Noting the abundant debate about the programme below this thread, my only comments are the following:
- David Bowles was wrong to refuse to be interviewed. Together with Clive McGregor and Elan Closs Stephens, Bowles is one of the most important architects of the recovery process and should have no problem with defending his role in front of a camera. The programme was not a hatchet job -- in fact it made it abundantly clear that Bowles has in the past been very courageous in both routing out corruption at Lincolnshire and standing up to Labour's NHS targets. However as the vox pops in Llangefni High Street highlighted: normal residents are aghast at the salary he is paid -- and rightly so when you consider he earns roughly 2.5x the average weekly wage on Anglesey in a day. Rightly or wrongly the sheer size of his salary has made him a target for opponents and it is only right that he should have appeared and put our minds at rest that it is money well spent.
- Also, rather than focussing excessively on David Bowles' ill advised and brief stay in Parc Cefni, I would have been more interested in learning about the circumstances leading to Bowles' appointment as the highest paid civil servant in the land. Was the position advertised? How many other persons were considered for the role? How was the salary level (which is paid by Anglesey ratepayers) arrived at? If no other persons were interviewed -- and there was therefore no competitive tender -- how on earth can the highest public sector salary in Wales be justified? And, similarly, is it really wise to pay a civil servant £1000 a day, in a place where the average weekly wage is just £396 (2007 data)? These would have been more relevant questions for the programme makers to deal with.
- Another issue regarding the recovery process which would have benefitted from a more in depth discussion, is the question of whether attempting to draw a line in the sand over past problems is paying dividends. It is clear that there is still a significant number of Councillors who are unhappy with the process -- pretty much guaranteeing that normal service will be resumed just as soon as David Bowles and the recovery board head off into the sunset. Accordingly it would have been interesting to have had a discussion of alternative routes to the 'recovery'. A South African style 'Truth and Reconciliation' style tribunal is probably going too far, but I have a feeling that a full and open internal investigation into some contentious issues from the past would prove a very cathartic experience for the council.
Ultimately we should concern ourselves with what works -- and I'm not fully convinced that the current recovery process has the support of enough councillors to ensure that it will be robust. From this point of view my advice to Bowles, McGregor and Closs Stephens is this: in order to give the recovery the best possible chance of survival, appoint a new, permanent MD to work alongside Bowles as soon as possible. In order to boost morale among staff, choose someone from within the council who is acceptable to all parties (not as hard a task as some might imagine). Pay that person no more than the average wage of a council chief executive in Wales. And most importantly: recognise that the biggest challenge facing Anglesey is not just restoring confidence in the council, but helping rebuild the Island's shattered economy -- for that reason choose somebody with some creativity, imagination, and a helluva lot of business nous.
106 comments:
You are so right Druid, as usual.
But, appoint someone from within the Council.....are you serious...I don't think so, for a number of good reasons !
* No-one suitable, or qualified
* Too much baggage
* Too intimate with elected Members
* Too intimate with Staff
* Likely to be influenced
etc.
No, it has to be a sound and robust external candidate....ideally from the private sector ?
Well said, Druid.
Despite being guilty of a terrible crime later on, to my mind, Jeremy Colman stuck a nail right through the heart of Anglesey's problems. He put very clearly in a report for the first time what was so obvious to the rest of us.
If Mr. Colman were still in office, I suspect he wouldn't have wanted the recovery to proceed by simply ignoring entirely the past wrongdoings and allegations of wrongdoing.
The chosen path to is simply wrong. The same people will never move on if their past is ignored, not least because the people of Anglesey will never forget. To them, it appears the crooks are being allowed to get away with things under cover of 'moving on'.
A Einstein said: 'the distinction between past, present and future is merely an illusion'.
Brawd o Amlwch - okay, let me qualify that that statement: try to find someone within the council as first preference. If there is nobody suitable, look further afield.
TGC
As much as we wish to see the Council move forward it will never do so whilst the wrongdoers are still in office. If we allow that now, Anglesey County Council, will never change or move forward. The Welsh Assemble may as well close it down now.
