Tributes pour in for outgoing Swindon council chief Rod Bluh
9:10am Friday 1st March 2013 in Latest News By David Wiles
Rod Bluh
COMMUNITY leaders have paid tribute to the work of Coun Rod Bluh, who has announced he will resign as leader of Swindon Council.
Coun Bluh (Con, Old Town), who will become a public affairs consultant for other councils, said the decision was tough, but he needed more time for his own affairs – and he needed to earn more money for his eventual retirement.
The Conservative group, which holds the majority, will meet this month to choose a new group leader.
This group leader is set to be elected the new council leader when Coun Bluh, 57, formally steps down at the full council meeting on April 11.
Labour group leader Coun Jim Grant said: “While it is well known that Coun Bluh and I have had our differences politically and I have at times questioned his judgment, he deserves credit for the hard work he has put in for Swindon.
“I think one positive legacy he can take away is the links the council has made with other local public sector bodies, like Swindon’s Primary Care Trust, with the aim of developing a more joined-up public service for the people of Swindon.
“And coming out of the turbulent years of a hung-council, there has been more stable leadership in Swindon over recent years.
“Sadly, his legacy of office will also be remembered as a time when Swindon has fallen behind economically compared to its competitor towns and cities.
“After the golden years of the ’80s and ’90s where Swindon was dubbed the fastest growing town in Western Europe, it is now creating fewer jobs than its competitor towns and cities.”
Lib Dem group leader Coun Stan Pajak said he was shocked when he heard the news.
“I never expected it at all. It’s very much a concern because he was such a champion for the One Swindon concept which we all signed up to,” he said.
One Swindon joined together the local services from health, police, council and community work.
“We have to ensure that carries on without him as leader,” Stan said.
“Rod Bluh was always trying to get the best for the town so I think he will be a loss as a leader.”
Heydar Faramarzi, the president of Swindon Chamber of Commerce, said: “It came to me as a surprise and it’s really sad to see Rod going because I have a lot of respect for him and I think he’s the longest-serving leader we’ve had.
“I think he has helped the business community as well and he was always there for us and everyone and did as much as he could.
“In terms of inward investment he did a lot of work, some of it might not have been visible, not directly exposed to everyone, but he worked very hard.”
Justin Tomlinson, the North Swindon MP, said: “Rod will step down with his head held high, having frozen council tax for a third year in a row, while enhancing local services.
“What a stark contrast to the dark days of Labour with failing services and council tax hikes of 42 per cent.”
Robert Buckland, the Swindon South MP, said: “Rod’s seven years of hard work and outstanding service to Swindon will long be remembered.
I wish him well for the future and will continue to enjoy working with him in his capacity as a ward councillor. I look forward to working with his successor in continuing to further the interests of our borough.”
ROD'S HIGHS AND LOWS
Highs
- Reinvigorating investment in the town centre after the recession, with the new station forecourt, new register office, and major schemes at the former Swindon College site and Union Square
- Developing the idea of One Swindon, where people in the public, private, voluntary and community sectors work and talk together to deliver services and improve lives
- Gaining recognition from Prime Minister, David Cameron, for Swindon’s innovative LIFE Programme, set up in 2009 to deal with the 370 families in the town classed as the most troubled
Lows
- Investing about £400,000 of public money in the troubled firm Digital City UK, which failed to roll out wi-fi internet access across Swindon and also failed to repay the loan.
- Failing to find a future for the crumbling Mechanics’ Institute building, having pledged to solve the issue on taking office
Comments(23)
Peter Mallinson
says...
11:05am Fri 1 Mar 13
He confirmed this in a conversation with me yesterday.
The report people are using is inaccurate.
LordAshOfTheBrake
says...
11:57am Fri 1 Mar 13
Who the actual employer is, is not the point of discussion. Its whether the services provided will be to public sector clients like councils.
As an example, Capita are a private employer providing services including people to the public sector (as well as private).
We can all set ourselves up as private companies to provide consulting services and many people do.
Tim Newroman
says...
1:14pm Fri 1 Mar 13
Tony Blair and Gordon Brown were/are masters at this.
house on the hill
says...
1:14pm Fri 1 Mar 13
A.Baron-Cohen
says...
3:22pm Fri 1 Mar 13
Tim Newroman wrote:I agree Tony Blair is a disgrace, but Gordon Brown always been a decent straight man, and spends a lot of his time working for charity and Education.
