Babylon is Burning.

Ok: Babylon is burning, after all: update below 11pm

Apologies to the many people who have landed on this blog this afternoon and evening, looking for tales of looting and pillage in our beloved borough. Yes, riot police are standing by in Chipping Barnet, all the shops are shut and barricaded, rumours abound on twitter - but there you go. Bit of a let down, sorry.

It only goes to show, though, that Mrs Angry was completely wrong: (most unusual) - how timely was Brian Coleman's £400,000 gift, last week, from Boris to tart up Chipping's high street?

Actually: did he know something we didn't, citizens? Or is he some sort of double agent anarchist agent provocateur? (Oops, did it again: more visits from NETCU for Mrs Angry ... ) Yes, indeed, our man Brian has even been seen in Barnet this evening, no, not dressed in a balaclava, peering hopefully into the window of Poundland (sorry, reusing jokes from twitter again) but standing by the church, no doubt offering spirital guidance and words of encouragement to the disaffected youth of Broken Barnet. A Nobel Peace prize nomination in the bag, Brian, I'd say. Let's hope the great man doesn't over do things, though, in his missionary zeal: as Wesley, the father of Methodism, once remarked:

'Catch on fire with enthusiasm, and people will come for miles to watch you burn ...'

Mrs Angry is sure that the local firefighters will be pleased to see Councillor Coleman, should their assistance be needed this evening.

Back in the real world, it has been a busy and interesting day for local news stories.

Labour GLA candidate Andrew Dismore issued another press release in regard to the MetPro scandal, and the wider implications for the future of One Barnet:

Dismore launches Metpro inquiry e-campaign

Andrew Dismore. Labour candidate for the London Assembly for Barnet and Camden, has today launched a new online campaign to fight for an inquiry into Barnet council’s contracting procedures, with particular reference to MetPro. The campaign can be accessed at http://www.campaignengineroom.org.uk/tory-barnet-easy-council-procurement-disasters and is directed at Secretary of State Eric Pickles MP.

Mr Dismore said:

“As Barnet is now planning the wholesale privatisation of Council services, it is vital that there are proper contracting and compliance arrangements in place to protect the Council’s taxpayers.

Under the watch of the MPs for Finchley and for Hendon when they were Barnet Councillors, due to poor contracting the Council lost tens of millions in failed Iceland investments and through the Aerodrome Road overspend. Now we have the MetPro scandal and concerns over some care services providers.

Whilst the appointed external auditor is monitoring in private the Council’s processes, this is not good enough.

We need to restore public confidence in the Council’s ability to protect residents from scams, dodgy companies, profiteering and overspends, an ability the Council has so far failed to demonstrate under the present Conservative administration.

It is now up to Eric Pickles MP, the Secretary of State to clean out Barnet’s Augean Stables by setting ip a public inquiry into what has been going on and to learn lessons for the future.

I am sure many people share this view, and this online campaign now gives Barnet residents and even those from further afield who are concerned about standards in local government, to back my call for an inquiry”.

For further information call Andrew Dismore 07957 625 813

(and if Mrs Angry was giving Mr Dismore a performance appraisal, he would score an extra five marks for the reference to the Augean Stables, which sadly will float right over the empty heads of our culturally challenged Tory councillors, but is indeed a fitting metaphor for the state of things here in Broken Barnet.)

Also in the news, another press release from a Mr Dennis Pepper in relation to a worrying threat to the Dollis Valley Greenwalk:

BARNET COUNCIL WRECKING THE DOLLIS VALLEY GREENWALK

"The Friends of Windsor Open Space today condemned Barnet Council’s move to turn a five mile section of the Dollis Valley Greenwalk from a footpath to a footpath and cycleway combined.

The award winning Dollis Valley Greenwalk, which stretches some 10 miles fromMoat Mount to Hampstead Heath extension, was created nearly 20 years ago bthe London Borough of Barnet. It has always been a dedicated walk although there is a separate cycle track through the Brook Farm section.

In 2008 the DVGW was one of 46 projects shortlisted for a £400,000 grant in Mayor Boris Johnson’s priority parks scheme. Only the ten most popular schemes would secure a grant.

