Just reading the reports for Full Council on 23 May 2017.
Looks like the heat has become too much as Public Questions and Councillor Questions without notice are on their way out !!
The report will appear here very shortly - https://www.hartlepool.gov.uk/meetings/meeting/3553/council
It would be great to see a fairly full meeting to see "democracy in progress - Hartlepool style".
Reports and Agenda
http://www.hartlepoolpost.co.uk/files/council agenda 23052017.pdf (http://www.hartlepoolpost.co.uk/files/council%20agenda%2023052017.pdf)
If that is the case.......
The First Question to Mr Mike Hill the labour candidate when he comes knocking on your door should be........
Will you support a motion to return Public Questions to Hartlepools Council Chamber
Manipulation of the towns constitution for political ends has become a regular occurrence by the LabTor Mob...... you have to ask Why ?
Quote from: Paul Thompson on May 15, 2017, 09: AM
Just reading the reports for Full Council on 23 May 2017.
Looks like the heat has become too much as Public Questions and Councillor Questions without notice are on their way out !!
The report will appear here very shortly - https://www.hartlepool.gov.uk/meetings/meeting/3553/council
It would be great to see a fairly full meeting to see "democracy in progress - Hartlepool style".
The following sums up the diabolical and anti democratic manipulation by the ruling coalition of the democratic process in Hartlepool
"However, members did indicate that the
system of governance through a 'committee system' was distinct from the
other Tees Valley Authorities and lent itself to a greater opportunity for the
questions to be given before the Policy Committees which would strengthen
the role of Policy Committees in facilitating public engagement.
It was the view
of the Working Group that this could remove the need for public questions to Council
It's been coming I guess. When you look at recent months its very apparent that Cranney (a ) Can't really read and ( b ) is even less able to string a sentence together without an officer having previously written him a script.
Then there's Marjory who quickly goes the colour of a beetroot when put on the spot about virtually anything.
Under the SCAB cabal we've gone from a public question on notice with two additional supplementary questions, to what's looking like being .... none.
Now there's questions from councillors without notice going the journey too.
Coinciding with all of that our course is the belief that it was public questions by a range of like minded members of the public, together with questions by some councillors with balls, combined with the dedicated work by The Hartlepool Post, which helped put a member of the Labour party in prison.
All this will do is add to the suspicion that certain people have things to hide.
Crazy times and another nail in the coffin of democracy from the clowns running the circus.
Quote from: admin on May 15, 2017, 10: AM
Reports and Agenda
http://www.hartlepoolpost.co.uk/files/council agenda 23052017.pdf (http://www.hartlepoolpost.co.uk/files/council%20agenda%2023052017.pdf)
Interesting read detailing
the clowncils attempt to ignored residents of seaton regarding parking charges
justify carpet gate ( has anyone actually sourced the "advice they claim the decision was based on?
Opening up yet anther "cafe" having just operated one at a massive loss for years
and .....preventing public questions.....
Wish I hadn't read it...indigestion now and blood pressure up I suspect......
As a previous member said...we need to challenge EVERY candidate that comes knocking on our doors...well other than Fat Boy slim, lying Ste and Crannible who, if they are daft enough to knock on my door will be told to foxtrot oscar.....
So the town is now a Dictatorship, no one is allowed to ask questions ?
Quote from: seaton on May 15, 2017, 02: PM
So the town is now a Dictatorship, no one is allowed to ask questions ?
Its certainly looking that way, what a spineless shower of 5hite they are.
and will the hartlepool fail be printing all this ??
As P Thompson mentions a full council chamber will show the Dictators that people are ready to stand up to them..... I should find out in the next week or so if the CEO will allow me to engage in the democratic process again by allowing me to enter council properties after my 6 month ban ends on the 25th of May.
6 months eh Fred? 6 months. The same amount of time the 'lone wolf' ::) Wilcox got for multiple counts of fraud of public monies and tax evasion.
You got six months for calling Stephen a blithering idiot. There are many who would argue you deserved a civic honour.
Nostradamus was me Grandad .......
http://www.forum.hartlepoolpost.co.uk/index.php/topic,3823.msg39302.html#msg39302
Quote from: DRiddle on May 15, 2017, 04: PM
6 months eh Fred? 6 months. The same amount of time the 'lone wolf' ::) Wilcox got for multiple counts of fraud of public monies and tax evasion.
You got six months for calling Stephen a blithering idiot. There are many who would argue you deserved a civic honour.
The ban from council meetings was until 25/5/2017, however, that is open to review, I suppose by the CEO and Borough Solicitor, quite why my ban is open to review i'm not sure, but hey ho time will tell.
Gill Alexander and Peter Devlin should both resign because neither have properly fulfilled their roles as overseers of the democratic process. I read the buzzfeed bit about George Springer and of how he was instructed to go through diversity training - fair enough - but then I remembered how after Cranney's infamous 'have I slept with you' comment, which made the national press and brought the whole council into disrepute, he wasn't singled out like Springer for diversity training, instead ALL councillors were told to attend the training.
The odd thing about HBC is that opposition is totally frowned upon. Labour don't seem to believe that anyone has a right to disagree with them and certainly not to question their actions but the real anomaly is that neither do the Chief Executive or the Chief Solicitor who are fully signed up with Christopher. Their idea of a local councillor is 33 councillors all agreeing to follow the lead of the ruling group without question and anyone who doesn't do so or makes waves in any form is just a nuisance to be discouraged and thwarted at every opportunity.
Opposition has a role within a council and especially with this one where the 'official' scrutiny function has been neutered through the sale of the Chair of Audit and Governance in return for 3 seats on the Planning Committee.
we knew it was coming
question now is will they get away with it :'(
https://www.facebook.com/groups/173503152855994/?hc_ref=NEWSFEED
Quote from: kevplumb on May 18, 2017, 11: AM
we knew it was coming
question now is will they get away with it :'(
https://www.facebook.com/groups/173503152855994/?hc_ref=NEWSFEED
Who's getting away with what?
Many of us don't "do" facial book care to elaborate?
apologies try this one
https://www.facebook.com/paulthompsonuk/
didn't want to copy and paste all of it on the forum :-[
Independent Councillors in Hartlepool have today launched a scathing attack on Hartlepool's Labour-led Constitution Committee which is recommending sweeping changes in council procedures aimed at reducing transparency.
Cllrs Paul Thompson, James Black and David Riddle are calling on all councillors to reject the recommendations of the Constitution Committee which are due to be presented on Tuesday 23 May 2017 at a Special Council Meeting.
The councillors are particularly furious with the following proposals :
• The complete withdrawal of public questions at Full Council meetings
• The withdrawal of councillor questions without notice at Full Council meetings
• The change of Council meetings to take place during the day, when working councillors are not available.
Cllr Paul Thompson said "These changes, proposed by Labour Councillors, are a direct attack on democracy on this town. It should be remembered that it was public and councillor questions at Full Council meetings that publicly highlighted the disgraceful fraud of former Labour Cllr Angie Wilcox, the wasteful expenditure on Jackson's Landing, the failure of the council to intervene in the withdrawal of hospital services until it was too late and many more failings by this calamitous leadership.
Without these questions and the opportunity to pose more in the future, members of the general public, ie those who live in the real world outside of the Civic Chamber, would have no idea of the political ineptitude running this town and affecting our lives.
I am however not surprised that they are now proposing this. Since the change of governance arrangements in 2013, the current leadership has constantly eroded the democratic process in this town and actively sought to curtail the opportunity for the public to speak out, sweep political mistakes under the carpet and proven itself unable to articulately respond to residents' concerns.
The change in time of council meetings is a deliberate attempt to exclude working councillors from Full Council meetings. No great surprise really as it is the same working councillors who actively hold the failing administration to account and are erudite enough to hold debate. They are not simply nodding sheep."
Cllr James Black said "Questions from member of the public are absolutely vital, they show transparency within the chamber and allow the public to ask pertinent questions at a time they can attend meetings.
The constitutional working group disregards these points, the group want the public to turn up to separate meetings they can't attend (because of employment), to ask questions where the chair has no obligation to answer or even hear the question.
As public servants, we are supposed to make it easier for the public to challenge us, instead the group are working in the opposite direction. We need to allow the public to attend meetings and let the public speak."
Cllr David Riddle said "When I read this was being proposed I felt the need to look out of the window and check I hadn't woken up in North Korea
These changes demonstrate the inarticulate 'senior councillors' within the chamber and their inability for Chris Akers-Belcher and colleagues to be able to think on their feet."
The three councillors are also calling on the support of members of the public to attend the meeting on Tuesday 23 May from 7pm in the Civic Chamber, Victoria Road.
well that's me put in my place ;D ;D ;D
Quote from: kevplumb on May 18, 2017, 01: PM
well that's me put in my place ;D ;D ;D
Interfering Busy Body....... ;) ;) ;)
There is an interesting 'discussion' curgently going on on facebook between CAB and David Riddle. It started off about the 'Dictatorship' but more interesting topics have cropped up.
Highlights include CAB insisting that it was the council that alerted the police to the fraud at MRA and that SAB wasn't a trustee as 'he asked to be but they never completed the paperwork.' ::)
I'm guessing his head won't be above the parapet for long and he will crawl back under his rock.
Yes and I gather he's now denying that he ever said that the dodgy Manor Residents accounts were the result of an error by the Charity Commission
(http://www.hartlepoolpost.co.uk/images/cabs%20denial%202.jpg)
(http://www.hartlepoolpost.co.uk/images/cabs%20denial.jpg)
Quote from: Foggy on May 18, 2017, 07: PM
Highlights include CAB insisting that it was the council that alerted the police to the fraud at MRA and that SAB wasn't a trustee as 'he asked to be but they never completed the paperwork.' ::)
Can someone screenshot that?
Quote
Last week, Labour councillor and town mayor Stephen Akers-Belcher resigned from the association's board over concerns about the "significant" lack of information and transparency around recent employment tribunal cases.
Read more at: http://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/news/under-fire-manor-house-councillor-angie-wilcox-resigns-from-hartlepool-council-1-5835600
AND THESE ARE THE F****** RUNNING THIS TOWN
Typical polling station attire.
14 May at 20:45
Christopher Akers-Belcher
Christopher Akers-Belcher In my world it is lol 😂
(https://s2.postimg.org/ey6xf88j9/18424016_10154615589781238_1019164220940567195_n.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/ey6xf88j9/)
Our very own preening 'Dear Leaders' cannot adopt North Korean political etiquette to solve their own inability to debate or respond to public scrutiny. Therefore the politburo have left what amounts to silencing the public and have them sit as silent witness to their bungling attempts to display what passes for competence in their very own La la land.
It's beginning to resemble the Palace of Versailles shortly before the 'change of management'. And we all know how that ended.
(http://res.cloudinary.com/jpress/image/fetch/w_700,f_auto,ar_3:2,c_fill/http://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/webimage/1.8550792.1495127947!/image/image.jpg)
Pressure is obviously getting to him....bleary eyed.....double chin....unshaven......keep piling it on folks?
Sad to say, the current labour candidate appears to believe everything they say........there are literally umpteen examples of various labour councillors lying through their teeth (see example above) they are well documented, all Mike Hill has to do is disassociate himself from them and pledge to hold an inquiry into local labour.
Those actions would prompt myself and many more lapsed labour voters to support him on June 8th, sadly that isn't going to happen.
anything against holding placards up at meetings?? if we cannot express our thoughts by mouth
(https://s17.postimg.org/s1q2pn0kb/capt_6f12cf8be206467fbc9e3fcb55cbc48d-6f12cf8be2.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/s1q2pn0kb/)
Interesting question- silent protest? If they object to a placard, what about t shirts with a bold message- given Cwissies and Mad dogs attire there can't possibly be a chamber "dress code".
If members of public simply sat there with t shorts on saying something like "We want questions AND answers?" they would look really stupid across the net if they took notice and tried physically removing someone.( then again the SCABS look stupid across the net every day)
If the "chamber police" take umbrage and try to eject you...actually taking hold of you, surely that would be a section 42 common assault? Has a precedent been set anywhere?
