Southampton Local Politics

Relationship gone

2012-02-18T09:17:00.002-05:00

The announcement by the adminisatration to withdraw trade union support (provide time and facilities from trade union officials in the workplace) is a sign of how little the current adminstration think of their staff and unions. The authority will only work effectively with support of its unions and union leaders.

The current leader has drawn his wagons into a circle now ready for the native onslaught in May. Polling is looking good for Labour locally with even wards like Harefield (Tory for fifteen years) look to go Labour. So expect a flurry of leaflets in the coming months and lots of calls from parties seeking your support.

A change of leader in the Tory camp would enhance their chances at the local election but "the little corporal" as he is affectionately known, (apparently) amoung his camp has too tighter control for that to happen.

Labour offered more

2012-02-15T13:15:00.000-05:00

Labour put forward a budget that offered more savings without swinging cuts, avoided job lossess and proposed a new way of working for the council. As well as froze council tax and put money back in to starved services like; Surestart, Libraries and the community language service. Did the Tories go for or even consider it. NO. The proposals as expected was rejected out of hand.

I did think the savings and new way of working would peak the Conservative interest but I dont think they even bothered to read it. Oh well will have to wait to the next local election to make changes.

Budget Day

2012-02-15T04:23:00.000-05:00

Today is the budget day for Southampton city council.

The Conservatives with a majority will easily put throught their proposals. Each party has a chance to amend the proposed budget but they are only amendments and are never adopted. The budget proposals are never agreed by the full council, only the majority holders ever support their budget.

So if you read in the press that the council budget was supported by councillors it was probably not, but only by the majority holders.

Issues in todays budget - cuts in services, jobs and huge borrowing.

Free ticket to ride into the valley of failure.....

2012-02-03T13:07:00.003-05:00

Free tickets eh! To a museum not yet finished and with still no money in the bank to pay for it. The funding gap for the Museum is still in the millions. Where is that money going to come from? Who will have to find it to launch the museum.

This is another clever move by the leader of the council free tickets to local households. Now if every family takes up the ticket that would be a loss of revenue of a million to the museum in the first year? Even if the the minimum estimate of locals attend it will be 100,000 loss of revenue. Loss of revenue to a venue that will be in debt before it starts as the council has not got the funding yet to complete it.

Why is this give away clever? If the Tories loose in May the new administration will be left to carry out the promise of tickets and finishing the museum without the cash or the prospect of borrowing millions to finish the job. Otherwise it has to cancel the freebie or the museum. Difficult as closue or loss of free tickets would be politically difficult, as the new blue oppositon would shout we would have delivered the museum, given you free entrance and Labour has failed......

The case is, all the money has been spent, Tories know that any new administration will have to make difficult decisions that will put it in a very bad light politically, particularly if that involves mothballing the Sea City Museum.

Hotting up

2012-01-30T15:46:00.001-05:00

The campaign is almost on for May. The February budget meeting is the start of a race to the local election finishing line. The Tories have made a confident start with a manifesto that is measured but yet has to be tempered by the budget proposal that has yet to show if it adds up.

Labour is lagging a little and smarting from the suppositions of local Tory spin and a national poll ratings that are not wonderful. Keeping its policy powder dry until it can have maximum effect and the cuts begin to bite.

Libdems are no where, hoping to hold the seats they have only.

Watch for the explosion next month at the council meeting because who ever wins this May holds the council for two years without challenge.

Hats off to Campaign tactic.

2012-01-17T15:44:00.001-05:00

The latest local Tory campaign is as clever deception.

Creating a campaign over a speculation. It trades on assumption and is economical with the truth.

Please do not be fooled by this and funding has been cut by the current council, libraries may be open but with less staff and funding.

Interesting view on academy approach

2012-01-17T15:37:00.004-05:00

Is the academy system working for pupils?

Wonder what the "exclusion" figures are for new Ofsted's Chief, former academy?

Giving Politicians a bad name.

2012-01-14T06:14:00.000-05:00

Economical with the Truth

Local Tories being very clever with the truth.

Labour has proposed nothing like this but has reported on council options list from 2011.

Sure start funding for staff has not been directly cut by this administration but there is not funding for any projects......... The announcement of the budget at the final date suggests that the current Tories are going to put in funding into Surestart at the last moment so they can congratulate themselves on Saving Sure Start, a campaign they are currently running. I suspect this is an attempt to use a funding stunt to draw away attention for the number of cuts that will happen this Budget in the same way that Cameron is rubbing his hands over the Scots independence debate that is drawing the medias attention away from the cuts to benefits that hit homes across the country this month.

Budget Published

2012-01-09T15:41:00.002-05:00

Something is afoot in council as the Tory budget is not being published until the last minute on the 6th of Feb.

Have they closed the several million gap? Have they spent all the risk fund? Why are there not pressures (unexpected costs or overspends offered) as there always are?

Capitulation

2011-12-17T06:54:00.001-05:00

Overview and Scrutiny the councils equivalent of a select committee. Called in the "Change Programme" report, after this report proposing wholesale change in how services in the city are delivered, was presented at council first and had not followed due process.

The greatest fear presented by opposition Cllrs was the recommendations on the report delegating complete power for development and implementation to the chief exec without what seemed to be any need for democratic reference to councillors. The leader disputed the lack of democratic checks and assured that any change would go before cabinet and full council.

However the committee was expecting no change from the leader but he capitulated and instead of the report reading "Delegate authority to the chief executive to develop and implement the Change Programme". The line now reads "Delegate authority to the chief executive to develop the change programme", no hint of implementation or power to put in place. This was so unexpected it is now a paper of ideas only.

Why it is such a surprise, the change? The pressure that the leader was under was obvious but also it is understanding that he may not be the leader when this report appears for implementation. By leaving the report as an ideas paper only it means that the Tory group as an opposition will have the opportunity to comment, shape or just shout about. In effect the ideas for change are not set in stone, allowing comment in the future.

I told you so

2011-12-07T14:47:00.001-05:00

I try not be smug but it is difficult not to say I told you so with great council sell off. Some disposal is sensible and has happened every year but wholesale will only see future revenues decrease. Rent and income from rent or other charges is an important part of councils budget. I fear short termism here. There some huge assets out there, plus what do you borrow against without assets? How do invest now if there are no assets to provide security of loan or finance?

Timing

2011-12-03T06:08:00.001-05:00

Good management and organisation that believes in it self/power to deliver, go hand in hand. You have to invest in staff to make them believe in the organisations goals, the cut in redundancy though allowing savings to be made also sends a message of " we don't care" to your staff.

Of course if all your services being delivered by outsider organisations then I suppose you do not have to care what your staff think or feel..........?

Day of Action

2011-11-30T14:23:00.001-05:00

Together we stand divided we fall.

Today was gratifying to see over three thousand join a demonstration.

Pensions in the public sector is more complicated than you think, there eight different schemes are all different with different entitlements and levels. The idea that public sector workers have gold plated scheme is untrue, the idea that the teachers pension is unsustainable is untrue and to cap it all there have been no negotiations with Teaching unions in the last six months. The prime minister and other ministers have been very economical with the truth over the ongoing negotiations.

Misleading at best, lies at worst.

2011-11-29T17:26:00.001-05:00

The Save our Sure Start campaign by the Conservatives that came through Portswood doors this weekend so misleading.

Why? 1. Labour has no plans to close Surestart or plans to sack hundreds of workers. 2. Why launch campaign when it is the Tory administration who could actually preserve Surestart now and for the next year. 3. How can Labour being playing politics with children's futures if there are no current policy proposals to challenge.

The problem is this is speculation only. I can not decide whether this clever campaigning by putting campaign together for something that will survive anyway or just desperation with, polls telling campaign managers that all the 2008 elected Tories will lose their seats.

This pseudo campaign is, on balance, an admission that defeat is looming for the Southampton Tories.

The campaign should be SAVE OUR CITY from Tory Dogma it is they who have sacked hundreds of workers, proposed a council that does nothing more that regulate contracts.

Leader unsafe

2011-11-25T16:08:00.001-05:00

Driving Without

Unfortunate or just example of how the current leader is running the the authority. With no harness to prevent damage to it's occupants, the vehicle that is council is being driven at speed down a rocky path (plenty of borrowing and cuts to the most in need). Plus there is not insurance scheme for the council, as reserves are run down along with a reduction of assets that you could borrow against and no investment in the people who make the council work (the staff).

Yes it is definitely a strong analogy to the recklessness in the story.

Change programme or transformation document

2011-11-20T05:34:00.001-05:00

At full council and again at scrutiny chief exec claims the document he put forward is about transforming the way council works not to make it more efficient but to ensure it can deliver services to its customers. I asked him who he thought the cities customers were. The reply was pleasingly the people in receipt of council services.

However despite saying that nothing is changing yet and the cabinet will be in full control, what appeared on the forward plan a proposal to put fostering service into an entirely "independent fostering" programme.

(If this entirely to drive costs down by joint commissioning fine but I am concerned about the entire service being privately lead)

I want to see how this could work? There have been authorities who have put services like fostering, adoption, children in care into the hands of provide providers. What must be considered is who takes responsibility when things go wrong? Will the customers and who are the customers (fosterers, fostees or the council who holds/commissions the contract?) questions need to be answered.

The path to privatisation

2011-11-10T17:28:00.001-05:00

Amazed is not often a word used by me about the city council but I am genuinely am by the story in the local paper

Cost cutting plans are clearly privatisation

Why am I amazed? That an administration let this in to the public domain even if it was what they are thinking it is political dynamite to those opposed to the mass sale of the city services and assets. What is more telling is that the actual report to be debated at full council does not have the political stamp but the finger prints of the chief executive all over it. The report recommends giving the chief officer almost carte blanche with little political control. What are the point of councillors if you give the chief officer complete autocratic power?

Or is it case of in the land of the blind the one eyed man is king?

Budget Gap

2011-11-07T16:01:00.000-05:00

All the time I have been a councillor I have never seen a budget so tight and or one that does not balance yet. Some real concerns in Children Services with large savings proposed that mean the restructure of the service. Though praise for the preservation of Sure Start but this offset by the death of outreach Youth work, connexions/careers and many school support services as they are now.

I am not sure how the current administration are going to make the budget balance (a legal requirement) without cutting some services or jobs or both. There is still 1.5 million to find and nine million in efficiency savings yet to be saved.........

This combined with capital projects going over spent (the civic regeneration and sea city museum), income dropping and very few of the many city owned sites up for sale yet to be sold. Plus the dispute likely to continue and spending already being allocated for lawyers over the legal case brought by employees. Oh and I nearly forgot the usual need to pay off huge social service bills (as the work to rule has increased operating costs and the level of serious social service cases increase).

This will be a right balancing act, hmmm makes me think the current administration are some sort of high wire act, swinging in cheap Lycra in the circus tent that is council. No sorry have to stop, want that image out of head.

Manipulated by Perception

2011-10-30T06:04:00.001-04:00

Southampton tories are manipulating the truth very expertly at the moment.

1 - The campaign over police station closures. They have neglected to mention that there is currently a lack of front desk provision at the current police stations and there are proposals to have front desk facilities in local supermarkets. All that is being lost are buildings and the perception that the police are there are contactable easily. When in fact current facilities are just a base for resources at the moment. In Portswood there is no human to talk to just a phone with a direct line to central. There will be more actual chance of talking to a police officer with new proposals than currently. Playing with the public perception I think. Ask yourself a question before believing this campaign, when was the last time you used a police station.

2 - Labour locally has NOT put forward proposals to; increase council tax, to cut fifteen hundred council jobs, close sure start or libraries. This is purely conjecture and speculation, but being cleverly sold as true.

This idea that if you repeat anything long enough it must make speculation the truth is being well used by Southampton Tories and in fact Tories nationally as seen by the mis-information that he banking crisis and resulting recession is entirely Labours fault.........

Budget just academic at the moment.

2011-10-23T07:15:00.000-04:00

The council or should I say administration has published its budget. Well it appears to be "steady as she goes", not a lot of changes from last years budget. The change this time is it does not balance yet and there are still four months to get it to balance.

With so much borrowing and only five million in the risk fund (to cover unexpected costs, the sort social services through up without warning). Priorities are the key as money can always be found for the administrations priorities e.g. Council tax discount to specials and over 65 households.

Recently I have spent a lot of time arguing about the Academy status this government is determined all schools follow. The current form of academy is in effect a educational charity funded by the state. A sweetener of extra funding is being offered but with no clear view on how long for. Southampton schools are being tempted as they want the extra funding but also do want to be left behind with an authority that will have less funding and capacity to support them. (Every academy will result in cut of the schools grant which the LEA use a percentage of to fund support services)

Governors must have concerns, as this appears to be a drive to create an academic market place, where schools compete against each other instead of having the interests of the community as well as the students at the heart of their vision. The local accountability will be lost (governors do not have the same power and are appointed by powerful trustees of the school, one of whom is the headteacher) and the interests of the authority, community and schools will become divergent, when I believe they are the same.

Deal or Dastardly

2011-10-15T11:37:00.003-04:00

Latest "deal" for the workers of council may be better but certainly has a bitter twist. A budget that includes even more redundancies and at an even more bitter pill with decrease value in the redundancy packages. What is galling is that the government can find hundreds of millions to keep council tax down and several more hundred million to ensure weekly bin collection but not millions to keep get councils to run apprenticeships or build housing that could employ many.

What is even more galling as that so many much of the councils cash flow has been reduced or given away into the hands of private business that there is little financial room. There is no flexibility left. Who ever is in next May in Southampton will have to make choices that politically unpalatable and I wonder if the current administration is quite aware of that and do not care what happens to the authority as a council. With current budgets councils are not going to be delivering anything but purely commissioners of services but I think that is the current aim.

There is a drive to change councils (so they are doing less) and diversify all aspects of society into the hands of contractors, volunteers and anyone as long it is not government. It is right wing freedom of agenda, freedom of control by local and central government. However can I remind the powers that be, that with freedom comes responsibility and the voter expects some one to take that responsibility of running things, responsibility that comes with honesty, services not driven by profit or cost and power.

National Conferences

2011-09-28T18:25:00.001-04:00

Presidential politics in Britain is here to stay. This fact is highlighted by the lack of interest in lack of interest by press in the Labour leaders views or what the Labour party has to say. I am upset to say that what the voters seem to want is personality, leadership and strong/dynamic voice, the other parties appear to delivering on this issue.

Leadership means being strong, dynamic and personality based only then will the electorate (now) listen to policy. It is Blairs legacy for British politics that you have to be dynamic, media savvy and great orator. You also have to reach out and answer the question via photos and television, that you are approachable and likeable.

Sustained attack

2011-09-19T17:17:00.000-04:00

The Tories locally have been very good at repeating the same story lately though it is twisted version of events.

Smith accuses labour group leader Williams of inconsistency over job losses. However all the Labour leader has been guilty of is honesty, telling the press that the city was planning to make large numbers of staff redundant, that Labour would have negotiated city's unions about everything (and not ignored them or treated them with contempt) and that the Labour group would put people and services first (based on what the council could afford) and not borrow huge amounts for projects that risk becoming white elephants.

The dividing lines are becoming wider now between those who believe in social justice and those who want the social anarchy of the market place.

