6:37pm Thu 21 Jan 10
The following is an excerpt of an email exchange between DASS Senior Officers regarding the overcharging. This transcript is freely available on the internet - The full version can be found at http://blowingthewhistleonareallyrottenborou.blogspot.com/search/label/%22Employee%20A%22 - Approximately 1/4 of the way down the page.
Once we go for a ‘reimbursement’ the cover’s blown. However we can’t bury our head in the sand for too much longer as the charging review group will start soon (it could be better to leave it to that group to consider?) In the meantime there is ‘unfairness’ in the system hence my advice to Xxxxx to consider the broader issues in AMT.
By the book:- there is no separate charging policy for this service, so it could be argued the domiciliary care charging policy must apply (and should have since ‘97), and that will mean a hefty reimbursement.
I would suggest we go to the Cabinet in the political down time (May-June) to get agreement for a ‘special charging policy’ for supported living as part of the budget strategy.... and that this policy maintains the status quo in financial terms but does so more fairly. I would also suggest the impact on individuals and groups in certain living situations are considered in more depth as I was left thinking the charging practice was very diverse and almost locally determined by individual staff (although I could be wrong there).
Wirral Integrity, Wirral says...
6:47pm Thu 21 Jan 10
To clear up any doubt, the above email exchange demonstrates irrefutably, that DASS senior officers were aware of the overcharging and yet sought to cover it up. They were suspended for 9 months on full pay (which for an Assistant Director equates to approx. £75,000) and subsequently reinstated. Disgusting. Furthermore, because DASS do not have the financial resources to meet the reimbursement, the money will have to come out of other department budgets. In a time were we are facing cuts in front-line services and redundancies, perhaps the two DASS Senior Officers should be the first to go. Thier combined salaries will certainly meet the reimbursement shortfall.
Spiffy, Wallasey says...
6:51pm Thu 21 Jan 10
I wonder how much council tax we will all have to pay this year.
piggymalone, wirral says...
7:03pm Thu 21 Jan 10
Spiff...you can bet your bottom dollar it will be the capped maximum, think thats 5% increase
Spiffy, Wallasey says...
7:11pm Thu 21 Jan 10
Mmhmm.*nods*
PaulCa, Wallasey says...
7:13pm Thu 21 Jan 10
Excellent work, Wirral Integrity. That is just astounding. I'll check out that website link straight away. There will be a strong desire by Wirral council tax payers to see this sort of evidence laid out before them - just to satisfy any lingering doubts they have still had over the people they once placed their trust in.
MX, Wirral says...
7:55pm Thu 21 Jan 10
This gets worse or better (depending on your viewpoint).
But the above info isn't on some obscure website.It's on the Wirral Council's own website in a report written by Mr.Moreton!....and if you read on it gets worse.
MX, Wirral says...
8:03pm Thu 21 Jan 10
By the way I forgot to say Mr or Ms Integrity .Are you really telling me that those who perpertrated this are on £75K ? and they're not even the head honchoes?.Say it isn't so!.So Mr.Moreton is worth what?, 7-8 months of their salary and they carry on completely unaffected having spent what 9 months on full pay watching The Jeremy Kyle Show,Loose Women and Deal or No Deal ?.Somebody wake me up and tell me this is a bad dream.
Spiffy, Wallasey says...
8:06pm Thu 21 Jan 10
MX wrote:I am heartened in this era of cynicism and political apathy that people are engaged in a righteous cause and are making alliances based not on political affiliations or self -interest but for justice,the common good and the protection of disabled people.Keep on making those connections.
MX I think you would probably find that most people do not suffer from political Apathy at all but from political Conditioning. Acceptance of it is variable....The last decade alone has seen so much legislation passed controlling the population that complaining about Anything regarding authority has become a stressful, exhausting, long-drawn out process that can and does destroy people's lives. In most cases it also appears to achieve very little as those in authority consider themselves untouchable and answerable to no-one....It can put off the strongest amongst us but it is the always the sick, the weak, the vulnerable that are the least well-equipped to enter into these processes and the authorities know it. It is much more than abusive but there is not a word I can think of that is strong enough to describe it right this minute though...."Complaints Procedure" - and "Whistleblowing" as we have seen - in this authority is now a contradiction in terms and this insidious creeping destructive culture has got to to change regardless of party politics. Some things are just plain unacceptable from anybody.
Wirral Integrity, Wirral says...
