Council Finances - Where we are now.
 

This is an article I wrote yesterday. The summary is prepare for huge cuts. There is no other remedy. Part due to the Government balancing their books and part due to poor administration by the outgoing leader and his cabinet members.

I refuse to accept the argument the Council was well run.

I have not written about the £1m going into reserves which is not for reserves - as in reserves - but to be set aside for redundancies.

Wednesday, 1 June 2011

£6m worth of cuts the Tories have left and rising


I can understand the Tories wanting to talk about the positives after 10 years in power and defend themselves against any criticism. However that should not prevent the facts being put forward. They have left £6m worth of cuts, some of which were run up cynically to win the recent local election

Transitional Relief promised twice over

Knowing they had received an extra £2.6m in January (gov't transitional relief) they promised £2.6m to Woodnook at the beginning of February and promised £2million plus at the beginning of March.

They argue that quietly they had decided to axe the £2.6m Woodnook so there was no overspending. Unfortunately the people of Woodnook are claiming quite rightly they had been promised this funding by the Council leader, quoting him and his councillors and the published newspaper article.

Furthermore the Council has potential legal obligations. The chair of the 12 Pathfinders told me that Hull Council are facing two blight compensation notices.

It's been left to Labour to pick up the pieces. However it's even more problematic than that now with the Government offering Woodnook around £1.5m which the Council much match fund 50% out of the £2.6m or face losing the £1.5m.

Either way it amounts to £2.6m worth of disappointment to someone and at last nights’ Woodnook Residents Association there was a feeling of how can someone do this and get away with it.

Failed to balance this years income and expenditure

On the revenue side I am informed that expenditure over income this year is £300,000 which has been taken from reserves.

No plan for a further £2.5m of government cuts before Christmas

The Tories were unable to balance this years books and this in the full knowledge of the cuts the Council has to find up in the next 6 months for next years budget which amount to an additional £2.5m. A total of £2.8m of cuts and that still leaves reserves £300k down. The Tories had no medium term plan to cut expenditure and so Labour Councillors have to find the £2.8m.

The Leader of the Council has long maintained the Gordon Brown was spending way beyond the nations means so why was he not only spending every penny he received but £2m more every year.

Living beyond their means for a decade

The Tories have been living beyond their means for decade. Between 1998 and 2005 The Council had been financing £2m of Capital expenditure through borrowing culminating in debts (non Council Housing) increasing from the previous Labour administration of £11m (1998) to a £27m (2006).

Since 2006 The Council have been funding around £2m of capital works from grants given by the last Labour Government, grants which were given to deprived areas and which now have been axed. This year the Tories put forward another £2m of capital works - such as £550,000 further to Pendle Street - using what will be the last payment made by the Government.

Re-roofing public buildings for example has to be done from time to time. Capital expenditure is necessary. I have argued for many years that the Council is on a crash course, it is spending (by £2m) beyond it's means. The fact Gordon Brown was so generous is not an argument for sound financial management.

That £2m of capital expenditure will now have to found every year from a £2m further reduction in revenue spending.

Mismanagement adds further costs

The Council's sloppiness in losing the high court case to landlords is expected to cost £100,000k plus any liabilities around the parking fines fiasco.

Add in old refuse vehicles in need of replacement at around £1m with nothing put aside over the last 8 years and you are looking at £6m of reductions due primarily to two reasons; false promises over the £2.6m and poor political management.

Making sure nothing is left for Labour?

The state of the Council's management is best explained by the Cabinet Action Fund. Weeks before the election the Tories increased it from £68,000 to £100,000 and then spent it all in two weeks (including payments to every Conservative Club) to make sure nothing was left.

Who would run a council so badly?

Through to next April there is no money left in the emergency Cabinet Action Fund. What kind of politician does that? What kind of politician increase the opposition leaders budget before losing an election? The same person who began a debate with the Labour Leader arguing that he wanted to be paid a sizeable parachute payment if he he lost his leaders allowance.

Re: Council Finances - Where we are now.
 

Err...surely you mean the ex-leader of the council?

Re: Council Finances - Where we are now.
 

I am waiting for the ex council leader to write to the Observer and tell us it is lies, all lies.........as he surely will.

Re: Council Finances - Where we are now.
 

Will the Telegrapgh do ?

Tories hit back in Hyndburn council cash ?black hole? row (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Re: Council Finances - Where we are now.
 

