Stoke on Trent

Interesting piece in the Guardian today about the pay of University Vice Chancellors. The highest paid academic’s income has massively increased in the last few years far out stripping the increase in lecturer’s pay.

Some parts of Stoke on Trent have not had the bins emptied today and probably the rest of the week due to the problem of accessing the side streets which have not been gritted. I have been complaining to officers of the city council for a number weeks asking them for grit bins to be placed in strategic areas on the housing estates in my ward the response I received was we have not got the funding to supply or fill the grit bins.

If you’ve read this blog for a while you will know by now that I am no fan of the BNP. Don’t get me wrong I would fight for their right to exist and for your right to vote for them. That is what makes our country great, a democracy built on the principles of free speech.

We are delighted to bring you the latest offering in our ‘In Conversation’ series. Earlier today we caught up with Council Leader Ross Irving and sought his reaction to the last full council meeting and the issues that were raised. We also asked Ross for his insight on the Dimensions saga and the ongoing accusations that the Authority is officer led. The issue of the £2million 106 money and the possibility of a Council Tax rise next year are also discussed.

Sometimes when you broadcast or write an article you often find yourself wondering whether you should be saying or writing what you are thinking – if you catch my drift. Today is one of those days, I find myself thinking, oh dear this one isn’t going to go down too well. But do you no what? When you have a certain strength of feeilng over an issue, or a comment that needs to be aired, you just have to go with the flow and let it all out.

I was tipped off yesterday that the Sentinel were about to publish an article about the Dimensions fiasco. Publish they did and what an article it was! An example of fantastic journalism by Iain Robinson & David Johnson has lifted the lid on this whole sorry saga. But what it does highlight is the complete disregard for the elected representatives of this city and the public at large by this officer led authority.

I suppose you could say it hasn’t been the easiest time lately for Labour Party activists in Stoke-on-Trent. The departure of Cllr Dave Conway, the comings and goings of Cllr Joan Bell and Cllr Joy Garner plus Mike Barnes and the ‘Reportergate’ scandal have set the party adrift on stormy seas. At grass roots level there is the stand off between Stoke Central and the City Party and the constant accusations that the Labour Party is run by the Regional Office West Midlands.