Jenny Warren, Barnet’s Greenspaces Service Manager, turned to Friends of Windsor Open Space to secure the necessary votes. After ensuring that the proposal would indeed improve the walk and did not include a cycle route, FoWOS put its considerable weight behind a month-long campaign to bring in the votes.

And the DVGW secured a grant.

The Greenspaces Manager then entered into an arrangement with TfL to turn most of the walk into a joint walk/cycle path. “As TfL came waving a cheque for £250.000 it’s easy to see the temptation”, says FoWOS chairman Dennis Pepper, “but not the decision to renege on voters. It is quite clear what people voted for and it wasn’t to have cyclists on the walk.”

FoWOS approached Pam Wharfe, Interim Director of Environment, who came up with the ingenious solution that it is all right if cycling is permitted so long as it’s not promoted. Not as far as walkers are concerned it isn’t.

Brian Coleman, Barnet’s controversial councillor for the Environment, signed off the agreement with the GLA even though it incorporated cycling alongside walking. But then it would. It was compiled by Greenspace officers.

Dennis Pepper points out that Cllr Coleman will be asking for votes if he stands for re-election to the London Assembly next year. “Will he expect to take his place if he secures the most votes, or will he be happy for officers to arrange for someone else to do so if they think this would benefit more residents?”

FoWOS also approached Cllr Cornelius, newly elected council leader. He at least was willing to meet and talk and appeared to understand that there was a serious matter of principle involved. But he said he thought it ‘sensible to use funds to the maximum advantage for pedestrians and cyclists.’ Apparently he could not see that the funding to improve the walk for pedestrians did not include cyclists, for whom there are already alternative routes.

“That”, adds Dennis Pepper, “was six weeks ago. Since then – silence.”

The deception continues in the current issue of barnetfirst. Here we are told that phase one of the footpath improvements has been completed and that phase two is about to start. Not a whisper about introducing cyclists. If this is what people read they will think they are still getting what they voted for."

Mrs Angry has every sympathy with Dennis Pepper and his objections. Apart from the point of principle here, where the agreement with residents has been compromised, this sneaky imposition of a cycle lane on the footpath is completely inappropriate. Mrs Angry suspects that neither Cabinet Member Brian Coleman nor his trusty little helper, 'interim' Director of Environment Pam Wharfe, have fully considered the access and health and safety implications for the impact on walkers, especially the elderly, those with young children, and the disabled. This footpath was intended for walkers to enjoy, and the safety and suitability of the footpath for their needs should be paramount. But then, for these matters to be appreciated would require a real understanding of the process of consultation, and a sense of respect for the residents that our Tory councillors are theoretically supposed to represent.

And that is not how we do things here, in Broken Barnet, is it, citizens?

*Update 11pm:

Broken Barnet may not be rioting yet, but locations all around us are reported to be affected by trouble, from Kilburn to Camden Town, Chalk Farm, Harrow, and who knows where else. Who knows what to believe? Chipping Barnet appears to have stayed calm, having taken pre emptive action, as did Friern Retail Park just along from here. Certainly we haven't heard the perpertual sirens wailing like we did last night, rusing up to Enfield. On the other hand, there is a rumour of a torched car in Finchley, and Tescos has shut up: unheard of. There are rumours of trouble in Edgware. Not so far away in other boroughs, the BBC is just telling us, parts of London are a no-go area. Just extraordinary.

Surely these events prove beyond all doubt the necessity of supporting our emergency services and reviewing in particular the Mayor's threatened cuts to policing levels in London? While our Coalition politicians are away enjoying their lovely holidays, back here, right here, right now, Babylon really is burning.

Breaking: Andrew Dismore demands action on MetPro

Mrs Angry has just received the following press release from Andrew Dismore, the local Labour candidate for next year's GLA elections.

Andrew Dismore, Labour candidate for the London Assembly for Barnet and Camden, has today submitted to Barnet Council’s District Auditor a request that the auditor conducts a section 8 public interest inquiry into the Council’s contracting arrangements, both generally and with specific reference to the MetPro scandal ( copy reference to auditor attached)

Mr Dismore said:

“Like most Barnet taxpayers and residents, I have been following with growing alarm the revelations concerning both MetPro and the underlying lack of proper contracting procedures more generally that the scandal has identified.

Having been at the Council meeting when the Robocop style of security used by MetPro at the request of the Council first came under criticism, the consequent investigations have revealed a catalogue of catastrophic failures by Barnet Council and its leadership.

