Friday, 30 March 2012
Thursday, 29 March 2012
Picking your team
Can you imagine how successful the England football team would be if before every match the England manager was able to pick some of the players who would playing on the opposing team? If England could keep the stronger players from the other side sitting on the bench then it would vastly increase England's chances of winning. Even better if England could get some of its second rate players, who hold dual nationality, into the opposing country's squad, then England could pick players for the opposition who are actively working against their own side. It would be like England have 12 or 13 men on the pitch even though only 11 would be wearing the three lions on their chest.
It could never happen of course.
Unfortunately that is exactly what does happen in the Hartlepool Council Chamber when it comes to deciding which councillors will sit on which committees.
Under the current constitution of Hartlepool Council there are numerous committees and forums and one of the assumptions made within the laws governing the operation of local government is that council committees and decision making will have “political balance”. This is supposed to prevent one party dominating the council even though they may not have an overall majority of the councillors.
Each of these committees and forums will have a number of councillors assigned to it plus a nominated Chairman and Vice Chairman. Take the Planning Committee. That has 16 members and political balance gives seven members to the Labour party, three Tories, two Liberal Democrats and four independents. The Chairman of the committee is almost always Labour and the Vice Chair is usually a Tory. This make up may seem very fair?
However, the numbers of councillors are set by political balance but who the individual councillors are in those seats is decided by the political party leaders. The Labour party therefore chose the Chairman of the committee and six councillors. The decision is made for political reasons and favours for favours, not because of any councillor's knowledge, experience or training. The Tory Party chose the vice chair and two other councillors, likewise the lib-dems chose their own representatives. Which leaves the independent seats. Each individual independent is free to put their name forward as an individual for the committees. If more than one wants the same seat then the decision is made by a vote of the full council. In other words the other political parties decide which independent will sit on the committee.
The make up may seem fair but in actual fact the political parties can block troublesome or outspoken independents from important committees if they wish to do so. Even better for the political parties is if they can get one of their own supporters onto the committee under the cover of being an independent. Labour for example only need one Labour supporting independent onto the committee and they have total control of planning in Hartlepool by using the chairman's casting vote in the event of an 8/8 tie. The committee may seem fair and balanced but its not. Rather like England having 13 men on the pitch even though only 11 are wearing the England Shirt.
So how can this be prevented. The ONLY way to stop the other political parties from cherry picking the councillors they want on the committees is for the independents to be a political party in their own right. This is why Putting Hartlepool First is a fully registered political party. When we get to nominate councillors to committees then we as a party can chose our own team and make sure the people in the seats are really putting Hartlepool First. Of course there will still be independent councillors who are not putting Hartlepool first and these individuals will continue to allow the political parties to decide which team they actually play for, regardless of the colour of the shirt they are wearing.
If you really want a team that puts Hartlepool first then there is only one way to vote on May 3rd. We are putting Hartlepool first! Will you?
It could never happen of course.
Unfortunately that is exactly what does happen in the Hartlepool Council Chamber when it comes to deciding which councillors will sit on which committees.
Under the current constitution of Hartlepool Council there are numerous committees and forums and one of the assumptions made within the laws governing the operation of local government is that council committees and decision making will have “political balance”. This is supposed to prevent one party dominating the council even though they may not have an overall majority of the councillors.
Each of these committees and forums will have a number of councillors assigned to it plus a nominated Chairman and Vice Chairman. Take the Planning Committee. That has 16 members and political balance gives seven members to the Labour party, three Tories, two Liberal Democrats and four independents. The Chairman of the committee is almost always Labour and the Vice Chair is usually a Tory. This make up may seem very fair?
However, the numbers of councillors are set by political balance but who the individual councillors are in those seats is decided by the political party leaders. The Labour party therefore chose the Chairman of the committee and six councillors. The decision is made for political reasons and favours for favours, not because of any councillor's knowledge, experience or training. The Tory Party chose the vice chair and two other councillors, likewise the lib-dems chose their own representatives. Which leaves the independent seats. Each individual independent is free to put their name forward as an individual for the committees. If more than one wants the same seat then the decision is made by a vote of the full council. In other words the other political parties decide which independent will sit on the committee.
The make up may seem fair but in actual fact the political parties can block troublesome or outspoken independents from important committees if they wish to do so. Even better for the political parties is if they can get one of their own supporters onto the committee under the cover of being an independent. Labour for example only need one Labour supporting independent onto the committee and they have total control of planning in Hartlepool by using the chairman's casting vote in the event of an 8/8 tie. The committee may seem fair and balanced but its not. Rather like England having 13 men on the pitch even though only 11 are wearing the England Shirt.
So how can this be prevented. The ONLY way to stop the other political parties from cherry picking the councillors they want on the committees is for the independents to be a political party in their own right. This is why Putting Hartlepool First is a fully registered political party. When we get to nominate councillors to committees then we as a party can chose our own team and make sure the people in the seats are really putting Hartlepool First. Of course there will still be independent councillors who are not putting Hartlepool first and these individuals will continue to allow the political parties to decide which team they actually play for, regardless of the colour of the shirt they are wearing.
