I often wonder, whether Thanet Council is unique, with its sometime complacent attitude to residents and apparent hostility to free and democratic media, still drawn to a blog with the snappy title of "Carmarthenshire Planning Problems and more" after a reference in the current addition of Private Eye to the blog's author Jacqui Thompson.
Well reading this story from that blog would indicate that Thanet Council are not alone in the attitude to, we the people.
As my readers will be aware, I recently had cause to complain, when challenged by the councils security guard, I emailed Sue McGonical Chief Executive, concerned at what I perceived to be intimidating behaviour and harassment by the council at a public meeting, almost seven days later a reply turned up in my inbox, not from the Chief Executive but from democratic services.
Here is an extract from their reply to which I add come comments
The current policy regarding public meetings is that “unauthorised recording or relaying” of proceedings is not allowed, but I hope that you will appreciate that it is not always easy for the security staff to understand what members of the public are doing with mobile phones. My comment surely if I was making a phone call I would hold the phone to my ear, how difficult is that? And couldn't they accept a simple explanation??????
My understanding is that a relatively new member of building security staff took an over-zealous interpretation of the rules. He twice asked you to stop using your mobile phone, but he did not ask you to leave the Council Chamber. My Comment Why didn't one of the highly paid, some would say overpaid officers, intervene.
There has been no recent change in policy and it was clearly inappropriate of him to take that action. Clear instructions have since been given to the security staff. My comment Why not adequately train staff in contact with the public to understand, that the local authority, is supposed to be run on open, honest and democratic lines for the benefit of local people not as some club for council officers.
One day local authorities will have to realise that they work for the community, end of story, till then, petty regulations and arrogance shall reign. Till then people like Jacqui Thompson will have to battle for unfettered access to the democratic process.
Quite agree with you about the training of staff needed at TDC, the councillors also need to be trained. The councillors behaviour at meetings is atrocious, None have been trained to speak in public, they mumble and are conpletely incohearent, rude and abusive, what an example for others.
ReplyDeleteJust how many councillors over the past few years have broken the law in one way or another, What we need is a clear out of all and start again. Thanet Council has become the laughing stock as far as Newcastle to Hampshire.
Surely there is some other Big News in Margate rather than this worn out non story.
ReplyDeleteSo says half wit local government officer
DeleteReally Peter
ReplyDeleteI agree with other Tony, you really are making a mountain out of a molehill and just coming across like a working class version of John Worrow with your little tantrums. Surely there's other local things you can cover (the cancelled Sainsbury's store for example?).
ReplyDeleteDo you have any sense, Anon 20.45, of how foolish that statement makes you sound? Like so many uninformed others, you are playing the populist game of alleging that public sector staff are "half-wits", "pen pushers" or worthless drains on society. Your kind usually pick out a handful of "questionable" roles to justify your condemnation of the whole workforce. If you are a working person - in whatever field - what makes you think you are superior? Are private sector staff better? Certainly in my experience they are not - there are good and poor quality people in all forms of employment. And of course you, as a consumer, pay for all those private sector jobs too, so...
ReplyDeleteJolly well said.
ReplyDeleteMust agree! but, some councillors and some officers really do need some more training. They disgrace their position.
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