What I don't understand, is if it's true, is why they carried out a scorched earth spending policy.

Unlike the last Labour government, they of the 'The Treasury is empty' note, who it was fairly clear were about to lose office, this wasn't necessarily the case here in Hyndburn.

The Conservatives could very well have hung on to power, and would have had to deal with the spending policy they undertook. Which we are told now makes the finances of the council perilous, and therefore we are about to see draconian cuts implemented.

Perhaps I'm just thick, but it doesn't make sense to me.

Re: Council Finances - Where we are now.
 

I for one am very confused by all this.

Hopefully the leader of the council will come along soon and explain fully what is going on.

Re: Council Finances - Where we are now.
 

The thing is, if what Graham says is not true, then he is the one who will ultimately lose his credibility and integrity.

And we didn't have very long to wait for PB to put his twopennorth in...unless of course ti is a quote from last weeks Observer....the Telegraph wouldn't do that would they? Steal a week old qoute from another publication?

Re: Council Finances - Where we are now.
 

Now Neil, don't you be holding your breath while you wait.

Re: Council Finances - Where we are now.
 

What ? Red Ken ?? :D I'm sure he will, he's not been backward about coming forward our Ken ! ;)

Re: Council Finances - Where we are now.
 

I was just wondering why Graham has posted all this and not our new Council Leader.

Sorry Graham but I'd rather you focus on your role as MP and let the local council leader focus on his job ( and by that I mean setting out how we are going to work for the next X years not how much mud he can chuck at someone across the council chamber)

far too much energy is wasted on "he said this, he did that" as opposed to making OUR TOWN the best it can be with the funds it has. If I worked like that in my job I'd be thrown out as not fit for purpose. We all know there are lies damm lies and council finances so lets stop messing about and get on with the job in hand.

Re: Council Finances - Where we are now.
 

Now, now.

Don't get too silly.

When demands were made that the last leader of the council come on here, to communicate with the hoi polloi, you were always the first to jump up and down, and say 'Why should he?'.

We've already been told the new leader isn't going to join in the fun on here.

We'll just have to take comfort from the two posts on Accy Web, made by a serving leader of Hyndburn Borough Council.

http://www.accringtonweb.com/forum/f...tml#post701192

http://www.accringtonweb.com/forum/f...tml#post691676

;)

Re: Council Finances - Where we are now.
 

Personally, I don't care who tells us what is happening.....I only care that we are kept in the picture.
And while I agree with your sentiments about the name calling and the mud slinging....and maybe that is why Miles Parkinson isn't on here. Perhaps he is doing exactly what you have said you want......getting on with the job in hand.

And shouldn't the quote be 'Lies, damn lies and statistics'.......literary licence?

Re: Council Finances - Where we are now.
 

I know thats why I find it so funny that its ok for one leader to not come on here but not for another.

I will go back in my cupboard now and stay quiet :D

Re: Council Finances - Where we are now.
 

We've been told the new council leader won't be posting on here.

The last leader did.

Though after two posts, we wanted many more of the same.

;):D

Re: Council Finances - Where we are now.
 

Is that the same thing as the Americans call a closet?

:eek::D

Re: Council Finances - Where we are now.
 

You're giving this one a good milking.

TheLeadersOfficeHBC, whoever that might have been (although the v-card gave us a hint), posted on here a few times and then Accyweb was commented on in the corridors and meetings up at HBC plus there are suspected moles watching our every word.

Miles Parkinson is not one for joining internet forums or using Facebook and, as far as I am aware, has never hovered around the edge criticising those who use such forums whilst refusing to take part in debates himself.

Peter referred quite often to councillors commenting on Accrington Web.

Miles seemingly doesn't mind what people say on this forum but equally has no desire to take part himself.

There's no pretence involved that Miles would ever post on here, I don't see the big deal.

Re: Council Finances - Where we are now.
 

The new administration are trying to make local government more cohesive and as such are involving the MP. I personally feel that it gives the council more credence to have be unified whole than several faceless entities who pop up every four years for your vote and are then never heard from again, you can't have it both ways. The fact that parts of Westminster are currently in recess may also have something to do with Graham's presence in Hyndburn just now, although I don't think that Cllr Britcliffe would need an inexperienced councillor like me to tell him that.

Burnley's MP is also the Leader of the Council, would people level the same criticisms at him?

