Silence of the Lambs

Today myself and Mr Lewis attended the Meeting of the Cabinet. We were deafened by the Silence of Cllrs discussions.

First off, a member of the public asked a question around the issue of immigration. The response from the Leader was “We carn`t do nowt”. He went on to suggest that the Roma group he sits on should do more to get more funds to the countries that have Roma in an effort to keep them there. He asked Mahroof to comment, and he basic said the same “we carnt do nowt”.

Another Member of the Public asked about the Firsby Reservoir . Rodger batted it straight to Karl Battersby, who in turn batted it straight back, saying a report would be made later in the meeting. Rodger, rather sharply, replied, “Karl you will answer the question, duly told, an answer was received.

After the usual declaration of Interests and minutes the meeting started.

First up Rotherham local Pan Steering Group, hosted by Gerald Smith, he indicated that a “drop in” session will be held in the John Mann rooms on 31st July to see various studies to do with the LDF. The documents he was referring too were lengthy so you would expect questions
Nothing, Zilch, Silence.

Next up Revenue Account Ken Wyatt, announced that SAVINGS of £1.3 million had been made ( so why did they cut services, you cannot miss a Million pound surplus in projections). He also went on about how many cuts the Council had had, 70 Million ,yawn, 22 million last year, yawn, and 23 Million next year, Yawn.
Any questions, Nothing Zilch, Silence.

Capital Programme, Questions, Nothing zilch Silence

Transformation Challenge award, Questions, Nothing Zilch Silence.

Children`s Centres _ Joyce Thacker gave a speech on how the consultation went, but skilfully managed to “forget” the total number of person who objected to the closures (more than 50% of those that responded) it was up to Mahroof to propose Option 2 which will keep open three “extra” centres, including Dinnington (as confirmed by Cllr Dalton yesterday at Anston). I say three “extra”, it may be that others will have to close because no one said where the Extra £350,000 will come from to keep them all open.
Any questions, Nothing, Zilch, Silence.

Option 2 duly passed without any discussions, but Rodger did mention he had had a petition of six thousand signatures. Which no one in the room had even seen nor made any mention of. Silence.

Scrutiny Review questions Nothing, Zilch, Silence.

Flood Management, (Gerald again) Questions, Nothing, Zilch Silence.

Firsby Reservoir, Questions Nothing, Zilch Silence.

Then it was time for Rodger to kick out all the Public. But Mr Lewis had a Parting gift in the way of a comment, he said, ” we knew Dinnington was going to stay open, Judy Dalton told us two days ago”. At this Rodger replied, “will you please leave”. ( I wonder why.)

Question, silence, question, silence, I think you get the picture. What do we pay them For?.
It was noted that the “New Boy” Beck was sat with Gerald, has he fallen out with Mahroof, now he has no support ??. In my estimate, at £16,000 a year for Cabinet Members, Mr Beck has just earned £1,333.00 for sitting on his backside and saying absolutely nothing.

Oh and by the way he voted to close the Sure Start centre in Wales where he is an RMBC Cllr, and voted to close the Centre at Anston where he is a Parish Cllr.

Smart move for some one who is up for Election next year in both Wards.

Silence of the Lambs, at this rate the Lambs are going to be slaughtered next year.

Stuart Thornton