Can it be that bad?

Given how our present Tory ruling group is comprised of such a cornucopia of talent, at least in its own view, it’s a little puzzling that their project delivery is, on the face of it, so consistently dire.

Part of the problem may stem from the fact that 96% of the senior management structure in place in 2005 has been 'culled', and replaced by transient consultants, commuters and short stay career hoppers. In that climate it’s not surprising that locally based middle managers and front line service providers aspiring to a longer period of service with the Council demand a countersigned chitty in triplicate before breaking wind.

In an effort to determine whether this impression of incompetence is real or anecdotal, I thought I’d see how the projects underway in 2005 and included in the medium term plans at the time have fared since:

The ecological agenda (green transport, energy conservation):
Unfortunately all cancelled - budget transferred to conferences, 'picnics' and propellers on top of public toilets.

Schools reorganisation:
Deliberately delayed for at least four years - Government funding no longer available.

Property review:
Delayed for four years, opportunities now lost due to credit crunch.

New housing on Pan:
Worth £2m a year income to the Council if signed up 4 years ago, now nothing.

Ryde Gateway:
Delayed at least four years, now £4m over budget, probably buggered.

Leisure review:
No partner, no money, no plans for better facilities. (Island Games in 2011 should be impressive)

Recycling and landfill reduction:
Against the national trend, recycling rates actually got worse here last year.

Newport Harbour development:
Delayed for four years, opportunities now lost due to credit crunch.

Highways PFI:
Delayed at least four years, Government can't afford it now.

Undercliff Drive:
Sacrificed on the altar of political expediency - £13m Government funding gone for good.

Finding a "Strategic Partner" to drive down costs:
Hasn't happened. After 4 years new computer system costing £5m will actually cost more in staff time to run than the old one, and with major implementation problems.

Service management cooperation with the Health Authority:
Yeah, right......

So, it looks like a fairly consistent record of crap, which does bear out the views of the external inspectors. At the same time, all this has happened hand in hand with a fall in the inspector's view of the Council's 'financial standing', in which the Council is unique across the whole Country.

It would be poetic justice if Pugh & co. got back in next month and had to clear up their own mess, but that would be a little hard on the rest of us.

Last one on the ferry switch the lights out, please.