This poor contracting and lack of financial control is not a one off, as the Iceland investment fiasco and cost overruns of the Aerodrome Rd bridge confirm.

What is especially worrying, is that the internal audit found there were inadequate systems to ensure the same thing did not happen again. The “One Council” initiative will create dozens of opportunities for more to go wrong too, with consequent mammoth losses to Barnet’s long suffering tax payers, if immediate corrective action is not taken.

I therefore believe it is vital that the external district auditor now uses his powers to conduct a full public interest inquiry into Barnet Council’s contract procedures and I have today written to the auditor, seeking such an intervention on his part”.

REQUEST FOR PUBLIC INTEREST INQUIRY UNDER SECTION 8 OF THE AUDIT COMMISSION ACT 1998

As a Barnet Council council tax payer I request Barnet Council’s district auditor to conduct a public interest inquiry into the Council’s procurement processes, with particular reference to the “contract” with MetPro.

After problems at a recent council meeting due to heavy handed security arrangements, local people and journalists stated an investigation into this security company. These investigations revealed major failings both in the company and in the Council’s procurement processes.

There has now been an internal audit of these arrangements, which has found, in summary, that:

• There were no checks that MetPro was licensed with the Security Industry Authority
• There were no checks that MetPro staff had undergone Criminal Records Bureau checks
• There were no checks on MetPro’s insurance and financial status
• The council had not followed basic contract procedure rules
• There is no complete register of all corporate contracts
• Auditors could give no assurance that the same thing wouldn’t happen again

For the full internal audit report see:

http://committeepapers.barnet.gov.uk/democracy/reports/reportdetail.asp?ReportID=10408

Local news coverage of the issue includes:

http://www.times-series.co.uk/news/9091756.Audit_committee__shocked__at_damning_MetPro_report/

http://www.times-series.co.uk/news/topstories/9072942.Labour_councillor_says_MetPro_scandal_is_not_an_isolated_incident/

http://www.times-series.co.uk/news/topstories/9070396.Audit_report_slams_council_over_MetPro_scandal/

http://www.times-series.co.uk/news/topstories/9072092.Council_needs_to____tighten_up____contract_management_admits_councillor/

http://www.times-series.co.uk/news/topstories/8969306.Labour_to_ask_for_emergency_debate_on_MetPro_problems/

http://www.barnet-today.co.uk/news.cfm?id=20881&headline=MetPro%20report%20sparks%20concern%20if%20One%20Barnet%20plan%20goes%20ahead

http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-23940351-council-paid-pound-12m-for-illegal-security.do

External audit is an essential element in the process of accountability for public money and makes an important contribution to the stewardship of public resources and the corporate governance of public services.

Under Section 8 of the Audit Commission Act 1998, the appointed auditor is required to consider whether to issue a report in the public interest on any significant matter coming to his or her notice in the course of an audit, to bring it to the notice of the audited body and the public.

I would ask that you now consider a public interest investigation under S8, not just into the issue of MetPro, but into the wider issues this case has identified, concerning failings in the Council’s contracting systems, controls and recording mechanisms. Without urgent reform, there is a present risk of repeat in relation to contract letting and indeed there may already be as yet unidentified similar problems with other council contracts.

I await to hear from you.

Andrew Dismore

Barnet Council Tax payer.

Mrs Angry is relieved to see at least one local politician taking action to demand a full investigation into the extremely serious issues that the MetPro scandal has raised. The whole affair has been marked by a shameful silence from all three of our local Tory MPs. Theresa Villiers, Matthew Offord and Mike Freer have all ignored this appalling mess. Why? What a gutless bunch they are.

In the case of Matthew Offord and Mike Freer, of course, both MPs are closely associated with the Tory administration which first employed this illegally operating company. Offord was a Cabinet member and Freer was Leader.

The current Tory administration of Broken Barnet is so fearful of the toxic qualities of the MetPro issue that it has retreated into a state of absolute denial, with councillors told to make no comment, and the only official statement an insultingly dismissive remark from Councillor Daniel Thomas, agreeing only that contract arrangements needed tightening up. Pathetic. We have seen no response from Richard Cornelius, no official statement, no apologies. This is a shabby way to start as Leader, and he ought to be ashamed of himself.

