New leader Charon supports ‘hardest worker’ Beesley (From Bournemouth Echo)

oh dear

“I have seen and heard a great deal of innuendo and smear but nothing else. What I have seen and heard, however, is that he is the hardest-working member of this chamber by a country mile.”

What he does is very little for the ward he represents. I think thw Westbourne folk get a poor deal from him.

As someone who has accommodation in the town centre and a business dealing with planning issues, should he be making decisions relating to planning and town centre applications ?

He may work hard helping out other property developers but he's the one making the money out of the councils decisions at the end of the day

While I admire the sentiment of Innocent till proven guilty, the sad fact remains that in politics even when the Innocent are proven guilty the old school tie brigade rally around and protect the individuals position and credibility.

Public office is not a luxury it is a duty, and to uphold that duty to the benefit of the electorate and not purely for the self interests of elected councillors or its administration.

When rumours abound it is not in the governing bodies interest to spark a 'Crucible' mentality however it is not in the public interest to uphold sleaze, corruption and scandal.

So the rumours were true.If Councillor Macloughlin is cleared at his public hearing he too will return to cabinet.

Enjoy the honeymoon period,Councillor Charon.Oh,and by the way,There are public meetings you can go to.Not once did we see you at Kinson Forum

Charon is clearly just as arrogant as MacLoughlin. Nothing changes except that Charon has openly stated that Councillors are not obliged to respond to allegations made against them, which is pretty much a green light to treat the public with complete contempt.
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Whether Beesley is guilty or not isn’t the issue. Charon has clearly failed to grasp that doubts about the honesty and conduct of any Councillor casts a shadow over the whole Council. Councillors facing investigation should immediately take a back seat until the allegations have been investigated.
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Charon should be reminded that Councillors are public servants, paid for by the taxpayer and answerable to the taxpayer.

politicaltrainspotte
r wrote:
So the rumours were true.If Councillor Macloughlin is cleared at his public hearing he too will return to cabinet. Enjoy the honeymoon period,Councillor Charon.Oh,and by the way,There are public meetings you can go to.Not once did we see you at Kinson Forum

Just to clarify that Cllr Charon did attend some meetings at the North Bournemouth Area Forum (fomerly Kinson Forum) some time ago but has not been seen for sometime. I regularly attend and presume that as Leader we will be seeing more of him now ?
The previous leader attended on quite a few occasions to promote certain issues !

I am very disappointed in Cllr Sharon making Cllr Beasley Deputy Leader, I fail to understand how anyone that has an investigation pending can be placed in a position like this.

And as a matter of interest I attended the full council meeting this evening as a visitor and it began by two councillors apologising for their behaviour - sending racialist text and getting drunk - the other councillors didn’t seem at all interested. Good to know we have people like that making decisions for us. Oh yes and one was doing a crossword puzzle.
I would encourage more people to attend this council meetings - you would then really get to know how things are done.

When will the new cabinet announce which capital programes will be cut. I suppose The Shelley Manor Project wil be one of these. The Standards Board meeting at which Cllr MacLoughlin's indiscretions will be decided on will be on Thursday August 12th, 9.30am at the Townhall. This is a meeting in public and any questions or deputations need to be sent at least one working day in advance. From what I see from Cllr Northovers blogg, the make up of the cabinet has changed little.

Coming back to this article Councillor Charon says of Councillor Beesley "..That he is the hardest working member of the chamber by a country mile." Well if that is the case what is unsaid about the rest of the members of the chamber? Do they not work hard if not why not?

I noticed with some glee the heaps of praise poured on Councillor Charon on his position as council leader, and now he himself poures praise on his deputy councillor Beesley.

Be wary of placing public figures on high pedestals they have a tendency to fall.

