tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-118857435900510280.post4842543664338163804..comments2023-05-08T10:46:34.371+01:00Comments on Y Cneifiwr: Saint Mark or Mr Burns? Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger21125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-118857435900510280.post-85706244012263669972016-11-19T15:27:22.106+00:002016-11-19T15:27:22.106+00:00'The Council refused to answer.' Many year...'The Council refused to answer.' Many years ago I heard a wise old judge tell an accused in court, "Innocence cries out to be heard, whereas guilt hides in the dark."<br /><br />So much for open and transparent government. <br /><br />I can recall so many shenanigans that occurred when I was employed by the local authority. I used the whistleblowing policy to report it to my senior officers (note I don't use the term superior), but they swept matters under the carpet.<br /><br />Did they respond to the charges that there was misappropriation of monies from the 'Coastal' scheme - designed to be used to help young people into work - so that it could be spent other council projects? It's all gone very quiet on that issue.<br /><br />Was Mr James aware? Has he got his finger on the pulse? If he hasn't why not? He should be the guy that carries the can for his organisation's faux pas and acts of skulduggery. But then I seem to recall him being referred to as the smiling assassin when I worked for the County Council. Thank goodness I was able to take early retirement in 2014.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-118857435900510280.post-71063829821934380622016-11-13T11:35:00.756+00:002016-11-13T11:35:00.756+00:00Circumstances alters courses! That's the rese...Circumstances alters courses! That's the reservation I have when people say vote in new Councillors to make a difference. Will it make a difference? I think not. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-118857435900510280.post-39906480241679709282016-11-12T15:52:28.545+00:002016-11-12T15:52:28.545+00:00As I said, Anon @18.57, they are each as bad as th...As I said, Anon @18.57, they are each as bad as the other and yes, of course, Labour and the Indies are also to blame but given the amount of huffing and puffing Plaid were doing when in "opposition", I expected much more of them once they gained the power to make a difference. Unfortunately their craven attitude has been a huge disappointment.Myfanwynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-118857435900510280.post-32406851661362534542016-11-11T18:57:42.173+00:002016-11-11T18:57:42.173+00:00Sorry you voted plaid ? Labour were there when all...Sorry you voted plaid ? Labour were there when all this kicked off . So labour councillors are no way accountable then ? Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-118857435900510280.post-33638003823240569742016-11-09T07:25:23.344+00:002016-11-09T07:25:23.344+00:00What an unholy mess. Where is our Government in ...What an unholy mess. Where is our Government in all of this - what do they have to say - nothing - so far?? What a disgrace! If ever there was a need for 'special measures' it is now. Somebody has to step in to give us confidence back in the system we all pay for, and to control certain powerful people who abuse it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-118857435900510280.post-76074117940292407322016-11-08T19:33:30.148+00:002016-11-08T19:33:30.148+00:00As a doctor, Sian Caiach will no doubt be able to...As a doctor, Sian Caiach will no doubt be able to confirm that, from his reply, Cllr Dole seems to be suffering from a condition known as ‘convenient selective amnesia’.<br /><br />Whether he remembers it or not, at the extraordinary meeting of 27/2/2014 Cllr Dole voted for the motion to: “Accept the findings of the Wales Audit Office and agree to withdraw the provision in the council’s constitution which allows for the granting of indemnities to Members and Officers to bring actions for defamation.” <br />The WAO’s report findings were that: “The decision taken by the Executive Board, to indemnify the Chief Executive in respect of the costs of a libel counterclaim, was unlawful and payments made as a result of that decision result in an item of account that is ‘contrary to law’”<br /><br />He may also have forgotten that at the same meeting ALL councillors were presented with a report by Roger Jones and Linda Rees-Jones on the granting of the legal indemnity which stated: <b>“...the Chief Executive was awarded £20,000 damages as well as an additional £5,000 aggravated damages, which said £25,000 is to be paid over to the Council.”