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Living off the fat of the land.
The leader of Hyndburn Borough Council, Cllr. Britcliffe, is quoted in this weekend's Observer, justyifying the increases in allowances some of our councillors have voted to award themselves.
The allowance for an overnight hotel stay has increased from £99.69 to £145.00 per night. An evening meal allowance has increased from £10.24 to £25.00. Faced with criticism from some members of the council that increases of such a great a percentage weren't wise in the current financial climate, Cllr. Britcliffe is quoted as saying, in regard to a recent trip of his to Downing Street, that 'surely you wouldn't expect the leader to camp out in Hyde Park', and 'anybody who can find a meal for £10 in London should write a tourist guide'. Well, I have no intention of writing a tourist guide, but as someone who lived in London for seventeen years, and like millions of fellow Londoners, managed to eat out very reasonably, without the need for a subsidy from the tax payer's purse, here is my advice. The Stockpot in Old Compton Street, walking distance from Downing Street, is the perfect place to enjoy a good traditional dinner. Two courses and a glass of red wine will cost under a tenner. Alternatively Pizza Hut in the Haymarket, again walking distance from Number 10, is a place you can enjoy a medium pizza and salad, and a glass of wine for £9.95. As for accommodation I know the telephone number of any number of decent hotels in Bayswater and South Kensington, where you can find B & B for £85.00 per night, and the price doesnt change with the season. This information I'm freely passing on to our leader isn't a secret, known only to Londoners, it is quite accessible to anyone. Anyone who is funding their own trip perhaps, and is not having their trips paid for by the cash strapped residents of Hyndburn. I hope this information has been useful. If I can ever give any more information that might prevent future increases in councillor's allowances, please feel free to contact me. As for 'camping in Hyde Park', do be careful after dark. |
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I'm sorry for anyone who hasn't seen this weekend's Observer.
The full story isn't on their website yet. |
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so glad i'm back, just waiting for andrews comments on our leaders expenses.:D
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Well I don't know why, if councillors are representing the Borough, they can't just bring the receipts back and be reimburse, after all no one should be out of pocket on official business. Its a long time since I stayed in London but I reckon I could still find a decent place to stop at a reasonable price, mind you I did like to stop in a pub when I was travelling:D
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If Britcliffe brings a tent next time he's in the smoke, he can stick it up in my back garden and kip there. I'll charge him a tenner but he'll have to get his own breakfast. Just think of all the positive publicity which would result.
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By the way, the increase Cllr. Britcliffe voted to award himself for an over night stay equals a 49% increase.
The allowance claimed by Burnley and Ribble Valley councillors is £91 and £121 respectively. Perhaps he meant he can't find somewhere in London to eat for a tenner that doesn't have a Michelin star. |
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My doesn't time fly?
It doesen't seem all that long ago that our councillors voted to give themselves a 26% increase for their expenses. http://www.accringtonweb.com/forum/f...ise-13737.html |
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so ahemmm our glorious leader has actually awarded himself a 75% rise in expenses in approx three n half years..........some recession.:(
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Have to slightly put up a different view here Garinda.
I have stayed in 100's of hotels in London (and visited them in the course of my job), and even Travel Lodges charge £85 >> £90 near the centre .. with no restaurant available .. 'cept a machine containing confectioneries. Before I retired last January, most hotels in London were certainly working out at £100 + per night .. the ones which were accessible to a tube station. As for the meals, well yes, could walk down the street to the local Pizza Hut if necessary, and have done on many occasions, however, even though I never had any fear of going out of the hotel at night, always felt much safer and less hassle to use a hotel with a restaurant (which B & B's don't have). Can't remember within the last two years when a meal in a hotel's restaurant cost less than £ 20 .. just with one course and 1/2 bottle of wine (which I always felt entitled to after traveling all day). Also hate the communal dining room of a B & B in the morning ... preferred to have it my room as the chatter of other guests first thing in the morning did not set me up well for the rest of the day. We do have lady concillors too you know who would be nervous of venturing out of a safe environment at night. Also, the good B & B's are usually booked up way in advance. In other words, I do not find the increase unreasonable at all. |
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Why does it need an overnight trip to see Downing St ? It's only a 30 second tourist event from the barriers at the end, you can't even see No 10 :confused:
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I have worked for a company that had fixed priced allowances when away from home, if you were in London or Paris the rates were higher than standard to allow for the difference.