Conspiracy

2011-09-17T09:13:00.000-04:00

I am not a conspiracist but I am beginning to wonder. First this week the boundary commission propose a carve up of communities for the sake of same size constituencies, now the government is also proposing that voters are registered individually and removing the compulsion to register.

This will mean many urban seats like Southampton will have many areas where there is high turnover of residents and/or poor turnout (common in city centre or highly populated urban spaces), many will not bother to register. Wiping off several thousand of the electoral register? Is this not disenfranchisement of sections of the community?

It would turn voter registration from a duty to a choice?

This is dangerous stuff. The ideas is motivated by the errors that occurred from the postal voting issues in the past but that is not enough of a problem to justify a choice of registration.

Boundary review or carve up?

2011-09-13T17:06:00.002-04:00

Not a review but a carve up. Where does this review mainly hit urban seats. Who occupies the majority of Urban seats - Labour. An equalisation of constituency size and equalisation of numbers is beginning to look like how can we elect more Tory Mp's in urban areas. Yes I am complaining as Labour member, but last boundary review the country had, considered proposals from localities on keeping together communities not just splitting up on numbers and over a decent consultation period. This one is being rushed..... I have to say I am suspicious slightly!

Reckless to leave a wreck

2011-09-12T17:06:00.000-04:00

I urge all, to go the city council website and review agenda item 11 "The general fund programme", it is on the site under council agenda for the 14th of September. It is shocking in amounts to be borrowed alone. The amount of borrowing proposed to deliver projects like; Sea City, Civic renewal/repair, Arts complex and the demolition and clearing of sites like Eastpoint or town depot ready for sale! IS phenomenal.

It is galling as the administration said it would not borrow under the previous leader and bleated about the so called financial recklessness of the last government, but unless revenues increase (raising council tax) or grant from government increase (and there is no way the next eighteen months will see a increase in revenue), the city will have to borrow to cover the cost of the projects proposed. What is even worse there appears to be no planning for the revenue funding needed to run the Sea City project, as no private company has stepped up to run the facility.

Any new administration in May will have to face a huge budget deficit or commitment to huge debt, the only way to meet that will be to make huge cuts because there will be no money left or no room to manoeuvre/borrow. I have to wonder if that is the goal of the current cabinet to deliver projects at all costs and watch any future council run out of cash....... then to accuse the future council on not delivering anything?

White elephants on borrowed podiums?

2011-09-08T16:51:00.003-04:00

Council meeting coming up and the first debates triggered by petitions to discussed. One on Fluoridation and one on Support Teachers for the Deaf. Normally council meetings only get debates as a result of motions posed by councillors.

What is really interesting is how the current administration is paying for the new developments going on, Sea City museum, The Civic refresh, Civic environs and the about to be approved Art complex (former Tyrell & Green site). These projects are Not being paid from revenue or huge savings but by borrowing the money. Though this is not surprising in it self, councils can borrow and very cheaply if they so wish. However what is so surprising is that this Tory administration said it would not pay for projects via borrowing and constantly bleat on about Labour nationally borrowing the country into recession..........

Is there not huge gaps in funding from government that mean services are cut, have not workers had pay and conditions cut, are reserves being raided to pay for services? Yet big projects like a Sea city can be allowed to drag the council into serious debt? Is this a desire to achieve big projects desperate desire for legacy from senior local Tory politicians or the failure to attract any private investment or could it be a realisation that if you want local big projects to happen you have to spend council money to achieve it? I support the projects concepts but bearing mind the finances are not sure they are now viable. Just to have keep the Spinnacker tower in mind, over budget (nearly bankrupting the city), destroyed the Libdeb hold in the council and was three years late. Big success now though.

Sell, Sell for sale.....

2011-07-29T14:43:00.003-04:00

Charging for second permits in parking zones to come in.

Council houses to be sold off, fifty a year approximately!

Attempt to put the Tudor house, the new Sea city museum and exhibition space out to contract falls flat as one bidder pulls out and there is no other interest.

All sports provision put out to contractors.

Revenue raising is number one on the agenda but what is the long term effect?

Collision Course

2011-07-27T14:53:00.003-04:00

What is now frustrating with the dispute is what ever happens it is increasingly win win for the ruling council. Why? Reputation with Conservative central office is at a new level, national publicity is excellent, the unions are being carefully painted as the antagonists, other councils are ready to implement the same cuts, public support is wavering (particularly about the bins) and in a few weeks the unions will need to re-ballot....

It is all so frustrating if the a proper negotiated settlement had been sort months ago the mess would not be on Southampton's doorstep. I do wonder if this outcome was the one wanted from the administration.....?

The Social workers strike is a very strong signal that all trust has disappeared between the service providers (employers) and the employers the city council. A "to hell with you" attitude has set in and will persist I fear, I know from my own experience of industrial action once trust goes from an employee and employer the performance of the organisation is severely effected.

What is even worse that the legal claim on the process will not see an outcome until long after this administration are political history.

The leaders of the Conservatives must be happy as they have profile, reputation/publicity being established and a reinforcement of the view that public sector should not be run by the public sector.

Rhetorical question. If the administration is so keen to settle why are not ACAS not back to mediate?

They think they have won....

2011-07-15T15:47:00.004-04:00

What was a an unusual council meeting (outside the chamber and in the guildhall), the Tories showed they clearly believe they have one the dispute/argument.

The largest number of the public (mainly employees in dispute) populated the guildhall and large metal barrier kept the audience away from the stage (the one used to stop mosh pits and stage diving during gigs).

The motion and questions about the dispute were brought forward to the beginning the meeting. The questions allowed opposition to make some relevant points. The debate on the motion was carefully wrecked by the administration. The Labour leader was shut down and the mayor gave not lee way or extra time for him. The Tory speakers were barracked from the auditorium and during the Leaders speech the audience walked out, showing nothing but contempt for him. Though the mayor allowed him to speak beyond time.

Once the three hundred or so audience left (leaving ten or so members of the public) the atmosphere the meeting completely changed. Labour councillors urged the council to return to the negotiating table to solve the dispute underlining that working with the unions was the only way forward. However the Tories show some conviction that there strategy had won and all compromise had been offered and refused. The motion asked for intervention by the secretary of state it was defeated by the Tory majority.

The rest of the meeting flew by as the Mayor was determined to close debate down. However a compromise motion was accepted and supported by all the council to have another debate on fluoride in September.

The outcome of the deadline on contracts has meant the vast majority have signed up to the new terms of conditions it was that or be out of job. There is little choice with employment blackmail. Interestingly the council has lost a sizeable chunk of the children's social work team as other authorities and agencies are paying considerably more. Have not got the figures yet?

Advert from the Unions

2011-07-04T17:57:00.004-04:00

This appeared in the local paper today. Simple point well made.

This letter and explanation landed on residents doorsteps today.

Guildhall Square good place to demonstrate.

2011-07-03T03:00:00.002-04:00

I was involved this week in the demonstrations that happened in Southampton.

A day of action by the public sector unions and my own the National Union of Teachers saw five hundred or so teachers gather in the guildhall square (told you it was good place to demonstrate), to protest at the damage the current government wish to do to Teachers pensions.

I agreed with principles of Huttons report that public sector pensions need funding to ensure that they manage the longevity of participants. However I can not and hence the strike agree to the imposition of loss of income. Please remember the teachers pensions is not a pension in the invested sum sense but a deferred payment system. The government maintains a pot of money that they and the employees pay in too. This account is currently sustainable as in the money coming in does and will pay the money that needs to go out with healthy reserve. The government wishes to impose and is not negotiating on these points; a fifty percent increased contribution from employee (a cut in pay of around £100 a month for the average salary), increase in retirement age and the big looser the valuation form RPI to CPI (which wipes 2.5% off my pension value).

The government is refusing to negotiate on these issues. Remember teachers already negotiated change in 2007 and now we must change again and loose money in retirement, I personally loose over £100,000 presuming I stay in the profession until 65 and will get less than the state pension as my pension salary. Thanks, how is that fair. It is not what I signed up for.

The fact the private sector get less than the public sector is their fault, as employers dump final salary pensions and the larger firms took pension holidays or played the stock market with pensions (look at the number of private schemes the government has had to bail out in the last ten years).

If this is about fairness, then the government needs to negotiate and admit that in the teachers case, the pension is more than sustainable and under the 2007 agreement the profession agreed to pay more if the pot did reduce as a result of members living longer. Actually one of the things that make the teachers pension very sustainable is the vast majority of teachers die within in five years of retirement due to the stress related diseases or simply being warn out. (This statistic applies to men with continuous long service)

So I went on strike on Thursday to get fair deal from my employer the government and to remind them that I am taxpayer too so if they are interested in fairness to the taxpayer that means me too.

I am suspicious, I believe that the real agenda is for this Conservative government to break the the public sector terms and conditions using the national debt as an excuse and they see the public sector pensions as fund to raid in the Maxwell sense. If the retirement age increases it gives the fund manager two years of lag when money comes in and very little gets paid out. If the government take fifty million out what will it do with it?

Action on

2011-06-21T16:01:00.002-04:00

The talks happened with ACAS between the unions and the council's negotiating team. However no compromise reached and I think it obvious now that the Tory administration wants this confrontation and wants to face down the unions. Trouble with today's announcement of more strike, both sides have too much to loose, even if July 11th comes along and the majority of employees sign up there will still be a dispute.

I am convinced this will be a long dispute and will cost the council more than any savings in year one that the change in terms and conditions would have brought about.

It is also looking likely that the current cabinet will operate a "scorched earth policy" leaving any new cabinet with more debt, savings to make and difficult decisions. I wonder if jobs are better cut than pay, terms and conditions for the remaining employees. In fact all local authorities nationally have done so avoiding confrontation with unions. Hampshire appear to be doing the right thing by saying to its employees if you want to go we will help you with a financial enhancement, eminently responsible approach with high cost now but long term savings.

What has been lost at council has been the goodwill and trust of the workforce which will be very difficult to recapture what ever the political hue of the administration.

Leaflets on Bins and the fight is bigger than this council's problems

2011-06-14T17:05:00.004-04:00

In the city Tory leaflets are appearing on bins, with some glaring inaccuracies designed to mislead.

This leaflet has the tag line "it is your money and your services that the unions are playing with, not the Council's. The council doesn't have any money only yours" - What about the five million they have borrowed from another council? Or the investment package?

Apparently more bin men earn more more than the leader of council..... The Tory leader receives an allowance from SCC and Hampshire fire authority (of which he is chair), which totals according to council over fifty thousand. Some how doubt even with over time the bin men take home that.

The unions are not trying to loose the authority money but defending the terms and conditions of its members.

The industrial action could be over and talks start in earnest if the blackmail threat of, "sign up to new contracts or be sacked " is withdrawn by the council. Currently over forty percent of staff have not signed and will be sacked by July. The authority will not be able to deliver all sorts services without those staff and pay through the nose for agency staff to provide services. What is galling is the number of well qualified staff in social care services are prepared to leave (because there is a huge demand for their expertise).

If this change in contracts and loss in pay is so necessary why has no other local authority with bigger income gaps have tried this?

I say again the Council need not be in this position. However it is entirely a symptom of the local Tories willingness to take on the unions, as well as not knowing how to negotiate (none of the cabinet have industrial relations experience). Please remember if you are an employer, the whole point of unions is to protect members and employees terms & conditions.

It is time to move on in this country with Union bosses/representative being part of the management decisions e.g. Germany where all industry must include union representatives on management boards, decision and structures. It is flexible team in major industries, not, us and them. I suspect the "class" assumption has a lot to play in British management style.

War Chest or Bail Out

2011-06-12T05:11:00.004-04:00

Storm clouds gather over the civic as industrial action steps up and the blame game becomes more virulent. Many Tories in the papers and on the net to pin the blame for the industrial disputes on the left and completely ignore the fact their leaders intransigence is the problem. The administration need not be in this mess.

What is shocking this week is the discovery of a five million loan from another Conservative authority to the council. Which is surprising as the Tories said they would not borrow to cover any costs in the authority and have been shouting about the disgrace of national debt. It also appears that there is money sorted away in some sort of "investment" package. What is this loan and savings package for? Is it war chest for the next election in order to ensure the council can deliver zero council tax and preserve the tax discounts currently provided or is it (as I suspect) a financial package to fight the unions in court and on the picket line. If it is the fact , then it is truly shocking, that the administration is prepared to borrow money to crush the unions and change local govt terms and conditions and not to borrow to improve lives of residents (or balance the books).

Why are the administration not at ACAS talking to unions to solve this dispute? I wonder if that the Tory local leadership is trying to establish political first/reputation and trying to be the first to break the public sector unions. Why else would you borrow money from other Tory lead councils, not go to ACAS or be so ready to blame Labour and the Unions.

What ever the outcome and lets hope the hurriedly arranged meeting at ACAS for Thursday can start a negotiation to a solution.

Though the rumour at council is that Tories are determined to fight to the political death on this because it is looking very likely that they will not be the administration and any mess can be left to current opposition to clear up. Which will be difficult to achieve...........

The real damage is the loss of GOODWILL between the workforce and management, a cost that will prove very high for the council in the medium term not just in finance but in skills and experience.

A line in the sand

2011-06-04T06:49:00.003-04:00

A line in the sand metaphor, depending on the meaning you wish to take, is very appropriate for the current industrial dispute at council.

If you take the Spartan origin in their defence of Greece it describes the Tory administration determined to defend the policy to change terms & conditions for public sector workers. Even before the election, material was going out from the Tories linking the industrial action with Labour and the left, the literature has not changed only last week leaflets were being stuck to uncollected bins, linking the "left" to dispute and trying to link unions with an intent to damage communities.

What you must realise this a is test case for the Tories nationally, there is a undeclared policy to break the public sector unions terms & conditions. Conservative central office has its eye in Sauron way on Southampton. The council leader is playing a game coordinated by central office, even I suspect the holiday is an attempt to string out the dispute in an attempt to break it, why else would you not make a date with ACAS or use the excuse of "diary clashes"?

If you take the Alamo origin of line in sand, where Colonel Travis draws a line and asks for volunteers to defend the siege, it describes the unions position. Thousands of council workers threatened with sack unless they sign up to new terms & conditions/pay. What do you do faced with blackmail? The unions nationally see the importance of this dispute, as the majority of councils will have to cut more from their budget next year and the following year. If the administration wins it will be the first domino in national changes in public sector employment.

The stakes are high for both sides. Be prepared for a long dispute and an increasingly bitter one. The catch 22 for the council is that who ever is the administration next May will have to pay for the costs of the dispute. I wonder if that is why the local Tories will stand firm on this as they know what ever the consequences they will not have to deal with it next year????

Full Council

2011-05-21T05:16:00.002-04:00

Usual pomp and ceremony for Mayor making on Wednesday. Very well attended by the public. Because of the repairs to the civic buildings the settings was different with lunch in the Art Gallery which was a very pleasant venue. The current administration also introduced medal/awards for retiring/beaten councillors interestingly all who turned up to receive their medals were Tories........

The atmosphere in the council meeting at two pm was very different to previous years. There was a great deal more tension and a real sense of annoyance or reluctance in the council chamber. The Libdems are down to three councillors and the Conservative side took every opportunity to point this out and ridicule the loss of Libdems. The Tories had fewer cabinet members due to the changes in the directorates but also were certainly more bad tempered particularly the Leader who we all think is not coping with pressure of the job or the fact his own group is split by his dictatorial approach, former cabinet members now on the back rows, were obviously dissatisfied.

