News reaches the Lie Factory, that Cllr. Ian Cruise (remember him?) and Cllr. Steve Bedser threw their toys of their pram last night after the Northfield Constituency Committee (of which they are members) refused to allow its deliberations to be used for inaccurate political muck-raking and grandstanding by the Labour duo.
Despite the agenda affording an adequate opportunity for local representatives and local residents to use a "soapbox" facility and to raise matters of urgent local concern, Cruise and Bedser stormed out of the meeting which was held in Rednal. This left the people of Kings Norton and Longbridge without their full complement of councillors contributing to an important agenda.
Bedser and Cruise through their non-appearance showed that they care little for greater community involvement in the delivery of ambulance services in their area. They showed a distinct disinterest in questioning planning and regeneration officers about the City's 2026 Core Strategy and how it will affect their constituents' lives.
But perhaps the most disgusting aspect of their non-presence was that yet again the Labour Party in Northfield showed that they couldn't give a stuff about the quality of life of their residents. The Conservatives in Northfield have long made the provision of Neighbourhood Workers a priority when looking at what can be done to keep the constituency clean. The Constituency committee planned to discuss an extension of this project and to rubber stamp each Ward's contribution towards the employment of these vitally important people.
The non-presence of Cruise and Bedser was a shocking dereliction of duty. Through their actions they told their residents that they couldn't give a toss whether local neighbourhoods were kept clean. Bedser of course has "previous" stating in an e-mail to his fellow councillors in January that it wasn't his job to report refuse bag spillage.
Luckily for the people of Longbridge, Weoley and Kings Norton, they have an opportunity to return councillors seriously committed to keeping their wards clean. Cllrs Keith Barton, Adrian Delaney and Barbara Wood deserve to be returned in May with increased majorities.
SOCIALISTS HAPPY WITH THEIR WARDS BEING RUBBISH TIPS SHOULDN'T PROSPER.