Well I guess it was inevitable .... Marlborough Town Council has tonight plumbed new depths!
Tonight was the night that the 'inner circle' of Councillors sat and deliberated which Councillors should serve on each of the two Standing Committees - Finance & General Purposes and Recreation & Amenities for the next twelve months.
The current Mayor, Cllr Francis presided at the meeting which also had Cllrs Dow, Parker, Cripps (our new Mayor from next week) and Dobson as members of the Selection Committee.
So ... lets think now .. who should we put on the Finance & General Purposes Committee ... hmm we have 9 names for 7 places ... ok ... Finance .. particularaly important in the current climate of financial mismanagement and auditors scathing reports.
Yep you've probably already guessed .... they voted to exclude Cllr Hannaford and myself (2 of only 4 Councillors who voted to express regret for the financial mismanagement) ... despite the fact that I brought the whole matter to light and had my report endorsed by the auditors!
Who did they agree should be on it ? ..... why of course ... Cllr Francis (who was named as being in breach of the financial regulations by the auditor) .... Cllr Parker (who was the Chair of F&GP when the financial irregularities occurred) ..... Cllr Jackson (vice-Chair of F&GP when the financial irregularities occurred) and Cllrs Cavill, Fogg, Ross & Cripps .. all of whom voted AGAINST any regrets!
In fairness they did allow Cllr Dobson to be on the Committee .. and he does regret the irregularities ... so perhaps they got one right!
Perhaps they are setting a new trend .... when you do something wrong ... sit in judgement on yourselves .... you know it makes sense!!
Please tell me the inmates have not taken over the asylum!!
yes sad isn't it. Becoming a councillor I would imagine would be a great challenge, an opportunity to work for the people with the people, by the people. But it just seems to turn into an old boys (usually) network, where petty squabbles erupt on a regular basis. but really is it any different from national politics I ask?
But I still think a good check and balance strategy is turning up at council meetings and being challenging and vocal. Someone should organise a roster so that willing and interested people take turns at turning up to all council meetings open to the public and take an active vocal part.
Remember Scargill's old trick - hold union meetings at midnight so that most wouldn't turn up and the decisions could be made quickly. Waiting for the old guard to move on is not an option it takes too long
What are the rules when a Council are seen by the electorate to get things sooooo wrong that people feel SOMETHING has to be done? Isn't there a "special parish meeting" that can be called providing a certain number of people all think the same?
I personally only want a peaceful and straightforward year where the Town Council actually concentrate on getting something done for the town. Just ordinary down to earth things. I am bewildered that certain people voted those shown to be incompetent at financial affairs back on the committee.
Is there nothing in the rules about this - does the Standards Board approve - do the Auditors approve? What is the correct, quiet and dispassionate way that this situation can be sorted out? There has to be a solution - can't stand another year of bickering.
Will they be voted out at the next election.....NO ..........because they will be the only ones who put their names forward and they get back in uncontested.
__________________
I'm a Dyslexic Agnostic Insomniac...
I sit up all night wondering if there really is a Dog
Rob ... and all the rest of you who care ..... PLEASE stand for Council in 2 years time or else just start coming to Town Council meetings to ask questions.
I think we have managed to get 3-4 people to stand as independents next time, who are ordinary local residents who care about this town and the people who live in it.
Slowly ... very slowly .... more people are attending the Full Town Council meetings ... but it has to be said .. if you don't show up .. they seem to think you don't care .. and they then seem to feel they have an open mandate to ignore the community.
The east side of Marlborough is the third most deprived ward in Kennet ... despite the fact that the world sees Marlborough as a lovely wealthy town.... yet when was the last time the Town Council cared enough to actually do something constructive to help change things.
We need honest caring people to step forward and change things ... make a difference. If I can be a pain in the behind to them all as a lone Councillor .. think what a bunch of us could achieve. It really doesn't take many to make a difference .. it just takes determination, patience and a very thick skin!
Go on Rob ... and the rest of you too ... lets try to change things in 2 years time!
