Brooks quits as leader of council
Apr 26 2007
By The Journal
The leader of Northumberland County Council has stepped down, it was revealed last night.
Bill Brooks has been the leader of the county council for two years, but has chosen to leave the post for health reasons.
Senior political figures have known about the Labour councillor's decision for several days, but it also emerged at a party AGM meeting in Northumberland last night.
Last night Coun Brooks said he had enjoyed his time as leader and had wanted to carry on, but that it had been a "political decision".
He added: "I would like to have carried on, but, unfortunately, there are reasons which are personal which make that highly unlikely.
"The people who ought to have known about it, have known about it for some time."
Coun Brooks, who is also a board member at Newcastle International Airport and an executive member of the Association of North-East Councils, joined the council in 1992.
He represented Plessey Ward as a county councillor for two terms before taking over from Gilbert Barker as councillor for Newsham, where he had lived for more than 30 years. Prior to joining the council Coun Brooks, who has a daughter called Joanne, had been a television service technician for nearly 30 years, joining the profession when he left school.
In 1985 he became self-employed and later worked as a taxi driver in the Blyth and Cramlington areas for more than a decade, as well as working installing and repairing security alarms.
On his website Coun Brooks writes: "I have always been interested in politics, more so through an active role in the Trades Union movement, then even more so when, like many others in the late 80s/early 90s, I was forced into the low paid, long hours economy of taxi driving.
"At every opportunity I would write to the media on this and other local issues with some degree of success. This was recognised by members of my local party, who urged me to stand in a by-election, which I did, and won."
Coun Brooks will be replaced by deputy council leader Peter Hillman who was born in Blackpool, but who has lived in his ward since 1973 after leaving the Royal Navy following eight years of service. He joined the Labour Party in 1975, with a "determination to remove the Tory Government".
Coun Hillman, who has two children and three grandchildren, is also a member of ANEC and the International Airport Local Authority Holiday.
He is also chairman of the Seaton Delaval and Holywell Labour Party and chair of Governors at Astley Community High School and a governor at Seaton Delaval First School.
Thursday, April 26, 2007
Sunday, April 22, 2007
News Post Leader, letters page this could be the next leader of Northumberland County Council ?
Disgusted by action to evict panto society
I WAS amazed to read recently that Seaton Delaval Pantomime Society, which has provided hours of festive fun for residents, are to be booted out of the local community centre.
It is noted that the well known Peter Hillman, Labour councillor and deputy leader of the county council was one of the votes that created this situation.Is this what we elect councillors for – to put a stop to a pantomime which old and young enjoy?Come off it Mr Hillman, you should be disgusted with your action – we are the voters of Seaton Delaval.Perhaps when the next elections come around we will remember the action you have taken and vote you off the council.Come along residents of Seaton Delaval and Holywell – let us give the high-handed a dose of their own medicine and see how they like it.Once the money and publicity have gone, they might realise that to tamper with peoples' enjoyment could well backfire, just as their government masters will find out in a general election.
I WAS amazed to read recently that Seaton Delaval Pantomime Society, which has provided hours of festive fun for residents, are to be booted out of the local community centre.
It is noted that the well known Peter Hillman, Labour councillor and deputy leader of the county council was one of the votes that created this situation.Is this what we elect councillors for – to put a stop to a pantomime which old and young enjoy?Come off it Mr Hillman, you should be disgusted with your action – we are the voters of Seaton Delaval.Perhaps when the next elections come around we will remember the action you have taken and vote you off the council.Come along residents of Seaton Delaval and Holywell – let us give the high-handed a dose of their own medicine and see how they like it.Once the money and publicity have gone, they might realise that to tamper with peoples' enjoyment could well backfire, just as their government masters will find out in a general election.
We don't need people like this in office.
Disgusted of Seaton Delaval.
MR HARRIS
Ashkirk Way
Seaton Delaval
19 April 2007
19 April 2007
Stop The Press !
Sometimes even the 'Follys' doesn't get the full picture.
We hadn't a clue how devious messrs Brooks and Hillman could be in trying to hold onto the reigns of power, its a bit like a drug isn't it Billy?
Now we find, having had it corroborated by our friends in Wansbeck, that Billy has waited until all the self nomination forms are in before announcing in a letter he was standing down from the leadership because of the lack of confidence in the leadership.
Why wait? because Peter has put in for leader leaving all the good party members unable to bring someone else forward.
I'm sorry Peter but you are part of the problem not the answer - nobody trusts you, particularly after this show of treachery. We understand that Wansbeck members, finding themselves sidelined are 'incandescent' with rage.
Well, we would say to some, a few, this is what we have been telling you all along. Peter and billy cannot be trusted.
Peter has a dream of ruling all of Northumberland.
Just to rub salt into the wound we belive sweetners have been offered to the Tynedale mob to support Peter, we have the e-mail from Billy, and a copy of the letter sent out last week.
Mr Simpson to get an assistant portfolio role, and Mr Reid (remember the latest 'no stars' fiasco with his portfolio, remember that the pension fund he looks after has the second biggest holdings in arms trade companies) he will get Deputy Leader.
We still don't know who will be shifted to let Billy keep his allowances on the Executive - looks more than ever like poor Dorothy has had her moment of greatness snatched from under her.........as it were.
