The Metropolis

Jellied Eels: News from around the boroughs

Angela Confeggi | Sunday 3 October, 2010 19:41

ONE easyCouncil Barnet hasn’t had the most self promoting month. Whilst a cabinet reshuffle wouldn’t be a surprise following Cllr Mark Shooter’s failed crack at usurping Lynne Hillan as Leader, a business plan evidently is. According to the Guardian, independent auditors have revealed that the council has no proper blueprint. They have ordered that the £870 Million a year body produce one pronto.
Shooter can, however, rest easy knowing he isn’t the only outlaw. The Telegraph reports that officials have black listed Mother-in-law jokes, ‘deeming them sexist and disrespectful to family elders’. This comes as they sought public consultation on cutback areas, faced petitions over possible library closures and criticisms over money spent on garden beds.

TWO Sutton’s new menagerie has also been hit with disapproval. Wooden fish sculptures were incorporated into a major rejuvenation project and cost the council over £10,000. Conservative opposition leader, Cllr Paul Scully, blogged that ‘mocking laughter was the first reaction of those walking by’ the taxpayer-funded playseats.

THREE Rejuvenation in Southwark is touchy, with concerns over framework planning around Bankside, Borough and London Bridge Station. Following the establishment of the Bermondsey Village Action Group, consultation on areas identified for high-rise buildings will continue this month. This comes as bulldozers moved in to Aylesbury, one of Britain’s best known council estates and backdrop for Tony Blair’s ‘forgotten people’ maiden speech. The Press Association states that by the end of construction, which was met with excitement, 50% of the 4,000 new homes will be social housing.

FOUR Camden and Islington have continued their boroughmance, with plans unveiled to share a Chief Executive. The plan, described as ‘groundbreaking’ by the Islington Tribune, builds on previously shared contracts and will put a Superchief in charge of patching up budget holes of over £100 million. It is understood that Camden boss Moira Gibb will take this on. By their powers combined, they will have raging purchasing clout and save tens of thousands of pounds in management costs.

FIVE Less leadership clarity exists in Tower Hamlets, after mayoral candidates played team swap. Labour removed candidate Lutfur Rafman amid conduct complaints, with current Council Leader Helal Abbas Uddin stepping into the tenure. Despite the Londonist’s suggestion that George Galloway would run under Respect, Rafman will now be backed by the left-wing party.

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