Council Finances - Where we are now. - Page 4

garinda · 05-06-2011, 14:11

I'm a little confused.

Even though I wasn't going to apply this year, because of the economic climate, I was contacted and offered £350.00 for the Hyndburn/Ribble Valley Parkinson's support group, from the Big Society pot, or whatever the council called it.

As it wasn't for myself, and will be used to help others, I felt we couldn't refuse it.

After the change of control in May, the newly controlled HBC told us they would honour the pledge, as it had been previously offered, but it would be reduced to £250.00.

This week I received the cheque, on behalf of the support group.

£350.00!

Not complaining. We are genuinely very grateful.

Just a little suprised, and delighted, at the amount.

Neil · 05-06-2011, 15:23

Do what I did, pay it in quick

g jones · 07-06-2011, 20:11

I think the Big Society bids were to be honoured. They were all smallish. Up to £37k?

They were all spent in the first two weeks of the financial year and at the end of month one; May the 5th, nothing was left for the remaining 11 months.

None the less good causes received the money however when groups say they didn't expect it, it just shows what was going on the Council.

Josie Bloggs · 07-06-2011, 20:44

Sounds like something the councils internal audit section should look into and report to scrutiny commitee or who ever. is this something councillors or the mp could ask for?

gynn · 07-06-2011, 21:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by Josie Bloggs

Sounds like something the councils internal audit section should look into and report to scrutiny commitee or who ever. is this something councillors or the mp could ask for?

I'm sure the Chair of the Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee will call for a full report on the distribution of Big Society Grants. The report will have to set out the process followed in allocating the grants, especially:-

1 How applications were invited.
2. What were the criteria.
3. Which applications were rejected and why.
4. In particular, what was the exact series of events leading to the allocation and payment of the grant to the Parkinsons Disease society.

We will await the answers on this forum.

garinda · 08-06-2011, 07:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by g jones

I think the Big Society bids were to be honoured. They were all smallish. Up to £37k?

They were all spent in the first two weeks of the financial year and at the end of month one; May the 5th, nothing was left for the remaining 11 months.

None the less good causes received the money however when groups say they didn't expect it, it just shows what was going on the Council.

Well the Parkinson's support group are very grateful to the council, for honouring the pledge.

Thank you to whoever rubber stamped it.

garinda · 08-06-2011, 14:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by gynn

4. In particular, what was the exact series of events leading to the allocation and payment of the grant to the Parkinsons Disease society.

We will await the answers on this forum.

Why on earth should the Chair of the Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee give answers on this forum?

Why are we to be singled out, when our grant is but a small percentage of money pledged?

If you really like to know, I'll illustrate the 'events leading to the allocation' for you.

As a member of the committee of the Hyndburn/Ribble Valley Parkinson's disease support group, an affiliated member of the charity Parkinson's UK, I contacted one of my councillors, three years ago.

The councillor was Cllr. Britcliffe.

I've been one of the most vocal critics of HBC under his leadership, but he was professional, friendly, and very helpful. As I knew he would be.

I was enquiring if there was cheaper accommodation in the borough, where we could hold out meetings. We currently hire the Supper Room in Accrington Town Hall.

Cllr. Britcliffe did some research, and there wasn't a cheaper alternative available on Saturdays. He then suggested I write to the council, saying what support we offer to people with Parkinson's, and their families.

I was later informed the council would award us a grant, which would cover the hire of the Supper Room from HBC.

This I did in 2009 and 2010, until this year, when we were told they would consider funding our annual room hire again. I therefore applied, and was subsequently told we'd been awarded £350.00.

As stated previously, after control changed at the council, we were told we get less, but ultimately the new council honoured the initial pledge.

Again, on behalf of the eighty (plus) of our local members who suffer from this incurable, degenerative disease, I thank HBC for providing the means to fund our accommodation, where we can continue offering support, help, and friendship, to those affected by the condition.