I feel we have been led into a false misrepresentation of Cllr Charon. Did he not say in one of his comments leading up to his appointment on these vary pages, that he would deal with Councillors and Cabinet, taking into view of what the electorate has indicated.
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Regardless of how hard apparently Cllr Beesley has worked, the fact remains that the electorate, the very same people who employ the said council do not want Cllr Beesley in Cabinet or in Council, particularly as a Deputy Leader. Therefore, why has the words and thoughts of the electorate not been taken into consideration.
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What the electorate of Bournemouth now see, is a no change in the way the Council is run, and that the people of the town have no say in the matter. It is very poor policy that the people voted in by the electorate do not take one iota of notice of them.
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One good thing comes out of this. And that it is now absolute, that come May 2011, this Council will not be in power (feeding of the public).
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I am disgusted that we have been taken for mugs, AGAIN.

marjorie01 wrote:
I am very disappointed in Cllr Sharon making Cllr Beasley Deputy Leader, I fail to understand how anyone that has an investigation pending can be placed in a position like this. And as a matter of interest I attended the full council meeting this evening as a visitor and it began by two councillors apologising for their behaviour - sending racialist text and getting drunk - the other councillors didn’t seem at all interested. Good to know we have people like that making decisions for us. Oh yes and one was doing a crossword puzzle. I would encourage more people to attend this council meetings - you would then really get to know how things are done.

I would also like to encourage more people to attend all council meetings, to see just what they are doing. As for the lack of interest in the apology it could be a case of words are cheap when you are told to do it!

Nothing changes in Bournemouth still keeping it in the brotherhood

Echoing Marjorie01's words. I have attended a number of council meetings. What is clear that the business has already been decided before and the meeting is merely a obligatory by product.

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Whether it is corruption or not is at the moment unknown. What is not unknown is the blindingly obvious view that many councillors believe they know best and that any questioning of their actions or accountability is an afront to their office.

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Too many have sat there too long.


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Too many know that it is a 'closed shop' whereby the right coloured rossette ensures you a seat, with no challenge or often any degree of expected competence.


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Whether the populace deserves better, I'm not sure, but that we desperately need better I am certain of.

The Council website has now published Cllr Charon's statement from last nights meeting
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http://www.bournemou
th.gov.uk/News/featu
res/New_Council_Lead
er.asp
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I can understand why councillors need not step-aside until cases are proved, but in some circumstances, where the charges are serious they may need to, until their name is cleared.

As we are less than a year from an election, then it is to be expected that councillors will be listening to the public much more. As for them being certain to hold on to their seats, I seem to remember that many seats changed at the last election.

I will give Cllr Charon and the new Cabinet until then to deliver on their promises to help Bournemouth thorough these uncertain economic times.

I thought the subject was whats best for Bournemouth. Our elected represntatives have made thier decision. To keep attacking individual councillors is a sad case of personalities before principles and only deflects from the job. the future of Bournemouth between now and 2026.
I have attended many open meetings at the Townhall, morning meetings and evening meetings and I always seem to see Cllr Beesly there. I often collect copies of the white papers that co-excist with each meeting, sometimes I only have a few minutes to read them. Most local councillors are expected to read this stuff. I would recomend they read the six core principles of public service and the common law doctrine of altra - vierus, learn how to conduct themselves according to the Council Constitution (Part 5) and then take control of the underskilled middle management.

Ahoy Brethren,
Tis with elements of distrust I listen to ‘politicians’ purporting what benefits I be awarded should me vote be cast their way. Gather opposing parties together and ye be guaranteed an argument, not always a lively debate with a non political solution that resolves thy issue (whatever that be?)
With yer leave sir, Bob49 quoted………“To
o many know that it is a 'closed shop' whereby the right coloured rosette ensures you a seat, with no challenge or often any degree of expected competence.”
I heartily concur with that sentiment, with yer Brethrens permission I quote me own words yet again (a reply to another Brethren, 13th July 2010)…………..�
��I do rightly agree with ye on the subject of ‘suitability’ of councillors fer the position they be charged with. Unfortunately it do raise the question do Cllr Davey be ‘tourism’ ‘cos he got a swimming award when he 8yrs old BUT he do be the right political colour or do Ms Jones take up that mantle ‘cos she accrued many years past experience in that field but do fly the ‘oppositions flag’.
So does ye have politics ‘rule’ the Brethrens community or honest responsible experience. If yer able to eliminate ‘in-fighting’ because of brownie point scoring Cllrs of a dominant political party against other ‘parties’ then they (Cllrs) may find accord enough to carry out their DUTY to thy electorate thus pocketing their gold coins with more respect than of late.”
When Peapod take a recruit aboard he not asked what god he prays to, where his politics be cast, have he ‘connections’ ashore. He DO be asked doth he have a notable pedigree fer the position he enquiring about and be he capable of being verbally understood. I care not a mackerels eye socket that me carpenter do possess two fingers on one hand, if he cut, plane, shape and fit me bowsprit then he be right welcomed aboard. Thar right man/woman fer thy job.

