There’s a meeting of FDC Standards Committee on Monday 18th February.
Anyone is welcome to attend, but if you do go expecting to see justice in action - don’t be disappointed if you are asked to leave before the juicy bits start. According to the published agenda, Item No. 6 requires the exclusion of the Public and Press. Why ?
It could well be that this deals with a case against a local councillor which first hit the headlines in December 2006, and continued to create column inches in the local press through the beginning of 2007. Surely if whatever lead to the complaint was in the papers, any investigation, even if only quasi judicial, about that complaint should similarly be public ?
The Standards Board of England insist that their role is to promote “Confidence in Local Democracy”. I can’t see that any of this promotes confidence in anything. There’s one case patiently still waiting for investigation by FDC which allegedly was first reported in September 06, sent to FDC early in ‘07, an officer started to investigate it, but then suddenly left the authority in March 07. It would appear to have languished, forgotten ever since then.
Mind you, even if a case gets to a hearing, it’s not justice in the manner we expect. Last time FDC held a standards hearing, new and uncorroborated ‘evidence’ was unexpectedly produced on the day, the case was immediately dropped, but under scrutiny the ‘evidence’ didn’t hold up.
The problem may be that the Standards Committee doesn’t follow the principals of common law as we understand them. Cllr Howes has been attacked before in the papers by senior councillors (and their associates) as a serial complainer. His complaint is that when something wrong happens - like for example a private company claiming public land in March - the Standards Committee appears to serve to protect the perpetrator, not establish the truth.
Walt
Saturday 16 February 2008
Thursday 7 February 2008
MORE TEA VICAR ?
Email received from Chris Howes:
Following your invitation, I am writing to say how Sunday’s Civic Service went.
In two words - very well ! Christine and I were both very pleased that Council and Church had healed the apparent rift of the failed F.D.C. Civic Service a couple of years ago. Good on the Mayor - rebuilding bridges is part of her job. And good on the Church too.
The congregation ws representative of many parts of the Chatteris community, together with a number of local dignitaries including our retiring M.P. Many of the dignitaries were sporting their Chain of Office, whilst Mr Moss was wearing a gabardine mac. Christine and I had no problem with this apparel, but clearly this was not the view of everyone as I did overhear a disparaging remark about ‘raincoats’ and ‘flashers’. Thoughts return to Michael Foot’s choice of coat in the 1980s.
After a Civic Service, it is customary for guests to attend a reception and engage in polite conversation. You may wonder if this might be tedious, but be assured that in light of the Mayor’s Consort’s skill in making cakes, this was a absolute pleasure. Behold Brian, the ‘Mr Kipling’ of Chatteris.....
Imagine my surprise when my munching was interrupted by our MP Malcolm bouncing straight over to me. On the assumption that I am Walter, (if you follow my meaning) he complimented me on “tricking him into commenting on the blog”, and assured me that he “wouldn’t be doing it again” ! Then, rather abruptly, he enquired if I was going to be the LibDem parliamentary candidate for the next election. This thought had never crossed my mind before Malcolm mentioned it. But with Mr Moss’s apparent recommendation behind me - perhaps I should take the notion seriously ! .
Slightly flabbergasted, I endeavoured to continue the conversation in a manner slightly more akin to the normal polite chit-chat appropriate to church rooms.
“Tell me Mr Moss” I asked, “are you looking forward to your retirement, or do you think you’ll miss the Commons ?”
“20 years is quite enough” Malcolm replied.
“Do you have any plans for your retirement” I continued, “for example, where we previously lived, our last MP, the former Member for Huntingdon, has recently published a book on cricket”
“Really ?”
“Yes,” and I added “he was called John Major !”
Oh how fickle is the memory of a Tory backbencher.
Malcolm Moss is starting to grow on me. One thing is for certain though, our next M.P., whoever it may be, is going to be a different cup of tea. Should I take Malcolm up on his suggestion .... ?
Chris Howes
EDITORS NOTE: This blog accepts contributions from a variety of sources. Any one is welcome to send copy, and all contributions will be considered. Walt.
Following your invitation, I am writing to say how Sunday’s Civic Service went.
In two words - very well ! Christine and I were both very pleased that Council and Church had healed the apparent rift of the failed F.D.C. Civic Service a couple of years ago. Good on the Mayor - rebuilding bridges is part of her job. And good on the Church too.
The congregation ws representative of many parts of the Chatteris community, together with a number of local dignitaries including our retiring M.P. Many of the dignitaries were sporting their Chain of Office, whilst Mr Moss was wearing a gabardine mac. Christine and I had no problem with this apparel, but clearly this was not the view of everyone as I did overhear a disparaging remark about ‘raincoats’ and ‘flashers’. Thoughts return to Michael Foot’s choice of coat in the 1980s.
After a Civic Service, it is customary for guests to attend a reception and engage in polite conversation. You may wonder if this might be tedious, but be assured that in light of the Mayor’s Consort’s skill in making cakes, this was a absolute pleasure. Behold Brian, the ‘Mr Kipling’ of Chatteris.....
Imagine my surprise when my munching was interrupted by our MP Malcolm bouncing straight over to me. On the assumption that I am Walter, (if you follow my meaning) he complimented me on “tricking him into commenting on the blog”, and assured me that he “wouldn’t be doing it again” ! Then, rather abruptly, he enquired if I was going to be the LibDem parliamentary candidate for the next election. This thought had never crossed my mind before Malcolm mentioned it. But with Mr Moss’s apparent recommendation behind me - perhaps I should take the notion seriously ! .
Slightly flabbergasted, I endeavoured to continue the conversation in a manner slightly more akin to the normal polite chit-chat appropriate to church rooms.
“Tell me Mr Moss” I asked, “are you looking forward to your retirement, or do you think you’ll miss the Commons ?”
“20 years is quite enough” Malcolm replied.
“Do you have any plans for your retirement” I continued, “for example, where we previously lived, our last MP, the former Member for Huntingdon, has recently published a book on cricket”
“Really ?”
“Yes,” and I added “he was called John Major !”
Oh how fickle is the memory of a Tory backbencher.
Malcolm Moss is starting to grow on me. One thing is for certain though, our next M.P., whoever it may be, is going to be a different cup of tea. Should I take Malcolm up on his suggestion .... ?
Chris Howes
EDITORS NOTE: This blog accepts contributions from a variety of sources. Any one is welcome to send copy, and all contributions will be considered. Walt.
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