Topic ID 3823
As I was walking through Hertford Town Centre on a beautiful sunny Saturday afternoon I couldn't help notice the Abbey just around the corner from Bradford and Bingley and the Lloyds just near the Halifax. Of course, though. The credit crunch has nothing to do with Hertford.
Reply ID 55421
quote:Evidently not - some people are still trying to market their properties at near peak prices, it seems.
Of course, though. The credit crunch has nothing to do with Hertford.
Reply ID 55422
quote:I know! There's a house in Ashbourne Gardens for sale with Steven Oates - shocking what they are asking when you can see on houseprices.co.uk what they paid for it little more than a year ago.
Originally posted by SallyBquote:Evidently not - some people are still trying to market their properties at near peak prices, it seems.
Of course, though. The credit crunch has nothing to do with Hertford.
Reply ID 55423
quote:I stand to be corrected, but isn't NatWest also owned by Bank of Scotland, which is now owned by Lloyds?
Originally posted by carlos fandango
As I was walking through Hertford Town Centre on a beautiful sunny Saturday afternoon I couldn't help notice the Abbey just around the corner from Bradford and Bingley and the Lloyds just near the Halifax. Of course, though. The credit crunch has nothing to do with Hertford.
Reply ID 55424
Bradford and Bingley, Halifax and Woolwich (now closed) all have frontages on Market Place. So much for the success of demutualisation.
Reply ID 55425
Natwest owned by Royal Bank of Scotland. A different entity completely. Mind you, with their share price currently down 15% today ( down 53% year to date), they may not be with us for too long either. I may be wrong but I think Woolwich is owned by Barclays (down 9% today)
Reply ID 55495
quote:Hertford is immune to anything that happens in the outside world, such as Chavs, awful shops, litter, drunken yobs, skeggy burger vans... oh.
Originally posted by carlos fandango
Of course, though. The credit crunch has nothing to do with Hertford.
Reply ID 55497
Remind me again why you live here aubend? If you hate the place so very much then move I can think of, and have lived in, much worse places than Hertford
Reply ID 55499
quote:Are you my own personal monitor or something? I live here because I live here thanks for asking.
Originally posted by Kitty Kat
Remind me again why you live here aubend? If you hate the place so very much then move I can think of, and have lived in, much worse places than Hertford
Reply ID 55505
quote:Thanks but no thanks, I don't want to monitor anyone, particularly someone as grumpy as you! Just intrigued as to why you are always so negative about the town, its people and its facilities, that's all - just an innocent question[:)]
Originally posted by aubendquote:Are you my own personal monitor or something? I live here because I live here thanks for asking.
Originally posted by Kitty Kat
Remind me again why you live here aubend? If you hate the place so very much then move I can think of, and have lived in, much worse places than Hertford
Reply ID 55645
Hertfordshire County Council has £17mill invested with a Skandi bank, does the credit crunch have anything to do with Hertford now?
Reply ID 55647
quote:Depends what you mean by 'invested'.
Originally posted by Victor Meldrew
Hertfordshire County Council has £17mill invested with a Skandi bank, does the credit crunch have anything to do with Hertford now?
Reply ID 55648
quote:.. that begs the question, if they've £17m in the bank, how come the roads are in such a bad state?
Originally posted by Victor Meldrew
Hertfordshire County Council has £17mill invested with a Skandi bank, does the credit crunch have anything to do with Hertford now?
Reply ID 55650
quote:Deposited. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7660438.stm
Originally posted by Ewoowarquote:Depends what you mean by 'invested'.
Originally posted by Victor Meldrew
Hertfordshire County Council has £17mill invested with a Skandi bank, does the credit crunch have anything to do with Hertford now?
Reply ID 55652
quote:Would you rather they spent every single penny they had?
Originally posted by azzzaquote:.. that begs the question, if they've £17m in the bank, how come the roads are in such a bad state?
Originally posted by Victor Meldrew
Hertfordshire County Council has £17mill invested with a Skandi bank, does the credit crunch have anything to do with Hertford now?
