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Archive => Archived Boards => Local Issues => Topic started by: bat man on December 02, 2011, 01:06:48 PM

Title: Councillors expenses
Post by: bat man on December 02, 2011, 01:06:48 PM
The Liberals on stockport council have voted through to have there expense allowance raised,how is this fair when there are people losing there jobs and services being cut,councillors need reminding that they can be voted out,does any councillor feel it is fair to have a raise in there allowances?? >:(
Title: Re: Councillors expenses
Post by: alan@marple on December 02, 2011, 06:38:00 PM
If this is not a windup I am thoroughly disgusted.

Would any one elected representative come on this forum and justify such action

I cannot describe the contempt I have for some of the Marple Councillors and their leader.

I knew councillors who spent many years representing the electors of every persuasion and did not draw one penny,
they did it for the love of the community. Now it is a paid job with a pension and allowances.

The Town Clerk, The Borough Engineer, The Chief Education Officer The Chief Librarian, The Parks Superintendent and a few others ran the day to day activities of the district.

One of The Marple  councillors recently stood up at a meeting advocating support of the local traders and where did I see her the following day- out of the district Shopping at Aldi, but then perhaps she might have been comparing prices!!?

We need reform, in my opinion and each and every one of them should stand at the next election

Arrogant and Abrasive, that's my opinion
Title: Re: Councillors expenses
Post by: bat man on December 02, 2011, 06:44:52 PM
Sorry to disappoint you Alan but its not a wind up,it was in the latest edition of Intouch produced by  :-[Bredbury green and Romiley conservatives,I think there should be pressure put on all councillors not to have there expenses raised.
Title: Re: Councillors expenses
Post by: bat man on December 02, 2011, 06:49:15 PM
The same Liberal Democrats refused to support a motion to re instate 20+ crossing patrols,obviously there expenses come before the safety of children.Roll on election time,I will be contacting Andrew Stunnell. >:(
Title: Re: Councillors expenses
Post by: chicky on December 02, 2011, 07:24:35 PM
I cannot believe that this is allowed to happen when everyone else is facing cut backs, job insecurities and the elect few are still looking after number one. The system seems to be so wrong in so many ways.
Title: Re: Councillors expenses
Post by: Lisa Oldham on December 02, 2011, 07:50:34 PM
I'm not surprised at all.  Really dont understand why people are surprised considering their history!  Its every Marple liberal democrat voters fault.   BUT as an extra thought, didnt party wide MPs vote for an increase in their wages not so long ago too!   
Title: Re: Councillors expenses
Post by: bat man on December 02, 2011, 08:20:09 PM
Yes MPs have had  a raise in there salaries and it is a disgrace but you would expect local councillors to have more common sense and to think of there local constituates. :D
Title: Re: Councillors expenses
Post by: Lisa Oldham on December 02, 2011, 08:26:40 PM
more common sense than mps?  why? 
Theyre politicians.. every few years they all behave so we forget theyre  ***** etc ers so we vote for them again..and in marple councillors cases..again and again and again...  they all know theyre safe as houses!
Personally I'd think the british local and national electorate would have had more sense many years ago... however...  :D
Title: Re: Councillors expenses
Post by: Carl Rydings on December 02, 2011, 10:35:49 PM
Following the election in May Conservative Councilors in Stockport kept their promise to reduce their allowances by 10%.

The Lib Dems voted to increase allowances by over £1,000.
To date, none of the Marple Lib Dem councilors have taken any reduction in their allowances.

As the Conservative candidate for Marple South in May,
if i win the reduction will apply to me and my colleague in Marple North. Annette Finnie.

At a time where we have to make cuts to public services, councilors should lead by example.
Title: Re: Councillors expenses
Post by: sooty2 on December 02, 2011, 11:25:48 PM
What happened to Oliver?P.M me if you like?He hopped on the forum to promote himself and then, gone! ::)
Title: Re: Councillors expenses
Post by: sooty2 on December 02, 2011, 11:52:39 PM
Just done a bit of digging on you,I see you are an associate of OJ's.You are 20 years old,I would like to see the Con's have a go around these parts,But sadly for you, one who has lived a bit, ie Education,Work experience,running a home be it bought or rented.Maybe responsibility for a child.How can you possibly know what you are talking about?Come back in 20 years.You may get a few votes then!Also, I think your grammar needs a few tweeks to be taken seriously?Just a thought. ::)
Title: Re: Councillors expenses
Post by: Carl Rydings on December 03, 2011, 12:00:48 AM
I am happy to answer here and be transparent.

