Christmas is coming!
The Groups are already deciding what to do for Christmas and they have all entered for the Christmas Card competition.
We have them professionally printed up and then sell them on with any money made going into the groups social fund ‘coffer’!
This year we also have our limited edition pens, key rings and Calendars – all good value!
Friday, November 12, 2010
Whilst everyone involved with Social Care and Health are correctly concerned about cuts at the moment, Commissioners need to remember they must comply with the law.
Irrespective of any funding pressures they may face, they cannot get away from complying with their statutory and legal duties.
Statutory bodies cannot justify failure to carry out their legal obligations because of budgetary pressures.
Recent case law confirms this to be the case.
Also Health and Social care statutory bodies cannot change the care services it offers the general public overnight.
The law tells us that a more regulated process around any change needs to happen that makes sure scarce resource are distributed according to need.
Again it was recently held by the Courts that a Council could not withdraw services without reassessing needs of the individual service users. ‘Blanket’ changes were not to be allowed.
Recently some Councils tried to cut funding to the Voluntary or Third sector and/or reducing service levels and again this was found to be unlawful as it did not comply with equality legislation including the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 which refers to the need to promote equal opportunities between disabled and non disabled people.
Just for once it is absolutely essential for Statutory bodies to work closely with their Lawyers before implementing cuts which can later be challenged.
An example of this has already occurred where I work, as one local authority arbitrarily decided to cut access to public transport to disabled people for free before 9.30 in the morning without prior consultation. This was a decision which left them in my view open to potential challenge which contrasted with another local Council who did consult and who decided it was not a cut worth making.
Hard decisions for hard times.
Irrespective of any funding pressures they may face, they cannot get away from complying with their statutory and legal duties.
Statutory bodies cannot justify failure to carry out their legal obligations because of budgetary pressures.
Recent case law confirms this to be the case.
Also Health and Social care statutory bodies cannot change the care services it offers the general public overnight.
The law tells us that a more regulated process around any change needs to happen that makes sure scarce resource are distributed according to need.
Again it was recently held by the Courts that a Council could not withdraw services without reassessing needs of the individual service users. ‘Blanket’ changes were not to be allowed.
Recently some Councils tried to cut funding to the Voluntary or Third sector and/or reducing service levels and again this was found to be unlawful as it did not comply with equality legislation including the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 which refers to the need to promote equal opportunities between disabled and non disabled people.
Just for once it is absolutely essential for Statutory bodies to work closely with their Lawyers before implementing cuts which can later be challenged.
An example of this has already occurred where I work, as one local authority arbitrarily decided to cut access to public transport to disabled people for free before 9.30 in the morning without prior consultation. This was a decision which left them in my view open to potential challenge which contrasted with another local Council who did consult and who decided it was not a cut worth making.
Hard decisions for hard times.
Monday, August 16, 2010
I thought as I am prone to people posting about conspiracies, I might add this little post and see what people think?
New World Order (conspiracy)
This conspiracy theory states that a small group of international elites controls and manipulates governments, industry, and media organizations worldwide. The primary tool they use to dominate nations is the system of central banking. They are said to have funded and in some cases caused most of the major wars of the last 200 years, carry out false flag attacks to manipulate populations into supporting them, and they have a grip on the world economy, deliberately causing inflation and depressions at will. Operatives working for the New World Order are said to be placed in high positions in government and industry. The people behind the New World Order are thought to be international bankers, in particular the owners of the private banks in the Federal Reserve System and other central banks, and members of the Council on Foreign Relations, Trilateral Commission and Bilderberg Group.[2] The New World Order is also said to control supranational and global organizations such as the European Union, United Nations, World Bank, International Monetary Fund and the proposed North American Union. The term gained popularity following its use in the early 1990s, first by President George H. W. Bush when he referred to his "dream of a New World Order" in his speech to the United States Congress on September 11, 1990, and second by David Rockefeller in a statement to the United Nations Business Council in September 1994, sometimes cited as evidence that the New World Order had a motive for carrying out the September 11, 2001 attacks:
"We are on the verge of a global transformation. All we need is the right major crisis and the nations will accept the New World Order."[3]
The concept of this shadow government predates 1990; it is accused of being the same group of people who, among other things, created the Federal Reserve Act (1913), supported the Bolshevik Revolution (1917), and supported the rise of the Nazi Party in Germany, all for their own agenda.[4] The World Bank and national central banks are said to be the tools of the New World Order; war generates massive profits for central banks because government spending (hence borrowing at interest from the central banks) increases dramatically in times of war.[5] Many conspiracy theorists believe that Denver International Airport is the western U.S. headquarters of the New World Order, and a massive underground base and city is believed to exist underneath the airport. Reasons for this include the airport's unusually large size (larger than some major cities), distance from the Denver, Colorado city center, and the set of bizarre murals depicting burning cities, gas-mask wearing soldiers, girls in coffins, Masonic symbols and strange writing.[6] It is believed that secret fleets of black helicopters are ready to take control when the New World Order is set up.
