Published Date: 29 April 2008
By ROBERT BROOKS
MARK Henderson, who has just stepped down as chief executive of Northumberland County Council, will remain with the authority until the end of May, it has been announced.
Related story: County council chief quits postIn a statement released at 4.35pm, it was confirmed that the County Hall boss will leave prior to the appointment of a new chief executive in June.Mr Henderson has been with the county council for nearly five years.His decision to leave was agreed by the Staff Committee which met in private on Monday.But there will be no public disclosure of Mr Henderson's final settlement because the terms of the severance were confidential.The authority confirmed, however, that Mr Henderson had voluntarily waived his right to a significant sum he could have received had he stayed on and been made redundant.They said he had also fulfilled the requirement of the controversial £30,000-a-year retention bonus granted in private by council leader Peter Hillman last October, but had asked that the payments cease.Mr Henderson said: "I am proud of my contribution to Northumberland but feel it is time to move on and for a new chief executive to come in right at the start of the creation of a new council".Coun Hillman said of Mr Henderson's departure: "I am sad to see Mark leaving but I also feel that this is a good time for a new person to come into one of the top jobs in local government."I would thank Mark for his time at the county, and wish him well for the future."The authority also confirmed that Mr Henderson has received a severance package from the council.This is consistent with his normal entitlements.A council spokesman said "It was sensible to come to this arrangement now, not least as we can now be very clear to potential candidates for the post that there is no competition from the current chief executive."Mr Henderson intends to start up his own consultancy company in the near future.
Wednesday, 30 April 2008
Mark left isolated by the loss of his friends, Jill Dixon could be next to leave?
Council chief quits ahead of shake-up
Apr 30 2008 by Dave Black, The Journal
NORTHUMBERLAND’S top council official has revealed he is leaving his post in the middle of a massive shake-up of local government in the county.
County council chief executive Mark Henderson, 44, will quit his £150,000-a-year job next month – leaving the way clear for the appointment of a new senior officer to oversee the radical switch to unitary local government next year.
Mr Henderson – who has been with the county council for almost five years – was one of the main driving forces behind the successful bid to the Government to create a single, all-purpose council for Northumberland.
Along with the council’s Labour leadership, he alienated the majority of local residents who took part in opinion polls, many district councillors and the county’s four MPs, all of whom favoured two separate unitary authorities along urban and rural lines.
Earlier this year, it was revealed that Mr Henderson and two of his senior colleagues had been awarded controversial 20% salary hikes in order to retain their services during the complex process of implementing the new authority.
Now, on the eve of elections for the unitary council, Mr Henderson has announced he will be leaving towards the end of May, and plans to set up his own consultancy business in the North East.
His departure, and the terms of a confidential severance package, were agreed by the council’s staff committee which met on Monday.
It is understood Mr Henderson feels that by announcing his departure now – and not applying for the £180,000-a-year post of chief executive with the new council – it will encourage high quality candidates to apply in the knowledge that he is not in the running for the job.
Last night, the county council said the size of his severance payment would not be disclosed, but added that Mr Henderson has voluntarily waived his right to a significant sum he could have received had he stayed on and been made redundant.
The authority also pointed out that the 20% retention payment was to secure his services until the appointment of a new chief executive, which will happen in June.
A spokeswoman added: “Mr Henderson has fulfilled the requirement of that retention scheme, but has asked that the retention payments cease.”
Last night, Mr Henderson faced criticism over his decision to go now. The Conservative Party’s Parliamentary spokesman for the Berwick constituency, Anne-Marie Trevelyan, said: “Some of us will feel incredibly let down by the fact that Mark Henderson has driven through, with the Secretary of State, this unitary council, accepted a 20% salary rise and given the impression to all that he would be seeing through these changes.
“Now it turns out he is up and leaving, with a confidential payout, and not seeing the project through.”
Blyth Valley Labour MP Ronnie Campbell said: “Mark Henderson is leaving Northumberland with a new system of local government which most people didn’t want and which he personally pushed very hard for.”
Mr Henderson said: “I am proud of my contribution to Northumberland but feel it is time to move on and for a new chief executive to come in right at the start of the creation of a new council.”
Council leader Peter Hillman, who will not be part of the unitary council after being de-selected by Labour, said: “I am sad to see Mark leaving but I also feel that this is a good time for a new person to come into one of the top jobs in local government.”
Cull of supporters left chief isolated
DUNDEE-BORN Mark Henderson took over as Northumberland County Council chief executive in the summer of 2003, moving from his previous job as director of operations with regional development agency One NorthEast.
Since then he has helped spearhead the successful campaign to win Government backing for the creation of one unitary council to run the county, rather than the rival bid for two unitaries along urban and rural lines. However, the recent internal party cull of senior Labour county councillors who supported the single unitary bid has left him in an increasingly isolated position.
Mr Henderson was an elected councillor on Dundee District Council in the early 1990s and worked at several Scottish councils.
Before moving to One NorthEast in 2000, he was assistant director of environment and public protection at North Lincolnshire Council.
Apr 30 2008 by Dave Black, The Journal
NORTHUMBERLAND’S top council official has revealed he is leaving his post in the middle of a massive shake-up of local government in the county.
County council chief executive Mark Henderson, 44, will quit his £150,000-a-year job next month – leaving the way clear for the appointment of a new senior officer to oversee the radical switch to unitary local government next year.
Mr Henderson – who has been with the county council for almost five years – was one of the main driving forces behind the successful bid to the Government to create a single, all-purpose council for Northumberland.
Along with the council’s Labour leadership, he alienated the majority of local residents who took part in opinion polls, many district councillors and the county’s four MPs, all of whom favoured two separate unitary authorities along urban and rural lines.
Earlier this year, it was revealed that Mr Henderson and two of his senior colleagues had been awarded controversial 20% salary hikes in order to retain their services during the complex process of implementing the new authority.
Now, on the eve of elections for the unitary council, Mr Henderson has announced he will be leaving towards the end of May, and plans to set up his own consultancy business in the North East.
His departure, and the terms of a confidential severance package, were agreed by the council’s staff committee which met on Monday.
It is understood Mr Henderson feels that by announcing his departure now – and not applying for the £180,000-a-year post of chief executive with the new council – it will encourage high quality candidates to apply in the knowledge that he is not in the running for the job.
Last night, the county council said the size of his severance payment would not be disclosed, but added that Mr Henderson has voluntarily waived his right to a significant sum he could have received had he stayed on and been made redundant.
The authority also pointed out that the 20% retention payment was to secure his services until the appointment of a new chief executive, which will happen in June.
A spokeswoman added: “Mr Henderson has fulfilled the requirement of that retention scheme, but has asked that the retention payments cease.”
Last night, Mr Henderson faced criticism over his decision to go now. The Conservative Party’s Parliamentary spokesman for the Berwick constituency, Anne-Marie Trevelyan, said: “Some of us will feel incredibly let down by the fact that Mark Henderson has driven through, with the Secretary of State, this unitary council, accepted a 20% salary rise and given the impression to all that he would be seeing through these changes.
“Now it turns out he is up and leaving, with a confidential payout, and not seeing the project through.”
Blyth Valley Labour MP Ronnie Campbell said: “Mark Henderson is leaving Northumberland with a new system of local government which most people didn’t want and which he personally pushed very hard for.”
Mr Henderson said: “I am proud of my contribution to Northumberland but feel it is time to move on and for a new chief executive to come in right at the start of the creation of a new council.”