Reply ID 55656
If a bank has had consistently, over the last 12 months, been offering an interest rate that is far better than anyone else then I think it prudent probably to question why...... Only 6 weeks ago all Icelandic banks had their credit ratings slashed and were put on Negative Alert by the major credit rating agencies. I would love to know whose idea it was to deposit Herts money into an Icelandic bank..
Reply ID 55659
quote:Probably the same person that agreed the traffic lights on the Rush Green roundabout!
Originally posted by Frenchie
If a bank has had consistently, over the last 12 months, been offering an interest rate that is far better than anyone else then I think it prudent probably to question why...... Only 6 weeks ago all Icelandic banks had their credit ratings slashed and were put on Negative Alert by the major credit rating agencies. I would love to know whose idea it was to deposit Herts money into an Icelandic bank..
Reply ID 55660
I opened an account with one of the icelandic banks but the day my password etc came through, that banks CDS went up by 150 points which set a few alarm bells ringing. Fortunately I kept what little i have where it was. HCC should have had access to exactly the same info I did. If they did not or chose to ignore it they should be charged with negligence and booted from here to the middle of the next decade.
Reply ID 55661
Central government should be advising local government regarding financial organisations with which they should not do business. If the local council has the correct processes in place and is dependant upon central government guidance then it is not their fault.
Reply ID 55663
One would assume the Treasurer of the county council is being paid somewhere in the region of 6 figures. For someone in that position (and being well rewarded for it) to claim that no-one said not to invest somewhere so it's not their fault is in my view pathetic. The reason these people are highly paid is that they are supposed to be aware of these things. The writing has been on the wall for more than a month about these institutions. I have symapthy for individuals who have been caught out. But councils have been amateurish and negligent in the extreme if they have been.
Reply ID 55682
They had a long discussion on this subject on 5live this morning. They had someone saying that only last week, the Icelandic banks in question had an AA+ credit rating and that the money most Local Authorities had in Icelandic accounts was infact to pay pensions, and they were following Treasury advice as to where best to invest this money
Reply ID 55683
It was probably to fund their company cars and fat pensions. Maybe some of the wasters will be laid off instead of stinging us for yet more council tax.
Reply ID 55685
The BBC now quoting it as being £28mill
Reply ID 55687
quote:Sounds like a subject for the super Sleuths at The Mercury to investigate.... I smell a very large Rat emerging from the confines of the fat-cat Council here. ... funny how they can't find any money to repair the roads or maintain the pavements isn't it?
Originally posted by Victor Meldrew
The BBC now quoting it as being £28mill
Reply ID 55693
Just seen that the cops have lost £3million too (Herts Constabulary). Looking forward to being burgled
Reply ID 55702
quote:I have to laugh at aubende. When his or her street lamps stop working and a large irrational enters the abode and his/her children are crying and the police won't attend and the fire brigade can't attend and environmental health won't attend and the dustcart doesn't turn up and the schools close and the public halls shut and the whole education system collapses so that his or her children have no future and the carparks are over-run with families sheltering and the last page of his or her Daily Mail has been read.... will aubend still be banging on about company cars at Herts County Council that SMT has already stated do not even exist?
Originally posted by aubend
It was probably to fund their company cars and fat pensions. Maybe some of the wasters will be laid off instead of stinging us for yet more council tax.
Reply ID 55704
quote:What, like my wife who is just starting her 4th hour of unpaid overtime this evening? Nice one, Aubend. It's easy to sling the brown smelly stuff around when you don't know what you're talking about.
Originally posted by aubend
It was probably to fund their company cars and fat pensions. Maybe some of the wasters will be laid off instead of stinging us for yet more council tax.
Reply ID 55705
quote:I think the one-liner you posted before editing covered it! [:D]
Originally posted by James007quote:I have to laugh at aubende. When his or her street lamps stop working and a large irrational enters the abode and his/her children are crying and the police won't attend and the fire brigade can't attend and environmental health won't attend and the dustcart doesn't turn up and the schools close and the public halls shut and the whole education system collapses so that his or her children have no future and the carparks are over-run with families sheltering and the last page of his or her Daily Mail has been read.... will aubend still be banging on about company cars at Herts County Council that SMT has already stated do not even exist?
Originally posted by aubend
It was probably to fund their company cars and fat pensions. Maybe some of the wasters will be laid off instead of stinging us for yet more council tax.
