In Bloom teams worried over potential 'politicisation' of campaigns
THE In Bloom teams in Grimsby, Cleethorpes and Immingham are angry over "draconian" demands by the council to allow a Cabinet member to sit on their committees.
The groups say the move will result in the "politicisation" of the In Bloom campaigns, which are led by teams of volunteers and rely on business donations.
But council leader Chris Shaw says Mick Burnett, pictured, deputy leader and portfolio holder for tourism and culture, would have no voting rights, and would only attend to advise the committees on matters involving the council, a key supporter of In Bloom.
He also refuted claims by Cleethorpes In Bloom chairman Bob Callison that the council would refuse to support the resort's hosting of the Britain In Bloom awards ceremony next October if the groups refused to comply with its demands. At tonight's full council meeting, Councillor Shaw will be asked why he is not prepared to support both that event and future In Bloom campaigns in Grimsby, Cleethorpes and Immingham unless they all submit to "unacceptable draconian terms and conditions that have never been insisted upon in the past."
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It is proposed that Councillor Burnett will sit on the three committees instead of two officers who currently represent the authority.
But Mr Callison said: "There's a difference between a paid officer and an elected member. If you can tell me one portfolio holder that can tell the difference between an oak tree and a monkey tree I will eat my hat, whereas an ecology officer would. We think we are going to become a political tool."
Mr Shaw said: "All we are asking is for an elected member to sit on the committees with no voting rights. We are a partner of In Bloom and as a partner we expect to have a seat at the table.
"At the moment we have officers sitting on the committees who are being asked to do things that are not within their remit.
"Councillor Burnett is in charge of that budget so that should solve that problem.
"We also had problems this year when Cleethorpes In Bloom put some giant postcards up without planning permission.
"We thought it would be good to have someone to advise them.
" I am still prepared to meet with Mr Callison and the other In Bloom chairs.
"They know our views and the ball is in their court. I think they are being a little bit foolish.
"We have never said we won't support the Britain In Bloom awards ceremony. In fact we had a meeting with the RHS the other day to discuss how we can deliver it with the funding available to the council.
Comments
by ErnieBrown
Sunday, December 16 2012, 9:33AM
“Bobby Callison said "If you can tell me one portfolio holder that can tell the difference between an oak tree and a monkey tree I will eat my hat.".............what exactly is a monkey tree Bobby?........Time to eat your hat?”
by b17583
Thursday, December 13 2012, 4:37PM
“I agree with everything lizidrip has said. I think this is the start of a Labour party bid for world domination!
Chris Shaw is just following the example of many other small men who became dictators!”
by lizidrip
Thursday, December 13 2012, 12:15PM
“Why does a council member want to sit on the commitee, the reasons given do not hold up, in my experience counil members including portfolio holders go to the paid employees for advise anyway.
Why is the council meeting with RHS when they do not actually deliver Britain in Bloom.
The Britain in Bloom team do an amazing job, so lets keep the council and its members out of it, they should be sitting back and offering support to the group not interfering and whinging about giant postcards and planning permission.
The council do not support this financially, so as far as I can see the main reasons for wanting to sit on the committee could be to ....
Take credit for a great job.
Grab the funding from businesses for attending the meeting for themselves.
Get expenses for attending the meetings.
Lets hope that the Britain in Bloom team continue with the great job they do. They are credit to the town and bring beauty and pleasure to most of society, which is more than the council does with its petty demand and complaints”
by b17583
Thursday, December 13 2012, 12:06PM
“I'm sure that Cllr Burnett would be welcome to attend these meetings if he were to ask for an invitation. The worry is that council officers who are professionally qualified and speak with authority are being replaced by a political placeman who has shown no interest in the past and knows little about the subject. What value is there in advice from him?”
by davendogs
Thursday, December 13 2012, 9:33AM
“In short, there is some worry over future funding.”