County Hall - Lying Again...

With all being relatively quiet during the festive season I thought I'd just mention a recent response to a FoI request. I asked, out of interest, and for your information, about external legal costs incurred by Carmarthenshire Council since 2006. I have had part of the answer, and apparently there is more to follow. Ooh.
 http://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/external_legal_costs#incoming-136101
The figures given show a total of just under £2m, there are further breakdowns if you're interested and a lists of law firms used since 2008 (pre-2008 is conveniently  'hazy'). I am rather assuming that the dramatic rise in the past year from £364k to £711k will be partly due to increases in child protection cases, as in other parts of Wales. If there is another explanation perhaps we could be told....

Anyway, so far so good, until I asked if they could;
'Identify external legal advisors used whenever the Council's Constitution has been amended in any way and the cost thereof'
and yet again the Legal/Chief Executive Department have come up with a little white lie; 'I can confirm that as regards the Council's Constitution, we have not engaged the services of external lawyers in the circumstances outlined'.
So why did they tell the Audit Office, only last year, that they did, and that costs were incurred?
No matter how much they try and twist words and meanings - it is a simple fact that yet again a blatant lie has been told through the FoI. And, by the way, I am not referring to the FoI officer, I am referring to those who feed him such disinformation, namely the Chief Executive and the Head of Legal.
I am not sure why I ever expected better.

I have also heard, through a source in County Hall, that the Chief Executive, Mark James, is moving on. I have heard rumours like this before and been disappointed - but who knows this time and I also hear he'll may not be the only senior officer abandoning the sinking ship and avoiding accountability in 2011, apparently there's likely to be a senior 'reshuffle' in Planning as well.

Incidentally, for those concerned about impending budget cuts etc, I have also asked the council's 'consultation' office to tell me when the public consultation period will start for;

1. Budget proposals
2. Introduction of parking charges for blue badge holders
3. Modernising Education Programme
A deafening silence so far.

As an added treat, here's an 'entertaining' story about Glasgow Council;
Council officials probed over hospitality breach
I notice that this Scottish newspaper has, rather splendidly, a special contact section for 'Whistleblowers'! Take note please, Welsh newspapers.

Lastly, after the recent inclement weather, there'll be a few more of these to report -


Potholes

Merry Christmas from Caebrwyn

Just like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a happy and peaceful New Year.

Thanks to all for looking, following and commenting on my blog.

We shall see what 2011 brings.

Our stream at Cae Brwyn

 

Tactical Defamation and a News Round-up...

As I appear to be snowed-in it seems like a good time to do a bit of a round up of recent messages and links.
Following on from this previous post, Who's Being Unreasonable? , I have been contacted by yet another resident on the receiving end of the defamatory tactics of Carmarthenshire's overly litigious legal team, again I see the same old familiar pattern emerging;
1. Member of the public or whistleblower raises legitimate concerns.
2. The concerns are 'investigated' through the farcical complaints procedure or deliberately ignored.
3. Should the complainant pursue the matter further the Legal Department will then ensure senior officers' backs are covered (usually the same handful of backs) by making sure that councillors, AM's and anyone else who may ask, are informed that the complainant is merely a troublemaker, a description reinforced by dropping in a few untruths and exaggerations and a vague mention of the word 'harassment'.
5. That usually does the trick, the complainant gives up in despair and is humbled into submission since they do not have the means to challenge the unlimited resources of the public purse in the control of these officers of questionable integrity.
6. Business, if that's what you'd care to call it, returns once again to County Hall.

However, that particular matter is now with the Ombudsman.

