Councillor blames ‘embarrassing’ outburst on dog
All areas: Fares increase by 2.6 per cent, above rate of inflation
A councillor has apologised for his ‘embarrassing’ outburst at a council meeting – and blamed it on his family dog, writes James Bagley, local democracy reporter.
At the budget meeting on Tuesday, February 23, Cllr John Baldwin (Lib, Belmont) apologised for his ‘angry comments’ at December’s full council meeting, saying it was directed at his dog, Tito, and not at councillor Ross McWilliams (Con, Cox Green) or other members.
At the December meeting, Cllr McWilliams was highlighting the Royal Borough need to throw out party politics and to stop attacking each other in debates – while praising former Tory councillor Marius Gilmore for his ‘constructive’ conversations in saving the Pinkneys Green youth centre.
During Cllr McWilliams’ speech, Cllr Baldwin intervened, muttering what appeared to be: “You’re doing it now, f ****** nut.”
Cllr McWilliams said that the ‘offensive’ comment was a ‘personal attack’ on him and threatened to seek advice from the monitoring officer.
At the beginning of the budget meeting, the mayor of the Royal Borough allowed Cllr Baldwin to issue a statement apologising for his sudden outburst.
Cllr Baldwin said: “I was heard to make to what appeared to some members to be an outburst directed at Cllr McWilliams. That was not my intention at all.
“I had unmuted my microphone to raise a point of order. Just as my study door was opened to let in the family dog, Tito.
“The angry comments you may have heard were aimed at the four-legged miscreants within the Baldwin household and not to council.
“I would like to take this opportunity to apologise directly to
Cllr McWilliams for improperly cutting across his remarks as well as any other member who took exception.
“The necessary remedial measures have been taken ie, a latch on the study door, and I can assure council that there will be no repetition of this unfortunate and embarrassing event.”
Rail fares have this week increased by an average of 2.6 per cent – above the rate of inflation for the first time in seven years.
The Government has said that the additional 1 per cent rise above RPI inflation is to cover the costs of propping up rail services during the pandemic when fewer people travelled and revenues suffered.
The fare increase was delayed for two months to allow commuters the chance to renew season tickets at old prices.
Despite a seven-year freeze against prices rising higher than inflation, this hike ‘is the
lowest actual increase in price in four years’, according to the Department for Transport (DfT). A spokesman said: “In total, the Government anticipates providing around £10 billion to protect the railway through its emergency agreements with rail operators.
“Passengers returning to the railway deserve punctual and reliable journeys at a fair price.”
The cost increase is down to the losses made during ‘emergency action’ to keep the trains running for key workers, transferring all revenue and cost risk to the Government.
Richard Porter, secretary of Marlow-Maidenhead Passengers’ Association, said: “The 2.6 per cent increase is hardly the best way to get the rail industry back on its feet as the pandemic is beginning to be brought under control.
“Freezing fares would have been welcome in these difficult times, but we hope that new ticketing options under discussion will work for part time commuters.”
Work is ongoing on attempts to mitigate the rail fare increase. The DfT says it has written to all rail operators to ask that they begin immediate work on developing a flexible season ticket.
These new flexible season tickets will be introduced across England this year. Once introduced, it could save commuters hundreds of pounds on their fares, the Government said.
A spokesman for operator Great Western Railway (GWR) said: “We continue to work with the Government to provide safe and reliable services during the pandemic and look forward to introducing more flexible ticket options to help support economic recovery from COVID-19 very shortly.”
The Maidenhead Advertiser’s publisher, Baylis Media, has teamed up with Kindred to offer financial support for charities struggling during the pandemic.
At a time where charity incomes have been devastated by the cancellation of massparticipation and other fundraising activities, a recent survey found 83 per cent of good causes say its income has been hit, while demand for its services has increased by 75 per cent.
The donation process has now become effortless thanks to the introduction of the ‘Baylis Media Clever Shopping Companion’.
Shoppers will gain access to discounts and cashback on brands, and have the option to donate to a charity special to them.
To use Baylis Media Clever Shopping Companion, download it by visiting www.kindred.charity/baylismedia, and add it to your laptop or desktop browser.
Any time you shop at more than 25,000 brands you can earn cash back, which you can donate a portion or all to a charity of your choice.
Once shoppers have signed up for an account, they can
shop away and the extension will automatically collect the cash back.
This is collected in your account and a percentage is donated to a charity, while another percentage is available to withdraw.
On average, cash back sits at just under 10 per cent, which means you can donate almost £10 for every £100 you spend.
Those who install the extension will also be entered into a £250 prize draw.
Head of commercial at Baylis Media, Nicola Rogers, said: “Here at Baylis Media we are always looking at great opportunities for our communities.
“This seemed like a perfect fit with our business, giving our readers the opportunity to purchase branded gifts at a discount and donate to a charity at the same time.”