Written by Administrator Monday, 29 June 2009 18:53
Bikers frustrated at Westminster Council's failure to "listen", will be descending on City Hall this Wednesday (1st July) in another "mass" protest.
Westminster Council has failed to listen to thousands of bikers who are opposed to the introduction of parking fees for motorcycles. The council want to make the scheme permanent by applying for a new traffic order, however those opposed can object in a three week window ending on the 2nd July.
Dubbed "OBJECTION WEDNESDAY", the bikers intend to descend on City Hall (many on foot) during Wednesady evening when they will be handing in their "official" objections by hand. This could be a lengthy process because bikers will be individually requesting a receipt for their objection form. During the last objection period the numbers of "objections" that WCC officially counted had a passing resemblance to an Iranian election. Many of the objections were dismissed for all manner of reasons but more disturbingly the council failed to listen at all to the points the motorcyclists were trying to make.
How Westminster Council can utterly dismiss the views of thousands of people is quite disturbing. At one demonstration it was officially estimated (police source) that well over 4000 bikers protested, yet the council dismissed their objections with a degree of arrogance that was quite outrageous.
The bikers plan to meet at Golden square on the 1st July at 5.45-6.30pm prior to their ride to City Hall in Victoria Street SW1. Members of the public wishing to object can download a pre-printed objection form from HERE. The form does not have to be delivered by hand on the 1st July but it MUST be received by Westminster City Council by the 2nd July. See form for where to send it etc. Members of the people who object to the parking scheme but have no motorcycle are apparently also welcome to join the peaceful protest.
Source: NoToBikeParkingFees.com
Written by Loretta Vendetta Wednesday, 24 June 2009 00:00
The number of staff in Westminster City Council’s £3.2 million a year press and communications department has more than doubled in size, from 13 to 30, over the five year period from 2004 to 2009, according to information unearthed by Labour Councillors.
The year-by-year growth figures, which represent a 130% increase, are:
2004 - 13 staff
2005 - 20 staff
2006 - 23 staff
2007 - 23 staff
2008 - 26 staff
2009 - 30 staff
Labour Councillor Guthrie McKie said “There can be no justification for the bloated size of the Conservative ’spin’ operation when hundreds of staff are losing their jobs and charges for meals on wheels and home care visits for the elderly are rising at considerably more than inflation. The priority should be to protect front line services for children, the elderly and the vulnerable, not glossy leaflets and ’spin’.”
Source: Labour Matters
Written by Loretta Vendetta Friday, 19 June 2009 00:00
Westminster City Council’s Finance Scrutiny Committee is to launch an inquiry into Councillors’ allowances, Staff bonuses, and money spent on press and communications.
Last year Senior Staff bonuses totalled £5.8 million and the Council spent £3.2 million on press and communications. The inquiries will be held at the 22nd September meeting of the Committee.
The revelation that the Council spent £5.8 million on bonuses to senior staff (up from £5.1 million the previous year) had shocked many residents, as had the the news that the Council spends over £230,000 a year on private health insurance for senior staff. Labour councilors say that there also needs to be a searching look into the £3.2 million a year spent on press oficers, glossy magazines and public relations events at a time when the Council is in a financial crisis following the £17 million investment in now-failed Icelandic Banks and is sacking over 300 staff.
Councillor Paul Dimoldenberg, Leader of the Labour Group, said: “We are delighted that the Finance Scrutiny Committee has agreed to these three inquiries. We hope that the Committee will seek evidence from as wide a field of interests as possible so that local residents and groups have the opportunity to have their say.”
Written by Loretta Vendetta Monday, 15 June 2009 00:00
The leader of Westminster City Council is due to stand trial accused of making unauthorised alterations to his former £3million Suffolk mansion.
The defendants are accused of affecting the building by installing radiators, removing decorative wall mouldings, carrying out work on a ceiling cornice to insert wiring and replacing floorboards with chipboard and plywood material. Switches, sockets and mounting boxes were installed in seven rooms and six rooms were re-plastered contrary to planning laws, it is also alleged.
Appearing at Ipswich Crown Court on June 5th , the defendants pleaded not guilty to all the charges, which relate to alleged offences between July 1, 2004 and January 30, 2006. The prosecution has been brought by Suffolk Coastal District Council, which claims the work was undertaken without planning permission. Colin Barrow stood down as leader of the Conservatives on Suffolk County Council in 2003 and moved to London, where he was elected to Westminster City Council.
In 2004, Barrow, 56, bought the 18-bedroom house - complete with servants' quarters, 60 acres of secluded parkland, a heated swimming pool and a tennis court - from former theatrical agent Sara Low. Built in 1679, the estate is recognised as one of Suffolk's most outstanding country homes.Colin Barrow, of Exhibition Road, London, Angelica Barrow, 45, of Vincent Square, London and Wilson-Smith, 48, of Snipes Farm Road, Woodbridge, have been released on unconditional bail.
Their trial has been set for January 11 next year and is expected to last for three weeks.
Source: EADT24
Written by Loretta Vendetta Thursday, 11 June 2009 13:08
Westminster City Council which invested millions with Icelandic banks just before they collapsed has come under fire from MPs along with many other councils.
A report from the Commons' communities and local government select committee says there were several warning signs about the shaky state of the banks, which went under last autumn with nearly £1 billion of funds from scores of British authorities.
Complacency, lack of expertise and inaction contributed to putting taxpayers' money at risk, it is claimed.
The report says that some of the warning signs emerged as far back as 2006. Some councils acted on them and withdrew their money but others did not.
Kent County Council was left facing the biggest shortfall, with £50 million invested with three Icelandic institutions.
It expects to receive 90 per cent back. Havering had £40 million invested and Westminster City Council had £17 million.
The committee will report: "This inquiry has exposed a degree of misunderstanding, misinformation, and complacency on the part of some crucial players, both within local authorities and in the wider financial sector."
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