Council should adopt Plan B

HOW dismissive Coun Tim Swift is of “the small but very vocal group of mainly older people who are passionate about the town centre” in Halifax (Yorkshire Post, November 26). It is precisely because we care, Coun Swift.

We may be elderly but this does not mean we lack wisdom or imagination. We have pride in our town and in the many beautiful buildings we see around us. We see a well-designed library serving a diverse population co-existing with the bus station, market and shops. We are proud that though Halifax was a major industrial town it was never lacking in culture. Our libraries were and are valued and should be accessible to all. How refreshing if the council were to adopt Plan B: refurbishment of the existing library and creating a green, restful space.

Create jobs

From: Tim Mickleburgh, Boulevard Avenue, Grimsby.

I’M not surprised that the Work Programme has missed its targets , with only 3.5 per cent of participants finding anything like sustainable work. By itself, the scheme doesn’t create a single extra job, simply putting participants in touch with jobs that are already available (Yorkshire Post, November 28).

So what politicians really need to do is create employment, especially if they want the benefit bill to be lower.

A dog is for life

From: Clarissa Baldwin OBE, CEO, Dogs Trust.

As we dust off the tinsel for the festive season, Dogs Trust is issuing a plea to give lots of thought before adding a four-legged friend to the family.

The online sale of pets and animals means that impulse buying has become an appealing option, yet poses the enormous risk of attracting many unscrupulous breeders.

Please remember that a dog is for life, not just for Christmas.