Councils Firework budget goes up in smoke as costs double!

Starts

The cost of Wirral Council’s collaboration with Liverpool City Council to provide a ‘River of Light’ have risen from £30,000 to £56,000.

The latest figures, provided to Councillor Chris Blakeley, following complaints that the Town Hall is promoting the event as ‘free’.

Councillor Blakeley said: “Once again, we see those at the top of the Council playing fast and loose with people’s hard-earned Council Tax. It’s bad enough that half the local community bonfires had to be scrapped to make way for this event. Now, we find the costs have spiralled and, as usual, we’ll probably find out they are even higher after the event.”

Ends

Liverpool City Region Leaders Recognise the Success of a Conservative Government!

I am delighted that Cllr Phil Davies, Labour Leader of Wirral Council and Chair of the Liverpool City Region (LCR) Combined Authority, along with the other five Merseyside Labour Leaders recognise the turnaround in the economy and the creation of jobs as a result of a Conservative Government.   This can be evidenced from the following paragraph in the LCR devolution bid.

“The City Region Economy is more resilient compared to the past and well positioned to capitalise on strengthening the UK economy.  Economic growth rebounded strongly in 2013, comparable with its peers.  The number of people in employment continued to grow, driven by the creation of 23,000 private sector jobs since 2010.  The stock of business in the City Region increased particularly through small business growth and higher rates of self employment.”

Well said, Phil, Rob, Andy, Joe, Ian, Barry, Leaders of Wirral, Halton, Knowsley, Liverpool, Sefton and St Helens.

Good News and Bad!

At todays Merseytravel budget meeting I was delighted to support officers recommendations that there should be NO increase on Payable Mersey Tunnel Tolls for the coming municipal year, however because of the Tunnels Act 2004 we have no control over the Authorised Tolls which have risen again this year!  

I am keen that those regular users who buy fast tags should be given every opportunity to access further discounts and as such I moved an amendment to the recommendation which asked officers to investigate if there was any way of giving a bigger discount to fast tag users.    I was absolutely gobsmacked when all the Labour Councillors on Merseytravel voted against my amendment which costs absolutely nothing to the Authority other than some Officer time.

Merseytravel Allowances, HUGE Increases Recommended!

Today I received a copy of the report commissioned by Merseytravel into the Members allowance scheme!

The report, compiled by Declan Hall recommends huge and what I believe to be obscene increases in both basic and Special Responsibility allowances (SRAs) and if approved by the Authority will send completely the wrong message to the workforce many of whom are having to take pay cuts as a result of harmonisation.

When I met with Declan Hall I made it very plain that it did not matter how he cut cut the cake, there should be no overall increase in the amounts paid in total.    His recommendations clearly don’t relate to that at all!

I have attached HERE a full copy of his report, however the headlines of his recommendations are that:  

• Basic allowances for all 18 members increased from £5675 to £7266 increase of 28.0%
• Chair of the Authority increased from £24308 to £29813 increase of 22.6%
• Vice Chair of the Authority increased from £12896 to £17888 increase of 38.7%
• Chair of Committees increased from £4432.70 to £7453 increase of 68.1%
• Chair of Strategy and Finance Committee from £8512.95 to £17888 a whopping increase of 110.1%

I sincerely hope (and this is for you Joe) that the controlling Labour Group at the budget meeting of the Authority join me in saying thank you to Mr Hall for his work but ma,king it very clear that no one on the authority will take a penny more than they receive now!

Mersey Tunnel Tolls

Earlier today I attended a Merseytravel Committee which had a report about Mersey tunnel tolls.   The report was for information and it appeared that the Chairman of the committee was reluctant to allow any discussion as it will be the budget meeting of the Authority on 9th February that will determine what the payable tolls will be.   However I used the opportunity to move an amendment asking the Directors to investigate the possibility of reducing tolls further, sadly all the Labour Members on the Authority including the Wirral Labour Councillors voted against my amendment!  An opportunity losT

While I was at the meeting Merseytravel tweeted that tolls would not rise.    I thought Councillors made the decisions, not Media Officers?

 

Mersey Tunnel ‘Authorised’ Tolls Will Increase in April 2012

As readers of the blog and the wider community will be aware the  Mersey Tunnels Act 2004, pushed through by New Labour allows ‘Authorised Tolls’ to rise based on RPI figures each year.    The Authorised Toll is the amount that Merseytravel are allowed to charge, unless of course they discount them.     Currently discounts apply on each class and I sincerely hope will not be removed or increased in April 2012.

Folowing publication of the November RPI figures I have just received the figures from Merseytravels Director of Resources on the impact on the Tolls, his note to me (below) and the table say it all.     The determination of payable tolls will be decided at the Merseytravel budget meeting in February 2012.  We all know that last time payable tolls increased it was forced through by the casting vote of the Labour Chairman of the Authority!

