What is the big problem with turning off the street lighting. Week after week, all I read in the local papers is people moaning about the lighting being turned off. For instance last week was a lady in Clevedon moaning that upon her and her husband having to walk home in the dark, her daughter-in-law then took it upon herself to get a taxi the short drive home. Instead of moaning about having to put their family/friends in a taxi ride for their short journey home, why do they not walk them home theirselves. Also, why do people feel it is safer to walk home with street lights. It is not safer. It is quantity of people around that makes it safer. Speaking as someone who grew up in a village with no street lighting, when it got late we got walked home, and should it not be late then there is this miraculous invention called a torch.

By dottyandproud at 13:54 on 14/12/11

Well said Dotty.

By limawhiskey at 15:22 on 14/12/11
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What bothers me about it isn't so much the safety as that is a moot point but the gradual reduction in services while council tax steadily rises.

The more that services are contracted out privately the less we get in return for our payments as these companies feel it's a corporate right to collect profit.

What will it be next time? Being charged to go to the tip?

By Stuspooks at 16:04 on 12/01/12
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I am a firm believer in paying for what I want and not expecting someone else to pick up the tab. I agree that in very rare situations there is a need for street lighting to be left on all night, but as I am never wandering the streets at 2.00 am why should I pay for those who are.
If you have rubbish to take to the tip then yes you should pay because there are a lot of people out there who never go to the tip and are subsidising your lifestyle.
I would like to see a council tax that covers just the very basics, i.e those services that everyone uses. Then all other services should be charged at the point of use

By limawhiskey at 18:03 on 12/01/12
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Including schools?

If so, you'll get my vote!

You have the brat, you should pay fit the brats!

By Drftgyhujiko at 18:10 on 12/01/12
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No I would not include education. I and my OFFSPRING were educated at state schools and proud of it.
Education is a basic right. The alternative is just unimaginable.

By limawhiskey at 19:11 on 12/01/12
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But above you said you are a firm believer in paying for what you want and not expecting others to pick up the tab?

Where do you draw the line? You seemed to be suggesting double standards? Others can pay to educate my kids, but you won't pay to light my street?

You said council tax should pay for the basics and what everyone wants? Well I done want to pay to educate your kids! So stop sending them to school WASTING MY MONEY!

By Drftgyhujiko at 19:16 on 12/01/12
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I also said "I would like to see a council tax that covers just the very basics, i.e those services that everyone uses."
Education is a basic need
If that is double standards then so be it -guilty as charged
By the way were you educated privately ?

By limawhiskey at 21:08 on 12/01/12
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Dear Drftgyhujiko - I understand your reasoning behind not wishing to pay for other peoples childrens education. I take it that you don't want children, therefore why should you pay for other peoples? The only oposition for this would be the following: there won't be enough money to pay for schools full stop. This would effect you as in a few years time as you will need hospital treatment but there won't be anyone qualified enough, you will need a new car but there won't be anyone clever enough to design them, and you will most certainly need food but there wont be anyone clever enough to grow/transport them or even run the shops. Also, should you have had the proper education that you feel shouldn't be paid for by everyone else, then you would have been able to write a sentence correctly without spelling and grammar mistakes.

By dottyandproud at 08:17 on 13/01/12
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Just going back a few comments; I agree with paying for what you use. I have no problem paying for a torch and batteries and disposing of rubbish at the tip AS LONG AS I AM NOT PAYING TWICE.

A council tax that covers only the basics is my ideal too.

Does this cover education? Like Dotty said it's education for the benefit of society.

By Stuspooks at 09:16 on 14/01/12
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I don't mind the lights being switched off but I think they should be left on until one am and not twelve to allow some of the pub and late workers to get home with street lights

By Iangrw at 10:27 on 14/01/12
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As ever the authorities have gone for a catch-all system that just does not work for everyone.Switching off the lights is not a major issue for the majority of people that I know. The timing is an issue for some and I tend to agree that 12.00 midnight is a bit early, especially on those streets that are used more often by pedestrians in the early hours. It could be that you could switch off the lights for a longer period on the minor, quieter residential streets and for less time on the busier streets. Secondly I do not understand why they are switched back on at 05.00 AM, why so early? How many pedestrians are about at that time? A flexible approach is required.

Going back to the point about how we pay for our services I have some ideas regarding what is a basic and what I would be prepared to pay for as I require it :-
BASIC paid by Council Tax - Education. Social Services, Police.
PAY TO USE. Recycling and Waste collection, Bus Fares for over 60's, Library, Youth Clubs. School Meals. Housing.
Of course this is not an exhaustive list but food for thought?

By limawhiskey at 11:43 on 14/01/12
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