Originally Posted by g jones (Post 1075180)

There is no substance and your main argument is based on personal abuse. Hyndburn's future should be based on intelligence. The majority of people will read the above post and learn nothing.

Hyndburn is a great place and I'll continue to be a strong advocate to make things better for constituents and the borough.

Good luck with your personal abuse.

Originally Posted by g jones (Post 1075182)

The debate about County Hall (72%) and the Districts (15%) is important. There is foi t there is duplication neither is their any doubt that the County element is remote.

Britain has a significant number of unitary authorities, all the metropolitan areas. It is also clear that they are be fitting significantly from City deals and that having two authorities causes confusion and when they compete with each other provide a disservice.

There is no doubt that we are paying several people to do the same job and Hyndburn has merged some services with Blackburn and Rossendale.

If we want deep cuts we have to make tough decisions. The luxury of multiple people doing the same job in each area is costly and cutting front line services to protect these 'multiple senior highly paid jobs' is not the choice I would make.

If we want strong leadership, if we want 72% of services brought back to East Lancashire, if we want to end multiple high paid jobs, have 60 just councillors instead of 300, to be taken seriously by government and be able to lobby government, then we need a unitary east lancs council.

Some would disagree but I'd be interested in the rational for keeping the status quo.

Originally Posted by jaysay (Post 1075224)

For once I can agree with you Graham, I have long been an advocate of Unitary Authorities, Hyndburn should have taken that road when Blackburn decided to go it alone back in the 90s, it would mean everything raised in rates (council tax) would be retained and spent here in Hyndburn, plus streamlining of local government officialdom, cutting down on unneeded staff. Its an eye opener going to county hall, I couldn't believe how many people were walking about with a piece of paper in their hand looking busy.

Originally Posted by g jones (Post 1075256)

I appreciate that John.

There's clearly two sides to this argument. A local small advocate, the district council offers accountability that would be at risk with a larger authority.

The counter view, my view is that already happens with county providing 72% of the services. Strategic clout offers more benefits than the the comfort of a district council. Then there's duplication of well paid staff and division of responsibility between upper and lower local government.

I appreciate that Guinness has made some articulate points and that's the way it should be if we are to make Hyndburn a better place. Progressive debate.

What I'd want to say in response to the list is its about the big issues. 12 months ago I was told by LCC CEO that the pupil premium in Hyndburn was lower than it should be. That HBC had personal data that could identify 00's of pupils entitled to free school meals triggering a pupil premium to that school. I got HBC with the leaders help to write twice to every family that looked like they may be entitled. I had no interest in broadcasting this effort until the papers wanted to print a story that Hyndburn schools this year were to receive huge increases in funding via the pupil premium. That's what I mean about commitment, about important issues, about having an MP who is continually striving for this area.

This like quite a few issues is under most people's radar but we've made a different to tight school budgets.

Originally Posted by g jones (Post 1075256)

I appreciate that John.

There's clearly two sides to this argument. A local small advocate, the district council offers accountability that would be at risk with a larger authority.

The counter view, my view is that already happens with county providing 72% of the services. Strategic clout offers more benefits than the the comfort of a district council. Then there's duplication of well paid staff and division of responsibility between upper and lower local government.

I appreciate that Guinness has made some articulate points and that's the way it should be if we are to make Hyndburn a better place. Progressive debate.

What I'd want to say in response to the list is its about the big issues. 12 months ago I was told by LCC CEO that the pupil premium in Hyndburn was lower than it should be. That HBC had personal data that could identify 00's of pupils entitled to free school meals triggering a pupil premium to that school. I got HBC with the leaders help to write twice to every family that looked like they may be entitled. I had no interest in broadcasting this effort until the papers wanted to print a story that Hyndburn schools this year were to receive huge increases in funding via the pupil premium. That's what I mean about commitment, about important issues, about having an MP who is continually striving for this area.

This like quite a few issues is under most people's radar but we've made a different to tight school budgets.

Originally Posted by cashman (Post 1075247)

Hells Bells, Fer once i can agree wi you Jaysay.:D

Originally Posted by Guinness (Post 1075312)

Gah! Over corrected my last post.

Should have read...the pupil premium appears to be a new fund based on how many get free school meals

Note to self* (must be more careful attempting to debate with a professional debater)

Originally Posted by g jones (Post 1076383)

I worked at Daltons Printers for 10 years and lived up Plantation Street for 30 years and my conversations are more likely to take place in pubs or working mens clubs. A long way from Eton debating society.

A lot of things are not my job in terms of decision making however I live here and people expect me to be involved. The work we did on the pupil premium certainly helped Hyndburn families, Hyndburn schools and beneficiary children. Result in my book.