The goings-on in IOACC may be common knowledge to the readers of this blog or those who have an active interest in Anglesey politics, however a majority of people I talk to on the island don't know or don't care about what's going on in the council, beyond the rumour mill.
Others further afield in Wales will also not know what happens here.
In that respect the programme provided a quick summary for those not in the know.
For those expecting a 'cordon bleu' three course meal getting fish and chips in an old copy of the Post may be disappointing ... on the other hand it may be the prawn cocktail aperitif for further media revelations.
Well, I would agree that there were hints of laying foundations for further programmes evident.
I also spotted Paddy French visiting a few places not mentioned at all in the programme, and so there may well yet be further revelations to come.
14.29 You sound as if PF was everywhere, and wherever he was, you were....were you following him, or are you exaggerating ?
As a country we should be ashamed of ourselves, we have allowed this fool Bowles to move into Anglesey, and he has taken this Island and has turned it into a place I don NOT recognise anymore, if this is his idea of running a Council, then he should realise that first of all he is English, and he is no longer welcome. In fact he can take all of his Englishness with him and pack it away with him, racist? Yes! Victim? definetely. a victim of English maliciousness! It's a shame that when he was parachuted in, he didn't drift off somwehere else, somewhere far away.
13.07 I can't think of anyone within the Council who might have the intellectual ability, qualifications, seniority, gravitas, or support of our elected friends....lets advertise externally......it has to be a private sector heavyweight.
The sooner the better.
Druid, with ref your comment about (perhaps) selecting a person from within the council or otherwise, if such a selection was not made by or promoted by our version of Sylvester Stallone that person would be ridiculed and got at in just the same way as the curreent and last two MD's. The bigger problem is Sylvester Stallone.
"...were you following him, or are you exaggerating?"
No, not at all on both counts! I just happened to see him in two places on the island that are related to the Council.
Perhaps there is a deal whereby Paddy reports more substantial matters on Rebecca, whilst ITV got the more mundane stuff?
It's a near certainty that there are several people involved in 'the Anglesey scandal' - those elected to and those employed by the Council - who may experience serious discomfort were the past investigated and held up to close scrutiny. However, unless we learn from the past we'll not be able to avoid repeating the same mistakes in the future. Ignoring the history doesn't make it go away.
Nobody can justify the salary Mr Bowles is getting unless he's delivering stunning results and we've seen little evidence of that so far have we? Maybe the Islanders need to re-take control of their own island?
For what my opinion is worth [I've read the Druid but never posted] the Council needs a root and branch clear-out - that means councillors as well as some council officers. Let's be honest here, we know we've got some pretty 3rd rate officers in the council as well as the 3rd rate councillors who are supposed to direct them. All of them will have their own 'backside-saving' or 'nest-feathering' agendas which are likely to be at odds with the discovery then curing of the real cause of Anglesey's civic ills.
If Mr Bowles is really as good as is claimed and really worth £4 per head then let's see him get down to some serious action ...and let's see him do it now!
16:00
You got it in one.
Druid's 'Truth and Reconciliation' idea is quite a good one.
Let's look at it from two angles: (1) We forget about everything that's happened in the past, a bit like Northern Ireland. It seems to work for a time, then we return to bad old days.
(2) It would be very odd if South Africa, at the end of Apartheid, said something like: 'segregation and racism? Ohhhh, it was all a long time ago now. Let's all be friends and move on'. This is the Recovery Board and Bowles approach. But it will ultimately prove to be as misguided as any other attempt to cover-up the past.
Has anyone ever seen Bowles in the flesh - I’m not actually convinced he exists .
I know that several large employers on the island wouldn’t even know him if they say him. Shouldn’t they be one of his first calls – ‘ Hello I’m the new Council CEO is there anything I can do to help etc etc
To me salary equals results and I’m not seeing results are you !
17.54 DB will say that his primary (and only) role is to lead and effect the recovery of administrative and political governance within the council....not to market the Council as some oily salesman....that, he delegates to others e.g. economic development, inept as they are ?