The chamber was managed by the new Mayor, who stuck to his script like a pacifier but it is difficult job managing the meeting.

Decisions made? Well the privatisation of all leisure functions was kicked off, museums etc. This process had started some time ago but this was the first acknowledgement at full council.

The real challenge will over the next month or so as unions take action over the cuts in pay and contract issues. I wonder if that is the fight that the current administration is digging in for. As this cabinet seem determined not to give way and I wonder are being watched by the government and other Tory councils as pathfinder for change in pay, working conditions for all local authority workers.

Difficult few months

2011-05-16T16:59:00.003-04:00

The council is in for a difficult few months as it contends with sacking large numbers of staff, strikes and the implementation of new structure that appears to blur all aspects of the council but not its delivery.

Already the museums and cultural provision is being offered for tender (museums, art galleries etc). Who will take it and where is the profit as the city makes so little and just invested heavily in museums like the Tudor house?

There appears to be a drive to out source as much as possible of Council provision as quickly as possible with little consideration of the long term benefits or profit to the council. I wonder if desperation is creeping in.

It is rumored that the Leader of council does not allow his members to speak or pontificate without first running it past him..... I wonder.....I can not believe that he has the time to vet everything his twenty four members says in council or out?

Sorry reporting rumor and gossip not allowed must go back to speculation and political analysis, my apologies.

Results and Targets

2011-05-07T05:17:00.002-04:00

Still shattered from the declaration of the council results at 4am on Friday. Plus the amount of walking I did on the day.

What was amazing on the night was two issues how the Libdem vote disappeared across the city and how the Tory vote generally stayed static. Labour had targets and was gratified to get those the targets but had the bonus of two seats that came from poor campaigns by incumbents but primarily as a result of consistent work by Labour,(Peartree and Shirley)(( and the collapse of the Libdem vote helped))

What was disappointing for me was how the conservative vote stayed the same as last year, I really thought that cuts would change minds but I suspect that those who are minded to vote Tory have not yet been affected or will not be. However it is many of these voters Labour will have to secure to win back more seats locally and nationally. The overwhelming major factor was the collapse of the LIbdem vote and where those votes went. There appeared to definite change of mind from the Lidem vote (this assumes it is primarily the same households who vote every year) to one of the major parties.

Wider locally Eastliegh and Pompey Libdems did well but I wonder what the opposition was like, as once you take out the national political factors which influence the seventy percent of voters at local elections the last thirty percent do need persuading by the local activity. Had a disagreement with Eastliegh cllr who was convinced that local activity only was the entire reason for Libdem success in that area. I agree it made a difference but what the opposition campaign does does affect the vote...... I argued that six months and 100 activists a third of Eastliegh seats could be Labour?? I realised at that point that the three factors for success at local elections; quality data on how voters are intending to vote, regular and quality communication and well organised/disciplined activists.

Oops

2011-05-03T16:22:00.003-04:00

The mistake has come back to haunt the current administration.

A freedom of info request and leak has turned up that the current administration has been economical with the truth over the Biomass plant development in the docks. There was approval of the biomass development and complete misunderstanding of the impact on environment this development would have.

Last council the Tories were challenged over this and were initially glad to share the decision process over biomass but suddenly changed its mind over revealing what talks or discussions went on over the proposal......Thought it was odd at the time. Looks as though the development was welcomed with open arms before it was realised that the impact it would have visually and environmentally would be. Comes of seeing new business only terms of jobs and not just the wider impact on the community in the world. Woops.

Time to take the blinkers off.

I have included the details as it appears in election material but the quotes are accurate and not election filibustering.

The final countdown

2011-05-02T17:50:00.003-04:00

So near now, you (the candidate) want more time to campaign but are also weary and are wishing it to be over.

Now is all about getting the vote out, and that means your vote. All the parties have identified voters and keep databases of that information. Those voters who said will vote for their party will be pestered until polls close to ensure they vote.

AV should see a rise in turn out at the poles but something like rain could see turnout dip. Lets hope for fine day and the swing of four or five percent to Labour as predicted some pundits. Where that swing comes from is the big issue? Will it be from Tory voters or Libdem? Put this election in context the party of opposition has always done well in council elections the first May of new government.

What will be the real measure of success is how hard or soft the Tory votes becomes in Southampton. If it remains the same as last years general election then large seat gains are unlikely and locally the administration will not be greatly damaged losing one or two seats. However if the Tory vote softens it is then that Labour will make real gains (i.e. Seats swinging to Labour from Tory and not passing through Libdem hands first).

The other big clincher as if there some large faux pas in the media over the next two days by the Tory administration.

Apart from delivering vote now leaflets and knocking up constituents (that means knocking on doors, nothing else) it is a wait and see game.

p.s. Another LIbdem communication and now a3 Tory propaganda a sheet, fight is close and personal in Portswood.

AV debate

2011-05-01T08:57:00.002-04:00

The AV debate is starting to emerge as a topic on the doorstep.

Heard an interesting argument for No this morning that it will disenfranchise the core votes of the party as campaigners/parties will spend more time getting the undecided middle class to put them as second choice rather than focusing on representing the voice of the core vote.

However I argue that the day of core vote is dead with voters (certainly in the South of England) are more likely to vote for different parties on different dates and for varying policies. So an AV voting system will change the way parties campaign in general elections looking for and talking to the swing/variable voter to get a chance to placed second on a ballot. The parties will have to put more effort into recording on how all voters vote rather than just their supporters, targeting them appropriately.

What will be the impact of the average voter, will be you door will be knocked more often by campaigners asking what you think on a variety of issues. More consultation........Good thing? Yes but it will mean us campaigners are going to have buy more shoes.

Another Libdem leaflet

2011-04-30T13:09:00.002-04:00

The only really definite in this local election on Thursday is the way the Libdem vote will disappear or seriously switch. Hence yet another A3 leaflet from the Libdem in Portswood.

Conservatives appear divided across the city with Itchen and Test tories campaigning very differently.....Itchen Royston is at the centre of all and promoting the fabrication that council tax would be extra £400 under Labour. Test are less focused on their leader and more on local candidates experience. All parties have used more targeted promotion with letters to likely voters.

There are a lot of factors this Thursday;

- The AV referendem will increase turnout (and increasingly looks like a no)
- The Libdem vote has collapsed in many wards
- The Tories appear divided across the city.
- Many council employees who live in the city are engaged and interested in change.
- The AV referendem has kept the local elections/politics in the news more than usual.
- The divide between wards is clear with traditional tory areas reverting to type and traditional Labour voters returning to the fold.

This combination means it will be not definite swing away from Tory but more a fudge......... Lets hope it is red flavoured fudge that the electorate plump for!

What happens next?

2011-04-17T10:20:00.002-04:00

Received yet another glossy leaflet from the Libdems where I live. They are trying hard and I am not surprised this local election hinges on what happens to the Libdem vote. Will it collapse? Will the vote go to another party? Will there be any successful Libdem candidates by May the 6th?

In many wards in the city it is evident that the Libdem vote either will not vote or vote someone else in protest. In many wards like Peartree or Shirley in Southampton this will push one of the other parties just over the edge into victory.

What about AV?

The AV referendum is very low profile it appears. Plenty of friends(and yes I do have more than one friend), have mentioned it but not one person on the doorstep appear to be interested.

Yes seems the sensible answer; as the electorate deserves a new contract with their members of parliament, MPs voted for by a genuine majority of the electorate, a system that ensures candidates/parties have to reach out to all the electorate rather than just the voters who said would vote for them in the past and it will force parties to illustrate commonalities in policy. Best of all in AV there is never a wasted vote on party you know has never won in the are you live, as that vote goes to your next best choice. It will also cater to the undecided as so many voters are, the swing voter will be able rank the parties/candidates perhaps considering the different policies from each and not feel they have wasted their vote or it has no impact. The last general election I met so many on the doorstep who wanted different policies from different parties to be on the agenda!

I still believe to have a really effective system (like Australia who has AV) you must make voting compulsory. However I know the English psyche is such that it does not like being told to do anything, look at the number who have not returned the census.

Election off and running

2011-04-03T09:34:00.004-04:00

The local elections start now with nominations in and accepted by the returning officer. Expect leaflets, letters, paperwork, door steppers and phone calls as the different parties try and establish who you are going to vote for so as they can target their activity and get the electorate out to vote on May 5Th.

The last election there was a general election as well which boosted turn out. Local elections rarely top forty percent of the local electorate and in Southampton average at thirty four usually. I wonder if the AV referendum on the same day will make a difference.

There is certainly not the same reception on the doorstep as there was in the general election. The return to political apathy appears to be back for some. In the general of 2010 voters wanted to engage you and what your party represented on the doorstep more than other election I have worked in. This time there less of that but it is a local election.

The cuts are beginning to bite across the city and number of city employees who live in the city is noticeable. So change is coming I suspect Libdem voters are certainly seeking an alternative and I wonder if this and the next local election will see the return to a two party system at the city council.

Do not usually?

2011-03-23T19:46:00.005-04:00

I do not usually directly respond to other parties leaflets, blogs or websites but today is the exception.

The Tories are claiming that the council unions (Unite and Unison) have power over or to influence the Labour group and that is why the Labour group did not propose a detailed budget. Well that is frankly bollocks. The relationship between unions and the local Labour party/councillors is not the one portrayed. The unions have not even met the Labour group or leader and the support offered was fraternal what any workers organisation would offer to another i.e. you have the right to protest and the right to dispute.

The idea that militant or militant tendency still exists in the unions or the Labour party is fantasy and kind of illustrates how out of touch the Tories still are with real life for the average working man or woman. The days of closed shops, shop steward power and strike action to oppose political ideology is in the past.

Recent Tory leaflets implied that the budget demonstration was violent and whipped up by militant elements, not true. There was anger, dismay and the feeling of betrayal but no violence, no overtly political chanting and no singing of the red flag.....

Negotiations at council were difficult I hear from unions and councillors, purely because the Tory councillors refused to agree to one point, No compulsory redundancies now. I wonder that if the answer to no redundancies would have been yes the unions might have returned to the negotiating table again, talked through options as the Scottish teachers have just done. I suspect the councillors do not realise how to negotiate with unions, is does take experience and training, but that might be because the councils HR function is private providers hands who has had a poor experience with unions.

The current issue will I suspect end in court and If I were the council cabinet I would be translucent with fear, with all things to with employment law you need to follow the right process, because if you get it wrong, you will have to pay up or withdraw your plans.

I still suspect in fact I am sure that local Tories are the ones blinkered by ignorance and political ideology. Not wishing to make simple savings or changes in policy that would have eased the financial constraints being imposed on staff and this is the issue being hidden by Conservative councillors at the moment.

Local Election Worries

2011-03-08T17:17:00.003-05:00

The first signs of the current Tory administration is cracking under pressure or is it strategy?

Today with some pressure, mainly from the Media, the Cabinet kicked an increase in Meals and Wheels in Southampton under the disguise of a review of service, into the long grass. However this not the first time that a service review is smoke screen for putting decisions off until after the local elections or until the general public have forgotten it. The same was done with the Primary school provision review and the grants to Shopmobility.

I believe it is a deliberate attempt to put controversial policies on the back burner. That is why if it is deliberate strategy to avoid the issues that might stick in the memory of voters. I can see why it is proving successful strategy, the cabinet appear to listen then neatly kick the policy into the long grass and implement it at a later date, perhaps with some minor changes claiming you have listened to the electorate. I suppose the general public can accuse all politicians of the same practices but I have to say this current administration is becoming particularly skilled at it.

The next big policy avoidance is sacking all staff refusing to sign up to the pay cut and new terms. The cabinet has promised to do it in April I wonder if they have the balls, to face the staff, unions and inevitable disputes. I believe it is going to take a court case to get the schools to sack their support staff and reemploy and who is going to pay their costs of doing so?

Great to see the Spitfire over the Solent? However I have to ask what has happened the seventy thousand the council put into the Spitfire memorial fund over two years ago?

Protest, Procedure and Prolapse.

2011-02-16T17:24:00.002-05:00

Sad day. Council the services and structure have reached a point of no return.

The budget today is the toughest ever. Effecting services, staff and how the council operates.

I can understand and sympathize with anger from the protestors, as so much of it is not necessary.

Savings could be achieved else where.

Tomorrow will be a real test for Big Society ethos in Southampton, as the grants funding is processed at Scrutiny. The charities and volunteer bodies stand to lose twenty to twenty five percent of their budgets (grants) from city council. How can the charities take on or even bid for social care work if the funding is not there in the first place. It is a social, financial and political Catch 22.

In fact I can see the council leader as Major Major Major character from Joseph Heller's Catch 22. Firmly in believes in what he is doing is right but can not see the ridiculous mess of his situation or policies.

Budget to Come

2011-02-12T08:37:00.002-05:00

The message seems to be from Tory led local administration "Like it or lump it"

I still believe that there is underlying policy decisions at the heart of the cuts being proposed. Policies based around smaller government and that local government should be a commissioning hub not a direct provider of services. They are not written policies in any manifesto but a Conservative ethos. An ethos the espouses that government should not be at the heart of communities but people doing things for themselves, helping them selves and not interfering.

I think that is short sighted, local government is an important facilitator of change local communities and it is often only local government that has an impartial community point of view.

Budget meeting this Wednesday the 17th. I suspect a dark day for residents and services in the city.

Cutting jobs and time means a cut in services

2011-02-05T08:53:00.002-05:00

So the pay and conditions to be forced through. That is going to be difficult especially in terms of equal pay, fairness and service provision of services. One thing all public services rely on is good will, for employees to care about what ever service they are providing. As soon as you make cuts and force you will that good will declines, services become poorer and your workforce does not provide you with loyalty any organisation needs to provide a good service to its customers.

What it does show the current row over pay and conditions is how difficult it is make short term cuts without cutting front line services or cutting back on your major cost, who are staff. Both actions result in loss of services to your electorate. So where do you make the cuts? To the services who effect your voters the least!?

So the loss of the Youth services, music service as proposed by the current administration or cut in subsidies to bus routes, halving of grants to local charities providing essential services like Shopmobility do not effect the majority of house owning, car using and/or retired Tory voters. How can I say this, where is the evidence? Well simply the current administration will not propose removing the council tax discounts they have put in place, (Pensioners and Specials) or change their mind on rubbish collection or not spend out on highly paid public relations officers.

It is difficult, I know, how difficult it is make cuts and economies as a Cabinet Member but I think those cuts should be fair to majority electoriate and to the services the city is expected/needs to provide. But I suppose the current format of local and national government does promote bias but that is not enough of an excuse now. Is it?

Cut to the quick

2011-01-31T16:23:00.002-05:00

The national government have learnt the lesson the Blair's government in the first year of government. They are doing as much as they can to change the economy, infrastructure and society to suit their policy. This is indicated by the depth of the cuts, the re-organisation of the NHS, changing the education funding formulae and wrenching all public control/provision away from local government.

By the time the current administrations budget is put in place there will be little that city and its councillors have direct control over or little left in services that is being run by the authority. The funding cuts in education and support services in schools/children will drive many schools in the dead end that is Academies and Free Schools. I can see that there will be a free market economy operating in schools in five years time as they compete for children, funding and cutting back on the extra curricular activities (music and youth services are in effect dead) or asking parents to pay (undermining the principle of free education).

