Dear Councillor Smith
The local MP is Andrew Stunell, ’nuff said, chocolate teapot. Mr. Parnell waited all day in the Greater Manchester Police Headquarters to see the Chief Constable (but it might have been the dead one) without success. He has written too, as far as I am aware.
It may not be a satisfactory state of affairs that organisations funded by the LA don’t want to bite the hand that feeds them, but it would appear to be the case.
I don’t think Mike button-holes people – he may do to councillors or council officials but they are paid to serve. I don’t think he does it to members of the public anyway. He just wanted some support with regards to counselling for his troubled daughters. Because of a foul-up on behalf of SMBC they are not registered anywhere. I know how troubled teenagers can be a handful and how a small amount of intervention can help – and his daughters suffered a lot at the hands of their birth parents and the authorities. It wasn’t much to ask for over a decade ago, was it? Especially as in taking two troubled children, he must have saved SMBC a fortune as they would have otherwise been in care.
Did you read the letter from the parent of the disabled child in the Express – yet another one. They Council doesn’t listen.
Next time I see Mike I will ask him to write to you and to keep it simple. Many thanks for your offer of an ear, at least.
With regards to my financial question I have been asking for a year, which Tiddles promised me an answer to at the Dec 4th full council meeting and again on 5th Feb. I have just got yet another slapped legs letter from Barry Khan refusing to answer. Oh well, off I go again to the Information Commission. I usually win, but the IC are so busy it will probably take another year before they are forced to own up to the dodgy goings on regarding several millions of pounds.
Kind regards
Sheila
—– Original Message —–
From: Cllr Ann Smith
To: Sheila Oliver
Sent: Wednesday, February 11, 2009 7:26 PM
Subject: RE: Mr Parnell
Dear Sheila
I have to say that I am more than a little surprised that the Ombudsman has not responded with a judgement. I assume Mr Parnell has pursued this with the Ombudsman. If he is not satisfied with the service then he really needs to approach his MP.
The local CAB would be astonished to hear that because a proportion of their funding may come from the Local Authority, this would prevent them from giving clear, unbiased and objective advice and the same goes for the police. I don’t know how we would manage to have a local police force or a thriving voluntary sector if there was no public funding. Where on earth is funding supposed to come from? If Mr Parnell wants to speak to a police officer then he should try making an appointment rather than buttonholing them on the way out of a meeting. Mr Parnell does that a lot and while it doesn’t necessarily bother me, it may bother others. Much better to write to individuals if there is a problem.
I have asked a few questions about the problems of Mr Parnell and have not gleaned much information. I was told that there was a problem with him claiming some benefits because he was a foster parent and thus, was above the income threshold for whatever benefit it was. If this is so then this is another problem for an MP. The local council don’t make the rules about welfare benefits, just try to administer some of them and if someone is refused benefit there is an appeal process. Welfare Rights presumably have advised Mr Parnell of his rights.
If he wants to write to me telling me simply and briefly what his problem is then I may have a clue as to where I may be able to refer him. I cannot however make any promises. I know that people have tried to provide assistance and have failed.
On the whole, I have always found the Council to be very anxious to listen to people’s complaints and to be supportive and conciliatory. I am surprised that this matter continues to go on and on whatever it may be.
Ann Smith
From: Sheila Oliver [mailto:sheilaoliver@ntlworld.com]
Sent: Sun 08/02/2009 15:13
To: Cllr Ann Smith
Subject: Re: Mr Parnell
Dear Councillor Smith
I don’t know if you know, I didn’t, that Local Ombudsmen are usually former senior council officials with an interest in not rocking the boat. I used to work for the Chief Executive of Manchester City Council and the Lord Mayor – I was just a temp but stayed for years as an afternoon job. I know Anne Seex, our Ombudslady, was there when I was there – maybe 1996ish. I don’t think she was an outstanding employee and there were some amazing people there at the time – Euro 96, the Manchester bomb, preparing for the Commonwealth Games etc. Yes, Mr. Parnell’s case has been with the Ombudsman for many years, as has our school on the toxic waste site one, without any progress being made.
