South Croxton,
Leicester,
Monday 5th September 2011
7.00pm - 9.00pm
South Croxton Village Hall
Question Time,
BBC Gardens Question Time
Contact: 01664 840272
Welcome to the Oakham and Rutland News blog! I'm Martin Brookes, your Community Editor, excited to bring you the latest updates from the vibrant heart of Oakham and Rutland. Our new local news website is your go-to source for comprehensive coverage of everything happening in our community. From breaking news and local events to community spotlights and personal reflections, we've got you covered.
Showing posts with label Question Time. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Question Time. Show all posts
Monday, August 29, 2011
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Where were the other Rutland County Councillors Question Time?
I received the following e-mails for publication, questioning where were the true independents and Liberals? At last nights question time, it is known at least one of the Lib/Dem Councillor present is really a Tory and chose not to stand as a Tory for fear of non election
Mr Peter J W Golden (Lib/Dem)- NORMANTON WARD
I agree the presentation was not clear, one gentleman who turns around failing companies highlighted, his concerns.
After Quetion Time another gentleman who works with Rutland County Council, said the main problem last night was the big man.
I like the suggestion for debate and it was clear this is what the public wanted last night, I understand debate needs to be controlled, but not in the way the Tory members of Rutland County Council would want to control it. I am very sure they would do everything in their power to stop independent public debate in Rutland.
Dear Martin
From: josie2112@hotmail.com
To: jeremy.prescott@ntlworld.com
Subject: Public Meeting 19th January RCC
Date: Thu, 20 Jan 2011 09:54:48 +0000
Mr Peter J W Golden (Lib/Dem)- NORMANTON WARD
I agree the presentation was not clear, one gentleman who turns around failing companies highlighted, his concerns.
After Quetion Time another gentleman who works with Rutland County Council, said the main problem last night was the big man.
I like the suggestion for debate and it was clear this is what the public wanted last night, I understand debate needs to be controlled, but not in the way the Tory members of Rutland County Council would want to control it. I am very sure they would do everything in their power to stop independent public debate in Rutland.
Dear Martin
Attached Power point (I only included Rutland Council Logo) as I had thought they might like to be involved. It would be helpful if others would get involved with the idea and keep money circulating in Rutland. The sample vouchers show Alice's Taxi but could equally be Rutland Taxi Association Voucher and get other taxi drivers to join in.
I also have included my letter to Jeremy Prescott. You may forward this to your friend or post it on your blog. Let me know your thoughts about SPIRAL.
Kr
Joscelyne
From: josie2112@hotmail.com
To: jeremy.prescott@ntlworld.com
Subject: Public Meeting 19th January RCC
Date: Thu, 20 Jan 2011 09:54:48 +0000
Dear Jeremy
If I strayed off the point I apologise. However, same difference the RCC cut your funds at a vital time. Not aware that you are trying to do something with Rutland buildings, Halls etc. I have a barn that needs refurbishing. I would like to carry out a social enterprise idea at my premises.
The power point presentation was designed to confuse with figures. Why were the other councillors not there i.e Richard Gale Nick Wainwright notably the ones who are independent and not conservative.
I am about to spearhead SPIRAL as a debating forum. SPEAK PUBLICLY IN RUTLAND ABOUT LEGISLATION! I will seek to ask Rob of Rutland Radio to put the idea to Rutland Audience.
Please let your feelings on the matter be spoken loud and clear.
Kr
Joscelyne
Roger Begy Leader of Rutland County Council Said We Could Be in Doo Doo next year!
Roger Begy Leader of Rutland County Council Said 'We Could Be in Doo Doo next year!'
Rutland County Councils Question Time at Rutland County Museum hosted by Rutland Radio's Rob Persani
Rob welcomed us and then introduced The Leader of Rutland County Council Roger Begy.
Mr Begy asked if we could all hear him? he said he would normally rely on Councillor Joyce Lucas to let him know, but she was not here. Ex Councillor Alan Walters giggled and ex MP hopeful Helen Pender Cheered quietly!
He went on to give us an interesting presentation, this included Rutlands UPS and DOWNS
Top of the list was the new Catmose Sports Hall, to be managed by Stevenage Leisure. This project funded by central government should be open on time towards the end of February.
Social Services had been rated excellent.
The New Business starter units have been a great success.
