Rings and jewels are not gifts, but apologies for gifts. The only true gift is a portion of thyself.
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Saturday, 9 July 2011
Friday, 8 July 2011
A hards days work.
Will some MP'sjust end up working in a party members business or work in a real sort of business as Mr Letwin will be doing?
Where will Guto Bebb work for the day?
Janet Finch-Suanders' dog parlour perhaps?
A little unfair on Guto though for to his credit he knows full well what sort of struggles small businesses incur for he once had one such business him self and parliamentary records show he has been very supportive of small business owners.
MPs are being offered work experience placements to “learn about the realities of running a small business” in a scheme organised by a business lobby group.
The Forum of Private Business (FPB) is inviting every MP, MSP and Assembly Member in Britain to take part in its ‘Business Buddy’ scheme, which will see the politicians placed in small businesses in their constituencies.
Almost 100 MPs have signed up to the scheme so far, including Cabinet Office minister Oliver Letwin, who will spend time at a pie shop in his West Dorset constituency in September.
The first of the visits, which the FPB said would see MPs “mucking in” and experiencing “first-hand the problems facing smaller businesses”, took place on Tuesday, with the rest to take place through Parliament’s summer recess.
The organisers are asking each MP to spend at least half a day with the business they visit and hope to match ministers “with businesses relevant to their roles wherever possible”.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/businessclub/8618361/Oliver-Letwin-agrees-to-pie-shop-role.html
Where will Guto Bebb work for the day?
Janet Finch-Suanders' dog parlour perhaps?
A little unfair on Guto though for to his credit he knows full well what sort of struggles small businesses incur for he once had one such business him self and parliamentary records show he has been very supportive of small business owners.
MPs are being offered work experience placements to “learn about the realities of running a small business” in a scheme organised by a business lobby group.
The Forum of Private Business (FPB) is inviting every MP, MSP and Assembly Member in Britain to take part in its ‘Business Buddy’ scheme, which will see the politicians placed in small businesses in their constituencies.
Almost 100 MPs have signed up to the scheme so far, including Cabinet Office minister Oliver Letwin, who will spend time at a pie shop in his West Dorset constituency in September.
The first of the visits, which the FPB said would see MPs “mucking in” and experiencing “first-hand the problems facing smaller businesses”, took place on Tuesday, with the rest to take place through Parliament’s summer recess.
The organisers are asking each MP to spend at least half a day with the business they visit and hope to match ministers “with businesses relevant to their roles wherever possible”.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/businessclub/8618361/Oliver-Letwin-agrees-to-pie-shop-role.html
Thursday, 7 July 2011
Converts and traitors.
" A child, overheard his father, a famous politician, sharply criticize a party member who had crossed over to the opposition.
"But father, the other day you were all praise for the man who
left the opposition to join your party?"
"Well, my son, you might as well learn this important truth
early in life: Those who go over to the other party are traitors.
Those who come to our are converts."
"But father, the other day you were all praise for the man who
left the opposition to join your party?"
"Well, my son, you might as well learn this important truth
early in life: Those who go over to the other party are traitors.
Those who come to our are converts."
New Parking Restictions Conwy Town.
"Hi Oscar
You are not allowed to park in Conwy high street outside Spar between 9am and 1pm,
unloading only, nobody knew about this and several people have been booked, the shopkeepers
I spoke to this morning are very unhappy about this. A small sign has been put above the parking
sign. The traffic warden (the one who was suspended) spent all yesterday morning booking
people. Conwy Council at its best.
Regards."
As far as I could see earlier there were no road markings to denote that the piece of road was now a part time loading bay.
Easy pickings for the little Hitler type attendants that the odd ones are.
Contrast Conwy town to Deganwy were Mr Tarmaster seems to be able to park with impunity for hours on end, or the staff of Cantina who also park on yellow lines without ever incurring a parking penalty, not to mention an Audi parked there for hours on end.
Something wrong somewhere.
You are not allowed to park in Conwy high street outside Spar between 9am and 1pm,
unloading only, nobody knew about this and several people have been booked, the shopkeepers
I spoke to this morning are very unhappy about this. A small sign has been put above the parking
sign. The traffic warden (the one who was suspended) spent all yesterday morning booking
people. Conwy Council at its best.
