tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6371203489316363738.post6586307025698265122..comments2024-01-30T07:41:20.885+00:00Comments on Broken Barnet: A tale of three budgets: part one - the misuse of power, and an open doorMrs Angryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00586223909475832791noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6371203489316363738.post-43013332057202109382014-03-05T19:13:34.094+00:002014-03-05T19:13:34.094+00:00You cannot underestimate the power of officers. T...You cannot underestimate the power of officers. They control access to knowledge and, when political as many are, they restrict that knowledge to just (some of) the Executive Board. The Executive Board is massaged, made to feel special whilst being manipulated.<br /><br />There should be no executive boards, all committees should be represented in political ratios and overview and scrutiny committees - made up of minorities first - should be able to investigate anyone and anything without interference<br /><br />If you think this will ever happen, keep looking for that unicorn!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6371203489316363738.post-61639781822918483582014-03-05T17:17:16.205+00:002014-03-05T17:17:16.205+00:00Yes: the feeling of some people in Carmarthenshire...Yes: the feeling of some people in Carmarthenshire is that the Chief Executive there has a quasi-political role and too high a profile for someone who is meant to be an officer, and not directing matters of policy. If that is the case, then it is the fault of the council members, for failing to exert their control over the administration. Nature abhors a vacuum, after all.It is interesting to watch the webcast meetings and see the Chair, the equivalent to our Mayor, as deferring to officers, and the CE seemingly in charge.Also amusing to see how obedient the councillors are, and so easily shut up when awkward questions - or at least they were.Mrs Angryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00586223909475832791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6371203489316363738.post-18221887851361991142014-03-05T15:01:34.893+00:002014-03-05T15:01:34.893+00:00I was mayor of a small, insignificant town. On my...I was mayor of a small, insignificant town. On my first day, I was told was told in no uncertain terms by the town clerk that she ran the town and I was just a figurehead. As it turned out, she underestimated me and I lasted longer as mayor than she did as clerk.<br /><br />But, as you say, it means nothing. I did eat an awful lot of sandwiches and judged an awful lot of competitions but my main role was that of whipping girl when anyone disagreed with anything the council did. It didn't matter if I didn't vote for it, spoke against it, it was ALWAYS my fault.<br /><br />I stuck it out as long as I could and then resigned to live in the real world but you would be surprised how many people think I sm still Mayor and everything is still my fault!<br /><br />It wasn't worth the chain. And anyway, I found out that it was neither me nor the clerk who was in charge - it was the unelected but very politically pro ruling party CEO of the district council who had the real power and thought town and parish councillors were the lowest of the low and just a minor hindrance.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com