York Council set to plunge further into debt

It looks like the York Council will be borrowing more money next year.

Hopes that the new administration would avoid using the £9 million reserved to subsidise the York Central project have been dashed and £900,000 remains in the budget for works to the Guildhall.  £15.714 million is earmarked for expenditure on the community stadium project.

How the debts are forecast to ncrease

How the debts are forecast to increase

Over £40 million of expenditure is being slipped from the current year into 2016/17 according to papers which will be discussed next week

The additional expenditure means that around 13% of the Council taxes that York residents pay will in future be soaked up by capital and interest repayments.

In total Councillors are being asked to add £5.5 million to the City’s debt burden next week.

A full list of expenditure proposals can be viewed by clicking here

click

click

Happy New Year York

Happy new Year MinsterWe’ll get over the flood problems quickly and make a fresh start!

and below our favourite “stories” from 2015

Today’s riddle for seniors… Here is the situation:

You are on a horse, galloping at a constant speed

On your right side is a sharp drop-off.

On your left side is an elephant traveling at the same speed as you.

Directly in front of you is a galloping kangaroo and your horse is unable to overtake it.

Behind you is a lion running at the same speed as you and the kangaroo.

What must you do to get out of this highly dangerous situation?

I

I

I

I

I

I

I

I

I

I

I

I

I

Get off the merry-go-round and go home, you silly old bugger!

Gone but not forgotten

Gone but not forgotten

 

and finally

Once upon a time there was a king who wanted to go fishing, so he  called the royal weather forecaster in for a weather update for the next few hours.

 The weatherman assured him that there was no chance of rain in the coming days.

 So the king happily went off fishing with his wife, the queen. On the way they met a farmer on his donkey. Upon seeing the king the farmer said, “Your Majesty, you should return to the palace at once because in just a short time I expect a huge downpour in this area.“

 The king was polite and considerate, he replied, “I hold the palace meteorologist in high regard. He is an extensively educated and experienced professional. Besides, I pay him very high wages. He gave me a very different forecast. I trust him and I will continue on my way,” and so he did.

 However, a short time later torrential rain fell from the heavens and the King and Queen were totally soaked.  Their entourage chuckled upon seeing them in such a non-regal condition.

 Furious, the king returned to the palace and gave orders to fire the weatherman at once!

 Then he summoned the farmer and offered him the prestigious role of royal forecaster.

 The humble farmer said, “Your Majesty, I do not know anything about forecasting. I obtain my information from my donkey. If I see my donkey’s ears drooping, it means with certainty that it will rain.”

 So the king hired the donkey and cut out the middle man – a fine enduring tradition in rich circles.

 And thus also began the time-honored practice of hiring asses to work in the government’s highest paid and most influential positions!