Regards."
As far as I could see earlier there were no road markings to denote that the piece of road was now a part time loading bay.
Easy pickings for the little Hitler type attendants that the odd ones are.
Contrast Conwy town to Deganwy were Mr Tarmaster seems to be able to park with impunity for hours on end, or the staff of Cantina who also park on yellow lines without ever incurring a parking penalty, not to mention an Audi parked there for hours on end.
Something wrong somewhere.
Wednesday, 6 July 2011
Naughty Card
Who would ever send a card like this I wonder?
I could think of plenty I could send it to, but why would anyone buy it.
Yet there is this one and a few others like it for sale in what otherwise is a up market card shop.
I could think of plenty I could send it to, but why would anyone buy it.
Yet there is this one and a few others like it for sale in what otherwise is a up market card shop.
A Photo Paints A Thousand Words.
How bad is the above headline?
It's the elderly I feel so sorry for, mobility and sight etc is everything to them as it effects their quality of life so much.
As an aside I also think that it's a disgrace that cancer targets to be seen by a consultant have been abolished nationwide.
It's like something you would expect from a third world country.
Tuesday, 5 July 2011
Yes or No?
I had a rather cryptic e mail from a source close to the council saying that despite being elected an Assembly Member Janet Finch-Saunders is still collecting her allowance for being a councillor, despite her saying she would no longer collect the allowance.
She may well have relinquished her role as leader of the Conservatives and Chairman of the scrutiny committee thus giving up her extra payment but has she given up her basic allowance.
I asked her twice over the weekend if she was still collecting her basic allowance and so far she has declined to answer the question.
A simple yes or no seemed a little complex for her to answer.
I have asked her and can do no more, if she replies to the contrary than I shall withdraw this post.
She may well have relinquished her role as leader of the Conservatives and Chairman of the scrutiny committee thus giving up her extra payment but has she given up her basic allowance.
I asked her twice over the weekend if she was still collecting her basic allowance and so far she has declined to answer the question.
I have asked her and can do no more, if she replies to the contrary than I shall withdraw this post.
There Was A Time,
There was a time,
When the last place you would see a sign for special offer food was Bodysgallen Hall at the side of their private road going up to the hotel,
not any more!
The pie is getting increasingly smaller with people having to tighten their economic belts.
The rate of VAT at 20% does not help trade either.
It is a con, no more no less, a con!
When the last place you would see a sign for special offer food was Bodysgallen Hall at the side of their private road going up to the hotel,
not any more!
The pie is getting increasingly smaller with people having to tighten their economic belts.
The rate of VAT at 20% does not help trade either.
It is a con, no more no less, a con!
Top Heavy?
Considering the difference between the work loads and staffing levels of the police, the fire service seem top heavy with senior officers.
Is that the case?
http://www.nwales-fireservice.org.uk/page.asp?page=22
Is that the case?
http://www.nwales-fireservice.org.uk/page.asp?page=22
Full of Wind!
StephenMinas (@StephenMinas)
02/07/2011 05:32
'Poland launched a national manhunt for a man who farted loudly in response to request from police to show more respect for [the] President'
02/07/2011 05:32
'Poland launched a national manhunt for a man who farted loudly in response to request from police to show more respect for [the] President'
Interesting.
The following is of interest.
Given the amount of time they spend glad handing, building sandcastles and posting on FaceBook perhaps we would be better off without them and having a few extra police officers?
Even a police federation official says he "I've got a smile a mile wide:)" at the thought of them being dispensed with.
stephen matthews (@tsfedchair)
04/07/2011 10:41
PCSOs facing cull under police cuts - Telegraph http://t.co/NhNjAjR via @Telegraph I've got a smile a mile wide:)
"Steve Finnigan, Lancashire's Chief Constable, said that with “huge regret” he had told all 427 PCSOs in the force that they may lose their jobs.
He said there was a “lack of clarity” over whether central government funding for support officers would continue to be ring-fenced after the Treasury announced overall cuts of up to a fifth for police.