</b><br />(http://online.carmarthenshire.gov.uk/agendas/eng/COCO20140227/REP03.HTM)<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-118857435900510280.post-20845958656964239072016-11-08T13:23:21.299+00:002016-11-08T13:23:21.299+00:00Of course you were asking a question about the Chi...Of course you were asking a question about the Chief Executive, which is Verboten! Without the ability for elected councillors to hold the executive to account in any meaningful way unless the executive graciously consents (and it clearly doesn't), Carmarthenshire isn't democratic, it's a dictatorship with a bit of democracy window dressing set around it as garnish. And it's not even like it's an elective dictatorship, where the voters get to chuck the dictator out at the end of their autocratic term, because the dictator is unelected, unchallengeable and uses the power of patronage that he has somehow given control of to ensure that whatever the voters say, and how they move the garnish round the plate, the big steaming ---- in the middle remains unmoved & unmoveable by anybody or anything...Ken Haylockhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02298100658896511024noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-118857435900510280.post-49985820573571179412016-11-08T11:32:08.347+00:002016-11-08T11:32:08.347+00:00How often does a council, or any public body, simp...How often does a council, or any public body, simply flat out refuse to respond to questions from the press? Surely they realise that they are effective saying, to the people of Carmarthenshire who fund this disgrace, "Yah boo - we're not for you". <br /><br />Haven't readers got a right to know what the local authority is doing in their name with their money? Isn't this the very essence of what "Public Scrutiny" is about?<br /><br />Why would a body without anything to hide (the best council in Wales lol) engage in such practices? Surely they want to explain to the populace how we have it all wrong, they are truly a shining beacon of democracy and there's nothing to worry about at all?<br /><br />Does there failure to do this indicate that they are not convinced that they can mount such a credible defence of their actions - and if so - doesn't that suggest that the council is not fit for purpose in it's current form?<br />Martin Milanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07537976349556078708noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-118857435900510280.post-54132106692975843172016-11-08T09:14:56.808+00:002016-11-08T09:14:56.808+00:00"The Executive Board have decided, he reminde..."The Executive Board have decided, he reminded me, to extract the £190,000 legal costs awarded against Mrs Thompson as the council tax payers should not have to bear these costs."<br /><br />And how much more has this circus spent on recovering that figure?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-118857435900510280.post-16533384473272818182016-11-08T09:12:31.686+00:002016-11-08T09:12:31.686+00:00How sorry I am that I ever voted for Plaid council...How sorry I am that I ever voted for Plaid councillors; they have shown themselves to be just as compliant and spineless as any of the other lot. Cllr Caiach's summary of Doleful's risible reply sums up their attitude neatly. All the bluster and threats about what they would do, once in power, regarding the James situation have proved to be as hollow and meaningless as they are. <br /><br />I have never felt less like voting for any one of these pathetic and depressing creatures - please, will someone with integrity and courage stand for the council next May? (And don't suggest "do it yourself" - I'm too old -young, fresh, principled energy is needed!)Myfanwynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-118857435900510280.post-27527615542058133812016-11-07T18:23:59.494+00:002016-11-07T18:23:59.494+00:00In a letter dated November 4th after I'd faile...In a letter dated November 4th after I'd failed to get my question to him on the matter accepted for full Council Emlyn Dole replied to my points.This is the summary:<br />1. The decision to grant Mr James the indemnity was made by a previous administration.<br />2. The Wales Audit Office’s view that the indemnity was unlawful has not been tested by the courts.<br />3. The damages awarded in the High Court are legally enforceable.<br />4. The damages awarded to Mr James are a personal matter and he is free to act as he wishes. Councillor Dole had not had any conversation with him on the matter but was likely to do so.<br />5. The Executive Board have decided, he reminded me, to extract the £190,000 legal costs awarded against Mrs Thompson as the council tax payers should not have to bear these costs.<br /><br />Sian Caiachnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-118857435900510280.post-13905951260479808922016-11-07T13:30:33.749+00:002016-11-07T13:30:33.749+00:00Yes anon 18 21 Wider audience needed to expose Ass...Yes anon 18 21 Wider audience needed to expose Assembly's role in complete unwillingness/impotence to act.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-118857435900510280.post-7323842841718206502016-11-06T18:21:45.544+00:002016-11-06T18:21:45.544+00:00Got a twitter account?
