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Thursday 1st February 2007

DEMOCRACY COMMISSION REJECTED AT FULL COUNCIL MEETING TODAY

Yesterday, I explained why I thought it was important that the City Council set up a Democracy Commission to receive submissions and suggestions from a whole range of individuals and bodies for a new system of Council governance after the present Elected Mayor & Manager system is abolished in May 2009.

Since half a dozen Councillors had a meeting in London yesterday with Local Government Minister, Phil Woolas MP, I thought they would come back in favour of the idea. Phil Woolas has already said he wants such a Commission for Stoke so that the options can be calmly and clearly explored and explained and the electorate make an informed choice  and be sure that they are voting for a system they really want. After the last Referendum in 2002 many, many people thought they were voting to keep the Lord Mayor and didn't understand that their vote was for a completely different system of governing the City.

However, this afternoon's Council debate quickly revealed widespread opposition and so I withdrew my proposal that we at least investigate the pros and cons of such a Commission. I still think we should have taken the initiative and NOT leave it to the minister to set up such a Commission.

Members were unanimous in their opposition. There were three main objections: i) deep-seated mistrust of the government's intentions, ie belief that the government wants to impose its choice; ii) suspicion of "academics" who would most likely form the Commission, ie they are remote and know little or nothing of local government; iii) since the Bill with the new options is only at its early parliamentary process, it is inappropriate to start the task of gathering people's views.   

On a lighter note, the former Pepper's Garage in Albion Street, Hanley, that was a derelict eye-sore for years has emerged from its restoration, refurbishment and enhancement triumphantly evoking its distinctive 1930s architectural style. Truly, a job well done.

Wednesday 31st January 2007

DEMOCRACY4STOKE CAMPAIGN DELIVER 10,000 SIGNATURE PETITION TO MINISTER IN LONDON

Only five months ago, I convinced the all-party (and no party!) Democracy4Stoke Campaign to seek public support for a petition to press both the Government and the Council Executive (Council Manager and Elected Mayor) to allow the people of Stoke-on-Trent a referendum to decide if they wanted to keep or get rid of the Elected Mayor system. Within four months, an impressive 10,000 signatures had been collected by Christmas. At some venues there were times when we could hardly cope with the demand!

The petition shows the strength of feeling against the current profoundly undemocratic form of local democracy. A system where almost all executive decisions are made by an unelected Council Manager or his senior officers, is plainly  undemocratic. A system where the Elected Mayor is paid £80,000 a year for merely giving his political view on issues to a Council Manager who may or may not take any notice is clearly wrong. A system which fails to reflect the wishes of the voters means fewer and fewer people bother to vote!

That petition has been delivered to the Local Government Minister in London today by some of the Democracy4Stoke Campaign members. Of course, it is true that the petition itself has, to some extent, been overtaken by events. Last October, the government published the Local Government White Paper which made it clear that the present Elected Mayor and Council Manager system would be abolished in 2009. However, the Elected Mayor and Cabinet system remains an option along with two others: a) a directly elected leader and cabinet - ie a whole slate; b) a leader elected by the Council with the leader appointing his Cabinet from amongst the Councillors.

The Local Government Bill based on the White Paper was introduced in the Commons just before Christmas. The Bill received its Second Reading in the Commons on 22nd January and will shortly start its Committee Stage where it is possible major changes could be made.

In the meantime, I am delighted that the Local Government Minister, Phil Woolas, announced last week that he "is minded to establish an independent Commission into governance arrangements in Stoke." I am convinced that such a "Democracy Commission", led by a person with expertise, experience and some status would command trust and respect both from the community at large and the body of City Councillors.

I am just sad that I was (and maybe still am) the only Group Leader keen to have a Democracy Commission.

It is absolutely essential that the various options for a new system of local government in our City are set out clearly and objectively. If there were to be the slightest whiff of party political bias or councillor self-interest, the process would  command neither the respect nor support of the voters.

