Tuesday 4 September 2012

Councillor Dan Thomas dialog with the Barnet Eye - Judge for yourself

I am printing this without comment. I suggest you read it from the bottom up, to get the chronology.
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From: "Thomas, Daniel Cllr Conservative"
To: roger.tichborne@btinternet.com
Sent: Tuesday, 4 September 2012, 13:02
Subject: Re: A question?


Dear Mr Tichborne,

I'm not the one resorting to name calling. 'Immature' and 'pathetic'. I have not thrown my toys out of the pram, but it sounds like you have! I'm just ending my comments on the matter as the information you require is readily available and this is your reaction.

Now that you have lowered the tone with name calling I think the time has come to finally end this exchange and simply ignore and delete the next message which I doubt will be any more informative.

Kind regards,


Kind regards,

Cllr Daniel Thomas

Finchley Church End Ward

Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Resources and Performance

London Borough of Barnet


From: ROGER TICHBORNE
To: Thomas, Daniel Cllr Conservative
Sent: Tue Sep 04 12:42:13 2012
Subject: Re: A question?


Dear Councillor Thomas,

Please grow up. You are the Deputy leader of the Council. Throwing your toys  out of the pram when people question your behaviour is both immature and rather pathetic. There are no presumtions. The conclusions are based on your words and actions. You clearly have no sensible response to these observations. I had rather hoped for a slightly higher quality of response.

Regards

Roger Tichborne


From: "Thomas, Daniel Cllr Conservative"
To: roger.tichborne@btinternet.com
Sent: Tuesday, 4 September 2012, 12:35
Subject: Re: A question?


Dear Mr Tichborne,

I note you like to presume and assume and I shall let you continue to do so in peace.

Have a good day.



Kind regards,

Cllr Daniel Thomas

Finchley Church End Ward

Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Resources and Performance

London Borough of Barnet

From: ROGER TICHBORNE
To: Thomas, Daniel Cllr Conservative
Sent: Tue Sep 04 12:27:20 2012
Subject: Re: A question?

Dear Councillor Thomas,

Do you really think "I didn't like" your answers? That is a very odd thing to say, given that you didn't supply answers to the questions I asked, you merely replied, which is something completely different. I have no personal fellings at all with regards to your replies. Unfortunately, they were as expected.

As to your career plans. You stood for a constituency hundreds of miles away 2 years ago. Presumably you hoped to win. That shows no commitment to Barnet, whether you like it or not. What is there to presume, unless you are telling me that you were not serious in your commitment to the Welsh electorate?

The proposition you put is not an attractive one. What you are saying is that you used the election in 2010 as a chance to build your CV. I wonder how the "people you grew up with" would view that? If I was them, I'd feel rather let down.

Being a resident and taxpayer does not amount to having a long term commitment.

Regards
Roger Tichborne



From: "Thomas, Daniel Cllr Conservative" 
To: Roger Tichborne
Sent: Tuesday, 4 September 2012, 11:04
Subject: Re: A question?


Dear Mr Tichborne,

I did answer your questions but evidently you don't like the answers. The position of the parties you're interested in regarding One Barnet and outsourcing is clear.

You've made some crude assumptions about my connections and commitment to Barnet seemingly based on some experience I gained as a parliamentary candidate in the area I grew up.

I am also a resident and taxpayer in this borough and what I do in my capacity as a councillor is done with the intention of improving an already successful borough and not with my CV in mind.

Kind regards,

Kind regards,

Cllr Daniel Thomas

Finchley Church End Ward

Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Resources and Performance

London Borough of Barnet

From: Roger Tichborne
To: Thomas, Daniel Cllr Conservative
Sent: Tue Sep 04 09:19:42 2012
Subject: Re: A question?

