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Rt Hon Hilary Benn MP
Secretary of State.
Department for Environment,
Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA),
Nobel House
17 Smith Square
London
SW1P 3JR
16 September 2009
Dear Secretary of State,
My friend, who is in farming at the moment, recently received a cheque for £3,000 from the Rural Payments Agency for not rearing pigs. I would now like to join the "not rearing pigs" business.
In your opinion, what is the best kind of farm not to rear pigs on, and which is the best breed of pigs not to rear? I want to be sure I approach this endeavour in keeping with all government policies, as dictated by the EU under the Common Agricultural Policy.
I would prefer not to rear bacon pigs, but if this is not the type you want not rearing, I will just as gladly not rear porkers. Are there any advantages in not rearing rare breeds such as Saddlebacks or Gloucester Old Spots, or are there too many people already not rearing these?
As I see it, the hardest part of this programme will be keeping an accurate record of how many pigs I haven't reared. Are there any Government or Local Authority courses on this?
My friend is very satisfied with this business. He has been rearing pigs for forty years or so, and the best he ever made on them was £1,422 in 1968. That is - until this year, when he received a cheque for not rearing any.
If I get £3,000 for not rearing 50 pigs, will I get £6,000 for not rearing 100? I plan to operate on a small scale at first, holding myself down to about 4,000 pigs not raised, which will mean about £240,000 for the first year. As I become more expert in not rearing pigs, I plan to be more ambitious, perhaps increasing to, say, 40,000 pigs not reared in my second year, for which I should expect about £2.4 million from your department. Incidentally, I wonder if I would be eligible to receive tradable carbon credits for all these pigs not producing harmful and polluting methane gases?
Another point: These pigs that I plan not to rear will not eat 2,000 tonnes of cereals. I understand that you also pay farmers for not growing crops. Will I qualify for payments for not growing cereals to not feed the pigs I don't rear?
I am also considering the "not milking cows" business, so please send any information you have on that too. Please could you also include the current Defra advice on set aside fields? Can this be done on an e-commerce basis with virtual fields (of which I seem to have several thousand hectares)?
In view of the above you will realise that I will be totally unemployed, and will therefore qualify for unemployment benefits.
I shall of course be voting for your party at the next general election.
Yours faithfully,
Nigel Johnson-Hill
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Thursday, 12 November 2009
Dunstable Gazette - One Stop Shop for Revenues & Benefits
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A new one-stop service is being launched to merge the former South Beds and Mid Beds district councils' revenues and benefits system.
From Monday, December 14, Central Beds Council will operate a single system for all council tax, business rates, housing and council tax benefit information. This is to cut the cost of providing these services, enable the council to provide a better, more joined-up service and introduce improved functions that will offer a more interactive service for customers.
To enable this merging of information to take place, no new customers' details will be input to the revenues and benefits systems between November 11 and December 14. But during this period the council will continue to make payments as normal and collect direct debit payments for council tax and business rates.
The council will also continue to receive housing and council tax benefit claims, changes in circumstances which could affect people's entitlement to benefits, payments against housing benefit overpayment and against any council tax and business rates accounts, and information relating to council tax and business rates liability.
Deputy council leader Councillor Richard Stay said: "Creating a single revenues and benefits system saves us nearly £50,000 a year immediately, with more savings to follow."It will also enable us to make improvements to services and gives customers a better, more interactive service which makes it easier for them to make payments and receive benefits."
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One-stop revenue and benefits service ahead for Central Beds
Move will save council almost £50,000 a year
A new one-stop service is being launched to merge the former South Beds and Mid Beds district councils' revenues and benefits system.
From Monday, December 14, Central Beds Council will operate a single system for all council tax, business rates, housing and council tax benefit information. This is to cut the cost of providing these services, enable the council to provide a better, more joined-up service and introduce improved functions that will offer a more interactive service for customers.
To enable this merging of information to take place, no new customers' details will be input to the revenues and benefits systems between November 11 and December 14. But during this period the council will continue to make payments as normal and collect direct debit payments for council tax and business rates.
The council will also continue to receive housing and council tax benefit claims, changes in circumstances which could affect people's entitlement to benefits, payments against housing benefit overpayment and against any council tax and business rates accounts, and information relating to council tax and business rates liability.
Deputy council leader Councillor Richard Stay said: "Creating a single revenues and benefits system saves us nearly £50,000 a year immediately, with more savings to follow."It will also enable us to make improvements to services and gives customers a better, more interactive service which makes it easier for them to make payments and receive benefits."
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Wednesday, 11 November 2009
Nigel Huddleston's report on the change we need to Luton South
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This is a report that will be dropping through every letter box around now & is an excellent overview of what would happen under a Cameron Government.
Nigel is making a difference & is in effect doing the job of our MP already, despite the fact that we are actually paying Margaret Moran about £14 grand a month to do the job.
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This is a report that will be dropping through every letter box around now & is an excellent overview of what would happen under a Cameron Government.Nigel is making a difference & is in effect doing the job of our MP already, despite the fact that we are actually paying Margaret Moran about £14 grand a month to do the job.
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Standards Board Complaint
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Apropos blog item of 28th October.
As forecast the complaint from a constituent to the Standards Committee was duly referred to the Standards Board for England & promptly sent back by them with a polite note saying that it has diddly squat to do with them.
I am very sorry that this particular delicate petal is so sensitive, but chum that is life.
And this by the way is a complaint from someone who feels quite at liberty to f & blind at me ad lib. I do not do complaints to the Standards Board, because frankly that is a route for, in this particular case, someone that really ought to know better.
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Apropos blog item of 28th October.
As forecast the complaint from a constituent to the Standards Committee was duly referred to the Standards Board for England & promptly sent back by them with a polite note saying that it has diddly squat to do with them.
I am very sorry that this particular delicate petal is so sensitive, but chum that is life.
And this by the way is a complaint from someone who feels quite at liberty to f & blind at me ad lib. I do not do complaints to the Standards Board, because frankly that is a route for, in this particular case, someone that really ought to know better.