8:15pm Thu 21 Jan 10MX - I believe that £75K represents the pro-rata of their 9 month suspension. The mind boggles. I believe that Director salary falls between £118K and £128K whilst our friend Maddox gets paid £132K for attending lunches.....
MX, Wirral says...
8:26pm Thu 21 Jan 10
Can't argue with that.....
Merseymouth, Wallasey says...
8:34pm Thu 21 Jan 10
Oi you lot, learn to recognise sarcasm when it is written.I still don't blame the editor though, he has masters and has to obey as well.
Spiffy, Wallasey says...
8:46pm Thu 21 Jan 10
I thought of a word strong enough..."Sadistic". Is that libellous ? Nah....security word: keep-word. Greetings Big Brother....
standards, says...
9:25pm Thu 21 Jan 10
Who authorised the £45,000 of council tax money for Martin to leave and keep quiet? Are they still in post?
MX, Wirral says...
9:33pm Thu 21 Jan 10
A message to Merseymouth (MM - it couldn't be could it?)- " Sarcasm: the last refuge of modest and chaste-souled people when the privacy of their soul is coarsely and intrusively invaded".No that wasn't a Wirral Council spokesperson it was my old friend Fyodor Dostoeyevsky.I believe he wrote a book called Crime & Punishment!
lordthomas, birkenhead says...
9:41pm Thu 21 Jan 10
I said a guy called bill, would be reading this, no doubt this is the reason for items to be removed.ho ho security codeNICE-FEAR
piggymalone, wirral says...
10:44pm Thu 21 Jan 10
MX....MM, just a co-incidence, I know both.
Anyone got decent contacts with the national press?
Anyone know why the PM service is not working. Can MI5 hack into PM`s
Veridici, Wirral says...
10:51pm Thu 21 Jan 10
Standards, yes, the individuals who authorised the £45K payment are all still in their very, very senior posts.
piggymalone, wirral says...
12:16am Fri 22 Jan 10
Already this thread has turned into one of the most fascinating, informative debates ever on this site, certainly as long as I have been contributing. Equally the SAR debacle evoked anger from the residents of Wirral and even some ex pats. People power won the SAR battle and now I would urge everyone to join this battle which if won could end up winning the war. Yes, I use the words battle and war because it is probably the only way we can get justice and get rid of the R-soles dictating our lives
hugo2008, Wirral says...
11:40am Fri 22 Jan 10
Hey folks, I would like to comment on the fact that thanks to Leigh Marles, we have all been able to make comment on this terrible blight to the integrity of Wirral people. This is not just a scandal for Wirral Council and a number of the high ups within the DASS organisation, but its a National Disgrace in the abuse of power and authority that some individuals are able to carry out with what seems like impunity.
We need a completely different system of how Local Government is formed, controlled, and managed, and above all staffed, certainly at high level. Elections are looming soon, please make your vote count whatever your Political Belief on both a National level and I believe more importantly on a local level.
If you believe that your present Local representative, has not in fact carried out your wishes, then do not vote for them, if you think they are acting under Party Political pressure, then do not vote for that party.
Clear out the deadwood and parasites, we don't get many chances, use this one.
Spiffy, Wallasey says...
3:10pm Fri 22 Jan 10
At this morning’s executive board the ruling Liberal Democrat group announced they would make significant savings from areas like performance related pay for officers and cutting “bureaucracy”."
...
No excuse for Wirral Council NOT to follow suit. A couple of sackings for gross misconduct would save tens of thousands too
....
Just a thought :)
PaulCa, Wallasey says...
6:31pm Fri 22 Jan 10
The thing that angers me more than anything is the way the guilty senior officers - the people who clearly broke the law - have treated vulnerable people with contempt. They have picked their pockets in the first place, making them even more vulnerable, been found out and then attempted to cover it all up. The crime was compounded when they took to victimising Martin Morton who was brave enough to tell the Wirral Globe. It's also the severe breach of trust that they've committed on Wirral residents. We placed our faith in these senior officers to do a good, honest job, whilst spending our money wisely. I feel like I've been burgled, but the difference is a burglar enters our home and leaves with the spoils, without ever pretending that he's trustworthy. There is usually an honour amongst thieves, but there's no honour here, absolutely none. Just greed, lies, bullying and cowardice.
MX, Wirral says...
