tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post2850589832595234895..comments2024-03-28T14:37:09.958+00:00Comments on On Probation Blog: Omnishambles Update 69Jim Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00258147767051200157noreply@blogger.comBlogger24125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-7349432287052791232014-09-09T19:00:30.076+01:002014-09-09T19:00:30.076+01:00brief update on Napo website re campaign and JR Se...brief update on Napo website re campaign and JR Sept 9th from Ian Lawrence as follows.." Napo has had a really successful couple of days here in the maritime quarter of this great city. This morning our two motions seeking support to oppose the TR disaster and the sale of Children's Services were successfully moved by myself and Yvonne Pattison whose speech was especially well received.<br /><br />Tania Bassett also secured some great coverage for Napo in today's Morning Star TUC special, which is handed out to all those entering the Convention Centre, and has also been busy sharing the speaking engagements at two of the four fringe events that Napo has been invited to. http://www.morningstaronline.co.uk/a-2d83-The-madness-of-Chris-Grayling#...<br /><br />Apart from that, and the constant interface between the Napo delegation and many old and new contacts, I convened a really useful 12 person telephone conference yesterday involving leading Counsel on the ongoing quest to see whether we can successfully challenge Chris Grayling's TR shambles in the High Court. I cannot report on all that was discussed for obvious reasons, but suffice to say we had other interested parties on the line and the talks provided a timely health check on the progress of our legal campaign and the potential next steps that may be available to us if the MoJ persist with their strategy of self-delusion and blatant obstruction".Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-58634834500030464022014-09-09T08:24:43.027+01:002014-09-09T08:24:43.027+01:00And how do we know you're Simon??And how do we know you're Simon??Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-90053990948382082522014-09-08T23:59:43.917+01:002014-09-08T23:59:43.917+01:00Link to the PAC report (pdf):
http://www.nao.org....Link to the PAC report (pdf):<br /><br />http://www.nao.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Transforming-contract-management.pdfAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-91371616101254680952014-09-08T23:56:25.387+01:002014-09-08T23:56:25.387+01:00From PAC website:
"A statement from The Rt H...From PAC website:<br /><br />"A statement from The Rt Hon Margaret Hodge MP, Chair of the Committee of Public Accounts:<br /><br />The discovery that G4S and Serco had massively over-charged the Ministry of Justice on public service contracts was an urgent wake-up call for the government's disastrous contract management.<br /><br />More and more of our public services are now being delivered by private companies, who between them received a huge £40 billion last year from contracts funded by the British taxpayer. These companies must be held to the same high standards as any government department, so that the public can have confidence that they are delivering the quality of service we are entitled to expect.<br /><br />I am dismayed that government has got itself into the position where its response to overbilling by G4S and Serco has been constrained because the companies are now too big to fail.<br /><br />I acknowledge that the Cabinet Office and some departments have started to make progress in improving contract management, but much more still needs to be done across government. Not all senior civil servants have taken these contracts seriously, with data to monitor and understand performance still not good enough because departments think their responsibility ends once a contract is signed.<br /><br />With so much taxpayers' money at stake, departments must urgently put an end to the 'out of sight, out of mind' mentality that has led them to be in this weakened position before even more taxpayers' money is wasted.<br /><br />We will be taking evidence on this in the next few weeks and I will expect officials to demonstrate that real progress is being made to protect the interests of taxpayers and those who rely on our public services."Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-74794286195275391632014-09-08T20:35:09.059+01:002014-09-08T20:35:09.059+01:00http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/sep/08/ma...http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/sep/08/margaret-hodge-g4s-serco-moj-contractsAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-90196788966801988172014-09-08T20:28:35.284+01:002014-09-08T20:28:35.284+01:00'It is still on the table and despite unattrib...'It is still on the table and despite unattributed quotes on this blog is very much still on the cards' ?