Let us pray for forgiveness we are in for a rough ride in northumberland.
Wansbeck lads and Blyth valley lads and lasses have been well and truly kippered, I was going to say shafted but this is a family blog!
We hadn't a clue how devious messrs Brooks and Hillman could be in trying to hold onto the reigns of power, its a bit like a drug isn't it Billy?
Now we find, having had it corroborated by our friends in Wansbeck, that Billy has waited until all the self nomination forms are in before announcing in a letter he was standing down from the leadership because of the lack of confidence in the leadership.
Why wait? because Peter has put in for leader leaving all the good party members unable to bring someone else forward.
I'm sorry Peter but you are part of the problem not the answer - nobody trusts you, particularly after this show of treachery. We understand that Wansbeck members, finding themselves sidelined are 'incandescent' with rage.
Well, we would say to some, a few, this is what we have been telling you all along. Peter and billy cannot be trusted.
Peter has a dream of ruling all of Northumberland.
Just to rub salt into the wound we belive sweetners have been offered to the Tynedale mob to support Peter, we have the e-mail from Billy, and a copy of the letter sent out last week.
Mr Simpson to get an assistant portfolio role, and Mr Reid (remember the latest 'no stars' fiasco with his portfolio, remember that the pension fund he looks after has the second biggest holdings in arms trade companies) he will get Deputy Leader.
We still don't know who will be shifted to let Billy keep his allowances on the Executive - looks more than ever like poor Dorothy has had her moment of greatness snatched from under her.........as it were.
Let us pray for forgiveness we are in for a rough ride in northumberland.
Wansbeck lads and Blyth valley lads and lasses have been well and truly kippered, I was going to say shafted but this is a family blog!
Saturday, April 21, 2007
The Truth about the Leadership at County Hall
This blog has been accused of all sorts by the leadership at County Hall and no doubt it is a thorn in their side.
Our biggest aim is to restore democracy to the Council. To let councillors have their say, openly and without fear of reprisals, about such diverse subjects as Two Unitary government and Academy schools.
We have been told for a while now, that the Leader and deputy leader are avoiding democracy as long as they can to bring forward their ideas, in short because of principles.
We know that for some time now, councillors have been manoeuvring themselves for the inevitable de-throning of Billy, the Bullet, Brooks and his hapless assistant Peter, the Grate,Hillman.
Both as bad as each other although Peter now has grown tired of merely pulling Billys strings.
Billy has led the whole council down the garden path and the honourable thing to do would be to stand down quietly and at the age of 65 go into retirement.
But we now understand Billly has agreed to stand down to allow Peter to carry on regardless, on one condition – he is given a portfolio!
Who, Follys, wonders is going to move other.
It is a blatant example of greed.
Neither Billy and certainly not Peter have the nouse to lead a once respected county council.
If they are so hard up – lets have a whip round (no John not that sort of whip) and give him a lump sum to go.
Now, where will this leave the single unitary bid, that Whitehall sources are telling NJC Media does not have enough support?
Big question!
The bigger question mark hangs over the future of the Labour County Councillors that have and indeed some still do - supported the fated single bid.
Word has it that a clamour is growing in both Wansbeck and Blyth Valley for them all to be de-selected at the first opportunity!
Certainly even if the unimaginable happened – very few County councillors from South east Northumberland would return, and decidedly not Peter and Billy.
They cling to the hope that Labour North will help their nominations through the Clps and County Party.
With the County Party due to come under tight control from the District CLPs THIS WILL NOT HAPPEN!
We gave an easy way out several months ago – declare peace with the districts – make an arrangement over selection and dump the single.
Billy and Peter have already made such advances ooooooer, sorry we shouldn’t have said.
There is a way out – take it quickly!
Our biggest aim is to restore democracy to the Council. To let councillors have their say, openly and without fear of reprisals, about such diverse subjects as Two Unitary government and Academy schools.
We have been told for a while now, that the Leader and deputy leader are avoiding democracy as long as they can to bring forward their ideas, in short because of principles.
We know that for some time now, councillors have been manoeuvring themselves for the inevitable de-throning of Billy, the Bullet, Brooks and his hapless assistant Peter, the Grate,Hillman.
Both as bad as each other although Peter now has grown tired of merely pulling Billys strings.
Billy has led the whole council down the garden path and the honourable thing to do would be to stand down quietly and at the age of 65 go into retirement.
But we now understand Billly has agreed to stand down to allow Peter to carry on regardless, on one condition – he is given a portfolio!
Who, Follys, wonders is going to move other.
It is a blatant example of greed.
Neither Billy and certainly not Peter have the nouse to lead a once respected county council.
If they are so hard up – lets have a whip round (no John not that sort of whip) and give him a lump sum to go.
Now, where will this leave the single unitary bid, that Whitehall sources are telling NJC Media does not have enough support?
Big question!
The bigger question mark hangs over the future of the Labour County Councillors that have and indeed some still do - supported the fated single bid.
Word has it that a clamour is growing in both Wansbeck and Blyth Valley for them all to be de-selected at the first opportunity!
Certainly even if the unimaginable happened – very few County councillors from South east Northumberland would return, and decidedly not Peter and Billy.
They cling to the hope that Labour North will help their nominations through the Clps and County Party.
