Councillors expenses

[garinda]

Originally Posted by Ken Moss

I was in a meeting up at Scaitcliffe this lunchtime and butties were provided.

Now whilst I wouldn't knock the quality of what was on offer, I would question whether we really needed them. I wasn't particularly hungry but I felt compelled to indulge because they were there.

In all seriousness I think we should knock them on the head and save a few thousand quid a year.

Who does the catering?

I know Hearn's did quite a bit for the council.

Though that was before the recent electon in Baxenden, won by the new Cllr. Hearn.

[Ken Moss]

Originally Posted by katex

Can't say I entirely agree with you Ken ... some councillors may have had to use their lunch time break at work to attend this meeting and, again, would only suit the better off councillors who have the luxury of not having to worry about this. Besides, wouldn't want yer blood sugars dropping .. addles the brain...

Sort of, but I class myself as one of the less better off councillors and it has been of no hardship to me to make a packed lunch in a morning when I know I will be working away from home that day. It might sound like a really small thing but if the council tightens up on bills of a few thousand here and there we're moving in the right direction to avoiding laying people off.

[Ken Moss]

Originally Posted by garinda

Who does the catering?

I know Hearn's did quite a bit for the council.

Though that was before the recent electon in Baxenden, won by the new Cllr. Hearn.

Yes, Cllr Hurn does the catering. Not entirely sure of the ethics of that but it's a small point.

My own waistline, much like council spending, is in need of trimming so that's another reason.

[garinda]

Originally Posted by Ken Moss

Yes, Cllr Hurn does the catering. Not entirely sure of the ethics of that but it's a small point.

My own waistline, much like council spending, is in need of trimming so that's another reason.

Smells a bit fishy.

Not good, when it's eggy cress butties.

[katex]

Originally Posted by Ken Moss

Sort of, but I class myself as one of the less better off councillors and it has been of no hardship to me to make a packed lunch in a morning when I know I will be working away from home that day. It might sound like a really small thing but if the council tightens up on bills of a few thousand here and there we're moving in the right direction to avoiding laying people off.

But you work for yourself, do you not ?

Originally Posted by Ken Moss

My own waistline, much like council spending, is in need of trimming so that's another reason.

Just because you may have overindulged in the past, does not mean that all Councillors feel the need to do this ...

[Ken Moss]

Originally Posted by garinda

Smells a bit fishy.

Not good, when it's eggy cress butties.

None of those today, a very suspect omission from the sandwich repertoire.

No corned dog either.

Or Spam.

The good old traditions of this mill town are being allowed to die by a corrupt council.

[garinda]

Originally Posted by Ken Moss

None of those today, a very suspect omission from the sandwich repertoire.

No corned dog either.

Or Spam.

The good old traditions of this mill town are being allowed to die by a corrupt council.

Is the catering at HBC contracted out, and if so, for how long?

Not saying anything's amiss. Just seems a bit odd that it's being done by a firm with close family ties to a councillor.

I remember a while ago some bigwig banging on about HBC striving to be a Fair Trade council.

Are your biccies and brews still Fair Trade?

Handpicked, by smiling and happy piccanninies?

Savings could be made there.

[Ken Moss]

Originally Posted by katex

But you work for yourself, do you not ?

Yes I do, but on the days where I'm out landscaping I leave the house at around 8am so a packed lunch is a pre-requisite. On the days where I am editing it isn't so awkward but we're still getting a free lunch and there aren't many places that do that.

Just because you may have overindulged in the past, does not mean that all Councillors feel the need to do this ...

Then we must think of the staff who live in fear of the chop.....

[Ken Moss]

Originally Posted by garinda

Is the catering at HBC contracted out, and if so, for how long?

Not saying anything's amiss. Just seems a bit odd that it's being done by a firm with close family ties to a councillor.

I remember a while ago some bigwig banging on about HBC striving to be a Fair Trade council.

Are your biccies and brews still Fair Trade?

Handpicked, by smiling and happy piccanninies?

Savings could be made there.

Don't know about that. I've certainly not had biccies at any meeting while I've been a councillor although I did suggest some time ago that miniscule subs for tea and coffee wouldn't go amiss.

We have actually had a Fairtrade report not long ago and the council does qualify.

[garinda]

Originally Posted by Ken Moss

We have actually had a Fairtrade report not long ago and the council does qualify.

'Hyndburn is currently trying to achieve Fairtrade status and residents of Hyndburn are being asked to buy at least one item of Fairtrade goods each week to support this.'

http://www.accringtonweb.com/forum/f...ght-20196.html

Perhaps we should start a scheme in which people are encouraged to buy at least one item from a town centre shop, or market stall, and freely support their trade, before they've all gone.

[claytonender]

I was at the same meeting as Ken, but I had already eaten my sandwiches (a chicken teacake - made at home) before I went into the meeting. I really can't se any reason why HBC should be providing food for councillors at lunchtime, even if they have been in an earlier meeting. When I was working I either took a homemade sandwich to work or bought one.

[garinda]

Let's just hope that if it is decided that there's a conflict of interests, and Cllr. Hurn's given the push, they don't get Aldo Zilli in to make their butties.

[jaysay]

Originally Posted by Ken Moss

Both left alone playing with our balls or spurned like someone who isn't welcome at their party? I've always been quite good at Solitaire and the thought of Conservative Blind Man's Buff conjures up all sorts of unpleasant imagery.

I'll just have to learn to live without him.

I'm sure that will be the hardest task you've ever taken on

[jaysay]

Originally Posted by katex

Can't say I entirely agree with you Ken ... some councillors may have had to use their lunch time break at work to attend this meeting and, again, would only suit the better off councillors who have the luxury of not having to worry about this. Besides, wouldn't want yer blood sugars dropping .. addles the brain...

First of all Kate what brainbut seriously, I know a councillor (not PB) who has regularly left home at 9-30am and not returned home until after 9pm.

[jaysay]

Originally Posted by garinda

Smells a bit fishy.

Not good, when it's eggy cress butties.

No more fishy than Doltons doing printing for HBC