Cameras in the Council meetings?

Hi,

I don’t often agree with much of what the Labour bloggers write and certainly Julian Ware Lane’s offerings since the election havent been up to his usual standard but I read this piece by Jack Monroe.

This is something that I have often felt to be the case having observed the Council chamber from people of all parties. Martin Terry could hardly hide his glee Thursday evening as he forecast that the evening would be fun and told us to watch whilst one of the groups walked out in disgust as they wouldnt get their way. As i say, over the year all the groups have been guilty of this though.

After reading Jack’s blog I sat and thought about it and put it down to the fact that maybe it was down to the press being present and so they wanted a positive write up to get their message to the electorate, I thought about it further and decided that it was hardly a shock that the council behaved this way after watching the weekly punch and Judy show that is PMQs. Cameron promised to end this when he was in opposition and it is to his great shame that he hasnt done so already, however entertaining it is to watch, it is not the purpose of either meetings.

I then, thought well is it the nature of the beast? Politicians need to get across their ideas and views but also need to highlight the shortcomings of others. Are sarcasm and insults the easiest way of getting your point of view noticed and therefore likely to be listened to? I hope not but it happens a lot in the chamber with some individuals.

  So how do we stop this? Is this the reason some people are turning off politics, do they assume that politicians behave this way as they are only interested in themselves? Would having the meetings streamed onto a website help matters or would people play up for them even more? I dont know but I do agree with Jack and repeat her call that `it’s high time everyone put down their swords and catapults and stopped poking out their tongues, and got on with the bloody job.`

Cabinet announced

Taken from the  Council Website:

The Leader of Southend-on-Sea Borough Council, Nigel Holdcroft, has today (Monday 14th May) unveiled his new Cabinet for the forthcoming year.

 

 

 

All but one of last year’s Cabinet members retain their portfolios for 2012/13, as Cllr Holdcroft looks for continuity as the authority prepares to make further budget efficiencies.

However, Cllr Mark Flewitt’s decision to stand down as Executive Councillor for Children and Learning necessitates one change.

Cllr Flewitt, who previously held the Adult Social Care, Health & Housing and Planning & Transport portfolios, has stood down to concentrate on other projects.

His place in the Cabinet will be taken by Cllr James Courtenay, who represents Blenheim Park Ward and was only elected to the Council in May last year.

Cllr Holdcroft said: “I’d like to thank Mark Flewitt for the significant contribution he has made to the administration in recent years.

“He has had three high profile portfolios during that time and has played a big part in helping this authority to meet the budgetary constraints imposed upon it whilst still driving up standards.

“Although he will be a loss to Cabinet I understand Mark’s decision to stand down and he will continue to be a valuable member of the Conservative Group.

“James Courtenay is a very able and enthusiastic young man and although he has only been a councillor for a little over a year he has a lot to offer the administration.

“He has impressed his colleagues on the Conservative benches with his willingness to get involved beyond his ward responsibilities and I am sure he will be a great asset to us.”

Cllr Holdcroft resigned as Leader of the Council on Thursday last week (10th May) after his party lost overall control of the authority in the Local Elections on May 3rd.

He then put himself forward as a candidate in the Leadership vote which took place following the traditional Mayor-Making ceremony.

Cllr Holdcroft was re-elected after receiving 25 votes with the only challenger, Independent Councillor Ron Woodley, receiving 16 votes. Nine councillors abstained.

He said: “Under the terms of the Strong Leader Model which was adopted by the Council three years ago I could have remained Leader despite my party losing overall control.

“However, I had always said that in the event of that happening the Conservative Group would let the elected members of the Council decide who should be leader.

“I was confident that no other candidate who stood against me would receive the support necessary to oust me and my confidence proved to be well-founded.”

The full list of Cabinet members is: 

• Nigel Holdcroft – Leader
• John Lamb – Deputy Leader with special responsibility for Regeneration and Enterprise
• Derek Jarvis – Culture and Tourism
• James Courtenay – Children & Learning
• Lesley Salter – Adult Social Care, Health and Housing
• Tony Cox – Public Protection, Waste and Transport
• Andrew Moring – Corporate Support Services
• Jonathan Garston – Planning

Are you sure Cllr Ayling?

