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Cllr Paul Bettison recieves his award from Eric Pickles MP
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Council leader deemed "inspiration" after winning top award

By Jennie Slevin
February 28, 2013

The leader of Bracknell Forest Council has been honoured as an ‘inspiration’ when he was recognised for dedicating 20 years to local Government.

Councillor Paul Bettison won the judges’ special award for Contribution to Local Government at the national 2013 Councillor Achievement Awards in Westminster City Hall, London, on Monday.

The top award is also known as the lifetime achievement award, but the 59-year-old said he’s not about to give up.

He said: “I’m still below the average age of a councillor so I’m not ready to hang up my boots yet. I’ve told them they’re not getting rid of me easily.

“I still wake up every morning excited about the day and what I’m going to be doing.”

Cllr Bettison, who has led the council for 16 years added: “One of the great privileges of my role is still the number of interesting people I meet and things I get to do that I wouldn’t be able to otherwise.

“Not just the things like meeting Prince Charles or visits to 10 Downing Street, but the people I meet everyday – I find it very humbling.”

Dr Jonathan Carr-West, acting chief executive of LGiU (Local Government Information Unit), which organised the awards said: “All too often, we can overlook the important contributions councillors make to our communities.

“Judges were especially impressed by Cllr Bettison, describing him as ‘an inspiration across the local government sector’ because of the sheer scope and diversity of his achievements.”

Cllr Bettison has worked full-time as a councillor since he retired nearly 10 years ago and also sits on Sandhurst Town Council and other committees.

He said: “It’s lovely that so many people have recognised what I’ve done. I still enjoy what I do and the busier I am the more I like it.”

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It would be churlish not to acknowledge the award that Cllr Bettison has received from his peers for his contribution to local government in recent years but it is pertinent to ask just what has he achieved for Bracknell Forest during this period? The town centre regeneration programme stumbles on without any end in sight, the provision of better local healthcare facilities remains unresolved and the need to provide more homes in the area is now somebody else's problem. Perhaps Cllr Bettison should be invited to explain just why he feels the award is justified!

http://bracknelllibdems.org.uk/en/article/2013/671128/cllr-bettison-s-achievement-award

Bracknell Lib Dems
15/03/2013 at 12:00

It can't Newtowner, hence the general disatissfaction shown with "Lardy" Betty, the Tories locally, their MP and to be frank their lot nationally.

Neal Evans, Forest Park
02/03/2013 at 21:55

I'm surprised that nobody has congratulated our leader on his Vision' . I heard him present this to a gathering of older residents some years ago - all grand schemes and new council offices etc

He had a vision then - and it seems BFC have since spent a lot of effort pursuing that and doing deals with developers in the form of the BRP. But nothing that was in the `vision' and the plans then has happened. Where is the new `civic boulevard'?

Now the latest proposals are cut down and different - mostly big shop focussed - the original `vision' is a dead duck.

Now his `vision' seems to be to stay in power, and perhaps continue with all these wider Local Government Association activities that have seen him on the television, and rewarded with this award.

We don't get to hear much about the `New Town Regenertion' over the years - the executive committee concerned does not give a public record of its meetings.

The vision has gone and how can that dead duck vision be called an achievement in Local Government?

Newtowner, Priestwood
02/03/2013 at 16:23

Let's form the Democratic Bracknellian Peoples Party and stand against the whole rotten lot.

Neal Evans, Forest Park
01/03/2013 at 20:47

The website says that he has only got to attend 11 meetings a year, and even then he missed one. I see councloor Mary Ballin has gon to none!!!! WHAT are we paying for???? http://democratic.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/mgUserAttendanceSummary.aspx

Gingertop, Bracknell
01/03/2013 at 19:10

Someone needs to put up against him in 2015. Little Sandhurst and Wellington anybody?

Bob Barks, Bracknell
28/02/2013 at 22:11

He said: “I’m still below the average age of a councillor so I’m not ready to hang up my boots yet. I’ve told them they’re not getting rid of me easily."

When he can continue to milk the public purse I don't suppose they will. The awful thing is he probably thinks he is actually a selfless public servant.

timespassing
28/02/2013 at 21:09

Spot on Tim - brap brap!

Cllr Bettison in tha' place - dirty cash money...

http://www.madamprezident.com/birthday-stacks-its-your-36th-birthday-rick-ross/

Winstanley, Bracknell
28/02/2013 at 20:36

http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=http://www.alice-in-wonderland.net/alicepic/disney-movie/tweedledee-tweedledum-2.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.alice-in-wonderland.net/pictures/tweedledee-tweedledum-pictures.html&h=576&w=720&sz=79&tbnid=GJ_wLno_Zx_0kM:&tbnh=94&tbnw=118&zoom=1&usg=__gt7S2nqvq6FUw45hbyvh6zh9mFY=&docid=lMZQTmskD_ihVM&sa=X&ei=_bgvUfihNseY1AXw2YH4DQ&ved=0CEoQ9QEwAw&dur=293

Timothy Jefferies, Disgraced Mayor Of Crowthorne.
28/02/2013 at 20:07

That is a description I'm finding hard not to laugh at - sorry Neal!

Winstanley, Bracknell
28/02/2013 at 20:00

And he loves a mars bar as I have witnessed at close hand when a few years ago he was stuffing his face whilst speeding around the Hungry Horse roundabout and nearly hit me on my bike.

Neal Evans, Forest Park
28/02/2013 at 19:59

Back of the queue Vegas! :-)

Chief Exec - Tim Wheadon: £156, 638 pa

Leader of the Council: £40,758.47 allowance for 2011-12

Lots of further detail here: http://democratic.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/mgDeclarationSubmission.aspx?UID=116&HID=1106&FID=0&HPID=8909111

Looks like local government has made quite a contribution to Mr Bettison too!

Winstanley, Bracknell
28/02/2013 at 19:58

Information online suggests Betsy receives £38,000 in allowances for his role as Leader of BFC.

Plus his other directorships and business interests.

Mme. Madeline Vegas
28/02/2013 at 18:39

"Cllr Bettison has worked full-time as a councillor since he retired nearly 10 years ago and also sits on Sandhurst Town Council and other committees."

Might be a few allowances and expenses claims to keep the wolf from the door.