Carl Richardson

[steveL]

and to think that it only took him a week to decide . . . well that and the sudden realisation that he was up for re-election next May

Carl Richardson

Personal statement

Re: Council allowances

I will personally only take a 1% increase in my allowance, in solidarity with the rest of public sector workers in the UK.
I voted for the independent remuneration panel's recommendation, not for myself, but for future potential councillors.
I did not become a councillor for personal gain, I did so to help people and represent them. When I first went on the council I was employed full time. Unfortunately, I eventually lost my job, after which I focused my energy in serving on the council. Financially, I was only able to make this choice with the support of my family.

I would like to see a council of much greater diversity across all ages, genders and especially financial backgrounds in order to truly represent the people of Hartlepool. The current system effectively precludes this, even with this increase, the average councillor will only receive around £650/month before taxes, many are just not willing or able to make this 'sacrifice', nor should they have to.

In an ideal world, I believe council allowances should be set by central government in order to avoid this 'circus'. That said, we live in the real world. Is it at all logical for us to commission an independent inquiry, and then completely ignore their recommendations?
This is my final statement on the matter. I do not wish to expend any more time and energy discussing peripheral issues. We have a Tory government extending austerity and poverty on every level to our town and communities. This is the main fight, this is the battle we must win.

We need a Labour Government committed to socialist policies

[marky]

Steve, have you noticed that the two councillors highlighted on the from page have both since back-tracked on their vote. Maybe you should highlight a few more 

[for fawkes sake]

He doesn't actually say what he plans to do with the other 30%. Could it be that, once he has got passed his re-election next May, he then quietly accepts the whole 31%?

[fred c]

Unfortunately, I eventually lost my job, after which I focused my energy in serving on the council.

99.9% of people who lose their job........... strive to find another one ASAP, they don't bale out of working for a living in favour of becoming a full time councillor, living off the council tax payers of the town.

He ain't fooling anyone with this load of codswallop....... he voted For....... end of story.     DOHHHHHHHHH

[mk1]

Good to note that The post is still able to shame the Labour sheep. The  local Momentum Muppets have failed utterly in their attempts disrupt and deflect the message.

[jeffh]

This statement is coming from the mindset of a person who sees being councillor as being a job but he is certainly not alone.  I reckon he's trying to curry favour with Mike Hill so he's not deselscted in favour of somebody from the NPLP

Maybe he needs some advice and guidance from Cranney who, on Radio Tees, went to great lengths to say it was an allowance they were receiving and not pay.

Who's next then -
Kaylie Sirs - though she'll be feeling the pinch if she can't put massive telephone claims in
Stephen Thomas - though his boss might have something to say about insubordination
Marjorie James - though she'll probably need it if she's getting binned in favour of Daddy Belcher
Brenda Loynes - though being in bed with CAB's mob is bad enough, so taking the extra money won't affect her conscience

I must admit I was touched when Richardson said he was only thinking of future potential councillors - are he and his mates going somewhere - I don't think so

So we now have 3 Abstentions and 2 after the facts - I'm not counting Hunter as he abstained

[steveL]

Steve, have you noticed that the two councillors highlighted on the from page have both since back-tracked on their vote. Maybe you should highlight a few more 

I suspect it's more to do with that list of people up for re-election next May that someone produced. Kaylee Sirs should be next but I think she's the sort to take the money

[Land Phil]

The more that give up the rise, the more the remaining ones look stupid.

Cannon fodder come election time.

[mk1]

Maybe he needs some advice and guidance from Cranney who, on Radio Tees, went to great lengths to say it was an allowance they were receiving and not pay.

And them made a complete ar*se of himself by calling  it a 'pay rise'  later in the same interview!