madfromdorset wrote:
I feel we have been led into a false misrepresentation of Cllr Charon. Did he not say in one of his comments leading up to his appointment on these vary pages, that he would deal with Councillors and Cabinet, taking into view of what the electorate has indicated.
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Regardless of how hard apparently Cllr Beesley has worked, the fact remains that the electorate, the very same people who employ the said council do not want Cllr Beesley in Cabinet or in Council, particularly as a Deputy Leader. Therefore, why has the words and thoughts of the electorate not been taken into consideration.
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What the electorate of Bournemouth now see, is a no change in the way the Council is run, and that the people of the town have no say in the matter. It is very poor policy that the people voted in by the electorate do not take one iota of notice of them.
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One good thing comes out of this. And that it is now absolute, that come May 2011, this Council will not be in power (feeding of the public).
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I am disgusted that we have been taken for mugs, AGAIN.

Speaking of May 2011, I would be very interested to know what seat Cllr Charon will be standing for? Is it to be the same as currently, or is it to be a different seat?

Extract from Cllr Charon's statement, 'Everyone is innocent, until proven to be guilty. And they are not guilty because some people on the Echo’s blogs say that they are guilty or because “there is no smoke without fire” or any such cliché. They need to be guilty by means of admission, or proven not as I say by smear and innuendo, but by a competent body in full knowledge of all of the facts. Until that happens in the case of Cllr John Beesley or anyone else, my message this evening is crystal clear – put up or shut up.' Unquote.

Well said, that man. Mind you, it won't put off the virtuous folks around here for whom berating exaggeratedly local councillors is almost a way of life.

Rally wrote:
Extract from Cllr Charon's statement, 'Everyone is innocent, until proven to be guilty. And they are not guilty because some people on the Echo’s blogs say that they are guilty or because “there is no smoke without fire” or any such cliché. They need to be guilty by means of admission, or proven not as I say by smear and innuendo, but by a competent body in full knowledge of all of the facts. Until that happens in the case of Cllr John Beesley or anyone else, my message this evening is crystal clear – put up or shut up.' Unquote.

Well said, that man. Mind you, it won't put off the virtuous folks around here for whom berating exaggeratedly local councillors is almost a way of life.

Its not so much being virtuous as a right to be heard, especially given the appalling track record of ministers and councillors alike that have ripped a fair few electorates down the line. We are talking public officials here and the council can ill afford scandal in the public eye however small. Everyone who stood for election is supposed to act beyond reproach and work for the betterment of its towns people.

It would be fair to say that the bloggers on here have every right to expect that and berate those who fail in their administrative local duty.

Rally wrote:
Extract from Cllr Charon's statement, 'Everyone is innocent, until proven to be guilty. And they are not guilty because some people on the Echo’s blogs say that they are guilty or because “there is no smoke without fire” or any such cliché. They need to be guilty by means of admission, or proven not as I say by smear and innuendo, but by a competent body in full knowledge of all of the facts. Until that happens in the case of Cllr John Beesley or anyone else, my message this evening is crystal clear – put up or shut up.' Unquote. Well said, that man. Mind you, it won't put off the virtuous folks around here for whom berating exaggeratedly local councillors is almost a way of life.

Rally is right. I wrote the following comments on an article on the 11th July relating to Cllr Beasley, and I haven't changed my mind. I think the approach being taken is the only correct one 'at this time'. If things change, it can then be reviewed.

busguy, Bournemouth wrote...
5:46pm Sun 11 Jul 10

Cllr Whittaker is right. Cllr Beasley should not have had to resign until any allegations are proven. It is a farce that the council has taken so long to investigate this and serious questions need to be asked on the efficiency and accountabilities of this process, and the wider council.