I do earnestly hope now, that other political group leaders on the City Council, and indeed all councillors, will recognise the value of a Democracy Commission and give it their whole-hearted support. Our system of local democracy should be open and clear to everyone so that more people want to be actively involved, in both using their vote as well as standing for election.

I have had lengthy discussions with various people around the country who have chaired or been members of Democracy Commissions in the London Boroughs of Hackney and Brent, Birmingham and Manchester. All had different outcomes, as a result of the Commission Reports being debated and determined by their respective councils. All had the common feature of commanding respect and support.   

I would welcome feedback from readers who would like to share their views and know more about the campaign to attract more people to stand for election to the City Council.  

Tuesday 30th January 2007

PARTNERSHIP WORKING  -  A JOINT VENTURE COMPANY

A special meeting of the NEIGHBOURHOOD MANAGEMENT OVERVIEW & SCRUTINY COMMISSION met this morning to consider just one issue: the Joint Venture Company. The Executive say because each year at least 400 Council houses are sold through the Right To Buy scheme, as time goes by the City Works workforce will decline as income from a declining number of houses will support fewer workers.

To address the problem, the Executive maintain THE answer is to enter into a partnership with a big private building company (one with at least a £100m annual turnover) so that there will be a shared workforce with all the essential skills and an added capacity to bid for house building projects, for example, with RENEW.

City employess will be transferred to the new Joint Venture Company in which the City Council will have a 20% share - that's the definition of partnership in this case. In November 2005 when I was first briefed on the JVC proposal the City share was going to be 51%! Apparently, however, although our stake has slithered somewhat, we retain a veto...over certain, yet to be revealed issues.

Some of us on the Commission wonder if this is little more than privatization by the back door, or even by the side door. We await more information from the officers, who have, at last, recognised, that they have not kept Members fully involved!   

Monday 29th January 2007

MITCHELL MEMORIAL THEATRE'S 50th ANNIVERSARY 

As Chair of the City council's MITCHELL MEMORIAL THEATRE COMMITTEE I am involved with an increasing number of meetings preparing for  the month of celebarations in October to mark the 50th anniversary of the opening of the Mitchell Memorial Youth Centre, to give the "Mitch" its correct Charity Commission registration title. 

This morning I met with Stuart Clamp, the theatre manager, and the programme for the four weeks of celebrations starting on Sunday 30th September and ending on Sunday 28th October is beginning to take shape. The events will draw on a wide range of local talent in dance, comedy, music and film.

A commemorative booklet will be produced, hopefully capturing the esence of the history of the Mitchell in words and pictures. The one below shows construction work in the auditorium looking towards the stage.

 

The Lord Mayor, Cllr Charles Austin Brook, launched the appeal fund to commemorate REGINALD MITCHELL, the designer of the Spitfire which played such an important role in the Battle of Britain, in 1943. Not surprisingly maybe, the appeal did not yield the amount of money hoped for. Post-war rationing, older readers will recall, remained until the early '50s and money was tight. So, the Mitchell Youth Centre as originally planned was much curtailed. Fortunately, the theatre part of the Youth Centre was built. I say fortunately, because I, along with thousands of others, feel this has been a marvellously enduring commemoration of one of North Staffordshire's key historical figures.

If you would like to know more about being a candidate in the 3rd May City Council elections, either email me at: peter@kent-baguley.co.uk or telephone me on: 07773 464626. If you leave a 'phone message, give your number slowly and clearly so that I can call you back. 

Saturday 27th January 2007

I was met by A CHORUS OF DISAPPROVAL this evening.

For those readers who have just thought: "Oh good, about time he got it" I should say it is the title of one of the many plays written by Alan Ayckbourn. I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of the highly professional production by STUDIO ONE. It was both a tribute to GORDON ALCOCK (1933-2006) and a fund-raising event towards the establishment of the GORDON ALCOCK BURSARY FUND. During the four-night run (24th-27th) at the Mitchell Memorial Youth Theatre, Hanley, some four hundred people celebrated Gordon Alcock's impressive contribution to amateur theatre in the City over four decades.