New World Order (conspiracy)
This conspiracy theory states that a small group of international elites controls and manipulates governments, industry, and media organizations worldwide. The primary tool they use to dominate nations is the system of central banking. They are said to have funded and in some cases caused most of the major wars of the last 200 years, carry out false flag attacks to manipulate populations into supporting them, and they have a grip on the world economy, deliberately causing inflation and depressions at will. Operatives working for the New World Order are said to be placed in high positions in government and industry. The people behind the New World Order are thought to be international bankers, in particular the owners of the private banks in the Federal Reserve System and other central banks, and members of the Council on Foreign Relations, Trilateral Commission and Bilderberg Group.[2] The New World Order is also said to control supranational and global organizations such as the European Union, United Nations, World Bank, International Monetary Fund and the proposed North American Union. The term gained popularity following its use in the early 1990s, first by President George H. W. Bush when he referred to his "dream of a New World Order" in his speech to the United States Congress on September 11, 1990, and second by David Rockefeller in a statement to the United Nations Business Council in September 1994, sometimes cited as evidence that the New World Order had a motive for carrying out the September 11, 2001 attacks:
"We are on the verge of a global transformation. All we need is the right major crisis and the nations will accept the New World Order."[3]
The concept of this shadow government predates 1990; it is accused of being the same group of people who, among other things, created the Federal Reserve Act (1913), supported the Bolshevik Revolution (1917), and supported the rise of the Nazi Party in Germany, all for their own agenda.[4] The World Bank and national central banks are said to be the tools of the New World Order; war generates massive profits for central banks because government spending (hence borrowing at interest from the central banks) increases dramatically in times of war.[5] Many conspiracy theorists believe that Denver International Airport is the western U.S. headquarters of the New World Order, and a massive underground base and city is believed to exist underneath the airport. Reasons for this include the airport's unusually large size (larger than some major cities), distance from the Denver, Colorado city center, and the set of bizarre murals depicting burning cities, gas-mask wearing soldiers, girls in coffins, Masonic symbols and strange writing.[6] It is believed that secret fleets of black helicopters are ready to take control when the New World Order is set up.
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Now that Yunus has won perhaps the next Darlington person in need of some support is Unison official Alan Doherty who I like quite a lot.
This is what happened to him.
http://www.socialist.net/unison-gives-alan-docherty-a-3-year-ban.htm
What ever happened to Unions being there for the benefit of the members?
Both Yunus and Alan have been attacked by their unions who collude with the bosses.
This is what happened to him.
http://www.socialist.net/unison-gives-alan-docherty-a-3-year-ban.htm
What ever happened to Unions being there for the benefit of the members?
Both Yunus and Alan have been attacked by their unions who collude with the bosses.
I have heard suggestions that Darlington is in so much financial mess that it is even contemplating selling off such iconic items as the Dolphin Centre and the Arts Centre .........................mind you that is about all that is left.
I remember the real reason why Beaumont Hill School was closed and PFI obtained to build the Education Village...........it was the sale of the land which they needed to pay off a £6 million deficit in 2003.
Watch this space for more news as we get it.
I remember the real reason why Beaumont Hill School was closed and PFI obtained to build the Education Village...........it was the sale of the land which they needed to pay off a £6 million deficit in 2003.
Watch this space for more news as we get it.
With the news that Alan Milburn, former MP for Darlington is to join the Coalition Government which given his capacity for reinvention, is perhaps not surprising, might there be 'room' for other such 'decent dignified people' to reinvigorate themselves?
For example, Nick Griffin could join the British League of Jewish Deputies?
Obama could join the KluKluxKlan?
Thatcher could apply to the Socialist Worker?
Why not with this news, clearly stranger things have happened!
Milburn should do well in a Government of political 'greyness' where people are prepared to compromise literally anything for power.....
