Hyndburn Council tax set to rise - Page 2

Ken Moss · 23-02-2011, 10:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaysay

I haven't heard one comment from the Labour mod on here about the millions that have been wasted since the Direct Works Department was scraped in 2002, one of the best run, if not the best run departments in Lancashire, a department that actually made money to plough back into the council coffers, now every penny profit made on on maintenance contracts, which before was retained by the council, now goes into the bank accounts of private contractors, now that is political vandalism at its worst

Garinda has rather beaten me to it but my watchword has always been how can we rectify what is wrong here and now rather than laying blame on a previous administration. The problems in this borough lie fairly and squarely with the current administration and we in opposition are all trying our damnedest to try and prevent further waste. Mistakes are always going to be made but some recent ones are so glaring that it simply baffles me how any sane council could think that they are a good idea when the majority of residents are skint.

The best thing I can think of to prevent future waste is to expose examples of it now and shame the entire council into avoiding similar situations. To me, the current controlling group simply seem to love throwing public parties to demonstrate what a good bunch they are.

Trying not to lay people off or reduce public services comes a very distant second, it would seem.

jaysay · 23-02-2011, 10:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by heth

I agree with you G, should stop papping on about the past and look at what money people (or a certain person) is wasting.

The one big question is how does he get away with it?
I know that we will prob not get the answer though

You actually think anything will change, it certainly hasn't done before and it certainly won't in the future, you'll probably find surface savings which everybody can see then there will be a major cock up through lack of thinking which will cost millions

Ken Moss · 23-02-2011, 10:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fatso

Trouble is, this is a minsdet that is everywhere, throughout all sorts of organisations across the country (and probably globally), on the basis that if an organisation, or a department, is seen not to have spent all their budget for a financial year this means they don't need as much for the next year and will get a budget decrease. Hence, the mad rush every Feb/March to ensure every penny of budget is spent, even if on pointless stuff. Then they can say they spent all their budget, and must need some more. Also, if there's surplus at the end of the year, this is often taken back. There's no incentive to come in under budget.

Anyone that does blame it on 13 years of Labour Rule doesn't understand budgets, as it's a practice that's been going on for years. Long before 1997...

Absolutely spot on, which is why all spending should be publicly accounted for, department by department.

In an age of austerity we need to have better transparency with public money so that savings can be identified by everyone, not simply those who ask the right questions.

garinda · 23-02-2011, 10:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ken Moss

Garinda has rather beaten me to it

Sorry.

I am predicted a medal position, in the posting sprint, at the 2012 Special Olympics.

Ken Moss · 23-02-2011, 10:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaysay

You actually think anything will change, it certainly hasn't done before and it certainly won't in the future, you'll probably find surface savings which everybody can see then there will be a major cock up through lack of thinking which will cost millions

As I said, mistakes have been made in the past and from what I can see they have been secretly agreed by Cabinet and pushed through at council.

'Lack of thinking' is your own key phrase there and I agree.

Less · 23-02-2011, 10:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by garinda

I think it must be a typo, and should read mob.

Unless he knows something we don't.

Perhaps he's heard Labour supporting Accy Web moderators are planning to put their parkas on, hop on their scooters, and head down to Broadway, to take part in some community art.

A Sixties Flash Mob Mod Drive By.

Would you like a Job advising a Councillor about what is best for the area?

With such imagination as seen above, I'm sure you would be a breath of fresh air, unlike the usual halitosis type diatribe similar to, '13 years of destroying a profitable department'.

Ken Moss · 23-02-2011, 10:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by garinda

Sorry.

I am predicted a medal position, in the posting sprint, at the 2012 Special Olympics.

Yellow ribbon has already been allocated, blue is for ex-Mayors, other than that take your pick.

We're predicting a surplus of scrap metal in May so I'm afraid that whether you come first, second or third your medal will be made of brass.

garinda · 23-02-2011, 10:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaysay

You actually think anything will change, it certainly hasn't done before and it certainly won't in the future, you'll probably find surface savings which everybody can see then there will be a major cock up through lack of thinking which will cost millions

You can't live always harking back to the past.

Things can, and do change.

Donkey jacket wearing Michael Foot to People's Princess Tony Blair, in just over eleven years?

The lady's not for turning, to Cameron, sharing, caring, and telling us to hug a hoodie?

I'd suggest things change quite a lot.

Less · 23-02-2011, 10:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaysay

You actually think anything will change, it certainly hasn't done before and it certainly won't in the future, you'll probably find surface savings which everybody can see then there will be a major cock up through lack of thinking which will cost millions

So, if nothing changed before and nothing changed after, how come it's all Labours fault even though your missing best buddy is in charge?

Margaret Pilkington · 23-02-2011, 10:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaysay

You actually think anything will change, it certainly hasn't done before and it certainly won't in the future, you'll probably find surface savings which everybody can see then there will be a major cock up through lack of thinking which will cost millions

That is the kind of mindset which means that things don't get changed.
As soon as you say it is impossible....it becomes so.

There has to be a constant effort to expose where the waste is, and eradicate it....not trying to change things is not an option.

heth · 23-02-2011, 10:55

Thankyou everyone, that is what I was trying to get accross but ob worded it wrong!!!

lancsdave · 23-02-2011, 10:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ken Moss

The interest payments each month would happily pay for a few flash mobs, or maybe even allow a certain toilet to remain open.

Well that would be a good theory if the toilets had been closed on cost grounds, but they haven't

Less · 23-02-2011, 10:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ken Moss

Yellow ribbon has already been allocated, blue is for ex-Mayors, other than that take your pick.

We're predicting a surplus of scrap metal in May so I'm afraid that whether you come first, second or third your medal will be made of brass.

Surely with a little searching a cheaper but tolerable alternative to brass could be found?

We need to save brass, not squander it on a turbo powered keyboard frippery such as is rindy?