Comment posted McCuish announces details of ‘team fit to build recovery in Argyll and Bute’ by iain s maclean.
ALL CORD schemes throughout Argyll must be put into suspension and reviewed. In fact even the principles behind CORD needs looking into and a fresh alternative brought forward.
iain s maclean also commented
- Ta for that Newsroom.
Recent comments by iain s maclean
- Council latest: meaning well is not enough
Lynda,Per your interview with James Robb and my last paragraph aforementioned:-
QED
Iain
- Council latest: meaning well is not enough
A break down of a Councillor Coalition does not paralyse the Council operations and so there is absolutely no requirement for an ‘emergency fix’ which would justify a return to past styles of Administration.Just because you, Ms Henderson, are not, as yet, privy to the full details of any proposed new structure of Councillor overview does not mean the intention is either experimental or untested in related spheres of operation.
Nor, I contend, should we sit about for four more years tinkering at the edges as the delayed economic strategy, nay none at all to mention, provides no economic improvement in Argyll.
Thus our population will continue to decline taking with it the viability of already fragile rural communities which show growth only in holiday home villages and/or inextricably further moves toward becoming elderly people enclaves.
As a result of such Council stagnation, Central Government financial inputs decline and core costs rise which further restricts service provision and that feeds back into a continued downward spiral of decline all around.
Please, please take time to reflect on your words ”honest brokers” for Argyll’s best interest and desist from the line that old is best, new is bad and delay will bring a bright new dawn.
Me thinks the James Robbs and George Freemans have your ear to the detriment of modernisers, who may still be learning Council ways but have vast experiences of the real ‘outside world’ to bring to bear. Something we really need.
Ta.
Iain
- Council latest: meaning well is not enough
Ms. Henderson, can’t see where you are coming from with this one or where you’d like Argyll to get to. Mixes up your past views and is not evidence based.Somewhat schizoid me thinks. But no doubt confrontational to the potential bloggers and so good for viewing figures.
Past Councils HAVE failed the electorate. Change is the only remedy, but change is always somewhat unknown by definition. However,if an effort is not made?
To quote Ian McDougall:- ”If you always do the same thing, you will always get the same outcome”. Is that what we all really want ‘for Argyll’?
Surely it is a given that aspects of the Council must be robustly supported or else collapse will occur and no Administration would deliberately undermine those services or the management of them. More,I DOUBT IF AT LAW THEY WOULD BE ALLOWED TO DO SO.
COUNCILLORS MUST BETTER DIRECT, which is mostly all they should do, Administrators transmit those directions to Managers who should ensure outcomes and monitor performance with a view to future corrections and/or improvements.
It is this process which needs adjustment. This chain of ‘command’ if you like. Not dangerous, to review or implement. Could even better engage the electorate.
WIN,WIN.
And please, Lynda, no more talk of how great were those who have patently failed us all in oh so many ways.
Have a little faith, why don’t you?
Give the new guys on the block a chance and try not to stifle their well intentioned efforts before they start. For it is very early days as yet.
Iain
- Council gets through the longest day – time now to get moving
Yes, I’m back after a long break of protest.I can only offer approbation to For Argyll, who return to their DNA in highlighting the best political route ‘for Argyll’, in the light of positivity.
If we as a County learn to believe in ourselves and the silent majority can find the courage and will to speak up we will not only overcome our difficulties but as a bonus ‘put down’ the cynics whoes posts always seem to shout first and loudest, on here.
Yesterday’s COALITION Council budget sets out a renewed beginning,ONLY a base from which to build.
Struan Lodge has been given the opportunity to continue to support those amoungst us in the Dunoon area who have survived a long life and deserve our help in their twilight years. Few know of the herculean efforts of Councillors Breslin and Blair further assisted by Councillor Kelly, to hold this door open.
Yes the ‘model’ of care MUST change and success in a new direction is guarenteed only by the will of the population, as demontrated by the petition raised, materialising in a practical way.
That’s all for now folks.
