Blame wasted billions on extravagance

RICHARD Colley’s excellent letter (Yorkshire Post, March 2) about his recent public sector experiences has reminded me of an incident which occurred very many years ago when I was working as an agency typist in Leeds.

I often undertook temporary assignments in public sector buildings in Leeds, and on this particular occasion I was working in a government building as the typist for some project engineers. My responsibilities included typing their reports and correspondence as well as other documentation.

I was busy typing up a project engineer’s report about the construction of a by-pass in the region. The engineers in that department designed structures which led to valuable improvements to our transport network and often spent time on site with the construction workers as well as time in the office.

A young, smartly-dressed administrative officer approached me, placed two memoranda on my desk and requested me to type them straight away as they were urgent. I explained to her that I was half-way through typing up an engineer’s report and that I would type them once I had completed the task in hand. She glared at me, turned away and stormed off.

I recall that one of the memoranda contained details of the watering procedures for office plants.

She returned about half-an-hour later; I handed over the typed memoranda and she left me without saying a word.

The absurdity of the situation taught me that people in different work environments tend to possess varying concepts of reality. In private sector environments, people are usually more cautious and careful regarding their business expenditure.

If I was placed in a position of authority and asked whether I should spend time and money on improving a road or the provision of office luxuries, I would naturally choose the former option.

Unfortunately, it appears to me that over the years, many who have had the authority to make similar decisions have tended to choose the equivalent of the latter option.

The consequences of those decisions have led to the profligate waste of public money, and many cuts we are experiencing today are the legacy of blatant, senseless extravagance.

Why buying beats renting

From: R Hanson, Swallow Lane, Golcar, Huddersfield.

REGARDING your story that buying a home is “cheaper than renting in most towns” (Yorkshire Post, March 3), in as much as someone who is renting a house is paying the mortgage of the person who is renting it out, as well as giving that person some profit, it can only ever be cheaper per month to rent than to buy if either the rented house was bought at a lower price before the market went through the roof – or there is a glut of houses to rent on the market.

Otherwise, it is no contest.

However, there is a more over-riding reason why there is no contest between renting or buying, with the bias strongly in favour of buying.

Take, as an example, someone who is 25 and buying their first house. Normally, after 25 years, this person will own that house, have a valuable asset, and will be able to put the mortgage money to something else.

If the same person was to rent instead, this could easily go on for 60 years or more, paying rent during retirement and ending up paying out more than twice as much but with nothing to show.

As I have said, there is no contest. Buy if you possibly can find a way to do so.

Book brings back memories

From: John Craven, Green Road, Baildon, West Yorkshire.

A HUGE thank you to Yorkshire Post for the excellent article about the author, Terry Wilson, in the Saturday Magazine (February 26) .

I was so taken with the story I dowloaded the book to my electronic reader the same day. What a joy! I was transported back to my childhood in the same time-span as the author’s, reliving all my adventures and escapades.

I had to stop after every chapter to make the book last longer – I just didn’t want to get to the end.

A real treat for us post-war kids who had real fun and real adventures without the aid of a computer, it even made me wonder if I would still like Kali and must admit I could not remember how to spell it, many thanks again. It made my weekend.

Apathy wins the by-election

From: Danny Myers, Lees Lane, Northallerton.

I REFER to the recent by-election in Barnsley, won by the Labour candidate amid great rejoicing by the Labour Party hierarchy.

Firstly, the euphoria of the Labour candidate in stating that the people of Barnsley had clearly demonstrated their opinion of the current government and its policies does not hold a great deal of water since he polled only 22 per cent of the total possible votes – hardly resounding support.

Secondly, the people of Barnsley demonstrated appalling apathy, as reflected in the turnout of just 36.5 per cent. I presume that the 63.5 per cent of the constituents who could not be bothered to cast their vote are happy with this outcome.

With all the hullabaloo going on about alternative voting systems, perhaps compulsory voting should be also considered.

Pool closure under attack

From: Mollie Somerville, Lilycroft Road, Bradford.

MANNINGHAM is in a deprived area of Bradford, and its swimming pool – is due to close. As an Edwardian building, almost unique, this is a bad decision for heritage reasons.

More important, however is the long-term effects on the health of local residents. Ten primary schools currently send children to the pool every week. The pupils walk briskly – I’ve seen them – for 10 or 15 minutes to get there, and then they learn to swim. Both activities are good for health.

In an age of increasing concern about obesity, what is likely to replace these visits to the pool?

Health should be a priority.