The Barnet Tories have sacked Mark Shooter from the Scrutiny Committee job. He was deputy chairmen. I asked an opposition member what he did to upset them. The answer? sending parking outsourcing back, objecting to removal of free spaces, increases in parking charges, objection to crematorium sale, objection to outsourcing of planning, inviting charities to next budge amongst other things.
In other words doing his job properly. Have the Barnet Tories gone completely bonkers? What is the point of scrutineers who don't scrutinize. They really are bonkers
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Yet another example of the complete contempt that the leadership of the Tory group has for the party as a whole, for the principle of debate, and consultation. I've listened in council meetings to Hillan spouting off her objections to the 'diktats' of central government, as if this is somehow undemocratic, and yet imposing the decisions of a minority of her own associates on the rest of the Tory group, and stifling all discussion and dissent, is seen as perfectly acceptable. If any of the Cabinet had any intelligence they might be able to see the inherent contradiction of their actions, and if any of them had any sense of honour they would resign en masse.
This is a significant loss to the scrutiny process as Cllr Shooter was one of the few ruling group members prepared to challenge issues he felt were wrong. If my memory serves me correctly, he upset Cllr Thomas by voting for the One Barnet Implementation Partner contract to be referred back at the Business Management OSC. At the Budget & poerformance OSC just before christmas he talked about the signal sent to voluntary groups with the cuts in grants. The role of scrutiny is to examine and, if necessary, question the decisions of the cabinet. If the ruling group are going to rig scrutiny committees so that they simply rubber stamp decisions then we, as residnets of Barnet will suffer. At the Budget & Performance OSC before Christmas ruling group members were whipped, setting a worrying precedent for scrutiny committees who are supposed to be independent.
The Secretary of State is allowing councils to revert to the old-style local government committee system if they wish, rather than continuing with a cabinet model, with or without a mayor as well.
I suppose the present rabble would not want to be turkeys voting for Christmas, but Barnet could try and do that, if and when the current regime is deposed.
I have heard that all (was it all?) of Barnet's planning officers walked out of a meeting with Stewart Murray, informing them all their jobs would go under privatisation. Can anyone add to that?
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Maybe the the time has come for Mark Shooter to get OUT altogether.He seems to be a well meaning honourable man doing his best for the greater good of the Hendon community,only to be ousted out by a crock of Soviet style control freaks, who are more than happy to slay someone who dares speak out against them.
In my opinion i think he should join Adrian Murray-Leonard who is ready for a big fight standing as a prospective UKIP canidate in Hendon,he will get my vote and many thousands more i am sure.
Shame on you Hillan !!!!!
Maybe the the time has come for Mark Shooter to get OUT altogether.He seems to be a well meaning honourable man doing his best for the greater good of the Hendon community,only to be ousted out by a crock of Soviet style control freaks, who are more than happy to slay someone who dares speak out against them.
In my opinion i think he should join Adrian Murray-Leonard who is ready for a big fight standing as a prospective UKIP canidate in Hendon,he will get my vote and many thousands more i am sure.
Shame on you Hillan !!!!!
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