Reply ID 55708
And don't forget Transport for London have lost 30 Million - that's your travel to work costs going up. So where has all that money gone? Somebody must have it
Reply ID 55712
There's FAQ on the BBC News website. One question in particular answers some of the queries posted above. "Why did put money into these banks? Like any large organisation, councils have to put their money somewhere. They deposit their income in banks with money not required to fund day-to-day services and operations put into a range of investments. Central funding is tight and pressure to keep down council tax bills is acute so councils have been under instruction from the government to maximise returns from their own money. This has led them to banks, such as those in Iceland, which offered highly competitive rates of interest. " So, like any sensible individual, any money over and above immediate needs is made to work for you by putting it in a high interest account. Similarly, everyone should have funds set aside for contingencies, and these too are best kept where they work for you. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7660800.stm
Reply ID 55717
Sorry, you're absolutely right James007. The council is doing a wonderful job. Well done for losing £28 million. Please feel free to double council tax if you so desire.
Reply ID 55723
quote:What do you do for a living aubend?
Originally posted by aubend
Sorry, you're absolutely right James007. The council is doing a wonderful job. Well done for losing £28 million. Please feel free to double council tax if you so desire.
Reply ID 55724
Please do not attempt to solicit personal information from other members.
Reply ID 55731
aubend, where would you have put the £28million? Under your mattress? A big name institution that couldn't possibly fail (e.g. Lehman Brothers)? A UK building society? Stocks & shares (I doubt ANY local authority would do this after the Hammersmith & Fulham scandal in the mid 80s)?
Reply ID 55732
quote:It may be that larger sums of money could not be removed from the banks; many bonds, etc can not be accessed instantly or even within a month, and so offer higher rates of interest. We could not get our savings out in time, so now no savings (well for 3 months - fingers crossed!) and people wishing I get laid off (not Carlos!). What a lovely start to the day!!
Originally posted by carlos fandango The reason these people are highly paid is that they are supposed to be aware of these things. The writing has been on the wall for more than a month about these institutions. I have symapthy for individuals who have been caught out. But councils have been amateurish and negligent in the extreme if they have been.
Reply ID 55735
quote:Put in HSBC - not affected too much by credit crunch as not a major mortgage bank and main investments in Asia. Failing that Gold. See it's simple and I am not a finance professional.
Originally posted by JohnSmith
aubend, where would you have put the £28million? Under your mattress? A big name institution that couldn't possibly fail (e.g. Lehman Brothers)? A UK building society? Stocks & shares (I doubt ANY local authority would do this after the Hammersmith & Fulham scandal in the mid 80s)?
Reply ID 55737
SMT if you are referring to me hoping you lose you your job, of course that is not true. I was referring to the fact that councils are by their very nature over staffed and lax as they face no real competition or threat. My point was that instead of automatically raising council tax to pay for what is after all their mistake not ours maybe they would consider cutting the malingerers and perhaps perks which I know exist as a good friend of mine works for the council and has a company car. Please don't take a general cmment as a personal threat to yourself.
Reply ID 55739
quote:When Lehman, Bear Stearns, Northern Rock, Bradford Bingley, AIG, Fortis go bust....and HBOS, Barclays, Dexia, Hypo Bank are on their knees...and all this happened before last weekend remeber, you take a good look and where your cash is being held. Google Icelandic banks and you will see piece after piece on the crumbling economy, currency and financial situation. I dont know whether its Central Government or Hertd CC but its simply not good enough, its appalling, heads should roll. What justification can you in a credit crunch/Bank meltdown for not putting your money in the likes of HSBC (or at least into Gilts), even Northern Rock has been Government Guaranteed for months....
Originally posted by JohnSmith
aubend, where would you have put the £28million? Under your mattress? A big name institution that couldn't possibly fail (e.g. Lehman Brothers)? A UK building society? Stocks & shares (I doubt ANY local authority would do this after the Hammersmith & Fulham scandal in the mid 80s)?
Reply ID 55740
quote:What about a UK clearing bank?
