Oh, they do like to be beside the seaside

LIFE AND OTHER BITS:

IT would surely be churlish of us to begrudge our council leaders the opportunity for a bit of sunshine and sea air in Bournemouth at the Local Government Association conference next month.

As they pack their shorts, sun tan oil and flip-flops we should be happy for Howard Sykes, Jack Hulme, Lynne Thompson (Miss Whiplash), Charlie and co and be grateful for the fact that, this year only five of them are attending the junket (crucial conference, sorry) instead of the usual nine or 12.

At least with only five of them they could save some money on accommodation by camping out in Howard’s shorts for a couple of days.

Not Charlie, though, he’ll no doubt be ensconced in first-class luxury overlooking the marina in upmarket Poole.

Labour’s Jim McMahon is refusing to join the junket (crucial conference, sorry), not because he can no longer fit into his Speedos after all those council lunches and teas but because, he says, it is going to cost thousands.

What good will come out of it (apart from suntans and holiday snaps to show round the council chamber)? Well, the conference will focus on building confidence in local government, providing economic leadership during the downturn, reducing waste (like national conferences?) and improving efficiency.

I understand though that Miss Whiplash is only going for the bingo and karaoke, hoping to win some dosh to boost the council coffers.




IT is hardly surprising to read that the more money council staff earn the happier they are. The big houses, flash cars and foreign holidays might just have something to do with it



Although the execs, deputy execs and assistant execs et al are laughing (all the way to the bank in most cases) the workers are not so chuffed, more than two thirds saying that morale is low.

Councillor Brian Lord, in charge of corporate services, whatever that is, asks: “Is it simply perceptions?”

In other words, are the majority of council staff really happy with their lot and only think they are not as well paid as they should be?

Even more barmy is the statement from one of the small army of assistant chief executives who says: “We are trying to get under what people said and to what was in their minds.”

Bearing in mind only a third of council employees bothered to respond to the survey, I think it is pretty obvious what’s on their minds, don’t you?




FINAL WORD: Is it any surprise that poor people will be hit harder by the Budget than the rich? That will not change until the poor run the country. Man the barricades, bring out the guillotine and join the revolution.