<br />I take it you're suggesting we should have more confidence in your,um, anonymous assertion? <br /><br />Simon GardenAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-83524216964563331822014-09-08T17:57:16.033+01:002014-09-08T17:57:16.033+01:00http://www.parliamentlive.tv/Main/Player.aspx?meet...http://www.parliamentlive.tv/Main/Player.aspx?meetingId=15959 HOC G4s/serco and dame ursla brennaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-62331706117946379802014-09-08T17:30:17.417+01:002014-09-08T17:30:17.417+01:00Brought where?Brought where?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-3495986450717495782014-09-08T17:20:01.965+01:002014-09-08T17:20:01.965+01:00had a bad day but you've made me smile thanks!...had a bad day but you've made me smile thanks!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-76400190039977177272014-09-08T15:21:26.714+01:002014-09-08T15:21:26.714+01:00I see Russell Webster is back in business, he writ...I see Russell Webster is back in business, he writes about PbR and the Doncaster and Peterborough pilot programmes and is rather non committal but does not seem enthusiastic about the results. Though he continues to block me on Twitter, his repeated Tweeting suggests he is keen to have others read his writing: -<br /><br />http://www.russellwebster.com/did-peterborough-and-doncaster-reoffending-pilots-succeed/Andrew_S_Hattonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09115192522317353139noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-40422406594808527112014-09-08T14:45:29.340+01:002014-09-08T14:45:29.340+01:00http://www.theguardian.com/law/2014/sep/08/chris-g...http://www.theguardian.com/law/2014/sep/08/chris-grayling-legal-aid-cuts-judicial-review-challengeAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-20697859136567609212014-09-08T14:42:31.796+01:002014-09-08T14:42:31.796+01:00Anon 12: 59: Yes, IL has has made the same point ...Anon 12: 59: Yes, IL has has made the same point about not disclosing details of a JR submission as it may jeopardise arguments in court. I don't think anyone who contributes to this blog doubts the good sense of this tactic. But this does not prevent updates about the progress of the JR application and date of hearing, etc. You claim it is on the table, still very much on the cards... C'mon, it was first mooted 12 months ago. It's been on the table and in the cards for a long time. Nothing prevents IL from informing members of where it is at the present time. You see, because there have been no signs of movement with JR, some folks think it may be not so much on the table or in the cards - but dead in the water. If you know otherwise, then evidence your assertions. netnippernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-76332910939094904772014-09-08T14:02:02.563+01:002014-09-08T14:02:02.563+01:00TR should not press ahead because those in power a...TR should not press ahead because those in power are looking to advance themselves through Gaylings personal interests. I know these things happen but is there not just even one person who stands up for common sense, honesty and integrity who would stick their necks out about the whole shamble, there must be someone that can't be brought.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-82020656915927363132014-09-08T13:33:06.875+01:002014-09-08T13:33:06.875+01:00Apart from working for the BBC as Grayling did, an...Apart from working for the BBC as Grayling did, and being a partner of Ernst and Young who are charging the MoJ a fortune whilst working on their contracts, he is also rooted at the base of the conservative push for a rehabilitation revolution.<br />He has far too many vested intrests to take up that position on the select commitee. Its certainly bad news for all who oppose TR.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-5212311879146035632014-09-08T13:17:34.605+01:002014-09-08T13:17:34.605+01:00HENLEY MP John Howell has been elected to justice ...HENLEY MP John Howell has been elected to justice select committee of the House of Commons. The committee looks into the policy, administration and expenses of the Ministry of Justice and its associated public bodies. Mr Howell said: “I am looking forward to playing a leading role in the upcoming work of the committee and to bringing a new perspective to the issues that we will be investigating. In particular, I will be using my position to promote the issues of public protection and the reduction of reoffending rates.” Published 08/09/14 Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-52153234565185238972014-09-08T12:59:18.740+01:002014-09-08T12:59:18.740+01:00We are sorry we have not been able to keep you inf...We are sorry we have not been able to keep you informed in the build up to the hearing, but we have followed legal advice not to issue any public statements about it so as not to jeopardise the issues involved.<br />This was whst Ian Lawerence (words to that effect ) on a number of occasions in particular at the start of the JR process. It is still on the table and despite unattributed quotes on this blog is very much still on the cards.