If you really want a team that puts Hartlepool first then there is only one way to vote on May 3rd. We are putting Hartlepool first! Will you?
Nominations Open
Nominations are now open for the May 2012 Council elections. Hartlepool is having an “all out” election this time due to reduction in councillor numbers from 47 down to 33, boundary changes reducing the wards from 17 down to 11 and ward re-naming. This means everyone will get three votes and will be electing three councillors to represent them. The candidate with the most votes will serve for a four year term, the second place candidate will get three years and the third placed candidate will serve for two years. There will be no councillor elections in 2013.
When Putting Hartlepool First launched at our public meeting in January we set ourselves a target of having a candidate in each of the 11 wards. This morning (Wednesday 28th March) the Party Leader, Geoff Lilley, and Party Nominating Officer, Stephen Allison, handed in 16 completed nomination packs to the elections office in Hartlepool Civic Centre. This was the first tranche of the nominations and there are more to follow.
The elections office confirmed just after lunchtime that 16 valid nominations had been accepted. Putting Hartlepool First have therefore succeeded in their first aim of having a candidate in every ward for the May Elections and in some wards have even managed to field a full slate of three candidates.
Nominations close at noon on 4th April and then the battle for votes starts in earnest. Anyone interested in helping with the fight to put Hartlepool First would be very welcome to get involved in the campaign. Join us and let's make a difference. Let's put Hartlepool First.
When Putting Hartlepool First launched at our public meeting in January we set ourselves a target of having a candidate in each of the 11 wards. This morning (Wednesday 28th March) the Party Leader, Geoff Lilley, and Party Nominating Officer, Stephen Allison, handed in 16 completed nomination packs to the elections office in Hartlepool Civic Centre. This was the first tranche of the nominations and there are more to follow.
The elections office confirmed just after lunchtime that 16 valid nominations had been accepted. Putting Hartlepool First have therefore succeeded in their first aim of having a candidate in every ward for the May Elections and in some wards have even managed to field a full slate of three candidates.
Nominations close at noon on 4th April and then the battle for votes starts in earnest. Anyone interested in helping with the fight to put Hartlepool First would be very welcome to get involved in the campaign. Join us and let's make a difference. Let's put Hartlepool First.
Thursday, 15 March 2012
Thursday, 16 February 2012
Tories and labour councillors laugh at the thought of putting Hartlepool First
According to a report in Wednesday’s Hartlepool Mail the formation of a new political party, dedicated to putting Hartlepool first, was the subject of mirth in the Hartlepool Council Chamber from some Labour and Conservative Councilors. I find it sad that anyone in a position where they are supposed to be representing the town can mock the idea of putting Hartlepool first and consider the aim of putting Hartlepool first to be something to laugh at.
The Tory leader even reportedly joked that he couldn’t remember the name of the new party! So there is one Hartlepool Councilor who by his own admission can’t even remember a simple phrase such as “Putting Hartlepool First” I do hope Councilor Wells tries to remember it when he is making decisions that affect the people of Hartlepool and the town. Unfortunately of course Labour, Conservative (and Lib-Dem councilors) all have to put their party policies ahead of everything else. Their parties won’t allow them to do anything else!
The poor health, shorter life expectancy and high unemployment rates in the town are not something to laugh at! I do hope the electorate of the town remembers in May that the Labour and Tory parties consider the very idea of putting Hartlepool first to be something to laugh at. I think it’s long past the time when Hartlepool Council should have been putting Hartlepool first. In May we have the opportunity to elect new representatives who are really committed to putting Hartlepool first.
The Tory leader even reportedly joked that he couldn’t remember the name of the new party! So there is one Hartlepool Councilor who by his own admission can’t even remember a simple phrase such as “Putting Hartlepool First” I do hope Councilor Wells tries to remember it when he is making decisions that affect the people of Hartlepool and the town. Unfortunately of course Labour, Conservative (and Lib-Dem councilors) all have to put their party policies ahead of everything else. Their parties won’t allow them to do anything else!
The poor health, shorter life expectancy and high unemployment rates in the town are not something to laugh at! I do hope the electorate of the town remembers in May that the Labour and Tory parties consider the very idea of putting Hartlepool first to be something to laugh at. I think it’s long past the time when Hartlepool Council should have been putting Hartlepool first. In May we have the opportunity to elect new representatives who are really committed to putting Hartlepool first.
Friday, 10 February 2012
Friday, 3 February 2012
All in this together?
MPs want £26,000 benefits cap so why not the same cap on an MP's salary?
All in it together?
Sign the e-petition NOW
https://submissions.epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/28476
All in it together?
Sign the e-petition NOW
https://submissions.epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/28476
Wednesday, 1 February 2012
No reply from the Inland Revenue
As it is now February 1st and HM Revenue and Customs has not acknowledged my R27 form I assume my dad has been fined £100 for not submitting his tax return by the January 31st deadline. Ironic really, dead man fails to meet dead line!