Well said at 16.28
I too believe that certain officers and Councillors would experience serious discomfort if the past was investigated. I believe that the new alliance with its terms were welcomed by some because it protects such officers and Councillors.
Everyone I know welcomed Bowles, believing he was the man to bring those that would feel serious discomfort to book. Instead, he drew a line, giving those responsible for bringing the Council into such disrepute a life line and no doubt making them feel untouchable.
Drawing a line, in my view for what its worth, was a giant step backwards and a kick in the teeth for Anglesey residents.
Anonymous said...
not to market the Council as some oily salesman....that, he delegates to others
Ah - is that why Anglesey is so successful at attracting decent businesses to the island !
Don’t you love a Chief Exec that leads from the back ....
Maybe, the problems they are trying to hide from the Public are so serious that they had to bring Bowles in as he has not an ounce of decency or humanity about him. After all, the mess he create when left in Lincoln is similar to the mess he inherited and created here?
Fraud, Corruption, False Accountancy, Planning Scams, Bogus Allowances, Lies, Deception & String of Malfeasant's. That's what Bowles want's covering up. That's why he's prepared to Breach the Human Rights Act's. That's why he is being paid over £1000 a day. That's Why We will never relent. Never.
Anon at 19:06
It's call a socio-path.
There has been much play on David Bowles sending the Lincolnshire Council leader to jail whilst being the Chief Executive. What a load of Bol..cks he did nothing more than bear witness against him in court, big deal, that doesn't make him the paragon of virtue he is being made out to be.
We must also remember that David Bowles is staunch Labour and Lincolnshire Council was Conservative run!
Now we see, we have a man that was brought in by the Clowns inthe Welsh Assembly to help the people and instead he ended up putting a noose around all our necks, let's hope that Ieuan and Carwyn are happy with their decision, in denying the people of Anglesey a decent and legitimate Council, being treated like dirt is second nature to the people of Anglesey because we are so soft and spineless. Human Rights we don't have any while the likes of Bowles and Mcgregor still exist.
I am a Llangefni resident and probably a prominent businessman on Anglesey and doubt that DB can give us value for money spent. Come to that I have never seen him about maybe he is a fictitious person for us all to believe that something is been done to sort the problems.
He should have a given an interview on last night programme. What has he got to hide ???
I think that CM should invite the "Druid" to sort out Anglesey problems. He or she seems to have more idea on whats wrong here in Anglesey.
Why do we keep having people here who are tarred with same brush from the public services life. What we need is an outsider from with knowledge on how to run businesses in the private sector.
Are you qualified "Druid"? and come on Clive he could be your salvation !!
Un o Fon
So Bowles is Labour and the Welsh Assembly is Labour ruled, no wonder were the clowns of the country/
I found last nights WTW quite suckle,
Not heavy just enough to give a good insight of what is going on at Anglesey County Council
We saw Ellen Closs Stephens, publicly abusing JAJ. Then Clive McGregor not really knowing what to say admitting that he had told his tribe not to engage in the poll, obviously not having enough confidence in them to have a good word for Bowles
Then we had David Bowles himself refusing to take part altogether.
Then there was Cllr Durkin saying very little but by that said a lot.
In all I saw and heard enough to come to the conclusion that Anglesey County Council is in the wrong hands both Clive McGregor and David Bowles should call it a day and before trying to move forward the council needs to clean its act up, remove the real trouble makers and then move on but not until.
Yes, staunch Labour with Commie attributes.
What about our Human Rights?
IWJ, BP and their Plaid Cymru, The Party of Wales support breaching our Human Rights, as does JC & his Labour Group, HT & his group are no different. David Bowles & Clive McGregor with his 3 man group says it all.
These are the law breakers that are running our Council. Its no wonder the Council is so F..ked up?
News from Llangefni.
The word around Llangefni tonight is that Clive McGregor has resigned as Leader of the Council today following a bust up with Bowles.
Does anyone know if this is true or not?
My impression of last nights WTW was nothing more than the forerunner to the real exposers in Rebecca coming our way soon.
Hard hitting & taking no prisoners.
