Tough choices, but the right ones?

The city council’s controversial budget has been approved. It’s a budget that affects everyone in the city and it’s one which leaves big questions unanswered. Should the city invest hundreds of millions in a controversial energy park? There are no guarantees of success if it goes ahead and no obvious alternatives if it doesn’t. That debate is far from over and will get more heated in the coming weeks. Campaigners have a right to feel aggrieved on some areas. Should a council that can’t afford £ 110,000 to keep children’s play centres open be approving £ 150,000 to keep a preserved steam locomotive running? The Nene Valley Railway loco City of Peterborough is a superb thing that attracts tourists, but shouldn’t its future be secured by fundraising rather than a council donation? Should a council that wants to save money by phasing out meals on wheels be spending £ 80,000 on publishing its ownYour Peterborough magazine four times a year instead of two? The council has to balance its books and faces some no- win choices, but those whocampaigned against cuts have a right to question whether the protests and petitions made during the ‘ consultation’ had any effect at all. In these tough economic times there are still some whowill dig deep for a good cause. It is fantastic news that brave Jenson Ford will get the medical treatment he needs thanks to community fundraisers and an incredibly generous benefactor who gave £ 25,000. And well done to Mayor of Peterborough George Simons and wife Sylvia whose tireless fundraising has helped keep the Rudolf Fund making dreams come true for those who need it most. Truly marvellous efforts.