Jase thought he had it boxed off...until the bald legal eagle swooped!

MYSTERY today surrounds the contents of eight huge boxes seized by city council chiefs from the Harbarrowboy.

Speculation is rife that as well as ice cream recipes and a fair amount of CoC Up branded merchandising tat, the confiscated haul also included copies of confidential emails.
It is also alleged that the seizure included Harbarrowboy's personal notes of a series of meetings between him, Fireman Bradley, the Storeyteller and Cover Up.

Together with details about other key Culture Company and Culture Board personnel - including our Lord Redmond.
So what is going on?
When the Harbarrowboy was asked to clear his desk at the Millennium House Fun Palace, he left strict instructions with his PA that all his personal effects should be placed in boxes and shipped over to the hacienda in Spain.

This was apparently agreed with Cover Up as part of his £250,000 pay-off.

Included in the deal, at Jase's strong insistence, was his little laptop computer - an ancient steam-powered jobbie that was still loaded with WIN95.

It appears that Jason Orange actually liked the 'blue screen of death' because every time his laptop crashed, it reminded him of all the events he'd CoC'd-up during his sojourn as "Chief Executive of Nothing".
By the time the Harbarrowboy's secretary had gathered together all his personal clutter, she had managed to fill SIXTEEN large boxes.

(That's an awful lot of 'T' shirts, badges and CoC bollocks, eds)

These sixteen boxes were then referred to the late lamented bald legal eagle, Ken Unworthy, former city solicitor.

His department was given responsibility for vetting the entire contents of the boxes and signing them off for shipping to Espagna, por favor.

So the bald eagle got down from his perch and began scrabbling through the Harbarrowboy's assembled knick-knacks to make sure he wasn't looting the Council's property and stuffing the boxes with council issue paper clips, rubber bands and indiarubbers.

It's far from clear precisely what instructions for stuffing that Jase had given his secretary.

But after the bald eagle had finished rummaging through Jase's haul, the sixteen boxes had been whittled down to just EIGHT.

It took an urgent meeting with Cover Up, who was given a detailed report on the sequestrated contents, before the remaining boxes were cleared for dispatch to the hacienda.

What is beyond doubt is that the Council had recovered a sizeable chunk of its own property from the sixteen boxes.

If Jase had taken a leaf out of Sir Diddy's book, of course, he would have got one of his minions to shred all the incriminating files, dodgy dossiers and backhanders one quiet weekend when no-one was looking.

So we are now starting a City of the Dead competition.

What was amongst the items seized?

First prize of a box full of paperclips goes to the person who makes the best suggestion.

ANOTHER EXCLUSIVE: ALL ABOARD!!!!!!!! THE CAPITAL OF CULTURE GRAVY TRAIN!!!!!!

Below is the Official Register of Gifts, Hospitality and other favours offered by Capital of Culture, 2004-6.

The list shows the:

1. name of the recipient


2. date


3. nature of hospitality offered


4. the reason why it was offered.

Most of the offers were made by CoC staff - we have removed their names - on the orders of The Harbarrowboy et al. We have kept the names of people whose requests for hospitality etc, were unusual.

Unfortunately, the Register does not include the total cost to council taxpayers of the gifts, hospitality and other favours which were doled out.

(Perhaps someone with time on his/her hands will draw up a league table of the Freebie Champions?eds) On an initial examination however, solicitors Hill Dickinson and Radio City appear to be neck and neck.

Of course, this Register does not include figures for 2007. Perhaps someone should ask for that? NB: ALCB is the Alliance and Leicester.

Radio City x 6
15 March 2005
VIP tickets to 4 nations boxing event - 25/3/05
sponsorship benefit

Hill Dickinson x 20
15 March 2005
VIP tickets to 4 nations boxing event - 25/3/05
sponsorship benefit

United Utilities x6
15 March 2005
VIP tickets to 4 nations boxing event - 25/3/05
sponsorship benefit

Martin Joyce - enterprise
15 March 2005
VIP tickets to 4 nations boxing event - 25/3/05
hospitality

Tim Crutchley - Finch
15 March 2005
VIP tickets to 4 nations boxing event - 25/3/05
hospitality

Bill Sutton - Alliance & Leicester
15 March 2005
VIP tickets to 4 nations boxing event - 25/3/05
hospitality

Chris Waring - Littlewoods x4
15 March 2005
VIP tickets to 4 nations boxing event - 25/3/05
hospitality

Radio City x 6
15 March 2005
VIP tickets to 4 nations boxing event - 8/4/05
sponsorship benefit

United Utilities x6
15 March 2005
VIP tickets to 4 nations boxing event - 8/4/05
sponsorship benefit

Hill Dickinson x 6
15 March 2005
VIP tickets to 4 nations boxing event - 8/4/05
sponsorship benefit

Lucy Marsh, Jaguar
15 March 2005
VIP tickets to 4 nations boxing event - 8/4/05
hospitality

Damien Farrell, Marriott Hotels
15 March 2005
VIP tickets to 4 nations boxing event - 8/4/05
hospitality

Tom Cassidey, LFC
15 March 2005
VIP tickets to 4 nations boxing event - 8/4/05
hospitality

Maxine Martin x4
15 March 2005
invited by John Turner
VIP tickets to 4 nations boxing event - 8/4/05
hospitality

Hugh Woollacote x3
15 March 2005
invited by John Turner
VIP tickets to 4 nations boxing event - 8/4/06
hospitality

Littlewoods - Philip Han & guest
15 March 2005
VIP tickets to 4 nations boxing event - 8/4/07
hospitality

United Utilities x2
02 May 2005
Opening event for World Museum Liverpool - 11/5/05
sponsorship benefit

Radio City x2
02 May 2005
Opening event for World Museum Liverpool - 11/5/05
sponsorship benefit

Hill Dickinson x2
02 May 2005
Opening event for World Museum Liverpool - 11/5/05
sponsorship benefit

United Utilities
16 May 2005
tickets to Tranmere Rovers play off semi-final
sponsorship benefit

Radio City
16 May 2005
tickets to Tranmere Rovers play off semi-final - 10/5/05
sponsorship benefit

