Forum Topic

Julian Bell on Greenford Tesco incident

Just read the news that Tesco have to pay 1.6m in damages given failures in procedure to protect against accidents when delivery trucks reversing (Greenford). Seems an appropriate outcome.What I find shocking is Julian Bell’s quote on this: Councillor Julian Bell, Leader of the council said: “This is a great result for the council. I am very pleased that the court has recognised the seriousness of these offences and imposed a fine reflecting this.Well Mr. Bell how about rethinking that statement? This is not a great result for the council. The council and you act on behalf of the people. This is a great result for the gentleman who was injured, and for public safety.Narcissism is unappealing and the council is doing its job. Perhaps rethink your purpose in who you work for...unfortunately a simple statement like this reveals a lot about what is wrong with local government.

James Putland ● 2818d12 Comments

I was replying to Philippa to try to find out what she had tried in getting it reported.Maybe you would like to start a new discussion about your H&S issue that you reported with some details.

Paul Webster ● 2787d

Paul, I'm not sure what planet you are on Ealing Council facilaties whether you contact them by phone/Web site is not working... As I said tried reporting an issue only this week as said about H&S. Got the run around!

Nicolas Ozegovic ● 2787d

Did you try to report it online viahttps://www.ealing.gov.uk/site/xfp/scripts/xforms_form.php?formID=86&language=en

Paul Webster ● 2787d

When I wanted to report something to the council I found it impossible and reported instead to the Health & Safety Executive.  Builders were throwing tiles off a roof and across the public pavement onto a skip.  This is not acceptable.

Philippa Bond ● 2788d

Ealing council did indeed take this case to courthttp://www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=35241%3A2018-05-11-12-31-54&catid=56&Itemid=24

Paul Webster ● 2788d

Well, I raised an issue yesterday about H&S concerns with the Council and they did nothing absolutely nothing. just gave me the run around.I don't know what planet you are on but Ealing Council fail on all counts. The only time they take action in this borough is when motorist break the law. left turns parking on yellow lines etc.... Anything more difficult and they are hopeless.

Nicolas Ozegovic ● 2788d

Given that the original incident was in 2014, I hope that the victim has already received significant compensation.I had assumed that it was Ealing Council that took this case to court - on Health & Safety grounds.He is also quoted as saying:“I am very pleased that the court has recognised the seriousness of these offences and imposed a fine reflecting this," he added.“We will always the prioritise the safety of local people and this investigation has secured changes to the layout of the car park in question which will hopefully reduce the chances of another tragic incident such as this occurring.“Our health and safety team will not hesitate to take action against any organisation - large or small - which fails to comply with their obligations to protect their employees and others affected by their activities.”

Paul Webster ● 2804d

Unfortunately, it’s the staff in Perceval House who tend to implement the action on behalf of the Borough. And that is where the problem starts Ealing Enforcement and Planning Teams are utterly useless... It takes a serious incident to galvanize action, Bell only wishes to take the credit when they go right. Julian What about the Cinema in Ealing the developers have fallen out over the building and it still remains a building site.

Nicolas Ozegovic ● 2807d

Was Bell not on a taxpayer funded course to learn to claim responsibility for any positively perceived event and blame every problem in Ealing on the Tory Government?

Martin Cain ● 2808d

The words are badly chosen but they were probably written by a Council press officer rather than actually spoken by Julian Bell. Of course he has to take responsibility for them but it is understandable that he might not check too closely before signing off on the release.

Tricia Arbuthnot ● 2812d

Utter arrogance.

Sarah Jane Vickers ● 2817d

Very well said James.I thought exactly the same when I read the article.Julian Bell has more neck than a brass giraffe and a skin that a rhino would be proud of imo. Ask him about his publicly subsidised housing situation, and he'll say nowt.A great result for the council would have been if this had never happened because their inspectors had been on the ball.

Keith Iddon ● 2818d