News from Westminster Labour

Westminster Conservatives’ response to loss of £17 million? Re-use envelopes!

Westminster Conservatives have decided that re-using envelopes is the only way to deal with the £17 million they have put at risk by investing in now-failed Icelandic Banks. As a result, City Hall staff have been ordered by Council Chief Executive Mike More to re-use envelopes as a way of saving money.

In a a memo to staff, Mr More’s office says:

“Prompted by complaints by some Members, Mike has asked me to write to you about something we can do immediately – ie stop using new envelopes for internal mail, including Councillors’ mail.

Will you please ensure you cascade to all corners of your teams that they should not use new envelopes for internal mail, with immediate effect. Mike has assured the Councillors that they will no longer be receiving any mail in new envelopes, so this message must be broadcast to staff quickly and effectively. Will you please all ensure this is done.”

Councillor Paul Dimoldenberg, Leader of the Labour Group, said:

“The Conservatives’ incompetence has led to the loss of £17 million of public money and over 300 staff losing their jobs. At the same time, last year nearly £6 million has been spent on staff bonuses and every year the Council pays over £230,000 on private health insurance for senior staff. And what is the Conservative response to the need to save front line services – re-use envelopes! What’s next? A war on paperclips? A vendetta against elastic bands?”

Other news from Westminster Labour

• Twelve questions for the next Leader of Westminster Council - 10 February 2012
• Westminster Council joint bottom of London league for Adult Social Care - 6 February 2012
• Westminster Labour calls for an 'outbreak of democracy' over election of new council Leader - 2 February 2012