Enterprise
16 May 2005
tickets to Tranmere Rovers play off semi-final - 10/5/05
sponsorship benefit

Hill Dickinson
16 May 2005
tickets to Tranmere Rovers play off semi-final - 10/5/05
sponsorship benefit

Radio City x4
12 May 2005
High Society tickets - Liverpool Empire - 11/5/05
sponsorship benefit

Hill Dickinson
08 June 2005
International Tennis tournament - table of 12
sponsorship benefit

carolyn roberson (Hill Dickinson)
8-12th June
International Tennis tournament - VIP passes for each day
additional benefit requested

United Utilities
09 June 2005
International Tennis tournament - table of 12
sponsorship benefit

Michael Quinlan, Sayers
10 June 2005
invited by chris green
invitation to International Tennis tournament
hospitality

NWDA
10 June 2005
invited by chris green
invitation to International Tennis tournament
sponsorship benefit

Tony Wilson, Hill Dickinson
10 June 2005
invited by chris green
invitation to International Tennis tournament
hospitality/sponsorship benefit

2x Hill Dickinson
12 July 2005
2x additional tickets for final day
sponsorship benefit

Enterprise
11 June 2005
6 tickets to international tennis tournament
sponsorship benefit

ALCB
11 June 2005
6 tickets to internationsl tennis tournament
sponsorship benefit

Hill Dickinson
10-12/6/05
3 dbls to Mersey River Festival launch & 10 single invites to swing concert
sponsorship benefit

United Utilities
10-12/6/05
3 dbls to Mersey River Festival launch & 10 single invites to swing concert
sponsorship benefit

Radio City
10-12/6/05
3 dbls to Mersey River Festival launch & 10 single invites to swing concert
sponsorship benefit

Enterprise
10-12/6/05
3 dbls to Mersey River Festival launch & 10 single invites to swing concert
sponsorship benefit

NWDA
10-12/6/05
3 dbls to Mersey River Festival launch & 10 single invites to swing concert
sponsorship benefit

ALCB
10-12/6/05
3 dbls to Mersey River Festival launch & 10 single invites to swing concert
sponsorship benefit

Hill Dickinson
16 & 17th July
20 hospitality lounge passes for HUB
sponsorship benefit

United Utilities
16 & 17th July
20 hospitality lounge passes for HUB
sponsorship benefit

Radio City
16 & 17th July
20 hospitality lounge passes for HUB
sponsorship benefit

Enterprise
16 & 17th July
20 hospitality lounge passes for HUB
sponsorship benefit

NWDA
16 & 17th July
20 hospitality lounge passes for HUB
sponsorship benefit

ALCB
16 & 17th July
20 hospitality lounge passes for HUB
sponsorship benefit

Hill Dickinson
29 June 2005
2 x VIP tickets to Summer Pops
sponsorship benefit

Hill Dickinson

12 July 2005
invited by chris green
2 x VIP tickets to Summer Pops
sponsorship benefit

United Utilties
29 June 2005
invited by chris green
2 x VIP tickets to Summer Pops
sponsorship benefit

United Utilities
30 June 2005
2 x VIP tickets to Summer Pops
sponsorship benefit

Radio City
04 July 2005
4 x VIP tickets to Summer Pops
sponsorship benefit

Enterprise
30 June 2005
4 x VIP tickets to Summer Pops
sponsorship benefit

ALCB
12 July 2005
4 x VIP tickets to Summer Pops
sponsorship benefit

Hill Dickinson
20 July 2005
6 x tickets boxing - England V Canada
sponsorship benefit

United Utilties
20 July 2005

6 x tickets boxing - England V Canada
sponsorship benefit

Radio City
20 July 2005
6 x tickets boxing - England V Canada
sponsorship benefit

Enterprise
20 July 2005
6 x tickets boxing - England V Canada
sponsorship benefit

NWDA
20 July 2005
6 x tickets boxing - England V Canada
sponsorship benefit

ALCB
20 July 2005
6 x tickets boxing - England V Canada
sponsorship benefit

Hill Dickinson
29 July 2005
6 x tickets boxing - multi-nations
sponsorship benefit

United Utilties
29 July 2005
6 x tickets boxing - multi-nations
sponsorship benefit

Radio City
29 July 2005
6 x tickets boxing - multi-nations
sponsorship benefit

Enterprise
29 July 2005
6 x tickets boxing - multi-nations
sponsorship benefit

NWDA
29 July 2005
6 x tickets boxing - multi-nations
sponsorship benefit

ALCB
29 July 2005
6 x tickets boxing - multi-nations
sponsorship benefit

Hill Dickinson
20 & 21 Aug 2005
10 tickets - Honda Racing
sponsorship benefit

United Utilties
20 & 21 Aug 2005
10 tickets - Honda Racing
sponsorship benefit

Radio City
20 & 21 Aug 2005
10 tickets - Honda Racing
sponsorship benefit

Enterprise
20 & 21 Aug 2005
10 tickets - Honda Racing
sponsorship benefit

NWDA
20 & 21 Aug 2005
10 tickets - Honda Racing
sponsorship benefit

ALCB
20 & 21 Aug 2005
10 tickets - Honda Racing
sponsorship benefit

United Utilties
23 August 2005
x4 Empire tickets, Beauty & the beast
sponsorship benefit

Hill Dickinson
23 August 2005
x 4 Empire tickets, Beauty & the beast
sponsorship benefit

Hill Dickinson
27 - 29th August 2005
10 tickets - mathew street festival
sponsorship benefit

United Utilties
27 - 29th August 2005
10 tickets - mathew street festival
sponsorship benefit

Radio City
27 - 29th August 2005
10 tickets - mathew street festival
sponsorship benefit

Enterprise
27 - 29th August 2005
10 tickets - mathew street festival
sponsorship benefit

NWDA
27 - 29th August 2005
10 tickets - mathew street festival
sponsorship benefit

ALCB
27 - 29th August 2005
10 tickets - mathew street festival
sponsorship benefit

