As the Library at Newsham covers his ward ?
And no comment from Councillor Brooks ?
We will happily print his comments on the closure of the libraries
Take from the News Post Leader December 8 2006
Plan to close town library approved
COUNCIL leaders have backed recommendations which will see the closure of a popular Blyth library.
On Monday members of Northumberland County Council's executive approved plans to close Newsham library and replace it with a mobile collection service – despite 57 per cent of people in the community saying such a move would be unacceptable.Twelve libraries across Northumberland have been under review, and the plans will also see South Beach library placed into the hands of the community association, while Seaton Sluice library will remain until the county council can develop "alternative provision".Marguerite Gracey, head of libraries for Northumberland County Council, said the project aimed to improve library provision in Northumberland's communities."We want more people using libraries, but there are serious problems, such as poor use."Both users and non-users have been enthusiastic about getting involved and with the council's support, can help."However, so far people in two communities – Seaton Sluice and Wylam – have indicated that the only option at present is the current library."It is an opportunity to get exactly what they want – whether that's running the library themselves or taking over buildings for community uses."
Saturday, December 09, 2006
Saturday, December 02, 2006
IS THIS INFORMATION CORRECT LEADER OF NCC
Taken from Councillor Gareth Davies Blog
A further barrier to the delivery of incremental improvement in customer satisfaction and BVPI’s are the significant external challenges facing Streetcare. It does not make sense that our most significant external customer, Northumberland County Council, is unable to provide us with either budgets or a service level agreement six months into the financial year. Any targeting of service delivery for the next year must reflect the facts of our circumstances – NCC is proving increasingly unrealistic in its operations and its refusal to co-operate with both the council and the officers of Streetcare
A further barrier to the delivery of incremental improvement in customer satisfaction and BVPI’s are the significant external challenges facing Streetcare. It does not make sense that our most significant external customer, Northumberland County Council, is unable to provide us with either budgets or a service level agreement six months into the financial year. Any targeting of service delivery for the next year must reflect the facts of our circumstances – NCC is proving increasingly unrealistic in its operations and its refusal to co-operate with both the council and the officers of Streetcare
Thursday, November 30, 2006
Districts back creation of two unitary authorities
Just of the press Northumberland Today
Councils united in fight for two local bodies
DISTRICT councils in Northumberland are backing the creation of two unitary authorities in the county.
Tynedale Council this week joined Alnwick District Council, Berwick Borough Council and those in the south east of the county in calling for rural and urban authorities. The decision is in response to the Government’s White Paper on council reforms which gave authorities until
January 25 to come up with proposals to abolish the current system of district and county councils. If the proposal is accepted, one authority would serve rural Northumberland comprising the Alnwick, Berwick, Castle Morpeth and Tynedale districts and one would cover the Blyth and Wansbeck areas.
Coun Heather Cairns, leader of Alnwick District Council, said she was pleased that all district councils were united. She said: “Rural Northumberland needs a council that addresses the specific needs and priorities of its communities, it is important that decisions are made by local people with local knowledge.” However, the county council has already declared its preference for a single Northumberland authority. The Government has indicted that about eight counties’ submissions will be approved.
Councils united in fight for two local bodies
DISTRICT councils in Northumberland are backing the creation of two unitary authorities in the county.
Tynedale Council this week joined Alnwick District Council, Berwick Borough Council and those in the south east of the county in calling for rural and urban authorities. The decision is in response to the Government’s White Paper on council reforms which gave authorities until
January 25 to come up with proposals to abolish the current system of district and county councils. If the proposal is accepted, one authority would serve rural Northumberland comprising the Alnwick, Berwick, Castle Morpeth and Tynedale districts and one would cover the Blyth and Wansbeck areas.
Coun Heather Cairns, leader of Alnwick District Council, said she was pleased that all district councils were united. She said: “Rural Northumberland needs a council that addresses the specific needs and priorities of its communities, it is important that decisions are made by local people with local knowledge.” However, the county council has already declared its preference for a single Northumberland authority. The Government has indicted that about eight counties’ submissions will be approved.
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
Who love's Northumberland County Council not the District Councils in Tynedale,Castle Morpeth,Alnwick, Berwick,Blyth Valley and Wansbeck
Two tiers look set to win day
Nov 27 2006
By Hayley Beattie, The Journal
Councillors in Tynedale are set to add their backing to the creation of two unitary authorities in Northumberland in a shake-up of the current political system.
Tynedale Council is the last of the six district bodies to discuss the implications of the Government White Paper on local councils.
Councillors in Castle Morpeth, Alnwick, Berwick, Blyth Valley and Wansbeck have already come out in support of two unitary authorities which would split the county into rural and urban areas.
One would cover Blyth Valley and Wansbeck while the other would take in the rural districts, rather than the single "super council" favoured by Northumberland County Council's Labour leadership.
Tynedale councillors are expected to follow a recommendation to support the submission of a bid for a two-tier system at a special meeting of the council tomorrow night.
They are also expected to agree a contribution of £30,000, which each of the districts councils has agreed to give, to help pay for expert advice in preparing a joint submission to the Department for Communities and Local Government before the end of January.
Chief
Nov 27 2006
By Hayley Beattie, The Journal
Councillors in Tynedale are set to add their backing to the creation of two unitary authorities in Northumberland in a shake-up of the current political system.
Tynedale Council is the last of the six district bodies to discuss the implications of the Government White Paper on local councils.
Councillors in Castle Morpeth, Alnwick, Berwick, Blyth Valley and Wansbeck have already come out in support of two unitary authorities which would split the county into rural and urban areas.
One would cover Blyth Valley and Wansbeck while the other would take in the rural districts, rather than the single "super council" favoured by Northumberland County Council's Labour leadership.
Tynedale councillors are expected to follow a recommendation to support the submission of a bid for a two-tier system at a special meeting of the council tomorrow night.
They are also expected to agree a contribution of £30,000, which each of the districts councils has agreed to give, to help pay for expert advice in preparing a joint submission to the Department for Communities and Local Government before the end of January.
Chief
Monday, November 27, 2006
The County Council has been awarded level 1 poor performance
Why must the tax payers in Northumberland suffer this poor performance from Northumberland County Council ?
What was the Executive doing ?
Team of Elected members of Northumberland CountyCouncil
Leader Bill Brooks
Deputy Leader Peter Hillman
Executive J. Wrght A. Cutter, J. Smith I. Hayes, A.W. Reid, M.J. Scullion
The County Council had a significant and complex improvement agenda to deliver better value for money. It had been awarded level 1 (poor performance) in this area in its most recent corporate assessment by the Audit Commission.
5.13 The Financial Governance report January 2006 reported that the County Council’s overall performance did not match the level of spend. Further work was needed to develop a shared approach to securing value for money with all stakeholders and to strengthen benchmarking activity so as to enable robust challenge and comparison of quality and costs. Some social care expenditure had been re-allocated to enable new models of support or capacity to be stretched. For example £1.5 million had been allocated to support the rollout of START teams across the county.
5.14 The County Council had been working for some time on developing alternative uses for the resources tied up in its residential care homes. A Best Value Review of Older People’s Services was initially undertaken in 2001. In the intervening years there has been a range of options proposed. All the homes required a significant level of new investment, both to carry out essential maintenance work and to improve the living environments so that they met the National Minimum Standards for Care Homes.