For example, Nick Griffin could join the British League of Jewish Deputies?
Obama could join the KluKluxKlan?
Thatcher could apply to the Socialist Worker?
Why not with this news, clearly stranger things have happened!
Milburn should do well in a Government of political 'greyness' where people are prepared to compromise literally anything for power.....
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Is Britain more corrupt than France - yes according to Sarkozy!
Is he correct?
French President Nicolas Sarkozy has defended himself against allegations of corruption by bringing up the Westminster expenses scandal.
The president is facing the most devastating scandal of his political career, with accusations that Liliane Bettencourt, the 87-year-old L'Oreal heiress, is being investigated for giving Mr Sarkozy "envelopes stuffed with cash" just before he became president.
In exchange, Mr Sarkozy and labour minister Eric Woerth, then party treasurer, are alleged to have ignored her tax evasions.
Mr Sarkozy spent all weekend preparing for his television appearance in July in which he tried to convince voters that he was being slandered.
"France is not a corrupt country," he said.
"The political class, left and right alike, is in general honest. French public officials are people of great rigour.
"The most recent political scandal took place in Britain, not France."
Mr Sarkozy's poll ratings are at their lowest level since he came to power.
But what about Blair, Brown and now Cameron and Clegg?
Is he correct?
French President Nicolas Sarkozy has defended himself against allegations of corruption by bringing up the Westminster expenses scandal.
The president is facing the most devastating scandal of his political career, with accusations that Liliane Bettencourt, the 87-year-old L'Oreal heiress, is being investigated for giving Mr Sarkozy "envelopes stuffed with cash" just before he became president.
In exchange, Mr Sarkozy and labour minister Eric Woerth, then party treasurer, are alleged to have ignored her tax evasions.
Mr Sarkozy spent all weekend preparing for his television appearance in July in which he tried to convince voters that he was being slandered.
"France is not a corrupt country," he said.
"The political class, left and right alike, is in general honest. French public officials are people of great rigour.
"The most recent political scandal took place in Britain, not France."
Mr Sarkozy's poll ratings are at their lowest level since he came to power.
But what about Blair, Brown and now Cameron and Clegg?
Politics – a sobering tale
Gordon Brown dies and goes to Heaven and is met by Saint Peter, Peter say to him,
“We seldom see a Socialist around these parts, so we'renot sure what to do with you.”
'No problem, just let me in; I'm a good Christian; I'm a believer,' saysthe ex PM.
I'd like to just let you in, but I have orders from God Himself. He saysthat since the implementation of his new HEAVEN CHOICES policy, you have to spend one day in Hell and one day in Heaven. Then you must choose where you'll live for eternity.
''But I've already made up my mind. I want to be in Heaven,' replies Brown.
'I'm sorry ... But we have our rules,' Peter interjects. And, with that,St. Peter escorts him to an elevator and he goes down, down, down ...allthe way to Hell.
The doors open and he finds himself in the middle of a lush golf course.The sun is shining in a cloudless sky. The temperature is a perfect 22Cdegree. In the distance is a beautiful club-house. Standing in front of itis Harold Wilson and thousands of other Socialist luminaries who hadhelped him out over the years - John Smith, Michael Foot, Jim Callaghan,etc. The whole of the Labour Party leaders were there with everyonelaughing, happy and casually but expensively dressed.
They run to greet him, to hug him and to reminisce about the good timesthey had getting rich at the expense of 'suckers and peasants..'They play a friendly game of golf and then dine on lobster and caviar.
The Devil himself comes up to Brown with a frosty drink,
'Have a tequila and relax, Gord!
''Uh, I can't drink anymore, I took a pledge,' says Brown, dejectedly.
'This is Hell, son. You can drink and eat all you want and not worry and it just gets better from there!'
Brown takes the drink and finds himself liking the Devil, who he thinks is a really very friendly bloke who tells funny jokes, like himself, and pulls hilarious nasty pranks, kind of like the ones the Labour Party pulled withthe European Constitution and the Education, Immigration, Tough on Crime promises.
They are having such a great time that, before he realises it, it's timeto go.
Everyone gives him a big hug and waves as Brown steps on theelevator and heads upward.When the elevator door reopens, he is in Heaven again and Saint Peter is waiting for him.
'Now it's time to visit Heaven,' the old man says,opening the gate.
