There are 37 Barnet Conservative Councillors. They are currently pushing through a scheme called Future Shape, (otherwise know as OneBarnet, Easy Council and "A nice little earner" by consultants everywhere).
The management of the project was torn apart by the Councils own auditors, Grant Thornton. They said that there was no business case, no proper project plan and no clearly defined milestones. The project was launched 3 years ago. This year they spent more on it than they saved. If you look at the councils latest invoices they are spending a small fortune on "consultants".
This was highlighted by the councils own scrutiny committee, who sent a report on this back to Councillor Daniel Thomas, for further work. Thomas arrogantly got a lackey to email them back saying it was fine - read the email on the Future Shape Leaks website - http://barnetfutureshape.blogspot.com/2010/11/barnet-cabinet-member-ignores-scrutiny.html - what happens next?
Tory councillors are paid to defend our interests. As both the council auditors and the scrutiny committe have identifed problems, surely it's time for the sheep to end their silence.
This runs to the very heart of the problem in Barnet. With the cabinet holding all the power, even if tory backbenchers challenge a decision it still can be ignored. I would point out that it was Cllr Shooter's vote that led to this decision being referred back and I suspect that may have contributed to the decision to ignore the concerns of the committee.
ReplyDeleteYes: of course the first item at last week's full council was an attempt by Shooter to raise again the point about the cabinet stranglehold. Unfortunately at the moment the disffected majority of Tory councillors are no more than sheep in sheeps' clothing. What they need is a wolf: a clever wolf who can outwit the farmer.
ReplyDeleteHere's one of the sheep, principled enough to lead the sheep by example, given that Barnet's Future Shape is in keeping with Conservative Government policy, no matter what the cost.
ReplyDeleteHere's the link to the Principled Sheep
ReplyDeletehttp://www.24dash.com/news/housing/2010-11-08-Housing-benefit-Lib-dem-defects-ahead-of-commons-vote