CRUMBRIA: 21.03.2026 COLUMN #4
Writing a new column for The Cumbria Chronic, experienced council reporter Gordon Norman wades once more into the swamp of Local Government in search of the slippery fish of accountability.
Following previous correspondence, his coverage is confined strictly to what certain people he agrees with said in the meeting, which is a safer approach all round.
Exclusive by Gordon Norman
There was a big meeting taking place this week with lots of big decisions on it.
The biggest decision, as far as I was concerned, was whether I should go to it, because by the look of the agenda it could easily drag on well past my official lunch hour.
Basically, I thought it wasn’t really one for me this time. Anyway, there was a little meeting taking place on the same day.
The little meeting was also nearer to me, which meant you could walk there and still not really be starting work until half ten.
To me, that’s very important when covering Local Government.
I sent a quick message over to Newsdesk to say I had decided to go to the little meeting.
They replied straight away: “We’re short-handed this week, Gordon. I hope you get something out of it.”
To be honest, I thought that was a totally inappropriate thing to say. I wouldn’t go as far as calling it bullying, but I did make a note of it in my files.
If certain people on Newsdesk allowed me to decide what was worth covering, and what wasn’t, everyone would be a lot happier.
That’s democracy, to my mind.
As a matter of fact, the little meeting was worth attending because I got a lot out of it.
They always do Jammy Dodgers and Mint Viscounts, which you just don’t get at other committees.
The various biscuits were all laid out on a lacquered beech-effect table with black steel legs opposite some conveniences which, I was told, were not to be entered under any circumstances following a slight issue arising from this morning’s knitting group.
One of the council directors, whose agenda item had been delayed after he was forced to use the disabled toilets in the adjacent library, then got up out of his chair and gave what turned out to be quite a long presentation.
It was quite interesting because he reminded me a bit of Billy Bragg, but with more of a local government emphasis.
At the end, he looked directly at me, although I’m not sure if it was intentional because he had an ever-so slight turn in his eye.
“Any questions?”
I said: “Yeah. I was just wondering if that bow tie is a clip-on?”
Before he could answer, a councillor near the front cut me off.
To be honest, I’ve never really warmed to that councillor because he doesn’t always turn up to this meeting.
Sometimes I think he only comes here because he knows the refreshments are superior. It’s one of the best things about this committee.
I think it might be better for all concerned if I didn’t quote him again. Just to be on the safe side.
In the end, Newsdesk were glad of the story I sent over:
ASSET OPTIONS ALL IN HAND
After several intense discussions with the Council press office, they finally confirmed that the director was, in fact, wearing a self-tie bow tie.
Like I said to my contact, Sore Throat, nothing gets past me.
***
READ MORE: GORDON NORMAN WEEK THREE
READ MORE: GORDON NORMAN WEEK TWO
READ MORE: GORDON NORMAN WEEK ONE
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