tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2129943063330427887.post7704233424289762665..comments2024-03-29T13:40:52.350+00:00Comments on WEMBLEY MATTERS: Wanted: Chair of Brent Scrutiny CommitteeUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2129943063330427887.post-45597902658855147862015-11-17T15:08:58.953+00:002015-11-17T15:08:58.953+00:00Kalwala has not been re admitted to the Labour gro...Kalwala has not been re admitted to the Labour group after his conviction earlier for violence against another Labour councillor. He's persona non grata Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2129943063330427887.post-39101047650784187572015-11-17T11:47:14.622+00:002015-11-17T11:47:14.622+00:00Although Scrutiny Committee needs to find an effec...Although Scrutiny Committee needs to find an effective Chair to replace Dan Filson, I can see that it would benefit from some co-opted "external members". <br /><br />It does have a number of non-councillors appointed to it at the moment, but their role is very limited. As Part 5 of Brent's Constitution sets out, in its terms of reference for Scrutiny Committee:<br /><br />'The Committee consists of fourteen members in total comprising of eight Councillors, <br />4 voting education co-opted members and 2 non voting education co-opted members.'<br /><br />In setting out the limitations on the co-opted members, it states:<br /><br />'The voting co-opted members may only vote on matters relating to school education and the non-voting co-opted members may not vote on any matter.'<br /><br />Some other Council committees (including Standards Committee) have at least one independent member on them. Scrutiny Committee could benefit from one or two such members, who can contribute fully to its decision-making without any party political bias or other pressures. This would need a change to Brent's Constitution, but perhaps there is an enlightened Brent Councillor out there who could raise the suggestion?<br /><br />Philip Grant.<br /> Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2129943063330427887.post-13756775575453877582015-11-17T08:10:43.031+00:002015-11-17T08:10:43.031+00:00There is really only one criteria - a willingness ...There is really only one criteria - a willingness to speak truth to power. If that is not the case, whatever else it is, it is not scrutiny.Pete Firminnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2129943063330427887.post-53233481533699353742015-11-16T23:20:48.541+00:002015-11-16T23:20:48.541+00:00Rita Conneely has been very helpful indeed to some...Rita Conneely has been very helpful indeed to someone I know well and I respect her enormously for it. I suspect Duffy is far too independent of mind, sadly - again, well thought of by people who's opinion is sound. <br /><br />Butt's Dar axis is unhealthy in many ways. Alison Hopkinsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2129943063330427887.post-5662107590614308372015-11-16T23:02:43.292+00:002015-11-16T23:02:43.292+00:00What about Kawala. What about Kawala. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2129943063330427887.post-29547049331101183752015-11-16T22:22:17.246+00:002015-11-16T22:22:17.246+00:00From reading this it appears that Brent Labour gr...From reading this it appears that Brent Labour group has a lot in common with Mogden Lane sewage station in terms of what rises to the top. I'm hoping S.Talker will present himself as a candidate and, as it were, flush himself out. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2129943063330427887.post-8692537123294521922015-11-16T20:21:42.183+00:002015-11-16T20:21:42.183+00:00John Duffy would fit those criteria but doesn'...John Duffy would fit those criteria but doesn't have a snowball in hell's chance of being elected by the Labour group. Rita Conneely has never publicly put her head above the parapet. Tom Miller struggles to keep up with his current workload and is also too ambitious, as is Neil Nerva. Arshad Mahmood is Cllr Butt's cousin. Sarah Marquis is too close to a Cabinet member. Claudia Hector backs down from her stated positions embarrassingly quickly. Keith Perrin is all talk. The rest are incapable of independent thought and the less said about the Asian-hating S.Talker the better. We are stuffed.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2129943063330427887.post-89970340999909836962015-11-16T16:51:28.799+00:002015-11-16T16:51:28.799+00:00Very wise Philip. Hopkins has just given Cllr Conn...Very wise Philip. Hopkins has just given Cllr Conneely the kiss of death!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2129943063330427887.post-83127646330837313862015-11-16T16:32:53.031+00:002015-11-16T16:32:53.031+00:00Sadly, I cannot see many suitable choices, despite...Sadly, I cannot see many suitable choices, despite the large number of Labour councillors. <br /><br />There are a few I have come across who might make a good job of being Chair of Scrutiny Committee, but I do not wish to scupper their chances by naming them, although I wish them luck if they do put themselves forward for the position!<br /><br />Philip Grant.Philip Granthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08216646114377430489noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2129943063330427887.post-36252742338957376882015-11-16T15:15:10.896+00:002015-11-16T15:15:10.896+00:00It was Cllr Filson's knowledge and experience ...It was Cllr Filson's knowledge and experience that helped the junior members of the committee and without them, they will certainly struggle. My vote would be for Phillip Grant, Michael Hine or Martin Francis to be appointed as external members that would be able to cast some real scrutiny over the council decisions. Aside from them I would concurr that John Duffy would be the best man for the job and if he had been the person leading the flytip task-force we might have had some better actions than what was on offer. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2129943063330427887.post-58630486425979819032015-11-16T14:16:54.937+00:002015-11-16T14:16:54.937+00:00Alison's S.Talker friend seems to have a lot...Alison's S.Talker friend seems to have a lot of time on his hands, is tirelessly persistent, almost to the point of obsession, and appears to keep a close eye on things (well, some things). Not sure whether he'd be able to see the bigger picture, though, as his head is usually in a rather dark and sweaty place with very limited vision.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2129943063330427887.post-18629067758398286222015-11-16T12:49:59.958+00:002015-11-16T12:49:59.958+00:00John Duffy would be excellent. I suspect Rita Conn...John Duffy would be excellent. I suspect Rita Conneely would be as well. None of the rest of them meet those criteria that I can think of. Alison Hopkinsnoreply@blogger.com