Expense claim forms for Councillor John Hale (Wirral Council) 2013 to 2014

Expense claim forms for Councillor John Hale (Wirral Council) 2013 to 2014

Expense claim forms for Councillor John Hale (Wirral Council) 2013 to 2014

                                                   

Carrying on with the series of councillor’s expense claim forms we get to councillors whose surnames begin with H and the first one of those is Councillor John Hale. Councillor John Hale is a Conservative Party councillor for the ward of Hoylake and Meols (that’s the name of one ward not two different wards). He’s been a councillor since 1975 and according to Wirral Council’s website apart from a few months in 1999 has been a councillor for nearly all that time.

He’s one of Wirral Council’s representatives on the Merseyside Police and Crime Panel who earlier this year banned filming at one of their meetings in Birkenhead Town Hall. The Merseyside Police and Crime Panel most recent meeting on September 4th 2014 could be filmed (however we weren’t at it). I will however point out that Councillor John Hale was a member of the Merseyside Police and Crime Panel but wasn’t present at the meeting of 24th April 2014 when that filming decision was made by Councillors Frank Prendergast (Everton, Liverpool City Council (Labour)), Peter Brennan (Old Swan, Liverpool City Council (Labour)), Doreen Kerrigan (Linacre, Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council (Labour)) and Moira McLaughlin (Rock Ferry, Metropolitan Borough of Wirral (Labour)).

However in a cunning move the “powers that be” (Knowsley is the host authority for the Merseyside Police and Crime Panel), made sure that future meetings of the Merseyside Police and Crime Panel are now held in Huyton (reason given was “cost grounds” at the public meeting I wasn’t allowed to film earlier this year) which when you consider this increases the costs of many councillors’ expenses claims travelling there, Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner’s staff travel costs etc it would seem to be a rather spurious claim as although Knowsley said they could get their own Council Chamber for “free”, it’ll still form part of the administrative costs I’m sure they’ll claim back from the Home Office.

It seems a common theme that the increased costs of doing things differently are never brought up in a public meeting (which let’s face it in many places are run for the convenience of officers and councillors not the “public” who often aren’t even there) just the supposed “savings”. After all Knowsley officers had a very long briefing (in private) with the four councillors before the meeting started and one can only guess (from what was during the public meeting that they wouldn’t allow to be filmed which is a decision that didn’t even make the official minutes) that the officers persuaded them to hold future public meetings where officers work (therefore Knowsley officers wouldn’t have to travel much to different bits of Merseyside but the many people on the Panel, whether independent members or councillors, Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner’s staff and everyone else going to this meeting would have to travel further) and not holding it at a more central place in Merseyside. I assume it’s Wirral Council paying these travel costs (for its councillors on the Panel) because nobody has ever told me whether these expenses are recharged back to Knowsley (as the host authority).

What however is interesting to note is that Knowsley Council received £53,000 in 2013/14 for the administration costs of the Merseyside Police and Crime Panel and £11,040 for those on it (which is up to £920 per panel member for expenses) from the Home Office.

Maybe Knowsley think the room hire cost for Birkenhead Town Hall is just too extortionate when you consider Knowsley are only receiving a paltry £53,000 from the Home Office!

However peering into the murk of Wirral Council councillor’s expense claims, it’s now unclear whether Councillor John Hale’s expense claim to Wirral Council for travelling to the Merseyside Police and Crime Panel are (or have been) recharged back to the host authority Knowsley or not. Certainly if Knowsley is getting “up to £920 per member for expenses” it would seem terribly unfair for Wirral residents to be footing the bill through both national and local taxes whilst Knowsley gets the money. It’s something I’ll have to ask Wirral Council’s auditor Grant Thornton about though as I’m unsure.

Its predecessor body (before the Police and Crime Commissioner elections in November 2012) the Merseyside Police Authority met in Liverpool City Centre. However from what I remember the new Police and Crime Commissioner Jane Kennedy as far as I know decided that the building the Merseyside Police Authority used to meet in wasn’t needed. Public meetings involving the Merseyside Police now happen in a variety of different locations.

