Chaotic local elections
Like much of the public I am concerned that the weak and inept leadership of the Council has led to a catalogue of errors. Earlier this year we had the multiple chaos of the local elections presided over by the Chief Executive and Head of Legal and Democratic Services. Neither have produced a
meaningful explanation for an appalling range of errors.
Shoddy and secretive processes
Leaving aside the choice about whether or not to cover the 4,000 year old Rotherwas Ribbon with concrete, the importance of the find and the choices it presented were not properly reported, even to elected members. There are still major questions that are unanswered and support from the public for the preservation of the Ribbon has not diminished. It is ironic that that the council has still not determined the importance of the find but is carrying on regardless of professional and public opinion.
The process of scrutiny which followed was nothing short of a farce. This continues to ldamage the reputation of councillors and Herefordshire's reputation nationally. Having called in the decision myself with other members it is galling to have some officers offering advice contrary to those in Standing Orders or Statutory Guidance. This is conveniently ignored as are requests to properly record expressions of opposition in minutes. Some “official' versions of events bear little resemblance to that which took place but are published in the local media and Herefordshire Matters.
Low staff morale
Morale amongst staff is at an all time low and many feel disillusioned when they see highly paid directors ignoring procedures without any questions by the relevant cabinet member or her cabinet colleagues.
ICT scandal
Careful reading of the Crookhall Report confirms the concerns regarding lack of meaningful reports and costings. I find it extraordinary that Mr Crookhall's terms of reference were so narrow and, although he has produced a substantial number of useful recommendations, the implementation of these depends effectively on the Head of Legal and Democratic Services. This officer has, to put it into the most charitable terms, failed to intervene as the Council descended into its present condition.
I agree with Mr Crookall that the scrutiny process is seriously deficient. Many of the hardworking staff have felt demoralized and some have felt intimidated when trying to bring problems in ICT to the management. Several councillors share the view that much else may have come to light if members insisted on a wider review and robust scrutiny.
I invite Councillor June French to do the decent thing and resign from her cabinet post. Spending public money without the necessary checks and balances has led to the council being described by Mr Crookhall as dysfunctional and fractured. I am in complete agreement with him but we will have much of the same if nobody is held to account.
B. A FEEBLE OPPOSITION
Liberal Democrats miss open goals
Given this catalogue of errors you would expect the main opposition to be riding high in public opinion and challenging the adminstration at every level. Yet despite catastrophic local elections results for the party in May, the Liberal Democrats have missed open goal after open goal to both challenge incompetence and provide an exciting and visionary alternative.
Failure to challenge recent chaos
There have been no resignations from the Cabinet or the Cabinet member most responsible for the present mess. None of the opposition party groups were even prepared to support the proposal for a "Vote of no Confidence" in the Council last Friday. It is hardly surprising that recent polls show a large majority of the Herefordshire public are unhappy with the Council and its performance yet remain sceptical that there is any alternative.
New members and new ideas squashed
After the elections in May I was hopeful that intelligent and informed challenge would be welcomed by this new administration. However there appears to be an enduring situation where party leaders and other leading figures debate and manoeuvre amongst themselves as to the detail of how things are done but always close ranks if there is any danger of the murky corridors of Brockington being exposed to fresh air and daylight.
By working cross party and with consensus in holding the Cabinet to account there would be some healthy changes. This is an area of opportunity that I would want to pursue. For example, a prompt updating of the constitution allowing members of the public/ spokesperson to speak at council and cabinet is essential. It happens elsewhere so why not here?
I know that there are hard working and principled councillors in all the party groups. Some of them express concerns to each other, but it appears that in each case the leaderships of these groups seem to be more supportive of each other and protective of inappropriate conduct by senior officers than they are of listening to the voices in their own groups expressing concern on their own behalf or more importantly, the public.
In inviting June French to resign, I too have considered my position and after much contemplation am resigning from the Liberal Democrat Party. I cannot continue to waste my time in a political group that is missing so many opportunities to challenge this inept administration. I am well aware that some recently elected members are disillusioned at the lack of influence they have and the inability to carry out their electoral promises due to towing the party line. Some seemed unaware of the political party straightjacket they donned in May 2007. These members need courage if they want to be part of the solution not the problem.
We are saddled with a Cabinet system that does not work - too much power in too few hands. The "system" needs elected members to find ways to work within this imposed political structure for the benefit of the county and those that live here. I have for some months seen party politics obstructing this process and am no longer willing to take part in it.
Resigning from my party
I have been part of the team and thank some of my colleagues for their support and friendship whilst I make this difficult decision.
Since the election in May 2007 I have struggled because I feel we have failed the public in our duty.
Clearly people cannot agree on all issues but I have felt frustrated with the lack of cohesive opposition to Tory Cabinet decision making that is maligning the future of this county and has a negative effect on staff morale and public confidence.
For me enough is enough - I am not prepared to allow the Tory administration to bring this council to its knees without a fight.
Challenging drift, incompetence and secrecy
It is not easy being a lone voice but I am encouraged by a small but increasing number of other councillors who are willing to challenge the political drift, administrative incompetence, and culture of secrecy which pollutes Herefordshire politics.
This culture has played it's part in the massive apathy the population now feels towards local government here. I am not prepared to sit and say nothing. I was not elected for that! Without an effective opposition the public are frustrated, powerless and unrepresented. The purpose of opposition and political accountability was completely undermined at the Extraordinary Meeting of November 23rd.
The Crookhall Report and the ICT scandal provided an opportune moment to challenge this inept executive and their departure from procedures. Yet the Liberal Democrats fluffed this challenge. Apart from a few challenging questions thanks to Cllrs. Dawe, Hubbard, Toon and myself, there was little scrutiny. I had no support for my proposal for a vote of no confidence from my own leader, which would have made all the difference. The Liberal Democrats this allowed this serious report to receive scant attention. They have allowed the Tory Administration to sweep it under the carpet.
The Liberal Democrats are failing to provide the dynamic and visionary opposition the county needs during the current Tory scandals and incompetence and that is why my efforts are best focused outside the dwindling local party.
