Looking over the most recent paperwork for Rodwells select committee we note with some concern that once again Rodwell fails to make a Declaration of Interest when it comes to discussing Grants, T. Perry did we see and left the room while discussions took place.
Still this seems to becoming the norm where Rodwell is concerned. The point of interest in this item is the fact that although the Council has paid into the London Council Grants scheme for many years, and it has been known that the borough gets very little back for its money it has been decided that either some or all of the £500,000 will be returned to the council this year.
What Rodwell appears to be demanding is that the monies returned is Ring-fenced by the council to be spent on Grants to the Voluntary Sector, this would we assume be in addition to Grant money already budgeted by the council.
Now you could then ask the residents of the borough would they rather have this additional money spent on services provided by the council, which could mean a saving of some services as well as some council jobs. Or this money going into the very deep pockets of the "voluntary sector".
Just have a look at the salaries of the workers in the so called voluntary sector, their Chief Officers some of whom are on £70,000 plus, even their so called Managers are on £30,000 plus. We would suggest these are no longer Voluntary organizations, but, small business.
We reckon that the council tax payers in B & D would rather save their council services than inflate already too high salaries.
Then there is the other suggestion from Rodwell, he wants money from the Housing Revenue Account to go into the Grants pot as well.
For those who don't know what the HRA is that is the income from council tenants rents, and is set aside specifically to be spent on council housing.
Only 2 of the members of Rodwells select committee are council tenants so would be out voted or shouted down on Rodwells suggestion, but, we are pretty sure council tenants would rather have the money improving their homes instead of pouring more money into the voluntary sector.
Perhaps someone needs to let council tenants know just what Rodwell is planning to do with their money.
You right about the wages in the voluntary sector, but, what is even more worrying is that they constantly fail to deliver and no one from the council picks them up on it.
ReplyDeleteMoney for old rope really
Dagenham member
voluntary sector workers deserve more than local councillors and council officers.
ReplyDeleteContrary to the above they deliver the majority of the time, more than the council departments.
Editor you need to get a clearer understanding of declaration of interest rules. People only need declare an interest if they are directly involved (ie their own organisation specifically mentioned).
Otherwise decisions would never get made in the chamber. Dagenham & redbridge football club and Barking rugby club both got well looked after without much declaration of interest.
This borough has never properly invested in the voluntary sector thats why we are so far behind the times.
These stories get weaker and weaker.........yaaaaawn
editor, how big, or small, is your readership, may I ask?
ReplyDeletewrong again anon @05.14 read the article again, as you well know Rodwell works for a vol sector organization, his wages come from public funds, of course he needs to declare as do some others.
ReplyDeleteand as for your mistaken belief that the vol sector always delivers??????? we suggest you get of your arse and go and listen to their unhappy customers.
in response to anon @0802 our readership is in the mid range 0000 figures