Medway Council Meeting II

Better late then never some might say. Austerity is very much in season and bitterness, betrayal and revenge were clearly on display at the full council meeting last Thursday.

The St George's Centre, based in a renovated church hall, is lofty and somewhat grand. It is pleasant in the summer months and is a cool temple from the beating sun. However, in what could be prescient of months to come, the room was as cold as ice with many in the public in coats, scarves and blankets.

Despite the usual good timekeeping, was an hour late to the meeting and missed the usual fireworks from members of the public. Ironically was late because South Eastern trains had once again put on a shoddy service. It was a pity because was quite keen to hear the question from Robert Heathfield. The Strood campaigner had tabled an excellent question on the cuts to PlayScheme budgets. Robert is a hard working campaigner in Strood and has a good profile in the local community. One to watch.

A number of issues arose over the course of the very long evening

LEP Partnership

General consensus that new LEP being proposed will squash Medway Council autonomy, service provision, and its independence by linking us with far larger Conservative-controlled Councils. Opposition from all sides was evident and this issue above all others pains the point that the Tories pay lip service to 'localism' but are actually all about scalability. All fine in theory; but dont deceive people about it. Creating a local council whilst consolidating back office services is not unreasonable. Unless you lie about it before the General Election.

Whilst all Councillors voiced opposition the conversation descended into what can only be described as 'bureaubabble.' I use this term to describe something which concerns greatly those on the Council but has so very little interest amongst the general population, it is barely on the radar. Sadly, this issue is not on the public radar; it will never come up on the doorstep. It is management not politics.

City Status (Image from Peter Cook)

The news that Cllr Jarrett (Con) made a fool of himself with a journalist was subject to lengthy discussion led by the leader of the Labour Group, Cllr Paul Godwin. Labour re-iterated its principled support for the City Status, which was submitted today, but thought that Cllr Jarrett owed an apology by unilaterally affirming the city status, and by spending money on re-branding at a time of austerity.

Despite his long career in local government, Cllr Jarrett has never been gifted with the ability to manage the press, which is part of the reason this Conservative administration is lousy at it.

There was for a brief, fleeting moment, a 'sort-of' apology for his action before the journalist was blamed for doing her job of reporting.

In a surprise move, the Liberal Democrats opposed City Status and one independent even suggested the city be called Rochester instead. A can of worms if ever there was one...

Education Maintenance Allowance

Cllr Murray (Labour) asked a question on the Education Maintenance Allowance which is due to be scrapped by the Conservative Government.

A popular initiative which supports poorer students in college, it is being axed because of Tory austerity. This at the same time that Ireland is being lent £7 billion.

Cllr Doe (Conservative) was on robust form and decided that he would answer his question with the usual bravado, but was seemingly unaware that the EMA is currently supporting thousands of families and students. 60% of students at Mid-Kent College rely on the support it gives and its a lifeline which is being removed.

The Conservative Group are very happy to scrap EMA because they do not think the students desire it or use it. They are wrong.

Tuition Fees

Cllr Vince Maple (Labour) submitted a motion opposing government plans on tuition fees after Labour candidates supported the recent NUS march in November.

The Conservative Group is clearly very comfortable supporting increases to £9,000 per annum and are very happy to see the full marketisation of the University sector. Sadly, a number who represent poorer wards could not recognise the massive impacts (statistically proven) on the rise in fees from £3000 to £9000 per year and how this will deter students.

I pointed out to one Tory Councillor that Grammar school pupils from poorer backgrounds are just as impacted as those from Secondary Moderns. Surely, if that can not move them, nothing can. The lip quivered.

The Liberal Democrat Group however were a total mess. Cllr Crack (Lib Dem) stood up and proceeded to defend tuition fees despite the pledges of Liberal Democrat campaigners (including himself) in the General Election.

If there was ever a moment to highlight the total inability of the Medway Liberal Democrats to understand that it was probably best to stop digging, this was it. They could have abstained out of principle, they could have, as colleagues across the UK, decided to vote against it. They did not.

Cllr Stamp (Independent), a former Liberal Democrat PPC, eloquently put the knife firmly into his former colleagues by stating in a calm but cutting manner how they had sold out on his principles. Revenge is a dish best served cold.

Kerb-crawling Antics

Cllr Julie Shaw (Labour) then tabled a full motion putting to rest the issue of Councillor Brice and demanding a Council resolution calling for Brice to resign. Julie was also a member of the Standard's Board which lambasted Cllr Brice for his actions.

Cllr Brice (Independent) did not bother to turn up, which was symbolic of his inability to recognise his own failures and about his attitude to the Council generally. He does usually attend but now rarely contributes to any debate. He is speechless at the best of times so his absence was only noted because the topic concerned him. If ever there was a case for austerity - one salary could be saved.

This motion was put in part to highlight the seeming inability of the Tory Group to release a press statement on the matter. If they had done so in January this year, the issue would have been lanced. They did not.

A council resolution put the issue on the table and all accepted his behaviour was unacceptable. Not all Tories agreed and there was a notable exception which shows that despite all the evidence, the proven and stated guilt and his attitude that some people just don't get it.

Train Fares

Cllr Paul Godwin (Labour) led a motion calling for SouthEastern trains and Tory MPs to oppose the government move towards increasing fare prices whilst cutting government subsidy.

The Tories have played a game of cat-and-mouse on this issue for two years by complaining about the RPI +3% settlement to SouthEastern given by the previous government. They ignored of course increases in government subsidy and the direct investment in High Speed 1 and the fact that the increases were as a result of the bodged Connex franchise which was awarded in 1996 by the Conservative Government.

The Coalition government, despite the promises of Kent Conservatives, have now not only lied but have actually introduced parliamentary term increases of +3% RPI for a period of four years. They have also, and Mark Reckless MP has failed and consistently so, removed the cap on FLEX which was introduced by Labour. The FLEX cap removal means that we could have higher increases on some tickets and some areas suffer way above RPI + 3% whilst other areas have less. This is political gerrymandering of train fares and Medway may suffer.

Tory activists have failed to articulate a response and have lunged out with Early Day Motions which have generated hardly any signatures and by trying to turn-the-screw on friendly media publications. The problem being that the commuting public read the Evening Standard on the way back form work, and that has slammed the government for its duplicity. Posturing to YourMedway or MedwayMessenger on commuters is a total waste of political capital. Oh well, I dont advise them.

Basically, this is a colossal u-turn and a massive two-fingered salute from Conservatives to commuters.

The Tories know they have an exposed flank so decided to support the Labour motion and attack their own government which was a welcome development. However, the motion was watered down, and with one MP Cllr Rehman Chisthi not present, and the other showing a poor argument, it is very unlikely that either will vote against the CSR settlement.

The Meeting finished at 11.30pm and most of the Labour team felt satisfied. We may be in opposition but it is clear we are leading on the issues which matter.