Elected Mayor
There has been much speculation as to whether the Labour Group on Stoke-on-Trent City Council will abdicate their political responsibility and opt to remain in opposition for the most difficult period of the Authorities history.
Mike Wolfe Interview
07 May 2010
Tony Walley speaks to the ex Elected Mayor Mike Wolfe.
Well done Gary Elsby, Barry Stockley and Mick Williams for finally taking a stand in that they are taking legal action against their treatment by the local Labour Party. I only wish I had done so when I could, and should have done.
Stoke-on-Trent got rid of its notoriously undemocratic elected mayor and council manager system last June. The abysmal legacy of that ruinous system will blight the City for some time to come. Effectively totalitarian in practice, M&M survived within a culture of secrecy and a public diet of misinformation if not at times downright lies.
Documents recently released through a Freedom of Information request, reveal irregular tendering and recruitment activities within the North Staffordshire Regeneration Partnership. A KPMG Audit report of the NSRP, commissioned by Advantage West Midlands, reveals:
We are delighted to bring you the latest offering in our ‘In Conversation’ series. Earlier today we caught up with Council Leader Ross Irving and sought his reaction to the last full council meeting and the issues that were raised. We also asked Ross for his insight on the Dimensions saga and the ongoing accusations that the Authority is officer led. The issue of the £2million 106 money and the possibility of a Council Tax rise next year are also discussed.
I was tipped off yesterday that the Sentinel were about to publish an article about the Dimensions fiasco. Publish they did and what an article it was! An example of fantastic journalism by Iain Robinson & David Johnson has lifted the lid on this whole sorry saga. But what it does highlight is the complete disregard for the elected representatives of this city and the public at large by this officer led authority.
The second main agenda item at extraordinary full council meeting of yesterday was the following motion which was proposed by Cllr Peter Kent-Baguley and seconded by Cllr Mick Salih.
Chief Exec Search Back On!
02 Jul 2009
By Tony Walley. Stoke-on-Trent City Council's Human Resources Committee will face its biggest task to date when it resumes the search for a permanent Chief Executive to work alongside the Council Leader and Cabinet. The position of Chief Executive carries a salary of a staggering £195,000 per year. The authority originally advertised the post in January, following the resignation of council manager Steve Robinson, who left to head up the new Cheshire West and Chester Council. The origin
Wol on the week!
19 Jun 2009
Comment By Tony Walley. [caption id="attachment_1818" align="alignleft" width="75" caption="Tony Walley"][/caption] Well let me start by saying something that some of you will not like! I like Ross Irving and I think if he is given a chance, he will make a very good council leader. I also like and have respect for Roger Ibbs and I'm sorry that he isn't able to be considered for a cabinet position. Now, that may go down as well as a fart in a space suit to the people of Trentham, b
