No 'easyCouncil' here! Defend Haringey's Public Services: Oct 16th Lobby of Council Cabinet, 5.45pm

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Permalink Reply by Alan Stanton on October 8, 2012 at 15:52

I do hope, Pam, that the Plan will include some quiet intelligent conversations with Labour and LibDem councillors; aimed at sharing information, persuading and mutual listening.

In my experience the best way to convince people against your viewpoint is to organise a "lobby" with angry shouting, tussles with the police, storming the building, chanting, hectoring people through megaphones etc.

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Permalink Reply by pamish on October 8, 2012 at 15:59

I'm just the messenger here, not a leading light in HAPS, but I do believe there should be a lobby of a meeting that could change the face of Haringey for years to come.  Is it too late? I'll do the job for the interim, I would take half that salary.

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Permalink Reply by Alan Stanton on October 9, 2012 at 0:47

Yes it may be too late. Especially if both parties "whip" councillors. But let's see if anyone can find their backbone. (I tweeted my easy test for fellow councillors.)

Personally I shall be voting against - simply because of the reason you give, Pam. In fact before anyone votes to endorse Mr Walkley, we ought to be told clearly and unequivocally whether or not he has been hired to carry out a Barnet-style programme of privatisation. Or something close to it.

If he has, or if this is his own planned intention, then the brakes need to be slammed on. Now.

Just to be clear, as a Labour councillor I've voted for and supported decisions which mean a blend of Council-run, private-sector and voluntary sector provided services.

But I didn't join the Tory Party!  (Not even in its watered-down "Progress" version.)

(Tottenham Hale ward councillor)

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Permalink Reply by Alan Stanton on October 10, 2012 at 12:01

Pam, just to let you know that Labour councillors are definitely being "whipped" to vote for Mr Walkley's appointment. And I gather that the LibDems may also be subject to their party whip on this.

In other words neither party could automatically trust their members to vote for this on a free vote. So much for respecting the individual judgements of elected councillors.

Calling the meeting at short notice will mean that many councillors have other appointments. Some will be abroad. Some will be conventiently ill. Or perhaps find an urgent need to cut their gerbil's toenails.

But with the whips on, it's likely to go through.

(Tottenham Hale ward councillor)

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Permalink Reply by pamish on October 10, 2012 at 12:03

Should be a fun evening all round then. Hope the national press get onto it, given that we don't really have a local press any more.

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Permalink Reply by Alan Stanton on October 10, 2012 at 13:07

We haven't really had a local press for several years. Over the years I've talked to many good journalists - who have never been allowed the time and resources to do the job they know is needed.

Councillors are talking among themselves and at least a few are feeling a lot of disquiet.

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Permalink Reply by Clive Carter on October 10, 2012 at 12:34

Pam I believe that the face of Haringey will be changed for years to come, that it will happen regardless of other things and yes, that it is too late to affect this. It'll happen with or without Mr Walkley. Much of this will be regrettable.

Why has this come about? I put it down to three things:

1. Failure, over many years, to regulate banks adequately, followed by a gargantuan bail-out with public funds.
2. Olympian-spending
3. Misspending over many years by the local authority

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Permalink Reply by Alan Stanton on October 10, 2012 at 13:31

You've entirely missed the point, Clive. Of course, "the face of Haringey will be changed".

But however small an organisation and however restricted its budget, there are always choices about its culture and style of leadership. You can have an organisation which is open and which listens and learns - including from its customers/residents. You can have a organisation where leaders understand and value the contributions of people at all levels.

Even in a traditional hierarchy the best leaders understand that they don't know everything and rely on effective teamwork and on carrying people with them. (John Adair wrote about the 'Fifty-Fifty Rule' that a "leader or manager has only 50% of the cards in his or her hands; the other 50% are in the hands of the subordinates." - From 'Not Bosses But Leaders')

In a local Council we're there to serve residents - not just the ambitions of a few tenth rate politicians to become Mayors, MPs or MEPs. We will serve the borough only when we gain our fellow residents' trust and respect; by taking their concerns and ideas seriously; and fully engaging them in decision making.

(Tottenham Hale councillor)

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