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Caddington remembers those that fell in battle.
Caddington Villagers gathered on The Green to remember those that fell in both World Wars & those that made the ultimate sacrifice in the many conflicts since.
The service was read by the Rev Jane Gilpin & arranged by Terry Oliver, former Chairman of Caddington Parish Council.
It was pleasing to see so many people turn out. First picture is of pupils from Caddington Village School, the second photo of pupils from Streetfield Middle School & the bottom photo of Jane Gilpin & Terry Oliver.
The event was also attended by the Chairman of Caddington Parish Council, Cllr Tony Hansen
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Improvement East - Innovations Day
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The LGA First Magazine coverage of the Innovations Day held in newmarket recently. As Chairman of Improvement East, who sponsor the event, I thought the level of ideas was great - particularly around innovation & efficiency - ideas of how to redce the cost of local government were picked out & rewarded.
The LGA First Magazine coverage of the Innovations Day held in newmarket recently. As Chairman of Improvement East, who sponsor the event, I thought the level of ideas was great - particularly around innovation & efficiency - ideas of how to redce the cost of local government were picked out & rewarded.
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Freedom of Information requests
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I get a note to tell me that there is an FOI request in for information on both my & Ruth Gammon's allowances paid between April & October 2009.
To save Officers the trouble of responding I have put the information above. There is not a great deal of mystery to expense claims in local government.
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I get a note to tell me that there is an FOI request in for information on both my & Ruth Gammon's allowances paid between April & October 2009.
To save Officers the trouble of responding I have put the information above. There is not a great deal of mystery to expense claims in local government.
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Tuesday, 10 November 2009
Men & age
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This from the Times amused me:
“We men have many weaknesses. And age only exacerbates them. Now that I have passed my 42nd birthday and am officially in the final 40 per cent of my allotted span on Earth — what Sue Townsend brilliantly alludes to as the prostate years — my infirmities are becoming ever more debilitating.
My hearing is going in the most alarming way, or so it would appear, because whenever I listen to any anyone called something like “strategic director” or “partnership working lead” or “change management professional” I cannot make out a single word they say.”
Michael Gove, Tory Shadow Minister
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This from the Times amused me:
“We men have many weaknesses. And age only exacerbates them. Now that I have passed my 42nd birthday and am officially in the final 40 per cent of my allotted span on Earth — what Sue Townsend brilliantly alludes to as the prostate years — my infirmities are becoming ever more debilitating.
My hearing is going in the most alarming way, or so it would appear, because whenever I listen to any anyone called something like “strategic director” or “partnership working lead” or “change management professional” I cannot make out a single word they say.”
Michael Gove, Tory Shadow Minister
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Monday, 9 November 2009
The Passing of Common Sense - an obituary
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Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, which has been with us for many years now.
No one knows for sure how old he was,since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape.He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as: knowing when to come in out of the rain; why the early bird gets the worm; life isn't always fair; and maybe it was my fault.
Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don't spend more than you can earn) and reliable strategies (adults, not children, are in charge). His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well-intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in place.
Reports of a 6-year old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teens suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch; and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened his condition.
Common Sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing the job that they themselves had failed to do in disciplining their unruly children. He declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer sun lotion or an aspirin to a student, but could not inform parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion.
Common Sense lost the will to live as the churches became businesses and criminals received better treatment than their victims. Common Sense took a beating when you couldn't defend yourself from a burglar in your own home without the burglar suing you for assault.He will be missed.
Common Sense finally gave up the will to live after a woman failed to realise that a steaming cup of coffee was hot, spilled a little in her lap and was promptly awarded a huge settlement.
Common Sense was preceded in death by his parents Truth and Trust, by his wife Discretion, his daughter Responsibility, and his son Reason. He is survived by his 4 stepbrothers: I Know My Rights; I Want It Now; Someone Else Is To Blame; and I'm A Victim.Not many attended his funeral because so few realised he was gone.
If you still remember him, pass this on. If not, join the majority and do nothing
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Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, which has been with us for many years now.
No one knows for sure how old he was,since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape.He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as: knowing when to come in out of the rain; why the early bird gets the worm; life isn't always fair; and maybe it was my fault.
Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don't spend more than you can earn) and reliable strategies (adults, not children, are in charge). His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well-intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in place.
Reports of a 6-year old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teens suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch; and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened his condition.
Common Sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing the job that they themselves had failed to do in disciplining their unruly children. He declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer sun lotion or an aspirin to a student, but could not inform parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion.
Common Sense lost the will to live as the churches became businesses and criminals received better treatment than their victims. Common Sense took a beating when you couldn't defend yourself from a burglar in your own home without the burglar suing you for assault.He will be missed.
Common Sense finally gave up the will to live after a woman failed to realise that a steaming cup of coffee was hot, spilled a little in her lap and was promptly awarded a huge settlement.
Common Sense was preceded in death by his parents Truth and Trust, by his wife Discretion, his daughter Responsibility, and his son Reason. He is survived by his 4 stepbrothers: I Know My Rights; I Want It Now; Someone Else Is To Blame; and I'm A Victim.Not many attended his funeral because so few realised he was gone.
If you still remember him, pass this on. If not, join the majority and do nothing
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Sunday, 8 November 2009
East of England Innovations Day
. Focus on the East of England
Cllr Richard Stay, chairman of Improvement East, talks about the importance of championing innovation in local government
The importance of innovation in public services can’t be stressed too highly.
Cllr Richard Stay, chairman of Improvement East, talks about the importance of championing innovation in local government
The importance of innovation in public services can’t be stressed too highly.
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The increasingly complex challenges we face – meeting the individual needs of an ageing population, helping to tackle climate change, overcoming long-term worklessness in deprived communities – can’t be solved through the same old solutions and approaches.
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The increasingly complex challenges we face – meeting the individual needs of an ageing population, helping to tackle climate change, overcoming long-term worklessness in deprived communities – can’t be solved through the same old solutions and approaches.