Council meetings from now on are intended to be a much more civilised affair and Miles Parkinson has restructured Question Time to give more answers than before by eliminating pointless political debate and getting on with what we're paid for rather than dodging bullets.

A cursory glance at the local papers shows that Graham Jones puts well above the required effort into improving Hyndburn and fighting for the borough, far more than I ever saw of Greg Pope before him and criticisms of getting too involved don't add up to me. He doesn't live permanently in London, he comes home every Thursday night. I think we're lucky to have an MP who does care enough to speak out on local political issues when it matters.

We are told by Conservative councillors that HBC's finances are in great shape and yet one of the officers was left on his own to answer questions on the Township Regeneration proposals at a Resources Overview & Scrutiny call-in this Tuesday:

Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee

I would have thought that portfolio holders would have the courage of their convictions and face questions themselves on policy decisions that they have tried to implement.

Accusations of Labour lies will never be a substitute for solid answers.

Re: Council Finances - Where we are now.
 

Or, as a former Canadian Prime Minister, John Diefenbaker, observed (and I don't know if it originated with him): A politician uses statistics like a drunk uses a lamp post; more for support than illumination.":rolleyes:;)

Re: Council Finances - Where we are now.
 

Well its obvious to me that the only sensible thing to do is wait for the auditors report, who is totally independent and as no axe to grind. It has also surprised me that our MP feels the need to make these statements regarding the councils finances, there are a elected members of the ruling group, who are members on here, or is it that Cllr Parkinson is only a figure head and its the MP who is still in charge, can't remember in all my time in politics the MP getting so involved with council business, unless he thinks his troops on the ground aren't capable of running the show without him, seems very strange to me

Re: Council Finances - Where we are now.
 

I thought the quote was about how a dog uses a lamp post.

Re: Council Finances - Where we are now.
 

John, with the greatest respect, I do not think the comment about Miles Parkinson is fair.....does it really matter who tells us what kind of mess we are in?
I think Ken Moss has already addressed the issue of why Graham Jones is being involved in council business.
Would you prefer that our MP took no interest in his constituency?
How better to find out what is going on in your own backyard than to attend the council meetings and hear the worries of the electorate first hand.
Just because it has not been done in this way before...does this mean that everything should remain as is?

Much needs to be done to ensure political engagement with the local electorate.......there is, and will continue to be, apathy with regards to local issues if things do not change.

People are turned off by politics, but they do not appear to realise that every aspect of their lives is touched by politics, in one shape or another.

Re: Council Finances - Where we are now.
 

Well said , Jaysay , and the quicker the better . Figures are being bandied about and I don't think I'm on my own in being very :confused: by it all .

I hope the auditor's report will be available to the public , in full .

Re: Council Finances - Where we are now.
 

Quite right, Margaret. Politics should always be radical, both in it's philosophy and it's administration. The Tories did exactly that when they got into bed with those hypocitical dirt balls, the Lib-Dems.

As regards Graham's accusations about Britcliffes end of term spending spree, I don't know that much about local government finance to comment. I can comment however, about the last monthly sets of figures of HBC's expenditure >£500pds. March certainly makes interesting reading, and if you download the spreadsheet and then do a few pivot table and V look-up exercises you'll see what I mean.

Re: Council Finances - Where we are now.
 

Whilst I respect that for some people the involvement and statements of the MP are in stark contrast to what has gone before and is something of a shock, Miles is very definitely in the council driving seat and Graham is firmly at the Hyndburn constituency helm.

This doesn't and shouldn't stop them talking about each other's territory because it is essentially the same turf. We need to work together and attempt better communication between district, county and parliamentary levels in order to get a better grip on the borough's affairs than the last lot. Contrary to popular Conservative belief, Graham Jones is not pulling the strings but the Labour group enjoy a better relationship with him than they do and it obviously doesn't sit well.

The days of one man making all the decisions are over.

Deal with it.

Re: Council Finances - Where we are now.
 

The link to the council spreadsheets is here:

Expenditure over £500

Re: Council Finances - Where we are now.
 

If MPs were to get involved in council business in every constituency in the country, who the hell would run the country, we elect members of parliament to be just that, and believe me, that is not an easy job, remember I've seen what goes on in an MP's office and just what the workload is, and when your trying to do parliamentary work plus county council work and borough council work somethings got to give, and as much as Graham thinks he superman, before long he'll need to go back to Krypton for a recharge. Nobody can be everything to all men all the time

Re: Council Finances - Where we are now.
 

something about lies, damn lies and statistics Eric;)

Re: Council Finances - Where we are now.
 

