Council get something right!! - Page 5

garinda · 06-03-2005, 14:52

No offence to anyone, but should we have people in charge of such a vast budget, who aren't professional? Should councillers be paid a more attractive salary, rather than expenses? Would it attract people who wouldn't let these mistakes happen?

Acrylic-bob · 06-03-2005, 14:55

Actually I think it would attract Career Politicians who would hold themselves even less accountable.

Graham Jones · 06-03-2005, 14:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by Acrylic-bob

>>Especially as l know as fact that every claim for injury is settled without contest.<<

How much does that cost us?

Funnily enough one of Lord Britcliffes efficeiency savings last year was to reduce insurance costs by simply agreeing a greater excess on the policy. Trips and bumps had an excess of £1000 but that is now £5000. So every lost claim is £5000. I dont think they have lost to many as yet but the legal department [with the cuts and the ELEVATE housing programme] is overstretched.

The lastest shoddy section is the top of Broadway past the shops up for sale near scope. Like a water bed.

The Market Square Development has just had final hadn over about three week ago so up to that point all claims were the responsibilities of the developers [of which I think we are a third - not clear on what liability we had then for trips]

The issue was the sand based flagging could not survive the suction of the 4 wheel street sweepers and so they became washed out and unstable. The contractors blamed the Council but evidently you cant get one of those machines down by the bus stops along the market pavillions so it was poor workmanship. The Council coughed up [I think] £10,000?? for its share of the repairs which delayed final signing of contracts.

Graham Jones · 06-03-2005, 15:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by garinda

No offence to anyone, but should we have people in charge of such a vast budget, who aren't professional? Should councillers be paid a more attractive salary, rather than expenses? Would it attract people who wouldn't let these mistakes happen?

Everyone thinks they are right, politicians especially, after all someone voted them in so they must be.

The reality is very few actually question if they are right and recently in Hyndburn people have proven they are taken in by what is said by Lord Haw Haw Britcliffe and printed by his papers, the Observer and LET. Ok I am being cyncial but Hyndburn BC is morally corrupt in my view.

Acrylic-bob · 06-03-2005, 15:07

>> Ok I am being cyncial but Hyndburn BC is morally corrupt in my view <<

How refreshing! but as a one of the people of Hyndburn i think I can safely say that I am not in the least taken in by the Idiot in Chief, nor are many members of this site.

I think part of the problem is that people recognise the faults and failings of the council but do not know how to make their voices heard or how to affect change other than by the ballot box, and an awful lot of damage can be done between one election and the next.

park381 · 06-03-2005, 15:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by Acrylic-bob

>>Especially as l know as fact that every claim for injury is settled without contest.<<

How much does that cost us?

Think HBC will have insurance cover for that type of thing, but with loads of claims it could have a knock on effect, increased premiums, thus increase our council tax

Graham Jones · 06-03-2005, 15:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by garinda

No offence to anyone, but should we have people in charge of such a vast budget, who aren't professional? Should councillers be paid a more attractive salary, rather than expenses? Would it attract people who wouldn't let these mistakes happen?

I theory the officers are professional and the politicians take their advice. In practice they bully one another. Cllr Britcliffes problem is he has no idea and is easily influenced on 80% of things, and there have been some empire builders. The other 20% is the newspaper stuff where he knows how to say the right thing to get the most votes - as opposed to doing the right thing.

Graham Jones · 06-03-2005, 15:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by park381

Think HBC will have insurance cover for that type of thing, but with loads of claims it could have a knock on effect, increased premiums, thus increase our council tax

Yes it having an effect. All teh ambulance chasers with glossy TV ads are being funded by claims against companies and councils. The Councils insurers are Zurich Interbnational and all claims are assessed and dealt with by them in conjunction. I believe there have not been many winning claims against the Council. last time the debate came up I argued for a tough it out policy.

Then there was 9/11 and civic buildings don't come chaep. I think insurances have doubled in 3 years. I would have to check that.

Acrylic-bob · 06-03-2005, 15:25

>> Then there was 9/11 and civic buildings don't come chaep.<<

Oh come on Graham, How much kudos is Al Quaida going to generate for itself by bombing Accrington? And if they did, I am sure that the larger part of the country would regard it as doing the nation a favour. The only people to benefit out of that sort of thing is the insurance companies.

Graham Jones · 06-03-2005, 15:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by Acrylic-bob

>> Ok I am being cyncial but Hyndburn BC is morally corrupt in my view <<

How refreshing! but as a one of the people of Hyndburn i think I can safely say that I am not in the least taken in by the Idiot in Chief, nor are many members of this site.

I think part of the problem is that people recognise the faults and failings of the council but do not know how to make their voices heard or how to affect change other than by the ballot box, and an awful lot of damage can be done between one election and the next.

Quite right. HBC now has that much debt it would be an argument in itself for merging with Burnley and Pendle and Blackburn. The last 5 years have been disastrous for the ratepayer. Debts are now at £27million pounds [excluding Council House debts] and will cripple the Council for at least the next 10 years. Unless external monies are brought in I cant see how any improvements can take place over this time.

Graham Jones · 06-03-2005, 15:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by Acrylic-bob

>> Then there was 9/11 and civic buildings don't come chaep.<<

Oh come on Graham, How much kudos is Al Quaida going to generate for itself by bombing Accrington? And if they did, I am sure that the larger part of the country would regard it as doing the nation a favour. The only people to benefit out of that sort of thing is the insurance companies.

funny!!!!!!!!!!

park381 · 06-03-2005, 15:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by garinda

No offence to anyone, but should we have people in charge of such a vast budget, who aren't professional? Should councillers be paid a more attractive salary, rather than expenses? Would it attract people who wouldn't let these mistakes happen?

lol thought that was why we have chief officers within the council are they not the professionals, I was thinking if HBC has such a big debt, then perhaps the Cllr's could take a cut in their expenses to help out.

Graham Jones · 06-03-2005, 15:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by park381

lol thought that was why we have chief officers within the council are they not the professionals, I was thinking if HBC has such a big debt, then perhaps the Cllr's could take a cut in their expenses to help out.

your perfectly entitled to ask what councillors got what expenses last year under the new Freedom of Information Act. could be quite revealing. previously they printed them i the paper as a legal obligation but excluded travel and other special allowances and away day jaunts and junckets like the one recently to Peebles.

Acrylic-bob · 06-03-2005, 15:35

Is bankruptcy an option?

Graham Jones · 06-03-2005, 15:37

curioslu no. Councils cant go bancrupt. What happens is the Governemtn comes in and its auditors take over the council, bit like a football club going into administration. They then flog everything and cut everything till they get a balance that will continue. So for instance the Coppice could be sold and the ratepayers wouldn't have say. It wouldn't get planning permission of course and I believe it may be protected by gift of covenant.