KENT WATCH - Taxing questions for Kent's Tories and what else is being hidden?

Not having time to blog having other fish to fry, as it were, I just thought that these following stories from professional sources might well provide, interesting reading.

This one for instance I assume, will not just trouble conservatives but councillors from all parties particularly those living some distance from Maidstone, it seems that in tax terms, councillors are easy pickings for HMRC who are seeking to get back taxes, for travel expenses, it's been well documented that senior tax officials are happy to accept hospitality, from large corporations, who are even more happy to rob the British economy of billions, for the price of a meal, in a swish restaurant rather than stump up tax due. 

For mere mortals which includes Kent's councillors, along with you and I, businesses outside the multi-national league, who cannot afford lavish hospitality or employ armies of Tax experts and lawyers, HMRC are happy to act tough and pick off easy targets, unlike the alleged actions in writing off many millions owed to the nation by companies like vodaphone.

On a similar topic, this story concerning,  Deputy Leader of Kent Council Alex King, also highlights, travel in this case, the use of a tax payer funded chauffeur driven car (15 times in a year) to take the deputy to his exclusive London Club, outrageous you might think, however I'm sure, once you understand that these trips were council business, and that lobbying guru Douglas Smith is also a member of the club and a close friend of Alex King, you'll be assuaged of any thoughts of inappropriate use of your council tax.

Finally to round up, I suggest that you read this article, which delves into the spending by KCC of £394,000 on lobbying firms, (these are the mysterious companies which communicate with politicians to sway government policy) anyhow interestingly, assuming you don't have the energy to click the link above, here's a couple key points KCC paid out £394,000 in  an eleven year period to companies founded by Douglas Smith, a friend of Cllr Alex King and the former chief executive of the council (when they still had such a post) Peter Gilroy is reported to have "said he cancelled a standing contract with Westminster Advisers because he felt it "could be seen as inappropriate". Surely not!  

PS I've always been of the view that Kent Council has misspent your council tax on PR, it's been a regular item on the agenda here at Bignews Margate, particular concern is the way the councils press department has often avoided engaging openly to explain our local government,  perhaps a final story, which once again highlights the secretive nature of Kent Council is this one basically it refers to the case of Jane Clarke, who as former head of communications at KCC, found it necessary to take the authority to an employment tribunal for unfair dismissal. Ironically once again a former employee (this time a communications expert)  has agreed a confidential settlement and we the taxpayers are left wondering what KCC couldn't allow us the taxpayer to know.

Of course Conservative councillors will no doubt sight confidentiality and all that, as a reason, for doing yet another secret deal with a former employee but what conclusion can we the public draw other than the former communications director was unfairly dismissed, or why else would the council be giving our money away, and further we can all be forgiven for thinking just what are the conservative administration hiding?

I think the public interest outweighs any need for confidentiality in this last matter, clearly the former employee accepted that her claim for unfair dismissal would find its way into the public domain, during a tribunal, so what possble reason could there be for confidentiality, other than hiding some embarrassment to Kent's Conservative council.

Bignews does the ramble Art, Politics, Icy roads, plus local Blog Rankings

Some bloggers, have a sunday ramble, a weekly ramble and possibly a daily ramble, with time to burn yesterday, rather than sit and fester at Flaig Mansions, I thought I've two choices Mrs Me has requested that I tidy up the study/library (spare room with lots of stuff old papers, brochures, magazines, books, tools and work gear) or I could get some fresh air.

I have until the end of the week to tidy up, or else and not having had much fresh air I decided to get out, anyhow although Mrs Me doesn't appreciate these things but I have tidied up the old desktop, defragged the hard drive, removed a lot of rubbish and updated stuff, so despite the bitter cold a walk was by far the more appealing option. I don't generally ramble or muse but here goes.

It's difficult to express how poor our local authority has been in clearing roads, as for pavements forget about it, despite listening to upbeat music on my iphone I could not help but have dark thoughts about our county and district councillors, particularly the former since these blighters trouser I think 13 grand plus a year, for what, couldn't they at least earn the money by clearing paths or something.

I cheered up, once in Margate to realise that contrary to media reports, there was some life left in Margate, and Rooks butchers still sell fine savoury delights such as sausage rolls and one of there unique specialities the cheese and bacon twist, basically a circle of puff pastry, with bacon and melted cheese on top, delicious, even better that, they now sell coffee.

Fortified I stumbled, back into the "Market" then walk down the lower high street, obviously activity is low, but which high street is still thriving, anyhow wandering around the old town, its pleasing to see the shops that are occupied which five years ago were empty, I visited the Margate Gallery which has expanded since I last visited and currently has a fine exhibition of work "Lovers of Light".

I see Southern Gas networks are busy ripping up much of Margate with considerable  mess in the old town, I just hope that they leave things as they found them but I'd take a guess that some of the elaborate blockwork paving will get replaced with tarmac, on to the Harbour Arm, I see this is now colonised by contractors building flood defences,  given that work is set to continue throughout the year, I just wonder how serious the risk of flooding is and whether its worth a years disruption.

Saturday I visited Turner Elements, but through the magic of the mobile phone, got interupted, so yesterday spent an hour or so wandering round the Turner Contemporary, first the Hamish Fulton exhibition, which devotes itself to the artist's interest in walking, with no to wish criticise I cannot help thinking if the artist, was to document his quest to fill out his annual tax return, using randomly sized notices and simple bold text, bullet points, accompanied with equally random pictures, then there would be little difference indeed it might prove more interesting.

Coming to the "Turner Elements", this is as you'd expect marvelous, the exhibition is pegged on the idea of elements as understood by greeks? earth wind water and fire and er air, anyway some great pictures and snippets of Turner capturing ideas, impressions of light and objects, a sort of visual memory, brilliant still a small point, one picture Evening of the Deluge is lit from above and the frame casts a shadow over the picture.