Hill Dickinson
16 September 2005
10 tickets - city of light
sponsorship benefit

United Utilties
16 September 2005
10 tickets - city of light
sponsorship benefit

Radio City
16 September 2005
10 tickets - city of light
sponsorship benefit

Enterprise
16 September 2005
10 tickets - city of light
sponsorship benefit

NWDA
16 September 2005
10 tickets - city of light
sponsorship benefit

ALCB
16 September 2005
10 tickets - city of light
sponsorship benefit

Hill Dickinson
18 September 2005
16 tickets to start of Clipper
sponsorship benefit

United Utilties
18 September 2005
16 tickets to start of Clipper
sponsorship benefit

Radio City
18 September 2005
16 tickets to start of Clipper
sponsorship benefit

Enterprise
18 September 2005
16 tickets to start of Clipper
sponsorship benefit

NWDA
18 September 2005
16 tickets to start of Clipper
sponsorship benefit

ALCB
18 September 2005
16 tickets to start of Clipper
sponsorship benefit

Enterprise
27 September 2005
4 x empire tickets for Jungle Book
sponsorship benefit

Radio City
27 September 2005
4 x empire tickets for Jungle Book
sponsorship benefit

Hill Dickinson
29 September 2005
6 tickets to Nelson Dinner
additional sponsorship benefit

Hill Dickinson
04/10/2006
2 x empire tickets for Grease
sponsorship benefit

United Utilties
04/10/2005
2 x empire tickets for Grease
sponsorship benefit

Radio City
04/10/2005
2 x empire tickets for Grease
sponsorship benefit

United Utilties
04/10/2005
2 x empire tickets for Grease
sponsorship benefit

Hill Dickinson
18 October 2005
4 x boxing tickets - world junior finals (plus additional 2)
sponsorship benefit

United Utilties
18 October 2005
4 x boxing tickets - world junior finals (plus additional 2)
sponsorship benefit

Radio City
18 October 2005
4 x boxing tickets - world junior finals (plus additional 2)
sponsorship benefit

Enterprise
18 October 2005
4 x boxing tickets - world junior finals (plus additional 2)
sponsorship benefit

NWDA
18 October 2005
4 x boxing tickets - wrold junior finals
sponsorship benefit

ALCB
18 October 2005
4 x boxing tickets - world junior finals (plus additional 2)
sponsorship benefit

Hill Dickinson
05 November 2005
20 x tickets for fireworks
sponsorship benefit

United Utilties
05 November 2005
20 x tickets for fireworks
sponsorship benefit

Radio City
05 November 2005
20 x tickets for fireworks
sponsorship benefit

Enterprise
05 November 2005
20 x tickets for fireworks
sponsorship benefit

NWDA
05 November 2005
20 x tickets for fireworks
sponsorship benefit

ALCB
05 November 2005
20 x tickets for fireworks* requested additional 20 (TBC)
sponsorship benefit

Hill Dickinson
29th November 2005
6 tickets - Empire (Sleeping Beauty)
sponsorship benefit

ALCB
21st December 2006
4 tickets - Empire (Cinderella)
sponsorship benefit

HD, UU, RC, Ent, NWDA, ALCB, sayers
27 January 2006
Sports strategy launch
sponsorship benefit

HD, UU, RC, Ent, ALCB
30 January 2006
Liverpool performs launch
sponsorship benefit

NWDA
30 January 2006
Liverpool performs launch
sponsorship benefit

sayers
30 January 2006
Liverpool performs launch
sponsorship benefit

sayers
30th January 2006
6 tickets Liverpool empire (Nutcracker)
sponsorship benefit

United Utilties
16th February 2006
6 tickets Liverpool Empire (Scrooge)
sponsorship benefit

ALCB
21st February 2006
6 tickets Liverpool Empire (My Fair Lady)
sponsorship benefit

Stay posted for more interesting figures....

MATHEW ST 2007 : 'CAN THE ECHO JUST MAKE IT UP?'

Still no approval for Mathew St on June 5, 2007 – the day after Lee Forde resigned

-----Original Message-----
From: Doran, Mike>

Sent: 05 June 2007 13:57>

To: Green, Chris; Harborow, Jason; Forde, Lee>

Cc: Newman, Paul>

Subject: Mathew Street Music Festival>

Importance: High>>

Chris/Jason/Lee,>>

The Liverpool ECHO are on deadline (tomorrow) for a summer festival publication and are going to include the MSMF.

They have already spoken to bands who have been invited - but want the> official line on what is happening this year.>>

I know there's proposal - subject to approval. Do we know when this will happen?

If its not by tomorrow - are we happy for ECHO to make it up?>>

ECHO publication will hit the streets June 23.>>

Cheers>

Mike>>

Mike Doran>

News Officer>

-----Original Message-----
From: Green, Chris>

Sent: 05 June 2007 14:40>

To: Doran, Mike>

Cc: Newman, Paul; Harborow, Jason; Forde, Lee>

Subject: RE: Mathew Street Music Festival>>

Can we encourage them to take the line - 'happening over the bank holiday weekend' without mentioning time and place? This will not be formally approved till after tomorrow.>>

Chris>>

Chris Green>

Operations Director

FORDE FIRST WARNED OF POTENTIAL MATHEW ST CANCELLATION IN MAY 2006

-----Original Message-----
From: Forde, Lee

Sent: 17 May 2006 12:59

To: Harborow, Jason; Donaldson, Kris

Subject: Mathew Street Festival

Guys,

Merseytravel have disagreed with closing the Strand for three days in order to keep the event in the city centre.

I have requested this in writing by end of week.

It is likely I will need a high level phone call to bottom this out and if no change can be agreed then we either go to the parks or cancel.

I would appreciate if one of you would assist with a call to Neil Scales next Monday if as I expect we get a negative written response.

Cheers

Lee Forde

General Manager of Events

-----Original Message-----
From: Harborow, Jason

Sent: 17 May 2006 13:36

To: Forde, Lee; Donaldson, Kris

Subject: RE: Mathew Street Festival

Ok, provide me with a brief that I might ask colin (presumably Colin Hilton) to pursue

Jason Harborow

And Forde's deputy gave another warning a year later….

