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The truths they don't want you to read....

Sunday, January 25, 2009

Easy loans......

The cycle of meetings at the Comhairle is there so that the usual and unusual decisions can be taken in public view and discussed and approved by the Councillors before being implemented. Sometimes this can take forever, and I remember how frustrating it could be, but such is the nature of democracy.

It would therefore be wholly understandable if a large loan to a high profile local business avoided all these unnecessary complications of scrutiny, due consideration by Councillors, and the pesky need to justify the appropriateness of the plans to repay the loan.

Why should Councillors even need to be told that £50,000 was being given to help a loss making business that was in direct competition with local business who actually pay rates into the Council coffers? I'm sure that all the other businessmen are only too happy to subsidise the competition, especially in these hard times.

Having seen the original business plan in privileged circumstances, I can't comment much further except to say that my analysis of the original figures highlighted the problem that I understand has now come around, and a sensible revision of the forecasts actually poses more fundamental questions that need answers.

No doubt the fact that the accounts showing a huge loss were only lodged after the loan was approved (and paid over?) doesn't mean that there was any accidental misunderstanding over the current position when whoever it was took the fateful decision.

No doubt details of the process will come out, and allow the rest of us the chance to get subsidies for our favourite loss-making business, without the need for financial reality to intrude.

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

Are you being ironic?

Anonymous said...

Need a wee bit more flesh on the bones that this Angus.

Anonymous said...

Detecting irony is not one of the greatest attributes of the local inhabitants Angus, you'll have to give it to them straight or they'll miss the point!!

Anonymous said...

Name & shame?

Anonymous said...

Surely not our wonderful "Arts" centre (sic) again????

A Non E Mus said...

THE HIGHWAY ROBBER OF TODAY GOES BY THE NAME OF BNC. GET THE POINT!!

Anonymous said...

Oh no not the Yy'sss guy Angus.

Anonymous said...

Most of the comments on this thread read like clues to a cryptic crossword. Is there any point to this?

"More matter with less art", please.

Anonymous said...

or is there just one Point?!

Anonymous said...

remmote is not a word that i am familiar with... surely the clue should read "ore matter with less art, please" or alternatively "more A matter with less art, please" if it is an anagram of moreme

Anonymous said...

enough pratting about - spit it out someone

Anonymous said...

Could The Highwayman be talking about Bus nan Comhairle who have been bailed out once again.

Anonymous said...

Mystery solved?

An Lanntair seems to fit the bill.