An apology from your little froggy friend for being away so long, but the next video is on its way. It has taken some time, the music and libretto coming from no less redoubtable a team than Gilbert and Sullivan, who are not the easiest of partners with whom to work, but it’s now coming together. Watch this space!

In a question of finance, who do you think is most likely to get it right?
North Yorkshire County Council, or Craven District Council with its appalling financial record and pensions debt of £100,000 per employee?

In the new year both councils will be sharing occupancy of Belle Vue Mills, and a joint team has been set up to oversee the move.
The county council’s website states:
“This is a flagship example of two-tier partnership working and offers tremendous opportunities for effective working between the two organisations.  We will also be able to deliver efficiencies through joint use of rooms and joint procurement.”

This all makes sense, after all the two councils are occupying almost 30,000 square feet of property, and the negotiating powers for discounts should be considerable. As it’s our money being spent again, Paakwa asked, under FOI, for the costs to be revealed - and  CDC responded with a vigorous ‘NIET!’ - So much for openness and transparency again, and no surprise there.
BUT...NYCC is not so secretive, and indeed publishes their costs. These may be seen HERE  and the plans HERE.
There’s a smaller download HERE which gives the financial details, and that’s where it gets interesting.

It will be seen that NYCC has opted for a 30 year option as being the best value for money, whereas CDC has opted for a 999 year option, at around 57% more, with the money paid up front. It is probable of course that CDC has organised payment by stages, commonly called a loan. They’re quite used to taking out loans, but not so good at explaining why.

The figures given by NYCC suggest that of the total 29,667 sq.ft. available, they are paying for 10,247 leaving CDC to pay for 19,420
If CDC are offered the same terms under this joint procurement, as seems likely, then the 999 year lease would cost £3,310,400 up front, and presumably more if paid in stages.
This whole affair seems strange. Would it not have been better to have built on CDC’s own land on Gargrave Road, with the building then  belonging to the taxpayers, and not a private company? Perhaps someone like Bentleys might like to comment on the £170 per sq.ft. as a building cost instead of rental?
And why does CDC need some 6,000 sq.ft. and 80 parking spaces less than they needed at Gargrave Road? (HERE) The inadequacy of car parking is enforcing hiring such from private companies (Morrisons etc.) and then charging staff and visitors for their use!
It’s also noteworthy that just two  years ago CDC were insisting that the building HAD to be on land owned by them, also that Skipton Building Society offered to build them new offices, leaving only the fitting out to CDC. (HERE)
“Is there anyone who really believes that the financially incompetent Craven District Council will be around longer than NYCC?”
“And is there anyone who truly believes that CDC will be around in 30 months time - let alone 30 years?”

Prizes for best answers - The first prize will be a car parking space for a week at the mill. Second prize - an extra dustbin emptying.

Paakwa researches thoroughly all that is published, but, being only a frog, he can make mistakes.
If YOU notice a mistake, please tell Paakwa by clicking HERE and letting him know.

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For Paakwa’s latest video, a little biopic entitled ‘I had a dream last night’  simply click HERE.

Meanwhile Biggles has been cavorting with Ministers of the State no less, and one has agreed to ask as spokesman in answering all questions!
See that interview, in front of a live audience, HERE.