-----Original Message-----

From: Grant, Eddy

Sent: 29 March 2007 09:46

To: Green, ChrisCc: Forde, Lee

Subject: RE: Updated: Mathew Street Music Festival

Strategic Partners &Director briefing

We need to make this a priority as based on current information we as events team have extreme difficulty in staging the festival in this city for 2007.

Director level understanding and input is essential at this stage.

We are approaching the point where we will not meet with license conditionsand as such the most senior support input and understanding is essential

Eddy Grant

Operations & Safety Manager

HOLIDAY CAPTION COMPETITION AS THE HARBARROWBOY DOES A RUNNER WITH OUR MONEY

LEE FORDE'S MATHEW ST DOSSIER: THE BATTLE BETWEEN STOREYTELLER AND THE HARBARROWBOY

The following emails between Councillor Storey and Jason Harborow illustrate the rising tensions between the two over budgets, but also that Councillor Bradley; the Lord Mayor, Councillor Paul Clark; and Mr Hilton were also all aware of the problems faced by Mathew Street in March 2007.

-----Original Message-----

From: Fogarty, Sandra On Behalf Of Harborow, Jason

Sent: 12 March 2007 11:39

To: Storey, Mike

Cc: Bradley, Warren (Leader of the City Council); Hilton, Colin (Chief Executive); Green, Chris; Forde, Lee

Subject: Son et Lumiere - Mathew Street Festival

Dear Mike

I understand that a meeting took place between yourself, Warren, Colin and Chris Green on 21st February. At that meeting the Son et Lumiere was discussed and also Mathew Street Festival. As you are aware, the planning for one off events for 2007 took place in the second half of last year. At that time the Son et Lumiere event was not being considered. Following a request to look at this a more accurate budget was produced highlighting that £160k would be required to deliver the event, we were asked to look at the budget to see if this could be found and to increase the budget for the pageant and square activities on the 28th August.

Following a thorough review of the budget I regret to inform you that it is impossible to find this budget without looking to reduce the budget for the fireworks on 28th August, however, this would undoubtedly create a serious PR issue if a decent display did not take place.

I felt it was important to inform you of this as soon as possible.

In relation to Mathew Street Festival, there are other issues which I will highlight as soon as discussions with my colleagues are concluded. These do include serious logistical issues around the closing of major roads and the utilisation of space not normally used for Mathew Street Festival, these issues of course do not have an impact on the event taking place but may have on the duration.

I will provide this information as soon as possible.

Best Regards

Jason Harborow
Chief Executive

-----Original Message-----

From: Storey, Mike

To: Harborow, Jason

Cc: Bradley, Warren (Leader of the City Council); Clark, Paul; Hilton, Colin(Chief Executive)

Sent: Mon Mar 12 17:11:47 2007

Subject: RE: Son et Lumiere - Mathew Street Festival

Jason

Not happy about this. wondered why nobody was talking to me about this!

Amazing how we can fin £50,000 for Summer pops in Sefton and other non essential items yet the opportunity for Liverpool folk to celebrate the opening of St Georges Hall is pushed out. Would want to meet up tomorrow morning to discuss this and to go through the Budgets to find the money. This will happen

Regards

Mike

-----Original Message-----

From: Harborow, Jason

Sent: 12 March 2007 20:18

To: Storey, Mike

Cc: Bradley, Warren (Leader of the City Council); Clark, Paul; Hilton, Colin(Chief Executive); Green, Chris; Molyneux, Lorraine

Subject: Re: Son et Lumiere - Mathew Street Festival

Mike

Thank you for your note.

I am afraid I am not available tomorrow but chris green is.

The issue is we don't have this type of budget without cutting other events, which chris has already propised to you. Chris will contact you tomorrow to discuss

Best regards

Jason

Jason Harborow

Chief Executive

So Storey and the Harbarrowboy were at each other's throats in March 2007, in the familiar Liverpool battle for power between councillors and officers.

Storey wanted one thing - his Son et Lumiere pet project - without any notice and without any money being identified to pay for it.

And the Harbarrowboy was refusing to let him have it.

The scene was set....Storey's pet project would eventually get the £100,000 it needed, while the Harbarrowboy would then, in petty revenge, slash the Mathew Street budget by £100,000. The games people play with public money....

And of course that £100,000 budget cut then triggered the entire Mathew Street fiasco.

ANOTHER WORLD EXCLUSIVE: FIREMAN BRADLEY'S EMAILS TO LEE FORDE:

FIREMAN Bradley sent five emails to Lee Forde in the space of three minutes (not very computer literate then, eds) the day after he had promoted a council report which blamed Forde for the Mathew Street debacle. (what a dishonest little hypocrite the Fireman is, eds)

Three of the emails were identical. They are shown below. But this is the killer phrase:

“I am as pissed off as you … how the report can finger people - and not others…” - Warren Bradley

Bradley did not have either the guts or the honesty to tell the press this was his real view the day before, when Lee Forde was fighting to protect his professional reputation which had been disgracefully attacked by a censored and biased council report which blamed Forde for the cancellation. And the report let off the hook, the real culprits - the Harbarrowboy, CoverUp, Storey-teller and the Fireman.

What morally bankrupt and corrupt bastards these people are.

The emails:

-----Original Message-----

From: wj.bradley@blueyonder.co.uk [mailto:wj.bradley@blueyonder.co.uk]

Sent: 17 November 2007 13:49

To: leeforde

Subject: Re: FW: Capacity issues>

Lee,

Really need to speak to you, to discuss the next steps. I am as pissed off as you, I really do think we need to get together to talk?

Warren

-----Original Message-----

From: wj.bradley@blueyonder.co.uk [mailto:wj.bradley@blueyonder.co.uk]

Sent: 17 November 2007 13:50

To: leeforde

Subject: Re: FW: Capacity issues>

Lee,

Really need to speak to you, to discuss the next steps. I am as pissed off as you, I really do think we need to get together to talk?

Warren

-----Original Message-----

From: wj.bradley@blueyonder.co.uk [mailto:wj.bradley@blueyonder.co.uk]

Sent: 17 November 2007 13:52

To: leeforde

Subject: Re: FW: Capacity issues

Lee,

Really need to talk to you and discuss the next steps. I am as pissed off as you regarding this whole episode, and how the report can finger people and not others?