So for 24 hours Brown is made to hang out with a bunch of honest,good-natured people who enjoy each other's company, talk about thingsother than money and treat each other decently.
Not a nasty prank or short-arse joke among them. No fancy countryclubs here and, while the food tastes great, it's not caviar or lobster.And these people are all poor.
He doesn't see anybody he knows and he isn't even treated like someonespecial!'Whoa,' he says uncomfortably to himself. 'Harold Wilson never prepared me for this!'
The day done, Saint Peter returns and says, 'Well, you've spent a day inHell and a day in Heaven. Now choose where you want to live for Eternity.'
With the 'Deal or No Deal' theme playing softly in the background, Brownreflects for a minute ...
Then answers: 'Well, I would never have thoughtI'd say this -- I mean, Heaven has been delightful and all -- but I really think I belong in Hell with my friends.'
So Saint Peter escorts him to the elevator and he goes down, down, down,all the way to Hell.
The doors of the elevator open and he is in the middle of a barren scorched earth, covered with garbage and toxic industrial wasteland,looking a bit like the eroded, rabbit and fox affected Australian outback,but worse and more desolate.
He is horrified to see all of his friends, dressed in rags and chainedtogether, picking up the roadside rubbish and putting it into blackplastic bags. They are groaning and moaning in pain, faces and hands black with grime.
The Devil comes over to Brown and puts an arm around his shoulder.
'I don't understand,' stammers a shocked Brown, 'Yesterday I was here and there was a golf course and a club-house and we ate lobster and caviar and drank tequila. We lazed around and had a great time. Now there's just a wasteland full of garbage and everybody looks miserable!'
The Devil looks at him, smiles slyly and purrs,
'Yesterday we were campaigning; today you voted for us!'
Gordon Brown dies and goes to Heaven and is met by Saint Peter, Peter say to him,
“We seldom see a Socialist around these parts, so we'renot sure what to do with you.”
'No problem, just let me in; I'm a good Christian; I'm a believer,' saysthe ex PM.
I'd like to just let you in, but I have orders from God Himself. He saysthat since the implementation of his new HEAVEN CHOICES policy, you have to spend one day in Hell and one day in Heaven. Then you must choose where you'll live for eternity.
''But I've already made up my mind. I want to be in Heaven,' replies Brown.
'I'm sorry ... But we have our rules,' Peter interjects. And, with that,St. Peter escorts him to an elevator and he goes down, down, down ...allthe way to Hell.
The doors open and he finds himself in the middle of a lush golf course.The sun is shining in a cloudless sky. The temperature is a perfect 22Cdegree. In the distance is a beautiful club-house. Standing in front of itis Harold Wilson and thousands of other Socialist luminaries who hadhelped him out over the years - John Smith, Michael Foot, Jim Callaghan,etc. The whole of the Labour Party leaders were there with everyonelaughing, happy and casually but expensively dressed.
They run to greet him, to hug him and to reminisce about the good timesthey had getting rich at the expense of 'suckers and peasants..'They play a friendly game of golf and then dine on lobster and caviar.
The Devil himself comes up to Brown with a frosty drink,
'Have a tequila and relax, Gord!
''Uh, I can't drink anymore, I took a pledge,' says Brown, dejectedly.
'This is Hell, son. You can drink and eat all you want and not worry and it just gets better from there!'
Brown takes the drink and finds himself liking the Devil, who he thinks is a really very friendly bloke who tells funny jokes, like himself, and pulls hilarious nasty pranks, kind of like the ones the Labour Party pulled withthe European Constitution and the Education, Immigration, Tough on Crime promises.
They are having such a great time that, before he realises it, it's timeto go.
Everyone gives him a big hug and waves as Brown steps on theelevator and heads upward.When the elevator door reopens, he is in Heaven again and Saint Peter is waiting for him.
'Now it's time to visit Heaven,' the old man says,opening the gate.
So for 24 hours Brown is made to hang out with a bunch of honest,good-natured people who enjoy each other's company, talk about thingsother than money and treat each other decently.
Not a nasty prank or short-arse joke among them. No fancy countryclubs here and, while the food tastes great, it's not caviar or lobster.And these people are all poor.
He doesn't see anybody he knows and he isn't even treated like someonespecial!'Whoa,' he says uncomfortably to himself. 'Harold Wilson never prepared me for this!'
The day done, Saint Peter returns and says, 'Well, you've spent a day inHell and a day in Heaven. Now choose where you want to live for Eternity.'
