STEP TWO - Oops! I mean Step 1.2

At the risk of repeating myself, from today we are now at Step One of Johnson's/the Government's, rather badly added up, steps to freedom from COVID-19 restrictions (blog), or Step Two, or Step One.Point.Two, whatever!

1. Step One (1.2 or Step 2) Includes that 6 people or 2 households will be allowed to meet outdoors, outdoor sports facilities will be allowed to reopen, and travel outside the local area will be allowed, but not encouraged.

So a bit more freedom; details and the full content of the Prime Minister's statement to the House of Commons can be read at the Government website.

Enjoy your added freedom folks, fingers crossed that another lockdown is not on the way at some future date in 2021, just don't hold your breath yet!

Lockdown Mark I - One Year Anniversary...

One year on since the first lockdown was called by the Government, and the COVID-19 Crisis goes on, but, hopefully, with an end in sight, or at least eased, with the roll out of vaccinations. I wrote this blog one year ago to the day, which was quite upbeat, but never did we imagine that the crisis could still be going one year later, following many mistakes (I was going to use a rude word), and much wasted taxpayers' money! 

All I can say is, keep up the good work folks, maintain social distancing, wash your hands regularly, wear a face covering where required, and, if you can, do have those vaccinations, we have to beat this virus, despite having an incompetent and corrupt Government making errors, eg giving YOUR £37 BILLION of taxpayers' money to their friends to line their fat cat pockets with, yet fail to deliver Test & Trace (Parliament).

But see what can be done when resources are given to the appropriate and experienced bodies, the NHS, public health authorities and relevant charities...

Fingers crossed, but I'm not so upbeat this year...

"If I ruled the World..."

It is the Spring Equinox this morning, enjoy...

Census 2021 to be completed Sunday the 21st of March.

If you haven't already completed census 2021 online, then you must do so by Sunday at the latest or risk a £1,000 fine (website). Everyone who is living at your home address on Sunday must be recorded, something I have already input as I can't really see me moving before Sunday. However, if like me you complete the census online beforehand, and there are changes required by Sunday, then you would need to go back into the website and amend your details accordingly, don't forget folks!

For full details and to complete online go to the website.

PS. Jedi isn't noted as a religion anymore 😉

Council Tax Rise Above Inflation... Again!

I'm guessing I'm not the only resident to have received their 2021/22 Council Tax Bill. Well, ever since the Government started cutting back payment of Central Government Revenue Support Grant to local councils in 2010, Hastings has been bashed, becoming one of the first 40% of local councils to have central funding completely taken away in 2019 (blog). Indeed, recent above inflation increases have been because of council tax payers having to provide the funds to pay for the recruitment of police officers to replace the thousands that Central Government has got rid of since 2010.

For the third year running the annual 'precept' that we have had to pay to the Sussex Police & Crime Commissioner has far exceeded the rest of the council tax percentage increases. In 2019/20 this part of the council tax bill increased by a massive 14.5%! In 2020/21 it increased by 7.8%, and this year by 7.5%, and all to pay for Central Government's promises to increase the number of police officers. We, Hastings council tax payers are in fact funding Government promises, and they take the applause!

Reasons for 2021/2022 Bill increase:

• East Sussex County Council contribution increased by 2.0%
• Adult Social Care contribution increased by 1.5%
• Hastings Borough Council contribution increased by 2.0%
• East Sussex Fire Authority contribution increased by 2.0%
• Sussex Police & Crime Commissioner contribution increased by 7.5% 

And, if you consider the inflation rate is currently either just below or just above 1.0%, depending on which figures you use, the Consumer Prices Index or Retail Prices Index, we are paying an increase of way above the inflation rate; incidentally, the Government and Bank of England inflation target is 2.0%, hence councils are allowed to make increases in council tax for that amount. 

So we, local council tax payers, are being allowed to pay above the targeted 2.0% increases for council services to pay for the Government's promises and ineptitude, that is, the Government allows us to pay increases way above the inflation rate for our police service. Great, eh? We are paying to make up for 11 years now of Central Government underfunding of the Police, many thanks Johnson! 😒

St Patrick's Day

There are unlikely to be people parading around town, a wee bit tipsy, and wearing those silly Guinness hats this year, but it is St Patrick's Day today, and I shall have a wee drop of Jameson Irish Whiskey this evening...

Sláinte!

Happy Mothers' Day & Good News re Hastings Pier!

First of all, Happy Mothers' Day! And, as my wonderful mother died many years ago, I shall adopt, for the day, any mother who reads this, have a great day m'dear! 

The good news regarding Hastings Pier is that the lads who took over its management during last summer are back, and with a 3 year lease as well. Music First Events, and I believe their names are James and Tuffy, have announced on the Pier's facebook page that they are planning to reopen when the Government's second step (or is it third? - blog) for getting out of Lockdown comes into effect, or at the earliest date thereafter, should circumstances change before then, please do not forget.

So, they plan to reopen the gates on Monday the 12th of April at 12.00 noon, for 7 days a week, weather dependent of course, and the outside bar will return, cheers!

Reclaim the Night and Sarah Everard R.I.P.

Following the sad death of Sarah Everard in London, and the campaign to hold a vigil on Clapham Common that the Police and Justice system appear to be trying to prevent (BBC), the campaign Reclaim the Night must not be forgotten (website). The photograph above is from a Reclaim the Night event in Brighton, and that campaign continues since being set up in 1977, justly demanding the right for women to use public spaces without fear, with its first marches on the 12th of November that year.

Reclaim the Night will continue to campaign, and my best wishes go to them, but right now I must share my thoughts and condolences with the family and friends of Sarah Everard, and with other women, and men, who suffer violence... 

May Sarah rest in peace 😢

Elections Looming...

Less than 2 months away, on Thursday the 6th of May 2021 to be exact, there will be Local Elections for Hastings Borough Council, East Sussex County Council and for the Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner, including for those Hastings ward elections postponed last year (HBC website). 

If you are not already on the Electoral Register, you can register online at the Government website.  Registering online only takes about 5 minutes, and remember, if you are not on the register you cannot vote, and you may be fined!*

The website also gives advice about registering, how you may complete a paper form, and I suggest, if you don't want everyone in the world to be able to see your details, you make sure you are not on the Open Register, my free advice, I thank you!

*Explained in older blog.

Weather Warning - Strong Winds

The RNLI, as ever, correctly warn us against relaxed behaviour along the seafront with strong winds forecast (Met Office), we appear lucky to be missing rain compared to elsewhere, but with gusts between 30 and 60 miles per hour, do be careful folks!

STEP ONE - Tomorrow...

So, tomorrow, the 8th of March 2021, sees the first step of the Government's 4/5 steps to freedom from the restrictions imposed upon us (blog), indeed, it is now just 2 weeks short of a year from when the first lockdown was imposed upon us, from March the 21st 2020. But should we be battening down the hatches now, with millions of children being brought together indoors tomorrow? Fingers crossed for the R-Rate and us all, folks.

My fingers, legs, whatever, are crossed, so much crossed that I'm having problems living a 'normal' life, whatever that is 😉 but it is still so important to remember to continue with the basic things we can do to help control this COVID-10 Crisis. That is:

• Maintain at least 2 metres distance from others whenever possible
• Wash hands thoroughly and regularly
• Wear face coverings, at least wherever required in law

Let's carry on staying safe folks!

And I apologize for not writing much recently, technical problems that should be sorted out by next weekend, I'm crossing those fingers again!