Oliver was the candidate in Marple South in 2010, 2011 was Andrew Lord (who is a big part
of our campaign in Marple North), these were both what we call 'paper candidates' because
we didn't have a proper candidate to put forward and i didn't feel ready to put myself forward.

Now im more then ready to be the candidate and will not be going anywhere for as long as my
party wants me as the Marple South candidate.

In my view the Conservative party has not put alot of effort into Marple South in recent years,
which is one of the reasons i wanted to be the candidate, im going to change that, as i think
the Lib Dems have got away with far too much for too long.
Title: Re: Councillors expenses
Post by: Carl Rydings on December 03, 2011, 12:08:31 AM
Just done a bit of digging on you,I see you are an associate of OJ's.You are 20 years old,I would like to see the Con's have a go around these parts,But sadly for you, one who has lived a bit, ie Education,Work experience,running a home be it bought or rented.Maybe responsibility for a child.How can you possibly know what you are talking about?Come back in 20 years.You may get a few votes then!Also, I think your grammar needs a few tweeks to be taken seriously?Just a thought. ::)

Oliver is around my age, so im assuming you had the same concerns about him?
Also, our Hazel Grove winner this year was William Wragg, who is 23.

I have been co-running a company since 2008, a few of my duties over the years
have been finance, marketing, sales, operations, product development and more.
Title: Re: Councillors expenses
Post by: sooty2 on December 03, 2011, 12:14:48 AM
You have not answered my questions or defended yourself.What is a paper candidate?What is a proper candidate?I think the con's cannot be serious about taking Marple or they would get their act together and put a "PROPER" candidate forward.You need to wise up a bit and not insult our intelligence. Do you have a mentor?I hate to see people make a fool of themselves.
Title: Re: Councillors expenses
Post by: Carl Rydings on December 03, 2011, 12:18:08 AM
Also, I think your grammar needs a few tweeks to be taken seriously?Just a thought. ::)

I am sorry for my grammer, i do try and do work on it all the time. At school
i had learning support classes for english, just never really clicked with me.

A paper candidate is a candidate which is just on the baliot to fill the space up
and a proper candidate is a candidate who actually wants the job.

I am not insulting anyones intelligence, im trying to be as open as i can.

I am defending myself, i am saying running a company is alot like running a
house, so i have that experience to pull from.
Title: Re: Councillors expenses
Post by: sooty2 on December 03, 2011, 12:32:18 AM
So a paper candidate is a nonsense then?Whats the point?If you had learning support at school with English then it is very important that you try your best to make an effort.There is a spell check on the forum for all to use.It is not a crime to use it, but sadly not being able to spell is frowned upon by some,Lots of people make spelling and grammatical errors, myself included.Why are the Con's using boy candidates? Wragg?The Con's don't stand a chance.
Title: Re: Councillors expenses
Post by: alan@marple on December 03, 2011, 12:34:24 AM
Mrs O

Please don't be unkind about the Gentleman's grammar, it is not nice. Let us encourage these young people to take an active part in community life, please please ! and speaking about " wise up" just where does appear in our use of the English Language?

Dear Lady be nice!
Title: Re: Councillors expenses
Post by: sooty2 on December 03, 2011, 12:37:07 AM
Alan,in what way am I being unkind?I am giving the lad some advice.I have admitted that I myself make errors.
Title: Re: Councillors expenses
Post by: sooty2 on December 03, 2011, 12:41:42 AM
Night Night! you win.I cannot converse with a minor.Good Luck with the election :'(
Title: Re: Councillors expenses
Post by: Carl Rydings on December 03, 2011, 12:42:30 AM
Alan,in what way am I being unkind?I am giving the lad some advice.I have admitted that I myself make errors.

I will always take constructive criticism on board, and like i said in a
previous post i do work on my grammer.

We use whatever candidates come along, if no women apply then you get a man, simple.

Im not a minor, im 21 this month and thank you

I think we are spending to much time on something unrealated to the topic, which is Councilors expenses.
Title: Re: Councillors expenses
Post by: alan@marple on December 03, 2011, 12:45:04 AM
Dear Mrs O

It is my opinion that you seem to think that your seniority in years gives you licence to belittle him, If he was my son I would be very proud of him.