The Turner Elements is a great distraction from the world, outside the gallery is another distraction as much disconnected from the reality as anything inside, at first glance it looks like a hastily arranged Tracy Emin retrospective, from her tent period but happens to be the  "occupy campaign" camped at the bottom of the stairs, you have to admire the futility and stupidity of the protest, a vague and apparently pointless, anticapitalist group with no realistic objectives or goals. I couldn't help wondering whether hidden within the mess of tents, campaigners hadn't pegged out, however on leaving I could hear disembodied voices coming from within the canvas, rather them than me.

Taking a glance at "Occupy Thanet" vacant, facebook page and having taken a gander at the bland meaningless press release, even with the "like" endorsement from local activist and film maker Christine Tongue, someone ought to be kind and tell them their wasting their time.

I hope that someone gets this lot get evicted, Margate harbour area all ready looks a mess, with the harbour arm converted into a builders yard, the clump of tents just by the entrance is a complete pigs breakfast, of course had the protesters a rational objective, instead of wallowing in pity and loathing of vile capitalists, why don't they do something, like get a job, or if they already work, get a better job and be happy.


As a capitalist in the loosest definition, that is I go to work and earn money, I'd like to see that the someone from the jobcentre, makes sure I'm not grafting to subsidise these people, particularly since they can't even bother to articulate themselves.

I applaud protest, when it has an objective like that of the late Brian Haw a long term campaigner, who set up his own peace camp opposite Parliament, reminding politicians of the consequences of decisions over Iraq, for the last ten years and even if you don't agree at least you can respect the man's purpose in speaking up for children and civilians, victims of the Iraq war.

Sorry for the ramble finally, I took a quick glance at rankings using figures from Ebuzzing formally Wikio as you can be sure these are kind to me, which is why I wont be quoting my google page rank which has slipped down the toilet. I know Michael Child publishes monthly figures but anyhoo these are independent.

Bignews Margate score  801

Thanet Press score 833 (mostly from TDC PR who I thought Michael was no longer going to use )
Thanet Life score1000
Thanetonline score 1574
Thanet Star score 1907
Thanet Waves score 14073 (this is the first reference to this site and as such is likely to rise rapidly since  Luke Edwards site is one of the better reads in Thanet,.

NEXT IF I GET ROUND TO IT - Another instance of BBC sloppy reporting?

Where's my vote? - Scots dictate my future, why?

I've had a little break from blogging and apart from yesterdays post on Turner, a few things have rattling around the fairly insignificant Flaig brain as subjects fit for discussion, honesty or lack of it has been mooted by acedemics and rather cheekily in my opinion by David Harnett boss of HMRC complaining about tax evasion when as I understand he allowed Vodafone and Goldman Sachs to side step billions in tax payments, another worry is continued British involvement in Afganistan supporting a corrupt government, fighting a barbaric opposition and with all this going on a country where primitive pea brained religious leaders imprison victims of rape apparently backed by a hostile Pakistan, still with all that, the subject which gives me most cause for concern is Scottish voters and politicians running roughshod over the democratic rights of the majority of British people.

Some time ago I predicted the break up, of the United Kingdom and now it looks to me as if within the next Ten years it will be game over for the British Nation. Now I don't have any particular grievance against Scotland or it's people, however I do object to, preferential treatment given to fellow British citizens, some of you will recall how Labour sold out England when devolving power to Scotland and Wales, for some reason Labour didn't think it necessary to allow for equality, so we have a situation where regional decisions concerning England can well be decided by Scots MP's which explains why English students pay tuition fees and Scots don't likewise with prescription fees and care for the elderly.

How Blair and Brown justified devolved government excluding England has slipped my mind or why it didn't provoke outrage in England at the time, still it's pretty much a fait accompli, I'm sure if lose weight adopt a healthy lifestyle I shall live long enough to say I told you so.

Labour were very much polished in the use or rather misuse of language, for propaganda purposes at the time Blair and Brown were encouraging the break up of the United Kingdom, much play was made of English "Regional Assemblys" to pervert the inclination of English people asking for an equivalent devolved English Parliament, however even this bone was eventually withdrawn.

So where do we stand more than 10 years on from the first meeting of the Scottish Parliament, well if your Scottish not bad, chances are you've got a cushty, job courtesy of the British taxpayer, and the satisfaction of after years of blaming the English, you currently have the upper hand.

I find being English that whether I want to or not, I feel somehow responsible for past sins of Britain, whether it's engineering the Irish potato famine, Scottish land clearances  or colonisation of much of the globe, despite the reality that those responsible were as always the minority wealthy governing classes.

To summarise, I feel it's time we all took a reality check about honesty, morality Britain, as I pontificate, the United Kingdom is lets face run from the top down by cretinous politicians and supported by a bent press, rotten to the core, big business evades billions of tax, and overpaid half wits at HMRC expect us to pick up the tab, worst still  although the UK has less influence than at anytime in it's history, a worrying number of this country's citizens are bent on attacking fellow countrymen and British service personnel are put at risk for what, in Afghanistan.

On the later point I'd like to see the government withdraw British forces today and instead educate communities susceptible to hostile views of anti western terrorists, of the liberties, freedoms, tolerance, equality and dare I say once acceptable customs of this nation, still I didn't mention democracy since it's the case, that Labour despite using that solid sounding term "stakeholder" often referring to the likes of you and me, have disbarred English residents from having a say on the future of the United Kingdom, the only ones who count are those residing in Scotland, since they get to vote, and you and I don't.

