The Inner Sanctum

 

Many residents have a good knowledge of the workings of politics, but in the main, the majority are a layman who view issues in a simplistic manner, which inevitably leads to questions being asked, if you don’t receive an answer, you draw your own conclusions,

 

Take the Councillors allowances as an example

 

2005/2006 - £613377.00
2006/2007 - £628657.44
2007/2008 - £593385.44

 

The proposals that are to be put forward on Thursday will see the bill go to over

 

£700,000

 

Regardless of how many times a politician runs around the Wrekin scattering confetti, this is seen as a substantial increase, but for what, will the resident actually benefit more for the increase, its open to debate often coming down to personal experience.

 

How many people have asked for help, only never to get it or passed from one office to the next?

 

How many people have asked for information, that should be given freely and easily, but have had to fight to get it?

 

Yes, local and national politics is a complex issue, but what can be done to simplify it, maybe not a lot, but if the public were able to be involved even more, get to ask questions and receive a direct answer, this could resolve a lot of miss understandings.

 

Just because you ask questions, it doesn’t mean you’re a trouble causer.

 

You can compliment, but dare you criticise, then someone will be out accusing you of stirring it, or if you quote written information, you are accused of miss leading the public.

 

Should any person really need to subscribe to one political party to get an answer?

 

NO, they shouldn’t have to.  

 

Having previously contacted Councillors and asked if I could spend time with them to gain an insight, I was not surprised when no one even replied to my request.

 

Would Councillors be prepared to take up a full independent audit of how they spend their time?

 

I don’t think they would.

 

It is an illusion that Councillors are elected to represent. How many act as directors of companies, trustees of charities, sit at Borough and Parish level, sit on outside bodies, act as assistants, attend other meetings else where.

 

So how can they actually represent in the traditional sense of what we believe a Councillor is about.

 

A number of residents support their community in the best way they can. Many residents take calls from others asking for help or advice, if you were a politician, this would be considered part of the job, not community spirit.

 

I acknowledge that we have many good politicians, who are good people, but not many will accept that recent mistakes have been avoidable, someone chooses to cover up, then cover up the cover up.

 

Only by openness, only by involving residents will the situation improve, this will give a sense of belonging and ownership. Defending the indefensible has to stop and simply being honest has to start.  

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3.20 Copyright (C) 2007 Alain Georgette / Copyright (C) 2006 Frantisek Hliva. All rights reserved."

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Telford Council Watch