Please be kind !
Title: Re: Councillors expenses
Post by: alan@marple on December 03, 2011, 12:48:44 AM
 Mr Rydings, you are quite right, lets get back to the expenses subject, I think a diversion was being created.
Title: Re: Councillors expenses
Post by: sooty2 on December 03, 2011, 12:50:34 AM
Alan, this is not about seniority,it is about life experience.Maybe his father is proud.Of what I ask?He has done nothing yet.
Title: Re: Councillors expenses
Post by: Carl Rydings on December 03, 2011, 12:53:25 AM
Alan, this is not about seniority,it is about life experience.Maybe his father is proud.Of what I ask?He has done nothing yet.

I co-run a company, that's something alot of people couldn't do, and making decisions for
a council is alot like making decision for a company. Can we get back to expenses please?
Title: Re: Councillors expenses
Post by: Carl Rydings on December 03, 2011, 12:59:04 AM
Following the election in May Conservative Councilors in Stockport kept their promise to reduce their allowances by 10%.

The Lib Dems voted to increase allowances by over £1,000.
To date, none of the Marple Lib Dem councilors have taken any reduction in their allowances.

As the Conservative candidate for Marple South in May,
if i win the reduction will apply to me and my colleague in Marple North. Annette Finnie.

At a time where we have to make cuts to public services, councilors should lead by example.

This is what i posted earlier in case you missed it Alan, i would like to hear your views.
Title: Re: Councillors expenses
Post by: bat man on December 03, 2011, 09:24:13 AM
Some times we have to put age and experience to one side and give someone a chance,how can anyone get experience if we are not prepared to give them a chance,we have put up with older people as councillors,let some youth through if they don't succeed then they can take a step aside and learn by there mistakes.I am sure we have all learnt by our mistakes and are still learning, who ever is elected and whatever there age as long as they really listen to us ordinary folk maybe there will be a refreshing change in polotics,or am I a dreamer,by the way I am an older person but I am prepared to give younger people a chance. :)
Title: Re: Councillors expenses
Post by: bat man on December 03, 2011, 09:28:51 AM
Now getting back to councilors expenses,are there any lib dem councillors who view this site?if there are come on and defend your descission,oh and dont give us the old excuse prices have risen so your expenses should rise,I have not had a pay rise for 1 year and face another year without one,so come on explain yourselves. :o
Title: Re: Councillors expenses
Post by: alan@marple on December 03, 2011, 09:44:51 AM
Following the election in May Conservative Councilors in Stockport kept their promise to reduce their allowances by 10%.

The Lib Dems voted to increase allowances by over £1,000.
To date, none of the Marple Lib Dem councilors have taken any reduction in their allowances.

As the Conservative candidate for Marple South in May,
if i win the reduction will apply to me and my colleague in Marple North. Annette Finnie.

At a time where we have to make cuts to public services, councilors should lead by example.

This is what i posted earlier in case you missed it Alan, i would like to hear your views.

Mr Rydings, not wishing to repeat myself, you  will see my response on post 522.

Please let me know if you have a regular night that you attend Marple Conservative Club, I would very much like to meet you
Title: Re: Councillors expenses
Post by: Dave on December 03, 2011, 10:24:18 AM
I entirely agree that this is not a good time for councillors to increase their expense allowances.  However, let's not confuse this issue with the quite separate one of MPs' pay.  And anyway, it is not true that .... 
didnt party wide MPs vote for an increase in their wages not so long ago

No they didn't.  MPs had a pay freeze this year.  Their pay review body receommended a 1% increase but the MPs themselves very wisely rejected it.

And on the wider issue of MPs' pay, surely its truly ridiculous that we elect people to run the country for us, and then pay them less than a school headteacher or our local GP. The words 'peanuts' and 'monkeys' come to mind   ::)
Title: Re: Councillors expenses
Post by: bat man on December 03, 2011, 12:20:19 PM
I stand corrected why cant the local councillors follow the MPs example and refuse a rise in there expenses. ;)
Title: Re: Councillors expenses
Post by: Carl Rydings on December 03, 2011, 04:47:58 PM
I stand corrected why cant the local councillors follow the MPs example and refuse a rise in there expenses. ;)

They could and take a reduction if they wanted to.
Title: Re: Councillors expenses
Post by: Carl Rydings on December 03, 2011, 04:51:54 PM
Please let me know if you have a regular night that you attend Marple Conservative Club,
I would very much like to meet you

I would very much like to meet you as well.

I don't have any regular days at Marple Conservative Club.

As i live in High Lane, your more likely to find me in High Lane Conservative Club from time to time.

However, i will be visiting Marple Conservative Club.