Very well put...personally I would have used S.U.M.O...shut up, move on.

I am glad that the days of one man making all decisions has come to an end....and that there will be a new type of political teamwork.....maybe now we can get somewhere.

Re: Council Finances - Where we are now.
 

John, again with the greatest respect, things have changed over the years.......and I feel that our MP will know what work he has to do to keep those plates spinning......I don't for one minute think that Graham is daft.
Technology and electronic communications means that thing can be done in a much quicker way, and you can be in one place while dealing with situations arising somewhere else.

If Graham make some MCU, then perhaps you can say he isn't up to everything he has taken on...until then we have to believe that he has control of all those plates that are spinning.
Some people can make the simplest of tasks look hard(and I know this from my own experiences in life).

Re: Council Finances - Where we are now.
 

Tealeaf, I don't do(understand) spread sheets......they are Greek to me.
I have this blind spot about them.....cannot get to grips with them at all.
So I haven't accessed them, and can't comment on them.

Re: Council Finances - Where we are now.
 

Mr Moss and Mr Jones have since their arrival on this forum, stated what their hopes and gains would be for their representative area/local council if they had control. Ken Moss has made it a task upon himself to see where cuts could be made, and he reported them on here, whenever he could find them. Graham Jones has spent endless time in trying to sort out the housing, amongst other projects, same goes for Ken.

I think we have never had a era locally, where clarity and public knowledge are a keystone to a party policy, as well using the public to air their views, and hopefully get answers. If you don't work/communicate with the people who vote you in you will be soon out, because the back handers, are gone for a long long time. :eek:

WE GOT NO MONEY:jimbo:

Re: Council Finances - Where we are now.
 

I would rather have people singing from the same hymn sheet, than one writing the words himself, whilst humming a different tune:rolleyes:

Re: Council Finances - Where we are now.
 

Me too.
I really, really wish that they would take politics out of local government.
Perhaps then there would be more time spent on what could be done with the resources available, without the petty point scoring and mud slinging....after all it takes a lot of time and effort to wipe all that mud off.

Re: Council Finances - Where we are now.
 

As in all these stories, I prefer to trust the word of officers rather than politicians. The only public reference to the views of officers is the following"-

'The Lancashire Telegraph understands the claim of a ‘black hole’ baffled town hall accountants, as the council’s budgets have all been balanced in recent years'

I have expressed concerns about some of the income predictions, which no doubt officers are monitoring closely, but they won't allow the Council to spend money it hasn't got, or promise money that isn't there.

Re: Council Finances - Where we are now.
 

You're right.

Both Graham, and Ken, have used this medium, which is Accy Web, to communicate their political ideas to us, the electorate.

I applaud them for it.

It's a way of reaching us, that's open to every politican.

They haven't always said the right thing, and some of the Graham/Cyfr bickering made me cringe, but through their openess and honesty, have gained admiration and respect. Sometimes even from their political foes.

Tellingly, all the prospective parliamentary Conservative candidates joined Accy Web, in order to woo us. Though without any great sucess.

Personally I'd love the new council leader to post on here. So we could get to know the man behind the (comparatively few) photos of him in the press.

It is a new era, a new style of leadership, we're told.

Action, rather than a high media profile, 'showing' us how active they've been.

A new style, as far as local politics in Hyndburn is concerned.

I guess we'll have the opporunity to say which type of leadership we prefer...at the next election.

Re: Council Finances - Where we are now.
 

It's a new era. We all have to work together on our side. British dem

Re: Council Finances - Where we are now.
 

Well that has always been my take on the situation too gynn, and you know what your talking about. for these, what can only be said to be total financial mismanagement, would have had to involve officers, because unlike popular believe officers ARE there to make sure a budget IS WORKABLE, otherwise they would be culpable, something which I find very very hard to believe.

Re: Council Finances - Where we are now.
 

So all we need is a report published by Hyndburns chief finance officer and we will know who is telling the truth once and for all.

Can't see it happening but I hope it does.

Re: Council Finances - Where we are now.
 