Another placed I worked you had to save receipts and claim the money back afterwards. That way worked out the best as they did not care how much beer you drank as long as you had the receipts. |
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The allowance is applicable for any overnight stay, be it Whitehall or Whitby.
Funny how are neibouring councillors seem to manage on less. |
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'Course, one way of cutting this expense down is to go in twos and share a room, as most hotels now only charge per room .... :D:D
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Restaurant charges appear to remain the same in hotels irrespective of where it is in the country .. just the room rate may be cheaper than London. |
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Fifty five quid, en suite, very central, loads of restaurants offering a wide choice of food on your doorstep.
Kensington Court Hotel Bayswater website: Rack Rates |
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I don't know what it is about Cllr. 'because I'm worth it' Britcliffe and his expenses, but I always end up picturing Marie Antoinette. |
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In actual fact why if hes going to london on official business why doesnt the council book his room .. that way the invoice is going straight to the council. The council then pays for the room, breakfast ... and anything else is charged to the councillor ... that way room service aint abused!!!
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I am assuming of course that she has not done already :rolleyes: |
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But no restaurant in the hotel Garinda ... which is the most safe for ladies. Unless, you knew the restaurants and their bargains, would still cost £20 +. Also, parking ? that could be a nightmare .... although must admit most hotels will charge extra, even if they have parking facilities, but not so much as the Public Car Parks. Used to spend lots of precious time looking for a decent, well-priced hotel in London which always overtook the extra expense of my time. Depends on the time of year too. I wouldn't have stayed there anyway, and will not alter my opinion. |
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cost to council , £80,000 per year (not including pension and private medical costs) :rolleyes: :D |
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Britcliffe isn't a vunerable flower. Your preference for an in-house hotel restaurant is irrelevant.
He said he needs to spend £145.00 per night on a hotel in London, and couldn't eat for a tenner. He was wrong on both accounts. |
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Hell for £145 I could get him a weeks half board in Tenerife, though that wouldn't include a homeward bound flight.;) |
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I think it was a grand total of 5 councillors that had actually been to London to represent the borough on expenses. The value is also a limit, a cap. A hotel costing £80 in Winter, could well cost £200 in Summer. Councillor Britcliffe who people are all too happy to have a pop at, actually books his online to ensure the cheapest cost to the taxpayer, when on official business like meeting the Prime Minister. I reckon there will be little difference between this years expense total, and next years. The point Katex makes is very important, we should not be putting our female councillors at risk. Especially when the visits are so few in number. Unfortunately I did not have time to grab the Observer this morning, but I can imagine what was wrote in it. I must say, it is quite interesting, how the opposition voted against this one. They voted against an expenses increase a few years ago, and then when it was passed, spent up to the new value in their expenses. They also voted against taking separate expenses for multiple roles within council, and yet yours truly Graham Jones and Clare Prichard, are taking separate expenses for multiple roles. Stinks of cheap newspaper headlines. I'm glad you're back cashman. I have missed you. ;) |
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I bet you would :rolleyes::p:D |
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Keep it clean Neil!!!!:D
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I do think your situation is slightly different though. If a private company expects it's employees to regularly stay away from home, then there should be enough funding to make sure that person feels comfortable, and safe, and expect certain standards when it comes to facilities. H.B.C. isn't a private company. Whether the borough of Hyndburn benefited from Cllr. Britcliffe and his Chief Executive's overnight stay in London for the launch of Pennine Lancashire, is another question. I wonder what time it took place? I've been to afternoon meetings in London, and have been there and back the same day, thanks to the good old railway sytstem. |
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No councillor, regardless of gender, should be forced to stay anywhere they are at risk. There's no evidence that anyone would be more 'at risk' in a reasonably priced hotel than they would be at the Ritz. |
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You'd lose your bet.;) |
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I know he's put a few pounds on over the years, but you surely can't be referring to our esteemed leader, Councillor Britcliffe, as 'the fat of the land' can you?;);)
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Retlaw. |
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I reckon that all politicians should go on minimum wage for a year
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he can go and get a happy meal from macdonalds for £2, its a meal (alledgedly) its less than a tenner... in fact for a tenner he can have 5 ! yaaaay me! :D:D
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He could sit in there and guzzle a full family bucket for only £9.95.:D |
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i'm interested to know what they class as a meal.