5.15 Some difficult decisions had yet to be taken with regard to the future role and function of some County Council run residential and day care services. Information was still being gathered on the future costs and capital investment requirements, and in some cases this required higher levels of investment than originally estimated. For example, the planned capital developments at one site to develop respite care, intermediate and day care as well as offices for front line staff were projected to cost up to £1.68 million at the end of March 2006, when a decision was taken to go ahead with this scheme. The original submission of the modernisation programme to the Cabinet in August 2005 stated capital costs would be minimal, and the options initially circulated for public consultation were based on this assumption. Part way through the consultation, update documents had to be circulated correcting the statement about costs. The discrepancy in investment requirements was said to be due to an insufficient appreciation by officers of the Commission for Social Care Inspection's regulatory requirements around the new development that would require more exacting standards to be met.
What was the Executive doing ?
Team of Elected members of Northumberland CountyCouncil
Leader Bill Brooks
Deputy Leader Peter Hillman
Executive J. Wrght A. Cutter, J. Smith I. Hayes, A.W. Reid, M.J. Scullion
The County Council had a significant and complex improvement agenda to deliver better value for money. It had been awarded level 1 (poor performance) in this area in its most recent corporate assessment by the Audit Commission.
This a council that wishes to run services for all of in the if we have one council for all of Northumberland
It had a relatively high rate of Council Tax, was slow to challenge in house high cost services, had above average investment in services to older people coupled with high thresholds for access to services. The adult social care budget had been further increased by 5.9 per cent in cash terms at the start of the current financial year. Targets for 2005-06 to reduce supported admissions to residential and nursing homes and to increase the numbers of older people helped to live at home had not been achieved. Taken together, this data prompts serious questions.5.13 The Financial Governance report January 2006 reported that the County Council’s overall performance did not match the level of spend. Further work was needed to develop a shared approach to securing value for money with all stakeholders and to strengthen benchmarking activity so as to enable robust challenge and comparison of quality and costs. Some social care expenditure had been re-allocated to enable new models of support or capacity to be stretched. For example £1.5 million had been allocated to support the rollout of START teams across the county.
5.14 The County Council had been working for some time on developing alternative uses for the resources tied up in its residential care homes. A Best Value Review of Older People’s Services was initially undertaken in 2001. In the intervening years there has been a range of options proposed. All the homes required a significant level of new investment, both to carry out essential maintenance work and to improve the living environments so that they met the National Minimum Standards for Care Homes.
5.15 Some difficult decisions had yet to be taken with regard to the future role and function of some County Council run residential and day care services. Information was still being gathered on the future costs and capital investment requirements, and in some cases this required higher levels of investment than originally estimated. For example, the planned capital developments at one site to develop respite care, intermediate and day care as well as offices for front line staff were projected to cost up to £1.68 million at the end of March 2006, when a decision was taken to go ahead with this scheme. The original submission of the modernisation programme to the Cabinet in August 2005 stated capital costs would be minimal, and the options initially circulated for public consultation were based on this assumption. Part way through the consultation, update documents had to be circulated correcting the statement about costs. The discrepancy in investment requirements was said to be due to an insufficient appreciation by officers of the Commission for Social Care Inspection's regulatory requirements around the new development that would require more exacting standards to be met.
Sunday, November 26, 2006
Mark Henderson censor websites we believe ?
JIm Wright and homophobia; an update
What have the Chinese government and Northumberland County Council got in common? They censor websites.Jim Wright has emailed me; his email said Gareth,Thanks for the link-alas or fortunately I cannot access blog pages!!!JIM.
It was on October 18 2004 that I first became aware of this tendency amongst Northumberland County Council to censor anything it can't control on the web.
Nothing changes apparently.I'm willing to bet though that the expensive councillor websites that the county council sponsor through NorthumberlandLife aren't blocked by the council's network though.
What have the Chinese government and Northumberland County Council got in common? They censor websites.Jim Wright has emailed me; his email said Gareth,Thanks for the link-alas or fortunately I cannot access blog pages!!!JIM.
It was on October 18 2004 that I first became aware of this tendency amongst Northumberland County Council to censor anything it can't control on the web.
Nothing changes apparently.I'm willing to bet though that the expensive councillor websites that the county council sponsor through NorthumberlandLife aren't blocked by the council's network though.
Thursday, November 23, 2006
Jim Wright and homophobia
My strategy last night was to focus on the issues that arose during the meeting. Since it was always likely to be our only chance to hold county councillors to account I wanted to ask as many questions as possible, and not to waste time retreading old ground.
My last question was a supplementary arising from a documents issued during the meeting detailing Emanuel Schools Foundation's approach to sex and health education. Broadly speaking ESf teaches that the only way to show respect for oneself and others is to abstain from sex outside marriage and practice fidelity within marriage. The obvious conclusion is that anything else is to lack respect for onesself and others.
I asked Jim Wright how this attitude, and the homophobia of one of ESf's advisors, could be fitted within an equalities and diversity framework. Jim declined to answer. After the meeting he was prepared to concede, in private, that 'if ESF's attitudes were as I described them' no socialaist could accept them, but he wasn't prepared to make such a remark on the record. So here's your chance to get Jim Wright on the record.Email Jim Wright at county hall (jwright@northumberland.gov.uk). Ask him if the view of the Emanuel Schools Foundation that sex outside marriage is disrespectful of oneself and others is compatible with a genuine equalities and diversity policy.Feel free to copy me into the answers.
We will be very happy to print any replies to this article here on the Blog
My last question was a supplementary arising from a documents issued during the meeting detailing Emanuel Schools Foundation's approach to sex and health education. Broadly speaking ESf teaches that the only way to show respect for oneself and others is to abstain from sex outside marriage and practice fidelity within marriage. The obvious conclusion is that anything else is to lack respect for onesself and others.
I asked Jim Wright how this attitude, and the homophobia of one of ESf's advisors, could be fitted within an equalities and diversity framework. Jim declined to answer. After the meeting he was prepared to concede, in private, that 'if ESF's attitudes were as I described them' no socialaist could accept them, but he wasn't prepared to make such a remark on the record. So here's your chance to get Jim Wright on the record.Email Jim Wright at county hall (jwright@northumberland.gov.uk). Ask him if the view of the Emanuel Schools Foundation that sex outside marriage is disrespectful of oneself and others is compatible with a genuine equalities and diversity policy.Feel free to copy me into the answers.
We will be very happy to print any replies to this article here on the Blog
Saturday, November 18, 2006
Northumberland is at a crossroads
We have a County Council that is not trusted by local councils and a leadership that is so tied up in their own pockets that they cannot see beyond next months allowances.
We have seen a decade where everything they have touched has turned to dust.
I did once think that they were holding on to power for ideological reasons - that they thought the County Council was the only one to take through Labour policies.
I was naïve.
Allowances have gone up so much that some councillors now describe themselves as ‘full time councillors’. That is part of the problem not an answer to them.
Everyone is against them and their future.
MPs Districts, the public, even their own unions, nowadays the papers describe them as a destitute spent force.
Now even their own councillors have taken a stand and are voting against the Executive, that is the centre of all their woes.
How else can we explain why Bill Brooks will not allow the full council to vote on support for a single unitary.
As one senior officer put it – he has been painted into a corner, only he hasn’t worked that out yet!
I don’t know whether or not the Tories would carry them through, carrying 8-10 Labour councillors that want to vote against the party line,whatever - they are staring down the barrel of a Tory or Liberal run authority.
The latest treachery by Bill Brooks has a lot in his group dazed and not knowing which way to go.
His leadership is weak and the wolves are circling to take over – what chance John Whiteman making a come back?