7:00pm Fri 22 Jan 10
Cowardice is right Paul.How easy to pick on a lone member of staff and it seems it involved most if not all of Adult Social Services senior management were involved.Then to compound the matter Councillors go and join in to the extent of exonerating one Social Services Manager and asking Bill Norman to send a letter to another one.Telling them what exactly? : "Congratulations on the cover-up but be careful with those emails".Councillors Davies,Teggin and Clarke have a lot to answer for.
As Paul said :cowardice.
Veridici, Wirral says...
7:58pm Fri 22 Jan 10
As I understand it the report by the 'independent investigator' did not clear Noone or Fowler
....
If the information I received is correct the recommendation was that they be dismissed
....
Cllrs Davies,Teggin and Clarke must explain how they turned that recommendation on its head.
Wirral Integrity, Wirral says...
9:51pm Fri 22 Jan 10
Veridici wrote:As I understand it the report by the 'independent investigator' did not clear Noone or Fowler. ... If the information I received is correct the recommendation was that they be dismissed. ... Cllrs Davies,Teggin and Clarke must explain how they turned that recommendation on its head.
Utterly, utterly disgusting. The more this sorry saga unfolds, the more appalled I am at the behaviour of those charged with the welfare of the Boroughs most vulnerable people. The fact that these two individuals could enjoy a 9 month suspension on full pay (on AD salary, this would be approximately £75,000 - An AD ANNUAL salary is approx. £100,000) and then return to their post as if nothing happened, is one of the most shocking travesties, I have ever heard. Now, because DASS deliberately underestimated their liability in respect of the overcharging, the reimbursement must be funded from other Council Departments. If the Elected members and Chief Executive had one single solitary ounce of moral fiber, they would delete these two miscreants posts and use the savings to cover the reimbursement. God knows, DASS seem to have enough Assistant Directors to spare. Instead, low-level workers who have no idea of what has been happening in DASS and who do a good job on behalf of Wirral residents will be given their P45's, just to keep these two morally bankrupt, diseased, creatures on their six-figure salaries.I hope you two are reading this and I hope that your actions come back to haunt you in the darkest hour of the night.
Rest assured, we are NOT going to forget this, this is NOT going to go away. To all those reading this, who have been shocked by this and yet are still apathetic, consider this, the two DASS Assistant Directors probably read these comments regularly and probably share a giggle or two about our vitriol, safe in the knowledge that they've been let off the hook.
What goes around, comes around.
MX, Wirral says...
10:23pm Fri 22 Jan 10
Conspiracy theorists oif the world unite.Why (suddenly,all of a sudden) have my last 5 p[osts disappeared?
PaulCa, Wallasey says...
10:43pm Fri 22 Jan 10
If this forthcoming bullying investigation is carried out honestly and above board, certain individuals should end up impaled back onto their hooks. From where I'm sitting, there's an admission of guilt and a plethora of evidence stacking up against the miscreants. In an ideal world, if Martin carefully and methodically submits every piece of damning information, it should follow on that the finger of blame picks out those responsible. The victimisation had its origins in Westminster House - and there should be a clear-out. That said, we're talking about an employer which has pulled all sorts of strokes to twist and distort the facts, and shrug off the blame. Don't be too surprised if they try to finesse their way out of it using empty words, leading to nowhere. They'll be wanting to shift some of the blame onto Martin - so watch out for the introduction of 'workplace dynamics', 'clash of personalities', 'egos', all nice little convenient lables with which to muddy the water and explain away 'bullying'.
The Chartered Institute of Personal Development (HR's professional body) is big on bullying at the moment (laughable, I know) and has done so-called research which finds that 'clash of personalities' is the biggest cause of workplace conflict. Well it would wouldn't it? But this kind of deliberate and targetted victimisation, accompanied by long, drawn out admission of guilt on the overcharging, can't be explained away so readily.
piggymalone, wirral says...
12:45am Sat 23 Jan 10
To be fair to the Globe (and a number of us have questioned the removal of certain posts) can I re-direct you to Veridicis site where Justin (News Editor)has written an explanation of the removal of some postshttp://blowingthewhistleonareallyrottenborou.blogspot.com/2010/01/comments-on-above-story-published-in_20.html#comments
hugo2008, Wirral says...
10:04am Sat 23 Jan 10
Note the date when this was submitted, yet still no action not even a word, I wonder why.
hugo2008, Wirral says... 3:14pm Sun 27 Sep 09
Where is our local MP Stephen Hesford, with his legal training he should get his teeth into this scandal, and sort out the corruption whithin WBC.After all come election time he may need to get back into legal practice, and with his contacts in the PCT he could have some inside information.
