Carry on Screaming...............

Have not written for while, combination of working hard with a new job, forgetting the password (again) to the blog and disillusionment with the council and its direction of not supporting those in most need.

The Tories are doing really well on promoting the message of promising a council tax discount for all households with only over 65’s residing, for their budget next April, it is working, the electorate deos think they can deliver it. They are buying the older vote but what do expect from Conservatives. The message that “only labour and the Libdems can stop this happening by voting against it at the budget” is very clever but also ironic. Yes Labour and Libdem (combined) are the only ones who can stop this madness of buying votes from the electorate. But if that what it takes to stop what I regard the blatant buying of the electorate then so be it.

Please realise that the “grey” vote, sorry, horrible phrase, especially as that it is phrase that probably in follicle appearance, applies to me. Is one worth wooing as in the profile of the voting public they are almost 20% of the 30% who actually vote in local elections. But that does not make the tailoring of policies, that please the over 65 only, (who are on the whole better off than the average 35 year old couple earning the average wage) and amortise the guilt that majority of society feels for the lack of respect it shows the retired.

Information and Gossip

New Schools Old Religious Autocracy

The governors the closing schools in the east and west of the city have written to the authority and the government about Oasis about the organisation, taking over and setting up the new Academy schools. Complaining about the lack of organisation, democracy and openness that organisation has displayed so far. We are at half term an only the names of the new schools and the appointment of one head teacher has been decided, without consultation I may add.

Please let me remind you that these new academies are in effect independent school funded directly by government and not bounded by any of the regulation that applies to state schools. National Curriculum does not have to be followed; appointment of heads and governors will not involve the local authority or the community and there will be no elected representative influence on these schools. The only control the authority has is with inspection and application of national regulation.

Tory Leader sets out policy stall (finally)

The Tories in the Leaders policy document, to Over View and Scrutiny have admitted that 0% council tax is not possible, probably and a rate in line with inflation is inevitable, bearing in mind inflation is on line to be four percent by February 08 that is going to be difficult pill to swallow. Again there is difficulty for me here as a Labour politician as inflation of four percent spells bad news at the polls for Labour nationally and locally. However I warmed by the realisation from the Tories that 0% council tax increase is unrealistic.


Capita Given Marching Orders


Capita the new partners at SCC (private company) has been rejected by a local authority. Westminster described Capita as not providing value for money. This is only three years into a ten year contract. Hope that Southampton city council is not forced down the same road. Especially as Westminster is bluer than a Tory member paying for a round of drinks at a function…………


Goodbye Mr, Mrs and Miss Chips

Groups of officers are having farewell parties around the council as departments and council functions are lost to either Capita or the lack of social care or conscience of the Tories.