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Innovation can’t be an afterthought in the public sector – it is absolutely critical to addressing the difficulties we face. We need to change the way we work to support innovation, and to encourage new ideas and fresh thinking from people who use the services and frontline professionals and suppliers.
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Here in the East of England, we recently held our flagship ‘Innovations day’ conference to boost innovation in local and fire authorities across the region.
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More than 160 delegates from councils and other public sector organisations gathered in Newmarket to share a wealth of innovative ideas, connections and resources. The conference was sponsored by Improvement East, the regional improvement and efficiency partnership for the East of England, and the East of England regional assembly.
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Aside from declining to dress as a Pirate - I thought it a superb event.
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A poignant remembrance service in Caddington
.This mornings act of remembrance in Caddington was fitting and indeed poignant with young men from Caddington & the surrounding area on active service.
The service following on held at All Saints Church Caddington, led by the Vicar Ruth Pyke, was to a packed church along with the uniformed services, Scouts & Guides.
Once a year it puts all the petty concerns & worries we have day to day in perspective.
Long may we continue to remember those who laid down their lives, not just in the 2 World Wars, but in the many conflicts since.
What value do Councillors bring to local communities?
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A very crude comment left yesterday on this site caused me to wonder what value do Councillors actually bring to the party? The comment, aside from other things, accused me of taking 3k a month for doing sweet fanny adams.
Now given that I put in a similar number of hours to quite a few MP's that I know - that is perhaps rather good value for money - but ultimately a matter for my constituents to decide at the ballot box. An MP by the way earns about double that in salary alone.
I come to the conclusion that by & large councillors do provide extrordinary value for money, but I really do not expect many to agree - for that is the nature of politics.
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A very crude comment left yesterday on this site caused me to wonder what value do Councillors actually bring to the party? The comment, aside from other things, accused me of taking 3k a month for doing sweet fanny adams.
Now given that I put in a similar number of hours to quite a few MP's that I know - that is perhaps rather good value for money - but ultimately a matter for my constituents to decide at the ballot box. An MP by the way earns about double that in salary alone.
I come to the conclusion that by & large councillors do provide extrordinary value for money, but I really do not expect many to agree - for that is the nature of politics.
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London's transport system is simply awful.
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Went to Twickenham yesterday (depressing outcome - England lost) and relied on public transport for the whole journey.
For those familiar with getting to SW London from North of London will be very aware of the very poor options open to you.
Yesterday found Blackfriar's closed, the Victoria & Jubilee Line closed & over crowded and late trains travelled to & from Richmond / Twickenham. It took me 4 hours to get from Twickenham to home, a journey that took me 2 hours to do on the way in.
It all adds up to a complete mess & mars what ought to be an enjoyable trip to the greatest rugby stadium in the World. Almost makes you want to sit in front of the TV next time.
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Went to Twickenham yesterday (depressing outcome - England lost) and relied on public transport for the whole journey.
For those familiar with getting to SW London from North of London will be very aware of the very poor options open to you.
Yesterday found Blackfriar's closed, the Victoria & Jubilee Line closed & over crowded and late trains travelled to & from Richmond / Twickenham. It took me 4 hours to get from Twickenham to home, a journey that took me 2 hours to do on the way in.
It all adds up to a complete mess & mars what ought to be an enjoyable trip to the greatest rugby stadium in the World. Almost makes you want to sit in front of the TV next time.
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Friday, 6 November 2009
Bedford Mayoral candidate could face bankruptcy move.
.Tony Hare, former Tory & Independent Cllr & failed Mayoral Candidate in Bedford has been landed with an invoice for £52,000.00 of which he has paid about £8,500.00 leaving an unpaid debt of some £44,000.00
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The High Court issued a publicly available Default Costs order on 6th November - with payment due in 14 days.
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Of course if Mr Hare is unable to stump up the cash, then there is the potential for bankruptcy procedings, which could leave him in some difficulty continuing a political career.
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Lets hope he is able to raid the piggy bank to the tune of £44 grand in the next week or two.
Luton Borough's position on the Growth Area puzzles me
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One might expect a Labour run council, in this instance Luton, to pay a modicum of notice of Government decrees, particularly the current lot.
The substantial growth agenda for this area is a Government, indeed a Prescott, wheeze, which is aimed in part at solving some of the real housing issues we have in parts of the South East. However top down, imposed housing targets through a regional spatial strategy is just mad.
Luton Borough council thus far have followed the government line - I am puzzled why they have jumped ship now & possibly upset the whole Joint Committee cart. Knowing some of the individuals involved I know the decision to drop support for development East of Luton is political & not supported by officers & some Members of the Labour group.
What I want to know how Luton are now going to dig themselves out of the considerable hole that they have excavated. Its entirely possible of course that Bloor Homes for example could bang in a planning application anyway for housing East of Luton - they have the plans all ready to go. If they did Labour would look rather silly.
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One might expect a Labour run council, in this instance Luton, to pay a modicum of notice of Government decrees, particularly the current lot.
The substantial growth agenda for this area is a Government, indeed a Prescott, wheeze, which is aimed in part at solving some of the real housing issues we have in parts of the South East. However top down, imposed housing targets through a regional spatial strategy is just mad.
Luton Borough council thus far have followed the government line - I am puzzled why they have jumped ship now & possibly upset the whole Joint Committee cart. Knowing some of the individuals involved I know the decision to drop support for development East of Luton is political & not supported by officers & some Members of the Labour group.
What I want to know how Luton are now going to dig themselves out of the considerable hole that they have excavated. Its entirely possible of course that Bloor Homes for example could bang in a planning application anyway for housing East of Luton - they have the plans all ready to go. If they did Labour would look rather silly.
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Now if Esther was serious she would look at Bromsgrove
.Why is it we have a raft of independent candidates declaring for Luton South. One obvious answer is we have a real parliamentary clunkers currently in post, but if there is a genuine desire to fight against candidates who have been caught up in the whole parliamentary expenses affair it does seem odd if you choose to stand as an Independent in a seat where all of the candidates will be snow white little angels.