Someone else contacted me after making an official complaint against the Planning Department way back in sunny August - it is now mid-December and he hasn't heard a thing! So much for the 'aim to resolve all complaints within 10 days' policy! (http://carmarthenplanning.blogspot.com/2010/08/planning-enforcement-in-carmarthenshire.html)

Meanwhile, Mr Humphreys from the mill at Felin Wen is still waiting (since June) to discuss possible renovation options with the Head of Planning; after all that has happened (which included a two year wait while they decided whether to prosecute him in the first place) you would think negotiations would be a good idea all round. It seems though that the Head of Planning has taken umbrage at the involvement of AMs and MPs and written to a leading AM blaming them for prolonging matters, he also included a draft planning enforcement notice (referring to Mr Humphreys but only sent to the AM), just to put the boot in. (http://carmarthenplanning.blogspot.com/2010/11/planning-round-up.html)
Copied below is the letter from E Bowen, Head of Planning. to the Assembly Member and Mr Humphreys' response to Mr Bowen. (Click to enlarge)

 



By the way, I hear yet again, from a different source, that Meryl Gravell may be hanging up her jackboots, and that Cllr Steve James from Burry Port (another 'Independent') is currently being 'groomed' as her replacement....

Moving further afield, I have been following events in Somerton, Somerset via the excellent Muck and Brass blog - you may remember the entire Town Council resigned 'en masse' last year.

There have been interesting developments and arrests have been made - all can be followed at;

http://muckandbrass.blogspot.com/

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-somerset-11953013

and how about this from a London Council;
Designer lights at £111m office of Newham Council
I bet Mark James is jealous, though I'm sure Meryl will be delighted to browse through a chandelier catalogue with him.

The Price of Democracy

With the proposals for cuts sailing through the Executive Board, the next step is 'consultation' - Leader Gravell has pledged to try and listen to the thoughts of the great unwashed. We know it won't be easy for her.
Talking of democracy I notice that our 74 Councillors have, in the past 8 months, cost us £913,454 in allowances, this figure includes £33,031 for travelling and £1425 on dinners. Our local Member, Cllr Theophilus is well on track to retain his 'highest expenses' crown again this year...
This, arguably, is the price of democracy - the question is whether we get value for money? Despite the best efforts of some councillors, the autocratic manner of this council means we do not. By it's very nature, a council of 74 members, deciding upon difficult decisions, should produce a little controversy now and again, the absence of the usual banter goes to show the unhealthy dominance of Gravell's Executive Board, aided and abetted by the Chief Executive. It's a long way off yet but I hope that the 2012 local elections will finally see a big change in elected members and the few who currently attempt to ask awkward questions will be joined by many more.
I have asked the council when the 'consultations' will start for the budget cuts - Let's hope that when it does, there's some real debate.
Comments are welcome!

Carmarthenshire Council's Frontline Cuts

 I thought I should draw attention to Carmarthenshire Council's proposed budget cuts for the next three years. The report will be considered on Monday's meeting of the Executive Board (Dec 13th). The proposals will then be 'consulted' upon and go to Full Council.
As per usual, this is actually a final draft, all ready to be rubber stamped, so I suggest, that as it affects everyone in the county you take a look. Amongst many cuts already mentioned, such as charging for disabled parking and closing care homes; here are a few further examples;
'Increase school meal prices above the level of inflation and reduce choice in comprehensive cafeterias'
'Reduce the number of Youth Clubs'
'Cease funding support for weekend and summer schemes for disabled children'
'Rationalise' provision of respite care for profoundly disabled children'
'Reduced lollipop patrols'
'Introduce Sunday charges for council car parks'
'Cease provision, maintenance and cleansing of bus shelters'
'Provision of black bin bags to cease'
As you will see, Education and Children's Services and Social Care seem to be bearing the brunt of the cuts - so much for protecting frontline services.
Call me cynical (I expect you do) but it wouldn't surprise me if there weren't a few proposals purposely dropped in which Meryl and Mark, ever alert to the possibility of positive spin, have earmarked for a 'u-turn. Of course, if people percieve that there is a catastrophic financial crisis they are far more willing to accept drastic measures without question - this then becomes a means to an end for an authority to drop those rather unglamorous non-statutory services and fund ongoing 'prestige' developments so close to the heart of our Chief Executive.
Interestingly, under 'Recession Pressures' is loss of income from parking fines due to the provision of free parking on Saturdays in Llanelli!