MX, Wirral says...
10:26am Sat 23 Jan 10
I was wrong about my deleted posts.Obviously a problem this end.And I agree with Justin,the Globe and everyone need to be careful about the postings.I think feelings are running high (and rightly so) because truth and justice appear to be alien concepts in this case.There are obviously many people out there who know the full story.It must be so frustrating for them to witness how the Council has managed to contain this for so long.Information is clearly being kept from us,what's in the public domain is scary enough.Can you imagine what's going on behind closed doors?.BTW I understand that both Stephen Hesford (and according to an earlier post Frank Field) know about this case.We're not in Purdah yet are we?.I was wrong about my deleted posts.Obviously a problem this end. And I agree with Justin,the Globe and everyone need to be careful about the postings. I think feelings are running high (and rightly so) because truth and justice appear to be alien concepts in this case.There are obviously many people out there who know the full story.It must be so frustrating for them to witness how the Council has managed to contain this for so long. Information is clearly being kept from us,what's in the public domain is scary enough.Can you imagine what's going on behind closed doors?. BTW I understand that both Stephen Hesford (and according to an earlier post Frank Field) know about this case. We're not in Purdah yet are we?.
piggymalone, wirral says...
11:28am Sat 23 Jan 10
If there are any local MP`s or councillors who are unaware of this case then they shouldnt be MP`s or councillors and in any case the chances of the not knowing are zero. So then, that begs the question "why has not one of them commented or seen to be doing something about this case?"I can probably understand Lib/Labs as it has been their ruling group that is implicated but I cannot understand the tories, is it because they do not want to make political gain over this case, I doubt that, so where are theyIf there are any local MP`s or councillors who are unaware of this case then they shouldnt be MP`s or councillors and in any case the chances of the not knowing are zero. So then, that begs the question "why has not one of them commented or seen to be doing something about this case?" I can probably understand Lib/Labs as it has been their ruling group that is implicated but I cannot understand the tories, is it because they do not want to make political gain over this case, I doubt that, so where are they
PaulCa, Wallasey says... 1
2:12pm Sat 23 Jan 10
MPs have had a difficult time recently. Those who intend to stand next time, being self-interested types, will be busy with election campaigns. Currently, with this issue still to play out, expect silence from Labour / Lib Dem, and eventual damage limitation. But with the tories, I think they'll sit on the fence for a bit longer before jumping and using it in their campaigns. Maybe public pressure could embarrass them and push them off early, or just help to keep the pressure on as the investigation into the bullying of Martin gets underway. All of which begs the question, with unlawful behaviour admitted, has anybody checked the expenses claims of the senior officers involved?MPs have had a difficult time recently. Those who intend to stand next time, being self-interested types, will be busy with election campaigns. Currently, with this issue still to play out, expect silence from Labour / Lib Dem, and eventual damage limitation. But with the tories, I think they'll sit on the fence for a bit longer before jumping and using it in their campaigns. Maybe public pressure could embarrass them and push them off early, or just help to keep the pressure on as the investigation into the bullying of Martin gets underway. All of which begs the question, with unlawful behaviour admitted, has anybody checked the expenses claims of the senior officers involved?
Wirral Integrity, Wirral says...
1:12pm Sat 23 Jan 10
I am rather bemused at the ostensibly abritrary deletion of comments. As an example, I posted details of senior officer salary levels - This information is freely available - The following link is from the taxpayers alliance website showing the CEx and Director salary grades http://tpa.typepad.com/home/files/council_spending_uncovered_4_town_hall_rich_list_2008.pdf All other council officer grades are publicly accessible through a FOIA request. I note from the excellent website www.areallyrottenborough.blogspot.com that the Globe Editor has stated that some user-posted comments have been the subject of complaints. I would imagine that these complaints have emanated from those very individuals implicated in this matter - I find it obscene that these individuals are demanding the same civil and legal rights that they were unwilling to afford to the victims of the overcharging.
MX, Wirral says...
1:15pm Sat 23 Jan 10
Print the complaints
Wirral Integrity, Wirral says...
1:20pm Sat 23 Jan 10
If the Globe are unwilling to print the complaints, then perhaps they could be requested as part of an FOIA request (suitably redacted to comply with the DPA of course, we would hate to infringe on the civil liberties of senior council officers.......)