No but it would be a damn sight nearer than the one published on here, as I've said before I'll wait for the auditor's report, which will leave no stone unturned and will give the TRUE facts, not those based on political biases. I can't really understand why Graham actually bothers with all these statistics, to be quite honest there is only one person on here who would be able to decipher what Graham posted and that's gynn, and I would think he would be struggling because he hasn't access to the relevant data.

Re: Council Finances - Where we are now.
 

Being a simple lad I dont even know what the auditors report is and when it is published.

Re: Council Finances - Where we are now.
 

Auditors are the people that make accountants (embezzlers with A levels) figures look right to the layman.:hehetable

Re: Council Finances - Where we are now.
 

In a nutshell, Graham is arguing that the previous administration made promises that it couldn't deliver, committed as much money up front as possible to limit the scope that any incoming administration could spend on, and failed to address the future savings that the current round of government cutbacks will force upon the authority.

It is fair comment in the knockabout world of politics, but from an officer and auditor point of view it doesn't matter WHO takes the decisions as long as they are taken. It's just a case of which party takes the flak!

The budget will be balanced one way or another, you can be sure of that!

Re: Council Finances - Where we are now.
 

Yep. But the question is will the expenditure be balanced from income or will the council now have to dip further into reserves or borrow? There is no doubt that PB went on a spending spree back in March, both in actual cash terms and in promises made. No doubt he saw the writing on the wall. Now whether that is to the extent that Graham has suggested is debatable.

By the way, I notice that HBC are advertising for the post of chief bean counter - salary 50K pa. If any of you lot fancy a go, get your CV's in today, because that's when the offer closes.

Re: Council Finances - Where we are now.
 

Auditors are the people that make accountants (embezzlers with A levels) figures look right to the layman.

Beni, you bad. But spot on.

Re: Council Finances - Where we are now.
 

Amid all the political bluster and talk of millions of pounds of black holes, broken promises, money spent that isn't there etc etc etc, it is reassuring to read the sober assessment of the budget in the Chief Finance Officer's report to this week's cabinet.

'The forecast spend for the year to 31 March 2012 is £13,622,651 against a budget of £13,583,991. This indicates a potential adverse variance of £38,000 by the end of the financial year. This is less than 0.3% of the total budget.'

Hardly a black hole!

As I've always said on this site, listen to the officers, not the politicians

Re: Council Finances - Where we are now.
 

I'm a little confused.

Even though I wasn't going to apply this year, because of the economic climate, I was contacted and offered £350.00 for the Hyndburn/Ribble Valley Parkinson's support group, from the Big Society pot, or whatever the council called it.

As it wasn't for myself, and will be used to help others, I felt we couldn't refuse it.

After the change of control in May, the newly controlled HBC told us they would honour the pledge, as it had been previously offered, but it would be reduced to £250.00.

This week I received the cheque, on behalf of the support group.

£350.00!

Not complaining. We are genuinely very grateful.

Just a little suprised, and delighted, at the amount.

Re: Council Finances - Where we are now.
 

Do what I did, pay it in quick :D

Re: Council Finances - Where we are now.
 

I think the Big Society bids were to be honoured. They were all smallish. Up to £37k?

They were all spent in the first two weeks of the financial year and at the end of month one; May the 5th, nothing was left for the remaining 11 months.

None the less good causes received the money however when groups say they didn't expect it, it just shows what was going on the Council.

Re: Council Finances - Where we are now.
 

Sounds like something the councils internal audit section should look into and report to scrutiny commitee or who ever. is this something councillors or the mp could ask for?

Re: Council Finances - Where we are now.
 

I'm sure the Chair of the Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee will call for a full report on the distribution of Big Society Grants. The report will have to set out the process followed in allocating the grants, especially:-

1 How applications were invited.
2. What were the criteria.
3. Which applications were rejected and why.
4. In particular, what was the exact series of events leading to the allocation and payment of the grant to the Parkinsons Disease society.

We will await the answers on this forum.

Re: Council Finances - Where we are now.
 

Well the Parkinson's support group are very grateful to the council, for honouring the pledge.

Thank you to whoever rubber stamped it.

Re: Council Finances - Where we are now.
 

Why on earth should the Chair of the Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee give answers on this forum?

Why are we to be singled out, when our grant is but a small percentage of money pledged?

If you really like to know, I'll illustrate the 'events leading to the allocation' for you.

As a member of the committee of the Hyndburn/Ribble Valley Parkinson's disease support group, an affiliated member of the charity Parkinson's UK, I contacted one of my councillors, three years ago.

