I’ve had my curiosity awakened by reading some of the responses to the last posting – especially the fascinating stuff about just how many memberships and committee places our elected councillors can boast of holding, even though it clearly means they wouldn’t have time to sleep or eat if they gave each one the attention it deserves. And being easily distracted by fun, I got kinda carried away - so I logged onto the TCBC website and began flipping through the councillor profiles where all this information is listed...here’s a handy print-out-and-keep table of the number of memberships of various committees and outside bodies our councillors currently hold (all information taken from TCBC website at time of posting).
I’m actually interested to know how many memberships you guys think is ‘too many’ for one councillor to handle – let’s get a dialogue going, ‘cos some of this lot must have access to time machines to be able to represent all of their commitments effectively...
| NAME | AFFIL. | COMM. | OUT. BOD. | TOTAL | CV/BIO |
| A. Cunnington | Independent | 6 | 3 | 9 | No |
| A. James | Labour | 5 | 5 | 10 | No |
| J. Cunningham | Labour | 2 | 11 | 13 | No |
| B. Mawby | Labour | 1 | 7 | 8 | No |
| B. Whitcombe | Independent | 4 | 6 | 10 | No |
| B. Matthews | Peoples Voice | 3 | 1 | 4 | No |
| C. Lewis | Independent | 3 | 3 | 6 | No |
| C. Thomas | Labour | 7 | 6 | 13 | No |
| C. Beynon | Labour | 0 | 1 | 1 | No |
| D. James | Conservative | 3 | 0 | 3 | No |
| D. Jones | Peoples Voice | 4 | 1 | 5 | No |
| E. Haynes | Independent | 4 | 3 | 7 | No |
| F. Cross | Plaid Cymru | 3 | 1 | 4 | No |
| F. Wildgust | Independent | 4 | 3 | 7 | No |
| G. Smith | Conservative | 1 | 2 | 3 | No |
| G. Clark | Labour | 0 | 6 | 6 | No |
| J. Rees | Plaid Cymru | 5 | 3 | 8 | No |
| J. Marshall | Labour | 5 | 12 | 17 | No |
| J. Biggs | Labour | 1 | 3 | 4 | No |
| K. Williams | Lib Dem | 2 | 0 | 2 | No |
| L. Jones | Labour | 2 | 20 | 22 | No |
| M. Pead | Conservative | 4 | 5 | 9 | No |
| M. Graham | Plaid Cymru | 4 | 1 | 5 | No |
| M. Thomas | Labour | 2 | 12 | 14 | No |
| M. Barnett | Labour | 1 | 15 | 16 | No |
| M. Jeremiah | Independent | 4 | 1 | 5 | No |
| N. Mason | Labour | 6 | 7 | 13 | No |
| N. Parrish | Labour | 6 | 1 | 7 | No |
| P. Williams | Conservative | 4 | 8 | 12 | No |
| P. Cathcart | Independent | 5 | 4 | 9 | No |
| P. Seabourne | Labour | 6 | 1 | 7 | No |
| R. Mills | Conservative | 5 | 3 | 8 | No |
| R. Williams | Independent | 1 | 0 | 1 | No |
| R. Clark | Labour | 1 | 11 | 12 | No |
| R. Jones | Labour | 7 | 5 | 12 | No |
| R. Wellington | Labour | 2 | 17 | 19 | No |
| R. Jones | Independent | 3 | 0 | 3 | No |
| R. Burnett | Independent | 3 | 0 | 3 | No |
| S. Richards | Labour | 7 | 13 | 20 | No |
| S. Evans | Independent | 5 | 7 | 12 | No |
| T. Huish | Independent | 4 | 1 | 5 | No |
| T. Gould | Peoples Voice | 3 | 2 | 5 | No |
| V. German | Lib Dem | 5 | 1 | 5 | No |
| W. Tomlinson | Independent | 3 | 1 | 4 | No |
Now - you may have noticed there’s a column on the right of the table that relates to whether or not a councillor has submitted a biography or CV... And it’s there because on the official page for each councillor there’s a space at the bottom for them to proudly display their qualifications and achievements...except not one of them has done so. Not one. And I know there are a lot of very intelligent councillors amongst them. People with degrees, perhaps - or at least diplomas and good old fashioned ‘O’ levels here and there. But I’m also positive there are councillors that would break out in a cold sweat at the thought of their electorate finding out they’re as academically accomplished as a bucket of wet sand. And at least wet sand holds together when you try and make something out of it...