Rutland has received 7 awards for tourism, the highest achievement for the whole of the East Midlands.
Rutland had also done well with Recycling.
He thanked Oakham in Bloom and Uppingham in Bloom, reminding us these groups are all voluntary.
The Downs were:
The Closure of RAF Cottesmore and Ashwell Prison.
People killed or seriously injured on our roads was far to high and rising. (Slow Down)
Children at risk had risen to unbelievable levels 200+ (what are these parents doing to their children shocking)
He then moved onto the Comprehensive Spending Review stating there had been a lot of pre publicity.
2011/2012 -14.3%
2012/2013 - 9%
No increase in Council Tax this year.
The Council is making savings in the following ways:
Wage Freeze
Restructuring
Terms and conditions of Employment
all this in house action is expected to save £2.6 million.
There will also be a reduction in use of Consultancy Services.
Contract reviews are expected to save £220,000
The Council structure is now known as one Council
made up of three departments
(sorry I cant resist the Trinity headed and looked down upon by god Helen Briggs)
People Departments Directed by Carol Chambers
Places Departments Directed by Aman Mehra
Resources Departments Directed by Debbie Muddimer
(at tonights meeting we were told Chief Executive earns £112,000 last year the web site said £119,000 today it says £109,185 ??)
He then went on to say the Council is looking at different ways of working,
Shared Services, External Contracts, Partnerships.
He said Peterborough City Council had provided good trading standards and they had extended the service contract and were considering handing over legal services (does that mean goodbye Mr Pook :-( my experience of trading standards is crap, they send traders a form once a year asking, do you display no refund notices at the point of sale? the shop I worked for always gave refunds, but if you were one of the retailers who refuses a customers statutory right are you going to admit it on a form? I think not )
He also said democratic services may be contracted to Melton Borough Council.(poor Ms Stokes)
Other services are currently contracted out to a number of other Councils, he named a few:
Wigston, Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire.
(I am beginning to wonder what Rutland does for itself? this is not true independence, we seem to rely on so many others.)
He then moved onto the Medium Term Financial Plan
A lot of figures that showed Net spending total is 30.208 million rising to 32.079 million over the next four years.
The Council was not sure if it was going to receive 2.5 million of government grants, so it has assumed a 25% reduction.
The Council expects to have 1.5 million in reserves
He said building new homes could be an option, but later said Council Tax income could not be considered at planning meetings.
He said the uncertainty about income could "mean we are in doo doo next year"
The Council is proposing to make the following savings by cutting a number of services totalling £605,000
We were asked to vote at the end of the evening. I refrained from voting, I did not see the point of the exercise with so few people attending.
The Council is hoping Voluntary Organisations could help provide council service in the future.
A number of Growth Proposals were shown.
He then moved onto Future Issues
The County is likely to be effected by NHS reforms, Public health issues (smoking and drinking)
Who is going to fund Academies if this status is granted to any Rutland Schools, will the money come from Rutland or Central Government? (looking forward to see the new Catmose Academy once the building is complete)
School funding is changing, funding will be awarded per pupil.
Rutland needs Economic Development and Broadband or lack of it is seen as a stumbling block, (a job for Rutland Telelcom?)
Local Development new homes and supermarkets were all issues having to be dealt with.
(Planning is hated by Mr Begy he said it is the bane of him and there was me thinking it was me!)
It is suggested Town Councils could take over services currently provided by the County Council. (are they having a laugh, it maybe possible for the regimented gentlemen of Uppingham Town Council to do a good job but Oakham Town Council................. No disrespect to the new members The poor Mayor is already stressed with the current work load)
Mr Begy said this was a exciting opportunity for both Town Councils, an opportunity for Town Councils to put their mark on their towns. Hope its not Doo Doo Councillor Lucas would not be pleased.)
Concluding Mr Begy said "Its a different world out there and we need to look further than our noses and we have everything under control."
Now it was back to Rob, who read questions that had been sent in previously as requested, there was a slight change, questions were also allowed to be asked by anyone present.
A question was asked about the councils finances, how much money did the council have saved? what was its purpose and how much interest was earned.......
Mr Begy responded "£19.6 million was held on deposit in various places and most deposits earned dam all" !
He also mentioned the £1 million lost in Iceland, he said the Council had recovered £850,000.