With the 'Deal or No Deal' theme playing softly in the background, Brownreflects for a minute ...
Then answers: 'Well, I would never have thoughtI'd say this -- I mean, Heaven has been delightful and all -- but I really think I belong in Hell with my friends.'
So Saint Peter escorts him to the elevator and he goes down, down, down,all the way to Hell.
The doors of the elevator open and he is in the middle of a barren scorched earth, covered with garbage and toxic industrial wasteland,looking a bit like the eroded, rabbit and fox affected Australian outback,but worse and more desolate.
He is horrified to see all of his friends, dressed in rags and chainedtogether, picking up the roadside rubbish and putting it into blackplastic bags. They are groaning and moaning in pain, faces and hands black with grime.
The Devil comes over to Brown and puts an arm around his shoulder.
'I don't understand,' stammers a shocked Brown, 'Yesterday I was here and there was a golf course and a club-house and we ate lobster and caviar and drank tequila. We lazed around and had a great time. Now there's just a wasteland full of garbage and everybody looks miserable!'
The Devil looks at him, smiles slyly and purrs,
'Yesterday we were campaigning; today you voted for us!'
Enemies of the state? Are these really the sort of people we want to imprison?
Maya Evans 25
The chef was arrested at the Cenotaph in Whitehall reading out the names of 97 British soldiers killed in Iraq. She was the first person to be convicted under section 132 of the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act, which requires protesters to obtain police permission before demonstrating within one kilometre of Parliament.
Helen John 68, and Sylvia Boyes 62
The Greenham Common veterans were arrested in April by Ministry of Defence police after walking 15ft across the sentry line at the US military base at Menwith Hill in North Yorkshire. Protesters who breach any one of 10 military bases across Britain can be jailed for a year or fined £5,000.
Brian Haw 56
Mr Haw has become a fixture in Parliament Square with placards berating Tony Blair and President Bush. The Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 was designed mainly with his vigil in mind. After being arrested, he refused to enter a plea. However, Bow Street magistrates' court entered a not guilty plea on his behalf in May.
Maya Evans 25
The chef was arrested at the Cenotaph in Whitehall reading out the names of 97 British soldiers killed in Iraq. She was the first person to be convicted under section 132 of the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act, which requires protesters to obtain police permission before demonstrating within one kilometre of Parliament.
Helen John 68, and Sylvia Boyes 62
The Greenham Common veterans were arrested in April by Ministry of Defence police after walking 15ft across the sentry line at the US military base at Menwith Hill in North Yorkshire. Protesters who breach any one of 10 military bases across Britain can be jailed for a year or fined £5,000.
Brian Haw 56
Mr Haw has become a fixture in Parliament Square with placards berating Tony Blair and President Bush. The Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 was designed mainly with his vigil in mind. After being arrested, he refused to enter a plea. However, Bow Street magistrates' court entered a not guilty plea on his behalf in May.
Walter Wolfgang 82
The octogenarian heckled Jack Straw, the Foreign Secretary, during his speech to the Labour Party conference. He shouted "That's a lie" as Mr Straw justified keeping British troops in Iraq. He was manhandled by stewards and ejected from the Brighton Centre. He was briefly detained under Section 44 of the 2000 Terrorism Act.
The octogenarian heckled Jack Straw, the Foreign Secretary, during his speech to the Labour Party conference. He shouted "That's a lie" as Mr Straw justified keeping British troops in Iraq. He was manhandled by stewards and ejected from the Brighton Centre. He was briefly detained under Section 44 of the 2000 Terrorism Act.
As I sit watching the sport on TV(upstairs for reasons of domestic harmony or rather disharmony!), I have at last gotten around to posting on my blog.
I do not suppose many people will be interested but we shall see.
Since my web site was taken down by the host as being a bit controversial, we shall see how this goes and whether people want to hear about my world and things that happen to me on a daily basis.
My current concerns are cuts in the public sector and the dramatic effect it is having on the people I support - more anon.
Any way here goes with the blogging. Hope people will be interested.........
I do not suppose many people will be interested but we shall see.
Since my web site was taken down by the host as being a bit controversial, we shall see how this goes and whether people want to hear about my world and things that happen to me on a daily basis.
My current concerns are cuts in the public sector and the dramatic effect it is having on the people I support - more anon.
Any way here goes with the blogging. Hope people will be interested.........
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