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SALFORD CITY COUNCIL HASN’T LISTENED TO ITS COMMUNITY ADMITS DEPUTY MAYOR
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Star date: 25th July 2016
`MEET THE SALFORD MAYOR' SURGERIES ANNOUNCED
Deputy Salford City Mayor, Paula Boshell, almost admitted the pathetic nature of democracy in the city at last week's Council meeting, when, announcing new `Meet The Mayor' surgeries, she said; "As politicians, it is our duty to listen to those who elect us…we haven't collectively always done that…"
The statement was almost a word-for-word repetition of the former Salford Mayor, Ian Stewart, who promised on being elected in 2012, to be "more open and transparent with the public". What followed was `China on the Irwell'…
Full details here…
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At last week's meeting of Salford Council, Statutory Deputy City Mayor, Paula Boshell, admitted that, in the past, ruling Labour Party politicians haven't listened to the residents who elect them, in what can be seen as the understatement of the year…
"As politicians it is our duty to listen to those who elect us" she warbled insincerely "We haven't collectively always done that and we need to remember we are here to serve; and to do that we must both listen and connect with our communities…"
Councillor Boshell, who has never spoken to the Salford Star, was also Strategic Assistant Mayor in the Cabinet of former Salford Mayor Ian Stewart. On getting elected in 2012 he too promised change…
"We need to learn from past experience where our judgement could have been better, we are only human" he explained "There will be a changing model of governance. That change will be driven by meeting people's needs. There will be changing methods of communication.
"We as politicians are not very good at communicating with the public, and the public are making decisions without basic information sometimes" he added "That's our fault as politicians, we need to get better at that. Getting better at communication means that we as a Council must be more open and transparent with the public. I will seek to generate that openness and transparency in future…"
Stewart will be remembered for a regime that saw special monitoring measures from the Information Commissioner after Freedom of Information requests were routinely delayed…and the `rent-a-crowd' labelling of parents of disabled children and their supporters, who were campaigning against cuts to services (see here).
Stewart also tried to ban campaigners against cuts to transport for disabled people from holding a peaceful rally on the lawn of the publicly owned Civic Centre, complete with dark arts propaganda in the local media...
Boshell, and current City Mayor, Paul Dennett, were also instrumental in gagging almost 9,000 Council staff from making any statement, even on their personal social media, which `conflicts with the Authority's interests'…The edict encouraged people to spy on their colleagues to ensure they complied (see previous Salford Star article – click here)
The `duty to listen and connect with communities' under the previous regime became almost a battle against anyone who challenged their policies, who were labelled `Trotskyists', `extremists', `liars' and `hysterical' by various spin doctors, Assistant Mayors and the Mayor himself. All the while, Dennett and Boshell remained silent.
So, will anything change? While Ian Stewart had his ill-fated `bus tour' of the city, Boshell announced `Meet the Mayor' surgeries… "We will be publishing details shortly, and this is only the start" she said.
"We need to follow the example of the Poverty Truth Commission" she added "because by making those in need central to what we do, then we will achieve real outcomes…If we develop strategies and plans for, and not with, residents we will end up with strategies that don't work…When we talk of working with partners that must include Salford residents…"
Judging by their past record, the jury must remain out on Boshell and Dennett's sincerity.
Meanwhile, don't expect any real opposition to the ruling Labour Party group's unpopular policies and practices from the pathetic Salford Conservative Party. At the same Council meeting last week, councillors had the chance to quiz any Cabinet member on any subject – and only bothered to ask a few half-hearted questions to less than half of the decision makers.
The Pokemon, currently infesting the Civic Centre, could have done a better job…
* See also previous Salford Star article - New City Mayor Paul Dennett Promises More Accountability and Transparency - click here
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shirley jones wrote
at 11:04:44 on 08 August 2016 |
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| Hopefully if Jeremy Corbyn is successful he will sort out our old boys club that are running, or should I say ruining this city. I can't equate JC to the Salford Labour that we have now, as our lot have none of the principles that he has. Salford Council rarely listens to its citizens and hasn't a clue as to what we need. We have MP's who we can't get to see and who blatantly refuse to meet with concerned resident with proof to show her and a new Mayor that promised to meet with us but never has.He asked to join my F page, promised to listen and promised to meet with our group but then totally ignored us ever since. So won't be holding my breath that he's going to change anything in reality. Salford Labour needs massive changes but those with their claws well into it's neck who gain too much from their positions held over many years will never allow it. |
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wrote
at 12:42:28 on 27 July 2016 |
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| Oh Michael, what a disappointment.
I was expecting at least a First in PPE from Brasenose.
