tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2129943063330427887.post4693248494921410067..comments2024-03-28T09:45:17.708+00:00Comments on WEMBLEY MATTERS: Does Councillor Butt have too much power?Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2129943063330427887.post-52527380742064978482016-10-17T17:54:57.983+01:002016-10-17T17:54:57.983+01:00Essentially as I see it, Butt's ideal is more ...Essentially as I see it, Butt's ideal is more in line with sychophantic, self-inking rubber stamps than stronger communities.<br /><br />Alan WheatleyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2129943063330427887.post-25943117340735748532016-10-17T16:34:02.680+01:002016-10-17T16:34:02.680+01:00My apologies to Philip, I've been meaning to c...My apologies to Philip, I've been meaning to comment on this for a while. <br /><br />Where to start. Butt most certainly does have too much power and has effectively consolidated it by means of councillors who won't challenge him and a previous chief executive who was quiescent, too. Sadly, it looks as though the new one is as reluctant to challenge as her predecessor - and the Legal department are, in my view, not carrying out either their statutory duty, or that of public service. <br /><br />Some of the issues are structural. Brent moved to a Leader and Cabinet constitution, as did most other councils when it was foisted on them by Blair's Labour. That's profoundly flawed. It disenfranchises allbut the inner circle closest to the Glorious Leader. In some councils, this isn't abused, but in Brent, it most certainly is. <br /><br />Decisions are made by oneor two people. Full council meetings and committee meetings are meaningledd, even for planning issues. Planning was always the one committee that was relatively independent, but recent events seem to be giving the lie to even that. <br /><br />As to General Purposes, it seems pointless and serves no useful purpose, whether general or specific. At least back in the day when I was a member, dissenting voices had some hope of bein recorded and could be a useful thorn in the side. I saw Paul Lorber repeatedly challenge Butt about both the constitution, on which he was something of an expert, and on more general issues. The Labour majority meant Butt could still force things through but at least they were aired. <br /><br />I'll add that one thing that horrified me was when we were discussing HR policies and the then HR Director knew less about employment law than I did. <br /><br />So yes, far too much power. What's needed is a return to properly constituted committee systems which would at least allow someone to get a word in. What's also needed is an end to changes to the copnstitution being nodded through without any semblance of a vote, and then bent to suit the will of a very few. That needs both officers and councillors who are ready to make waves. <br /><br />Any chance of that? Alison Hopkinsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2129943063330427887.post-4089154695358824202016-10-14T19:01:38.661+01:002016-10-14T19:01:38.661+01:00Does Fiona Alderman have too much power???Does Fiona Alderman have too much power???Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2129943063330427887.post-64142321788076737402016-10-14T16:07:48.227+01:002016-10-14T16:07:48.227+01:00REPLY FROM BRENT COUNCIL:-
In the interests of op...REPLY FROM BRENT COUNCIL:-<br /><br />In the interests of openness and transparency, I am setting out the full text of the email I have received this afternoon, sent on behalf of Brent's Chief Executive in reply to my email above:-<br /><br />'Dear Mr Grant<br /> <br />Thank you for your email. The Chief Executive notes your concerns about the constitution of the General Purposes Committee. The Chief Executive and I consider that the composition of the Committee is satisfactory from both a legal and operational perspective. <br /><br />Best wishes,<br /> <br />Fiona Alderman<br />Chief Legal Officer'<br />Philip Granthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08216646114377430489noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2129943063330427887.post-17542051487147143422016-10-13T15:53:10.768+01:002016-10-13T15:53:10.768+01:00FOR INFORMATION:
