Tuesday 24 August 2010

Just Because There's A Recession On...

...doesn't mean councils are going to neglect their main responsibilities so easily.

No, not keeping the streets clean and the verges mown, or any of that other boring stuff:
The district council has sponsored a marquee at the forthcoming Essex Pride event to develop closer contacts with the gay community.

Officers from Epping Forest District Council have said they will attend this year's event, at Central Park in Chelmsford, on Sunday, September 5 to gain more information about sexual equality.
Well, that's money well spent, I'm sure you'll agree? And what will they be providing at this marquee?
As well as providing community play workers and face-painting at their marquee...
*boggle*
...council offices will undertake a consultation exercise on the day.
A consultation exercise on what?

And it's not as if this event gives one a representative sample, any more than a country and western concert or a rave gets one a representative sample of music-lovers, after all...

The most likely target audience for this sort of event is the activist or professional grievance monger - is that the sort of person likely to give the council a balanced idea of how it can attract gay or bisexual employees?

Because it seems that's the point of this:
A spokesman for the council said: “The aim is to promote Epping Forest District Council as a progressive service provider and employer seeking to provide excellent services.”
Aren't councils supposed to be in dire financial straights, and shedding staff, rather than attracting them?

4 comments:

NickM said...

"attract gay or bisexual employees?"

One would have thought the recession alone would be enough to attract workers to any available job regardless...

Quiet_Man said...

I don't see why the rate payers have to cough up for these things at all. Don't mind the gay communities funding it by themselves or getting private sponsorship, but it shouldn't involve public money.

Jiks said...

What on Earth are "community play workers" and does the fact the council is providing them suggest we are paying for them on a full time basis?

Furthermore, a number of my friends are lesbians and they seem quite capable of entertaining themselves, without any official help.

JuliaM said...

"One would have thought the recession alone would be enough to attract workers to any available job regardless..."

Indeed. But it seems it's not attracting the right people. They need some more specimens for their collection.

"Don't mind the gay communities funding it by themselves or getting private sponsorship, but it shouldn't involve public money."

No, it shouldn't. Not while they are closing meals-on-wheels and libraries...

"Furthermore, a number of my friends are lesbians and they seem quite capable of entertaining themselves, without any official help."

Quite! Why should the council presume that they have a handle on what anyone wants to do to amuse themselves?