I have just re-discovered this missive from him, sent just as he was departing the chamber in May 2015.
I do not necessarily agree with every sentiment, but I thought it worth sharing.
Ric
Morgan.
Colleagues,
In leaving SBC there are some matters I think it my
duty to bring to your attention.
SAFE JOURNEYS TO
SCHOOL
Since the little lad was run over and killed on the London Road and safe journeys
to school were discussed in the chamber, no road safety measures have been
introduced.
In Prittlewell the entrances to Earls Hall School are all on rat-runs and
Officer Backhouse’s scheme for speed tables has been shelved. Crossing build-outs
have been installed for Southend High for Boys but there is nothing on the same
road, Prittlewell Chase, for the Chase School.
Other ward members will have concerns of the same kind. You must not wait for
the next child to be killed.
PRIMARY SCHOOL
STANDARDS
After six months of asking Leftley finally admitted that the head of Westleigh
has been paid an extra £135,000 as executive head of failing primaries. Officer
Theadom’s ‘School Improvement’ Team, whose only recourse is to bring in
executive head teachers, costs £650,000pa.
The executive heads are coaching schools to get them through Ofsted inspections
but this is not giving help to the children who need it most.
[The above matters comprise the principal reason why I can no longer be
associated with Southend Borough Council.]
DEVELOPMENT CONTROL
Monstrosities like the City Beach block of flats are being pushed through DC by
officers who have prepared overlong reports and warned committee members of the
dire consequences of opposing such developments [and officers’ wishes]. The
committee needs to make it clear that members decide what will or will not be
added to the landscape of our town and that officers must look to policy and
regulations in order to implement those decisions, rather than putting
difficulties in their way.
OFFICER SALARIES
Ron Woodley has not yet acted on his promise to review salaries in the Civic
Centre and change the balance so that we have the number of social workers and
other front-line workers our residents need, instead of more highly-paid
managers than any town needs.
[SBC pays £695,000pa to the firm running Garons – so what does Officer Harris
do?]
This is one matter for which calling in an outside consultant could be
justified.
COMMUNICATIONS
With ‘Outlook’ being cut to one issue per annum, residents will be obliged to
depend on the council website. When Tower Hamlets did a survey on how effective
this might be it was found that only 22% of residents were able to use the
website and a mere 9% of over-60s. When I asked Officer Corrigan to survey
figures for Southend I was met with the usual obstructive insolence.
I estimate that in Prittlewell 90% of older residents will be cut off from
council communications, which suits senior officers but any member expecting residents
to have their say on multi-million pound projects – or anything – must be
seriously concerned.
OFFICER RESPONSES
After repeated complaints to the group leaders and the chief executive it is
clear that nothing is done about officers who give unsatisfactory, slow
responses to members’ questions. Back-bench members need to collect their
findings with regard to officers’ responses and present them, naming names, to
the cabinet.
You, the elected councillors, are the ones who make the
decisions, take the responsibility and run our town.
Don’t be intimidated by deliberately confusing documents and
threats of chaos.
Show ‘em who’s boss.
Goodbye and very, very, very good luck,
Ric
Some shocking information in there.
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