Council budget cuts - the aftermath
I think that the Council are absolutely right to be angry at the lack of support from the SNP and the MSP over the school closure issues, and the impact it has had on the Council budgets.
Irrespective of what you think about the actual policy and actual decisions, the failure of the MSP to lay any argument with the SNP Government over the funding for the schools that are to be kept open does a huge disservice to the Council, the schools and the community.
With less money to go around then every pupil is going to be affected by the reduction in cash available, which in turn is only going to lead to a faster deterioration of the buildings, and a bigger drain on resources.
Having said that, the Council have to live with it, and need to take real action to make real savings; a process I recommended they start over a year ago to ease the pain slightly.
I am told that a significant number of those taking early retirement are returning through the doors as consultants to fill the gaps created by their retirement. This is, of course, not just improper, but probably an illegal act by the Comhairle.
Either the work needs to be done, or it doesn't.
The impression of saving jobs at any cost to front-line services, does a huge disservice to the community, and can only reduce morale and the trust of the public.
(Any comments naming individual consultants will not be allowed through)
Irrespective of what you think about the actual policy and actual decisions, the failure of the MSP to lay any argument with the SNP Government over the funding for the schools that are to be kept open does a huge disservice to the Council, the schools and the community.
With less money to go around then every pupil is going to be affected by the reduction in cash available, which in turn is only going to lead to a faster deterioration of the buildings, and a bigger drain on resources.
Having said that, the Council have to live with it, and need to take real action to make real savings; a process I recommended they start over a year ago to ease the pain slightly.
I am told that a significant number of those taking early retirement are returning through the doors as consultants to fill the gaps created by their retirement. This is, of course, not just improper, but probably an illegal act by the Comhairle.
Either the work needs to be done, or it doesn't.
The impression of saving jobs at any cost to front-line services, does a huge disservice to the community, and can only reduce morale and the trust of the public.
(Any comments naming individual consultants will not be allowed through)
6 comments:
Maybe the article reporting on proposals to merge the health boards and councils into larger geographical areas is food for thought?
The council only has itself to blame for the mess regarding schools. They were told to consult and given specific instructions which they ignored.
I think bollocks to them.
I am getting slightly p+++ed off hearing about how the non closure of four schools is going to add an extra million to the budget. Absolute nonsense - the costs of these schools was always known - there is nothing additional about it. It is the Comhairle's presumption of closure when costing the new Nicolson that is costing the additional million. It is their error in budgeting more than they could afford.
But hey, why add a modicum of truth when the usual smoke and mirrors start to fail.
I met a fairy today that said she would grant me one wish
"I want to live forever," I said.
"Sorry," said the fairy, "I'm not allowed to grant wishes like that!"
"Fine," I said, "then I want to die after the Comhairle get their heads out of their asses!"
"You crafty bar steward," said the fairy.
What is the point in setting a budget when money is going out the back door in out of court settlements to prevent these council officials and councillors having to stand in court and defend their decisions. The simple answer is that they cannot defend the undefensable.
A local Haulage / building supply company have reportedly just settled out of court for a very substantial amount for their treatment by the council during the Tender proccess for The Gritting Contract two years ago.
We will probibably find out that the people responsible for this litigation have now left the council with a generous payment and pension and the only losers are all us who are struggling to get work because the council are having to make even more drastic cutbacks to pay for all the unnecessary litigation that has taken place due to the incompetence
of our elected members and officials.
The sad fact is that there would be even more such litigation if every contractor who has been discriminated against was able to take such action.
You appear to have turned into some kind of Glenda Slagg
SNP government is bad to CnES by not giving them money to keep schools open
CnES silly for thinking SNP govt should give them more money for schools they already have
Perhaps it would be fanciful to claim that the origins of the current trend of toppling north african or middle eastern despots lies not in Tunisia nor Egypt but in the homes and villages of Ness and Carloway whose inhabitants have bravely stood up in the face of despicable threats, vitriol and broken promises of those incumbents of the White House on Sandwick Road.
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