Synergistic Spending in Hyndburn

Ken Moss · 03-11-2010, 07:08

As I have stated frequently, Hyndburn Borough Council is facing severe cuts in the immediate future, not helped by the fact that the current administration is spending money hand over fist like there is no tomorrow on ludicrous pet projects.

Whilst my feelings on the Market Hall entertainments and public arts are well known, I firmly believe that if tiny economies were made across the board we would come out of this with smaller wounds. The same principle applies at home during times of need so why not at council level?

As an example, Peter Britcliffe had a medal minted for himself at our expense in 2008 to denote that he is Leader of the Council which cost £72.11 plus VAT (£84.73 by my reckoning). Now whilst that isn't much in itself, it was unnecessary to his function, no other council leader has such a medal and it served only to flatter his ego at events where former Mayors are wearing their medals.

My belief is that Hyndburn Borough Council, along with every other council in the country, should exercise restraint in all this flippant spending and apply three criteria to absolutely everything which is requested:

1. Is it absolutely essential to the function of the department?
2. What purpose does this item/event serve?
3. Can it be done for less money?

If we boil this down even as far as stationery (examples being the special 'Hyndburn' pencils and metal badges such as 'I Love Wind Power') then we probably wouldn't get past point 1 for many requests.

The Freedom of Information Act has allowed requests regarding council spending to be made by anyone and the link to Hyndburn's e-mail address can be found here for anyone wanting to know the cost of a project:

Freedom of Information Act - About Freedom of Information

My view is that we are not here to prove to everyone what an 'excellent council' Hyndburn has, we are here to govern well and ensure that the borough runs smoothly. At the moment it feels like an inter-council version of The X Factor where each borough competes for the biggest applause.

Are my feelings shared or am I just a cynical old miser?

Discuss.

garinda · 03-11-2010, 07:16

A medal?

A medal, cast because he is Council Leader?

Is it like a nurse's watch? Upside down, so when he's wearing it, he can look down at it, and is reminded who he is.

I'm of the same mind. Pennies looked after, turn ito pounds.

I hope the medal will be passed on to the next incumbent, or was it made just for himself?

I can't remember seeing anything in the press about it.

I hope to God that it's not worn on any lapel on Rememberance Sunday.

heth · 03-11-2010, 07:24

I agree with you Ken, I just wanna know how hard is it to get a decent bloke/lady to do the job that puts in place spending cuts on basic things like you have said in above post and somebody that has the people's interests and welfare at the top of thier list of prioritys??? The area would benifit much more with these simple things put in place, HOW HARD IS IT???!!!

Ken Moss · 03-11-2010, 07:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by garinda

I hope the medal will be passed on to the next incumbent, or was it made just for himself?

I can't remember seeing anything in the press about it.

I hope to God that it's not worn on any lapel on Rememberance Sunday.

You won't miss it, it's on a bright yellow ribbon. It was very tastefully worn at John Griffiths' funeral just to remind everyone who was centre-stage.

Mind you, I've got room to talk. I'll be wearing my Rishton UDC medal on Remembrance Sunday along with Cllr Grayson, the only difference being that we were very kindly given ours by widows of ex-councillors in return for personal donations to charities.

I'm still waiting for the cost of The Beacon election leafl...sorry, newspaper for all residents of Hyndburn.

Ken Moss · 03-11-2010, 07:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by heth

I agree with you Ken, I just wanna know how hard is it to get a decent bloke/lady to do the job that puts in place spending cuts on basic things like you have said in above post and somebody that has the people's interests and welfare at the top of thier list of prioritys??? The area would benifit much more with these simple things put in place, HOW HARD IS IT???!!!

Not hard at all, you just need someone to be completely ruthless with the finances and make tough decisions which you know are not going to go down well. I know a man who would love such a job....

It does depend on teamwork within the political party however. Decisions at Cabinet level work can be rammed through but are best made when the entire party agrees and works as one rather than having jitters in the ranks, something the Conservatives are suffering from at the moment but are all obliged to support Peter Britcliffe's decisions in full council.

garinda · 03-11-2010, 07:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ken Moss

You won't miss it, it's on a bright yellow ribbon.