Then push for a wider audi...Got a twitter account?<br /><br />Then push for a wider audience and an investigation by bringing these matters to those that can do more: https://twitter.com/search?q=bbc%20xray&src=typd<br /><br />The more people that knock the door the more chance it will be investigated.<br /><br />The sooner tv journalists start investigating the sooner WAG will need to act. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-118857435900510280.post-54062659039827284672016-11-06T13:32:48.103+00:002016-11-06T13:32:48.103+00:00After reading the Wikipedia entry for Montgomery B...After reading the Wikipedia entry for Montgomery Burns I can only come to the conclusion that either Mark James and Montgomery Burns are one and the same person or twins separated at birth.<br />“He uses his power and wealth to do whatever he wants, usually without regard for consequences and without interference from the authorities.”<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-118857435900510280.post-2763600413922793022016-11-06T12:02:50.350+00:002016-11-06T12:02:50.350+00:00Sounds like an extract from the 'Nutty Profess...Sounds like an extract from the 'Nutty Professor' to me. Time for a public enquiry. The public are waking up to what's going on and something needs to be done before there is irreparable damage to the Council as a whole. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-118857435900510280.post-39116219258273440192016-11-06T11:16:49.602+00:002016-11-06T11:16:49.602+00:00This whole situation beggars belief, what sort of ...This whole situation beggars belief, what sort of oversight is done by the Welsh Assembly that allows this farce to drag on??towy71https://www.blogger.com/profile/17385691259489936354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-118857435900510280.post-82482535083070757942016-11-06T10:46:37.342+00:002016-11-06T10:46:37.342+00:00There is still a long way to go with this.The pres...There is still a long way to go with this.The pressure is building.There are councillors on the executive board who know exactly what happened at the 'indemnity'meeting even if Mark James could'nt remember if he were there or not.<br />Come on councillors admit you were wrong,cut your losses and go.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-118857435900510280.post-73433867405086010772016-11-06T08:51:12.579+00:002016-11-06T08:51:12.579+00:00Didn't Mark James sue for being compared to Pi...Didn't Mark James sue for being compared to Pinnochio? Well well. <br />As for his deep hurt over the use of the term slush fund -er - didn't he dip into other people's money to fund his own personal action? For this he is making a family homeless!! Where is our Government in this staggeringly shameful abuse of power? Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-118857435900510280.post-89343305743214960122016-11-06T07:56:26.454+00:002016-11-06T07:56:26.454+00:00If that's what Ibuprofen does, Cneifiwr, I dre...If that's what Ibuprofen does, Cneifiwr, I dread to contemplate the effects of Codeine.<br /><br />Seriously, thanks for relating the latest twists in the Jamesgate saga. Now, who on Earth (or at least our little Carmarthenshire corner) has the orchids to bring it all to a fair and just conclusion?<br /><br />You have clearly set out what an abuse of power and authority this whole sorry affair has been. Enough: Cllr Dole must call James to order, and go back to the settlement which Thompson thought she had. <br /><br />Yes, council tax payers' money has been squandered and a county's reputation sullied, but now is the time to draw a line under it all. Emlyn Uwch Cychhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03384157218244458970noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-118857435900510280.post-10801109915598140532016-11-05T21:46:07.079+00:002016-11-05T21:46:07.079+00:00This is so sad give here the money back , this sh...This is so sad give here the money back , this should have not started in the first place Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-118857435900510280.post-36082948453595861842016-11-05T20:45:14.734+00:002016-11-05T20:45:14.734+00:00speechless !speechless !Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com