Important role of scrutiny
THE Leader of Redcar & Cleveland council was right to challenge the scrutiny process for the Tees Valley Combined Authority (The Gazette, July 27, 2022).
The scrutiny process gives elected members the opportunity to question the decisions of the cabinet and, where it is felt necessary, to call for further dialogue on the decision under review.
What I find strange is that Cllr Lanigan, having raised the scrutiny issue, goes on to ignore her own counsel and votes in favour of the decision to commit a further £20m to Teesside Airport.
Thankfully, Redcar & Cleveland council operates a scrutiny model that facilitates the questioning of cabinet decisions before they become operational, and so hold those responsible to account.
As Redcar & Cleveland Council look set to create the position of director growth, enterprise & environment, I expect elected members of the Governance and scrutiny committees to question the leadership on their rationale behind the proposal.
Less than two years ago this post, then styled “director of regeneration” was removed as part of the coalition’s cost-savings strategy.
Elected members need to scrutinise very carefully the words of the MD, John Sampson, as he explains that the post would be funded from “an additional grant provided by the Government to implement adult social care changes and an existing underspend on staffing budgets”.
In this instance I question the use of grant funding and money saved through under-staffing as being of good efficacy.
We can of course rely on the backstop that is the external auditors, who will ensure that we the residents and taxpayers of this borough obtain value for money.
BOB NORTON, Teesville
Plenty of waste in government
LIZ Truss’s announcement that she can save billions by improvements to government organisations has been ridiculed by many parties with vested interests.
Having engaged with government organisations, I know she is correct by the waste I have seen, which is beyond belief.
I will start with Vehicle and Operators Service Agency (VOSA).
I was contacted by them to be told the world would end if I did not get a large file of paperwork to them.
I collected the papers and told them I would bring the paperwork down that day.
However, I was told I could not come for two days as there was no one in to take in the paperwork, so two later I took the paperwork to Darlington – a large site in Darlington.
I found only one person in a massive office.
I then went to the office of the Traffic Commissioner in Leeds, a big multi-storey building, again no one in, lots of empty offices, just a female security guard downing large tins of energy drinks to stay awake.
She said she was on a 13-hour shift, so I conclude there is in government massive waste, in terms of both man power and buildings, but as the monies just arrive every month there is no need to change, and vested interests will ensure it does not, because the taxpayers will always be there to milk. ANDREW STEPHENSON,
Elton Village
Nominate your MS Society volunteers
TOGETHER with the MS Society I’m calling on people in Teesside to nominate volunteers who have made an impact on people living with, and affected by, multiple sclerosis (MS).
Whether that’s through supporting and empowering individuals, or fundraising and influencing on behalf of the whole MS community – we want to celebrate them!
More than 130,000 people live with MS in the UK and without volunteers’ time and energy, it would be impossible for the MS Society to deliver the services and support that it does.
Being an MS Society Ambassador has meant I’ve met so many superstars over the years who have done incredible things to support people like my mum, who lives with MS – and I’m delighted to say I’ll be hosting the first ever virtual Impact Awards ceremony on Wednesday, 5 October at 7pm.
If readers know a volunteer who they’d like to see get one of six special awards, please visit www.mssociety.org.uk/volunteer-awards
Nominations close on Sunday, 21 August.
SCOTT MILLS, MS Society Ambassador and broadcaster