Warren

EDITOR'S NOTE: Bradley has now apparently claimed that the secret meeting was at Lee Forde's instigation, but we think the emails show something completely different. Bradley is an unmitigated liar. He cannot help but be thoroughly dishonest. He will say anything to save his own neck. Damage anyone to save his own unimpressive political career. He deserves to be hounded out of office for the way he has framed Forde. So how are you going to wriggle out of this one now, Fireman?

THE FIREMAN: STILL THINKING OUTSIDE THE BOX?????

We couldn't resist reproducing this spectacularly appropriate quote below from Councillor Warren Bradley, (Leader of Liverpool city council, aka The Fireman, and hero of the Mathew Street report) from one of the many press releases which 'Randy' Newman recently issued to the world's unsuspecting meeja. Enjoy......

.........Councillor Warren Bradley, leader of Liverpool city council and deputy chair of the Liverpool Culture Company, said: “Put simply, Treasures is about placing your life into a box. The project will start in schools, but eventually we want everyone living in the city – and the surrounding areas – to have a go at creating their own Treasure box.
“It’s a great project which gives everyone the chance to get involved in celebrating what they love most about Liverpool – I can’t wait to start making my own box!”

ENDS

And nor can we. Talk about digging your own grave....

CONSPIRACY OF SILENCE?

WHY has the media failed to expose the evil cabal?

Why have they largely ignored the corruption and wrong-doing at Henshaw's city council, despite the current council leader handing a secret dossier last year to the chief constable?

Why have the media been largely silent on the waste of millions of pounds in public money by the current city council and the Culture Company?

Is the answer to any of these questions explained by the ownership of the media?

("You might think that, but I couldn't possibly comment," Francis Urquhart)

That's what members of the National Union Of Journalists think anyway.

And it's what many in Liverpool think when they see the cosy deals being done between unholyTrinity Mirror and the Culture Comedians and the local media's failure to hold the Harbarrowboy to account.

Any chance that commercial considerations could be interfering with editorial integrity?

Journalists are today reduced to a cross between call-centre workers and data processors. Stuck at their desks re-jigging press releases. Who knows what corruption, lies, and law-breaking is going on in the corridors of power – no-one has the time to look. Or is even encouraged to delve a little deeper.

Except the occasional brave blogger...

Members of the NUJ descend on Manchester on November 5 to urge their bosses to stand up to greedy media owners.

The NUJ is organising a lobby of the Society of Editors conference at the swanky Radisson Hotel on Peter Street, Manchester.
Union president Michelle Stanistreet said: “The media is owned by a smaller and smaller group of extremely wealthy corporations.
“They make big profits but they want more. So journalists face a constant round of job cuts and dwindling editorial budgets. This means that more and more news is just recycled press releases.
“We want our editors to join with us and stand up to the culture of cuts. If they believe that journalism is important for democracy and for local communities they must take a stand.
“They are meeting on a site that was developed to commemorate the Peterloo massacre. We hope they will take courage from history and seize the moment.”
The Manchester event is one of the focul points of Stand Up For Journalism Day which will involve events all over Europe.
There will be lobbies at the European Parliament and in towns and cities across the UK and Ireland.
In Manchester journalists and their supporters will gather outside the offices of the Manchester Evening News on Hardman Street, off Deansgate at 12.30pm on November 5.
They will march to the Radisson Hotel, on the site of the old Free Trade Hall, to lobby the editors’ conference. There will be a rally in defence of journalism at 1.30pm in the Friends Meeting House on Mount Street.
Michelle Stanistreet and NUJ General Secretary Jeremy Dear will be among the speakers. For furtherinformation visit http://www.standupforjournalism.org.uk/

'SECRET' PROBE INTO CLUCAS AND IRISH CENTRE CONTINUES....

The ‘secret’ investigation by the Standards Board into Lib Dem Flo Clucas and the Irish Centre continues apace.
The self-styled “watchdogs” have been in and out of Lime Street like Maggie May during the last few weeks.
Indeed, they have become such familiar faces in the city council’s Planning Department at Kingsway House, that staff now regularly offer to fetch their lunchtime butties.
The team of borocrats have even been given their own private office and offered secretarial, admin and photocopying support.
They have demanded copies of the minutes of all meetings, notes taken and all correspondence regarding the Centre on Mount Pleasant.
A number of staff have already been interviewed in-depth by the team of investigators.
They include Planning Chief Nigel Lee, who has been banned from taking any part in discussions or decisions about the Irish Centre because he has already compromised his impartiality.
In particular, the investigators have been interested in any documentation regarding Lib Dem Executive member Flo Clucas’s relationship with Dance Liverpool.
Readers will recall how Clucas used her position as a senior Cabinet Member and city councillor to promote Dance Liverpool’s campaign to take over the Grade 2 listed building.
Flucas is, of course, a Director of Dance Liverpool, but failed to declare her interest in the organisation – which stood to financially benefit from any move – at meetings in which she pushed their case.
Flucas promised Dance Liverpool they could have council taxpayers money and European grants – she is also Chair of the European Objective One committee, which doles out the cash.
Flucas has been interviewed by the Standards Board, and protested that she haS nothing wrong and that she is the victim of a disgraceful attempt to besmirch her good name and reputation as a leading Lib Dem councillor. (Surprise, surprise, eds)
Other senior figures been yet to be called to the wicket, including city council chief executive, Colin ‘Cover Up’.
As is the way with the borocrats, their investigation is now taking much longer than expected, such is the volume of paperwork being examined.
So their final report is not expected before early next year.
Of course, you will not be able to read a single word about any of this in the papers, or hear it on Radio Merseyside, all of which appear to have agreed to maintain a discreet silence about the investigation.
This is unusual - especially since the Standards Board is a public body, using public money to carry out a public investigation into a publicly elected city councillor.
Obviously, the public would not be the slightest bit interested in this investigation.

CITY COUNCIL MAKES 150 CARE WORKERS REDUNDANT

LIVERPOOL City Council is to make 150 care workers redundant to help pay for Capital of Culture.

The cowardly council deliberately made the announcement late this afternoon to try and avoid more damaging headlines in today's newspapers for the third day running.