Look at it like this. Being a councillor is one of the only jobs in existence where qualifications don’t matter. The chances of you getting an average, regular job that carries little or no responsibility and doesn’t afford you any power over the lives of other people is dependent on your ability to produce evidence of intelligence and expertise – quantified and legitimised by examination results, right? But that isn’t the case with our elected representatives. It seems we’ve entrusted certain people to work for us that appear to have trouble signing their own names, let alone understanding the implications of the decisions they make...you can spot them fairly easily wandering about the Civic Centre just waiting for the next ‘overview and scrutiny’ committee to form, so they can leap on board and secure another foothold in the political arena.
What I’d like to see is for that ‘Bio/CV’ column to start to get filled – but the only way to do it is by asking your councillor to provide the information. We all have a right to know how capable our councillors are, don’t we? Then let’s find out. Should be good for a laugh in more than a few cases, I reckon....
26 comments:
Well I read your article with interest... I wont give details of my full biopgraphy, its not necessary.
But for the information of the reader
I ho;ld a degree from Aberystwyth University, A university Certificate From Lampeter Universtity and a postrgarduate Diploma from Glamorgan University..
I hold lots of other qualifications and a HGV class II, which my father was especially proud of.
I hope that I have proven to the reader that I am a well rounded and capable person.
regards
Cllr Wildgust
The democracy campaign is going well a group of Torfaen residents have formed a committee and are currently organising the realease of the petition and rally.
I am pleased the group have taken hold of the campaign, the residents of Torfaen can now show that democracy is worth fighting for.
I will offer my full support to the group including marching and securing signatures for the petition.
The group have also decided on another course of action but the details will be released in due course.
If you want to support the campiagn. email me on fred.wildgust@virgin.net
regards
Cllr Wildgust
I have learnt to my horror that TCBC do not see Economic Development and Regeneration as a priority... As such it is not a central plank in the organisations thinking.... No wonder the borough is so run down, thanks bob wellington for your sterling work over the past years..
If you study the corporate priorities you will see what I mean... a crazy approach to driving the economy forward.
So, I have raised the discussion and lots of things are happening on this front.
I have a meeting to discuss it with wellington on Monday at 1.30...
Cllr Wildgust
Thank you, Councillor - I'm sure we all appreciate you taking the time to disclose the information regarding your academic qualifications - let's hope others follow suit.
Regarding your meeting with 'The Leeeda' on Monday, perhaps you'd be so good as to let us know his views on regeneration, as it seems that Cwmbran town centre is undergoing some significant regenerative work at the moment. In particular, it would be fascinating to get his definition of 'Regeneration' as it applies to Torfaen Borough - just for clarification purposes. If we knew how both he and the Chief Executive were defining the term, we might better understand their reasoning and methods...
Does membership on a body/cttee pay a fee? If so where can I get myself a gig like this? Seriously have of these 'civic minded' folks ever heard of the work time directive? More than two or so committees/bodies is too much. Unless you are superhuman and your family life is nonexistant. just my opinion right or wrong
I would like to see all councillors offer their qualifications/achievements on the TBC page.
He that knows nothing doubts nothing.
Thanks for your comments, Janice...you make a very salient point regarding the 'Work/Time Directive' - so much so that it's worth outlining exactly what that is for the benefit of everyone that doesn't know:
‘The EU Working Time Directive……is a collection of regulations concerning hours of work, designed to protect the health and safety of workers. Key features are the limiting of the maximum length of a working week to 48 hours in 7 days, and a minimum rest period of 11 hours in each 24 hours.’ (Source - Wikipedia)
I must point out though, that in the UK it’s possible to ‘opt out’ of this directive and work longer hours if you so choose. And of course, we’re aware that not all of these committees and bodies hold meetings every week or perhaps even every month. But many of them will certainly come with what we might as well term ‘homework’ for want of a better description – almost certainly involving the reading and absorbing of vital information pertaining to each committee and its current agenda, and quite possibly the preparation and generation of specific reports or other paperwork – so if you’re one of those councillors with a meagre handful of memberships, it’s certainly possible to commit fully to each one and still undertake your civic duties.
But if you’re one of the (quite significant) number that hold memberships reaching double figures and more, you’re undertaking quite a mammoth task. And however you look at it, it doesn’t seem even remotely possible that you can commit fully and contribute effectively to so many different bodies and committees. It’s a full-time job, surely? Or maybe it’s two full-time jobs. Or five – who knows?
