Each year, London Borough Councils open up and display their detailed accounts for viewing by YOU (members of the public). Questions can also be asked.I don't think that the London Borough of Hounslow make a big splash about this big event (to avoid participation perhaps)..and so their adverts about the event..if any..are low key and buried.But not in the case of dear Richmond..that Conservative and Liberal Council across the Thames. The Richmond upon Thames "Audit of Accounts" is advertised in the 17th June edition of the Brentford,Chiswick & Isleworth Times at the top of page 20. (I've no idea when Hounslow will advertise theirs)For more than 3 weeks from 22nd July,2005 any person (including Councillors) can visit York House Twickenham and inspect and make copies of any accounts.INCLUDING ALL BOOKS,DEEDS,CONTRACTS,BILLS, VOUCHERS,AND RECEIPTS. Can you believe that! Very encouraging I must say...especially if you have TIME!In addition, on Monday 22nd August any local elector may attend York House again..the District Auditor will endevour to answer questions about the accounts..and anyone can attend and make objections to any of the accounts.Amazing stuff. Hounslow haven't advertised their event yet//or have they? Last year I phoned a girl at the Civic Centre to dig out that Regal Distribution invoice for the HM magazine/ and perhaps Labour Party job they did. Alan Sherrins,(Labour Party Vice Chairman, Campaigns!!)(i/c fobbing people off?) was extremely evasive on these Forums and his arithmetic didn't add up regarding this invoicing. It still hasn't be properly and clearly explained..and yet the matter is so straightforward..when truth is being told!The Accounts girl didn't return my call..and I was too busy to pursue the matter.So: Chiswick, Brentford and Isleworth Councillors ..and members of the public...there is a job..waiting to be done.If you have sights on next year's Council Elections you should be collecting your ammunition now..and notifying your supporters by keeping your Local websites up to date. At Council Area Meetings , complaints are made about the impending hike in the Council tax. The information about Council spending is clouded in Pie-Chart diagrams and so Councillors are helplessly flummoxed about how to challenge the spending statistics..being mistily explained to them by the Labour Leader of the Council, Cllr Ellars. Its all a joke.Say if each Department orders a £1million of stationery each year... for years and years...without realising that by collating their orders and using particular suppliers..they have wasted £millions on bulk orders and bulk discounts. Such wastes of money cannot be questioned by looking at pie-charts..and the waste goes on unchallenged perhaps by Councillors too..who don't know what questions to ask.With Cllr Hughes of Bedfont as Chairman of the Scrutiny Committee I would suggest that there is little likelihood of your local taxes being well spent and well looked after. When, like recently, the leader of the Council announces £2,000,000 savings..with Labour Party cheers all round...he forgot to admit that £10,000,000 had already gone down the drain.Our Councillors need to be vigourous and on the ball..and members of the public should become better informed and more communicative.So: Hounslow AUDIT OF ACCOUNTS OPEN DAY! Are you ready?
Jim Lawes ● 7248d