Even the thought of not having to see a smug Alex Salmond, explain how his dynamic Scottish economy is flourishing without mentioning the huge subsidy by British (English taxpayers) is quite a bonus but the price for both Scotland and England is I think too much, still what I think doesn't count does it.

PS I've probably overstepped the mark and I suspect that a few will have me down as a nut, something that might well be, still, my generation grew up in a time when free speech was more so than it is today. We live in a world today where sadly you cannot upset anybody and where the rich can without cause easily silence free speech with a bent lawyer.

Time on my side

It's that time of year for me, a rare treat to be awake and at home at this time (00:50 Sunday), normally at the weekend if I`m up at this time it's because I've just started a 12hr shift on the railway, with all that entails.

However that's not the case this weekend, so its interesting to sometime step back a bit, one subject in the news of recent that still intrigues me is the slow way in which our society is dealing with the newspaper scandal centering on the defunct News of the World,  I have to say that recently listening to snippets of evidence given by former investigative NOTW journalist Mazher Mahmood to the leveson inquiry I just wonder, whether he was ever curious about his colleagues skills to delve deep into the lives of the rich and famous.

For a long time I've been skeptical about the ethics of our press and whether they're as er  honest as you and I might wish, in the past five and half years of blogging I've mentioned the murdoch press more than once, and find it amazing its taken the "establishment" to so long to question things.

Myself I just wonder when or if the handcuffs will be placed on the wrists of management?

You'll most likely be reading this Sunday and for some of you, myself included, you'll still be missing the News of the World, although I had long ago become bored witless by the affairs of celebrities and footballers I'd never heard of, I liked the inventiveness of journalists, sexing up or embellishing stories, and  I note that a previous posting (from last year) on this same subject has received a lot of hits, hence me dragging up this long running scandal.

Still if your stuck for a scandal fix, what with demise of the disgraceful News of the World, you could entertain yourself reading all about Britain's purveyors of  "news", this page on the Leveson Inquiry,  you'll find it a bit more sleazy than anything footballers, politicians or celebrities could come up with. 

Anyway I've a few days off for Christmas and although I've been reminded why I write a blog, because I don't trust the press, the lights are twinkling on the christmas tree so I shall get on with chilling, if I  cant be asked to blog again  before Christmas (unlikely) have a good one. Cheers

Unreliable Notes from the night Labour gained control of Thanet Council

This is my personal view of the night Labour gained control of Thanet Council, made more unreliable, in that my smartphone didn't save the notes, from the first half of the meeting, so I'll go big on atmosphere and er backdrop.

I left early for last night's council meeting thinking everyone knew that Labour would be taking the reigns of power, that is except for Cllr. Clive Hart who apparently didn't, and claimed he didn't think he would be getting the support of Cllr Worrow toward the end of the meeting, even though its likely everyone else thought he would be doing the dirty, to his former colleagues, that is voting against his former Leader Cllr Bob Bayford, anyhow as I parked the car , the Harts strolled past, I'm not sure they saw me, because I'm sure Clive & Sandra would have given me a smile and a wave.

Shared the lift up to the council chamber with Cllr Driver, didn't seem he was in any mood for chit chat particularly not since my conversation with him over that publicity stunt at the Turner Contemporary, when his Labour membership was not clear, still it good to see that he still has a home with Labour particularly after all that independent talk earlier in the year.

I must say things were crowded in the public gallery, good to see, fellow bloggers James Maskell, and Luke Edwards, taking an interest, in addition to a couple of proper bods from the Gazette.

Still although change was obviously on the way, the atmosphere was fairly muted, I guess the Tory group dreading losing and the Labour lot dreading winning, since they'll have to put their money where their mouth is.

Mention was made of Conservative Cllr Simon Moores being on his way back from Amsterdam or somewhere similar, a quick metal image formed of Thanet's most qualified, strapping himself into a cessna and battling the elements in what would have been a futile effort to save the day.

In my view it didn't take long for Labour gloom to pervade the atmosphere of the Chamber, particularly , with our new leader quickly adopting the victim role for Thanet with mentions of the area being badly treated and injustice, lets hope things lighten up.

Still I can't help thinking that, the next few years will be dominated by political minows, chopping and changing, I still have difficulty with councillors who jump ship, I'm fairly sure I could ingratiate myself with either Labour or the Tories, and get elected but having always been a Liberal it would be just like asking Mrs Me to swap her Chelsea season ticket for blimin Arsenal, it aint going to happen.

Not sure how little old ladies of Birchington South will take to the news that two councillors Worrow and Cohen are voting with Labour, or indeed just how shallow Cllr Worrows allegiance to his colleagues in the conservative party.
Still Worrow has got support for his free parking in Birchington, campaign, which I dare say his constituents will need once Labour start jacking up council tax.

Anyway Good Luck to Cllr Clive Hart lets hope he can do a better job running the council than has done with Labour, who might well of won the district elections, had it not been for that unseemly business of removing Mark Nottingham, or fighting against social housing and lets not forget jobs.

Finally it was good to see that the temperamental sound system was working, although the timer isn't however, a lashed up system was created courtesy of www.online-stopwatch.com a laptop and projector.

Resignation big deal? - No Worrows as councillor deserts Tories

News that Thanet Cllr. John Worrow has resigned the conservative whip on a point of principle concerning the banning of live animals exports, sounds like a humongous event but is it such a big deal.


I myself cannot quite understand what Cllr. Worrow is worried about, rather than showing disdain as John says, it would appear to me that Thanet district Council, has done a lot more than most elected bodies would do in similar circumstances, in representing and promoting the concerns of animal welfare activists.


I'm sure that some cynics might think that John Worrow by resigning the conservative whip is attempting to make himself more important as an independent (than was previously the  case) who now has to be placated either by the ruling Conservative group or won over by the Labour opposition.


