Friday favourite 95

It's Burns' Night so to get you in the mood...

Social work death cover up threatens senior Kingston Lib Dem councillors

Kingston council's child protection department has been the subject of various enquiries since serious failings were uncovered by OFSTED last year.  This latest report from the BBC suggests that social work managers engaged in a deliberate cover up following the murder of Charito Cruz in 2011 - despite her circumstances having been repeatedly reported to the council.

So far Cllr Trish Bamford, Lead Member for Children and Young People, has resisted opposition calls for her resignation, as has council leader Derek Osbourne.  But the news of the timing of the former director's departure (plus the obligatory six figure golden handshake) and the fact Lib Dem councillors are asking Kingston taxpayers to fork out even more council tax to 'protect services' will put more pressure on them.

People may be prepared to pay extra to safeguard children and vulnerable people.  But I can't imagine there being much enthusiasm for tax rises if the tax paying public simply see it ending up in the back pockets of incompetent council staff. 

Lib Dem councillors in Kingston will have to do a lot more to prove they have sorted out the mess in social services and explain exactly how the additional money they are asking residents to stump up will make a difference - particularly for those at risk.

Cheese headline of the day...

Norway goat cheese fire closes tunnel

Best snowman of the winter?

Spotted while walking the dog in Richmond Park...

David Rendel to return to Parliament?

Ex Newbury MP, David Rendel, is one of three names on the shortlist for the Lib Dem candidate to take on maverick Tory and Euro-loon Zac Goldsmith in Richmond Park in 2015.

He is up against local activists Jane Dodds and Robin Meltzer in what is likely to be a close fought and high profile selection campaign.  The result should be known after the final hustings meeting on 25th February.

Lib Dem councillors in Kingston back maximum tax rise

News reaches LOWA Towers that the majority Lib Dem council group on Kingston Council is to propose a £30 a year rise in council tax - a few pennies short of the level that would trigger a local referendum on the increase.

Kingston already has the highest council tax in London and with the party seeking to defend its marginal seat in the traditionally Tory Berrylands Ward on the 28th February one can only speculate on the effect of this decision on the ward's hard pressed voters.

Friday favourite 94

From the OGWT archive, the New York Dolls with Jet Boy.  In 1973 (yes 1973)!

Sledging in Richmond Park

With schools closing early Richmond Park was the place to be this afternoon...

Is Ally McCoist a closet Lib Dem?

This picture from today's Scotsman - showing a creative use of bar chart technology - suggests he might be:

Gove visits girls' school and talks about boys toilets

Last Friday Education Secretary, Michael Gove, visited Coombe Girls school in New Malden where he held a Q&A with some of the students.  And a report of this session appears on the school's website.

But the exchange that caught my eye was this one:

What in particular do you look for when you visit schools?

Mr Gove referred us to his list of three things which he looks for whenever he visits a school. One: he prefers to be shown round by the pupils, as they are the most important ones. Two: he wants to see pupils who are engaged and who have a lot to say. Three: he says it's always a good idea to check the boys' toilets, as you can instantly tell from what you see in there how much confidence the students have in the staff!

While I have some sympathy with the view that checking on what goes on behind the scenes is an important part of gauging the quality of an establishment, I can't help wondering whether Michael Gove might have chosen his words a little better?