So we hear that Julie Kirkbride, MP for Bromsgrove, who announced she was standing down has had a change of heart & wants to be considered as a candidate in May - see Daily Telegraph - http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/mps-expenses/6513627/MPs-expenses-Julie-Kirkbride-reverses-resignation-decision.html
Now its just a thought, but if e.g. Esther Rantzen was serious in her mission, one might expect her to de-camp to somewhere like Bromsgrove, or even Hazel Blears constituency.
But one suspects that the journey to those fine consituencies would be rather more arduous than the train journey from Hampstead to Luton.
I don't think Miss Rantzen has a remote chance of winning the seat in a General Election, but she could pick enough votes to influence the outcome & as the Liberal Leader of Richmond Council said to me - "she is of course one of ours"
So according to him Miss Rantzen is really a Liberal - I am sure The Lib Dem candidate in Luton South would be delighted to know that there is an alternative Liberal to vote for.
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Thursday, 5 November 2009
Oh it just makes paying tax such a pleasure!
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I have this real warm feeling after reading about Margaret Moran's golden goodbye - I will have worked sodding hard all year, paid all my taxes in the certain knowledge that my tax bill will almost exactly cover Miss Moran's cash bonus for leaving her job (yup that is the one she will not have done for about a year by the time she leaves in complete ignominy with the title of Britain's most awful MP)
Labour MPs Elliot Morley and David Chaytor, who have been forced to stand down at the election for claiming for non-existent mortgages, will receive £64,766 and £36,269 respectively.
Margaret Moran, who claimed £22,500 to treat dry rot at her partner's home more than 100 miles from her constituency, will get £54,403.
I have this real warm feeling after reading about Margaret Moran's golden goodbye - I will have worked sodding hard all year, paid all my taxes in the certain knowledge that my tax bill will almost exactly cover Miss Moran's cash bonus for leaving her job (yup that is the one she will not have done for about a year by the time she leaves in complete ignominy with the title of Britain's most awful MP)
Labour MPs Elliot Morley and David Chaytor, who have been forced to stand down at the election for claiming for non-existent mortgages, will receive £64,766 and £36,269 respectively.
Margaret Moran, who claimed £22,500 to treat dry rot at her partner's home more than 100 miles from her constituency, will get £54,403.
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But I will have done my bit just so La Moran can depart in a degree of style.
At the next election we will have a large intake of new MP's, including I suspect (if Mr Cameron gets the keys to No.10) a new Conservative MP for Luton South - Nigel Huddleston.
The polls would also indicate that Kelvin Hopkins in Luton North might also be in some trouble.
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At the next election we will have a large intake of new MP's, including I suspect (if Mr Cameron gets the keys to No.10) a new Conservative MP for Luton South - Nigel Huddleston.
The polls would also indicate that Kelvin Hopkins in Luton North might also be in some trouble.
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A sense of crisis in the Westminster Bubble
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Its funny going into the world that is the Houses of Parliament, as I do quite regularly & observing the impact that the whole expenses row has had on the Mother of all Parliament's.
It is a bubble, where attitudes & perspectives can be completely divorced from the real world, but it does an important job & we need it to function effectively, it is not doing that right now.
Let me be heretical - I do think MP's are under paid & most work very hard, a few do not, but for majority there needs to be a fairer & more transparent system of remuneration. I am not sure Kelly has got it right.
Talking to Eve Burt this morning. She is the admirable spouse of Alistair Burt, NE Beds, and runs his office - I doubt we would get as much value if Alister had to employ external staff. To do the same job & I doubt for example we would get the same value if Alistair had to travel each day from NE Beds to London & back again.
However there is going to be an interesting debate if wife's / husbands are banned - what about same sex partnerships, girlfriends / boyfriends - me thinks that employment law specialists are going to have a field day.
The plan to set up an agency that can find flats to rent for MP's that need them is long overdue. I do object to paying for the mortgage interest on second homes.
For the record there was no sign of the Fragrant Margaret Moran today, nor indeed any other day in the house.
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Its funny going into the world that is the Houses of Parliament, as I do quite regularly & observing the impact that the whole expenses row has had on the Mother of all Parliament's.
It is a bubble, where attitudes & perspectives can be completely divorced from the real world, but it does an important job & we need it to function effectively, it is not doing that right now.
Let me be heretical - I do think MP's are under paid & most work very hard, a few do not, but for majority there needs to be a fairer & more transparent system of remuneration. I am not sure Kelly has got it right.
Talking to Eve Burt this morning. She is the admirable spouse of Alistair Burt, NE Beds, and runs his office - I doubt we would get as much value if Alister had to employ external staff. To do the same job & I doubt for example we would get the same value if Alistair had to travel each day from NE Beds to London & back again.
However there is going to be an interesting debate if wife's / husbands are banned - what about same sex partnerships, girlfriends / boyfriends - me thinks that employment law specialists are going to have a field day.
The plan to set up an agency that can find flats to rent for MP's that need them is long overdue. I do object to paying for the mortgage interest on second homes.
For the record there was no sign of the Fragrant Margaret Moran today, nor indeed any other day in the house.
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Wednesday, 4 November 2009
Central Bedfordshire's Town & Parish Council conference
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Chicksands hosted this evening's Town & Parish reception for over 150 delegates from the areas 1st tier of local government. I thought it a good event & well organised by Sir Ian Porter, head of policy & performance & his able team of bootiful assistants.
New Chief Executive, Richard Carr, introduced by Cllr Tricia Turner went down well.
Principle purpose of the evening was to outline how Central Bedfordshire as a new Unitary Council would engage with communities & understand what services could be devolved to Parishes - where they want them.
A critical part of this is saying to Parish Councils - where you want to take over principally quality of life issues, such as grass cutting, we will enable that to happen.
A good outcome & I am delighted with the response - it bodes well for future working.
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Chicksands hosted this evening's Town & Parish reception for over 150 delegates from the areas 1st tier of local government. I thought it a good event & well organised by Sir Ian Porter, head of policy & performance & his able team of bootiful assistants.
New Chief Executive, Richard Carr, introduced by Cllr Tricia Turner went down well.
