'Hang on to those paper clips' - the latest Guildhall wheeze (From Worcester News)

'Hang on to those paper clips' - the latest Guildhall wheeze

11:09am Friday 7th November 2008

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DESPERATE days at the Guildhall, where councillors are being ordered to extreme lengths to save every penny.

The city council’s financial woes have been well documented - but its latest penny-pinching efforts suggests things are moving to another level.

A memo recently issued to councillors states: “A note to all members - we would welcome the return of your spare paper clips and elastic bands.

“By bringing them back in, we can re-use them, saving a few pence and avoiding you having all that clutter at home.”

Hard times indeed. At this rate they’ll be rationing councillors’ biscuits by the new year - now that really would cause a stir...

THE cash crisis at the Guildhall even had councillors running scared from a meeting this week.

Planning committee discussions about a recent appeal ruling which cost the council £50,000 in legal costs had to be cut short - over fears the council was about to rack up a £30 parking ticket.

A specially-hired bus due to take the committee on a site visit was waiting on double yellow lines outside the Guildhall.

But as the meeting dragged on, the driver began to get hassled by an angry group of traffic wardens and local police officers.

“We’ll have to pay his ticket if we don’t get going,” a harrassed-looking staff member urged the committee.

“Oh God, we can’t afford that,” muttered one senior cabinet member, hurrying out of the room.

MEANWHILE, it was a new face in charge of the county council’s scrutiny committee which had officers on the run at County Hall.

With usual chairman John Buckle and deputy Clive Holt both unable to attend, the mantle fell to the youthful leader of Wyre Forest District Council, John Campion - and officers certainly noticed the difference.

Coun Buckley’s jovial style was replaced by Coun Campion’s dry sarcasm, and the head of the county’s schools service Colin Wheedon was soon on the receiving end.

During a discussion about the roles of headteachers in Worcester, Mr Wheedon tried to interject. “Just to make the point briefly, chairman -“ he began.

“You have never spoken briefly in the several years I have known you, Colin,” Coun Campion drawled.

“But I’m pleased you want to attempt it now.”

Ouch.