With the County Party due to come under tight control from the District CLPs THIS WILL NOT HAPPEN!
We gave an easy way out several months ago – declare peace with the districts – make an arrangement over selection and dump the single.
Billy and Peter have already made such advances ooooooer, sorry we shouldn’t have said.
There is a way out – take it quickly!
Sunday, April 15, 2007
WHY DID NCC NOT RELEASE THE INFORMATION WHEN ASKED FOR IT NPL ?
Date 12 April 2007
Information obtained by the Act and reported in the NPL
In April 2006 the News Post Leader reported that
Northumberland County Council’s pension fund
had investments worth more than £5m in 15 of
the world’s largest arms manufacturers one of
just two authorities in the country that invests in all
15 of the military giants .
Figures released under the Freedom of Information Act
revealed the fund held investments
worth £5,245,269 in the global arms dealers,
The figures were released by Campaign Against the Arms Trade
(CAAT) after one of the UK’s most extensive Freedom of Information
Investigations into council finances,
In June 2006 we reported how the county council had been accused of ‘misleading’ education chiefs.
An Expression of Interest document released under freedom of
that the county's plans to build academy in Blyth had widespread support from councillors, officials and governors from Blyth Community College.
But in a joint statement the chairman and vice chairman of the colleges governing body said there was no such support and they made a official compliant over the "lack of a true democratic process and untruthful statements"
In July 2006 we revealed how the county council had spent over £1.5 m of taxpayers money over 2 years on company cars for its employees.
The cash strapped council-which was struggling with a budget deficit of £26.3 m -was spending cash on a BMW 530 SE for its chief executive Mark Henderson, while his deputy chief executive Jill Dixon was enjoying the use of a Audi A3 Sportback.
Nice cars for Mark and Jill, we pay for them out of our rates, must be nice to spend taxpayers money and not say thank you ?
Information obtained by the Act and reported in the NPL
In April 2006 the News Post Leader reported that
Northumberland County Council’s pension fund
had investments worth more than £5m in 15 of
the world’s largest arms manufacturers one of
just two authorities in the country that invests in all
15 of the military giants .
Figures released under the Freedom of Information Act
revealed the fund held investments
worth £5,245,269 in the global arms dealers,
The figures were released by Campaign Against the Arms Trade
(CAAT) after one of the UK’s most extensive Freedom of Information
Investigations into council finances,
In June 2006 we reported how the county council had been accused of ‘misleading’ education chiefs.
An Expression of Interest document released under freedom of
that the county's plans to build academy in Blyth had widespread support from councillors, officials and governors from Blyth Community College.
But in a joint statement the chairman and vice chairman of the colleges governing body said there was no such support and they made a official compliant over the "lack of a true democratic process and untruthful statements"
In July 2006 we revealed how the county council had spent over £1.5 m of taxpayers money over 2 years on company cars for its employees.
The cash strapped council-which was struggling with a budget deficit of £26.3 m -was spending cash on a BMW 530 SE for its chief executive Mark Henderson, while his deputy chief executive Jill Dixon was enjoying the use of a Audi A3 Sportback.
Nice cars for Mark and Jill, we pay for them out of our rates, must be nice to spend taxpayers money and not say thank you ?
Thursday, April 12, 2007
Bill Brooks is like the Captain of the Titanic, Says the leader of Blyth Valley Council
Read Leader of Blyth Valley Council Dave Stephens
Ratings back super council
Apr 12 2007
By Dave Black, The Journal
County council leaders in Northumberland feel they are winning the battle over the shape of local government in the county.
Their bid to create a single `super council' under a unitary structure has been rated above a rival plan by the county's six district councils in an unofficial league table compiled by the influential Local Government Chronicle.
The LGC has used ratings given by the Government to all of the 15 unitary council bids selected to go forward for further consultation, and translated them into points to compile the national league table.
The bids were all rated by the Department for Communities and Local Government for their affordability, potential to gain widespread public support, service delivery and other criteria. The LGC league table puts the single unitary bids from Durham, Cumbria and North Yorkshire County Councils at the top with 15 points.
Northumberland County Council's submission comes joint second on 14 points, along with those from Cheshire, Cornwall and Somerset.
The bid by the six Northumberland districts to create two separate unitary councils - one for Blyth Valley and Wansbeck and the other for rural Berwick, Alnwick, Castle Morpeth and Tynedale - is in the league table's bottom three places.
The proposed rural unitary authority gets 12 points in the LGC table and the urban unitary is bottom of the list with 10 points. Yesterday the LGC ratings were welcomed by Northumberland County Council leader Bill Brooks. "It is evidently not just my own view when I said that the quality of the bid we put together demonstrates the quality of our staff," he said.
"But we also based our bid on independent financial advice from Price Waterhouse Coopers, who estimated that a single council would save £17m a year."
But Blyth Valley Council leader Dave Stephens said: "In my opinion, Bill Brooks and the county council leadership are like the captain of the Titanic when it sank, desperately clutching at anything to stay afloat."
Apr 12 2007
By Dave Black, The Journal
County council leaders in Northumberland feel they are winning the battle over the shape of local government in the county.
Their bid to create a single `super council' under a unitary structure has been rated above a rival plan by the county's six district councils in an unofficial league table compiled by the influential Local Government Chronicle.