Principle purpose of the evening was to outline how Central Bedfordshire as a new Unitary Council would engage with communities & understand what services could be devolved to Parishes - where they want them.
A critical part of this is saying to Parish Councils - where you want to take over principally quality of life issues, such as grass cutting, we will enable that to happen.
A good outcome & I am delighted with the response - it bodes well for future working.
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Tuesday, 3 November 2009
Caddington & Slip End received a presentation from Bushwood Green this evening.
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Councillors from Caddington & Slip End Parishes & I along with the Parishes Planning Consultant received a presentation this evening from the team at Bushwood Green.
It seems they left us till last, having spoken to virtually every community group for a 5 mile radius other than the locality they propose to concrete over.
I am not sure that the presentation takes us any further forward, other than they have learnt to correct such obvious mistakes such as proposing primary & secondary schools in a local authority area that has 3 tier education.
They stated that Caddington / Slip End is identified in the growth area development plan. Yes it was one of the long list of sites many many moons ago & swiftly dropped as being unsustainable. This area is not part of the Core Strategy & I sincerely hope it remains that way.
All that has now happened is that the proposal has blighted entire communities for years to come, people will not be able to easily sell their houses while this scheme is hanging around.
The developers are clearly spending a great deal of money on the plan, perhaps they would have been better off putting it under bed - it would be a safer bet.
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Councillors from Caddington & Slip End Parishes & I along with the Parishes Planning Consultant received a presentation this evening from the team at Bushwood Green.
It seems they left us till last, having spoken to virtually every community group for a 5 mile radius other than the locality they propose to concrete over.
I am not sure that the presentation takes us any further forward, other than they have learnt to correct such obvious mistakes such as proposing primary & secondary schools in a local authority area that has 3 tier education.
They stated that Caddington / Slip End is identified in the growth area development plan. Yes it was one of the long list of sites many many moons ago & swiftly dropped as being unsustainable. This area is not part of the Core Strategy & I sincerely hope it remains that way.
All that has now happened is that the proposal has blighted entire communities for years to come, people will not be able to easily sell their houses while this scheme is hanging around.
The developers are clearly spending a great deal of money on the plan, perhaps they would have been better off putting it under bed - it would be a safer bet.
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Luton Borough Council withdraws support for development East of Luton
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Luton Borough Council met this evening & voted unanimously to withdraw support for any development on Green Belt land to the east of Luton.
This is an interesting development simply because it is & was Cllr Roy Davis (Labour) who has through thick & thin stated that this was the best place to develop & he has now been turned over by his Group.
We will watch the situation with interest.
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Luton Borough Council met this evening & voted unanimously to withdraw support for any development on Green Belt land to the east of Luton.
This is an interesting development simply because it is & was Cllr Roy Davis (Labour) who has through thick & thin stated that this was the best place to develop & he has now been turned over by his Group.
We will watch the situation with interest.
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Monday, 2 November 2009
Alan Johnson was on balance right to sack Prof Nutt.
On balance I think Alan Johnson was right to sack David Nutt as the Government's Chief Drug's Advisor.
As an advisor Prof Nutt is entitled to his view, but the day he starts to believe he makes policy is when he has a problem.
It is a bizarre message to put out - that cannabis is less harmful than alcohol, that may technically be the case, but it ignores the entry to drugs nature of cannabis & other drugs at the milder end of the spectrum.
As an advisor Prof Nutt is perfectly entitled to put forward his view - but it is Government that takes policy decisions, based on advice & political judgement.
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Sunday, 1 November 2009
Shame the Lib Dems in Luton only want to fight for Green Belt East of Luton.
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I see from the Luton Borough Council Agenda for 3rd Nov that the Lib Dems are doing their usual quota of motions, firstly asking for support for a motion to send Miss Moran to the gallows for heresy & not turning up to anything for a long time. I am sure they will get the Labour Group voting for that one!
The other interesting one is the strength of feeling expressed by Cllr Franks (Lib Dem Group Leader) for the "exceptionally attractive landscape" East of Luton. Given their parliamentary candidates feeble support for Caddington & Slip End the other day it is clear where the Lib Dems want to shift all the houses destined for East of Luton to the villages to the West.
Why one might ask, its simple, they have made a calculated decision to abandon any hope of support to the West & wish to shore up support in Wigmore & Stopsley. It would have been so easy to have mentioned both Green Belt threats, but they chose to ignore an area where they see little political advantage.
Interesting that at this evenings Conservative Black Tie dinner in Luton we enjoyed the company of a protagonist from East of Luton & Stephen Doyle of Bushwood Green, clearly trying to win political support for the unsupportable.
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I see from the Luton Borough Council Agenda for 3rd Nov that the Lib Dems are doing their usual quota of motions, firstly asking for support for a motion to send Miss Moran to the gallows for heresy & not turning up to anything for a long time. I am sure they will get the Labour Group voting for that one!
The other interesting one is the strength of feeling expressed by Cllr Franks (Lib Dem Group Leader) for the "exceptionally attractive landscape" East of Luton. Given their parliamentary candidates feeble support for Caddington & Slip End the other day it is clear where the Lib Dems want to shift all the houses destined for East of Luton to the villages to the West.
Why one might ask, its simple, they have made a calculated decision to abandon any hope of support to the West & wish to shore up support in Wigmore & Stopsley. It would have been so easy to have mentioned both Green Belt threats, but they chose to ignore an area where they see little political advantage.
Interesting that at this evenings Conservative Black Tie dinner in Luton we enjoyed the company of a protagonist from East of Luton & Stephen Doyle of Bushwood Green, clearly trying to win political support for the unsupportable.
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Saturday, 31 October 2009
Boundary Committee knows best.
The Boundary Committee for England, part of the Electoral Commission, has advised us of our recommended number of elected members for Central Bedfordshire.
I have to say that they have got it wrong & they are building in a structural handicap to the new authority from its early days.
How it is that a quango such as the Electoral Commission feels it knows Central Bedfordshire better than we do is decidedly odd. We have already come down from north of 124 Councillors representing the area to 66 & now they want to make the wards bigger & have even fewer elected representatives.