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Glad to see your no party allegiance stance has sparked you into condemning the double standards within the opposing party on expenses too Garinda. ;)
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This is LCC allowances I found on their website, it would appear they don't have a limit as such as anything over the allowance can be claimed on production of receipts.
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This leaves me free to say what I actually think about any given issue, and either praise or criticise as I see fit, as witnessed by my recent negative comments about the present government in the Lordy Lordy thread. Freedom from wearing political blinkers is a wonderful thing. I feel sorry that you can't enjoy it too.;) |
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[quote=andrewb;672821] You're aware I'm most close to the Conservative party, because they most closely share my beliefs.[quote]
Most close to? You are an active member of the Conservative party. I've never found any one party whose policies mirror my own, therefore I choose not to affiliate myself to any party by joining their ranks. If you can manage to see past your blinkers you'd understand that my comparing this government with the morally corrupt one of John Major's, in relation to the latest scandals, isn't exactly a glowing endorsement.;) I shall continue commenting on things I think are important from my non-partisan position. You are free to continue pushing your one party agenda. Most of us realise that your viewpoint is somewhat skewed by this, and make allowances for you.;) |
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[quote=garinda;672829][quote=andrewb;672821] You're aware I'm most close to the Conservative party, because they most closely share my beliefs.
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Then I have to repeat myself again and again, and give examples, of both praise and criticism I've made of both ends of the political spectrum, thus proving my impartial stand. |
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Well I would defend any of the councillors for taking the allowances and expenses. If I'd have been elected then too right I would have done it too.
I spend a lot of time in the council offices and some of the councillors are in there most of the time. As for making them take minimum pay - they'd be claiming more if they did that. Being on the council is a 24hr thing, 7 days a week - people ring them up at all hours to complain or comment on things and expect them to be at their beck and call. They don't earn a salary for being on the council and the amount they can claim comes no where near the salary that they'd be missing out on if they worked elsewhere. Whilst the expenses hike might have seemed like a big one, let's put it into perspective - Britcliffe only spent about 5 nights away last year (or something like that) very few others actually spent any nights away. The additional amount claimed is probably peanuts. |
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wasting yer time trying to give examples rindy, me grandad always used to say- ya can't put sense where there is none.:rolleyes:
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If you'd care to do a search on Accy Web you'll find exactly what I think regarding whether M.P.'s full expenses should be published, and the attacks on trying to block the proposed transparency. The Labour leader of the Commons Michael Martin came in for particular bashing. It's really too laborious to keep repeating what I believe to be true every time a new thread starts on a subject, when it's already been said. Quiet day in your ivory tower in Hull? Must be, for my views to be so important to you. |
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Peanuts to some maybe, but I suspect not for many. Especially when our neighbouring councillors can apparently accommodate themselves for much less than the ones here in Hyndburn. The petulant claim from Cllr. Britcliffe that if anyone knows where you can eat in London for £10, instead of the increased £25, has been addressed, because you can eat very well for a tenner in the capital, and evidence has been supplied. No one is saying our councillors don't do a good job, and work hard, above and beyond the call of duty, and no one should be out of pocket for providing a public service as a councillor. It just happened that they voted to increase their allowances by such a large percentage when most of the rest of the country is having to tighten it's collective belt. |
