Councillor Michael DaveyMichael Davey was elected as a Northumberland County Councillor in 1988 before being elected leader in May 1998. Councillor Davey also served as the Chair of the North of England Regional Assembly and the Association of North East Councils twice, in 1999 and 2001. Michael has also been responsible for the creation of a number of community organisations in Wansbeck including the Caring Committee, the Wansbeck Association for Disabled, the Wansbeck Council for Voluntary Service and the Wansbeck Community Trust.
*All steering board members have chosen to be involved in this campaign in an individual capacity totally independent from their present occupations
Friday, May 25, 2007
Ex Leader M Davey on the commiitee
Follys is not here to publicise other web sites particularly but the latest offering from the County is at http://www.onenorthumberland.org.uk/ you must all read it.
Those who remember the Democracy Commission, that’s right the one that no one took any notice of.
This was supposed to be ‘completely independent’ of the County Council but yet had four county councillors on it.
Now we have a website that’s independent of the County with Councillor Michael Davey on the organising committee. Well now that’s independent isn’t it.
We have Ian Wrigglesworth (remember he helped form the SDP – what happened to that we wonder) who through his property company in Gateshead has set up the site – what the hell has a company in Gateshead got to do with setting up websites promoting Northumberland County Council?
Sir Ian denies that there is such a thing as an urban Northumberland or a rural area – its about time he came into the real world, the County Council have admitted the difference for years.
Meanwhile his second in charge the Archdeacon of Lindisfarne, The Venerable Robert Langley pours forth his views on what the County needs, not what the people want but what these two think we need.
These two also say they support the notion of a wholly elected Cabinet – they had better talk to Peter Hillman about that – the county leaders option is for a privately installed leader – miles away from the democratic version on offer in the Two Councils bid.
Then we have Michael Davey, nuff said.
And who is Carole Beverly. The businesswomen also behind this odd collection of misfits.
Those who remember the Democracy Commission, that’s right the one that no one took any notice of.
This was supposed to be ‘completely independent’ of the County Council but yet had four county councillors on it.
Now we have a website that’s independent of the County with Councillor Michael Davey on the organising committee. Well now that’s independent isn’t it.
We have Ian Wrigglesworth (remember he helped form the SDP – what happened to that we wonder) who through his property company in Gateshead has set up the site – what the hell has a company in Gateshead got to do with setting up websites promoting Northumberland County Council?
Sir Ian denies that there is such a thing as an urban Northumberland or a rural area – its about time he came into the real world, the County Council have admitted the difference for years.
Meanwhile his second in charge the Archdeacon of Lindisfarne, The Venerable Robert Langley pours forth his views on what the County needs, not what the people want but what these two think we need.
These two also say they support the notion of a wholly elected Cabinet – they had better talk to Peter Hillman about that – the county leaders option is for a privately installed leader – miles away from the democratic version on offer in the Two Councils bid.
Then we have Michael Davey, nuff said.
And who is Carole Beverly. The businesswomen also behind this odd collection of misfits.
Latest new's from County Hall
Now we even hear that the Chief Constable of Northumbria Police and the Police Authority, and one or two others have removed their support for the single unitary bid.
Whilst its unravelling, Peter goes off on his lonesome in search of support at the Northern TUC on Thursday.
No joy there then, we understand from union members that Peter showed he was master of his brief alright – only it wasn’t the right brief!
What a farce – he can’t even put his own case forward without alienating some 200 union members with intemperate comments towards awkward questions.
Meanwhile Dave Stephens and his CEO present a cogent and powerful case for two unitary councils, at the same meeting - gaining some very powerful support and friends.
And so we lurch on with the mandarins at Whitehall gloating over the prospect of THEY making a decision that should have been decided by a referendum, that Peter doesn’t want. He prattles on about the government not having a referendum in its plans!!!
He and Brooks were told they could join the districts in a referendum – but that is not the message Peter wants to get out…..is it?
OH! AND BY THE WAY.....
