But Pickles has been around local government for many, many years so surely he was aware of this culture of financial licentiousness? If he was unaware it reflects poorly upon his Department that it has taken the Conservative Party's in-house newspaper to educate him into these extraordinary charges.
This leads us on to his friendship with Cllr Merrick Cockell. Cockell, purportedly, boasts that he advises Eric so it's a surprise that despite the frequent national press comment about Cockell's expenses no serious heart to heart has taken place.
These are the topics close to Eric's heart:
* Reserves.. Eric wants council's to use reserves to preserve frontline services. RBKC refuses.
* Chief Executive Salaries..Eric wants to see a 10% cut. RBKC refuses; Myers is on nearly £280k pa
* Leaders and member's allowances.. RBKC has nearly the highest in the land
* 'Double jobbing"...Eric call for an end. Cockell and his former deputy, Moylan were skilled at this garnering, at one time, plus of £120/30k pa each. Cockell even triple jobbed 'on the tax'!
So Mr Pickles rather than protesting shock/horror why not take your close adviser, Cllr Cockell aside for a discreet chat
I had no idea how much they received I thought it was just a modest allowance to cover costs etc. It's outrageous.
ReplyDeleteChelsea Voter, if you look on the Council website you will see who gets the cash. Backbenchers get cc£10,000, and minority spokespersons for example get £5,000 extra.
ReplyDeleteIt's the top Tory Cabinet Members who are raking it in.
Cllr Ritchie (£53k Cabinet member) needs to have the spotlight shone at her. She is also picking up another £60k in the House of Lords.
ReplyDeleteTime for the girl to move on
I heard Ritchie wants to move on, but they won't let her. They have had a bit of trouble finding half decent candidates - as we can see from the by-elections. If they could find anyone, they would let the lesser-spotted Lamont go too.
ReplyDeleteThe more bad press comes out of the Town Hall (Daily Telegraph and Private Eye in one week!) the worse this problem will get.
In an obsequious style so familiar in RBKC; ground down residents render their most grovelling thanks to Dame Hornet for shedding her light into various shady corners - many of which are murky beyond belief. May Her Highness of the Insect Firmament: "Live Long and Prosper."
ReplyDelete