As, at the end of my guest blog,...FOR INFORMATION:<br /><br />As, at the end of my guest blog, I suggested action by Brent's Chief Executive, I have written to Carolyn Downs about it. Here is the text of my email:-<br /><br />'I am writing to you as the Chair of Brent's Constitutional Working Group, and copying this to the other members of the Group who I am aware of. <br /><br />I am attaching the text of a detailed comment I made on an online "blog" article, which was republished by "Wembley Matters" as an article in its own right, as a contribution to Local Democracy Week.<br /><br />Although the title refers to Councillor Butt, and the article contains some historic references to his use of power, the main point which it raises concerns the functions and membership of the Council's General Purposes Committee. The role of that committee is to carry out 'a number of functions on which the Cabinet cannot take decisions'. Logic would suggest that these are functions which the law, or the Council itself, have decided should be separated from functions which the Cabinet can deal with. This would be in order to give a "separation of powers" which ensures proper "checks and balances", 'to ensure' (as Brent's Constitution states) 'that decision making is efficient, transparent and accountable to local people'.<br /><br />Brent's Constitution used to say that at least one of the Committee's eight members must be a member of the Executive (now Cabinet), and this would make sense to ensure that there was some liaison between the two powerful bodies of councillors. However, in recent years the membership of the General Purposes Committee has been seven Cabinet members plus the Leader of the Opposition, and the Chair has been the Leader of the Council, who also chairs the Cabinet. The "separation of powers" has therefore been lost.<br /><br />I am writing to propose, as I suggest at the end of the attached article, 'that the Council’s Constitutional Working Group, chaired by its properly appointed Chief Executive, Carolyn Downs, should consider ways to ensure that the functions of the General Purposes Committee and its sub-committees are carried out independently of the Council Leader and the Cabinet.' This is not just something which affects the present personnel, or situation on Brent Council, but a question of good governance. <br /><br />The Leader and Cabinet already have considerable powers in those roles, and yet there are more than fifty other elected councillors whose knowledge and experience could contribute to the functions carried out by General Purposes Committee, if the majority of seats on that committee, and its Chair, were to be reserved under the Constitution for members who are not in the Cabinet. I believe that this would also ensure a better balance of power within the Council as a whole.<br /><br />If you agree that this is a matter which the Constitutional Working Group should consider, I hope that you will invite all of Brent's councillors to contribute their views on the membership of General Purposes Committee, should they wish to do so. By restricting consideration only to members of the Group, it might be felt that most have a vested interest in keeping the status quo!'<br /><br />Hopefully, some improvements to "governance" at Brent Council will come out of this.<br /><br />Philip.<br /><br />Philip Granthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08216646114377430489noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2129943063330427887.post-27069584041014735442016-10-13T13:28:47.014+01:002016-10-13T13:28:47.014+01:00Don't think Trump is as bad as ButtDon't think Trump is as bad as ButtAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2129943063330427887.post-45537899377574132212016-10-13T11:22:48.236+01:002016-10-13T11:22:48.236+01:00But they're both such sad bullies that are des...But they're both such sad bullies that are desperate for power and an excess of ego - aren't they.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2129943063330427887.post-80466323526115711892016-10-13T10:36:22.066+01:002016-10-13T10:36:22.066+01:00Dear Mike,
You do know that we are talking here a...Dear Mike,<br /><br />You do know that we are talking here about Muhammed Butt, not Donald Trump, don't you?<br /><br />Philip.Philip Granthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08216646114377430489noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2129943063330427887.post-46692931080133536912016-10-12T22:12:27.424+01:002016-10-12T22:12:27.424+01:00But power is sooooo attractive in a man. Every tim...But power is sooooo attractive in a man. Every time I see him I'm reminded of a banter-crazed alpha male locker-room silver back urban gorilla. <br />Or something.<br /><br />Mike Hine Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2129943063330427887.post-37156486999145045982016-10-12T19:09:36.306+01:002016-10-12T19:09:36.306+01:00Power corruptsPower corruptsAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2129943063330427887.post-42633476182442224482016-10-12T18:59:29.740+01:002016-10-12T18:59:29.740+01:00I do so agree!!!I do so agree!!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2129943063330427887.post-25315048582631731262016-10-12T09:30:20.724+01:002016-10-12T09:30:20.724+01:00That this man has any power at all is shockingThat this man has any power at all is shockingAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com