tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7272174149265458740.post4382541079867892868..comments2023-06-01T10:59:07.627+01:00Comments on Pits'n'pots: THE REFERENDUM - THURSDAY 23RD OCTOBER 2008Tonyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09477240165204150850noreply@blogger.comBlogger40125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7272174149265458740.post-22755989689213939092008-10-09T17:21:00.000+01:002008-10-09T17:21:00.000+01:00Who dropped it why and when, the January minutes s...Who dropped it why and when, the January minutes show no records of it being recommeded to be dropped? Now if Cllr in January had recommended it removla and it was approved official to be dropped and then re-submitted without going back to committee thats a different matter.Ian Norrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00788563566369423598noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7272174149265458740.post-73243466668109532782008-10-09T09:55:00.000+01:002008-10-09T09:55:00.000+01:00Ian, Dimensions was dropped and wasn't supposed to...Ian, Dimensions was dropped and wasn't supposed to return.<BR/>It was a few weeks before the election. Why?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7272174149265458740.post-55527228686059136212008-10-08T20:13:00.000+01:002008-10-08T20:13:00.000+01:00The point remians its was the Cllrs on scrutiny co...The point remians its was the Cllrs on scrutiny commsison agreed to close dimensions and city farm and then the SAME Cllrs Cry fowl in the press saying they want them kept open and attempt to blame Mayor. Yep price of Coal dropped and added to costs as they couldn't make as much as they wanted to make from selling it on.Ian Norrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00788563566369423598noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7272174149265458740.post-38390532946376463682008-10-08T19:27:00.000+01:002008-10-08T19:27:00.000+01:00Ian, I'd heard prior to the story breaking that it...Ian,<BR/> I'd heard prior to the story breaking that it was closing, that Dimensions would stay open, and was nothing more than a diversionary tactic. There also exists a survey by a company called Armstrong.... something, that shows that hill pitted with<BR/>mineshafts and marl holes. It must have been noted that the hill was not an outcrop of pure coal, so making that part of the deal was stupid too.brooneyeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08858733156838423939noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7272174149265458740.post-74251251392687127412008-10-08T19:02:00.000+01:002008-10-08T19:02:00.000+01:00Oh and the Fact plans to close or set Dimensions u...Oh and the Fact plans to close or set Dimensions up as a trust go back to 2001Ian Norrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00788563566369423598noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7272174149265458740.post-24370307072522229242008-10-08T18:33:00.000+01:002008-10-08T18:33:00.000+01:00Sorry ANON that clearly doesn't make sense as Cllr...Sorry ANON that clearly doesn't make sense as Cllr Comway Chair of the commision that agreed to close Dimensions and City Farm was re-elected, and it was not last minute as they was in the budget back in January 2008.Ian Norrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00788563566369423598noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7272174149265458740.post-56265534570513174052008-10-08T17:58:00.000+01:002008-10-08T17:58:00.000+01:00I'm not saying that Ian. I'm saying that my friend...I'm not saying that Ian. I'm saying that my friend who's brother was a candidate is saying that Meredith deliberately introduced a last minute proposal to shut Dimensions to which was stupid because it was a financial lie. The cost was approx £60K.<BR/>It was not short of £60K and therfore dropped days after the election.<BR/><BR/>Result? All candidates that were onto a winner were hammered for attempting to shut Dimensions. THEY WEREN'T. THEY WANTED TO KEEP IT OPEN.<BR/>Meredith continues to this day to employ Tories and 'independents' to roll out his disgraceful package.<BR/><BR/>Is someone actually saying that the financial department got it a bit wrong? (for who exactly?)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7272174149265458740.post-83709010270434810602008-10-08T17:17:00.000+01:002008-10-08T17:17:00.000+01:00The 3 individuals may want to look into the £4.3m ...The 3 individuals may want to look into the £4.3m overspend on TNB since first reported to DFT and GOWM in June 2007 but yet its never been reported to Cllrs. The Reason I recieved from officers on 15th Sept 08 is (i never seen this agreement before)<BR/><BR/>Ian,<BR/>The appropriate approvals have been given for funding the cost increases on TNB<BR/>- this is part of the management of the capital programme. The DfT have provided additional funding of £2.93m due to the unforseen nature of the cost increases.