We have heard a lot about the "Big Society" but is there a "Secret Society" in East Staffordshire.
Labour Members of the Council are excluded from the meeting of their authority according to Burton Mail.
http://www.burtonmail.co.uk/News/Labour-members-are-kicked-out-of-town-hall-meeting-by-Tory-rivals.htm
I thought the Councillors did enjoy more privileges as elected representatives and members of the Council than public.
Item 3Ba of the Constitution of the Council describes the role of the Councillor and states:
"2.1 To participate in the good governance of the area.
2.2 To represent effectively and proactively the interests of the ward/neighbourhood that you are elected to represent.
2.3 To contribute actively to the formation and scrutiny of the authority’s policies, budget, strategies and service delivery."
The Councillors have specific roles and responsibilities. None of these could be fulfilled if the Councillors are not allowed to attend the meetings.
Friday, 15 October 2010
Coalition going South
The approval rating for the Con/Lib Coalition Government has taken a sharp dip.
http://www.newstatesman.com/blogs/the-staggers/2010/10/coalition-falls-approval-fees
http://www.newstatesman.com/blogs/the-staggers/2010/10/coalition-falls-approval-fees
Tuesday, 12 October 2010
Free Electric Blanket Testing
There will be free electric blanket testing on 25 October 2010 in Town Centre between 9.30am - 12.00pm & 2.00pm to 4.00pm.
Electric Blankets cause many fires and this is useful check to ensure the blankets are safe to use.
Electric Blankets cause many fires and this is useful check to ensure the blankets are safe to use.
Friday, 8 October 2010
ESBC Communication/Website
The Websites are used to inform and update people. Local Authorities use websites amongst other things to publicise their services, inform customers, make online payments and interact with public. Indeed public are encouraged to use Websites for information and services from organisations.
ESBC also has a website. Sometimes it is inevitable to keep the information updated in real time and there may be some lag in updating the website.
However when something is flagged up then one would expect that the information is updated as soon as possible.
Good and accurate communication reflects upon an organisation’s professionalism, intent, quality, moral, commitments and ethos. Good communication also engenders trust and confidence.
I was advised that the website in respect of Neighbourhood Wardens will be updated in early March. Over six months later the website shows this information under "Warden Patrols".
"Patrol Timetable
The Community Wardens work 2-shift pattern that rotates over a three-week cycle 0830-1630hrs & 1230-12030hrs Mon-Fri
They undertake duties such as Littering, Anti Social Behaviour, Dog Fouling and are a good point of visible contact in the area."
Now in this information I cannot see the timetable. There are details of Wardens’ working times but upon close scrutiny I don't understand it.
Accurate and up to date information to public is really important! But this is shoddy communication and unacceptable from a public service provider. As tax payers, we expect better standard of communication.
The Conservative led Council tells us about cost savings but frankly public are struggling to reconcile savings because what we hearing, seeing, feeling and experiencing are cuts in services and quality.
The Council spends around £80,000 on ES News. People are more likely to visit the website for up to date information and services than read ES News.
I leave it to the readers to judge where the priorities are for the Conservative administration.
ESBC also has a website. Sometimes it is inevitable to keep the information updated in real time and there may be some lag in updating the website.
However when something is flagged up then one would expect that the information is updated as soon as possible.
Good and accurate communication reflects upon an organisation’s professionalism, intent, quality, moral, commitments and ethos. Good communication also engenders trust and confidence.
I was advised that the website in respect of Neighbourhood Wardens will be updated in early March. Over six months later the website shows this information under "Warden Patrols".
"Patrol Timetable
The Community Wardens work 2-shift pattern that rotates over a three-week cycle 0830-1630hrs & 1230-12030hrs Mon-Fri
They undertake duties such as Littering, Anti Social Behaviour, Dog Fouling and are a good point of visible contact in the area."
Now in this information I cannot see the timetable. There are details of Wardens’ working times but upon close scrutiny I don't understand it.
Accurate and up to date information to public is really important! But this is shoddy communication and unacceptable from a public service provider. As tax payers, we expect better standard of communication.
The Conservative led Council tells us about cost savings but frankly public are struggling to reconcile savings because what we hearing, seeing, feeling and experiencing are cuts in services and quality.
The Council spends around £80,000 on ES News. People are more likely to visit the website for up to date information and services than read ES News.
I leave it to the readers to judge where the priorities are for the Conservative administration.
Wednesday, 6 October 2010
Tories Cut Child benefit
The Conservative Party Conference has been dominated by the cut in child benefit announcement.
This means that people who work hard and are earning around £44,000 will lose the child benefit. At this level of income you could hardly say people are rich. However on the other hand a family could earn £80,000 and keep the child benefit. So where is fairness in this?
It seems that this is a hasty policy without proper consideration.
This cut was not in Conservative manifesto. I recall Conservatives were telling us they were going to find savings from the 'waste' is Government departments.
So what's next...???
This means that people who work hard and are earning around £44,000 will lose the child benefit. At this level of income you could hardly say people are rich. However on the other hand a family could earn £80,000 and keep the child benefit. So where is fairness in this?
It seems that this is a hasty policy without proper consideration.
This cut was not in Conservative manifesto. I recall Conservatives were telling us they were going to find savings from the 'waste' is Government departments.
So what's next...???
Monday, 4 October 2010
Update on Chestnut Grange Development
To date the following works have been carried out –
• The new sewer diversion and culvert works are complete and the sewer now runs down Anglesey Road (along the inside of the hoardings)
• The piling works and the piling mat are now complete
• Excavation work and concrete foundations are complete
• Substructure block work and internal drainage are mainly complete.
• The beam and block floors are nearly finished and will be complete by the end of September.
• Brickwork has now begun and more operatives have been on site since late September so the progress with this should be quite rapid.
The completion of new retirement home complex is expected in November 2011.
• The new sewer diversion and culvert works are complete and the sewer now runs down Anglesey Road (along the inside of the hoardings)
• The piling works and the piling mat are now complete
• Excavation work and concrete foundations are complete
• Substructure block work and internal drainage are mainly complete.
• The beam and block floors are nearly finished and will be complete by the end of September.
• Brickwork has now begun and more operatives have been on site since late September so the progress with this should be quite rapid.
The completion of new retirement home complex is expected in November 2011.
New Play equipment at Anglesey Park
Work has commenced to install new play equipment at Anglesey Park. The Council secured circa £44000 for the open space provision from the Heritage Brewery (Burton Village) development through section 106. This money was secured in 2006 but it has taken a long time to design and implement this project. £30,000 from section 106 monies is used for new play equipment. The equipment was chosen by local youngsters after consultation with local schools.
The remaining money approximately £15k is earmarked for the changing rooms in Anglesey Park. This will contribute towards a larger project by the Parish Council and to help keep the precept down. Last year the Parish Council raised the precept from £11000 to £30000.
The remaining money approximately £15k is earmarked for the changing rooms in Anglesey Park. This will contribute towards a larger project by the Parish Council and to help keep the precept down. Last year the Parish Council raised the precept from £11000 to £30000.
Saturday, 2 October 2010
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