Author: John Brace

New media journalist from Birkenhead, England who writes about Wirral Council. Published and promoted by John Brace, 134 Boundary Road, Bidston, CH43 7PH. Printed by UK Webhosting Ltd t/a Tsohost, 113-114 Buckingham Avenue, Slough, Berkshire, England, SL1 4PF.

What happened at Wirral Council’s Cabinet meeting held on the 25th November 2019?

What happened at Wirral Council’s Cabinet meeting held on the 25th November 2019?

What happened at Wirral Council’s Cabinet meeting held on the 25th November 2019?

                                       

Cabinet (Wirral Council) 25th November 2019 (left Vicki Shaw, right Cllr Pat Hackett)
Cabinet (Wirral Council) 25th November 2019 (left Vicki Shaw, right Cllr Pat Hackett)

On Monday morning (25th November 2019) Wallasey Town Hall had a “Preparing for Retirement” course running in Committee Room 2 and in the One Stop Shop the public were explaining why they were struggling to pay their council tax.

Wirral Council’s Cabinet (which was on borrowed time and would itself cease to exist in around 6 months time) met for a somewhat brief 18 minutes in public (video of the meeting can be watched below).
Continue reading “What happened at Wirral Council’s Cabinet meeting held on the 25th November 2019?”

Memoirs – Chapter 2 – School Days and “policies”

Memoirs – Chapter 2 – School Days and “policies”

Memoirs – Chapter 2 – School Days and “policies”

                                     

Ballot Box
Ballot Box

Continuing from Memoirs – Chapter 1 – SAPE, the Russian Doll problem and the “black budget” of Merseyside Police I’m now moving on to school days and policies.

When I was ten (now called national curriculum year 6) I changed primary school from St Josephs Upton to St Josephs Birkenhead. This was nearly three decades ago and the year was 1991.

Each school had slightly different policies – I came from a family interested in politics though where policies were discussed and debated.
Continue reading “Memoirs – Chapter 2 – School Days and “policies””

Memoirs – Chapter 1 – SAPE, the Russian Doll problem and the “black budget” of Merseyside Police

Memoirs – Chapter 1 – SAPE, the Russian Doll problem and the “black budget” of Merseyside Police

Memoirs – Chapter 1 – SAPE, the Russian Doll problem and the “black budget” of Merseyside Police

                            

Memoirs – Chapter 1 – SAPE, the Russian Doll problem and the “black budget” of Merseyside Police

The SAPE problem had deliberately hidden itself in code like a Russian Doll inside another Russian Doll (with the smaller Russian Doll pretending to be something it wasn’t). Unauthorised code shouldn’t be there, it had turned up in a regular security test.
Continue reading “Memoirs – Chapter 1 – SAPE, the Russian Doll problem and the “black budget” of Merseyside Police”

Isn’t it about time for a positive media story about the disabled?

Isn’t it about time for a positive media story about the disabled?

Isn’t it about time for a positive media story about the disabled?

HM Court and Tribunal Service letter (PIP Appeal) redacted
HM Court and Tribunal Service letter (PIP Appeal) redacted

I’m writing this piece to address what I perceive as an current imbalance in media coverage on disability issues and so that people hopefully have a better understanding. Indeed it’s something I’m struggling to fully understand myself as I generally report on local government.
Continue reading “Isn’t it about time for a positive media story about the disabled?”

Shaer Halewood explained to Wirral Council councillors why there is a “spending freeze” on “discretionary spending” due to projected £7-£12 million overspend

Shaer Halewood explained to Wirral Council councillors why there is a “spending freeze” on “discretionary spending” due to projected £7-£12 million overspend

Shaer Halewood explained to Wirral Council councillors why there is a “spending freeze” on “discretionary spending” due to projected £7-£12 million overspend

                                          

Wirral Council's Audit and Risk Management Committee (18th November 2019) Shaer Halewood (right) Cllr Jeff Green (left)
Wirral Council’s Audit and Risk Management Committee (18th November 2019) Shaer Halewood (right) Cllr Jeff Green (left)

Public meetings of Wirral Council’s Audit and Risk Management Committee aren’t usually interesting but yesterday evening’s meeting aired a lot of Wirral Council’s dirty laundry in public.
Continue reading “Shaer Halewood explained to Wirral Council councillors why there is a “spending freeze” on “discretionary spending” due to projected £7-£12 million overspend”

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