Thursday, 26 January 2012
Only "little people" pay taxes
It makes my blood boil when I read things like this! My father died in November and the inland revenue have already written to him, yes the letter was addressed Mr Derek Allison (DECEASED), to remind him there will be £100 penalty to pay if he fails to file his tax return online before 31st January. Unfortunately as he's DEAD he can't! I pointed this out but its not their problem apparently, the fine is automatic! Then I read that althletes and sportsmen/women who live in tax exhile are being give tax exemptions......I'd do it the other way round......if you DON'T pay UK tax then you can't pull on a Team GB Jersey.
UK waives tax for 2014 Games to attract big names uk.news.yahoo.com
LONDON (Reuters) - Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt and other overseas athletes will not have to pay British income tax if they compete in the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, the government said on Thursday, encouraging big names to build the event into their schedule.
UK waives tax for 2014 Games to attract big names uk.news.yahoo.com
LONDON (Reuters) - Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt and other overseas athletes will not have to pay British income tax if they compete in the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, the government said on Thursday, encouraging big names to build the event into their schedule.
Friday, 13 January 2012
Derek Allison (Deceased)
My battle today was with the Inland Revenue who have sent a letter to Derek Allison (Deceased) informing him of an automatic £100 fine if he fails to file his tax return on line (and pay any tax due) before 31st January. I contacted them to explain the clue was in the letter they had sent him when they put (Deceased) in the address line. Apparently these are just computer generated letters and the fine will be automatically applied if the return is not filed. I pointed out a dead man couldn't operate a computer. The answer to that was if he appealed the fine then being dead might be considered an extenuating circumstance and the fine may be cancelled!
Monday, 9 January 2012
Off to a flying start
The open meeting of Hartlepool Independents – Putting Hartlepool First, held this Saturday, resulted in enough new members joining the party to provide for the party to challenge for at least one seat per ward at the May 2012 Local Elections.
A constant stream of potential members attended the meeting in the Grand Hotel, Hartlepool, to discuss the aims, objectives and policies of Hartlepool Independents - Putting Hartlepool First. The majority of those attending decided to sign up as members of the party and over a dozen of them were keen to represent the party as candidates for the Hartlepool council elections.
“It was a great event” said Geoff Lilley, Leader of the Hartlepool Independents – Putting Hartlepool First. “We had a couple of members of other parties who came for a look at us but by far the majority of people who came through the door had come to sign up as members. The appetite for change is definitely out there and Hartlepool Independents – Putting Hartlepool First are definitely being seen as a vehicle to provide that change”
The new party was formed last year and the meeting in the Grand Hotel was its first recruitment event. In addition to new members the party also received donations towards the costs of the forthcoming elections.
Initially Hartlepool Independents – Putting Hartlepool First had targeted to have at least one candidate in each of the eleven new wards. However, the party already has more than the eleven candidates required to achieve this aim and so are looking at fighting all three seats in a number of target wards.
“There are several existing independent councillors, one or two former councillors and some active campaigners on various issues whom we would have liked to see join us” said Stephen Allison, Party Secretary of Hartlepool Independents – Putting Hartlepool First. “Unfortunately some of these individuals have so far decided to remain on the side lines and in at least two cases the existing councillors have possibly now missed the boat for selection in their current wards as Candidates for Hartlepool Independents – Putting Hartlepool First.”
The party will be holding another meeting shortly and will announce its selected candidates for target wards before the end of January. “Its time to stand up and be counted” said Party Treasurer, Steve Gibbon “if anyone really wants to put Hartlepool First then they should join us and put their money where their mouth is. Together we can really make a difference".
A constant stream of potential members attended the meeting in the Grand Hotel, Hartlepool, to discuss the aims, objectives and policies of Hartlepool Independents - Putting Hartlepool First. The majority of those attending decided to sign up as members of the party and over a dozen of them were keen to represent the party as candidates for the Hartlepool council elections.
“It was a great event” said Geoff Lilley, Leader of the Hartlepool Independents – Putting Hartlepool First. “We had a couple of members of other parties who came for a look at us but by far the majority of people who came through the door had come to sign up as members. The appetite for change is definitely out there and Hartlepool Independents – Putting Hartlepool First are definitely being seen as a vehicle to provide that change”
The new party was formed last year and the meeting in the Grand Hotel was its first recruitment event. In addition to new members the party also received donations towards the costs of the forthcoming elections.
Initially Hartlepool Independents – Putting Hartlepool First had targeted to have at least one candidate in each of the eleven new wards. However, the party already has more than the eleven candidates required to achieve this aim and so are looking at fighting all three seats in a number of target wards.
“There are several existing independent councillors, one or two former councillors and some active campaigners on various issues whom we would have liked to see join us” said Stephen Allison, Party Secretary of Hartlepool Independents – Putting Hartlepool First. “Unfortunately some of these individuals have so far decided to remain on the side lines and in at least two cases the existing councillors have possibly now missed the boat for selection in their current wards as Candidates for Hartlepool Independents – Putting Hartlepool First.”
The party will be holding another meeting shortly and will announce its selected candidates for target wards before the end of January. “Its time to stand up and be counted” said Party Treasurer, Steve Gibbon “if anyone really wants to put Hartlepool First then they should join us and put their money where their mouth is. Together we can really make a difference".
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