The row over the proposed move of St. Luke’s Hospice’s to Graves Park is of course a huge issue in Sheffield at the moment. There has been a lot written about it, but this comment piece by Paul License, editor of the Sheffield Star, is one of the best. It’s succinct and sums up many of the wider issues about the way that Sheffield is run of which the Graves Park row is just one example.
I also advise that you read the comments, particularly comment 31 from Dave Flanagan. The Liberal Democrats may not be perfect, but I like to think that the way that we operate things is nothing like the arrogant way that Labour does.
But this article isn’t just about political control but also reflects on the role of council officers. It has always been a convention in local politics that you don’t criticise the council officers as they aren’t public figures and are purely employed to carry out the political will of the party in charge. That’s fine in theory, but in reality many councils (and I believe that Sheffield is one) are heavily led by council officers and what they want. In many cases this works fine as much of what a council does is non-controversial and many officers do an excellent job and have a good instinct for what is the right thing to do. But unfortunately there are many officers, and I have spoken to a number, who share the Labour arrogance and work on the basis that as they are professionally trained and therefore only they could possibly know what was in the interests of the general public and so politicians and the public should not interfere. It may be true that council officers are professionally qualified, but knowing how to follow the relevant regulations and legislation may not necessarily be the same as knowing what is the best thing to do.
A perfect council would be one where there are good politicians who instinctively understand the people who elect them and have a vision of where they want the city to go working with council officers who are professionally qualified, hardworking and innovative but are prepared to be guided by the politicians who have been elected by the people. Both of these sets of people though have to be listeners who go out and talk to normal people and find out what they want, actively seek opinions on things that are happening in the community and the city, and who are prepared to admit when they are wrong. If this happens effectively then you avoid the arrogance and refusal to listen that has been the hallmark of the Graves Park issue so far.
Finally, apologies for people who read this blog who aren’t from Sheffield and have no interest in its politics. I am aware that this blog has become a lot more opinionated on Sheffield issues lately, and has spent a lot of time overtly pushing the Lib Dem cause and criticising the opposition. It isn’t my normal style on here as although I am clearly partisan I am not blinkered and will criticise my own party where it is needed. But with the local elections only a few weeks away and with the likelihood that it will be exceptionally close Sheffield’s political issues are the things that are uppermost in my mind.
