Crocodile tears and other acts of hypocrisy
 

So it seems the the Community Wardens are History despite the public outcry and their undoubted contribution to making the town a safer place for all of us.

The Idiot-in-Cheif has decided to pull the plug. The Council were told by central government that funding was available for two years and that when it ran out the council would have to arrange funding itself.

HBC and Barking Britcliffe did nothing to attempt to sort out further funding, except to complain that the government were cheating the borough and to whine that HBC's lack of action was everybody elses fault but theirs.

Thus we have the situation as reported on page 13 of this weeks Observer under the headline "Community Wardens given P45's".

The leader of the Labour Group, Cllr. David Myles, You remember, the one who thinks that a suit and tie places a barrier between him and the electorate and who thinks it is perfectly acceptable to attend his own wedding dressed from head to toe in medieval armour, has said that not enough had been done to save the Wardens. And added that "I would like to know what efforts are being made to secure the funding which would keep them in place".

Laudable sentiments. After all, the money has to come from somewhere and HBC has only a limited budget.

Which does nothing to explain how HBC can suddenly come up with £100,000 to fund "birthday parties" for Area Councils. Nor does it explain why Cllr. Myles felt justified in supporting the 26% increase in councillors allowances.

Re: Crocodile tears and other acts of hypocrisy
 

Good point A-b, but again why does it matter what people wear?

In another thread you said the Mayoress was badly turned out, and now felt the need to say that Cllr. Myles doesn't wear a suit and tie.

What on earth has what he wore to his wedding got to do with anything? He could dress up as Queen Victoria for all I care.

Your esteemed leader Britcliffe is always 'nicely turned out' being both booted and suited, does that make him a better leader of HBC?

Politics is already becoming more and more Americanised. Lets not go down the same road.

Let's judge people by what they say, and not how they dress or how attractive they are.

Re: Crocodile tears and other acts of hypocrisy
 

In criticizing the appearance of plain jane(t) I hoped to point out that someone who looks like a sack of spuds tied round the middle does little to enhance and promote the dignity of the office conferred upon her and as an example of Hyndburns brightest and best that a second term for the previous incumbent would have been a preferable option.

Appearance does not matter in Public Life. What a ridiculous notion. Of course it matters. Why else do you think that the Labour party had to dump Michael Foot after he turned up at the Cenotaph in a Donkey Jacket? It's about Standards. It's about having respect for the institution that the public has elected you to represent them in.

I have no problem with judging people with what they do and what they say, hence my criticism of Cllr. Myles.

Cllr. Britcliffe, I hasten to point out, is not "My Leader" as even a cursory reading of my posts to date would amply illustrate.

Re: Crocodile tears and other acts of hypocrisy
 

like rindy i think it matters not what they wear, but unlike rindy it dont matter what they say its what they actually DO that matters. if leaflets telling us how to cook barbacue food are an example- i dispair.

Re: Crocodile tears and other acts of hypocrisy
 

Britcliffe is 'your' leader A-b because he is 'our' leader.

Happily l don't count him as 'my' leader because the majority of people made him so before l moved back to the area, so l am absolved.:)

I still don't see how what people look like matters a jot as to how they perform their job.

We have no idea what A-B looks like, nor does it matter, or does it?

Perhaps a nice little piccie on his profile will help us decide?

Re: Crocodile tears and other acts of hypocrisy
 

This sloppy use of definitions will not do, it leads to misunderstandings. Cllr Britcliffe is the leader of HBC and Nothing Else! As such, since I did not vote for him and he does not represent the Ward in which I live, he is not "My Leader". Indeed, I seriously doubt that on the evidence thus far in his political career that he is capable of leading a Whist Drive, much less a Local Authority!


What happens when it comes to be Cllr Myles' turn to be Mayor of Hyndburn? Will he turn up to the Mayor Making dressed in his birthday suit on the grounds that the Mayoral Robes place a barrier between the office of Mayor and the electorate?

Re: Crocodile tears and other acts of hypocrisy
 

Well it would save money. I hope he'll have something suitable to hang his chain on.

Or should I, as my swan song, design and make him something fitting? Free of charge of course, I'll waive my usual fee.