Council leader Peter Hillman, who will not be part of the unitary council after being de-selected by Labour, said: “I am sad to see Mark leaving but I also feel that this is a good time for a new person to come into one of the top jobs in local government.”
Cull of supporters left chief isolated
DUNDEE-BORN Mark Henderson took over as Northumberland County Council chief executive in the summer of 2003, moving from his previous job as director of operations with regional development agency One NorthEast.
Since then he has helped spearhead the successful campaign to win Government backing for the creation of one unitary council to run the county, rather than the rival bid for two unitaries along urban and rural lines. However, the recent internal party cull of senior Labour county councillors who supported the single unitary bid has left him in an increasingly isolated position.
Mr Henderson was an elected councillor on Dundee District Council in the early 1990s and worked at several Scottish councils.
Before moving to One NorthEast in 2000, he was assistant director of environment and public protection at North Lincolnshire Council.
Saturday, 12 April 2008
FBU ENDORSE LABOURS CANDIDATES FOR THE NEW COUNCIL
Brigade union backs Labour
Candidates for super-council win support
Dave Black
FIREFIGHTERS’ leaders in Northumberland have given their support to the Labour Party in next month’s elections for the new super-council which will run the county from 2009.
The Northumberland Branch of the Fire Brigades’ Union has endorsed Labour’s candidates for the May 1 poll – despite the FBU nationally having disaffiliated from Labour in 2004.
The move also comes in the wake of FBU anger over the Labour-controlled county council’s decision in 2006 to support a controversial shake-up involving the closure of fire stations in Blyth, Ashington, Cramlington and Morpeth and their replacement with two new stations.
The local FBU has agreed to back Labour in the elections for the 67 seats on the county’s new single unitary council following discussions between the two organisations in recent weeks.
The FBU ended its official 86-year link with Labour amid anger over how the Government treated firefighters during the 2002/3 national pay strike, and because of growing disaffection with the direction of the party. Last year’s annual union conference in Southport voted decisively against re-affiliation with Labour.
Against this background, Labour leaders in Northumberland regard persuading the county branch of the FBU to officially support their election campaign as a significant coup.
Labour says the FBU has given its backing following discussions between the union and the party about the future direction of the new council, including manifesto commitments to improve services, keep council tax low and protect staff jobs across the council.
Yesterday Colin James, Northumberland FBU secretary, said: “We have observed with interest the internal changes in the local Labour movement and have viewed Labour’s proposals should it be in control of the new unitary authority.
“The protection of services and jobs are paramount issues which we are pleased to hear will be a key part of the new council, if they are in control.
“We are happy to endorse the Labour candidates.”
Labour’s election campaign agent, Susan Dungworth, said: “This support of a key union in Northumberland is great news for us. All candidates have signed up to a new council delivering services in a radically different way.”
FBU national spokesman Duncan Milligan said: “Although we remain disaffiliated from Labour, individual regions and branches of the FBU make their own decisions about which candidates they are happy to support.””
Candidates for super-council win support
Dave Black
FIREFIGHTERS’ leaders in Northumberland have given their support to the Labour Party in next month’s elections for the new super-council which will run the county from 2009.
The Northumberland Branch of the Fire Brigades’ Union has endorsed Labour’s candidates for the May 1 poll – despite the FBU nationally having disaffiliated from Labour in 2004.
The move also comes in the wake of FBU anger over the Labour-controlled county council’s decision in 2006 to support a controversial shake-up involving the closure of fire stations in Blyth, Ashington, Cramlington and Morpeth and their replacement with two new stations.
The local FBU has agreed to back Labour in the elections for the 67 seats on the county’s new single unitary council following discussions between the two organisations in recent weeks.
The FBU ended its official 86-year link with Labour amid anger over how the Government treated firefighters during the 2002/3 national pay strike, and because of growing disaffection with the direction of the party. Last year’s annual union conference in Southport voted decisively against re-affiliation with Labour.
Against this background, Labour leaders in Northumberland regard persuading the county branch of the FBU to officially support their election campaign as a significant coup.
Labour says the FBU has given its backing following discussions between the union and the party about the future direction of the new council, including manifesto commitments to improve services, keep council tax low and protect staff jobs across the council.
Yesterday Colin James, Northumberland FBU secretary, said: “We have observed with interest the internal changes in the local Labour movement and have viewed Labour’s proposals should it be in control of the new unitary authority.
“The protection of services and jobs are paramount issues which we are pleased to hear will be a key part of the new council, if they are in control.
“We are happy to endorse the Labour candidates.”
Labour’s election campaign agent, Susan Dungworth, said: “This support of a key union in Northumberland is great news for us. All candidates have signed up to a new council delivering services in a radically different way.”
FBU national spokesman Duncan Milligan said: “Although we remain disaffiliated from Labour, individual regions and branches of the FBU make their own decisions about which candidates they are happy to support.””
Thursday, 10 April 2008
NO ROOM IN PARTY FOR THE GANG OF FOUR
Apr 10 2008 by Dave Black, The Journal
FOUR rebel Labour councillors who are standing as independents in next month’s unitary elections in Northumberland are said to have been barred from attending a farewell party with their former colleagues.
County councillors Ivan Hayes, David Montgomery, Bill Ashbridge and Paul Kelly have been frozen out of today’s drinks evening at County Hall in Morpeth at which members of the county council’s ruling Labour group will say their goodbyes.
It will be a final get-together for the group before it splits up in the switch to unitary local government next year.
Couns Ashbridge, Hayes, Kelly and Montgomery decided to quit Labour and stand as independents after falling foul of the party drive for more women candidates. Now it has been made clear to them they are not welcome at the party, paid for from a fund all group members have paid into.
Coun Montgomery said: “Ivan Hayes was told the four of us would not be allowed to attend this party and he passed the message on to me. As far as I am concerned, the decision is not down to the group leadership but to certain individuals who don’t want to associate with us. We have been through some hard times as a Labour administration at County Hall and I have made some good friends in the group, so it is sad that it has come to this.
“It would have been nice to have had a drink together and say goodbye, despite what has happened, but we have been prevented from doing that by a petty decision.”
One group loyalist, who asked not to be identified, said: “I don’t know of any official ban, but none of us expects the so-called Gang of Four to attend the party. They have turned their backs on the Labour Party for personal gain and I’m sure some people would walk out tomorrow night if they turned up.”
Coun Hayes, executive member for corporate services, did not attend this week’s executive meeting after being “advised” not to in light of his decision to go independent.
He said: “I suppose this all shows how bitter things have become
Friday, 4 April 2008
Labour Party Stalwart Bill Garrett is standing as a independent against Tony Reid
Published on 04/04/2008 TYNEDALE Council leader Michael Walton has sprung a huge political surprise, by opting to stand against an official Conservative candidate in elections for the new Northumberland unitary authority.Coun. Walton, who previously stated he would not seek a Conservative nomination for the new council, will stand in the Bellingham ward, against Tory county councillor John Riddle on May 1.Another surprise is the line-up for the Prudhoe East ward. Labour Party stalwart Bill Garrett, a councillor on Tynedale District Council since its creation in 1974, is standing as an independent. He is taking on former party colleague Tony Reid, current deputy leader of the county council, in what is usually regarded as a safe Labour seat.Of the 13 seats to be fought in Tynedale, six are being contested by sitting district or county councillors standing as independents against official party candidates.In addition to Coun. Walton and Coun.Garrett, flying the independent flag will be Paul Kelly in Bywell, Alex Kerr in Humshaugh, Bill Purdue in South Tynedale, and Ray Thompson in Stocksfield and Broomhaugh He is taking on former party colleague Tony Reid, current deputy leader of the county council, in what is usually regarded as a safe Labour seat.Of the 13 seats to be fought in Tynedale, six are being contested by sitting district or county councillors standing as independents against official party candidates.In addition to Coun. Walton and Coun.Garrett, flying the independent flag will be Paul Kelly in Bywell, Alex Kerr in Humshaugh, Bill Purdue in South Tynedale, and Ray Thompson in Stocksfield and Broomhaugh
BYE BYE BYWELL PAUL
Love of Labour is lost
Apr 4 2008 by Ben Guy, The Journal
AFORMER Labour councillor has criticised the “damaging” party policy that forced him to resign because of his gender and that could see a candidate who lives 23 miles from the ward being elected.