Originally posted by JohnSmith
aubend, where would you have put the £28million? Under your mattress? A big name institution that couldn't possibly fail (e.g. Lehman Brothers)? A UK building society? Stocks & shares (I doubt ANY local authority would do this after the Hammersmith & Fulham scandal in the mid 80s)?
Reply ID 55741
quote:I would refer you to the FAQ item I posted earlier for a partial answer to this. Councils were encouraged by central government to invest in high interest/risk accounts. It may also be that these were notice accounts that did not allow immediate withdrawl. I would also suggest that it is highly likely that only a proportion of HCC's investments were in Icelandic Banks. I'm sure there's more elsewhere - hopefully somewhere safer!
Originally posted by Frenchie
When Lehman, Bear Stearns, Northern Rock, Bradford Bingley, AIG, Fortis go bust....and HBOS, Barclays, Dexia, Hypo Bank are on their knees...and all this happened before last weekend remeber, you take a good look and where your cash is being held. Google Icelandic banks and you will see piece after piece on the crumbling economy, currency and financial situation. I dont know whether its Central Government or Hertd CC but its simply not good enough, its appalling, heads should roll. What justification can you in a credit crunch/Bank meltdown for not putting your money in the likes of HSBC (or at least into Gilts), even Northern Rock has been Government Guaranteed for months....
Reply ID 55742
I understand councils where "under instruction from the government to maximise returns from their own money" I have the same investment thesis myself.....but you also have to use some common sense, I have no doubt the mandate was to maximise returns but Im also sure it said something along the lies of "while ensuring the safety of the original capital". The risk/reward investment ratio here was way off.
Reply ID 55743
Surely you should have used the Freedom Of Information act to ask the question of HCC as to where they kept their reserves long before all of this happened, put it into the public domain and insist that they invest in more safer options before the comings and goings of the last month.
Reply ID 55744
quote:I think you must be living in the 70's, Aubend. Councils are subject to extreme scrutiny and have to prove that they are providing value for money. Many council services are now outsourced to the good old private sector where the bosses are rich and the workers are poor (yes, we can all generalise). Conditions as a Council employee are not that great - salary for responsibility is not brilliant unless you are a top manager, overtime is unheard of, redundancy and reorganisation is a daily fear and in many positions, you have to work with that sector of the great General Public who require, let us say, "support". Yes, there is a pension which is a final salary scheme but it's not a freebie - the employee has to contribute an enormous monthly sum towards it too. I left a lifetime of Council work a few years ago and am now in the "private" public sector where I enjoy a subsidised car, mobile phone, overnight stays in posh hotels, etc I defy you to provide a quote which will cover all of the services provided by the Council for the same price as your monthly council tax - it's impossible.
Originally posted by aubend
SMT if you are referring to me hoping you lose you your job, of course that is not true. I was referring to the fact that councils are by their very nature over staffed and lax as they face no real competition or threat. My point was that instead of automatically raising council tax to pay for what is after all their mistake not ours maybe they would consider cutting the malingerers and perhaps perks which I know exist as a good friend of mine works for the council and has a company car. Please don't take a general cmment as a personal threat to yourself.
Reply ID 55745
quote:Well I do live in Hertford...
Originally posted by newgirl
[quote] I think you must be living in the 70's, Aubend.
Reply ID 55746
quote:Which you quite obviously loathe [:)]
Originally posted by aubendquote:Well I do live in Hertford...
Originally posted by newgirl
[quote] I think you must be living in the 70's, Aubend.
Reply ID 55747
Frenchie hits the nail on the head. The first questions over the solvency of Iceland and its banks were raised in 2006 by one of the large American banks (that is still doing well). Any so called professional investing money on behalf of anyone had plenty of warning this was a train wreck waiting to happen. Why do these people think the accounts paid 1 or 2% more than the equivalent at HSBC. I feel very sorry for individuals trapped in this, I am lucky in having an information source they do not. Institutional investors should be punished for negligence. This time we cannot blame John Prescott (loathsome though he is).
Reply ID 55748
You lot should worry. I'm not too bothered that my council may have lost tens of millions, that unemployment may go through the roof as a result of some unregulated wizz kids (sic)in dodgy suits gambling with everyone elses money or that businesses are failing (only too close to home that one) Spare a thought for West Ham. Not only do we need to pay Kieran Dyer 25K per week for sitting on sofa but we are totally relient on Icelandic banks & (up to recently Excel) And Spurs think they've got it bad.........