As some of you may or may not know, I live in St Lukes ward. Here is a letter to SKIPP from my newly elected councillor;

Today, (Thursday 10th May 2012) we witnessed the dawn of a new age. At the prestigious Civic Centre meeting to swear in the new Mayor and the new Leader of the Council, we saw a group of dedicated people who care about our town, with the exception of the Liberal Democrats! The Labour Party joined forces with the Independent Group in an attempt to unseat the Tory domination of the Council .The Borough vote was a majority vote to evict the Tory controlled Cabinet but was defeated by the liberal Democrat Members refusal to vote with the wishes of the residents. Only Rick Morgan (Lib Dem) voted with a combined vote of Labour and Independent to see a new Administration. Both Independent and Labour joined forces to bring about the start of a new beginning for Southend. This was spoilt by the disgraceful “whip” exercised by Graham Longley the Lib Dem Party leader who instructed his “Party” to abstain (a no vote for Independent Ron Woodley).

 Independent Councillors will work together with other individuals for the benefit of the town but Nigel Holdcroft (Tory) was elected as leader of the Council by default.

 Over the next few months you will see a combined effort by the opposition Groups to bring about a fairer and more resident friendly attitude to create a Council that cares about the town and the people that live within it.

  Cllr. Brian Ayling

Southend-on-Sea Borough Council

Following on from the drivel/deceipt that was his leaflet he has followed it up with this.  I don’t know if he deliberately misleads people or is doing it on purpose but he should stick to facts. Lets break down his statements;

We will ignore his opening statement about the Lib Dems not caring about the people of this town as I am sure that all parties care and to single out the Lib Dems as the only party who doesnt care is unfair.

The Borough vote was a majority vote to evict the Tory controlled Cabinet  -  Really? Here I was thinking that through the Borough, te Conservatives won the most seats and the highest vote share. It wasnt a great night for us, true but it certainly wasnt to evict the Tory controlled cabinet, if Victoria was anything to go by, the Conservative voters stayed at home to send a message to David Cameron.

This was spoilt by the disgraceful “whip” exercised by Graham Longley the Lib Dem Party leader who instructed his “Party” to abstain (a no vote for Independent Ron Woodley).  - it was also a no vote for Nigel Holdcroft. They were saying they couldn’t endorse either of them.

 Independent Councillors will work together with other individuals for the benefit of the town but Nigel Holdcroft (Tory) was elected as leader of the Council by default   No Nigel Holdcroft became leader due to winning the majority of the vote. It wasnt by default.

Anyway I look forward Cllr Ayling in you delivering your promise to bring down the Cabinet systeem as your literature would claim you will if elected!

Leadership election

After the mayor making there was the decision as to who would be the leader of the Council. It was an interesting outcome which has bought some outcry from a particular Labour supporter who seems to blame the Lib Dems without being there for all the facts.

FACT 25 Conservatives voted for Nigel Holdcroft.

FACT 1 Lib Dem councillor was absent today for whatever reason leaving an opposition of 25.

Even if all the abstaining Lib Dems and Dr Vel had voted for Ron Woodley it would have been left at 25 all with Sally Carr holding the decisive vote. The result would have been the same. She doesnt mention that one Lib Dem actually supported Ron Woodley either.

I am sure in the next couple of days we will hear Ian Gilbert claim that he had to side with the Independents because he wanted to look supporters in the eye and claim he did all he could to remove the Conservatives. However his comments in the press yesterday would fly against that claim `Labour leader Ian Gilbert claimed there was little “appetite” for an anti-Tory coalition. ` He will probably also claim that he had to make a protest even if its a symbolic one – just like he did at this year’s Budget! Oh no wait he remained silent there. Now at least he is the leader of the party and could quite legitmately claim he was doing what he felt right for the Labour Party even if he didnt agree with it.

However I am not sure what excuse Julian Ware Lane will have and it will be interesting to read his views in the next couple of days. During the month of April he has said this about the very same independent party he supported today;

http://warelane.wordpress.com/2012/04/30/the-southchurch-succession-a-diversion-from-real-thinking/   `

The Independents, whilst masquerading as a non-party, are determined to emasculate opinion by taking the politics out of politics

They will be found out, but how much damage and wasted opportunities will have gone before this happens?

They are a sop to bourgeois ambition, a blunted outlet that will be no challenge to establishment thinking. ‘

and his views on Ron Woodley himself

‘Apart from the perverse idea of someone supposedly opposed to party politics supporting party candidates, I do wonder whether we will be faced with a re-build of the Council Chamber at the Civic Centre, for it may not be big enough for Ron’s ego any more.

Reports are that he is offering to support others – Ron believes that Ron’s endorsement will mean that Ron’s candidate having the Ron approval will get the Ron acolytes elected.

wRONg!

I offer this little plea – Ron, do not endorse me.’

