The Scottish Military Research Group - Commemorations Project

dhubthaigh · Posted: Wed Nov 30, 2011 3:45 pm Post subject:

On some council areas WMT indicates - response received. Does this mean that someone has been appointed as a WMO and they are waiting to update details or does this mean no-one is doing it ? I think it makes sense to, at the very least, have a point of contact relating to war memorials.

spoons · Posted: Wed Nov 30, 2011 5:12 pm Post subject:

dhubthaigh · Posted: Wed Nov 30, 2011 6:01 pm Post subject:

Paul,

I suspect you're thinking is correct here, and quite frustrating.

Jim · Joined: 30 May 2008 Posts: 195

For one reason or another I have to pass info or make requests to various Glasgow City Council departments on a regular basis.

I've found the most successful way is to make contact via the elected councillor/s for the particular ward and ask that they forward the request for info or whatever to the appropriate department, even if I already have contact info for that department/ person.

I always do this by email so the councillor knows I, and they, have a record of the communication. The good councillors cc their forward back to me.

By and large it's very successful and becomes increasingly successful in the run-up to local government elections. Like now.

dhubthaigh · Posted: Wed Nov 30, 2011 8:41 pm Post subject:

Jim,

Thanks for posting your experiences, and seemingly par for the course.

I understand what you say.... "increasingly successful in the run-up to local government elections" But, to me, and I have experience of this, for certain individuals to 'score points' on this is quite frankly outrageous.

spoons · Posted: Wed Nov 30, 2011 9:36 pm Post subject:

Jim · Joined: 30 May 2008 Posts: 195

Glasgow has a system of multi-member wards. My own ward has 4 councillors.

I tend to target whichever councillor I reckon would have the greater personal or political interest in finding the answer or effecting a solution. If there's no clear favourite, I email all 4 and watch what often turns into a contest to see who can assist first.

spoons · Posted: Wed Nov 30, 2011 10:40 pm Post subject:

DelBoy · Posted: Thu Dec 01, 2011 12:57 am Post subject:

I am genuinely surprised at the stone walling by councillors to some. Certainly in my neck of the woods you would get a response at the very least, in my experience they (M.P. M.S.P or councillor) always make enquiries on my behalf or give me contact deatails for the relevant person or dept that will help me.

What do these councillors who ignore their constituents do if not represent them?!?

Derek.

Jim · Joined: 30 May 2008 Posts: 195

I'm aware this is getting off topic a bit and a bit political.

I don't know about other parts of the country but under the previous single member ward system in Glasgow there were situations where the sitting councillor's sole public engagement was to turn up at the count and shake hands with the Returning Officer.

That, at least in part, was the reason for the move to multi-member wards. It may sound like turkeys voting for Christmas but that's what happened.

My own ward has 4 councillors from 3 parties and it keeps them on their toes.