The cuts being proposed are immoral bearing mind they current administration refuse to drop the policy of pension discount or consider twin binning or exacting better value from its private partners (I notice Capita is not making cuts because its funding is secure from the authority and will rise as per the contract).

Please be fair is my plea, Southampton has achieved a lot in twenty years do not drive back into the backwater it once was.

It is policy

2011-01-11T18:55:00.004-05:00

Why are the current administration not making a concessions on policy e.g. council tax discount, rubbish collection (both could raise a few million) yet insist on damaging pay and conditions of staff before they change policies that could raise the councils income.

Will any the cuts to pay, pension or conditions be restored to employees at any point in the future. Of course not.........

You could argue that a loss of goodwill amongst you staff can be seen as acceptable in these times but when it comes to providing vital services, supporting the community and producing efficiencies your staff will just do their job and nothing else, if they continue to be treated badly. The attitude of think yourself lucky you have job is returning to public sector. A local authority thrives on the willingness of its staff to go the extra mile to make the difference. Without that commitment will we have better local government? No.

The real aim of the Conservatives is no local government and tiny national government. They are well on the way to achieving it.

More cuts

2011-01-08T10:34:00.003-05:00

Cuts are bigger than expected. No surprise really.....

The local Conservative cabinet are panicking it appears as they need to cut but do not know where or how. So they look to the biggest expense the workforce. However as cabinet members have never had to negotiate with unions are struggling with why Unions should oppose cuts or not want to be part of "of their financial solution". It is the because the unions are there to protect members pay and conditions.

The unions are struggling to, as protecting jobs as well pay and conditions is difficult when you are threatened with compulsory redundancies.

The issues are; why are pensioners still getting a tax discount for council tax, why are the Tories not demanding better value and more money from the private contractors running council services, why are not proposals to increase income to the council (like fees for planning, licensing and transport). There is also the elephant in the room nobody is talking about council tax, you do not have to increase it directly just change the valuation levels of properties i.e. the banding, so those in properties worth more have to pay more. It would take national co-operation to do that but are not the majority of councils Tory? It could be done. Oh sorry forgot local elections looming in May any money raising decisions will not happen till June if at all?

Sorry slightly annoyed as Tory dogma about taxation and small government is getting in the way of fair decisions. However do have some sympathy with trying to match income with providing services it is not easy in normal times let alone during a imposed period of austerity.

Remember a lot of this "pain" is being imposed by this government it need not happen so fast or deep. I know I am biased but there should not be blame the last government for the depth of cuts now. If Labour had not bailed out the financial sector where would be be now. Remember Cameron and Osborne were not in favour of bail outs in 2008, I believe the country would be bankrupt if the government had not acted. There is policy at the heart of the cuts, policy of small government and business first (at the expense of all).

Where is the fairness?

The government has been very canny with Education. I work in a city college and the funding formulae has been changed to reduce allocation of funds. The equation that determine the classroom funding has not changed but the ratio that concerns non directed teaching hours, i.e. the tutoring, pastoral and extra curricular provision. As a result the govt can say that direct education funding has not been cut for post 16 education, it has not, but indirect education funding that is part of funding formulae and makes up quarter of total amount has been cut by forty percent. So post sixteen sector is left with choice; cut staff, curriculum or pastoral care functions, non classroom teaching like sports coaching, clubs, training, trips, (the extra stuff that attracts students to you in first place). Wonder what will happen? Plus the coalition will deny it has cut education funding in post 16 sector which will not be quite true!

7 billion bail out

2010-11-22T16:05:00.003-05:00

Understand the need to support Ireland

However has anyone realised that seven billion is approximately the amount of cuts proposed by the Coalition. So does it not seem ironic that we must supposedly cut the deficit but can borrow the cash to support the Irish.

I must ask the question need the government cut so deep so fast or could they have cushioned the blow and protected public services or in fact invested in local economies. For example by building local housing or protecting local government budgets.

I suspect some spin or complicity amongst Conservative ranks.

Council Today

2010-11-17T16:43:00.003-05:00

Conservatives are desperate to get all party support for the stringent cuts they proposing for council this financial year.

Labour group tried to ask if the ideas they were putting forward the 5.5% pay and hours cut was fair if it was being applied to all staff. This seemed to upset them. They really do not understand the difference that cutting the pay and hours of many of the low paid under £18000 income staff will have to suffer.

Ok you need to cut but let be more "fair" about.

I found out today from officers that contracting of services to Capita three years ago did not originally provide savings.

I proposed a motion that the council need achieve best value from all contacts in the city. We Labour and Conservatives disagree on the need to outsource but agreed on the need for best value.................

IT IS ABOUT DOGMA

2010-11-04T18:26:00.002-04:00

I am really concerned about the impact on Southampton Universities the cut in funding.

Willits confirmed in parliament that the change in funding for university in grant and student fees is about creating an open market of demand and students bearing the cost of their education. That the change in funding has nothing to do with the cuts.........

It is all about creating a Liberal Market for universities.

So no planning and all funds coming with students......

I predict courses disappearing as too expensive and a real impact on local economies as lecturers and associated staff disappear with courses...........

Nose, knife and face are the words that come to mind.

This is institutional change that is happening. Watch out you are next, unless you have large amounts of cash to fall back on!

The Class War is Back and it is in the classroom……………..

2010-11-02T17:08:00.003-04:00

As a local councillor for the majority of the life of the previous government, I noticed, that though the financial divide had widened between rich and poor, (the last government should have increased the minimum wage to higher level). The social gap, that is the idea of the uncaring rich/capitalists and the subservient working class had almost disappeared. This cultural change was due to implementation of societal changing policies and welfare that supported family, equality of opportunity and education.

One of best example of how society was supported was Educational Maintenance Allowance. This government pay out was targeted at low income families with teenage children who despite getting the GCSE’s did not go on to do post sixteen qualifications. The average of approximately thirty pound a week gave a new incentive to teenagers to go college and allowed families to support their children in education. Many more students have achieved A levels, BTECs and Diplomas as a result of this benefit and even more are encouraged to go to university or sign up for apprenticeships at eighteen. The impact is considerable and no more so than in Southampton, as forty two percent of post sixteen’s in Southampton receive EMA.
The loss of this benefit will hit families and teenagers in the city very hard. The impact will be:

College recruitment will drop as students decide that can not afford to go to college. This could make sixth forms financially unviable or reduce curriculum choice as colleges cut their cloth to their budget, which is based on student numbers

The number of 16 – 19 year olds not in education or employment will rise (Southampton currently has one of the highest figures in the country at approximately ten percent that has improved)

An increase in the need for welfare/benefit support for the under nineteens.

The increase in the issues that relate to youth unemployment – Teenage Pregnancy, Alcoholism and Health problems for the under twenty fives (Issues that Southampton was successfully tackling).

The return of the cultural attitude that post-sixteen education is not for majority.

The comprehensive Spending review was more than a cost cutting exercise. Look at the detail like the loss of EMA, it is attack on the social fabric. The support threads like EMA, Tax Credits, Sure Start and Regeneration funding that have had a huge impact on Southampton and created a social cloth that that all can grab hold of and use to improve lives, living conditions and education. These social fibres are being carefully but decisively unpicked by the Conservative coalition in the name of prudence, but in reality are in the name of an ideology called “Big Society”.

Whatever your views of the previous government it enacted long term cultural change and in my view for the better in Southampton. The new coalition nationally and Conservatives locally are intent on unraveling the change driving it back to time of accepting that those who have can will and those who can’t should not expect to!

If you cut me do I not bleed?

2010-10-24T04:38:00.003-04:00

How does the CSR effect Southampton? How does it effect the citizens and the economic infrastructure in the city?

There are a great deal of small non headline cuts that will make a huge hole in the Southampton economy and create hardship and inequality locally. For example:

Sports Specialist status for secondary schools is to go. This will cost local schools a minimum of £130k from their budgets.

Local Universities will lose forty percent of their funding. Those universities who do not have large research functions and focus are Social science subjects will have to charge upward of 10k to be able to run those courses. Ten thousand is beyond the financial ability of many student, no students means cutting courses that means Universities shrinking, making redundancies and the positive economic impact to the areas they are in, shrinking, not tomorrow but by next October. Remember even a ten percent decline of student numbers in the city is three thousand less students not spending.

Educational Maintenance Allowance (EMA) that is lifeline for those at college and sixth form has been scrapped. Over forty percent of the cities 16 year olds at college receive EMA. A financial life line to pay for transport, books and living. This income has direct impact on the those in the city listed as NEET (Not in Education and Employment). Southampton had started to drive this figure down from twelve percent, by next September 2011 I fear this figure of young people (16-25) not in education or employment (I think) will reach 15%.

Bus grants cut by 20% that means a shrinking of the network and service in Southampton. So IDS's recommendation of getting on bus to find a job will get even harder.

Southampton looses £2 million in housing funding due to the Coalition's housing incentive scheme. Any affordable housing build will stop, if you think the housing waiting list is long now!

Social housing landlords will now be allowed to charge up to 80% of market rents for new tenants. That is on average three times higher than the previous social rent cap. For some homes in Southampton this would mean a rent increase from £85 per week to £250 per week or £9000 or more a year annually. Where do you go if you are a young family starting out without access to the new social housing in the city, especially as the surrounding authorities social housing is run entirely by non council controlled organisations.

Do not forget the final national blow that will attack us all, we have all had an income fall and by Jan 2011 everything will cost more by the increase of VAT to 20%.

Slightly depressed and frankly scared. I cannot see a positive for citizens for Southampton at the moment.

I do not believe it?!

2010-10-19T17:28:00.001-04:00

The local authority prepares itself for the onslaught of cuts to come as a result of the Spending Review tomorrow.

I have to say the Tories locally and nationally have been excellent at promoting the myth that Labour left a mess and they are making cuts as a result of a financial malaise. Yes there is a deficit to deal with but it is not as bad as it they say. I believe in fact I am sure that the deficit is being used a shield to cut public service provision in all areas. To make the state smaller and wind back government influence in all areas as a matter of principle not one of saving or cost.

So much is being cut that does, should and could support the future of the city.

The rumour at city is one in five of staff will go next financial year, I do not know of validity of this yet but even the idea is scary. The authority is the second/third largest employer in the city. For every public sector job there is a quarter of private sector job to match..............

Please dear reader do not believe the Tories locally or nationally the cuts do not need to be this deep now. Local tenants do need to pay 80 or 90% of market value on there rents as proposed today. Let us have some sensible, slow and understanding of what society is really about.

Choosing the easiest option

2010-10-11T15:09:00.002-04:00

City council last meeting debated whether to change the way it was operated and voted on.

The options were elections every four years instead of by thirds (every year with a 1/3 of the council being re-elected every 3 yrs).

My own opinion was that every fours years gave the administration who ever it may be some stability and chance to deliver policies. As well as giving local elections higher profile than currently. Where the local electorate get sick of elections every year with no more than 30% turning out.

However the Tories put forward arguments about democracy and fairness to the electorate. However I believe they were scared of defeat at all out elections and trying to find and funding 48 council candidates all at one time, (a concern for the Labour party as well).

The was also a chance for elected mayor but this was rejected as well as the All out election option. This was a free vote for Labour but whipped on the Tory side so doomed to defeat as they have a majority.

Shame as I believe the electorate want change, higher profile and decisive government at all levels.

So it is back to the gentle slog that are local campaigns. Knocking on your door to ask for your support or opinion, phoning members for support and activity and showing that councillors do represent residents as well as our parties in local government. In fact local councillors and all politicians have four sets of constituents to represent; the residents who voted, the parties who put them there, the political groups they become part of and values they hold dear. Sometimes that balance of representation can become difficult!

Playbuilders funding cut

2010-08-03T12:26:00.002-04:00

The council spent several years bidding for and gaining funding for the renewal of the cities play/child recreation areas in the city. This funding was based on the principal of play as important part of early years learning and that the cities areas should be play areas and not teenage hang outs.

Plans and work had started but guess what the monies have been cut. This effects providers and a programme that is an important part of the regeneration of play in the city.

The local conservative council seem complicit and approve this removal of funding. I wonder if they care about children's learning or progression.

Hiding behind the deficit

2010-07-27T06:59:00.004-04:00

Cuts, Cuts and more cuts have arrived from the new government.

The Conservative council has not been shy either and I believe the government and the local council are using the deficit as an excuse to deliver cuts in government that their party believe in doing. The Conservatives still believe in small government and that the free market should determine all.

Locally Children's Services have born the brunt with four million being cut, shaving support services for schools and charging schools more for services like governor support. This combined with a letter sent out from the Cabinet Member encouraging schools to apply for Academy status as offered by new government. Suggests there is deliberate policy to cut away the local authority support and encourage schools to become independent of the authority.

I fear for the ability for Parents and the authority to control andhave a say in standards, structure and strategic approach to education in the city.

I firmly believe that new leader and his cabinet are determined to create an authority that is only an umbrella organisation and does not run, fund or regulate services in city. Expecting and encouraging private business, charities and other bodies to do the service provision. I worry that this policy will result in a deficit in democracy with the electorate voting for local councillors who do not have an influence over local services, as they are not provided by the authority. What will there be left to run in few years time? The council will have all the responsibility but not the funds or power (which go hand in hand)to shoulder that responsibility.

Winning Southampton

2010-05-08T08:57:00.001-04:00

All of us who have worn red on the doorstep in the past six months for that is how long this campaign has really been, have believed that the Labour party was going to be stung at the ballot box locally and nationally.

The new interest in politics created by the T.V. debates did give us some hope and twenty years of campaigning I have never met so voters who wanted to debate the issues on the door or met so many undecided voters. Meant there was some evidence that the Labour was not facing a total defeat in Southampton.

The focus was definitely on re-electing the MPs and showing the electorate the benefit of having Labour representation at council or parliament. This has paid off with voters providing a Test Mp and two new Labour Cllrs (Millbrook and Coxford) as well almost unseating (within 100 votes) Freemantle and Shirley Tory Cllrs. Itchen chose Labour but with slim majority and thanks to the effort of the party, (The last two votes I got to go and vote at nine pm on Thursday in Thornhill) and the UKIP support (presuming that UKIP would have voted Tory without a UKIP candidate). Plus the sting was mild in Itchen as Labour lost Sholing by one hundred votes only and successfully defended all other Council seats in fact with increased majorities in all.

In summary Southampton is still a Labour city and there is halt to a decline in Labour support locally. Now is the time to end defensive campaigning that has the basis of local organisation and to realise that Labour can win by contacting voters in non traditional labour areas.

On the night.

I was at the count in the Guildhall for Itchen and Test. Leaning over the vote counters looking for correct counting and initially “sampling” the votes (that means ticking off the numbers voting for the different parties). All the main parties do this as it tells you the level of support and give some idea of where the support is geographically. The main surprise was that Libdem vote held up and in fact surged in the centre of the city. This was amazing as one Libdem supporter told me that that they only spent £1100 on the Itchen campaign, for 9000 votes that is good value.

