The Games People Play

fred c · July 30, 2014, 09: PM

Even members of "The Mob" will be seriously concerned about this latest CIC by Cranney, will the Fatboy be the next Patsy ?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c7dFcDYjg8k

dowager · July 31, 2014, 09: AM

I'd like to thank the people leaking info from the council and the guys / girls who put this site together for this story.

It's the sort of story the Hartlepool Mail would have been shouting from the rooftops a decade ago, sad that they will probably not even follow this up nowadays.

Well done.

for fawkes sake · July 31, 2014, 11: AM

Just browsing some of the council's meetings and I notice that as Leader of the Council, CAB has a permanent seat on the Health and Well Being Board which was set up after the demise of the local PCT. Healthwatch also gets two further seats. The last meeting that the council website has minutes for had CAB in the Chair (substituting for Carl Richardson), Stephen Thomas and Margaret Wren (both from Healthwatch)

Does make you wonder what influence this committee will have on who gets the new contract.

http://www.hartlepool.gov.uk/egov_downloads/29.04.14_-_Health_and_Wellbeing_Board_Agenda.pdf

steveL · July 31, 2014, 11: AM

Anyone like to take a guess at who does the accounts for Cranney's Opportunities From Community Action referred to in the article?

PostItNote · July 31, 2014, 12: PM

I am sure that everyone agrees but I would also like to commend this site for giving a voice to the people of Hartlepool by telling them what is really happening to their money and how positions and power is being abused.

I think it is nothing short of corruption and another reason why the Hartlepool Post would be read by many in Hartlepool if given the opportunity to publish.

Sadly Healthwatch, Hartlepool Mail and the other public sector bods, including the police, simply join in and reap the benefits. How can we blame voters when the voters via places like HVDA are told that their best interests are served by these people?

HVDA should be also shouting from the rooftops that things are corrupt. They should have it in their newsletters that MRA and others have been now caught up with to some degree. Why do they not do it?

Do HVDA even have a newsletter?

Remember, it is HVDA who are managing Healthwatch and LinKs before it, in it previous guise.

The voters get the blame but it's this lot who are doing it. Voters would not vote them in if they knew what they were voting for. Publicly this is hidden and it is about time it was made public. I wonder if HVDA will get the next contract with so much of a sway on board on the board!

People are made to feel that there is no hope for change. Now is the prime time to tell people how it is, especially if Hartlepool Mail goes down to twice a week?

seaton · July 31, 2014, 12: PM

The Mail never does any investigative stuff, are they scared of legal challenges ?The majority if not all is copied and pasted from other newspapers or websites sprinkled in with local gossip. I am sure they read this site and print what they think will not upset the council, why have the council got such a hold over the local rag ?

PostItNote · July 31, 2014, 12: PM

money makes the Hartlepool Mail print want Hartlepool Borough Council want.

Just think how easy their jobs must be, sitting having meals and outings on expenses to discuss what to say next, then an email to cut and paste. Everyone's happy.

I think it is just that there is no competition. If someone would be able to send news around the doors, and given budgets within Healthwatch and the likes, it could be done and that is well within the grant guidelines, the real messages as per this site or at least a balance could be given to the average Hartlepudlian.

However, the control is strong. They have a pension to prepare for and others to set up to take their place and carry on this merry little dance at our expense.

Anyone who is guilty of this should be thinking about what you are really doing instead of trying to justify that it is for the good of the town. You know that lying is not right, you were taught that as a child I am sure! Actually this kind of lying is a criminal offence. Nobody who is guilty of the above should complain about Angie Wilcox as you are just as bad. Now who fits that huge category?

DRiddle · July 31, 2014, 01: PM

QuoteAnyone like to take a guess at who does the accounts for Cranney's Opportunities From Community Action referred to in the article?

I don't think I need to 'Phone a friend' to answer that...

steveL · July 31, 2014, 01: PM

"At the very least, people should begin to wonder just how much genuine effort will go into finding possible service providers other than those connected to sitting Labour councillors."

