Uk Elections today

Silverbrooks

Wyllow3

The vote of the people in Runcorn where Reform won by 6 votes counted. Looked up the vote in other areas and quite a number won by majorities of around 20 or 30. I expect more than a few people wished they'd turned up in Runcorn...or voted tactically...

Background about Sarah Pochin, the new MP for Runcorn and Helsby.

www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/sarah-pochin-mp-runcorn-reform-farage-election-b2743587.html

Interestingly, she was pictured at a “refugees welcome” event, stressing that her support only includes asylum seekers, branding those who cross the English Channel to enter Britain “illegal economic migrants - which shows a remarkable lack of understanding about the asylum system … so she will fit in perfectly with the other Reform MPs.

However:

She historically expressed support for means-testing the winter fuel payment.

I wonder how many pensioners, disgruntled at losing their WFP, voted for her yesterday?

I don't suppose they were in possession of all the facts.

Anyway, I'm waiting. I shall be absolutely delighted if Reform restores the WFA and free TV licences, guarantees the triple lock in perpetuity, raises the income tax threshold. While they're at it, they can fund excellent care when I'm too old to look after myself, pay me the state pension I lost from being a WASPI woman.

Actually, I won't hold my breath.

Mt61

woodenspoon

It’d be interesting to know where David49 lives to see exactly why unfettered immigration isn’t of concern to this poster.

Nice little village tucked away

But but but there are plenty of places in the UK without unfettered immigration.

There are very few immigrants in Runcorn and Helsby, for example, but I don't think David lives there.

Silverbrooks

Wyllow3

The vote of the people in Runcorn where Reform won by 6 votes counted. Looked up the vote in other areas and quite a number won by majorities of around 20 or 30. I expect more than a few people wished they'd turned up in Runcorn...or voted tactically...

Background about Sarah Pochin, the new MP for Runcorn and Helsby.

www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/sarah-pochin-mp-runcorn-reform-farage-election-b2743587.html

Interestingly, she was pictured at a “refugees welcome” event, stressing that her support only includes asylum seekers, branding those who cross the English Channel to enter Britain “illegal economic migrants - which shows a remarkable lack of understanding about the asylum system … so she will fit in perfectly with the other Reform MPs.

However:

She historically expressed support for means-testing the winter fuel payment.

I wonder how many pensioners, disgruntled at losing their WFP, voted for her yesterday?

She strikes me as rather a light weight, chop and change, clearly putting backs up and not seeing things through?. But someone was happy

couldnt resist a pic.

Farage is already trying to do a Trump. From the Independent:

Farage warns council staff to look for other jobs after Reform takes control of Durham

Nigel Farage has warned council staff to look for other jobs after Reform took control of Durham

The Reform leader had a message for anyone working in a host of roles for Durham council, which his party is now in control of.

*Speaking at a victory rally in Durham on Friday (2 May), Mr Farage said: “These include those with working on climate change, diversity initiatives or even just from home.
“You all better be seeking alternative careers very, very quickly*

Wyllow3

Farage is already trying to do a Trump. From the Independent:

Farage warns council staff to look for other jobs after Reform takes control of Durham

Nigel Farage has warned council staff to look for other jobs after Reform took control of Durham

The Reform leader had a message for anyone working in a host of roles for Durham council, which his party is now in control of.

*Speaking at a victory rally in Durham on Friday (2 May), Mr Farage said: “These include those with working on climate change, diversity initiatives or even just from home.
“You all better be seeking alternative careers very, very quickly*

I rather think Farage will come up against Employment Law (not to mention the unions)

Just run your eyes down this clutch of employment law and specifics for Local authority workers.

www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=employment+law+for+coucil+employees&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8

I like the fact though that he said he’d be calling the auditors in at the start. See what’s what, where the money’s going, who are the contractors, are they giving value for money etc. I should imagine folk living in the council area will be delighted!

When does Farage start signing his Executive Orders?

I think that shows how little he understands about how councils operate. Working within an overall framework, Councillors set the direction and budget levels to meet the council’s statutory obligations and comply with the laws and other requirements imposed on them. External audits are already mandated by law. Surely he should know that?

FriedGreenTomatoes2

I like the fact though that he said he’d be calling the auditors in at the start. See what’s what, where the money’s going, who are the contractors, are they giving value for money etc. I should imagine folk living in the council area will be delighted!

I wonder how many of the new councillors can understand a balance sheet.