I reminded him at the last public meeting, he had told the public the whole sum had been recovered. He told me he did not say this. A member of the public said afterwards I was correct because they wrote it down.
At this point Mr Begy thought its would be nice to introduce his non political cabinet members.
He started with the "Pretty Side" his words not mine!
Mr Hugh E G Rees (Conservative) - KETTON WARD
Mrs Janine Rodger (Conservative) - COTTESMORE WARD
Mrs Heather Wells (Conservative) - OAKHAM SOUTH WEST WARD
then he moved to his table
"My Slim friend" Mr Mark Wells (Conservative) - OAKHAM SOUTH EAST WARD
"At the end" Mr Peter W Jones (Conservative) - OAKHAM SOUTH WEST WARD
(not sure why Mr Jones was attending he did occasionally look up from his i pad to sneer)
"At the end" Helen Brigs Chief Executive
one was absent earning money at a furniture fair in Cologne.
Mr Terry C King (Conservative) - EXTON WARD (Deputy Leader of the Council)
The questions continued, this included questions concerning Number Plates, Broadband, Cuts towards funding the Voluntary Organisations. A Mr Prescott was very unhappy, his funding had been cut by 60% he was concerned how were groups like his meant to continue and support Mr Cameron's Big Society. One lady expressed her concern and said what a good job Mr Prescot's organisation had been for her after Rutland County Council had destroyed her lively hood it appeared his service saved her from suicide.
(interestingly no one knows what the Big Society is meant to be and Mr Begy expressed the same. It clear to me either this Country or Rutland is in the Doo Doo taking a phrase from Mr Begy)
we moved onto more questions about RAF Cottesmore, HMP Ashwell, The Chief Excutives Salary, Highways, Village Schools, Environmental Issues and Transport.
There was lively debate the public wanted more involvement, but the Council members were having none of it and frequently showed expressions of disapproval.
A very nice lady is having issues with her Village School I think she is a School governor, she said the Council was not responding to her, what she was saying echoed so much of what many other people have told me.'They don't listen, they don't return calls'
That may be due to the government sending Cllr Heather Wells and her colleagues of to China for some reason?
Another man said my Councillor does not answer my emails. Each complaint was answered by Mr Begy with contact me I will sort it. To be fair to him he does answer e-mails.
The Council needs to be transparent, as one lady requested
I say, listen to its people and be proactive.
Mr Begy thanked the staff for working through these difficult times.
The planned staffing cuts is expected to be around £2.3 million
He said £1.426 million had been saved so far.
A army member was present and he said when RAF goes there will be job creation as the personnel are moved their partners will be leaving retail jobs in the town. Mr Begy said a lot of them worked for the council.
He also said a lot of the junior staff live outside Oakham and the County, because they cant afford to live her, but the good news is most of the senior staff did live in Oakham and Rutland.
Rob Persani
Rutland County Councils Question Time at Rutland County Museum hosted by Rutland Radio's Rob Persani
Rob welcomed us and then introduced The Leader of Rutland County Council Roger Begy.
Mr Begy asked if we could all hear him? he said he would normally rely on Councillor Joyce Lucas to let him know, but she was not here. Ex Councillor Alan Walters giggled and ex MP hopeful Helen Pender Cheered quietly!
He went on to give us an interesting presentation, this included Rutlands UPS and DOWNS
Top of the list was the new Catmose Sports Hall, to be managed by Stevenage Leisure. This project funded by central government should be open on time towards the end of February.
Social Services had been rated excellent.
The New Business starter units have been a great success.
Rutland has received 7 awards for tourism, the highest achievement for the whole of the East Midlands.
Rutland had also done well with Recycling.
He thanked Oakham in Bloom and Uppingham in Bloom, reminding us these groups are all voluntary.
The Downs were:
The Closure of RAF Cottesmore and Ashwell Prison.
People killed or seriously injured on our roads was far to high and rising. (Slow Down)
Children at risk had risen to unbelievable levels 200+ (what are these parents doing to their children shocking)
He then moved onto the Comprehensive Spending Review stating there had been a lot of pre publicity.
2011/2012 -14.3%
2012/2013 - 9%
No increase in Council Tax this year.
The Council is making savings in the following ways:
Wage Freeze
Restructuring
Terms and conditions of Employment
all this in house action is expected to save £2.6 million.