The LGC has used ratings given by the Government to all of the 15 unitary council bids selected to go forward for further consultation, and translated them into points to compile the national league table.
The bids were all rated by the Department for Communities and Local Government for their affordability, potential to gain widespread public support, service delivery and other criteria. The LGC league table puts the single unitary bids from Durham, Cumbria and North Yorkshire County Councils at the top with 15 points.
Northumberland County Council's submission comes joint second on 14 points, along with those from Cheshire, Cornwall and Somerset.
The bid by the six Northumberland districts to create two separate unitary councils - one for Blyth Valley and Wansbeck and the other for rural Berwick, Alnwick, Castle Morpeth and Tynedale - is in the league table's bottom three places.
The proposed rural unitary authority gets 12 points in the LGC table and the urban unitary is bottom of the list with 10 points. Yesterday the LGC ratings were welcomed by Northumberland County Council leader Bill Brooks. "It is evidently not just my own view when I said that the quality of the bid we put together demonstrates the quality of our staff," he said.
"But we also based our bid on independent financial advice from Price Waterhouse Coopers, who estimated that a single council would save £17m a year."
But Blyth Valley Council leader Dave Stephens said: "In my opinion, Bill Brooks and the county council leadership are like the captain of the Titanic when it sank, desperately clutching at anything to stay afloat."
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
Journal April 10 2007, The MP said " They have been crying like little wimps because they've seen the writing on the wall" Ronnie Cambell, MP
MP's fierce attack strains party ranks
Apr 10 2007
By Ross Smith, The Journal
An extraordinary row erupted in Northumberland's Labour Party yesterday after an MP tabled a Parliamentary motion slating the county council for "underperforming".
Blyth Valley MP Ronnie Campbell accused the Labour leaders of the authority of "crying like little wimps" over a proposed shake-up of councils in Northumberland and Durham.
County council leader Bill Brooks said Mr Campbell was being "childish" over the motion, which was drawn up in the wake of the Government's shortlist of proposals for revamping councils.
The Government was expected to select a preferred option for shifting from two-tier councils to a unitary structure in Northumberland.
However, it chose to shortlist both a single, county-wide authority - favoured by county council leaders - and a plan to divide Northumberland in two - supported by district councils and all four MPs in the area.
Mr Campbell responded by tabling the motion, which says "this house regrets that Northumberland County Council is £37m in debt; hopes it can clear this debt before local government reorganisation is implemented; and further hopes that this underperforming council can go forward".
The veteran Blyth Valley MP said: "They've been crying like little wimps because they've seen the writing on the wall.
"I got really mad and I put that motion down."
The council last night denied Mr Campbell's claims about its debt, but did admit last year it needed to save £34m over four years. The MP said the council should deal with the issue before reorganisation, accused bosses of wanting district councils abolished so it could absorb their cash reserves and assets.
"It would give them a nice big Easter egg to pay off the debt," said Mr Campbell.
"To say they've underperformed is an understatement because they've underperformed in every department.
"I'm vexed and angry that this hopeless council think they can run Northumberland as a single unitary authority. They're not on this planet."
Coun Brooks said last night: "This is an outrageous slur on Northumberland County Council by Ronnie Campbell.
"I have no idea where these figures have come from, but this appears to be a very childish attempt to publicly attack the county council." He pointed to an Audit Commission review which awarded the council three stars out of four and gave it a "clean bill of health" over its finances.
So far, only one other MP - Fellow Labour member Paul Flynn, who represents Newport West in South Wales - has signed Mr Campbell's motion.
However, Berwick's Liberal Democrat MP Alan Beith said: "Ronnie Campbell is right to be critical of the Labour leadership of Northumberland County Council. It underlines that creating a single unitary authority based on the existing county council would not make sense.
"All four of the county's MPs back a two unitary solution and we were all surprised that the Government is still considering both options rather that pursuing the two unitary approach."
The two-council option would see Northumberland split between the urban south-east, containing Blyth Valley and Wansbeck, and the rural north and west of the county, incorporating Alnwick, Berwick, Castle Morpeth and Tynedale.
Apr 10 2007
By Ross Smith, The Journal
An extraordinary row erupted in Northumberland's Labour Party yesterday after an MP tabled a Parliamentary motion slating the county council for "underperforming".
Blyth Valley MP Ronnie Campbell accused the Labour leaders of the authority of "crying like little wimps" over a proposed shake-up of councils in Northumberland and Durham.
County council leader Bill Brooks said Mr Campbell was being "childish" over the motion, which was drawn up in the wake of the Government's shortlist of proposals for revamping councils.
The Government was expected to select a preferred option for shifting from two-tier councils to a unitary structure in Northumberland.
However, it chose to shortlist both a single, county-wide authority - favoured by county council leaders - and a plan to divide Northumberland in two - supported by district councils and all four MPs in the area.
Mr Campbell responded by tabling the motion, which says "this house regrets that Northumberland County Council is £37m in debt; hopes it can clear this debt before local government reorganisation is implemented; and further hopes that this underperforming council can go forward".
The veteran Blyth Valley MP said: "They've been crying like little wimps because they've seen the writing on the wall.
"I got really mad and I put that motion down."
The council last night denied Mr Campbell's claims about its debt, but did admit last year it needed to save £34m over four years. The MP said the council should deal with the issue before reorganisation, accused bosses of wanting district councils abolished so it could absorb their cash reserves and assets.