As Bills nemesis, Bob Watson wrote, ‘ Bill has stated the obvious – he cannot work with other partners’ – not a good start for a unitary bid is it?
He has two ways to go, after crying off any future partnership working
Win the government round to thinking one huge single unitary will suffice, at which point all the Labour support in the South East of the county will fade away. Bill had hoped for a continuing authority – one in which he would see out his current term of office. The latest announcement from DCLG puts paid to that then.
With no general election to bolster his election chances and with the threatened disintegration of his own CLP a likelihood – he stands to get only 20 seats on any new single authority, based on last years elections.
The latest tittle-tattle from Morpeth, amongst the officers, is that there is a strategy in which the Government seeing there is to be a blood letting in Northumberland and that the preferred option of a single unitary is not universally welcome, they will stop the move and re-instate the option of closer working.
As Bills other arch-nemesis has said his ‘hat is on a shugley peg’.
Bill knows which ever way he turns his time is up – his colleagues are hoping he will fall on his sword after publicly stating he, he not the council, cannot work with the districts. He knows he will have to do a volte-face if he wishes to salvage anything.
Divinity
We have seen a decade where everything they have touched has turned to dust.
I did once think that they were holding on to power for ideological reasons - that they thought the County Council was the only one to take through Labour policies.
I was naïve.
Allowances have gone up so much that some councillors now describe themselves as ‘full time councillors’. That is part of the problem not an answer to them.
Everyone is against them and their future.
MPs Districts, the public, even their own unions, nowadays the papers describe them as a destitute spent force.
Now even their own councillors have taken a stand and are voting against the Executive, that is the centre of all their woes.
How else can we explain why Bill Brooks will not allow the full council to vote on support for a single unitary.
As one senior officer put it – he has been painted into a corner, only he hasn’t worked that out yet!
I don’t know whether or not the Tories would carry them through, carrying 8-10 Labour councillors that want to vote against the party line,whatever - they are staring down the barrel of a Tory or Liberal run authority.
The latest treachery by Bill Brooks has a lot in his group dazed and not knowing which way to go.
His leadership is weak and the wolves are circling to take over – what chance John Whiteman making a come back?
As Bills nemesis, Bob Watson wrote, ‘ Bill has stated the obvious – he cannot work with other partners’ – not a good start for a unitary bid is it?
He has two ways to go, after crying off any future partnership working
Win the government round to thinking one huge single unitary will suffice, at which point all the Labour support in the South East of the county will fade away. Bill had hoped for a continuing authority – one in which he would see out his current term of office. The latest announcement from DCLG puts paid to that then.
With no general election to bolster his election chances and with the threatened disintegration of his own CLP a likelihood – he stands to get only 20 seats on any new single authority, based on last years elections.
The latest tittle-tattle from Morpeth, amongst the officers, is that there is a strategy in which the Government seeing there is to be a blood letting in Northumberland and that the preferred option of a single unitary is not universally welcome, they will stop the move and re-instate the option of closer working.
As Bills other arch-nemesis has said his ‘hat is on a shugley peg’.
Bill knows which ever way he turns his time is up – his colleagues are hoping he will fall on his sword after publicly stating he, he not the council, cannot work with the districts. He knows he will have to do a volte-face if he wishes to salvage anything.
Divinity
Taken From Northumberland Today 17 November 2007
There is no support in Alnwick for Bill Brooks views on a single unitary
One of the snippets from the debate
We all know the county council couldn't organise a party in a brewery and are £213 million in debt," he said."No wonder Bill Brooks has his beady eye on us
Shake-up could lead to a two-way split
LOCAL government in Alnwick district could undergo a radical shake-up after councillors gave a vote of confidence to proposals to split the county in half.
Members have announced they would like to see a single authority running rural Northumberland (Alnwick, Berwick, Castle Morpeth and Tynedale), with a similar authority managing the south-east of the county (Blyth and Wansbeck).But they expressed serious misgivings about the decision to re-launch a debate it was thought had been quashed after the proposed North East Assembly was rejected in November 2004.A full meeting of Alnwick District Council came to the decision on Monday after hearing a report from chief executive Bill Batey and petitions for and against from fellow councillors.
He called on them to work with other district councils to submit plans for two unitary councils.They were also asked to approve estimated costs of £15,000 to complete the switch-over and agreed for a further £5,000 to be provided if necessary.
A stormy debate on the abolition of county and district has been raging since the release of a Government White Paper on October 26 asking shire councils to take a view on the future structure of local government.Councils were offered the chance to opt for unitary structures, pioneer new two-tier models, or remain within the current system.Within three hours of publication, county council leader Bill Brooks spoke of the "confusing and expensive" current two-tier structure, and gave his backing to a single authority for the whole of Northumberland.
Council leader Heather Cairns opened the debate on Monday by welcoming proposals within the white paper allowing councillors to speak out on planning and licensing issues in their ward.But she also warned: "However excited we get about this, it is about delivery of services to the people." Coun Andrew Duffield, Liberal Democrat member for Rothbury and South Rural, launched a scathing attack on the White Paper, calling it the "latest pig in a poke from the Labour Government.""This is a missed opportunity and a major disappointment.
We all know the county council couldn't organise a party in a brewery and are £213 million in debt," he said."No wonder Bill Brooks has his beady eye on responsible and well-run councils."
Coun Gordon Castle, Independent Alliance member for Alnwick, spoke in support of the proposed unitary authority but harked back to the 2004 referendum on a regional assembly, when voters were also offered the option of a single authority, had the assembly been given the go-ahead.Just 33 per cent came out in favour, with 67 per cent preferring to see the county split into two local councils – Rural Northumberland and South East Northumberland. But a resounding defeat for the regional assembly meant the single-tier plans were also shelved.He said: "Here we are again, two years down the road. Just as we think we are settling down, the hornets' nest is stirred up again, quite unnecessarily I believe. The rug has been pulled from under our feet.
"Coun Heather Cairns said the councillors were all "extremely disappointed" they had not been able to work with the county as they would have preferred."The fact that within hours the county council indicated that they were going to go for a single unitary body meant we were not able to consider partnership working. I feel we have not had that option. We are being forced to put plans forward for two unitary authorities."Both the motion to work towards two unitary authorities and the request for extra funding were passed.The district council now has until January 25 next year to present its new model of working.
One of the snippets from the debate
We all know the county council couldn't organise a party in a brewery and are £213 million in debt," he said."No wonder Bill Brooks has his beady eye on us
Shake-up could lead to a two-way split
LOCAL government in Alnwick district could undergo a radical shake-up after councillors gave a vote of confidence to proposals to split the county in half.
Members have announced they would like to see a single authority running rural Northumberland (Alnwick, Berwick, Castle Morpeth and Tynedale), with a similar authority managing the south-east of the county (Blyth and Wansbeck).But they expressed serious misgivings about the decision to re-launch a debate it was thought had been quashed after the proposed North East Assembly was rejected in November 2004.A full meeting of Alnwick District Council came to the decision on Monday after hearing a report from chief executive Bill Batey and petitions for and against from fellow councillors.
He called on them to work with other district councils to submit plans for two unitary councils.They were also asked to approve estimated costs of £15,000 to complete the switch-over and agreed for a further £5,000 to be provided if necessary.
A stormy debate on the abolition of county and district has been raging since the release of a Government White Paper on October 26 asking shire councils to take a view on the future structure of local government.Councils were offered the chance to opt for unitary structures, pioneer new two-tier models, or remain within the current system.Within three hours of publication, county council leader Bill Brooks spoke of the "confusing and expensive" current two-tier structure, and gave his backing to a single authority for the whole of Northumberland.
