The section 114 notice possibility . . .

[rabbit]

Touche 

[Inspector Knacker]

Because 18 percent off the builder's profits could make the project unviable and not go ahead.

Ah, so it was a philanthropic act for distressed builders, such a selfless charitable act.
My faith in the human race restored. NOT!

[Inspector Knacker]

This is also reportedly gathering some traction within HBC. A section 114 notice is serious business. It's a bit like a Priest reading the last rites to some poor soul at deaths door.

If you let a troupe of monkeys steer the ship, it will eventually hit something and sink.

Councillors are there to steer the ship diligently through troubled waters, not throw the charts overboard and go off on a self indulgent cruise.
Come in, your time is up.

[DRiddle]

Keep an eye on this one. Regular readers of this forum sussed out many years ago how HBC operates in terms of a big announcement. First come several small announcements which I call 'scene setting'. Then the stories become more consistent with the message gradually becoming more connected to a future situation, until ultimately by the time the ACTUAL announcement comes, its less of a surprise to the public.

We see it every year leading up to an eventual announcement of a council tax rise.

Here's some recent 'scene setting'.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/news/politics/hartlepool-borough-council-takes-out-more-than-80million-in-loans-1-9709394/amp

https://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/news/politics/accountancy-firm-says-hartlepool-borough-council-is-in-a-very-difficult-position-following-years-of-financial-cuts-1-9730139

Nobody from within HBC has publicly uttered the words "section 114 notice", but if things play out as they often do . . . The day will come.

[Land Phil]

One small plus from this terrible situation for a town to be in is the CEO might get sacked and we get one hired on ability and impartiality rather than mutual brown nosing.

[fred c]

One small plus from this terrible situation for a town to be in is the CEO might get sacked and we get one hired on ability and impartiality rather than mutual brown nosing.

Good point well made, for most of us interested in local politics and the wellbeing of the town it's a prerequisite that the recruitment of a new CEO should be from a wider circle than any current officers......

[Johnny Bongo]

One small plus from this terrible situation for a town to be in is the CEO might get sacked and we get one hired on ability and impartiality rather than mutual brown nosing.

Good point well made, for most of us interested in local politics and the wellbeing of the town it's a prerequisite that the recruitment of a new CEO should be from a wider circle than any current officers......

So SAB won't be at the prospective CEO's selection interview? 

[Grumblstiltskin]

So SAB won't be at the prospective CEO's selection interview?

I don't think the ability to arrange shiny buttons in a line would qualify him for the job

[Johnny Bongo]

So SAB won't be at the prospective CEO's selection interview?

I don't think the ability to arrange shiny buttons in a line would qualify him for the job

Ok...but with that skill he could be the Chief Finance Officer!

[Land Phil]

So HBC recently received £10m from Ben Houchen and brushed it under the carpets

I wonder if it is a rope to hang themselves with

[Inspector Knacker]

At the the end of the day, what kills the skunk is the publicity it gives itself.
In times of austerity, you have to be realistic and plan accordingly. It certainly isn't easy and probably unfair, but you are where you are. When you've lost your job, the last thing you do is just carry on spending on the credit card.
Their high profile posturing,  flouncing from 'project' to 'project', most of which were hardly a success,  underlined their apparent inability to cope with the reality of running a Council.
If you're trying to survive in the desert, you don't bring in a team of Eskimo's to advise you on survival.