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Michael James Felse wrote
at 10:19:03 on 27 July 2016 |
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| Hi wrote. My college days were at The Dearne Valley Business School in economics. Oxford later was the University in Strategic Management, economics and learning how to drink fine wine. |
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wrote
at 01:26:52 on 27 July 2016 |
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| Michael.
I don't think any of us realised that you studied at Oxford.
What college were you at and what did you read? |
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Michael James Felse wrote
at 12:49:19 on 26 July 2016 |
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| Hi BrianFkm - no I am not a member of Salford CLP. Having been awarded the UK Tutor of the Year 2016 by the world skills largest body I do not wish to be associated with Labour. I feel they are doing nothing in opposition to help education, skills or enterprise in the UK. Labour helped me gain my Management qualification at Oxford University but since then they have stopped listening to we the working class people. |
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Brian F Kirkham wrote
at 11:42:40 on 26 July 2016 |
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| Mr Felse - you talk of Councillors talking to the people ? FIVE out of Fifty-two ? That isn't what i'd call listening. I'd call it sitting pretty in positions because of a severe lack of opposition in this city. If the Deputy Mayor feels so strongly on this - then perhaps he and his assistants might feel the need to get out into the community and do something about it. And please - don't play the provocateur - Labour has been in control in this city for quite a while now - and its councillors are more in touch with its private partners than the people that voted for them. Thinking on - are you still a member of Salford CLP? |
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Michael James Felse wrote
at 10:16:50 on 26 July 2016 |
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| DownButOut must be kiddin. Please tell us what you think these two highly paid socialists have done for Salford that impress you so much. One sitting by the side of Mr Corbyn at ever selfi photo opportunity and the other watching Salford's Housing list hopefuls being denied a roof from his Council flat high rise view. You see the two as Saviours Of Salford. We are doomed if we think Long-Baily or Mayor Dennitt will S.O.S. us from the communists and militants taking over the Labour Party. To be honest I feel a little sorry for the few decent Salford Councillors that have got caught up in their Civil War, The 5 out of 52 that voted against Corbyn. While the 47 others are clearly up for the extinction of Labour by not listening to the people. |
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RayofSunshine wrote
at 10:16:29 on 26 July 2016 |
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| Felse, "you dog", is it the prospect
of ordinary party members having a major say in the policy and direction of Labour the thing that really marks you about Mr.Corbyn?
Such a phobia is understandable given that
any norm of democratic accountability would cramp your egotistical opportunism! |
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down but not out wrote
at 07:02:53 on 26 July 2016 |
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| As many individuals with a learning disability and their parents know our concerns have fell on deaf ears for a long time and the vulnerable in Salford have had to suffer massive cuts to services. Ian Stewart and some of the Councillors ignored us and hoped that we would go away. I have my fingers crossed that the Mayor, Paul Dennett will change the way many of the Councillors cease to function for the good of the Community. From what we have seen up to now, we are impressed with Paul and Rebecca Long-Bailey and we wish them well in changing the mindset that many Councillors have who think that we are invisible. We all need to work together. |
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Michael James Felse wrote
at 07:01:43 on 26 July 2016 |
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| Hi Alice. I am sure thousands in Salford have grown tired of our Councillors wearing the T shirt 'Trust in Labour'. Labour's Civil War is gathering pace. Why should we give them yet another chance when they are not the party of old where local people came first twenty five years ago. If they really are listening the whole Labour bunch would resign in protest against Corbyn. |
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Alice wrote
at 19:34:24 on 25 July 2016 |
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| At the Rally forJeremy Corbyn last Saturday I noticed our new Mayor, Paul Dennett and Councillor Coen. There may have been other Councillors but not recognised by me. Assuming they follow Corbyn's philosophy that truth, transparency and working together with the community, is the way forward, then I feel optimistic. The people elected to govern should not be apart from us but with us, recognising that we all have needs that should be understood. If they don't listen they cannot understand, cannot empathise or move forward to correct, improve or maybe give the appropriate explanation for not being able to solve the issue. This approach is very time consuming but it is progressive and, in the long term, achieves results and creates a better relationship between the governed and the governing. This then develops a community which is prepared to cooperate and isn't resentful and critical. Everyone wins. |
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wrote
at 19:34:04 on 25 July 2016 |
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| This is great news.
M J F will be able to go along and do his urging and demanding. |
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Felse - The Attack Dog wrote
at 19:33:55 on 25 July 2016 |
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| At last we see Labour forced to listen. Another trick used by the extreme left and communists but we know they will just keep on destroying Salford to get their goal of making Saltord the City of Extremistm rule. Their appalling track record tells the real truth. Kicking Labour out is the only hope for Salford's great future. |
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