Huyton, from a historical perspective is part of Lancashire and we both half wondered if this came about because in Birkenhead Town Hall (whilst waiting for the briefing to finish) we both said in earshot of a Knowsley Borough Council employee that if they had the Merseyside Police and Crime Panel as far away as Huyton that we probably wouldn’t be able to get to its public meetings.

This is just one aspect of his expenses claim though but if expenses aren’t currently being recharged back to Knowsley it may represent a small saving to Wirral Council if it was. It’s certainly a question I should ask of Wirral Council’s auditors.

Below are Councillor John Hale’s expense claim forms.

Cllr John Hale expenses claim 2013 2014 page 1
Cllr John Hale expenses claim 2013 2014 page 1
Cllr John Hale expenses claim 2013 2014 page 2
Cllr John Hale expenses claim 2013 2014 page 2
https://johnbrace.files.wordpress.com/2014/09/cllr-john-hale-expenses-claim-2013-2014-page-3.jpg
https://johnbrace.files.wordpress.com/2014/09/cllr-john-hale-expenses-claim-2013-2014-page-3.jpg
Cllr John Hale expenses claim 2013 2014 page 4
Cllr John Hale expenses claim 2013 2014 page 4
Cllr John Hale expenses claim 2013 2014 page 5
Cllr John Hale expenses claim 2013 2014 page 5

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Police and Crime Commissioner (Merseyside) Election Results

Police and Crime Commissioner (Merseyside) Election Results

Election Candidate Party 1st Choice Votes
Geoff Gubb Conservative Party 15,870
Hilary Jane Jones UK Independence Party 8,704
Paula Keaveney Liberal Democrat 9,192
Jane Kennedy Labour Party 70,844 (ELECTED)
Kiron Reid Independent 14,379
Paul Duane Rimmer English Democrats “More Police – Catching Criminals” 7,142
 Total 123,256

Rejected ballot papers: 2,915
Electorate: 1,014,183
Total votes: 126,171
Turnout: 12.4%

Police and Crime Commissioner (Merseyside) Poll: Who do you think you would be most likely to vote for?

Poll on 2012 Merseyside Police and Crime Commissioner election candidates Geoff Gubb | Hilary Jane Jones | Paula Clare Keaveney | Jane Kennedy | Kiron Reid | Paul Duane Rimmer


Declaration of Interest: The author is an elector in this election.

Police and Crime Commissioner 2012 (Merseyside) Elections: Election Statements & Photos | Geoff Gubb | Hilary Jane Jones | Paula Clare Keaveney | Jane Kennedy | Kiron Reid | Paul Duane Rimmer

Police and Crime Commissioner 2012 (Merseyside Police Force Area) Elections: Election Statements & Photos | Geoff Gubb | Hilary Jane Jones | Paula Clare Keaveney | Jane Kennedy | Kiron Reid | Paul Duane Rimmer

Here are photos of the candidates standing in the Merseyside Police Force Area for Police and Crime Commissioner in 2012 and their election statements (in alphabetical order). The source (with a better layout) for the photos and statements is the Choose my PCC website.

Photo and logo (if available) of candidate Election Statement
Geoffrey Gubb
Conservatives
The Conservative Party Candidate

Geoff Gubb

Election statement:

Electing a Police & Crime Commissioner will mean that, for the first time, you will be able to hold one person to account for the policing of Merseyside. This will bring about not only greater transparency to policing, but a means to challenge, as well as support the police, in their job – to cut crime and make Merseyside a safer place in which to live and work.

Among my priorities if I’m elected will be to:

  • Adopt a zero tolerance approach towards drug and alcohol abuse.
  • Support and enhance those voluntary and other organisations working with, and caring for, the victims of all crime.
  • Further develop ways to reduce the number of offenders re-offending.
  • Listen to and act on the views of young people in Merseyside on their expectations and perceptions of Merseyside Police.
  • Support all agencies working with individuals, and families, whose need could, without assistance, result in intervention by the police.

