kevinjohnsonmbe

TFFT! I didn't want to be first... What a whining princess! If only it really was "the words" of a foot soldier rather than a political spin from a £100k union dweeb. Dry your eyes buttercup. That's your 'king job.

Good to see the A-bot has resurfaced now the heat is off, blood sugar levels apparently!?! Boris made a tit of himself, it's remarkable because it's so rare. A-bot makes a tit of herself every time she makes a public appearance!! 👍🏻👍🏻

RBK&C Chief exec "resigns." Council leader should be close behind him!

Just heard, no immigration status checks for GRenfell tower residents... Why tF not? If they're here illegally, they can do one!

It's a fair question Dan. I think it's the scale / number of people affected and, importantly, the potential for misconduct / neglect / incompetence/ corruption that sets this event apart from a "normal" house fire. There might also be some media misdirection too - a % of the apartments in that block are "social housing" just like any other development. I had to laugh at the questions on LBC though - will the ex Grenfell tenants be allowed access to the basement cinema and 24hr concierge service? Yes, I should imagine so, if they can afford the subscription fees!

They've been "let down", scandalously, by "the system." The system should now do whatever is necessary to recompense for its failure. Where ever that failure is found to be, wether it be local authority, government, contractor or individual, there should be prison time if individuals are found culpable and financial recompense if profit making organisations are found liable.

What a waste of time and money - probably only equates to pocket change in the whole project costs though. If only it had been conditioned that an appropriate sum of money be transferred to the PC so that local ownership could be established and a small local contract let - or a house owners co-op. Good for long term aesthetic / amenity / diversity gain (and associated potential house value uplift) and keeping money in the local economy. Just had a quick look at s106 / CIL details: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/community-infrastructure-levy Will have to have a proper read of that.

:thumbup:

And she might stand a better chance of getting on with the big issues if she ignored the media clamour and celebrity TV style demands that she turn up at just about every incident on a daily basis. Apparently there's a tractor trailer shed a load of hay just outside Praze-an-Beeble and a car with a tyre needs changing in Aberystwyth. Special advisors can't decide which one she should attend first!

I don't know why you'd ask me Mark, I voted Green! Do you really believe that anyway??

One of our neighbouring villages is a consistent strong contender and winner of the national village of the year competition, and previous multiple winner of the SW regional village of the year Mr M! Them hanging baskets don't water them self you know!

That, Sir, is the key question! And it may well be that we would find considerable common ground if we looked at that question 👍🏻 I wasn't looking to answer that question though - the exam question was, do councils have sufficient funds to deal effectively with contingency planning and if "no", is it a consequence of centrally imposed austerity. Answer, in the case, ample funds and not limited by austerity. That moves us on to a series of subsequent questions: Why are some councils unable to live within their means? Why are others so flush but possibly not spending appropriately? Why is central government spending contingency funds to assist a council with such a healthy balance sheet? The list goes on.....

I know Comrade! :biggrin:

Not mocking at all Mark! Just presenting an alternative reality... You going Wednesday? Grenfell Tower fire: Hundreds plan to attend 'Day of Rage' outside Parliament on day of Queen's Speech - Get West London "...Writing on the event, Movement for Justice By Any Means Necessary said: "Bring Down the Government - Shut Down London..." They sound like a sensible, law abiding bunch of good citizens :lol:

Eggs, RBK&C council has not suffered as a result of central government "austerity." Possibly, quite the opposite might be seen from their latest signed-off balance sheet: https://www.rbkc.gov.uk/pdf/2013-14%20Statement%20of%20Accounts%20Master%20FINAL_.pdf Here is an example not of the adverse effect of centrally imposed "austerity" but rather of a council that actually had more than ample financial where-with-all to both (a) avoid this catastrophe having occurred AND (b) deal with the aftermath quickly and efficiently after the event. It did neither - but i don't think that is a consequence of austerity which has become the golden, go-to opportunity to excuse incompetence so often trotted out by councils. Heaven only knows how much money this (and other?) council was squandering BEFORE budget restrictions were implemented. They were so flush as to be able to rebate council tax in 2014! https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/jun/16/my-council-tax-rebate-from-kensington-and-chelsea-is-blood-money Didn't quite expect it to be THAT interesting! This is NOT a council that was in any way struggling for cash!

Hammer & Tickle seems OK: As does Hezbollah: Hezbollah supporters call for Israel?s annihilation at London rally | Jewish News all darlings of the Corbinistas...