Council leader Heather Cairns opened the debate on Monday by welcoming proposals within the white paper allowing councillors to speak out on planning and licensing issues in their ward.But she also warned: "However excited we get about this, it is about delivery of services to the people." Coun Andrew Duffield, Liberal Democrat member for Rothbury and South Rural, launched a scathing attack on the White Paper, calling it the "latest pig in a poke from the Labour Government.""This is a missed opportunity and a major disappointment.
We all know the county council couldn't organise a party in a brewery and are £213 million in debt," he said."No wonder Bill Brooks has his beady eye on responsible and well-run councils."
Coun Gordon Castle, Independent Alliance member for Alnwick, spoke in support of the proposed unitary authority but harked back to the 2004 referendum on a regional assembly, when voters were also offered the option of a single authority, had the assembly been given the go-ahead.Just 33 per cent came out in favour, with 67 per cent preferring to see the county split into two local councils – Rural Northumberland and South East Northumberland. But a resounding defeat for the regional assembly meant the single-tier plans were also shelved.He said: "Here we are again, two years down the road. Just as we think we are settling down, the hornets' nest is stirred up again, quite unnecessarily I believe. The rug has been pulled from under our feet.
"Coun Heather Cairns said the councillors were all "extremely disappointed" they had not been able to work with the county as they would have preferred."The fact that within hours the county council indicated that they were going to go for a single unitary body meant we were not able to consider partnership working. I feel we have not had that option. We are being forced to put plans forward for two unitary authorities."Both the motion to work towards two unitary authorities and the request for extra funding were passed.The district council now has until January 25 next year to present its new model of working.
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
Berwick to fight plans to scrap council tier
Berwick Today, Latest News
BERWICK Borough Council is to join forces with its district council colleagues to mount a campaign for two separate unitary authorities in Northumberland.
The decision has been taken in response to the government's seemingly inevitable plans to scrap one tier of local government.With the leader of Northumberland County Council having already indicated his support for a single unitary authority, it would appear the battle lines have now been drawn up.However, a final decision will not be made by the public as was the case two years ago when voters overwhelmingly rejected the proposed regional assembly and single unitary status.Coun John Stephenson, leader of Berwick Borough Council, accused the government of trying to impose the new structure through the back door."I believe this is misguided revenge for the people of the north east saying no to a regional assembly," he said. "It's terribly disappointing that we are having to revisit this - and the expense that will be incurred - just two years since the expressed wishes of the electorate were made clear."The council believes a single unitary authority dominated by decision-makers from the south-east of the county would fail to take into account the needs of rural areas such as Berwick Borough.It believes the best course of action would be to split the county into rural and urban authorities - with Berwick joining Alnwick, Tynedale and the northern part of Castle Morpeth in the former and Blyth Valley, Wansbeck and the rest of Castle Morpeth in the latter."I don't believe a unitary authority which doesn't take into account the rural needs of people in places like Berwick Borough is appropriate and therefore we are being pushed back into going for two unitary authorities," said Coun Stephenson.Ironically, the districts had been in talks with the county council about enhancing the existing two-tier structure but there appears to be no way back now.Coun Stephenson said: "We really wanted to enhance the two tier system but after meeting with the leader of the county council we have been left in no doubt that option is not on the table."The leader has since admitted this is his own personal view after being tackled by Coun Diana Beith at last week's full meeting of the county council.Coun Beith said: "The council has never discussed this issue and there are no meetings yet arranged for them to do so. In the regional referendum in 2004, people in Northumberland clearly voted against a unitary authority for all of Northumberland. District councils have yet to be properly consulted, and by reaction so far it is clear there is no consensus on the way forward."Coun Beith went on to accuse the leader of being out of touch and dismissive of the democratic views of the people of Northumberland, particularly in the Berwick Borough area.The shake-up will mean the loss of a local government base in north Northumberland and Coun George Miller expressed his disappointment at this.However, Coun Bill Ferguson felt that in theory a rural/urban split could benefit north Northumberland residents - although funding was the bottom line.This was also a concern for Coun David Stewart who expressed doubts about how a two unitary structure could provide quality health and education services.e-mail: iansmithBERWICK Borough Council is to join forces with its district council colleagues to mount a campaign for two separate unitary authorities in Northumberland.
The decision has been taken in response to the government's seemingly inevitable plans to scrap one tier of local government.With the leader of Northumberland County Council having already indicated his support for a single unitary authority, it would appear the battle lines have now been drawn up.However, a final decision will not be made by the public as was the case two years ago when voters overwhelmingly rejected the proposed regional assembly and single unitary status.Coun John Stephenson, leader of Berwick Borough Council, accused the government of trying to impose the new structure through the back door."I believe this is misguided revenge for the people of the north east saying no to a regional assembly," he said. "It's terribly disappointing that we are having to revisit this - and the expense that will be incurred - just two years since the expressed wishes of the electorate were made clear."The council believes a single unitary authority dominated by decision-makers from the south-east of the county would fail to take into account the needs of rural areas such as Berwick Borough.It believes the best course of action would be to split the county into rural and urban authorities - with Berwick joining Alnwick, Tynedale and the northern part of Castle Morpeth in the former and Blyth Valley, Wansbeck and the rest of Castle Morpeth in the latter."I don't believe a unitary authority which doesn't take into account the rural needs of people in places like Berwick Borough is appropriate and therefore we are being pushed back into going for two unitary authorities," said Coun Stephenson.Ironically, the districts had been in talks with the county council about enhancing the existing two-tier structure but there appears to be no way back now.Coun Stephenson said: "We really wanted to enhance the two tier system but after meeting with the leader of the county council we have been left in no doubt that option is not on the table."The leader has since admitted this is his own personal view after being tackled by Coun Diana Beith at last week's full meeting of the county council.Coun Beith said: "The council has never discussed this issue and there are no meetings yet arranged for them to do so. In the regional referendum in 2004, people in Northumberland clearly voted against a unitary authority for all of Northumberland. District councils have yet to be properly consulted, and by reaction so far it is clear there is no consensus on the way forward."Coun Beith went on to accuse the leader of being out of touch and dismissive of the democratic views of the people of Northumberland, particularly in the Berwick Borough area.The shake-up will mean the loss of a local government base in north Northumberland and Coun George Miller expressed his disappointment at this.However, Coun Bill Ferguson felt that in theory a rural/urban split could benefit north Northumberland residents - although funding was the bottom line.This was also a concern for Coun David Stewart who expressed doubts about how a two unitary structure could provide quality health and education services.e-mail: iansmithBERWICK Borough Council is to join forces with its district council colleagues to mount a campaign for two separate unitary authorities in Northumberland.
The decision has been taken in response to the government's seemingly inevitable plans to scrap one tier of local government.
With the leader of Northumberland County Council having already indicated his support for a single unitary authority, it would appear the battle lines have now been drawn up.
However, a final decision will not be made by the public as was the case two years ago when voters overwhelmingly rejected the proposed regional assembly and single unitary status.
Coun John Stephenson, leader of Berwick Borough Council, accused the government of trying to impose the new structure through the back door.
"I believe this is misguided revenge for the people of the north east saying no to a regional assembly," he said. "It's terribly disappointing that we are having to revisit this - and the expense that will be incurred - just two years since the expressed wishes of the electorate were made clear."