Before the curtain went up, the entire cast joined the audience for the unveiling of the plaque to Gordon. The main inscription: "He lived for the theatre" aptly sums up his unwavering commitment to amateur theatre while at the same time enjoying a varied and successful professional career in the West End, provincial theatres and tv.  

My only regret was that in this Youth Theatre there was but only one young member in the audience. James Johnson of Silverdale celebrated his fourteenth birthday today and since he was sitting in front of me I could see that he thoroughly enjoyed the performance. I had decided he must be an enthusiastic aspiring actor himself, but afterwards when speaking with him and his mum, I discoverd that not to be the case. However, there were hints that acting might be on the cards! His mum and dad, who played Jarvis in the play, both met while rehearsing, so clearly James has a strong amateur theatrical background.  

Once the bursary is set up, grants will be made to young aspiring actors to help towards drama fees, summer schools and so on. The City Council's Mitchell Memorial Committee, of which I am chairman, waived its £550 theatre hire fee to show its support for the bursary. 

Friday 26th January 2007

NORTH STAFFORDSHIRE HIGH SCHOOLS PART OF NATIONAL TOUR

To mark the bicentenary of Britain's abolition of the salve trade in the British Empire, Cheltenham-based FAIRGAME THEATRE COMPANY is touring the country with their latest production ONE FOR ME. It takes you by the arm, escorts you through the history of our society and traces the wealth that we all take for granted. From the sugar in your tea to the most powerful institutions in the land, this play exposes hidden horrors of our slaving past and poses the question, 'what can we do about it?'

As co-ordinator of the Stoke-on-Trent FAIRTRADE Group I took a leap of faith and a financial gamble and booked the production for the three days that were still available. I contacted all of the High schools in the area and, thankfully, all six performance slots over the three days, 7th, 8th & 9th March have been booked. This is during the second week of the annual national FAIRTRADE FORTNIGHT.

Congratulations to James Brindley, Haywood, Sandon, Blurton and St Margaret Ward High Schools in the City and Sir Thomas Boughey High School at Halmerend for booking the play. I am sure that students and staff will find it a stimulating and inspirational production. 

If you would like more information about local events during FAIRTRADE FORTNIGHT ( 26th February-11th March) link to the local website or ring me on 07773 464626.

Thursday 25th January 2007

FOUR YEARS TO DEMOLISH...HOW MANY YEARS TO BUILD?

Yesterday RENEW organised a photocall to celebrate the demolition of the burnt-out eye-sore that was once a much valued family-orientated pub, THE ELEPHANT & CASTLE in Fegg Hayes Road, Fegg Hayes. Soon after first being elected to the City Council I initiated meetings with the brewery's agents to impress on them that it was totally unacceptable that local people should have to put up with their blight. The agent's response was that they could do nothing until the insurance claim ws settled! After a while they agreed to fence it off! Eventually, they decided to sell. A developer bought it, gained planning consent for building flats and then decided he wanted to sell up. RENEW needed little persuasion to

provide the money for the City Council to buy the site and demolish the burnt-out building. It is always helpful when the local MP supports a City Councillor, and certainly Joan Walley MP Stoke North supported my endeavours to have the site cleared.

What we need now, is a much more focused approach from RENEW, Staffordshire Housing Association and above all the City Council to move more quickly and get some significant developments underway in Fegg Hayes. To date, there has been a lot of talk at a lot of meetings but very little action. That's not good enough and I shall continue to press for a much better deal for Fegg Hayes.

Wednesday 24th January 2007

CITIZENSHIP IN THE CLASSROOM

Towards the end of last year I initiated the idea of a ONE-DAY CONFERENCE on CITIZENSHIP IN THE CURRICULUM. As important as English, maths and other key subjects are, it is absolutely crucial that young people develop a clear framework of the complex social, economic and political issues which affect their community, their nation and their world.

