Is John Betty (Strategic Director Economic Growth and Development at Kremlin Kernow), the Cuckoo in the Nest (having Unseated Sandra Rothwell and Phil Mason) or Kremlin Kernow’s homegrown version of Rasputin, The Mad Monk? Dear Colleagues, FYI this should be of interest and concern to all council taxpayers. This has been sent to all Cornwall Councillors. Kind regards, Ken Rickard, St. Dennis Dear Cornwall Councillor, As my feelings about unitary are well known, I will not spend more effort and time highlighting the incomprehensible administrative smog that it has brought to the Duchy. I so angered, as no doubt many others are, by the latest shot in the foot by the latest member of Chief Executives to fall off the conveyor of failed civil servants, who appear to think us Cornish are a soft touch, this has to be the last straw. I am referring to the Kate Kennally fiasco of sending a delegation (including herself) to the MIPIM ‘champagne jolly’ in Cannes, which cost Cornwall’s taxpayers £46,606. This event has a somewhat tarnished reputation, accounting for some major players withdrawing from this year’s event. In my book, as it has occurred at a time when we have all been told of a 6% rise in our council tax bills, this is mickey taking and at worst contemptuous. This ego trip ‘jolly’ is an unconstitutional use of our money. Apart from being a complete waste, we do not pay our council tax to support employees’ ego and CV enhancing trips. It is a blatant misappropriation of public money and should be met with very serious and appropriate retribution. As I understand it, the delegation from Cornwall is one of the largest of all local authorities attending. The cost is broken down as follows: £23,883 events and accommodation, £10,350 tickets, £5060 design, £3515 Travel, £3482 hosting meetings, and £315 sundries. Unfortunately, this is only part of this misappropriation of out taxes, as there are plans to send a delegation to a similar planning conference being held in Manchester, in June 2018, where Kate Kennally and John Betty are listed as speakers. This raises questions such as who authorised these ego trips, who authorised the expenditure, what will these people attending be speaking about, will they be selling our concrete jungle or will they be inviting contractors to build it? The existing wave of discontent with the leadership is now further fuelled by this latest ‘questionable’ conduct by the senior level of management team of Kate Kennally and John Betty. They do no favours to our heritage and the country’s uniqueness; in fact it is leading the Duchy into a path of destruction with policies that are completely alien to our country. The democratic process to address this situation should come from our elected representatives; our process is through the ballot box. If something is not right it is not right. There is no doubt in my mind that a misappropriation of taxpayers’ money has taken place and the employed civil servants involved have to be held accountable and should result in serious retribution. As I see it, the ball is in our elected members’ court; there should be no hiding place and now their resolve will be severely tested. We have now seen Cllr Adam Paynter’s pathetic and hollow attempt to justify this misappropriation of taxpayers’ money, and I suggest this is more in line with self preservation rather than any conviction. As this is coming from a councillor who has failed to deliver his 2009 promised savings, it cannot be taken seriously. Ken Rickard, St. Dennis Letter from one Truro businessman to CEO Kate Kennally: Date: 23 March 2018 at 11:36:19 GMT To: "kkennally@cornwall.gov.uk" "adam.paynter@cornwallcouncillors.org.uk" Subject: MIPIM Dear Ms Kennally, I hope you had a nice trip to Cannes (you lucky lady). I’ve not been there for years, but from what I remember, it’s a lovely spot, especially in March, when the snow is stalking us here in Cornwall. I’m writing to you with a few questions relating to this trip, because I’m a little confused about the exact dynamics involved, given all the bad press I’ve heard, I’m sure much of it exaggerated. If you could find a few minutes to help me answer these few short questions below, I’d be very grateful and would sleep better at night, knowing that my council CEO is working hard to make my children’ future a better one, here in our native Kernow: 1- which councillors were involved with the trip’s organisation? 2- which councillors voted for it? 3- which ones actually costed it in advance of the trip, and how long ago (ahead of the trip itself)? 4- given that the DTI invited you as CEO, why were the costs not met by them? (As a speaker at any conference, our company costs are always met by organisers) 5- given the huge number of delegates present (nearly 25,000), who was targeted as potential infrastructure partners for Cornwall? 6- who decided on the delegation numbers and composition? 7- which potential partners were actually met and how many are offering any future benefits to Cornwall’s crumbling infrastructure? 8- apart from the astronomical costs of the trip, as reported by councillor Paynter, what were the estimated hidden admin costs of organising six people for such a trip? 9- do you feel the trip was a success or value for money (for Cornish taxpayers) and why? 10- this type of event being of such pivotal and strategic importance to Cornwall’s future, I expect many people were involved in the planning, for many months; could you please share the minutes that were taken for this particular item? 11- why and how were St. Austell Brewery picked as a business partner for the trip, and not other businesses? 12- whereas the travel and MIPIM costs for six delegates seem reasonable, the accommodation, meeting space and hosting meetings budget (£23,883+£3,482) seems astronomical! Could his please be explained, broken down and hopefully justified? I do feel that given recent events of financial mismanagement at CC (>33% council tax used on bank interest and pension shortfall?!!), given your own recent appointment, as well as that of your colleague, Mr Betty’s, and given the constant and relentless increases in council taxes, a little more transparency is necessary to retain, if not regain, the public’s trust in council business. I trust you and your support staff will find these questions acceptable and relatively easy to respond to, and look forward to hearing from you at your earliest convenience. With kind regards" Anecdote from the web: Two patients with hip problems each limp into two different doctors’ offices with the same complaint on the same day. Both will require hip surgery Patient #1 is examined within an hour, has an x-ray that day, and is booked for surgery the next week. Patient #2 sees his family doctor after waiting 3 weeks for an appointment. Then, waits for 8 weeks to see a specialist. Then, gets an x-ray, which isn’t reviewed for another week. And, finally has his surgery scheduled for 3 months from then, pending the review board’s decision on his age and the remaining value to society. Why the different treatment for the two patients? Patient #1 is a Golden Retriever taken to a vet. Patient #2 is a senior citizen using our NHS. If we don’t help with more funding for our streched NHS we shall have to all find a vet. We need hospitals and beds before stadiums as priority.