6 November - Questionable decisions and Questionable questions
I
planned to begin today’s report by wondering how long it would be before the
Tory Twitter Twins were crowing about
their Thames Crossing Motion and ridiculing
Labour’s strange position, but I was beaten to it.
I can still not really get my mind around it. We have Councillor Bacon (Conservative, Longlands) who just
a few years ago stood atop Knee Hill with a placard campaigning against a Thames
Crossing now putting forward a Motion to Sadiq Khan pleading for one or two
crossings to be built. Historically the Conservatives’ record is mainly one of
opposing anything other than a small ferry and Labour’s position has been
absolutely 100% in favour of road crossings.
It still was on Wednesday evening but in full on toys out of the pram mode they
voted against the bridge. And for what reason?
Because they wanted a DLR extension to be included thereby mixing something that
has already been consulted upon and approved but put on hold, with a vague promise. A mixed
message like that would court rejection while a more focused one might just
possibly be given consideration. Voting against the simpler Motion defied all logic.
The other strange thing is that here we have a @bexleynews Tweet which is
actually truthful. How long can that possibly last?
There was more on the Full Council Agenda than river crossings, it started as is usual with Questions.
One member of the public asked two questions. “Why does the Council insist on
single sentence questions contrary to its own Constitution?” and why is it
illegal to walk an unleashed dog in a park but the same owner with the same dog can walk it unleashed along a road?”
The webcast audio suggested that the resident was supposed to participate in the
Zoom call by presenting himself at the Civic Offices but he didn’t show up. One
day later under full lockdown conditions it would probably have been illegal to do so anyway.
How will that small element of democracy be maintained if Bozo continues to
accept false statistics without question?
The first Councillor question came from Mabel Ogundayo (Labour, Thamesmead East). She asked what Cabinet
Member John Fuller had done about protecting free travel for under 18s.
He said that along with the Leader, Council officers and London Councils
he had joined forces to lobby TfL and the Government continuously.
Councillor Wendy Perfect (Labour, Northumberland Heath) asked Cabinet Member Philip Read if he thought that
the Children’s Centre consultation process was flawed. You will not be surprised to
know that he did not. A single word answer, “No”. What else did she expect?
Councillor Diment (Conservative, Sidcup) asked for an update on the situation
regarding the Annual Corporate Parenting Week. Not a question and it should have
been rejected by the Mayor but it is his chosen Charity. The question begged a
favourable answer from Councillor Read. Councillor Diment is Chairman of the
Corporate Parenting Board so it is not hard to guess at the three way incestuous
relationship that allowed the question. The update was too lengthy to summarise here.
Councillor Linda Bailey (Conservative, Crook Log) had a non-question too. She
asked for an update on the newly opened Old Farm Park playground and wildlife area.
Cabinet Member Peter Craske said he was “very happy”. There will be a
commemorative garden to remember the Bexley residents lost to Covid 19.
Councillor Stefano Borella had another non-question. He asked for an update on
library services. Cabinet Member Craske said that 94% of library users rated the
service as good. New libraries are coming for Thamesmead and Sidcup “thanks to
the 2014 Library Strategy which Labour opposed”. Choosing his words carefully
Councillor Craske
added that “nowhere in the [current] document are there any plans to close a library.”
Councillor Nicola Taylor (Labour, Erith) knew what a question was. “Does the
Cabinet Member agree that the lack of affordable housing led to the Housing
Overspend in 2019/20?”. Cabinet Member Alex Sawyer said that “the short answer
is no, but it contributed to it”.
He thought we should be “building more homes in Bexley and across the country.
It is a stain on the character of this country that we cannot build enough
homes. Undoubtedly we need to do more.”
At least the questions session ended with a straight forward answer so be
grateful that the half hour was not entirely wasted
What Gareth said in 2013. Click image for source page.
What residents were saying back then.
