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Council reshuffle on the cards
11:40am Thursday 4th December 2008
A GAME of musical chairs has taken place in Swindon Council’s cabinet.
Details of a reshuffle released yesterday see leisure head Justin Tomlinson leave the cabinet, financial supremo Nick Martin moved to a new role, and relative newcomer Mark Edwards taking the financial mantle.
The other members remain in their place but those with shiny new titles include Brian Mattock, Peter Greenhalgh and Phil Young.
Leader of the council, Rod Bluh, said: “I have a reshuffle every January but this year there is the possibility to move it forward. I think what we have achieved is quite radical.”
He said he felt that Coun Martin’s new role as cabinet member for property, leisure and recreation was ideally suited to his skills.
He said: “Nick has been doing this role for the last four years and still wants to be very much involved in fronting next year’s budget, working closely with Mark. I felt that given the challenges we face in this economic climate we needed to use Nick more intelligently.
“I‘m very pleased that Mark is coming in – he is the chair of our procurement committee and I have every faith in him.
“Justin has done a great job in the cabinet but as we don’t know when the general election is going to come he feels it is time to step down and concentrate on his parliamentary role.
“I also felt that the connecting people, connecting places initiative, which will be so vital to what we are doing in the near future needed a dedicated cabinet member – and I am delighted that Brian Mattock will take that role.”
Labour leader, Kevin Small said: “I was very surprised that the lead member for resources was changed just at the point when the budget is being discussed. I have no problem with new people coming into the cabinet but for such an important role at such an important time to be given to someone who hasn’t been a councillor for very long is surprising.
“It begs the question – is there division within the ranks of the Conservative group?
“In some respects I am pleased to see Justin Tomlinson leave the cabinet because I do not believe he has been a very effective cabinet member.
“But it is worrying to see Nick Martin, who has presided over a policy of council property disposal, being put in charge of leisure facilities. Does this mean leisure services will go the same way?”
The reshuffle changes will come into effect from next Friday.
Your Say YourSwindon
ourtone, says...
1:06pm Thu 4 Dec 08
“In some respects I am pleased to see Justin Tomlinson leave the cabinet because I do not believe he has been a very effective cabinet member.
As anyone actually met Kevin Small?
Is he real?
Does a human being called that actually exist, with a proper birth certificate and passport and everything?
I only ask, because every time "he" is quoted in the paper, I find the words so awful, so ill-considered, so badly thought out, so inappropriate, so unprofessional, that I don't actually believe that a real human being living in this town could have said them.
This one has to be the ultimate example. Labour's record in recent years could be summed up in three words, failure, failure and failure. No-one leading that party could stick so much of their foot in their mouth as to say that, surely?
Come on Adver, admit it, you made him up, didn't you.
DarkAuror, Swindon says...
1:16pm Thu 4 Dec 08
ourtone wrote:Apparently Mr Small is one of 3 councillors in my ward. I've seen Mr Grant and Mr Moffett when they're on the campaign trail but never Mr Small. I've read the ward leaflets from him on behalf of the other councillors. I will say this, the Adver can't have made him up because Mr Small knows how to use a spell-checker unlike the Adver reporters! ;)
Labour leader, Kevin Small said: “In some respects I am pleased to see Justin Tomlinson leave the cabinet because I do not believe he has been a very effective cabinet member. As anyone actually met Kevin Small? Is he real? Does a human being called that actually exist, with a proper birth certificate and passport and everything? I only ask, because every time "he" is quoted in the paper, I find the words so awful, so ill-considered, so badly thought out, so inappropriate, so unprofessional, that I don't actually believe that a real human being living in this town could have said them. This one has to be the ultimate example. Labour's record in recent years could be summed up in three words, failure, failure and failure. No-one leading that party could stick so much of their foot in their mouth as to say that, surely? Come on Adver, admit it, you made him up, didn't you.
Donkey, Swindon says...
2:15pm Thu 4 Dec 08
Incidentally, as is the will of the first two posters ... free speech reigns in the UK, like it or not!
PeeveD, Swindon says...
2:26pm Thu 4 Dec 08
Donkey wrote:Should free speech be subject to the "speaking out of ones backside" test????
Kevin Small, Des Moffatt and Jim Grant are all approachable in Western Ward. See copies of the Western Voice or the free Labour Party calendar or the Council's or the party's websites for full details of how to contact any of them with a related problem to matters of their jurisdiction and they will be quite willing to assist you, f that Iam certain. Incidentally, as is the will of the first two posters ... free speech reigns in the UK, like it or not!
If so Cllr Small should be a worried man. Has he EVER made a comment or been quoted saying something worthwhile?
The only good thing is that as Labour Leader he presides over roughly two councillors,a couple of parrots,a lost chihauhau and a partridge in a pear tree.
Sour grapes Small should do the honourable thing and keep in the shadows,quietly cashing in his expense allowance and leave the real debates to real people who actually care a little more about their jobs and a little less in blowing in the wind!
Always Grumpy, Swindon says...
2:41pm Thu 4 Dec 08
"As anyone actually met Kevin Small?
Is he real?"
Unfortunately Councillor Small is all too real - I suspect he is the secret love child of Donkey and Snelgrove.
doug on the farm, on the flood plain (nearly) says...
