A New Chief Executive

So our Lib/Dem Council has selected a Chief Executive. It may not reflect on his abilities at all, but we note that is currently working for the Liverpool Lib/Dem Council, which was dubbed by "Liverpool Echo" this year as "the worst council in the country". This was because it came bottom, in the judgement of the Audit Commission, in the same way as North East Lincs Lib/Dem council came bottom in 2005.

Inflation - inflation (17/6/08) has risen from 2.1% in December to 3.3% in May. Increases in the prices of food, fuel, gas, and electricity account for 1.1 of the 1.2 increase in rate since December.

The Government's Economic Problems
Are they insurmountable ? The Government will surely remain unpopular whilst we continue to suffer a fall in living standards because of stiff price rises. In the next few months inflation is forecast to get even worse.

There are two main differences this time. The price rises are plainly caused by world wide rises in key prices - for food and other commodities, notably oil. The Government have no way of preventing these. And it is taking place whilst employment remains high, and the economy is still growing, albeit more slowly.

It is arguable that our Government should have taken action some years ago to deal with the house price bubble. Even with that, however, it is obvious that our housing troubles began in the United States.

Labour members cannot feel happy with the present situation, but there is the prospect that in a year or two we should be back on a path of stability and also, hopefully, of prosperity.

 

Still no overall control - 2008 results

Liberals and Conservatives each won a seat, Labour losing two. The number of Councillors in each party are now: Lib/Dems 20, Conservatives 16, Labour 4, Independents 2.

 

Buses - a chink in the curtain

All councils make cuts, often well justified. Then occasionally a cut is made that unintentionally throws a searchlight on the thinking and attitudes of the Councillors who made it. In this case it is the Liberal/Conservative controlled council who have restricted the time when those entitled to free bus passes can use them.

It reflects badly on the Council and the way it thinks that the part subsidised by the Council should now be taken away.

CPA Results for 2007
The Audit Commission judge North East Lincolnshire to be worth 2 Stars and "improving well", the same as last year. With 2 stars this leaves N E Lincs in the bottom 17% of councils. It must be rather disappointing, as there is an improved rating in several areas, Environment, Adult Social Care, and Benefits though Children and Young People remains at 2.

Floods

Who would have expected a little river like the Freshney to cause so much damage?

Although the flood came in part of the area of Grimsby and Cleethorpes shown as at risk, it came from the overflowing river, not the sea. It is a warning of what could conceivably happen over a much wider area of Grimsby and Cleethorpes. And supposing there had been a very high tide?

For some pictures of the floods there click here.

Global Warming
Internationally, nationally and locally "global warming" or "climate change" will remain topical. For ongoing reports and comments click here.

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"My formula for success is rise early, work late, and strike oil.".
Paul Getty

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Inflation is a state of affairs when you never had it so good or parted with it so fast.
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When I give food to the poor they call me a saint. When I ask why the poor have no food they call me a communist.
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"Now, then, Johnny," said the teacher. "I want to give you a little problem. Suppose there were five children and their mother had only four potatoes to share between them. She wanted to give each child a equal share. How would she do it?"
"Mash the potatoes," the boy replied.
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