Most career politicians are in it for the rewards they can reap AFTER leaving office. The higher they climb, the more 'specialist insight' they can gain access to and, hence, the more money they can make in consultancy roles afterwards.
Tony Blair and Gordon Brown were/are masters at this.
History is always written by winners, but in time, Mr Brown will get the recognition he deserves in keeping the country from sinking.
As for Rod Bluh, he has worked really hard for Swindon, I do not agree with everything he has done, but he has modernized the council, streamlined services and kept council tax low, and considering the circumstances that is in itself quite an achievement.
Peter Mallinson
says...
5:14pm Fri 1 Mar 13
Rod has decided to do what he thinks is right for him, it is a pity that these small (very) minded people cant just leave him to get on with it.
There is nothing wong with someone making that type of decision.
Is this critical obsessive behaviour a Swindon trait ?
Empty Car Park
says...
8:27pm Fri 1 Mar 13
Peter Mallinson wrote:So....
Why is it that a small (very) number of people in Swindon always look for hidden meanings in other peoples actions.
Rod has decided to do what he thinks is right for him, it is a pity that these small (very) minded people cant just leave him to get on with it.
There is nothing wong with someone making that type of decision.
Is this critical obsessive behaviour a Swindon trait ?
We should all naively accept what councillors tell us, or we will be called names.
Ooh!
Moth
says...
8:30pm Fri 1 Mar 13
Tim Newroman
says...
10:01am Sat 2 Mar 13
but Gordon Brown always been a decent straight man, and spends a lot of his time working for charity and Education.
Well, that makes two of you.
You and his Mum.
Empty Car Park
says...
11:04am Sat 2 Mar 13
Always Grumpy
says...
11:47am Sat 2 Mar 13
Is that why there are so many empty pages in French history books?
Peter Mallinson
says...
2:10pm Sat 2 Mar 13
That is how a small number of people in Swindon behave unfortunately.
Tim Newroman
says...
9:11am Sun 3 Mar 13
Empty Car Park wrote:What?
And your mum
dglaholm
says...
10:09am Sun 3 Mar 13
I wish Rod well and personally compare him as great a leader of the Council as Alf Bown.
Empty Car Park
says...
10:22am Sun 3 Mar 13
while some things went wrong there was more successes that benefited Swindon.
Yes, the Whalebridge Junction, wifi, and regeneration have been a roaring success (not)
His attitude is nicely summed up in this video (approx 25 minutes in)
http://www.talkswind
on.org/index.php/top
ic,9221.msg90771/top
icseen.html#msg90771
Good riddance, but we'll probably end up with someone else more arrogant
Bimbosforjustice
says...
11:33pm Sun 3 Mar 13
Sadly one very good serving Tory Cllr in particular may not be with us for much longer.
A.Baron-Cohen
says...
9:18am Mon 4 Mar 13
Always Grumpy wrote:Another childish remark....don't you have anything intelligent, positive to contribute to this debate?
"History is always written by winners" was the latest cracking quote from the sadly deluded Baron Cohen.
Is that why there are so many empty pages in French history books?
Always Grumpy
says...
9:42am Mon 4 Mar 13
A.Baron-Cohen wrote:Not where you're concerned.
Always Grumpy wrote:Another childish remark....don't you have anything intelligent, positive to contribute to this debate?
"History is always written by winners" was the latest cracking quote from the sadly deluded Baron Cohen.
Is that why there are so many empty pages in French history books?
While you continue to spout such complete and utter rubbish I will continue to criticise you.
Your complete lack of knowledge and understanding of almost everything is beneath contempt and you deserve everything you get. You issue threats to people and libel people at every opportunity, whenever anyone disagrees with your particular twisted point of view and I am not prepared to let you get away with it without a response.
Tough eh? Like it or lump it.
A.Baron-Cohen
says...
11:38am Mon 4 Mar 13
Always Grumpy wrote:I would invite you to read "1984", a great book about the "manipulation of the historical record for nationalist aims and manipulation of power". Something, you would most certainly be very good at.
A.Baron-Cohen wrote:Not where you're concerned.
Always Grumpy wrote:Another childish remark....don't you have anything intelligent, positive to contribute to this debate?
"History is always written by winners" was the latest cracking quote from the sadly deluded Baron Cohen.
Is that why there are so many empty pages in French history books?