Druid said:"And most importantly: recognise that the biggest challenge facing Anglesey is not just restoring confidence in the council, but helping rebuild the Island's shattered economy -- for that reason choose somebody with some creativity, imagination, and a helluva lot of business nous."
Well, for a start let's remember it is not the council that can rebuild the economy, but the private sector. This is where all the thinking is so, so fundamentally wrong. Anglesey, as Wales more widely, needs the private sector to expand and create jobs.
For this to work, Councils should stand back and stop "crowding out" small businesses by sticking their fingers into every pie that's going.
One of the most daring and probably effective things this Executive could do is to reduce the economic development budget and transfer the same amount to a fund to be used by young entrepreneurs.
The worst waste of public money is when you have councillors who are clueless having power to distribute funds to no-hope projects run by people who could not run a business without the "fix" of a grant. And when the grant ends they come back for another "fix" or they just "die".
What an indictment.
also, there's far too much planning- which just suffocates innovation. Great ideas and dynamic people get the energy and brilliance crushed out of them by these backward looking, no-vision executives.
If you stripped out completely the Econ dev budget and all its secretariat, I think you'd hardly see any change in Anglesey. In fact if anything, you would start to see improvements.
What an indictment.
22:06 - to clarify, when I say we need someone with business nous, I mean it in the sense that they recognise what business needs: i.e. less interference, less obstruction, and a clear and stable planning policy.
i hope you don't mean a free range, anything goes type of business druid. rules are rules and we all need them. business's without such, like a few here in the capital, need to be scrutinized. whether or not it means people with business nous employ or represent those under discussion we all all need to know that rules are rules.
dazzler in the capital
You are wondering why David Bowles was give the job without any job advertising the position, Easy his good friend Welsh Assemble Minister for Local Government Brian Gibbons is not only another Labour Lefty, but he also worked with David Bowles at Bridgend Council. Very cushy, WHAT.
£1160 per day + a minimum of £450 for accommodation + expenses to get a tyrant to bully Councillors in to doing what they are told! Has the world gone made? Heads need to roll, not just here, but in the Assembly.
LETS NOT BEAT ABOUT THE BUSH. THE COMMIE'S HAVE TAKEN OVER.
Don't be too harsh on Bowles he spent months on the sick with stress in Lincolnshire. He then made a miraculous recovery and with the help of SOLACE Enterprises started to coin it in as a local government trouble shooter. I'm really surprised that nobody has ever asked what did he actually achieve in Bridgend where he used to spend just 3 days a week in the authority before shooting back to England? When's he's gone Ynys Mon will probably be in the same mess as when he arrived.
David Bolwes will go down in the Annals of Ynys Mon's history as one of the worst things along with Paddy Gibbons that's ever happened in modern times.
If we had known what we know now, Albert Owen as with IWJ would have lost their seats at their last elections. They and in particular commie Bowles should piss off now before they cause direct action to be taken by the people.
It's an interesting question as to why there hasn't been much in the way of direct public protest here yet. Still, they can expect plenty when they start to try and wield the axe on our local services.
Here's the news: we have a very uncertain turnaround at Llangefni. Cuts are coming. Island-wide decisions need to be made. Nobody has seen this scale of cuts before. The Councillors have no bloody idea about anything other than infighting. The public are getting impatient.
We need effective, business-like leaders to run this place, not endless streams of establishment figures like university professors and Solace hotshots that jump from one well-greased stepping stone to the next.
DB is Anglesey's last and only chance of recovering from its cancer.....its slow but he's getting there....we don't imagine do we that our inept and poisonous elected friends can do it by themselves......?
The Druid's idea of casting around for a shadow MD is a sound one...but emphatically he/she needs to be an unconnected heavyweight private sector OUTSIDER with proven commercial and marketing acumen....not some internal local government plodder who has not risked anything in his life !
How about it ?
So there we have it - commentators on this blog have descended to anti-Irish and anti-English racism. With no proff being offered that any laws are being broken petty name calling is all that's left.
Bring this nonsense to an end, Druid, and stick to more substantial matters.
