"Funnily enough I spoke to my gay neighbour about the piece…. his
reaction!
“What on earth has this got to do with Council taxpayers” ....but then he originates from Yorkshire-a notoriously parsimonious county…..(if that does not show geographical prejudice)
“What on earth has this got to do with Council taxpayers” ....but then he originates from Yorkshire-a notoriously parsimonious county…..(if that does not show geographical prejudice)
Todd, you are a highly regarded and intelligent councillor. Your Group is vociferous in complaining about
cutbacks in key services, yet you see no incongruity in the Council spending
money on a Festival that has no relevance to the everyday lives of ordinary
taxpayers-most of who are not highly remunerated City lawyers, but struggling
to pay their Council tax.
This Borough is home to every race under the sun. Are you suggesting
that taxpayers meet the cultural needs of every nationality residing in
the Borough?
The LGBT aspect is relevant because it is particularly irrelevant.
Dealing with homophobia in Middle Eastern countries is unlikely to
be assisted by sponsoring an expensive
event in Leighton House......
......to suggest the Dame is homophobic is pure nonsense."
A Perplexed RBK&C Taxpayer writes....
Rotten Borough Deputy Leader, Cllr Nicholas Paget-Brown, trumpets that "Leighton House is an international symbol of cross cultural dialogue".What on earth is the fellow blathering on about?
Nick is a jolly nice chap and means well, but he damages his possibilities to replace Pooter Cockell by wasting thousands of pounds of hard pressed taxpayer's money on the“NOUR Festival of Gay and Lesbian Issues in Arabic Countries”
This
waste of money and resources has little to do with the supply of
mundane, but necessary services-such as clearing dustbins and
sweeping the streets. At a time when childrens' services are under threat this sort of dilettantish spending is insulting.
 |
| MONEY DOWN THE DRAIN |
It
drives residents mad when they see time and money wasted on
activities well outside the remit of any council and the preserve of
organisations like the UN.
As
a Council we face tough choices. Front-line budgets are being slashed
and service standards declining. Staff should not be wasting time and
money on discussions about gay and lesbian issues in the Middle East.
This is a breathtaking departure from the basic responsibilities of Local Government and rivals the most extreme idiocies of Looney Left Councils in the '80's who dished out grants ad nauseum to the most bizarre of causes.
It
is a lesson of life that idle hands make mischief and the Royal
Borough of Kensington and Chelsea is no exception. The bloated
bureaucracy of RBK&C feels it needs something to keep busy....it
should busy itself by slimming down.
The Council says that "Arabic is now the second language of Kensington and Chelsea". This is in itself a terrifying statistic. And these guys hate gays and when they get angry they become unhinged. Remember Rushdie? Remember the American video that said bad things about the prophet? It is to be hoped that Nick Paget-Brown has put in extra security at Leighton House where he has mounted his gay and lesbian festival for the Arab gays because the expensively refurbished museum could become unfurbished very quickly
ReplyDeleteIf half the population of Kensington and Chelsea is Arabic, and if they hate gays, what on earth is the Council doing using their Council tax to pay for pro gay festivals for Arabia? We know that many of our Councillors, and particularly the Cabinet, are pig ignorant. But this sounds like an attempt to ferment unrest in the Royal Borough
DeleteThis takes the biscuit. It really does
ReplyDeleteA good idea this gay festival as the Muslim fanatics will leave the UK becuase it is "full of poofs" and the moderate "educated" muslims will be understanding.
ReplyDeleteCome on Nick....what the hell is going on?
ReplyDeleteIt is very worrying how fast all these stories are flowing about the abuse of Council Tax. First it was £30 million to import pink granite from China to tart up Exhibition Road, then 1,450 designer chairs at £400 each for the students at the new Holland Park School and now a gay and lesbian festival for Arabs abroad. I wonder how many residents know what their hard earned Council Tax is being used for?
ReplyDeleteI am afraid it is better they don't know. It could damage their health.
DeleteThis is more evidence that Cllr Cockell is suffocating and gasping for the air of publicity and attention. Weeks ago the Council put out a video and a press release "Take a Tour of the newly completed Holland Park school building". Local residents are amazed to see that there is no such thing. Still a building site, full of mud, hoardings, builders and boxes. Not a sign of children who have been sent home on an extended half term. What on earth do the parents think? Why all the publicity to puff up Pooter's ego?
ReplyDeleteThe bird brain Cllr Elizabeth Campbell even made her own press release stating that "this is the best school in the whole of Western Europe". As usual the cow was yapping for her supper.
DeleteSchool buildings used to be about education. They came along quietly and filled up with students. All the videos and press releases are just ego tripping by the Leader
ReplyDeleteIt is time for Leighton House to be gifted to the National Trust. The K&C Council has no business running a Museum. They should concentrate on doing what they are supposed to do which is clearing the dustbins
ReplyDeleteTotally agree. The Council should be doing what the Council should be doing. It is not a branch of the Arts Council.