http://online.carmarthenshire.gov.uk/agendas/eng/EXEB20101213/REP03_02.HTM

DECEMBER 15th;
As far as I could see there was no mention of these cuts in today's Carmarthen Journal but the Llanelli Star did report on it here;
 http://www.thisissouthwales.co.uk/wyl/llanelli/Cuts-D-day-looms/article-3004161-detail/article.html
which included Meryl Gravell bleating about trying to 'listen to what the people have to say' - come on Carmarthenshire, for once - give her an earful!

UPDATE 24th JAN;

I wouldn't normally link to the Council website but the 'Budget Consultation' form has appeared, it is pathetic and patronising but better than nothing; there are 15 questions covering 6 areas of services amounting to approx £2.5m - naturally your views will be completely ignored, but pleasingly there is a 'comment' form - a nice blank space for you to add your views and suggestions and you can be assured that Caebrwyn will be making full use of that facility.
http://online.carmarthenshire.gov.uk/AF3/an/default.aspx/RenderForm/?ID=EziTVQBXqF1

Who's Being Unreasonable?

Further to several previous mentions (see below), I see the Council have finally cobbled together their revised Persistent Complainants Policy, the previous one, which has been in place for three years was legally flawed and should have led to charges of maladministration, luckily for them no one has challenged it..yet.

I believe the new policy is a very worrying development. Craftily renamed as the 'Managing Unreasonable Conduct by Complainants Policy' it is on the Agenda for the next meeting of the Standards Committee. As I have said before, I fully understand that there needs to be a policy in place to protect staff from abusive or violent members of the public however, it is the real and potential abuse of the policy that is concerning - this goes too far. It is a 'catch-all' and far reaching, covering anyone who disagrees with either decisions or the deliberately obstructive and farcical complaints procedure.

Who is going to define 'unreasonable'? Members of the public could easily find themselves labelled as 'unreasonable' for little more than asking awkward questions, writing a letter to the local paper or contacting an elected representative addressing their concerns. And who's going to check that the Council are not guilty of unreasonable behaviour? No one. You can forget the ombudsman as these policies were suggested by them in the first place. 

There is no mention of compliance with the Human Rights Act, namely the Right to a Fair Trial - not only is there no right to challenge the decision to put you on the policy but anyone who contacts the council on your behalf will be told you're a troublemaker.

This Council, or at least the ones at the top have it neatly sewn up, they are bordering on the despotic. Not only are the press warned against publishing negative stories; staff are not allowed to speak to the press, or to pressure groups without official approval and a 'chaperone'. Along with this policy, which Stalin would have been proud of, and their ability to unlawfully fund their own libel proceedings their accountability is zero. How far do you think members of the public, who have concerns about the governance from within the Presidential Suite, will get? Nowhere, it seems.

To ensure that the public and councillors are aware of it, I will link to the Agenda here, it is Item 4. It is far from reasonable.

http://carmarthenplanning.blogspot.com/2010/11/another-useful-device-for-silencing.html
http://carmarthenplanning.blogspot.com/2010/05/whos-calling-shots.html
http://carmarthenplanning.blogspot.com/2010/09/carmarthenshire-councils-gagging.html

Don't forget, this blog can give you a voice, through comments, the forum or the planning petition. As for me, I think I'll start complaining, reasonably, about the Unreasonable Complainants Policy!

December 14th;
Thanks for the comments on this post. The Welsh Assembly does not appear to have any power whatsoever over this Council, as one commenter correctly states;

"CCC is a council out of control and unless WAG step in this will go on for years and years. If WAG can’t protect the people of Wales from councils who act in this way then I don’t think they can be trusted with extra powers. Democracy is dead in Carmarthenshire and WAG has to step in and do something. If they don’t, then they are part of the problem."

