‘Talks’ cover for attack on our libraries

It IS with interest I read a piece (Yorkshire Post, June 8) regarding “talks” planned over library volunteers in Kirklees.

The term “talks” implies verbal interaction with the public as to whether using volunteers is a good or bad idea. The term “helping” to run branch libraries also implies helping alongside the existing staff.

The reality is, as openly stated by library officials at a public meeting in Honley on May 31, that a group of volunteers are required to run and manage their library, to the extent of raising funds by contributing financially, fundraising etc to provide essential services to keep the library open.

In some areas, the expense of training volunteers has been suggested to be met by the volunteers themselves. Also the implication of staff working alongside volunteers to assist, in fact amounts to a “hub” library several miles away, being on the end of a telephone to answer questions and queries.

The word “Consultation” is loosely connected to the reality. It involves misleading questions on a touch screen and cards to fill in which are all worded to focus on one outcome of the “Consultation” ie how many names (intentional or otherwise) have been collected to support the shameful proposals the Council are making in order to save money quickly, through the vicious cuts to such an essential service as the libraries, which would no doubt lead to closures.

It has just been stated by Surrey County Council, that using volunteers has not saved any money for them. Unsuspecting volunteers would not realise the magnitiude or financial expectation of the work involved in running the libraries and would eventually give the council a “valid” reason, in their eyes, to close them.

We must fight against the council’s proposals and safeguard our libraries.

Misery of diabetes

From: Mrs Pamela Z Frankland, Hull Road, Dunnington, York.

MIKE Waites’ article on diabetes pain and research (Yorkshire Post, June 9) could have been referring to my situation.

Diagnosed last year with type two age-related diabetes, now advanced to type one, I am suffering arthritic pain, along with anxiety and depression. A cure or relief will no doubt be too late for me, but it is reassuring to learn that a three-year study is to take place.

I feel I had the illness the year before (2010) and a visit to my optician discovered it for me, so keeping up with regular visits to the optician is vitally important. Let’s hope a cure can be found soon – diabetes is a miserable condition.

Saving money on rail costs

From: Bruce Oliver, Chelsea Road, Southsea, Hampshire.

THE article by Paul Jeeves on railway ticket prices (Yorkshire Post, July 8) scratches the tip of an iceberg.

Booking offices are not obliged to offer the cheapest option, should this entail the purchase of two separate tickets, using an intermediate station en route.

Here is an example:

Leeds-Newcastle £43; Leeds-York £11.70; York-Newcastle £25. Purchasing two separate tickets at Leeds saves £6.30 (14.7 per cent).

Better always to test the system for either an intermediate station offering a reduced overall cost or an alternative route.

As all booking offices are obliged to sell tickets between any two stations in the country, money-saving options are available upon demand. Ticket validity for any chosen option can be checked upon purchase.

Cuts to care services

From: Glenn Pickersgill, Heritage Healthcare, Tower House, Fishergate, York.

I WHOLEHEARTEDLY agree with the British Red Cross’s report (Yorkshire Post, June 11) that the wellbeing of elderly people is being put at risk due to public sector cuts in home-based care services.

What was particularly worrying was the comment from Dave Prentis, General Secretary of the Unison trade union, that carers often are only given a 15 minute slot to visit a client’s home.

There is no way that any carer, however efficient they are, can provide a decent level of care in a quarter of an hour.

Some elderly people have no family and also rely on their carers for companionship as well as helping them with domestic and personal tasks.

Carers being given enough time to provide both emotional and practical support is essential to maintain elderly people’s independence and wellbeing. It also can prevent them from being admitted to hospital which would be a drain on the public purse.

There are less vital council services where costs can be cut, but providing care for elderly and vulnerable people should be sacrosanct.