Letters were sent out to the 400 care workers, who are on the lowest wages of all council staff, from the £195,000-a-year Executive Director Tony Hunter (right).

As part of its carefully-timed spin operation, the council's statement claims there is less demand for the care workers.

"This is because all new cases are handled by the independent sector, which has more flexibility to handle calls at times when people who use the service need them," it claims.

"The city council's in-house staff are contracted to provide 10,000 hours of care per week, but are only providing 5,000 hours - which means 5,000 hours remain unused. "

But the real reason of course is very simple: getting rid of staff saves the council money.

Why does the city council need to save money?

Because it needs £29million to pay for Capital of Culture.

So here we are witnessing the disgraceful spectacle of the city's poorest paid workers, mainly women, being made the sacrificial lambs for 2008.

While the hangers-on and the VIP's swig their free booze and munch their canapes at yet another civic reception, the care workers are being thrown out on their ears.

It is disgusting and disgraceful - a cynical, dishonest, cost-cutting exercise, being dressed up as some kind of 'efficiency' drive.

We sincerely hope that the care workers and their elderly clients will take on the city council and force them to stop.

How much will the council raise by cutting the workforce in half and slashing the service provided by half?

And how many bottles of wine and canapes will they buy with it, instead?

THE ROTTWEILLER ATTACKS THE UNIONS AT LIVERPOOL DIRECT

THE ROTTWEILLER McElhinney is trying to force Liverpool Direct staff to do whatever he wants.

The dirty doctor has written to the trade unions to try and get a clause in the LDL contract scrapped.

The clause prevents him from forcing council staff - ie, secondee's to Liverpool Direct - to work for any external business.

If the unions agree, it would mean the evil McElhinney could have Liverpool Direct staff answering calls on behalf of his own private interests, such as Corrupt Bastards Inc, or that infamous local company, Evil, thieving, lying Cabal or the legendary TakingthepissoutofLiverpool.com or anyone else, more reputable, who is prepared to pay through the nose.

The move to scrap the clause follows the blog's recent exposure that Liverpool Direct was handling calls about Bernard Matthews's bird flu crisis for DEFRA.

This caused huge ructions for the thieving McElhinney, with protests from trade unions and politicians that calls to care staff were going unanswered while Liverpool Direct staff answered calls about turkeys.

The evil McElhinney is blaming the unions for leaking the story to the blog (wrongly, ed) and is now trying to get them to agree to the clause being scrapped so he can make sure that, in future, he can take money from anyone he likes.

He wants to take the clause out of the contract that states he has to consult with staff and unions on any changes in contracts and then use the staff in anyway he see's fit.

No union in its right mind would give McElhinney carte blanche like this, of course. But stranger things have happened in Liverpool...

In his letter notifying the unions of an official consultation period for removing the clause, McElhinney's motives become transparent.

He first tries to blackmail the unions over jobs, clumsily reminding them that LDL was originally set up as an alternative to outsourcing (in other words, we can always outsource your jobs again lads, unless you agree to this, ed)

He claims that the council wanted LDL to win "third party work" (who exactly is supposed to have agreed to that then? ed)

He then goes on: "You will know that the success of LDL's support to Defra during the recent outbreak of Avian influenza was heralded by the city as a major achievement." (Who was the numbskull 'herald' in this case then, Dr? ed)

McElhinney has clumsily included the bird flu example to anger the unions (who were horrified at what he was doing, ed) and give them a slap in the face about how untouchable he is (along the lines of, 'I can do what I like lads, so get stuffed - like those turkeys', ed)

The evil McElhinney claims 80 new jobs have been created from this so-called 'third party work,' withouthout producing any evidence for his claims. Indeed so flimsy is this particular claim that he has to repeat it twice, (presumably so 'the thickos in the unions' as he calls them, get his point? ed).

Then comes the sting - unless the unions agree to scrap the clause, there will be "the potential risk of redundancy or redeployment."

Crude blackmail.

Of course, McElhinney is hoping the unions will cave in and allow him to continue running his own private enterprise, without any challenge or accountability.

He wants to use council employees - public servants - without being accountable to anyone else. Least of all the unions, or councillors.

No doubt his mates in the ABA, his boxing friends, his jogging pals, websites for members of his family - and any other blonde ladies like very-well-looked-after-employee Sarah Parr (right) who need special 'services' - could benefit again from this nasty, vicious, arrogant little megalomaniac being allowed to do whatever he likes, while he laughs all the way to the bank.

Any hope of the Lib Dems doing anything to defend the interests of the workforce is, of course, absolutely pointless.

Dr David McElhinney

SIGN THE DOWNING STREET PETITION IN SUPPORT OF THE CARE WORKERS....(courtesy of Tori Blare)

We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to provide more public funding towards the care of the elderly and vulnerable in Liverpool City.

The Liverpool City Council are £29 million pounds overspent in their budget for Capital of Culture.

The Liberal Democrat controlled Administration have insisted that the Private care providers, sign a new contract for this provision of care which equates to a 30% cut across the services, having the direct effect on the staff and the vulnerable.

The same administration has decided to cease the existence of the generic council run home care service.

This again has a direct impact on the carers and the vulnerable.

We request that the Government ensures the full budgets are released for the vulnerable and elderly citizens of Liverpool and not in the form of high wages for the senior management teams of the caring profession.

Sign the petition here: http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/LiverpoolCare/#detail

THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE....

Below are comments posted by the people of Liverpool on the care workers dispute...

Stanford88 said...
Congratulations on attracting so many comments Tony.

It's good to be able to tell others of the way council is treating us.

I will certainly post news and comments to it !

Guess what? – more bad news !

I bumped in to one of the ex office staff where I work today. She said our company had lost a few of the areas that we are working in because of the new contract and this would affect my blocks.

It appears that I have to go and work for another new care agency if I want to stay with my service users.

What are the council trying to do to me?

What are the council trying to do to the people I look after?

Are they deliberately trying to upset us?

Are they deliberately picking on us?

First of all, a 30% pay cut, secondly, IF I manager to stay a carer, I will have to transfer to another care agency because of toopee to stay with my service users?

I don’t want to change agency.