The counting took a long time. First the number of votes is counted and it is checked against the numbers voted, as reported by the polling stations. Then the votes are separated into the different parties and then the votes are counted. The votes are then checked against totals of those voted again. Then if it is close, the bundles of 100 are checked again. In Southampton it was three in the morning at this point. Then candidates and their agents are informed of the results so far and if it is close the candidates can request recounts. The recount was requested for Itchen and it took another two hours to check the bundles and do the official announcement. The result came out at five am.

The winners all thanked the counters and electorate, those who come second also spoke. The Tory in Itchen was vicious and accused Labour of falsehoods during the campaign and his whole tone was one of bitter words spat out in defeat. Where as the Test Tory was gracious and magnanimous in defeat.

I can understand some bitterness from the Tories as they spent thousands and had achieved a high profile than ever before and you can not say they did not work hard. Several male Tory councillors were in tears during the announcements as they invested so much in the campaign. However it is proof that you need more than money and hard work to win seats.

I left the hall into new daylight of the sixth May, pleased, dazed and knackered after a long election (night and campaign). Apologies to all at work I am not normally running on adrenalin alone….

Election special

2010-04-15T10:57:00.001-04:00

A busy time again for all us involved in politics it is a constant round of; delivering leaflets, knocking on doors, fundraisers (the Labour party has not got the funding the Tories have locally) and studying the polls constantly.

On whole a good response on the door step with the main issues being Immigration, Economy and what are you (the party) going to do for me?

Genuinely scared at the prospect of having two Conservative members of parliament in fact of the whole city being Tory and surrounded by blue MPs (Romsey, Forest and Eastliegh). This does not mean I think Labour has lost but neither has it won in Test or Itchen. However the fear of having true blue Southampton (combined with the vast number of billboards paid for by the Tories) is motivating me and many other Labour supporters to get out there and work. To listen to the electoriate and assure them that Labour can protect them and show them the Tories will not.

That is what is really disturbing is the number of don’t knows there are on the doorstep. People who we know from previous records have said they have voted Tory or Labour, and it is previous voters of both parties that are saying I don’t know. Many say they can not bring themselves to vote Tory (relief) but are not convinced by any of the other parties. The smaller parties are going to benefit from the disaffected and the many “not sure” voters make this election all the more unpredictable. It does mean every votes counts if you vote in Southampton you will not only have a say in who your local representative for the first time in many elections but who forms the government.

Have been pointing out a lot on the doorstep that there are local elections as well as national something many had not realised as fifty or sixty percent do not vote in local elections, so I expect the biggest local turnout for years. Have pointed out that the Tory Parliamentary candidates are also standing in council elections which seems wrong to me and many constituents. They are either hedging their bets or if they really believe a win is possible and judging by the spending on leaflets and bill boards in the city they do, they are out to “carry” both seats.

That will mean that both Tory MPs (presuming victory for them), will also be collecting Cllr allowances and as they are standing for a four year term, for some time. And if they do decide it is too much to both Cllrs and MPs, it will be the council tax payer will have to pay for a by-election in their respective council seats.

Why could they not stand down from their council seats (as neither seats have been anything but Tory for sometime) and only stand for parliament. It only seems fare to the public purse in the long run. Not that it is not unusual to be both parliamentarian and a councillor, but that is usually when a general election is not at the same time as you’re council elections. It is generally seen as the honourable thing to stand down at the next nearest election, as how can the individual effectively do both jobs?

I believe that knowing there two candidates concerned that they are not confident of a win and do want to be excluded from politics completely. Especially as they both hold cabinet seats at council with not inconsiderable allowances, (and one is also chair of the Fire authority another extra allowance), not that I believe they are in politics for the money.

Though of course the electorate could decide to ensure neither are MPs or Cllrs, Labour has one their seats in previous general elections.

Southampton Schools funding underthreat

2010-03-23T18:19:00.003-04:00

Big story as the Building Schools for the Future deal is put out to tender it looks as the Tories despite local promises are going to cut it. No new schools or refurb and you have to wonder about the Bitterne Park sixth form funding. Same old Tories it appears despite how enthusiastic the local adminstration are.

Told You SO

2010-02-22T18:48:00.003-05:00

What did I say would happen in October?

Charge here, there and everywhere.

Increase in cremation charges, waste collection etc. Charges that do not even add up! Like the green waste bag charging fees (for new bags if you loose yours) £5 to the taxpayer but it will cost the council £9 a bag to administer.

This Southampton budget was quite a effective in cutting and giving away cash over a million to unmeasured (in terms of wealth) pensioners you only have to be 65 and to any volunteer police personnel can live off the tax payer.

They covered up that they will have to borrow to make the big projects happen and may have to cleanse town Quay of small businesses to make the snow dome happen.

Oh well general election coming will sort the political wheat from the chaff locally.

Bugdet GAP

2009-10-20T14:57:00.001-04:00

There is always a gap between what the council’s income and what it spends. When there was a Lib-Dem or Labour or in joint administration there was gap between spending and income.

The responsible bit of the administration is how it plugs that gap. What are its priorities and sacred cow policies. The noise that has been made about government funding as bit of red herring. What you cut and how you raise income are the deciding factors here.

In case you didn’t know the council funding can be divided into quarters. This is approximate but roughly right, 25% is from council tax, 25% from business rate tax that is collected by the authority but is sent off to government, 25% government grant and 25% other income e.g. car parking charging or savings. The middle 50% is fixed as it is determined by formulae from the government. So you are left with raising income from council tax payers or via other income raising like profits from your leisure facilities.

Of course you can raise funds from selling assets but does not help in future crisis but can be good effective short term solution if your entire aim is keep council tax down. Or you could raise the fees on funerals, car parking, trash collection/disposal or any of the income received from the variety of run or owned council facilities. However if you sell off those assets you can not gain future profit from them. There is also borrowing or dipping into council reserves?

There is also some irony that many council services are now in the hands of the private sector in terms of Capita yet there does not appear to be a great deal of savings appearing in the cities coffers? One of the reasons why Labour opposed the wholesale privatisation is it did not reap the savings needed. In fact it is generally believed that council services are costing up to seven percent more since privatisation to ensure profit for the provider.

So please do not believe the hype in the figures being banded about it is not just about cuts or savings.

If you cut the council tax discounts for well off pensioners the council could bring back a million into the equation.

If the government had the balls, to revalue the council tax bands, as they current bandings are based on property values of 15 years ago. You could plug any gap you like and it would be proportionate with the rich paying more. However tax has become the policy that dares not speak its name. I am not sure any government is ready to face the challenge of charging the public the true cost for the services they receive from their local authority. I nearly forgot what about re-devolving the business rate to local authorities to keep…….. But the large rural authorities would loose out as city authorities by shear population and resultant business activity would benefit… It is difficult account to balance.

However I am not sure about current suggestions of less council meetings the only truly public forum left in council at which the public can hear councillors representing them . Scrutiny where councillors can contribute to the process is already had its teeth removed by lack of funding.

Orwellian speach

2009-10-10T08:31:00.002-04:00

I am fan of Orwell and there some interesting political views in his writings. Many constituents recently have responded on the door step that can not see the difference between the parties locally or nationally.

“Your are all the same”. This view has not been helped by the expenses scandal and the more recent cult of personality placing the emphasis on the political leaders rather than the policies. I know many voters who are making their mind up on who to vote for based on the public performance, looks and public image of the party leaders.

The analogy I think of is that of “Animal Farm” scenario where the animals at the end of the revolution can not see the difference between the Napoleon (the pig revolutionary leader) and Man who the animals had rebelled against.

Orwellian imagery was conjured up for me by Cameron at the end of conference speech. Compare his privileged background (Eton, Oxford), to his zeal to change the Conservatives and cover himself in the red flag (who can believe the Tories care about those who are in need!). Is he the Napoleon character who proclaims change and working for the disempowered, a leader who has experienced the normal world (the family supported by the NHS) but then just like Napoleon is secretly making deals with Man or in Cameron’s case the market and the privileged and wealthy. Remember the Tories parties’ greatest donor is millionaire who like many of the vastly wealthy avoids much of the taxation subject to the rest of us.

Lovely article in papers about Cameron and the fact he still has shotgun licence, his past hunting experience and whether he will repeal the Hunting Legislation. Apparently the Tories will repeal this legislation. However that is not the issue really but it the Tory leader’s past, it so difficult to believe this upper class man really cares about those in society, who the government should be protecting/supporting. I know it shouldn’t be about the persons past but we now have presidential politics where the leader is all, and the policy second. So how can this leader whose whole life is full of hypocrisy stand up say he cares about the poorest in society?

And he says he wants to de-centralise government to local government an idea I would support but no government has ever done that because no central government has trusted local government to do so. If it did it would allow local government keep business rates (that goes to central govt), set what council tax was suitable and calculate local funding on local need. There no proposals for the Tories to do any these things as they are still committed to keeping council tax low as a priority with not prospect of any other measures to increase funding for local government.

Another thing if I hear another thing about debt I will scream. Yes it is important but its payback does not have to be the central theme of government. Can I point out that it was only last year that the government war (WWII) debt was paid back to the U.S. All three of the national parties have huge debt but still operate and nobody mentions that a rising economy = rising tax revenues. We as nation has lived with large debt before and will do again, what is important is how inflation and the money supply is controlled (as we live in capitalist economy).

Tories Squirming uncomfortably

2009-10-05T16:49:00.003-04:00

Southampton City as announced in local paper, is refurbishing and building council housing as a result of government funding. Projects that the Tory Leader of Council has said will not survive if the fifty million funding is cut by any future government, another reason not to vote for Tories next May.

It is amazing to see social housing being built by a Tory administration but you have admit the cabinet member for housing has a more left (almost socialist), people centred agenda than his colleagues. I believe given the choice and a different cabinet member this money would not be welcomed by the current council.

So, time celebrate government spend, to build and rebuild council/social housing in the city. Providing decent homes, more affordable housing and hopefully if local firms bid, income to local business/developers providing welcome boost to the local economy.

Thanks Labour Government.

Crocodile smiles

2009-09-28T17:42:00.002-04:00

Local Cameronite Tories are;

1 - Selling council assets to fund commercial projects.
2 - Privatise, with no controls on pricing or opening hours, all leisure facilities in city. You will pay more to use them, schools will pay more to use and leases will mean future administrations will not be able to retrieve the services.
3 - Happy to have any inexperienced, undemocratic providers run schools. While not taking responsibility for local societal problems that lead to school disruption or f0r being the almost lowest performing education authority in England. So a “ hands off”, let individual schools do what they like approach works because the market and competition is always right!
4 - Housing "home bid" is out to contract?
5 - Reforming grants to voluntary services but without criteria or taking account local expertise. Putting off any final decision till after the next election (I wonder why)!
6 - Using public money to fund commercial projects but not prepared build council houses with council money. Despite a huge waiting list.
7 - Refusing to means test council tax discounts, you can be wealthy pensioner but still be entitled to ten percent discount, the council will not check.
8 - Selling council owned care homes because the private sector can do it cheaper.
9 - Spending more on spin-doctors and publicity than on extra funding on social workers or recruiting social workers.
10 – Reform “support funding” for those with disabilities.

I find it difficult to believe that policy determined by dogma will benefit the people of Southampton.

Please remember the Conservatives nationally were not prepared support the British economy over the past twelve months and I do not believe the Local Tories will support you. Particularly if you want cheap local transport, leisure facilities, affordable housing or don’t fit into their view of the world.

2009-09-18T19:07:00.002-04:00

SO the Tories have proven themselves true to form in an eighties sense that there is “no such thing as society” both locally and nationally.

The idea that Councillors are trustees of local assets seems alien as the administration in Southampton ignore local campaign and plan to sell art from the biggest and best collection outside London. What is so galling is the principal, (not the goal which is to build an exhibition space for Southampton). As soon as you sell assets to fund local ambitions, what is next? Parts of the parks any council open space? What other publicly owned assets will be sold off to fund political ambition. In Southampton how long before the civic is sold off in chunks?

However you have to admire one thing the current Southampton cabinet are not risk adverse. The council had heated debate “in camera”, about funding the redevelopment of above bar/cultural quarter. They are proposing to dip very heavily in public funds to make the development work. The plan I think has a poor return on the investment and a potential funding gap. The Labour group abstained because we are more risk adverse and concerned that this is a huge risk for public money. I was particularly concerned as any future funding gap will have to be funded by public borrowing and yet the Tories have accused Labour of wanting to borrow, and yes we will if it means properly funding public housing, free school meals and new schools. However the Tories are prepared to borrow when necessary (to plug any possible future funding gap), to make large city housing/arts centre work but not borrow to build desperately needed housing or school systems that would go along way to pull children out of child poverty. Hmmm

As the country moves towards a general election the battle lines are drawn and a little clearer. The Tories have successfully moved the agenda in their favour and according to poles have persuaded the voters that they can look after the country. I fear that with a Tory Govt. We see some of the policies the of current Tory councils being followed. Especially as Osborne felt in his speech last week that any new Tory government should follow the example of Tory councils……like

- Increasing in social housing rents in line with the private sector
- Making cuts in front line services by change of benefit system
- Giving spurious discounts in council tax without means testing the groups it benefits (Southampton pensioner discount does not even ask for proof of age and has spent £800,000 so far this year on it, enough to knock a percentage point of the council tax for all!)
- Public give a ways as publicly owned assets are given to private companies to run, as Southampton city is proposing to give all the cities leisure assets to private companies on very beneficial rates. The golf course was proposal was on 40 year deal. I would not be surprised to see private environment agencies managing public parks and they Tories have not opposed private policing in Shirley.
- Freezing of public sector pay and cutting public sector pension schemes (forgetting that public sector pensions are deferred payments not an investment scheme of care)
- Wholesale changes in the funding for local providers in the charity/voluntary sector (Southampton city is giving grants only till after general election. After which, they will put all contracts out for anyone. Which means the national big boys will mop up the social contracts in the city.)

Don’t get me wrong the Tories want to do the best by the community but unfortunately they still do not believe in or understand what community means.

Failed Market Stall Traders

2009-06-25T08:31:00.002-04:00

Funny thing happened at Scrutiny the other day. The Cabinet member came to scrutiny to tell us (the panel operates like a select committee with cabinet members coming to explain decisions), that the Tory attempt to sell off Southampton Golf course on very favourable terms had failed. All of us on the committee was amazed as the council was offering very generous terms, on a long forty year lease to run and operate the golf course. However there were not "any suitable bidders". I wonder what happens next? A closing down or giving away of city owned leisure facilities to try and make them more attractive to bidders. The cabinet member was obviously frustrated that commercial sector was so uninterested and he would not tell the panel why bidders were considered unsuitable or did not come forward to bid using commercial sensitivity as the reason. I suspect that the investment needed and restriction of public access were the stumbling blocks.

The policy that no leisure facilities should be run or funded the council is still being pursued by the Conservative administration. E.g. The selling of the art gallery works to fund the new exhibition build at the civic. (A short sighted policy I believe, especially when council tax discounts are part problems of funding. ) Is starting to come unstuck as the combination of the economic downtown and need to provide public access means many the cities leisure assets are not viable to the commercial sector.

The pledges of not putting up council tax, providing discounts and the need to provide to decent quality services are heading for a collision. As apparently (as always) the government funding gap is huge again next year, another issue brought forward at Scrutiny as the Tories prepare a mini budget for next month. So what do the Tories do to fund the gap, not increase local tax and provide discounts to wealthy members of the community but they have to cut services and/or borrow money and/or sell assets. I wonder which they will go for?