 

Still Julian is ready to endorse and vote for you Ron

Mayor making

I was invited to my first mayor making ceremony today and it was a delight to attend. Recently I have heard a lot of criticism of traditions like this and the Queen’s speech but I think it is good that we have these quirky little traditions and at the end of the day they dont hurt anyone.

 

I want to wish Sally Carr all the best in her year as Mayoress and I am sure the children of Southend will benefit greatly from her year in office. Indeed it was lovley to hear Cecil Jones choir singing to us as we entered the Chamber.

I also want to add my thanks to David Norman on his past year as mayor. It was said today and i couldnt agree more, he helped restore pride in Southend and I hope that is a legacy of his mayorlty. I have nothing but great respect for David even if I disagree with him politically. On the doorstep I have heard of many things he has heard for residents and as I have said to people I would never stand against him as he is a great councillor. He deserved all the plaudits he recieved today and I want to thank him for a great year.

Election result

I just want to say a huge thank you for all the support and encouragement given to me in my campaign from my team and residents alike. I have made some great friends and I look forward to working with you all in the future.

I would also like to thank the rest of the candidates for a clean campaign which didnt focus on individuals and offer my congratulations to Ian on his win.

Elections on Thursday

Political predictions can always be dangerous an there are sorts of factors which can affect the result from the weather ranging to whoever has had a good week in the press.

Southend elections this year will be interesting with some interesting battles  – How will Steve Aylen fare? Will Graham Longley survive or has the Independent parties courtship with him been in vain? What will happen in the Kursaal ward?

Let me start of by predicting how I think the overall council will look Friday morning. I think we will have a Conservative run council however there will be a lot of different faces making up the chamber. I am not going to make a prediction based on the Victoria ward as I am too closely involved to give a objective and unbiased view. I am also not fully aware of what is happening in all the seats in the west.

I think the Thorpe, Kursaal and St Luke’s elections are too close to call but I feel Blaine and Peter are fantastic guys and brilliant councillors and so I hope they retain their seats and I think that Clive has run a very clever campaign and hope that he will get in. I think we will probably gain Southchurch and retain Milton and West Shoebury.

Over in the west, although Neil Austin has run a fantastic campaign and deserves better I think that this year may be a tad too early for him but that he will build up a good base from which to continue. I actually think from canvassing with Neil that in Westborough it will be a Labour gain. I feel Julie will win in Blenheim Park despite Ron Woodley’s letter and also I think Mark Flewitt will win -  What is interesting if thes do prove to be true that it will mean Ron Woodley will have backed the loser in three wards! I dont lnow who will against Steve Aylen but I hope that Steve doesnt join the council.

I think Sue abrahams may have a chance in Prittlewell and if anyone desrves to be elected and become a councillor it’s her.

Anyway what will be will be and we shall see what will happen tomorrow

The cost of Southend’s Tower blocks

Below is a list of how much was spent in repairs on some of Southend’s tower blocks in 2011. The first number is how much was planned to be spent and the second number is the amount spent on responsive repairs. All numbers are in their thousands.

1. Chiltern   18.4 + 4.8 = 23.1
2. Malvern   16.7 + 5.0 = 21.7
3. Temple    18.2 + 3.5 = 21.7
4. Sutton      19.5 + 2.2 = 21.7
5. Grampian 10.2+ 8.2 = 18.4
6. Pennine    11.0 + 5.7 = 16.7
7. Brecon      9.6+ 7.1 = 16.7
8. Longbow  9.7 + 7.0 = 16.7
9. Quantock 10.9 + 3.1 = 15
10. Blackdown 6.4 + 7.0 = 13.4

It’s interesting to see how much was spent in responsive repairs to the Balmoral flats.

Those St Luke’s candidates!

I see that my opponent has chosen to blog about a mistake by Cllr Peter Ashley. He says that people should know their own ward boundaries which I agree with him. This is not the first time in this election that a candidate in St Lukes has delivered letters in Victoria Ward by mistake. Mike Royston also delivered his leaflets in East Street! Unfortunately for me and my opponent we will both have to declare this on our expenses. It’s a good job there is plenty left in the kitty!!

Another award for Southend

I see Southend has been awarded the Purple flag, to show how safe our local night life is safe and entertaining. I must say that having been a Street Pastor in both London and Southend, I can only agree with the judges comments about the level of cooperation between agencies and a lot of work and effort goes in each weekend to try and make sure the High Street and sea front safe and secure. This is unusual and should be applauded.  I understand that only 30 of these flags have been awarded and Southend are the first town in Essex to be awarded this. Well done Southend, along with the Council of the Year another reason to be proud of Southend.