Life to the full.
Iain
- Russell presence at council administration away day raises concerns
Dot you have identified a sad trend which I FEEL is somewhat orcastrated as well, and so I TOO will be following your example.
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Is it not a bit odd to announce the Chair of Cowal and Bute Area Committee before one third of that area has even had a chance to elect its councillors?
I realise Roddy is trying to steal a march here, and this sort of manoeuvring is to be expected. But is it not a bit disrespectful towards the people of Dunoon that their councillors are – by dint of timing – not even in the reckoning?
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No spokesperson for the Environment?
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I note ‘education and learning’ has been kepy open for mr Breslin or another? Another day would have been better, but new admin very keen to get off starting blocks.
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Phil, I think you may need to edit your comment. The word “bllocks” either needs one less “L” or an additional “O”.
Sorry – couldn’t resist!
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Oops, thanks Bob! Corrected….
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If this is going to be a truly progressive alliance they will need to tackle the iniquitous social care charging system as a matter of urgency.
An independent survey has shown that it charges some of the highest rates in Scotland. It seems to regularly bill service users for services they haven’t received and appears to have been designed by the finance department for the finance department and not for the service users or their care managers.
Either by luck or design the Progressive Alliance has made an inspired choice in Anne Horn as the champion for vulnerable adults. I hope that her sound understanding of their problems, allied to her well known propensity for hard work, will start to overcome many of the problems of social care and bring more fairness to the system.
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Totally agree,
I spoke to councilor McCuish last year about the deliberate exclusion of service users in any crucial engagement regards charges for service provision and he was shocked that there was no dialogue regards charges with clients.
I suspect the officers done the deal with well paid mangers in the voluntary sector and the commissioning team.If so, it’s absolutely shameful by Loudon.
Through ForArgyl, I again challenge Sally Loudon, Douglas Hendry, or Jim Robb (Adult Care)to a proper consultation in the Corran Halls with the appropriate councilors. True to form they have run away. Cowards!
I would urge Councilor McCuish to order a review of these charges immediately. I am being charged 75% of my disposable income.
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Luck is always a useful component when engaged in government but I can assure Bob Chicken that her colleagues and friends are well aware of Anne Horn’s abilities and her suitability for this appountment.
Apropos Mairi’s comment at #1 I suspect that Roddy is not banking on Mr Walsh’s support!
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Nice to be smiling this morning
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Oh yes, one more thing on the Social Care agenda. How about planning for returning the unique services of Neighbourhood Networks to our communities?
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I think it is safe to say Education has been kept as to be concluded until after the result of today’s election. I don’t know Michael Breslin but, from what I have heard, he is the obvious candidate for the role.
I thought George Freeman might by appointed as Deputy Leader due to his somewhat lengthy experience (sorry George!) within the Council however, that said, John Semple is a fine candidate for the job and I have no doubt he will support Roddy McCuish superbly.
A number of other very sensible choices. Good to see George returning to the role of Housing Spokesperson. It was shamefully stripped of him and his knowledge in this area means he is comfortably the best man for the job.
I am also very pleased to see James Robb as the Finance Spokesperson. He has proven he has a fine grasp of LG finances and it is unlikely that some of the financial errors made in the past two years will get by him as easily as they got by the previous administration (deliberately or otherwise).
The staff liaison role, if the anecdotal (I put that in for Simon) evidence that ARSN has picked up over the past 18 months is anything to go by, is a very welcome and overdue idea. Dougie Philand is an ideal choice, approachable, very fair and a track record of putting the job before himself.
Other choices which were no brainers based on previous experience and clearly communicated commitments are Anne Horn as the Adult’s Champion, Elaine Robertson as Carer’s champion and Louise Glen-Lee’s spokesperson role.
All in all it would appear the right people have been selected for the right jobs and it is good to see that the majority of the deputies are new councillors – hopefully this aid in development and stand them in good stead for future roles
Good luck to all of them.
