Quote Originally Posted by BCram View Post
Is there something that can be done to fix things? I think there is a mindset that harks back to the Thatcher years where the idea that Governments should not be responsible for the day to day running of public services. Privatisation was "invented". The principle was that the government would set the framework for the operators and hold to account the management of these privatised industries, should they fail to perform to contract.
I think it is strange that an avowed socialist/Marxist coalition in Holyrood are trying to operate the same system invented by Margaret Thatcher. The Deposit scheme for recycling bottles has been set up by creating a company to deliver the scheme. Its not possible to make Freedom of Information requests to this company, and I think the whole system of government we have in Scotland reeks of cronyism and corruption almost as much as Westminster.
Apologies for the digression but Calmac Ferries are a disgrace and an indication how our civil servants have completely failed to stand up to the Government minister responsible for making decisions about the Ferries.

Somehow it's now the Civil Servants plus the ruling political party versus the voters. No wonder Nicola is surprised by the feeling in the country about her. Nae buddie telt her. If only she had read Dundee Mad!
Freedom of Information requests are all very well but it takes 20 working days to receive reply assuming that the organisation being asked the question does not try to wriggle out of answering the question stating that it is too expensive to answer unless the person asking the question is prepared to pay the full cost.
Audit Scotland take 30 working days which is 6 working weeks to reply to an email sent to them which is ridiculous.
Unfortunately civil servants at Holyrood do as they are told by Scottish Government ministers even if it is wrong.
Yet another case of the blind leading the blind.