"It would give them a nice big Easter egg to pay off the debt," said Mr Campbell.
"To say they've underperformed is an understatement because they've underperformed in every department.
"I'm vexed and angry that this hopeless council think they can run Northumberland as a single unitary authority. They're not on this planet."
Coun Brooks said last night: "This is an outrageous slur on Northumberland County Council by Ronnie Campbell.
"I have no idea where these figures have come from, but this appears to be a very childish attempt to publicly attack the county council." He pointed to an Audit Commission review which awarded the council three stars out of four and gave it a "clean bill of health" over its finances.
So far, only one other MP - Fellow Labour member Paul Flynn, who represents Newport West in South Wales - has signed Mr Campbell's motion.
However, Berwick's Liberal Democrat MP Alan Beith said: "Ronnie Campbell is right to be critical of the Labour leadership of Northumberland County Council. It underlines that creating a single unitary authority based on the existing county council would not make sense.
"All four of the county's MPs back a two unitary solution and we were all surprised that the Government is still considering both options rather that pursuing the two unitary approach."
The two-council option would see Northumberland split between the urban south-east, containing Blyth Valley and Wansbeck, and the rural north and west of the county, incorporating Alnwick, Berwick, Castle Morpeth and Tynedale.
Sunday, April 01, 2007
More extracts from the e-mail.
Remember this is a e-mail from the Academy's Divison ,of Dfee
The proposal for an all-age Academy in Blyth is still in the feasibility phase and has not received Ministerial approval to proceed further nor have Ministers approved funding. As you may know, all Academies are required to consult extensively and locally early in their development phase to demonstrate support for the proposal. This covers students, staff, parents, governors, schools and the local community as well as other agencies. Ministers will consider the views expressed before they decide whether to approve a funding agreement with the Academy Trust and establish the Academy
The proposal for an all-age Academy in Blyth is still in the feasibility phase and has not received Ministerial approval to proceed further nor have Ministers approved funding. As you may know, all Academies are required to consult extensively and locally early in their development phase to demonstrate support for the proposal. This covers students, staff, parents, governors, schools and the local community as well as other agencies. Ministers will consider the views expressed before they decide whether to approve a funding agreement with the Academy Trust and establish the Academy
Saturday, March 31, 2007
THIS GOES SHOW THEY ARE FAILING TO TALK TO THE RESDENT'S OF THE COUNTY
Photos
Bill Brooks, Leader
Peter Hillman, Deputy Leader
Whats the leadership doing at county hall to upset the residents of this county, and the executive as well
Overall Satisfaction with the Council fell to 46% - a decline of 3.97 percentage points since 2003-04*
Whats happening at Northumberland County Council when you get a decline like this in the residents of this county,
OVERALL SATISFACTION FALLS AT NCC TO 46% A DECLINE OF 3.97 PERCENTAGE POINTS SINCE 2003-04*
It should be noted that whilst the Council failed to achieve its targets for Overall Satisfaction and Complaints Handling the same survey tells us that satisfaction with the County Council’s services has improved:
BV90 Satisfaction with Household waste recovery centres
90% an improvement of 8.84 percentage points since 2003-04
BV 103 Satisfaction with transport information
52% an improvement of 7.71 percentage points since 2003-04
BV 104 Satisfaction with Bus Services -
57% an improvement of 7.09 percentage points since 2003-04
119b Satisfaction with Libraries
72% an improvement of 11 percentage points since 2003-04
7.7.8 Summary of Performance against FoE
· Household waste recycling targets were exceeded - 21.1% against a target of 20%
· Major planning applications carried out in 13 weeks has improved from 59.26% in March 2005 to 73.33% at December 07 (against a target of 60%)
· Freedom of Information enquiries completed within time scale (20 days) - direction of travel continues to improve, up from 75.41% in quarter one to 84.5% in quarter three; however this is still outside the targeted figure of 100%
·
Overall Satisfaction with the Council fell to 46% - a decline of 3.97 percentage points since 2003-04*
Overall Satisfaction with Complaint handling rose to 32% - an improvement of 4.56 percentage points since 2003-04**
*Nationally overall satisfaction rates with Top Tier and County Councils have fallen
**Nationally complainants satisfied with the handling of their complaints has improved by
1 percentage point since 2003-04 to 32%.
BV90 Satisfaction with Household waste recovery centres
90% an improvement of 8.84 percentage points since 2003-04
BV 103 Satisfaction with transport information
52% an improvement of 7.71 percentage points since 2003-04
BV 104 Satisfaction with Bus Services -
57% an improvement of 7.09 percentage points since 2003-04
119b Satisfaction with Libraries
72% an improvement of 11 percentage points since 2003-04
7.7.8 Summary of Performance against FoE
· Household waste recycling targets were exceeded - 21.1% against a target of 20%
· Major planning applications carried out in 13 weeks has improved from 59.26% in March 2005 to 73.33% at December 07 (against a target of 60%)
· Freedom of Information enquiries completed within time scale (20 days) - direction of travel continues to improve, up from 75.41% in quarter one to 84.5% in quarter three; however this is still outside the targeted figure of 100%
·
Overall Satisfaction with the Council fell to 46% - a decline of 3.97 percentage points since 2003-04*
Overall Satisfaction with Complaint handling rose to 32% - an improvement of 4.56 percentage points since 2003-04**
*Nationally overall satisfaction rates with Top Tier and County Councils have fallen
**Nationally complainants satisfied with the handling of their complaints has improved by
1 percentage point since 2003-04 to 32%.