Can we really believe that the sensible-thinking people of Bodffordd and even less Bodwrog/Llynfaes etc want their tragi-comic friend from by the water as their next Councillor....crazy if they do....and disastrous for IACC ?
We definately need something, just heard that there are to be significan job losses at the Valley base, so they'd better pull their finger out
The way Anglesey County Council is being run now under Clive McGregor's Leadership and David Bowles'S Commie mentality, don't be surprised to see a lot more job losses, never mind just Valley.
15.27 If true, and for all we know you may be a councillor with factual knowledge ?...the public need to know what problems the Officers (and which Officers) are alleged to have caused...and what JC is alleged to have done that merits exposure.......do educate us please....if you have factual knowledge of wrongdoing you have a duty to expose it ?
All 39 Councillors ought to have one thing on their minds...."business and prosperity for the Island" and how to progress IoACC's economy.
In a company, the directors responsibility is to the company and not it's shareholders.This means directors has to do what is best for the company as a whole and not just for instance one division of that company or a single whinging shareholder.
If this approach was taken in Anglesey....the squabbles would be fewer. Once cannot rebuild the islands economy with every decision being hard fought and time wasted on chicanery. There must me much more commerciality.
With so little money about, Anglesey is looking very poor and the UK Plc is not in great shape but at lease there are fewer barriers to doing business else where. Wake up guys!
The Welsh Assembly Government know how to waste Public money and David Bowles's film star pay package is testimony to this.
In defence of DB, it's not his fault he gets paid too much. The fault lies in the WAG not getting value for money at our expense.
Anon 14.26
Some of us might just well think that the comments you allude to are put on on purpose by mischief makers.
You know, so that someone can come along and say how disgusting it is and how the Druid is racist etc etc.
Now, who would do such a thing as try and stiffle debate with shrill calls of racism do you think?
A number of comments have been deleted.
Brawd o Amlwch
There is plenty of factual knowledge and the duty to bring it to the attention of the authorities has been exercised, The outcome? A blatant attempt by David Bowles and the Officer involved to cover it all up.
Valley will close and transferred to Leeming North Yorkshire, the air sea rescue will go to Sealand, ebd of Valley announcement next week.
Mr Pilot said: I see no wrong in this man! well he wouldn't. He'd partaken in the five fishes and the forty loafs, as with all the others in his pocket!
I like to think that I am a fair, competent and professional leader of a prominent business here on the island and as such have regular contact with members of the island’s council ( councillors and officers ) .
In my humble opinion the island is doomed to very many years carrying on with the invisible and expensive Bowles. How on earth did he get the post - jobs for the boys can’t be anything else can it !
If this job was properly advertised and properly awarded for £260K boy could you get a real CEO not a sham !
Sham is no longer the word. Wait till all is revealed.
@18.47 Sealand is closed, Leeming operates Mk1 Hawks which are being phased out, that's where the loss of jobs are here on the Mk1's
"£260K boy could you get a real CEO not a sham !"
What, like one of them banking CEOs? Yeah, they really knew what they were doing...
Next!
"In defence of DB, it's not his fault he gets paid too much. The fault lies in the WAG not getting value for money at our expense."
You certainly can't blame him for taking what's on offer. This paying excessive amounts has attracted criticism from many places, including ministers. Have a read of these revealing articles:
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article5439493.ece
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8303305.stm
18.30 "A blatant attempt by DB and Officers to cover it up"
WHAT EXACTLY, WHO EXACTLY ?
It ought to be in the public domain !
On the subject of DB's successor, there will come a time when that person will be identified and appointed, (from the private sector !), and he will need to work alongside Bowles for a suitable period of transition in order to hit the ground running, than fill a sudden void when Bowles comes to the end of his contract, that would be a disaster for IACC. So we may expect to be paying x2 ?
If we think of economic recovery in general, and local political and administrative governance recovery in particular,we must acknowledge that no recovery will happen without commercial enterprise and risk-taking initiative by the private sector.
But such initiatives need political and government encouragement, grants, and specifically a supportive can-do planning regime.
But we don't have it.
What we have is a negative, unhelpful and obstructive planning mindset setting obstacles all the way.
