"The elephant in the room"

'This is what Sheffield Council's budget will mean for you', published on Monday, February 10. Reporter Lucy Ashton gave us countless reasons for the costs and the subsequent rises in our council taxes, emphasising the 'increasing demand for services', but not once does she explain the reasons for the increased demand.

There is, however, one howling omission from the increased costs of administering the financial affairs of this corporation and that is the spiralling cost of public sector pensions.

This is the elephant in the room that everyone seems to deliberately avoid talking about, but which must be addressed.

Up and down the country the number of ex-council employees and others funded by our taxes are going up every year, no doubt due to longevity.

A few years ago, I read of one council who's pensions bill was taking at least 30 per cent of the council tax income, which surely does not meet with the taxpayers’ approval.

I have noted this seems to be a problem in the United States and other countries around the world, not just the UK, and it is not being addressed.

Everyone contributes towards state-funded pensions, benefits and healthcare, but it seems a select group of public service positions receive money from the local taxpayer to enjoy in their retirement and at the expense of keeping or improving local services.

When everything else is cut to the bone, these pension pots are no doubt protected, indeed gold-plated.

I just wonder what percentage of our council tax is being used to fund the retirement lifestyles of these ex-employees and those yet to retire? Perhaps the council can inform them? Maybe we should demand to know?