Following the sudden resignation of the chief executive of SCC last November and the subsequent resignation of the leader of the council a man called Michael Frater was brought in to act as interim chief executive - a position he occupied until the end of June.
Frater has had a very distinguished career in local government and was awarded a CBE in recognition of his service to local government. When Frater's term of office ended after six months he prepared a report summarising his views of how the council operates, among his conclusions are:
- The bosses were "superior and arrogant"
- The council runs on the basis of blame and bullying
- Is unsophisticated
- Is in denial following its demotion to a one star authority
- Is bureaucratic
- Lacks vision and strategy
- Has an absence of leadership
- Worst case of financial mismanagement he (Frater) had seen
- There is a whole systems failure
The report was on the agenda to be discussed at SCC's July 14 meeting as item six. At the meeting this item was not discussed.
Although it's quite well hidden away the report is on SCC website and provided you're not a nervous type you can read it, go to: SCC website, click 'Your Council' on the home page, the 'Councillors & Committees' then 'Cabinet', then 'What's being discussed' and then 14.7.09 meeting, agenda item six. Here you will find Frater's 12-page report - quite simply it's devastating.
And to think that during the last 12-years this wretched council that boasts of being one of Britain's largest and best authorities has been effectively wasting our money which amounts to about £1billion every year - what miserable lot, hopefully the new management will do a little bit better.
Thanks for this (whomever you are!); how utterly damning. Feeling the need to confirm what you say, I tried to follow your directions but drew a blank after 'Cabinet' with no reference to 'What's being discussed' being visible. Wonder if it's fair to assume that your comment has prompted its invisibility?! Assuming it's not just my inability to find it.
ReplyDeleteCeebie
ReplyDeleteIt's still there but it does seem to require extra effort: when you have followed the above and clicked 'cabinet' look for 2009 and click it, then click July, then 14/07/2009 and you should then be able to see item 6.
Alternatively follow the link below to the London Evening Standard who ran the best part of a page on the subject August 14.
http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-23732345-details/Bullying+and+obsession+with+red+tape+to+blame+for+Conservative+council+'hell'/article.do
Thanks, C.a.d. Did the 'Surrey Ad' feature the report....if not, why not?
ReplyDeleteTo their credit yes the Surrey Ad did cover the report in some considerable detail on July 24 and some correspondence has continued ever since. I guess SCC are not very keen to see it widely discussed. Understandable really!
ReplyDeleteThanks again C.a.d.; accessed Standard report no probs.; no '2009' on the 'Cabinet' page to click!
ReplyDeleteDon't understand that, but I confess they seem tpo be making it more difficult to find. If you want a copy left for you using your 'Ceebie' title just let me know and I'll drop it off in a shop, pub, coffee bar, etc.
ReplyDeleteKind offer appreciated but don't worry thanks, now I've seen the horrific gist of it! Re anonimity, I'm quite happy for it to be known that I'm contactable through dorkingabout.com.
ReplyDeleteFrater has revamped the same old report wherever he goes. He then grabs the money and runs on to his next temporary appointment.
ReplyDelete