I absolutely agree with you, we should be allowed to know the depth of knowledge our councillors have.
We should also know their record of employment, some of them have not worked for a long, long time. In fact there are some who have not worked for twenty years or so. One, as never worked in his life.
How can we have respect for these people???
With regards to the number of labour on committees, it is well known the reasons are, they do not want any other people to have any say.
Look at this example: There is a steering committee for regeneration, on this are 4 borough and 4 community councillors, also there are 4 ordinary joe's like us. Guess which 4 do not have a vote. It was decided that the ordinary members should not decide where monies provided - £100k - by councils is to be spent. You cannot make it up can you? Where the hell do they think the money comes from in the first instance!!!!
We voted for change on the 1st of May and did not get it. I am chairing a campaign to make the changes that will provide us with the level of representation that reflects the votes on the 1st of May.
This may well become irrelevant in the long term. By the next election The Assembly Government will be introducing new requirements for local election candidates that will rule out many of the current members. The requirement is that their IQ must exceed their shoe size.
A man went for a brain transplant and was offered the choice of two brains - an architect's for £10,000 and a Torfaen Labour Councillor's for £50,000.
"Does that mean, the Labour Councillor's brain is much better than the architect's?" asked the man.
"Not exactly," replied the brain transplant salesman. "The Labour Councillor's has never been used."
Its a pity you all didn't have the courage of your convictions and leave your names perhaps you do not know how to use your brain I can cerainly hold my head up high having worked in the community for over 30years.setting up projects for people with disabilities giving them a better quality of life 25 years working with high risk offenders what have you all done.many of you don't even know the meaning of equality. Cllr Cynthia Beynon MBE
Mrs Beynon I am sure your work is well appreciated, but you have been well paid for it now have you not. Nice new post, congratualtions. But it was a high risk offender who brutally my sister. So sorry if I do not personally thank you.
Sorry should have read 'who brutally murdered my sister'.
Dear Cllr Cynthia Beynon MBE
I am sure you are an experienced, talented councillor, and if there is any justice in this world then following say a successfull change to "proportionality" I am sure your talents would not be wasted. The problem I see is not that you don't deserve the post you have been given, although maybe the way you were appointed was a bit "under the table". The problem is every labour councillor, now has a post of extra responsibility, with extra pay.
So, as I have said elsewhere, now every labour councillor is getting a minimum of £18,120. I cannot believe that each and every one of these people deserves this extra money or is capable of the posts to which they have been appointed. Can you?
Reference the comment (joke?) about the value of a labour councillors brain I would stress that more importantly most of the opposition still have to prove themselves, in terms of ability, determination and willingless to get off their backsides. For too long many have been willing to say very little and let the cabinet get on with it, as long as they get their annual basic allowances and don't really have to do anything very much. Easy money!
To them I say, now people will be watching you too, pull your fingers out!
Agreed. Labour or not - all councillors were elected for a reason. That reason was to SERVE the people of their ward. As long as they ALL remember that - no matter what political affiliation - then they'll be fine. If not, then they'll quickly find they have a problem.
I must say how sorry i am janice that your sister was murdered words cannot express how you or your family must have suffered but thankfully i did not work with offenders who committed such henious crimes. and no I wasn't paid anything for my work in the community only for my 25 years employment with the probation service,my work in the community was rewarded by the difference the projects that was set up like community transport made to the quality of peoples lives,by the way I do have qualifications in social work and business management Cllr C Beynon MBE
Cllr Beynon, It is refreshing to hear directly from a cllr with clear morals, thank you.
I am sure as above postees have voiced you are an assset to our borough. Unfortunately it would appear that some long term cllrs have proven that they are not. What concerns me as a private sector Company Director of many years, is the way in which posts have been metered out in the current labour administration. I would not be able to do this professionally speaking, and am irked that servants of Torfaen Council practice their business ethics somewhat dubiously. That is one of the MAIN reasons that I personnaly offer my time and commitment to restoring democracy in Torfaen.
I can assure you nothing was done
under the table as you stated one meeting was attended and positions offered different to the rainbow coalition who had many many meetings to pick their cabinet and chairs no different to ours. and no you do not get paid for sitting on an outside body you are there to support that organisation as I have done in Torfaen for 30 years with no financial gain Clr C Beynon MBE
I also took a tour (or maybe that should be detour due to the 'crazy paving layout') of the TBC website and homed in on several interesting things, including the information about our local councillors. I too noted the high number of committees of which they are members. I personally don't think one can contribute truly effectively to more than 3 or 4.
