Comment posted The shape of the new council by newsroom.
Sorry Simon, we have consistently said that councillors must be paid a decent rate for the job we expect them to do. £16k a year is derisory. And we said that when the previous administration was in operation.
All we are interested in in competence and integrity in all quarters.
While one would hope to see integrity whether or not people were paid at all, no one is entitled to expect or demand high levels of competence and dedication on low pay.
Recent comments by newsroom
- Colonsay votes 60%-40% in favour of proposed Marine Harvest salmon farm
Freedom Foods is less and different than it seems.
This article is required reading for any understanding of this tricky situation:
http://forargyll.com/2013/01/rspca-compromised-by-freedom-food-certification-for-farmed-salmon/ - Institute of Fiscal Studies economist looks at fiscal context of independent Scotland
We would be be very happy to answer this question if we could.
But, as things stand, there is no substantive information and economic detail on exactly what economic strategy and its associated policies would be pursued for an independent Scotland.
The First Minister’s ‘Scotland’s Economy’ paper, recently launched, was profoundly disappointing in this respect and, in its lack of economic substance, replaced by ad-man puffery, was damaging to the campaign’s credibility.
We can assure you and anyone, that when such information becomes available – and we are sure it will because it must – we will not be prejudging it but will respond to it with open mind and goodwill and the necessary intelligent scrutiny.
We have WANTED and still want to see a coherent, joined up, strong, imaginative, challenging and achievable strategy and policies put forward for a specific future for Scotland – honestly described in unchallengeably accurate costs and benefits and carving out an identity for Scotland that is realistic and unique.
The extent to which all we are being offered is essentially the status quo with a new badge and a few costly goody bags to entice ‘Yes’ votes could not undermine the ‘independence’ prospectus more thoroughly.
No one can possibly believe that a change of this magnitude can be made without cost to all concerned.
It is necessary is to know the realistic costs, perceive the realistic benefits and decide if the price is worth paying.
We do not believe that the price need be too high or the benefits inconsequential – but as this campaign is being run, the price IS too high and the benefits insubstantial because, in any competent sense, the necessary thinking has not gone on.
What is being proposed is unrealistic, often unspecific and unproductively expensive into the future – and the easy answers are clearly both misleading and dishonest.
This won’t do and it won’t do it. - White smoke rises from Councillor Duncan MacIntyre’s chimney as two-man College of Cardinals settle a deal
Short and sweet for short and sweet: don’t be simplistic.
No one could defend Councillor Robb’s sudden swerve last Thursday, leaving his loyal colleagues like flotsam and jetsam.
But that does not mean that he did not deserve the support he was given by his colleagues when he was given it.
Life is not a simple business. - Russell to make parliamentary statement on rural schools today
In the circumstances of the destructions of the SNP councillors group in the last 12 months, you can hardly expect credibility elevating the importance of ‘collective’ action?
Being ‘collective’ when it suits one to harvest support from others it not what collectivity or collegiality is about.
And many in Argyll now know more than enough about your party, its councillors, its members, its structures and its wonderfully elastic ‘rules’. - Russell to make parliamentary statement on rural schools today
This was a RESPONSE to a party political slanting of the issue – scoring points in an internal SNP turf war which should never have happened, was consciously manipulated, and has divided a party I voted for and was a member of until relatively recently – when I stopped my subscription in a mixture of anger, despair – and contempt – at what was and is – being done to hopes for better governance in Argyll and Bute.
You might also reflect upon the contradictions inherent in approving of For Argyll for being straight speaking when it suits one agenda and condemning it when what it says – equally objectively, is less comfortable.
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First class selection and the point that Ann Horn should have a depute is a sensible suggestion. Her work load will be considerable, and she is the person to bring much needed effective change to this aspect of council activity.
The balance appears to be just right and should ensure the new council administration goes from strength to strength.
We need to give Roddy McCuish and the rest of this new administration the time to get the council moving forward. A realistic observation must be maintained, not just reaction to the problems of the past. We all hope we can see quick effective action as soon as possible but this must be tempered with time to create the new atmosphere that is required within the council.
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PEAR SHAPED – LOL
According to report Walsh’s comment of “embarrassing” hit home as McCuish was unprepared and out of his depth at his first meeting. Seems he had to be rescued by officers all the time as he had no understanding of his brief. 6 months now probably too optimistic. The turn-coat Tory picks up his additional twenty pices of silver.
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The only person who should be “embarrassed” is Mr Walsh. Previously leading this council area to the brink of destruction.
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Sour grapes, Arnie..
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Arnie, do you only have one comment to make? Could you not have reworded it even a little bit since 8.18am?
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Arnie is that not virtually the same comment you made on the other thread?
Robert is right – grapes, not pears. Big soor ones.
Your comments don’t seem to be making any particular argument, but are just bitter personal digs. How personal are we getting here? To feel so vehemently, it would suggest you are incredibly close to the situation… perhaps that of the now ousted administration… perhaps even its leader… perhaps finding a little more time on his hands now… and realising he has finally lost… and that his salary is going to drop SIGNIFICANTLY.
Just a theory
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No idea what the ‘embarassing’ story is but would be willing to wager it is being blown out of all proportion by some bad losers.
