Skidder Shorts No. 21 - The Big Cover-Up Continues!

Take a look at this:

http://cmis.sandwell.gov.uk/cmis5/Meetings/tabid/73/ctl/ViewMeetingPublic/mid/410/Meeting/36093/Committee/6034/Default.aspx

It is now nearly the end of the working day on 17th December and Sandwell Labour have still not put anything on the website about the disaster on 3rd December. There are no minutes and not even confirmation of the make-up of the  firing squad that gunned-down two of the top officers. One wonders whether there are legal "issues" involved....

It has been known for some time that the High Command wanted rid of Deputy Chief Exec, John Garrett. As with many Sandwell policies, all decisions are made and then the hapless arse-lickers who are too frightened to stand-up to the likes of Hussain and Cooper churn out policy documents, reviews, appraisals etc which, happily, usually come to the conclusion favoured by the Politburo. Of course, The Public scandal is the "classic" recent example of this. On the rare occasions when these greasers show a little backbone - eg. over the bent ice rink deal - the Politburo simply ignore them and proceed regardless.

As ever, all dodgy decisions are dressed-up in reams of bullshit and large costs "savings" are forecast. In this case, it was said that there would be annual recurring costs savings of at least £130,000 per annum but only after unspecified "costs". As all involved were earning substantially over £100,000 and were long-serving there was always going to be a substantial redundancy payment to "someone". In the Cooper era, high-ranking departees have, we are told, been paid further totally unnecessary "additional" payments of taxpayers' money on the grounds that they will not whistleblow. They are forced to sign "confidentiality agreements". Labour SMBC are currently refusing to provide information under the Freedom of Information Act about these additional payments and I have now also put a new one in concerning this mess.

I stated in an earlier post that a highly-placed source within The Kremlin itself confirmed over two weeks before the "interviews" that Garrett was definitely a condemned man and so it transpired. But something went badly wrong with the plan and Stuart Kellas, the finance director, left as well. We have not been told whether he was made redundant, resigned or was sacked but he was very highly-paid and it seems highly likely that he too will receive huge sums from the taxpayer in respect of his departure. Thus the alleged costs "savings" are likely to be dissipated for sometime to come by dint of the TWO huge pay-offs. Of course, Hussain and his sidekick have also now got to recruit a new qualified accountant and as this person has a specified statutory role in respect of the finances it will be interesting to see how much they will eventually have to offer to someone craven enough to join a council currently mired in scandal and prepared to do their bidding!

It is clearly a matter of considerable public interest whether Hussain was allowed by the "leader" to be a member of the firing squad. As the whole thing descended into a complete fiasco we can safely say that Cooper was present, but who else? Why is this still being covered up a fortnight after the event.

The Turdmeister himself promised a new golden age of transparency and openness from Sandwell Labour. What happened to that?

Remember the Regional Fraud Team investigation is continuing - please phone 0121 251 2175
- DS Wayne Haynes - with any info.

Is Hussain STILL pulling the strings?

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