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Pelagia
Barsoom
453 Posts |
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moon23
Calaspia
699 Posts |
 Posted - 08/08/2007 : 10:16:42
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If you didn't pay councillors money then only the rich could afford to do the civil role.
Pay them the averege wage of people who work in the city for the hours they work, that seems fair. With and additional allowance for councillors who have to support families and will have child care costs etc. |
http://www.moon23.wordpress.com
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Control Panel
Discworld
1167 Posts |
Posted - 08/08/2007 : 10:39:04
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| Some councillors get selfish residents going on and on, at all hours, by telephone as if they were being paid therapists' rates. The amount of paperwork also takes up a lot of time. There are fewer councillors than before, and so the basic rate is reasonable. If any residents think they can do it competently for less, then they are free to stand for the job and give away the money. |
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Miriam Binder
Earthsea
United Kingdom
5323 Posts |
Posted - 08/08/2007 : 10:41:45
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| No issue with a basic allowance and there is no reason why a councillor should be out of pocket so reimbursement of expenses is perfectly reasonable however some of the allowances seem excessive to me. |
"Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety" - Benjamin Franklin |
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Control Panel
Discworld
1167 Posts |
Posted - 08/08/2007 : 11:44:39
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Greggs have caused even more controversy up at the Edinburgh Festival. There they have supplied special cakes - Fringe cakes - for ticket-office staff, and other workers are jealous. Some might say that these got off lucky by missing out...
No news whether any supplies will be available, at a premium, as a means of regenerating London Road, Brighton.
http://living.scotsman.com/topics.cfm?tid=933&id=1199202007 |
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moon23
Calaspia
699 Posts |
Posted - 08/08/2007 : 11:50:05
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| Maybe the council should do a deal with Greggs to supply the catering. Their cheap 75p tea would save the city money. |
http://www.moon23.wordpress.com
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Infinite Poppadum
Discworld
1239 Posts |
Posted - 08/08/2007 : 11:57:27
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| It would be a recipe for disaster if Greggs took over the Council's catering. After a few pasties and some of the 75p swill, their judgment would be so awry that it would be as though the whole place is being run by LTNS. What a terrible vision. |
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Miriam Binder
Earthsea
United Kingdom
5323 Posts |
Posted - 08/08/2007 : 12:25:38
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quote:
Originally posted by moon23
If you didn't pay councillors money then only the rich could afford to do the civil role.
Pay them the averege wage of people who work in the city for the hours they work, that seems fair. With and additional allowance for councillors who have to support families and will have child care costs etc.
Child care costs? Are we employing the family or have we elected a councillor? Child care costs should only ever be payable where the sole carer/parent or the children is employed. When there is an additional carer/parent in the home why should child care costs be payable? |
"Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety" - Benjamin Franklin |
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moon23
Calaspia
699 Posts |
Posted - 08/08/2007 : 12:34:42
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quote:
Originally posted by Miriam Binder
quote:
Originally posted by moon23
If you didn't pay councillors money then only the rich could afford to do the civil role.
Pay them the averege wage of people who work in the city for the hours they work, that seems fair. With and additional allowance for councillors who have to support families and will have child care costs etc.
Child care costs? Are we employing the family or have we elected a councillor? Child care costs should only ever be payable where the sole carer/parent or the children is employed. When there is an additional carer/parent in the home why should child care costs be payable?
Firstly many families cannot survive to pay the rent and bills if only one partner is working.
Secondly because many council meetings are in the evening which is outside of the times at which children are at school or in a Nursery.
Many bust parents would feel they haven’t the time to be a councilor so society should help these people stand and represent the community.
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http://www.moon23.wordpress.com
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Miriam Binder
Earthsea
United Kingdom
5323 Posts |
Posted - 08/08/2007 : 12:45:09
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| And why should the child care costs come from the local tax payers? There are plenty of central government schemes to help with childcare costs. |
"Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety" - Benjamin Franklin |
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moon23
Calaspia
699 Posts |
Posted - 08/08/2007 : 13:10:14
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quote:
Originally posted by Miriam Binder
And why should the child care costs come from the local tax payers? There are plenty of central government schemes to help with childcare costs.
