General Discussion
Corrupt councils and Councillors
I attempt to warn people of what is taking place and that of which some of you are not aware. It is only by bringing to others attention, that you will begin to understand what is going on. There are many organizations that attempt to give out information, but is sometimes hidden away and then no one notices it.
Today I have had sent to me the following which is from the Audit Commission:-
Watchdog warns on council fraud
The Audit Commission warns today that a record £140m in fraud and overpayments was lost by local authorities last year.
The figure was up 26 per cent on the previous 12 months, but is thought to be more accurate because of increased vigilance by the watchdog.
Meanwhile, the Times and Telegraph pick up on the story of a former Welsh town mayor convicted of illegally obtaining £9,233 in disability benefits after he was caught refereeing football matches.
Now I am not suggesting for one moment that there is anything amiss with our Town Councillors, but one would need to ask why there is little transparency in what they do? Why do they forever try to cover up, if there was nothing to cover?
Viaduct you really seem to have a problem from all the posts I see on here. Have you considered moving abroad?
I must stick up for Viaduct, as he is only speaking the truth. Why are you so reticent to take on board such facts? Is it perchance that you also have your snout in the trough? I once asked W. Protheroe to look into the problems with my local play area. He said he was busy but he would be in touch. I never heard from him. Oh and by the way, the day he said he was busy, he was wining and dining Younger Ross in his pub. So much for caring councillors.
At least wake up to what really takes place. It seems too many residents of Dawlish are content to sleepwalk through the business process of their town, when they should be asking lots of pertinent questions. After all, they are in council to represent you, not themselves.
I also agree. There appears to be a number of people on this site who dislike comments made about local councillors. What are they afraid of?
Perhaps they are concerned that the truth will out. Such as the truism that one of our, present serving, local councillors, attempted to claim the cost of a holiday in exotic climes through council expenses.....with the ruse that he/she was visiting this country to investigate social housing. How disgusting is that?
To the trough the piggies will come.
Your comment "Have you considered moving abroad?" makes me wonder are you a councillor? I have had dealings with the Town Council and endorse what viaduct has to say.
Well said all of you! I recently contacted Dawlish Town Council to make a complaint. I spoke to someone named Penny Cracknell, who instructed me to make my complaint in writing to the Town Clerk (Mr Winchester), stating that he would investigate the matter.
I decided not to in the end, as i was disappointed that MY Town Council would be investigating itself. What a barmy set-up!
Am i right in believing there is NO independent body to investigate complaints against my local council/councillors? If so, why not?!
You can complain, in wriitng, to Teignbridge District Council's Standard Committee about the conduct of any District, Town or Parish councillor who is a District, Town or Parish councillor in Teignbridge.
New Complaints Responsibility For Teignbridge Council
Members of the public concerned about councillors’ conduct can now make complaints directly to Teignbridge District Council.
Previously, anyone wishing to complain about the conduct of elected members had to report their allegations to the Standards Board for England, who would decide whether or not to investigate. This responsibility has now been taken over by authorities, with the Standards Board's role moving towards one of advice and support.
All councillors have to keep to a Code of Conduct to ensure that they maintain the high ethical standards the public expect from them. If a complainant reveals that a potential breach of this Code has taken place, Teignbridge Council may refer the allegations for investigation or decide to take other action.
Investigations themselves will also be managed by the Council, except in cases where a conflict of interest or other unusual circumstances mean that it would be more appropriate for the Standards Board to handle.
Once cases have been investigated, the authority's independently-chaired Standards Committee will decide what action, if any, should be taken against the member. On rare occasions this responsibility will be given to the Adjudication Panel for England, an independent judicial tribunal.
The Standards Board will continue to provide guidance to authority standards committees and will monitor their effectiveness to ensure that results are consistent.
Cllr Alan Connett, Leader of Teignbridge Council said:
"Handling and investigating complaints at a local level will give Teignbridge the opportunity to take control of its ethical standards and should make things simpler for both the complainant and the member under investigation.
"Naturally, we expect high standards of behaviour among our elected members, and we continue to make every effort to ensure that such standards are maintained. The majority of members will never find themselves subject to an investigation, but for the small number of cases where there is cause for concern, we will aim to deal with the allegations quickly and efficiently."
To submit a complaint a member of Teignbridge District Council (or a member of one of its parish or town councils) customers must either write to the following address or email monitoringofficer@teignbridge.gov.uk.
The Chairman of the Assessment sub-committee
Standards Committee (c/o Trish Corns Democratic Services Officer)
Teignbridge District Council
Forde House
Brunel Road
Newton Abbot
Devon
TQ12 4XX
For complaints not related to the conduct of elected members, the procedure remains the same. Customers can contact Teignbridge's Customer Services Team at Forde House, or telephone 01626 361101.
The statement from How To Complain just proves how corrupt this system is. The collusion between Councils, Councillors, Roundtable and Rotary to ensure nothing or on one stops them from lining their pockets is indefensible.
Then they have the temerity to claim they do what they do, only for the benefit of their community.
What utter liars and cheats these people are.
Their real motives are those of personal gain and social climbing.
May they all die on the sword of greed
How many people have picked up on the article page 9 Dawlish Post, "Complaint Policy Adopted." Cllr Morgan does not state what habitual complaints are causing concern, neither does she state what she means by habitual and vexatious.
I am looking at it this way, that if they decide your complaint is anything other than vexatious, then to the shredder it will go. In other words, if they think it is vexatious, they may look at it, if not, it will help to cut the work load.
Cynical b!stard me.
