CAR - a - van PARK would be available!!!

Staffordshire is no different. Apart from the Peak areas, the rest of the county had run down salt stocks simply because of historical experience. If they needed more, given Staffordshire's close proximity to the UK's largest source of road salt, they'd have every opportunity. The only thing stopping them is a lack of resource, financial and vehicle. Most of Staffordshire CC's gritters are Mercedes 4x4 18 tonnes trucks, I know because I supplied them for years. It would be virtually impossible to find a cost-effective use for these vehicles at any other time of the year. In fact, the only time I had known them to be utilised was during freak hot weather, when they were sent out to spread sand & grit onto melting tarmac.

All councils must now show more than just good husbandry in their finances and as I said earlier, wasting money on unnecessary salt stocks, wouldn't help them at all.

As I said to Kosh I don't disagree re the salting issue.

I do however think that Joe 'Private Sector' Public in particular sees councils, and other public bodies for that matter, wasting money on unnecessary middle and high management positions and wonders whether his ever increasing Council Tax bill is getting him the best value for money. It's inevitable that when the councils fail to deliver a service, even if it is almost impossible to do so such has been the case for salting, Joe vents his frustration.

Wanna know what's bumping up your council tax? When you get your bill, over the next couple of months, take a close look at the Staffs Police precept, especially the pension provision.

Personally I think they should be bulk buying cat litter. That way, in the event of another 1 in 30 year winter not happening again next year us cat owners could be paid back, while reducing the crapping in next doors garden incidents (the cat, not me or the wife)... everybodies happy! Problem solved.