Theresa May, the Home Secretary, is expected to decide within the next six weeks whether funding for the country’s 16,000 PCSOs
Given the choice, most police chiefs are expected to keep police officers and special constables ahead of the support teams, who are not fully sworn officers and have no powers of arrest. "
Given the amount of time they spend glad handing, building sandcastles and posting on FaceBook perhaps we would be better off without them and having a few extra police officers?
Even a police federation official says he "I've got a smile a mile wide:)" at the thought of them being dispensed with.
stephen matthews (@tsfedchair)
04/07/2011 10:41
PCSOs facing cull under police cuts - Telegraph http://t.co/NhNjAjR via @Telegraph I've got a smile a mile wide:)
"Steve Finnigan, Lancashire's Chief Constable, said that with “huge regret” he had told all 427 PCSOs in the force that they may lose their jobs.
He said there was a “lack of clarity” over whether central government funding for support officers would continue to be ring-fenced after the Treasury announced overall cuts of up to a fifth for police.
Theresa May, the Home Secretary, is expected to decide within the next six weeks whether funding for the country’s 16,000 PCSOs
Given the choice, most police chiefs are expected to keep police officers and special constables ahead of the support teams, who are not fully sworn officers and have no powers of arrest. "
Sunday, 3 July 2011
New Chief Executive, "Recruit Internally, or go through a full External Recruitment process."
Jason brings the following to the public's attention, shame he will not be at the meeting.
* Just noticed Ken finch is treasurur to North Wales Fire and Rescue, how does he have time for this role?
Following the resignation of Bryon Davies, the Council now need to decide how to proceed. The
options can be seen in detail by following the link below. But in summary the options are: Continue with Interim arrangements for a set time, Recruit Internally, or go through a full External Recruitment process.
http://jasonweyman.blogspot.com/2011/07/diary-wc-monday-4th-july-2011.html
"1. PURPOSE OF THE REPORT
1.1 The report provides Members with a commentary on the range of options
available in respect of recruitment to the post of Chief Executive/Head of Paid
Service.
2. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
2.1 The duties of Chief Executive/Head of Paid Service have been performed by
Mr Ken Finch since the Council of 1st April 2010 established the interim
management needed as a consequence of Mr Byron Davies’s suspension.
Council of 19th May 2011 approved continuation of the existing interim
management arrangements until it approves otherwise.
2.2 The current position is that the post of Chief Executive/Head of Paid Service
is not technically vacant but filled on the direction of the Council on an acting
basis for an indeterminate period by Mr Finch.
2.3. The report considers the options available to the Council following its
decisions of 19th May 2011 and the subsequent resignation by Mr Byron Davies.
Members are asked to consider a range of alternative courses of action having
abcde
2
considered the pros and cons, risks, costs and potential outcomes identified
within the report and its appendices.
2.4. The following options/questions are addressed in section 4 of this report:-
• Does the Council wish to make a permanent appointment to the post
or continue with the current interim arrangements? If the latter, for what
time period?
• In reflecting on statements from the Welsh Government, and more
specifically from Carl Sargeant, the Minister for Local Government and
Communities, on collaboration and shared/joint senior appointments
whether Council wishes to pursue consideration of a Joint Chief
Executive between Conwy and one or more of its directly neighbouring
Councils?
• After considering carefully the options, if it is the wish of Conwy
Members that the Council appoints its own Chief Executive, what
process should be initiated to deliver that outcome?"
http://modgoveng.conwy.gov.uk/published/c00000207/m00002680/ai00029940/$chiefexecutivereport.doc.pdf
* Just noticed Ken finch is treasurur to North Wales Fire and Rescue, how does he have time for this role?
Following the resignation of Bryon Davies, the Council now need to decide how to proceed. The
options can be seen in detail by following the link below. But in summary the options are: Continue with Interim arrangements for a set time, Recruit Internally, or go through a full External Recruitment process.
http://jasonweyman.blogspot.com/2011/07/diary-wc-monday-4th-july-2011.html
"1. PURPOSE OF THE REPORT
1.1 The report provides Members with a commentary on the range of options
available in respect of recruitment to the post of Chief Executive/Head of Paid
Service.
2. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
2.1 The duties of Chief Executive/Head of Paid Service have been performed by
Mr Ken Finch since the Council of 1st April 2010 established the interim
management needed as a consequence of Mr Byron Davies’s suspension.
Council of 19th May 2011 approved continuation of the existing interim
management arrangements until it approves otherwise.
2.2 The current position is that the post of Chief Executive/Head of Paid Service
is not technically vacant but filled on the direction of the Council on an acting
basis for an indeterminate period by Mr Finch.
2.3. The report considers the options available to the Council following its
decisions of 19th May 2011 and the subsequent resignation by Mr Byron Davies.
Members are asked to consider a range of alternative courses of action having
abcde
2
considered the pros and cons, risks, costs and potential outcomes identified
within the report and its appendices.
2.4. The following options/questions are addressed in section 4 of this report:-
• Does the Council wish to make a permanent appointment to the post
or continue with the current interim arrangements? If the latter, for what
time period?
• In reflecting on statements from the Welsh Government, and more
specifically from Carl Sargeant, the Minister for Local Government and
Communities, on collaboration and shared/joint senior appointments
whether Council wishes to pursue consideration of a Joint Chief
Executive between Conwy and one or more of its directly neighbouring
Councils?
• After considering carefully the options, if it is the wish of Conwy
Members that the Council appoints its own Chief Executive, what
process should be initiated to deliver that outcome?"
http://modgoveng.conwy.gov.uk/published/c00000207/m00002680/ai00029940/$chiefexecutivereport.doc.pdf
Not So Happy Valley.
"Once the word LLANDUDNO was picked out in colourful flowers visible to everyone that walks along the pier, now they are just filled with concrete - what a shame."
http://llandudnoandcolwynbay.blogspot.com/2011/07/llandudno.html
Bit of a racket.
I have always disliked the idea of referral fees, but by and large I suppose they are part of life, of course many companies make no secret of them, even if it is in the small print, but the idea of your own insurance company selling ones details on when one has had an accident is in my opinion unethical and they should either be banned from doing so or the whole system should be made more transparent and companies should be made to declare their interests.
On no account should the referrals be more favourable to one company more than another as now appears to be the case.
As a little aside there were problems in the area some years when the police became unwittingly involved with the referrals of sudden deaths and the like, they had a habit of only calling one firm of funeral directors out, until of course the other firm twigged and complained, as it happened the police's first choice was the best choice! But that is another story!
I believe that when the police come across a broken window in a commercial premises they now as a matter of course call out a window boarding company, there was a time when they had a list of key holders called them out and let them decide who to phone.
I have no idea how the police decide who to now call by the way.
It has been said that in many cases the police no longer call the key holder as the information is no longer kept up to date and their priority is to secure the premises and move on to the next job.
Accountants, solicitors have long since had to refer clients to financial planners, many it is said do not take a referral fee and if they did they would have to declare it to the clients, which is fair enough.
I think Jack Straw may well have opened a can of worms up with this ones it has implications for many, especially when it is alleged that public bodies are concerned.
On no account should the referrals be more favourable to one company more than another as now appears to be the case.
As a little aside there were problems in the area some years when the police became unwittingly involved with the referrals of sudden deaths and the like, they had a habit of only calling one firm of funeral directors out, until of course the other firm twigged and complained, as it happened the police's first choice was the best choice! But that is another story!
I believe that when the police come across a broken window in a commercial premises they now as a matter of course call out a window boarding company, there was a time when they had a list of key holders called them out and let them decide who to phone.
I have no idea how the police decide who to now call by the way.
It has been said that in many cases the police no longer call the key holder as the information is no longer kept up to date and their priority is to secure the premises and move on to the next job.
Accountants, solicitors have long since had to refer clients to financial planners, many it is said do not take a referral fee and if they did they would have to declare it to the clients, which is fair enough.
I think Jack Straw may well have opened a can of worms up with this ones it has implications for many, especially when it is alleged that public bodies are concerned.
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