Quote from: fred c on May 19, 2017, 07: AM
all Mike Hill has to do is disassociate himself from them and pledge to hold an inquiry into local labour.
Those actions would prompt myself and many more lapsed labour voters to support him on June 8th, sadly that isn't going to happen.
We've been down this road before and nothing happens. They need to learn a lesson and spend some time in the wilderness. Nothing Benny Hilll can do or say will change anything at this stage.
That said, I can still see them sneaking in the back door and if that happens we deserve all we get.
sab denies been in the mra wtf
http://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/news/hartlepool-s-mayor-resigns-from-under-fire-manor-residents-association-over-lack-of-transparency-1-5829211
lest we forget chrissy/stephen
"The board of trustees are 100 per cent behind me and even through the recent tribunals the charity has been awarded some major grants. If there was anything major wrong we wouldn't have been awarded them."
Read more at: http://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/news/fourth-worker-wins-case-against-manor-residents-association-and-calls-on-angie-wilcox-to-quit-1-5901810
Dear fellow Councillors,
Please take the time to read this letter. I would appreciate it if you consider my words carefully.
Whilst I'm aware I could reveal this week's winning lottery numbers in this message and there are those of you who would still not listen to me, I live in hope that there are at least some of you with morals and genuine integrity.
This letter concerns the proposals to change the council's constitution (yet again), to restrict the questions which can be asked by members of the public and of fellow councillors. I also wish to pass comment to you all regarding the proposed change in the timing of full council meetings.
Firstly, regarding removing the right councillors currently have to ask questions without notice, I wish to remind you of the following
Quote"Democratic dissent is not disloyalty, it is a positive civic duty".
. Those are not my words, but the words of Shami Chakrabarti, the Labour Politician who now sits in the House of Lords.
The fact that I and others routinely disagree with Labour policies and decisions within the council chamber is a natural, healthy party of democracy. There has to be a 'check and balance' system. It is an integral part of the true nature of political discourse.
The council cannot become a 'one party state', no matter how much some members would prefer that to be the case. That is extremely unhealthy and frankly dangerous. One need only look to the events of 1933 in Germany for evidence of that.
Secondly, I would implore you to search your conscience (those of you who have one) and think very hard about restricting the public from asking elected members questions in full council meetings.
Those members of the public are the same people who elected us all. They have a right to play a meaningful part in what is supposed to be a true representative democracy.
Thirdly, I wish to pass comment about the notion of moving full council meetings to early afternoon, which would make it difficult for elected members with jobs to attend.
A much more notable political figure than any of us once said
Quote"A working man should go to the House of Commons in his workday clothes. He should address the speaker on Labour questions and give his utterance to the same sentiments in the same language and in the same manner that he is accustomed to utter his sentiments".
In short, the quotation above says in no uncertain terms that the working man (or woman) has to be part of the democratic process. Working people are an integral part of the democratic process and it would be very wrong to place barriers in the way of working people who wish to participate.
Indeed, I doubt you need me to remind you take the word 'Labour' is derived from the old French word 'labor' meaning "toil, work, exertion, task".
Mark my words, if a Labour council essentially excludes working people from taking part in council meetings I will make it my mission to ensure that decision makes national headlines before June 8th.
The quote in bold above by the way is from Keir Hardie, some of you will be familiar with his work, although I suspect not all of you.
Finally, I end with a plea. I know some of you are decent people. Some of you are true socialists, people who genuinely care about others. I also suspect that some of you are not. Some of you, in my opinion, hide behind the veneer of respectability membership of the Labour Party can bring.
Surely you can see how desperate the political situation in Hartlepool is? During the tenure of your 'leader' Christopher Akers-Belcher and what I will loosely describe as his 'front bench team', the council has lurched from one calamity to another.
In three weeks' time bookmakers anticipate Labour losing a seat the party has held for 60 years.
Whilst I accept to some degree this may occur due to the media's destruction of Jeremy Corbyn, I firmly believe the rot has been setting in in Hartlepool long before Corbyn rose to national prominence.
Four years ago I wrote a letter to Iain Wright virtually begging him to do something about the chaotic, shambolic leadership within the local Labour Party in Hartlepool.
I warned him four years ago that Christopher Akers-Belcher, Kevin Cranney and others (if allowed to continue unchallenged) would bring down Labour in Hartlepool. I predicted Labour would lose the national seat if Hartlepool Borough Council did not experience a rapid wind of change.
In the early hours of June 9th, we'll see if I was right.
Please consider my words carefully.
Kind regards
Cllr Riddle
Well done- can we assume it has been "leaked" to the snail, gazette, echo etc?
spot on :)
Sentiments that should be valued by all of us, unfortunately for both the town and the labour party there are councillors amongst the ruling group that have no comprehension of the sentiments expressed in D Riddles letter.
Working people are an integral part of the democratic process and it would be very wrong to place barriers in the way of working people who wish to participate.
How many of the ruling group of working age, are actually engaged in meaningful employment ?
Indeed, I doubt you need me to remind you take the word 'Labour' is derived from the old French word 'labor' meaning "toil, work, exertion, task".
There are members of the ruling group who, despite being of working age, haven't been in meaningful employment for years.
Those above points are reasons enough to question how this council operates.
There are dozens of well documented examples of the sheer waste of public money by the ruling group in the last 10 years, the most obvious was the blind faith shown in the operations of a 'Bent Councillor' by the labour council, the telling issue in her behaviour was the fact that she 'resigned as a labour councillor'....... she wasn't thrown out of the ruling labour group.
Petition
https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/reject-council-proposals-to-limit-access-to-meetings
Coincidentally, 38 degress have just phoned me. Yes, they phoned ME Christopher, this will go national. I hope Mike Hill is reading this.
What Mike Hill should have read, was his proposal form....... then crossed out half a dozen names, starting with Lying Ste and The Misogynist
Is it just my suspicious mind or does anyone else smell a rat with this whole business?
It is very unusual for CAB to be so vocal on Facebook, particularly engaging in conversation with Councillors who I believe he has blocked on Twitter (I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong with that statement). He is doing his usual thing though... pleading innocence, having sly digs about attendance at meetings and making out that everyone else is mad! Actually the only new thing appears to be that he has learned the words 'fake' and 'news' and is seriously overusing them. Clown. ::)
So... I'm wondering if some games are being played. I believe something similar has happened before (but I can't recall the situation). What if the Mob are sitting back and watching everyone stir themselves up about this, then when it comes to the meeting they appear not to be in favour of the proposals/recommendations and vote differently to what is expected. This then makes the people who are up in arms about it look silly and makes the Mob look like the good guys right before the general election and some folk are about to complete their postal votes. The Fail reports that Labour save the day and stand up for democracy accompanied by a photoshopped picture of a grinning CAB alongside Mike Hill.
I may be barking up the wrong tree but something just doesn't seem right.
On the other hand CAB's appearance on FB may just be his way of drumming up support for the Labour candidate. He is arrogant enough to think he is 'helping'
Quote from: Foggy on May 19, 2017, 10: PM
Is it just my suspicious mind or does anyone else smell a rat with this whole business...................... I may be barking up the wrong tree but something just doesn't seem right.
It is a well know tactic. You want to introduce an unpopular policy of a 10p tax rise. You leak details that you are thinking about a 30p tax rises. Come the day you push through your initial 10p rise and the opposition are chuffed. They can claim to have stopped the big rise without realising they have been played.
You are missing the big picture here. The running is not being made by Labour. The SCABs and Co. are reeling under the publicity being given to their proposals. They are in the middle of a very tricky GE Campaign and must not do anything that could lose even 1 vote. Labour North must be tearing their hair out wondering at the stupidity they see unfolding before them. Truly these are idiots of a class never seen before and never likely to appear again. They simply have not got an ounce of brains between them.
Quote from: norfolkngoode on May 19, 2017, 01: PM
Petition
https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/reject-council-proposals-to-limit-access-to-meetings
I put it up on The Town of Hartlepool and all the posts have been deleted now !
Quote from: Foggy on May 19, 2017, 10: PM
Is it just my suspicious mind or does anyone else smell a rat with this whole business?
It is very unusual for CAB to be so vocal on Facebook, particularly engaging in conversation with Councillors who I believe he has blocked on Twitter (I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong with that statement). He is doing his usual thing though... pleading innocence, having sly digs about attendance at meetings and making out that everyone else is mad! Actually the only new thing appears to be that he has learned the words 'fake' and 'news' and is seriously overusing them. Clown. ::)
So... I'm wondering if some games are being played. I believe something similar has happened before (but I can't recall the situation). What if the Mob are sitting back and watching everyone stir themselves up about this, then when it comes to the meeting they appear not to be in favour of the proposals/recommendations and vote differently to what is expected. This then makes the people who are up in arms about it look silly and makes the Mob look like the good guys right before the general election and some folk are about to complete their postal votes. The Fail reports that Labour save the day and stand up for democracy accompanied by a photoshopped picture of a grinning CAB alongside Mike Hill.
I may be barking up the wrong tree but something just doesn't seem right.
On the other hand CAB's appearance on FB may just be his way of drumming up support for the Labour candidate. He is arrogant enough to think he is 'helping'
So basically, they start the fire, put it out and take the credit for rescuing themselves.
I suspect they've been made to look presentable, aka act their age, rather than dress like well fed ageing DJ's and actually indulge in political debate for which they are totally ill equipped.
They must have been let loose for the period of the election, though a wiser move would have been a group booking on a cruise to Antarctica for several weeks. The core vote will support them and I really can't see them persuading anyone to vote in their favour,
If I was the national Labour Party I'd order a skip.
Quote from: Riddler5 on May 20, 2017, 07: AM
Quote from: Foggy on May 19, 2017, 10: PM
Is it just my suspicious mind or does anyone else smell a rat with this whole business?
It is very unusual for CAB to be so vocal on Facebook, particularly engaging in conversation with Councillors who I believe he has blocked on Twitter (I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong with that statement). He is doing his usual thing though... pleading innocence, having sly digs about attendance at meetings and making out that everyone else is mad! Actually the only new thing appears to be that he has learned the words 'fake' and 'news' and is seriously overusing them. Clown. ::)
So... I'm wondering if some games are being played. I believe something similar has happened before (but I can't recall the situation). What if the Mob are sitting back and watching everyone stir themselves up about this, then when it comes to the meeting they appear not to be in favour of the proposals/recommendations and vote differently to what is expected. This then makes the people who are up in arms about it look silly and makes the Mob look like the good guys right before the general election and some folk are about to complete their postal votes. The Fail reports that Labour save the day and stand up for democracy accompanied by a photoshopped picture of a grinning CAB alongside Mike Hill.
I may be barking up the wrong tree but something just doesn't seem right.
On the other hand CAB's appearance on FB may just be his way of drumming up support for the Labour candidate. He is arrogant enough to think he is 'helping'
So basically, they start the fire, put it out and take the credit for rescuing themselves.
I suspect they've been made to look presentable, aka act their age, rather than dress like well fed ageing DJ's and actually indulge in political debate for which they are totally ill equipped.
They must have been let loose for the period of the election, though a wiser move would have been a group booking on a cruise to Antarctica for several weeks. The core vote will support them and I really can't see them persuading anyone to vote in their favour,
If I was the national Labour Party I'd order a skip.
It's not a case of the core vote will support the motion, it's the whipped vote that will get it through. Remember the hoo-hah around Jim Lindridge and CAB's pep talks before the council meeting - wouldn't surprise me if there's a committee chair in it for Jim.
Sorry, the core vote I was referring to was the town electorate.
Although a little part of me can smell a rat I think it's likely that the Mob will push these changes to the constitution through. That's what they do and it's something they have been working up to for years.
However, if backing the proposals was the original plan then there is a chance the plan will change when the Labour party realise the damage this could cause to Mike Hill's chances.
Putting all that aside.. It is interesting to note that CAB has only denied they want to change the meeting time. He hasn't said anything about public questions. Unless I have missed that.