Follys understands there is to be three public meetings arranged by the County to guage opinion and put forward their case only for a single unitary - even though their council does not show a preference for either!
These three public meetings, we understand from an officer, are to be by way of invitation only!
Invitations will only be issued if you answer telephone canvassers correctly....you couldn't make it up.
The meetings starting with Cramlington are supposed to be on the 5,6,7 June, coming to a place near you!!!!!!!
We understand if you turn up without a ticket you will be refused entry.
Follys understands a massive picketing operation is being planned with the press and TV already informed.
Follys wonders whose witless idea this was?
Whilst its unravelling, Peter goes off on his lonesome in search of support at the Northern TUC on Thursday.
No joy there then, we understand from union members that Peter showed he was master of his brief alright – only it wasn’t the right brief!
What a farce – he can’t even put his own case forward without alienating some 200 union members with intemperate comments towards awkward questions.
Meanwhile Dave Stephens and his CEO present a cogent and powerful case for two unitary councils, at the same meeting - gaining some very powerful support and friends.
And so we lurch on with the mandarins at Whitehall gloating over the prospect of THEY making a decision that should have been decided by a referendum, that Peter doesn’t want. He prattles on about the government not having a referendum in its plans!!!
He and Brooks were told they could join the districts in a referendum – but that is not the message Peter wants to get out…..is it?
OH! AND BY THE WAY.....
Follys understands there is to be three public meetings arranged by the County to guage opinion and put forward their case only for a single unitary - even though their council does not show a preference for either!
These three public meetings, we understand from an officer, are to be by way of invitation only!
Invitations will only be issued if you answer telephone canvassers correctly....you couldn't make it up.
The meetings starting with Cramlington are supposed to be on the 5,6,7 June, coming to a place near you!!!!!!!
We understand if you turn up without a ticket you will be refused entry.
Follys understands a massive picketing operation is being planned with the press and TV already informed.
Follys wonders whose witless idea this was?
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Four MP's join forces to save Northumberland from NCC and Peter Hillman
MP's join forces to back two-councils campaign
Left to right: Denis Murphy, Alan Beith, Ronnie Campbell and Peter Atkinson
MP Alan Beith has warned there will could be a backlash if proposals for a single unitary authority for Northumberland are given the green light.
Mr Beith told the House of Commons last week there would be a "vigorous campaign" against the decision.All four Northumberland MPs – Mr eith, Ronnie Campbell (Blyth Valley, Labour) Denis Murphy (Wansbeck, Labour) and Peter Atkinson (Hexham, Conservative) – spoke in favour of the district councils' bid to set up two authorities.The plan would see a council created for the rural north and west and another for the urban south east.Northumberland County Council backs a single authority.Mr Beith said: "If the Government opts for a single authority, I confidently predict that there will be a vigorous campaign against the idea. The district councils have a mandate for such a campaign, and local organisations will want to back that campaign."On the other hand, if the Government opt for two unitary authorities, the county council will have no mandate to campaign against the proposal, as its own resolution actually supports both proposals. "Mr Beith told MPs of the support for the two-council plan and said the "one-size-fits-all approach" is not capable of "responding to the needs of the diverse communities of the county."He said: "It is a unique situation: Four MPs in three political parties are in broad agreement about the direction that Northumberland should take."I defy the Under-Secretary to find another example from the whole round of local government reorganisation in which she is so assisted by unanimity on one proposal. I hope she and her colleagues take that factor carefully into account."And Mr Beith spoke of his disappointment if local government was not reorganised in Northumberland."If, after all that, the Government said, 'Oh, it's too difficult. Let's just leave it alone', there would be a great deal of disappointment among people on all sides of the argument, and there would not be a very promising atmosphere in which to achieve an enhanced two-tier system, which is the only viable alternative," he said."It would be a system in which authorities would have to share services a great deal. I am not saying that it would be a bad thing, but it would be necessary to plan the sharing of services, staff and so on."It would require a big change of attitude in the county council and in the district councils, too. I have not seen any evidence in discussions that the county is willing to undertake such lateral thinking. All the indications – certainly everything that my three colleagues would want to propose – suggests that a two-unitary authority solution is the right way forward."Angela Smith, Parliamentary Under-Secretary, Department for Communities and Local Government, said: "I congratulate the Right Hon. Member for Berwick-upon-Tweed on securing the debate on what is
obviously a key issue for the people of Northumberland. I appreciate the strong feelings that have been expressed. There are few occasions in the House when all three parties agree and it is a rare opportunity for a Minister to respond to such a debate."She added: "Consultation is now under way and judgments will be made about which part of the proposals will go forward, if either go forward, on the basis of that consultation and subsequent evaluation and judgment."After the stakeholder consultation, we will need to consider carefully all the representations that we have received. All the information provided to ministers will be considered in the course of the examination of the issues."I want to give an assurance to the four MPs who are here in the chamber that the views that they have expressed today will be taken into account, but they might wish to make formal submissions as well."