Mr. Parnell does not claim any benefits and therefore I believe is not entitled to any Legal Aid. Indeed, he is having to represent himself in the court case (as you know, after the 50 now arrests he is charged with assaulting a council employee with a sneeze with intent to inflict him with a cold – what a waste of taxpayers’ money!) The council has told him they will not allow him to speak to any council officer without a legal representative present. How could he afford one? He has lost his job due to what has happened to him over the last 10 years. The CAB is funded by the Council, as are the local police. He tried to speak to the Chief Constable as he left this week’s full council meeting but a council heavy prevented him from doing so. Maybe the Law Centre in Longsight (presumably not funded by SMBC might be an idea) – thanks for that I will tell Mr. Parnell.
I read the comments of Ms Shoesmith and also felt some sympathy for her. My feeling is we should not all retract into our shells when things go wrong but learn from the mistakes, try not to attach blame and try to make things better next time
The knitted Cllr Goddard, or Listening Dave as we should more correctly call him, would be very cuddly.
I too am not a very good knitter. I stay with scarves basically. I am a bit better at crochet, but am still capable of producing items which cause me great embarrassment.
Yes, I think it would be wiser not to knit in council meetings but to gaze up with rapt attention at Tiddles, Cllr Weldon, Cllr Derbyshire et al and bask in their loving benevolence as they steer the Stockport ship of state ever upwards and onwards to even higher levels of greatness.
Lots of love
Sheila
—–
From: Cllr Ann Smith
To: Sheila Oliver
Sent: Sunday, February 08, 2009 12:37 PM
Subject: RE: Mr Parnell
I hank it was only the Children and Young People’s Division at Haringey that was judged as being OK and I do take your point about Baby P. That point has been raised in various meetings that I have attended. I listened to part of the interview with the ex Director at Haringey yesterday I think her name is Ms Shoesmith, and was interested to hear an alternative point of view from her. In my experience, these matters are never as cut and dried as the media/politicians would like to make out. I think most people who have any responsibility in whatever way for Children’s services experience great worry and concern that something may go wrong with their service. I know I do.
Can I ask whether Mr Parnell has been to the Ombudsman or elsewhere with his complaints? And has he ever asked for legal advice regarding his situation. I realise that legal advice is expensive but there is CAB and the Law Centre in Longsight where they don’t charge.
To me this would seem like the obvious route to take but maybe he already has.
I am trying to imagine a knitted David Goddard. What a scream. I challenge you to do it. I’m sure you could find sufficient stuffing it you tried.
I used to knit a lot although was never very good at it. I have been considering taking it up again recently but it does take up a fair bit of time and I think these days would be expensive. Haven’t completely given up on the idea but I think I wouldn’t be doing it at Council meetings. I think that would go down like a lead balloon both with Members of the Council and with Members of the Public. I can just imagine the story in the local rag.
Ann Smith
From: Sheila Oliver [mailto:sheilaoliver@ntlworld.com]
Sent: Fri 06/02/2009 17:45
To: Cllr Ann Smith
Subject: Re: Mr Parnell
Dear Councillor Smith
Do start council meeting knitting; that would be brilliantI know Cllr Weldon sends his emails during the meeting, so why not (he has emailed me during a full council meeting). The reporter, Peter Devine, told me last night there is a knit-in happening at Chadkirk Chapel so I might go along. I think I will knit a Councillor Goddard, if I can get enough stuffing.
Wonderful if you make your own enquiries about Mike Parnell – that is just what we need.
The Council won’t get a bad report if it never acknowledges official complaints, will it? Scullion still hasn’t acknowledged receipt of mine since July over several million pounds. Also maybe you should speak to the parents of the autistic children regarding what has happened to them. I can give you their email addresses if you want. Don’t forget Haringey got a glowing report too before Baby P died. I would love the Council to get things right because people would have a better quality of life, the council tax wouldn’t be wasted and I could go back to reading and tackling the damn Himalayan Balsam everywhere.