I am happy with my wages, I am happy with service users, I am happy with the agency I work for.

Are all these changes for the good?

If so perhaps Curly, Larry and Mo (AKA Antrobus, Hunter and Brazil) be able to tell me how?

I have served this city as a loyal carer for a number of years (on less money than them).

I think I am entitled to some explanation.

PS I am a council tax payer - so I am demanding an answer...

Tepec said...

I am a social care manager.

I just can't believe where they are coming from on this one.

How can they disrupt so many vulnerable people?

Thursday, May 31, 2007 11:45:00 AM

TAX PAYER said...

Yes and I am DEMANDING to know what the hell they are up to.

I am also a tax payer. I object to my hard earning money being used to feather the nests of Social Services and P.C.T. managers also the allowances for so called 'Coucillors'.

YOU need to take some Counsel yourselves.

These are very vulnerable Liverpool Citizens and care staff you are putting at risk.

People you are not even fit to wipe there boots.

GIVE US THE ANSWERS YOU FACELESS PEOPLE instead of pocketing MY MONEY yourselves.

Thursday, May 31, 2007 12:15:00 PM

Carol said...

So very very sad. Oh! to be elderly. Nobody cares.

Thursday, May 31, 2007 5:24:00 PM

Pete said...

If you want to save money to have more to spend on yourself and Jollies to Cannes and elsewhere who do you pick on?....... The elderly and children they can't hit back.Thats about the level we have sunk to in Liverpool.

Thursday, May 31, 2007 9:08:00 PM

Anonymous said...

"Never before have so many been taken for so much and left with so little."

Thursday, May 31, 2007 9:56:00 PM

IT'S CRIMINAL: "'THE COUNCIL ARE OVERSPENT AND NEED TO FIND MORE MONEY TO FUND CAPITAL OF CULTURE..."

Stanford88 has left a new comment on your post "THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE...":

Hi Tony.

Thanks for your support.

I attended a meeting in the North of the city last week organised by the Liverpool Care Slaves United.

Over 100 people showed up and we met a local labour councillor Joe Hanson.

I spoke to carers from all different parts of the city who are all in the same position - facing about 30% PAY CUT !

The Labour Party can't believe that the council are trying to force such cuts through on the private sector workers and they are vowing to help us in our struggle for equal rights of pay.

If you dont mind I would like to take this opportunity to tell other care workers that are concerned about what the council are doing to contact Joe Hanson.

His email address is :joseph.hanson@liverpool.gov.uk

The same answers keep coming back on this when we ask why is the council changing the contract?

Answers.....1) The council are overspent and need to find more money to fund the Capital of Culture stuff. I would ask, why target the care services?

2) When they have come up with the idea of this new homecare contract, they have not thought through the knock on effect on the carers and workforce in the city. I would ask, who are the people making these decisions without speaking to us?

3) It is to increase efficiency and is better for the council tax payer. I would ask, why target just the private sector service? Home Help staff are being paid for their spare capacity and also get paid for their traveling time. District nurses and health authority staff get paid for shifts of work, that includes traveling time.

WHY ARE WE ANY DIFFERENT?

IT IS NOT EQUAL IT IS NOT FAIR

Tony, I say : CUT THE CULTURE BUDGET, NOT THE CARE BUDGET - and let us continue to do our job caring for the elderly of this city and giving them the time and quality of life they deserve.

Posted by Stanford88 to City of the Dead* at Monday, May 21, 2007 11:44:00 AM

SURPRISE, SURPRISE! City council rapped for hushing things up!

For immediate release

Press release

Date: 11 May 2007

Liverpool City Council criticised for Freedom of Information handling

The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has criticised Liverpool City Council over its handling of requests under the Freedom of Information Act.
In a letter to Chief Executive, Colin Hilton, the ICO cites a catalogue of failings by the council to meet the requirements of the Act and outlines what the council needs to do to improve its performance.
According to the Information Commissioner’s Office the council does not have
adequate procedures in place to deal with freedom of information requests and
failed, on a number of occasions, to provide the ICO with the information required to investigate a complaint under the Act.
A practice recommendation issued by the ICO highlights the council’s ‘symptomatic poor practice in handling freedom of information requests’ and criticises the council’s failure to provide adequate advice and assistance to individuals requesting information under the Act.
The ICO will continue to monitor the council’s information request handling
procedures and performance and will assess its progress against the ICO’s
recommendations in 6 months.
Last year the ICO prosecuted Liverpool City Council for breaching the Data
Protection Act after it failed to provide an individual with their health records held by the Council, despite several warning from the ICO.

ENDS
If you need more information, please contact the Information Commissioner’s press office on 020 7025 7580 or visit the website at: www.ico.gov.uk
Notes to Editors
1. The Information Commissioner promotes public access to official information and protects personal information. The ICO is an independent body with specific responsibilities set out in the Data Protection Act 1998, the Freedom of Information Act 2000, Environmental Information Regulations 2004 and Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations 2003.
2. For more information about the Information Commissioner’s Office subscribe to our enewsletter at www.ico.gov.uk
3. For a copy of the Practice Recommendation issued to Liverpool City Council please go to http://www.ico.gov.uk/upload/documents/library/freedom_of_information/notices/liverpool_city
_council_practice_recommendation.pdf

ANDERSON DEMANDS STANDARDS BOARD PROBE INTO CLUCAS AND THE IRISH CENTRE

LABOUR Leader Joe Anderson has called for a full-scale investigation into Flo Clucas trying to waltz off with the former Irish Centre on Mount Pleasant. (see Liverpool subCulture, ed)

Anderson has written to the Standards Board protesting that Clucas's actions breach the national Code of Conduct for councillors.

The Standards Board can fine or suspend Clucas from office if they find her guilty (some chance of that, ed)

Anderson tells how Clucas 'intervened strongly' at a meeting with planning officials on 19 December to promote Dance Liverpool's crackpot scheme to takeover the Centre, which is a Grade 2* listed building.

He says Clucas also offered/promoted:

• Objective 1 European funding for the Centre


• city council support for the scheme and/or


• to slap a CPO on the Centre.

