howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
Interesting mix of candidates there for you to vote for Darren, Simon Bannister is a blast from the past and John Paine is a colourful character.
Jan Higgins
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,876
Today is the first time in eleven years since I moved to my ward that I discover there are monthly surgeries or even that my councillor has a DDC page.
There is certainly a lack of publicity, we the electorate, unless in the know, would have to hunt out the relevant information which is almost kept a secret.
I must add Pam was very helpful when I emailed her about an area of pavement that was getting overgrown, the area has now been tarmaced to stop any regrowth.
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I try to be neutral and polite but it is hard and getting even more difficult at times.
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Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
If I remember correctly, Simon Bannister stood up in the Council Chamber and said "The Tories have left us £11 million in the reserves and wer're gonna spend it" - and he/they did and when they were ousted in 2003, they also left a £750,000 black hole in the accounts.
O.K. it was while ago, but they haven't changed their spots.
Roger
Guest 1348- Registered: 20 Sep 2014
- Posts: 276
Ukip at council level just makes me think we'll have town border controls stopping the entry of those Folkestone and deal lot
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
Jan
Another example is that members of the public can use the toilet facilities of certain premises without the need to buy anything, the trouble is nobody knows about. The Town Council pay these businesses for the privilege.
Roger
You did remember correctly but I also remember 4 years ago when councils were losing government funding Eric Pickles telling councils to spend their reserves, pots and kettles etc.
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
The difference is Howard, that Simon wasn't told to spend their reserves, they did that on their own; also, we at DDC took no notice of Mr. Pickles.
Paul Watkins knows how to run a good Council. He may not be the most popular, but he is the best and the best for Dover.
Roger
Sue Nicholas- Location: river
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 6,025
Well said Roger.Under His Leadership I have used my budget wisely;I have gone out into the Community at little cost and when a more formal occasion is required I have used my own money.The Civic Service is an excample of this when I have helped with the expenditure and whenever flowers are displayed. its my money .I will not name and shame but some Chairman spend money like there is no tomorrow.
Guest 698- Registered: 28 May 2010
- Posts: 8,664
I can't help feeling that local government (actually a gross misdescription, as councils do not govern, they implement laws and provide services) would be more efficient if politics were removed from it, and if we elected the executives at its head.
I'm an optimist. But I'm an optimist who takes my raincoat - Harold Wilson
Guest 977- Registered: 27 Jun 2013
- Posts: 1,031
I believe there was an option in the late 90s of going for an elected Mayor in a Chief Exec role, but DDC decided on the Cabinet system.
Guest 1348- Registered: 20 Sep 2014
- Posts: 276
There should be some accountability to the electorate regarding pay for the higher ups in the council especially when you see such high pay and contracts that have large monetary clauses. There should be a ceiling for the pay and performance targets (reasonable) that need to be met for bonus etc. When you see people in local government not only on higher pay than the PM but even local MP it wonders why they should have any say in pay. It has gone to far towards fat cat pay and should be more about wanting to do the job and be good at it not for all perks and bonuses as working for council you are working for the local people.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
KCC had an executive under contract a few years back who resigned before the contract was up and received compensation!!
Loved to know who wrote that contract.
Guest 943- Registered: 15 May 2013
- Posts: 449
Howard ,you are referring to Ms Kerslake who left KCC after 20 months with a payoff £420,000..At the time in 2012 ,Grant Shapps/Michael Green said it was Outrageous.....Ms Kerslake is at present is Director General of the Cabinet Office...Grant/Mike Greens' views clearly not held by the boss of the Cabinet Office,David Cameron. Ms Kerslake did not repay back the taxpayers money of £420,000..
The previous Chief Exc Peter Gilroy had a payoff of £200,000 in 2010 on top of his salary of £200,000...Mr Gilroy became a consultant to KCC afterwards...During the 2010 election he paid himself £18,000 for work done..I am sure Mr Gilroy and Ms Kerslake also Grant Shapps/Michael Green are very honest and honorable public servants..
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
All coming back to me now Peter, but I still cannot fathom why there are pay offs to people who leave a job in order to better themselves. If anything they should be penalised for breaking their contracts.
Paul Watkins- Location: Dover
- Registered: 9 Nov 2011
- Posts: 2,226
Both paid to go.
Jan Higgins- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,876
If they were paid to go why were they employed in the first place?
Ordinary workers would either be sacked or paid redundancy but once a certain level up the ladder is reached it seems you get a wad of money for no sensible reason.
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I try to be neutral and polite but it is hard and getting even more difficult at times.
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Guest 943- Registered: 15 May 2013
- Posts: 449
Mr Watkins,are there any similar employee contracts at DDC?
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
Good question Rippers, going slightly off topic we know that various councils in East Kent share services in order to save money. Seems to work Ok but a few years it was decided that Dover and Shepway would have just one Chief Executive. Both were interviewed and as the vote from the panel was equal both kept their jobs.
Paul Watkins- Location: Dover
- Registered: 9 Nov 2011
- Posts: 2,226
Not to my knowledge Peter. We have a stable workforce & reduce staffing numbers through natural employment change with a flexible workforce that helps avoid redundancies.
Guest 745- Registered: 27 Mar 2012
- Posts: 3,370
Paul
what exactly is natural employment change ?
Jan Higgins- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,876
I suspect even I know that one, you move from one department to another something that has always happened in any business.
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I try to be neutral and polite but it is hard and getting even more difficult at times.
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