The council believes a single unitary authority dominated by decision-makers from the south-east of the county would fail to take into account the needs of rural areas such as Berwick Borough.
It believes the best course of action would be to split the county into rural and urban authorities - with Berwick joining Alnwick, Tynedale and the northern part of Castle Morpeth in the former and Blyth Valley, Wansbeck and the rest of Castle Morpeth in the latter.
"I don't believe a unitary authority which doesn't take into account the rural needs of people in places like Berwick Borough is appropriate and therefore we are being pushed back into going for two unitary authorities," said Coun Stephenson.
Ironically, the districts had been in talks with the county council about enhancing the existing two-tier structure but there appears to be no way back now.
Coun Stephenson said: "We really wanted to enhance the two tier system but after meeting with the leader of the county council we have been left in no doubt that option is not on the table."
The leader has since admitted this is his own personal view after being tackled by Coun Diana Beith at last week's full meeting of the county council.
Coun Beith said: "The council has never discussed this issue and there are no meetings yet arranged for them to do so. In the regional referendum in 2004, people in Northumberland clearly voted against a unitary authority for all of Northumberland. District councils have yet to be properly consulted, and by reaction so far it is clear there is no consensus on the way forward."
Coun Beith went on to accuse the leader of being out of touch and dismissive of the democratic views of the people of Northumberland, particularly in the Berwick Borough area.
The shake-up will mean the loss of a local government base in north Northumberland and Coun George Miller expressed his disappointment at this.
However, Coun Bill Ferguson felt that in theory a rural/urban split could benefit north Northumberland residents - although funding was the bottom line.
This was also a concern for Coun David Stewart who expressed doubts about how a two unitary structure could provide quality health and education services.
With the leader of Northumberland County Council having already indicated his support for a single unitary authority, it would appear the battle lines have now been drawn up.
However, a final decision will not be made by the public as was the case two years ago when voters overwhelmingly rejected the proposed regional assembly and single unitary status.
Coun John Stephenson, leader of Berwick Borough Council, accused the government of trying to impose the new structure through the back door.
"I believe this is misguided revenge for the people of the north east saying no to a regional assembly," he said. "It's terribly disappointing that we are having to revisit this - and the expense that will be incurred - just two years since the expressed wishes of the electorate were made clear."
The council believes a single unitary authority dominated by decision-makers from the south-east of the county would fail to take into account the needs of rural areas such as Berwick Borough.
It believes the best course of action would be to split the county into rural and urban authorities - with Berwick joining Alnwick, Tynedale and the northern part of Castle Morpeth in the former and Blyth Valley, Wansbeck and the rest of Castle Morpeth in the latter.
"I don't believe a unitary authority which doesn't take into account the rural needs of people in places like Berwick Borough is appropriate and therefore we are being pushed back into going for two unitary authorities," said Coun Stephenson.
Ironically, the districts had been in talks with the county council about enhancing the existing two-tier structure but there appears to be no way back now.
Coun Stephenson said: "We really wanted to enhance the two tier system but after meeting with the leader of the county council we have been left in no doubt that option is not on the table."
The leader has since admitted this is his own personal view after being tackled by Coun Diana Beith at last week's full meeting of the county council.
Coun Beith said: "The council has never discussed this issue and there are no meetings yet arranged for them to do so. In the regional referendum in 2004, people in Northumberland clearly voted against a unitary authority for all of Northumberland. District councils have yet to be properly consulted, and by reaction so far it is clear there is no consensus on the way forward."
Coun Beith went on to accuse the leader of being out of touch and dismissive of the democratic views of the people of Northumberland, particularly in the Berwick Borough area.
The shake-up will mean the loss of a local government base in north Northumberland and Coun George Miller expressed his disappointment at this.
However, Coun Bill Ferguson felt that in theory a rural/urban split could benefit north Northumberland residents - although funding was the bottom line.
This was also a concern for Coun David Stewart who expressed doubts about how a two unitary structure could provide quality health and education services.
Monday, November 13, 2006
From Northumberland Gazette
13 November 2006
School transport tops list of compliants to one MP in Northumberland
Alan Beth MP
SCHOOL transport for over-16s topped the list of complaints raised with Alan Beith MP during his 800-mile tour of 120 villages in his constituency.
Analysis of the subjects covered reveals that Northumberland County Council’s £360 charge for pupils’ transport to school or college, and the withdrawal of rail passes for Berwick students travelling to Newcastle College, was the issue raised most often. Roads and footpaths and NHS issues come second and third. Road issues included the threat to signs advertising local businesses beside the A1. NHS problems included the difficulty so many people are having in registering with a dentist. Also prominent were problems about financial services, threats to local post offices and shops, tax and benefits, housing and the wind farm issue.
School transport tops list of compliants to one MP in Northumberland
Alan Beth MP
SCHOOL transport for over-16s topped the list of complaints raised with Alan Beith MP during his 800-mile tour of 120 villages in his constituency.
Analysis of the subjects covered reveals that Northumberland County Council’s £360 charge for pupils’ transport to school or college, and the withdrawal of rail passes for Berwick students travelling to Newcastle College, was the issue raised most often. Roads and footpaths and NHS issues come second and third. Road issues included the threat to signs advertising local businesses beside the A1. NHS problems included the difficulty so many people are having in registering with a dentist. Also prominent were problems about financial services, threats to local post offices and shops, tax and benefits, housing and the wind farm issue.
Sunday, November 12, 2006
Deafening Silence at County Hall. Morpeth . Northumberland
There is a deafening silence these days from Northumberland County Hall.
It is the silence of the lambs, being led down the path by a, not so good, shepherd.
This is not going to be a diatribe on the rights or wrongs of Bill Brooks pre-emptive strike for survival, although I will make a few pertinent points later in the narrative, no its going to more of a forensic examination on what has gone wrong, in an Authority a few years ago that was respected amongst its own party and in government, now its friends are turning away.
The pathway Bill has chosen was one started by Michael Davey.
It is a path littered with clichés such as ‘what do the public know anyway’, interspersed by the well worn ‘we are here to make the hard decisions’, who has it been hard for Bill?
It has certainly been hard for the people of South east Northumberland, your own backyard. With the closure of homes, doubling costs of home care, loss of firemen and the stations in Wansbeck and Blyth Valley, closure of schools, libraries you have seen even your own councillors protesting about it.
You have suspended your own councillors for trying to be true to their principles. You have attempted to suborn democracy in your own party with your Machiavellian machinations, and tried to suspend or get thrown out several members who do not concur with your thinking.
The policies that have been promulgated at County, by a few in the know, are the problem. They are not policies worked out in Labour Group and owned or at least supported by everyone. They are policies that are drawn up by officers who run the executive and ruling group.
This is not an indictment of officers – they are doing their job as they have been allowed to do it for years, even to the CEO stating in public that the reorganisation of the councils in Northumberland are a done deal, because he was responsible for the white paper!
This is the same group that told everyone, wink wink, nudge nudge, we have the money for BSF or was it PLF – what happened to that?
The blame lies squarely on the shoulders of the two leading councillors and to a certain extent the Executive, who have failed miserably to hold them to account.
Now we have sweet William walking the stage telling everyone that his way is the only way, sod what the foot soldiers think.
Gone are the promises of a ‘value for money’ council, the Audit Commission put the lie to that in March, whilst praising the vale given by Wansbeck and Blyth Valley, how that must have galled Bill. Even at your own Area Committee an Officer stated it was the intent to follow Blyth Valley and gain ‘excellent’ status.