Have now asked Carmarthenshire Council about the Persistence Complainants Policy;
http://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/persistent_complainants_policy

26th December 2010;
A couple of years ago Mrs Jane Clift sued Slough Borough Council for libel after she was placed on the equivalent of the 'Persistent Complainants Policy' and branded (wrongly) as 'potentially violent' - this information was disseminated widely and the Council lost the case. The council have recently lost an appeal against the judgement. (Carmarthenshire County Council should be taking note of this case).

Libel victory for vandal witness BBC for background,
And the recent Appeal ruling can be found on the Human Rights Blog;
http://ukhumanrightsblog.com/2010/12/24/defamation-again-mrs-clift-wins-in-the-court-of-appeal/

Rebranding...and Poor Priorities

Looks like the Mark James spin factory is expanding. Not content with the endless propaganda through the Community News and press releases through local media, County Hall have stepped into the field of Public Relations. The press team have been 'rebranded' as SirgarPR and are offering their services to all and sundry. How much this has cost is unknown but the more worrying aspect is that yet again the independence of opinion and reporting will be further eroded as the protection of the Council's image is furthered to the total detriment of truth.

It's all a question of priorities (and we know where Mark and Meryl's lie) a further example is in today's Llanelli Star. Again it is the elderly under attack and in particular the lunch clubs and day centres - a vital point of contact for those vulnerable pensioners who perhaps live on their own. The Council want to save £354,000 a year by using voluntary groups to provide these services.
So....that's roughly the same amount they've just spent on purchasing a building to make way for a car park in Llanelli for yet another 'visions' - I suppose it will look better on a CV than elderly folk having a warm meal...

FORTHCOMING BUDGET CUTS
For your information the Council's Revenue Budget Strategy features in next week's Executive Board meeting (Item 3). It carries proposals for cuts and savings for the next few years. I will leave it to experts to analyse the figures but it seems that Council Tax will go up by 2.2%. More soon. 

Wales Audit Office - The Continuing Farce

Further revelations emerge this morning regarding the Wales Audit Office. The ex-Auditor General Coleman, currently in prison for possessing indecent images, insisted that the pay-off of £750,000 last year, to Anthony Snow, a Chief Officer be kept secret. The current Head of Finance has been suspended whilst the investigation by the National Audit Office continues.

Ex-auditor Jeremy Colman's £750k pay-off 'secret'

To add to the shambles the Western Mail reports on further extravagant expenses claimed by the ex-auditor. The details, requested by Leanne Wood AM reveal Coleman entertained other top public servants at top London restaurants - this from the organisation entrusted with the scrutiny of public funds.
Disgraced ex-auditor’s £100 lunches
 
The questions I would now be asking are how the whole sorry business went unnoticed over the past few years, Coleman had been in charge since 2005 did no one think there was something amiss? Attempts in the past by members of staff to raise concerns about the governance and work place problems seem to have gone unheeded.
 
http://carmarthenplanning.blogspot.com/2010/11/wales-audit-office-more-revelations-of.html

http://carmarthenplanning.blogspot.com/2010/10/another-sunday-round-up.html

And, as I have said before, it makes the Wales Audit Office 'investigations' into Carmarthenshire Planning Department, the unlawful involvement of the Council into the libel case and the libel amendments to the constitution, a complete farce.

http://carmarthenplanning.blogspot.com/2010/06/wales-audit-office-turns-blind-eye.html
http://carmarthenplanning.blogspot.com/2010/05/wales-audit-office-should-dig-little.html
http://carmarthenplanning.blogspot.com/2010/06/planning-department-investigation-and.html
http://carmarthenplanning.blogspot.com/2010/07/audit-office-and-council-libel_15.html

UPDATE 10th DECEMBER:
More appalling revelations about the Wales Audit Office are reported in today's Western Mail unearthed by Plaid AM, Leanne Wood -
Wales Audit Office man was given £44K training
Chief Officer, Anthony Snow, went on various 'executive' training courses totalling £44,000, Leanne Wood said
"What also disturbs me is that Mr Snow was allowed to rack up more coaching sessions in June, July and September 2009, including a ‘strategic leaders programme’ costing £1,080 held over two days at St George’s House, Windsor Castle, after a deal had been agreed for him to leave the WAO"

Mr Snow has not, it seems, gone into quiet retirement with his £750,000 of public money but now is the Chief Officer with the Financial Reporting Council in London - lucky chap!