I think this is the way that it will pan out. When the time comes, someone will announce that Path2Wellness was the only tender and therefore it will be given the contract by default.

one direction · July 31, 2014, 03: PM

Quote from: PostItNote on July 31, 2014, 12: PMIf someone would be able to send news around the doors. . . . .

Getting the news around the doors isn't hard, getting people to listen is almost impossible! People don't care until it affects them personally. As Martin Niemöller said about the Nazis,

First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out-- because I was not a Socialist.
Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out-- because I was not a Trade Unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out-- because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me--and there was no one left to speak for me.

People don't care until they are directly and personally hurt by something!

First they set up the Phoenix Centre, and I did not speak out-- because I don't live on Central Estate.
Then they created a matress mountain, and I didn't speak out because I use the Burn Road tip
Then they set up OFCA, and I did not speak out-- because I don't live in Owton Mannor.
Then they set up Health watch, and I did not speak out-- because I am not ill or vunerable.
Then they set up a healthy weight scam, and I did not speak out because I'm not fat
What will make me speak out? Nothing until its something that does affect me!

Land Phil · July 31, 2014, 04: PM

Well said One Direction.

Could this new venture be behind the recent make yourself look good with botox treatment.
To be honest I thought they were father and son when I first saw the happy couple.

That is an aside ...how about somebody with medical experience overseeing Healtwatch, fat club etc.

...might make a difference then.

Lucy Lass-Tick · July 31, 2014, 05: PM

Even the Mail poll doesn't get this drivel

It's you vote

Will the closure of the town centre M&S store sound the death knell for the shopping centre?

Yes240 (89%)
No31 (11%)

grim reaper · July 31, 2014, 05: PM

How can someone of Cranny's inept financial background, the failed 'businesses', the rebuke from a judge etc. etc. be let anywhere near another pot of money, for yet another 'C.I.C.'?

Don't we pay the Borough solicitor to oversee such deals and to keep out those patently not qualified to run a 'business'?
Where are the checks and balances?

Why is it the same cabal 'discovering' and organising the fiances of a multitude of C.I.C.s, and allowed to walk away with impunity when the 'business' goes under?

We have CRB (DBS) checks for those working with children and the vulnerable, surely we ought to have a 'Financial Record Bureau' for those wishing to handle public money?
After all, we are talking of MILLIONS OF POUNDS here. What other organisation would hand such sums to people of limited intelligence and of dubious financial probity?

would you adam n eve it · July 31, 2014, 07: PM

From the duedil link to I Care 2 ... the first name was familiar:

About I Care 2 C.I.C.

I Care 2 C.I.C. was founded on 09 Sep 2010 and has its registered office in Cleveland. The organisation's status is listed as "Live" and it currently has 3 directors. It was founded by Mr Patrick John Wilson, Mr Kevin Henry Cranney, Mr Stephen James Gidney. I Care 2 C.I.C. does not have any subsidiaries.

Surely not the same one mentioned on this article (paragraph 11):

http://www.hartlepoolpost.co.uk/index.php/columnists/joe-hudson/9-news/171-no-help-for-the-unemployed-here

PostItNote · July 31, 2014, 07: PM

Totally agree with what One Direction states, people need to speak up but on the other hand, look what happens when you do!

It takes feeling that it is going to impact on you that will make a difference, so that is the message that needs to get out. I am just saying that if there are any ways for such a momentum to get going, then it would be good.

We all need a reality check as it does impact on us all!

The Grim Reaper has it spot on, where are the legalities in the Local Authority for letting these issues manifest and infest the town?

I don't think the role of Chief Solicitor is to cover up corruption?

They are to prevent the local authority from losing it's credibility and getting the best out of every penny in and out.

If there are councillors who are putting the name of the council into disrepute, they should be in and out, not there to fill their boots for at least four years and longer if the voters cannot see the damage YET!