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If you want the best you have to pay for it.:rolleyes: |
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Am not a snob that has not stayed in the Travel Lodges/Holiday Express's of this world and many grotty establishments .. LOL |
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I still think the percentage increase of the allowances is outrageous, when neighbouring councils can make sure their councillors can apparently do it for much less. Perhaps H.B.C. would be wiser to spend money on some good P.R., so it doesn't look like they're throwing financial caution to the wind, whilst the rest of the country feels the increasingly hard bite of the credit crunch. A good P.R. person would be able to explain when is and when isn't a good time to do something like this, so it becomes a little more palatable to us the great unwashed. Like you say, we'll just have to agree to disagree on this one.:p (By the way knowing of reasonable places to eat well and cheaply has nothing to do with living there for seventeen years. Most available guide books will mention the Stockpot chain, and other similar restaurants. There's even one in Basil Street in sumptuous Knightsbridge, in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, but a stones throw, or a short cab ride, from the Kensington Hilton.);) :D |
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If it came to light that any councillors who'd voted against the increase, and then took an expense claim to the upper limit of the new allowance, I'd find that morally wrong, and I would condemn their hypocrisy. Clear enough for you? If it isn't, try tilting your head away from the screen a little, to allow better vision via the side of your one party agenda blinkers.;) :D |
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I don't know too much about your local politics, but it appears that what your councillor is doing is not too outrageous in itself, but is in its timing. Many politicians in Canada are accepting a salary freeze and a cap on expenses ... it is a fitting gesture given the tough economic times the world is facing. Seems like your councillor is kinda dense, or insensitive ... or maybe both. A time when your PM admits that the UK is officially in recession .... (he did this in an interview he had with the CBC; so he must have said something about it to the British public) ... is no time to stick one's snout a little deeper into the public trough.
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You're learning to see a little through your blinkers. I might even try a sadle on you tomorrow. Good boy. Have a sugar lump. :D |
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You can't ride a Shetland. My plan is to have him jumping through hoops, then I can sell him to Chipperfield's. :D |
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Chicken feed, wait while they get to county council level :mad:
ALMOST £2,700 of taxpayers’ money was used to send a senior councillor to an international conference in New York, it has been revealed. County Hall bosses flew Matthew Tomlinson, the cabinet member in charge of transport, out to the US for the four-day event, saying it would benefit Lancashire. But an opposition councillor has criticised the decision, insisting that the trip could have been undertaken at a lower cost to council taxpayers. County Coun Tomlinson, the man in charge of Lancashire’s roads, flew out to the Intelligent Transport Systems World Congress in New York in November at a cost of £2,674.56. Geoff Driver, leader of County Hall’s opposition Conservative group, said: “The question is: did we need to go to New York? If the answer is yes then we needed to go in the cheapest possible way and £2,700 does not seem to be that way. |
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Its not that long since that a Labour County Councillor was on seminar somewhere in the lake district, it so happened that there was an important meeting back in good old Hyndburn so the said councillor booked a taxi there and back to attend the meeting then return to the away day junket in sunny Cumbria:rolleyes:
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Maybe, just maybe, if the Observer had published the whole facts about councillors expenses for staying away from home on council business, the big furore could have been avoided. I think, not for the first time the Observer have been guilty of using journalist licence or in other words why let the truth get in the way of a good story. The facts of the issue are as follows.