Still having spoken to John in the past, I'm sure that he is above all that sort of malarkey and such notions are completely way off the mark, I myself don't doubt that neither he or Labour activist Cllr Ian Driver would use such an emotive issue as animal welfare, to manipulate the public, just to make themselves more important.


Just on Cllr Ian Driver, it seems that although it was unclear whether he was in or out of the Labour party earlier in the year, he has not been resigned or been removed from the Labour group as he is still listed on their website, presumably Cllr Clive Hart still has ambitions to lead Thanet to the promised land.


It's inevitable that petty squabbles will erupt from now until, the next local elections, maybe I should have commented earlier but frankly I had bigger fish to fry this weekend, including wading through a box set of "Mad Men" which is infinitely more entertaining than this event.


To be honest reading the first para of John's resignation address, despite criticising his former colleagues, he neither explains specifics of just how "there has been a concerted effort to undermine those campaigning to ban live animal exports" speaking of These campaigners are good respectable people goes on with this" I will not have their efforts undermined and ridiculed by an administration....... and so it goes on.


Here's my suggestion to John Worrow, try being a bit more explicit? I consider myself a supporter of animal welfare I signed the petition promoted by himself and all the other councillors and the council website, what more can we do? perhaps Cllr Worrow could elucidate?


At the end of the day of course we elect politicians to represent us, how exactly John Worrow is doing this, is frankly obscure, what does he expect of his colleagues, perhaps instead of Cllr Bob Bayford using his position as leader of the council, to influence law makers, perhaps John expects Bob Bayford and his tory colleagues to hold a vigil at Ramsgate port 24/7 and if necessary throw themselves in front of lorries.


Try coming up with a clear message John otherwise the public might just take a cynical view and assume your talking...

KENT WATCH - Launch of Regional Growth Fund - Ironic choice of venue?

I see news reported in the local papers including Kent on Sunday, that "county hall chiefs" and local MP's have had an official launch, of a scheme to offer grants to local businesses in East Kent to encourage up to 5000 jobs in the area, 40 million is on the table from the billion pounds national Regional Growth Fund.

I think its fair to say that KCC have done well getting this money, however its going to be even tougher I think to realise anything like the "up to" 5000 jobs figure quoted by Kent on Sunday, and I can't help think near impossible that jobs created will be solid, if you know what I mean.

This intiative is against a backdrop of the governments attempt to face up and deal with the very real instability in the economy in which half the population live courtesy of the taxpayer in a non productive or wealth creating world supported by the remaining generative industries.

Manufacturing appears to be one of those areas of the economy that no longer employs the numbers it once did either due to improved productivity or manufacturing having moved abroad, which as I understand has been the case with Hornby Hobbies in Margate who moved production to Guangdong Province, China in the latter half of 1990's.

This week will highlight the division in our economy and society between the " haves", public sector workers go on strike, and the rest of us who create the wealth are held to ransom. And yes of course some are getting a raw deal, but without those of us in wealth creation, the public sector wouldn't exist particularly those made up jobs.   

Clearly Hornby Hobbies, like other businesses has prospered having exported manufacturing jobs, particularly those which are labour intensive, hence the suggestion of irony, in launching this scheme where KCC did, still presumably since Council Leader Paul Carter, and  Kent Cllr Kevin Lynes, (regeneration and economic development) both represent divisions in prosperous West Kent, they would be unaware of local history.

Digressing slightly, in previous times, Kent Councils top officer would turn up for such events, however I see no mention Katherine Kerswell, the current Chief of KCC, and am reassured having rung KCC's press office that everything is still hunky dory, although they didn't comment on the suggestions that Katherine Kerswell has not been seen for a while, the Kent press bod could have allayed fears of another expensive high profile departure but didn't or rather couldn't, still if the worse comes to the worse, that's another job vacancy.

Its a pity few and certainly no one in the public sector, realises how important it is to have genuine wealth creating jobs, particularly with the countrie's gas and oil running out, although it's often been suggested that the UK is in terminal decline, maybe it really is, now that this country is more reliant every day on importing energy, and earnings from intangible services such as banking, insurance look every more shaky.

Finally if the top job at KCC has suddenly become vacant, then surely Paul Carter's position as leader of the Council will be untenable and no amount of shilly shallying from the councils press/PR department can save Carter, crikey that could be another job vacancy, blimey maybe the jobs market is looking better  already.

Would you trust Murdoch's Sun on Press Freedom?

I guess you probably wouldn't, however reading this report on the Sun's website, it appears that Sun journalist who just like their former colleagues at the News of the World have bills to pay, have struck lucky finding someone who seems to hold an honest belief that celebrities have hijacked the Leveson Inquiry into the press which focuses in part on some of the criminality of the popular press.


Certainly casual observers like myself of the inquiry, so far, would have noted the appearance of celebrities, but then equally powerful images, have been those of the mother of Milly Dowler, the McCanns, or Mary-Ellen Field personal adviser of Elle Macpherson sacked from her job because nobody realised that newspapers publishers were routinely involved in criminal activities to get stories.


Celebrities perhaps are fair game for newspapers but phone hacking, stalking etc are unreasonable, clearly the Sun is looking after, what it sees as its interests, although its difficult to view the story I mentioned as anything else other than an attempt to sway opinion.

As for celebrities what are we actually talking about, normal people who've got a talent, done something extraordinary or worked hard, maybe people like author J K Rowling, who's had protect her children from "journalist" who've stalked her and her children, a clear of abuse.

For myself I'd like to know when if ever the police will be interviewing senior executives of News International such as the Murdoch's I know its difficult to imagine major shareholder holders would show any interest in how their flagship business the now defunct News of the World beat the competition to some many stories. but who knows.