Also, the whistleblowers who highlighted overcharging and incompleted work are astonished that the investigation into this matter is to be closed.
“We have indicated exactly how the inquiry should be undertaken, and it is appalling that this matter is not going to be looked at properly by an external agency.”

UPDATE 20th JANUARY 2011;
And the farce goes on;
http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2011/01/20/jailed-auditor-spent-8-000-year-on-training-for-himself-91466-28018825/

UPDATE 12th February

http://carmarthenplanning.blogspot.com/2011/02/more-tales-from-wales-audit-office.html

Brynamman Lido Again

I have been following the saga of Brynamman Lido here and here  and recently the campaigners were delighted to recieve £50,000 funding from the Welsh Assembly. Carmarthenshire Council certainly enjoy putting the dampener on things and now claim, in an article in today's Evening Post that the cost of repairs has now jumped up to £300,000! - I presume, for whatever reason - they are just trying to ensure that this historic community facility never sees the light of day again. This comment, on the newspaper's website, from a national swimming pool campaigner sums things up;

"I have been researching swimming pool campaigns and closures for some years now and am used to seeing councils "goldplate" the estimates when they want to keep a facility shut.

However, to provide an estimate of £20,000 for repairs in July/August, then £100,000 and now a revised figure of £300,000 shows that they are determined to destroy Brynaman Lido if they possibly can.
Is this sheer spitefulness on the part of CCC similar to their persecution in the Llandybie mill case or are they planning to develop that area for housing?
I hope the BPSA will be urgently demanding a breakdown of this ridiculous figure"

http://www.thisissouthwales.co.uk/news/163-50k-meet-lido-cost/article-2975568-detail/article.html

People Power?

One piece of wordy legislation which will affect Wales is the 'Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009'. I have been looking forward to see how Carmarthenshire Council embraces the new statutory duty to host epetitions (and paper petitions) from members of the public. Submitted petitions will be 'moderated' by the council (oh dear) before going 'live' and should enough of the electorate sign (again, the percentage will be determined by the council - another oh dear), a debate will be automatically triggered in appropriate council meetings, and in certain cases, senior officers will be required to be brought to account. Oooh I can't wait. It will be interesting to see how the Council deals with this but I predict that my planned petition to have certain very senior officers dismissed may falter! Many English councils have already set up this facility on their websites so if you're interested, have a search.

Must just mention this draft paper I stumbled upon from 2004 which suggested ways in which the uptake of Council Tax benefit might be improved in Carmarthenshire. Not a bad idea of course - but have a look at the 'X Factor Quiz' and the 'examples' given to illustrate benefit calculations! I don't think using three of the highest paid officers of the Council was a particularly sensitive move - I also note that Mark James just had to make sure he was the one with the X Factor! Let's hope this never passed the draft stage!
http://online.carmarthenshire.gov.uk/agendas/cym/PCPA20050131/REP07_01.HTM

Planning Reforms - England

Many people have contacted me recently asking about the various planning reforms announced by Westminster, particularly in the imminent 'Localism Bill'. As far as I know all planning matters are devolved to the Welsh Assembly so none of it applies to Wales - yet. Eventually guidance may filter down the M4 to Cardiff but we must remember, of course, that Carmarthenshire has it's own rule book when it comes to planning (and everything else besides). There is much on the internet and media about the English reforms but I think many people in Wales, including myself, would appreciate clarification from WAG as to the extent of the impact in Wales - a statement perhaps?

