Why are we waiting? - Page 5

Neil · 22-02-2011, 17:22

I have just merged the 2 threads that had the same topic, I hope everyone is still saying what they wanted to, I had to edit a couple of threads so they made sense.

If anyone wants anything changing please PM me

Neil · 22-02-2011, 17:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ken Moss

Honestly? Yes I did.

It's Freedom Of Information from one of the officers and something which they are duty bound to answer truthfully. Admittedly, the wording has to be spot on but please feel free to point out any flaws in this question which generated the above response:

To whom it may concern,

Are Hyndburn Council paying anyone to switch on the Christmas lights in any of the wards and, if so, how much are they being paid?

Regards,

Cllr Ken Moss

So who switched on the lights in Accrington and how much were they paid?

heth · 22-02-2011, 17:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neil

I have just merged the 2 threads that had the same topic, I hope everyone is still saying what they wanted to, I had to edit a couple of threads so they made sense.

If anyone wants anything changing please PM me

Your a good boy aint you

Ken Moss · 22-02-2011, 17:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by heth

Whoops!!

wonder if he is belly laffing now?!

The turnout in Rishton was superb despite absolutely bitter weather and all we had was an urn of tea and some hot mince pies donated by the local Co-op. The Mayor and Cllr Grayson did a good job of presenting the occasion and we rounded off the event with a sing song which everyone joined in for.

Proper community spirit and I'd rather have that than a tribute act anyday.

garinda · 22-02-2011, 17:26

They should dress up a councillor as a big Baby Jesus, to flick the switch.

Keep Christmas a bit religiousy...and cheap.

Some of the others could dress up as sheep and asses.

garinda · 22-02-2011, 17:33

Accrington Christmas switch-on cost £9,000

Blimey!

Knitty Nora could have crocheted a Glee tribute band for that, and we could have strung 'em up in the Market Hall afterwards.

Ken Moss · 22-02-2011, 17:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neil

So who switched on the lights in Accrington and how much were they paid?

That's the question really, isn't it?

You would have thought that as a councillor I should be able to find out fairly easily but in truth you're more likely to have the ear of a certain someone in the know.

£6,800 was paid to Leisure in Hyndburn on 7th October for the Christmas light switch on, that's as much as I know.

heth · 22-02-2011, 17:51

Why is it so hard to get info out of our council?

Everyone now thinks that they have something to hide, which isnt good. If they want to be taken seriously just let the info be put to the public?

lancsdave · 22-02-2011, 17:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by heth

If they want to be taken seriously just let the info be put to the public?

Thats the problem, they don't give a toss what anybody thinks

garinda · 22-02-2011, 17:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ken Moss

That's the question really, isn't it?

You would have thought that as a councillor I should be able to find out fairly easily but in truth you're more likely to have the ear of a certain someone in the know.

£6,800 was paid to Leisure in Hyndburn on 7th October for the Christmas light switch on, that's as much as I know.

Sorry about the cross pollinisation of threads, but whilst we are on costings...

It's minuted in council papers that a question was asked, regarding how much the budget is for Hyndburn's royal wedding celebrations, but did anyone hear the reply, because the answer wasn't given?

Neil · 22-02-2011, 18:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ken Moss

That's the question really, isn't it?

You know what its like with those FOI things.

I thought the Mayor switched them on so no cost. The cost may have been for everything else so they answered what you asked but that was not what you wanted to know.
If you know what I mean.

garinda · 22-02-2011, 18:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by lancsdave

Thats the problem, they don't give a toss what anybody thinks

Until the second half of April.

Then it'll be buckets 'n' spades for all, before boarding the 'free' bus to the seaside.

Lovely day at the coast.

Fish 'n' chips at Karen Buckley's, and back home to bed...and all before the May elections.

Ken Moss · 22-02-2011, 18:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by garinda

Sorry about the cross pollinisation of threads, but whilst we are on costings...

It's minuted in council papers that a question was asked, regarding how much the budget is for Hyndburn's royal wedding celebrations, but did anyone hear the reply, because the answer wasn't given?

The answer frequently isn't given. No straight answers, smoke and mirrors, nuts to the borough's best interests.

The common practice from the Leader of the Council that we currently have is to give a one word response and sit down smugly or else bang on about 13 years of Labour rule and Graham Jones before his acolytes erupt into spontaneous laughter. It isn't what I expected from the council before I stood for election but I have come to accept it as the norm from Cllr Britcliffe.

If you truly believe what you are doing is right then there should be no need for all this deception, straight answers and a head held high should be enough to silence the critics. More questions will follow at the Full Council meeting on 9th March (moved from 8th March by The Leader because of personal reasons).

The behaviour of the controlling group should have voters worried about what else they have to hide.

Ken Moss · 22-02-2011, 18:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neil

You know what its like with those FOI things.

I thought the Mayor switched them on so no cost. The cost may have been for everything else so they answered what you asked but that was not what you wanted to know.
If you know what I mean.

Perfectly. The Glee tribute act may have been paid to perform but didn't actually flick the switch, all very cleverly avoided in the answer.

I know what I'm looking for in these expenditure lists and they're still a nightmare to decipher so all the expenses still remain buried to anyone having a casual glance or trying to find out by asking slightly the wrong question.

If anyone is still in any doubt as to the council's ability to tell it straight, pop along to the Town Hall public gallery on 9th March, 7.00pm. There's always the Budget council meeting on 1st March too.

Ken Moss · 22-02-2011, 18:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by garinda

Until the second half of April.

Then it'll be buckets 'n' spades for all, before boarding the 'free' bus to the seaside.

Lovely day at the coast.

Fish 'n' chips at Karen Buckley's, and back home to bed...and all before the May elections.

Not forgetting knocking down rows of derelicts that are still there and presenting cheques to every community group going for a smiley pic in The Accrington Observer.

I believe the Conservative newspaper has just been delivered in Huncoat, albeit with certain untrue claims edited out completely.