The allowances claimed by councillors are set by an Independent Revue Body, the allowances for overnight accommodation were set at £110 for accommodation and £10 for meal allowance around 5 or 6 years ago, on revue it was recommended the the maximum allowances be increased to £145 and £25 respectively. These amounts are not what councillors are paid but what is the upper limit that can be claimed. Councillors who stay away on council business have to furnish all receipts for meals and accomadation in order to claim back out of pocket expenses, a fact that was not mentioned in the Observer article last Friday. Over the last 12 months Councillor Britcliffe has stayed away on council business just one night, that was when he visited Downing Street representing Hyndburn. On this occasion his accommodation was pre-booked on line prior to going, the cost of which was £79 for overnight accommodation Bed and Breakfast in central London and he claimed £12-30p for an evening meal. I hardly think that by any stretch of the imagination can be classed as Living of the fat of the land |
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Quote;On this occasion his accommodation was pre-booked on line prior to going, the cost of which was £79 for overnight accommodation Bed and Breakfast in central London and he claimed £12-30p for an evening meal. I hardly think that by any stretch of the imagination can be classed as Living of the fat of the land;
Why didn't you say before you spoke?:D:D |
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The Observer did their duty in giving the facts, as far as I see it.
The original story did mention that the increases had been recommended by an independent review body. Just as they also mentioned that some councillors voted for to award the increases, and some didn't. I wonder why Peter Britcliffe voted for increases of such a great percentage hike, when he's proved that he could both accommodate and feed himself in our most expensive city, for much less than the voted for increases? Would our councillors not have been wiser to vote for a lesser increase than the independent review suggested, thus showing the rest of the residents of Hyndburn that they understand the need for restraint in this financial crisis? The lack of understanding of people's feeling on this matter, when many people are struggling, and many fear unemployment, nevermind if they are in work having to settle for pay freezes or cuts, makes those councillors who voted for the increases look like they have very little understanding of the real world. |
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Was the 30p a tip? I hope it's not too much of a burden having friends in such high places, and being used as a mouthpiece. We'll have to start calling you Emu, Nookie Bear, or would you prefer Lord Charles? Did the £12.30 include a nice 'gottle of gear' for Cllr. Britcliffe? http://images.icnetwork.co.uk/upl/ic...3E9F2B9B27.jpg |
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Let's also not forget that it's less than two years ago that Cllr. Britcliffe caused more public outrage, when he voted to award himself what was basically a 20% increases in expenses for himself. Expenses rise sparks fury in council chamber - News - Accrington Observer As stated earlier, perhaps Cllr. Britcliffe might better use his money on some good P.R. It might then appear to those stuggling because of the credit crunch,that he's less like Marie 'let them eat cake' Antoinette, and wouldn't have petulant quotes appearing in the press, about people should write guide books if they know of anywhere in London where you can eat for a tenner, when you quite clearly can. As well as making clear that the ivory tower of Scaitcliffe House isn't immune from the economic worries that the rest of the country is facing, he'd also look a little more like he was in tune with the feelings of the residents of Hyndburn, and not so woefully out of touch with reality. |
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I've said on here before the children he taught at my primary school loved him. I know people he's gone out of his way to help, above and beyond the call of duty, in his job as a councillor. A lot of people I know, who also know him, think he's a sound bloke. Hell even my own grandmother thought he was a 'lovely lad'. However that won't stop me finding fault, or praise, as I have on this forum, when there's something that needs highlighting. For instance wanting to change the name of the borough, at whatever expense. Introducing town councils, when no one, including the council, knew what exactly they'd be responsible for, or how much more they'd add to Council Tax bills, nevermind the debacle of the costly questionaires that half the residents never got. Then there are these increases in expenses, way above the rate of inflation, and the devil may care attitude and quotes he gives to the press. Nothing against the man, as stated earlier, though I suppose I'm a little afraid the Conservatives might still put him forward as a candidate at the next General Election, even though he's stood twice before, and been rejected as the honourable Member of Parliament for Accrington and....oops, Hyndburn. |
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The Royal Bath is a fabulous hotel. I wonder if he saw it from his sleeping bag on the beach? |
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Noticed you opposed these increases Claytonender .. just wait until you have to stay away to a Conference on Council business. Being a woman is worse, as we have to look decent, and let's see how much you will have to spend on extras like decent clothes, which you will not get to recompense for.
