Comment posted Council misuse of public money by newsroom.
The basic premise in job cutting is that you let people go whose responsibilities you can either cover from existing resources or dispense with.
In the hypothesis you advance, where there are staff whose expertise you need, there is no defence for letting them take early retirement.
newsroom also commented
- As we’ve said elsewhere, custom does not make this practice defensible.
- You mistake the core point.
The budgets from which such arrangements are financed are not given for such purposes but to support job cutting.
No private sector business would countenance such misdirection of funds any more than should a public sector one.
We do not understand why Audit Scotland does not concern itself with this quite indefensible practice.
And custom does not increase defensibility. - We understand that this applies only to permanent staff, not to councillors.
Councillors have early retirement decisions taken for them by the electorate; and any return has to be earned, four years later.
Recent comments by newsroom
- Walsh to lead all but Lib Dems, Conservatives and George Freeman
Simple answer – lack of any political intelligence or strategic capability.
These missing pieces of necessary equipment were laid bare in the self-destructive parlour games of the last year. - Argyll and Bute Council Coalition Cup 2013: runners and riders
And then there’s the Grand National coming up on the outside rail – or the inside rail, depending on personal analyses – in 2014. - First Minister’s choice not to condemn mob behaviour proves Farage point
Scotland is clearly happy with its own lunatic fringe.
A key protester interviewed on the BBC News was given as being a representative of the ‘Radical Independence Campaign’ – also giving foundation to Mr Farage’s identification of the thugs as being supporters of Scottish independence. - Argyll and Bute Council Coalition Cup 2013: runners and riders
Good fun, though, isn’t it? - First Minister’s choice not to condemn mob behaviour proves Farage point
The difference is that Farage was not calling the names, issuing the threats – and the racist abuse and burning a Union flag. This WAS fascist behaviour on the part of the thugs.
And the police had to manhandle Mr Farage though the mob and into a police van to escort him away because….?
The UKIP leader was clearly shaken by this embarrassingly barbaric incident – his ‘fight or flight’ adrenaline response still clearly in operation this morning. This was no publicity stunt.
If we cannot see and admit when our own nation behaves badly, we will never evolve.
There is neither reason or need for anyone to excuse or defend this sort of behaviour; and every reason for it to be disowned.
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It is important because it is taxpayers money…..monies that are needed elsewhere.
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‘The names actually don’t matter’ – perhaps, but it would be interesting to know at what level these deals were signed off, whether councillors were involved, and – if so – whether they’re still councillors. Surely there is one very critical aspect of just who was involved, the possibility (hopefully remote) that there was an element of ‘cronyism’, of ‘jobs for the boys’. I wonder what checks and balances are in place to reassure us on that point?
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We understand that this applies only to permanent staff, not to councillors.
Councillors have early retirement decisions taken for them by the electorate; and any return has to be earned, four years later.
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Must agree 100% with Neil MacIntyre here. cronyism is still alive and kicking although to a slightly lesser and less transparent degree, as lack of response to full ‘freedom of in formation’ request testifies to.
We can all name several individuals appointed to positions (through being pals with connections to the interview panel) in the council over the years and subsequently made an a##e of the job to the embarasment of all and cost to the council tax payers. This must stop and i would think the new admin have this in their sights.
again, well done Neil for highlighting this, and to ‘forargyll’ for affording you the opportunity.
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Sorry but I don’t see a problem with this, A&B council is a statutory corporation a subsidiary company of the UK PLC just like the DVLA, VOSA, DWP or any other “Agency of government”
What makes me laugh is your “This is not a new scam nor is it illegal but it is highly improper – and indefensible is terms both of the responsible use of public money and of the subversion of the results specific budgets are allocated to achieve”
Perhaps if it was “Public Money” then it would be indefensible but its not. It is company income and as such the corporation is entitled to do as it wishes with the money.
Tell me FA do you still believe that paper disc on the window of cars is a Road Fund License paying for our roads or do you know the truth that it is now called Vehicle Excise Duty and the money goes into a general fund.
We all live within a corporate state and guess what you all pay to work for them! Just look at Graham Macqueen’s group BID4 with their setting up a limited Company For Oban, so just think for a minute You are not going to live in a town or local community, you are going to be an employee of the corporation, “ there is no opt out for local business”
Is it any wonder! Cllr McCuish supported this when the SNP is so in love with the Tyrannical agenda21 program.
Welcome to corporate Britain 2012
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Keith, it is ‘public money’ and Graham macqueen is an individual among many others prepared to roll up their sleeves and actually make things happen and take steps to ensure that is achieved.
I trust you Keith do the same, and if so well done.
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Phil
it is only “public money” as far as it is gifted to the treasury by the goodwill or ignorance of the people. When it reaches the treasury it is distributed to the statutory corporations and your banking master’s institutions to name one £55milion per day of your public money goes to the EU Corporation, Tell me Phil when did the people of Argyll sign up for the European union?