Reply ID 55749
fancy a bargain? http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320308801162
Reply ID 55750
Brill.
Reply ID 55752
So many aftertimers, it's amazing. Why didn't you tell us to take our money out of Iceland 2 years ago? Then we wouldn't be in such a mess.
Reply ID 55753
I agree JohnSmith - If you actually read the facts, it looks like a no win situation for the councils to me. They do their job and follow government guidelines, and still get hammered for doing it from joe public, when something un predictable happens.
Reply ID 55754
The government's freezing of Icelandic assets under terrorism laws is disgusting.
Reply ID 55755
Well I can just imagine the response of some of the pedantic ****holes on this forum if someone had started that thread. "Credit Crunch 1" was locked because it had nothing to do with hertford. Not quite so smug now are you all.
Reply ID 55756
You're right, I don't feel so smug now. Even though it hasn't affected me or anyone I know (Hertford or not). The media seem to be having a field day with it though.
Reply ID 55757
I recruit Construction Sales People, or should I say, I used to. The Credit crunch is in Hertford for sure and will efect more and more each week. For example, I now will not be collecting my brand new E Class [:(] So the salesman at Mercedes will now loose out on his commission and so on and so on. When our local council wacks our next council tax bill up to recoup some of the money it has frittered away on the wrong colour it will effect us all. Stop being so blinkered.
Reply ID 55758
quote:Was it broadcast anywhere before this where the council put its (our) money? No doubt it was none of our business. Sure as hell is our business now.
Originally posted by JohnSmith
So many aftertimers, it's amazing. Why didn't you tell us to take our money out of Iceland 2 years ago? Then we wouldn't be in such a mess.
Reply ID 55759
So Iceland is bankrupt? Kerry Katona was the perfect advertising face then.
Reply ID 55760
quote:Do a little research and you might find this is not exactly the case. It just makes a good news story to report it like that. The legislation that has been used in this particular case is The Anti-terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001. This Act includes sections on [unsurprisingly] terrorism, crime and [national] security. It is a power under the national security provisions that has been used, not terrorism. The Act provides sanctions that can be used against any country that acts in a way that threatens the economic secuity of the UK. It's just handy for the newspapers to refer to the Act in general as anti-terrorism legislation, when anti-terrorism is only part of what the law addresses. It also seems that the Icelandic PM has been briefed by advisers who get their information from the British press, rather than the information given to them by the UK government. (yes, I know it's hard to know who to trust least! [8D])
Originally posted by steven
The government's freezing of Icelandic assets under terrorism laws is disgusting.
Reply ID 55761
Whatever the details, freezing their assets was a very harsh move. It wasn't just Icelandic bankers that made mistakes. Only a week or so ago Iceland's PM told them the UK wouldn't do anything "bad". Iceland is in a very tricky position at the moment. It relies on imports, and they're not getting them. Hospitals aren't getting medication they require.
Reply ID 55763
quote:Victor - Please tell me you are being ironic on this one ....
Originally posted by Victor Meldrew
. For example, I now will not be collecting my brand new E Class [:(] So the salesman at Mercedes will now loose out on his commission and so on and so on.
Reply ID 55779
Just run into this one from a long, long time ago..... http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=2t8YTvdYXws&feature=related
Reply ID 55780
quote:CP - Thank you for this memory-refresher. That is so.o.o.o funny (to the, as yet, unaffected) and, IMHO, as much a lesson with today's Government as it was 20-odd years ago when it was "news" and a surreal sketch with yesteryear's politics. Cutting edge humour of the '80's that is relevant to the "we did not learn/listen" reality of the '00's". Economics and political life remains cyclical and by no way have we overcome the cycle of "boom and bust" that politicians would like to proclaim. Well done for flashing-up this as a reminder that "real-life" is as much about the mistakes of history and whether or not we learn from them.
Originally posted by Capitalist piglet
Just run into this one from a long, long time ago..... http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=2t8YTvdYXws&feature=related
Reply ID 55808
quote:Didn't Iceland effectively freeze our assets first?
