| Topic: | Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Is anyone surprised? | |
| Posted by: | Vanessa Smith | |
| Date/Time: | 27/07/18 09:51:00 |
| I think my comparison with CEOs has been misunderstood - it wasn't the monetary rewards I alluded to - it was the same arguments being put forward to justify the money. I agree with Adam that social media etc. means that things can be handled more easily and saves a lot of time. However, where I do part company is with Adam's take on 'power' - councillors go to the electorate and put their heads over the parapet, and they make policies which officers must support. There have been occasions - and I speak personally - where some officers think that they should dictate to members to get their own way. It is not unknown for an officer to have a particular bee in their bonnet and try to railroad members into doing what they want, and members - in theory at least - have to consider the effect on their constituents. Also for many members they live in the area they represent so do have a good working knowledge of local issues so sometimes do actually know what they are talking about rather than a paid officer who might live miles away or even outside of London. I do also appreciate that some members try it on and put officers under undue pressure, I think in those cases officers must go to their managers, and if needs be the Chief Executive. The working relationship should ideally be one of mutual support, with officers giving their best professional advice and members heeding the advice but not being bound by it. |