<BR/><BR/>The exact total cost of the bypass will not be known until all works have been completed and the payments have been agreed<BR/><BR/>Regards<BR/><BR/>StuartIan Norrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00788563566369423598noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7272174149265458740.post-34319107186973818662008-10-08T17:12:00.000+01:002008-10-08T17:12:00.000+01:00Whys ANON gone quiet, either Scrutiny Cllrs messed...Whys ANON gone quiet, either Scrutiny Cllrs messed up or they attempted a massive spin which if planned would be extremely damaging to the council and Councillor that first passed commision budget and then moved referendum question. ANON spell it out what are you saying?Ian Norrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00788563566369423598noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7272174149265458740.post-72379523218836124862008-10-08T11:57:00.000+01:002008-10-08T11:57:00.000+01:00Ian Norris. There are 3 citizens who are at this v...Ian Norris.<BR/> There are 3 citizens who are at this very minute involved in a fight with the officers of the finance dept over criminal flaws in the Audit. The cover up rate has gone in to overdrive as finance, and parliamentary try to paper over mistakes. For one, this council has been claiming certain things as assets, when clearly they were no such thing. That distorts the audit report and the <BR/>believed financial standing of this council.brooneyeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08858733156838423939noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7272174149265458740.post-71435323903712369912008-10-08T07:21:00.000+01:002008-10-08T07:21:00.000+01:00Anon: just re-read your post, trying to make out w...Anon: just re-read your post, trying to make out what you believe the hidden agenda is. It seems your say the Scrutiny Commission delibratly passed a flawed budget, knowing they could over turn it in the press, making the cllrs look good and mayor and exec look bad? which is infact a much worse scene then any of us could imagineIan Norrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00788563566369423598noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7272174149265458740.post-85233267450975214862008-10-07T20:39:00.000+01:002008-10-07T20:39:00.000+01:00Sorry Tony, lol.There was a report in the paper la...Sorry Tony, lol.<BR/>There was a report in the paper last night about a woman drink driver. Just winding Elsby up, that's all.brooneyeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08858733156838423939noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7272174149265458740.post-56737434928856563882008-10-07T20:06:00.000+01:002008-10-07T20:06:00.000+01:00anon : the plan to have Dimensions to be run by pr...anon : the plan to have Dimensions to be run by private trust goes back to 2001. Labour Councillors knew about it and then try to deny where does that get them, expect by those sucked inIan Norrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00788563566369423598noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7272174149265458740.post-17984038374362323272008-10-07T19:40:00.000+01:002008-10-07T19:40:00.000+01:00errr Ian, it had nothing to do with shutting a pad...errr Ian, it had nothing to do with shutting a paddling pool. It had everything to do with stopping opposition to Meredith getting in!<BR/>The £60,000 shortfall to close the pool was never there in the first place and even if it was, it is too small a sum to actually close it.<BR/>Now do you understand or do you want me to spell it out?<BR/>Meredith loses power the more Labour councillors win.<BR/>He has ultimate power by running a hybrid cabinet that no-one supports.<BR/>...and still shuts schools, care homes etc..<BR/>Labour members want Meredith out at all costs.The position of Mayor goes against local democracy.It is a falsehood to suggest that a better person wil make a better Mayor. <BR/>That is quite ridiculous and revolves around wishful thinking.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7272174149265458740.post-9612756877686654532008-10-07T18:44:00.000+01:002008-10-07T18:44:00.000+01:00Craig, What the hell are yo on about now dude? Hav...Craig, What the hell are yo on about now dude? Have you been at the cooking sherry again?Tonyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09477240165204150850noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7272174149265458740.post-26170493834474645142008-10-07T17:34:00.000+01:002008-10-07T17:34:00.000+01:00Anonymous: errr it is the JOB of scrutiny commissi...Anonymous: errr it is the JOB of scrutiny commissions to SCRUTINIZE reports esp the BUDGET.. They do NOT have to vote for them otherwsie thats not scrutinizing. if they was against either Dimensions or City Farm they move a recommendation for either more information or for it to be removed from budget. not difficult But they never. WHY?Ian Norrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00788563566369423598noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7272174149265458740.post-11353342634111243072008-10-07T12:01:00.000+01:002008-10-07T12:01:00.000+01:00Gary Elsby. Do tell Gary, was that your wife in th...Gary Elsby.