TheLooseCannon, Wirral says...
4:10pm Sat 23 Jan 10
.....
I have been appalled by the words, attitudes, and actions of every single Labour or LibDem Councillor who sat on those Committees.....I actually 'hi-jacked' one of the ARMC meetings to contradict false information that was being given to the Committee by Maura Noone
.....
As I have previously stated on this board, I provided information of the financial abuse of vulnerable adults to, among others, Pat Williams, Simon Holbrook, Stu Kelly, Paula Southwood, Moira McLaughlan, John Salter, Steve Foulkes, and Simon Mountney
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Guess how many of them wanted more information on my allegations, and took up the cudgel?
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ONE! And that one was Simon Mountney, and I have to say that he has done so at great personal cost in terms of time, energy, and headaches from banging his head against the Council's brick wall for two years.
....
At the meetings I mentioned earlier I witnessed Simon Mountney trying desperately to get the Labour/LibDem councillors to act with even a modicum of common decency, but the meetings were chaired by a LibDem, Paula Southwood, who consistenly helped the ruling group to ride rough-shod over anything the Tories asked for.
....
I was present when Martin Morton made his impassioned statement regarding the treatment he had received at the hands of Council Officers
.....
Jeff Green then demanded a full, external, public inquiry, or a police investigation. Simon Holbrook rejected both, and called for an inquiry into the bullying allegations - an inquiry which has yet to begin four months later!
...
I am not particularly a political animal, and I have said all along that this should not be a political issue, but it has been made one by the ruling parties. Please reserve your wrath for those who are unable or unwilling to vote with their conscience because of the party Whips. The political system we have at the moment will not allow anyone to break ranks without sanction
.....
The system has to change before anything else will.
piggymalone, wirral says...
6:16pm Sat 23 Jan 10
Couldnt agree more with Loose Cannon. The political system as described is undemocratic and corrupt but the only way we, the public, can do anything about the system is to use our votes to effectively get rid of party politics. I have for a long time argued the point that at least independent candidates are free to vote with their consciences (and hopefully with the majority of the electorates wishes) without being told what to do by party whips. I would urge every voter to very seriously consider the consequences of voting for a political party. This is not the only case in Wirral Councils recent history that has highlighted the corruption within.Couldnt agree more with Loose Cannon. The political system as described is undemocratic and corrupt but the only way we, the public, can do anything about the system is to use our votes to effectively get rid of party politics. I have for a long time argued the point that at least independent candidates are free to vote with their consciences (and hopefully with the majority of the electorates wishes) without being told what to do by party whips. I would urge every voter to very seriously consider the consequences of voting for a political party. This is not the only case in Wirral Councils recent history that has highlighted the corruption within.
Jeff Green, says...
7:34pm Sat 23 Jan 10
I continue to have documents I have requested from senior Council Officers regarding this case denied to me.Please be assured that we are determined to get to the bottom of what I believe to be a most shameful case. We have called for a full and independent inquiry and and if we take control of the Council in May that is what we will have.
Cllr Chris Blakeley, Moreton says...
7:50pm Sat 23 Jan 10
Can't be any clearer than that!
piggymalone, wirral says...
8:15pm Sat 23 Jan 10
Jeff, you may get some of the documents you require direct from Martin Morton and any more incriminating ones have probably shredded by now. Thanks to you and Chris for commenting.
piggymalone, wirral says...
8:40pm Sat 23 Jan 10
Jeff, just another point. If you did take overall control of the council next May and certain parties are castigated by an independent enqiury, would you then be in a position to fire the implicated officers (and indeed would you) and then what action could be taken against councillors who were proved to be complicant in the affair.
hugo2008, Wirral says...
9:02pm Sat 23 Jan 10
Jeff Green and Chris Blakeley, Put a statement in the party manifest for the next election that a complete enquiry into the Martin Morton issue will be made. The findings will be made fully public with no Exceptions. And if any guilty parties inside Council or outside Council are found they will be suitably dealt with or punished.This is not a witch hunt, its Justice.Do this and you will be garanteed to control Council on behalf of the vast majority of Wirral Population.
Veridici, Wirral says...
9:11pm Sat 23 Jan 10
Those are very pertinent questions, piggymalone, and I eagerly await Jeff's answer, too..I also have a question for Jeff; if the Conservatives do take control of the Council will they overturn Bill Norman's perverse ruling that one set of vulnerable people cannot be assessed retrospectively, and another set can be, thus ensuring that the sixteen abused or their estates will receive FULL reimbursement.