720 people have signed the petition protesting at the constitutional changes, if only 10%of those make the effort to turn up at Tuesdays meeting it would be a real slap in the face to Cwistopher, who is looking more and more like the man who could bring an end to 54 years of Labour in Hartlepool.....Keep it up Cwissy, you're doing a cracking job ;D ;D ;D
Think this comedy communication helps?
(https://s3.postimg.org/5ay0zu4q7/1495292390494.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/5ay0zu4q7/)
I've just read through the relevant bits and I'm confused.
Are we absolutely sure the council is seeking to ban the public from asking questions at full council or is it that they want to stop repetition of questions that have already been asked at committee.
If it is the former it is a disgrace. If it's the latter it seems sensible.
Perhaps one of the independent councillors who is privy to more info than us plebs can help me out here because I'm genuinely puzzled.
I have emailed BBC Radio Tees Newsdesk, it will be interesting if they follow it up.
Quote from: pieface on May 20, 2017, 04: PM
Think this comedy communication helps?
(https://s3.postimg.org/5ay0zu4q7/1495292390494.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/5ay0zu4q7/)
Must have took some effort to make it that small!!!
Photo size corrected so all can see the Mike hill and comedy support act!
(https://s27.postimg.org/45z5udoxr/1495292319709.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/45z5udoxr/)
I thought it was a new series of The League of Gentlemen...with some weird and bizarre characters from Royston Vasey, aka Hartlepool, holding 'Vote Labour' placards!
It occurs to me that this little proposal will have been brewing long before the General Election was called. I recall how the Tories and Labour voted en bloc to stop the log of questions submitted to the council being made available on-line. At the time, Wells gave his reason as being because a review of the constitution was already underway - the one we read about in the agenda for next Tuesday's meeting.
Up pops a General Election and the current furore surrounding these proposals and already the Tory candidate is Tweeting that the local Tories won't be supporting this after all. Meanwhile CAB makes a rather pathetic denial in The Mail even though the agenda and associated report complete with the proposals contradicting his denial are already there for all to see.
Timing is everything and we may well see some major back-tracking on Tuesday but beware - I'm sure we all remember that hasty announcement of an investigation into Stephen Akers-Belcher's lies just weeks before the 2015 election - and we all know how genuine that turned out to be.
(http://www.hartlepoolpost.co.uk/images/carl%20jacksons%20tweet.jpg)
"I've just read through the relevant bits and I'm confused.
Are we absolutely sure the council is seeking to ban the public from asking questions at full council or is it that they want to stop repetition of questions that have already been asked at committee.
If it is the former it is a disgrace. If it's the latter it seems sensible.
Perhaps one of the independent councillors who is privy to more info than us plebs can help me out here because I'm genuinely puzzled."
Seems like this has been ignored. Any thoughts?
From The Mail
The leader of Hartlepool's Labour-led council has said there are no plans to change the times of meetings to daylight hours during winter after rivals hit out at the suggestion.
Read more at: http://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/news/council-leader-says-there-are-no-plans-to-alter-time-of-meetings-1-8550795
That's that cleared up at the very least.
This is looking more like a bit of election dirty tricks by Thompson and Riddle.
Quote from: Steely Dan on May 21, 2017, 06: AM
From The Mail
The leader of Hartlepool's Labour-led council has said there are no plans to change the times of meetings to daylight hours during winter after rivals hit out at the suggestion.
Read more at: http://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/news/council-leader-says-there-are-no-plans-to-alter-time-of-meetings-1-8550795
That's that cleared up at the very least.
This is looking more like a bit of election dirty tricks by Thompson and Riddle.
oh dear . . . you've just lost all credibility
TAKEN FROM Town Of Hartlepool Politics page facebook
David Riddle
David Riddle You have literally zero credibility
18 May at 17:58
Christopher Akers-Belcher
Christopher Akers-Belcher I have been elected 3 times and I actually live in Hartlepool
LikeShow More Reactions · Reply · 2 · 18 May at 18:13David Riddle As do I. See if you can get a sniff of being elected as an independent. I have a 100% record in elections too. ;-) unlike your mother-in-law . . .
· Reply · 18 May at 18:18
Christopher Akers-Belcher
Christopher Akers-Belcher I am very proud in all that we have achieved running the Council with 45% less due to Tory cuts. Happy once again to meet and discuss.David Riddle And since you've decided to chirp up, can you confirm that the duplicate accounts submitted by Manor Residents Association were in fact due to fraud and false accounting by one of your councillors, and NOT a mistake by the charity commission like you said they were?
LikeShow More Reactions · Reply · 2 · 18 May at 18:05
David Riddle
David Riddle That'll be the last comment from him. Coward.
LikeShow More Reactions · Reply · 18 May at 18:10
Christopher Akers-Belcher
Christopher Akers-Belcher I said nothing of the sort as well you know. It was our Council that alerted the police to the fraud and sought the prosecution. And it is you who is the coward given you hide behind social media and full. Council. Happy to discuss face to face any time.
LikeShow More Reactions · Reply · 18 May at 18:17
David Riddle
David Riddle Dozens of witnesses will confirm you stood up and said exactly that in council. Keep digging. You're handing the Tories the seat.David Riddle By the way, can you clarify whether your husband was a trustee at manor residents association? Since you're vocal this evening.
LikeShow More Reactions · Reply · 1 · 18 May at 18:22
Christopher Akers-Belcher
Christopher Akers-Belcher No he asked to be but they never completed the paperwork.
LikeShow More Reactions · Reply · 18 May at 18:24
David Riddle
David Riddle So just to clarify, you're 100% denying that you said the MRA duplicate accounts were due to an error by the charity commission? You're actually publicly stating that you never said that?
LikeShow More Reactions · Reply · 18 May at 18:28
Colin Dunn
Colin Dunn But yet I read different in the Hartlepool mail at the time that he quit been a trustee just days after saying he wouldn't.
LikeShow More Reactions · Reply · 18 May at 18:30
David Riddle
David Riddle http://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/.../hartlepool-mayor...
Hartlepool mayor insists he 'will not resign' over role in crisis-hit charity
HARTLEPOOL'S ceremonial mayor has again...
HARTLEPOOLMAIL.CO.UK
LikeShow More Reactions · Reply · 1 · 18 May at 18:32
David Riddle
David Riddle http://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/.../manor-residents...
Manor Residents' Association faces bailiffs over unpaid £9,000...
HARTLEPOOLMAIL.CO.UK
LikeShow More Reactions · Reply · 1 · 18 Mail
David Riddle
David Riddle Maybe the penny has dropped with the council leader about what he said on here earlier about the charity commission. Lol. He won't be back on here in a while.
LikeShow More Reactions · Reply · 2 · 18 May at 18:40
Christopher Akers-Belcher
Christopher Akers-Belcher Which bit of I am happy to meet face to face don't you understand? I am actually at Full Council as I can manage to work and attend Council meetings. 👍
LikeShow More Reactions · Reply · 1 · 18 May at 18:48
David Riddle
David Riddle You don't have a real job. Why would I want to meet with you face to face? You're a proven liar.
LikeShow More Reactions · Reply · 19 May at 15:24
David Riddle
David Riddle So is your husband. Zero credibility.
LikeShow More Reactions · Reply · 19 May at 15:24
Quote from: Steely Dan on May 21, 2017, 06: AM
"I've just read through the relevant bits and I'm confused.
Are we absolutely sure the council is seeking to ban the public from asking questions at full council or is it that they want to stop repetition of questions that have already been asked at committee.
If it is the former it is a disgrace. If it's the latter it seems sensible.
Perhaps one of the independent councillors who is privy to more info than us plebs can help me out here because I'm genuinely puzzled."
Seems like this has been ignored. Any thoughts?
Below is the relevant section from the proposed agenda
(iii) Public Questions to Council
The Working Group expressed the view that the public should have the
opportunity to raise questions at the Policy Committees and that questions
relevant to Policy Committees should not be replicated as a Council question.
The Working Group noted that other Tees Valley Authorities did operate a
system of public questions but that there were variations within the
procedures within those Authorities. However, members did indicate that the
system of governance through a 'committee system' was distinct from the
other Tees Valley Authorities and lent itself to a greater opportunity for the
questions to be given before the Policy Committees which would strengthen
the role of Policy Committees in facilitating public engagement.
It was the view
of the Working Group that this could remove the need for public questions to
Council.Council – 23 May 2017 10
FURTHER PERIDODIC REVIEW OF
THE COUNCIL'S CONSTITUTION
6 HARTLEPOOL BOROUGH COUNCIL
Monitoring Officer Advice;
There is merit to this suggestion. The underlying theme behind the resolution
from Council on the 8th, September, 2016 was to look at ways the Council
could improve its approach to public involvement and participation and the
proposal will contribute to this objective. However the removal of public
questions would need to be closely considered against the background, that
there will always be occasions where matters of such import, urgency or
indeed impact upon the Borough arise and that the same should not be
exclusively reserved to Elected Members to raise but that opportunity should
be given to ordinary members of the public. It is therefore the Monitoring
Officer's recommendation that the 'scope of questions' under Council
Procedure Rule 11.5 (which procedure rule is equally applicable to both public
and member questions) is revised with the additional inclusion of the following
requirements, whereby the Chief Executive (in consultation with the Chair of
Council) may reject a question if;
It is not about a matter of such significance and/ or impact or urgency,
wherein a response is desirable through Council rather than through
the relevant Policy Committee or through the Audit & Governance
Committee. In those circumstances the Chief Executive (in consultation
with the Chair of Council) will consider the strategic importance of the
question in consultation with the relevant Policy Chair, or where the
question relates to the remit of the Audit and Governance Committee,
the Chair of Audit and Governance.
RECOMMENDATION
It is therefore recommended that the scope of questions (Council Procedure
Rule 11.5) be amended as above in the light of the Working Group's
recommendations and the advice of the Monitoring Officer
The way I am reading the above is that the council is wanting to stop public questions whilst the Returning Officer wants them to stay.
Cwissie must like getting violated on line..............
He really should keep off social media.....he doesn't have the brains to engage in debate and ignoring the truth just comes back and bites him.
(https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTJB6mzSYIIibn8cxtwVi_s8vwmWBQSS5mG2J674Ztexclj1ZNh)
gerek
probs make a play on
the Working Group that this COULD remove the need for public questions to council
this is what they do then say we have decided not to remove the questions then take all the praise for it
seen it all happen before in meetings
Quote from: jawsbbc on May 21, 2017, 07: AM
gerek
probs make a play on
the Working Group that this COULD remove the need for public questions to council
this is what they do then say we have decided not to remove the questions then take all the praise for it
seen it all happen before in meetings
I agree, but the way the council operates is that COULD could become a reality and I agree with you it could be a ploy. Having said that if it hadn't got the reaction / air time it did, it would / will be pushed through - then it's too late.
The same can be said about meeting times - again from the proposed agenda -
(vii) Timing of Committee Meetings
Concerns were expressed in relation to staffing issues associated with
'evening' meetings.
The view was expressed that attendance at meetings by public tended to
be agenda item specific with examples of well attended meetings held on
morning, afternoon and evenings.
It was noted that Committee Chairs had flexibility to change the time of
their Committee meetings.
It was suggested that Council consider changing the time of Council
meetings to start 2pm during the period between October and February
and that consideration be given also to evening Council meetings starting
at 6 p.m. RECOMMENDATION - That Council consider suggested changes to the
timing of meetings.
There has been a significant rise in the proportion of submitted public questions being rejected and this was one of the reasons for the proposal by Independent councillors that the log of all submitted questions, which the Monitoring Officer is obliged to keep, was made available on-line. That proposal was voted down by Labour and Tories.
Tuesday's proposal introduces an additional barrier to the acceptance of any public question in that any question would have to be considered urgent in order to be accepted - 'urgent' meaning only if a question was so urgent that it couldn't wait to be submitted to the relevant committee would it be allowed. Committee meetings are all held during office hours.
It's possible to argue that this does not amount to a total banning of questions but it is yet another restriction on submitted questions to full council which would be limiting enough that questions accepted for full council would become a rarity.
So, Steve,
There'll be no ban on public questions?
Council meeting will continue to be held in the evenings?
Questions from the public will go to the relevant committe and not duplicated in council?
