Police funds gap worrying

The news revealed in a new report by Audit Scotland that the Scottish Police had a looming cumulative funding gap of £190 million by 2020/21 is hugely worrying.

The Audit Scotland report found that Police Scotland continued to suffer from “weak financial leadership and considerable budget pressures”. The Auditor General went on to say that “little could be salvaged” from the failed i6 IT programme, revaluing the asset down to £0.2 million from £19.3 million.

I think the centralisation of the police as Police Scotland has been a major mistake.

The Auditor General has now laid bare the size of the black hole in police funding.

No wonder the police are proposing to close police offices all over South Lanarkshire and across Scotland.

This is the third consecutive year that the auditors have highlighted the dire financial management by Police Scotland.

The IT failure is a major botch up of the kind we have seen with other overlarge organisations.

The Police Scotland funding situation must be sorted out by the Scottish Government very urgently as it is clearly going to hit front line services in communities across the country.

As a local councillor, I find the issue hugely worrying.

Councillor Robert Brown, Rutherglen What stress?? Writing in a national newspaper last week, psychologist Graham Price said “there is more stress around today than there ever has been.” Oh really?

I remember my late father Jack Connor who served in Burma during WW2 being totally flummoxed by this modern idea of ‘stress’. People nowadays are living in unimaginable luxury and yet they are all so discontented - how much more do they want? Indeed. I agree with him.

All anyone needs are the basics of life - a roof over your head, food in your belly and clothes on your back - everything else is extra.

Now here we are “stressed” out, according to the psychologist with all the driving round in comfy cars, making visits to and from friends and relatives, overspending and overeating and drinking.

Well, I have news for him - what about those who are ill, lonely, homeless, unloved - tell them about stress!

There are folk worshipping the great god shopping at the altar of materialism gone mad.

When not doing that, folk young and old are pressing buttons on machines instead of actually talking to one other.

Most folk have all the comforts unheard of even in the 1950s when I was born - centrally heated, double glazed houses, dozens of channels on TV, every electrical appliance, food taken from the freezer and ready in moments in the microwave.

My dad was an engineer and always worked, often away from home.

But we never had a car, had only one or two seaside holidays in Scotland and the pinnacle of achievement which thrilled us all was when we got a colour telly, a fridge, a washing machine and fitted carpets and they were not until the 1970s when all the family were working.

Time to pause as the year comes to an end and be still, grateful for all we have, including all the advances in modern medicine, and take a moment to count our blessings instead of counting how much stuff we have accumulated.

Save the worry and stress for the really big issues in life which come to everyone sooner or later.

Hope everyone has a peaceful, happy and healthy new year.

Dorothy Connor, Flat 0/2, 72 Woodend Road Liberal democracy In recent days, SNP MPs keep mentioning they are “liberal.” Ms Sturgeon herself has even declared she will defend “liberal democracy” in 2017.

It is almost as if Nationalism might become a tainted brand in the coming year.

But someone needs to advise Nicola Sturgeon accurately.

As a rule, liberals don’t march upon and intimidate independent media. Liberals don’t demand public broadcasters are bought under their control, as the SNP does. Also, First Minister, seeking the sacking of critical journalists, like Stephen Daisley, is really not very liberal either.

Liberals don’t ban football songs. A liberal places free speech above offence. And liberals don’t organise the state monitoring of private family life.

Note to Miss Sturgeon: You may be many things. But you are not a defender of liberal freedom. Mrs. C. S. Smith, Via email

Barnardo’s thanks As the year draws to a close, I wanted to take this opportunity to say a big ‘thank you’ to your readers and our supporters for helping to make this, our 150th year, a huge success for Barnardo’s Scotland.

Many of your readers have taken part in a host of challenge events and raised funds through, sweat, tears and sheer determination.

Others have supported events as volunteers, and without this army of support we simply wouldn’t be able to function.

Volunteers are the lifeblood of our charity, supporting fundraising, working in our services and shops.

By shopping and donating to our Barnardo’s Scotland stores in Rutherglen, East Kilbride, Uddingston, Motherwell, Coatbridge and Wishaw, your readers have helped our local services.

The profits from our retail sector go directly to support the charity’s work with some of Scotland’s most disadvantaged children and young people.

And finally thanks to you for supporting us by telling your readers about our events, news and campaigns and helping to raise awareness of the work we do across Lanarkshire.

So a big ‘thank you’ to you and your readers for helping us.

We look forward to their continued support in 2017. Martin Crewe, Director, Barnardo’s Scotland

Book bowel cancer talk Bowel Cancer UK is looking for work places and community groups in Rutherglen to host a free bowel cancer awareness talk.

The free 30-minute talk is delivered by a trained a health promotion volunteer, who often has a personal connection to bowel cancer.

The award-winning programme raises awareness of the disease and good bowel health, highlights the symptoms and risks, and stresses the importance of those who are of screening age to take the bowel cancer screening test when they receive it in the post.

To book email scotadmin@bowelcanceruk.org.uk or call 0131 225 5333.