Keep checking my Facebook page for dates and times:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Carl-Rydings/283597528348949/
Title: Re: Councillors expenses
Post by: bat man on December 03, 2011, 07:49:09 PM
I cant beleive the interest this subject has generated,lets start contacting the lib dems and get an explanation.......
Title: Re: Councillors expenses
Post by: Dave on December 03, 2011, 08:15:13 PM
Trouble is, Lisa writes ' Its every Marple liberal democrat voters fault', but some of the posts in this thread don't exactly make you want to go out and vote Tory, do they :-( 
Title: Re: Councillors expenses
Post by: bat man on December 03, 2011, 09:24:20 PM
 :o
Title: Re: Councillors expenses
Post by: Miss Marple on December 04, 2011, 09:53:01 PM
Alan, this is not about seniority,it is about life experience.Maybe his father is proud.Of what I ask?He has done nothing yet.

I co-run a company, that's something alot of people couldn't do, and making decisions for
a council is alot like making decision for a company. Can we get back to expenses please?
Hello Carl.  Where do you stand on the supermarket issue it will be very intresting to know given two Lib councillors are up for election ?
Title: Re: Councillors expenses
Post by: Carl Rydings on December 05, 2011, 11:49:03 AM
Hello Carl.  Where do you stand on the supermarket issue it will be very intresting to know given two Lib councillors are up for election ?

Hi Miss Marple,

Although I run a business and I see the need to have new jobs created in the area, I do think an ASDA there (and the second supermarket in Marple)
would be to the detriment of the local small shops in Marple centre. Also, Hilbert lane in my view is really not designed to take the amount of traffic
it would need to for the supermarket. So in answer to your question, I am against the plans for those reasons.

I do think the site should be kept for education. If the plans do go though and you want the local shops to stay you need to use them,
I can't stress that enough. Marple North did a survey recently, it showed two-thirds where against and one-third for another supermarket in Marple.

I hope that answers your question.
Title: Re: Councillors expenses
Post by: Dave on December 05, 2011, 12:18:51 PM
That's very interesting, Carl. Can you tell us more about the survey? Who conducted it, how it was done, the size and profile of the sample, etc? Also, who or what is 'Marple North'? Thanks.
Title: Re: Councillors expenses
Post by: Carl Rydings on December 05, 2011, 01:08:35 PM
That's very interesting, Carl. Can you tell us more about the survey? Who conducted it, how it was done, the size and profile of the sample, etc? Also, who or what is 'Marple North'? Thanks.

Hi, First ill explain how the councilors are set up here:

Marple North Ward
Covers: North Marple, Marple Bridge, Mellor and Compstall
Councilors: Martin Candler, Andrew Bispham, Craig Wright
Conservative Candidate (2012): Annette Finnie

Marple South Ward
Covers: South Marple, Hawk Green, High Lane and Strines.
Councilors: Shan Alexander, Kevin Dowling, Sue Ingham
Conservative Candidate (2012): Carl Rydings

It will say on your polling card which Ward your in or you can check with
Stockport Council's Electoral Registration Office on 0161 217 6026.

As for the survey, that's all the information i currently have on it,
but i will ask Annette for more details for you and will post it shortly.

Hope that helps.
Title: Re: Councillors expenses
Post by: Dave on December 05, 2011, 01:17:04 PM
It's OK, I know all about the wards and who our councillors are! We'll look forward to learning about the survey when you've heard from Annette.
Title: Re: Councillors expenses
Post by: Miss Marple on December 05, 2011, 05:44:45 PM
Well Carl at least you have taken the trouble to interact with the community via this forum it's a pity our current elected members dont follow your lead.  I would love to know what Mr Dusty's views are on the supermarket issue wouldn't you  :-\
Title: Re: Councillors expenses
Post by: alan@marple on December 05, 2011, 06:29:14 PM
Well Carl at least you have taken the trouble to interact with the community via this forum it's a pity our current elected members dont follow your lead.  I would love to know what Mr Dusty's views are on the supermarket issue wouldn't you  :-\
Here Here Miss Marple
Title: Re: Councillors expenses
Post by: Carl Rydings on December 05, 2011, 07:42:19 PM
Well Carl at least you have taken the trouble to interact with the community via this forum it's a pity our current elected members dont follow your lead.  I would love to know what Mr Dusty's views are on the supermarket issue wouldn't you  :-\

Thanks, I don't know why they don't use this forum, the people here are those who want to engage
with their councilors and is a really good way to sense the mood of the electorate on local issues.
Title: Re: Councillors expenses
Post by: Duke Fame on December 07, 2011, 11:01:18 AM
It's OK, I know all about the wards and who our councillors are! We'll look forward to learning about the survey when you've heard from Annette.

