Former Mayor Risks a Ticking Off Options

[Simon Kirby]

Former Mayor Cllr Phil Barnett risks a ticking off from his party by criticising the Lib Dem's role in the £500k freeze of Playbuilder. He's fed up with what's happening nationally because people might vote labour in the Town Council elections next year.

Here's an idea though, lose the mayor, turn the Town Council into a Parish Council, and spend the £58k civic mumbo-jumbo budget on palygrounds.

And if thinking like that gets you a ticking off from your party, leave the party and stand as an independent. I'd vote for you.

[Exhausted]

There are a whole load of 'dignataries' wearing cocked hats but I.m not sure if they have them the right way round. Nelson always wore his from side to side so was he right or is the mayoral entourage right.

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[Andy]

There are a whole load of 'dignataries' wearing cocked hats but I.m not sure if they have them the right way round. Nelson always wore his from side to side so was he right or is the mayoral entourage right.

Simply fashion changes in the 19th Century...

Bicorne

[Bofem]

Phil Barnett's a good man. Says what he feels, if not in a particularly articulate way. And he was once a Labour man too.

[On the edge]

Phil Barnett's a good man. Says what he feels, if not in a particularly articulate way. And he was once a Labour man too.

Spot on! Someone who puts people before party.

[GMR]

Spot on! Someone who puts people before party.

I agree... I've dealt with him in the past and has always been fair and honest.

[Simon Kirby]

Spot on! Someone who puts people before party.

That it even needs saying tells you how unhelpful party politics is in a parish council.

But the question I pose is this: If there isn't enough money to go round which of these two should be the higher priority for a parish council; a mayor, or a new playground, because I feel that central government is doing the right thing reining in non-essential projects, and when I hear councillors criticise their party's role in that decision because it threatens their electability I wonder whether they really are putting people first when with a little local initiative the service could still be funded locally.

[On the edge]

That it even needs saying tells you how unhelpful party politics is in a parish council.

But the question I pose is this: If there isn't enough money to go round which of these two should be the higher priority for a parish council; a mayor, or a new playground, because I feel that central government is doing the right thing reining in non-essential projects, and when I hear councillors criticise their party's role in that decision because it threatens their electability I wonder whether they really are putting people first when with a little local initiative the service could still be funded locally.

Certainly agree about party politics. Suspect issue Cllr Barnett has is that his party; who produced the mandate on which he was elected has shifted its view. He diagrees with them - don't think that's unreasonable.

What makes Cllr Barnett refreshing is that he is willing to stand his ground and think for himself. In my experience, that means he's putting what he considers the consensus of his electorate. He knows and I know this means I don't have to agree with him personally - a healthy situation.

In this particular case I don't. In fact, I've always been against the proliferation of playgrounds installed in what are really residential green strips. This is another example of the previous givernments waste. Its also dreadful urban design - who really wants half a ton of municiple scrap iron and a pile of graffiti covered logs outside thier front window? Apparently the scheme was supposed to discourage anti social behaviour. By damaging the ambience of the environment its likely to do just the reverse.

Cllr Barnett does know my views and does respect them and it won't stop me voting for him.

Finally - with regard to what some think are the fripperies of office. One thing we lost when the age old traditions were thrown out was civic pride and a respect for authority. At one time local businesses and local worthies donated the municiple plate and decoration. The Mayor was respected. Until recent times WBC even had the gall not to display the Monarch in the Council chamber. This is the United KINGDOM and like it or not, even with clipped wings we are subjects of the Queen and long may that remain.