Even Community Secretary Eric Pickles (comic name !) remarked this week that planning departments in the UK are "the last bastion of communism and bloody-mindedness" and an impediment to economic progress and recovery.
So, to our planning friends we say wake up and smell the coffee...we are ALL, including your own families, dependent on private enterprise to get us out of this hole !
"So we may expect to be paying x2 ?"
Yes, for several months, probably from early 2011 onwards.
The Chief Exec is tasked with running the Councils in order that The Council provides "Excellent Public Administration."
Bowles is focussed entirely on resolving the political side of the Council so who is actually running the show....the day to day corporate affairs of the Council?
It's like walking up the aisle of the 747 mid-flight only to find the pilot is actually the baggage handler!
"the day to day corporate affairs of the Council?"
Aha! Now, let's talk about the Corporate Directors. How many are there? Five or so? Each on about £70,000 or more?
Hands up who knows what Corporate Directors do? Or, better, who thinks we could do without them and save our hard-pressed taxpayers well over £500,000 a year, including benefits?
Let's face it, Corporate Directors were up there with Councillors on Jeremy Colman's list when it came to being rather less than good at their job. For the past year, they've been on regular courses telling them how to behave like good employees. Other employees would simply have been sacked.
As an informed outsider who deals with them, none of the IACC Directors are worth their salaries, they are inept, ineffective and lightweights.....and have a parochial, bunker mentality.
Not value for money !
Anonymous said...
@18.47 Sealand is closed, Leeming operates Mk1 Hawks which are being phased out, that's where the loss of jobs are here on the Mk1's
Not taking a side in this other than to say although Sealand is closed as a fully-functioning operational RAF base, it's still there and still partly in use especially as an instrument repair facility for all the Armed Forces. In addition there is a Regular Army barracks nearby at the Dale in Chester (currently home to the Royal Welsh), numerous TA facilities in the immediate area, Royal Navy facilities nearby on Merseyside and even a basic range complex with firing points out to 600M nearby as well.
There's no reason why the SAR can't be moved to Sealand from Valley, but there's no reason why it should be either. As for the fast jet training, two of the reasons Valley is used is the remarkably low number of no flying days due to weather and the general 'remoteness' in case of accident.
So al in all, although anon 18.47 has made workable suggestions, I would be absolutely staggered if they turned out to be true even in part. It's cetainly possible, but equally not probable.
Corporate Directors: here's what one said to me last year, when I wanted to talk to him politely, calmly and intelligently about a very simply matter:
"Your request for a meeting is denied".
Hang on. £70,000+ a year? "Denied"? What is he, a judge?
Chuck the lot out (I understand one is pretty good, in fairness). We can't afford a bunch of long-term desk-fliers that won't talk to the public who pay their massive salaries.
"planning departments in the UK are "the last bastion of communism and bloody-mindedness""
I couldn't agree more. Look, for example, at the planning boundaries around Anglesey's settlements. They are utterly ridiculous and for the most part, drawn such that random-shaped villages are boxed-in by regular, horizontal (never tilted) boxes. This often means huge areas of open fields can be developed, whereas where the box limits are reached, you find stupid, artificial divisions into 'go ahead' and 'no bloody chance' sectors.
Planning is still stuck in the immediate post-war era. Support for micro business, often home-based, is what is needed, not stupid 'you can have a garden cabin but not to work from' rules.
9.46 Negative Planning is the elephant in the room which in large part impedes recovery and progress in Anglesey.
There needs to be a PUBLIC DEBATE to change the situation !!
Counc. Chorlton, you are the planning portfolio holder....please arrange it ??
@909 Red Flag, the problem is with the Hawk Mk2 which is being phased out, it's my understanding that over 200 local jobs will go, not RAF or MOD jobs, that's an awful lot of people out of work again
the problem is with the Hawk Mk2 which is being phased out
Think you mean the Mk1 that's being phased out - "In July 2009, the first new Hawk T MK2 was delivered to RAF Valley to begin the type’s induction into service. The upgraded T MK2 will ultimately replace the Hawk T Mk1 from 2011 onwards."