All seems sensible to me.
I think people have been had over by Messrs Riddle and Thompson.
I think they'll have a lot of egg on their faces come Tuesday evening.
This is the OP from another thread posted by Councillor Thompson.
"Just reading the reports for Full Council on 23 May 2017.
Looks like the heat has become too much as Public Questions and Councillor Questions without notice are on their way out !!
The report will appear here very shortly - https://www.hartlepool.gov.uk/meetings/meeting/3553/council
It would be great to see a fairly full meeting to see "democracy in progress - Hartlepool style"."
As a Labour Party member I was very concerned about this. I needn't have been. It's completely untrue.
Nothing more than a crack-handed attempt to derail Labour's GE campaign.
Once again people who read this forum have been conned by Thompson and Riddle's political posturing and attention-seeking behaviour.
Quote from: Steely Dan on May 21, 2017, 08: AM
So, Steve,
There'll be no ban on public questions?
Council meeting will continue to be held in the evenings?
Questions from the public will go to the relevant committe and not duplicated in council?
All seems sensible to me.
I think people have been had over by Messrs Riddle and Thompson.
I think they'll have a lot of egg on their faces come Tuesday evening.
"Questions from the public will go to the relevant committe and not duplicated in council?"So whereas I can currently submit a question to Full Council and turn up on an evening to hear the answer, in future that question will be redirected to a committee meeting held during office hours when I can't attend to hear the answer.
I'll add that to:
* The loss of my opportunity to ask two supplementary questions
* The loss of the opportunity to ask my own question
* The reduced time allowed for public questions
* Moving public questions to the end of the meeting rather than one of the first items on the agenda
* The reduction in the time for opposition councillors to submit and second their own proposals
* The reduced time allowed for full council meetings.
* Banning opposition councillors from asking questions without notice
* The propensity of council chairs to tell members of the public to direct their questions to council officers
That petition is approaching 1,000 signatures now - less than 3 weeks before the election. Am I surprised that the Carpetbaggers are back-sliding so quick as to suggest the SCABS have just received a new delivery of lube?
Not really
I Labour lose Hartlepool it won't be the fault of Thompson and Riddle, we all know who's stuffed Hartlepool's Labour vote its the SCAB's, Mad Dog, Cranney et al.
Quote from: Steely Dan on May 21, 2017, 09: AM
This is the OP from another thread posted by Councillor Thompson.
"Just reading the reports for Full Council on 23 May 2017.
Looks like the heat has become too much as Public Questions and Councillor Questions without notice are on their way out !!
The report will appear here very shortly - https://www.hartlepool.gov.uk/meetings/meeting/3553/council
It would be great to see a fairly full meeting to see "democracy in progress - Hartlepool style"."
As a Labour Party member I was very concerned about this. I needn't haven't been. It's completely untrue.
Nothing more than a crack-handed attempt to derail Labour's GE campaign.
Once again people who read this forum have been conned by Thompson and Riddle's political posturing and attention-seeking behaviour.
Which seat will you be contesting next time round ?
Reply from Christopher Akers-Belcher re: recent malicious allegations
Christopher Akers-Belcher accepted your request.
Hi Garaint. I put a statement out last week which is in the Mail. We are not changing the times of meetings and not stopping public questions. Each and every year the Chief Solicitor produces a report to review the Council constitution. This year because we have so many avenues to engage with the public he said we 'could' not that we would or should. The opposition in particular Councillors Riddle and Thompson are just trying to undermine our General Election campaign in the same way as they did in 2015 when they encouraged everyone to vote tactically to oust Iain so vote UKIP. I assure you there are no moves to change the times of Council meetings etc. Happy to discuss any time
Seen this reply posted online this morning
Looks like CAB and Wells have both had their knuckles rapped over this.
just signed this petition.now standing at 1,053 signatures
Well if they've back-tracked; I'd call that a result but it doesn't mean they won't have another go after the election.
They haven't back tracked. IT was never goung to happen. It never will happen. You've been conned by Thompson and Riddle. You need to open your eyes.
An election stunt that you've all been suckered into.
Worth noting that Councillor Riddle only bothers to go to full council meetings. Neighbourhood forums, committees etc are too much bother. Does he even live in Hartlepool?
It that not because unlike most of the clowncil he is working for a living so can't go to a lot of the meetings?
Of course it is yes. Back in 2012 when we first started to fight Labours moves to restrict public questions, we carefully planned it to influence an election we didn't know was happening . . . 5 years later.
You're barking mad. They're back peddling because of the GE. Open your eyes man.
Quote from: Steely Dan on May 21, 2017, 10: AM
They haven't back tracked. IT was never goung to happen. It never will happen. You've been conned by Thompson and Riddle. You need to open your eyes.
An election stunt that you've all been suckered into.
Party member to the rescue of the party.
Quote from: Steely Dan on May 21, 2017, 10: AM
Worth noting that Councillor Riddle only bothers to go to full council meetings. Neighbourhood forums, committees etc are too much bother. Does he even live in Hartlepool?
How would you know?
Quote from: Steely Dan on May 21, 2017, 10: AM
Worth noting that Councillor Riddle only bothers to go to full council meetings. Neighbourhood forums, committees etc are too much bother. Does he even live in Hartlepool?
Yes - because he works for a living. Admittedly something of a new concept to Labour councillors. CAB claims to work, but then he works part-time on a contract he arranged to be awarded by the council. It allows him to walk away from it whenever he likes; he turns up whenever he likes and goes on long-term sick to fly to Mexico whenever he likes.
How long is it since Carl had a job or Cranney didn't leech off public money for his income? Marj? oh yea, she used to work for Cranney, Barclay? Beck? SAB? oh we know about that one don't we - sacked for lying through his teeth.
Only Chris A-B could be thick enough to deny something which is clearly in black and white in a council report !!
If he is now doing a U-Turn, I would be absolutely delighted that public pressure and the attention of national organisations has made him and his mates realise what puddings they are being by even suggesting it in the first place.
I am not actually sure that Chris knows what is truth and fiction any more. I laughed when I read "The opposition in particular Councillors Riddle and Thompson are just trying to undermine our General Election campaign in the same way as they did in 2015 when they encouraged everyone to vote tactically to oust Iain so vote UKIP."
Chris - Have you forgotten that I was Stephen Picton's agent in 2015 and was encouraging people to vote for him and definitely not UKIP !! I also recall that those sentiments were shared by Cllr Riddle.
The only thing that will "de-rail" labour in Hartlepool Chris, is you and some of your political mates !
I am however happy for Chris, supported by Steely Dan (that's if they are not the same person), to keep talking about Fake News. It reminds us all of the similarities between Chris and Trump - particularly the inability of both to tell the truth.
Only Chris A-B could be thick enough to deny something which is clearly in black and white in a council report !!
If he is now doing a U-Turn, I would be absolutely delighted that public pressure and the attention of national organisations has made him and his mates realise what puddings they are being by even suggesting it in the first place.
I am not actually sure that Chris knows what is truth and fiction any more. I laughed when I read "The opposition in particular Councillors Riddle and Thompson are just trying to undermine our General Election campaign in the same way as they did in 2015 when they encouraged everyone to vote tactically to oust Iain so vote UKIP."
Chris - Have you forgotten that I was Stephen Picton's agent in 2015 and was encouraging people to vote for him and definitely not UKIP !! I also recall that those sentiments were shared by Cllr Riddle.
The only thing that will "de-rail" labour in Hartlepool Chris, is you and some of your political mates !
I am however happy for Chris, supported by Steely Dan (that's if they are not the same person), to keep talking about Fake News. It reminds us all of the similarities between Chris and Trump - particularly the inability of both to tell the truth.
1145........ Have signed the Petition so far......
If only 10% turn up on Tuesday and the TV and a decent reporter turn up as well..... Cwissy Akers B might well have signed off on Hartlepool and Labour
Paul Thompson. You were Picton's agent. Wow! How did that go. I bet the in depth political discussions between you and him were of Mensa standard.
Riddle. Do you even live in Hartlepool? Why are you claiming full councillor's pay when you don't go to any meetings apart from full council? Seems poor value for money.
Quote from: akarjl on May 21, 2017, 10: AM
It that not because unlike most of the clowncil he is working for a living so can't go to a lot of the meetings?
He knew the deal before he was elected. He's happy to take the money.
Quote from: DRiddle on May 21, 2017, 10: AM
Of course it is yes. Back in 2012 when we first started to fight Labours moves to restrict public questions, we carefully planned it to influence an election we didn't know was happening . . . 5 years later.
You're barking mad. They're back peddling because of the GE. Open your eyes man.
There's no back pedalling. There has never been any intention to chance council meeting times. The only restriction on questions from the public will be duplication.
Who are you urging the public to vote for this time? UKIP or Tory?
Because it's his right to I'd imagine.
Worth mentioning that the great hospital campaigner Picton is now a big Tory supporter. Yeah, the Tories who are destroying the NHS.
Your boy done good Thompson.
Quote from: Steely Dan on May 21, 2017, 03: PM
There's no back pedalling. There has never been any intention to chance council meeting times. The only restriction on questions from the public will be duplication.
It is clear that the Labour Council do not like questions . They have slowly eroded the ability to hold them to account. Measure they have introduced are all aimed at removing any chance they have to answer any complaints. Even you must know this. To feign ignorance and say it is not what they want to happen is beneath you. This labour council is run by liars, thieves, con-men and bullies. They are a disgrace and though I too have met Alan Clark and he seems a good bloke he is not prepared to do anything that will erode his chance of power when this lot fall. Loyalty to the leader is the rule in Hartlepool.
Quote from: Steely Dan on May 21, 2017, 03: PM
Quote from: DRiddle on May 21, 2017, 10: AM
Of course it is yes. Back in 2012 when we first started to fight Labours moves to restrict public questions, we carefully planned it to influence an election we didn't know was happening . . . 5 years later.
You're barking mad. They're back peddling because of the GE. Open your eyes man.
There's no back pedalling. There has never been any intention to chance council meeting times. The only restriction on questions from the public will be duplication.
Who are you urging the public to vote for this time? UKIP or Tory?
It was suggested that Council consider changing the time of Council
meetings to start 2pm during the period between October and February
and that consideration be given also to evening Council meetings starting
at 6 p.m.
RECOMMENDATION - That Council consider suggested changes to the
timing of meetings.
That recommendation came from officers. It's already a matter of public record in The Mail that council meetings will be of an evening.
Quote from: Steely Dan on May 21, 2017, 03: PM
Quote from: akarjl on May 21, 2017, 10: AM
It that not because unlike most of the clowncil he is working for a living so can't go to a lot of the meetings?
He knew the deal before he was elected. He's happy to take the money.
So what you are saying is that people in full-time work should know better than stand to be a councillor and that it should be reserved for the work-shy, unemployed, unemployable, pensioners and those in public sector jobs that they can walk away from whenever they like.
The council ran one of their public consultations not so long ago specifically on the times of council meetings. The hope was that most would want more meetings to be held during the day. Labour would then reschedule meetings and cite public preference as the reason. Unfortunately it, it all went wrong. Most people wanted more meetings to be held on an evening.
The question has been asked why the council hasn't implemented the result of the consultation and the answer was that they had to do 'a family impact' assessment (Marj); it would be too expensive (CAB) and a host of other trumped up reasons.
This lot don't like to be questioned by anybody but especially the public and opposition councillors and it's no surprise that they've tried an alternative route. Luckily, the GE has gotten in the way this time but they'll try again.
The GE has got in the way but they'll try it again.
Pathetic straw man argument.
I'm not suggesting councillors should be retired/unemployed at all. Another straw man attempt by you.
Do you think it's right that Riddle doesn't attend any meetings apart from full council? Isn't that letting down his electorate?
Also do you think it's right he doesn't live in the town?
Do you think it's right he gets full councillors allowance for only atending full council meetings?
I've kept my questions concise so you can't twist my words. I look forward to your answers as you are obviously a spokesman for Coun Riddle.
HBC site says he lives in Hartlepool......must be true.
Quote from: akarjl on May 21, 2017, 04: PM
HBC site says he lives in Hartlepool......must be true.
