Just Received Bad News Today.

[Nigel H-J]

A meeting was held by our Head of Department today and the news he has given us is not good for it has been announced that due to government cuts to local authorities C.C.T.V. may have to close down!!

A decision will be made in the forthcoming months by councillors and we should know by the very latest in six months whether or not we will have to cease operating or face severe cuts.

I have been employed by the council for 15 years operating cameras with only five and a half years to retirement so just hoping that they will keep C.C.T.V. operational otherwise it will be the dole queue no doubt and won't that mess up my pension!!

Many other councils are in the same position in having to make cuts and redundancies but even knowing that does not help with the situation that we are facing, sorry to bear my bad news in this way but just came as a complete shock and needed to get it off me chest!!

Obviously if we are forced to close down then this will certainly have an impact on me keeping in contact with you guys as will not have any access to internet apart from the library and even then depends very much on if one is available.

Again, sorry for writing on doom and gloom. In the meantime it's work as usual, back to the cameras!!

Regards
Nigel.

[airboatr]

Hey Nigel
Facing uncertainty is never easy , I hope things will work out for you mate.
ATB

Joe

[Garry Russell]

Hi Nigel

Sorry to read this.......it must be awful with this in the back of your mind

I just hope it doesn't come to that

[petermcleland]

That is very bad luck Nigel...I sincerely hope that something turns up for you. Do you have any ideas about an alternative employment?

[ianhind]

Nigel

Sorry to hear that - similar experience 10 years ago but I was lucky enough to find another job. Not sure what the situation would be like now.

Assuming your part of this: http://www.lincoln.gov.uk/Info_page_two ... rt_id=9292, the local papers might like to know why statements like "plays a key role in allaying crime and the fear of crime" are not a good reason to keep CCTV?

If you are a local government employee, there are likely to be published rules that they have to follow if you are made redundant. A quick Google search refers to "augmented pensions". They didn't have these at the company I worked for but might be worth finding out the possibility of getting 5 years added to your pension and then asking if you could take it now without any reduction for taking it early. Not saying that is ideal, but getting a full pension would take the pressure off. They might even be happy to do all that if it means someone went "voluntarily". Then you could find another job and be laughing!

Something to think about and some internet reading for you .

Ian

[jonesey2k]

I'm sure should the worst happen that you'd be able to find something.

Got made redundant last September. Never bothered signing on and managed to find another job a few months later doing almost the exact same thing but in an environment 100 times better. Pay wasn't as good but morale was miles better. Result!

[Nigel H-J]

Many thanks for your kind comments, Peter, unfortunately have no idea of what alternative employment I would be able to go for as I am disabled with mobillity problems now, usd to drive HGVs' until a dog ran in front of my motorbike, and because of the injuries sustained arthritis has now set in both knees as well as my foot also have a heart condition including a bulge in the heart so anything involving walking or heavy lifting is out of the question, do have limited office experience. If the worst comes to the worst will have to find something that involves sitting down!!!

Ian, you found my place of work!! Many thanks for the pointer regarding taking early pension this will certainly help should they do decide to close C.C.T.V. As written earlier, no decision has yet been made and I think the deciding factor will be left to the committee (Councillors) I know from past experience that they do hold us in high regard and are very quick to appraise the work we do but at the end of the day it all comes down to finances and equally we are not a revenue earner as such. Just hoping that pressure will be forthcoming from certain quarters as without C.C.T.V. this would put greater pressure on the police especially when they too are facing cuts. Nothing yet is in black and white apart from either complete shut down or severe cuts to manning.

Hi Jonesey, do hope that if it comes to the worst I will be able to find something but one problem is the age thingy!!

Again, many thanks for your kind comments Iwill keep you informed as to what developes.

Kind regards
Nigel.

[Paul K]

All the very best, Nigel. It must be a worrying time for you.

[simondix]

I know the feeling, I have had the sword of redundancy hanging over me for the last 18 months. That is despite a promie by our management in writing and verbally our jobs were safe.

It is odd I would have thought with the Police cutbacks CCTV would be needed more than ever. But then that would mean our intelligent leaders would have to use a bit of common sense

[Tomliner]

Sorry to hear this Nigel.There is just a possibility that this might be a bit of phsychological pressure from managers who have no more idea about what will happen than anyone else but who think panicking the workforce might keep them on their toes.The cynic in me(yes,there is one)says that using cctv is much cheaper than bobbies on the beat so therefore the beancounters may decide to retain the facility and staff.Fingers crossed eh? EricT