Cabinet Support Members heading for the long grass?
Cornwall Council's Cabinet this morning fudged the issue of abolishing advisory panels and potentially bringing more backbenchers into government. Councillor Graeme Hicks proposed lifting the axe that had been hanging over the car parking panel, among others, announcing a stay-of-execution for six months to allow time for a "review." Cabinet voted for the new recommendation unanimously.
Council leader Alec Robertson has promised to press ahead with job descriptions, and pay details, for any Cabinet Support Members that might be created - and also suggested their remuneration could be "cost neutral" (implying they'll be funded by savings made eventually on panel abolition.)
The sound of gears crashing into reverse at today's meeting suggested to me that the Independent part of the Conservative-Indie coalition has yet to be convinced.
I wonder if "review" is a euphemism for "won't happen." Six months is a long time for dissident Conservative backbenchers to wait for the sort of "inclusivity" that might find them something to occupy their time. It also takes us to October, a mere 19 months before the next round of Cornwall Council elections, and a period when members start reverting into candidates.
I'm ´óÏó´«Ã½ Radio Devon’s Graham Smith, blogging on news, views and some fresh insights into West Country life, particularly the way government works locally and nationally.
Comment number 1.
At 21st Apr 2011, Jude Robinson wrote:Hi Graham, I was a bit disappointed you didn't mention that only one councillor spoke out against the 'Cabinet Support Members' yesterday - especially as it was you who said: "I think Jude's success will make the Cornwall Council chamber a more interesting place - a lone voice, to be sure, but a voice which is clearly one of Opposition and not confused by the Con-Lib coalition deals at Westminster."
To be honest, I was surprised to be the only one whose blood pressure was rising at the whole plan but perhaps that was just my naivety. After all, as Alec Robertson pointed out in his little tantrum, I am new and don't understand how these things work.
In my ignorance, I am also finding it hard to fathom how abolishing three SRAs of £3578 (total £10,734) and creating 10 at £8000 each (Total £80,000) can be financially neutral.
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Comment number 2.
At 22nd Apr 2011, 28daysearlier wrote:Well done Jude. Too few of our 'estimed' councillors actually consider what is right rather than simply 'what is good for me'. Here's to rocking the the boat and hopefully tipping a few of the 'old boys club' into the water!
Maybe Graham you should look up the meaning of the word 'unanimously' and try being a little fairer by making the distinction between those that support the closed shop way that our council is run, simply happy to ride the gravy train, voting along with the old boys club and those that are their to represent their constituents and tackle the unfairness at the heart of the council.
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