4:14pm Thu 4 Dec 08
Always Grumpy wrote:Was there any need for that?
ourtone asked "As anyone actually met Kevin Small? Is he real?" Unfortunately Councillor Small is all too real - I suspect he is the secret love child of Donkey and Snelgrove.
Donkey, Swindon says...
4:45pm Thu 4 Dec 08
ourtone, says...
5:04pm Thu 4 Dec 08
If Kevin Small wanted to attack the Tories, he should have done so much better. What he said is nonsense, and anyone can see it.
Bluh provided a good rationale for everyone who got a new job. No-one got sacked, so why did he come up with this rubbish about spilts?
If you are going to spin that kind of line, you have to have something to base it on. A spat, a disagreement, a public row for preference. The fact that the guy is new means nothing. Chancellor was Gordon Brown's first Cabinet post. Prime Minister was Blairs.
Small just makes himself look stupid when he comes up with drivel like this.
ourtone, says...
5:06pm Thu 4 Dec 08
Its a shame cos it fitted the post, being a three letter word, begining with A, meaning 'Donkey.'
Even Angrier Monkey, Swindon says...
5:06pm Thu 4 Dec 08
Bullster, Swindon says...
5:18pm Thu 4 Dec 08
Now all of you stop arguing and kiss and make up!
Donkey, Swindon says...
6:11pm Thu 4 Dec 08
Clearly, they are not doing their job ... we are supposed to be a civil society?
SpeakUp, Swindon says...
6:18pm Thu 4 Dec 08
doug on the farm, on the flood plain (nearly) says...
7:56pm Thu 4 Dec 08
ourtone wrote:There is a big difference between an **** and a Donkey; however the online censorship is down to the inability to spell. There is in fact a big move in the American Bible Belt to have the word **** removed from the Holy Bible and replaced with the name Donkey as they believe that the word **** is offensive. If of course they were literate they would use the term arse for bottom and Mary, Joseph and the baby Jesus wouldn’t have to flee to Egypt on a Donkey but, as per King James, an ****.
The filters have starred out a word in my post above which is apparently too obscene to be printed. Its a shame cos it fitted the post, being a three letter word, begining with A, meaning 'Donkey.'
So leave Comrade Donkey alone.
PeeGee, Swindon says...
8:01pm Thu 4 Dec 08
Nice to see you are laying firm foundations with your future Westminster representative. Like it or not, he will be. Daft comments from you in the Adver will help toward that. Try a positive comment for once. Go on, it'll make you feel good.
I had a really good Labour ward councillor once. Your leadership skills (as shown here) put an end to that. Thanks Kev.
doug on the farm, on the flood plain (nearly) says...
8:02pm Thu 4 Dec 08
PeeGee, Swindon says...
8:09pm Thu 4 Dec 08
concerned_of_old_town, old town says...
8:42pm Thu 4 Dec 08
This to me seems the biggest contradiction you can imagine it's a bit like having a vegetarian butcher!
Can anyone explain how this will work given that the re-generation has succeded in producing a boarded up town centre and a cultural desert!
who dat?, Swindon says...
8:49pm Thu 4 Dec 08
Where is it this year?
Mum's The Word, Walcot, Swindon says...
10:31pm Thu 4 Dec 08
malkym1, Highworth on the Hill says...
11:14pm Thu 4 Dec 08
Mum's The Word, Walcot, Swindon says...
9:23am Fri 5 Dec 08
Mum's The Word, Walcot, Swindon says...
9:50am Fri 5 Dec 08
http://www.facebook.
com/group.php?gid=16
096720316
beebugmissy, Swindon says...
9:58am Fri 5 Dec 08
Small by name, small by nature, eh?
Mum's The Word, Walcot, Swindon says...
11:49am Fri 5 Dec 08
beebugmissy, Swindon says...
4:20pm Fri 5 Dec 08
Donkey, Swindon says...
5:42pm Fri 5 Dec 08
Mum's The Word, Walcot, Swindon says...
6:29pm Fri 5 Dec 08
doug on the farm, on the flood plain (nearly) says...
12:31am Sat 6 Dec 08
As for the Mechanics, the only Mechanics Institute that I know of that has been saved from decay and demolition is the one in Manchester and for that the people of Machester can thank the Trades Union Congress.
doug on the farm, on the flood plain (nearly) says...
12:35am Sat 6 Dec 08
Mum's The Word, Walcot, Swindon says...
9:02am Sat 6 Dec 08
Interesting what you say about the one in Manchester, I will have a read up on that, thanks Doug.
As for Donkey, I have a lot of respect for Donkey, it's just we don't always agree :)
Bobfm, South Marston says...
9:23am Sat 6 Dec 08
I have always found Justin an able and dedicated councillor, and if elected would make an excellent local MP. Justin has been rather high profile of late and perhaps that has grated with the Council leader. I am sure Justin would have posted here by now in support of his leaders contention, that it was to do with his National Roll. It makes little sense to reduce the profile of one of their PPC's when there could be a snap election, which rumours abound will be April next year.
As for Councillor Smalls comments, is it not the case that he was able to become a councillor off the back of his fathers popularity.
doug on the farm, on the flood plain (nearly) says...
12:47pm Sat 6 Dec 08
Sorry but thats they way you come over here, 'Nice', and there's nothing wrong with that
Your sayYourSwindon
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malkym1, Highworth on the Hill says...
12:35pm Thu 4 Dec 08