Re: Crocodile tears and other acts of hypocrisy
 

i actualy found teh comunity wardens usefull on a few occasions it pi**es me of that they have to go yet the council will fork out for funfairs in honour of the mayor , self indulgent payrises and god knows what other pointless wastes of money they are thinking of

it seems to me that sometimes counilors use OUR money as their own personal account to spend on the most stupid pointless crap they can think of

if it was their own money they were playing with i dare say they would be more carefull with it

Re: Crocodile tears and other acts of hypocrisy
 

The Council spends some £12m. Each warden costs £19,000 to employ with on costs. The Labour Party's scheme of 24 wardens will cost around £450,000. It will be a priority. £200,000 will come from removing the beauracracy within Area Councils - Area Councils will remain or modernise and operate with minimal cost. Other savings will have to found to fund the remaining gap from back office costs and other reductions in beauracracy and paperwork. Abandoning silly schemes will save money as Chav says.

The Labour Party has said the Council Tax will not go up, however residents I have spoken to have said they would want the scheme even if the only way was to put a bit extra on Council Tax. A 10% rise would be 25p per week per household and net £400,000 in receipts.

Re: Crocodile tears and other acts of hypocrisy
 

He we go, Can we not resort to bitching between each other gentleman. I for one believe that those in public service should be smart and well tuned out, How we see people in public life gives us visual confidence in their position. Many of you went out last night and dress up for the part and spent some time doing it. Even you rindy. It the same in every establishment in which you have faith in. We are in every sense of the word what people see. If one of these councillors is representing me I’d expect them to look the part.

The real point of A-Bs comments are the loss of the Community Wardens. This is a pitiful loss to the town in my opinion. Maybe its time that less was spent criticizing each other and spent some of that energy writing to you local councillor to protest at this act of stupidity.

Re: Crocodile tears and other acts of hypocrisy
 

Point take, but what should they look like?

Surely actions are more important than sartorial garb?

As previously posted, PB always seems to be pictured smartly attired, sadly it doesn't make his politics any more appealing to me though.

Re: Crocodile tears and other acts of hypocrisy
 

HMM what would be suitable atire for certain HBC councilors....

Re: Crocodile tears and other acts of hypocrisy
 

I do find it strange that Cllr Britcliffe and his cabinet couldn't think ahead two years by planning further funding for the Community Warden. It's not like they didn't know the day would come when the money would run out. But to me that sums up the way the Conservatives are managing the Council - they make a great big fuss about little things as and when they happen but don't have any forward thinking or foresight.

Re: Crocodile tears and other acts of hypocrisy
 

Time we got our fingers isn’t it and got the buggers out. What’s required to secure a vote of no confidence?.................

Re: Crocodile tears and other acts of hypocrisy
 

This farce has gone on long enough.

I sincerely hope that the Labour group will be spending every penny it can lay its hands on when the time comes to contest the Idiot-in-Chief's Ward. Anything less than a total comittment to removing The Idiot from his seat at the earliest available opportunity will be seen as a dereliction of democratic duty. I am even considering moving to Ossy just to have the pleasure of casting my vote against him.


If no one else is going to suggest it, then I nominate Gayle Knight to stand for the St Andrew's Ward. Anyone care to second the nomination?


As for Cllr. Myles, if you want to demonstrate to friends and family alike what a complete and utter prat you are by traipsing down the aisle dressed as Colon the Barbarian, then that is entirely your perogative and who shall say "nay" to you? Not I!

But when you then seek to convince the people of the borough that you also know better than they what is right for the borough, then I am afraid that you cannot be surprised if people take one look at you and start laughing!

Re: Crocodile tears and other acts of hypocrisy
 

Would she want it?

You might want to ask her first Bob………However, If she was to agree to you proposal I would stand and second the motion.

Re: Crocodile tears and other acts of hypocrisy
 

NEWSFLASH!!!

HOUSE PRICES IN OSWALDTWISTLE TUMBLE AS ACRYLIC-BOB THREATENS TO DO A DAME SHIRLEY PORTER!!!

Perhaps HBC should take a leaf out of central Government's book, and give all the councillors a make up allowance so they can look more appealing to the masses.

Re: Crocodile tears and other acts of hypocrisy
 

I’d just prefer them to look Professional Rindy.

Re: Crocodile tears and other acts of hypocrisy
 

Professional what?

I am sorry to keep harping on about it when it wasn't really the point of the thread. I just find it fascinating. I spent half my life in fashion, and l did very nicely out of it thank you.