Why did you need to ask then Dave?
Title: Re: Councillors expenses
Post by: Dave on December 07, 2011, 11:19:47 AM
Because I can't make any sense of this:
Marple North did a survey recently, it showed two-thirds where against and one-third for another supermarket in Marple.

The only meaning of 'Marple North', AFAIK, is as a ward, which returns three councillors to SMBC.  However, wards can't conduct surveys, obviously, so Carl must have meant something else, and I was interested to know what it is.  I'm still wondering......
Title: Re: Councillors expenses
Post by: Duke Fame on December 07, 2011, 11:20:49 AM
I don't have a problem in councillors claiming expenses for legitimate council business that would lead to the betterment of the ward / area as a whole. I don't want the councilor having to pay for expenses out of their own pocket as this will lead to having councillors that becomes a rich man's toy or are influenced by outside forces such as trade unions.

I do however, object to expenses being claimed as an entitlement in lieu of a salary or spent on a self fulfulling jolly. A comparison to Manchester and their Town Clerk's expenses claim suggests we're getting good value but the claims must be transparant.

I object to the likes of this from Manchester's town clerk Dickie Leese - Sir Richard Leese, Leader of Manchester City Council, has splurged £4,000 on a back-slapping dinner for a new member of staff, Lib Dem councillors have claimed. According to Cllr Paul Shannon, Sir Richard issued 270 invitations to wine and dine Manchester’s ‘cultural elite’.
Title: Re: Councillors expenses
Post by: Miss Marple on December 07, 2011, 01:41:08 PM
Sheila Oliver's FOIs are a joy to read regarding this matter !
Title: Re: Councillors expenses
Post by: Duke Fame on December 07, 2011, 05:05:43 PM
Sheila Oliver's FOIs are a joy to read regarding this matter !


Shiela Oliver is ma.....interesting. Miss M, when I first joined this forum, I thought you were Shiela Oliver! I think my council tax bill would be far lower if she didn't have an e-mail facility.
Title: Re: Councillors expenses
Post by: alan@marple on December 07, 2011, 06:49:07 PM

In my opinion it's a pity we don't have more people like Sheila Oliver, she does not back off, nor does she hide behind
pseudonyms, I believe she is a woman of firm principles and sound judgement. She may well make use of the FOI- and so do I and it's just as well that we have it.
Title: Re: Councillors expenses
Post by: Duke Fame on December 07, 2011, 11:27:48 PM

In my opinion it's a pity we don't have more people like Sheila Oliver, she does not back off, nor does she hide behind
pseudonyms, I believe she is a woman of firm principles and sound judgement. She may well make use of the FOI- and so do I and it's just as well that we have it.

She maybe of firm principles but if we were all like her, nothing would ever be done. She's like a dog with a bone over irrelevant concerns.
Title: Re: Councillors expenses
Post by: alan@marple on December 08, 2011, 09:26:17 AM

But irrelevent to who?.

I think that probity in all matters concerning the community is essential and demandable.
Title: Re: Councillors expenses
Post by: Dave on December 08, 2011, 09:46:21 AM
I think my council tax bill would be far lower if she didn't have an e-mail facility.

... if we were all like her, nothing would ever be done. She's like a dog with a bone over irrelevant concerns.

Blimey Duke, I think we've found something we agree on at last  :o  It's interesting that when Tony Blair is asked what regrets he has from his ten years as prime minister, he refers not, as one might expect, to the invasion of Iraq, but to the FOI Act.  I shudder to think how much taxpayers' money has been squandered because of it.   >:(
Title: Re: Councillors expenses
Post by: Duke Fame on December 08, 2011, 09:53:06 AM

But irrelevent to who?.

I think that probity in all matters concerning the community is essential and demandable.

The kids of Reddish North have been awaitong a new school for some time, Ms Oliver has pretty much held them back for all this time.
Title: Re: Councillors expenses
Post by: Duke Fame on December 08, 2011, 09:58:11 AM
I think my council tax bill would be far lower if she didn't have an e-mail facility.

... if we were all like her, nothing would ever be done. She's like a dog with a bone over irrelevant concerns.

Blimey Duke, I think we've found something we agree on at last  :o  It's interesting that when Tony Blair is asked what regrets he has from his ten years as prime minister, he refers not, as one might expect, to the invasion of Iraq, but to the FOI Act.  I shudder to think how much taxpayers' money has been squandered because of it.   >:(

Yep we agree here, there is a point at which we accept that we have elected people to run things and they must get on and do it.