It was also clear that the Committee was working to an agenda which is not ours.
I have no problem with having an efficient system, but Councillors are generally not full time politicians & if we place too high a demand on people they will simply walk away.
So the Boundary Committee have obviously got it wrong (not that that makes a jot of difference - they had decided on the outcome before they arrived) & I do wonder how they will now perform on the re-warding arrangements.
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Thursday, 29 October 2009
Luton Labour Party must be cringing with shame.
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I hear on the grape vine that senior bods in the Luton Labour Party really do wish Miss Moran would simply fade away & even better cease to exist. I almost feel sorry for the comrades - for I know how I would feel if the roles were reversed & we had the eternal shame of 'owning' the countries most reviled MP - for believe me carrying that acolade is quite an acheivement amongst some stiff competition.
Whatever happens at the election 'brand labour' is so badly damaged that even if they selected the archangel Gabriel as their candidate I doubt he would hold the seat for the Red corner.
No candidate selected yet, but I am assured that a number of sacrificial lambs are ready & lined up for final slaughter / selection.
On another subject I hear Miss Moran is now bottle blond - either that or it is a wig.
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I hear on the grape vine that senior bods in the Luton Labour Party really do wish Miss Moran would simply fade away & even better cease to exist. I almost feel sorry for the comrades - for I know how I would feel if the roles were reversed & we had the eternal shame of 'owning' the countries most reviled MP - for believe me carrying that acolade is quite an acheivement amongst some stiff competition.
Whatever happens at the election 'brand labour' is so badly damaged that even if they selected the archangel Gabriel as their candidate I doubt he would hold the seat for the Red corner.
No candidate selected yet, but I am assured that a number of sacrificial lambs are ready & lined up for final slaughter / selection.
On another subject I hear Miss Moran is now bottle blond - either that or it is a wig.
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Has the Mayor of Watford gone mad?
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Anger as parents banned from playground
From METRO - By MILES ERWIN - Thursday, October 29, 2009
Parents have been banned from adventure playgrounds because a council says only adults with criminal records checks can be allowed near children.
All grown-ups have been excluded from two play areas in Watford, apart from a few council-vetted 'play facilitators' who will help youngsters.
A council notice to parents said: 'Due to Ofsted regulations we have a responsibility to ensure that every authorised adult who enters our site is properly vetted and given a Criminal Records Bureau check.'
Barred parents were furious yesterday. Marcella Bergin, 35, has been visiting with three of her children for many years without any problems.
She said: 'It's like they are branding all parents potential paedophiles, which is disgraceful - 99 per cent of people are great parents and certainly not child abusers.'
Retired youth worker Mo Mills, 62, said she was stunned to learn she could not watch her five year-old granddaughter play in the park.
She added: 'This place is for the public and what the council have decided to do is totally out of proportion.
'I understand the need to keep kids safe but this is just a step too far.'
Claude Knights, founder of Kidscape, said: 'Caring parents should not be viewed as a threat. You are in a better position to look after your children than council staff.'
Mayor Dorothy Thornhill said the council was merely enforcing government policy.
She added: 'Sadly, in today's climate, you can't have adults walking around unchecked in a children's playground.'
However, Ofsted said only people working with children needed to be checked, not all adults on the premises.
It added: 'We would never seek to prevent parents and carers having access to their own children.'
Hey - lets just ban people from having children - that would solve the problem altogether.
I really hate this assumption that everyone is a paedophile unless you have a piece of paper to prove otherwise. What a truely bonkers decision.
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Anger as parents banned from playground
From METRO - By MILES ERWIN - Thursday, October 29, 2009
Parents have been banned from adventure playgrounds because a council says only adults with criminal records checks can be allowed near children.
All grown-ups have been excluded from two play areas in Watford, apart from a few council-vetted 'play facilitators' who will help youngsters.
A council notice to parents said: 'Due to Ofsted regulations we have a responsibility to ensure that every authorised adult who enters our site is properly vetted and given a Criminal Records Bureau check.'
Barred parents were furious yesterday. Marcella Bergin, 35, has been visiting with three of her children for many years without any problems.
She said: 'It's like they are branding all parents potential paedophiles, which is disgraceful - 99 per cent of people are great parents and certainly not child abusers.'
Retired youth worker Mo Mills, 62, said she was stunned to learn she could not watch her five year-old granddaughter play in the park.
She added: 'This place is for the public and what the council have decided to do is totally out of proportion.
'I understand the need to keep kids safe but this is just a step too far.'
Claude Knights, founder of Kidscape, said: 'Caring parents should not be viewed as a threat. You are in a better position to look after your children than council staff.'
Mayor Dorothy Thornhill said the council was merely enforcing government policy.
She added: 'Sadly, in today's climate, you can't have adults walking around unchecked in a children's playground.'
However, Ofsted said only people working with children needed to be checked, not all adults on the premises.
It added: 'We would never seek to prevent parents and carers having access to their own children.'
Hey - lets just ban people from having children - that would solve the problem altogether.
I really hate this assumption that everyone is a paedophile unless you have a piece of paper to prove otherwise. What a truely bonkers decision.
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New Chief Executive settling in & taking charge.
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Now I do hope that neither the previous or current Chief Executive of Central Bedfordshire read this, but for very different reasons.
Jaki Salisbury - the old CEX - left in September & is off to find pastures new. Jaki was the former CEX of Mid Beds District Council & served as Interim CEX of the fledgling new unitary. Jaki will I am sure find a suitable berth elsewhere in short order.
The new CEX Richard Carr has arrived from Wolverhampton & made an instant difference - staff have come up to me in the past couple of days & said how impressed they are. Members of the appointment panel will of course take complete credit for choosing the right man for the job.
One Assistant Director was almost gushing in his praise of the new man at the top - instant leadership was I think the phrase used.
Aside from the fact we now have 3 Richard's in the authorities Leadership Team, I can only see the emergence of a much stronger & more united team of Directors.
Paraphrasing our Maggie - every leader needs 3 Dicks.