Dear Councillor Thomas
I am rather insulted by your attitude to discussing important issues with the people who pay the bill in Barnet. You are not the only person with better things to do, I run my own business and usually work a fourteen hour day. I'd rather not have to write blogs or correspond with councillors at all. I trust you don't actually believe I enjoy all of this, do you?
You could have avoided all of this correspondence by simply answering a straightforward question. What disturbs me is the fact that you have misrepresented the position BAPS have taken. BAPS have not stated that the council should never speak to private companies. As the owner of a private company that supplies local authorities, I could not personally support that stance.  BAPS campaign is based on seeking a public sector comparator, to compare the costs of an in house solution. As a taxpayer, this would seem to me to be a sensible and pragmatic step. If this exercise proved that an outsourcing project could guarantee greater savings, then that would be the end of the matter.
I refer you to the case of Edinburgh Council, who were seeking to follow the model persued by Barnet, but found an in house solution would be cheaper, when they actually bothered looking.
I note that, unlike my family, you have no long term ties with the London Borough of Barnet and even sought to represent a constituency in Wales at the last election. Whilst myself and my family will be lumbered with the burden of this for years, all you will get is something on your political CV.
At the very least, given the huge allowance you get as deputy leader, for a part time job, I would expect you to be prepared to properly address the concerns of taxpayers.
Regards
Roger Tichborne
----- Original Message -----
From: Thomas, Daniel Cllr Conservative
To: Roger Tichborne
Sent: Monday, September 03, 2012 11:30 PM
Subject: Re: A question?


Dear Mr Tichborne,

Let me give you a simple example where public documents illustrate that BAPS and the Council disagree. The Council has publicly stated its intention to engage with a potential private sector partner. BAPS have publicly called on the Council not to do so. The Council continues to pursue outsourcing dialogues. Those facts illustrate that the administration and BAPS disagree.

Not considering issues and not agreeing on them are two different things.

I have no objection to anyone writing an anonymous blog.

I have a feeling based on past experience that this conversation could go on and on with you making all sorts of assumptions based on your interpretations of my responses, claiming you're baffled and confused when actually what I'm saying is quite clear. So I'll end my part of this dialogue now with the above example as my last attempt to explain how I believe it is easy to see that BAPS and the administration do not agree.

Kind regards,


Kind regards,

Cllr Daniel Thomas

Finchley Church End Ward

Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Resources and Performance

London Borough of Barnet

From: Roger Tichborne
To: Thomas, Daniel Cllr Conservative
Sent: Mon Sep 03 15:04:41 2012
Subject: Re: A question?

Dear Councillor Thomas
You state that the reason the council and BAPS disagree is well documented. I have read every document in the public domain on One Barnet (and many not in the public domain). There is not a single sentence anywhere which states that the Council disagrees with BAPS. As to the council rejecting the points made in the letter,  this is not documented anywhere, given that the BAPS letter was only issued today. In fact, your own leader stated that the council would be mad not to consider the views of APSE (who BAPS endorse).
I am a little puzzled by your disparaging comments regarding "anonymous blogs". I take it that you are aware that members of your administration have sought endorsement in the past from some such well known blogs (guido fawkes, etc). Whilst I may not personally agree with the sentiments in such blogs, I see them as a vital part of the democratic process and essential to free speech. I had understood that this was also the views of the Conservative party.

I trust that the deputy leader of Barnet Council is keen to see people express political views and participate in the political process. As such, I am rather baffled by your comments. It is worth noting that all blogs which support the BAPS letter, are not anonymous and the authors identities are well known to the council. I personally have no problem commenting on any statement, issued anonymously or not, if it merits comment. I am surprised that in a country with a history of upholding freedom of expression, any reticence is expressed by you.
Regards
Rog T
----- Original Message -----
To: Roger Tichborne
Sent: Monday, September 03, 2012 2:30 PM
Subject: Re: A question?


Dear Mr Tichborne,

I will comment briefly on BAPS as they are clearly a group representing some residents and staff and are not an anonymous blog.

Why BAPS and the Council disagree is well documented if you read the vast amount of public information on One Barnet produced by the Council, BAPS, the unions etc. Indeed, the points BAPS make are predictable as would be my response as a supporter of working with the private sector.

This administration does make 'political defences' of One Barnet in places such as the town hall, our own literature and in the press. Just because someone has taken it upon themselves to conduct an anonymous blog it does not mean that they speak for this administration or that the administration does not promote its work elsewhere.

I find nothing strange nor puzzling with the above stance.

Kind regards

Kind regards,

Cllr Daniel Thomas

Finchley Church End Ward

Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Resources and Performance

London Borough of Barnet

From: Roger Tichborne
To: Thomas, Daniel Cllr Conservative
Sent: Mon Sep 03 13:56:30 2012
Subject: Re: A question?