Northumberland county councillor Paul Kelly will stand as an Independent candidate in the forthcoming unitary elections, while the Labour candidate for his Bywell ward will be Seaton Delaval-based Mary Pidcock, currently a member of Blyth Valley Council.
Coun Kelly is one of a number of male Labour candidates who have not been allowed to contest their seats by the party as it is seeking to bring in more women candidates.
But Coun Kelly, who lives in Ovington, said: “As a councillor of 11 years standing and a great deal of experience, I am being pushed aside to make way for someone from an entirely different constituency.
“I have been forced to go Independent, which is not a choice I would take by inclination but it is the only route left that I can take.
“It is a very damaging policy that has been clumsily applied.”
Coun Kelly said that he had waited until the last possible minute before handing in his nomination paper, in case a late reprieve had allowed him to stand for the Labour Party.
He said: “I didn’t commit myself until it became clear that the regional director was not prepared to budge, and it wasn’t an easy thing to do. My whole family background is Labour.
“The Labour Party has abandoned me. I have been forced to go Independent because the people in my division deserve better than having an inexperienced and unknowledgeable candidate.” But Coun Pidcock defended her right to stand as the candidate, insisting that as a resident of Northumberland she was more than capable of serving the division.
She said: “I don’t think he has a right to be saying these things.
“It is not about people, it is about the party.
“It is quite arrogant to stand as an Independent candidate because he won’t be able to achieve as much without the Labour Party behind him.”
And Coun Pidcock added that it was right that her party tried to introduce more female candidates.
Earlier this week The Journal reported how Bill Ashbridge, David Montgomery and Ivan Hayes as well as Coun Paul Kelly were quitting the party to contest the May 1 elections as Independents after seeing nominations for their county council seats handed over to female candidates.
As a councillor of 11 years standing, I am being pushed aside to make way for someone from an entirely different constituency.
Apr 4 2008 by Ben Guy, The Journal
AFORMER Labour councillor has criticised the “damaging” party policy that forced him to resign because of his gender and that could see a candidate who lives 23 miles from the ward being elected.
Northumberland county councillor Paul Kelly will stand as an Independent candidate in the forthcoming unitary elections, while the Labour candidate for his Bywell ward will be Seaton Delaval-based Mary Pidcock, currently a member of Blyth Valley Council.
Coun Kelly is one of a number of male Labour candidates who have not been allowed to contest their seats by the party as it is seeking to bring in more women candidates.
But Coun Kelly, who lives in Ovington, said: “As a councillor of 11 years standing and a great deal of experience, I am being pushed aside to make way for someone from an entirely different constituency.
“I have been forced to go Independent, which is not a choice I would take by inclination but it is the only route left that I can take.
“It is a very damaging policy that has been clumsily applied.”
Coun Kelly said that he had waited until the last possible minute before handing in his nomination paper, in case a late reprieve had allowed him to stand for the Labour Party.
He said: “I didn’t commit myself until it became clear that the regional director was not prepared to budge, and it wasn’t an easy thing to do. My whole family background is Labour.
“The Labour Party has abandoned me. I have been forced to go Independent because the people in my division deserve better than having an inexperienced and unknowledgeable candidate.” But Coun Pidcock defended her right to stand as the candidate, insisting that as a resident of Northumberland she was more than capable of serving the division.
She said: “I don’t think he has a right to be saying these things.
“It is not about people, it is about the party.
“It is quite arrogant to stand as an Independent candidate because he won’t be able to achieve as much without the Labour Party behind him.”
And Coun Pidcock added that it was right that her party tried to introduce more female candidates.
Earlier this week The Journal reported how Bill Ashbridge, David Montgomery and Ivan Hayes as well as Coun Paul Kelly were quitting the party to contest the May 1 elections as Independents after seeing nominations for their county council seats handed over to female candidates.
As a councillor of 11 years standing, I am being pushed aside to make way for someone from an entirely different constituency.
Who will work with Peter Hillman at ONE North East ???
So now we have it - all bar an ineffective Tony Reid has been dropped by the party.
The reasons they are manifestly different.
Most have been dropped because they simply would not listen to the Labour Party.
The party in Northumberland that is. The one had supported their re-election but did not support closures of fire stations, care homes, schools.
Why should a ward who have not been listened to or involved in the decisions at County Hall support or listen to the those responsible for forcing onto an unwilling population a 'hung' single council.
At a stroke they have taken 'local' out of local government.
The leader, the architect of the totalitarian approach to democracy has now run to hide in ONE north east - primarily we hear, to help with the transition to a single unitary.
Who will work with him - the districts and those likely to win power despise him and all he stands for?-not likely.
We hope his tenure there is as short and ignominious as the one he has now. He is a disaster waiting to happen - but for the region now.
And who appointed him? We see the dead hands of Alan Clarke and Mr Henderson in all this - the 'old boys network' gone beserk.
We understand that both South East Northumberland Councils will walk out of any meeting with him involved - we also hear that the other districts will do the same now.
The reasons they are manifestly different.
Most have been dropped because they simply would not listen to the Labour Party.
The party in Northumberland that is. The one had supported their re-election but did not support closures of fire stations, care homes, schools.
Why should a ward who have not been listened to or involved in the decisions at County Hall support or listen to the those responsible for forcing onto an unwilling population a 'hung' single council.
At a stroke they have taken 'local' out of local government.
The leader, the architect of the totalitarian approach to democracy has now run to hide in ONE north east - primarily we hear, to help with the transition to a single unitary.
Who will work with him - the districts and those likely to win power despise him and all he stands for?-not likely.
We hope his tenure there is as short and ignominious as the one he has now. He is a disaster waiting to happen - but for the region now.
And who appointed him? We see the dead hands of Alan Clarke and Mr Henderson in all this - the 'old boys network' gone beserk.
We understand that both South East Northumberland Councils will walk out of any meeting with him involved - we also hear that the other districts will do the same now.
Tuesday, 1 April 2008
NEWS JUST IN
Rumours are going round that the leader of Northumberland County Council Peter Hillman, could be joining his old mate from County Hall Alan Clarke at One North East.
Mr Clarke is Chief Executive of One North East
Mr Clarke is Chief Executive of One North East
Monday, 31 March 2008
WHO's NEXT TO JUMP SHIP ????
Remember they were not deselected, this is a brand new council, they did not make it because there were some very good labour councilors in Blyth Valley, and some very good members of the party who wished to serve on the new council.
