worked hard and willingly for the good of the people, their only reward being the gratitude of those they had helped.

Strangely, we still got the roads treated in winter and essential services were maintained.

I can think of many other workers in the community who give up hours of their time for only travelling expenses, but do their duty for no reward other than the satisfaction of a job well done.

Will the county councillors feel any pang of conscience for lives lost or ruined after accidents caused purely from want of salt on icy roads. - PA Aspinall, Crook.

ASYLUM SEEKERS

A CONNECTION is now being made (HAS, Jan 17) between asylum seekers and terrorism. Reference is made to Ann Widdecombe's proposals on how to improve the efficiency of dealing with asylum seekers by placing them in supervised accommodation and the fact that a few asylum seekers have been arrested and placed on charges relating to the prevention of terrorism.

Where terrorist outrages have taken place the men responsible have not been seeking asylum but have entered the country with appropriate documents for a short stay. The vast majority of asylum seekers do not enter with terrorism in mind. Their only dishonesty in some cases is to claim asylum rather than openly admit that they come as economic migrants.

I would support draconian measures if they were going to net the people who would do us harm, and limit the harm that would ensue from an act of terrorism. I think the Government is working on that. I am very aware of the paramount need for public safety, and I am not rigid on where the boundaries have to be for civil rights.

A sense of proportion is the first requirement of a reasonable approach, and I would like to think that anyone abroad needing refuge from persecution would feel that they would get fairness and compassion in this country. Occasionally I am made to feel that this sentiment is not shared. - Geoffrey Bulmer, Billingham.