Guest 720- Registered: 20 Jul 2011
- Posts: 114
#1
I couldn't find a thread already relating to this topic so I thought I would start one. Sorry if I've missed another one.
I see in today's Dover Express they are exposing the fact that many of the high-earning staff at Dover District Council live outside the district. An excellent piece of investigative journalism, which we have come to expect from the staff at the Express. How dare people who have such an input in the district not live within the district and, therefore, not support it. Bet they do their shopping elsewhere, spending that hard-earned cash in other districts, and not benefitting ours. It's a good job we have the Express to highlight these things.
By the way, where does Simon Finlay (probably one of the highest-earning staff on the Express) live? According to the internet, it looks like Maidstone. Hmm ...
Keith Sansum1
- Location: london
- Registered: 25 Aug 2010
- Posts: 23,948
#2
this says it all
By the way, where does Simon Finlay (probably one of the highest-earning staff on the Express) live? According to the internet, it looks like Maidstone. Hmm ...[/QUO
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howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
#3
hasn't featured on here, read it elsewhere and most people seemed to think that the article referred to councillors rather than officers.
Keith Sansum1- Location: london
- Registered: 25 Aug 2010
- Posts: 23,948
#4
probably not featured on here because a lot of people don't buy the rag any more
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Guest 756- Registered: 6 Jun 2012
- Posts: 727
#5
That's like saying only Dover People can man our Dr's surgeries, schools, hospitals police stations etc. Surely its the best person for the job regardless of where they live? Anything else would be discrimination.
Guest 710- Registered: 28 Feb 2011
- Posts: 6,950
#6
This is probably a common complaint all across the land, and while there does seem to be a general grumbling inner disquiet that there must exist some justification -somewhere, somehow, for the 'wrongness' of how Local Government attends to the expectations of the local population, the employment of officers from outside the district is not the reason for the mismatch of expectation over outcome.
I could cut through the verbiage and say that Local Government is a scam. It seems to me that it exists to keep the every-day peasant-squabbling out and away from Westminster, while giving the Partys in Parliament a local power base.
Perhaps, if only Councillors could put local people before Party Allegiance...rather a forlorn hope, given the committee structure.
It is probably a good thing to have (and/or to hope to have) an independent efficient officer-machine, but it often fails to work out quite that way.
I hope employment in Local or National Government is not entirely irrespective of where you live, there should be some expectation that a job-candidate would live within easy reach, although this is not always the way and in some cases leads to great, and unnecessary, expense.
Ignorance is bliss, bliss is happiness, I am happy...to draw your attention to the possible connectivity in the foregoing.
Guest 756- Registered: 6 Jun 2012
- Posts: 727
#7
Now we get to the nitty gritty bit of loacl gov. Should the councillor elected to represent your views live in your Ward? I had experience of this and to be honest at times I had to crawl commando style to the car at 7 am to avoid being late for work as there seemed to be no constraints on my own time in the eyes of the electorate. I remember being woken at 3am by a parishoner who had been woken by a mouse in their bedroom and informed me that I should suffer to until the "man from the council" could come and "murder" it for them!! At that point I wished I was just a little out of arms reach!
Guest 710- Registered: 28 Feb 2011
- Posts: 6,950
#8
Mayhap Lesley, rescue is now at hand.
I know that around here there is now a 24/7 'emergency' phone number for our Local Council, with mobile patrols 'ready' to deal with stuff that is council related.
Perhaps there is such a service in East Kent.
Ignorance is bliss, bliss is happiness, I am happy...to draw your attention to the possible connectivity in the foregoing.
Guest 649- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 14,118
#9
I am so well liked as a cllr no one ever rings me even in the daytime.
Keith Sansum1- Location: london
- Registered: 25 Aug 2010
- Posts: 23,948
#10
maybe another reason??
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howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
#11
there is probably a number to ring tom but unlikely that anyone will be there to answer it.
Keith Sansum1- Location: london
- Registered: 25 Aug 2010
- Posts: 23,948
#12
tom
821199
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Guest 710- Registered: 28 Feb 2011
- Posts: 6,950
#13
I had occasion to use our local number the other week.
Part of the Lottery-Funded improvement to the dawn-till-dusk park across the road was increased security;the fences are maintained and the padlock-keys closely guarded, it was not always this way, plus the ex-stately home that is within the confines of the park is now a Council run Party venue;it too has gained extra security measures, alarms and flashing red lights.
A few weeks ago while out 'exercising' the mutt I noticed a Fire Engine parked-up at the front gate, as none of the (999) Emergency services have keys, I watched as a Fireman in full clobber dragged step ladders from his truck and clambered over into the park;all of this is way less that satisfactory, so I determined then that if I heard any alarms I would first ring the council and let them notify whomever, and perhaps then, be there with the keys.
I called, and eventually somebody answered, and it only took about twice as long as may have been the mark of efficiency.
Ignorance is bliss, bliss is happiness, I am happy...to draw your attention to the possible connectivity in the foregoing.
Keith Sansum1- Location: london
- Registered: 25 Aug 2010
- Posts: 23,948
#14
lovely positive story tom
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Guest 649- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 14,118
#15
Yes it would be good if all parish and ward cllr came from the ward they live in,but the true facts are the public do not come forward to be a cllr so sorry you get second best as was the case with myself ,that was one of the main points I was showing the public when I got on so many parish councils,and I know that if I go for them again I would walk in again where I left off. That is the facts of life and again I might just go ahead with that again in the councils I have just come off.Again it is a wake up call to the public if they care which I do not think they do.
Keith Sansum1- Location: london
- Registered: 25 Aug 2010
- Posts: 23,948
#16
until they have a problem
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