Email from Jim Barclay:

Chris, Further to recent emails, I can now advise you on the impact of  the latest RPI figures which  were released earlier this week. From  the inflation rates for November 2011 we  can understand the impact that this year’s inflation will have on the Authorised Toll Levels at the Mersey Tunnels. The table below details the Authorised Toll Levels and Actual Toll Levels currently in place, along with the Authorised Toll Levels that will come into effect on 1^st April 2012. Obviously, the Authority will need to make a decision as to the Actual Tolls for 2012 when they meet on 9 February 2012. I hope this information helps: –

Class	Toll	Apr ‘11	Apr ‘12
1	Authorised	£1.60	£1.70
	Actual Toll Cash	£1.50
	Actual Toll Fast Tag	£1.30
2	Authorised	£3.30	£3.40
	Actual Toll Cash	£3.00
	Actual Toll Fast Tag	£2.60
3	Authorised	£4.90	£5.20
	Actual Toll Cash	£4.50
	Actual Toll Fast Tag	£3.90
4	Authorised	£6.50	£6.90
	Actual Toll Cash	£6.00
	Actual Toll Fast Tag	£5.20

 Kind Regards, Jim

 Jim Barclay, Director of Resources, Merseytravel, 24 Hatton Garden, Liverpool L3 2AN

A Huge Loss to Merseyside!

I was gutted to hear today that Neil Scales, Chief Executive and Director General of Merseytravel has decided to leave and take up a new position with Translink in Brisbane, Australia.     I have known Neil for a number of years, and worked with him closely over the last five as member of Merseytravel, he was inspirational, what he does not know about transport you could write on the back of a stamp.   

I suppose Neil leaving the Authority was only a matter of time, and I personally think has been  brought about by the actions of the controlling Labour group at the AGM in June when they did a massive U turn on Vertigral Integration, which, created a huge split between the Authority and the Executive putting Neil and the controlling group at odds with each other.   That, by any stretch of the imagination makes it difficult for a CX to function.     Of course, this has all been compounded by the fact that Labour now seem to want to control and micro manage the organisation, questioning the very role of the Executive! 

Neils going is truly a massive loss for the people of Merseyside and a real catch for the Aussies.   I wish him and his family every success in their new life ‘Down Under’.

The text of Neils announcement is below

Colleagues,

I am writing to let you know personally that today I tendered my resignation as Chief Executive and Director General of Merseytravel.     It was a hard decision to make and one I spent some considerable time agonising over, but I have received an offer which was too difficult to refuse. 

From Spring next year, I shall be the Chief Executive of TransLink, the public transport authority in Brisbane, Australia.     For me, this is a challenge to make a real difference on the other side of the world and it is the opportunity of a once-in-a lifetime experience “down under”.

I know I leave Merseytravel in good shape to face the future and I am proud of what we have achieved together.   There is much I will miss, in particular the tremendous support I have received from you all during my time here (almost 15 years!).      

I truly thank you for your loyalty and hard work and wish you all every success in the future. 

Regards

Neil Scales OBE,

C.Eng, FI.MechE, FICE, FIET

Chief Executive & Director General

Merseytravel

24 Hatton Garden

Liverpool L3 2AN

That Was The Week That Was!

Well another full varied hard working, tiring and really enjoyable week.  Monday, Tuesday two full days in work and two evenings on the knocker, great responses.   Wednesday it was on the early train to London and into Parliament to spend some time with Esther’s PA and go through the databases we use.    In the afternoon it was off to a reception in the Speakers House to meet with the Interns who have been succesful to take part in the Speakers Social Mobility Scheme, Esther was succesful in being selected to mentor one of the Interns, Luke starts tomorrow.     It was great to have a chat with the Speaker and to see his house, sumptuous .     After that it was on to a meeting of SIGOMA in the house before heading off for something to eat and a couple of beers before getting back to the hotel for the night.

Thursday morning I was at a meeting with the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA) the body that administers MPs expenses.   The meeting was good and hopefully they will take on board many of the suggestions I made to make the system simpler.   Then it was on the train back to Liverpool to get back to Wallasey Town Hall for a Funds for you Panel, followed by a Licensing meeting to discuss Polling Stations, finally home at 7:50pm.

Friday it was back to work, then home to stuff envelopes.    Saturday I was out delivering, not forgetting catching up with casework.  And of course on Sunday I was honoured to be able to lay the wreath on behalf of the Council at the Moreton Cenotaph.    The service was really good and i think saw the biggest attendance for many years.    This week coming promises to be just as busy with four days of Merseytravel meetings, plus attendance at Councils planning committee and three days door knocking.

Mersey Tunnels CCTV

Recently a few people have asked my why CCTV has been installed at all the Toll Booths at the tunnel entrance.   The answer as provided by Merseytravel to someone who submitted an FOI is appended below.    I trust that answers the question?   But if anyone wants any more info then let me know…

Unbelieveable!

Its seems the Labour Party has written to Wirral to ‘seek’ some form of sponsorship for its 2011 annual conference which this year is being held in Liverpool.   You can read the letter to the Council Leader, Jeff Green by clicking HERE

The Leader of Wirral Council, Jeff Green, received his letter from the General Secretary of the Labour Party, Ray Collins, with an invitation to an ‘open day’ to discuss ‘commercial opportunities’ with ‘independent experts offering advice on making the most out of the event for Exhibitors and Sponsors’.   Cllr. Green said: “Labour’s hypocrisy is breathtaking.     For months, their MPs in Merseyside have been complaining that councils do not have enough money for really important services such as Sure Start, free swimming or libraries.  Yet, their leaders nationally, believe we are so awash with cash that we will hand some of it over to the Labour Party to pay for their conference in Liverpool.   “I do not know about the other councils in Merseyside but Wirral Council will not be using Council Taxpayers money to advertise, sponsor or subsidise the Labour Conference.   Our priority is to provide the services that people in Wirral want while freezing Council Tax and avoiding compulsory redundancies.”