Neighbourhood Wardens.Do we Care?

[Lampman]

With the deadline fast approaching for the refunding/not refunding of neighbourhood wardens;
I ask do we care?
Are these people neccessary or a further waste of money?
Do we we need extra eyes and ears for the Police?
Do they serve as a crime deterrent?
Well in my mind the answer to all is YES.
The idea was a good one,the funding was a complete cock up,surely extra money can be found.
While I am on the soapbox,have the dithering council considered the effect on morale for the men and women who carry out this often difficult task.
Would members of Parliament or local councillors like to walk the streets of Accrington at the Sharp End knowing that come Christmas their jobs may cease to exist.
I wonder what the rest of the forum think?

[lettie]

The wardens have certainly made a difference where I live. It can't be just Hyndburn where money for these schemes dries up. I know that the government has pumped millions into the problems of sexual health and the drug problem, but it is too little too late. Schemes often get up and running, then the money disappears, and schemes which are often intended to be national end up running in just a few areas and being inaccessible to the majority.

[Sparkologist]

The council should certainly strive to find the money for the upkeep of the neighbourhood wardens scheme. It has been one of the few positive decisions by the council to initially fund the wardens scheme; don't let them fall by the wayside.

[Acrylic-bob]

I hate to be the one to break this to you Sparkologist, but the Wardens were a central government idea, entirely funded by them. The reason the cash has run out is that HBC were told that they would have to sort out the funding if they wanted it to continue after the intitial period. So instead of talking to Lancashire County Constabulary and the Fire Brigade etc., to try and sort something out, the council have done precisely nothing and Britcliffe is now blaming everyone else for being tightfisted and unhelpful.

[Lampman]

Well,I think the lack of response on this thread answers my question.Do we care?
Apparently not!

[Acrylic-bob]

I care. Take a look at my thread on page two of this forum: "I'm Disgusted - nowt new there!" I think that Accrington will be the poorer if we let this happen as well as being less safe.

[Busman747]

By coincidence, this thread arives at the same time as "teens" by Mel. As we all (well, most of us) know, Mel is a well adjusted teenager, doesn't mug people, take drugs or cause vandalism but in case you missed it, this is what she had to say:

But round church were i live we have youth workers and they take us on trips that should cost hundreds of pounds for free, to get young people off the streets its great i've been ski-ing, Kayaking, canoeing, rock climbing, abseiling, snow boarding and three residentials its fantastic and a great experience.

..........and yet the government/local council cannot find the funds to continue the Neighbourhood Warden scheme Utterly mad!

[Lampman]

Yup! Lightwater valley,transport,lunch,entry fee.....75p all in.

[Sara]

Let's hope that funding can be found to keep the neighbourhood wardens they are doing a very worthwhile and brilliant job.