The current economic climate will mean future budget constraints will be a challenge for Merseyside Police but I do believe public money should be spent wisely and effectively in the fight to continue to cut crime. The existing Merseyside Police Authority has succeeded in reducing costs without compromising the fight against crime. As your Police and Crime Commissioner I’d work hard to continue that success.

I’m Liverpool born and bred and live on the Wirral. I am proud of my roots and proud of what Merseyside is and stands for. Together we can make it even better and safer.

Contact Details:

Tel: 07840 274788

Email: geoffreygubb@yahoo.com

Prepared by Simon Eardley on behalf of Geoff Gubb both of Wirral West Conservative Association, 24 Meols Drive, Wirral, CH47 4AN.

hilary best Image
UKIP
UKIP

Hilary Jane Jones

Election statement:

I feel that people should vote for me because I have vast experience in life generally, running a business and also in serving the community.

I have lived in Merseyside since I was only a few months old before settling into Bebington, Wirral in 1959. I joined the WRAC in 1974 before joining Merseyside Police in 1977.

I now run my own business with my husband as a funeral director, however between 1992 and 1998 I worked for Wirral Magistrates Courts as a Fines Enforcement Officer.

I have served as an elected Councillor between 1987-1995 and 1996-2006. During this time, I served on a number of committees, became a group chief whip, cabinet member and Mayor of Wirral for 2004/05. In 2007, I was appointed as a Magistrate for the Wirral bench.

As a PCC I would like to concentrate my energies into building a new confidence in the relationship between the Police and the public. This could be achieved by treating so called low level crime with the same importance as other crimes. This would encourage the public to become more actively involved in reporting crimes if they thought they would be given more assistance than just a crime number for insurance purposes.

I believe that this, in turn would have a knock on effect so that people would have more confidence in giving information about drug and gun and gang related crime which is a major concern in Merseyside.

I would strive to make sure that all personnel working for Merseyside Police, and external agencies working with the Police feel valued and that their achievements make Merseyside a better place for us all to live, work and relax in.

Contact Details:

Tel Candidate: 07851023695

Tel Agent: 07971266024

Promoted by Phil Griffiths, Room 301, Riverway House, Morecambe Road, Lancaster on behalf of Hilary Jones.

 

Keaveney Image
LibDem logo
Liberal Democrats

Paula Clare Keaveney

Election statement:

What I will do:

I am not doing this for the money.  I will donate the difference between what I earn now and what this job pays to charities supporting victims .

Crime is going down.  But people don’t feel that way.   If fear stops you going out, you might as well be under house arrest.  I will work to make our communities not just be safer but feel safer.

People’s views matter.  Less than two per cent replied to the recent police survey.  So how can we be sure we really know what local people think?  I will run a weekly surgery in different parts of our area and get out  to talk to groups across Merseyside. I will go to where people actually are rather than wait for them to come to me.

The police must be as visible as possible.  That means the focus must be on the front line. I will find ways of using the budget so that money goes to front line visibility rather than HQ type buildings.

It is unacceptable that people are victims of hate crime.  I will focus on ways of preventing and dealing with these attacks on people who are vulnerable or different.

Who I am

  • A former leader of the opposition on Liverpool City Council
  • A former local Councillor with a record of getting things done
  • A University Lecturer , I have also been a manager at  some of theUK’s biggest charities.

I live in South Liverpool  and have lived in Southport.  I have worked in Crosby and Liverpool and now work in Ormskirk.

Contact Details:

Tel: 07815 769413/0151 733 2439

Email: paulakeaveney@yahoo.co.uk

Website: www.paula4merseyside.blogspot.com

Promoted by Paula Keaveney, 75 Canterbury Street, Liverpool, L19 8LQ

 

Jane Image
ballot logo (labour)
The Labour Party Candidate

Jane Kennedy

Jane Kennedy

Election statement:

This is an important election to decide who will hold the Police to account and decide their priorities. The Police are facing massive cuts to their budget from the Tory/Lib Dem Government. By next April there will be 600 fewer police officers working on Merseyside as a result.