The councillor was Cllr. Britcliffe.

I've been one of the most vocal critics of HBC under his leadership, but he was professional, friendly, and very helpful. As I knew he would be.

I was enquiring if there was cheaper accommodation in the borough, where we could hold out meetings. We currently hire the Supper Room in Accrington Town Hall.

Cllr. Britcliffe did some research, and there wasn't a cheaper alternative available on Saturdays. He then suggested I write to the council, saying what support we offer to people with Parkinson's, and their families.

I was later informed the council would award us a grant, which would cover the hire of the Supper Room from HBC.

This I did in 2009 and 2010, until this year, when we were told they would consider funding our annual room hire again. I therefore applied, and was subsequently told we'd been awarded £350.00.

As stated previously, after control changed at the council, we were told we get less, but ultimately the new council honoured the initial pledge.

Again, on behalf of the eighty (plus) of our local members who suffer from this incurable, degenerative disease, I thank HBC for providing the means to fund our accommodation, where we can continue offering support, help, and friendship, to those affected by the condition.

Re: Council Finances - Where we are now.
 

G, I honestly don't think Josie was having a go at your organisation....I think she was just questioning why the amounts had gone ahead as planned, even though everyone was told to expect cuts.

From my limited contact with your group, I know that you offer invaluable support and you deserve the help that you have been afforded.

Re: Council Finances - Where we are now.
 

I know she wasn't.

My reply was to gynn's demands for answers, which I'm more than happy to provide.

If we used the money to crochet artful gonks, I might not be as keen to be so transparent.

:rolleyes::D

Re: Council Finances - Where we are now.
 

Until Cllr. Britcliffe suggested I write, and apply for funding, I had no idea that the council awarded small grants to community groups.

For that information I was very grateful, as it meant I didn't have to (literally) rattle my begging bowl elsewhere, to seek funds for our accommodation.

:D

Re: Council Finances - Where we are now.
 

...and my demand for answers was in no way intended as a slur on the Parkinsons Disease group, but rather to question the process adopted by the Council which:-

a. Appeared to have solicited applications (nothing wrong with that!),
b. Sought to allocate the whole years budget in the first month of the year, before the elections,
c. Made promises of grants which were subsequently reduced, and
d. Then paid the original grant in full.

Re: Council Finances - Where we are now.
 

I'm geting tired of all the political bickering.

The former leader 'solicited' applications from the Big Society pot in the local press, amonst other places.

Personally I refute this was a scorched earth spending policy.

I posted last week, in reply to Graham Jones and Ken Moss, that unlike the last Labour government's idiotic final spending, including the crass note about the treasury being empty, knowing they were going to lose office, this certainly wasn't the case in Hyndburn. The Conservatives could very well have held on to control, after making these pledges to various groups.

I was only informed via a third party that the new council planned to reduce the amount, but subsequently changed their mind, knowing it will benefit many local people.

I thank them for honouring that pledge. As I thank the previously controlled council for offering it to us in the first place.

Re: Council Finances - Where we are now.
 

Who exactly were you wanting to answer your questions, 'on this forum'?

This isn't a forum in anyway connected to Hyndburn B.C.

The only regular contributor, who happens to be a member of the ruling party on the council, happens to be landscaping a garden in St. Tropez.

Perhaps you over estimate the power of this forum, and should aim your demands for answers to more offical civic bodies.

;)

Re: Council Finances - Where we are now.
 

Then why single us out by naming us, and specifically demanding to know further details, and make no mention of the many other recipients?

Re: Council Finances - Where we are now.
 

I've thought you a bit of a prat for a while.

Today confirms it.

Your card's now marked.

;)

Re: Council Finances - Where we are now.
 

And I've learnt something today too, gynn's a woman:)

Re: Council Finances - Where we are now.
 

Old ladies cry into their gin.

Mother's ruin.

The smell...yuk.

Makes me feel sick.

;):D

Re: Council Finances - Where we are now.
 

Happily I'm not sexist.

I'll mark anyone's non-gender specific card for them, and label them a prat.

:rolleyes::D

Re: Council Finances - Where we are now.
 

Thank You.

Re: Council Finances - Where we are now.
 

Don't mention it. You're most welcome. It was my pleasure.

Perhaps in future, rather than posting drivel such as this...