Originally posted by steven
Whatever the details, freezing their assets was a very harsh move. It wasn't just Icelandic bankers that made mistakes. Only a week or so ago Iceland's PM told them the UK wouldn't do anything "bad". Iceland is in a very tricky position at the moment. It relies on imports, and they're not getting them. Hospitals aren't getting medication they require.
Reply ID 55811
quote:Yep, when the Icelandic government froze the assets of the Icelandic banks and absorbed the deficit into their books, it's effectively froze UK government assets. It is as close as you can get to a sovereign nation stealing another's money.
Originally posted by Stevequote:Didn't Iceland effectively freeze our assets first?
Originally posted by steven
Whatever the details, freezing their assets was a very harsh move. It wasn't just Icelandic bankers that made mistakes. Only a week or so ago Iceland's PM told them the UK wouldn't do anything "bad". Iceland is in a very tricky position at the moment. It relies on imports, and they're not getting them. Hospitals aren't getting medication they require.
Reply ID 55814
quote:I believe the £28m represents 8% of their investments.
Originally posted by Steve I would also suggest that it is highly likely that only a proportion of HCC's investments were in Icelandic Banks. I'm sure there's more elsewhere - hopefully somewhere safer!
Reply ID 55818
quote:"Effectively"? So we effectively used anti-terror laws to freeze theirs in response. What else could they possible have done in that situation?
Yep, when the Icelandic government froze the assets of the Icelandic banks and absorbed the deficit into their books, it's effectively froze UK government assets. It is as close as you can get to a sovereign nation stealing another's money.
Reply ID 56088
quote:... and what else could we have done?
Originally posted by stevenquote:"Effectively"? So we effectively used anti-terror laws to freeze theirs in response. What else could they possible have done in that situation?
Yep, when the Icelandic government froze the assets of the Icelandic banks and absorbed the deficit into their books, it's effectively froze UK government assets. It is as close as you can get to a sovereign nation stealing another's money.
Reply ID 56287
HCC have now brought in the auditors to investigate Icelandic investments... [url]http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/beds/bucks/herts/7688640.stm[/url]
Reply ID 56295
quote:Good old council. They lose a load of our money then pay a load of other people to work out why they lost the money. It's a farce.
Originally posted by Leo Densian
HCC have now brought in the auditors to investigate Icelandic investments... [url]http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/beds/bucks/herts/7688640.stm[/url]
Reply ID 56300
The quote from the linked website states: "We have the financial and managerial strength to cope with any impact over time when any actual loss becomes clear." What utter b**ll*cks spoken by our council chief. 1. They are investigating why their investments of our money failed the council's own criteria for investments - this evidences a management weakness not a strength. 2. The council chief says ""too early" to say if any of the money would be lost." We are told that we stand to lose a potential £28m and we are told that talks between the UK and Iceland have broken down, thus increasing the risk that this £28m will incur a loss. Certainly not what I classify as a financial strength - do you? Ignoring for one moment the potential mis-investement loss, the council is admitting to over council-taxing you and I if they are suggesting this loss won't impact any affect. The expression "Have cake and eat it" springs to mind - I am sure many have different expressed reactions. I repeat, utter b**ll*cks and we want proper answers not double-speaking nonsense.
Reply ID 56372
I have a question which I hope can be answered here: If £28m is only 8% of Herts County Councils investments. Why is Hartham Pool desperate for investment? Why did the Lido in Broxbourne have to close for lack of investment? Why has the council not spent part of the implied £350m they have invested on much needed improvements.
Reply ID 56373
quote:So they can make sure they all have lots of lovely pay rises / pensions / holidays / cars / unlimited sick pay etc while the rest of (who they work for by the way) get reduced value for money every year. But I will now be shot down for being negative or hating Hertford so there you go - no one seems to give a toss.
Originally posted by carlos fandango
I have a question which I hope can be answered here: If £28m is only 8% of Herts County Councils investments. Why is Hartham Pool desperate for investment? Why did the Lido in Broxbourne have to close for lack of investment? Why has the council not spent part of the implied £350m they have invested on much needed improvements.
