Mike Ashley pledges to do ‘what?s best for Newcastle?
But staff are unhappy at the prospect of having to go without toast, cups of tea and desk fans and claim the move will only serve to further depress morale.
The action plan was revealed in a report to councillors which shows the authority’s fuel bill topped £10million last year, including £3.5million for gas and £5.8million for electricity.
Among the proposed measures are the ‘removal of all non-council kettles, toasters, fridges, fan heaters, and other non-approved appliances from offices and establishments.’
The council is also considering turning off safety lighting in some buildings and car parks during the night and at weekends, and ditching post-it notes in favour of scrap paper.
Belinda Miller, the council’s head of economic and environmental sustainability, outlined ways to meet the ambitious fuel reduction targets in the report.
She said: ‘There is an expectation by staff, elected members and the public that reducing our waste of energy and other resources should be a priority.’
But Mike Middleton, a representative for the GMB union, warned there are not enough canteen facilities in all council buildings and banning such items may hit morale.
He added: ‘Although we appreciate the need for efficiencies, there may be mixed messages that affect staff morale.’
Opposition Labour councillor Willie Young labelled the idea ‘daft’, adding: ‘It will get people’s backs up – you have to be practical.’
Councillor John Stewart, of the ruling Liberal Democrat / SNP coalition, said nothing had been approved, but was worried that banning toasters and kettles would lead to a demand for council-approved ‘replacements’.
He also questioned the proposals to teach staff to drive more efficiently, arguiing: ‘You’ve got to balance the cost of training against the projected financial savings.’
Earlier this year, it was earlier revealed that the council’s temporary chief executive, Bob Coomber, a financial expert from London, would earn £1,000 a day to sort out its money troubles.
Dear Mr Broad, i hope this helps answer your question. What a waste of space and council taxpayers money.

The whole pub industry is in decline as stated in the article above with the government policy being to increase the tax on beer what hope is there? in the Uk we are taxed 8 times more than in France for our booze in the pubs.

Brewers have seen profits plummet by almost 80 percent, and claimed brewers make 0.7 pence per pint profit, compared to the average 33 pence per pint they pay in taxes.

High taxes and greed have condemned the great British pub to a slow death.

As stated in an article in The Independent “The British Beer & Pub Association warned the Government that it is set to lose more than £250m in tax revenues this year, if the current rate of pub closures continues”

Once again a british institution is forced to close due to rising taxes from this government.

Ms Smiths other comment ““clinging to power when you are not really wanted” could be levelled at a certain Mr Brown

Definately a spin doctor who has come out with some very questioable things in his time, I certainly would take what he says with a very large pinch of salt