Male Labour councillors fall foul of drive to recruit women
Mar 31 2008 by Dave Black, The Journal
FOUR senior Labour county councillors in Northumberland are to stand as independent candidates in the looming unitary elections after falling foul of the party’s national drive to get more women into the corridors of power.
Bill Ashbridge, David Montgomery, Ivan Hayes and Paul Kelly are quitting Labour to contest the May 1 poll as independents after seeing nominations for their county council seats handed over to female candidates.
In a move which will potentially split the Labour vote in their four wards, they will stand against the official Labour candidates in the battle for seats on the county’s new all-purpose super council, which will take over in April next year.
The four councillors’ decision to go independent follows months of bitter internal Labour feuding over who gets the nominations to contest the elections for the 67 seats on the new authority. Coun Hayes has represented the Cramlington West ward for 15 years and is currently a member of the powerful Labour executive at County Hall in Morpeth. Coun Montgomery has represented the Hartley ward for seven years and chairs the county council’s Blyth Valley area committee.
Coun Ashbridge, from Bedlington East, has been a county councillor for more than 25 years and is a former chairman of the social services committee. Coun Kelly, the former Labour group whip at County Hall, represents the Bywell ward in Tynedale and chairs the council’s planning committee.
Couns Hayes, Montgomery and Kelly have seen their seats allocated as women-only shortlists for May’s elections, while Coun Ashbridge failed to be re-selected by the party and saw his seat go to female candidate Val Tyler.
The furore over Labour’s drive to get more women into politics recently saw the entire constituency party in Easington, County Durham, suspended over its refusal to toe the line. The “positive discrimination” move has also caused ructions in Northumberland.
Yesterday Coun Montgomery said: “I am resigning from the Labour Party after 22 years and standing as an independent because I am opposed to women-only shortlists in principle, as I believe Labour should be a party of equal opportunity. To deny anyone the opportunity to become a Labour councillor because of their sex is wrong.
“Those who are in favour of women-only lists would be the first to complain if there were male-only lists. This form of discrimination has no place in the 21st century and should clearly have no place in a modern political party. The idea of getting more women councillors is laudable but we also need younger councillors.”
Coun Hayes said: “If I was beaten in a fair ballot that would be OK but I have not even been allowed to throw my hat into the ring. I have been a party member for 20 years and this is not a decision I have taken lightly. I feel the Labour Party has turned its back on us.”
Coun Ashbridge said after 27 years’ service on the county council it had been embarrassing to be snubbed by the party.
And Coun Kelly, who has been a county councillor for 11 years, said: “The policy of bringing more women into politics is laudable but the tool being used here is crude and self-defeating. It means that good sitting councillors are being replaced by women who could very well lose the seat because they are not local, might not have the experience and because the policy offends a great many Labour supporters, including women.”
Current and former county council leaders Peter Hillman and Bill Brooks have also missed out on selection by the party for May’s elections but have said they will not be standing as independent candidates.
Male Labour councillors fall foul of drive to recruit women
Mar 31 2008 by Dave Black, The Journal
FOUR senior Labour county councillors in Northumberland are to stand as independent candidates in the looming unitary elections after falling foul of the party’s national drive to get more women into the corridors of power.
Bill Ashbridge, David Montgomery, Ivan Hayes and Paul Kelly are quitting Labour to contest the May 1 poll as independents after seeing nominations for their county council seats handed over to female candidates.
In a move which will potentially split the Labour vote in their four wards, they will stand against the official Labour candidates in the battle for seats on the county’s new all-purpose super council, which will take over in April next year.
The four councillors’ decision to go independent follows months of bitter internal Labour feuding over who gets the nominations to contest the elections for the 67 seats on the new authority. Coun Hayes has represented the Cramlington West ward for 15 years and is currently a member of the powerful Labour executive at County Hall in Morpeth. Coun Montgomery has represented the Hartley ward for seven years and chairs the county council’s Blyth Valley area committee.
Coun Ashbridge, from Bedlington East, has been a county councillor for more than 25 years and is a former chairman of the social services committee. Coun Kelly, the former Labour group whip at County Hall, represents the Bywell ward in Tynedale and chairs the council’s planning committee.
Couns Hayes, Montgomery and Kelly have seen their seats allocated as women-only shortlists for May’s elections, while Coun Ashbridge failed to be re-selected by the party and saw his seat go to female candidate Val Tyler.
The furore over Labour’s drive to get more women into politics recently saw the entire constituency party in Easington, County Durham, suspended over its refusal to toe the line. The “positive discrimination” move has also caused ructions in Northumberland.
Yesterday Coun Montgomery said: “I am resigning from the Labour Party after 22 years and standing as an independent because I am opposed to women-only shortlists in principle, as I believe Labour should be a party of equal opportunity. To deny anyone the opportunity to become a Labour councillor because of their sex is wrong.
“Those who are in favour of women-only lists would be the first to complain if there were male-only lists. This form of discrimination has no place in the 21st century and should clearly have no place in a modern political party. The idea of getting more women councillors is laudable but we also need younger councillors.”
Coun Hayes said: “If I was beaten in a fair ballot that would be OK but I have not even been allowed to throw my hat into the ring. I have been a party member for 20 years and this is not a decision I have taken lightly. I feel the Labour Party has turned its back on us.”
Coun Ashbridge said after 27 years’ service on the county council it had been embarrassing to be snubbed by the party.
And Coun Kelly, who has been a county councillor for 11 years, said: “The policy of bringing more women into politics is laudable but the tool being used here is crude and self-defeating. It means that good sitting councillors are being replaced by women who could very well lose the seat because they are not local, might not have the experience and because the policy offends a great many Labour supporters, including women.”
Current and former county council leaders Peter Hillman and Bill Brooks have also missed out on selection by the party for May’s elections but have said they will not be standing as independent candidates.
Friday, 28 March 2008
HE SHOWS HIS TRUE COLOURS ????? Paul Kelly leaves the party
Labour stalwart flies the independent flagPublished on 28/03/2008
Coun. Paul Kelly
THE bizarre Labour Party hokey-cokey in the run-up to the Northumberland unitary authority elections took another twist this week.For after being in, out, and then in, out again, county councillor Paul Kelly has shaken it all about by deciding to stand as an independent on May 1. Retired schoolteacher Coun. Kelly has represented the Bywell ward on the county council for 11 years, and is currently chairman of the county planning committee.However, Coun. Kelly was told earlier this year by the regional Labour party his seat was one of three in Tynedale which would have a women only shortlist.Then, when the party failed to find a local woman to contest the seat, he was told he was back in again.But this week, it emerged he was out again, with the Labour party having decided to parachute in a woman candidate from outside the district.A fed-up Coun. Kelly said this week: “I have been loyal to the Labour party throughout my political career, but loyalty works both ways.“I also have to be loyal to the people of Bywell, who have loyally supported me for the last three county elections.“I could not possibly stand for any other party, so I have decided to stand under the Independent flag, and the people can decide.”Coun Kelly stressed he was a firm believer in equality for women.However, he questioned the wisdom of bringing in an unknown non-local candidate for a seat where there is a traditionally strong Liberal Democrat vote.A split Labour vote could let in the Liberal Democrat, Tynedale councillor Nick Appleby.Elsewhere, the Labour Party is still playing its cards close to its chest, and has yet to formally confirm who will be fighting the 13 seats in Tynedale on its behalf.It is known that Coun. Tony Reid will fight one of the two Prudhoe seats, as the only survivor of the ruling executive in the present county council.However, much speculation remains about the other Prudhoe seat, currently held on the county council by Coun. Glenn Simpson.The name of long serving Prudhoe district councillor Bill Garrett remains in the frame, as does that of his wife and fellow councillor Lorna, but both have declined to comment .One man who will be facing the electorate is the Liberal Democrat Parliamentary candidate for Hexham Andrew Duffield, who is hoping to follow in the successful footsteps of one of the party’s most prominent figures.Mr Duffield has been selected as an 11th hour candidate to fight the Corbridge seat.It was winning the Corbridge seat on the infant Tynedale Council in 1973 that catapulted Alan Beith into the national spotlight more than 35 years ago.Mr Duffield has been brought in to replace original choice Rob Macfarlane, who is getting married in May.Nominations for the seats formally opened on Monday, but the full list of runners and riders will not be known until nominations close next Friday.