MY REPLY TO A SUBSEQUENT COUNTER POST.
It would be ironic if the independent investigator found no wrongdoing on Mr Beesley's part after all this knee-jerk reaction.
I, like many others, do not rate the guy, but the Council appointed the investigator and could have, and should have, set a tight timetable for a result.
Everyone wants this sorting out, and it doesn't matter who the individual is, they are actually innocent until proven guilty.
Inefficiency at the Council caused this delay, as it has done in many other contentious matters around here. It's time every department was scrutinised for efficiency from top to bottom, starting at the top.

i hope cllr beesley is very hard working on are behalf and not his own

contric wrote:
i hope cllr beesley is very hard working on are behalf and not his own

Hello Contric, it's very easy to make snide remarks about a person, isn't it.
How about trying something harder - like providing evidence that in his capacity as a councillor Mr Beesley is likely to work harder for himself than us the public.
As Cllr Charon so succinctly put it: put up or shut up.

Cllr Charon qutoes "They are not guilty because some folk on the Echo Blog says they are guilty". Cllr Charon, needs to be reminded that the folk on the Echo Blog are the same very people who voted (not me) your Council in at the last elections, and who can vote you out at the next.
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When Cllr Charon spoke first on this forum (Echo Blog) he stated he would be looking into the make up of the Council and Cabinet. It is obvious that he is similar to the rest. Gain our confidence, which some did fall for, and then like the rest, kick us in the teeth.
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If there is doubt as to the guilt of Cllr Beesley then he should stand down until this matter is rectified and proved as such or otherwise. This is what would happen in any employment. The same should apply with the Council.

Mediclogan5 wrote:

Rally wrote: Extract from Cllr Charon's statement, 'Everyone is innocent, until proven to be guilty. And they are not guilty because some people on the Echo’s blogs say that they are guilty or because “there is no smoke without fire” or any such cliché. They need to be guilty by means of admission, or proven not as I say by smear and innuendo, but by a competent body in full knowledge of all of the facts. Until that happens in the case of Cllr John Beesley or anyone else, my message this evening is crystal clear – put up or shut up.' Unquote. Well said, that man. Mind you, it won't put off the virtuous folks around here for whom berating exaggeratedly local councillors is almost a way of life.

Its not so much being virtuous as a right to be heard, especially given the appalling track record of ministers and councillors alike that have ripped a fair few electorates down the line. We are talking public officials here and the council can ill afford scandal in the public eye however small. Everyone who stood for election is supposed to act beyond reproach and work for the betterment of its towns people. It would be fair to say that the bloggers on here have every right to expect that and berate those who fail in their administrative local duty.

'... ministers and councillors alike that have ripped a fair few electorates down the line.'
Care to name them publically, Mediclogan5?
'Everyone who stood for election is supposed to act beyond reproach and work for the betterment of its towns people.'
Well, in an ideal world this would happen. Unfortunately, we mere mortals are just that - mere mortals.
Real saints are rather conspicuous by their absence these days.
But here we are talking not about full scale corruption (though from some of the posts that appear here, one can be forgiven for thinking otherwise).
Let's see now, a councillor allegedly looked at adult material on the internet via a council-owned computer; a councillor allegedly forward racist jokes to people via his private 'phone; a councillor allegedly got drunk and misbehaved at a public event; and so on.
Well, if this is the level of corruption in Bournemouth Council these days, then I don't think any of us have much to be concerned about.
Now, if some councillor or other was proven to have received money in exchange for certain Council favours (e.g. planning permission that would not otherwise have been granted), then, of course, a full investigation should be carried out - and, as Busguy argues quite rightly, as quickly as possible (nobody should be put into a 'Sword of Damocles' position, it's unfair, unkind, and usually unnecessary). But the councillor under investigation should neither stand down nor be expected to do so unless and until proven guilty.

So, The Developer Leader keeps the Developer's Friend as the Deputy Leader and between them they keep control of Housing and Town Centre Redevelopment. How convenient.

