Angus Young: Can politicians think for themselves? Council officers don't think so
Who says politicians can't think for themselves?
The answer appears to be officers from North East Lincolnshire Council.
Being Grimsby-based, the authority doesn't often feature on my radar.
However, it has just taken on the job of administering the new cross-Humber panel of councillors overseeing the work of recently elected police and crime commissioner Matthew Grove.
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Next week, the panel will meet to quiz Councillor Paul Robinson after he was put forward for the deputy commissioner's role by his fellow East Riding Tory Mr Grove.
Earlier this week, the panel met behind closed doors to discuss the protocol for next week's might.
Helpfully, each panel member was supplied with a list of potential questions drafted for them by our council officer chums in Grimsby.
They include such hard- hitting queries as: "What do you see as the main challenges and opportunities in this new role of deputy police and crime commissioner?"
If Cllr Robinson gets past that one, he might struggle with: "What are the critical decisions coming up over the next few months?"
Then again, he might not.
Just to avoid any confusion, the Grimsby officers have also drafted a list of "model answers" the panel might expect to be given in reply.
I'm sure the Spanish Inquisition was never like this.
THEY might belong to the same political party but East Riding councillors Mike Whitehead and Dee Sharpe are unlikely to be on each other's Christmas card lists this year.
The duo got into a Facebook bust-up the other day as the long-standing rift in the Tory group at County Hall continues to boil.
"Really sad that the ERYC leader can't congratulate Matthew Grove on his election and takes first chance to attack. Old Scores!" posted Mike, after Steve Parnaby offered his two-penneth on the issue.
"Would you congratulate someone who tried to destroy your career to get your position? I think not. I certainly wouldn't," replied Dee.
It followed a previous spat over Mike's support for the proposed deputy commissioner.
"Has to get by us on the panel yet," replied Dee.
Ouch!
Apart from having one the best names of any councillor, Dee Sharpe also has a tattoo on her foot.
Can't think of any politician with a similar claim to fame but I've never been close enough to work out what it is.
Comments
by Foxache
Friday, December 14 2012, 1:09PM
“Tigerpeter,
In answer to your question they EARN a tiny fraction of what they are paid.”
by Worker111
Friday, December 14 2012, 9:01AM
“by Prescotts_Cat
"So there's a panel which oversees the police commissioner? It's all coming out if the woodwork now. Anyone else?"
I bet there is a panel overseeing the panel which oversees police commissioner. With a comittee overseeing that.
Maybe if they spent more time serving the people of the area, instead of fighting turf wars they could actually do some good.
And they wonder why people loathe politicians.”
by places
Friday, December 14 2012, 8:40AM
“cause they can , expenses scandal for example! when caught they have an anser straight away!”
by Prescotts_Cat
Friday, December 14 2012, 8:16AM
“So there's a panel which oversees the police commissioner? It's all coming out if the woodwork now. Anyone else?”
by RoyHunt
Friday, December 14 2012, 8:14AM
“Oh no, Angus, the examination may have to be postponed now that you have revealed some of the questions.
Do you think the senior officers in ERYC also advised cabinet members how much should be added to officers pension pots if they chose to take early retirement. This might explain the split in the tory ranks between those that perhaps followed the advice and those who were able to think for themselves and realised how wrong the pension uplifts were.”
by democracy_now
Friday, December 14 2012, 8:10AM
“What most residents want is pragmatic solutions to problems in their area not talking shops staffed by people full of their own self importance.”
by TIGERPETER
Friday, December 14 2012, 7:41AM
“The real question to ask this so called panel of councillors is how much do their earn for attending these meetings.”