Friday, November 14, 2003
Goodbye Golden Goodbyes
An article by Steve Thomas, the head of strategic policy at the Welsh Local Government Association, in "Public Finance" reports that 13 Welsh Councils have now voted against the Golden Goodbye scheme for Councillors, with 8 in favour. Cardiff County Council is still to decide. He blames the Assembly election and the change in the balance of power in the Chamber as the reason why some politicians, previously in favour of the scheme, are now opposed. This argument conveniently ignores the unacceptable way that the proposals have been changed since then. And of course if it is all the Assembly's fault then why is it that Local Government don't want the scheme either? Perhaps the WLGA need to take the blinkers off and admit that they are wrong for once.