Wednesday, 26 March 2008
Whos next well lets look at the officers who supported this ??
Dave Black you missed one CC Lyn Camsell
March 26 2008
Labour leaders can’t make starting gate
by Dave Black, The Journal
MORE than half of the ruling Labour group on Northumberland County Council are set to be missing when elections for the county’s new unitary super council are held in May.
The scale of the changes afoot under the switch to an all-purpose single authority next year is shown by the fact that up to 20 members of the current 35-strong Labour administration at County Hall are set to miss out.
They will be replaced at the elections by sitting Labour district councillors or new party candidates after a fraught selection process, which has seen some of them fail to be chosen by their local branches or lose out to controversial all-women shortlists.
The shake-up starts at the top and of the current eight-strong Labour executive at County Hall, only deputy leader Tony Reid has survived from the process of selecting candidates for the May poll.
County council leader Peter Hillman and Wansbeck councillor John Smith have failed to be selected, former leader Bill Brooks and Cramlington councillor Ivan Hayes have seen their seats earmarked for women candidates while Couns Jim Wright, Mick Scullion and Dorothy Luke have decided not to stand for election.
Other senior Labour councillors who have stood down or failed to win selection include former leader Michael Davey, former social services chairman Bill Ashbridge, former deputy leader John Whiteman and former planning chairman David Nicholson.
The mass exodus has prompted claims that the new unitary council – due to take over in April 2009 – will lack experience in running county council services such as education, social services and highways.
There have also been murmurings of a deliberate campaign to oust Labour county councillors who supported the single unitary option rather than the two separate all-purpose councils promoted by the six districts.
One Labour insider said: “There is no doubt there has been a campaign to get rid of county councillors who nailed their colours to the single unitary mast. Anyone can see that. A few scores have been settled and there has been a lot of bitterness.”
Yesterday Blyth Valley Borough Council leader Dave Stephens, who is also a Labour county councillor and will contest the May election, said: “Any suggestion that this has been payback time is completely false. What has happened is that this will be a brand new council and all existing councillors, both county and district, have put their names forward for selection.
“I am confident that the people who have been selected will be able to do a good job, because most of them have experience of being councillors and running things.”
A number of experienced Conservative and Lib Dem county councillors will also be missing when the elections are held in May. Those from all three parties who have failed to be selected will now be considering whether to stand for election as independent candidates
by Dave Black, The Journal
MORE than half of the ruling Labour group on Northumberland County Council are set to be missing when elections for the county’s new unitary super council are held in May.
The scale of the changes afoot under the switch to an all-purpose single authority next year is shown by the fact that up to 20 members of the current 35-strong Labour administration at County Hall are set to miss out.
They will be replaced at the elections by sitting Labour district councillors or new party candidates after a fraught selection process, which has seen some of them fail to be chosen by their local branches or lose out to controversial all-women shortlists.
The shake-up starts at the top and of the current eight-strong Labour executive at County Hall, only deputy leader Tony Reid has survived from the process of selecting candidates for the May poll.
County council leader Peter Hillman and Wansbeck councillor John Smith have failed to be selected, former leader Bill Brooks and Cramlington councillor Ivan Hayes have seen their seats earmarked for women candidates while Couns Jim Wright, Mick Scullion and Dorothy Luke have decided not to stand for election.
Other senior Labour councillors who have stood down or failed to win selection include former leader Michael Davey, former social services chairman Bill Ashbridge, former deputy leader John Whiteman and former planning chairman David Nicholson.
The mass exodus has prompted claims that the new unitary council – due to take over in April 2009 – will lack experience in running county council services such as education, social services and highways.
There have also been murmurings of a deliberate campaign to oust Labour county councillors who supported the single unitary option rather than the two separate all-purpose councils promoted by the six districts.
One Labour insider said: “There is no doubt there has been a campaign to get rid of county councillors who nailed their colours to the single unitary mast. Anyone can see that. A few scores have been settled and there has been a lot of bitterness.”
Yesterday Blyth Valley Borough Council leader Dave Stephens, who is also a Labour county councillor and will contest the May election, said: “Any suggestion that this has been payback time is completely false. What has happened is that this will be a brand new council and all existing councillors, both county and district, have put their names forward for selection.
“I am confident that the people who have been selected will be able to do a good job, because most of them have experience of being councillors and running things.”
A number of experienced Conservative and Lib Dem county councillors will also be missing when the elections are held in May. Those from all three parties who have failed to be selected will now be considering whether to stand for election as independent candidates
Sunday, 16 March 2008
Hexham Courant 14/03/2008
Tony Reid is spared party backlash
Published on 14/03/2008
PRUDHOE’S Coun. Tony Reid is the only member of Northumberland County Council’s ruling executive who will be fighting for a seat on the county’s new unitary authority.All eight others have failed to win selection for the safe Labour seats in the party’s South East Northumberland heartland.The driving forces behind the county’s bid for a single unitary authority, including present leader Coun Peter Hillman, and former leader Bill Brooks, as well as the architect of the switch to two-tier education Coun. Jim Wright have all been axed by their own party.The nominations have gone to Blyth Valley and Wansbeck district councillors, in what is being seen as a payback for the county council’s failure to support Northumberland’s six district councils’ bid for a rural/ urban split.It now remains to be seen whether the visions put forward by the present county hierarchy are put into practice by successors who have no experience in running schools, highways or social services departments.One councillor who has survived is Blyth’s Coun. Dave Stephens, who denied the district councillors were getting their own back on their county colleagues. He said there were a lot of very good candidates for a limited number of seats, following national party procedure.“It was very close in some cases, but the candidates chosen bring with them a great deal of experience,” said Coun. Stephens.Elsewhere, another senior Tynedale councillor has fallen victim to petticoat power.Veteran Hexham councillor Tom Flaws has been denied the opportunity to defend his seat at the forthcoming elections under the party rule which insists 50 per cent of winnable seats have women-only shortlists for candidates.Coun. Flaws’s Hexham Central seat falls into that category, so the nomination instead has gone to Acomb district councillor Jane Wrigley.Coun. Flaws said this week: “I am naturally very disappointed not to have been given the opportunity to defend the seat, and while I wish Jane Wrigley well, I cannot agree with Labour’s policy on women only shortlists.“It would make far more sense to concentrate on equal pay for women, which would impact on many more people.”Unlike other ousted sitting councillors, Coun. Flaws will not be standing as an independent.Coun. Flaws’s seat is one of three in the district where the “women only” rule is being enforced.Fighting the Hexham East seat will be Caroline Warburton, despite the fact she has just finished bottom of the poll twice over in the recent by-elections in Hexham.The other women only seat was supposed to be Bywell, but an acceptable local female candidate could not be found, so sitting councillor Paul Kelly has secured the nomination.Nominations for seats on the new council don’t open until March 25, and close on April 4. Polling will take place on May 1.
