Category: Uncategorized

There were angry scenes at a planning committee in Camden the other week, as one of the objectors stormed off shouting obscenities. What can councils do about them? Scenes like the one at Camden are unusual, but happen if residents feel unempowered, for instance from a lack of consultation from the council or developer, or… Continue reading Angry scenes at council meetings

The local election campaign formally kicks off today. It’s the largest test of democracy since the general election as we have two years of elections in one, including all the councils which were due to have elections in 2020. In addition to the Scottish Parliament, Senedd Cymru and GLA, all Police and Crime Commissioners are… Continue reading Local elections kick off today

Richard Patient, Managing Director of Thorncliffe | Your Shout:  “The government faces a problem.  To extend remote council meetings requires primary legislation – an Act of Parliament, but extending the Coronavirus Act – which expires on May 7th – is highly controversial amongst its backbench members.  “Jenrick acted quickly last year, but this year he’s… Continue reading Remote planning committee meetings

Thorncliffe today called for Harry Rich, The Registrar at ORCL – the government’s lobbying body, to set a standard or template for an industry code of conduct. Richard Patient, managing director of Thorncliffe, said: “The template code can only be set by the government’s lobbying body – not by self-interested membership organisations, if it wants… Continue reading Thorncliffe call for ORCL to set a template public affairs code

Our Christmas charity this year is Lend with care.    Lend with care is a charity to help people in low income countries to work their way out of poverty with dignity. Lendwithcare brings together entrepreneurs in developing countries with people with the power to help them – people like us. Run by one of… Continue reading Our Christmas charity

Our congratulations, from all at Thorncliffe, to Mark Allison, who becomes the new leader of Merton. Mark is a friend of Thorncliffe, having worked as a colleague with us for five years. Mark has been a councillor for nearly 20 years, ten years as cabinet member for finance, and deputy leader for seven years. He… Continue reading Allison takes over in Merton