The blog formerly known as "Angus Nicolson - an incredulous eye on the isles" this was the blog of an ordinary, boring, former Councillor in the Western Isles of Scotland.
Angus is taking a sabbatical to be with his young family
Debate strengthens democracy, except inside the SNP, as he has discovered. If you want balance then get some scales. This is opinion - our opinion.
Monday, July 27, 2009
What a week!
Just got back last week, but what a week it has been...
7 days of illness, 6 loads of washing (every day) 5 prescriptions, 4 weeks of mail to deal with, 3 sick children, 2 sick parents,
Good luck with the action. We're all becoming a bit complacent about the relentless appallingness of the comhairle and they need to be pulled up very sharply at every turn. Though I think you're mad for wanting that contract in the first place.
If but more of us had got out our shovels and done some more digging rather than whimping out. Although this is jaw dropping stuff it is not unique to this establishment. Good on you.
Coincidentally, the tenders for school constuction are being issued shortly.
Of course, the Comhairle have yet to take the decisions to allow a sensible construction programe to start. But don't let democracy get in the way of the system.
I'm told that £10m has already been spent on the project. Is this in the slightest true?
You know, don't you Angus, that Norman A MacDonald has many dealings with CIB Services through the bodies he sits on; and that they are his personal accountants.
I am sure that he declared that conflict of interest before getting involved.
You should also look at the relationship between WIE and CIB which is indecently close.
I don't think any conflicts of interest were declared at any point in this process hence why this action has been raised.
I think there is a case for closing down Comhairle and moving it all to Highlands Council where hopefully there won't be as much back scratching as there seems to be here.
I just don't understand how these people thought that they could get away with it but it proves that they have been at it for many years and believe that they are above the law.
I think criminal proceedings should follow and I hope that you ensure a complaint goes into the standards commission.
There will be no winners,and we, the ratepayers, will be the biggest losers. Still you have started so you will need to finish and trust costs are not awarded against you!
4:06 PM. You are assuming that the council are innocent. Given the facts disclosed thus far and that an employee of the council has been suspended, the omens are not not good for them. They do have a track record of making a lash up of these things.
09:02 Yes the ratepayer is going to lose. However, I'm sure that Angus wouldn't have started this case had he not been sure of his facts. Your statement could be taken as wishing that the case had not been started and that the council should carry on doing what it wants to do, how it wants to do it. I'm sure that is not what you meant though.
9:02am So the ratepayer would have been the winner because the Comhairle choose to accept a tender for services that are 10s of thousands of pounds more expensive and the staff spend their days doing dodgy dealings rather than spending the ratepayers money ensuring that they receive value for money, quality services. I think you are wrong.
If memory serves me right there are 3 directors Norman Macdonald, Donald Manford & Alex Macdonald possibly Angus MacCormack. Surely Docus was not left to make all the decisions?
c) The Comhairle is forced to be more transparent in many of its decision making. If c) had occurred before, there wouldn't be the need to go through all this.
Oh the joys of travel!
ReplyDeleteAnd a partridge in a pear tree.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the action. We're all becoming a bit complacent about the relentless appallingness of the comhairle and they need to be pulled up very sharply at every turn. Though I think you're mad for wanting that contract in the first place.
I hope MacKinnon, MacMillan and Cockburn have now been suspended, as well as Rattray.
ReplyDeleteThe Comhairle play fast and loose with money, morals and logic. It is simply corrupt to the core.
I've heard that they have all gone off on the sick. Nice cushy number, I bet they are all on full pay.
ReplyDeleteIf but more of us had got out our shovels and done some more digging rather than whimping out. Although this is jaw dropping stuff it is not unique to this establishment.
ReplyDeleteGood on you.
Coincidentally, the tenders for school constuction are being issued shortly.
ReplyDeleteOf course, the Comhairle have yet to take the decisions to allow a sensible construction programe to start. But don't let democracy get in the way of the system.
I'm told that £10m has already been spent on the project. Is this in the slightest true?
WTF were Cllr Norman A MacDonald and Cllr Angus Campbell playing at getting involved in delegated decisions?
ReplyDeleteScrew them to the wall Angus.
You know, don't you Angus, that Norman A MacDonald has many dealings with CIB Services through the bodies he sits on; and that they are his personal accountants.
ReplyDeleteI am sure that he declared that conflict of interest before getting involved.
You should also look at the relationship between WIE and CIB which is indecently close.
I don't think any conflicts of interest were declared at any point in this process hence why this action has been raised.
ReplyDeleteI think there is a case for closing down Comhairle and moving it all to Highlands Council where hopefully there won't be as much back scratching as there seems to be here.
I just don't understand how these people thought that they could get away with it but it proves that they have been at it for many years and believe that they are above the law.
I think criminal proceedings should follow and I hope that you ensure a complaint goes into the standards commission.
There will be no winners,and we, the ratepayers, will be the biggest losers. Still you have started so you will need to finish and trust costs are not awarded against you!
ReplyDelete4:06 PM.
ReplyDeleteYou are assuming that the council are innocent. Given the facts disclosed thus far and that an employee of the council has been suspended, the omens are not not good for them.
They do have a track record of making a lash up of these things.
Did I read 8% interest? Where else would you hope to get that Angus?
ReplyDelete6:37 AM
ReplyDeleteI do not know enough to prejudge the outcome of this case,perhaps you do, but irrespective of who wins, the ratepayer will be the main loser
09:02
ReplyDeleteYes the
ratepayer is going to lose. However, I'm sure that Angus wouldn't have started this case had he not been sure of his facts.
Your statement could be taken as wishing that the case had not been started and that the council should carry on doing what it wants to do, how it wants to do it. I'm sure that is not what you meant though.
06:37
9:02am
ReplyDeleteSo the ratepayer would have been the winner because the Comhairle choose to accept a tender for services that are 10s of thousands of pounds more expensive and the staff spend their days doing dodgy dealings rather than spending the ratepayers money ensuring that they receive value for money, quality services.
I think you are wrong.
If only a win against them would shake up the system up here.
ReplyDeleteIm scared it wont.
Iain Crichton Electrical springs to mind - but honestly I hope, and Im sure you will be able to, win against the Comhairle.
If memory serves me right there are 3 directors Norman Macdonald, Donald Manford & Alex Macdonald possibly Angus MacCormack. Surely Docus was not left to make all the decisions?
ReplyDeleteany chance of letting us see the juicy internal council emails you are rumoured to have?
ReplyDeleteI am hoping that you:
ReplyDeletea) Win.
b) Make everything public.
c) The Comhairle is forced to be more transparent in many of its decision making. If c) had occurred before, there wouldn't be the need to go through all this.
very droll, Angus LS Agree with every thing 3:58 says!
ReplyDelete