LGA PRESS RELEASE
LGA PRESS RELEASE
Press release no:
Tuesday, 27 March 2007
Response to announcement on unitary local government - LGA
By LGA Media Office
Responding to Phil Woolas' announcement on unitary structures, Sir Jeremy Beecham, Vice Chairman of the LGA said:"Councils are committed to providing an ever better deal for taxpayers and service users and want to see the best systems in place to help shape local services. Any structural reorganisation of local government must strengthen its ability to provide local leadership and value for money services while allowing it to keep on responding to local needs. "There is no one right way to organise local government. Unitary councils work well in some areas, separate district and county councils in others. What matters is that local people in every area get a system of local government that meets their needs and wishes."
There we have it - Sir Jeremy is off the fence.
Lets have a referendum on the matter and settle it once and for all - agree the question and put it to the public!
Press release no:
Tuesday, 27 March 2007
Response to announcement on unitary local government - LGA
By LGA Media Office
Responding to Phil Woolas' announcement on unitary structures, Sir Jeremy Beecham, Vice Chairman of the LGA said:"Councils are committed to providing an ever better deal for taxpayers and service users and want to see the best systems in place to help shape local services. Any structural reorganisation of local government must strengthen its ability to provide local leadership and value for money services while allowing it to keep on responding to local needs. "There is no one right way to organise local government. Unitary councils work well in some areas, separate district and county councils in others. What matters is that local people in every area get a system of local government that meets their needs and wishes."
There we have it - Sir Jeremy is off the fence.
Lets have a referendum on the matter and settle it once and for all - agree the question and put it to the public!
EARLY DAY MOTION IN THE HOUSE'S OF PARLIMENT
The MP For Blyth Valley Ronnie Cambell, Early Days Motion
EDM 1227
NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY COUNCIL
27.03.2007
Campbell, Ronnie
2 signatures
Flynn, Paul
That this House regrets that Northumberland County Council is £37 million in debt; hopes it can clear this debt before local government reorganisation is implemented; and further hopes that this underperforming council can go forward.
EDM 1227
NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY COUNCIL
27.03.2007
Campbell, Ronnie
2 signatures
Flynn, Paul
That this House regrets that Northumberland County Council is £37 million in debt; hopes it can clear this debt before local government reorganisation is implemented; and further hopes that this underperforming council can go forward.
Friday, March 30, 2007
Extracts from the e-mail, more to come
THEY DON'T HAVE MONEY FOR THE ACADEMY
Extracts from the e-mail which goes to show that Northumberland County Council, is not giving the residents of Northumberland the truth.
As I said in my email dated 16 March, Ministers have not approved funding for the proposed Academy. However, Northumberland County Council was informed in February 2006 that the estimated cost of the Academy was £22.65m (excluding abnormals).
The proposal has been revised since then to incorporate pupils aged 4-11.
If Ministers are content for the Academy to be established, they will approve a funding agreement with the Academy Trust.
Extracts from the e-mail which goes to show that Northumberland County Council, is not giving the residents of Northumberland the truth.
As I said in my email dated 16 March, Ministers have not approved funding for the proposed Academy. However, Northumberland County Council was informed in February 2006 that the estimated cost of the Academy was £22.65m (excluding abnormals).
The proposal has been revised since then to incorporate pupils aged 4-11.
If Ministers are content for the Academy to be established, they will approve a funding agreement with the Academy Trust.
We now have a copy of the e-mail
We are pleased to say that we have a copy of the said e-mail, and our legal team are checking it out with the Dfee,
Thursday, March 29, 2007
More to come of a cover up in funding at NCC and the academy at Blyth
We have been in formed by our source that we will have a copy of the e-mail on Friday 30 March, lets hope our source can deliver the e-mail , watch this space ?
From what we are told this e-mail came from the the Academy's Division at the Dfee
Follys is trying to get a copy of the e-mail from Dfee, when we receive it
We will publish it.
As we believe it shows that Northumberland County Council is misleading the residents of Blyth in respect of the funding for the new Academy's in Blyth.
Their latest escapade is a consultation document stating that the Government had given the NCC over £22m for the Academy!
Wrong.
One councillor produced e-mails from the Dfes to show this to be untrue. The county do not appear to have any funding in place.
We were told the councillor has asked the Head of Fact and the Portfolio holder to comment or put him right at least.
After all the odd £22m could have slipped out of the Dfes without anyone noticing.
From what we are told this e-mail came from the the Academy's Division at the Dfee
Follys is trying to get a copy of the e-mail from Dfee, when we receive it
We will publish it.
As we believe it shows that Northumberland County Council is misleading the residents of Blyth in respect of the funding for the new Academy's in Blyth.
Their latest escapade is a consultation document stating that the Government had given the NCC over £22m for the Academy!
Wrong.
One councillor produced e-mails from the Dfes to show this to be untrue. The county do not appear to have any funding in place.
We were told the councillor has asked the Head of Fact and the Portfolio holder to comment or put him right at least.
