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Councillors in clash over furniture costs
Reporter: JANICE BARKER
Date online: 15 February 2010
LABOUR councillors who attacked a 200 per cent increase in spending on council furniture have been condemned for “rank hypocrisy”.
Liberal Democrat finance spokesman Councillor Lynne Thompson says the Opposition has a nerve when it criticises the rise from £76,000 in 2007, to over £227,000 in 2008, and already up to £96,000 in the current financial year.
Labour councillor Peter Dean said non-essential purchases were waved through despite an internal freeze on council spending.
And a Labour briefing note carried this picture of furniture being loaded into a skip at the Civic Centre.
But Councillor Thompson said: “There has been more surplus furniture than usual over the past year, owing to the reduction of some 500 office jobs in the council.
“The best has been snapped up and the dregs can go. Where is the sense of proportion here? The Lib-Dems have slashed costs by 500 salaries, and Labour is quibbling about broken chairs!
“A smaller amount has come from office refurbishments, though freeze panels have allowed this only where the old furniture is unserviceable.
“The furniture in the skip is not good furniture but items which were broken or in poor condition, destined to be broken up and the materials recycled.
“Some expenditure was due to the refurbishment of public rooms and offices. Labour has sought to make political capital out of this, but it has a nerve.
“First, they neglected these areas shamelessly, so they presented a terrible, run-down impression to visitors, with rising damp, rickety furniture and old equipment. We believe that if you look like a basket case, you will be taken for one. Visitors now see a smart and businesslike looking Oldham Council and our reputation is rising.
“Second, it is rank hypocrisy. The refurbishments were agreed by all three party leaders.”
Comments
Visitors now see a smart and businesslike looking Oldham Council and our reputation is rising. Yet again not quite seeing the real world, perhaps she needs a new handbag, were do these people come from? PLANET ZOG
What a load of rowlocks from Cllr Dean and the Labour Group. Elections are well and truly here now and Labour is clutch at any straw to save themselves, they have aligned then self with Mr Miller already next they will want to give him Failsworth town hall get real Mr Dean broken furniture in the skip broken Labour to follow
Now the QE Hall won't be having a beer festival why did't our glorious Council put all this furniture that is surplus [and safe] on show for a week. Let local businesses and local voluntary organisations have what OMBC don't need. it is all well Counc Thompson getting on her high horse, it is the Council Tax Payers have to pay the land fill tax for this huge skip. If you really believe in recycling OMBC you would have given it away to worthy causes rather than dumping good stuff !
Oh, we must not give a terrible, run down impression to visitors? What visitors? Get real you basket case woman, we the council tax payers cannot afford for you to be spending OUR money. You are utterly shameless.
Let me explain what councillor Peter Dean is talking about;
New decorating,carpets, windows, doors, door surrounds, skirting boards, seating suites, pictures, ornaments, plants,fitted kitchens, security locks on external and most internal doors, oh and not to forget Charlie's dishwasher.
But Taxpayers needn't worry cost have been slashed by 500 salaries,
Have Your Say
Would Lynne Thompson like to point out just where 500 office jobs have gone at Oldham Council? Whic departments and which positions?
By ProDriver @ 15/02/2010 12:48:26