Talk Morgan Forums Community The Malvern Arms Closure of Don Valley stadium

http://www.taxpayersalliance.com/waste/2012/06/sheffield-councils-400k-consultants-bill.html

I suppose it would be cynical of me to think that Sheffield Council could make the savings elsewhere and they're simply trying to make a political point here.

There is no doubt that 'a political point' is at work here, and it would be interesting to see who is claiming what expenses on the council. In respect of which celebrity contributes what in taxes, there are many more doing their best to aviod tax, apart from Jimmy Carr, who took the brunt of the criticism a while ago.

You see this, I totally agree with though mine's a sparkling water please

I am no politician by a long chalk, but I would love the opportunity to get hold of a council and rip through it streamlining their output and maximising efficiency. I'm so sure I (and many many others) could do a better job - but I know the politics come into play

Boshlys point is interesting. Could I do it better?

May I throw in a weakness I find most worrying ?

Politicans seem to have stopped making decisions due to the fear that it may result in them being judged and replaced in the next election. This leads to no decision, late decision, compromised decision, poor decision in so many cases.

This leads to atrophy. No desire to exceed expectations, surprise and accomplish.

Anyone without risk in the game would have the ability to make a difference. I guess this is why so much money is spent on external consultants.

to my mind there are two issues here.

to give the council 700k is simply throwing money away. if the stadium isnt viable then its 700k each year that is needed, so best bite the bullet and shut it now. it always was an example of council profligacy

the second issue is that of philanthropy. problem here is that unlike the USA where rich people make it and then give it away ( like Bill Gates) or like we used to be in victorian times ( Rowntree, Cadbury, Salt etc) we have drifted into an attitude that says its all down to the state. and UK politics doesnt help by emphasising government spending on everything. for example, people have lost money by investing in a dodgy third world banking system in cyprus. what happens? the government comes under pressure to make good their losses. after all , people cannot look after themselves.

so understandably when poor girl makes good, she wants to trouser it. though I'm sure a lot will get diverted to relatives and hangers on . not to mention the government so they can do all the things that we believe the government should do.

No its not cynical at all. Its realist. If you are running an organisation strapped for cash, what do you do but threaten the headline services. after all, who amongstr the public would get excited and put pressure on central government if instead of shutting the stadium, you cut councillors expenses?

the NHS woks just the same way

Jeremy, I agree with you and believe this is what her management team will have planned for her; however, equally, I am sure you will agree that she cannot rely on this. I would imagine that her accountants/financial planners are telling her that her high earning potential may be limited and thus her earnings from her 'in demand' years may need to be amortised over a significantly longer period of time (decades?). Whilst I am not arguing that sports personalities, assisted by the social system, shouldn't give back, I do believe there are other factors to be considered.

As for the local councils, don't get me started. Unfortunately, they seem to be the opposite of 'doing so much with so little'

WHAT - forever??

A few years ago, the fee for chairing "a committee" was c£20k according to a local councillor, and that would be no more than two half days a week. Pruning should begin at the top, at councils, and the NHS, but that won't happen. Too many vested interests. Democracy is totally compromised by "the elected" taking all steps to stay in power, rather than what the electorate want or the country needs. But then the electorate only want what's best for them personally. What's the alternative? I don't believe that there is a credible alternative, but polarisation of wealth, especially in recession will lead to unrest. You can see it happening around the world.