York Council rapped by Local Government Association inspectors

York residents can now see for the first time a copy of the damming report produced on the Council by the Local Government Association.

Although worded in diplomatic, conciliatory language it confirms the view held by many residents.

Namely that the new Labour administration elected in 2011 metaphorically threw away the rule book as they tried to implement a, hopelessly overambitious, programme of change against a background of falling resource levels.

Relationships within the Council broke down and inexperienced Councillors – catapulted into key decision making roles – had neither the confidence nor inclination to seek consensus support for their proposals.

Secrecy became a byword, denying residents the opportunity to contribute before decisions were taken.

There were complaints of bullying.

Councillors tried to “micro manage” – distracting staff from their principal responsibilities

The problem was exacerbated by the Council Leadership who tried to fully exploit the Councils public relations machine to justify their partisan views.

The report also criticises outside “commentators” (people using social media sites and “twitter” to criticise) and describes the number of FOI requests as being unreasonably high.

However the number of FOI requests increased after 2011 simply because access to performance data – freely available in earlier years – was hidden by the new administration

The report is being considered by the Councils Governance committee on Thursday

The LGA team make several suggestions about how a more constructive way forward can be developed.

Until the extraordinary events at the “urgency” meeting held 10 days ago – together with the more recent power grab by senior officials – that was a worthy opportunity which seemed to have some chance of success.

But clearly confrontation is likely to increase in the run up to the elections in May and it seems increasingly likely that the election of a new Council will be needed before the unhappy events of the last 4 years can finally be confined to history.

Electors will not make the same mistake again.

They will be looking for candidates (of whatever party) who have a mature outlook on life, relevant experience, a proven commitment to York and the neighbourhood which they seek to represent. as well as a record of putting the City ahead of political ambitions..

Councillor Bleep in line for planning role in York

Following the black farce which unwrapped the last time the York Councils “Urgency” committee met, there seems to be some hope that the forces of darkness will be defeated at the resumed meeting now scheduled for the 19th January.

Officials are suggesting that committee membership should be reflect the proportion of seats held by each group represented on the Council.

Hardly a radical suggestion as proportionality has been a guiding principal for the York Council for the last 25 years.

It means that the much maligned Cllr Healey will become a member of the Local Plan Working group in place of Cllr Watt (who has apparently joined the Mordor tree preservation Group)

Urgent warning following internet blackmail scam……Chief Constable schedules web chat

Detectives in York have issued an urgent warning after three men from the York area have been blackmailed by a woman claiming to be called Cathy Wong.

The woman has befriended them on Facebook and asked them to skype her. She has then enticed them into performing an indecent act which she has recorded on video.

She has then told the men, who are all students, that her grandmother is ill and needs money and has asked them each to send £3,000 via money transfer.

When they refused to send the money, she has threatened them with uploading the video to Youtube.

It is believed that the scam is occurring world wide, however these are the first cases reported in the York area. The men are not known to each other and officers are concerned that there may be other victims. Officers are exploring the possibility that the scam is operated by an organised crime group.

Police are urging internet users, particularly students, to be on their guard and to contact them if they believe they have been targeted.

Detective Sergeant Rebecca Dyer of York CID, said: “This scam is causing considerable distress to the victims and I urge anyone who uses any kind of social networking site to be very wary of what they are getting into.

“I am concerned that there are other victims of this scam who are too embarrassed to come forward about what has happened. I urge them to please get in touch with the police. Your information will be dealt with in the strictest confidence and with sensitivity. Please do not suffer in silence.”

To report an incident, please contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 1 and pass information to the Force Control Room.

Or you can email Rebecca.dyer@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk

You can also pass information anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

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#AskTheChief webchat: your chance to quiz the chief

Chief Constable Dave Jones is hosting a live webchat to give residents in North Yorkshire the opportunity to talk to him about crime and anti-social behaviour in their area.

Mr Jones will be online between 5pm and 6pm on Monday 12 January 2015, at www.northyorkshire.police.uk/webchat.

He would like to discuss people’s experiences with North Yorkshire Police and to hear suggestions about how the policing service in the county can be further improved.