There will also be a reduction in use of Consultancy Services.
Contract reviews are expected to save £220,000
The Council structure is now known as one Council
made up of three departments
(sorry I cant resist the Trinity headed and looked down upon by god Helen Briggs)
People Departments Directed by Carol Chambers
Places Departments Directed by Aman Mehra
Resources Departments Directed by Debbie Muddimer
(at tonights meeting we were told Chief Executive earns £112,000 last year the web site said £119,000 today it says £109,185 ??)
He then went on to say the Council is looking at different ways of working,
Shared Services, External Contracts, Partnerships.
He said Peterborough City Council had provided good trading standards and they had extended the service contract and were considering handing over legal services (does that mean goodbye Mr Pook :-( my experience of trading standards is crap, they send traders a form once a year asking, do you display no refund notices at the point of sale? the shop I worked for always gave refunds, but if you were one of the retailers who refuses a customers statutory right are you going to admit it on a form? I think not )
He also said democratic services may be contracted to Melton Borough Council.(poor Ms Stokes)
Other services are currently contracted out to a number of other Councils, he named a few:
Wigston, Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire.
(I am beginning to wonder what Rutland does for itself? this is not true independence, we seem to rely on so many others.)
He then moved onto the Medium Term Financial Plan
A lot of figures that showed Net spending total is 30.208 million rising to 32.079 million over the next four years.
The Council was not sure if it was going to receive 2.5 million of government grants, so it has assumed a 25% reduction.
The Council expects to have 1.5 million in reserves
He said building new homes could be an option, but later said Council Tax income could not be considered at planning meetings.
He said the uncertainty about income could "mean we are in doo doo next year"
The Council is proposing to make the following savings by cutting a number of services totalling £605,000
We were asked to vote at the end of the evening. I refrained from voting, I did not see the point of the exercise with so few people attending.
The Council is hoping Voluntary Organisations could help provide council service in the future.
A number of Growth Proposals were shown.
He then moved onto Future Issues
The County is likely to be effected by NHS reforms, Public health issues (smoking and drinking)
Who is going to fund Academies if this status is granted to any Rutland Schools, will the money come from Rutland or Central Government? (looking forward to see the new Catmose Academy once the building is complete)
School funding is changing, funding will be awarded per pupil.
Rutland needs Economic Development and Broadband or lack of it is seen as a stumbling block, (a job for Rutland Telelcom?)
Local Development new homes and supermarkets were all issues having to be dealt with.
(Planning is hated by Mr Begy he said it is the bane of him and there was me thinking it was me!)
It is suggested Town Councils could take over services currently provided by the County Council. (are they having a laugh, it maybe possible for the regimented gentlemen of Uppingham Town Council to do a good job but Oakham Town Council................. No disrespect to the new members The poor Mayor is already stressed with the current work load)
Mr Begy said this was a exciting opportunity for both Town Councils, an opportunity for Town Councils to put their mark on their towns. Hope its not Doo Doo Councillor Lucas would not be pleased.)
Concluding Mr Begy said "Its a different world out there and we need to look further than our noses and we have everything under control."
Now it was back to Rob, who read questions that had been sent in previously as requested, there was a slight change, questions were also allowed to be asked by anyone present.
A question was asked about the councils finances, how much money did the council have saved? what was its purpose and how much interest was earned.......
Mr Begy responded "£19.6 million was held on deposit in various places and most deposits earned dam all" !
He also mentioned the £1 million lost in Iceland, he said the Council had recovered £850,000.
I reminded him at the last public meeting, he had told the public the whole sum had been recovered. He told me he did not say this. A member of the public said afterwards I was correct because they wrote it down.
At this point Mr Begy thought its would be nice to introduce his non political cabinet members.
He started with the "Pretty Side" his words not mine!
Mr Hugh E G Rees (Conservative) - KETTON WARD
Mrs Janine Rodger (Conservative) - COTTESMORE WARD
Mrs Heather Wells (Conservative) - OAKHAM SOUTH WEST WARD
then he moved to his table
"My Slim friend" Mr Mark Wells (Conservative) - OAKHAM SOUTH EAST WARD
"At the end" Mr Peter W Jones (Conservative) - OAKHAM SOUTH WEST WARD
(not sure why Mr Jones was attending he did occasionally look up from his i pad to sneer)
"At the end" Helen Brigs Chief Executive
one was absent earning money at a furniture fair in Cologne.