That is what is behind all the past few years an attempt to ‘tick the boxes’ to gain the ultimate prize of ‘excellence’ from the Audit Commission.
Gone is the vision of superb services well delivered, what services you are closing them all down.
Gone too is the pretence of engaging with the public – even your own Scrutiny Board told you last month that members of the public feel they are intruding when they enter the bi-monthly propaganda machines.
Three months ago the County was labelled the most expensive, in tax, in the country – what price savings in a single unitary now Bill?
All of this pales though in the light of Bill and Peter Hillmans complete disregard for the results of the MORI poll conducted by the Electoral Committee and the referendum that clearly said the public do not want you as a council. They prefer local councils locally accountable.
Even in moderate Wansbeck, known for its pragmatism amongst its councillors you have turned their hand against you by closing their homes and fire stations.
In the forthcoming weeks there is to be a lot of blood letting, caused by you Bill, the result should be a foregone conclusion and should follow the lead of the public.
One thing is for sure, you will not go for a public vote again, of that you are frit.
If there is a single unitary there will be a full vote – something you forgot to factor in, there is no way on Gods earth that you will be in power or Labour even a major play in the debacle that will ensue.
You know that, you know you will consign Labour policies that have achieved so much, to the dustbin that will be a Tory run authority and that’s when the two Labour MPs will fall. North of the Tyne will be a waste land and that will be your legacy Bill.
It is a legacy that we will all be paying Inheritance Tax on for years, it is one you can avoid by allowing Northumberland to emerge with dignity, with a council for South East Northumberland that will flourish.
Veritas
It is the silence of the lambs, being led down the path by a, not so good, shepherd.
This is not going to be a diatribe on the rights or wrongs of Bill Brooks pre-emptive strike for survival, although I will make a few pertinent points later in the narrative, no its going to more of a forensic examination on what has gone wrong, in an Authority a few years ago that was respected amongst its own party and in government, now its friends are turning away.
The pathway Bill has chosen was one started by Michael Davey.
It is a path littered with clichés such as ‘what do the public know anyway’, interspersed by the well worn ‘we are here to make the hard decisions’, who has it been hard for Bill?
It has certainly been hard for the people of South east Northumberland, your own backyard. With the closure of homes, doubling costs of home care, loss of firemen and the stations in Wansbeck and Blyth Valley, closure of schools, libraries you have seen even your own councillors protesting about it.
You have suspended your own councillors for trying to be true to their principles. You have attempted to suborn democracy in your own party with your Machiavellian machinations, and tried to suspend or get thrown out several members who do not concur with your thinking.
The policies that have been promulgated at County, by a few in the know, are the problem. They are not policies worked out in Labour Group and owned or at least supported by everyone. They are policies that are drawn up by officers who run the executive and ruling group.
This is not an indictment of officers – they are doing their job as they have been allowed to do it for years, even to the CEO stating in public that the reorganisation of the councils in Northumberland are a done deal, because he was responsible for the white paper!
This is the same group that told everyone, wink wink, nudge nudge, we have the money for BSF or was it PLF – what happened to that?
The blame lies squarely on the shoulders of the two leading councillors and to a certain extent the Executive, who have failed miserably to hold them to account.
Now we have sweet William walking the stage telling everyone that his way is the only way, sod what the foot soldiers think.
Gone are the promises of a ‘value for money’ council, the Audit Commission put the lie to that in March, whilst praising the vale given by Wansbeck and Blyth Valley, how that must have galled Bill. Even at your own Area Committee an Officer stated it was the intent to follow Blyth Valley and gain ‘excellent’ status.
That is what is behind all the past few years an attempt to ‘tick the boxes’ to gain the ultimate prize of ‘excellence’ from the Audit Commission.
Gone is the vision of superb services well delivered, what services you are closing them all down.
Gone too is the pretence of engaging with the public – even your own Scrutiny Board told you last month that members of the public feel they are intruding when they enter the bi-monthly propaganda machines.
Three months ago the County was labelled the most expensive, in tax, in the country – what price savings in a single unitary now Bill?
All of this pales though in the light of Bill and Peter Hillmans complete disregard for the results of the MORI poll conducted by the Electoral Committee and the referendum that clearly said the public do not want you as a council. They prefer local councils locally accountable.
Even in moderate Wansbeck, known for its pragmatism amongst its councillors you have turned their hand against you by closing their homes and fire stations.
In the forthcoming weeks there is to be a lot of blood letting, caused by you Bill, the result should be a foregone conclusion and should follow the lead of the public.
One thing is for sure, you will not go for a public vote again, of that you are frit.
If there is a single unitary there will be a full vote – something you forgot to factor in, there is no way on Gods earth that you will be in power or Labour even a major play in the debacle that will ensue.
You know that, you know you will consign Labour policies that have achieved so much, to the dustbin that will be a Tory run authority and that’s when the two Labour MPs will fall. North of the Tyne will be a waste land and that will be your legacy Bill.
It is a legacy that we will all be paying Inheritance Tax on for years, it is one you can avoid by allowing Northumberland to emerge with dignity, with a council for South East Northumberland that will flourish.
Veritas
Will Bill Brooks Resign if he fails to win approval for a unitary authority for Northumberland
An open letter to Councillor Brooks Dear Bill Brooks, Re: The Local Government White Paper.YOU are correct to say "Northumberland County Council leaders" welcomed the publication of this paper on local governance; however, I certainly wish it had been published in conjunction with the long awaited Lyons Report on local government and finance.Following the disastrous referendum of two years ago, we have continually heard from you that real efforts were being made to forge partnership working between the county and its districts.Indeed it was only a few months ago that you were lauding the signing of Local Area Agreements by all seven councils.Now, you claim "the current structure of local government in Northumberland doesn't work well".Do you really think a "directly elected cabinet" is (a) innovative or (b) what the public of Northumberland would want?I concur that Northumberland deserves "efficient, effective and fit for purpose" local government.The county has for too long been run by a Labour administration in which you have played leading roles – chairman/portfolio holder for highways and transport; deputy leader and leader – and you now recognise the need for improvement. That in itself is welcome.As well as the severely damaged relationships with our partners in the districts, did you not promise them to have a joint response to this paper?Your early declaration for "a single council for Northumberland" without any debate within the county council has and will continue to give concern about the role of democracy in the county.When will a debate take place? And if you lose that debate or fail to win government approval for a unitary authority in Northumberland, will you resign? COUN ALEX C KERR
Thursday, November 09, 2006
The latest diatribe from Bill Brooks is that the County Council is to be disbanded.
No consultation with his party or his councillors, no change there then.
His big idea is to do away with the county council built on the borders of the County and replace it with……another single council based on the borders of Northumberland!
Does he never learn.
The public are sick to the back teeth of a council that is too big, remote and doesn’t listen. He would love to campaign for a continuing council – one where the present set of boys would be safe from re-election- but he knows that will not be the case.
He believes if we were to go back to a single council that he would be voted back in. He is living in cloud cuckoo land. His executive have rode rough-shod over every democratic and socialistic principle they ever had. They will never get back in power.
The people have voted – they do not want a single council.
The MPs are against a single council .
The Districts are against a single council.
Even the papers are turning against him.
Bill has seen Labour Councillors from both Wansbeck and Blyth marching against cuts in Fire Stations, Care Homes, Social services, schools, you name it he has forced the hand of even his own councillors, who are then taken into the whips office for daring to speak out against a lame duck council.
Time for some facts again.
The Electoral Committee, just two years ago, working under the Commission came to the conclusion that two unitaries provide a basis for excellent local government, providing all the services.