Published on 14/03/2008
PRUDHOE’S Coun. Tony Reid is the only member of Northumberland County Council’s ruling executive who will be fighting for a seat on the county’s new unitary authority.All eight others have failed to win selection for the safe Labour seats in the party’s South East Northumberland heartland.The driving forces behind the county’s bid for a single unitary authority, including present leader Coun Peter Hillman, and former leader Bill Brooks, as well as the architect of the switch to two-tier education Coun. Jim Wright have all been axed by their own party.The nominations have gone to Blyth Valley and Wansbeck district councillors, in what is being seen as a payback for the county council’s failure to support Northumberland’s six district councils’ bid for a rural/ urban split.It now remains to be seen whether the visions put forward by the present county hierarchy are put into practice by successors who have no experience in running schools, highways or social services departments.One councillor who has survived is Blyth’s Coun. Dave Stephens, who denied the district councillors were getting their own back on their county colleagues. He said there were a lot of very good candidates for a limited number of seats, following national party procedure.“It was very close in some cases, but the candidates chosen bring with them a great deal of experience,” said Coun. Stephens.Elsewhere, another senior Tynedale councillor has fallen victim to petticoat power.Veteran Hexham councillor Tom Flaws has been denied the opportunity to defend his seat at the forthcoming elections under the party rule which insists 50 per cent of winnable seats have women-only shortlists for candidates.Coun. Flaws’s Hexham Central seat falls into that category, so the nomination instead has gone to Acomb district councillor Jane Wrigley.Coun. Flaws said this week: “I am naturally very disappointed not to have been given the opportunity to defend the seat, and while I wish Jane Wrigley well, I cannot agree with Labour’s policy on women only shortlists.“It would make far more sense to concentrate on equal pay for women, which would impact on many more people.”Unlike other ousted sitting councillors, Coun. Flaws will not be standing as an independent.Coun. Flaws’s seat is one of three in the district where the “women only” rule is being enforced.Fighting the Hexham East seat will be Caroline Warburton, despite the fact she has just finished bottom of the poll twice over in the recent by-elections in Hexham.The other women only seat was supposed to be Bywell, but an acceptable local female candidate could not be found, so sitting councillor Paul Kelly has secured the nomination.Nominations for seats on the new council don’t open until March 25, and close on April 4. Polling will take place on May 1.
Wednesday, 12 March 2008
HILLMAN DEEPLY HURT
Hillman 'deeply hurt' as he is overlooked for election spotCoun Peter Hillman.
By TEGAN CHAPMAN
THE leader of Northumberland County Council has said he was deeply hurt by his party's decision not to elect him into the new unitary council.
Peter Hillman will not stand for Labour in the Holywell ward of the new authority after his party opted for a different candidate to contest his ward.It was decided on Friday that Blyth Valley councillor Bernard Pidcock will contest the seat.Coun Hillman said: "I am hurt by it, of course I am – I am really upset that I will not be able to contest the seat for the Holywell ward that I have had for 19 years."I think I have served my constituency well, nevertheless this is part of the democratic process I have to abide by."I am incredibly proud that I have manag
ed to lead this council to a four-star excellence authority, and I really do hope that whoever takes over will move that forward."I am really pleased that the bid for single unitary status was accepted and I hope that the new council will fulfil promises that I made when we were submitting the bid, as I will now not be here to see those promises through."Former county leader Bill Brooks also failed to win a nomination to contest his seat within the Blyth Newsham ward – meaning two of driving forces behind the creation of the new 'super council' will not be part of it."I am sad that I will no longer be part of it – because it is something that I have done for 19 years, and the new council was something that I hoped I would see through," Coun Hillman added."Come May I will have to find something else to do, and I am thoroughly disappointed, but that is how democracy works."
The full article contains 310 words and appears in n/a newspaper.
Last Updated: 11 March 2008 4:30 PM
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Monday, 10 March 2008
Party drops Leader
Mar 10 2008 by Ben Guy, The Journal
THE leader of Northumberland County Council will not be elected to the new unitary council after his party opted for a different candidate to contest his ward.
Peter Hillman will not stand for Labour in the Holywell ward of the unitary authority after the party selected Blyth Valley councillor Bernard Pidcock to contest the seat.
Blyth Valley constituency Labour Party chairman Dave Stephens said the vote to select the candidate had been very close. He said: “They were both excellent candidates and Peter Hillman hasn’t been deselected.
“It was a surprise, but having said that, it is understandable because Bernard Pidcock has been an excellent councillor for more than 12 years and is very well respected.”
Coun Hillman said he was surprised. It means two of the driving forces behind the creation of the new council will not be on it.
Former county leader Bill Brooks failed to win a nomination to contest his Blyth Newsham ward in May.
Friday, 22 February 2008
Journal- February 22 2008
Give your bonus to needy, bosses told
by Dave Black, The Journal
BUMPER “golden handcuffs” pay rises to three senior county council officers have been branded scandalous by members of a rural parish council in Northumberland.
Hartburn Parish Council has called on the three officials to hand back their controversial 20% salary increases and donate the money to employ more carers for elderly and disabled people.
County chief executive Mark Henderson, deputy chief executive Jill Dixon and finance director Steven Mason were awarded the retention payments last October to ensure they do not leave to take up new jobs during the transition process to unitary local government in Northumberland next year.
The decision to boost their pay was taken unilaterally under delegated powers by council leader Peter Hillman, without being referred to the ruling Labour group or the full county council for approval.
It has been widely condemned by local MPs, opposition councillors, trade union officials and members of the public at a time when the Prime Minister is calling for tough controls on public sector pay. Now Hartburn Parish Council, which discussed the issue at its recent meeting, says it is united in its condemnation of the pay rises. The three officers were already on performance-related annual salaries of about £150,000, £110,000 and £100,000 respectively.
Parish council chairman Ernie Coe said the decision was “nothing less than scandalous” when police were battling for the Government to honour their 2% pay rise, other public sector workers were having their wages cut and the county council was making £4.7m in budget reductions.
“We feel sure there are county council employees who are perfectly capable of carrying out the work of these three figureheads. No one is indispensable. There is only so much work that one person can do, no matter how much they are paid.
“Perhaps Mark Henderson, Jill Dixon and Steven Mason might regain a certain amount of public respect by donating their pay increases back to the council to fund the posts of three or four full-time carers for the elderly and disabled.”
Coun Coe said parish council members were shocked that Coun Hillman was able to make a decision of such magnitude without the approval of the county council. “We sincerely hope that lessons will be learned and legislation put in place in the formation of the new unitary authority so that errors of judgment such as this can never be made again.”
Coun Hillman said he had used appropriate powers under the council’s constitution to sanction the payments. He said he had decided to approve them for “business critical reasons” to ensure the required knowledge and know-how was in place at the top of the authority during the huge challenge of switching to unitary local government.
“I took this decision in October in order to secure at an early stage the services of these three officers. These are time-limited retention payments, not permanent pay rises.” The payments mean Mr Henderson’s earnings will go up £28,200, Ms Dixon’s £21,099 and Mr Mason’s £18,989 – more than many people’s annual salary.
by Dave Black, The Journal
BUMPER “golden handcuffs” pay rises to three senior county council officers have been branded scandalous by members of a rural parish council in Northumberland.