Watch out for the market at the Bargate having a Market stall saying "Knock off Council assets".

Interestingly was how it was Tory own back benchers who questioned the cabinet members and picked holes the policies. Many of the points I and opposition colleagues intended to make were effectively made by Tory councillors................

Oasis Schooling

2009-06-23T07:09:00.004-04:00

The local authority must now prepare for the possibility of taking back the schools from Oasis if they are not financially viable. Especially as Oasis is so reluctant to spend any of its own cash in supporting the schools.

All funding is based on the grant from government and what the Local authority gave them last September. What is sad will be the loss of the City Farm from Millbrook, an excellent project will go without funding from Lordshill, which will probably mean its demise.

For new schools to work what ever format they are in they need twenty percent extra funding, above the norm to help establish themselves in the first two years, support of local population, authority and accountability. Oasis has had some extra funding but not made the financial commitment itself and has not "persuaded" the local communities that the schools serve.

The new school developments/build must also be in doubt if the schools themselves are not financially viable or if the backers do not put any large financial commitment to making the plans happen or spend any time in the communities they serve reassuring residents about the potential developments.

What is telling is that application to Southampton schools has risen by over ten percent (from year 6 to 7) which means more Southampton residents are sending their children to Southampton schools but not the Academies?

Community

2009-06-15T16:58:00.004-04:00

Community is so important. However it doesn’t just happen you need to work at with those who you share that community with.

As a local Councillor one of the great pleasures is seeing communities work and interact with each other. I know I am biased but I believe and contrary to popular belief, that Thornhill the ward I represent operates a very successful community.

Typified by fete last weekend.

Education in The city

Diversification to other organisations or providers is not the simple answer for children’s services in the city of Southampton. However it appears ok for the current Southampton city administration. Allowing schools to expand at the detriment to other service providers and continuing the divisive competition culture in schools is, and will only, damage the ability for the city to provide an effective and comprehensive education and social service.

However, this is the fundamental problem with Tory policy on children. It does not recognize that the local authority is no longer in charge of schools but it is ultimately responsible for the welfare of every non adult, from zero to nineteen. This change of approach from a local education authority to a local council as a vast corporate parent is fundamental to the overall well being of every child. The policy, masterminded by a Labour government, states exactly what it is “Every Child Matters”. Labour contrary to popular belief who has not forgotten that society’s major disease is poverty, both social and financial? A malady whose only real cure is prevention, hence the change for local government, from an “overseeing” local education authority to a provider and commissioner of children’s services, whose job is to ensure children are nurtured, guided and protected.

Programs of prevention like; parent support, Family, Children and Sure Start centers are all part of changing how children are cared for and are helped to reach their full potential. Services, it appears, that this Tory administration is cutting and would like to cut further. I find it bizarre that money is spent money giving uniformed volunteers and the over sixty fives council tax discounts, whilst the opportunity to provide all children with free school meals and a healthy diet at a time of recession is rejected, even when money to support it is available from the Labour Government.

I believe that currently children services in the city are not addressing the five major aims set out by the Every Child Matters legislation. These must be at the forefront of everything the city council does, namely that every young person should; be healthy, safe, enjoy and achieve, make a positive contribution and achieve economic well-being. This is not happening as a result of a Tory policy of the “professionals know best” and “we don’t interfere”.

There has been, and will be more, investment in buildings, management structures, responses to population changes and reviews of grants but no investment in what is really needed; the effective integration of schools, youth, social, policing and prevention services. No investment in policy to provide long term goals or organization that would go along way to making disasters like baby P a thing of the past.

This is not the fault of those trying to provide the services but of the failure of leadership and political management. I know from experience that a cabinet member must lead from the front, think long term and realize that the local authority has to be the standard bearer of change.

Talking to Governors in the city has shown how this “stand back” policy can be so erroneous, as the biggest complaint is about how poor the support from the city is for those in the front line of child care and education, particularly in provision of services like human resources, ICT and finance.

The legal responsibilities now laid at the Cabinet Members door means the politicians must be proactive in providing locally centered and integrated; care, social support, health support and education services.

As I write this, the Cabinet Member for Children Services has just resigned and I wonder if his replacements realise the enormity of getting it right locally, as I believe the City’s economic and social future does rely on making Young Peoples and Children’s Services effective.

Media Madness

2009-04-17T13:09:00.002-04:00

There is a bit of media madness going on the moment as typified by current Council buying the Stadium. Look at what the cabinet member has said

“we are looking at”and “have not ruled it out and have been looking to see whether or not it’s financially viable. We are asking for the figures and will then look to see what the ground does, or could potentially generate, and will make a decision based on that.”

The rest of the story is made up by the news paper.

Don’t get me wrong buying it is a good idea and if the council has that type of cash knocking about, great. I believe in retaining and improving leisure assets for the city. But look at the budget papers from February the council has even got that kind of cash do you think the supposed twelve million funding gap, (another media invented figure), would have been such a problem if there was ten million knocking about. Do you think the Tories would have put council tax at all if it could raise or possess ten million in council coffers? Ten mill is worth four or five percent off the council tax, they could have delivered a minus council tax…..

May be worth noting that ten million is around the about the amount needed by council for the rebuild and refurbishment of the citys schools (the rest of the money is put in by the govt.)

This is a media created bandwagon onto which the Tory council has jumped, knowing so many supporters would like the idea. Look at other things the deputy leader has said

“We want to do all we can to support the club and take it forward, but we have categorically said we will not put taxpayers’ money at risk by putting any money into the club.”

The Tories do not favour Leisure being run by the authority and are processing of preparing the sale of many of the cities leisure assets e.g. the Quays. So why buy a stadium with money that even if borrowed is still technically public money. The Tories refused at council to borrow money to;

build social housing, something the city desperately needs, (ten thousand on a housing waiting list),
build youth centres, in fact there have been proposals to sell the cities youth centres
or even subsidise a temporary ice rink or Christmas lights.

I believe this a news story only and not serious for the council, but deadly serious for the “campaigning” news paper that does not worry to much about accurate reporting but only selling a local tabloid.

Representation

2009-01-28T12:50:00.004-05:00

I am still asked by members of the public and students at work, what does a local councillor/politician do? So few residents either know/understand or vote that there is little understanding of the role of local councillor. Many believe we local representatives are like members of parliament and receive large salaries/expense accounts and are occupied full time by the council. For all councillors this is not the case and we are part time politicians having to balance earning a living, families, relationships and recreation, with council commitments.

Councillors spend much of the their time;
arbitrating between residents and the council,
representing local residents at the council,
attending local and city community events,
taking part in the mechanism of the council (council meetings, committees and serving as council representatives on other organisations that work in the city e.g. university, charities etc)
and campaigning to ensure their parties policies are put at the front of the council agenda.

All of these events are attended by time off work (depending on how sympathetic your employer is and please remember you employer does not have to pay you for this time off), evenings and weekends. I am not asking for sympathy as we choose to get involved in local politics but a little understanding of the commitment councillors make to their local communities, cities and parties, is a balancing act would be appreciated.

Events like one I and other local Labour Bitterne councillor , Simon Letts, attended this Saturday at Thornhill Park. Where a wooded area is being properly maintained and enhanced by the authority with partner organisation Groundwork Solent and local volunteers. Where a great new play area is being constructed as result of extra Labour government funding to play schemes and the new deal programmed instituted by the community minded Labour government.

I want to remind everybody of the changes for the better that eleven years of Labour government has achieved and it is not just about spending like New Deal programmes but there has been a change in culture in so many organisations and communities.

Even today while chopping at the Laurel and brambles many passing residents commented on the how good the work was and how positive to for the local community. I was pleased to see several local young people passed and asked if they could help and did so donning gloves and getting to grips with the undergrowth. So many of the cities young are just lumped together as not contributing to society and yet here they are helping.

Even local conservative councillors found that taking part in the community worth while. Though to be cynical one of them is a prospective parliamentary candidate for the Tories which means attending everything..............

I have since discovered.

2008-11-01T11:00:00.004-04:00

The directors of the Mayfield academy have been announced and Cllr. Smith is one of them. I wonder what he has done as cabinet member to ensure the school is called to account?

Action required

2008-11-01T10:29:00.000-04:00

Southampton City Council as the local education authority must take action, when a school in its city boundary is failing.

Under the education act every councillor is responsible for the safety and education every child within the authority’s boundary, what ever school or institution the child (up to 19) attends. That range of responsibility includes carrying a legal definition allowing the corporate parents of the city to sue, potentially if a child is in danger or has not received services that they are entitled to.

Recent events in the Oasis run academy highlights a problem of democratic accountability, this accountability is not new to councillors and we carry it and exercise the powers it gives us, accordingly. However this accountability is missing from the academy as I have discovered while trying to explain recent events in Mayfield acadamy.

Parents, pupils and staff have contacted me as their local councillor and the Labour group Children’s’ services spokesperson asking what they can do to get an organisation providing them with an essential service, to listen. Normally I would refer to the head teacher and governing body for answers and if that failed ask the accountable authority (city council) to investigate. However I have to tell my constituents and former colleagues there is nothing I can do as these schools are independent.

This is very frustrating situation for local councillors, parents, staff and pupils who would all normally expect the democratic process to kick in when public services do not deliver. However this process is not there and I have to ask the questions who are these Academies accountable to? What do you do as an unhappy parent or child? Who has the power to intervene? Where is the democratic process? My greatest fear is if a child is harmed at school who takes the responsibility? Legally it can be argued the council does, yet this council can do nothing to protect a child or put right difficult situations in these “new” independent schools.

I believe that now the head and pseudo governing body need to acknowledge there problems in the school and with the parents, children and staff find a solution. If they can’t then I call on the council to use what ever powers it has to intervene to protect Southampton child and as well the integrity of the education in Southampton. However (here is the party political bit) I do not think the Cabinet member or cabinet have the balls, understanding of corporate parenting or political will to take action. Inaction is not a surprise as according the Tory leader locally his party will privatise/sell off council services where possible because he believes it to be “ideologically” correct. See a blog entry
<http://conservativehome.blogs.com/localgovernment/2008/10/southampton-rev.html

Cut, cuts and more cuts.

2008-06-28T13:14:00.001-04:00

Today I went to a community event in Thornhill. What a great community event, as a result it was a bit of puzzle to the conservative councillors who were there. This was an event in my ward Thornhill run by Thornhill New Deal for Communities or Plus U organisation. The community lead organisation set up to spend in Thornhill the regeneration monies provided by a Labour Government.

This event was all about Health and Wellbeing. With eighteen projects presented to local residents in three minute bites for those local residents to decide on who got the funding from the programme. Local people deciding where money is spent in their community, great idea when managed as well as it was today.

This city and its communities desperately need events of this kind run by those organisations that provided services in local communities. It is democracy in action and strengthens communities. And communities need strengthening, as I encounter on the doorstep, many of the electorate who are not interested in the community they live in and whose first reaction when you say you are a councillor is what are you going to do for me. (Though often these residents are not voters and certainly not Labour voters). Only by solving the problems and meeting needs of communities will Southampton progress.

Unfortunately the new administration does not understand that there are diverse communities in the city that need services and supporting. Monday the 30th sees the cuts in services the Tories proposed in February’s budget (the cuts that drove Labour and Libdems in to coalition) returned to the cities budget. Many can not take place until next February due to way funding priorities are set at council. However it does mean of the demise of many of the services that cater and support the cities communities e.g. the Language service that support so many whose first language in not English.

The cuts are as follows –

1. Enforcement team gone – ASB, Alcohol work and planning/development control. 50k. Dealing with underage drinking not a priority for this administration?
2. Benefits take up campaign – gone 180k. Thirty percent of the population fail to claim the benefits for which they are eligible, this money does not go local communities but kept in government coffers. Getting people claim means extra spend in local communities.
3. Schools Community subsidy – allowing schools to provide community activity and after schools programmes - Cut to almost nothing. 80k
4. The award winning Music service – cut by ten grand – loss of music teachers and or instruments?
5. Community Language Service – 30k cut and charges being introduced! The service will probably cease.
6. Play Service (those much needed summer activities and playgrounds) loss of 50k
7. Family Centres are not seen as important and a “re-organisation” will see their death 85k. A vital service whose effects will impact in ten and twenty year’s time in your local communities.
8. Sustainability forum – dead (the environment not important to these conservatives)
9. Neighbourhood Warden Service recruitment halted another “restructure” which means job cuts. 150K!
10. Arts cuts 114K – Oral History unit (which is called something else due to re-organisation) gone. No new grant funding for arts projects in the city indefinitely.
11. Oaklands pool and St. Mary’s leisure centre have their opening hours decrease to save 25k. Cuts here until they can be sold off.
12. All support for Trade Unions 42K, this means the loss of office space for trade unions and the support for Trade Union representatives in order to allow them to carry out their duties. A retrograde step if you wish to maintain a working relationship with employees and especially as Unison will be on going on strike soon over pay.

Last not least the loss of the one consultation instrument the council has Neighbourhood Partnerships, these are flagship consultation devices funded by the city. Leaving the city with only one way to consult with the electorate at election time and not allowing communities to comment on council decision or contribute to them……..Saving of 336K.

Where will this money go? Well to create a treasure chest to draw on to deliver council tax discounts to conservative voters and spending money on scoping projects to privatise the cities Highways and Leisure facilities……..

Control at all Costs............

2008-05-14T14:44:00.003-04:00

First day of the new administration.

I have to say some the smugness we come to expect from the Tories in Southampton was not there, perhaps it is the positive influence of new young members. They did not gloat too much at other party’s poor showing in the polls.

However the power trip has begun.

The new administration attempted to steam roller the adoption of all the panels, scrutiny, licensing and planning (plus a few more) with their Cllrs as the chairs. But with the support of the LibDems this was stopped, as many of the panels are made up of three Tories, two Labour and one LibDem. Meaning that on a vote, no chair could be elected therefore all the council meeting could do was set the panels up with proposed membership but without chairs. This means the likely hood of them meeting soon or executing business is minimal.

There were talks to do a deal but the Tories would not give way and then the Tory leadership, (plural as the new leader is not allowed to go anywhere or take any decision without his two cabinet henchmen), then threatened to force the Labour groups hand by telling us to make a deal or they would change the councils constitution next council meeting to ensure they have all the chairs of all panels on the city anyway. At this point the Labour leadership walked away.

These panels are meant to be non political and to call the council to account or make collegiate council decisions, not be stacked by one party for their own ends or for that party to ensure that no scrutiny of policy, or decisions which do not reflect Tory policy are taken.

So it now looks the Conservatives will change the constitution of the council to change the numbers on all panels to ensure they can deliver a Tory chair. Which they can do now they have majority and have an overwhelming desire to exert ultimate and fanatical control over all the councils functions.

New Councillors

The new young members looked bemused and at sea today. Well even the Tories not expect to benefit from the protest vote in the way they did and most of the candidates put up did not expect to win, bit difficult for some of them just going off to university.

Talking to some of the younger members they had no idea what was going and the “whole procedure seems drawn out”. I explained this was short meeting because there were no motions or questions to the executative and usually meeting went on till ten pm.

