A Bunch of Comedians? This is Torbay Council We Are Taking About.

A couple of days ago I was listening to Radio Devon, yes I know I try not to make a habit of it but it isn’t all bad. Anyway there is a phone in slot in the afternoon, if your not familiar with the idea a phone in is a bit like a blog but you don’t have to do any typing, just speak into the phone. It was a bit slow getting started and the presenter mentioned his great comedy moment, the time when Del Boy went to nonchalantly lean on the bar but the bar man had lifted the flap. If you missed it, sorry, it was very funny. To get people to phone in the presenter, Richard Green then asked listeners to phone in with their great comedy moments or people they though were great comedians. Within ten minutes two people had rung in and described Torbay Council as the biggest bunch of comedians around. Calling a group of people a bunch of comedians is not being nice, it does in fact suggest they are, well bordering on the incompetent or even worse.

Today the Independent Watch Dog, the Audit Commission came out with a report which seriously backed up the view of our two listeners and I quote, as I often do, from the Herald Express, “ BADLY-BEHAVED councillors are dragging down the reputation of Torbay Council, according to a top inspector. Martin Green, senior manager for the independent watchdog the Audit Commission, delivered his unusual verdict at a council meeting claiming the behaviour of some councillors was 'below the expected standards'. “Speaking to the Herald Express Mr Green said: "It is unusual for us to note the impact of councillors' behaviour in this way. Councillors need to ensure that their behaviour, either individually or in the pursuit of political objectives, does not unreasonably serve to undermine the reputation of the council in the eyes of local people." The report stated that some of the poor behavior appeared to be politically motivated.

The report also mentioned that this bad behavior was shame as the council had improved in it’s performance and in the provision of services.

Seems we need some one to bang a few heads together and explain carefully the meaning of the term Public Relations.

Liberal Democrat leader Steve Darling hit out at badly behaved Conservatives saying: "This is more an issue the Conservatives need to sort out.” Hi Steve, I have a feeling that comment was politically motivated. Where are your manners? And an other thing Steve, the callers to Radio Devon didn't differentiate between your lot and the other side. They lumped you all under the same banner. Tarred you with the same brush as it were. If you want to come up smelling of roses you are going to have to be whiter than white.

I’ve lived in a fair number of towns around the country over the years and it is only here in Torbay that I have noticed so much bickering going on in the Town Hall. Maybe it’s just because I’m getting older or, more likely, there is so much more bickering here than in other places I have lived.