Ideas

[Toad]

A number of local groups, including the Warwick Society, the Chamber of Trade and independant business and local people, have been studying cheap (but effective!) ways of improving life in Warwick for both pedestrians and motorists in Warwick. They include simple things and complicated things but all are inexpensive, logical, well researched and (most importantly) well supported. But - guess what - the county council workers are doing there damndest to scupper any debate let alone any action. When are these over-paid, under-worked, over-pensioned bigots going to LISTEN to what local people want - and take some action! It really does seem like a case of them holding down their miserable jobs by doing as little as possible.
I hope this might widen the debate, not about any parochial ideas for Warwick but just why we are paying so much in taxes for these council parasites? Over to you.

[Lex]

I recently read A History of Warwickshire by Terry Slater (I saw a cpoy in Warwick Books a while back, and I bought my copy at Compton Verney).
One sentence I read, towards the end of the book, made me smile & realise that nothing ever really changes.
It basically said that, in the 16th Century, the newly incorporated boroughs of Stratford, Warwick, Sutton Coldfield & Coventry were run by a self-interested oligarchy. Ok, this was due to a small electorate, but this still rings true in a lot of ways today.

[chillitt]

It's odd how the decisions always come from 'the council' and no one will ever stand up and say 'I have decided to do this because... etc' Is everything decided by an anonymous committee?

[Shizara]

It's rather like saying "Management have decided.." It keeps the heat off one individual should the decision be unpopular. There is also the thought of keeping people in the dark over things and treating them like mushrooms. - Am sure imaginations will be able to finish off the expression without needing to put it in here.

Many of us realize that decisions mostly come from a collective body of no names. The oddity is that it is a method that has stood the test of time, yet, like so many things it is continually recycled with tweaks here and there. Then, when raised as an issue further down the track the blame is laid at the feet of the unknown body called "The Previous Council".

[Toad]

I agree with all that has been said - especially about lack of accountability. From central government to the lowliest town council they always pass the buck. 'Not me guv!' The trouble with WCC is that it is manned by jobsworths on stupid pensions, massive holidays and almost complete job security. They don't HAVE to do anything - and no one raises an eyebrow, because they are all the same!
Very sad though, so many opportunities wasted because of their ineptitude. But don't give up. They thought the Chamber of Trade was going to quietly slink into the background and they are not. They intend to keep pushing until something (anything!) happens. WCC don't like it because they think they know best and shouldn't be questioned in their God-like state of overall control - and it also makes them have to THINK (not very common.) Watch this space.

'By agreeing to these rules, you warrant that you will not post any messages that are obscene, vulgar, sexually-oriented, hateful, threatening, or otherwise violative of any laws.'

Now now boys, remember the rules. Its good to see the Chamber of Trade being unbiased again!

[Lex]

I could just be cynical, but the members of all the local councils DO seem to be in it for themselves. I was only reading in this morning's Stratford Herald that 3 Stratford councillors are getting over £30,000 in allowances a year (one's getting nearly £40K!) for preforming 'unpaid' public services.

[Lex]

Originally Posted by Unregistered

'By agreeing to these rules, you warrant that you will not post any messages that are obscene, vulgar, sexually-oriented, hateful, threatening, or otherwise violative of any laws.'

Now now boys, remember the rules. Its good to see the Chamber of Trade being unbiased again!

Is it me, or was that really patronising?

[Madhatter]

The council is the group of people that us the public elected in some way. I'm not sure how you can say they're some sort of secret society not accountable for their decisions. All meetings are minuted, and for something to be passed a decision has to be proposed , seconded and passed by a majority.
Now that proposal is often discussed prior to the meetings in the pub and a discussion about who will vote each way often takes place. Councillors are often councillors for their own gain will often push things through that benefit themselves and friends, be it planning permission, grant funding, contracts. Very rare do you get a councillor that has been a councillor a while that the 'old boys' haven't turned around to their way of thinking, That is from the original way of thinking when they decided to become a councillor, for the betterment of the town for the people of that town, often because a society or group they were involved has been wronged by the council or because they feel strongly about a particular planning project or funding project.
It all starts off with good intentions, thinking they can change the town for the better but these corrupt dinosaurs that just won't die corrupt these inexperienced well intentioned people.
What I don't understand is why do the public keep voting for them. Are you sado masochist, do enjoy pain, being kept down, deprived of what you deserve. Or is it that you can't be bothered and just vote for the name you recognise. Maybe it's because only good decisions are publicised so you think the sun shines out of that councillors ear hole and you don't know that he's just supported a planning matter that will put a 3 story house at the bottom of your garden denying you the privacy you've had since moving in ten years ago.
I'm on about no particular level of council or any particular area of council, no councillors were harmed in the making of this post.

[Lex]

That sounds like the long & short of it Madhatter. Occasionally, a candidate stands for SDC of WCC who isn't your run-of-the-mill dinosaur (eg a green party candidate stood for SDC a couple of years ago). I make a point of voting for these candidates, as they genuinely seem to come from a different mold, and not just the usual Conservative/Lib Dem/'Independent' shower.