Robin Hood Energy conerns in the Nottingham press

Robisere

I was born in the City, grew up in the north of the county, worked for the County Council in its County Hall, left for Lincolnshire and sanity almost 20 years ago. I knew of financial waste in NCC for years before and during my time there. The City and Councils, whatever their political flavour at any one time, have always wasted ratepayer's money on some ridiculous scheme or another. It's endemic.

However, the latest ongoing situation is caused by a lack of government funding, as has happened in so many local governments. When there is insufficient funding for essential services, Councils tend to look around for solutions. When the solution is seen as investing in a business scheme to make money, Councillors inexperienced in business affairs can easily be led down a path that turns into a nightmare for the people they represent.

Another Council I know of was given tens of millions by the government, to make over their housing stock to a Housing Association Trust. In order to create ongoing returns and funding for essential services after government cuts, the Council invested this money. In an Icelandic Bank. Many years later, not only have they not received any returns on the initial investment, they are only now almost in receipt of their original sum.

The great majority of Councillors are not trained in either business or finance. It does not prevent them from attempting to take part in such activities and it usually causes huge problems for the people they represent.