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Now I do hope that neither the previous or current Chief Executive of Central Bedfordshire read this, but for very different reasons.
Jaki Salisbury - the old CEX - left in September & is off to find pastures new. Jaki was the former CEX of Mid Beds District Council & served as Interim CEX of the fledgling new unitary. Jaki will I am sure find a suitable berth elsewhere in short order.
The new CEX Richard Carr has arrived from Wolverhampton & made an instant difference - staff have come up to me in the past couple of days & said how impressed they are. Members of the appointment panel will of course take complete credit for choosing the right man for the job.
One Assistant Director was almost gushing in his praise of the new man at the top - instant leadership was I think the phrase used.
Aside from the fact we now have 3 Richard's in the authorities Leadership Team, I can only see the emergence of a much stronger & more united team of Directors.
Paraphrasing our Maggie - every leader needs 3 Dicks.
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Wednesday, 28 October 2009
If the Standards Board found this chap not guilty - I expect to get a medal.
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The case of a Labour Councillor from Plymouth who called a colleague a Nazi Nobjockey on Twitter - not guilty says the Standards Board.
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The Standards Board should & will be abolished.
I see from my post bag that I have complaint in from a constituent - a complaint which quite frankly barely warrants reading, let alone investigating. No names - but once this specific puddle of piffle has blown over!!
This complaint is from someone who really ought to know better & thinks nothing of bullying colleagues & indeed standing on my drive swearing at me. Not a nice person me thinks.
Anyhow in the meantime some poor sod from the Standards Board will have to laboriously investigate & prepare a report about this poor mites hurt feelings. What a waste of tax payers money.
Roll on the revolution in May when quango's like this will go - this is basically a charter for vexatious complainants to carry on political battles because they really don't have the bottle to do it face to face.
This specific complaint is about as serious as parking with one wheel touching a white line..
Its a topsy turvey world we live in.
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Another extend foot & pull trigger moment from Margaret Moran
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Has the lady no shame?
Given the mire she is in it is almost beyond belief that Moran (the country's most useless MP) feels she has the moral right to question anyones expenses or salary levels.
I absolutely agree with the LD Express article today - Moran must go & now - but a tenner says she will not go before she is booted out in May.
speaker:Margaret Moran : 1 Written Answer =========================================
Written Answers - Business, Innovation and Skills: Regional Development Agencies: Pay (27 Oct 2009) http://www.theyworkforyou.com/wrans/?id=2009-10-27a.291476.h&s=speaker%3A10440#g291476.q0
Margaret Moran: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills which staff in which regional development agencies (RDAs) received a salary greater than £50,000 in 2008-09; what expenses were reimbursed by each RDA to each such staff member in 2008-09; what pension entitlement each such staff member accumulated in 2008-09; what estimate has been made of the monetary value of...
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Has the lady no shame?
Given the mire she is in it is almost beyond belief that Moran (the country's most useless MP) feels she has the moral right to question anyones expenses or salary levels.
I absolutely agree with the LD Express article today - Moran must go & now - but a tenner says she will not go before she is booted out in May.
------------------------------------------------------------
speaker:Margaret Moran : 1 Written Answer =========================================
Written Answers - Business, Innovation and Skills: Regional Development Agencies: Pay (27 Oct 2009) http://www.theyworkforyou.com/wrans/?id=2009-10-27a.291476.h&s=speaker%3A10440#g291476.q0
Margaret Moran: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills which staff in which regional development agencies (RDAs) received a salary greater than £50,000 in 2008-09; what expenses were reimbursed by each RDA to each such staff member in 2008-09; what pension entitlement each such staff member accumulated in 2008-09; what estimate has been made of the monetary value of...
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Tuesday, 27 October 2009
Boundary Committee decide on Council size
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THE independent Boundary Committee for England has announced its initial recommendation on council size for Central Bedfordshire Council (CBC). For CBC, the Committee has decided on a council size of 59.
Further consultation, which will map out the number and boundaries of the electoral wards, begins today and ends on January 11, 2010.The electoral reviews are being held because CBC is a new unitary council which began work in April 2009. The intention is that their electoral arrangements - the number of councillors, and the number and pattern of wards - should reflect the councils' new functions and how they intend to engage with local people and communities.
Max Caller, chairman of the Boundary Committee, said: "We've looked carefully at all the evidence we received in support of various council sizes before making our decisions"We want to make sure that the electoral arrangements for the council work best for residents in Central Bedfordshire.
"We're now starting the second round of consultation in these reviews, and we're asking people to submit evidence-based proposals for new ward boundaries to us." At this stage the consultation is designed to help us draw the map of what the council's wards will look like. We need help from local people to do that, so we want to know what people think of as their community.
"We'll consider carefully all evidence that is provided during the next stage of the process. At this stage, none of our decisions are final."Further information on electoral reviews and guidance on what sort of information the Committee is looking for should be available at council offices, in your local library, or on the Boundary Committee's website at http://www.boundarycommittee.org.uk/
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It would have been polite for the Boundary Committee to have let the Council know of its recommendation before it let the press know!
The first Central Bedfordshire knew of the recommendation to reduce the number of Councillors was when it got a press enquiry. Common courtesy if nothing else would indicate it would be polite to have let the authority know of its findings before the media!!
Boundary Committee announce proposals for Central Beds Council size
THE independent Boundary Committee for England has announced its initial recommendation on council size for Central Bedfordshire Council (CBC). For CBC, the Committee has decided on a council size of 59.
Further consultation, which will map out the number and boundaries of the electoral wards, begins today and ends on January 11, 2010.The electoral reviews are being held because CBC is a new unitary council which began work in April 2009. The intention is that their electoral arrangements - the number of councillors, and the number and pattern of wards - should reflect the councils' new functions and how they intend to engage with local people and communities.
Max Caller, chairman of the Boundary Committee, said: "We've looked carefully at all the evidence we received in support of various council sizes before making our decisions"We want to make sure that the electoral arrangements for the council work best for residents in Central Bedfordshire.