The decision to keep Cllr Beesley in the Cabinet is a total disgrace. MadfromDorset is absolutely right, Cllr Charon's weasel words count for nothing at the first opportunity he keeps the status quo (and a free Cabinet spot for his old mate McLoughlin).

Richboscombe wrote:
So, The Developer Leader keeps the Developer's Friend as the Deputy Leader and between them they keep control of Housing and Town Centre Redevelopment. How convenient. The decision to keep Cllr Beesley in the Cabinet is a total disgrace. MadfromDorset is absolutely right, Cllr Charon's weasel words count for nothing at the first opportunity he keeps the status quo (and a free Cabinet spot for his old mate McLoughlin).

But is there actually a conflict of interests here?
If there is, then perhaps Richboscombe can enlighten us as to the details.
Perhaps he/she is privy in some way to some shady property deal that nobody else here knows anything about.
All that we have had so far is innuendo and speculation.

Richboscombe wrote:
So, The Developer Leader keeps the Developer's Friend as the Deputy Leader and between them they keep control of Housing and Town Centre Redevelopment. How convenient. The decision to keep Cllr Beesley in the Cabinet is a total disgrace. MadfromDorset is absolutely right, Cllr Charon's weasel words count for nothing at the first opportunity he keeps the status quo (and a free Cabinet spot for his old mate McLoughlin).

I'm not sure MacLoughlin is an 'old mate' as quoted.
I believe he sacked Cllr Charon from the Cabinet a while back!

"They are not guilty because some folk on the Echo Blog says they are guilty".

Completely misses the point. As with MPs the fault isn't in doing wrong, it's the failure to take personal responsibility for failing to maintain the highest standards of public service that makes elected members unfit to continue to represent the town and the people.

Time for Change indeed.

Good morning, let's get this sorted.
Sorry plastic - "as with MP's the fault isn't in doing wrong". It is in my book. Fiddling expenses, claiming rent and flipping second homes to avoid capital gains tax? But closer to home can you demonstrate to anyone that Cllr Beesley has "failed to take personal responsibility for failing to maintain the highest standards of public service"? If you can, please bring me your proof - first thing this morning at the Town Hall please. If you can't then why say it? What I told you all is that if and when I made decisions, you may or may not like them, but I would give you my reasons for making them. You have been given the link to the text of my entire statement. Please take the time if you have not done so already to read it. Given the simply unacceptable events of the past 6 to 9 months I can understand that there is a large dose of cynicism and mistrust - amongst the 20 or so regular posters on this site. You are undoubtedly entitled to your view and I know I have a lot of work to do to rebuild that trust. I wrote to every one of the Council's employees yesterday morning and told them exactly the same thing. It must be my first priority. I took the Cabinet down to 9 people, and asked everyone to take a 5% reduction in their allowances because I wanted to demonstrate that if we are going to have to look for savings and redundancies because of significant cuts to our grant, we should lead by example. I have always felt that there could be a conflict of interest in having Cabinet Members on the Planning Board. Some Councils allow it, others do not. I have taken the decision not to allow it - but need a couple of months to allow for the essential training for the new members who will go on to the Board. I am not keeping any places open for anyone including the former Leader of the Council. I am no longer a property developer - for the umteenth time, and I am not and have never been a freemason - for the umteenth time. As far as the investigation into Cllr John Beesley is concerned again I can only suggest that you please take the time to read and reflect on what I said including what Cllr Beesley will do once the investigation is concluded. Finally, I did not say that Cllrs should not respond to allegations of wrong-doing. I said that Cllrs are not obliged to respond to "every nonsense allegation" which is a totally different thing. And there are clearly no shortage of those - here and elsewhere. By all means remain cynical and hold me and anyone else to account - on these blogs or even better by actually coming to some Council meetings and asking to speak out as someone has suggested. But please judge all of us on what we deliver between now and next May - and then by all means exercise your democratic right in the ballot box. And now I am going to take the Captain's and Mr. Corrupto's good advice. I look forward to exchanging thoughts with you on my return from holiday. Rgds. Peter
Cllr Peter Charon

