Transitional arrangements at Liverpool council
Check Liverpool council's website and you will see Liberal Democrat leader Warren Bradley still listed as leader of the council.
Despite Labour having taken control of the council on May 7, the party will not be technically in charge until the local authority's annual general meeting on Tuesday - almost three weeks after polling day.
Keen eyed readers will have noticed that Cllr Bradley wasn't too happy to have to learn of chief executive Colin Hilton's retirement via the radio: "I am still council leader until May 25, and it is deplorable that I'm treated in such a way that I heard it first from the radio."
It is the same set of rules that have meant that Labour has had to wait for the Lib-Dems to vacate the offices for the official administration.
Not that any of this really matters because Labour are running the show and making decisions already. But one wonders why Liverpool has a political hand over process more akin to the American presidency than our own parliament where it takes just a matter of hours?
Once next Tuesday's formalities are out of the way the council will get on with airbrushing out the Lib-Dems.
Filming of new council leader Joe Anderson has already been done so that a video greeting from Cllr Bradley to visitors to Liverpool's pavilion at the World Expo can hastily be replaced.
UPDATE: The new Labour administration will swap offices with the Liberal Democrats during the Annual General Meeting of the council.
Officials from both offices will start moving files and computers in Muncipal Buildings while their political masters are debating in the town hall at the other end of Dale Street.
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Dale Street Associates
David Bartlett
City editor of the Post and Echo covering politics, regeneration, and urban affairs.
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Cllr Bradley has behaved like a petulant child. No wonder almost half of his own party want to get shut of him - he clearly can't lead them.
FURTHER UPDATE
Telephone bugging devices and hidden cameras are quickly being relocated in time for the new administration.
Arrangements for the CEO retirement junket is well under way. A menu has been agreed and all food will be tested for bugs. Invitations are secret but a row has started over who can attend. Hilton bashing will not be allowed and anyone throwing food will be chucked out.
David McIlhenney is back - as Acting CEO. Do his colleagues know? Where they consulted? I don't think so! Proof, yet more, that Joe is bonkers!
David McIlhenney is back - as Acting CEO. Do his colleagues know? Were they consulted? I don't think so! Proof, yet more, that Joe is bonkers!