Thursday 17 April 2008

AS CLEAR AS DITCH-WATER?

Sue has very kindly sent me an explaination of why the Chief Executive's expenditure budget has gone up by almost £1,000,000 this year. (You will need to click on the picture above to see the detail). It's all to do with juggling figures around from one area to another and if you can get a clear picture of it, as a Council Taxpayer, please let me know as a simple 'aviator' like myself seems to be as much in the dark as before.

I suppose the increase in 'Resources' (up by over £1.2 million) is probably a result of similar juggling from 'Community Services' (down by £906,000)? What I love is the TDC Booklet that says "What did TDC spend its share of my Council Tax on?" and on a previous page said "Council Tax- all your questions answered." I haven't got a clue actually what they are spending my share of their Council Tax on and none of my questions has been answered.

It just goes to show how you can fail to communicate clearly whilst spending a great deal of money on a booklet to go through the motions of 'communicating'.

On a serious and sad note perhaps, rumour has come to me that our Chief Executive, Richard Samuel, is seriously ill. I am sure you will hope, as I do , that if this is true, he makes a full recovery.

On a less serious note, unless you happen to be Labour Councillor David Green, it looks as if TDC are trying to nobble him again by referring him to the Standards Board for England. Haven't they tried this on before? I personally find him a breath of fresh air in terms of his approach as a Councillor and I wish him all the best if he is in adversity!

2 comments:

Unknown said...

Not sure how you heard of the reference to the Standards Board. Thank you for your kind words.
Just to make matters clear, the reference to the Standards Board was by the Chief Executive of Thanet Council, and arose out of an exchange of emails concerning Senior Officers. The Standards Board has decided to take no action on the complaint, without incidently, hearing any evidence from me.
The letter from the Standards Board is available by email from me should anyone be interested.

Bertie Biggles said...

Glad to hear all is well, Cllr Green. It reminds me of the Navy attitude to slaps on the wrist from the Admiralty; no officer with a future career could possibly 'get on' without incurring the displeasure of the Admiralty Board on at least one occasion!