Casdon

I think that shows how little he understands about how councils operate. Working within an overall framework, Councillors set the direction and budget levels to meet the council’s statutory obligations and comply with the laws and other requirements imposed on them. External audits are already mandated by law. Surely he should know that?

What about rainbow lanyards, DEI initiatives, cosying up with Stonewall and compliance with their exhortations - glossy leaflets and pamphlets, meetings to discuss all this navel gazing. Value for money using budgets can vary enormously it seems. I like the idea of cutting waste. Music to most people’s ears I imagine. Spend wisely on things that the voters want, pot holes filled, efficiency measures, local government has gone under the radar for too long. Millions spent on consultancies, working from home and suchlike are ripe for culling.

FriedGreenTomatoes2

Casdon

I think that shows how little he understands about how councils operate. Working within an overall framework, Councillors set the direction and budget levels to meet the council’s statutory obligations and comply with the laws and other requirements imposed on them. External audits are already mandated by law. Surely he should know that?

What about rainbow lanyards, DEI initiatives, cosying up with Stonewall and compliance with their exhortations - glossy leaflets and pamphlets, meetings to discuss all this navel gazing. Value for money using budgets can vary enormously it seems. I like the idea of cutting waste. Music to most people’s ears I imagine. Spend wisely on things that the voters want, pot holes filled, efficiency measures, local government has gone under the radar for too long. Millions spent on consultancies, working from home and suchlike are ripe for culling.

Yawn yawn!

FriedGreenTomatoes2

Casdon

I think that shows how little he understands about how councils operate. Working within an overall framework, Councillors set the direction and budget levels to meet the council’s statutory obligations and comply with the laws and other requirements imposed on them. External audits are already mandated by law. Surely he should know that?

What about rainbow lanyards, DEI initiatives, cosying up with Stonewall and compliance with their exhortations - glossy leaflets and pamphlets, meetings to discuss all this navel gazing. Value for money using budgets can vary enormously it seems. I like the idea of cutting waste. Music to most people’s ears I imagine. Spend wisely on things that the voters want, pot holes filled, efficiency measures, local government has gone under the radar for too long. Millions spent on consultancies, working from home and suchlike are ripe for culling.

I’d conclude that you know as little about council budgets and how much they are controlled as Farage does from that statement. What proportion of an average councils budget is spent on the things you mention, do you think? He is going to find out the hard way that he’s been selling pipedreams.

growstuff

FriedGreenTomatoes2

Casdon

I think that shows how little he understands about how councils operate. Working within an overall framework, Councillors set the direction and budget levels to meet the council’s statutory obligations and comply with the laws and other requirements imposed on them. External audits are already mandated by law. Surely he should know that?

What about rainbow lanyards, DEI initiatives, cosying up with Stonewall and compliance with their exhortations - glossy leaflets and pamphlets, meetings to discuss all this navel gazing. Value for money using budgets can vary enormously it seems. I like the idea of cutting waste. Music to most people’s ears I imagine. Spend wisely on things that the voters want, pot holes filled, efficiency measures, local government has gone under the radar for too long. Millions spent on consultancies, working from home and suchlike are ripe for culling.

Yawn yawn!

FGT is, of course, very knowledgeable about the way that Durham County Council has been run... Impressive for a non Durham resident...

MayBee70
It’s quite possible that those deprived areas never saw any improvement.

Well, the proof of the pudding is in the eating!

😀

I do think people are concerned about local issues which have been neglected by some Councils in pursuit of vanity projects.

Plenty of EU plaques in Sunderland. And the Eden project in Cornwall had EU funding, too. Seems to me that the EU made a point of helping areas where there industries of the past had gone but central government had done little to create employment for local people.

Casdon

FriedGreenTomatoes2

Casdon

I think that shows how little he understands about how councils operate. Working within an overall framework, Councillors set the direction and budget levels to meet the council’s statutory obligations and comply with the laws and other requirements imposed on them. External audits are already mandated by law. Surely he should know that?

What about rainbow lanyards, DEI initiatives, cosying up with Stonewall and compliance with their exhortations - glossy leaflets and pamphlets, meetings to discuss all this navel gazing. Value for money using budgets can vary enormously it seems. I like the idea of cutting waste. Music to most people’s ears I imagine. Spend wisely on things that the voters want, pot holes filled, efficiency measures, local government has gone under the radar for too long. Millions spent on consultancies, working from home and suchlike are ripe for culling.