The Mk2 will still need maintenance teams.
Sorry it is the Mk 1 which is being phased out, over 200 jobs to go by next Sept
Anon 15:02 - where did you get this information from?
Sorry it is the Mk 1 which is being phased out, over 200 jobs to go by next Sept
Do you mean go go as in gone for good, or do you mean 200 jobs associated with the Mk1 will go, to be replaced by 200 jobs to do with the Mk2 funily enough done by the same people for the same company.
Surprised there was no news about it, meeting last week and jobs are to go,I was at the meeting
Anon 16:04 - where was the meeting? At RAF Valley?
Yes, can you make enquiries
Well I remain to be convinced that whatever was said has been interpreted the way it was meant. If 200 non-Forces, non-MOD jobs were removed from Valley there would be next-to-no civilian workforce left and the Daily Post and Anglesey Mail would have been running with it by now.
When will you lot ever learn?
There is no more to come out from the council - no more scandals to be uncovered, no more crooks to be filmed, no more dodgy deals, no more of anything. I've been hearing rumours for over 20 years about this or that councillor going to be exposed for this or that corrupt action - but it never happens. Some of them have been investigated several times over by police, ombudsman, media - and still nothing comes out. Why? There is nothing to be uncovered.
The only thing that keeps this rumour mill going - and this blog - is the number of disaffected, angry, resentment-filled people living here; people who ahve been refused planning permission and have been rightly refused.
It's time to let go of your anger; time to forgive; time to realise that no one has done you any wrong. Once you let go life will be easier for you and you'll find some peace. But while you chase imagined ghosts then peace will never come.
Will the fool at 18:59 give over?
Re RAF Valley closure, the Hawks at 4FTS will transfer to RAF Leeming, SAR 22 Sqn will move to Sealand, the closures will come as a result of the closure of Kinloss and Lossiemouth. It's the defence review, we are awaiting transfer orders to Leeming, the closure should be completed by April 2011.
Well anon, of Valley goes I'll be very surprised. However if it does go I will bet you that an Army Light Brigade will be moved there. The tories intend to withdraw the troops from Germany and are actively seeking real estate to develop and accommodate the personnel, equipment and families.
If they do announce it's closure (which personally I doubt I have to say), Wynn Jones and Albert better get campaigning to get one of the withdrawn Brigades put here.
18:59
"When will you lot ever learn"
It would be very good news if there was no more to come out of the Council but unfortunately we have barely touched the tip of the iceberg
Why do you think Bowles was really sent into Anglesey County Council? It certainly was NOT to help it move on, after all he's ensured the real trouble makers have take back the power and is doing every thing in his power to cover up all the wrong doing.
Just watch this space, all we have seen up till now is a couple of fizzled out fireworks, wait till the big one's get lit, then we will see.
wait till the big one's get lit,
Yawn. And when's that then?
2011? 2012?
No-one who comes on here knows anything. If they did they would have reported it and made statements and be prepared to publicly give evidence.
If they did and weren't prepared to do that then they are aiding and abetting, bordering on conspiracy.
Red Flag you are quite right.
But you are assuming that what you say hasn't already taken place and that's the whole basis of the Problem cover up after cover up.
These issues HAVE been reported. Statements HAVE been made and we are prepared to give evidence, but the likes of Bowles and his cover up cronies don't like it and are prepared to do anything to stop us. But not forever. No chance
IF EVER THERE WAS A DAMNING STATEMENT FROM A MAN NOT FIT FOR PURPOSE DAVID BOWLES MADE IT.
Out of the 14 replies to the confidential poll taken among the Councillor's by the ITV Wales this Week Poll. "Three thought his performance was excellent. Three thought his performance was average, whilst EIGHT said they thought his performance was poor to very poor". After a straw poll of the alliance which showed a vote of no-confidence in David Bowles, Clive McGregor told his Alliance, not to take part in the Poll.
David Bowles declined to be interviewed but made a statement saying "It's not surprising that those who have been marginalised because of their unacceptable behaviour have tried to undermine me through the Wales this Week Poll.