British constitution, civics, social studies and a range of variants have been tried in schools during the past four decades or so. None really took hold and the vast majority were seen to be simple sops for the none-examination classes within a usually rigidly streamed school structure. Whatever the subject was called, it enjoyed little or no esteem with the staff. Pupils gained little or nothing from the exercise.

Citizenship, though struggling to develop in many secondary schools, at least enjoys one major advantage over its motley predecessors: it is a compulsory subject within the National Curriculum. That gives it some initial credibility.

The One-Day conference I have planned for Wednesday 28th February will be held at the Port Vale Conference Centre, Burslem. It is open to all teachers concerned with teaching Citizenship in secondary schools in North Staffordshire and South Cheshire. All teachers attending MUST bring 5 or 6 students with them. The underlying coperative theme will, I hope, permeate all aspects of the day just as I would hope it permeates all aspects of Citizenship in the Curriculum. 

The whole cost of the conference is sponsored by United Co-operatives Ltd. A major theme of the day will be FAIRTRADE. The Leeds City Council school fairtrade officer will be talking about the Government sponsored Fairtrade project work in the City's schools. A local school head of citizenship will talk about tackling controversial issues and an officer from the Qualification and Curriculum Authority will give an overview of the latest developments nation-wide. Importantly, students from several local secondary schools will be making presentations and these will surely prove to be inspirational for other students present as well as their teachers.

Further detail and booking information obtainable from myself (07773 464626) or officers at the Stoke-on-Trent City Council: Tracy Ellis 01782 232480 or Michaela Owen 01782 236173.

Tuesday 23rd January 2007

ELECTED MAYOR & GOVERNMENT COMBINE TO DESTROY ONE OF THE BEST HIGH SCHOOLS IN THE CITY

We are told the High School population as a whole across the City will continue to decline during the next decade. So we will need fewer High School places and that may mean fewer High Schools.

But does that really mean it makes sense to ELIMINATE one of the largest, one of the more successful and one of the more popular schools? The government and the Elected Mayor think it does! So, they say, let's get rid of Haywood High School; close it down. Instead, the students can trek along to Brownhills. Have they any idea at all what they have done?

They have struck at the heart of a thriving, successful and happy school community of students, parents and teachers. They have dealt a devastating blow to their morale.

Haywood High School has the HIGHEST number of students from its catchment area CHOOSING to go there - 209 students, 76% of all students in the catchment area. Brownhills, on the other hand, receives only 55% of its catchment area students. It begs the question: why destroy a successful school? 

Headmaster David Dickinson: "The staff and Governors appeal to all parents and friends to support our struggle to keep the school open. Don't allow our community to be destroyed."

As Leader of the People's Party I am on record: "We cannot allow unelected officers and the Elected Mayor, with their knee-jerk reaction to government diktat decide the fate of our schools."

The People's Party stands for the equality of education NOT privatised privileged academies. We shall support Haywood High School's struggle to survive this insane proposal.

The People's Party will be speaking with other headteachers during the coming weeks in our bid to have a more rational, open and honest examination and debate on how best to organise secondary schools in the City. The way this has been conducted by the Elected Mayor and his senior officers is TOTALLY unacceptable.

This is, unfortunately, yet one more example of the CRISIS at the core of the Council. Yet again, the appalling DEMOCRATIC DEFICIT is exposed.

Monday 22nd January 2007

GOVERNMENT ACCEPT (AT LAST) THAT ELECTED MAYOR & COUNCIL MANAGER SYSTEM MUST BE SCRAPPED 

Local Government Minister, Phil Woolas MP, has recognised, in his words, that "it is clear that a consensus exists for change." Only four months ago, I convinced the all-party (and no party!) Democracy4Stoke Campaign to seek public support for a petition to press both the Government and the Council Executive (Council Manager and Elected Mayor) to allow the people of Stoke-on-Trent a referendum.