Hartburn Parish Council has called on the three officials to hand back their controversial 20% salary increases and donate the money to employ more carers for elderly and disabled people.
County chief executive Mark Henderson, deputy chief executive Jill Dixon and finance director Steven Mason were awarded the retention payments last October to ensure they do not leave to take up new jobs during the transition process to unitary local government in Northumberland next year.
The decision to boost their pay was taken unilaterally under delegated powers by council leader Peter Hillman, without being referred to the ruling Labour group or the full county council for approval.
It has been widely condemned by local MPs, opposition councillors, trade union officials and members of the public at a time when the Prime Minister is calling for tough controls on public sector pay. Now Hartburn Parish Council, which discussed the issue at its recent meeting, says it is united in its condemnation of the pay rises. The three officers were already on performance-related annual salaries of about £150,000, £110,000 and £100,000 respectively.
Parish council chairman Ernie Coe said the decision was “nothing less than scandalous” when police were battling for the Government to honour their 2% pay rise, other public sector workers were having their wages cut and the county council was making £4.7m in budget reductions.
“We feel sure there are county council employees who are perfectly capable of carrying out the work of these three figureheads. No one is indispensable. There is only so much work that one person can do, no matter how much they are paid.
“Perhaps Mark Henderson, Jill Dixon and Steven Mason might regain a certain amount of public respect by donating their pay increases back to the council to fund the posts of three or four full-time carers for the elderly and disabled.”
Coun Coe said parish council members were shocked that Coun Hillman was able to make a decision of such magnitude without the approval of the county council. “We sincerely hope that lessons will be learned and legislation put in place in the formation of the new unitary authority so that errors of judgment such as this can never be made again.”
Coun Hillman said he had used appropriate powers under the council’s constitution to sanction the payments. He said he had decided to approve them for “business critical reasons” to ensure the required knowledge and know-how was in place at the top of the authority during the huge challenge of switching to unitary local government.
“I took this decision in October in order to secure at an early stage the services of these three officers. These are time-limited retention payments, not permanent pay rises.” The payments mean Mr Henderson’s earnings will go up £28,200, Ms Dixon’s £21,099 and Mr Mason’s £18,989 – more than many people’s annual salary.
Wednesday, 20 February 2008
IS THIS THE END OF THE ROAD ???????????
Labour in move for all-women shortlists
Dave Black, The Journal
PROMINENT male councillors could find themselves squeezed out in the battle for seats on Northumberland’s super council because of a controversial Labour Party drive to get more women members on the new, all-purpose authority.
Labour officials in Blyth Valley have agreed to women-only shortlists from which to choose candidates in seven of the constituency’s 17 electoral divisions on the unitary council due to take over next year.
The decision has already helped cast a major doubt over the future of former county council leader Bill Brooks, whose Blyth Newsham ward is one of those affected by the all-women lists.
It emerged yesterday that Coun Brooks – who held the top political post from 2005 to 2007 – has been excluded from the list of potential Labour election candidates for May’s elections, but is appealing against the decision. However, even if his appeal is successful, he would then have to secure a nomination in one of the 10 remaining ‘open’ wards in Blyth Valley if he wants to contest a seat on the new authority.
The same prospect is facing fellow Labour county councillors David Montgomery and Ivan Hayes – whose Hartley and Cramlington West wards have also been earmarked for all-women lists.
Meanwhile, in neighbouring Wansbeck, the drive to get more female councillors on board is causing serious friction, with constituency party members and potential election candidates said to be firmly opposed to bringing in all-women shortlists. If the row cannot be resolved, the result could be women candidates imposed on individual Wansbeck wards by regional or national Labour Party officials.
Only five of the 35-strong ruling Labour group on the current county council are women and party officials want to see a greater female involvement in the political decision-making process.
Yesterday Coun Brooks, who has 16 years experience in local government, said: “The situation is that I have been excluded from the list of Labour candidates by my peers, and I am appealing against that. However, even if I win the appeal, it is odds-on that my ward will have an all-women shortlist. I live in Newsham and want to represent the people of Newsham.”
Blyth Valley constituency Labour Party chairman, Dave Stephens, said the general management committee had agreed last weekend to make seven of the 17 local divisions women-only shortlists.
“This has not been an easy process but we have had several meetings about it, thrashed it out thoroughly and agreed that all-women shortlists is the best option to take,” he said.
“I don’t think that anyone is really in favour of all-women lists but we have to take a decision in order to encourage more women into council seats.”
Wansbeck constituency Labour Party chairman, David Nicholson, said he did not want to comment on the issue of all-women shortlists as discussions were still taking place with regional officials.
He said: “The constituency party’s view is that it is for local members to determine who will be their local Labour candidate.
“We want not only the best people, but people who will properly represent their community, whether that is by experience, expertise, gender or any other factor.”
Dave Black, The Journal
PROMINENT male councillors could find themselves squeezed out in the battle for seats on Northumberland’s super council because of a controversial Labour Party drive to get more women members on the new, all-purpose authority.
Labour officials in Blyth Valley have agreed to women-only shortlists from which to choose candidates in seven of the constituency’s 17 electoral divisions on the unitary council due to take over next year.
The decision has already helped cast a major doubt over the future of former county council leader Bill Brooks, whose Blyth Newsham ward is one of those affected by the all-women lists.
It emerged yesterday that Coun Brooks – who held the top political post from 2005 to 2007 – has been excluded from the list of potential Labour election candidates for May’s elections, but is appealing against the decision. However, even if his appeal is successful, he would then have to secure a nomination in one of the 10 remaining ‘open’ wards in Blyth Valley if he wants to contest a seat on the new authority.
The same prospect is facing fellow Labour county councillors David Montgomery and Ivan Hayes – whose Hartley and Cramlington West wards have also been earmarked for all-women lists.
Meanwhile, in neighbouring Wansbeck, the drive to get more female councillors on board is causing serious friction, with constituency party members and potential election candidates said to be firmly opposed to bringing in all-women shortlists. If the row cannot be resolved, the result could be women candidates imposed on individual Wansbeck wards by regional or national Labour Party officials.
Only five of the 35-strong ruling Labour group on the current county council are women and party officials want to see a greater female involvement in the political decision-making process.
Yesterday Coun Brooks, who has 16 years experience in local government, said: “The situation is that I have been excluded from the list of Labour candidates by my peers, and I am appealing against that. However, even if I win the appeal, it is odds-on that my ward will have an all-women shortlist. I live in Newsham and want to represent the people of Newsham.”
Blyth Valley constituency Labour Party chairman, Dave Stephens, said the general management committee had agreed last weekend to make seven of the 17 local divisions women-only shortlists.
“This has not been an easy process but we have had several meetings about it, thrashed it out thoroughly and agreed that all-women shortlists is the best option to take,” he said.
“I don’t think that anyone is really in favour of all-women lists but we have to take a decision in order to encourage more women into council seats.”
Wansbeck constituency Labour Party chairman, David Nicholson, said he did not want to comment on the issue of all-women shortlists as discussions were still taking place with regional officials.
He said: “The constituency party’s view is that it is for local members to determine who will be their local Labour candidate.
“We want not only the best people, but people who will properly represent their community, whether that is by experience, expertise, gender or any other factor.”
Wednesday, 13 February 2008
More pay for Mark
There is one thing that is now sure within Northumberland – we are heading for period of financial stricture and belt-tightening in Wansbeck and Blyth Valley, under the new Northumberland Council run by the Tories and Liberals.
