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....

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 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

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

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.

ALAN CHURCHMAN TRIES TO GET SOME SENSE OUT OF CHAS COLE ABOUT THE SEFTON POPS (and regrettably, fails...)

PUBLIC HEALTH WARNING:

THERE NOW FOLLOWS SOME EMAIL CORRESPONDENCE BETWEEN THE VENERABLE ALAN CHURCHMAN AND CHAS 'SHOW ME THE MONEY' COLE, REGARDING THE SEFTON POPS.

We have long since given up trying to apply logic and reason to Mr Cole and his dealings with the city council, but on the basis of this rather tortuous correspondence and his somewhat paranoid and deluded reaction to Mr Churchman's perfectly reasonable questions, it seems as though poor Chas may need some therapeutic help. Thanks Alan for letting us in on this. (If anyone can shed any light on any obvious deterioration in Chas's mental health or explain what he is on about, please feel free, ed).

It's probably best to read this correspondence from the bottom up, otherwise you are all going to get hopelessly confused. Alan Churchman is in italics, Mr Cole's comments are highlighted in bold....


My position has been clear and consistent. This is a matter involving public money and is therefore of public interest. I therefore want a public (on the record response) from yourself and ideally those within the City Council who were also involved in this very unusual decision. If you have no intention of providing on the record responses to my quite reasonable questions, then I have no desire to brighten up your social life.

I suspect this correspondence is closed.

Chas Cole wrote:

Lets meet up then. When you free?

I was not aware that I was under cover. I don't have anything worth covering up.

Chas Cole wrote:

Why don’t you break from cover and meet for a chat and a drink...

I am sure you are a charming drinking companion, but the purpose of my original email was to get a public and on record response to my questions. I cannot quite understand why our elected representatives or our local media are not showing more interest in sheding light on this opaque and questionable process, but that is the story of Liverpool.

Chas Cole wrote:

Where / when do you want to meet for a beer?



Is he the guy with whiskers on his chinnigan? (presumably a friend of Old King Cole)



PS I wonder who the fiddlers three are?

Chas Cole wrote:

MATTHEW FINNEGAN – Alistair’s friend!

I don't know who "Matt" is but I would be willing to share a beer if you were willing to share some explanation and justification for your ongoing exploitation of City Council Tax payers.

Mr Cole, it is my belief that the circumstances surrounding your re-appointment are far from transparent and would (if this City was administered properly) now be subject to some form of proper scrutiny. I realise that there is little prospect of this happening and that I am quite probably waisting my time pursuing this matter.
You could of course surprise me and actually answer the questions that I put to you some weeks ago.

Chas Cole wrote:

Hi Matt
Why don’t we get together for a beer!
Chas
PS. Was watching the Queen DVD the other day and thought about you! Alistair!!

Dear Mr Cole,

Australian Pink Floyd?
What next, The Japanese Wurzels?
If this is world-class entertainment worthy of public subsidy, then I am Tony Parrish.
Yours sincerely,
Alan K. Churchman.

Chas Cole
CMP Entertainment - Music & Sport
08 Place
36-38 Whitechapel
Liverpool
Merseyside
England L1 6DZ
Tel +44 (0) 151 708 6050Fax +44 (0) 151 707 0400E-mail chascole@cmplive.com
http://www.cmplive.com

(We think Chas must have finally lost it, ed)