Happy Families
Starting with yesterday, a pleasant thirty minutes at lunchtime at the GMITA (Greater Manchester Integrated Transport Authority) Christmas bash, and as you would expect at any event under the auspices of Councillor Keith Whitmore, the food (at MOSI) was good too.
Then to Warrington and more weighty matters, a meeting of the RST. Even I don't know what that stands for except the R is for Regional and it is a meeting between the RDA, GONW, HCA, RHA, and the Regional Leaders Board. The main item is to agree the consultation draft of the new all-singing, all-dancing Regional Strategy, the document that will amongst other things replace the Regional Spacial Strategy and the Regional Economic Strategy. There are four big themes, climate change, competitiveness, people and skills, and quality of place and a number of big, difficult questions we are looking to answer. Still awake? I hope so because this document is important - so much so people that have begun to lobby on it before it's even finished - and it will be out in the New Year and will hopefully stimulate real debate about the future of the North West.
More good cheer at Sir Gerald Kaufman's Christmas Party starring as ever Gerald himself and the French Quarter New Orleans Jazz Band. Have to leave after the bingo just two numbers short of a full house.
This morning is a short tram ride to Bury for AGMA Executive. This is normally the last Friday in the month but for some reason it's been moved forward a week this month. We formally ratify the City Region Agreement with government and regional minister Phil Woolas comes along to sign on behalf of HMG. The level of devolution we will get will depend on new governance arrangements and there is a positive discussion though not yet unanimity on this. Everybody is very friendly, but the Manchester family like any other can fall out big style. Not today! An interesting item is a report from the Business Leadership Council on what we are doing to help larger companies in the city-region. On the whole it's very positive but does make some recommendations on how we could do even better. We've promised them a response by February.
So much good cheer about might go to the pub (it is 5pm on a Friday night so I'm not ducking off early).
20/12/2009
So who paid for the GMITA bash ?
21/12/2009
"mark Says:
20/12/2009
So who paid for the GMITA bash ?"
Yawn. Might as well introduce a drop down list of predictable comments.
21/12/2009
Just a note are all these groups the ones David Cameroun says he will get rid off unelected quangos.
22/12/2009
Sorry Ian but Mr Cameron will have to answer that
22/12/2009
Ian its the Labour Party here thank god.
22/12/2009
Perhaps Mr Leese could say who paid for the GMITA bash. Is it the same taxpayer that is forking out £4m for consultancy and an 'interim' MD from Earnest and Young at the PTE ?
22/12/2009
Snowy - so taxpayers shouldn't query what their money is spent on, or they shouldn't be doing it in public? To be quite honest comments to Sir Richard's blog will always fly both ways so am not sure what you are expecting.
23/12/2009
GMITA = the same body that is proposing further bus lanes along Rochdale Road. Resident's have received a letter from Graham Stringer MP, expressing his concern over the proposals,the lack of public consultation and the woeful lack of any research undertaken on the impact this would have to local residents on the streets surrounding the area. Graham makes the very pertinent point that the main beneficiary of such a scheme would be the private bus companies, which as anyone who has to rely on these will tell you, run services solely on a profit basis and not the needs of the travelling public. So Mr Lees, are not really interested in your cosy little world of meetings and lunches. You are an ellected representative, start representing.
23/12/2009
Why won't Mr Leese answer the question about who paid for the GMTA bash ?
He is quick enough to make comments about David Cameron though.
23/12/2009
FRONT OF HOUSE AT THE TOWN HALL GET nothing IN THE WAY OF CHRISTMAS CHEER AGAIN NOT SO MUCH AS A XMAS CARD PRETTY POOR SHOW HAVING SECURED WORLD CLASS SERVICE AWARDS FOR THE THIRD CONSECUTIVE YEAR HOW SAD THAT A DEPARTMENT WITH THE BEST OF STAFF HAS THE WORST OF MANAGEMENT JUST SIMPLY P POOR
23/12/2009
Terry
At least they have jobs more than most people who use their services.
23/12/2009
Looks like the hard working staff get no thanks at Christmas while the Councillors get to go to MOSI and on junkets to Los Angeles
24/12/2009
29 years service of enjoying the goodwill of being sent home earlier on Christmas Eve only to move to MEAP where this doesn't happen.
04/01/2010
Elaine
Does this mean you went early for 29 years then o the joy of working for the council!
06/01/2010
Re Elaine:
You are employed by Manchester City Council and therefore by the taxpayer.
It is only fair to expect you to give a full days work for a full days pay.
Well done Manchester Equipment and Adapatations Partnership for your honesty.
06/01/2010
Sory Mark and Manclad, I was there as an invited guest
12/01/2010
Terry, most people are happy just getting their wages for coming to work... you should try it!!