I'm sure Concillor Riddle can confirm or deny my claim.
Quote from: Steely Dan on May 21, 2017, 05: PM
I'm sure Concillor Riddle can confirm or deny my claim.
Dead duck. Finding a Hartlepool politician or even Council executive who lives in Hartlepool is now a MENSA entry test. They all move out as soon as they can and to be honest If I had the chance I would move somewhere like York, Durham, Harrogate etc. The SCABs for sure will exit the town as soon as they are ousted.
Quote from: Steely Dan on May 21, 2017, 04: PM
The GE has got in the way but they'll try it again.
Pathetic straw man argument.
I'm not suggesting councillors should be retired/unemployed at all. Another straw man attempt by you.
Do you think it's right that Riddle doesn't attend any meetings apart from full council? Isn't that letting down his electorate?
Also do you think it's right he doesn't live in the town?
Do you think it's right he gets full councillors allowance for only atending full council meetings?
I've kept my questions concise so you can't twist my words. I look forward to your answers as you are obviously a spokesman for Coun Riddle.
I know that anyone who defends liars, thieves and embezzlers belongs in the same cesspit.
Quote from: Steely Dan on May 21, 2017, 04: PM
Do you think it's right that Riddle doesn't attend any meetings apart from full council? Isn't that letting down his electorate?
Also do you think it's right he doesn't live in the town?
Riddle is hated by Labour and Tory alike. They loath and despise him with a 'passion'. They will do anything they can to obstruct and prevent him exposing their crimes. That shows he is not letting down 'his' electorate. He possibly could be letting down the Labour electorate but then why should he look after them when they have a team of 20 odd councillors to look out for them. It is not Riddles fault that the Labour crew are as dumb as a box of rocks and that the educational standards of SAB, Mad Dog, Braclay and Cranney is so low that they are completely incapable of stopping him. In my eyes SAB is so low on the IQ scale that he makes a laughing stock of the town when he speaks on our behalf.
Quote from: Steely Dan on May 21, 2017, 04: PM
The GE has got in the way but they'll try it again.
Pathetic straw man argument.
I'm not suggesting councillors should be retired/unemployed at all. Another straw man attempt by you.
You tend to find that if you hold meetings during 'working hours' you exclude people who work. Leaving you with. It ain't rocket science.
Do you think it's right that Riddle doesn't attend any meetings apart from full council? Isn't that letting down his electorate?
The present incumbents wrote the book
Also do you think it's right he doesn't live in the town?
Do you know where he lives?
Do you think it's right he gets full councillors allowance for only atending full council meetings?
A Councillor in full time employment would have difficulty as they'd be at work, the usual suspects don't
I've kept my questions concise so you can't twist my words. I look forward to your answers as you are obviously a spokesman for Coun Riddle.
Bringing councillors IQ's into question when labour have a councillor who is a borderline m**r*n is a bit rich...... ffs, he struggles to spell Bob backwards.
alan clark explaining the question shutdown
I have had a couple of residents contact me over the weekend regarding proposals from the Council's constitution review, which have led to an online petition.
4 points have been raised. Namely;
1.Withdrawal of public questions from full council meetings - I am not aware of any plans to withdraw public questions and I won't be voting to do so.
2.Moving the time of Full Council - this is not perfect as no matter what time meetings are held people will feel excluded. That said, I prefer evening meetings of council and will continue to support that.
3.withdrawal of councillor questions without notice - As a policy chair I have no qualms taking questions on decisions that the committee I chair have taken. That will continue to be the case.
4.I don't live in the real world - I can assure you all that I do and I am sure my friends can vouch for that.
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25 Stephen Picton, John Moore and 23 others
Comments
John Moore
John Moore well you live in the same world as me and always have
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Lee Wilmot
Lee Wilmot Top man you should of stood for our MP u would of got my vote
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Alan Clark
Alan Clark Too soon for me, looking forward to university. maybe in 10 years time
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Julie Clayton
Julie Clayton Alan as far as I can see from the agenda, etc there are NO plans to do any of the things that some people are claiming. More mischief making by certain people I think 😉
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Catherine Thompson
Catherine Thompson Julie I never signed that petition either.
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Julie Clayton
Julie Clayton Total mischief making Catherine, some people just thrive on it 😡
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Alan Clark
Alan Clark Julie you are spot on.. Over 800 people have been led to sign a petition there is no need for. it
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Stephen Picton
Stephen Picton Your one of the few honest ones alan.
Always have respect for you buddy
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Elizabeth Carroll
Elizabeth Carroll
Thank you Alan - you know how much I respect you and your principles and morals, I signed the petition because I believe that members of the public should be able to ask questions of the Councillors they elected and that being able to do so is part of democracy, openness, transparency and accountability. Not wishing to be cynical - but - I so hope this is not a U turn because of the public outcry caused. Further to my assertions - I think members of the public should be allowed to ask a supplemental question after their accepted question has been answered- that would be a huge step in the right direction. I have been told why this doesn't happen and I feel this is a case of a policy for the few and not the many.
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Stephen Picton
Stephen Picton Well said Elizabeth Carroll.
He is a good lad.
I've signed also
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Alan Clark
Alan Clark No u-turn Liz. The purpose of the constitution working group is to discuss the constitution and that is what has happened. All on the working group have the option to discuss what they see fit.
I happen to believe there are some questions submitted to...See more
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Elizabeth Carroll
Elizabeth Carroll Thank you Alan. I don't disagree with your response re question example but I stand by my opinion re public being able to ask a question and one supplemental at full council. I would leave it hanging there. Perhaps the person monitoring the questions could use a bit of common sense and pass the question to the relevant party for expediency?
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Lee Whitbread
Lee Whitbread Lol - you don't live in the real world? Are they for real?
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Bryn Flicker Thank you for a very clear and succinct explination Alan. You have an openness which is sadly lacking in some of your fellow Labour councillors. A little more up front interaction with the public goes a long way to quashing some of the mischief making.
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Alan Clark
Alan Clark The problem is Bryn nobody ever contacts us to find out what is going on, some people thrive on negativity and that spreads far quicker than positivity. There was an instance last week were something false was put up on social media and led to death threats for some of our councillors, that cannot be acceptable.
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Linda Harvey
Linda Harvey Well said Alan
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death threats death threats
who the f*** off
is he on about the door fiasco did the scabs get death threats was it off the door attendants family/spouses
Quote from: jawsbbc on May 21, 2017, 06: PM
death threats death threats
who the f*** off
is he on about the door fiasco did the scabs get death threats was it off the door attendants family/spouses
Its all lies and everyone knows it is lies. Alan is doing his best to try clean up the SCABs merde in a desperate attempt to save Labour votes. The attempt to end questions and gerrymander meeting times to stifle opposition has blown up in Labours face. They have been planning it for months and it was all going along splendidly until the election was called. Suddenly the SCABs 'Cunning Plan' blew up in their faces and they are all running scared and denying it was ever their intention. It was their intention and they have made no secret they would like to end the spectacle of mumbling and bumbling Labour fools being exposed as shambolic, clueless ill-informed simpletons at every council meeting. . They thought they had a solution to their nightmare and as usual it all went tits up and they are running for the hills blaming everyone but themselves for this (hopefully mortal) blow to Labours aspirations.
Well done Alan Clark.
Clear and unequivocal answers which back up what I've said all along.
Thompson and Riddle gave lied and duped over a 1,000 people into signing a petition opposing something that was never going to happen.
But still people on here say it will happen.
M1 Its all lies and everyone knows it is lies. Alan is doing his best to try clean up the SCABs merde in a desperate attempt to save Labour votes.
If it was all lies about the scabs door fiasco and they have had death threats believe me the scabs will have had the police mail ect ect it would have been all over social media the scabs will have made sure it was i have known them for to long
Quote from: Steely Dan on May 21, 2017, 07: PM
Well done Alan Clark.
Clear and unequivocal answers which back up what I've said all along.
Odd he hasn't come on here and "engage" regarding the accusations instead of Facialbook...perhaps you would like to invite him?
It amazing the number of people who are trying to dig the SCAB's and Hartlepool Labour Party out of their own shight.
For fooks sake its in black and white, in print in the Council agenda.
They didn't dupe me or anyone else, people made up their own minds by reading agenda's and previous council minutes, it is there in black and white, now they are trying to deny it........ a bit like Lying Ste and Beck denying they were Trustees of MRA........ or Cwisy blaming the Charity Commission for there accounts being wrong.
I have witnessed first hand in the council chamber, the gradual dismantling of the towns constitution by the ruling group solely because a couple of Independent councillors and members of the public tied them up in knots with reasoned questions and debate.......... they threw Brash & Hargreaves out of the party because they wanted to extend public questions, 2 labour councillor that had the wit and intellect to debate the problems affecting the town, unfortunately that intellect presented problems to members of the Leaders cosy circle....... and they were binned........... I suppose the 2 best qualified labour councillors, either of whom would have been more viable as a prospective MP than the rest of the Hartlepool Constituency Labour Party membership put together let the Party Down by standing up for basic democratic principles.........
LORD ELPUS
and you my friend of all people
should know how to read it
looks like liebour are running scared to me like you say seems all the liebor councilors are trying to dig the scabs out of the s*** they have got their selves into
Quote from: akarjl on May 21, 2017, 07: PM
Quote from: Steely Dan on May 21, 2017, 07: PM
Well done Alan Clark.
Clear and unequivocal answers which back up what I've said all along.
Odd he hasn't come on here and "engage" regarding the accusations instead of Facialbook...perhaps you would like to invite him?
I've never met the bloke. Don't know him from Adam. But he's answered questions and if he's not got it right we'll see n Tuesday.
As I've said all along everybody who signed the petition has been conned by Thompson and Riddle who have lots of previous form for this sort of thing.
Steely Dan, sweetie ... do you not have the ability to read proposals which are there, in black and white, on HBC's own website? The SCABs & their entourage are like lemmings hurling themselves off a cliff. Few would be so stupid as to deny their own organisation's publicly written plans, but somehow they've managed to do so and drop their own candidate right in the merde. No matter how much they cry 'it's all the fault of the Independents' (like Hill mentioned in the Guardian article) it's merely an attempt to deflect attention away from their own stupidity/incredibly bad timing.
Quote from: Steely Dan on May 21, 2017, 04: PM
That recommendation came from officers.
Really? And when was that decided? Why would the officers recommend something like that. I can imagine those at the dimmer end of the politician spectrum coming up with such a crass 'brainwave', but not anyone with a human bran. A politically suicidal move at the best of times.
All fine and well to prattle on about 'truth' but in today's world it does not matter much. The story is out that the SCABs complained about doors not being opened for them. It sounds like them and is the sort of stupid thing they would do. Does not matter now if they drop it or even if it is not true. It plays to how they are seen and is very believable. The story is out, The voters are laughing at them and job done!
I note the concerted effort by Labour to portray this as 'negativity' rather that tackle the root issue. Suspicious that in the newspaper article Hartlepool Life also pile in with a message about too much 'negativity'. Must be Gillen doing his bit to help Labour out.
Labour are now frantically trying to kill the issue by a concentrated and orchestrated attack across several platforms. This is what they consider 'A Plan' but they do not realise that every second you waste defending yourself is one second less to attack the opposition. They are on the back foot, hemmed in a corner and taking blows to the head. They are in a desperate situation of their own making. Perhaps they should contact Baldrick and see if he has any more 'cunning plans' they could try?
Hoist by their own petard.
Quote from: Riddler5 on May 21, 2017, 10: AM
Quote from: Steely Dan on May 21, 2017, 10: AM
Worth noting that Councillor Riddle only bothers to go to full council meetings. Neighbourhood forums, committees etc are too much bother. Does he even live in Hartlepool?
How would you know?
https://www.hartlepool.gov.uk/councillors/110/david_riddle
I'm 100% certain that people on here will have a lot of egg on their faces after Tuesday's meeting.
If the supreme being descended on a shaft of celestial sunlight surrounded by cherubs, Angels and the celestial choir into the council chamber to support your laboured version of events, I'd suggest the all powerful one is a bit gullible .