Mr Terry C King (Conservative) - EXTON WARD (Deputy Leader of the Council)
The questions continued, this included questions concerning Number Plates, Broadband, Cuts towards funding the Voluntary Organisations. A Mr Prescott was very unhappy, his funding had been cut by 60% he was concerned how were groups like his meant to continue and support Mr Cameron's Big Society. One lady expressed her concern and said what a good job Mr Prescot's organisation had been for her after Rutland County Council had destroyed her lively hood it appeared his service saved her from suicide.
(interestingly no one knows what the Big Society is meant to be and Mr Begy expressed the same. It clear to me either this Country or Rutland is in the Doo Doo taking a phrase from Mr Begy)
we moved onto more questions about RAF Cottesmore, HMP Ashwell, The Chief Excutives Salary, Highways, Village Schools, Environmental Issues and Transport.
There was lively debate the public wanted more involvement, but the Council members were having none of it and frequently showed expressions of disapproval.
A very nice lady is having issues with her Village School I think she is a School governor, she said the Council was not responding to her, what she was saying echoed so much of what many other people have told me.'They don't listen, they don't return calls'
That may be due to the government sending Cllr Heather Wells and her colleagues of to China for some reason?
Another man said my Councillor does not answer my emails. Each complaint was answered by Mr Begy with contact me I will sort it. To be fair to him he does answer e-mails.
The Council needs to be transparent, as one lady requested
I say, listen to its people and be proactive.
Mr Begy thanked the staff for working through these difficult times.
The planned staffing cuts is expected to be around £2.3 million
He said £1.426 million had been saved so far.
A army member was present and he said when RAF goes there will be job creation as the personnel are moved their partners will be leaving retail jobs in the town. Mr Begy said a lot of them worked for the council.
He also said a lot of the junior staff live outside Oakham and the County, because they cant afford to live her, but the good news is most of the senior staff did live in Oakham and Rutland.
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Rutland County Council Closure Museum and Library, Customer Services Closure 20th January
Rutland County Council will grind to a halt Thursday morning, All Rutland County Council departments including the Museum and Library will be closed the official statement is:
| Please be advised that on Thursday January 20th, Customer Services will be closed between 9.15am and 10.45am. This is to allow the Customer Service Team to attend essential training. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| I have been told all Rutland County Staff have been summoned to a meeting to be told what cuts will be implemented, after the public question time Wednesday. The member of staff told me the cuts are so drastic they are scared of their own shadow following them. Concerns have also been raised regarding the Public Question Time and how valid this meeting is. Is it purely theatrical drama? It appears one of the Councils committees have already discussed the cuts and the document is awaiting approval by the full council. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Monday, January 03, 2011
Question Time - Wednesday 19th January 2011 Rutland County Council
Question Time - Wednesday 19th January 2011
Rutland County Council is pleased to announce that residents will once again have the chance to put forward their views in person at a special 'question time'.The ‘Rutland Question Time’ event is taking place on Wednesday 19 January (7.00pm – 9.00pm) at Rutland County Museum in Oakham.
The event will include a brief overview of the challenges faced by the council (including discussion around the proposed savings) followed by a Q&A session.
Reserve your place
Contact Rutland County Council on 01572 722 577 or email communications@rutland.gov.uk.
Places are allocated on first come first served with 166 spaces available for each event.
Priority will be given to questions submitted in advance to enable a more detailed/informed answer to be provided.
The deadline for questions is Tuesday 18 January 2010.
You Choose 2011
Rutland County Council has some tough choices to make after huge cuts in the amount of funding the county receives from central government.The county is in the process of making £3 million of savings this financial year with further cuts to follow of at least £2.1 million over the next two financial years.
All of this has prompted a thorough review of all council services and local residents are now being asked to give their views on a series of cost-saving measures.
Details of proposed savings will appear on councils webpage from Monday 10 January as part of a two week countywide consultation (until 23 January 2011) including an online survey, roadshows, and meetings with specific groups (e.g. youth council).
Public Meeting - Register your details
Registration is also now OPEN for a public question time taking place on Wednesday 19 January 2011 at Rutland County Museum between 7pm and 9pm.
Please email communications@rutland.gov.uk if you wish to reserve a space or have any questions about the event.
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