It's no surprise that a business that has show such a blatant disregard for decency and respect for individuals will cluch at an angle it can to support what I guess most of us see as a sleazy and dirty business.

Just what the answer is to dealing with the slimy rascals who pervert normal standards of decency in the pursuit of titillating the public with stories of human frailty, is something I don't know but if recent history is anythng is to go by cetainly, publishers and journalists are the last people to be trusted or regulate bent news media.

Finally when are we to see politicians in the dock over their relationships with newspaper owners, perhaps Blair, Cameron, Brown have some explaining to do, I understand that John Major was one of the few senior political figures not to jump when Rupert was in town, still look what happened to him.

Still nobody takes responsibility Kent’s Child Care failings

BBC report that KCC are making significant improvements to child care and lord knows they need to. For details of how they’ve improved things click to read the BBC local news report.

Still no news, as to who within Kent County Council is responsible for placing children at risk of significant harm, I suppose we will never be told, as KCC seems committed to side stepping this for reasons, we will have to guess.

So just where does ” the buck stop “ on this issue? Will Paul Carter ever sort out that enquiry as to what happened?

Finally KCC have a least had the decency and honesty to drop the claim to perform excellently, a bit of an exaggeration given the seemingly endless er… cock ups unfortunate occurrences, with staff, media, money and by far the worst children's services, I must say it would be difficult not to put Kent first, seeing as its on the stationary.

BBC South East CENSORSHIP? & Kent Leadership challenge?

How would you know (you may well not) that Conservative Leader in Kent Council Paul Carter, was being likely to be challenged for the leadership of his party and consequently the political leader of the Kent Council, an organisation with around a two billion pound spend, who deal with local education, roads, social services and all those tentacles of government that actually effect you personally.

Well you would know if you read This is Kent Website or Paul Francis KM online, however if you get news from the BBC south east, forget about it.

Imagine a leadership challenge to David Cameron, and BBC news, just cannot be bother to report it, you cant, so why do we put up with it, at what is still an important regional level?

Its not that BBC don’t have the resources, it’s just they choose not to report on regional politics, which of course seems a bit stupid, image a time when at national level the leader of major political party is challenged and state funded journalists refuse to cover or mention it.

So why is it that BBC South East decide to keep us in the dark. What else gets put on the back burner by South East journalist?

BBC south east do, do politics, unfortunately, the only regional link though is generally some dead beat local MP who gets asked about a national issue, which merely replicates BBC national news.

Why they do this, I assume that it is because it is easier, than going to county hall and sitting down and listening to turgid meetings or censorship.

Every few months, when the taxpayer funded broadcaster, fails to report on major political stories, I email or phone BBC regional flunkies, a pointless exercise I know, sometimes fobbed off with a response from some minion with an epic corporate vocabulary or utter bollix.

Still if someone from the BBC would explain why they can devote less resources to cover local democracy that is wasted on the weather I will be happy to give them the oxygen of publicity. Perhaps Mick Rawsthorne (Regional Manager) would like to email me an answer, it would I think be a first. tonyflaig@gmail.com

Alex Salmond Smug?

One of the few reasons I still buy The Sunday Times, are the views expressed by correspondent Rod Liddle, who’s words frequently, express what I feel.

Today was no exception, Mr Liddle was affronted by the unexpected appearance of Scotland’s First Minister on his television, “that smirking morass of Caledonian self-satisfaction Alex Salmond suddenly appeared on my  screen during a brief news segment—a ball of flatulent smuggery……..

Apparently the First Minister was wittering on about better employment figures than in England, however (no surprise) the great man failed to mention the contribution made by British taxpayers as whole,  who receive significantly less than the £10,212 of public money per person as in Scotland.

I glad I'm not the only one who doesn’t  see why the rest of Britain has to subsidise Scotland’s medicine and students, particularly galling is the fact that Scotland as I understand it offers tuition free places at Universities to EU students from outside England. Which of course is the indicative of the sort of hostility that Scottish Nationalist have for a long time tried to manufacture against the rest of Britain.

I’d like to see Scotland pay its own way without dipping into my pocket, I wish I could link to that story,but you’ll either have to buy the paper, or be a subscriber to their internet pages.

Post Number 1501 Is there anything left to say?

Yes plenty, I just notice that according to Blogger Dashboard, my last posting was number 1500, after estimating a word count at around 675,000 or the hours 2250 consumed (since starting) assuming I spend an hour and a half on each “masterpiece”.

Of course a rational appraisal of all this might, suggests an obsessive personality, who in their right mind would devote 90 plus days of their last five years to blogging, well in my defence I’m not a train spotter, and I don’t go fishing (why spend hours getting cold and wet when you can go to Tesco’s).

I’m surprised, people read this stuff, I read blogs myself sometimes for information, news, and occasionally entertainment but mostly to see how I compare and whether there is anything worth filching  learning, from others.

If you are a serious consumer of news media, one thing you will note is how much professional journalists have in common with sheep, they talk and think in clichés, an example, in live broadcast news, reporters and news presenter/anchor, act like vacuous idiots, time is wasted as  exchange pleasantries followed by repeating and agreeing to whatever the each other have to say.

Anyhow I like to say what I want, when I want, not always appreciated, KCC certainly don’t like it, TDC aren’t to keen, politicians get particularly offended, Labour don’t like it when you point out how they deserted their traditional supporters, Conservatives don’t like it when you point out the disgraceful waste of your money in Kent.

