COUNCILLOR Bill Dixon, the leader of Darlington council, in his response to the proposed merger of Stressholme and Blackwell golf clubs stated that the authority had to take this action because of a reduction in state funding.

He suggested that council tax should be increased to allow the local authority to carry out Labour Party priorities.

He recently told `a meeting that there was no plan B and that Stressholme golf club would close. This shows how little imagination he has.

Surely different solutions should be explored in the event of this proposal not going ahead?

I would criticise his group for not being more imaginative in its policy on alternative solutions for the provision of services One Labour-controlled authority in this region has out-sourced most of its services, in addition to human resources and IT. Why are we still just discussing these issues and why are we restricting the idea to other local authorities?

Darlington has no choice but to radically change the way it does things.

A good example of working with private companies is the creation of the Darlington Business Improvement District (Bid) to boost facilities for shoppers and businesses. A levy on each business, based on their rateable value, aims to collect up to £1.5m in the next five years to support promotional projects and practical improvements to make Darlington more attractive to shoppers. This scheme is producing plans and activities to improve the town centre.

Until recently, we attracted visitors to the town because of the floral displays. Why did we not approach more sponsors to fund and maintain the roundabouts on the main arterial routes and not let red tape get in the way of common sense?

During the tenure of this Labour group, assets of the town have been seriously neglected.

The arts centre, now closed, the indoor market and, most recently, the town hall, which requires significant expenditure to bring it up to date.

Most organisations set aside money to cover repairs and renewals. Where was good housekeeping in the priorities of the controlling group?

Why were members not given the full picture before these issues became a major problem?

It has been known for some time that pressures on budgets, due to the increasing number of retired people living longer, was a timebomb waiting to explode. The previous government knew this and did not have the courage to take steps to alleviate the problem.

Crisis situations need crisis solutions and acceptance that this should have been dealt with much sooner.

In the end, solutions are very much about priorities.

CONSERVATIVE priorities are to ensure there is fairness in the effect of reductions, real support to business in the long term and not just opportunistic references in cabinet meetings.

And certainly not selling the family silver for quick cash.

The authority should stop borrowing and let income control its budget in this time of austerity.

The future prosperity of the town is dependant on economic development.

Late in the day, it has been realised that we have to rebalance the local economy towards engineering and manufacturing and that we have a shortage of school leavers with the required skills to meet the demand.

Strategic opportunities have been missed but, thankfully, after pressure from various quarters, meaningful dialogue is now taking place between the private sector and education establishments, which is long overdue.

Companies are now providing apprenticeships and they must be encouraged to do more.

We do have difficult decisions to consider approaching the budget for 2013-14, but it is no good putting the blame elsewhere.

We have to live in the real world, which is facing the most difficult economic pressures for a long time. Europe is in crisis, even China is facing a downturn, and as a local authority we have to be very clear on priorities.

The easy option of increasing council tax could have the most disastrous effect on local businesses and pensioners who are on fixed incomes.

I share, however, concerns about the way that grant allocations are determined, particularly for the Northern region, which appear to be grossly unfair. This situation has always been thus, both under the previous government and the present one.

We must continue to press for clarification and a more equitable outcome.

In the short term, we have to live within our means and explore every avenue to get a good outcome for the residents of Darlington.

The authority needs to learn from good practice elsewhere and be more open-minded.