.
Whilst I largely agree with your stated aims of independent Councillors and MPs, piggymalone, voting for one may be counter-productive in this case, in view of Jeff's statement.
.
However, we shouldn't have to consider voting along political lines simply to ensure we get a genuinely independent inqiry, should we?
hugo2008, Wirral says...
10:04pm Sat 23 Jan 10
Deafening Silence has been obvious from Local Councillors, and Wirral Mps.Yet some Councillors are very willing to change the topic of conversation or debate when asked about the Martin Morton incident of Whistle Blowing.As far as the MPs on Wirral are concerned two down and two to go, we could be getting closer to a better system for accountability, Hope So.
Ivorromaleyn, New Brighton says...
10:35pm Sat 23 Jan 10
I agree with Loose Cannon. While party political whips control our elected representatives our (democracy) is suspect. I am a new comer to this area and am free of any loyalty to any of the parties involved. Today we have the example of the suppression of the report on child abuse by children suppressed by the Doncaster Council. Then look at Torbay where Council employees are subject to up to 20% pay cuts. The only people exempt are of course the Council executives.There is something very wrong with this democracy. I suggest NEVER EVER voting for a candidate subject to Party whip control. THEN the politicians will listen.To be fair, it is not all the politicians fault.I am now nearly eighty and have watched a nation battered by war vote for decency and a welfare state. THEN we got spoilt and refused to vote for honest candidates who told us hard truth. I remember Churchill promising blood sweat and tears and we backed him. Our children vote for the candidates who lie in order to tell us what we want to hear. (Sorry it’s called Spin now) even lies have been adjusted to be palatable. Don’t vote for party politicians even if that is in some cases unfair. We need a new kind of politics and you can't make an omelette without breaking a few eggs.AFTER the election we will learn facts that have been suppressed and they will be selectively fed to us by the victorious party. Clean up politics and refuse to vote in an undemocratic election fiddle. Vote Independent and WATCH him or HER.
glenn, moreton, says...
10:55pm Sat 23 Jan 10
Wise words Ivor - someone who has actually seen it all before. We need more like you who have the voice of experience from years of seeing politicians come and go.
PaulCa, Wallasey says...
11:06pm Sat 23 Jan 10
86 comments now. "Former Council Leader Begins 5 Year Term in Walton" wouldn't get that much interest.
ghawkins, wirral says...
11:27pm Sat 23 Jan 10
If Doncaster Social Services can be effectively taken over and run via Central Government for its mishaps and incompetence, then something needs to happen here. I would also like to remind people of the murder of Stephen Croft two years ago. The boy who did it was supposed to be in the care of Wirral Social Services - Steve Maddox promised that an serious case review would take place ... have we ever heard anything more?Questions need answering, and I would take this to Minister for Local Government/Communities, as afterall this is a Labour council, whilst I think the national press might be interested; given the current climate.
ghawkins, wirral says...
11:37pm Sat 23 Jan 10
Ah hang on, I think I've found the story"Assessments of Smith and his family were poor and not even kept in a file. Opportunities to assess risk were missed because Wirral Youth Offending Service knew nothing about a string of offences he committed while housed in Huddersfield. Despite a history of neglect, contact with Smith's family was increased in Wirral during summer and autumn 2007 - leading to an increase in aggression.Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1089570/Boy-13-beat-man-death-threw-bonfire-catalogue-care-failings.html#ixzz0dTvdzswt
torswood, prenton says...
6:39am Sun 24 Jan 10
Clearly we all owe Mr Morton a great debt of gratitude.The exposure of institutional "corruption" does not bode well for the other council services or the powers that are who operate them.
hugo2008, Wirral says...
9:35am Sun 24 Jan 10
Mr Marles, Just out of interest what has been the longest running or most contributed too theme that this excellent facilitiy has been subject too.
This one seems to be headed towards the 100 mark, fair indication of how people feel I would guess.
MX, Wirral says...
9:35am Sun 24 Jan 10
Much respect to Ivor.The local council is a microcosm of the national one. Smoke (screen) and mirrors in a cesspit of spin is their MO.
It's gratifying to see so many people engaged in this debate,standing up,speaking out and saying "ENOUGH!" . We owe it to Ivor and his generation.