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-70922685209543937012014-09-08T12:23:57.918+01:002014-09-08T12:23:57.918+01:00I have a feeling, but not certain, that it will fo...I have a feeling, but not certain, that it will focus mostly on the 12 month and under group that are not subject to supervision, and so making a case for private company involvement.<br />I think we'll hear the £46 mantra many times through the programme.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-6811050492000639082014-09-08T09:19:08.588+01:002014-09-08T09:19:08.588+01:00I assume Cops and Robbers is about IOM? It will be...I assume Cops and Robbers is about IOM? It will be interesting to see if Probation are airbrushed out of the initiative again. If so, NAPO should make a public statement.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-8089201524899943142014-09-08T09:01:48.635+01:002014-09-08T09:01:48.635+01:00"It also calls upon an incoming Labour govern..."It also calls upon an incoming Labour government to revoke any contracts should any of these be awarded this side of the next general election"<br /><br />That's a big assumption as it is far from guaranteed the Labour will win the election. <br /><br />Thanks for the heads up on joining the PCS, I had intended to do so, although this exclusions seems pretty unfair so will look into this further.Probation Officernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-86445051482282774132014-09-08T08:52:43.678+01:002014-09-08T08:52:43.678+01:00Channel 4 at 9pm tonight 'Cops and Robbers'...Channel 4 at 9pm tonight 'Cops and Robbers', may include some comments about TR as its focus is on the prolific offender.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-89416176249543665342014-09-08T08:43:20.656+01:002014-09-08T08:43:20.656+01:00Isn't it time for the PM to be asked at PMQs f...Isn't it time for the PM to be asked at PMQs for a definate start date for the 12mth and under cohort to start getting the support and supervison they've been promised? They are after all still leaving prison with £46 in their pockets!<br />And perhaps the question could be phrased in a fashon that also includes a question about when the movement of prisoners to 'near home' ressettlement prisons is going to begin? There is after all no crisis in the prison system as we've been assured by Grayling!<br /><br />The truth is that the legislation required to incorperate the 12mth cohort with a supervision order will take longer to enact then the time left for this Parliament. Will that cohort ever become subject to supervision? IMHO I don't think so- they've been used as a phantom in the same way small companies have been used disussed in the article in the LSG above to afford Grayling his own way.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-69239123388992950562014-09-08T08:24:59.549+01:002014-09-08T08:24:59.549+01:00Entirely off topic - I heard a trailer for 'Vo...Entirely off topic - I heard a trailer for 'Voices from the Old Bailey'. The edited voiceover spoke of "caught short hand-writers". Sounds very unconfortable and introduces a sense of urgency to their work.<br /><br />Similarly this morning's Today programme referred to "former kak monkeys"... ?<br /><br />Okay, they were most likely meaning "court shorthand writers" and "four macac monkeys", but it is indicative of how trying to listen to the words of Grayling & co has affected my hearing. Nothing means the same ever again.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-5302726054802838122014-09-08T08:16:45.249+01:002014-09-08T08:16:45.249+01:00Great blog today, again. This comment probably bel...Great blog today, again. This comment probably belongs to the comments list of yesterday, but couldn't resist. Our CRC had an away day last week, and as they all went, they arranged for a temporary 'front of house' receptionist. Now bearing in mind reception (in our office, this is a CRC role) cover the whole building... did they go to a reputable temp agency, no, they asked a Volunteer - ( not for a volunteer), but used an unpaid guy, who has been working with CRC clients for last few months...he barely knows the NPS staff, let alone any of our clients. I was astonished, shocked and fearful, for everyone involved. Sign of the times!30 years innoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-49339488773209386162014-09-08T07:13:45.919+01:002014-09-08T07:13:45.919+01:00I thought you could join any union that would acce...I thought you could join any union that would accept you, even if it did not have negotiating rights, though with sufficient time the process of recognition and negotiating rights could presumably be achieved by the 'new union'. At present the recognised unions in probation are Napo, Unison and GMB - but that could change in the future if the members' willed it. There is no closed shop. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com