DeleteIt used to be fashionable for looney left Councils to make grants to gay and lesbian organisations until there was a media outcry and voters said "enough is enough". None of these councils went so far as to use British tax payers money to support foreign gay causes. But Kensington and Chelsea Council is in a class of its own. The Hornton Street woofters are off the wall
ReplyDeleteIt is hard to believe that a Conservative council has been able to stray so far from Conservative principles of good housekeeping
ReplyDeleteI must say that I am quite disappointed in this story, which strikes me as homophobic. The Nour Festival of the Arts celebrates literature, music, visual arts, fashion, dance and cuisine, and includes exhibitions, films, musical events, debates and events for young people. Why is Dame Hornet singling out one event that focuses on LGBT culture and is part of a larger festival? It strikes me that an event around LGBT culture in the Middle East could be step against homophobia in that region (not to mention homophobia in the Royal Borough, which appears to be alive and well based on this story). The exhibition sounds quite interesting to me, I will be sure to go along and support it. I also fully support a festival in the Royal Borough that focuses on Middle Eastern culture. Not only is the Royal Borough home to many people originally from the Middle East, other local residents (myself included) would like to learn more about the region and its culture.
ReplyDeleteI think that it is quite right that the Council take a role in promoting the arts locally. The arts are frequently the target of budget cuts. I totally agree that at times the Council has misplaced spending priorities, and I am well aware of spending cuts that are targeting front-line services and should be resisted. However, that does not mean that all Council funding for the arts should cease. Spending for the arts can also bring an economic benefit to the Royal Borough by increasing tourism.
Well done to the Council for supporting the Nour Festival of Arts.
Cllr Todd Foreman
Todd, it is a great idea for you to get up to speed on Arabic gay and lesbian issues but please, not on the Council Tax. There are more opportunities in London than anywhere else in the world for you to do some learning from places and institutions (and your residents of course) without having to encourage the bloated Hornton Street organisation to be even more bloated. Horses for courses......
DeleteDisappointing to see Cllr Foreman drop a ball on this one. He is one of the better councillors
DeleteIf there is one place in the world where Councils have no need to spend Council Tax on the arts, it is London. Central London is a hive of the arts, every possible thing that any person could ever want. Produced and delivered by the most diverse and creative arts community in the world. There is absolutely no justification to duplicate this in local councils and to waste council tax. Kensington and Chelsea has a long history of wanting to "do its own arts thing". This is totally self indulgent. For example the council spends £1 million every year on Holland Park Opera (the only civic opera in the land) when there are two world class operas (The Royal Opera and The English National Opera) within a ten minute bus ride and both offer tickets at cheaper seat prices. Time for some common sense to reign in Hornton Street
DeleteI live in K and C and happen to be gay. Why on earth is the council spending my council tax on the NOUR Festival of Gay and Lesbian Issues in Arabic Countries? This sort of project should be funded by central government if it was actually deemed necessary in the first place! Only a single issue extremist with a chip on his or her shoulder would suggest the Dame is homophobic! I've never heard such a ridiculous suggestion. Keep up the good work.
ReplyDeleteDitch Cllr Foreman of the Labour party then
DeleteK&C cannot afford to lose Cllr Todd Foreman. But he needs a little corrective training
DeleteThank you 20:46 I am gay too and I am looking for a job. I find it a real struggle paying my council tax and when I read my cllrs supporting something which has nithing to do with this country I think I live in a mental asylum
ReplyDeleteNo you don't live in an asylum. Just a very badly run local authority with no management and an absent leadership.
DeleteCome along now 20.55, or should I say Cllr Palmer? You are not gay and you are unemployable. And 'nithing' you say can change that.
DeleteI completely disagree with Cllr Foreman; I believe that Councils should focus on providing cost effective & efficient core services and not get involve in matters which they do not have any expertise in or matters which do not directly concern them. In the case of RBK&C in recent months the Council was responsible for the ill-fated Exhibition Road Show which has cost the tax payer something between £500,000 to a £1,000.000; a complete failure. Clearly, this council has not learnt and until there is a change in leader I do not expect any improvement in the foreseeable future.
ReplyDeleteMore fun to go in for these events even if it means cutting front line services to pay for it.
DeleteHammersmith Councillors are flabbergasted by this diversion of council tax resources in K&C
ReplyDeleteI wonder what our Westminster colleagues think?
DeleteWhere does basement Read stand on this issue? Now that would be interesting to know
ReplyDeleteSome wise words from James I of Scotland to his son, Crown Prince Henry, who was being prepared for the English Throne.
ReplyDelete"By your behaviour in your own perform, and with your servants,to teach your people by your example: for people are naturally inclined to counterfeit - like Apes - their Princes manners, according to the notable saying of Plato"
What wise words. Cllr Cockell entertains friends to expensive meals in New York on the tax payer and Mayor Buckmaster apes and entertains 104 "friends and family" to his Mayors Party at the Town Hall on the tax payer. Cockell splurges council tax on the Holland Park School and Cllr Paget-Brown apes and has his own little splurge on gay and lesbian rights in Arabia, on the tax payer.