Government schemes are still funded by local tax payers. I just think there should be special child care provision for governmental workers who have to work late in the evening such as councillors and MPs. |
http://www.moon23.wordpress.com
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Miriam Binder
Earthsea
United Kingdom
5323 Posts |
Posted - 08/08/2007 : 13:17:17
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| Government schemes are funded by taxpayers, some of whom may well be local but it doesn't come out of local authoritiy funding. |
"Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety" - Benjamin Franklin |
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Pelagia
Barsoom
453 Posts |
Posted - 08/08/2007 : 15:45:11
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quote:
Originally posted by Control Panel
Greggs have caused even more controversy up at the Edinburgh Festival. There they have supplied special cakes - Fringe cakes - for ticket-office staff, and other workers are jealous. Some might say that these got off lucky by missing out...
No news whether any supplies will be available, at a premium, as a means of regenerating London Road, Brighton.
http://living.scotsman.com/topics.cfm?tid=933&id=1199202007
OFF TOPIC
FACT
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Control Panel
Discworld
1167 Posts |
Posted - 08/08/2007 : 15:51:37
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| I pressed the wrong key and got this topic - BUT it has brought the interesting speculation about Greggs taking over the Council catering dept. |
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Pelagia
Barsoom
453 Posts |
Posted - 08/08/2007 : 16:15:11
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| Hmm, pasties and tea as opposed to cheap wine and twiglets. What a choice! |
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Miriam Binder
Earthsea
United Kingdom
5323 Posts |
Posted - 08/08/2007 : 16:18:57
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| or a plate of biscuits costing £9.00 from Kings House catering dept. |
"Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety" - Benjamin Franklin |
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moon23
Calaspia
699 Posts |
 Posted - 08/08/2007 : 16:42:37
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quote:
Originally posted by Miriam Binder
Government schemes are funded by taxpayers, some of whom may well be local but it doesn't come out of local authoritiy funding.
I see the point you are making but I don't see why any such scheme couldn't be administered from central treasury funds. Not all the council's money comes from local council tax anyway.
You could always raise the money by employing a private company to inforce fines for minor legal infringements. Say if NCP were to diversfy into waste management
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http://www.moon23.wordpress.com
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Miriam Binder
Earthsea
United Kingdom
5323 Posts |
Posted - 08/08/2007 : 16:58:47
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| Moon, get real ... childcare is not an issue, should not be an issue and will not be an issue. Especially in a local authority where the majority or local residents struggle with childcare issues on a daily basis. |
"Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety" - Benjamin Franklin |
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Vince Meegan
Alagaësía
United Kingdom
14 Posts |
Posted - 08/08/2007 : 17:36:45
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One thing none of the correspondents has remarked upon is the timing of meetings. As a councillor I had to attend Licensing hearings at 10am and 1pm. Most committee meetings start at 5pm and others, such as Licensing and Full Council commenced at 3pm and 4pm respectively. Most meetings lasted around two hours but Full Council could linger on until well after 9pm.
These meetings, coupled with local branch, constituency and city-wide political meetings, residents associations and school meetings, not to mention surgeries and visiting residents combine to make a very full diary.
Luckily I have a highly specialised day job and indulgent tolerant employers who allowed me the flexibility to attend these meetings. I am at a loss to know how it is possible for anyone in an 'ordinary' 9 to 5 job to be a councillor. On reflection, I'm not. It isn't possible. The result is that we do not get a fair cross section of the community.
Nonetheless on many occasions I was obliged to set out to work at 3am to get to a job, complete it and and be back home in time to make a 5pm meeting. As I say, I was lucky to be able to do that.
Most councillors are self employed, retired, or working in the public sector. I cannot think of any other councillors on Brighton and Hove City Council who were then currently employees in the private sector. There may have been some, but right now I cannot think of any!
The 'expenses' have gone up considerably in recent years. When I was first elected in 2001 they were around £2800 a year, perhaps a little less. There is no way that sum reflected a fair wage for the hours and inconvenience. That said, I didn't seek election for the money, though it was an 'issue' for those who had no other source of income.