The white paper much trumpeted by Bill gives the basis for any new unitarty set up as having broad support from the people. He does not have this.
It must provide value for money.
The latest Audit Commission report, 6 months ago, states quite simply that Wansbeck and Blyth Councils do provide value for money. On the other hand the County Council was slated by the report which stated it did not provide value for money in its services and gave a warning that it could not improve on its CPA rating until it did provide value.
There is a way out for Bill, there is a choice, we all have a choice.
He should wake up smell the coffee and support the two unitaries and allow for a smooth transition of power and services, not for his sake or any other councillors sake but for the publics sake.
No consultation with his party or his councillors, no change there then.
His big idea is to do away with the county council built on the borders of the County and replace it with……another single council based on the borders of Northumberland!
Does he never learn.
The public are sick to the back teeth of a council that is too big, remote and doesn’t listen. He would love to campaign for a continuing council – one where the present set of boys would be safe from re-election- but he knows that will not be the case.
He believes if we were to go back to a single council that he would be voted back in. He is living in cloud cuckoo land. His executive have rode rough-shod over every democratic and socialistic principle they ever had. They will never get back in power.
The people have voted – they do not want a single council.
The MPs are against a single council .
The Districts are against a single council.
Even the papers are turning against him.
Bill has seen Labour Councillors from both Wansbeck and Blyth marching against cuts in Fire Stations, Care Homes, Social services, schools, you name it he has forced the hand of even his own councillors, who are then taken into the whips office for daring to speak out against a lame duck council.
Time for some facts again.
The Electoral Committee, just two years ago, working under the Commission came to the conclusion that two unitaries provide a basis for excellent local government, providing all the services.
The white paper much trumpeted by Bill gives the basis for any new unitarty set up as having broad support from the people. He does not have this.
It must provide value for money.
The latest Audit Commission report, 6 months ago, states quite simply that Wansbeck and Blyth Councils do provide value for money. On the other hand the County Council was slated by the report which stated it did not provide value for money in its services and gave a warning that it could not improve on its CPA rating until it did provide value.
There is a way out for Bill, there is a choice, we all have a choice.
He should wake up smell the coffee and support the two unitaries and allow for a smooth transition of power and services, not for his sake or any other councillors sake but for the publics sake.
His big idea is to do away with the county council built on the borders of the County and replace it with……another single council based on the borders of Northumberland!
Does he never learn.
The public are sick to the back teeth of a council that is too big, remote and doesn’t listen. He would love to campaign for a continuing council – one where the present set of boys would be safe from re-election- but he knows that will not be the case.
He believes if we were to go back to a single council that he would be voted back in. He is living in cloud cuckoo land. His executive have rode rough-shod over every democratic and socialistic principle they ever had. They will never get back in power.
The people have voted – they do not want a single council.
The MPs are against a single council .
The Districts are against a single council.
Even the papers are turning against him.
Bill has seen Labour Councillors from both Wansbeck and Blyth marching against cuts in Fire Stations, Care Homes, Social services, schools, you name it he has forced the hand of even his own councillors, who are then taken into the whips office for daring to speak out against a lame duck council.
Time for some facts again.
The Electoral Committee, just two years ago, working under the Commission came to the conclusion that two unitaries provide a basis for excellent local government, providing all the services.
The white paper much trumpeted by Bill gives the basis for any new unitarty set up as having broad support from the people. He does not have this.
It must provide value for money.
The latest Audit Commission report, 6 months ago, states quite simply that Wansbeck and Blyth Councils do provide value for money. On the other hand the County Council was slated by the report which stated it did not provide value for money in its services and gave a warning that it could not improve on its CPA rating until it did provide value.
There is a way out for Bill, there is a choice, we all have a choice.
He should wake up smell the coffee and support the two unitaries and allow for a smooth transition of power and services, not for his sake or any other councillors sake but for the publics sake.
No consultation with his party or his councillors, no change there then.
His big idea is to do away with the county council built on the borders of the County and replace it with……another single council based on the borders of Northumberland!
Does he never learn.
The public are sick to the back teeth of a council that is too big, remote and doesn’t listen. He would love to campaign for a continuing council – one where the present set of boys would be safe from re-election- but he knows that will not be the case.
He believes if we were to go back to a single council that he would be voted back in. He is living in cloud cuckoo land. His executive have rode rough-shod over every democratic and socialistic principle they ever had. They will never get back in power.
The people have voted – they do not want a single council.
The MPs are against a single council .
The Districts are against a single council.
Even the papers are turning against him.
Bill has seen Labour Councillors from both Wansbeck and Blyth marching against cuts in Fire Stations, Care Homes, Social services, schools, you name it he has forced the hand of even his own councillors, who are then taken into the whips office for daring to speak out against a lame duck council.
Time for some facts again.
The Electoral Committee, just two years ago, working under the Commission came to the conclusion that two unitaries provide a basis for excellent local government, providing all the services.
The white paper much trumpeted by Bill gives the basis for any new unitarty set up as having broad support from the people. He does not have this.
It must provide value for money.
The latest Audit Commission report, 6 months ago, states quite simply that Wansbeck and Blyth Councils do provide value for money. On the other hand the County Council was slated by the report which stated it did not provide value for money in its services and gave a warning that it could not improve on its CPA rating until it did provide value.
There is a way out for Bill, there is a choice, we all have a choice.
He should wake up smell the coffee and support the two unitaries and allow for a smooth transition of power and services, not for his sake or any other councillors sake but for the publics sake.
Tuesday, November 07, 2006
More cuts in Services From Northumberland County Council
CONCERNS have been raised over possible funding cuts to Supporting People services in Northumberland to bring spending in line with national patterns.
Reduced funding could impact on older people and adults with disabilities, but increased spending could benefit other vulnerable groups, including the homeless, mental health sufferers and substance misusers.
Detailed reviews are being carried out before any specific funding shifts are confirmed.
Close attention will be paid to the value for money of each scheme and it is hoped the review will steadily improve the overall value for money of the programme.
06 November 2006
Reduced funding could impact on older people and adults with disabilities, but increased spending could benefit other vulnerable groups, including the homeless, mental health sufferers and substance misusers.
Detailed reviews are being carried out before any specific funding shifts are confirmed.
Close attention will be paid to the value for money of each scheme and it is hoped the review will steadily improve the overall value for money of the programme.
06 November 2006
Monday, November 06, 2006
Another bad Report For The Leadership and the Council Exective
INSPECTION OF SOCIAL CARE SERVICES FOR OLDER PEOPLE
NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY COUNCIL
JUNE 2006
Scrutiny, performance and risk management systems were not sufficiently developed or aligned across health and social care functions. The County Council’s Executive and Overview and Scrutiny Committee had not given sufficient weight to monitoring the outcomes and quality of services delivered on its behalf through the annual strategic agreement. There was work to be done to build a shared approach to medium term financial planning and to enable resources to be more tightly aligned to priorities. Workforce planning needed to be more strategic to support the performance improvement and modernisation programmes.
NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY COUNCIL
JUNE 2006
Scrutiny, performance and risk management systems were not sufficiently developed or aligned across health and social care functions. The County Council’s Executive and Overview and Scrutiny Committee had not given sufficient weight to monitoring the outcomes and quality of services delivered on its behalf through the annual strategic agreement. There was work to be done to build a shared approach to medium term financial planning and to enable resources to be more tightly aligned to priorities. Workforce planning needed to be more strategic to support the performance improvement and modernisation programmes.