Margaret Pilkington · 08-06-2011, 15:02

G, I honestly don't think Josie was having a go at your organisation....I think she was just questioning why the amounts had gone ahead as planned, even though everyone was told to expect cuts.

From my limited contact with your group, I know that you offer invaluable support and you deserve the help that you have been afforded.

garinda · 08-06-2011, 15:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by Margaret Pilkington

G, I honestly don't think Josie was having a go at your organisation....I think she was just questioning why the amounts had gone ahead as planned, even though everyone was told to expect cuts.

From my limited contact with your group, I know that you offer invaluable support and you deserve the help that you have been afforded.

I know she wasn't.

My reply was to gynn's demands for answers, which I'm more than happy to provide.

If we used the money to crochet artful gonks, I might not be as keen to be so transparent.

garinda · 08-06-2011, 15:10

Until Cllr. Britcliffe suggested I write, and apply for funding, I had no idea that the council awarded small grants to community groups.

For that information I was very grateful, as it meant I didn't have to (literally) rattle my begging bowl elsewhere, to seek funds for our accommodation.

gynn · 08-06-2011, 16:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by garinda

My reply was to gynn's demands for answers, which I'm more than happy to provide.

...and my demand for answers was in no way intended as a slur on the Parkinsons Disease group, but rather to question the process adopted by the Council which:-

a. Appeared to have solicited applications (nothing wrong with that!),
b. Sought to allocate the whole years budget in the first month of the year, before the elections,
c. Made promises of grants which were subsequently reduced, and
d. Then paid the original grant in full.

garinda · 08-06-2011, 17:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by gynn

...and my demand for answers was in no way intended as a slur on the Parkinsons Disease group, but rather to question the process adopted by the Council which:-

a. Appeared to have solicited applications (nothing wrong with that!),
b. Sought to allocate the whole years budget in the first month of the year, before the elections,
c. Made promises of grants which were subsequently reduced, and
d. Then paid the original grant in full.

I'm geting tired of all the political bickering.

The former leader 'solicited' applications from the Big Society pot in the local press, amonst other places.

Personally I refute this was a scorched earth spending policy.

I posted last week, in reply to Graham Jones and Ken Moss, that unlike the last Labour government's idiotic final spending, including the crass note about the treasury being empty, knowing they were going to lose office, this certainly wasn't the case in Hyndburn. The Conservatives could very well have held on to control, after making these pledges to various groups.

I was only informed via a third party that the new council planned to reduce the amount, but subsequently changed their mind, knowing it will benefit many local people.

I thank them for honouring that pledge. As I thank the previously controlled council for offering it to us in the first place.

garinda · 08-06-2011, 17:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by gynn

I'm sure the Chair of the Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee will call for a full report on the distribution of Big Society Grants. The report will have to set out the process followed in allocating the grants, especially:-

1 How applications were invited.
2. What were the criteria.
3. Which applications were rejected and why.
4. In particular, what was the exact series of events leading to the allocation and payment of the grant to the Parkinsons Disease society.

We will await the answers on this forum.

Who exactly were you wanting to answer your questions, 'on this forum'?

This isn't a forum in anyway connected to Hyndburn B.C.

The only regular contributor, who happens to be a member of the ruling party on the council, happens to be landscaping a garden in St. Tropez.

Perhaps you over estimate the power of this forum, and should aim your demands for answers to more offical civic bodies.

garinda · 08-06-2011, 17:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by gynn

...and my demand for answers was in no way intended as a slur on the Parkinsons Disease group

Then why single us out by naming us, and specifically demanding to know further details, and make no mention of the many other recipients?

garinda · 08-06-2011, 17:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by gynn

...and my demand for answers was in no way intended as a slur on the Parkinsons Disease group, but rather to question the process adopted by the Council which:-

a. Appeared to have solicited applications (nothing wrong with that!),
b. Sought to allocate the whole years budget in the first month of the year, before the elections,
c. Made promises of grants which were subsequently reduced, and
d. Then paid the original grant in full.

I've thought you a bit of a prat for a while.

Today confirms it.

Your card's now marked.