If you vote Labour, Jane will: –

  • Stand up for our communities against the Tory/Lib Dem cuts to policing and the loss of over 600 police officers in Merseyside.
  • Keep police and PCSOs on the beat with neighbourhood policing, not hand it over to private companies.
  • Target gun, gang and violent crime as a top priority.
  • Back a strong and swift response to anti-social behaviour.
  • Forge better co-operation between the police and other agencies who share the responsibility for delivering safer communities.

Jane has vast experience and has both the skills and determination to be a successful Police and Crime Commissioner for Merseyside:

  • Jane was Britain’s first woman Security Minister with responsibility for Policing in Northern Ireland.
  • Jane was the first woman ever to hold Ministerial office in the Lord Chancellor’s department with responsibility for magistrates, the judiciary and family law policy.
  • Jane has been a Member of Parliament in Merseyside from 1992-2010 and has the experience to fight for local communities in the county.
  • Jane was a Government Minister from 1997-2010 serving in six departments so she is experienced in administration.

Jane is committed to achieving the best for Merseyside Police and the communities they serve.

Merseyside needs a plan to cut crime, not the police and help her to do that by supporting Jane Kennedy on the 15th November.

Contact Details:

Website: www.janekennedy.info

Email: jane4merseypcc@gmail.com

@jane4merseyside

Promoted by Barrie Grunewald on behalf of Jane Kennedy at 108 Prescot Road, Liverpool, L7 0JA

 

gd-jpeg v1.0 (using IJG JPEG v62), default quality
Independent

Kiron Reid

Kiron Reid

Election statement:

I have the experience and expertise to supervise the police in Merseyside as they cut crime, help victims and prevent reoffending.

I am standing as an Independent candidate because the Commissioner’s post should not be party political. I’ve spent 20 years working and campaigning on police matters. As a Law Lecturer at Liverpool University I have an international reputation in the field of policing. I know from serving on Merseyside Police Authority that the current system is insufficiently effective in holding the police to account. I will shake things up.

When I served on the Police Authority it provided a balanced range of views. But with just one person doing the job – it shouldn’t be a party figure. It should be the best candidate. As a Liverpool Councillor (Anfield 1998–2007), never tied to the party line, I helped restore the image of the whole Liverpool City Region. As Commissioner I will be working for local people, not party bosses in London.

I will work with local communities, using the best methods, to:

  • cut crime, targeting violent and hate offences
  • prevent crime
  • prevent young people becoming offenders or victims
  • prevent reoffending
  • help victims.

I will not be sitting in committees, like the politicians, but out meeting people right across the Region. Merseysiders are famed for their independence – if you have an independent mind, vote Independent.

You can read more about my policies and experience on my website. As Commissioner I will be a critical friend of the police. I will stick up for all the people of Merseyside, helping the police show criminals there is nowhere to hide.

On Merseyside, let’s put People first, not Party.

Contact Details:

website: Kiron4Commissioner.com

Prepared by Kiron Reid of 48 Abbeygate Apartments, High Street, Liverpool L15 8HB.

 

Rimmer
ED logo
English Democrats – “More Police – Catching Criminals!”

Paul Duane Rimmer

Election statement:

I’m Liverpool born and bred. I achieved a 1st at Cambridge University before working in Finance. I was an amateur boxing champion and live with my family in Toxteth. I recently stood in the Liverpool mayoral elections. I am a committed Christian.