Lots of love
Sheila
—– Original Message —–
From: Cllr Ann Smith
To: Sheila Oliver
Sent: Friday, February 06, 2009 1:07 PM
Subject: RE: Mr Parnell
Thank you for your reply.
I heard your comments at Council last night but was more intrigued by the knitting. Brilliant idea particularly when things get a touch tedious.
Will have to make my own enquiries re your comments and draw my own conclusions.
Incidentally, in the light of your campaign against the Lib Dem Group, the news of Stockport Council’s latest performance assessment – 4* and improving – wouldn’t have gladdened your heart presumably. However, we must be getting something right.
Ann Smith
From: Sheila Oliver [mailto:sheilaoliver@ntlworld.com]
Sent: Wed 04/02/2009 18:17
To: Cllr Ann Smith
Subject: Re: Mr Parnell
Dear Councillor Smith
Thanks for your response.
I think when I saw people had elected another LibDem I just blotted the details from my mind. I haven’t heard you make any contribution in full council meetings, but maybe I missed it if you did.
Mr. Parnell is the pressing issue at the moment. The most significant thing that has happened to him has has happened since you have been a councillor. For background, he adopted two troubled daughters, which was an out of area adoption. Due to a foul-up on behalf of SMBC these girls were never officially registered with Stockport. As these poor young ladies hit problems because of their past life, Mr. Parnell merely asked for some counselling help for them. I think that was a decade ago. If they had remained in care they would have cost SMBC a fortune. After getting nowhere for years he started his protest, maybe one and a half years ago. He is, I am sure you will realise, a decent and gentle chap. SMBC has had him arrested 44 times and he is currently awaiting trial on charges of assault on a council employee with a sneeze with intent to infect him with a cold. Mr. Parnell has been taken to court before by the Council and had the proceedings dropped on the day of the hearing. This time it will have to go through to the bitter end. The Council is trying to criminalise and break this very simple, gentle man. You could look into what has happened, it is all a matter of record, and speak out against what is happening to him. The LibDem Executive Councillors have repeatedly refused to do so.
I am trying to find out if the lady who jumped off the Humber Bridge with her 9 year old autistic son had similar problems with the Council to Mr. Parnell.
There are other problems. The houses in Bredbury are already slipping into the coalmines below. I merely asked the LibDem Bredbury Councillors to read the A6 Bypass geological survey, which pointed to the further problems local residents would have if the road goes ahead. They couldn’t be bothered.
The local residents around Aquinas were telling me the other night how the local LibDem councillors were all over them like a rash before the election. Now they are having major problems, there is no sign of Cllrs Derbyshire or Humphreys.
If you look around Offerton (entirely LIbDem councillors), especially the Precinct, I would be astonished if you could point to any improvement the councillors have made. I managed to get £80,000 for children’s play equipment by putting the squeeze on a council officer. Cllr Meikle claimed she had got the money. She had done diddly squat.
At a past budget meeting where there was a £10 million shortfall, Cllr Derbyshire hadn’t read the documents with regard to her own transport portfolio at the Executive Meeting a few days before and she hadn’t read them for the Full Council meeting later in the week. This was over an issue she thought was £425 million and it was actually , I think but can check, £665 million. “Where does Mrs. Oliver get these ridiculous figures?” she asked. From the documents in front of her that she should have read (twice).
At that same budget meeting, two severely mentally handicapped people addressed the full council meeting (which must have taken guts). The Council was going to close a special centre where they could look after their baby. (Obviously, it wouldn’t be safe to leave the baby with them unsupervised). They begged the Council not to close the centre. At that same meeting, despite the £10 million deficit, councillors voted themselves an increase, which I believe none of the Tory councillors accepted for themselves.
