Comment posted Reader queries strange council advertising by newsroom.
We have been advised that the Council pays to advertise councillors’ surgeries.
newsroom also commented
- Agreed. Actually holding regular surgeries in Innellan shows a respect for the job.
To be fair to the rural councillors though, the problem is where you actually hold a surgery with a small and widely dispersed local population. In that scenario, being always available is a decent response to the reality.
The reverse-charge phone call is an attractively mischievous note.
- But the Innellan surgery is not a story but reported as an advertisement.
Recent comments by newsroom
- Institute of Fiscal Studies economist looks at fiscal context of independent Scotland
The link to Mr Emmerson’s presentation has been given in the article above from the outset.
And – in genuine puzzlement – what precisely do you see as ‘spin’? - 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’.
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Since that week’s paper also included a story about footpaths in Tarbert on Loch Fyne, maybe they’re expanding?
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But the Innellan surgery is not a story but reported as an advertisement.
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Are advertisements for constituency surgeries paid for by the council, or by the member’s party, or by the member themself, or out of a council “member’s services” fund? I genuinely don’t know, and I would welcome the info.
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We have been advised that the Council pays to advertise councillors’ surgeries.
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Back to the source
http://www.helensburghadvertiser.co.uk/publicnotices/publicnotices/
Three adverts in one. Planning / Surgery / Planning
Where else? Same advert as
http://www.dunoon-observer.com/index.php/public-notices
possibly only showing this week, updated next.
Maybe saving money in bulk, maybe sneaking in an advert for surgery between public notices.
Maybe Sally forgot to pull the Surgery from the Helensburgh paper version.
Maybe take the opportunity, it’s a last chance to see Dick before May, look at yesterday’s man, say goodbye to him. Thanks, Sally
Why did it happen?
I had a quote in mind, a better version for Kilmory is
Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity, but don’t rule out malice. (Wikipedia)
Perhaps it was frugality. perhaps Copy and Paste. Maybe they should have kept their Communications Officer in the loop.
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Walet B – what a load of tosh “Maybe take the opportunity, it’s a last chance to see Dick before May, look at yesterday’s man, say goodbye to him”
Wanna bet if Dick walsh stands – he’ll win.
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I’m no great supporter of Dick Walsh but…..he at least does hold surgeries, giving people a chance to have their say. Unlike his fellow councillors for Cowal who ” are available ” if you want to ‘phone them. Do the non surgery holding councillors have their adverts paid for them ? Can we call them and reverse the charges as they receive a generous telephone allowance ?
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Agreed. Actually holding regular surgeries in Innellan shows a respect for the job.
To be fair to the rural councillors though, the problem is where you actually hold a surgery with a small and widely dispersed local population. In that scenario, being always available is a decent response to the reality.
The reverse-charge phone call is an attractively mischievous note.
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Councillor Walsh also holds surgeries in Dunoon.
All areas have community centres or a village hall or even a hotel room where councillors could meet their public. If you have a point to make you would travel to see him (her) face to face. I was once told by someone from Castle Kilmory that councillors were under no obligation to talk to anybody. So there…………
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I agree that it is good practice for councillors to hold regular surgeries to allow people to meet and discuss issues with them and I applaud those that find the time do this. I am guessing they are often not that well used be people (although could be wrong and maybe some of our councillors could provide info on this) but it is right that there is regular opportunity for those that do wish to make use of it.
Given that then I think Cllr Walsh should be applauded for holding regular ones as should others that do likewise (I know for instance that Cllr Freeman holds surgeries once a month, every month). The opportunity to call or e-mail councillors is, of course, always there but I don’t always find this is as useful due to the lack of face to face contact and opportunity to discuss and debate. I would also say that some councillors are better than others when it comes to responding to e-mail contact. I find that most (though not all) will respond in some way or form but not always to the questions posed or in a manner that encourages further involvement. There are some who I have always found very responsive to e-mails (and I include ones within the administration, the SNP, Argyll First, the real independents and also non aligned) and a number who fail miserably to offer any credible response.
I also think Simon is right that Cllr Walsh probably will be returned in May. My hope is that he is returned as an opposition councillor rather than an administration one.
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