[kevplumb]

‎Trish Lawton‎
 
to
 
Town Of Hartlepool Politics
1 min ·

My personal statement.
I did not attend the council meeting last Thursday because my 86 year old father was being discharged from hospital and I had to settle him back in his home. I totally disagreed with the extortionate 31% increase and would never have voted for it. The Labour Party is supposed to be a socialist party and it would be totally unfair in view of the ongoing pay cap being applied to public sector pay.
I have advised the finance department that I wish the increase to NOT be applied to my allowance.
I hope that all Labour Party Councillors take a similar stance in order to show solidarity to all people who are affected by the current Tory austerity measures.
Councillor Trisha Lawton

[mk1]

‎Trish Lawton‎

to

Town Of Hartlepool Politics
1 min ·

My personal statement.
I did not attend the council meeting last Thursday because my 86 year old father was being discharged from hospital and I had to settle him back in his home. I totally disagreed with the extortionate 31% increase and would never have voted for it. The Labour Party is supposed to be a socialist party and it would be totally unfair in view of the ongoing pay cap being applied to public sector pay.
I have advised the finance department that I wish the increase to NOT be applied to my allowance.
I hope that all Labour Party Councillors take a similar stance in order to show solidarity to all people who are affected by the current Tory austerity measures.
Councillor Trisha Lawton

I fed the above into Google Translate as I got this:

'I had hoped by not turning up I could rely on the others to vote through my pay-rise Allowance increase and I could claim I 'had done nothing wrong'. It seemed to work for Angie, SAB, Cranney and Beck so it was worth a punt. As usual Calamity Chris dropped the ball and  I may not escape opprobrium after all. I hope my completely bogus excuse (I am not as stupid as SAB and kept clear of saying it was a family funeral) saves my boney ar*se and I can keep my seat on the Council'.

[craig finton]

This is getting like 'Councillor Bingo'

"And the next one out of the hat is ......................"

[jeffh]

‎Trish Lawton‎

to

Town Of Hartlepool Politics
1 min ·

My personal statement.
I did not attend the council meeting last Thursday because my 86 year old father was being discharged from hospital and I had to settle him back in his home. I totally disagreed with the extortionate 31% increase and would never have voted for it. The Labour Party is supposed to be a socialist party and it would be totally unfair in view of the ongoing pay cap being applied to public sector pay.
I have advised the finance department that I wish the increase to NOT be applied to my allowance.
I hope that all Labour Party Councillors take a similar stance in order to show solidarity to all people who are affected by the current Tory austerity measures.
Councillor Trisha Lawton

I fed the above into Google Translate as I got this:

'I had hoped by not turning up I could rely on the others to vote through my pay-rise Allowance increase and I could claim I 'had done nothing wrong'. It seemed to work for Angie, SAB, Cranney and Beck so it was worth a punt. As usual Calamity Chris dropped the ball and  I may not escape opprobrium after all. I hope my completely bogus excuse (I am not as stupid as SAB and kept clear of saying it was a family funeral) saves my boney ar*se and I can keep my seat on the Council'.

So let's see if we get a similar statement from Mammy Belcher

Maybe all these Labour Councillors who have either changed their mind or abstained could propose a motion at the next Council Meeting that the pay rise, sorry allowance increase, is rejected we would have
McLaughlin
Hunter
Harrison
Clarke
Richardson
Lawton
add those 6 to the 11 who voted against the rise and we have the magic 17 and CABs stuffed

So come on you Labour Councillors who are having an attack of conscience - prove it and oppose the rise with the power of the vote

[DRiddle]

Maybe his conscience was pricked by the 25,000+ people who saw his picture all over Facebook informing people about what he'd done.

The one of the Akers-belchers on Facebook pointing out they also took the rise has apparently now been clicked on 40,000 times.

My guess is Beck will be the next to back track.

[jeffh]

Maybe his conscience was pricked by the 25,000+ people who saw his picture all over Facebook informing people about what he'd done.

The one of the Akers-belchers on Facebook pointing out they also took the rise has apparently now been clicked on 40,000 times.

My guess is Beck will be the next to back track.

Back track on what - if my memory serves me correctly he wasn't at the same meeting as the rest of us last Thursday so he can take the MRA Trustee defence which will be "I did not vote in favour of the allowance rise" - on the grounds he didn't know whether he was batting or bowling - and we know who was responsible for that don't we