Within four months, we had collected an impressive 10,000 signatures by Christmas. At some venues. there were times when we could hardly cope with the demand! The petition shows the strength of feeling against the current profoundly undemocratic form of local democracy. A system where almost all executive decisions are made by an unelected Council Manager or his senior officers, is plainly profoundly undemocratic.

A system where the Elected Mayor is paid £80,000 a year for merely giving his political view on issues to a Council Manager who may or may not take any notice is clearly wrong. A system which fails to reflect the wishes of the voters means fewer and fewer people bother to vote! 

I am also delighted that Phil Woolas "is minded to establish an independent Commission into governance arrangements in Stoke." Such a "Democracy Commission", led by a person with expertise and experience should command trust and respect both from the community at large and the body of City Councillors. 

It is absolutely essential that the various options for a new system of local government in our City are set out clearly and objectively. If there were to be the slightest whiff of party political bias or councillor self-interest, the process would not command the respect and support of the voters. 

I do earnestly hope now, that other political group leaders, and indeed all councillors, will recognise the value of a Democracy Commission and give it their whole-hearted support. Our system of local democracy should be open and clear to everyone so that more people want to be actively involved, in both using their vote as well as standing for election. 

If you would like to know more about being a candidate in the 3rd May City Council elections, either email me at: peter@kent-baguley.co.uk or telephone me on: 07773 464626. If you leave a 'phone message, give your number slowlyand clearly so that I can call you back. 

Friday 19th January 2007

THE SAGA OF SHAM LOCAL DEMOCRACY CONTINUES

The Labour Government continues to prattle on about STRENGTHENING local democracy (remember the absurd chant of "double devolution" not so long ago?) while ACTUALLY finding ever more ways of WEAKENING it! We should not be surprised; what else can we really expect from a government obsessed with spin?

Today we learn that the government thinks we have too many High Schools in the City and we MUST close some down or else they will come and close them down for us and then impose Academies.

More on this on Tuesday 23rd January.

Thursday 18th January 2007

RESIDENTS ANGRY AT DEVELOPMENT DELAYS

After being an utter blight in the residental area of Fegg Hayes for a number of years, the burnt-out ELEPHANT CASTLE pub was finally demolished before Christmas. Why did it take the City Council more than 3 years to get rid of the eye-sore and magnet for anti-social behaviour? Why didn't the City Council act more quickly? It was only demolished because I persuaded RENEW to provide the cash for the City Council to buy the derelict pub so that they could DEMOLISH it.

Now, residents are angry because the City Council don't seem to know what to do with the site!

Residents rightly think the Council and RENEW have had long enough to work out how the site can best be DEVELOPED. After all, residents remember the £100,000 MASTER PLANNING exercise carried out a year ago. That was supposed to have produced a DEVELOPMENT plan, designed to upgrade the environment - better parking, improved play facilities, wider mix of housing and so on.

Over eighteen months ago I got the Council to agree to include the grass area next to the pub site in the development plan so that it made for a better, more economical development site.

Residents want to know why it is that officers on high salaries take so long to produce so little. Residents are understandably frustrated and angry that after months and months of costly talk, still nothing has been developed. Nor is there any sign that we are near to any development! One thing residents can be sure of: I shall go on pressing for action.

Wednesday 17th January 2007

BERNARD THOMPSON

There Church of the Saviour, Sprinkbank Road, Chell Heath, was packed this afternoon for the funeral of Bernard Thompson, a much loved member of the community. Bernard had been the treasurer and latterly the chairman of the Chell Heath Residents' Association.

Officers from the City Council's Local Management team were in the congregation, testimony of the esteem in which he was held by those who worked with him in his retirement, actively contributing to the welfare of the local community. There were also employees from the Street Scene section where Bernard had worked for many years.

Bernard's cheery smile and friendly, relaxed manner will be much missed in Chell Heath. But it will not be forgotten.

