Category: Blog

I’m posting a link here to a very dry (almost Open University c1980s) discussion on council efficiency. Despite its dryness, it does capture the current serious debate going on in councils across the country, in this case it’s the procurement directors of Linconshire and Worcestershire; it could easily have been Trafford and Salford.

Responses to the cuts aired in the programme include a centralised project hub and greater reliance on the voluntary sector. My nagging worry is that these project hub’s or Transformation (Trafford’s version) always recruit new staff and add to the bill; in times of crisis we always seem to need a new level of management to tell the old level of management what it should do.

Using the voluntary sector; all for it. But do council chiefs really understand the dynamics of the sector?

Anyway, it’s heavy stuff and you’ll have your own views. I’d be interested in hearing them.
link to localgovernment channel

All the library authorities in Gtr Manchester are taking part in a ‘Future Libraries’ pilot with the following aim;

Working Together – Greater Manchester Libraries

(Bolton, Bury, Manchester, Oldham, Rochdale, Salford, Stockport, Tameside, Trafford, Wigan)

The project will conduct a feasibility study and options appraisal to identify efficiency savings and customer service improvement opportunities and consider alternative governance models. This work will identify business models for a collaborative approach to library services for the Greater Manchester Region that will maintain and improve these statutory services. These models would be flexible enough to allow involvement of other library authorities and/or cultural organisations within the NW region.

The future model whilst acknowledging local accountability will go beyond delivering current services at less cost. It must release capacity to transform the services in order to invest in new developments that fit with social, economic and technological change. A vibrant, high quality, relevant and economically sustainable service for the 21st century is the ultimate aim. Improving services together; enhancing quality together; achieving value together.

To Herb on Urmston Net

We’re still here. I’m currently without access to Urmston.net though.

Mike

Humphrey Park, Victoria Park, Lostock Park – Our kids are having the funding pulled for much needed play areas but down in Conservative stronghold of East Herts – they can afford a playground for …..Dogs!

Absolutely sick

Letter issued 15th July 2010 to John Lamb (Director of Environment) Trafford Borough Council from Councillor Mike Cordingley

John,

Firstly I need to declare an interest in that I live on Raglan Road.

I’m writing in anticipation of an escalation of complaints from neighbours over the state of the Raglan Road surface. I’ve been getting regular comments as it is.

This has been going on for at least two years and each year I’ve submitted Raglan Road for consideration of its inclusion onto the work programme. It’s surface is the worst that I’m aware of in Trafford in terms of deterioration of the tarmac surface over the concrete base. It has been subjected to more patches than a hippy’s jeans.

Today it appears that we’re going to be subjected to another patching exercise judging by the markings that have been made to the road. Unfortunately it doesn’t even look as though it’s a comprehensive marking and many spots needing attention have been left unmarked. In any event we know from experience that the patching won’t last as essentially the road surface is breaking up.

I’ve attached a link to some quick photographs I’ve just taken in a small segment of the road:

http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/101320367095207211267/RaglanRoadPotholes?feat=directlink

I’d really appreciate it if you could provide a justification for Raglan Road’s non inclusion in the resurfacing schedule. I don’t really want to get into pointing at roads who have received attention for less; but Hilrose Avenue in Urmston was nowhere near as bad as Raglan Road is aesthetically and it does seem to be a lottery at times as to which roads are included.

Since there’s an obvious personal interest, it does place me in a difficult position. Therefore in the interests of transparency I’m posting this email to the blog on the Gorse Hill Labour website and similarly intend to post any replies I receive to the website.

Regards

Mike Cordingley
Councillor for Gorse Hill

0161 865 9228

www.gorsehill-labour.co.uk

Dear Councillor / Colleague –

Please note that Councillor Shaw, as Chairman of Overview & Scrutiny Core Committee, has agreed to a request that the Executive’s recent decision relating to Lostock College / Stretford High School / Proposed Academy should be called in for Scrutiny, by the Overview & Scrutiny Core Committee.

As is usual in these cases, with arrangements needing to be made at short notice, the times available for a meeting are exceedingly constrained; in the event, the only time that certain key parties are available is next Monday evening, 19/7/10. The meeting will therefore take place on Monday evening, commencing at 7.00 p.m., in Rooms 2&3 at Trafford Town Hall. I would be very grateful if you could note these arrangements in your diaries; it would also be very helpful if you could indicate if you are intending to attend.

The Chairman has indicated that Members of the O&S Education Sub-Committee are also welcome to attend this meeting of the O&S Core Committee, should they wish to do so. At the discretion of the Chairman, they may also be able to ask questions and give their views.

A formal agenda and papers for the meeting will be issued tomorrow. In the interim, I am attaching for your information the completed call-in proforma.

Thanks & regards –

Trafford Council
Room 125, Trafford Town Hall, Talbot Road, Stretford M32 0TH
Call in Document