However it was good to see some Cllrs, even though are the wrong party, under thirty years of age. I hope their party supports them and does not leave them to be devoured by the political carnivores that roam the civics corridors. I once held the record for being the youngest councillor back in the nineties when I was elected at twenty six and I remember the way I, for the first few months, fumbled about in the minefield that is local politics.

Last few hours

2008-04-28T18:34:00.003-04:00

Interesting times

Tories have pushed the boat out. Parliamentary Prospective Candidates desperate in Itchen, leafleting areas where the Conservatives have not been seen for many years. Luckily elections are not won on leaflets alone. Thankful thought, considering the exaggerations propagated by Tory leaflets.

The conservatives locally do seem better organised this year with phone canvassing going on and localised leaflets. The thinking, of course is for the long game of a general election. Most Tory effort in traditionally non Tory wards is wasted for local elections but stores up good will, for the general, in voters who do not traditionally vote in locals or vote differently in general elections. I can see their thinking.

The person I feel sorry for is the current Southampton conservative leader who I believe will be dumped by their group post May as the cllrs who are P.P.C's, fight it out to ensure they have highest profile in opposition.

I know most of the electorate's vote on national issues......... Which always means the incumbent parliament is the one that suffers, ensuring the local parties lose out at the ballot box. Labour and Lib Dems benefited from the same lift in the nineties, I know I was elected in Peartree as result of it (plus some hard work of knocking every door in the ward).

However the electorate must remember the local issues and which parties have the interests of the most disadvantaged in society at their core of their party policy.

If you are voting on Thursday remember the local issues. It was Labour with the help of Lib Dem councillors, defeated Tory Cuts in vital services for families and young people in Southampton. Plus defeated the Tory intention not to own large parts of the leisure portfolio which includes pitches etc, which seems at odds with their current pledge over BTC sports facilities.

If you believe in a safe, well supported and Visionary Southampton their is only one choice... LABOUR.

Electon fever?

2008-04-15T08:47:00.003-04:00

Good feel on the doorstep.

Very little activity in the marginal wards from Tories very surprisingly. They have appeared to retreated to their safe seats but that to be honest has been the main tactic for all parties, fighting a defensive campaign to keep the seats they have.

The next two weeks for all campaigners will all about getting your known voters out to vote. As the biggest difficulty is getting the electorate to vote as unfortunately only thirty percent (on average) of the electorate, see local government as important. However there is one choice if you want to protect Southampton from huge cuts in services, do not put any cross near a candidate in the blue. Remember the current administration was formed to protect services from severe cuts that would return if the Tories become the largest party.

Southampton News - Inaccurate.

If you read this and have just received as "Southampton news" the Stories on the front are economical with the truth, in the extreme. Which only gives all politicians a bad name for appearing not to be straight with the voting public.

Editor of the Local Newspaper……..

Wants to be Mayor? I wondered if there was hidden agenda.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediaselector/check/player/nol/newsid_7330000/newsid_7338000?redirect=7338091.stm&news=1&bbwm=1&nbram=1&bbram=1&nbwm=1

Or is that just my interpretation of the story.

The piece on the television shows how a headline is taken and reported as accurate. Who checked the story, the policy or the local papers interpretation?

Interesting that no local politician was contacted for comment, as far as I know.

What the Leader said about parking at Cabinet

“At our March cabinet meeting my Cabinet approved a strategic-level parking policy for Southampton. As a Cabinet we welcome this parking strategy and believe it will contribute substantial benefits towards the growth of our city.

But let us be clear that no decision has been made on when and if the strategy, or any individual aspect of it, will be implemented.

The policy sets out a broad approach that is essential to accommodate future developments such as IKEA and West Quay 3. It also puts forward our approach to any future park and ride schemes in the city.

The part of the policy that has attracted the most attention has undoubtedly centred around the details on how residents’ parking could be managed, but I confirm that there are no plans for any new parking charges and that the overall policy for residents parking in Southampton remains the same.

Any new zones will only be introduced after a legally required consultation process.

In parking zones, residents will still have the same conditions and enjoy the same benefits that are operating presently – including free first permits and up to 60 free visitor permits per year and the same number of permits for vehicles that apply now.”

No one is going to be or was it intended, to be charged to park out side of their house. The idea/policy for charging all households as proposed by the media and Tories is not in the document, adopted.

2008-04-07T18:15:00.002-04:00

So the local paper thinks and the report may indicate (on parking) that it is policy. However, has the local rag has mislead public by saying that the council is going to introduce the charge. I agree there is some confusion over what is policy and perhaps this parking report should have said “ideas for policy/consultation”, for that is what is going to happen. Nothing will be implemented until these policy ideas are discussed and consulted, in fact it will require statutory consultation of residents.

If there is anything I have learnt from this diorama of events is that you need to set the aims out clearly at the beginning. However I thought the cabinet had, it is the news media that has miss-understood at best or twisted/misreported at worst, what cabinet and the leader has said.

If the local rag had published all of these policy ideas as a survey and asked views of its readers like a consultation and then drawn conclusions from the results, which I believe would have been many, and then I could applaud fair reporting. Instead they went for headline only, there is always two sides to any story, please remember that.

What is interesting that what I write here, my own view not a council or cabinet one, will be reported as a cabinet point of view, again is this accurate reporting? This blog is entirely my point of view and not part of any statement given to the press and definitely not a cabinet or council view.

It does lead me to feel that what ever I say or do will be misquoted, taken out of context or twisted by the press. Oh well, I perhaps should not expect anything else!

So if I am quoted from these pages in the local press it is not the view of council and not with my permission to do so. But judging how adamant the local press was when it phoned me today I expect anything.

Election time here again.

2008-04-06T08:10:00.009-04:00

Do not put your cross anywhere near a candidate with blue hue.

If you live in Southampton if you want to protect services and the fabric of the city there is one thing you must do, vote for Labour or at best ensure your cross does not go anywhere near a conservative candidate. Only a Labour with the current administration will protect services and not sell council assets off the highest bidder.

How to deal with the press.

Based on the last few weeks of local press coverage can I offer a few words of advice for all those in the public eye, who dare represent others or who is invited to speak to the press?

How to Deal with the Press

She’ll urge you to confide. Resist.
Be careful, courteous, and cool.
Never trust a journalist.

‘We’re off the record’, she’ll insist.
If you believe her, you’re a fool.
She’ll urge you to confide. Resist.

Should you tell her who you’ve kissed,
You’ll see it all in print, and you’ll
Never trust a journalist

Again. The words are hers to twist,
And yours the risk of ridicule,
She’ll urge you to confide. Resist.

‘But X is nice,’ the publicist
Will tell you. ‘We were friends at school.’
Never trust a journalist.

Hostile, friendly, sober, pissed,
Male or female – that’s the rule
When tempted to confide, resist.
Never trust a journalist

Wendy Cope

The Media paints the picture and is not interested in the truth.

I understand and prepared to take the cut and thrust/mud throwing that comes with politics but to be tarnished by an untruth is difficult to stomach.

Please do not believe the local paper, it has been economical with the truth and is peddling a story not based on fact.

The whole parking issue is a set up and the new cabinet walked into it. The report on parking was commissioned by the LibDem administration, encouraged and completed by the Conservatives then the final report came to the new administration to review. The fact the Conservatives made no comment on the final report or recommendations should have alerted the new cabinet. Instead we accepted the report for further development, no policy to be implemented was set or was going to be at that meeting. Can I repeat, No policy to be implemented was made and this has been explained, on the day and since but it is now obvious that local media has no intention of telling the public the truth or reporting accurate stories. In fairness the report should have said policy to be considered or policy ideas for consultation but we did make it clear, I thought this was policy to be consulted on.

I wonder if this determination to push this story and story is the right word as there is little factual content and I know these sounds just like sour grapes as the politicians in the line of fire. However the terrier like hold of this issue has led to a great deal of speculation by those of us putting our heads above the parapet. Thoughts based on the following evidence;

Conservative group meeting with the Editor of the local tabloid, in February just before the budget meeting, in the Conservative group room.

The Editor allowing him to be directly quoted in Conservative leaflets, (see image below), something he and the paper concerned disallowed in previous elections. Previous local election the Tories had to apologize for reproducing headlines in their leaflet from the paper without the permission.

The freedom of Information requests that have come into the council from the press. Some of these requests asking for information, that only those who have held a Cabinet position would have had information about. So who can be feeding the information?

The Tories putting out letters to all those in parking zones with this story again citing the local paper as evidence; even their blogs have direct images/stories from the local rag. See link. http://neilfitzgerald.blogspot.com/

Councillor addresses that were not in the public domain being given to the press……Information that is known by fellow councillors but not the general public due to violent threats that those of us have to endure in the public eye and do endure, but will not allow our families to experience. Who……. I wonder?

The anti council attitude of the local paper is not new or surprising but what it is difficult to take when we have tried to engage, explain and be honest, but we are not allowed or given any fair representation. I know what your thinking we the administration should handle the media more carefully but when they won’t listen and only misquote, misinterpret you how can we manage the message.

Why so annoyed? Because elections are one or lost on what information is fed to the electorate. Especially now as local elections are won and lost in this period before May 1st. The political parties are restricted on how much they can spend on information that is put through the letter box during an election, which was by the way announced last week. Local papers are not, paid for and free newspapers go through the door and appear to be source of wrong information and at worse suspect political views.

My greatest concern is that the local reporters do not understand local government, politics or politicians. As perhaps is true of the general populous but the local paid for paper has a responsibility to understand in order for it to be able to explain fairly to their readers.

My only conciliation is that most printed information ends up in the recycling bin and the majority of voters do not read or believe the local tabloid paper.

They thing they can win, dangerous times.

2008-04-06T08:10:00.008-04:00

Hmmm the Tories imply presumpton of success in their blogs and press releases for the first of May. Please if you are reading this do not believe their arrogance. The current administration was formed to prevent them ripping the city to shreds and please do not doubt that is their aim. Not directly obviously, they actually believe their elitist policies will benefit the city. If you do not believe me go back to the budget they proposed that would have cut; Language services, libaries, play services, education funding over 2million of cuts was proposed and the sale of capital assetts would have been required to fund future discounts for Tory voters (the greatest percentage (72%) of beneficiaries of the ten percent, discount lived in Tory voting wards)

Yes I am bias, I am Labour councillor and voter, but please believe me when I say voting Tory can and will not benefit this city.

Children's Services

2008-03-12T20:04:00.001-04:00

What a frenetic time. From critical opposition member to cabinet member, is a leap. I have had a myriad of briefings to inform me of what is going on. The biggest issue being some confusion over whom and how the new academies should operate.

The previous administration made no effort to negotiate or make any form of agreement with the new provider to ensure continuity for children, staff or to ensure there was smooth transition too the new skills. This just bears out the Tories complete faith in a complete diversity of education provision i.e. run by everyone else but the authority. I wonder if any return of a blue administration would see the wholesale release of the cities education to private providers.

The local authority now has the strategic authority and certain legal responsibility for education and health & wellbeing provision for all children from 0 to 16 in the city (and in the next two years 0-19). That means it will be the authorities ass that is kicked if targets on improving education, health and employment are not met. The problem I have is how can you do that effectively if you have a group of providers from nurseries to schools/colleges that are in effect independent and want to go the way their governors and heads want them too?

Only by having all service providers working together, supporting each other and properly supported by the strategic authority (who is ultimately answerable to an electorate) can you have ensure an education moves forward together. What I fear for the future, is that we have an education sector that is full of different providers/organisations trying to do the same things, compete in the same markets or who have leaders who are empire building in their own organisations interests. That type of market would end up unmanageable by a local authority and also mean that the electorate those who have to use these services, have very little or no say in how they are run, administered or the direction of travel.

Comprehensive education has to mean quality provision for all, to be accessed by all and regulated/supported by an authority answerable to the people.

But and this is the big but, the one team approach is not government policy, so many authorities will have to find providers to run schools or partners to work with. Well Ok...... I see some advantages working with industry and other sectors but I think the still best root, if the authority can not do it self, will be with partners, with the authority being a important shareholder in the enterprise called education.

New Changes

2008-02-29T16:52:00.000-05:00

So it happened. The threat of Tory budget drove, eventually, the Libdems into our arms to embrace sense. However like all agreements it was a difficult courtship and will not necessarily be a happy relationship. However it is a necessary one to ensure some stability for Southampton. By your god, the authority and the city need some stability.

I have become the cabinet member for Children’s Services and how the conservatives did not pay close attention to education is frightening. There is no deal with the new academies on how the new schools should be administrated and Adonis’s mistaken agenda for variety in education had been adopted.

I am scared for the provision of fair and consistent education in this city. If you compare it to an artic ice flow that due to the global warming effects of mistaken policy, is breaking up. Academies, trusts and schools interested in six forms are floating off to create multi tiered education provision that will neither be equal or effective.

If we want to raise standards you need a school community that is co-operative, supportive, has clear structure and equal access for all.

Budget

2008-02-02T09:35:00.000-05:00

The build up to the infamous budget setting council meeting begins. The Tories have published their actual budget proposals. Huge cuts despite a reasonable government settlement in order to fund their flagship policy of ten percent discount to all pensioner households (not already in receipt of benefits or have only over 65’s living in the household). Very welcome to the pensioners concerned but is it a good use of council tax payers money or is it as I feel cutting services to the majority to benefit a group, who according to national data already have better incomes than most families……? Pensioners do need support and are deserving but not in the way that cuts services or denys fair access to services for the majority of the cities citizens.

I wonder if it is not a just a healthy bribe to the usually conservative voting public. Or am I just being over cynical, as Labour politician I am naturally suspicious of the Conservatives motives. Despite the moves to the centre away from the right I do not believe, that Tory party locally fundamentally believe in “society”, protecting it or creating social change that enables fair access to local services. As, despite my own parties lurch to the centre ground in the past ten years, it does still believe in shaping a fairer society and will try to implement those policies, when it returns to power locally.

Since I last wrote some shameful corporate policy has emerged in the ward I represent, Bitterne. You may remember that there was some trouble with the bus travel in and around Thornhill leading to the bus companies withdrawing buses. Well since last summer and to my knowledge incident free months. A bus company is withdrawing routes from the area, denying residents;
regular travel through Thornhill,
quality services to residents
potential access at the weekends to local shopping facilities.

I am pleased to say that local residents have got up a petition and this is being supported by local councillors . The frustrating thing that until the new transport act comes in to force there is little local politicians can do to influence the bus companies. As they hold all the cards as to subsidies they are paid from the authority to run services. All the bus companies have dragged their heals on installing data logging equipment to enable more accurate monies to paid to them and funding is based on the bus companies own estimates on the numbers of users. The contracts between the authority and the companies do not allow authority to have any great influence on routes or service quality. In fact until the new Transport act which will give local authorities more power in all areas of transport, the bus companies hold the ends of some very short and curly local authority hairs.

2008-01-07T18:25:00.000-05:00

I did not realise it had been so long.

Had to rebuild PC in the meantime.

Talk about bleak New Year. It has been an interesting start to the year at council as the Tories very clever scheme to decimate council services has started to work.

Phil Williams (con) cabinet member for housing sent a Christmas card to all in the housing directorate, this must be a sour note now, as employees transfer to Capita (only to have their working conditions subtly changed, for more money but with less entitlement) and employees leave to avoid the privatisation or the threat of the axe under the so called budget proposals.

