Sir, – While the potential of Brexit might be holding most readers’ attention at the moment, for the shopkeepers of Angus High Streets disaster has already struck.
All businesses are used to dealing with the never-ending threats to their livelihood.
We moan, complain and then set about dealing with whatever new obstacle appears in front of us.
However, one obstacle that cannot be overcome is the absence of customers.
No customers equals no business.
After 45 years trading in Carnoustie and with an interest in many of its High Street shops, I am now witnessing the most harmful and devastating assault on its High Street.
Without exception, the population of Carnoustie can see the daily disappearance of cars and pedestrians from the town centre; these same potential customers are turning up in Monifieth, Broughty Ferry, Dundee and the local out of town retail park.
The draconian parking restrictions in this small commuter town lacks thought, initiative and intelligence and while I can only speak with authority on Carnoustie, I understand this is being replicated in other towns throughout Angus with similar devastating consequences.
When we elect our local representatives we expect them to act in our best interest and if they do not, they should stand aside.
The current situation is catastrophic and something has to be done urgently to address it.
D V Jones,
6 Knowes Loan,
Barry.
Councillors let locals down
Sir, – As someone who obviously doesn’t stay anywhere within Angus Council area, I may be overstepping my mark.
This disastrous decision about car parking fees to supposedly alleviate some of their costs due to funding cuts is going to be the death knell for the local shops.
It will steer the shoppers to the supermarkets and shopping malls where there is free parking – talk about supplying nails for the coffin.
I very rarely venture into Dundee city centre and judging by the amount of cars parked daily in the two shopping centres off the Kingsway, I am not alone.
Forfar, Kirriemuir, Brechin and all the rest of the charming small towns have always been about local businesses and local produce, but that does not appear to be of any importance to the councillors in Angus.
It seems in this day and age that once you are voted in as a councillor, you immediately cease to listen to the people who put you there.
Hopefully they will see sense before it is too late for the high streets.
Bill Duthie,
25 St Fillans Road,
Dundee.
Need for charity transparency
Sir, – I feel I must back Mr Cross’s letter (Courier, November 26) and take a stance against the unaccountability of many national charities because I am beginning to suspect that too much of the income is, in many cases, taken up by supposed “administration”.
There is surely a simple way of letting the public know the truth, and that is by showing with each advertisement the ratio of money collected by the charity when set against the actual sum used for the benefit of the “end-user”.
This could be certified by reputable accountants.
That ratio figure would hold true whether the beneficiaries of those widely-published advertisements were aged humans, starving children, pet animals, overworked donkeys or snow-leopards.
The plethora of money-seeking advertisements on TV is quite amazing and if advertising legislation required the top left-hand corner of the screen to show a simple beneficiary ratio figure (for example 3p per £1 or 97p per £1) all viewers would know which advertisements were most worthy of their support and which were “top-heavy” with administration – simple and effective.
Archibald A Lawrie,
5 Church Wynd,
Kingskettle.
Regulations must be tighter
Sir, – As usual at this time of year, begging letters from charities start pouring in.
This week already I have received three.
I have also seen the big advertisements in the newspapers, all of which have heartrending and highly emotional stories.
What I think way over the top, even bordering on the edge of bullying, is that all these charities set the minimum amounts for donation.
The minimum amount set is usually between £10 and £20.
Only somewhere in a very small corner can one find a place to fill in a smaller amount than the minimum the charities mention in their letters.
For scores of people, like the elderly living on a small state pension or the disabled these so-called “minimum” amounts are unaffordable
Emotional blackmail is also used, to make people feel guilty for not donating the minimum.
People are afraid that the are judged as being a “Scrooge”and pay the minimum amount, even though they can not afford it.
I remember the case of a man discovering that his mother had paid out £40,000 in a couple of years, due to the pressure she had been put under by a charity.
I always thought donating to charities was voluntarily and not a must.
Don’t get me wrong, we do donate but only what we want and when we want.
What happens to the massive amounts of money the big charities get from donations?
There is rarely clarity over the purpose of the charity money and how much is used to pay the managers and workers, especially the managing directors.
I think it is time that all these charity incomes are publicised to show the public and donors exactly what is being done with the money.
As well as that, the way charities ask or request donations must be regulated to protect people, from being effectively robbed of their income by the sheer force and mental pressure imposed.
Maaike Cook,
Cash Feus,
Strathmiglo.
TV debate not necessary
Sir, – What is the point of a televised debate between Eurosceptics Jeremy Corbyn and Theresa May?
We can see them having a go at each other most days during televised parliamentary exchanges.
Even if the debate was opened out to include other political parties, as it should be, the general public would have no meaningful influence without having the right to vote on the outcome.
As no general election has been called the BBC were very remiss in suggesting this debate.
Also the politicians should get on with their job in the House where proper meaningful debate can take place and stop wasting the time that we don’t have in dealing with this burning issue.
Ian Auchterlonie,
93 Denoon Terrace,
Dundee.
We should now accept the result
Sir, – I’m sure that I voted in what is known as a referendum fairly recently?
This is defined as a general vote by the electorate on a single political question which has been referred to them for a direct decision.
I believe various peoples and parties now want this rerun as they don’t think it was the correct decision for them.
Does this now mean that if, after the next general election, the winning party doesn’t deliver on all of its promises (ahem) and deliver everything under the sun then a further general election must be held without reference to the fixed period?
I don’t understand this as democracy and that’s why I’m confused.
Mike Diack,
14 Biggin Wa’s,
Kirkcaldy.
Top marks for healthcare
Sir, – In dancing parlance it is strictly a 10 for Ninewells Hospital.
Over a period of months I have had cataracts removed from both eyes.
On each occasion, I received the utmost skill and care in surgery.
Nursing staff could not have been more attentive and respectful while working in pristine, clean conditions.
It is interesting to note in these Brexit times that surgeons, first from Cameroon then Greece, treated me.
And, on a previous time at Stracathro Hospital, my hernia operation was carried out by a surgeon from Libya.
It is comforting to know that other nations come to the aid of our national health so effectively.
Ron Caird,
East Station Place,
Newport-on-Tay.