PeterCharon wrote:
Good morning, let's get this sorted. Sorry plastic - "as with MP's the fault isn't in doing wrong". It is in my book. Fiddling expenses, claiming rent and flipping second homes to avoid capital gains tax? But closer to home can you demonstrate to anyone that Cllr Beesley has "failed to take personal responsibility for failing to maintain the highest standards of public service"? If you can, please bring me your proof - first thing this morning at the Town Hall please. If you can't then why say it? What I told you all is that if and when I made decisions, you may or may not like them, but I would give you my reasons for making them. You have been given the link to the text of my entire statement. Please take the time if you have not done so already to read it. Given the simply unacceptable events of the past 6 to 9 months I can understand that there is a large dose of cynicism and mistrust - amongst the 20 or so regular posters on this site. You are undoubtedly entitled to your view and I know I have a lot of work to do to rebuild that trust. I wrote to every one of the Council's employees yesterday morning and told them exactly the same thing. It must be my first priority. I took the Cabinet down to 9 people, and asked everyone to take a 5% reduction in their allowances because I wanted to demonstrate that if we are going to have to look for savings and redundancies because of significant cuts to our grant, we should lead by example. I have always felt that there could be a conflict of interest in having Cabinet Members on the Planning Board. Some Councils allow it, others do not. I have taken the decision not to allow it - but need a couple of months to allow for the essential training for the new members who will go on to the Board. I am not keeping any places open for anyone including the former Leader of the Council. I am no longer a property developer - for the umteenth time, and I am not and have never been a freemason - for the umteenth time. As far as the investigation into Cllr John Beesley is concerned again I can only suggest that you please take the time to read and reflect on what I said including what Cllr Beesley will do once the investigation is concluded. Finally, I did not say that Cllrs should not respond to allegations of wrong-doing. I said that Cllrs are not obliged to respond to "every nonsense allegation" which is a totally different thing. And there are clearly no shortage of those - here and elsewhere. By all means remain cynical and hold me and anyone else to account - on these blogs or even better by actually coming to some Council meetings and asking to speak out as someone has suggested. But please judge all of us on what we deliver between now and next May - and then by all means exercise your democratic right in the ballot box. And now I am going to take the Captain's and Mr. Corrupto's good advice. I look forward to exchanging thoughts with you on my return from holiday. Rgds. Peter Cllr Peter Charon

Phew! Straight from the head and the heart!
Have a good holiday and please keep up this pressure when you get back.

6:21am Wed 21 Jul 10
If you can, please bring me your proof - first thing this morning at the Town Hall please.

The view of the leader of the council is then that these distractions have been to the benefit of the town and people of Bournemouth, the buck stops with those who express a view on the Echo website.

Offering to reschedule the diary of the leader for an unknown amount of time at the start of his working day is an interesting approach, perhaps an open working breakfast session could be a feature of the new 'good to listen' regime ?

Given the simply unacceptable events of the past 6 to 9 months

in no way related to a failure to take responsibility for acting in the best interests of the town, people and political party.

Time for Change, first thing this morning at the Town Hall please.

plastic wrote:
6:21am Wed 21 Jul 10 If you can, please bring me your proof - first thing this morning at the Town Hall please. The view of the leader of the council is then that these distractions have been to the benefit of the town and people of Bournemouth, the buck stops with those who express a view on the Echo website. Offering to reschedule the diary of the leader for an unknown amount of time at the start of his working day is an interesting approach, perhaps an open working breakfast session could be a feature of the new 'good to listen' regime ? Given the simply unacceptable events of the past 6 to 9 months in no way related to a failure to take responsibility for acting in the best interests of the town, people and political party. Time for Change, first thing this morning at the Town Hall please.

If a councillor got removed every time an allegation was made on this site, within a week we wouldn't have any councillors left at all, from all political persuasions or none. This can't be rolled into the last six to nine months because each case is different. We have four or five individual cases that each require an individual response based on the evidence. It doesn't follow that because there is not a uniform approach to each of the offending councillors that the new leader is actually trying to defend the fiasco's of the last 9 months.

Does BBC Standards Commitee act on allegations on this or any other website ?

Elected members shouldn't be hounded out of office unfairly, elected members should apologise and stand down from office rather than public funds in internal enquiries.

Too many failures of leadership on the previous watch, time to put the words into practice.