Fighting the Good Fight

Now just what have I been doing over the last three weeks?  Yes, I know it’s three, and no I’m not a week late – some time ago I decided to try and stop spreading myself too thin, so with that in mind I’d keep this to just twice a month. But never fear, for those of you who need more (really?!) there’s always my political blog onto which I have just posted an item entitled HOGGOF.  You’ll have to go and look at it - lesleywaltonpolitics@blogspot.com - to see what this awfully corny heading means!!!!!

Les at Campaign Launch Sat 31st August 2013

Back to what I’ve been up to …  As I reported in my last blog I am now on a group that is campaigning against payday and other such legal loan sharks, including the methods they use to lure unsuspecting people into a downward spiral of debt.  It’s true that some people do take out a payday loan literally to bridge the money gap up to payday, and if it suits them, fine.  But even then it still doesn’t remotely justify the interest rates being charged, or the way some of these companies will not easily let you pay off a loan, but keep offering more & more, hence the debt gets worse & worse.  Continuing on my soapbox (on a roll now, sorry!) and possibly stating the obvious, but not everyone is naturally good with money – just think how many people say Maths when asked what was their worst subject at school!  And these are the people who are going to be very vulnerable when it comes to persuasive advertising for ‘easy money’, and people knocking on your door who wont take no for an answer.
So I’m sure you will agree that there are a lot of challenges around this issue.  However both from our meeting this week, and from the campaign launch the other Saturday – went really well, lots of people there, good item in the press – we have amassed some great suggestions as to what we can do in fighting this campaign.  Really quite exciting!

Other than this I’ve had the usual smattering of meetings, including one looking at how we are going to scrutinise Public Engagement.  This is I think will get to be quite a hot topic, as the council is going to be opening up discussions on the budget for 14-15.  Interesting times ahead.

Les