Leader of the council has been appropriately Machiavellian in publishing a budget long before the government settlement was known, (by the way, this was 2million extra than expected). The result of the publishing a budget early. is that those threatened find other jobs leaving vacant posts, which are much easier to cut than occupied ones………

So what will 2008 hold? A couple of predictions, if I may be so bold?

1, a tough and acrimonious local election in May
2, the council have benefited from a greater funding from central government. So with a cuts and Capita running services, expect a big spend on a big potential vote winning project from the current administration, funded by a suddenly appearing pot of money…….
3, the proposal to change local government; from yearly elections to four year administrations led by one leader over that period.
4, the most surprising and long winded budget setting ever, in February.
5, Southampton economy changing considerably as new industries dominate the local economy.
6, the Libdems wither on the vine of local democracy.

What ever the coming year holds I know my party is committed to Southampton’s future, as I am sure the other parties are. However their visions are of course not the right ones. I know what you are saying you politicians always to think your right. Well it kind of comes with the territory unless you believe in your own political product you can not sell it or deliver it.

What or who is important?

2007-11-18T16:51:00.001-05:00

Well done Tories you got us all responding to a budget that is not even budget, it is manifesto with finance attached. Councillors and the local media jump around, while services wither on the vine of Tory callousness, because if you talk about cutting services earlier enough you can effectively run them down enough to make savings in the future, as personnel leave to find “safer” positions. This only proves that the Tories do not believe in a fair society or supporting all sections of the community.

So why is it only a manifesto and not a budget?

Well the authority does not even know what the government settlement is to be yet, that arrives next month. Plus their proposals are not realistic as the whole “budget” is based on raising five percent increase in council tax and that they must deliver a ten percent discount for pensioners. Cut this out and aim for a four percent increase in local tax you will get more sensible set of financial proposals.

If you are incensed by Tory Ideas?

If you are incensed by the ideas proposed and wonder why your local councillor does not do anything, you must look at the political colour of your representative as they may not be one of the councillors who is proposing or considering the cuts in service across the city, as this is the job of the Conservative Cabinet. You must lobby the cabinet and the leader especially as so many factors will change by the time a full budget proposal is put to the full council meeting in February.

My own party that does not have a majority of the seats on the city council but we believe still in proposing a budget that has the interests of those most in need in the city at its heart.

I know this does not give you the public any assurances over the services that the city provide but I hope it can give you some hope that there are councillors who do care about important services in the city and will be making them a priority when trying to set a budget.

However until the more residents vote for more Labour councillors and we regain control of the city the likely hood of setting a sensible and fair budget for the city is low.

Labour councillors will be fighting to try and set a fair and appropriate budget but can not give you any promises as it may just be a battle of words in the council chamber in February. As it is the party with most support (currently the Conservatives) who will get their way!

Slash, Burn and Fiddle while your services are raised..

2007-10-23T11:08:00.001-05:00

Tories are blaming the government for their cuts in services PLEASE do not be fooled!

The government settlement is it at an expected level in fact it is more than previous years. You need to remember your council tax is not directly collected and then spent by your local authority. The local council just collect it. The taxes collected go directly to government who then divvy up the monies once a year on an equation loosely based on population. Therefore government does have an influence. But the how the money is spent is up to your local cabinet.

The government grant does not equal the ten million pounds of cuts in services. The Tory budget proposals include the introduction of alternate weekly rubbish collection for all but the centre of the city. Something they fought against introducing. Parking charges increase and vital support services cut for our schools e.g. language support (remember this is a multicultural city).

Why the cuts? Not to make the council more efficient or provide better services but simply to provide discounts to households populated by over sixty fives only and zero tax rate for police volunteers (special constables). These cuts are to BUY the electorate, well a proportionate of the electorate who are vote regularly and are more likely to support the Tories. If you look at the voting figures for 2006, show that 50% of the over 65 who vote, vote Tory.

Plus why special constables why not other key workers or volunteers like those who work with the charities that the Tories are now asking to take on some of the services that were provided by the council.

This is unfair, unequal and cutting services that support the most vulnerable in the city.

Then to cap it all the cabinet member for leisure has announced the plans to test the market viability of all the council’s leisure services. That means the possible sale of key leisure facilities from swimming pools to sailing centres, well everything the council owns or runs in the leisure industry.

I am not exaggerating here if you the electorate want to halt the damage this administration is about to do to the city. You have to vote for an alternative this coming May. As there are no more council elections until 2010…………..And if Southampton Tories are in power I believe that by 2010 there will not be any affordable social or cultural infrastructure for the cities’ residents.

I do not believe Southampton Tories are interested in Community, in the same way Thatcher said there was no such thing as Society, this administration do not believe in Communities and that ultimately means where you live.

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

2007-10-17T17:04:00.000-05:00

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.

Satchell packed and shoes shined.

2007-09-08T04:52:00.001-05:00

Have not written for while have been away on hols and I keep forgetting my password.

It has been a quiet August but what a start to September. The independent review panel recommends an increase in allowances for councillors.

Hmmmm this would be so much simpler if there was a national scheme to which all councillors get. However there is not. My own personal view is that councillors should be full time not part time volunteers. Local issues are important, the representation asked of us should be awarded via a reward equivalent to trustees of any large organisation. My own major frustration is that I have to earn a living and do the politics voluntarily. The part time element, where work is done in evenings or drawn out meetings, is the reason why councillors often are not as efficient in responding to residents or part of the reason why decisions take so long at council.

On the current proposals I think there is need to amend some the ideas and increases proposed. The real issue here are; that no one thanks you for public service, you are regarded as sort of weirdo/pariah despite all best efforts to serve the community you represent, employers on whole are not sympathetic to you being a councillor (as recent job applications seem to indicate) and can put a tremendous strain on personal relationships as meetings occupy time which should be spent sharing. I know what you are going to say, why do it? Because despite the hours spent in long meetings and batting of issues between the parties, for that is what this countries adversarial politics spends a lot of its time doing. I am making a difference to the life and lives of the city, that impact may not be instant or received gratefully by all but it is change and change for the better.

2007-07-17T19:00:00.000-05:00

The most important council meeting for some time (other than budget setting and the AGM). Why?

The privatisation agenda gets put before the council. The time when services like property management, customer care and housing maintenance will be transferred to a private company. What does the council get out of it? It appears investment in services, however the catch 22 is that investment comes from savings in services the firm will make by running the services. It is not new investment or money up front but monies from savings the company will make by running council services more efficiently, apparently. Then to cap it all the council have to pay the firm millions a year to run the services more efficiently to create the money to reinvest in the authority………………oh well the Libdems with the Tories will push it through. However I am not convinced who it will benefit, apart from the private company who gets the contract.

I do not think privatisation is necessarily a bad thing but has to be to some advantage to the council and the people it serves, does it not?

The past two weeks has seen more “to and fro” politics at council for a long time as councillors try and reconcile the new regime. The Libdems try and keep as impartial as possible and therefore allowing Tories to be in control and Labour fight for services that serve the people.

The one thing about having a Conservative council is does make you realise why personal and political values are important. Up to now the LibDems and Labour Group have shared some similar goals, but now you have an administration that is so entrenched in its view and policies, you realise as councillor why fighting for community is so important. I know it does not seem like it if you are not involved in politics and that process is just an elected talking shop, but the different groups of councillors are in it to create better society for the electorate (well the electorate that the different groups believe they represent).

There are extremes and extremists

2007-07-09T11:12:00.000-05:00

As much as I deplore many of the Tories parties' local policy and believe their policies extreme to the extent of the effect they will have on the local community, I do not believe they are extremists, as I may have invertantly implied in this blog.

However the fight goes on .....................

Education debate is raging as the decision is called in by scrutiny and the usual struggle to find cllrs to attend the same meeting, it will be some days before a date can be found when all cllrs can be in the same room.

In my view.......

The decision by the Conservative Councillors to reject the bid to run the city’s new schools backed by Head teachers, Parents, the PCT, both Universities, ABP and other local businesses, and allow Oasis to run the city’s state funded schools outside of any influence of the Local Education Authority, is a prime example of Tory political dogma (private good public bad) overriding common sense.

The Labour group are not opposed to diversity in education but are opposed to education that has no local accountability. The one reason the authority opted to take the choice itself is to ensure that local interests were considered and elected representatives had a say.

However now the cabinet, who did not listen to fellow councillors or education professionals, have made a decision that will create a two tier system in Southampton and I fear will result in the break up of any cohesion in the education system in the city. I understand how the bidder with the best sales pitch might persuade some people but there are times when as local politician you have to listen to those who use the services the council provides.

The cabinet have plumped for a bidder that only a small minority wanted. I fear this decision for academies run by independent organisations is only the first step for this Conservative administration.

The Tories are embarking on a cost cutting exercise in order to produce their aim of a zero rated council tax but at the loss of services that will impair this council’s ability to shape and lead this city. The idea of helping the disadvantaged, (and believe me Southampton is still a deprived city by national statistics), investing in society or shaping change for a better society for all, is not in their remit.

This decision needs re-examining; the cabinet member must justify his and his cabinets’ decision. I believe he must show to all the reasoning for the decision and to allow council and those who vote for council, to judge. I want to see if the decision is based on the criteria set out by government, the advice of professionals and what is best for the city’s future. Because if it is not there can only be one conclusion!

Remember very few of the city’s Tory councillors have been through the state system or send their children to state schools and now appear not prepared to listen to the parents, teachers and local business about how they want to educate their children and future employees.

It is for that reason that I have with my scrutiny colleagues, decided to “call in” the decision to allow for further scrutiny.

Political depression

2007-07-04T16:33:00.000-05:00

Nothing to say at the moment as too depressed by the Tory policies now starting to take hold at council, the squeeze is coming…….

-Education to private interest organisations - especially an organisation that work with and in Zimabwe when all foriegn charities were expelled from that country how did they stay?

-Privitisation to a greedy private firm approaching

-Five million saving target across the board to deliver O rated council tax in Feb 08 - which will mean social change agenda like social cohesion being dumped

-All social change and support programmes being cut or given to unelected bodies to run all in the interest of cost cutting and not partnership working.

-Petty revenge over appoints to other bodies in the council (they are putting tories on all bodies that council appoints to e.g. higher ed, voluntary organisations etc.

I just hope that their own version of Night of long Knives happens soon and the lieutenants of the local Tory hierarchy take control soon………………..not because the council will be more moderate but they will show their true colours.

Vision

2007-06-11T15:28:00.001-05:00

Vision

2007-06-11T15:28:00.000-05:00

Council needs to look forward, it is easy to be bogged down by the ins and outs of our (councillors) little party machinations and they are important to us but it easy to forget the big picture.

It is time for vision and delivery. Councillors need to be working together as much as possible and calling the cabinet to account to ensure that some the priorities for this city come into being.

For example every adult parent I talk to and who have visited Gunwharf quay in Pompey, want better waterside leisure access. Somewhere you can end up if you start at the top of town at end of the shopping spree, somewhere to take friends who visit Southampton, somewhere that links up the excellent green spaces in the city to the sea.

I know this can not be the done by council alone, the local authority actually own very little water front. What it will take is effective partnership working with port authorities, companies and developers who want to offer more than just flats on the water front.

Transport network that is integrated, well maintained and efficient. That means some forward thinking like, tram, guided bus or subsidised local train shuttles (the city is well served by local lines on the East and West) and the transport policy that dare not speak its name, road pricing. Again the council can only lead on this we will have to negotiate with the providers and be prepared to use the new legislative powers the government is going to give us to make it all work.

Housing family housing policy that preserves 3 and 4 bedroom properties, extra help with the young for the rented sector (as house prices still increase the rented sector private and social are oversubscribed and difficult to enter, as stringent requirements over income and identity are required to get a flat in private rented sector, e.g. Roof over your head insurance card, anyone can sign up with the local authority scheme and it guarantees your identity, provides a reference and for the low income provides a deposit – funded by the potential tenant paying a registration fee).

Ideas that can be policy that really makes a difference to Sotonians and their way of life.

2007-06-06T05:49:00.001-05:00

Having trouble getting the sound file up. Will set a web page and link to so you can hear the interview, bear with me while I do that.

matt

Issues

2007-06-06T05:49:00.000-05:00

I have just completed a radio interview, with one on the most professional and hardworking charities I have encountered. Southampton Hospital Radio.
What a great organisation staffed by such enthusiasts, for what they are doing.
I have included the broadcast here on my BLOG, for your entertainment.

Thank you to Roy for the invite and what a brilliant organisation, I really enjoyed the interview the chance to tell people about being a councillor is all about.

Issues for me this week.

Issue 1

The Libdems say it is not their fault there is Tory authority in Southampton. Frankly it is not true; they could have, on realising that there was chance of a Tory administration voted against. Then they could have voted for the Labour leader and we would have done a deal on scrutiny chairs or similar appointments, as we did for them last year. However they sat back and let this council be penetrated by the Tory spear.

Issue 2

It is time for conciliation and for Labour and Libdems to find common ground to ensure the damage to council services that the Tories will deliver is prevented. I know this is going to be difficult considering how much our leaders despise each other. However we can not and should not let the Tory bulldozer that will start to knock down the service edifice of the authority.

The authority faces two or three years of Tory council because unless labour pull it off next May and gains another seat or two, then the Tories set to stay in control. How? Well lets speculate, the independent disappears next year but he Peartree seat has been traditionally Libdem (I was the last Labour Peatree cllr in 1995), this means that the scenario is 18 Tory, 18 labour and 12 Libdem, the Tories have casting vote of the Mayor and remain in power. Assuming the Libdems' sit on their hands. That is why I say it is so important the Libdems and Labour put some of their mutual distrust and hatred aside and establish a deal that works and keeps Southampton pinker than it is now.

Issue 3

The Frustration of being a local councillor. I have as group of constituents who have had their vehicles damaged as they are unable to park the vehicles in front of or even adjacent to their properties. Why damaged? The lack of sufficient targeted youth activity and complete lack of respect for property that many groups of young and young adults have result in damage to cars.

The Thornhill estate was designed in the late 1940s and built through out the 50’s and 60’s. The car ownership in this time was 1 in ten households on average now 6 out of ten households. Therefore houses not built to have off road parking or direct access to roads, have no parking. Cars end up being parked all over and very often away from the owner’s vision and sight. Damage is then caused by overcrowding of vehicles on the road or vehicles unable to be supervised.

The frustration is that since I have been a cllr I have been campaigning for green parking schemes, allowing vehicles to be parked near owner’s properties. So cars can be supervised, taken off the estates narrow roads and looked after. However not being the cabinet setting up projects for this type of spend, to convert verges, green areas and forecourts to surfaces that are still grassed but strong enough to park cars on, is near on impossible. We did get the Libdems to agree a project 3 years ago but that was spent everywhere it was not needed and not in the “estates” where this a real and everyday problem.

However all I can do is lobby, nag, ask questions at council, at scrutiny and suggest to officers but unless the ruling cabinet decide to put in the budget, find money or think it is important it will not happen. Now we have a cabinet not interested in social housing, working class issues or areas that where living is hand to mouth.

Unfortunately constituents believe I have the power to change and institute programmes for change, unless I am part of the cabinet or ruling group, councillors do not.
Certain residents in the area are coming to the end of their tether as ever increasing damage to cars is eating into limited incomes/budgets. All I can do is nag, get on to the local police, wardens and ask for change…………….