I want to be the new police and crime commissioner because I believe it is time for transparency in policingIt is your money the police are spending and it is to you they should be directly answerable. I will make sure the Police respond to your concerns first and foremost. Having spoken to the people of Merseyside I hear your voices loud and clear. You want an accountable police force.  You want protection of person and property; frontline policing as a priority, with more ‘bobbies on the beat’ and fewer behind desks. Burglary and anti-social behaviour will be tackled hard. You want zero tolerance of illegal drugs. You have no time for political correctness. Police will be recruited on merit alone and the St George’s Flag will be flown above police stations at all times.  No minority group will be shown favouritism. I will challenge and tackle political policing, root and branch. You want traditional, no nonsense policing firm, but respecting our liberties and privacy. I will speak for the people of Merseyside not toe a party line.

Hillsborough has shown how important police accountability is, I want lessons to be learnt from that tragedy.  We want justice for all and no hiding place for criminals.

50% of my salary will be given to the Hillsborough Justice Campaign.

In tough times let us support our Police as we all work together to uphold the highest standards.

Vote PAUL RIMMER!

Contact Details:

Tel: 0161 766 7731 (regional office)

0207 242 1066 (head office)

Website: www.englishdemocrats.org

Published and prepared by Agent Steve Mcellenborough,23 Gondover avenue, Orrell park

Liverpool,L9 8AY

 

Related articles

Declaration of Interest: The author is an elector in this election.
Declaration of Interest: The author was a student at a university which employs one of the candidates (Kiron Reid).
Declaration of Interest: The author was previously in the same political party as two of the candidates (Kiron Reid and Paula Keaveney).

Merseyside Police and Crime Commissioner Candidates | 15th November 2012

There are six candidates for the one Merseyside Police and Crime Commissioner vacancy following close of nominations yesterday (19th October 2012). Polling day is on 15th November 2012. They are as follows (in alphabetical order):-

CANDIDATE
SURNAME
Candidate Full Name Commonly used surname (if any) Commonly used forename (if any) Party Description
GUBB Geoffrey Ian GUBB Geoff The Conservative Party Candidate
JONES Hilary Jane UKIP
KEAVENEY Paula Clare Liberal Democrats
KENNEDY Jane Elizabeth KENNEDY Jane Labour Party Candidate
REID Kiron John Cuchulain REID Kiron Independent
RIMMER Paul Duane English Democrats – “More Police – Catching Criminals!”

As there is more than one candidate it is a contested election. Each candidate is allowed to spend up to £182,529 on their election campaign and has to provide receipts for any expenditure over £20. Each candidate has had to pay either a cash deposit or banker’s draft deposit of £5,000 (6*£5,000 = £30,000 in deposits collected in total). If any candidate receives less than 5% of the vote their £5,000 deposit won’t be returned. Donations over £50 to a candidate’s campaign also need to be recorded.

The vote will be under the Supplementary Vote system, which means if any candidate gets more than 50% of the 1st choice votes they will be elected the winner. Everyone voting will get a 1st and 2nd choice vote. If no candidate gets more than 50% of the 1st choice votes, then the 2nd choice votes are used (but only 2nd choice votes that were for the candidates that had the most and second most 1st choice votes). So say for instance 100,000 ballots are cast. The candidates are Candidate A, B, C, D, E and F and the first choice result was D (32,600), E(32,400), C (15,000), F(8,000), A(5,000) and B(2,000) would result in:-

First round
Candidates C, F, A and B eliminated. B loses £5,000 deposit.

Second round

First Choice Second preference votes for D Second preference votes for E
C 5,000 4,900
F 2,000 3,000
A 1,500 1,500
B 600 600
Total 9,100 10,000

These votes are then added to the totals for the first round. So:-

Candidate D 32,600 (first round) + 9,100 (second round) = 41,700
Candidate E 32,400 (first round) + 10,000  (second round) = 42,400

Candidate E is declared the winner with a majority of 700.

UPDATED 20/10/2012: The author received his polling card in this election today.
Declaration of Interest: The author is an elector in this election.
Declaration of Interest: The author was a student at a university which employs one of the candidates (Kiron Reid).
Declaration of Interest: The author was previously in the same political party as two of the candidates (Kiron Reid and Paula Keaveney).

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