Local Government Madness….

I hesitate to own up to the fact that I used to once work in local government – until I saw the light (and an opportunity!) and got out.

I won’t attempt to defend what is not defensible, and I have many stories of waste and incompetence on a grand scale. However…there is always a ‘however’.

One needs to bear in mind that local government staff, and civil servants, are pretty much entirely beholden to their lords and masters – the politicians.

I cannot tell you how many times I have seen senior guys hold their heads in their hands in despair when, after giving clear and sound professional advice, it is ignored and overturned when it gets to councillor and committee level. For the most part, the crass decisions that are taken about how money is spent, or the decision to employ a Play Development Officer for Gay Single Parent Disadvantaged non-English Speaking Ethic Minorities (I jest…but only just!) or the appointment of consultants on mega-bucks are taken by part-time lay politicians. Of these, one can generally say that the calibre is doubtful and capacity in the grey matter department is distinctly lacking. Factor in political in-fighting and points scoring and personal agendas and you have the recipe for disastrous running of local authorities. Having sat through too many breath-taking late night committee meetings I can truthfully say that I believe anybody who wishes to vote in local elections should have to compulsorily attend at least five local council meetings. Just so they can see the bozos they have elected in action. The electorate may well be shocked and enlightened.

Yes, there are some crass, incompetent and grossly overpaid staff. But look first at their political masters. For the most part it is they who make such decisions. If you don’t like it, make sure they don’t get re-elected.

Well Andy I agree with you 100%. I to worked for Peterborough City Council, many, many years ago, like you, I “Saw the light” all the waste, the unavailability to get the right tools for the job, (Maintaining 6 cylinder diesel engines used for airation), so, like you, I left, it was like banging your head against a brick wall.Never looked back.
Jim.
Lincoln .7

Based on my own experience, he most certainly does.

Aah – Tangmere – how true you speak!!:)

I hesitate to own up to the fact that I used to once work in local government – until I saw the light (and an opportunity!) and got out.

I won’t attempt to defend what is not defensible, and I have many stories of waste and incompetence on a grand scale. However…there is always a ‘however’.

One needs to bear in mind that local government staff, and civil servants, are pretty much entirely beholden to their lords and masters – the politicians.

I cannot tell you how many times I have seen senior guys hold their heads in their hands in despair when, after giving clear and sound professional advice, it is ignored and overturned when it gets to councillor and committee level. For the most part, the crass decisions that are taken about how money is spent, or the decision to employ a Play Development Officer for Gay Single Parent Disadvantaged non-English Speaking Ethic Minorities (I jest…but only just!) or the appointment of consultants on mega-bucks are taken by part-time lay politicians. Of these, one can generally say that the calibre is doubtful and capacity in the grey matter department is distinctly lacking. Factor in political in-fighting and points scoring and personal agendas and you have the recipe for disastrous running of local authorities. Having sat through too many breath-taking late night committee meetings I can truthfully say that I believe anybody who wishes to vote in local elections should have to compulsorily attend at least five local council meetings. Just so they can see the bozos they have elected in action. The electorate may well be shocked and enlightened.

Yes, there are some crass, incompetent and grossly overpaid staff. But look first at their political masters. For the most part it is they who make such decisions. If you don’t like it, make sure they don’t get re-elected.

To some extent, yes, but the bankers most of us deal with on a daily/monthly basis are not involved nor part of the culture of bonusses and dubious practice etc which so obsesses the media and man in the street. Whereas we all have to deal with local bureaucracy ineptitude and self-aggrandisement and all that that entails whether we like it or not.

Ahh, I see what you mean now, we can choose which Bank we decide to use, but not our local Councils.etc.
Jim.
Lincoln .7

No I meant why do the media (with a few exceptions)and the general public never whinge and bellyache about them all, as they do bankers? For my money they are far worse since it is my money which I am forced to pay, which they are wasting.:(

Possibly because they run local Governments.And they all pee in the same pot.
Jim.
Lincoln .7

Excellent idea but a bit too simple for the morons who inhabit the management of public service!! Why is it that these spongers never get it in the neck as bankers do?

I have a pal who works in advertising, much to his dismay. He’s a graphic artist so does actually earn his keep. However he has an interesting take on the ‘imagineers’ and other waste of spaces who earn mega bucks for being basically useless.

He reckons that if they weren’t paid a lot they may be tempted to do important jobs like teaching or nursing, so it’s actually like an ‘idiot’s tithe’ to keep them away from the jobs that count.

You can apply the same philosophy to local government.

Exactly.
Jim.
Lincoln .7

Sadly I fear it might be the latter….:(

That’s good news. Are all the useless wastes of oxygen that used to be employed there on the dole, or are they leeching off our taxes under a different name?

Moggy

And after tomorrow the PCTs have gone forever!

For the frontline staff I would describe it as a calling.

Just to stress I was definitely talking of the PCT staff, about as far from the frontline as it is possible to get

Moggy

Paul, Said it before, saying it again, Pruning at top/mid Management level.
Jim.
Lincoln .7

I do dislike what the people at NHS Trusts do being described as ‘a job’

Moggy

For the frontline staff I would describe it as a calling. Those at the top I still would call it a job to be hung onto at all costs(unless something better paid comes along)

I personally don’t get too worried about consultants. They do a job, charge and go away.

It’s the council employees who are on the payroll for ever as long as they don’t commit mass-murder, spend all day in tea-drinking ‘meetings’ and then expect index-linked pensions.

Moggy

When it comes to councils I do worry about consultants and the quality of so called council officers and councillors.

Should anyone have the temerity to question the salaries etc of the “higher” level council officers, we are told that we have to pay the top dollar to get the services of the top people.

If we accept that this is so, why then if any decision of greater importance than deciding which biscuits to take with their tea are the services of consultants required?, yet we are supposedly already paying OTT salaries for the “best”, obviously these top decision makers aren’t worth their keep.

Bet you 240 old Pennies he won’t. :diablo:
Jim.

Lincoln .7

Explanation required please.;)
Jim.
Lincoln .7

Hopefully he will take the bait now…..!!:D