<BR/> Do tell Gary, was that your wife in the paper, and if so, just how often does she go out in her car to run lamposts down?brooneyeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08858733156838423939noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7272174149265458740.post-80600997827480699062008-10-07T11:45:00.000+01:002008-10-07T11:45:00.000+01:00Is Ian Norris thick or what?Doesn't he yet realise...Is Ian Norris thick or what?<BR/>Doesn't he yet realise that Dimension and the City Farm (+others) were deliberately grouped together so that each one couldn't be voted on in isolation?<BR/>Those demanding the retention of Dimensions were jumped on by those wanting the City farm saving. That's why Labour councillors had to vote to shut the lot.<BR/>Anyone with half an ounce of sense would see that this was a DELIBERATE act by the Mayor to keep out Labour candidates from winning the election who would then set about dumping him over schools and care homes.<BR/>Meredith introduced the dimensions closure only a few days before the elections.PATHETIC!<BR/>It was a deliberate political act to scupper any opposition to him.<BR/>This idea was pulled a few days AFTER the election as being a TOTAL FINANCIAL LIE.<BR/><BR/>MEREDITH is aiming to win the referendum by using the circular which was sent out to all households asking what they thought of the Mayoral position. He knows who wants to keep the Mayor and who doesn't.<BR/><BR/>A scandal using tax payers money.<BR/><BR/>Get real Ian Norris.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7272174149265458740.post-78317651115550013122008-10-07T08:03:00.000+01:002008-10-07T08:03:00.000+01:00Surely, for educated people, there can only be one...Surely, for educated people, there can only be one choice? Who in their right mind would vote yes?<BR/>Doing this means you will end up with Roger Ibbs or Joy Garner running the council, and as a diehard BNP member and activist, even I can't believe that some of you are that stupid.<BR/>The fairest way would be to let the people decide who they wanted to represent them, but if you do vote for a mayor, could we have a heterosexual this time please? A<BR/>family man or woman, and not someone that can't even get the reproductive process right.brooneyeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08858733156838423939noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7272174149265458740.post-66055253571190734772008-10-07T00:25:00.000+01:002008-10-07T00:25:00.000+01:00Could I ask a question , if we go for a council le...Could I ask a question , if we go for a council leader is the post for a fixed 4 year period ? If so what happens if the council leader is no longer a councillor part way through the 4 year period?<BR/><BR/>So for example, Cllr A.Liar is voted in as council leader (due to the unholy alliance that currently exists). 12 months down the line a ward vote the person out as their councillor , does the person remain council leader?<BR/><BR/>If the council leader has to be a sitting councillor then you can see a situation where a particular ward would have a disproportionate amount of power in the city (because they can vote the council leader out at the next local election and could use this as leverage).<BR/><BR/>If the council leader sits for 4 years even if they loose their councillor status then you could see a situation where a ward could be acted against out of spite (for voting against them).<BR/><BR/>Or are we saying that once someone is council leader they are no longer councillor for the ward that voted them in and a new councillor for that ward has to be voted on?<BR/><BR/>Sorry if I should know all this but the leaflet that was sent out doesn’t explain much!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7272174149265458740.post-38018010738533389312008-10-06T21:54:00.000+01:002008-10-06T21:54:00.000+01:00Bring back Mike Wolfe!!!!Bring back Mike Wolfe!!!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7272174149265458740.post-63315721253496812712008-10-06T18:55:00.000+01:002008-10-06T18:55:00.000+01:00Gary Elsby, why bring up Dimension again when we a...Gary Elsby, why bring up Dimension again when we all know the committee voted in favour, although the Labour chaired voiced CONCERNS at the privitisation of swimming pools (recorded in the minutes availble online) and then has the never to denounce the closure, just like they are now denouncing the closure of City Farm which again was voted through. Thats why we need a Strong Mayor.Ian Norrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00788563566369423598noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7272174149265458740.post-27345224999273735212008-10-06T18:50:00.000+01:002008-10-06T18:50:00.000+01:00Gary,Yes, I understand the dilemma perfectly. Your...Gary,<BR/><BR/>Yes, I understand the dilemma perfectly. <BR/><BR/>Your comment "The electorate should analyse each candidate ..." is exactly what I mean. If there were a series of hustings arranged before each election in each ward, the electorate would be able to do this. In this way, the people could find out exactly what each candidate thought about local issues. There is absolutely no need for political party membership to come into the equation.