After all the odd £22m could have slipped out of the Dfes without anyone noticing.
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
NORTHERN ECHO
Posted by: Arthur Holland Pegg, Northumberland on 9:51am today on the Northern Echo ‘on line’.
'As far as Northumberland County is concerned, two unitary authorities would be a 'half-way house' inasmuch as it would split the county into two areas neither of which would be able to claim the title of Northumberland County. If two unitary authorities are created in Northumberland then for certain services both authorities would need to come together e.g. Fire Services, there would be terrific duplication of effort, a need for more buildings, disputes over allocation of financial support, more staff, and a greater confusion among the residents of Northumberland - who we would expect to be the beneficiaries of the new organisation. Therefore one - good, two - bad.
This County Councillor is a symptom of the problems we have with the Northumberland County Council.
He lists his occupation as full time Liberal Councillor yet he hasn’t got the time or inclination to read the TWO COUNCIL BID..Surely Councillor Pegg's viewpoint regarding the District Bids for Two Unitary Councils for Northumberland and his obvious lack of knowledge regarding the bid must be coloured by the hypocrisy of protectionism.
The District bid supports the different needs of the urban and rural areas of Northumberland and if he had bothered to read the bid supports one fire authority shared by both areas. Sharing this service allows the fire authority to ensure that the needs of both areas would be fulfilled and that the "terrific duplication" as he puts it would not happen.
So do we now have a convert?
We know what the view of the Executive is on the Fire Service -its slash and burn (no pun intended)
'As far as Northumberland County is concerned, two unitary authorities would be a 'half-way house' inasmuch as it would split the county into two areas neither of which would be able to claim the title of Northumberland County. If two unitary authorities are created in Northumberland then for certain services both authorities would need to come together e.g. Fire Services, there would be terrific duplication of effort, a need for more buildings, disputes over allocation of financial support, more staff, and a greater confusion among the residents of Northumberland - who we would expect to be the beneficiaries of the new organisation. Therefore one - good, two - bad.
This County Councillor is a symptom of the problems we have with the Northumberland County Council.
He lists his occupation as full time Liberal Councillor yet he hasn’t got the time or inclination to read the TWO COUNCIL BID..Surely Councillor Pegg's viewpoint regarding the District Bids for Two Unitary Councils for Northumberland and his obvious lack of knowledge regarding the bid must be coloured by the hypocrisy of protectionism.
The District bid supports the different needs of the urban and rural areas of Northumberland and if he had bothered to read the bid supports one fire authority shared by both areas. Sharing this service allows the fire authority to ensure that the needs of both areas would be fulfilled and that the "terrific duplication" as he puts it would not happen.
So do we now have a convert?
We know what the view of the Executive is on the Fire Service -its slash and burn (no pun intended)
Saturday, March 24, 2007
The Latest News on Academies in Northumberland
Bill Brooks
Peter Hillman
Peter Hillman
Now the latest we have from the leadership at County Hall is that there is to be further consultation in Blyth due to opposition to the Academies.
Divide and conquer they reckon by placing the Academy in the most affluent wards in Blyth – South Newsham and South Beach.
They are now so far from Labour policy as to making a laughing-stock of it at County Hall. They refuse to discuss the Academies at either Group meetings or in Council and County Party? Forget that it hasn’t met since 2005.
No one can blame them though. What happened the first time they allowed their councillors to discuss the single unitary option??????
The policy of the party is to use Academies to drive up results by replacing failing schools and building in deprived areas!
They fail on both scores with that!
Hapless Bill and Peter, hope to lurch on for another two years, when will Labour councillors show them the door, are they frit?
Divide and conquer they reckon by placing the Academy in the most affluent wards in Blyth – South Newsham and South Beach.
They are now so far from Labour policy as to making a laughing-stock of it at County Hall. They refuse to discuss the Academies at either Group meetings or in Council and County Party? Forget that it hasn’t met since 2005.
No one can blame them though. What happened the first time they allowed their councillors to discuss the single unitary option??????
The policy of the party is to use Academies to drive up results by replacing failing schools and building in deprived areas!
They fail on both scores with that!
Hapless Bill and Peter, hope to lurch on for another two years, when will Labour councillors show them the door, are they frit?
Monday, March 19, 2007
Another Blunder by Northumberland County Council and the school kids suffer
Council leaders to lobby for school transport cash
COUNCIL leaders have said they will lobby the Government for an increase in school transport funding after a blunder which saw them miss out on more than £100,000.
Last year Northumberland County Council increased the annual cost of transport for post 16 students from £235 to £360 after it emerged council officers had failed to apply to the Learning and Skills Council for funding.And the council has agreed to lobby the Government for a full review of transport funding.
They will also send officers to meet with the DfES to explore why Northumberland has received less than other authorities.The county's executive has also backed recommendations by an all-party working group to talk with rail companies on the feasibility of regional teen travel tickets between Teesside and the Borders.In December it emerged that over the last two years the county council had missed out on £113,000 of transport funding through "control weaknesses" in their own transport department.As a result the county increased the cost of annual post 16 transport passes by 53 per cent to £360 – the maximum allowed under DfES guidelines.Last month the council's Labour group refused to use some of the £12m windfall grant it received from Newcastle Airport to reduce the costs imposed on students, saying it could affect the council tax.An all-party working group was created to look at the post 16 fiasco, as well as other problems associated with home to school transport.
