Full Council tonight, where we learnt that Cllr Gary Price (not present again) has resigned from the Chair of the so-called Scrutiny Committee after 5 months of ineffectiveness and invisibility. He cited lack of support from his own LibDem group, from his local party, and from the other political groups. He probably meant the sheer isolation he suffered as Chair! Must have been like listening to the entire Joy Division back catalogue in one sitting. There may next month be another attempt by the Tories to return the committee to opposition control - but don't hold your breath..... . Additionally they were expressing unhappiness at the new Town & Parish Council rep on Scrutiny being politically affilated - he is the local LibDem agent.
The opposition motion expressing concern at the Children's Services privatisation predictably went down with Labour, LibDems and Indys all voting in favour. I tried to be sweet and reasonable in moving the motion, but the public gallery easily spotted the whipped Tory vote. The Tories own motion approving the Cabinet privatisation decision went through with only Labour & LibDems against.
On the budget I welcomed the £1.7m better funding from Government, which is now being used to settle £1.7m debts to the local NHS Trusts - and they still want to integrate with the Trusts!!!!
I asked Cllr Wood when we would have details - the 'full horror' - of their cuts or 'efficiencies' for next year's £9m-less budget and was assured there will be details published ahead of the February Budget Council. In response to a jibe from Cllr Mazillius, I assured him there will be a Labour budget proposal this year that seeks to ameliorate some of the Tory-proposed worst 'efficiencies'.
On a personal note I had many condolences from members of all parties and none, which were appreciated
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I note this from the CP website:
"Cllr Patrick Joyce, cabinet member for children, said: "Before the election I made it clear that I did not want to change to two tiers unless it could be shown it was the only way forward. At that time, because of the management in place, there was no way we dould have done that without the kids suffering. There was no indication at that time we would be better off under existing management. Mouchel Parkman have a remit to drive up standards within the three-tier system and keeping village schools. If having done that they then say they can only make further improvements under a two-tier system then we would have to take another look at it."
Well, first it's car parking charges, now its two tier schools! What else will they find out that they were wrong about next? Perhaps their choice of leadership?
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