Currently one particular bee in my bonnet, is the seemingly casual interpretation of what constitutes legitimate use of taxpayer money of course we are use to MP’s helping themselves to liberal amounts of hospitality and expenses but then there are those other niggling little issues, things like Kent Police Authority who currently appear to be supporting a political campaign against government policy or similarly Citizens Advice Bureau locally seems to be proactive in supporting one particularly councillor.

I appreciate that few would spend as much time as I and given the limits of english resulting in part from Kent’s abysmal secondary education and I suppose my own shortcomings. Still I feel my time better spent on this than vegetating in front of the warm glow of the telly.

So what’s left without wishing to encourage the cranks, there are many things which are kept out of mainstreams of media, politics in Kent is very poorly reported by the State Broadcaster BBC, and issues such as the right of Palestine to be recognised by the UN are dealt with in a very biased way.

Blogging is not without risk, and sometimes I think, don’t do it, I rarely resist pressing the publish button, if it’s honest truthful, why not, of course the why not, comes in when say a company, working on behalf of KCC sends you letter, claiming you’ve defamed them. This might explain that as well 1501 published postings there are another 39 sort of pending.

Without appealing to cranks, it is certainly the case that there exists an “establishment”  who are more than prepared to use and abuse the positions.

Till next time.

Driving home my point

Sorry to visit old ground but a quick glance through the letters page of the Isle of Thanet Gazette this week (something which might not be possible for much longer) and wallop there’s Labour bod, Cllr Ian Driver exuding indignation, not miffed! nor perturbed! that would be too mild, no the poor gent is positively “SHOCKED and appalled”. Crikey!

Why? because Cllr Bob Bayford had the temerity to ignore requests to speak at the recent animal export protest, now I don’t know why this is so upsetting for Cllr Driver however from his letter I’d guess if his feelings were to be measured, on the scale of botheration, he must be somewhere between incandescent rage and explosion, rather than just flustered.

Personally I’d see an invitation to speak, at such a rally, as posturing by Cllr Driver loaded with political complications, which certainly appears to be the case given his revelations and clear sensitivity.

One might ask the question of any of Labours “Old boys” why is Cllr Driver not making a big issue about Clive Hart who I understand did not attend? Did Cllr David Green speak (Mayor of Ramsgate?)

As I may have suggested it seems Labour have hijacked an issue which is naturally upsetting. It looks like “labour activists” are milking this for all its worth, Cllr Jennifer Matterface , lets us know that “several Labour councillors including myself were there” referring to the protest (big deal).

I think that someone in Labour ought to name and proclaim all those wonderful heroic Labour members who clearly care more than the rest of us, perhaps the flippin pope could have them sainted or whatever the term is.

Or maybe they should get a sense or proportion, I remember some time ago posting about people trafficking in the sex industry and newspapers accepting advertising, it seemed understandable that few wished to comment on such a wretched matter.

I think for Labour activist to manipulate the issue of animal welfare, is despicable, maybe Cllr Clive Hart could give us the official Labour line, does he support this sort of line of attack. Yes or No?

It makes you wonder, what sort of group Labour is becoming, earlier in the year we had the surprise of Mark Nottingham being deselected in the Northwood Ward accompanied by some controversy with Labour “old boys”  keeping very quite on the subject (perhaps with a mind on cllrs allowances), anyhow up pops Cllr Ian Driver.

Anyway I cordially invite* Cllr Ian Driver, Cllr Clive Hart and what the heck Cllr Jennifer Matterface to submit their comments, on this blog posting and if I don’t receive a reply I shall promise not to be unperturbed, uninterested, unaffected,  no .. no I shall be wound up, er furious and blimin upset… no thats not strong enough I shall be “SHOCKED and appalled”.

* I will email a link and no doubt, expect Cllr Driver to offer a prompt and courteous account of why he expects others to jump when he corresponds. I’m sure Cllr. Clive Hart and Cllr. Matterface will also be compelled to reply considering my request anything but autocratic arrogant and designed to make them look bad. emails despatched between 13:21-22

New crowd pleaser for Labour–Animal Welfare?

As far as I can tell, perhaps the only thing that unites Thanet councillors apart from drawing expenses is the distaste and antipathy they share over the recent export of animals from the port of Ramsgate.

It’s good to see that people are prepared to stand up and be counted like Labour bod, Cllr Ian Driver to organise and protest a cause. However part of being human is our individualism, we can opt in or opt out of being part of the herd.

I have firm views and priorities, I pursue my own interest via this blog, which is, for me an effective way for me to contribute to society (as distinct from Cameron’s biggun).

So, I’m taking a gander at this weeks Thanet Times, and there on the front is a report of last weekends protest, against live exports, with a photo of  Cllr Ian Driver, obviously whispering gently into his microphone, apparently he mentioned that neither council leader Bob Bayford, nor Laura Sandys were present, to which the crowd cried shame.

We’ll here’s where I’m going with this, it seems a shame, that Cllr Driver thought it necessary, apparently to mention the absences, do you or I give a toss whether Labour Leader Clive Hart or Ramsgate Mayor were present no of course not. Suffice it to say, enough people were encouraged to express their objections to this trade, which makes us a whole more human.

What worries me, is this is a very emotive issue and some animal rights campaigners have forgotten humanity and resorted to extremes, which might be a reason, even those opposed, might be reticent to attend, what could develop into a rabblerousing event.

Cllr Bayford has written to the Government, asking for a maximum journey time for animals, should we castigate Cllr Driver or Hart etc if they haven’t done the same.

I’ve never met Ian Driver so I don’t know but maybe he’s better at motiving crowds than corresponding with government. Fortunately for all we don’t live in some Stalinist world so we don’t have to do what doesn’t suit us. Lets just hope Labour “activist” aren’t just playing to the gallery in a cheap  “I’m more concerned than you” sort of way.