Dear Councillor Thomas,
With all due respect, surely if you, as deputy leader of Barnet Council disagrees with what BAPS have to say, then surely you should be able to explain why. What rather puzzles me is that you will comment (albiet with no detail at all) on a letter from BAPS, but you won't comment on something which seems to me to reflect your own opinions.
It strikes me as rather strange that the only politically based defence of what is going on in Barnet is on a blog which seems to have an anonymous writer. Surely if the One Barnet business case was sound, you would at least be prepared to issue your own statement which dismisses the case put by BAPS.
With every day that passes, I less understand the way that this administration deals with the public and the media. Is it really that hard just to give a straight answer.
Regards
Roger Tichborne
----- Original Message -----
To: Roger Tichborne
Sent: Monday, September 03, 2012 1:49 PM
Subject: Re: A question?


Dear Mr Tichborne,

The administration disagrees with what BAPS is calling for - its as simple as that.

I will not be brought into a irrelevant discussion about the views expressed on a blog.

I have nothing more to say on this matter.

Kind regards,

Kind regards,

Cllr Daniel Thomas

Finchley Church End Ward

Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Resources and Performance

London Borough of Barnet

From: Roger Tichborne
To: Thomas, Daniel Cllr Conservative
Sent: Mon Sep 03 13:25:12 2012
Subject: Re: A question?

Dear Councillor Thomas,
With all due respect, you didn't answer the question. Would you agree with the sentiments found in the statement below?
If you don't agree with what BAPS have to say, please can you clarify any divergence of opinion from the statements on this website. I am not trying to do anything other than understand the stance of the council on the issue.
If you disagree with both BAPS and the sentiments on the website, I'd be interested to know exactly what you do think.
regards
Roger Tichborne
----- Original Message -----
To: Roger Tichborne
Sent: Monday, September 03, 2012 11:57 AM
Subject: Re: A question?


Dear Mr Tichborne,

Thank you for your message.

No such website speaks for the administration of LBB.

The administration does not agree with the Barnet Alliance for Public Services. The outsourcing dialogues are being wound up and elected members will make a decision in due course after seeing all the facts and the proposals in full.

Kind regards,
Kind regards,

Cllr Daniel Thomas

Finchley Church End Ward

Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Resources and Performance

London Borough of Barnet

From: Roger Tichborne
To: Thomas, Daniel Cllr Conservative
Sent: Mon Sep 03 11:35:14 2012
Subject: A question?

Dear Cllr Thomas,
Hope you had a nice weekend. Please can you tell me if this post on a website believed to be close to the leadership of the Barnet Conservatives reflects the views of the administration with regards to the letter this morning from the Barnet Alliance for Public Services?
If it does not, please could you lay out the views of the adminstration.
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Open Letter to Barnet Alliance for Public Services

Dear Barnet Alliance for Public Services,

In response to your letter to all Barnet Councillors. It may have escaped your notice, but Barnet Council has major funding issues at present. The government has cut grants and we are committed to keeping council tax as low as possible. We believe this to be the best way to help hard pressed household budgets.

Whilst public service trades unions cleary have a vested interest in achieving the best possible deal from the Barnet taxpayer, it is the responsibility of the council to get the best possible deal for everybody. By making efficiencies, more services can be provided. When services are provided by the private sector, quality of service guarantees can be built in. These guarantee improvements to the quality of services provided and ensure that services improve.

Trades unions in Barnet have singularly failed to acknowledge the level of planning and due diligence which has been spent making sure One Barnet delivers the best possible deal for the Barnet taxpayer. Much has been made, by trades union sympathisers, of the risks associated with outsourcing. They have said nothing of the risks of not making efficiencies and the resulting service cuts. In short, if the council simply adopted the no cuts ever mantra that Barnet trades unions have publicly promoted, then the council would run out of money and be able to provide no services at all.

Whilst some staff may lose their jobs or work for different employers, it is vital that the people who need services from the council continue to receive them. They don't care whether the person who delivers that service is a council employee or works for the private sector. We call on the Barnet Alliance for Public Services to acknowledge the reality of the economic situation and to stop burying their heads in the sand.

The Barnet Alliance for Public Services has failed to produce a single shred of evidence that it has any solutions to the funding crisis facing Barnet Council. Until such time as they can propose a credible alternative, they should stop bothering the hard working councillors of Barnet council with silly emails. 

Yours Sincerely

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Thanks as ever
Rog T

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