Quote:
Originally Posted by jaysay
I think that's a very simplistic way of looking at things, when I first became involved in local politics nearly 50 years ago councillors weren't paid, but its an all new ball game today, councillors are on call 24/7 and believe me, although I've never been a councillor, dealing with the general public is no easy job, because everybody knows how to run the council, from the armchair, but very few are prepared to stick their toe in the water and have a try themselves. Regardless of party I have always said people who take on public duties as a councillor deserve everything they get, because the man in the street is the hardest person to deal with in the world
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I do agree John. You are pragmatically right on both points. For such a lucrative job there is hardly anyone in the queue which says it all.
Whilst buses, houses and energy have gone, leisure half gone the areas have increased and people are more demanding.
Where the Council would do a few basic things, they now have to respond to a a public that has fragmented into many lobbying groups demanding this minor service and that minor service be added to the pubic purse. Notably health and wellbeing where knowledge and advances have outstripped resources.
I bet back in the day Hyndburn's Council's did not a clinical waste collection for example. Now Councillors are expected to be on every resident group giving many voluntary hours. Gone are the days where all you did was one meeting every two months in the town hall.
The clear answer to removing politicians allowances is have a queue of civic minded people willing to do it for free. That will be the day.
Back on thread. There needs to be a review of the Mayorality some time in the future. Maybe one for Ken to look at in his capacity.