Comment posted Post-election: what now? by James Walsh.
Wonder if Islay for ever has anything to do with Islay. Doesn’t sound like an Ileach’s opinion.
Recent comments by James Walsh
- Unanswerable case for reversal of ferries plan for Islay and Jura
I am posting this last comment in case all my new found friends who ticked all the red boxes miss me. Away tomorrow for 3 weeks at least but to make sure I don’t upset anyone i’m going by plane…… - Unanswerable case for reversal of ferries plan for Islay and Jura
So you’ll know then Jack how the locals feel. We have progressed well in our own way and will do again. - Unanswerable case for reversal of ferries plan for Islay and Jura
Laura, probably one of the most sensible and accurate posts i’ve seen on here. Remember also mail deliveries would be much later. - Unanswerable case for reversal of ferries plan for Islay and Jura
Duncan don’t be quoting facts, some folk on here don’t like them! - Unanswerable case for reversal of ferries plan for Islay and Jura
Agreed.
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An excellent analysis. It is intersting to note that the “administration” chooses the chair of the Area Committees regardless of the political make-up of these.
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An interesting premise. With the SNP as a minority adminstration forming policy but with actual decisions having to find consensus amongst at least a majority of councillors this would indeed produce benefits for the citizens of Argyll.
First the SNP: they have the benefits of party discipline, the ear of Government and because they work for the party rather than themselves will be better at pushing forward plans suitable for the whole of Argyll rather than just their own wards. With the backing of the SNP’s national “machine” they will be much better at keeping the non-elected officials to account as they are not mutually dependent on each other.
You have mentioned their other advantage: Cllr McCuish. I think Roddy is exactly the man for the job of bringing the disparate political sections in Argyll together around common cause. I like his self-deprecating manner, sense of humour and easy way with people. That bodes well.
The tight SNP group can run the actual posts and ensure we never have the sort of situation where an elected spokesperson is excluded from the plans of the non-elected officials.
I would, however, also like to see the SNP administration bring in another couple of councillors from without the group, partly to keep a sense of perspective. Cllr Freeman would make, I would suggest, an excellent deputy leader of the Council.
Demolition of the Executive meetings to be replaced by full council meetings where all councillors get their say would ensure that the decisions of the Council are properly democratic.
Of course, minority administrations are vulnerable to coups so I think there would need to be agreement from some of the other groups to support them for the length of the life of the Council (as the Greens did for the SNP) while not being actually part of the ruling administration. That is a tricky sell for Cllr McCuish but I believe it is possible.
Interesting times then but what we really do not want is the Alliance forming the administration again. Their rejection was not as absolute as I would have liked but the results are pretty clear as to what the electorate in Argyll have chosen as the way forward.
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All good ideas, and I wonder if it would be too much to hope for government legislation so that never again could a relatively small cabal freeze out so many of our elected representatives from participating in our council’s business. The primary schools destruction scandal should be a warning to everyone – that old quote in defence of Mussolini, that he made the Italian trains run on time, is worth remembering. Any idea that efficient management with the minimum of discussion is preferable to democratic decision-making has proved very misguided.
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I think many people, myself included, aren’t too worried about what arrangements the politicians come up with as long as what Argyll & Bute really needs from its Council is delivered. So, whether a minority or coalition administration, it should be judged on how it delivers on the key areas.
For me the Council should be:
Open in approach to all its business – This would include the streaming (as far as possible) of all council meetings and the accurate minuting of all meetings. It should include an acceptance that as many decisions as possible should be taken, after reasonable discussion, by the full council and that all meeting papers should, as far as possible, be publicly available. It should also foster a spirit of openness amongst its staff in their approach to the public they serve.
Efficient in its use of the (relatively) scarce resources – In the modern economic climate true efficiency includes cutting down on needless travel and a careful assessment of recruitment to ensure that the Council can provide adequate staffing for those roles directly involving serving the public, especially those services directed to those in most need.
Have clear targets which would measure success for each part of the Council – Everybody, at every level of the council, should know what these targets are and have ownership of them and the Council should welcome and reward positive suggestions for how any service could be delivered in a more truly efficient manner, whether these suggestions come from staff or service users. These targets should, ideally, grow from staff and service users’ experiences, rather than being imposed in a top down manner.
Promote true accountability – It is essential that those paid for giving advice to the council, whether as senior staff or consultants, should realise that the accuracy and quality of their advice will be assessed and if it is found wanting will have an impact on any monies/benefits paid to them. The numerous errors in advice to the Council and accompanying huge wastes of money have to stop.
Those would do for starters!
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Clearly , the main divide in politics in Argyll and Bute is between a nationalist group intent on breaking up the United Kingdom representing one third of council seats and a non nationalist pro Union alternative representing two thirds of council seats .
Any Unionist aligning themselves with the SNP will find themselves suckered into a dead end and certain defeat at the next round of elections .
For the sake of our futures and that of our children the 23 non nationalist councillors must work together and control the levers of power .
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Islay for now,
So wrong, wrong, wrong, on all counts !
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Wonder if Islay for ever has anything to do with Islay. Doesn’t sound like an Ileach’s opinion.
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I would hope Sally Loudon would be the first to depart Kilmory once the dust has settled.A lot of local painters and decoraters are struggling for work so let them take over her job.Better results and would also save money.
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It has obviously escaped Islay for ever’s notice that at the latest Scottish Election the nationalist candidate took over half the vote and I know at least two of the independent councillors who support independence. There are very probably more.
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The balance of power in Mid Lothian Council is held by an Independent councillor who has previously financially supported the Scottish Tories to a substantial degree but was forbidden permission to stand as a Conservative -but not a Unionist – candidate. Peter de Vink stood as an Independent and won and now appears likely to work with the SNP group to control Mid Lothian.
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