Quote from: Steely Dan on May 22, 2017, 06: AM
I'm 100% certain that people on here will have a lot of egg on their faces after Tuesday's meeting.
I don't think so, if it hadn't been for a few factors GE, Public Outcry, petion etc the motion would have gone through, it's the prospers who will have egg on their faces.
Fake news. Spun by two political opportunists. No truth in it. No UTurn.
Quote from: seaton on May 22, 2017, 07: AM
Quote from: Steely Dan on May 22, 2017, 06: AM
I'm 100% certain that people on here will have a lot of egg on their faces after Tuesday's meeting.
I don't think so, if it hadn't been for a few factors GE, Public Outcry, petion etc the motion would have gone through, it's the prospers who will have egg on their faces.
If my aunty had balls . . .
There's little public outcry. The petition has been reported to 38 degrees for being incorrect.
I have emailed seven Labour councillors. All of them have denied there's any truth in this all gave said they'd never vote to support and such thing.
Maybe I AM a bit slow on the uptake but you are obviously a rabid labour supporter?
Quote from: Steely Dan on May 22, 2017, 06: AM
I'm 100% certain that people on here will have a lot of egg on their faces after Tuesday's meeting.
Despite your earlier post
Quote from: Steely Dan on April 28, 2017, 01: PM
The people you mention David are indeed responsible for huge numbers of people turning away from Labour. The local party has a lot to answer for. I'm a party member (branch elsewhere thank God) and I find it impossible to promote Labour in my home town (I've recently moved back) because of their antics.
Given the antics of Cwissie Lying Set Mad Dog and the Orangutang, at HBC, irrespective of what happens on Tuesday, the fact you continuously defend these muppets is at best hilarious and at worst very disturbing. How can you come on here and defend them?
Digs at Independents and PHF do not address the serious concerns many in the town have about the people who, unfortunately "run" the town wasting money hand over fist.
Until the muppets answer questions about some very sleazy issues,some of which have been going on for years i.e Lying Ste.....lying, his "husband" must have been aware....Manor residents situation....carpet gate....the list goes on and on,Labour in Hartlepool will only be supported by the "faithful" who are at worst delusional idealists or at best not aware of the disgraceful behaviour of some of their Leaders.
With that in mind, until you denounce the cabal at the cwemlin, your support of labour in Hartlepool will never be taken seriously here or anywhere else.
PS next time you are up the allotment dig a few more spuds up....they have to be better than the sack at the cwemlin ;)
It's election time, Steely Dan has his orders and the loyal party member like Monty Pythons Black Knight will struggle on.
No orders from anyone. I have no time for the CAB, Marge or Cranney.
But I will be campaigning for Mike Hill. I think he's a good man who deserves a chance and I'm terrified of the thoughts of a Tory government.
I think Mike is the best candidate by a mile.
Which candidate do you support and why?
Quote from: Steely Dan on May 22, 2017, 07: AM
But I will be campaigning for Mike Hill.
How can you support someone proposed and backed by the SCABS?
(http://cartoonsmix.com/thumbs/4nIt8IiDXGE4I0xq8FaPcoxC6JOVlyamnKaCLnQYRgemOJ1WTxlpLvSzF8xSTwE286ptX5n3WaL6NyEHfoqh1A.jpg)
Quote from: steely danThere's little public outcry. The petition has been reported to 38 degrees for being incorrect.
wonder who did that ::)
Quote from: steely dan
I have emailed seven Labour councillors. All of them have denied there's any truth in this all gave said they'd never vote to support and such thing.
and you being a loyal card carrying member of the "party" belive them ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
"No orders from anyone. I have no time for the CAB, Marge or Cranney."......... So Lying Ste Akers B is Ok then ???????
I would prefer it if he emailed those 7 councillors and asked them to act like labour councillors and sort out the CAB Cabal and HCLP.
It gets a tad repetitive, SD and others saying they have no time for the usual suspects, but they have held sway for years now and sweet FA has changed..... Brash, Hargreaves, Jackson, Clarke, Lindridge, Harrison and others, all proper labour councillors..... how the heck did we end up with this labtor coalition :-\ :-\ :-\
Quote from: Steely Dan on May 22, 2017, 07: AM
No orders from anyone. I have no time for the CAB, Marge or Cranney.
But I will be campaigning for Mike Hill. I think he's a good man who deserves a chance and I'm terrified of the thoughts of a Tory government.
I think Mike is the best candidate by a mile.
Which candidate do you support and why?
An interesting question, in my heart I'm to the left and would love to vote for Mike Hill and I've said on this forum that he is a decent fellow, however, the Labour brand has been so tarnished in Hartlepool by the current Mob that I'll find it difficult to vote for Mike because that as I see it is endorsing the SCAB's.
Tory never in a million years, UKIP what a tosser, Liberal again nice man but not worth voting for.
I suspect many who would have voted Labour in this town will be put off by the actions of the Lab/Con Council and that is a really shame, the bigger shame is on Labour Party members who have let this happen.
QuoteI have emailed seven Labour councillors. All of them have denied there's any truth in this all gave said they'd never vote to support and such thing.
Really? These are the same people that have already voted to
* Ban supplementary questions
* Ban members of the public from asking their own questions
* Reduce the time allowed for public questions
* Reduce the time opposition councillors are allowed to speak
* Ignore a public consultation which called for more meetings to be held on an evening
There's such a thing as plausible deniability and I'm afraid the denials of both yourself and your mates aren't plausible.
Interesting that you say you've just moved back to the town yet already you have an allotment. It's not in Waverley Terrace is it?
Quote from: steveL on May 22, 2017, 08: AM
QuoteI have emailed seven Labour councillors. All of them have denied there's any truth in this all gave said they'd never vote to support and such thing.
Really? These are the same people that have already voted to
* Ban supplementary questions
* Ban members of the public from asking their own questions
* Reduce the time allowed for public questions
* Reduce the time opposition councillors are allowed to speak
* Ignore a public consultation which called for more meetings to be held on an evening
There's such a thing as plausible deniability and I'm afraid the denials of both yourself and your mates aren't plausible.
Interesting that you say you've just moved back to the town yet already you have an allotment. It's not in Waverley Terrace is it?
This particular post is
'The Troll Killer' reasoned debate has always been a feature of The Post, however we have occasional visits from rabid zealots, attempting to engaging with them is a pointless exercise......
Thanks to SteveL.........No more engagement is necessary or required by any of us :)
I have a feeling that Steely Dan and I have clashed before :)
Around the same time as the last GE in 2015 when he was threatening me with lawyers and all sorts of nonsense.
However, last time he had the balls to use his own name - this time sadly not.
Yawn !
Quote from: Paul Thompson on May 22, 2017, 09: AM
I have a feeling that Steely Dan and I have clashed before :)
Around the same time as the last GE in 2015 when he was threatening me with lawyers and all sorts of nonsense.
However, last time he had the balls to use his own name - this time sadly not.
Yawn !
Now using his stage name.....Must be part of his act, 'cos he appears to be a bit of a comedian! ::)
No, we haven't clashed before. I've never met you, never corresponded with you. Like your many claims on this site that is just an allegation based on zero evidence.
I do however know enough about you to know that one of your constituents has been pestering you for some time to organise a Seaton beach clean. Apparently you're too busy.
This lady is a friend of my wife and not prone to lying. I read all of her comments on her Facebook page.
Perhaps if you spent more time on local matters instead of posting spurious claims and petitions with no basis in fact, Seaton would be a better place and your constituents wouldn't be so critical of you.
Quote from: steveL on May 22, 2017, 08: AM
QuoteI have emailed seven Labour councillors. All of them have denied there's any truth in this all gave said they'd never vote to support and such thing.
Really? These are the same people that have already voted to
* Ban supplementary questions
* Ban members of the public from asking their own questions
* Reduce the time allowed for public questions
* Reduce the time opposition councillors are allowed to speak
* Ignore a public consultation which called for more meetings to be held on an evening
There's such a thing as plausible deniability and I'm afraid the denials of both yourself and your mates aren't plausible.
Interesting that you say you've just moved back to the town yet already you have an allotment. It's not in Waverley Terrace is it?
My allotment is shared with an elderly friend.
SD - Never corresponded with me before ?? Not even the texts you sent me during the 2015 GE ?? Hahaha. Jog on !
I have never sent you any texts. You seem to lie all the time. Do you have any evidence of thus nonsensical claims. No. But that never matters to you.
What about the Seaton Clean up Coun Thompson?
Quote from: Steely Dan on May 22, 2017, 09: AM
What about the Seaton Clean up Coun Thompson?
err what has this got to do with the council trying to stop questions ?
QuoteMy allotment is shared with an elderly friend.
Corbyn has an allotment in Hartlepool?
You don't half get some idiots on here in the run up to an election.
Quote from: DRiddle on May 22, 2017, 10: AM
You don't half get some idiots on here in the run up to an election.
what election ;D ;)
Quote from: steveL on May 22, 2017, 08: AM
Interesting that you say you've just moved back to the town yet already you have an allotment. It's not in Waverley Terrace is it?
:) :) :) :) :) Just choked on my tea.
Quote from: Steely Dan on May 22, 2017, 09: AM
Seaton would be a better place and your constituents wouldn't be so critical of you.
You are digging yet another hole...please don't go down the seaton route...one of the lunatics at the asylum you are supporting- Mad Dog brought in parking charges at Seaton against the wishes of the people of Seaton , without discussing the matter with residents first and she doesn't even live there! Another example of the kremlins interpretation of "democracy"
Better you stick to digging holes at the allotment, then again this is very similar, you are digging holes and burying the labour tatties every time you jump in. ;)
Quote from: Steely Dan on May 22, 2017, 09: AM
What about the Seaton Clean up Coun Thompson?
Anyway. Enough of this election stuff. What do you think of
Hartlepool Life? It's a lot better than
The Mail when that Harry Blackwood was in charge, don't you agree?
Who's Barry Hackwood ?
Any truth to the rumour that the Hartlepool Post is going to be re-named as the "Steely Dan Daily Diatribe"?
I reckon he should take a long hard look at the content/warning breakdown of some of the chemicals/toxins him and his elderly pal are exposing themselves to up on their Waverley allotment. (Some of the older posters might agree on the accuracy of an image of Bill and Ben suffering from "paraquat ingestion syndrome")
- Dan, Dan the flower-pot man!
Unfortunately he is his own worst enemy, on HARTLEPOOL POLITICS FB site he constantly uses foul and abusive language to everybody that disagrees with him.
He has a small uneducated right wing band of acolytes that hang off his every word and to think 2 years ago he voted GREEN !
Steve Picton left that site because this person called him a thick useless fu***ng c**t, the truth is Steve Picton is worth 10 of him and is a proper gent as we all know.
If you fart, sneeze or cough he calls you a racist and the debate quickly evaporates, at least on this site bullying is kept under control.
Looks like someone has been sussed.
I think someone was sussed a long time ago but everyone just played along with the 'game' ::)
Harry and his propagates, who are now pushing the Labour cause, have been busying themselves all over social media like Japanese Knot weed telling everyone that the Steve Gooderham petition is based on incorrect information and not to sign it.
All seems rather desperate to me.
Harry is banned from this Forum (along with many other social media outlets).
I suspect he might be on here using the ID of another clown from HARTLEPOOL POLITICS called Geraint, Winspear or Campbell.
Using a fake ID on the letters page was one of his favourite tricks until i rumbled him and reported it to HQ in Edinburgh.
He makes the wrong kind of enemies, i wouldn't like to cross swords with some of them :-[
Prepare for incoming . HB is mustering the troops ;D
It's normally cruel to kick a man when he's down and at his lowest ebb, but in the case of our esteemed Dear Leader, let's bend the rules for once. With the Public Question-gate fiasco, he's ducking and diving like a target on a funfair shooting stall this week. He deserves some sympathy, but happened to drift through his Linked-in profile and couldn't resist!