S'okay for fellas .. they can wear the same evening/day suit every year without note.. but for us ladies ' tis a no, no to wear the same cocktail dress year after year. Sure you would not wish to represent Hyndburn looking like a bag lady. Must be a nightmare for a lady Mayor ... how much will she have to spend on her appearance. There again, do they get a clothing allowance ? |
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Bessie Braddock never looked 'stylish' but was admired and respected
Barbara Castle did have style, and some criticise her for it |
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Equality not quite here yet. Problem is, it is other women/press that knock badly dressed contemporaries. Image is a big factor unfortunately. Yes, Bessie Braddock was much loved, however, bet even she spent lots of money on her clothes, even though she always looked like 'a sack tied in the middle'. Garinda: You have obviously have never been in the 'real world' of business, whereby women still struggle for a position here. Would have thought you would have had a little more empathy for this, having designed clothing for the high profile celebrities. First impressions always count. |
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In a previous job I used to deal with the processing of employee's expense claims. I found these fell into 2 categories. One where the person had just spent frugally as they would have done, if they had been spending their own money and the other where they bought the most expensive items they could because it wasn't their own money. Also as I travel to London quite often (in a private capacity) I do know how cheaply you can eat out. As for spending extra on clothes, if you shop prudently you can find lots of bargains, my favourite place for buying clothes is Boundary Mill. |
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Anyway, you councilors go on very few overnight stays; so what is all the fuss about ?? If you do, would expect you to look professional and well-attired whilst representing the people of Hyndburn, and so would many councilors think this way, prompting them to spend the 'extra' expense out of their own pockets to do so. |
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I have had both female and male employers, and employed both female and male employees, both in the fashion world, and also in other fields. Just because I've never felt the need to share my experiences on here, doesn't mean I haven't done it. For instance for most of my career I was never employed as a 'designer'. I was mostly involved with buying, and the creative economics of running busiesses with a multi-million pound turn-over, which l increased by over 200% in three years, but that's another story. If I designed for people it was mainly for private clients, or as a favour for one of those female friends who'd laugh at the fact that they should be given differing allowances for being female rather than male.;) As stated earlier most women I know personally would be both insulted and demeaned if they were given special privileges and allowances because of their gender. The world I live in may not be the same as your 'real world' but it is one in which there is equality, backed up by laws to enforce the concept. I fear we are going to also have to disagree on this point...again, so I'll leave it there.:D:) |
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I watch the pennies - they were cheaper than M&S and Littlewoods catalogue despite having cashmere in the wool fabric. |
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Well, whatever, Garinda .. just know I have had to spend 100's of pounds trying to look professional in business suits and decent cocktail dresses, which does not encompass the male gender.
It's not a matter of being insulted and demeaned because of their female gender .. just a fact of life that it costs more to make us look decent, and know that criticism is still aimed at us for looking less than decent ..... :p Think men should get a clothing allowance too though to help with their business suits ... just an unrecognisable expense of office workers, after all, men/women on the shop floor are usually provided with workwear, f.o.c. You are lucky if provided with a uniform. Used to provide my office staff, when I worked in Manchester, with a workwear business suit Summer and Winter and boy, were they grateful of not having to pull out this extra expense. |
Re: Living off the fat of the land.
First post by AndrewB, my name comes up followed by the word hypocrite. Ditto the second without a direct mention. You just can't control yourself Andrew can you?