Actually most were friends of his Mayoress.
DeleteFreedom Of Information never lies. So stop disseminating
DeleteFly Swatter, far be it from me to be critical, but at school English was clearly not your strong subject.
DeleteAnd who signed off the guest list? Paid for by public money? What are the checks and balances on council tax spending?
DeleteTown Hall entertaining, paid for by the tax payer, is a "perk of Office" in K&C. A perk that is used excessively by Cllr Cockell and his poodle pack
DeleteStop taking the Michael, 9.35. "It was not me it was the Mayoress" is a squalid little wriggle. Just like Cllr Cockell who told a resident that "Chelsea Care was not me it was a Cabinet decision"
DeleteBULLSH1T
DeleteI agree....Cockell and co are just full of it. We all want him to go
DeleteIf only that was the real Palmer having achieved salvation.
DeleteThis gets worse and worse. Now we have a Mayor AND a Mayoress. Then there is the Deputy Mayor and presumably a Deputy Mayoress. And the Bentley and the Jaguar. And two drivers with personalised number plates. And the Mayors Parlour. And robes and robing rooms. Secretaries, staff, dressers and flunkies. And of course the "official Vicar". Plus all the expenses and entertaining. Do we really need all of this pomp in 2012? Is it appropriate" Can we afford it in the midst of a huge recession? Will someone, somewhere please wake up?
ReplyDeleteDump this lot and the Holland Park Opera and that is a saving of £2 million every year. At the stroke of a pen.
DeleteWhat twaddle. In Kensington and Chelsea we uphold the grand traditions of Downton Abbey. And long may it continue
DeleteWell said, Sir
DeleteI wonder if the Early has heard of the NOUR gay and lesbian festival?
DeleteOf course not, you jackass. But he knows all about being kissed by Eton boys and it does not freak him out
DeleteDownton Abbey is required watching for the very social climbing middle class members of Pooter's clique.
DeleteIt really is a terrible load of old rubbish...
K&C uphold the traditions of a cliquey, suburban middle class bunch of nobodies.
Pooter is the acme of that. Jumped up little cigarette salesman!
No is the answer, of course we can't afford it.
DeleteThe Arts and Crafts Department in Hornton Street should be closed down. And Linley Sambourne House and Leighton House gifted to the National Trust. That would save another £1.5 million per year of Council Tax.
ReplyDeletePeanuts. What is required is a change of Leadership and culture that permits £30 million to be spent importing pink granite from China to tart up Exhibition Road and the spending of £100 million to rebuild a perfectly good school when the Government's benchmark cost is £25 million to build a new school. And a Cabinet Member (Cllr Elizabeth Campbell) who says "I spent £100 million but it cost nothing". Glad I am not married to her!
DeleteThe sooner Sir Merrick goes the better for all.
ReplyDeleteI have long held the view that Sir Merrick is to the Tory party what Derek Hatton was to the Labour. Now that is a compliment!
ReplyDeleteWhere did the Dame get the quote "NOUR Festival of Gay and Lesbian Issues in Arabic Countries"? It certainly makes for a provocative story and judging by the number of posts that make reference to the said "gay festival" it did the trick. However it surprises me that so many are quick to pass judgment based on the what they read here. Why not visit www.nourfestival.co.uk and see for yourself. I congratulate the council on this cultural festival which is diverse, enlighteing and relevant. Shame on this Dame person, shame on you.
ReplyDeleteThe Council has no business to be spending tax payers money on cultural festivals in central London. Other organisations do it better and it is their business. And it is bizarre that K&C council tax is used up for festivals about foreign matters. Clear the dusbins and clean the streets and stop at that. Some of you guys don't see the wood for the trees
DeleteDoubtless you are involved in this waste of taxpayers' money. No one disputes the value of the Festival....just the decision to make us fed up taxpayers foot the bill!
DeleteNot involved but I am a gay man who is thankful to live in a country where I am free to be who I am. Unfortunately understanding, tolerance and acceptance don't come easily, it has to happen at all levels of society, schools, councils, hospitals, community groups...everywhere. Responsible councils who recognise this should be congratulated. I'm happy to pay more tax and live in an informed, tolerant society.
DeleteIf the market wants this type of festival, the market will find the way to pay for it. Local Government officers and Councillors are not employed to "pick winners" using tax payers money. Only people with skin in the game (ie their money) should be picking winners
ReplyDeleteFor every man or women who thinks it a good idea for hard pressed taxpayers to underwrite this sort of thing there will be another who thinks it a waste of money and not the business of a council.
ReplyDeleteClearly, you are a friend of a sponsoring councillor who is gay and believes in it. Gay taxpayer friends of mine don't
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