We have also heard absolutely nothing whatsoever from someone who normally has no problem in expressing his opinion on any given subject under the sun: yes, our current London Assembley member, and local Cabinet member, councillor Brian Coleman. You might think that Mr Coleman might like to express some interest in this stinking issue, and tell us what he thinks for example, of the failures in safeguarding which have exposed children and vulnerable people in his constituency to risk from unchecked employees, or what he thinks of the astounding level of financial incompetence Lord Palmer's audit report has revealed. You might also want to ask him how he feels about this company, in its latest incarnation, still operating in his Totteridge ward, despite the data protection breaches which are the subject of investigation by the Information Commissioner.

I suppose the Tories imagine that by sticking their fingers in their ears, closing their eyes and humming very loudly, all this unpleasantness will somehow melt away, and all will be forgotten.

How wrong can you be?

In Broken Barnet, if you are a Tory, you can be very, very wrong indeed, can't you, citizens?

Press Release 02/06/2011: MetPro and Barnet Council

MetPro and Barnet Council: contract failures call One Barnet Programme into question

On 16th June the Audit Committee of Barnet Council will meet to discuss the findings of its audit of the circumstances surrounding the MetPro Rapid/Emergency Response scandal. The signatories of this statement believe that, while it is far from a suitable way to address the issues raised, the audit is likely to expose shortcomings in Barnet Council’s ways of working that will lend force to our call for a full, independent investigation into the Council’s relationship with the MetPro companies.

Those responsible for the failure to regulate the Council's relationship with MetPro are in many cases the same people assisting with the review. As such they have a vested interest in the outcome. We believe that this review is therefore not likely to be sufficiently objective, however useful its findings might be.

Despite assurances from Lord Palmer we are not satisfied that the audit will cover all the problems revealed by the MetPro case, particularly those pertaining to breaches of residents’ data protection rights and their potential exposure to harm through contact with inadequately regulated security staff.

Furthermore, we believe that the MetPro case proves conclusively that there is systemic failure in Barnet Council’s purchasing and vendor management systems and processes.

Given this, we believe that it would be grossly negligent to allow a major outsourcing programme such as the One Barnet Programme to proceed.

We suspect that, far from being an isolated case, the irregularities in the Council’s relationship with the MetPro companies are likely to be an indication of serious mismanagement on a much larger scale. We call for a full investigation not only into the general process of contract tendering and allocation but also into the role played by respective responsible Directors. Our own investigations so far suggest that this would result in major cost savings for Barnet Council and Barnet Council taxpayers.

With regard to the MetPro audit, we have identified the following significant areas of concern and we ask the audit committee to address these questions:

1. Does your audit review show failings that have been identified and reported to the Council officers previously by Internal Audit?

For example, the Head of Internal Audit reported to the Audit Committee (29 September 2009, Item 8, pages 30-31) that the then Director of Major Projects (Mr Craig Cooper) had confirmed that an effective spend analysis monitoring and monthly vendor monitoring processes were in place. See link below to access the report:

http://committeepapers.barnet.gov.uk/democracy/reports/reportdetail.asp?ReportID=8541

2. Did the Directors agree to take actions to address reported failings?

3. Did the Directors fail to take actions to address reported failings?

4. Why did the Directors not take actions when they were supposed to?

5. What will the Audit Committee do to stop recurrence where Directors fail to address reported failings on time?

On the wider subject of the systemic failings of Barnet Council, we ask that the CEO Nick Walkley immediately institute the following measures:

I. A moratorium on all One Barnet Programme work, until such time as system failings can be shown to have been addressed.

II. A full investigation into the tendering process and the role played by the relevant responsible directors.

III. A review of the payment process including any transaction where purchase order was raised after receipt of an invoice.

IV. A process where all retrospective purchase orders are sent to executive level for sign off and review.

V. A full review of the democratic oversight process, to ensure that similar serious irregularities cannot occur in future.

As concerned residents we believe that these measures will go some way toward restoring public confidence in Barnet Council and, moreover, will save the taxpayers of Barnet a significant amount of money.

We ask all Councillors, regardless of Party affiliation, to support all of the above measures.

Letter to Councillors signed by:

Derek Dishman

John Dix

Vicki Morris

Theresa Musgrove

Roger Tichborne