I just find it strange that a lot of people obviously seem to think that a person, in this case a councillor, is more able to do their job properly if they are wearing what other people deem to be suitable attire.

Are expensive training shoes, or a pair of £2 shoes from Tommy Balls or indeed a pair of Manolo Blahniks really that important as to how these public servants perform their job?

Re: Crocodile tears and other acts of hypocrisy
 

Ooooh, I'd do anything for a pair of Manolos.....:D

We knew that the day would come when the community warden scheme would end. If my memory serves me right, we have discussed this before on this site. How is it that the citizens of this borough have known for ages that the warden scheme would need funding, but our council have been so ill prepared that they have let this happen. The wardens do a great job, but they could do so much more. They would raise enough money for their own salaries by issuing littering fines for example. Not only a source of revenue but a nice clean borough to boot......

Re: Crocodile tears and other acts of hypocrisy
 

OK Randy Westwood……:p How these people look as ****** all to do with how they do their Job. However, I know my local Community Warden is Professional and doing his Job because of his uniform! If I had the misadventure of meet Lettie professionally I know I would be in the best of hands because of her uniform….Are you starting to get the Picture? My bank manager wears a shirt and tie, so he looks the part in being a responsible individual, I wouldn’t want one of my employers managers going to asses a service user dressed in a t-shirt and jeans, I want them to look the part, that’s way they wear suites…..But this doesn’t have anything to do with the point in Question. Community Wardens fulfil a necessary function; above all else they lend us a sense of security. What are you going to do without then, are you going to fill the void as a community volunteer?....

Re: Crocodile tears and other acts of hypocrisy
 

the wardens do a good job without doubt, its the fact that we are losing them, thanks to INCOMPETANT CRETINS that could not plan a p*** up in a brewery that grates.

Re: Crocodile tears and other acts of hypocrisy
 

There is a difference between public life & private life as newspapers have found to their cost in recent times. I know David well & whatever he wears he represents our area in Clayton well & has always spoken out regardless of the cost to support the forgotten sector of Hyndburn & give Cllr B his due deserts at council meetings. Maybe that is why he felt the need to wear a suit of armour for his wedding. It is possible to dress casual & still be smart-the camera never lies-tell that to the girl who photographed faries at the bottom of her garden (no pun intended Garinda). Actions & words speak out far louder than what comes out of ones wardrobe. maybe the funding could be found by passing the P45s on to the muppets masquerading as traffic wardens who are doing as big a job of cock ups as Cllr B!

Re: Crocodile tears and other acts of hypocrisy
 

She must look very smart!


I'm sure Lettie does just as good a job as the midwifes did 50 years ago, when they had to wear frilly starched hats and stockings, or would you prefer that?

Re: Crocodile tears and other acts of hypocrisy
 

Wouldn't you? :p

Re: Crocodile tears and other acts of hypocrisy
 

Thank you A-B, you're the last person I would have expected to have nominated me, oh, apart from Tealeaf of course. Only joking!

All I can say is - watch this space!

Re: Crocodile tears and other acts of hypocrisy
 

Well I'm pleased that I can still pull a surprise or two out of my battered old hat... Go for it girl!

Re: Crocodile tears and other acts of hypocrisy
 

Thanks A-B, I might just do that.

And for the record, if I did do that you would have to bear in mind that I would have an interest in upping the provision of all arts in the area. But, and this is a very big BUT, with regard to the Panopticon and MPA - it would actually mean that I WOULDN'T be able to have any influence at all because I would have to declare them as a conflict of interest and so would be unable to vote in any matters that concerned them. Just thought I'd get that in quickly before you all started panicking about Panopticons popping up all over the place.

Re: Crocodile tears and other acts of hypocrisy
 

It will be difficult, but I think that we might just manage to cope with that - So long as you make sure that you fix Britcliffe's little red wagon good and proper!

Re: Crocodile tears and other acts of hypocrisy
 

What's your hat size?

I'll knock you a nice, new smart one up.;)

Re: Crocodile tears and other acts of hypocrisy
 

Surely, PB would have a little blue wagon!

Re: Crocodile tears and other acts of hypocrisy
 

Blue, Red? The colour isn't important. What is important is that his reign as Idiot-in-Chief is brought to a swift and preferably ignominious end.