Tuesday 16th January 2007

Lord Mayor's Civic Reception for supporters of FAIRTRADE

Although not until Wednesday 7th March, planning for the evening reception at the JUBILEE HALL, Stoke Town Hall, is well advanced. There is an open invitation to eveyone who supports FAIRTRADE to come along and enjoy the evening. Like last year, there will be a number of stalls where you can buy and/or sample Fairtrade goods - the United Co-opertatives proved VERY popular last year with a range of FAIRTRADE chocolate, chocolate cake and chocolate chip cookies! Catering wholesalers, BLAKEMORE'S exhibit their range of FAIRTRADE products and show just how EASY it is for cafes, businesses, canteens etc to order and buy FAIRTRADE goods.

The main event will be the FAIRGAME THEATRE COMPANY'S performance ONE FOR YOU. It is an hour-long show celebrating the bicentenary of Britain's abolition of the slave trade in 1807, linked to present-day issues of unfair trading rules, set by the industrialised nations to enable them to exploit Third World countries. FAIRGAME is based in Cheltenham. I have booked them to come to Stoke-on-Trent for 7,8.& 9 March to perform at some of the City's High Schools and at the Lord Mayor's Civic Reception. To date, James Brindley, Sandon and St Margaret Ward have booked them. I am hoping several more High Schools will book them.

FAIRTRADE exposes the MYTH of so-called free trade. The fact is, there is NO such thing as free trade because of SUBSIDIES and TARIFFS.

Take one example: farmers in the European Community (and we are one of the 25 countries) are paid a SUBSIDY to grow sugar beat. The EC grows far more than we need...so...exporters are paid a further SUBSIDY to sell the surplus sugar abroad. The DOUBLE SUBSIDY enables them to sell it to Third World countries at a price BELOW their cost of producing sugar cane (which produces a higher quality sugar as it happens). That forces Third World farmers out of the market place, thus creating even more poverty in the Third World countries. How can that be sensible? It isn't, and that's what FAIRTRADE is fighting.

An example nearer home for us in the Potteries illustrates the myth perfectly. The arch-exponent of so-called free trade is the USA. The import tariff on our pottery into the USA is 28%!  Doesn't sound like free trade does it?

Make a note on your calendar now: Wednesday 7th March, 7pm JUBLIEE HALL, at Stoke Town Hall.

Monday 15th January 2007

ELECTED MAYOR AT IT AGAIN

On the 4th August 2006 (scroll back if you like) I wrote:

What Meredith wants to do is to subvert the Council's constitution by the backdoor. What he really wants is a Cabinet by any other name. Then, come the Referendum next May, when the City residents have the chance to get rid of this expensive and pointless Elected Mayor system he will try to convince people that an Elected Mayor and Cabinet system actually works well!

The Elected Mayor - "I want to work with ALL Councillors" - Mark Meredith, had a meeting on Saturday 13th January with ONLY three of the six opposition Group Leaders: Ann James (Independent Group), Roger Ibbs (the so-called Conservative Independents Alliance) and Jean Bowers (Liberal Democrats).

NOT INVITED were: Terry Fallows (Conservative Group), Albert Walker (BNP Group) and myself, Leader of the People's Party.

Meredith is clearly being told what to do by the thoroughly discredited Labour Government (how many billions of our tax is the government wasting in Iraq when hundreds of hospital beds are being closed?)

This is yet another desperate effort to get his CABINET show on the road, this time by offering inducements to SOME of the opposition. Will they accept a place in the Cabinet for an extra £9,500 a year? Will Full Council approve this latest sordid little effort to ditch the pledge to let the people decide?

Crucially, will the Labour Group of Councillors agree? Will all those, like the Group's deputy leader, Mike Barnes, who are actively campaigning to GET RID of the Elected Mayor system, submit to Labour Party bully-boy tactics and stick up their hand when it comes to the vote to approve? 

Those 11 Labour Councillors are up for election in the Local Elections on 3rd May should think twice. Certainly if they do support this betrayal of the people and let in an expensive Cabinet by the back door, then it would be a sorry day for democracy in the City if those Labour Councillors are returned.  

