Thursday, 2 July 2015

ONE RULE FOR OMAN'S MAN.....

Every year we taxpayers allow councillors to spend thousands of pounds entertaining the Borough's diplomatic corps. It's a real opportunity for a lot of nonentities to feel they are playing on the world stage. The problem is this.....
Whereas the first ranking embassies are based in Belgravia K&C tends to host the more-how can one politely put this-well, the one's not taken very seriously, or seriously corrupt. 
Obviously, at this year's reception the Omani ambassador managed to have a private word about his requirements. 
Or that would seem the case having READ this very strange tale in the Standard.
Time the Council stopped this nonsense and left entertaining diplomats to the FO.

13 comments:

  1. sarah tuvey3 July 2015 at 00:22

    Westwsy trust new HQ

    ReplyDelete
  2. Fly Swatter3 July 2015 at 09:57

    Not surprising at all. What could we expect when Mr Bore was Director of Planning and Paul Warrick was Chairman of the Planning Committee. The developers dream team and the Arabs ecstasy. Our Borough is being destroyed by those who are elected to preserve and enhance it. Cllr Dent Coade was also a member of the Planning Committee that approved this abomination. How could she possibly go along with the travesty?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. OWL3 July 2015 at 10:02

      Bore's last day at work was 30th June. From 1st July Mr Stallwood takes over as Director of Planning. The Jury is still out on this new appointment. Early signs are not good. He is being dismissive of residents who he privately considers "to be a pain", he is contemptuous about the Kensington Society, and his department is still sending out pro forma letters signed by "Mr Bore, Director of Planning".

      Bad politics and lax administration by the new Director. He needs to sharpen up. Plenty.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous3 July 2015 at 11:01

      The front line attitude of the Planning Department towards residents is dreadful. Just try to telephone a Case Officer about the development next door. You will be belittled from the word go.

      First of all, the telephone numbers of the Case Officers are "confidential". The Planning switchboard will ask "who are you" (aggressive tone), "what is the number of the application", "who are you", "who do you want to speak to".

      Ask for Kevin Brown and there is a supercilious response of "I will put you through to MR Brown". In nine out of ten cases Mr Brown does not answer. Leave a number and request a call back and it never comes.

      This is trickle down leadership at its worse. Bore (and now Stallwood?) have let it be known to their staff that residents are "filth".

      This needs to change. Stallwood should spend some time with the Resident Parking reception team on the ground floor of Hornton Street and learn how residents should be treated.

      Delete
    3. Retired Chief Executive3 July 2015 at 11:18

      The above comment captures exactly the experience that I had when I called the Planning Department about a neighbours planning application. When I finally got through to "Mr Brown" he sounded to me as though he was barely out of school.

      When I was in the Service Industry we trained our front line staff to be polite and respectful with customers. To give them a feeling of importance, to be accessible and always return phone calls. This is good practice.

      Delete
    4. SadBadger3 July 2015 at 12:16

      RBKC does NOT consider itself as a 'service industry'...they are an industry unto itself....'customers' are generally treated with abject ignorance and arrogance, as an irritant, rather then contributors towards their pay..

      Delete
    5. Cllr EDC6 July 2015 at 18:33

      Fly Swatter - I argued, and voted, against.

      Delete
    6. Fly Swatter7 July 2015 at 19:53

      Thank you EDC. When I attend Planning Committees you are usually the lone voice of sense arguing against the Tory position which is decided before the meeting and they almost always vote like sheep.

      Delete
  3. SadBadger3 July 2015 at 10:11

    And FCO has funds a plenty to host these events....

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous3 July 2015 at 11:24

      More profligacy with Council Tax by the Royal Borough. Another hang over from the Cockell days. Paget-Brown is taking too long to clean up his act. This kind of profligate spending is low hanging fruit. Just can it.

      The cost of a reception like this could provide care funding for two people for a whole year. The benefit of such a reception is limited to puffed up and self important feelings by a bunch of third rate public servants

      Delete
  4. Anonymous3 July 2015 at 11:30

    Why on earth is Council tax raised to clear the dustbins and sweep the streets being used to buy drinks for local diplomats? This is nothing to do with Local Government!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. SadBadger3 July 2015 at 12:21

      Right on! RBKC only tries to ingratiate themselves with diplomats living/working in RBKC. These events are regarded as boring events, at which they always meet each other... At time 2/3 time on the same evening. And I speak from personal experience. I always tried to avoid these 'get to know you' drikies parties....

      Delete
  5. SadBadger3 July 2015 at 12:36

    oh, the proof of the success or not of these 'parties' is how many are invited and how many bother to turn up....

    ReplyDelete

Comments are your responsibility. Anyone posting inappropriate comments shall have their comment removed and will be banned from posting in future. Your IP address may also be recorded and reported. Persistent abuse shall mean comments will be severely restricted in future.