Yellow ribbon.

How lovely.

Perhaps he'll take it off, and tie it round an old oak tree, in rememberance of all the things that are going to perish under the drastic cuts we're about to endure.

Ken Moss · 03-11-2010, 07:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by garinda

I hope the medal will be passed on to the next incumbent, or was it made just for himself?

I believe medals were offered to all previous Hyndburn Borough Council leaders when it was minted in 2008, although every last one of them is said to have turned it down.

Ken Moss · 03-11-2010, 07:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by garinda

Yellow ribbon.

How lovely.

Perhaps he'll take it off, and tie it round an old oak tree, in rememberance of all the things that are going to perish under the drastic cuts we're about to endure.

Doubly appropriate that Lulu sang that song....

garinda · 03-11-2010, 07:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ken Moss

I believe medals were offered to all previous Hyndburn Borough Council leaders when it was minted in 2008, although every last one of them is said to have turned it down.

How many were made?

If there's a drawer full, he should get his money's worth, and wear them all on his chest at the same time, like Idi Amin, or one of the other tin-pot dictators.

Ken Moss · 03-11-2010, 07:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by garinda

How many were made?

If there's a drawer full, he should get his money's worth, and wear them all on his chest at the same time, like Idi Amin, or one of the other tin pot dictators.

I suspect it was just the one.

Brass plaques, on the other hand....

garinda · 03-11-2010, 07:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ken Moss

I suspect it was just the one.

Brass plaques, on the other hand....

Wearing a brass plaque round your neck would be a little ostentatious, and in bad taste.

Or perhaps just too heavy.

heth · 03-11-2010, 07:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by garinda

Wearing a brass plaque round your neck would be a little ostentatious, and in bad taste.

Or perhaps just too heavy.

plus it might choke him......................

garinda · 03-11-2010, 07:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by heth

plus it might choke him......................

Anyone got a screwdriver?

heth · 03-11-2010, 08:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by garinda

Anyone got a screwdriver?

What for?!

Margaret Pilkington · 03-11-2010, 08:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ken Moss

As I have stated frequently, Hyndburn Borough Council is facing severe cuts in the immediate future, not helped by the fact that the current administration is spending money hand over fist like there is no tomorrow on ludicrous pet projects.

Whilst my feelings on the Market Hall entertainments and public arts are well known, I firmly believe that if tiny economies were made across the board we would come out of this with smaller wounds. The same principle applies at home during times of need so why not at council level?

As an example, Peter Britcliffe had a medal minted for himself at our expense in 2008 to denote that he is Leader of the Council which cost £72.11 plus VAT (£84.73 by my reckoning). Now whilst that isn't much in itself, it was unnecessary to his function, no other council leader has such a medal and it served only to flatter his ego at events where former Mayors are wearing their medals.

My belief is that Hyndburn Borough Council, along with every other council in the country, should exercise restraint in all this flippant spending and apply three criteria to absolutely everything which is requested:

1. Is it absolutely essential to the function of the department?
2. What purpose does this item/event serve?
3. Can it be done for less money?

If we boil this down even as far as stationery (examples being the special 'Hyndburn' pencils and metal badges such as 'I Love Wind Power') then we probably wouldn't get past point 1 for many requests.

The Freedom of Information Act has allowed requests regarding council spending to be made by anyone and the link to Hyndburn's e-mail address can be found here for anyone wanting to know the cost of a project:

Freedom of Information Act - About Freedom of Information

My view is that we are not here to prove to everyone what an 'excellent council' Hyndburn has, we are here to govern well and ensure that the borough runs smoothly. At the moment it feels like an inter-council version of The X Factor where each borough competes for the biggest applause.

Are my feelings shared or am I just a cynical old miser?

Discuss.

Now that is far too much common sense to succeed Ken......C'mon, you know the drill.
It has to have less function than mammaries on a bull, it has to promote and massage the ego of a said person.....I don't need to say who it is do I ?
And it has to cost the borough great chunks of money to be even put into the 'To be considered' pile.

On the sensible side. I think that every person in the borough would hope that our council would budget in the manner that you sugest. Is that too much to hope for?