Sunday, November 05, 2006
Nice little item taken from Councillor Gareth Davies, on the folly's of Bill Brooks, Leader of Northumberland County Council
So the big story on Wednesday night, a housing strategy that is based on quality research and careful planning was swamped by the Chief Executive reporting that Bill Brookes, leader of Northumberland County Council, had driven a coach and horses through the voluntary agreement between all Northumberland's councils not to comment on the local government white paper before a joint meeting had been held.As an example of leadership on Bill's part it was a disaster; not only did it drive a wedge between the districts and the county, but it was seen to be unduly provocative on the county council's part. As I've said before, I have some sympathy for Bill's position. He ahs to keep the ultras in his own group happy; there are those at County Hall who are deeply committed to the institution of the county council beyond any point of logic or commonsense; it's an emotional attachment. Bill needs their votes if he is to stay as leader of the Labour group, so he must lead from the front, even when it would make more sense to adopt a more conciliatory approach.Expect fireworks in the next twelve weeks, not just tonight.
News just in on Poll on Academies
The local newspaper the NEWS POST LEADER,on there web site has been conducting a poll here are the results
293 votes cast
88 per cent against academies, 12 per cent for, with 293 votes cast on the news paper website.
Well that's a lot people against the a new academies, in the vote.
Lets hope Northumberland County Council take note of the voting?
293 votes cast
88 per cent against academies, 12 per cent for, with 293 votes cast on the news paper website.
Well that's a lot people against the a new academies, in the vote.
Lets hope Northumberland County Council take note of the voting?
Saturday, November 04, 2006
JOURNAL, SATURDAY 6 NOVEMBER 2006
Question to the Leader of Northumberland County Council, what services will you be delivering to to the people of Northumberland at the next election ?
Communities anxiously awaiting a council decision over the future of their libraries yesterday branded the consultation process "shambolic".
Northumberland County Council is due to decide the fate of 12 libraries across the county at a meeting on Monday.
But last night campaigners in the communities once again slammed the council for what they called a farcical consultation which had failed to listen to the views of the public.
Protesters in Corbridge handed in a 1,600 signature petition to Mike Scullion, executive member for libraries, at County Hall yesterday.
Audrey Graham, who collected the signatures said: "Although the county council claim otherwise this is clearly a cost-cutting exercise and unfortunately I think the petition will have very little influence on their decision."
Kielder Parish Council chairman Barry Noble confirmed last night that he had sent a letter to the Local Government Ombudsman complaining about the consultation.
He said: "It's absolutely farcical. It's quite clear to us that officers in the Library Service simply don't know what they're doing.
"They're recommending that our library closes within the next six months, but only days ago we had a visit from technicians who were measuring up to install £12,000 worth of new computers."
The 12 libraries under threat are Wylam, Corbridge, Ellington, Kielder, Haydon Bridge, Lynemouth, Seaton Sluice, Hadston, Heddon-on-the-Wall, Cowpen, Newsham and South Beach in Blyth.
Recommendations to the meeting include keeping branches at Wylam and Seaton Sluice open, and replacing services at Cowpen, Hadston and Lynemouth with a community collection, where people can browse, order and collect books.
Council officers have also suggested replacing Newsham library with a mobile service and handing over the running of Corbridge, Haydon Bridge, Heddon-on-the-Wall and South Beach to the parish council and community.
The Journal understands the plan for Kielder has changed from a mobile service to a community collection at the village school as a result of comments from villagers, but the county council would not confirm this last night.
A spokesman said: "Recommendations have been published but may still be subject to amendments in light of views from communities."
Earlier this week The Journal featured Marguerite Gracey, head of libraries at the county council, who said that the changes would bring about improvements. But Mr Noble said: "Mrs Gracey is treating us disgracefully.
"How can she possibly claim that the closure of our library in favour of a visit from a mobile library will be an improvement.
"This is ludicrous nonsense and we intend to fight these proposals in every possible way."
Peter Jackson, Castle Morpeth councillor for Heddon-on-the-Wall, said the community feels helpless against yet another service loss. He added: "The consultation has been completely shambolic and everyone feels very let down by the county council."
Mrs Gracey said the committee would consider the Corbridge petition and added: "These proposals are all about increasing people's access to library provision, not about restricting it.
"We already know 79% of people in these communities are not active users and this is all about enabling more people to access a range of facilities."
Communities anxiously awaiting a council decision over the future of their libraries yesterday branded the consultation process "shambolic".
Northumberland County Council is due to decide the fate of 12 libraries across the county at a meeting on Monday.
But last night campaigners in the communities once again slammed the council for what they called a farcical consultation which had failed to listen to the views of the public.
Protesters in Corbridge handed in a 1,600 signature petition to Mike Scullion, executive member for libraries, at County Hall yesterday.
Audrey Graham, who collected the signatures said: "Although the county council claim otherwise this is clearly a cost-cutting exercise and unfortunately I think the petition will have very little influence on their decision."
Kielder Parish Council chairman Barry Noble confirmed last night that he had sent a letter to the Local Government Ombudsman complaining about the consultation.
He said: "It's absolutely farcical. It's quite clear to us that officers in the Library Service simply don't know what they're doing.
"They're recommending that our library closes within the next six months, but only days ago we had a visit from technicians who were measuring up to install £12,000 worth of new computers."
The 12 libraries under threat are Wylam, Corbridge, Ellington, Kielder, Haydon Bridge, Lynemouth, Seaton Sluice, Hadston, Heddon-on-the-Wall, Cowpen, Newsham and South Beach in Blyth.
Recommendations to the meeting include keeping branches at Wylam and Seaton Sluice open, and replacing services at Cowpen, Hadston and Lynemouth with a community collection, where people can browse, order and collect books.
Council officers have also suggested replacing Newsham library with a mobile service and handing over the running of Corbridge, Haydon Bridge, Heddon-on-the-Wall and South Beach to the parish council and community.
The Journal understands the plan for Kielder has changed from a mobile service to a community collection at the village school as a result of comments from villagers, but the county council would not confirm this last night.
A spokesman said: "Recommendations have been published but may still be subject to amendments in light of views from communities."
Earlier this week The Journal featured Marguerite Gracey, head of libraries at the county council, who said that the changes would bring about improvements. But Mr Noble said: "Mrs Gracey is treating us disgracefully.
"How can she possibly claim that the closure of our library in favour of a visit from a mobile library will be an improvement.
"This is ludicrous nonsense and we intend to fight these proposals in every possible way."
Peter Jackson, Castle Morpeth councillor for Heddon-on-the-Wall, said the community feels helpless against yet another service loss. He added: "The consultation has been completely shambolic and everyone feels very let down by the county council."
Mrs Gracey said the committee would consider the Corbridge petition and added: "These proposals are all about increasing people's access to library provision, not about restricting it.
"We already know 79% of people in these communities are not active users and this is all about enabling more people to access a range of facilities."
Taken from Gareth Davies Blog
Readers will know that Blyth Valley CLP decided that there were no grounds for complaint about anything I've written on this blog or to the local press, and rejected a complaint brought by the leader of Northumberland County Council.But the constant stories about letters being written to the regional Labour Party about me, and the constant tension involved in deciding how to write about the things that matter to me without causing unnecessary conflict in the local party meant that blogging became a chore that, as soon as I was busy, it was too easy to avoid.However, I've thought it through, and after noticing the way in which colleagues have commented on the lack of posts as if they've missed this blog, I've decided to stop mithering and get on with
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