Local neighbourhood groups to get planning powers BBC
Pickles promises 'people's planning power' BBC
http://ruralcommunities.gov.uk/2010/07/23/communityrighttobuild/
http://draft.blogger.com/goog_1735813396
Local people to be given right 'to take over buildings' BBC
Voting on new home schemes 'could tear villages apart' BBC

Sounds to me that much of the contents of the Localism Bill is nothing more than 'Big Society' waffle with little practical guidance as to how the various measures will be implemented. I shall consider it all further when, and if, such matters reach Wales.

December 7th - An interesting post from Mid Wales Planning Blog; http://midwalesplanningblog.blogspot.com/2010/12/new-policy-direction-in-england.html 

December 14th
Although I am wary of government spin, for information purposes, Welsh Secretary, Cheryl Gillian has outlined the significance of the Localism Bill for Wales, including;
- ensuring that councillors are not prevented from taking part in decisions where they have expressed a view on related issues;

- requiring local authorities to publish senior pay policy statements;
- repealing duties for local authorities to promote understanding of local democracy and make schemes for handling petitions;
- requiring ballots on all proposals for Business Rate Supplements, and enabling local authorities to give discretionary Business rate discounts.
- changing the way local housing authorities may discharge the main homelessness duty under the Housing Act 1996.
and possible devolved legislative competence powers over planning and planning enforcement.
http://www.walesoffice.gov.uk/2010/12/13/welsh-secretary-welcomes-localism-bill-to-switch-powers-to-communities/

Back to Schools...

Further to earlier posts, the fight to save Pantecelyn secondary school in Llandovery goes on. Yesterday's South Wales Guardian reports on a letter sent by the Ysgol Pantecelyn Action Group appealing for the support of David Cameron, Nick Clegg and Prince Charles; http://www.southwalesguardian.co.uk/news/8712543.Pantycelyn_fight_goes_to_the_top/

I wish them luck. The action group continue to fight on despite the complete lack of support from the local County Councillors, Sadly, I am not surprised either to discover that two teachers were officially reprimanded for 'talking' to, and 'leaking information' to the group.

As I mentioned in my previous post, three primary schools earmarked for imminent closure have had a reprieve at the last Executive Board meeting. Leader Gravell was clearly not impressed, had a hissy fit at Nerys Evans AM, and has, in her usual democratic manner, warned Councillors that when the Report goes to Full Council (Item 6.1) next week, any Councillor who opposes it will be jeopardizing the entire success of the Programme - this attitude does not bode well for future 'transparency' or 'consultations' let alone debate.  Of course, our leader may have been singing a different tune had Trimsaran School been under threat. Yet again the Council claim their hands are tied by the Welsh Assembly but education chiefs at the Bay have consistently stated that the 'modernisation' programme should be a matter of local authority discretion. The 'discretion' of some senior officers, as well as their capability, leaves much to be desired - and, need I add, 'officer discretion' over planning issues has become a county-wide joke.

On the subject of planning, I notice an item at the next Regeneration and Leisure Scrutiny meeting which lists Freedom of Information requests regarding that very subject, from the last six months...but wouldn't it have been more useful to publish the responses as well?!...
Whilst on the subject of FoI, here's my most recent request... http://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/external_legal_costs#incoming-129679  any response will be posted here.

If anyone wishes to share any interesting Carmarthenshire County Council Freedom of Information responses, (or non responses) to requests they have made, please email me the details. Thanks.

UPDATE 10th DECEMBER
RE: SCHOOL BUILDING PROGRAMME
Will all the plans be shelved anyway?
School building cash gap expected for councils (BBC Wales news)

RE: PRINCE CHARLES RESPONSE
Unsurprisingly he has refused to offer assistance to keep his local secondary school open in Llandovery.

He probably realises he'd better keep quiet - he may require more 'unusual' planning permissions from Carmarthenshire County Council. Useless parasite. I hope the kids tell him to stuff his 'invitation' to visit Llwynywermod.