Money, money, money
Posted: Thursday, 06 April 2006 |
The harsh reality of life includes the on-going decomposition of any credibility of the Western Isles NHS Board. I have been reporting on the persistant and repugnant stench emanating from the Board's offices on South Beach Street, which was given another boost today when the latest twist came out into the open.
It would appear that the Finance Director for WIHB is moving to the island from North Wales. The WIHB does offer financial help towards the costs of relocation, which is no more than reasonable, as we're on the edge of the United Kingdom. The limit up to which this can be done taxfree is 拢8,000. Any amount in excess is liable for tax. The Board offered to meet that liability, which is not common practice. This means it will cost the Board a trifling 拢25,000 pounds to move the Finance Director to Lewis. I am aghast that the Director is not prepared to take the Board's financial fragility into consideration and take on the tax burden herself.
Leaving this staggering amount to one side, there is another slant to this. We are talking about the Finance Director, who is investigating financial mismanagement by the Chief Executive. At time of writing, the deficit stands at close on 拢3m. Notwithstanding this colossal deficit, the FD sees fit to put in a claim for 拢25k to relocate to Lewis.
Nasty question: who has authorised this tax relief? Who is in a position to do so? For legal reasons I am not prepared to speculate.
I have therefore added a fourth person to my list of people who could do worse than resign. It's the Finance Director of the Western Isles Health Board. My suggestion to this person is not to bother moving up. Oh, what a shame. Just now that the local Enterprise Company has shelled out 拢77,200 for the FD to build a new house and run a B&B. I think that sort of money would be better awarded to a local person to set up a B&B.
Leaving this minor matter to one side, the political mudslinging continues. Person number 5 who has moved himself on my quitlist is our MSP. Instead of standing up for his constituents, he stands up for a Health Minister who can't be bothered. It takes a list-MSP to ask the awkward questions, where the constituency MSP is feverishly applying the white-wash brush. Which will ultimately whitewash his political career.
I have previously pointed out that this whole situation is totally out of control. It is a damning indictment of the Scottish Executive, who is prepared to forfeit the health of our islands, for reasons that nobody can explain. It's not just about the 拢3m shortfall. It isn't just about grievance procedures. The fact that grievance procedures CANNOT be used for fear of harassment and intimidation from senior board members should be reason enough to intervene. Even the Western Isles Council isn't immune from such treatment. The resolution of this problem is really simple.
Four senior officers within the Board should be sacked by the Health Minister. The Board's Chairman, Chief Executive, Medical Director and Finance Director.
It would appear that the Finance Director for WIHB is moving to the island from North Wales. The WIHB does offer financial help towards the costs of relocation, which is no more than reasonable, as we're on the edge of the United Kingdom. The limit up to which this can be done taxfree is 拢8,000. Any amount in excess is liable for tax. The Board offered to meet that liability, which is not common practice. This means it will cost the Board a trifling 拢25,000 pounds to move the Finance Director to Lewis. I am aghast that the Director is not prepared to take the Board's financial fragility into consideration and take on the tax burden herself.
Leaving this staggering amount to one side, there is another slant to this. We are talking about the Finance Director, who is investigating financial mismanagement by the Chief Executive. At time of writing, the deficit stands at close on 拢3m. Notwithstanding this colossal deficit, the FD sees fit to put in a claim for 拢25k to relocate to Lewis.
Nasty question: who has authorised this tax relief? Who is in a position to do so? For legal reasons I am not prepared to speculate.
I have therefore added a fourth person to my list of people who could do worse than resign. It's the Finance Director of the Western Isles Health Board. My suggestion to this person is not to bother moving up. Oh, what a shame. Just now that the local Enterprise Company has shelled out 拢77,200 for the FD to build a new house and run a B&B. I think that sort of money would be better awarded to a local person to set up a B&B.
Leaving this minor matter to one side, the political mudslinging continues. Person number 5 who has moved himself on my quitlist is our MSP. Instead of standing up for his constituents, he stands up for a Health Minister who can't be bothered. It takes a list-MSP to ask the awkward questions, where the constituency MSP is feverishly applying the white-wash brush. Which will ultimately whitewash his political career.
I have previously pointed out that this whole situation is totally out of control. It is a damning indictment of the Scottish Executive, who is prepared to forfeit the health of our islands, for reasons that nobody can explain. It's not just about the 拢3m shortfall. It isn't just about grievance procedures. The fact that grievance procedures CANNOT be used for fear of harassment and intimidation from senior board members should be reason enough to intervene. Even the Western Isles Council isn't immune from such treatment. The resolution of this problem is really simple.
Four senior officers within the Board should be sacked by the Health Minister. The Board's Chairman, Chief Executive, Medical Director and Finance Director.
Posted on Arnish Lighthouse at 14:55
I have been in Lewis since late 2004 and am observing life on this fascinating island from an outsider's perspective. I look out at the lighthouse every day - as it looks out over the island and the sea. 
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