The Best Guide for the NN12 Area

This is irresponsible.

It is true to say that there is a lot of uncertainty at present and the situation in Northamptonshire is difficult. However, in an attempt to score cheap political points the staff and officers of the councils, who cannot answer back, should not be used as pawns in a pathetic Lib Dem game.

There is much speculation about the future of Yvonne Rees. No decisions have been taken by any council on this. The items will go to Oxfordshire County Council and Cherwell Council later this month.

As we map out a new future for Northamptonshire the first priority is to the residents to ensure continued delivery of the things they rely on SNC for. That can only be done by a dedicated set of officers and staff. Members like me, can set policy and a strategic direction but the implementation of that is by the paid officers and full time staff.

Articles like this that seek to make political points undermine the staff and destabilise the organisations, that will precipitate that exodus the authors claim to be concerned about. They, like all members, have been given updates on the facts, none of which made it into the above.

My priority is to continue to deliver high quality services, I am proud that SNC has a top 10 recycling rate, collects over 99% of the council tax, is solvent, has reserves and can attract high quality staff to keep SNC as one of the most desirable places to live in the country.

I know Yvonne Rees is committed to ensuring that residents needs are paramount. The comments above, kicking those who cannot answer back is childish bulling, scaremongering and you would have expected more from someone who was once the deputy Chief Exec of SNC.

Once last factual point, staffing and personnel matters are not matters for the Cabinet, the law makes it clear that these are for council or delegated committee. In our case this is overseen by the something called the JCC, it is cross party and Cllr Lofts is a member of that committee and I can advise that never once did he raise employment contracts during the recruitment process for Yvonee Rees or anyone else.

Ian McCord
Leader South Northants Council

Bit bitter are we Ian?

Look, fact of the matter is someone working at SNC (jointly) could be leaving for Cherwell and Oxfordshire. To me that stinks of someone jumping ship before the unitary chaos.

Article only seems to suggest that. Maybe you are looking too much into it. Fact of the matter is that SNC wont exist in a couple of years and what remains will be clearing up the mess your party created at NCC.

This article and responses just reinforce my view that at this time of division in our country and the wider world, we urgently need to reassess the role of party politics.
Again its my view that these are divisive , often petty and distract politicians from actually going forward in improving life for our country and it’s people.
Its all about point scoring and not about working together for a better country for us all. Whatever our situation and our beliefs.
Time for a government and a council of unity and vision of a better future for all.