While you continue to spout such complete and utter rubbish I will continue to criticise you.
Your complete lack of knowledge and understanding of almost everything is beneath contempt and you deserve everything you get. You issue threats to people and libel people at every opportunity, whenever anyone disagrees with your particular twisted point of view and I am not prepared to let you get away with it without a response.
Tough eh? Like it or lump it.
Always Grumpy
says...
12:30pm Mon 4 Mar 13
A.Baron-Cohen wrote:No doubt a left wing religious freak such as yourself wouldn't be too keen on 1984.
Always Grumpy wrote:I would invite you to read "1984", a great book about the "manipulation of the historical record for nationalist aims and manipulation of power". Something, you would most certainly be very good at.
A.Baron-Cohen wrote:Not where you're concerned.
Always Grumpy wrote:Another childish remark....don't you have anything intelligent, positive to contribute to this debate?
"History is always written by winners" was the latest cracking quote from the sadly deluded Baron Cohen.
Is that why there are so many empty pages in French history books?
While you continue to spout such complete and utter rubbish I will continue to criticise you.
Your complete lack of knowledge and understanding of almost everything is beneath contempt and you deserve everything you get. You issue threats to people and libel people at every opportunity, whenever anyone disagrees with your particular twisted point of view and I am not prepared to let you get away with it without a response.
Tough eh? Like it or lump it.
I suspect you think it's an historical document singing the praises of the Nazis, which despite being a Markist, you show a lot of similarities to with your constant propaganda speeches.
A.Baron-Cohen
says...
3:42pm Mon 4 Mar 13
Always Grumpy wrote:Please can you explain what is left wing and religious in the passage that I quoted from Mr Orwell's masterpiece "1984"?
A.Baron-Cohen wrote:No doubt a left wing religious freak such as yourself wouldn't be too keen on 1984.
Always Grumpy wrote:I would invite you to read "1984", a great book about the "manipulation of the historical record for nationalist aims and manipulation of power". Something, you would most certainly be very good at.
A.Baron-Cohen wrote:Not where you're concerned.
Always Grumpy wrote:Another childish remark....don't you have anything intelligent, positive to contribute to this debate?
"History is always written by winners" was the latest cracking quote from the sadly deluded Baron Cohen.
Is that why there are so many empty pages in French history books?
While you continue to spout such complete and utter rubbish I will continue to criticise you.
Your complete lack of knowledge and understanding of almost everything is beneath contempt and you deserve everything you get. You issue threats to people and libel people at every opportunity, whenever anyone disagrees with your particular twisted point of view and I am not prepared to let you get away with it without a response.
Tough eh? Like it or lump it.
I suspect you think it's an historical document singing the praises of the Nazis, which despite being a Markist, you show a lot of similarities to with your constant propaganda speeches.
Always Grumpy
says...
4:00pm Mon 4 Mar 13
A.Baron-Cohen wrote:I wasn't commenting on the specific passage, but on you - a raving left wing looney, not that I have to explain anything to the likes of you.
Always Grumpy wrote:Please can you explain what is left wing and religious in the passage that I quoted from Mr Orwell's masterpiece "1984"?
A.Baron-Cohen wrote:No doubt a left wing religious freak such as yourself wouldn't be too keen on 1984.
Always Grumpy wrote:I would invite you to read "1984", a great book about the "manipulation of the historical record for nationalist aims and manipulation of power". Something, you would most certainly be very good at.
A.Baron-Cohen wrote:Not where you're concerned.
Always Grumpy wrote:Another childish remark....don't you have anything intelligent, positive to contribute to this debate?
"History is always written by winners" was the latest cracking quote from the sadly deluded Baron Cohen.
Is that why there are so many empty pages in French history books?
While you continue to spout such complete and utter rubbish I will continue to criticise you.
Your complete lack of knowledge and understanding of almost everything is beneath contempt and you deserve everything you get. You issue threats to people and libel people at every opportunity, whenever anyone disagrees with your particular twisted point of view and I am not prepared to let you get away with it without a response.
Tough eh? Like it or lump it.
I suspect you think it's an historical document singing the praises of the Nazis, which despite being a Markist, you show a lot of similarities to with your constant propaganda speeches.
LordAshOfTheBrake says...
9:47am Fri 1 Mar 13
Based on comments made by another councillor in another thread on the topic; this is not true he will become a public affairs consultant to other councils..... Can someone confirm please?