Now he tells us that there are not just TWO Councillors Marginalised but ELEVEN, clearly a case of, if you disagree with me or make a point of view that doesn't suit me, your marginalised.
Need I say more? Other than to ask who are the other NINE Councillors he has marginalised?
I think I feel a FOIA request coming on.
I hadn't realised Denbigh Mental had let loose so many of its former inmates on Anglesey. So much ravings of loonatics. 18.59 hits it right on the head. Think people need to get out more and off the Island.
You shouln't blame Bowles, don't blame Bowles for his salary at the end of the day the people responsbile are the Leader and his County Councilors, remember the audit report, it stated that the leader and his cabinet did not speak or work with the senior officers, how can a Council function with this kind of Leadership ?????
As I said, I've been waiting 20 years for someone to be done for something on Anglesey. Yes they are childish; yes they are vindictive; yes they are stuck in the past - but since no evidence has been put forward (nothing the police, ombudsman, or media have been able to use anyway) then none of them are real crooks.
I know it must be hard to be refused planning permission - especially when you could have made a quick buck selling off the land, but it is no reason to go calling people crooks when they're not. It's time to put it behind you. You'll feel better for it, believe me. Resentment only hurts one person - the person who is resentful.
Even Elan Closs-Stephens does not believe they are crooks. All she can recommend is that they put the past behind them and carry on with their job of running the council. Which of course they should. But that does not amount to corruption, does it?
TV programmes were being made about some councillors 20+ years ago. We were so hopeful then. At last, we thought, these people are going to get sorted. Very little came of it. Protest meetings in Gaerwen were organised 10 years ago - very little came of it. Accusations have been flying around the inetrnet (mostly on this blog) for the past few months - but nothing comes of it. Why? There's no real substance behind any of it - that's why. Just resentful people chucking mud.
Again I say to you - lay it all down. All this bitterness is only causing more harm.
I reckon that the Druid should delete the anon posts and the vague accusations they make.
Then I reckon anyone who thinks they know something AND are willing to swear to it AND are willing to have it published on here along with their name and who they are accusing and what of, should contact the Druid and if the Druid is satisfied it's genuine put it up.
But other than that it's just remarkably boring.
What's the matter 18:59 frightened after all this time your in for the chop?
If the Druid allowed it I can give him/her plenty, warts and all.
I want to know who the other 9 marginalised Councillors are Bowles talks about.
Red Flag, 9/11 17.34 and anyone else who cares to listen: there's no need for the Druid to allow any comments, you can start your own blog and put all the details there.
Come on - let's hear all you've got!
Anonymous said...
I want to know who the other 9 marginalised Councillors are
Well contact the Druid via the top of the page.
18:59 said... Come on - let's hear all you've got
I haven't got anything or I would. I doubt very much whether the people that claim to have something actually have anything of worth either. Certainly they are leading a pointless existance if they think anyone is going to pay any attention to anonymous posters dropping hints that they do know something.
So al you people that think you know somewthing, contact the Druid at the top of the page and explain what you know and can prove and see if the Druid agrees that ot will stand up in Court and will let you publish it on here under your own name. Perhaps a 'sub-blog' called 'Whistleblowers'.
Or contact 'Rebecca'. So long as you can substantiate your accusations and are willing to appear on camera I'm sure he'd take your hand off. Probably even pay you.
NEWS! Anglesey Council conspired to shoot JFK and also has a crashed UFO in unit 41 at Gaerwen industrial estate!
"UFO in unit 41 at Gaerwen industrial estate!"
Imagine: "take us to your leader".
Erm...
The UFO is hidden in the new house that was built with total disregard to planning regulations by the head of legal services, and the gun that was used to shoot JFK is hidden in the boot of a volvo that was buried in a field, standard hiding tactics as set in the manual, " How to hide evidence" a popular read in the staff canteen.
There's another UFO hidden in the Bungalow JAJ built which was meant for a fish farm manager in the mid 1990's. The fish farm never materialised! Another planning con?
David Bowles is on holiday AGAIN till 27th November on full pay.
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