KM Group's Takeover bid - Update on Politicians Views

Firstly an apology, to Roger Gale MP, last week I stated that the MP for Thanet North had not responded to my communication concerning the likely takeover by the Kent Messenger Group of Northcliffe Media's Kent newspaper which include Thanet's Gazette and Times.

Looking through my bills and junk mail this morning, I came across a letter addressed to me on House of Commons stationary dated 2/08/11 I'm not sure when this arrived but it's likely that it came before my last posting on this subject.

The expectation that Roger Gale MP would offer some crumbs of comfort, perhaps an impassioned plea to maintain local media diversity has resulted in me feeling a bit disappointed and I don't share his glib view but anyhow.

I hope the Office of Fair Trade will not just allow a monopoly to be created, Kent Messenger Group may well have served the county well but certainly not this part of East Kent and certainly not with the meagre offerings from the Thanet Extra of late.

Still we shouldn't necessarily take a glib view on these things, just now Thanet Council and Tesco have had the plans for an incongruous superstore derailed by Arlington residents and good thing too, in just what crazy world, would you want Tesco's as the back drop to an afternoon at the sea side.

Hopefully ordinary peoples view will be taken into account a little more often, given the hostility by residents, it was extraordinary that Cllr Jack Cohen recently used his casting vote to progress Tesco's plans but then as  I understand he lives in Birchington.

We are all part of the "Big Society" (its not some creation for Tory busy bodies) if you want to influence things make your voice known, down just let your politicos take the easy route, get involved.

SAY GOODBYE TO THE GAZETTE - YOU HAVE UNTIL MONDAY TO SAVE KENT'S NEWSPAPERS

As mentioned earlier, the time to make comments to the Office of Fair Trading concerning KM Group's submission to acquire Northcliffe Media's Kent newspapers is running out. You have until Monday 8th August.

It seems rather surprising and disturbing that the counties politicians have yet to comment but who would report it anyway. KM Group like the minimalist Thanet Extra and Northcliffe Media newspapers such as the Isle of Thanet Gazette/Times etc. are hardly going to wish to stir things up. Kent on Sunday stands to gain so their hardly going whip up a storm.

It's unfortunate BBC South East and BBC Radio Kent have not made this the subject of public discussion, I spoke to a Radio Kent manager who suggested I send him a paragraph, I didn't have the energy, what would be the point.

KM Group's take over of Northcliffe Media's Papers would be similar at a regional level to Murdoch taking over every national newspaper with the exception of say the Daily Express.

Anyway here are the key points of the likely outcome in my opinion if the Office of Fair Trading nod this deal through.

• NEWSPAPERS CLOSED – Is it likely KM Group will keep the Gazette and Times in Thanet as well as the Thanet Extra or indeed others across Kent.
• LOCAL NEWS POORER COVERAGE – The normal competitive process of reporting will cease. Particularly at district level.
• MINMAL COMPETITION  - Archant Media Group who produce Kent on Sunday, do not currently as I understand produce local district newspapers as in print form. Their papers like "yourthanet" exist purely in "e" format so lack the appeal of hard copy papers like the Gazette or Extra which you can browse news as well adverts Homes, Cars and of course Classifieds.
• HIGHER ADVERTISING COSTS – Businesses aren't charities and neither is the KM Group unrestrained by adequate competition what choice will business have when advertising rates rise.
• PUBLIC INTEREST – Local Democracy will be harmed as its almost inevitably journalists will be sacked and consequently resources wont exist to scrutinise local government.
• MEDIA MARKET SHARE – KM Group will if this deal goes through have a massive strangle hold on media with newsprint and radio, which cannot be in the public interest however well intentioned they might be.

The process of the Office of Fair Trading's deliberations into the consequences of this proposed takeover, are unfortunately not as open as would be desirable due to commercial confidentiality, so as far as the public interest is concerned its only possible to guess at KM's plans.

I suggest if you concur with my concerns that you mention it to those you know and also keep the Office of Fair Trading by contacting Raúl Nieto raul.nieto@oft.gsi.gov.uk Fax: 020 7211 8916.

PS Companies and organisation are being consulted by the OFT about KM's bid and therefore may be unable to comment or feel its not in their interest to do so.

Kent Newspapers to Close? OFT gives You only until August 8th to comment

As I see it, there probably isn't much time, if you would like to save our local Kent newspapers, in Thanet that would be the Times and Gazette, the Office of Fair Trading will stop taking consultations on this matter by the 8th August.

Ironically it appears that there is little news available to the public, in regard to the Kent Messenger Groups bid to buy Kent Regional News and Media (Northcliffe Media).

No surprise that when I contacted Kent Messenger group and Northcliffe Media execs, they were unable to offer any elaboration on this significant development to local news reporting .

So you may find my suggestion, that newspapers will close, as somewhat alarmist, HoldtheFrontPage website report informs us, that is the intention of Kent Messenger to integrate Kent Regional News and Media titles with their existing portfolio, as quickly as possible, admittedly integrate, could mean one of the two things, merging newspapers or merging the operational processes into one, either way, my opinion is this will lead to less competitive newsgathering and poorer reader content, also significantly less competition for the local advertising market,which must be bad for the business community (KM Group also have local radio media).

Understandably both parties in this acquisition are reticent to discuss the details (they are not charities) but as far as you and I are concerned, details and future plans are of public interest and to the end I have for the last few days been trying to contact the officer/manager in charge of the case at the OFT, who I take must be an extremely busy person,  it must be in the public interest to have more details, are journalists and editors an endangered species in East Kent and are we about to say goodbye to the heart and soul our communities.

If its the case that without KM Group purchasing KRN papers, newspapers would fold anyway, then good luck to KM Group, however if its a case of buying these papers is to secure a nice market stranglehold then, it should be stopped.