There was a time (I can dimly remember) where there were standards in public life and people did the "honourable thing" or indeed "the right thing" as it's been termed.
No more it would seem. I have seen the future!, tinpot Alastair Campbells running the show.
My.my it's Machiavelli made flesh.
PaulCa, Wallasey says...
10:19am Sun 24 Jan 10
But to call it Machiavellian is to imply we're dealing with a sophisticated level of intelligence. This bullying investigation may prove how bungling and incompetent they have been - one way or the other.
But to call it Machiavellian is to imply we're dealing with a sophisticated level of intelligence. This bullying investigation may prove how bungling and incompetent they have been - one way or the other.
JD1986, says...
5:21pm Sun 24 Jan 10
Martin for PM!
lordthomas, birkenhead says...
11:49pm Sun 24 Jan 10
To use a now well known comment used by all parties in westminsterWIRRAL COUNCIL "IS NOT FIT FOR PORPOSE"
Who chooses the security codes this one "ROOF- FULL lol
PaulCa, Wallasey says...
11:56pm Sun 24 Jan 10
Spiffy, Wallasey says...
10:10am Mon 25 Jan 10
hugo2008 wrote:Mr Marles, Just out of interest what has been the longest running or most contributed too theme that this excellent facilitiy has been subject too.This one seems to be headed towards the 100 mark, fair indication of how people feel I would guess.Cheers to Leigh Marles and the Globe.I fully expect this comment to be deleted but will post it anyway. Perhaps someone will see it for a few minutes and be aware of what is going on here if they are not already.
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Hugo the number of comments actually passed 100 days ago. Certain so-called "libellous" posts where deleted and this section continue to be censored.
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I am disgusted at the globe's complicity in suppression of information freely available to the public. If only they knew where to look - or if only someone was allowed to tell them.
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Pass Leigh Marles and his team another flamethrower the one used here must be almost out of fuel by now.
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Evidently the truth will not out - not here. The bookburning is well and truly under way. ...
Shame on you wirral globe.
PaulCa, Wallasey says...
11:15am Mon 25 Jan 10
I'm actually quite surprised that the story has been given this much publicity. Often in these situations, when pressured, a local rag will back down and withdraw to its primary role as an 'ad-sheet'. The editor and his staff should be congratulated, because ultimately if someone moves against them by withdrawing advertising revenue, careers can be damaged and jobs lost. The worlds of business and local democracy are intertwined. Editorial independence can suffer as a result. Debate and transparency is a threat to the villains at the centre of this affair. Having integrity and standards, and giving the local public an opportunity to voice their opinions will make you a target, as sure as night follows day. Martin Morton knows this better than anyone.
Spiffy, Wallasey says...
11:27am Mon 25 Jan 10
PaulCa - yup you're right. Freedom of The Press is another thing that has become a contradiction in terms.
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The abuse of countless vulnerable people (and children) by authorities well paid to care for and protect them actually matters very little in the grand scheme of things.
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The money wins out every time. Live and learn eh.
Leigh Marles, says...
3:58pm Mon 25 Jan 10
What's "going on here" Spiffy, is that without the Globe breaking this story in the first place and following up its many twists and turns since, you wouldn't have had a clue about it.The stories and Martin's personal article remain untouched - it's libellous comments that I delete, as I'm legally responsible for this website.Sorry and all that.
hugo2008, Wirral says...
6:36pm Mon 25 Jan 10
Fair comment Leigh, most of us do have respect for the Globe, and You are quite right to defend your position in this all to often litigious world we live in.Feelings do run high when mere mortals like us see the rich and influential get away with absolute murder, if its any consolation the other free paper on Wirral, are very afraid of allowing the rank and file from expressing views so readily as the Globe.Keep up the good work, even if I do not always agree with the Globe, I do have an opportunity to say so.Spiffy, do the right thing as MX Wirral suggests and apologise, Leigh Marles may just have saved your bacon.
MX, Wirral says...
7:02pm Mon 25 Jan 10
How appropriate that The Globe editor should have the 100th post!.He's absolutely right about the Globe,we wouldn't have known any of it,let alone the half of it.I think some of the controversial comments/revelations are borne of frustration rather than malice. I'm certain I didn't ask Spiffy to apologise though (apologies if I did!).It's clear that a lot of people know the real story and it's a now a case of making the connections. Surely there can be no hiding place as this scandal continues to unravel.Picking up on what Leigh Marles has written I anticipate plenty more "twists and turns" in this saga.Fasten your seat belts.
piggymalone, wirral says...
