The Mayor - Page 2

Ken Moss · 27-09-2011, 07:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by garinda

Unless the prize of mayoral office is attached like a carrot to the end of a stick, and dangled infront of a donkey, to make it do what you want.

Former Labour loyalist props up the Tories | Accrington Observer - menmedia.co.uk

I hope the days of The Carrot Dangler are over forever.

Some of the changes recommended by O&S and approved by Cabinet include becoming Deputy Mayor the year before you assume office to give you a run-in period to learn the ropes and also rotating the appointment each year between political parties. Such a rule has always been a 'gentlemen's agreement' up until now but certain people feel that this may be susceptible to abuse. No councillor can be Mayor unless he or she has been on the council at least four years which makes sense to me as you really need to have a grip on the job to be an effective Mayor.

Next year the position of Deputy Mayor (and therefore Mayor in 2013-14) will be offered to the Conservatives as it is their turn although whoever puts up for it will have to command a majority approval vote at the full council as is the same with everybody else.

jaysay · 27-09-2011, 09:19

Well when I first got involved in politics in Ossy there wasn't a Mayor (think there was a mayor in Accrington at the same time) there was a chairman of the council, which seemed to alternate between political parties on the basis of time served, more like a thank you for the unpaid (yes unpaid) work they had done for the town.

Then the reorganisation came in during the early 70s, when Hyndburn was born, at first the same principals were implied, If I remember rightly the first mayor was Wallace Haines (labour) there was also an unwritten rule, that if the Mayor elect was up for re-election prior to his/her year of office, he/she would be unopposed, that went through the window in 1987 I think when Labour stood a candidate against Mayor elect Bill Parkinson.

I still think that the position of Mayor must come from the political system, nothing else would really work, when you actually think about it.

davemac · 27-09-2011, 11:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neil

A Mayor can't do that, lack of funds is the biggest reason Council services have declined.

Year after year of cuts, they like to call them 0% rise in Council Tax while the cost of everything like wages and fuel goes up which means less money to spend on improving Council services.

I am going before I start ranting again

If councillors wanted to improve services they should give up the pay and allowances system, and be a voluntary servant to the people again.

jaysay · 27-09-2011, 18:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by davemac

If councillors wanted to improve services they should give up the pay and allowances system, and be a voluntary servant to the people again.

You could say that about MPs too but there's the old saying you pay peanuts you get monkey's, in this day and age its a none starter, people have to get time of work to carry out council duties. Councils are now multi-million pound businesses that is why they now pay allowances, so as to attract people with enough nous to do the job in hand

JCB · 27-09-2011, 20:08

Has the work of Hyndburn Council increased or decreased in the last 20 to 30 years ?

Just two examples ; the Council has no council housing to manage and no fleet of buses with their drivers and conductors to manage .

Neil · 27-09-2011, 20:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by garinda

Quite frankly I don't have a problem with the system as it is, a reward for long standing councillors, because it works.

I supposed it depends on what you call long term.

heth · 27-09-2011, 20:23

Just a question, is the car that is sometimes parked outside the Town Hall with the Hyndburn crest on the back doors the mayor's car?

davemac · 27-09-2011, 20:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaysay

You could say that about MPs too but there's the old saying you pay peanuts you get monkey's, in this day and age its a none starter, people have to get time of work to carry out council duties. Councils are now multi-million pound businesses that is why they now pay allowances, so as to attract people with enough nous to do the job in hand

Don't think that old adage works, when I started my apprenticeship councillors were not paid , and the standards were far superior than they are today. Plus most of the workforce in my old department are now agency staff, and most of the work now gets undertaken by the private sector. none of which have the required indepth knowledge or training.
This may have saved money but the public are not well served. To get back on topic a mayor with no affiliations would be able to at least strive towards a better service based on what the public deserve, not what they think it should cost.

davemac · 27-09-2011, 20:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by heth

Just a question, is the car that is sometimes parked outside the Town Hall with the Hyndburn crest on the back doors the mayor's car?

Yes and it comes with a driver, a mayors attendant,and social secretary.

heth · 27-09-2011, 20:35

Thanks Davemac.

I walked past the Town Hall 1 night last week and noticed the car parked there.

Just another question,

why does the Mayor need a brand spanking new 61 reg car?

Who pays for it?

garinda · 27-09-2011, 20:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neil

I supposed it depends on what you call long term.

I also said...

'a prize, awarded to councillors who've kept their nose relatively clean for the longest time.'

That's the hard bit, for some.

davemac · 27-09-2011, 21:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by heth

Thanks Davemac.

I walked past the Town Hall 1 night last week and noticed the car parked there.

Just another question,

why does the Mayor need a brand spanking new 61 reg car?

Who pays for it?

YOU do, I do ,every ratepayer does. The mayor gets picked up at home, taken wherever, then returned home. Wouldn't it be nice to see the mayor on the bus in full regalia

shillelagh · 27-09-2011, 21:28

the car is probably leased ... thats why its a new one.

davemac .. full regalia .. could you imagine them getting mugged for the chains of office .. oh and not all the places they visit are on a bus route you know ...

do people not realise it can cost the mayor money to be the mayor ...

garinda · 27-09-2011, 21:41

Mayors of Accrington 1878 -1973

The Mayor's Office - Past Mayors of Accrington 1878 -1973

I still think most of the associated mayoral fancy dress garb, invented by the Victorians, was what was left over after putting on a pantomime of Dick Whittington.

Neil · 27-09-2011, 21:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by garinda

I also said...

'a prize, awarded to councillors who've kept their nose relatively clean for the longest time.'

That's the hard bit, for some.

The reward bit suggests they have done something that deserves a reward and I am not convinced that is the case.

I would like to know what the cost to Hyndburn is for having a Mayor. Including the Officer time, car costs etc etc.