I doubt that either KM Group or Northcliffe Media's "Kent Regional" papers will be making too much noise on this one, so I suggest if you concur with my concerns that you mention it to those you know and also keep the Office of Fair Trading by contacting Raúl Nieto raul.nieto@oft.gsi.gov.uk Fax: 020 7211 8916.

Finally both companies do a good job in certain areas, and that's how I'd like to see it remain, its possible the KM Group might if their bid goes through vastly improve news gathering, still  if you take the KM Thanet Extra as an example, it appears journalistic resources have shrunk in the last few years.

PS I just wonder whether local politicians will wake up and smell the coffee on this one!

No News is Bad News from Kent Messenger Group

Watching tonight's South East Today, news comes that the KM group, publishers of the flimsy Thanet Extra,  are in the process of acquiring seven papers from Northcliffe Media, the seven papers of the Kent Regional News and Media group include The Isle of Thanet Gazette, Thanet Times, Herne Bay & Whitstable Times.

I imagine that this, is about as much a done deal, as is possible, for this reason KM Group have apparently informed the Office of Fair Trading, who will be going through the motions, of considering the deal, whether this effects competition, is it in the interest of the consumer and all that malarkey, surprisingly neither companies web sites seem to report the issue.

Still the Press Gazette naturally have a full report click here.

Whatever you think of the Gazette (Isle of Thanet) it has usually given us a professional product over the years, and is certainly the local paper with the most original content, at this point in time.

This will have been a bad news day for East Kent, if KM Group were to absorb the area's papers into their Extra format. The thing is, you and I wont be consulted, the OFT will do their stuff, read the KM Groups submission and ink up the rubber stamp, and Kerching ! the end of an era.

Still maybe KM Group will consult us the public with their plans.

I know KM Group produce a professional product and no doubt are doing what they have to, in a tough market, as I assume is the case with Northcliffe Media, I hope that this doesn't mean less news and less scrutiny of local issues or fewer journalists.

I suppose on the plus side Thanet Council will be able to stumble from cock-up to crisis and nobody will ever need know in the future.

Still at present Bignews Margate blog will maintain editorial integrity and independence for a while longer unless Thanet Life wants to make a big money offer for Margate's favourite blog!

Tory Councillor uses inventive style to support Censorship @ Thanet Council

An old trick in the black arts of propaganda or sales, is to take an issue or objection, and manipulate it, slightly, I for instance have pointed out, that the councils decision not too respond to enquires, I might make, in the process of constructing posts, for this blog is political censorship. 

To explain what I mean, take this twaddle as a prime example from a Tory councillor's blog, "For the benefit of at least one local blogger, who insists, with a complete disregard for the facts, that the local council is 'censoring' its news releases, here's a link to Thanet District Council's Twitter feed, which pushes these out to the public as they appear.

Now the author might have made an innocent errorr ;-) or is manipulating the reality, anyhow I'm arrogant enough to assume by "local blogger", it might mean me, now whilst I have highlighted the refusal to deal with my enquires as being censorship, which it is, the composer in the example refers to the "fact" he claims that "one local blogger", insists TDC is " 'censoring' its news releases, although the decision of the Press Office to no longer send email Press Releases to bloggers, whilst laughable (the reasons of cost saving), is hardly censorship, just stupid, however  what is censorship, is the decision to automatically discriminate against bloggers.

The example of course comes from Cllr. Simon Moores, who in my view denigrates the role played by bloggers, like myself and others, which compliments and extends the reporting of local government, which is erratically covered by local newspapers like the Gazette, KM Thanet Extra.

The irony of this, whilst Conservative Thanet Council has implemented it's policy of censorship, probably the most frequent readers of this trash ( I refer to my contributions) are councillors themselves, from both sides.

Come on Simon, try and be accurate and concise, say what you mean, which local blogger?   who insists?  what facts?  or is it just propaganda?

Thanet council have constructed an arbitrary interpretation of what constitutes the media, I have contacted the press office on maybe a dozen occasions, posted hundreds of times, over years, with many thousands of page views. I think Moores has tried to paint a picture of blogger's endlessly harassing the council staff, I can only speak for myself but I doubt that's true either.

Did Chief Exec receive 30 K for Election– Thanet Council refuse to answer

I've heard several rumours that allege the recently retiring chief executive of Thanet council was paid anything between 30-50,000 for acting as the returning officer, in the May local council elections.

Now due to the irresponsible action to Thanet Council, whereas in the past I could ring the council and enquire, for clarification or correction to a rumour, this is now blocked by the council.

This afternoon I contacted TDC's democratic & electoral services, eventually an officer spoke to me but not knowing the answer, referred as I understand to TDC's communications department, which now administers the conservatives councils blunt censorship of media.

I didn't expect, an answer necessarily immediately but I'm told I will have to put in a Freedom of Information enquiry.

I spoke to one Conservative Cllr at the time TDC introduced their policy of refusing to allow people like me (Non Conservative) to use the council Press Office, and was told that I could still speak to officers, if my conversation today is anything to go on clearly I cannot.

Councillors in the Conservative party have long tried to restrict bloggers, its a stupid obsession, as someone who takes a responsible line, without hiding behind a pseudonym, I am no longer able to correct such a rumour as above.

I always thought that the senior officer of the local council acted as returning officer during elections as part of normal local government duties, still having read this story about the former Chief officer for Kent council, I feel these things need investigating.

Perhaps one enquiry I should make, is whether the councils newly appointed chief executive, has checked on the legal implications of press discrimination.

I wonder if it's time to recall Sandy Ezekiel as Leader of the council at least he has a bit of savvy.