I agree that the CV / biography information should be completed. I for one am keen to know more about each of the councillors, myself being a fairly new resident to Cwmbran.
I'm not that interested in their academic qualifications per se, but I am interested to read about 'what makes them tick', 'what turns them on', 'what do they think about life & people in Torfaen' and 'what can they offer us'. The most interesting thing on a CV to me is a personal statement and I think this is the key thing missing from each councillor page. A little about their ambitions and achievements would be nice to know as well - a CV does is not just about academic qualifications.
Alot of the 'strategies' on the TBC are out of date or they only have the first year's report for 2002 on there. It's so frustrating to read things that are so out of date (when you can find a date!) and then the report may ask for comment or consultation and then no link etc. to tell you how to comment.
I'd like to see more annual reports against the longer term strategies showing how they have measured up to the goals / aims that they said they 'would do'.
I would hope that they do have a Quality Assurance Scheme by which they measure their work performance against their strategies?
I'd like to see more reporting of the outputs & results please.
Yours sincerely
University Challenge???? Cllr Neil Mason is by his own admission, completely illiterate and innumerate!
One has to wonder how on Earth he is able to vote on subjects that he cannot read about or enumerate.
Councillor Wildgust was the first to tell you of his qualifications and therefore his suitability for office. I quote
"Well I read your article with interest... I wont give details of my full biopgraphy, its not necessary.
But for the information of the reader
I ho;ld a degree from Aberystwyth University, A university Certificate From Lampeter Universtity and a postrgarduate Diploma from Glamorgan University..
I hold lots of other qualifications and a HGV class II, which my father was especially proud of.
I hope that I have proven to the reader that I am a well rounded and capable person."
Why then has he chosen not to tell you that he has changed his name, and why? When did he change his name? What was his name before? Are his diplomas and his qualifications in his new name or his old name? Did he declare this change of name when he put up for council?
This reader requires a little more information!
I for one do not won't to know someone's PERSONAL business, I am not an Eastender watching nosy parker, like yourself. Sling your mud elsewhere. Merit where merit is due. Shame on you for your cheap tactics Mr Labour Cllr. Hide behind your anonymity, COWARD. Again none of our business, CRB checks would have been accepted -moron. Instead of shit disturbing, do your job, clean up our borough from years of 'acusations of backhands', complacency and ineptitude.
Anonymous said...
Councillor Wildgust was the first to tell you of his qualifications and therefore his suitability for office. I quote
"Well I read your article with interest... I wont give details of my full biopgraphy, its not necessary.
But for the information of the reader
I ho;ld a degree from Aberystwyth University, A university Certificate From Lampeter Universtity and a postrgarduate Diploma from Glamorgan University..
I hold lots of other qualifications and a HGV class II, which my father was especially proud of.
I hope that I have proven to the reader that I am a well rounded and capable person."
Why then has he chosen not to tell you that he has changed his name, and why? When did he change his name? What was his name before? Are his diplomas and his qualifications in his new name or his old name? Did he declare this change of name when he put up for council?
This reader requires a little more information!
10 September 2008 09:20
I for one reader would like to know if the above writer has inside information i.e. council employee, related to a council employee? If so I beseach the editor of this website to investigate their isp address (it will be a readily available trail. If as I suspect this is the case leaglly the editor is obliged to pass the information on to the police as clearly then confidentiality contracts will have been broken. In fact I personally will seek to report it to the police. Karma baby. If it is a I read in the press ... good enough for certain Cwmbran cllrs to sue over written word (second hand)......
Wildgust has a past? What is he trying to hide, that he is himself a turncoat and hipocrate? What a bum.
Hey Fred, it looks like you've flushed out a few of the minor rats already. Pretty soon, we'll have them all out in the open where we can destroy them once and for all.... By inflicting as much pain as possible I hope!
Be careful though because unlike the lowly vermin cannon fodder that have already put their ugly heads above the parapet, the queen rat and her courtiers have particularly venemous bites.... The antidote is nigh though and it's we who pay the PIED piper! Yes, even the aristoRATS and their fat ugly pap sucking glitterati are about to meet a hopefully very horrible end.
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