7:48pm Mon 25 Jan 10
I very much respect Spiffys contributions to this site and would hate this saga to get out of hand and cause the loss of a valuable contributor.
Leigh and Justin are very approachable guys and it may be that if Spiffy had an off the record conversation with them they may be able to understand her point of view and indeed visa versa. MX is undoubtedly right that the removed comments (including some of mine) and indeed borne out of frustration caused by....well you know who
Spiffy, Wallasey says...
8:04pm Mon 25 Jan 10
Fairplay Leigh I've been a brat. I will apologise - without prompting - for the entire post that suggests the globe and its named team is complicit in suppressing information. On reflection "complicit" really is not the appropriate word and was unfair. Please, feel free to delete the entire post.
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It was borne of irrititation at the random deleting of comments in the name of "libel" where none was immediately evident and query did not merit a detailed response.
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It was also borne of a well deserved contempt and disgust of this council and previous documented abuses of the vulnerable. No names mentioned this time.
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I do still query why the merest mention of a name - even in the absence of any allegation - would warrant deletion on libel grounds but concede that your liability for such is greater than mine under the circumstances.
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I also suspect that for you to explain in any further detail may in itself prove libellous. What a tangled web these politicians weave and we are both caught in it albeit on different levels..
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I will try to behave in future.
PaulCa, Wallasey says...
9:51am Tue 26 Jan 10
Here's a statement from Wirral Council's recent People Stategy: "The People Strategy enables us to drive improvements through people which will enable us to deliver strategic objectives locally and ensure that we embrace key national agenda and deliver on these priorities and targets. With a clear strategy in place it will be easier to focus resources on those people management interventions that will really make a difference to performance within the Council. This will also help to improve the consistency of people management practices and ensure that all people management activities complement each other."
They've admitted to breaking the law. We know we're dealing with crooks and I'm assuming that a good example of 'people management intervention' would be the issuing of threatening edicts to staff, telling them not to approach the press.... or else.
PaulCa, Wallasey says...
10:04am Tue 26 Jan 10
And further down....."the People Strategy fosters effective team building through involving others and works towards creating a no-blame environment......."security code "pain-over"
Spiffy, Wallasey says...
11:06am Tue 26 Jan 10
PaulCa wrote:And further down....."the People Strategy fosters effective team building through involving others and works towards creating a no-blame environment......."security code "pain-over"
I see, if one is not to blame then no one is to blame. A covering of one's collective a*ses, so to speak....You couldn't make it up.
PaulCa, Wallasey says...
11:32am Tue 26 Jan 10
Spot on Spiffy. No blame, no pain. The only a*se not covered was Martin's.
MX, Wirral says...
1:13pm Tue 26 Jan 10
All I can read PaulCa is blah,blah,blah.Strategies - tick,Policies - tick, Procedures -tick.People Strategy! - you couldn't make it up .They don't want thinking,feeling people they want automatons where you press a button for the required answer.
PaulCa, Wallasey says...
1:29pm Tue 26 Jan 10
MX - The "People Strategy" is an avalanche of two-word soundbites. I know it's fashionable to cower behind jargon, but Wirral appear to rely on a brimming bucket of verbal diarrhoea:
THEMED TARGETS,
GUIDING PRINCIPLES,
SHARED LEARNING,
STRONG FOCUS,
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT,
KEY DRIVERS,
KEY THEMES,
KEY TARGETS,
KEY COMPONENTS,
KEY MECHANISMS,
KEY OBJECTIVES,
STRATEGIC PATHWAY,
EMBRACING DIVERSITY,
PRIORITY OUTCOMES,
MEASURABLE OUTCOMES,
FUNDAMENTAL BEDROCK,
IMPROVED CLARITY,
INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS,
ORGANISATIONAL COMPETENCIES,
CORPORATE COMPETENCIES,
CORPORATE BEHAVIOURS,
CORE PROCESSES,
EMBRACE CHANGE,
EFFECTIVE LEADERSHIP,
COLLABORATIVE WORKING,
DELIVERABLES IDENTIFIED,
BALANCE INITIATIVES,
SUPPORTING TOOLKITS.
If you wrote all these down on pieces of paper, gathered them up and threw them like confetti, it wouldn't matter where they landed. You would still end up with an 'effective' PEOPLE STRATEGY.
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