Council get something right!! - Page 14

Bazf · 09-03-2005, 13:15

Despite many people's views on PB, it has to be admitted by all that when the leader of a local council comments on an issue, it will generate more interest than when a backbencher speaks.

Why? Are you saying that backbenchers dont need to be reported on or that if by some sort of nepotism a person becomes a leader he is then more eloquent and knows more about the subject matter so therefore has to have more time given to him. Seems like the local press is getting more like the nationals by having an agenda to report only what they want to hear.

dillon · 09-03-2005, 13:46

Well no. What I said was, 'it will generate more interest than when a backbencher speaks.' That is why, I'm afraid, most of the comments on Accringtonweb centre around our esteemed council leader!! And not, for instance, worthy councillors who work just as hard for their area. Ann Scaife for instance, or Dave Parkins, whom I know many people admire.
When PB comments on an issue, he is doing so as the leader of the council. So if he says something controversial, or positive, he is also commenting 'on behalf' of the authority as a whole. It's like when Tony Blair speaks, we pay more attention than when for instance Peter Pike, MP for Burnley speaks. It's just the nature of the game.
However, backbenchers should be reported on more I fully agree.

park381 · 09-03-2005, 16:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by dillon

Well no. What I said was, 'it will generate more interest than when a backbencher speaks.' That is why, I'm afraid, most of the comments on Accringtonweb centre around our esteemed council leader!! And not, for instance, worthy councillors who work just as hard for their area. Ann Scaife for instance, or Dave Parkins, whom I know many people admire.
When PB comments on an issue, he is doing so as the leader of the council. So if he says something controversial, or positive, he is also commenting 'on behalf' of the authority as a whole. It's like when Tony Blair speaks, we pay more attention than when for instance Peter Pike, MP for Burnley speaks. It's just the nature of the game.
However, backbenchers should be reported on more I fully agree.

Yes, it would be good if there were more like Graham Jones, got to have respect for the guy, for contributing to this topic in such an open way.

dillon · 09-03-2005, 16:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by park381

Yes, it would be good if there were more like Graham Jones, got to have respect for the guy, for contributing to this topic in such an open way.

So open it may get him in trouble! I imagine PB wouldn't appreciate being labelled as corrupt in an open forum other than a council meeting. (Where Graham can basically say what he wants without facing legal ramifications thanks to our libel laws!)
But it would be nice to hear from others. Anyone know any friendly, computer literate councillors?

Graham Jones · 09-03-2005, 22:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by dillon

So open it may get him in trouble! I imagine PB wouldn't appreciate being labelled as corrupt in an open forum other than a council meeting. (Where Graham can basically say what he wants without facing legal ramifications thanks to our libel laws!)
But it would be nice to hear from others. Anyone know any friendly, computer literate councillors?

Morally corrupt. [R U an officer?] Anyway there are some things that arent exempt in Council. Basically you have to believe truely what you are asking and you are exempt as I understand it.

As for the papers I think you make some good points. PB does get stick. With a sense of balance, PB should get the benefit of being OUR democratically elected leader. It difficult to measure what is fair and what is fair. Out of curiosity I calculated the last week in Feb Ob and the week following and in column cm it was [Feb 27] 80 CON 11 LAB [Mar 5] 181 CON 80 LAB.

dillon · 10-03-2005, 07:58

Out of curiosity I calculated the last week in Feb Ob and the week following and in column cm it was [Feb 27] 80 CON 11 LAB [Mar 5] 181 CON 80 LAB.[/QUOTE]
I would love to see more stories from the opposition's point of view. I imagine at times Labour would have far more to say than the Cons, so use that! Rant and rave a bit, have a go at the Cons' policies! Dig the dirt for us! It's the councillors who have the power, not us in most cases!

Bazf · 10-03-2005, 12:00

What newspapers have no power!!!!!!! what about the slagging off and lies that a certain Accy Observer has done to Stanley over the season and picked up and used in the LET did anyone on those papers check facts or did they just use a headline to sell more papers.

dillon · 10-03-2005, 12:52

"What newspapers have no power!!!!!!! what about the slagging off and lies that a certain Accy Observer has done to Stanley over the season and picked up and used in the LET did anyone on those papers check facts or did they just use a headline to sell more papers."

Now there speaks a Stanley fan!
I was saying that the councillors have more power than US, not more power than newspapers!
I repeat, "It's the councillors who have the power, not us in most cases!"

That is why I feel more councillors should take part in a forum like this, where the real views of members of the public can get their views aired without interruption .

Acrylic-bob · 10-03-2005, 13:08

Let's face it chaps, neither The Accrington Observer and Times nor The Lancashire Evening Telegraph are renowned for investigative journalism, fair and balanced reporting or factual accuracy.

dillon · 10-03-2005, 14:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by Acrylic-bob

Let's face it chaps, neither The Accrington Observer and Times nor The Lancashire Evening Telegraph are renowned for investigative journalism, fair and balanced reporting or factual accuracy.

Fairs fair though, they do try their best. I seem to remember the LET reporting from ground zero New York, and from france when a Blackburn woman was murdered a few years ago.
Now, I have lived in Preston, and the LET and Observer keep our local council bods far more 'in check' than the Preston paper, the evening post.
But like I said, it's up to us to change things! See you at the next full council or cabinet meeting. I will share my megaphone!

Uncle Mick · 10-03-2005, 17:46

Residents in the Ribble Valley have got a thousand name petition against the panopticon to be sited at Kemple End near Stoneyhurst College. Countryside by quango, Who wants it?

park381 · 10-03-2005, 18:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uncle Mick

Residents in the Ribble Valley have got a thousand name petition against the panopticon to be sited at Kemple End near Stoneyhurst College. Countryside by quango, Who wants it?

Good for them, shall we send PB over with his now famous words "no,no,no"

KiTChener · 10-03-2005, 19:49

Wow, what an interesting thread.

Been offline for a few days, taken me about an hour just to read it!!

Nothing useful to add, other than to thank all contributors for such an interesting read!
Especially Graham for his sometimes candid comments... wish we had more councillors like him, whatever their political persuasion.... I'll certainly question more closely those guys that come canvassing in next few weeks, rather than, as normally, just try to get rid of them so I can get back to the telly!!
Hope that Graham has time to be a regular participant on here.

Uncle Mick · 10-03-2005, 22:18

Actually I`ve been looking at the panopticon design for Kemple End. It`s a stone wall with a lens in it. Now imagine this at the height of summer on tinder dry moorland, with the suns rays focussed on the surrounding grass.... Do these people use there brains or is "Art" the be all and end all?

park381 · 10-03-2005, 22:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uncle Mick

Actually I`ve been looking at the panopticon design for Kemple End. It`s a stone wall with a lens in it. Now imagine this at the height of summer on tinder dry moorland, with the suns rays focussed on the surrounding grass.... Do these people use there brains or is "Art" the be all and end all?

Na, these people are clever designers, they'd have thought about all that, the lens will automatically turn away from the sun

sorry !!