All the usual stuff is on there like job history (2 lowly positions in 9 years, but a total gap of 15yrs from leaving school in 86 up to becoming a benefits clerk in 2001) No mention of his torrid and unsuccessful stint at Easington Council (unless you class the personal success of scamming them for a lumper for constructive dissmisal to use as a deposit on Westbourne Road's famous BELCHER TOWERS)
Then there's the very sycophantic endorsement of his skills - eg Leadership (10); Management (9) (someone called Helen Macklam apparently rates him very highly)
But its when he shares his Accomplishments that the real fun starts.
2 training courses are listed here. First course was for LANGUAGE - he did one on English!?!? - Why English? Maybe because it's not his mother tongue! Either way, what he learnt on that course doesn't seem to have taken very deep roots judging by his mangled syntax and his Janet and John level of linguistic competence. (and don'tya just love the way he pronounces it as 'Artlepuuelle)
The other course taken looks to be almost sweetly ironic - COUNTER FRAUD. Described as - "To lead and coordinate the fight against fraud and corruption across local government, the health, education and charity sectors. Committment to :- prevention, detection and recovery of financial loss; protect the organisation's reputation; develop the team's counter fraud skills"
To top things off, his interests features Gay4Play - "A social networking group for LGBT's and friends. Aims to provide a platform for people to find others with similar interests and to create bespoke events for those people to meet and make new friends"
(hope he finds plenty like-minded souls in there, but not sure if Lying, 'Andsome Ste is also signed-up for that as well)
So, give the sucker a break. Get down to the Kremlin tomorrow night. Applaud his every utterance. Marvel at his oratory. Be amazed at his Barrister-like defence of his back-tracking. Be humbled by his modesty. Wonder at his statesmanship. And of course, if he gets to the portal just before you do, be sure to open the door for him with a flourish!! (and count the number of times he says 'Artlepuuelle)
Quote from: Hubris on May 22, 2017, 04: PM
The other course taken looks to be almost sweetly ironic - COUNTER FRAUD. Described as - "To lead and coordinate the fight against fraud and corruption across local government, the health, education and charity sectors. Committment to :- prevention, detection and recovery of financial loss; protect the organisation's reputation; develop the team's counter fraud skills")
Buried way back here is one of his posts where he is very proud of the way he was able to end someones benefit if he believed they did not deserve it. Kicking people in wheelchairs seems to have been his first taste of real 'power.
Quote from: kevplumb on May 22, 2017, 08: AM
Quote from: steely danThere's little public outcry. The petition has been reported to 38 degrees for being incorrect.
wonder who did that ::)
Quote from: steely dan
I have emailed seven Labour councillors. All of them have denied there's any truth in this all gave said they'd never vote to support and such thing.
and you being a loyal card carrying member of the "party" belive them ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
just to update you SD the petition is still live and kicking so your attempt at putting a spanner in the works failed
i'm just wondering when you will get round to ackers-belcher and the doors at the borough hall :o
Yes Cwissy.... No Cwissy.... 3 Bags Full Cwissy........ pathetic, a labour a**ewipe nothing more. :P :P :P
Quote from: fred c on May 22, 2017, 07: PM
Yes Cwissy.... No Cwissy.... 3 Bags Full Cwissy........ pathetic, a labour a**ewipe nothing more. :P :P :P
now now you it's not Thursday yet ;D ;D ;D ;D ;)
At council meeting - what a U turn
Quote from: gerek on May 23, 2017, 07: PM
At council meeting - what a U turn
more like what a sneak it in
I was at the front against the door (late in)
Oh I don't know - at least it didn't get pushed through un-noticed and with Paul Thompson now getting previous changes in public questioning onto the agenda of the next meeting, I would say it was a result.
must agree he did well that one :)
As suspected.. they didn't have the b**ls to see their plan through and backtracked at the speed of light. They didn't even bother to defend themselves when challenged on it.
It looked to me like the Mob had been ordered to be in their best behaviour. Prepared statements only and no petulant comments. Hmmm. Interesting that Councillor 'culture' Cranney was absent ;D
I think there are a few things worth noting from tonight's meeting:
1) The Chief Solicitor reiterated (twice, I think) that the report accurately reflected discussions during the Constitution Working Group meetings and the recommendations came from that group. This is somewhat in contradiction to the Leader's (and others) postings on social media that it was all 'fake news'. Noone at the meeting disputed the Chief Solicitors report or presentation so I therefore assume that they accepted it as fact.
2) The U-turn by the majority group was so severe it nearly put my eye out !
3) The further amendments that I suggested tonight and up for discussion at the next full council meeting (22 June) were as follows:
* Supplementary questions reinstated in their original format (ie two per question)
* Some committee meetings in the evenings for working people. I specifically mentioned 25% of meetings.
* 15 minutes Leader's questions without notice section at each council meeting
4) It was further agreed that between now and the next council meeting, the council will consult using Survey Monkey on the above proposals
5) Given the Leader's comments tonight of questions "anytime anywhere", I would assume that the 15 Mins Leaders Questions section will be simply approved on the 22 June. Surely, he would not change his mind would he ?
6) Despite comments made by a poster on this forum earlier in the week, there is no "egg on Thompson and Riddle's faces".
I am sure full video footage will appear shortly.
paul see if you can get the sound sorted out
I wasn't the only one that kept missing bits of what was being said
You could see the pain etched on their faces (the ones whose faces we could see anyway) when they had to agree to discussing the amendments on 22nd June. Should be an interesting meeting. They will be formulating their 'strategy' as we speak.
I thought Devlin was going to find a way to kick it into the long grass as usual but he didn't... though I'm not entirely sure what he said.. I'm convinced his mission is to deliberately confuse.
The effect of a general election cannot be underestimated. ;)
As for the sound. I don't think the system is the problem as it's a major improvement on the last one. The issue is the people who choose to speak quietly and mumble. I think we all know who the main culprit is.
Well, if Theresa May's mantra is 'strong and stable', Akers-Belcher demonstrated his tonight, 'Weak and wobbly'.
with you on that one
Noticeable absentee last night was Wells. I was told at the back-end of last week that he was planning to stay away and the Tory candidate tweeted last week that RMW would be 'voting against the proposal'. This tells us that Tory HQ was concerned about any impact. As it happens, the Labour U-Turn was so marked Wells would have been perfectly safe to attend.
Clarke made a bit of an ass of himself saying that he would never vote to limit the pubic's right to question having already voted to end supplementary questions, allowing people to ask their own questions and reduce the time allocated to public questions.
Otherwise it was a case of 'no one drop any clangers' in the run up to the election though, as we all know, the clanger had already been dropped.
Those who attended in the public gallery together with those behind the petition should give themselves a pat on the back. We learnt something last night: publlic pressure does work - but only in the weeks before an election ;)
When any of the leading lights talk it's like a lecture on Astro physics by Stanley Unwin.
....We need to keep the pressure on especially with regards to Scabs, Mad dog and Cranney,who, in particular should be the target in view of the moronic city of culture scenario.
Cranney and culture the only connection is the first letter...as some said on the snail website
What part of there is not Tees Valley and if there was, the area is described as a valley not a city.
How much money will cwissie and co be trying to syphon off towards this load of s**t? Yet another trough to bury their snouts in. Having resigned as chairwoman of t'comitee I wouldn't be surprised if mad dog barks her way into the whole thing, we all know what a gifted orator she is.
The only saving grace is it is not until 2025. There are clownicl elections next year and hopefully the Cwemlin labour clowns will have been thoroughly violated by Labours Ethics Team ( three words that don't actually sit comfortably together in this town), if their antics contribute towards labour loosing a "safe seat", resulting in them, hopefully, being defrocked so to speak ( or actually being..)
Keep digging up the s**t and throwing it, as was proved last night some sticks, especially when it is TRUE s**t.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QGXf_-njc8o
Looking forward to seeing the video...... a couple of things come to mind based on the comments so far.
1) The sound, I spoke to the CEO and Peter Devlin on several occasions (as did many others) regarding poor sound during meetings, the council have installed a new system that is an improvement, however, the seating position of councillors 'facing to the front' is a bad idea, but the biggest problem is the fact some councillors don't stand close enough to the mic and don't speak clearly and concisely.... Cwissy often starts ok, but then his voice gets weaker as he goes along 'I wonder in his case if it is deliberate'
2) The power of social media, we have seen with the parking U Turn in Seaton and last nights capitulation on Public Question just how effective a good social media base can be in bringing about change, if only every ward in the town had a FB page as effective and community minded as Seaton Carew News, it could and would make a difference, the moderators Joanne, Deb and Graham run a really tight ship, all things local to Seaton, but with a eye on happenings in Hartlepool that may affect the village are covered.
I hear there was a full house last night, hopefully that will continue, a few years ago we had an example of people power..... 3 men and a dog literally made tw*ts of the LabMob.......more public awareness and participation can and will impact on the decisions taken by the councils ruling group.
Aren't you banned from watching council videos, Fred?
Quote from: steveL on May 24, 2017, 09: AM
Aren't you banned from watching council videos, Fred?
;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
https://youtu.be/rGa70tVYVKo
To Attend Council Meeting........... as long as I'm not a nawty boy ::) ::) ::) ::) ::) ::) ::) ::) ::) ::)
The thing is, everyone can hear Rob Cook perfectly OK. When someone pointed out that the fact that he was facing the public might have something to do with it Alexander shook her head. In truth, lip reading as well as hearing is all part of the same process and not being able to watch people's mouth as they speak makes hearing that much harder. On top of that, making people stand to speak, moving them away from the microphones, is just plain silly. Either you have higher microphones or people stay in their seats like Cook does.
Quote from: fred c on May 24, 2017, 09: AM
https://youtu.be/rGa70tVYVKo
To Attend Council Meeting........... as long as I'm not a nawty boy ::) ::) ::) ::) ::) ::) ::) ::) ::) ::)
you fred
well I never ;)
Quote from: fred c on May 24, 2017, 09: AM
Seaton Carew News
I wish ..because like many I don't do facial book so can't follow these sites they would get a blogger blog or something similar- it is free and they could feed their Facebook food to the blog allowing everyone to read it....but hey ho you can't have everything.
It's easy to set up an are based forum on here if there was a demand for it.
Quote from: akarjl on May 24, 2017, 10: AM
Quote from: fred c on May 24, 2017, 09: AM
Seaton Carew News
I wish ..because like many I don't do facial book so can't follow these sites they would get a blogger blog or something similar- it is free and they could feed their Facebook food to the blog allowing everyone to read it....but hey ho you can't have everything.
You have lost me with blog..... blogger.... vlogger :-\......
The point made by SteveL re. Councillors facing away from the public, it was mentioned at the time, not only is it intensely ignorant, but it degrades the ability of the public to gauge how councillors are reacting by their facial expressions ........ no one anywhere speaks to people with their backs turned to the person they are talking to.
I can see why they did it, the LabMob are almost to 'person' incapable of engaging in a debate, presenting a motion or in the case of Lying Ste and Craney even reading a Script prepared for him by a PR person, without making a complete hash of it.
The other reason of course is well documented...... the LabMob have a distinct tendency to talk about each other in less than flattering terms..... in Del Boy terms.... ducking and diving..... bobbing and weaving ;)
A motion needs to be put to council by the Indies and Kippers requesting a return to the previous seating arrangements.........
Maybe the barriers are really there to protect the public from the councillors?
Quote from: fred c on May 24, 2017, 11: AM
A motion needs to be put to council by the Indies and Kippers requesting a return to the previous seating arrangements.........
Well as they are now "open to questions" that sounds like a plan ;)
PRESS RELEASE
Council steps up public involvement
Civic 5 - webPublished Wednesday, 24th May 2017
HARTLEPOOL Council re-affirmed its commitment to involving the public in local decision making at a meeting of the Full Council last night (Tuesday 23 May).
Councillors debated the various opportunities that the public can participate in to influence the democratic process following a review undertaken by the Council's Constitution Working Group.
Councillors voted in favour of Full Council meetings continuing on evenings and agreed that members of the public can continue to submit two questions at each Full Council meeting.
Members of the public will also be able to continue to quiz policy committee chairs at meetings.
Neighbourhood Forums are to be renamed Community Forums which will provide a focal point for local consultation on the provision of Council services and neighbourhood issues.