If you want to talk about petty embarassing moments in the chambers lets recall Cllr Marshall strolling in late to the Council meeting where Sandy Longmuir tore the council figures apart then challenged Sandy about his credentials. Safe to say we chuckled form the viewing gallery when Sandy obliged him.
I am optimistic that this new administration will be welcoming to external challenge and be more than prepared to amend council papers where errors are highlighted. Something the previous administration, and the current CMT, were never prepared to do. To err is human, what defines a person is how they manage the error.
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Well done ForArgyll for such thorough and quick reporting. All eyes will be on this new administration and it looks good to me with good ‘attitude’.
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Congrats to the new council and I wish them good luck – becvuas ethey might jus tneed it.
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It’s a sure bet that all councillors in all councils need all the luck that they can get, when you look at the increasing social and economic challenges facing them.
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Good luck to the new council.
Now, can someone – anyone – tell me how many people under this regime are getting additional repsonsibility payments compared to the previous administration?
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For Simon, there is no change in the allowances. Just the same as the ConDemAll administrtaion. The legislation restricts the number and total amount.
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Thanks Cllr Freeman – I appreciate that. One of the ‘like’ ticks is from me.
So, I guess the fact that the new admisitration has exactly the same number and total amount (of allowances)as the previous admistration really just exposes, yet again, Newsie’s biased blog.
If she keeps inventing rubbish stories like this (you must remember the never-ending ‘rag-bag alliance’, ’30 pieces of silver’ and ‘noses in the trough’ crap) she’ll get her press accreditation in no time….
Have a nice night and sleep safe in knowledge that you have a new Council.
ps You’ll be pleased to learn that the Samaritans have been stood down.
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Simon – distributing responsibility payments as a form of patronage to councillors who are then expected to toe the line and flip-flop on demand is rather different to allocating responsibility payments to those who are expected to successfully rise to the challenge of their extra responsibility – and I very much hope that time proves we’re in the latter scenario now.
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Well Robert, we’ll see what we’ll see.
Remember you have those two serial flippers Mary-Jean and Robb on board. And of course the whole snp group who were in the admistration with Tricky and Co.(before mike russell told them to get out…)
From the look of things all those who jumped into the SNP-led rag-bag alliance have been rewarded with special repsonsibility posts. I’ll say one thing for them – they’ve got their noses in the trough early this time…
Have a nice evening.
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Evening? – way post your bed-time, and no arguing now.
We can talk about reformed flip-floppers in the morning.
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Simon – just as bitter as usual. At least this group of councillors are expected to bring change and hopefully improvements to the folks of Argyll and Bute. We can only judge by performance. The outgoing regime despite the same allowances and payments did little or nothing for this area, actually took retrogressive actions and wasted monies for little or no apparent reason. I am sure if you gave up the amount of time that this new administration will need to and did some of the traveling that they do, you would expect nae demand recompense. Irrespective of political background or persuasion councillors should be given stipends and allowances, we as an electorate just need to be more selective as to whom we select to represent us. If you dislike Mary Jean Devon and James Robb as much as you seem to why did you not stand for election give us your background and let us vilify you?
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Have to admit, I thought he was being fairly tame with his comments tonight.
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Simon seems to have forgotten that many members of the previous administration did a complete somersault on their previously stated and widely supported position in order to grab the extra shekels. Many voters did not forget however, and the only surprise is that several of these unreliable specimens managed to get re-elected.
On the other hand several of this new progressive administration gave up substantial extra payments and high positions on the last ruling administration on a matter of principle.
Extra allowances for extra resposnibility is hardly a surprising component of councillors remuneration.
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Actually, I am all in favour in paying councillors a decent allowance and extra for additional resposibilities.
What I was doing of course was comparing and contrasting newsie’s treatment of councillors’ allowances in the previous adminstration with this new one.
I recognise that there is a financial cost to democracy – regardless of who is in power. And unlike newsie (and some of the more vociferous on here) I don’t choose to rail against councillor’s allowances if the elected administration is not my first choice.
Have a nice day.
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Sorry Simon, we have consistently said that councillors must be paid a decent rate for the job we expect them to do. £16k a year is derisory. And we said that when the previous administration was in operation.
All we are interested in in competence and integrity in all quarters.
While one would hope to see integrity whether or not people were paid at all, no one is entitled to expect or demand high levels of competence and dedication on low pay.
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How many DaveMH?
Given there were 9 Senior Councillors.
Two Bute SNP councillors! Dep Leader and Dep Provost.
Any others?
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Simon Councillors are now paid wage.
This has been the case since the 2007 election.
ABC has a Leaders fixed wage(£31/32k) based on the size of the Council and the total budget.
There are 9 Senior Councillors(£24/25k) usually including Senior Opposition leaders based on the results of the Councillor groupings.
The remaining 16 Councillors are paid a set wage(£16/17k)
Additional expenses are reimbursed to all Councillors.
Councillors in each Ward should meet with officers to agree how they will represent the people in each Ward.
This information and agreement to be communicated to the people.
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Apols first line should read ‘a’ wage.
Typing practice required!!
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