19 October - Lessons have not been learned
Unusually I was able to listen live to most of yesterday’s Finance Scrutiny
meeting but disappointed not to note anything particularly newsworthy. It was
however occasionally amusing. Labour Leader Stefano Borella when referring to
Paul Thorogood’s imminent elevation to the Chief Executive’s position referred
to “the Local Government Act 1972 and I am sure that Councillor Leaf will quote me
the chapter…” and the Cabinet Member responded with “it was actually
the Local Government Housing Act 1989, Section 4.”
Well it made me smile and it was particularly good to see David Leaf on top form
after what must have been for him a traumatic eleven days. I have lost all of my
Jewish friends in recent years and we must all hope that none of his are in danger of being massacred and he can feel safe in Bexley.
Whether I have time to listen to my recording of the meeting is doubtful. Do you
really want to know which polling stations may move before next year? Would time be better spent
looking over ancient blogs again?
Yesterday
I stumbled across the car park season ticket rates for March 2015. Why
Felixstowe Road was on the list I have no idea because it was closed for Crossrail works.
However you will note that the price rose there and in nearby Gayton Road from £64 a month to £164 a month now. a
256% increase over a period when inflation generally would have taken the price
to no more than £85. The discount rate only applies to people who both live and work in
Bexley; basically people who will probably be using the bus; so an empty gesture.
Is it any wonder that the Felixstowe Road car park is
bringing in only a third
of what Bexley Council thought it could get away with and residents suffer the consequences?
Is there any subject around which any Council behaves sensibly?