And as a last point – James as Chair of H&L Area Committee – fantastic! Cllr Dance always liked to lord over any position of authority she had, somewhat satisfying to see she has next to none now.
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Integrity – Thumbs up just for your last sentence :.)
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This is a not-so-little ‘challenge’ for the new chair of education – whoever that may be.
http://neverseconds.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/tuesday-8th-may.html
This has gone truly viral, and has even been (mis)-reported by the Daily Mail.
And yes – I know it is a school in Argyll. In the Minister for Education’s own constituency. Expect this to reach the BBC and news outlets today, is my guess.
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Mairi, brilliant link. How do you know its Argyll though? Had a look for more info, but couldn’t find any.
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http://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/index.html
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Lochgilphead Joint Campus – named and shamed!!!
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I find it very difficult to believe that these photos are of meals at the Lochgilphead joint campus, because the ‘Eatwell Plate’ on the ‘Healthy Hub’ section of the school’s website indicates an approx. 30% fruit & veg content in a balanced diet. Something doesn’t add up.
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Take my word for it, CSB. I hate it when people say that to me, but it is.
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Also, the story and the pictures have just been on “The Wright Stuff”, Anne Diamond expressing disgust, etc, etc.
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Newsroom – might be worth putting this ‘school-dinners’ side-show in a separate story.
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Off Topic,
Can I get a lift at the usual place, and time, this Sunday. Thank You.
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Took your prompt below, Mairi. Done. Thanks.
Awful looking stuff, isn’t it.
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Thanks Mairi. I know my kids often complain that the stuff is tasteless and unhealthy.
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Delighted to see James Robb as Helensburgh and Lomond area chairman. First job: stop the CHORD destruction of Colquhoun Square. Second job: Take charge of the CHORD board.
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Third job: Don’t let Vivien Dance anywhere near the CHORD project
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ALL CORD schemes throughout Argyll must be put into suspension and reviewed. In fact even the principles behind CORD needs looking into and a fresh alternative brought forward.
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This would be wise. Much of the programme is formless and in disarray. It has now lost a key member of staff, its Programme Coordinator. who is moving south to a new job.
All in all, this has to be the right moment for executive intervention and reform – and no consultants. If council officers are not up to doing this themselves, they are not up to their jobs.
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Ta for that Newsroom.
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And don’t let Vivien Dance anywhere near the Planning Committee in future! Her close links with property developers in Helensburgh make her unfit to serve on that committee in a proper way. Send her elsewhere!
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As far away from Argyll & Bute as possible.
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Robert MacIntyre as Chair of Bute & Cowal Area Committee??
Will he stay awake long enough to get past the round of “Good Mornings”
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I suggest Argyll First change their group name to the more appropriate MONEY FIRST . Thirty pieces of silver to betray 305 years of successful Union .
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what a vindictive and narrow minded attitude. You may not agree with an individuals politics but you should at least respect their right to have another perspective than yours. At least Argyll First have the temerity to put aside any doctrinal differences for the benefit of the local community with a wish to at least improve and open up the Argyll and Bute Council functions that require serious attention. They also put their names to their comments and actions as do I. ITS A PITY YOU ARE NOT BRAVE ENOUGH to do similar. What have you got to hide?
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Islay for ever: No mention of the people and the land of SCOTLAND being sold out to the puppet prince william just for the protection of the engaylish
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There you go again , the mask slips to display the ugly racist anti – English nastiness of the Scottish Nationalists
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Islay for ever
Don’t class me with the Scottish nationalists, the SNP have sold us out just like the lords and lairds of old (look up salmond and agenda21 treaty of Rio) as for a “mask” sorry but I don’t wear one, I have no need of a king queen or Pope LOL as for “ugly racist anti engaylish” well that just has my sides splitting, guess the white settler English in Scotland have had a humour bypass my English business partners have always found the funny side to the “engaylish title or my favourite engerland (German queen)
But guess Argyll has gone all PC on me since I was away working in England and Wales
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I think this is meant as a punishment for the people of Bute and Cowal!
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