Rutland County Council First Meeting of 2013 Report

This evening I attended the first Rutland County Council of the year.

It was nice to be greeted politely by most councillors as they passed by.

Even Tories Baines and Roper.

The Chief Executive Helen Briggs looking smart even managed a smile.

No manners Cllr Dewis Oakham Town Council Mayor obviously lost his sight over the Christmas period.

Tory Deputy Leader Terry King arrived either chewing gum or finishing his evening meal.

he got up and passed Helen Briggs a small glossy magazine, the same size someone often sends me
advertising sex toys.

Then arrived The Tory Leader Roger Begy I am not sure he can continue to say Eric Pickles
makes him look slim. He has grown a bit over Christmas, its no surprise Helen Briggs lists the
leadership of the council as amber. I think I can now say Roger makes me look slim.

All Three members of the Anti Corruption Party were present. Cllr Gale wearing his Rutland
tie with pride.

My Rotten Tory Councillor was not present, Gene Plews is obviously finding the drive from
his home out of the county a little tiresome.

And what's happened to poor old Tory Christine Emmett? she seems to have lost her sparkle since
losing the Corby by-election. looking terrible and knackered.

Most members stood in their normal hypocritical fashion for prayers before the meeting.

Then a phone rings, Oakham Mayor Councillor Dewis hopes no one notices it was his.

The first issue of the evening was raised by Cllr Gale of the Anti Corruption Party he wanted the
minutes of the previous meeting amended to include Tory Cllrs Kings threat to take the three councillor to court.
I am not sure if this was agreed. Rutland County Council meetings are starting to fall apart.

Cllr King appeared to agree, he had made the comment. But he was not willing to make a statement.

It is very clear Cllr King at tonight's meeting was the main problem. Although he kept his cool
you can see the anger boiling.

I wonder if the Rutland Anti Corruption Party  Councillors look at him and Mrs Briggs when they are speaking sitting in the public seats you see a lot you see the ignorant reactions made between them, be it smiles or winks. Its a pity the legal people can't send some unknown observers to witness how these three
councillors are treated with contempt. Whilst the other councillor sit like little puppies ignoring what
is going on. Is it fear?

It reminds me of Oakham Town Council.

Things moved on and the first item to be considered was voted on passed with one abstention.
Tory Cllr king made a fool of himself by requesting a recorded vote.

The Chair Tory Parsons who is a little sloppy at chairing meetings, asked for five members to
agree and five of Terry kings followers quickly stuck their hands up. Just like being back at school

At this point Cllr Richardson of the Anti Corruption Group pointed Cllr King should have made
his request before the show of hands. (vote)

Cllr Gale of the Anti corruption group said he was likely to change his vote?

At this point Geoff Pook woke up, he is the legal man I think? he agreed with Cllr Richardson.

They then moved onto the Ashwell Prison Site and Cllr Wainwright of the Anti Corruption Group
refered to a letter sent from the Parish Council of Langham raising issues surrounding consultation
or the lack of it. Nothing new there. This went around in circles.

Tory Leader Roger Begy stood up and proceeded to cross examine Cllr Wainwright. This not the
first meeting I have observed Cllr Roger Begy ignoring the rules of the meeting.

And as for his language, its getting worse this evening a few things were in his words "bloody awful"
Disgraceful expression to use at a Council meeting also shows you  have no intelligence if you have to
resort to that kind of expression. To think he, King and Plews have the cheek to call me a idiot,

The council would be so much better if they stood down and took Briggs with them.

Once again it was Cllr Richardson who had to wake up the chairman, to shut up Cllr Begy.

Councillors voted to  support the Lyndon Road Manton Cycle Path and agreed to issue if needed  a compulsory purchase order of land  required.

The council adopted the allocations scheme and tenancy strategy
No more tenancy for life just five years and a Spare room means less housing benefit.
If you have a spare room you will also be offered the opportunity to downsize.


There was some discussion about Councillors attending special meetings.

Cllr Roper said members should attend meetings when outside people come in.
It appears turn out was low for a meeting re ambulance service.

He went onto say people in Rutland don't tend to protest until its too late.
Suggesting people will protest when their ambulance does not arrive.

He also reminded councillors that their roll was to serve the public, but he understood some might
be busy with other things to do.

It was often very difficult to hear many parts of tonight's meeting due to Councillor insisting
on leaving their phones switched on whilst speaking at the microphones!

 I did mange to hear Cllr Baines had a goody bag of documents from English Heritage to
share with councillors.

Cllr King expressed his disappointment that Rutland County Council was unlikely to see
any income he had expected from the former RAF Alconbury site. Blaming the government and  Cambridgeshire Council for wanting to use the business rates for the upgrading of the A14
He also said the A14 is likely to cost billions and part of this cost will be met by charging a toll.

New Council Tax Benefit rules were approved.

56% of those who receive Rutland Council Tax Benefit are pensioners they will still receive 100% entitlement. Cllr King said this is a big problem for the council .

Cllr King said a 56% cut  in other claimants benefits , so they agreed 25%

Cllr Roger Begy said the localisation of council tax support is bloody complicated.    

They changed the recommendation, so they are not seen as hitting those who work too hard.

Cllr Walters who claims to be a Labour person disguised as an independent said  we are doing our
best of a bad job.

I dont't often attend that many RCC meetings but each time I do I often hear Cllr Walters saying with
my background (labour) you would expect me to vote against this? No CllrWalters I don't
I expect you to vote with your Tory chums after all you went to Oakham School and you have
behaved like a local Tory does.  They will be paying your membership fee soon.

They  set aside £100,000 to help council tax benefit claimants in extreme cases hardship .