<BR/><BR/>If this system were instituted, I believe that councillors might be able to start working for the good of the city and of the people rather than for the good of their particular ideology. If there were some policy put forward in, for instance, a budget, they would individually be able to vote with their conscience. Good policies automatically garner support; those surrounded by secrecy and dogma arouse suspicion and distrust.<BR/><BR/>I know how I would prefer to be governed. Maybe my Utopia is an impossible dream?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7272174149265458740.post-67262941950808335572008-10-06T18:47:00.000+01:002008-10-06T18:47:00.000+01:00I think Nicky and Gary have convinced me which way...I think Nicky and Gary have convinced me which way I need to vote. It all seems a lot clearer now.<BR/><BR/>I am going to take Gary's advice on the Bus Station article, where he tells me to listen to what councillors are saying over the next couple of weeks. I will try to do this and see what happens between now and the 23rd.Alisonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17978843267643174695noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7272174149265458740.post-91578783399571145932008-10-06T13:51:00.000+01:002008-10-06T13:51:00.000+01:00Alison made a point that a vote for leader might l...Alison made a point that a vote for leader might lead to Ibbs becoming leader. And anonymous rightly says the thought of the likes of Ibbs or Garner becoming the council leader scares the pants off him/her. But on the other side of the argument people say Ibbs could become mayor. It's interesting that both sides seem to agree that Ibbs is the worst possible outcome. If this view is widespread then he shouldn't become either. If it were him, I'd rather he was leader than mayor, because as leader we could make demands on our councillors to get rid of him but if he was mayor we'd be doomed.<BR/><BR/>In the other article on the BNP and as sir findo gask says here, it is rumoured that if we have a mayor then Nick Griffin may stand (although I would have thought they would choose a local councillor as I'd guess many BNP voters do so because of local experience). Now supposing we only had two to choose from, Ibbs and Griffin, I know which way I'd vote! However happily if there is a mayor I'm sure there will be plenty of other candidates including hopefully some decent independent ones. Hell, maybe I'd even stand! A lot of people talk about the importance of who may or may not stand as mayor. And in some cases past experience of them makes them just too awful to contemplate. But in most cases the important thing is their policies, so until we know both who it would be and what their policies are and how that fits with our own priorities it is hard to say how we would vote, well I would find it hard to say anyway.<BR/><BR/>Sir findo gask and others also question that there is anyone in the council who could lead it. I actually think there is, I think there are more than a handful who would be quite suitable. I have quite a high opinion of many of our councillors in fact, I think they do a lot of good hard work in our city, it's just that the best ones don't seem to get on the EMB. So this is either because of a flawed system or for some reason they get a personality transplant when they go on EMB. As I do not know all our councillors that well and some I have more experience of than others, I wouldn't really like to name my entire list of favourites as I may miss some good ones. So perhaps I'll limit myself to just one favourite for leader and that would be Peter - death to academies - Kent-Baguley. I'm right with you there Peter. Except I won't get to choose and I doubt somehow that many councillors would choose him. That is going to be the big challenge for the leader, to bring together the diverse range of councillors views. Most councillors will want one of their party to lead but it will only work if they can be tolerant towards each other's views (and I find it hard to imagine having to tolerate the tories).<BR/><BR/>Here's a system; single transferrable vote with the option to list all those willing to stand as leader in order of preference. This is the system used in ballots in the union that I'm a member of. Maybe that would be a system for councillors to use for choosing leader?nickyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11175542518100987466noreply@blogger.com