Reply ID 56375
quote:Simple. Swimming pools are nothing to do with The County Council. Hartham is owned by The District Council and Broxbourne Borough Council are responsible for the Lido.
Originally posted by carlos fandango
I have a question which I hope can be answered here: If £28m is only 8% of Herts County Councils investments. Why is Hartham Pool desperate for investment? Why did the Lido in Broxbourne have to close for lack of investment? Why has the council not spent part of the implied £350m they have invested on much needed improvements.
Reply ID 56376
quote:I have to agree with you there, Aub. I've worked inside Social Services and Local Councils as well as been a service supplier for them. While many workers are dilligent, there are a significant number I have come across who are lazy, flexi-time manipulating blighters. My mother has 'Social Services' stamped through her like a stick of rock after 20-odd years in the service and says the same about her former colleagues. Too many chiefs, not enough indians; and they could all work alot harder - like wot we do in the private sector.
Originally posted by aubend ....pay rises / pensions / holidays / cars / unlimited sick pay etc...
Reply ID 56378
quote:Glad someone else agrees. Seems ridiculous that they had to cut Town Centre Manager and Citizens Advice as well. In fact it's a f**king disgrace.
Originally posted by Mr Pquote:I have to agree with you there, Aub. I've worked inside Social Services and Local Councils as well as been a service supplier for them. While many workers are dilligent, there are a significant number I have come across who are lazy, flexi-time manipulating blighters. My mother has 'Social Services' stamped through her like a stick of rock after 20-odd years in the service and says the same about her former colleagues. Too many chiefs, not enough indians; and they could all work alot harder - like wot we do in the private sector.
Originally posted by aubend ....pay rises / pensions / holidays / cars / unlimited sick pay etc...
Reply ID 56380
quote:Again, nothing to do with the County Council. Both were funded by the District Council.
Originally posted by aubend
Glad someone else agrees. Seems ridiculous that they had to cut Town Centre Manager and Citizens Advice as well. In fact it's a f**king disgrace.
Reply ID 56381
quote:All part of the same thing though.
Originally posted by Stevequote:Again, nothing to do with the County Council. Both were funded by the District Council.
Originally posted by aubend
Glad someone else agrees. Seems ridiculous that they had to cut Town Centre Manager and Citizens Advice as well. In fact it's a f**king disgrace.
Reply ID 56385
quote:Er, how?
Originally posted by aubendquote:All part of the same thing though.
Originally posted by Stevequote:Again, nothing to do with the County Council. Both were funded by the District Council.
Originally posted by aubend
Glad someone else agrees. Seems ridiculous that they had to cut Town Centre Manager and Citizens Advice as well. In fact it's a f**king disgrace.
Reply ID 56406
quote:I agree with you about the Citizens Advice Centre which was of enormous importance to a lot of people........as for the Town Centre Manager............well anyone who wears white socks with a dark suit has to be suspect
Originally posted by aubendquote:Glad someone else agrees. Seems ridiculous that they had to cut Town Centre Manager and Citizens Advice as well. In fact it's a f**king disgrace.
Originally posted by Mr Pquote:I have to agree with you there, Aub. I've worked inside Social Services and Local Councils as well as been a service supplier for them. While many workers are dilligent, there are a significant number I have come across who are lazy, flexi-time manipulating blighters. My mother has 'Social Services' stamped through her like a stick of rock after 20-odd years in the service and says the same about her former colleagues. Too many chiefs, not enough indians; and they could all work alot harder - like wot we do in the private sector.
Originally posted by aubend ....pay rises / pensions / holidays / cars / unlimited sick pay etc...
Reply ID 56446
quote:But everybody knew who he was.[8D]
as for the Town Centre Manager............well anyone who wears white socks with a dark suit has to be suspect
Reply ID 56469
Well if your claim to fame is having no fashion sense.........so be it
Reply ID 59724
Nothing to do with Hertford but this quote has been causing much mirth in my office: "A weak currency is the sign of a weak economy, which is the sign of a weak government" Gordon Brown, 1992 That in a year where the $ low was 1.499 and the Dmark low was 2.3995 (implying a € rate of 1.226) Happy days.
Reply ID 59725
quote:Exactly [:)]
Originally posted by carlos fandango
Nothing to do with Hertford...