Add to that the fact that we are paying millions and millions of pounds over the odds to put children’s lives in danger regarding the Harcourt Street school, and that I have been asking for a year now for an explanation of these financial anomalies, it is impossible for me to have any respect for the ruling LibDem councillors. In trying to expose these funny goings on I have been banned, threatened with exposure in the press, and had an illegal FOI ban put on me and everyone else in the town – just to stop me getting at any documents. If you are going to be a breath of fresh air, then I am delighted.
At a full council meeting I saw Cllr Candler gesture rudely to the local people in the gallery (people who pay his £35,000 pa) over his shoulder and accuse them of planting asbestos on the site.
If you want to see documentary evidence of what I am saying, particularly about the danger to children, let me know and I will show you anytime.
I don’t see any desire to serve the community from the LibDems and I have seen the money-grabbing.
Jolly good news re your Tesco commitment. Thanks very much. I always stand up to bullies, always have, always will.
Kind regards
Sheila
—– Original Message —–
From: Cllr Ann Smith
To: Sheila Oliver
Sent: Wednesday, February 04, 2009 3:24 PM
Subject: RE: Mr Parnell
Thank you for this.
It may be that you have experienced difficulties in your dealings with Stockport Council. If so, I do not know what they are any more than I know what Mr Parnell’s problems are.
Whatever has taken place did so when I was not a member of the Council.
Sorry if my existence was not known to you and indeed, why should it, except that your vehement dislike of all things Liberal Democrat/Stockport Council makes it a little strange that you do not inform yourself as to who it is that is being targeted in your vitriolic comments.
Incidentally, I don’t believe that you intended the term ‘simple’ to be interpreted in the way that you say you meant. You have never struck me as striving for simpliciity if your comments and campaigns are anything to go by.
I was impressed by your very successful campaign against Tesco and have never shopped at Tesco or used any Tesco product since that time. I just wish that someone having your level of energy and commitment would stand for the Council/Parliament/Europe instead of the rather silly sniping from the sidelines which you seem to get so much pleasure from.
I have a real problem with the stererotyping that your comments betray. Politicians, whether local or national are very used to the line that all politicians are motivated by less than honourable intentions and that we are all on the make. But to have this line peddled by an obviously intelligent person such as you is very sad.
I have been involved in local politics for many years and have not found that politicians are that much different from the rest of the community. In other words, most are there because they genuinely care about the people they represent. Inevitably, there will be exceptions but in my experience (more than 25 years) they are very rare indeed. Indeed, with the level of accountability required from local councillors, it would take more guile and energy than most of could muster to abuse the system.
If you are really serious about the issues you publicise then maybe you should be a little more aware of the impression you create with your comments which the press delight in reporting.Of course they do. But it all comes across as somewhat vicious and hysterical and therefore not to be taken seriously.
I assume that whatever your issues with Stockport Council, you have approached the Ombudsman/Standards Board and that you have had a response. I assume also that if the response was not to your liking, that you have approached local members of parliament, both Lib Dem and Labour for their assistance notwithstanding the fact that we are all, at the end of the day, a waste of space.
Cllr Ann Smith
From: Sheila Oliver [mailto:sheilaoliver@ntlworld.com]
Sent: Mon 02/02/2009 20:05
To: Cllr Ann Smith
Subject: Mr Parnell
Dear Councillor Smith
Mr Parnell told me you were upset by my comments in the Guardian and the Express. I didn’t mean you – to be honest I didn’t know you existed.
I have extensive experience of how awful the LibDems are at representing the people of Stockport, how they are willing to put children’s lives at risk and how they condone the appalling treatment of Mr. Parnell.
I can give you masses of documentary evidence should you be interested. I would be delighted if there was one LibDem willing to work for local people. I voted LibDem for 25 years; how daft am I?
If you are interested I look forward to hearing from you.
By the way, to be simple is a good thing. I aim for simplicity in my life.
Kind regards
Sheila
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