Being an ordinary councillor is rewarding in many ways, - I enjoyed it immensely,- but not financially.
In the end you get what you pay for, as in much else in life. |
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Captain Hawkeye
Barsoom
United Kingdom
391 Posts |
 Posted - 08/08/2007 : 18:35:54
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| Thanks to Vince Meegan for this insight into being a councillor. |
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long time no see
Earthsea
United Kingdom
6457 Posts |
Posted - 08/08/2007 : 19:33:27
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quote:
Originally posted by Pelagia
quote:
Originally posted by Control Panel
Greggs have caused even more controversy up at the Edinburgh Festival. There they have supplied special cakes - Fringe cakes - for ticket-office staff, and other workers are jealous. Some might say that these got off lucky by missing out...
No news whether any supplies will be available, at a premium, as a means of regenerating London Road, Brighton.
http://living.scotsman.com/topics.cfm?tid=933&id=1199202007
OFF TOPIC
FACT
Bang On Right
Pel. |
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Control Panel
Discworld
1167 Posts |
Posted - 08/08/2007 : 19:56:15
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LTNS is so bang on sated upon Greggs pasties that he has not noticed my explanation - above - that I pressed the wrong button and the Greggs posting went onto this topic. It is also now on the Greggs one, where it can be savoured with all the joy of a tuna and mayo baguette.
Perhaps if LTNS walks to that Truffles in Shoreham it will clear his head. |
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long time no see
Earthsea
United Kingdom
6457 Posts |
Posted - 08/08/2007 : 20:05:34
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quote:
Originally posted by Control Panel
Perhaps if LTNS walks to that Truffles in Shoreham it will clear his head.
Off Topic
FACT. |
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Control Panel
Discworld
1167 Posts |
Posted - 08/08/2007 : 20:18:31
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On Topic. FACT.
A long walk and back makes for a sharp mind to post comments about Councillors' expenses/pay.
Works off the Greggs stodge.
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long time no see
Earthsea
United Kingdom
6457 Posts |
Posted - 08/08/2007 : 20:22:24
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quote:
Originally posted by Control Panel
On Topic. FACT.
A long walk and back makes for a sharp mind to post comments about Councillors' expenses/pay.
Works off the Greggs stodge.
Stodge?
Cup Of Tea?
You Plonka.
Off Topic
Yet Again.
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Daveb
Discworld
1896 Posts |
Posted - 08/08/2007 : 20:28:15
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From the items posted on this thread it only endorses my theory that being a councillor is now a career.
They will move party to protect their income and really do not give a damn about the voters who elect them.
It also opens doors to other lucrative commitees .....like SEEDA. |
We're all doomed!
Head for the hills before they start heading for you! |
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Miriam Binder
Earthsea
United Kingdom
5323 Posts |
Posted - 08/08/2007 : 21:09:08
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| I am absolutely astounded by the sheer chutzpah of that Burgess creature. He raked in a nice little total of £38,127.42 and then he had the sheer audacity to claim £163.05 for travel and subsistence ... |
"Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety" - Benjamin Franklin |
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Control Panel
Discworld
1167 Posts |
Posted - 08/08/2007 : 21:32:56
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posted by the eminent long time no see
quote:
Stodge?
Cup Of Tea?
You Plonka.
Off Topic
Yet Again.
Of course Greggs' tea is Stodge. You can stand your spoon up in it! |
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Miriam Binder
Earthsea
United Kingdom
5323 Posts |
Posted - 08/08/2007 : 22:51:35
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| Stewed stodge at its finest! |
"Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety" - Benjamin Franklin |
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long time no see
Earthsea
United Kingdom
6457 Posts |
Posted - 09/08/2007 : 01:02:51
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quote:
Originally posted by Control Panel
Of course Greggs' tea is Stodge. You can stand your spoon up in it!
Tetley Tea
you Plonka.
Yet again
OFF TOPIC
FACT. |
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Topic |
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Councillors' expenses