The first point always missed is priorities. Whose pushing this forward in the first place. Labour Councillors don't bring to the agenda Members Allowances, they are always brought, in my time by The Council (Conservatives). That's whose driving the issue. To follow that, the Conservatives are in power and stay in power. There seems no strong voice from the public to stop this at the ballot box. When it comes to hands in the air in Council, the fact is Labour Councillors do not put up expenses, Conservatives do and have a majority in Council and a mandate to do so. If we had a Labour Council, allowances would not be going up above inflation. So it is necessary to vote against. They have risen from about £1,800? in 2002 when I got on to about £4,100 now. Since then 'The Council' have also voted through rises in food & hotel allowances, carers allowances and importantly removed the one extra allowance only limit. I voted against that rise and every rise since 2002 above inflation. So have the Independents. Everyone has then accepted them after the vote has been lost to the Conservatives. Bare in mind I lose about £7,000 in lost wages at my place of work to be on the Council. In that respect the The Council (Conservatives) have a point. Labour Councillors have never run to the press - ok Dave Parkins has - to blow this story up. As AndrewB wrongly put it (again!), shout from the roof tops and then take the allowance. There has been no shouting from the rooftop. Where it gets 'out of hand' is the extra allowances. The Council (Conservatives) proposed the removal of the 'one extra allowance only' limit so I now claim two.The first is Opposition Leader. £6,000. The second is Planning Committee, £750. Labour Councillors voted FOR the small allowance to be paid to Planning Committee (because it is the longest and hardest committee that meets more often and takes up the most time) under the 2nd allowances rule. So AndrewB I am not a hypocrite on multiple allowances. You are easily fooled by MrB I can see. It's all about who is benefiting from these changes in rules and payments. Lets take MrB. Increased basic to £4,200. Increase Leaders extra (first) to x5 basic on top. Allowed multiple allownaces so chair of Ossy AC another £750, Chair of Area Councils, Chair of Licensing another £6,000 and that's off the top of my head. Other Councillors (the ones in power and voting trough these rises) have Basic £4k + cabinet £6k + chair £6k +Area Council Chair £1k + Planning £750. Nice little earner with 4 extra allowances. The Council (Conservatives) have increased vice chairs allowances to £5,000 (to pay off people) and multiplied the number of committees (with Chairs and Vice Chairs) to pay even more Councillors (Conservatives). Took Vice Chairs off Labour to pay even more Tories even more and removed the one extra allowance so all these Chairs and Vice chairs turned being a Councillor into a nice little junket FOR THEM. It's also about who is claiming child care - the last time I looked 4 Conservatives were taking substantial sums in Child Care. I don't recall any Labour member doing so. And some of it is suspicious to say the least. And mileage. I claimed for May 2002 and have never claimed since mileage. Every drop of petrol being paid for by 'other allowances/my wage at work'. Then there's the Rural Conference. 3 Tories every year, £3,000. A one day Conference about farming. Lovely! Great hotel too! (What part of Hyndburn is rural BTW?) The real reason for £170 hotel allowances is the LAG Conference is once again in the lovely Harrogate. Like MrB says, very few Councillors go or stay in London (true). Nice is Harrogate, nice hotels !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It's not whether your a hypocrite AndrewB, that's not the issue, thats just your political spin, life is full of contradictions. Contradictions can be ok because life is complicated and often a compromise. The real issue is, how deep have you got your nose in the trough! |
Re: Living off the fat of the land.
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As long as Gordon Brown does not say 'The UK is mine' we will have to live with it. |
Re: Living off the fat of the land.
A one day 'Rural Conference' that costs us £3,000 to send three councillors from Hyndburn?
I'll be keeping an eye out for flying pigs the next time I'm shopping in the increasingly derelict shopping experience that is Accrington. Some of these expense hikes are treating the people who are paying for them as 'rural' dung, to put it politely. |
Re: Living off the fat of the land.
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You said you ran a business with a multi million pound turnover. Publish your accounts for expenses and let everyone know what an honest man you are. Don't forget to mention bonuses and perks. If you feel so strongly about the politics in Accy stand for election. I have got a heath problem which is life threatening but I can still hold my corner. If you are are concerned with the demise in Accrington...invest in a pie shop, smack bang in the centre and display your wares. Hollands are on the up.......Long live progress. |
Re: Living off the fat of the land.
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There thats my little say for the day as no one else seems to talk about it . |
Re: Living off the fat of the land.
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The quality is good, so when their sale prices match the normal prices in other stores, then is the time to go. |
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