Ms Oliver has campaigned against all sorts of f developments to the extent that she seems to be a professional complainer but how much has it cost. The improved road networks she's campaigned against must have cost loads of jobs, not only in contruction but in the improvements to business.
Title: Re: Councillors expenses
Post by: alan@marple on December 08, 2011, 10:03:24 AM

And how many public officials cowering in the corner because of it?.

Tony Blair may well regret it, perhaps he has good reason to: generations to come will suffer as a result of his "gung ho" attitude to other peoples lives and families.

Blair, Brown, Prescot- the unholy trinity!

Have a nice day
Title: Re: Councillors expenses
Post by: Sheilaoliver on January 03, 2012, 07:58:44 PM
Someone went to the Bredbury councillors (not Syd Lloyd who always helps).  They asked about a dangerous footpath for over a year. They got nowhere - one did nothing, one is 94 the other one wouldn't come to the door for whatever reason

http://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/footpath_at_the_side_of_woodley#comment-23822

As you will see, they are now proposing to put right the danger presumably because I asked. I don't know why we pay some of these councillors anything. The LibDems accuse me of wasting public money by asking about such matters. I don't - I get things done.

The traffic around the Toxic Waste Dump school, which has suffered a collapse and is haemorrhaging pupils after just one term, is causing serious concern to police. I raised these matters in time to have done something about it. Now it is too late.  Kids will die.

http://democracy.stockport.gov.uk/documents/s9848/Vale%20View%20Executive%20Summary%20Sheet%20and%20Report.pdf
Title: Re: Councillors expenses
Post by: Duke Fame on January 04, 2012, 11:39:07 AM
Someone went to the Bredbury councillors (not Syd Lloyd who always helps).  They asked about a dangerous footpath for over a year. They got nowhere - one did nothing, one is 94 the other one wouldn't come to the door for whatever reason

http://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/footpath_at_the_side_of_woodley#comment-23822

As you will see, they are now proposing to put right the danger presumably because I asked. I don't know why we pay some of these councillors anything. The LibDems accuse me of wasting public money by asking about such matters. I don't - I get things done.




Shiela, a ceiling tile came down, it's not colapsing, you are being meladramatic and you know it.

now it is too late.  Kids will die.

http://democracy.stockport.gov.uk/documents/s9848/Vale%20View%20Executive%20Summary%20Sheet%20and%20Report.pdf

Can we negotiate Shiela? the kids are innocent in this, it will not help you to make them martyrs.
Title: Re: Councillors expenses
Post by: Dave on January 04, 2012, 11:56:15 AM
Earlier this morning, I looked up how many FOI requests Ms Oliver had to her name (answer: 341 and counting   ::))  In the process I was distracted by the titles of some other FOI requests which caught my eye.  Such as this one:  http://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/some_people_think_im_bonkers

...and this one:  http://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/rubber_knickers

It may seem mildy amusing at first, but when you reflect on the taxpayers' money which is being squandered up and down the country on dealing with Mr Pickles and his ilk, it's quite depressing.   :'(

Now Ms Oliver of Reddish may not be quite in the same extreme category of wasters-of-public-money as this guy Tickles, but surely in these straightened times, we need urgently to do something to protect our dwindling band of civil servants and local authority employees from this nonsense, and let them get on with doing something more useful? 
Title: Re: Councillors expenses
Post by: Duke Fame on January 04, 2012, 12:05:44 PM
Earlier this morning, I looked up how many FOI requests Ms Oliver had to her name (answer: 341 and counting   ::))  In the process I was distracted by the titles of some other FOI requests which caught my eye.  Such as this one:  http://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/some_people_think_im_bonkers

...and this one:  http://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/rubber_knickers

It may seem mildy amusing at first, but when you reflect on the taxpayers' money which is being squandered up and down the country on dealing with Mr Pickles and his ilk, it's quite depressing.   :'(

Now Ms Oliver of Reddish may not be quite in the same extreme category of wasters-of-public-money as this guy Tickles, but surely in these straightened times, we need urgently to do something to protect our dwindling band of civil servants and local authority employees from this nonsense, and let them get on with doing something more useful? 

There is a serious side of this and not just money. We've had the odd  public enquiry recently where MP's of both political sides have  implied that they simply missed the odd e-mail, some being very important. I think it's imposible for our elected leaders to have to trawl through a lot of irelevent tosh in the hope there may be something important.