The person responsible of course currently leads the Labour Group at County Hall and we have come to this courtesy of Mr Hillman due to his desire to remain in power and retain his allowances.
He is supported by the Executive at the council and a few hangers on who now themselves are desperate for places to stand in the looming elections.
Be in no doubt this is an election and a change in local government that very few wanted, even now those at County Hall are squirming with the embarrassment of being hoodwinked by a Government more keen of saving money than providing good local government to those of us in the County.
In Wansbeck we are very proud of the record investment that has been achieved by a genuine Labour controlled authority. In Blyth Valley they have a record breaking Council one where setting low budgets is a matter of course – an ‘Excellent’ rated council.
The cadre of masochistic councillors who have brought this disaster upon us are at this very moment plotting and turning trying to gain support for their allowances.
There is however one person who could have stopped this all – Mr Hillman.
A short and recent history shows us that this is the councillor who ejected the children of a local panto group from HIS community centre.
This is the same man who stood by while Arriva stopped the only bus route serving his own community, and did NOTHING!
We must not forget the closure of the ‘underused’ nursery school in his ward. Underused partly because of competition from the nursery in his own Community Centre!
We haven’t even mentioned his closure of libraries, fire stations, care homes, training centres, the loss of 28 firemen’s posts, which ahs left Wansbeck without one fire station in its area. These have all happened on Mr Hillmans ‘watch’.
After imposing an academy on Blyth against the wishes of his won councillors, his own party, his own, MP, his own teachers, parents and children he seeks to the same in Ashington and Newbiggin – shutting nine schools and handing the education of children to private hands led by that well known educationalist the Duke of Northumberland, the gardener from Alnwick . Dennis Murphy says it all – there is no political direction at County Hall the leadership is out of control and the council are getting prepared to hand him even more powers next month!
Peter must now but looking two ways at once in his belief in his Executive officers to whom, he, on his own, has given a 20% rise whilst cutting services and tripling care
Charges in just 3 years!
Yet more pay for Henderson or…………………….
This can be all stopped and the certainty of the leader not being re-elected could do it. We could stop now and tell the government it just wouldn’t work, let them come in and try and force it through.
The person responsible of course currently leads the Labour Group at County Hall and we have come to this courtesy of Mr Hillman due to his desire to remain in power and retain his allowances.
He is supported by the Executive at the council and a few hangers on who now themselves are desperate for places to stand in the looming elections.
Be in no doubt this is an election and a change in local government that very few wanted, even now those at County Hall are squirming with the embarrassment of being hoodwinked by a Government more keen of saving money than providing good local government to those of us in the County.
In Wansbeck we are very proud of the record investment that has been achieved by a genuine Labour controlled authority. In Blyth Valley they have a record breaking Council one where setting low budgets is a matter of course – an ‘Excellent’ rated council.
The cadre of masochistic councillors who have brought this disaster upon us are at this very moment plotting and turning trying to gain support for their allowances.
There is however one person who could have stopped this all – Mr Hillman.
A short and recent history shows us that this is the councillor who ejected the children of a local panto group from HIS community centre.
This is the same man who stood by while Arriva stopped the only bus route serving his own community, and did NOTHING!
We must not forget the closure of the ‘underused’ nursery school in his ward. Underused partly because of competition from the nursery in his own Community Centre!
We haven’t even mentioned his closure of libraries, fire stations, care homes, training centres, the loss of 28 firemen’s posts, which ahs left Wansbeck without one fire station in its area. These have all happened on Mr Hillmans ‘watch’.
After imposing an academy on Blyth against the wishes of his won councillors, his own party, his own, MP, his own teachers, parents and children he seeks to the same in Ashington and Newbiggin – shutting nine schools and handing the education of children to private hands led by that well known educationalist the Duke of Northumberland, the gardener from Alnwick . Dennis Murphy says it all – there is no political direction at County Hall the leadership is out of control and the council are getting prepared to hand him even more powers next month!
Peter must now but looking two ways at once in his belief in his Executive officers to whom, he, on his own, has given a 20% rise whilst cutting services and tripling care
Charges in just 3 years!
Yet more pay for Henderson or…………………….
This can be all stopped and the certainty of the leader not being re-elected could do it. We could stop now and tell the government it just wouldn’t work, let them come in and try and force it through.
Saturday, 2 February 2008
Bill Brooks the Downfall?????????????????????????
News just in Ex Leader of the Northumberland Bill (patio) Brooks fails to get through the Local Government Committee on Saturday 2 February, Bill can appeal
This means that CC Brooks can not stand as a Labour Party Candiate in the forthcoming elections, for the new unitary council.
This means that CC Brooks can not stand as a Labour Party Candiate in the forthcoming elections, for the new unitary council.
Friday, 1 February 2008
WE HAVE A ELECTION THIS MAY PETER REMEMBER ? AND THIS BE ON PEOPLES LIPS IF YOUR THERE?
Ronnie Campbell slams pay hike for county council chiefsCritical of payments, Ronnie Campbell, MP.By HELEN SMITHSONRONNIE Campbell has slammed Northumberland County Council for the controversial 'golden handcuffs' pay rise awarded to three of its top bosses.Blyth Valley's MP has branded the 20 per cent pay increase given to the senior officials as 'disgraceful' and has written to Prime Minister Gordon Brown to voice his disgust.County council leader Peter Hillman granted the increases back in October to chief executive Mark Henderson, deputy chief executive Jill Dixon, and finance director Steven Mason to ensure they stay with the authority until it becomes unitary next year.The officials earned around £360,000 between them even before the increase was granted.Mr Campbell told the News Post Leader: "Who do these people think they are?"If Hillman has got that power, then that's very dangerous in local government."He shouldn't have that power, it's very dangerous in the hands of one man."I would urge the authority to take that power away from him."It's disgraceful that everyone else is knuckling under but these executives can pay themselves."In his letter to the PM, Mr Campbell states: "Do you not think if they are entitled to any pay rise that it should be 1.9 per cent like everybody else, or is it a case that the higher up the scale you are, the bigger the rise you are entitled to?"I think it is an absolute disgrace."The news of the increases has also angered residents, coming at a time when the authority is looking to take £4.7m off its budgets, and plans are in the pipeline to increase care charges for the elderly and the disabled.Joe Curran, who lives in Seaton Delaval, e-mailed Coun Hillman for an explanation behind the increase and why he approved the decision."The idea that a single person can dish out this money to three well paid executives when everyone else is being asked to accept a 1.9 per cent increase is nothing short of scandalous," said Mr Curran."Somebody is quite obviously taking benefit of his position and spending ratepayers' money."This decision is going to effect ratepayers in the county, and it's way out of order and totally unacceptable."Why wasn't thisfirst made public in October when the decision was made?"The extra wages will cost the authority an additional £6,200 per month.County council leader Peter Hillman defended the decision, saying it was vital to keep staff to ensure continuity and a smooth transition into the unitary authority."I'm pleased we have been able to do this to secure posts which are essential to making the re-organisation happen in the best possible way," he said."All organisations going through major change face a challenge in terms of keeping staff, and its common practice to offer incentives for people to stay to make sure that changes happen as smoothly as possible."Losing people in critical posts can not only damage or delay the transition process but is also be very expensive in terms of costs of recruitment to replace people in senior posts, which run into tens of thousands of pounds."
Posted by Northumberland County Council at 10:30
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Posted by Northumberland County Council at 10:30
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