Yes Graham is an individual like the rest of mankind and perhaps he does as you say, but what has that to do with the our government operating as corporations (there is a name to the type of government we have now! When government takeover commerce, but it has slipped my mind lol)
As for me Phil well lets just say I am me and I do what I do
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You mistake the core point.
The budgets from which such arrangements are financed are not given for such purposes but to support job cutting.
No private sector business would countenance such misdirection of funds any more than should a public sector one.
We do not understand why Audit Scotland does not concern itself with this quite indefensible practice.
And custom does not increase defensibility.
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Very well put ‘newsroom’. Thats it in a nutshell Keith – a total waste of all our money.
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Newsroom: I did not mistake anything
Simple point is You Gift the government money (Tax) so why moan about how they spend it. Is it because you’re not getting your share LOL, the government create the rules and laws (Acts) guess what you freely give consent to follow them
Could I suggest you investigate “trust law” learn were you stand in our public trust. Then you will see that the actions you have moaned about are quite defensible and “Legal”
We live in a polimagician created illusion, were your God given birthrights have been stolen and replaced with Benefits and privileges granted by your master/employer/government/royalty
You do know that the government are correct the people are nothing but ignorant (as per legal definition) children or bad employees; you don’t grow up and take responsibility (full liability) you just moan when you don’t get your own way. You gave up all your Rights to the government for what? So they can keep you safe?, To look after you?
“We do not understand why Audit Scotland does not concern itself with this quite indefensible practice” are you for real Audit Scotland is part of the system, what do you not understand? did I not read somewhere that members of the Scottish Executive wanted an investigation into the actions at Rangers football company, Yet I have not seen them demand an independent investigation into the abuse of Hollie Gregg
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Guys, this has been happening for donkey’s years! Teachers have been retiring and rehiring way back into the days of Strathclyde. Getting their nice lump sum on retiring and in some cases coming straight back into the same job the next day as a supply teacher on an enhanced rate of pay.
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As we’ve said elsewhere, custom does not make this practice defensible.
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Supply teachers never did receive an ‘enhanced’ rate of pay – that was a myth. They appeared to be getting more per day because they did not get any holiday pay.
This was eventually changed and money was deducted then paid during the holidays. At this point supply teachers’ pay was exactly the same as those on a contract, and was dependent on where they were on the salary scale.
Now supply teachng is very poorly paid for experienced teachers, as since some time last year they are only paid at point 1 on the salary scale for the first five days. This equates to a little over £50 per day after deductions.
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£50 a day – my heart bleeds.
Something did have to change and thank goodness it did.
RE: Enhanced rates of pay. Permanent Teachers get a daily rate as Annual Salary divided by 365. Supply teachers get Annual Salary divided by 195 (the amount of school days in a year).
If a teacher is employed for the full school year, yes they earn the same. However, if they don’t, one teacher will be getting 365ths and another 195ths for doing the exact same job PLUS pension.
Meantime, newly qualified teachers struggle to get any supply work because they are not part of the “old pals” network AND yes I agree, the reduced rate for the first 5 days in these cases is not fair.
However, I believe the point of the article was about retired employees.
For newsroom, I wasn’t trying to justify this as acceptable behaviour, just as something that has been going on for ages. Accepted behaviour, only within the echelons of local government, not with me. I have sat on many occassions listening to newly qualified teachers in tears because they simply cannot find work.
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Have these staff come back on permanent contracts? Could there actually be some benefit in employing experienced ex-Council staff who know the system & people to undertake short term projects? The alternative is likely to be the employment of expensive consultants who would be paid huge expenses & invariably not be familar with the area or organisation. Depending on the invidual the foregoing could be a disadvantage though.
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The basic premise in job cutting is that you let people go whose responsibilities you can either cover from existing resources or dispense with.
In the hypothesis you advance, where there are staff whose expertise you need, there is no defence for letting them take early retirement.
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Thanks Newsroom for putting the story on.
My attention was brought to it by a gentleman in Oban whose conversation with a council officer who is about to receive his payment and then pick up another wee job which is ready and waiting for him at the council.I thought it was a wind- up but it seems not.An expert we can,t do without,certainly not this bloke but why hide the people and the posts if these are staff we can,t live without.Have the posts been advertised? or has Argyll and Bute enough talent within.
Education springs to mind but Sneddon and Walker are probably irreplacable but what could they come back as.
I had a blether to Roddy about the situation and he was slightly surprised that it was actually happening but he would certainly ask what was going on and why these mysterious jobs have suddenly appeared when nearly 300 people were made redundant last year.
Everyone will not be bothered but with the investigations into the roads dept. and Spygate surely this kind of underhand behaviour should be a thing of the past with the new administration.All I ask is that everything be open to public scrutiny, surely working for the council can,t be that bad that you would want to keep it a secret or would you?
Cheers Neil.
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Perhaps it might also be useful to ask for the actual v assumed cost savings.
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Newly qualified teachers should be selected for supply teaching before retired teachers who will have a nice pension. In my opinion retired teachers who do supply teaching are just downright gready.
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