For Standards Board, read "Toothless Tiger".

I know, to my cost. Having been thoroughly insulted by a Tory councillor not long ago and got nowhere.

I'm afraid they're all the same. Cronyism is rife but I have no sympathy for any of these characters.

It's all a farce.

But if the electors of Basildon once again exercise their votes as they normally do on May 1st, they will get everything they deserve.

I gave at least one of their wards alternatives in previous years and they will be offered alternatives this time round (and no I am not BNP).

But just watch them vote the same shower in yet again - Labour or Tory - just as bad.

Then they'll moan about how cr@p things are, again.

The above comment was posted before 4:30am.

Kim Gandy not only drones on and on, she doesn't stop to sleep either.

PS I'm only awake because I cant get to sleep

What would be the point of the Standards Board investigating an ex-councillor or will they convene before 1st May ?

Why would someone be up at that time in the morning to recall being told "You are a smart arse with a big mouth and no idea of the real world and you need to manage your paranoia carefully before you start believing in your own propaganda."

Could it be that Phil Turner was right all along??

Isn't this the guy who voted at the Regional Assembly in January for 81 more traveller pitches in Basildon and who jetted off to the US in Business Class on a jolly at taxpayers expense ?

It's a disgrace to public service and the good folk of Fryerns deserve better.

I sometimes think Kim is her own worst enemy but she is spot on about the elections.

If we all vote as we have done previously, nothing will change. It will be the same 'ol, same 'ol bunch of self-centred prima donas.

Just for once, let us give 'big two' (both locally and nationally) a bloody nose and vote for the alternatives. If it just makes the 'others' sit up and take notice and realise that they work for us and not the other way round we just might make a difference.

Remember, nothing will change unless we make it change.

Me, I'm just fed up with the same old song, I don't feel that I am represented anymore. A wake up call is required. See their smug little a*rses twitch then.

I think that, understanding the possibility of bias, it would not be seemly for Baron Buckley to have his wife in this key position. His role, flying full in the face of local residents, and his wife as chair should be, at the very least, totally transparent in office and leave no doubt that the chair is totally neutral. I have seen this small gap in the possibility of total integrity before, when Baroness Buckley held the casting vote. Whilst of course having no doubt to any individual integrity, it must be possible that loyalty to your better half and your political belief could just sway your decisions in certain matters. Looking at the plans for both the Basildon park changes and the Wickford park improvements could lead people to think that these two are sometimes thinking more of there own position than all of the people they are supposed to be serving. It is not a huge stretch to think this is it?

left wing looney wrote:
I think that, understanding the possibility of bias, it would not be seemly for Baron Buckley to have his wife in this key position. His role, flying full in the face of local residents, and his wife as chair should be, at the very least, totally transparent in office and leave no doubt that the chair is totally neutral. I have seen this small gap in the possibility of total integrity before, when Baroness Buckley held the casting vote. Whilst of course having no doubt to any individual integrity, it must be possible that loyalty to your better half and your political belief could just sway your decisions in certain matters. Looking at the plans for both the Basildon park changes and the Wickford park improvements could lead people to think that these two are sometimes thinking more of there own position than all of the people they are supposed to be serving. It is not a huge stretch to think this is it?

So where is Mr Kirkman's loyalty ?

Clearly not to the people of Basildon or Fryerns or the taxpayer or New Labour.

I would not waste too much time over Labour.
They are about to be obliterated on 1 May and this is a smokescreen to divert attention away from their pro-traveller, anti-Basildon council tax payer stance and their economic crisis at a national level.

This is the way it is perceived by some residents of the ward represented by both the leader and his Wife and also by the wider Wickford Population, Chairman of the planning committee is quite an influential role and involves negotiating with the planning manager on certain issues as well as having the casting vote on some planning applications. The casting is used quite often considering there is an even number (6) Councillors on the Committee.

Alan Ball wrote:
This is the way it is perceived by some residents of the ward represented by both the leader and his Wife and also by the wider Wickford Population, Chairman of the planning committee is quite an influential role and involves negotiating with the planning manager on certain issues as well as having the casting vote on some planning applications. The casting is used quite often considering there is an even number (6) Councillors on the Committee.

Casting vote ain't used that often pal.

Can you produce evidence of collusion,rather than wittering on about perceptions ?

Maybe you're not bothered that you sound like you're Kirkman's camp - that's just a perception of course.

‘Vic’ first of all give your full name and don’t hide behind a pseudonym

The casting vote has been used twice in the last year

I am not in anybody’s camp I am an Independent and have stood in the ward for the last two years so have spoken to a lot of people both in Wickford Castledon and Wickford in general.

I never mentioned collusion did it? But I do believe it is morally wrong, not illegal, that a married couple hold two prominent positions within the Council.

Alan Ball wrote:
‘Vic’ first of all give your full name and don’t hide behind a pseudonym The casting vote has been used twice in the last year I am not in anybody’s camp I am an Independent and have stood in the ward for the last two years so have spoken to a lot of people both in Wickford Castledon and Wickford in general. I never mentioned collusion did it? But I do believe it is morally wrong, not illegal, that a married couple hold two prominent positions within the Council.

I'm independent too.

Twice equals "quite often,eh ?

So what you think's going on is immoral not illegal - thanks for clarifying that,the Buckley's will no doubt be very relieved.

Do you think it's OK if more than one family member sponsors a political candidate ? I suppose if it's in the rules it's allright.

Stop hiding, I will not answer again unless you reveal your name.

Twice is to often One of these was a big development on the old Laindon High School.

The year before it was a Health Centre in Wickford.

Sponsoring a candidate is not making a decision and affecting people’s lives is it.

I don't want to take sides here but why do some people insist on knowing someone's full name, address, blood type etc? What difference does it make if they make a valid point?

It strikes me that such demands for information are only ever made when people disagree....

piano hinges wrote:
I don't want to take sides here but why do some people insist on knowing someone's full name, address, blood type etc? What difference does it make if they make a valid point?

It strikes me that such demands for information are only ever made when people disagree....

Cheap brownie points. Some people just love to have their names up in lights (I think it's called ego) others do not.

Others may be concerned about safety issues (it's easy to look up addresses when you have a name), especially in these times.

If the post is worthy of debate, reply, if not, ignore. Whats the big deal.

Hugh Jampton wrote:

piano hinges wrote: I don't want to take sides here but why do some people insist on knowing someone's full name, address, blood type etc? What difference does it make if they make a valid point? It strikes me that such demands for information are only ever made when people disagree....

Cheap brownie points. Some people just love to have their names up in lights (I think it's called ego) others do not. Others may be concerned about safety issues (it's easy to look up addresses when you have a name), especially in these times. If the post is worthy of debate, reply, if not, ignore. Whats the big deal.

Well put.