Last Updated: 21 May 2007
Left to right: Denis Murphy, Alan Beith, Ronnie Campbell and Peter Atkinson
MP Alan Beith has warned there will could be a backlash if proposals for a single unitary authority for Northumberland are given the green light.
Mr Beith told the House of Commons last week there would be a "vigorous campaign" against the decision.All four Northumberland MPs – Mr eith, Ronnie Campbell (Blyth Valley, Labour) Denis Murphy (Wansbeck, Labour) and Peter Atkinson (Hexham, Conservative) – spoke in favour of the district councils' bid to set up two authorities.The plan would see a council created for the rural north and west and another for the urban south east.Northumberland County Council backs a single authority.Mr Beith said: "If the Government opts for a single authority, I confidently predict that there will be a vigorous campaign against the idea. The district councils have a mandate for such a campaign, and local organisations will want to back that campaign."On the other hand, if the Government opt for two unitary authorities, the county council will have no mandate to campaign against the proposal, as its own resolution actually supports both proposals. "Mr Beith told MPs of the support for the two-council plan and said the "one-size-fits-all approach" is not capable of "responding to the needs of the diverse communities of the county."He said: "It is a unique situation: Four MPs in three political parties are in broad agreement about the direction that Northumberland should take."I defy the Under-Secretary to find another example from the whole round of local government reorganisation in which she is so assisted by unanimity on one proposal. I hope she and her colleagues take that factor carefully into account."And Mr Beith spoke of his disappointment if local government was not reorganised in Northumberland."If, after all that, the Government said, 'Oh, it's too difficult. Let's just leave it alone', there would be a great deal of disappointment among people on all sides of the argument, and there would not be a very promising atmosphere in which to achieve an enhanced two-tier system, which is the only viable alternative," he said."It would be a system in which authorities would have to share services a great deal. I am not saying that it would be a bad thing, but it would be necessary to plan the sharing of services, staff and so on."It would require a big change of attitude in the county council and in the district councils, too. I have not seen any evidence in discussions that the county is willing to undertake such lateral thinking. All the indications – certainly everything that my three colleagues would want to propose – suggests that a two-unitary authority solution is the right way forward."Angela Smith, Parliamentary Under-Secretary, Department for Communities and Local Government, said: "I congratulate the Right Hon. Member for Berwick-upon-Tweed on securing the debate on what is
obviously a key issue for the people of Northumberland. I appreciate the strong feelings that have been expressed. There are few occasions in the House when all three parties agree and it is a rare opportunity for a Minister to respond to such a debate."She added: "Consultation is now under way and judgments will be made about which part of the proposals will go forward, if either go forward, on the basis of that consultation and subsequent evaluation and judgment."After the stakeholder consultation, we will need to consider carefully all the representations that we have received. All the information provided to ministers will be considered in the course of the examination of the issues."I want to give an assurance to the four MPs who are here in the chamber that the views that they have expressed today will be taken into account, but they might wish to make formal submissions as well."
Last Updated: 21 May 2007
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