Beggars belief! At those figures, each flat could have been replaced with a factory built, modern, carbon neutral dwelling in a small plot with garden and shared green space. By any measure, a desirable and efficient means of living. Down side.... Well of course it wouldn't be K&C borough obviously. Some parts of the puzzle I can't reconcile: Assuming, as it seems, that block had a high racial & ethnic mix, and if we accept that these people are "the most vulnerable and economically deprived" in our society, then the stance that immigration provides a net gain to the economy must be inaccurate? Both parts can't be true?? And if it is majority first, or perhaps even 2nd gen immigrants, what plausible tie is there to the area? Why wouldn't someone give up high density housing for an off site new development of low-zero cost to run housing? Maybe a lack of jobs? If they're on the dole, can't be a job tying them to the area - unless it's dole in one hand, cash casual in the other? But here we are looking at ways and means to solve a symptom whilst ignoring the obvious cause. Too many people in too small a space is a consequence of uncontrolled immigration. Can't fill a vessel past its capacity without a spillage... PS I'm expecting the pseudo argument of "ethnic cleansing" to be a part of any responses from the Comrades. If it does happen, please do say why it's better to live on the 20+ floor of a tower in Kensington rather than on (preferably) a brown but possibly a green field site elsewhere?

👍🏻 (Bring back compulsory God??) (Seriously, only teasing..... 😂)

Regions and councils will vary, and I reference only Cornwall council for the purpose of example: http://www.cllrandrewwallis.co.uk/cornwall-council-its-reserves-and-why-it-needs-them/ It will be interesting, when time allows, to do some googling of RBK&C financial status. The cladding for visual appeal, if found to be true & accurate, should deliver some heads on pikes, not that that will help those that are affected, maybe change future behaviour though? It's all just words after the event Mr E and I share your frustration! If only we could change what we did do for what we could do.... PS, sympathies for the after effects, I had a session in Falmouth Friday night and kipped in the back of the van. Only just starting to feel human again. Pub fitness went South quite a while back....

Since I am now (for the past 14 years really) reformed, conformist and suitably supervised by Mrs J, I too have just (legally) watched the Andrew Marr show. Refreshing to hear these questions now being asked and even better to hear the suggestion that the Borough council should be suspended or put under (OFSTED style) special measures. If only the PM had done something decisive like that instead of appearing to shoulder the "blame" for things that other people are paid, rather handsomely, to do as their day job. 👍🏻

Haven't finished with them yet either Gary! There's an update due soon. It's gone from the ridiculous to the hilarious!!

Perhaps I should try and clarify earlier words which might be perceived as "support" for the PM. It would be more appropriate to think of it, rather than "explicit" support for the PM, as frustration with the obvious and appropriate despair, passion and anger perhaps not being channelled in the right direction. But there are 2 distinct groups involved in the PM bashing. For those directly affected by the tragedy, of course, they will just have anger, grief and frustration, and will look to channel that in the direction of least resistance, or towards any direction that will listen. That's just dissipation and they are perfectly entitled and expected to do what ever helps. The other group (including the media) should be thinking with a bit more clarity rather than progressing an agenda of bringing additional political upheaval at a time when the country perhaps least needs it just because they would rather have Jeremy Corbyn in No. 10. Why is nobody asking where is the LA in this aftermath? What are the financial reserves of the LA? Having collected council tax from high density housing tenants, why are central government providing funds that might be provided by LA? What are the LA contingency plans for events such as this? Why have we not heard anything from the council leader (or even any of the lower level minions?) So rather than appearing to "support" the PM, I am actually much more concerned and frustrated by, what I read as, opportunistic malevolent intent to create even greater instability at a time when we (the country) perhaps least need it. Just my thoughts (others may differ) as I'm seeing it, shared in the hope that other perspectives may be offered and create a broader understanding....

You've become SO bullish since taking on yr new role!! Please rest assured, I DO now have a TV licence, I NEVER exceed the speed limit and I ALWAYS pay my taxes on time!

Half way through the opening tune more likely!

I'm not blaming the media Mull. Been listening to a bit too much LBC of late, they appear (to me) to be advancing an anti-May agenda. I genuinely think it's not the PMs business to be intimately involved in local government, especially where local government appears to be away on holiday. If, in that interview, she'd said "ive had the Mayor and the council leader in, given them an almighty bollocking and sent them away to get a grip of their departments" Id have had a lot more respect for her. It doesn't appear to be going particularly well I agree.