In between the two forums – known as North & Coastal and South & Central – the public will be given a further opportunity to quiz the Council's five policy committee chairs.
Councillor Christopher Akers-Belcher, the Leader of Hartlepool Council who proposed the package of public participation measures at the meeting, said: "Open, transparent local government is at the forefront of everything that we do and the public have a huge part to play in shaping Council services and the town in general.
"The Council committee system of governance lends itself to greater participation of the public in our decision making and is a strength in promoting public engagement."
Councillor Alan Clark, chair of the Council's Children's Services Committee, who seconded the package of measures, said: "On the point of democracy I am firmly of the view that the current committee system is far more democratic that the previous Elected mayor and Cabinet system."
"There are countless opportunities for the public to get involved and have their say and that is something which we want to continue to embrace."
"On the timings of Full Council meetings, I support meetings remaining at 7pm but acknowledge that there is no perfect time for any meetings as some will feel excluded during the day and others on evenings."
Press release PR16109 – 24 May 2017.
Issued by Alastair Rae, Public Relations Manager, on 01429 523510.
Despite the epithets used to describe the Tor/Lab shower over the years, last night was a great indication of another to be used...hypocrites.
The complaisance of Cook towards the "audience" was in stark contrast to his previous 'I run this show and we'll do it MY way' demeanor.
Where was the rebuke to the "audience" for clapping at various times during proceedings....we should be seen and not heard.
He barely suppressed a snigger regarding Geoff's joke at Cranney being (of all things) our cultural attache!!! :o ::) Only in 'artlepool
Even MD was mute at the accusation of a 'u turn'. :-*
However, it will be business (and threatening nastiness) as usual, once the election is out of the way.
The sad thing is, they think we can't see through the charade. ;D
Well done to Cllrs Thompson & Riddle for facing up to the bullies in that chamber.
The supine Tor/Lab mob days are coming to an end. 8)
Spot on there I reckon.
Interesting to note Wells' absence. If I've got it right, the Constitution Working Group is an off-sheet of Audit and Governance which Wells chairs so it's a reasonable assumption that he also chairs the working group. So there's an awkward situation. It was Wells' working group that produced the recommendations that everyone objected to and the Tory Election candidate is on Twitter announcing that RMW will be voting against the proposals(his own Proposals).
How does Wells get out of this one? He doesn't turn up.
The Press Release of last night's meeting is also out in double quick time full of ow Labour are committed to openness and transparency while there's no mention of Thompson's amendment to have a full debate on reinstating supplementary questions, moving some committee meetings to a evening and allocating a 15 minute 'Ask the Leader' session during every meeting of the full council.
A clear-cut breach of Purdah BTW, 2 weeks before the election with Labour using council officers to spin their message..
Councillors voted in favour of Full Council meetings continuing on evenings and agreed that members of the public can continue to submit two questions at each Full Council meeting.
Unless I missed something last night, I don't think there were votes on the two contentious items - public questions & meeting times. The Town Solicitor simply went straight past them without asking for a vote as it was felt they were the misreported outcome of a working group.
I think it would have been better if a vote had been taken as that would have been recorded in the minutes and as such could be used against the ruling group when they try again later this year.
Does anyone know where this now stands - have they got the best of both worlds by not having to vote at council but with HBC spinning it as they have? Does Mr Rae need to issue a retraction - or did I miss something?
'Let me control the media and I will turn any nation into a herd of pigs'.
That might have worked in 1939, but it's much harder with more people getting their news from social media rather than local papers.
Labour lost control of all media bar The Mail a long time ago. They have absolutely no clue how to get their message out via social media.
Quote from: steveL on May 24, 2017, 05: PM
Spot on there I reckon.
Interesting to note Wells' absence. If I've got it right, the Constitution Working Group is an off-sheet of Audit and Governance which Wells chairs so it's a reasonable assumption that he also chairs the working group. So there's an awkward situation. It was Wells' working group that produced the recommendations that everyone objected to and the Tory Election candidate is on Twitter announcing that RMW will be voting against the proposals(his own Proposals).
My understanding from the agenda is that the Constitution Working Group has been upgraded to Constitution Committee with
probably CAB as its chair - the Leader of the council (known as the Leader) has an automatic place. Where is gets a bit tricky is, according to Devlin, working groups can only propose changes (hence the get out of jail free card for the LabCons) so they couldn't vote on policy hence the no vote on items 4 & 5 in the list of recommendations. However a committee is a different matter - hence my query around last night's no vote
Quote from: DRiddle on May 24, 2017, 06: PM
'Let me control the media and I will turn any nation into a herd of pigs'.
That might have worked in 1939, but it's much harder with more people getting their news from social media rather than local papers.
Labour lost control of all media bar The Mail a long time ago. They have absolutely no clue how to get their message out via social media.
Carlos gets his sister to fight the local party's corner on FB, why on earth he does not 'man up' and do it himself is beyond me.
Quote from: steveL on May 24, 2017, 03: PM
PRESS RELEASE
Council steps up public involvement
Civic 5 - webPublished Wednesday, 24th May 2017
HARTLEPOOL Council re-affirmed its commitment to involving the public in local decision making at a meeting of the Full Council last night (Tuesday 23 May).
Councillors debated the various opportunities that the public can participate in to influence the democratic process following a review undertaken by the Council's Constitution Working Group.
Councillors voted in favour of Full Council meetings continuing on evenings and agreed that members of the public can continue to submit two questions at each Full Council meeting.
Members of the public will also be able to continue to quiz policy committee chairs at meetings.
Neighbourhood Forums are to be renamed Community Forums which will provide a focal point for local consultation on the provision of Council services and neighbourhood issues.
In between the two forums – known as North & Coastal and South & Central – the public will be given a further opportunity to quiz the Council's five policy committee chairs.
Councillor Christopher Akers-Belcher, the Leader of Hartlepool Council who proposed the package of public participation measures at the meeting, said: "Open, transparent local government is at the forefront of everything that we do and the public have a huge part to play in shaping Council services and the town in general.
"The Council committee system of governance lends itself to greater participation of the public in our decision making and is a strength in promoting public engagement."
Councillor Alan Clark, chair of the Council's Children's Services Committee, who seconded the package of measures, said: "On the point of democracy I am firmly of the view that the current committee system is far more democratic that the previous Elected mayor and Cabinet system."
"There are countless opportunities for the public to get involved and have their say and that is something which we want to continue to embrace."
"On the timings of Full Council meetings, I support meetings remaining at 7pm but acknowledge that there is no perfect time for any meetings as some will feel excluded during the day and others on evenings."
Press release PR16109 – 24 May 2017.
Issued by Alastair Rae, Public Relations Manager, on 01429 523510.
"Councillor Alan Clark, chair of the Council's Children's Services Committee, who seconded the package of measures, said: "On the point of democracy I am firmly of the view that the current committee system is far more democratic that the previous Elected mayor and Cabinet system."
[/
The only description for Clarke based on his quote above is as a 2 faced hypocrite...... if that is what he really thinks, Why didn't he fight CAB for a Referendum for the residents of Hartlepool on the Tees Valley Amalgamation.
No Mayor and cabinet for Hartlepool............. But a Mayor and cabinet vote that has dragged Hartlepool into Smogsville...
Because they're party members and loyalty to the party is the be all and end all. Logic flies out of the window and common sense discarded to keep the party line.
You end up governed by a circus of posturing clowns and their minions, who in any other walk of life would be seen as a bad joke a tragic Gilbert and Sullivan style comic opera, an out of tune chorus of the talentless. Windbags.
For all his flaws, during his ten year tenure as Mayor, Stuart Drummond never once made any move to restrict the public from asking him questions. In fact, he used to hold State of the Borough events which lasted a couple of hours during which he took live questions from the public. In some ways this was a brave thing to do but he did it just the same.
Following on from this press release I have sent this email to Alistair Rae -
Good Afternoon Alastair,
Following on from your recent press release regarding the issue of Public Questions and timing of meetings, both discussed at the Council Meeting held on May 23rd 2017, as far as I am aware no voting took place on either of these items.
They were discussed but when it came to voting Peter Devlin simply bypassed them and didn't ask for a vote, therefore your statement to the press was factually incorrect and gave the impression that the ruling council voted in favour of public questions and the timing of meetings, which they didn't. However, if I am incorrect, I am sure the minutes and video will reflect this and you will be able to provide a vote count.
Also, on the same subject, as you only quoted Labour Councillors, a lot more Independent / UKIP spoke on the topic, your release was biased towards the ruling group and as such I suspect is in breach of Purdah. I am sure Peter Devlin will be able to give clarification on this.
Get the boot in every opportunity.Just when the they thought they had brushed it under the carpet ( well there's plenty of spare sections piled up somewhere in the kremlin) .....don't you just love social media, video email etc.......cwissie must be seething.
Perhaps our illustrious cultural representative could write the next press release, by smearing excrement on the walls of his holding pen?
I'm told someone from the local Conservative candidates team has been onto HBC about the press release.
Quote from: DRiddle on May 25, 2017, 03: PM
I'm told someone from the local Conservative candidates team has been onto HBC about the press release.
Maybe Councillor Martin-Wells should have attended then he could have also been mentioned in the Press Release - missed opportunity back fired for all the right reasons ;D
Quote from: DRiddle on May 25, 2017, 03: PM
I'm told someone from the local Conservative candidates team has been onto HBC about the press release.
I assume the Press officer is a clowncil employee ? Engaged by the leading labour mob? I wonder who approves press releases.....I would suspect somebody will be expected to fall on their sword if this grows wings....
If during a local election a PHF, Independent, Lib Dem, UKIP or any other candidate had made such a blatant breach, there would be repercussions for that candidate...................You have to wonder who Alastair Rae receives his instructions from and who actually approves his press releases??? ??? ???
Quote from: fred c on May 25, 2017, 04: PM
If during a local election a PHF, Independent, Lib Dem, UKIP or any other candidate had made such a blatant breach, there would be repercussions for that candidate...................You have to wonder who Alastair Rae receives his instructions from and who actually approves his press releases??? ??? ???
I received a reply regarding the Press Release - the Press Release was approved by Peter Devlin. I am still trying to get a straight answer as to whether a vote took place or not - the line being used is -
It is appropriate if there is no dissent for members to proceed with the business before them. Council appeared willing to leave things 'as is' on the public questions etc., I am now awaiting confirmation that this will be seen as a vote and recorded as such in the minutes - but that doesn't get away from the fact that the press release stated a vote had taken place.
My concern is the new Constitution Committee made up of
1 Cllr C Akers Belcher (Chair) (Leader) (Lab)
2 Cllr Beck (Chair of Council)(Lab)
3 Cllr Barclay(Lab)
4 Cllr Cranney (Lab)
5 Cllr Cook (Lab)
6 Cllr Martin-Wells (Con)
7 Cllr Thompson (IND)
8 Cllr Tennant (UKIP)
9 Cllr S Akers-Belcher (Lab)
could simply ignore the outcome of the meeting and revisit the issue. I know that positions 7 & 8 will fight it, but they are in the minority. Like some other committees this is constitutionally politically imbalanced. There should be 1 less Labour and 1 more UKIP - aren't UKIP interested in the Constitution?
Quote from: DRiddle on May 25, 2017, 03: PM
I'm told someone from the local Conservative candidates team has been onto HBC about the press release.
Obviously they are not aware of Martin-Wells special relationship with the Labour group
Coun.Wells is on holiday, he can't attend.
Quote from: The Great Dictator on May 25, 2017, 06: PM
Coun.Wells is on holiday, he can't attend.
Another "course" paid for by the clowncil? Like cwissies "Coiunter Fraud" course....I kid you not check his Linkedin profile- can't even spell the word and he has attended a course on the subject - probably at the "Crannible Inshitoot of Headyoucashun?
Let's hope it is a long term holiday, as in permanent.
Quote from: The Great Dictator on May 25, 2017, 06: PM
Coun.Wells is on holiday, he can't attend.
Couldn't one of those twee nodding dogs you used to see in cars be found as a suitable substitute?