"We're now starting the second round of consultation in these reviews, and we're asking people to submit evidence-based proposals for new ward boundaries to us." At this stage the consultation is designed to help us draw the map of what the council's wards will look like. We need help from local people to do that, so we want to know what people think of as their community.
"We'll consider carefully all evidence that is provided during the next stage of the process. At this stage, none of our decisions are final."Further information on electoral reviews and guidance on what sort of information the Committee is looking for should be available at council offices, in your local library, or on the Boundary Committee's website at http://www.boundarycommittee.org.uk/
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More developers get in on the act.
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.Must be something in the water - this from Legal & General agents for 50 ha around Slip End.
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Bushwood Green propaganda on its way.
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Stephen & John Doyle of the oddly named Luton & Central Bedfordshire Economic Development Partnership Ltd plan to bring a roadshow to the villages of Caddington & Slip End to sell their idea.
We will make sure everyone who attends knows what questions to ask & enquire exactly how they are going to pay for all this infrastructure out of a relatively small housing pot.
But I am sure they will get a very warm welcome!!
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Stephen & John Doyle of the oddly named Luton & Central Bedfordshire Economic Development Partnership Ltd plan to bring a roadshow to the villages of Caddington & Slip End to sell their idea.
We will make sure everyone who attends knows what questions to ask & enquire exactly how they are going to pay for all this infrastructure out of a relatively small housing pot.
But I am sure they will get a very warm welcome!!
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Garrick Alder joins Central Beds
Cartoonist extrordinaire Garrick Alder, formerly of the Beds on Sunday has joined Central Beds comms team.
There is a certain irony to the development & he is now within the comms team & part of my own Portfolio.
There are 14 cartoons on my office wall - all by Mr Alder - which reflect a good few years of municipal history in Bedfordshire.
Proverbial poacher turned gamekeeper.
Central Beds goes live with Members Register of Interests
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Since we are in the public sector & have responsibility for considerable sums of tax payers money it is right that our various interests & what we do is in the public domain. This is the link for my entry on the newly published register of interests.
http://www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/modgov/mgDeclarationSubmission.asp?UID=905&HID=812&CallAsp=mgUserInfo.asp&CallVars=UID%3D905
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Since we are in the public sector & have responsibility for considerable sums of tax payers money it is right that our various interests & what we do is in the public domain. This is the link for my entry on the newly published register of interests.
http://www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/modgov/mgDeclarationSubmission.asp?UID=905&HID=812&CallAsp=mgUserInfo.asp&CallVars=UID%3D905
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Attending Business Transformation Overscrew & Mutiny Committee.
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A much better name than Overview & Scrutiny me thinks. The committee chaired by Mike Gibson met at the former South Beds offices in Dunstable - now Central Beds Southern Office.
I was up before the committee to talk about the draft Equalities & Diversity Policy for Central Bedfordshire. I detected a note of worry in my officers faces as I started my introduction of what we were about & what it was we wanted to achieve. But I made it through the session & a good debate was had on the whole issue - it was wide ranging from older people trapped in villages to access to buildings by the disabled.
The advantage of coming from what officers perceive to be the Jurrasic end of the spectrum is that they are very easy to please & Clare Harding the Equalities Policy Officer accordingly described my outing as 'brill'. I suspect that was more relief than reality.
I must be getting old or soft or both - because I have never thought of myself as being particularly good with some of the fluffy bunny services that local authorities deliver.
A much better name than Overview & Scrutiny me thinks. The committee chaired by Mike Gibson met at the former South Beds offices in Dunstable - now Central Beds Southern Office.
I was up before the committee to talk about the draft Equalities & Diversity Policy for Central Bedfordshire. I detected a note of worry in my officers faces as I started my introduction of what we were about & what it was we wanted to achieve. But I made it through the session & a good debate was had on the whole issue - it was wide ranging from older people trapped in villages to access to buildings by the disabled.
The advantage of coming from what officers perceive to be the Jurrasic end of the spectrum is that they are very easy to please & Clare Harding the Equalities Policy Officer accordingly described my outing as 'brill'. I suspect that was more relief than reality.
I must be getting old or soft or both - because I have never thought of myself as being particularly good with some of the fluffy bunny services that local authorities deliver.
Total Place project in Central Beds & Luton.
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Total Place is a process of counting how many tax pounds are spent in an area & being piloted in 13 regional places in a programme led by being led by the Leadership Centre for Local Government on behalf of the Communities Dept (CLG)
Central Beds & Luton are the pilot for the East of England & we have focused on the £3.5 Billion of your crisp new tax pounds being spent in the 2 council areas. So the first calculation has been done on the total, what we are now focused on is how we make that very large sum of money go further.
Yesterday we met with the allocated Whitehall Mandarin, Bill Stow a Director General from the centre, for an update on where we are with regard to the theme we have adopted for the pilot - from Dependence to Self Reliance. This is about tackling people not in work & as importantly taking that 3% of people who live here who absorb nearly 30% of public resources.
Getting people off the dole in to work is good for them & very good for the tax payer. Generations of families in some areas have forgotten what work is & grown used to a culture of support from the state - if we can start to tackle that then we really will make a difference.
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Total Place is a process of counting how many tax pounds are spent in an area & being piloted in 13 regional places in a programme led by being led by the Leadership Centre for Local Government on behalf of the Communities Dept (CLG)
Central Beds & Luton are the pilot for the East of England & we have focused on the £3.5 Billion of your crisp new tax pounds being spent in the 2 council areas. So the first calculation has been done on the total, what we are now focused on is how we make that very large sum of money go further.
Yesterday we met with the allocated Whitehall Mandarin, Bill Stow a Director General from the centre, for an update on where we are with regard to the theme we have adopted for the pilot - from Dependence to Self Reliance. This is about tackling people not in work & as importantly taking that 3% of people who live here who absorb nearly 30% of public resources.
Getting people off the dole in to work is good for them & very good for the tax payer. Generations of families in some areas have forgotten what work is & grown used to a culture of support from the state - if we can start to tackle that then we really will make a difference.
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