I’d conclude that you know as little about council budgets and how much they are controlled as Farage does from that statement. What proportion of an average councils budget is spent on the things you mention, do you think? He is going to find out the hard way that he’s been selling pipedreams.

The last figures on this are from 2022. 379 councils supplied figures on a freedom of information request.
It averaged approximately £79,000 per council.
Some might look at that figure as small change. But it’s not, not if you have been turned down for funding to enable your disabled child to go to special school.

West Country voters have tended to return Liberal Democrat candidates although they do not have overall control in any County Council
Surprisingly, voters in Cornwall returned 28 Reform candidates and 26 Lib Dems.

You ned to do your homework as regards "working from home", FGT. There are different sorts.

Durham Council only does the hybrid part home/ part office type which isn't the controversial one, which is 100% distant working.
Hybrid arrangements save money for councils and generally means a happier and more productive work force. It's also in contracts which Farage cant just legally sweep away.

Act in haste and repent at leisure about major changes when the new councillors are mostly inexperienced and know very little?

Allira

Well, the proof of the pudding is in the eating!

😀

I do think people are concerned about local issues which have been neglected by some Councils in pursuit of vanity projects.

I think the point is though, that it’s the councillors who make the decisions about projects the council will pursue, not the officers. I don’t think Farage understands that council officers have limited decision making authority.

Well, exactly, Casdon!.

But I think for example my local council has an annual budget of over £563 million pounds. It depends what the £76.000 'vanity' money is spent on, doesnt it? If its a project that brings some colour/varity into the city in grotty areas it may not be essential but for those who never go on holiday...

Casdon

Allira

Well, the proof of the pudding is in the eating!

😀

I do think people are concerned about local issues which have been neglected by some Councils in pursuit of vanity projects.

I think the point is though, that it’s the councillors who make the decisions about projects the council will pursue, not the officers. I don’t think Farage understands that council officers have limited decision making authority.

Yes, I realise that.

Officers in each department do, however, decide what needs to be carried out and submit reports for consideration by the Council or various committees for approval.

Wyllow3

Well, exactly, Casdon!.

But I think for example my local council has an annual budget of over £563 million pounds. It depends what the £76.000 'vanity' money is spent on, doesnt it? If its a project that brings some colour/varity into the city in grotty areas it may not be essential but for those who never go on holiday...

I think some Councils have spent more than is necessary on projects which have proved to be failures or made investments which have lost money.

Allira

Casdon

Allira

Well, the proof of the pudding is in the eating!

😀

I do think people are concerned about local issues which have been neglected by some Councils in pursuit of vanity projects.

I think the point is though, that it’s the councillors who make the decisions about projects the council will pursue, not the officers. I don’t think Farage understands that council officers have limited decision making authority.

Yes, I realise that.

Officers in each department do, however, decide what needs to be carried out and submit reports for consideration by the Council or various committees for approval.

Yes, ultimately the officers have to account for everything they spend to the council, and it’s then audited. I’ve sat in some council committees where they have minutely crawled over projects. Farage doesn’t do detail, I seriously doubt if he’s done the same.

petra

Casdon

FriedGreenTomatoes2

Casdon

I think that shows how little he understands about how councils operate. Working within an overall framework, Councillors set the direction and budget levels to meet the council’s statutory obligations and comply with the laws and other requirements imposed on them. External audits are already mandated by law. Surely he should know that?

What about rainbow lanyards, DEI initiatives, cosying up with Stonewall and compliance with their exhortations - glossy leaflets and pamphlets, meetings to discuss all this navel gazing. Value for money using budgets can vary enormously it seems. I like the idea of cutting waste. Music to most people’s ears I imagine. Spend wisely on things that the voters want, pot holes filled, efficiency measures, local government has gone under the radar for too long. Millions spent on consultancies, working from home and suchlike are ripe for culling.

I’d conclude that you know as little about council budgets and how much they are controlled as Farage does from that statement. What proportion of an average councils budget is spent on the things you mention, do you think? He is going to find out the hard way that he’s been selling pipedreams.

The last figures on this are from 2022. 379 councils supplied figures on a freedom of information request.
It averaged approximately £79,000 per council.
Some might look at that figure as small change. But it’s not, not if you have been turned down for funding to enable your disabled child to go to special school.

But there would be no guarantee it would be your child who would get the funding. You'd have to divide it equally between everybody in the county, give them a few pence and ask them each individually what they would want to do with the money. It really is small change.