Coun David Montgomery, who chaired the working group, said: "This has been one of the most comprehensive studies of home to school transport issues that has been carried out in Northumberland. "The benefit of this study is that it was carried out by departments across the council, from different political persuasions, as well as partner organisations and from education providers in Northumberland."It makes it clear that there are major issues which the county council currently faces alone which need to be overcome."Since post 16 transport charges were first introduced in 2002, the number of sixth form students using school buses has dropped from 2,700 to around 1,000.
19 March 2007
News Post Leader
COUNCIL leaders have said they will lobby the Government for an increase in school transport funding after a blunder which saw them miss out on more than £100,000.
Last year Northumberland County Council increased the annual cost of transport for post 16 students from £235 to £360 after it emerged council officers had failed to apply to the Learning and Skills Council for funding.And the council has agreed to lobby the Government for a full review of transport funding.
They will also send officers to meet with the DfES to explore why Northumberland has received less than other authorities.The county's executive has also backed recommendations by an all-party working group to talk with rail companies on the feasibility of regional teen travel tickets between Teesside and the Borders.In December it emerged that over the last two years the county council had missed out on £113,000 of transport funding through "control weaknesses" in their own transport department.As a result the county increased the cost of annual post 16 transport passes by 53 per cent to £360 – the maximum allowed under DfES guidelines.Last month the council's Labour group refused to use some of the £12m windfall grant it received from Newcastle Airport to reduce the costs imposed on students, saying it could affect the council tax.An all-party working group was created to look at the post 16 fiasco, as well as other problems associated with home to school transport.
Coun David Montgomery, who chaired the working group, said: "This has been one of the most comprehensive studies of home to school transport issues that has been carried out in Northumberland. "The benefit of this study is that it was carried out by departments across the council, from different political persuasions, as well as partner organisations and from education providers in Northumberland."It makes it clear that there are major issues which the county council currently faces alone which need to be overcome."Since post 16 transport charges were first introduced in 2002, the number of sixth form students using school buses has dropped from 2,700 to around 1,000.
19 March 2007
News Post Leader
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Coun Micheal Roe, gets a D here for failing to know whats going on in his own county council.He must never read his agenda 's sent to him?
Coun M Roe , of Wansbeck, Labour (Photo)Doomed, but school is praised
MIDDLE school teachers have been praised for the work they do, by the very councillor who is pushing forward plans to scrap all middle schools.
Northumberland County Council is moving forward with plans to change the education system from three-tier to a two-tier structure, meaning the end for middle schools.But executive director for children's services Coun Jim Wright, who is behind the change, said he valued middle school staff "highly".Speaking at a school improvement and monitoring committee, in County Hall at Morpeth last week, Coun Wright said: "We value highly all the staff at middle schools, their expertise is as good as anywhere."He made the comment after the committee had gone through all the Ofsted inspections conducted in the last four months, with Parkside Middle School in Cramlington among those singled out for praise.The school, with 469 pupils, would be among the first to go as the council changes it education structure.As well as receiving praise from Coun Wright, fellow committee member Coun Michael Roe said: "This school has a very high reputation."He added he hoped it could achieve an outstanding report at its next inspection, until colleagues pointed out the school would be closed by then.Tony Mays, head of school improvement, said: "It's a credit to the staff they have achieved a good report considering the pressures on Cramlington middle schools over the last few months."Parkside Middle School was inspected in November last year, with Ofsted officials declaring it a "good school with outstanding features".They said it was a popular school with many parents from outside the area sending their children to it because of its reputation while the headteacher was "highly regarded" within the community.The report added the ambition of the headteacher, senior management team, staff and governors was for "all children to thrive so that they can achieve well and develop the personal qualities that will help them succeed in later life".
MIDDLE school teachers have been praised for the work they do, by the very councillor who is pushing forward plans to scrap all middle schools.
Northumberland County Council is moving forward with plans to change the education system from three-tier to a two-tier structure, meaning the end for middle schools.But executive director for children's services Coun Jim Wright, who is behind the change, said he valued middle school staff "highly".Speaking at a school improvement and monitoring committee, in County Hall at Morpeth last week, Coun Wright said: "We value highly all the staff at middle schools, their expertise is as good as anywhere."He made the comment after the committee had gone through all the Ofsted inspections conducted in the last four months, with Parkside Middle School in Cramlington among those singled out for praise.The school, with 469 pupils, would be among the first to go as the council changes it education structure.As well as receiving praise from Coun Wright, fellow committee member Coun Michael Roe said: "This school has a very high reputation."He added he hoped it could achieve an outstanding report at its next inspection, until colleagues pointed out the school would be closed by then.Tony Mays, head of school improvement, said: "It's a credit to the staff they have achieved a good report considering the pressures on Cramlington middle schools over the last few months."Parkside Middle School was inspected in November last year, with Ofsted officials declaring it a "good school with outstanding features".They said it was a popular school with many parents from outside the area sending their children to it because of its reputation while the headteacher was "highly regarded" within the community.The report added the ambition of the headteacher, senior management team, staff and governors was for "all children to thrive so that they can achieve well and develop the personal qualities that will help them succeed in later life".
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)