Monday 8th January 2007

Creating clarity to win the confidence of the community 

As the City Council's HISTORIC ENVIRONMENT & DESIGN CHAMPION, along with Hardial Bhogal, the Director of RENEW and ten of his officers, Karen Houghton, the newly appointed Chief Executive of URBAN VISION NORTH STAFFORDSHIRE and Mick Downs, Urban Vision's Manager and several Councillors and officers from the City Council and Newcastle, I spent a profitable day in London involved in a MASTERPLANNING & DESIGN QUALITY workshop. The day was presented by ten officers of CABE (Commission for the Architectural Built Environment).

A highlight of the morning at CABE's HQ (in Kemble Street, between Kingsway) was Domini Church's overview of CABE's BUILDING FOR LIFE. It consists of 20 criteria by which housing developments may be assessed. They are equally applicable to brand new developments or the regeneration of existing housing areas, such as the Pepys Estate bordering the south bank of the Thames, in south east London.  

The 20 questions couldn't be simpler, even if in reality, it seems, most developers find it hard to address them.

For example, question four asks: Do the building s and layout make it easy to find your way around?

Question 8: Is the car parking well integrated and situated so it supports the street scene?

Question 11: Do internal  spaces and layout allow for adaptation, conversion or extension?

Querstion 19: Is there an accommodation mix that reflects the needs and aspsirations of the local community?

There was a useful discussion aimed at clarifying ways to help the various stakeholders involved in housing development, such as Council planning officers , private developers, designers, architects etc, work together more effectively.                                                                                                                                                         I emphasised what I called the "three Cs". Clarity of aims, of the general policy direction; clarity of the decision-making process; clarity of communication. We need to be much better with these three basic essentials if we are to develop the confidence of the community.   

Friday 5th January 2007

This was my first meeting of the NEIGHBOURHOOD MANAGEMENT Overview & Scrutiny Commission today. I became a member of the Commission following the increased size of the PEOPLE'S PARTY group from 2 to 5 Members, thus causing a recalculation of the political balance of all Committees and Commissions.  

A key agenda item concerned the Executive's development of a JOINT VENTURE PARTNERSHIP company to be responsible for the maintenance of all Council Housing and other Council-owned buildings. The Executive maintain that with the continuing decrease in the number of Council houses due to tenants exercising their right to buy, the Council will need fewer employees to maintain the decreasing stock. They argue that we could reach a point where the City Works Department would not be viable.

To avoid that, the Executive claim that forming a joint company is the answer. That means, our City Works Staff would cease to be Council employees and would become employees of the new Joint Venture Company, formed in partnership with a private sector company.

Over a year ago, when I was then the Deputy Leader of the Labour Group, the then Labour Group Leader and myself were told that the Council would hold the "Golden Share", ie we would have 51% of the Joint Venture Company's shares.

Since then, it would seem our share has slithered down to a mere 20%.

I raised a large number of questions as did the Chair of the Commission and the outcome was that there will be special meeting of the Commission at which senior officers will answer detailed questions.

This is a far too important issue to be fudged. Every single aspect of the proposal must be crystal clear before Full Council is asked to debate and approve the proposal later in the year.   

Monday 1st January 2007

A VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR.

We five Members of the PEOPLE'S PARTY on the City Council will continue to work for the best interests of the people of Stoke-on-Trent. We will continue to expose deceit beneath political spin. We will continue to do our best to defend the interests of the people. That means, we will do NOT automatically think that problems will be solved by hiving off property and services to the private sector. How can it possibly be more economical when the private sector has to charge extra in order to make a profit?!  

Privatization has been one of the biggest political cons of the last few decades, led by the Conservatives and merrily continued by Labour. Why does the Labour Government REFUSE to provide the SAME levels of finance to local councils to maintain Council houses as it does to Housing Associations and other semi-private quangos when the Council houses have been sold off to them? Also, such housing bodies are not subject to democratic control. Ask your Labour MPs and your Labour councillors. Can they justify such a grossly unfair practice?