‘Wreckless incompetence’ levelled at housing company and public inquiry calls, as three Northampton failed social housing schemes cost taxpayers millions
Excuse my reply if it appears naive. I would say 'simple' does not mean naive.
Once upon a time such matters would have been referred to the District Auditor for investigation and councillors found to have failed in their fiduciary duty to ratepayers could face penalties including being struck off and barred from future public office. But that was abolished in 2014.
There are still active councillors who were involved in the events leading to the County Council 'entering' special measures and the Borough Council appearing to 'lose' £10m in the Sixfields scandal. Since 2014, various other councils have been brought to their knees by reckless (at least) and very dubious (not so least) investment 'schemes'.
It is really is time for central government to clean the stables - not by abolition of local government - but by giving local electors the tools to ensure the incompetent and corrupt are brought to book . Those folk currently posturing to imitate Mr Musk's antics in the US should realise the issue is not one of magic wands, but of ethics, standards, strict controls and proper punishments.
I think it needs saying too - the Police should become more proactive where there is prima facie evidence of corrupt behaviour and maladminstration by local government officers, and "arms-length agencies". It's obvious that too many public servants now regard their means of employment as no more than Willy Wonka's Golden Ticket to the Gravy Train.
Similar is going on in NN with very little information and data coming through to CB councillors. Deciding to spend more money paying out litigation fees than repairing properties, only pipeline project put forward by cBC being built.
Brilliant reporting NN Journal! Not in the C&E unbelievably.
So disgusted by this finding and at this level it is robbery not incompetence. The harm this has had on people’s lives devastates me because I meet people whose lives would be changed with the right home.
The system should be safe because Councillors are being observed and checked by the council administration. £250,000 annual salary for the chief of the council means the detail of 24m for 25 dwellings should never happen.
So how has this happened? What else? How many scandals before people are locked up?
Reform are not my politics but my goodness they are off to an incredible start!
Excuse my reply if it appears naive. I would say 'simple' does not mean naive.
Once upon a time such matters would have been referred to the District Auditor for investigation and councillors found to have failed in their fiduciary duty to ratepayers could face penalties including being struck off and barred from future public office. But that was abolished in 2014.
There are still active councillors who were involved in the events leading to the County Council 'entering' special measures and the Borough Council appearing to 'lose' £10m in the Sixfields scandal. Since 2014, various other councils have been brought to their knees by reckless (at least) and very dubious (not so least) investment 'schemes'.
It is really is time for central government to clean the stables - not by abolition of local government - but by giving local electors the tools to ensure the incompetent and corrupt are brought to book . Those folk currently posturing to imitate Mr Musk's antics in the US should realise the issue is not one of magic wands, but of ethics, standards, strict controls and proper punishments.
I think it needs saying too - the Police should become more proactive where there is prima facie evidence of corrupt behaviour and maladminstration by local government officers, and "arms-length agencies". It's obvious that too many public servants now regard their means of employment as no more than Willy Wonka's Golden Ticket to the Gravy Train.
Well Done again ....NI......now go for accountability !
nb.....NN Journal !
Similar is going on in NN with very little information and data coming through to CB councillors. Deciding to spend more money paying out litigation fees than repairing properties, only pipeline project put forward by cBC being built.
Seems like incompetence at the highest level. Can there be consequences for the people who have let us down so badly?
Brilliant reporting NN Journal! Not in the C&E unbelievably.
So disgusted by this finding and at this level it is robbery not incompetence. The harm this has had on people’s lives devastates me because I meet people whose lives would be changed with the right home.
The system should be safe because Councillors are being observed and checked by the council administration. £250,000 annual salary for the chief of the council means the detail of 24m for 25 dwellings should never happen.
So how has this happened? What else? How many scandals before people are locked up?
Reform are not my politics but my goodness they are off to an incredible start!