...you'll seek answers to your demands in the appropriate place.

Which in this case will be through the correct channels at Hyndburn Borough Council.

Re: Council Finances - Where we are now.
 

Who rattled your cage????

Re: Council Finances - Where we are now.
 

You rattled his cage, by either (1) being unaware, (2) being nasty, i assume its (1) at this point?.:(

Re: Council Finances - Where we are now.
 

The blind little mouse, unable to see what's clear to everyone else, that I keep in it.

Squeak, squeak.

Any other questions?

Re: Council Finances - Where we are now.
 

I see you chose to ignore why you named, and targeted this particular group, out of many hundreds.

:rolleyes:

Re: Council Finances - Where we are now.
 

Though l do hope I've satisfied your demands for answers.

As I can't think of any other member of this forum, who could possibly enlighten you more.

If your still not happy, I suggest this forum isn't really the place to sate your curiosity, and you go elsewhere.

http://rat-pack.org/images/blind_mouse_md_wht.gif

Re: Council Finances - Where we are now.
 

If that is so then not to be trusted, says male on profile.:rolleyes:

Re: Council Finances - Where we are now.
 

I think she may have got the message:D::D as ever nicely done.

Re: Council Finances - Where we are now.
 

Perhaps, as a silly little mouse, and having a tail, it confused her.

:rolleyes::D

Re: Council Finances - Where we are now.
 

At the top of this thread I made several specific points. There has been no response in teh media or elsewhere on any of the particular points so I am takiing it they are accepted as being somewhere about right as far as The Council's finances stand.

Re: Council Finances - Where we are now.
 

On the contrary, if the points had have been true about council finances it would have been blasted all over the media possibly at national level too

Re: Council Finances - Where we are now.
 

I've just had my application form for the Council's accountant post returned.

They say my mistake was putting garinda and jaysay down as references.

Apparently one thinks I'm a prat, and the other thinks I'm a woman.

Back to stacking shelves at Lidl

:(:(:(

;)

Re: Council Finances - Where we are now.
 

At least you know where you stand;):D

Re: Council Finances - Where we are now.
 

And so what are you.. woman a prat or both? ;)..jokin aside to be honest I can't think of any worse to put forward as a references.. I mean really..the Duke of Wellington and the Queen :D

Re: Council Finances - Where we are now.
 

Aww...feeling left out?

You could have been the one who licked the stamp.

As for being gynn's referee, if you'd just used myself, we'd be looking at a 100% accuracy rate.

Re: Council Finances - Where we are now.
 

Well done Lidl though, for giving you a chance.

Care in the community can work.

Re: Council Finances - Where we are now.
 

Well which ever way the cookie crumbles think I was spot on really, if you are a woman I was quite right, if your not, still think I'm right, because you can be a big girls blouse at times:D

Re: Council Finances - Where we are now.
 

Inwas disappointed this week to see the Council has £2.4m legal liabilities in West Accrington through CPO and not a penny to fund it. The Council is trying to move money from the Townships fund to Woodnook. Around £2m which was gained through HMR and which the government will double.

I thought that would be £4m for Woodnook. Turns out it will be less than half that as these legal CPO arrangements are binding.

Another £2.4m unfunded blackhole.

It can only be described as reckless the fact that the Tories knew of these debts, had no intentions of paying them, instead setting up a wasteful Township Fund AND promising Woodnook £2.6m.

I despair. Poor people of Woodnook let down again.

Re: Council Finances - Where we are now.
 

Graham, for the benefit of us non-council folk, could you explain CPO, HMR and Townships fund as I for one don't understand the acronyms and where the funding comes from (or doesn't come from).

Re: Council Finances - Where we are now.
 

CPO, Compulsory Purchase Orders, mainly in West Accrington. HMR, Housing Market Renewal funding meant for the more deprived areas of the Borough. The township funding was set up by the last Council administration. Essentially took money away from areas such as Woodnook.

Re: Council Finances - Where we are now.
 

Could anybody verify information that I have heard about the Woodnook Area? The information I got was that Harvest Homes had bought the properties in the area and rather than demolishing them they were going to renivate them.
Would be nice to get a straight forward answer as to whether this is going to happen and if this could be the way forward for this particular area. I just can't believe that it was left to rot to such an extent whoever was in the driving seat at HBC, whilst other areas of Hyndburn got all the money thrown at them:mad: