Bob Piper has been a Labour Councillor for the Abbey
Ward in Sandwell, West Midlands, for 10 years. He is a lifelong supporter of Aston Villa Football Club and a follower of Yorkshire County Cricket Club.
The views expressed here are mine in a personal capacity, not those of the Labour Party, Sandwell MBC, Aston Villa or Yorkshire County Cricket Club. Get it! Mine... just mine!
Promoted by Bob Piper of 115 Barclay Rd, B67 5JZ on behalf of the Labour Party, care of 39 Victoria Street London, SW1H 0HA . Hosted (printed) by Swaithe Internet Solutions who are not responsible for any of the contents of these posts.
Please note however, that The Labour Party is not responsible for the content of this website or individual posts as, unless specifically stated, I am writing solely in a personal and individual capacity.
Promoted by Bob Piper of 115 Barclay Rd, B67 5JZ on behalf of the Labour Party, care of 39 Victoria Street London, SW1H 0HA . Hosted (printed) by Swaithe Internet Solutions who are not responsible for any of the contents of these posts.
Please note however, that The Labour Party is not responsible for the content of this website or individual posts as, unless specifically stated, I am writing solely in a personal and individual capacity.
From The Stirrer we find things are definitely stirring in the grass in one of Britain's dreariest Cities, Stoke-on-Trent. Eat your heart out Gary Elsby... This is your Nightmayor! Mick Temple writes....
On BBC Midlands Today on Thursday I described the process of public consultation as a farce. Basically, the council is spending up to 120,000 pounds to gauge public opinion on the alternatives - a directly elected mayor with cabinet or a council leader (selected by councillors) with cabinet. Great idea - it may be a lot of money but at least the public will have their say.
Oh dear - things can't be that simple in Stoke.
If the councillors prefer an elected mayor, the people will be asked in a referendum whether they agree or not. If the people say 'no, we don’t want an elected mayor, thank you very much', the result will be - and you REALLY couldn't make this up - that an elected mayor will still be introduced.
Gary Elsby said:
June 22, 2008 11:15 AM | permalink
Touche, Bob, touche.
A piece written by Mick (Labour bad/Mayor good) Temple, by Mick(lots of parties is best) Temple.
'It is desired to return to traditional 3 party Politics, rather than lots of parties' (Governance Commission report into Stoke's problems May 2008)
A stark contrast don't you think to the City 'expert' on Local Government.
Bob, Stoke has been the political experimental playground of Government ideas for over 30 years. It is true that hell is always up in this area, but Labour members have been right all along.
Mick Temple's account is quite accurate. When there is an elected mayor in place, there is no known evidence of any further referral to the electorate to rescind the position (Governance report)
If Councillors decide that a leader and cabinet is not preffered, then the Mayor stays with no consultation with the public.
Stoke-on-Trent does not want an elected Mayor (brought in originally by an independent campaign after only 3 years of political independence by city councillors).
The rules that Mick Temple laughs about regards all other authorities and not just Stoke, so I give you only one attempt at guessing who sat on this five man NEC body investigating the future of Mayors and leadership arrangements coming to a council near you soon?
Mayor of Stoke on Trent, Mark Meredith (busily making your arrangements for sandwell).
Very true, you can't make it up.
It took 2 years for the independents to gain 5000 signatures for a Mayor and it took Labour/Conservative/Liberals 14 hours to get 10,000 for a referendum on the position (removal in all but name).
The widest view I can find is for a third option of Governance which is Enhanced Committees but the Government will not allow this with no explanation given.
We have £200M given to this City by Government to rebuild and reform education. A miracle, a gift and a perfect opportunity to prove Labour's worth and commitment to our people.
Guess what? The people literally despise us and voted out those that put this idea forward (Leader and two Cabinet members including Education member).
Yes we moan, Bob, but I hope you agree that we are in despair at political incompetence.
The Mayoral decision to shut the most popular kiddies venue in our City 30 days before the election, was in my ,stupid as I believe there was no economic argument at all for the saving of £60,000 (put out to 6000 homes by me during the election. 10 days after the election, it was found to have no economic saving in closure and will now not close.
The Mayor is running scared of me and the knives are out due to a scurrillous rumour that I will make a challenge for the position of Mayor.
Of that, I couldn't possibly comment.
Gary Elsby said:
June 24, 2008 9:37 AM | permalink
Bob, I don't know whether I've made it clear that the intention of retaining Labour Mayor's in a Labour controlled authority means that the leader of the Labour Group is now abolished. That story is doing the rounds right now and those findings will be delivered soon.
As I see it, the biggest positions outside of Mayor (Group Leader) is Chair and Secretary.
Is there any chance you can inform us of your Leaders reaction to this suggestion?
Did he have a view to present to the (secret) meeting taking place?
As I say, have a look who's on the tiny committee doing the deciding on your behalf.
June 22, 2008 11:15 AM | permalink
Touche, Bob, touche.
A piece written by Mick (Labour bad/Mayor good) Temple, by Mick(lots of parties is best) Temple.
'It is desired to return to traditional 3 party Politics, rather than lots of parties' (Governance Commission report into Stoke's problems May 2008)
A stark contrast don't you think to the City 'expert' on Local Government.
Bob, Stoke has been the political experimental playground of Government ideas for over 30 years. It is true that hell is always up in this area, but Labour members have been right all along.
Mick Temple's account is quite accurate. When there is an elected mayor in place, there is no known evidence of any further referral to the electorate to rescind the position (Governance report)
If Councillors decide that a leader and cabinet is not preffered, then the Mayor stays with no consultation with the public.
Stoke-on-Trent does not want an elected Mayor (brought in originally by an independent campaign after only 3 years of political independence by city councillors).
The rules that Mick Temple laughs about regards all other authorities and not just Stoke, so I give you only one attempt at guessing who sat on this five man NEC body investigating the future of Mayors and leadership arrangements coming to a council near you soon?
Mayor of Stoke on Trent, Mark Meredith (busily making your arrangements for sandwell).
Very true, you can't make it up.
It took 2 years for the independents to gain 5000 signatures for a Mayor and it took Labour/Conservative/Liberals 14 hours to get 10,000 for a referendum on the position (removal in all but name).
The widest view I can find is for a third option of Governance which is Enhanced Committees but the Government will not allow this with no explanation given.
We have £200M given to this City by Government to rebuild and reform education. A miracle, a gift and a perfect opportunity to prove Labour's worth and commitment to our people.
Guess what? The people literally despise us and voted out those that put this idea forward (Leader and two Cabinet members including Education member).
Yes we moan, Bob, but I hope you agree that we are in despair at political incompetence.
The Mayoral decision to shut the most popular kiddies venue in our City 30 days before the election, was in my ,stupid as I believe there was no economic argument at all for the saving of £60,000 (put out to 6000 homes by me during the election. 10 days after the election, it was found to have no economic saving in closure and will now not close.
The Mayor is running scared of me and the knives are out due to a scurrillous rumour that I will make a challenge for the position of Mayor.
Of that, I couldn't possibly comment.