Anderson says Clucas failed to declare an interest - she is a Director of Dance Liverpool, according to Companies House records.

The Labour Leader poses six separate questions about Clucas's conduct, including:

• Has Cllr Flo Clucas used her position as an Executive Member to promote a scheme in respect of which she has interest? (of course, ed)


• Was the City Council’s recommendation to reject the (owner's) Planning Application in 2006 as a result of pressure to support the “Dance Liverpool” proposal from Cllr Flo Clucas? (very probably, ed)


• Was there any reasonable evidence to suggest that the alternative “Dance Liverpool” proposal had any realistic prospect of delivery (the report... clearly identifies a lack of funding...for the scheme) (none at all, ed)

Anderson also asks if it was appropriate for Clucas to "promise/promote that Liverpool City Council would bear the costs of any CPO enquiry (as you will be aware developers normally bear such costs)?" (highly irregular, ed)

and

"Promising/promoting that acquisition costs would be funded by ERDS (Objective 1 European Funding) before any application or approval for such funding has been obtained?"(well, she is Chair of the Committee which doles out the Euro dosh, so presumably she should know whether she was going to give herself the money? ed)

Anderson adds: "You will note from the handwritten notes from a meeting, that Cllr Flo Clucas had explored ways in which pressure could be put on the existing owner (which would have the result of encouraging him to surrender the leasehold interest) and in particular, investigating the condition of the fire safety system and demanding that Liverpool City Council serve a schedule of dilapidations on the leasehold owner."

(This one will run and run, ed)

MOURNING FOR MARBROW? - NO, CELEBRATING AND PLANNING MORE TO COME!!!!!

Dear blogosphere,

We are taking the Bank Holiday off to celebrate the well deserved demise of Inspector Clueless in the local elections and the extremely heartening results in Liverpool, dramatically bucking the national trend.

Congratulations to all concerned. Especially to those who played such a fantastic role in helping get rid of one of the most pompous, self-opinionated, puffed up (literally, ed) arrogant, stupid and naive Lib Dem tossers, it has ever been our misfortune to come across.

Revenge is sweet.

We will be back on Tuesday with some extremely interesting material about some remaining very senior Lib Dem councillors.

We are also interested in hearing more detail about the astonishing dirty tricks which went on in the local election campaign, which are already attracting the attention of the police and the Standards Board for England.

(Oh, we do love to tease, ed)

Now, pass me the champagne....

THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE...

THIS COMMENT WAS POSTED ON THE HENSHAW AND THE EVIL CABAL BLOG, ABOUT SIR DIDDY BEING THE HIGHEST PAID BUREAUCRAT IN THE COUNTRY WITH HIS £340,000 PAY OFF. IT DESERVES A WIDER AUDIENCE, SO WE ARE REPEATING IT HERE:
Stanford88 said...
I am a care worker in Liverpool.
I work hard looking after the elderly people I care for. We all do.
The council are going to cut my wages by almost 30% in July for me to do the same job as I am doing now.
They have massive wages whilst I go and clean peoples backsides and take a massive pay cut.
Dont I provide a valuable service to my community?
Well the council bossess obviously dont think I do.
I earn just above minimum wages already, If they cut my wages, I will have no choice but to leave my job and work somewhere else.
Does anyone else know what is going on at the council?
Have a look at this site: http://liverpoolcareslaves.blogspot.com/2007/04/minimum-wage-vs-maximum-wage.html
The council bosses are earning over £100000 pounds a year. Why can't they take a pay cut?

AN EXCELLENT QUESTION, STANFORD 88.
WE WOULD LIKE TO SUGGEST THAT AT NEXT YEAR'S COUNCIL ELECTIONS, THE LABOUR PARTY HAS A MANIFESTO COMMITMENT TO FREEZE THE WAGES OF ALL COUNCIL STAFF EARNING ABOVE, SAY, £100,000 A YEAR. WE WILL SEE WHAT THE PEOPLE OF LIVERPOOL MAKE OF THAT RADICAL POLICY.
AND IF STANFORD 88 WANTS TO POST ANY MORE COMMENTS, THEN BE OUR GUEST MATE - WE WILL GIVE YOU A PLATFORM.

CITY COUNCIL CAN'T DO ITS SUMS: - HASITALL CAN'T ADD UP SHOCK!!!

No surprise that the city council should get the worst possible score for its financial planning.
Guess who is responsible for this?
None other than evil cabalist Phil Hasitall, aka the smiling assassin.
He has been in charge of the council's finances for the last seven years, but obviously still can't add up.
That's why the council is £29million adrift and can't balance its books.
And why even the District Auditor, a long-standing golfing partner of Hasitall's, has been forced to publicly acknowledge his mate is not up to the job.
But nothing will happen to the £169,000-a-year Porsche driving Hasitall who will continue to disappear from the Municipal Buildings by mid-afternoon, heading for the local links.

Or to go and watch a band for free with his millionaire mate Chas Cole.

Hasitall of course gave away more than £3million of council taxpayers money to old schoolmate Chas for the Summer Pops.

Chas repaid this with, amongst other things, an appearance for Hasitall's son's band alongside Status Quo.

Hasitall also had a distinguished record of public dis-service with Henshaw, engaging in conspiracy, an attempted coup, law-breaking, blackmail and trying to fit up staff.

Hasitall, whose son was a Tory candidate in Southport and is an avid reader of the Daily Torygraph, has recently, like the slimy little hypocrite he is, been desperately trying to curry favour with the Labour opposition.

He has been quietly favouring them with the odd tip and wink in the last few weeks and been his ever so helpful self with any opposition query.

(It fools no-one, ed)

Of course, he has been careful to ensure none of this reaches Fireman Bradley.

This pro-Labour about turn is in a desperate attempt to try and ensure that if the Lib Dems get turfed out next year, he will still be secure in his well-paid job.

Colin Cover Up has meanwhile rewarded Hasitall's financial incompetence by making him acting Chief Executive while he is away on his five-star jollies.

No wonder the city goes to wrack and ruin.

PS We wonder if this year, Hasitall has had his Performance Related Pay bonus of 10 per cent of his salary for getting the city into such a financial hole? Perhaps someone should ask the question?