Poole Council, RIPA, Soft Cops and sleepwalking

Tim Martin, head of legal and democratic services at Poole Borough Council, said: "The council is committed to investigating the small minority of people who attempt to break the law and affect the quality of life for the majority of law-abiding residents in Poole. "On a small number of occasions, RIPA procedures have been used to investigate potentially fraudulent applications for school places.

3 points to make

1. The fears expressed about the misuse of these secretive powers by over 600 public bodies have proved to be true.

2. Maybe a co-incidence, but isn't this the area, Sandbanks, where policeman Neil Munroe was found dead after supposedlyfalling / jumping / being pushed off a cross channel ferry?

3. Isn't this the Borough where many dark claims have been made about the influence of Masons in civic affairs ? The impacability and lack of concern of the civil servant interviewed on TV gav e the lie to Mr Shakespeare's warning ...

" Man , proud man,dress'd in a little brief authority"

which continues with unerring precision to describe the self important fnctionary and apologist for the council's covert intrusiveness..

Most ignorant of what he's most assur'd—
His glassy essence—like an angry ape
Plays such fantastic tricks before high heaven
As makes the angels weep; who, with our spleens,
Would all themselves laugh mortal.

Measure For Measure Act 2, scene 2, 114–123

Finally before imploding, Lord Patel attended a meeting of the local metropolitan Borough Council who were explaining there novel system for private rented housing of "Accredited" Landlords, Letting Agents and Tenants.

This is a self designed scheme , unique to the Borough developed under what they see as their mandated job under the Housing Act 2004 to monitor Housing.

Taking up the issue with a charming, sensible lady in sensible flat heeled brogues, with a sensible handbag, Lord Patel suggested that they were becoming ..er.."soft cops" by introducing norms and standards that were not a legislative requirement.

This was a concept with which it was evident she had to struggle. A term like "soft cop" not coming easily to this matronly lady. There was a flash of realisation ... "Yes... Yes .. I suppose we are ". A sly grin formed, which broadened.. "Well someone has to."

God only knows
God makes his plan
The information's unavailable
To the mortal man
We're working our jobs
Collect our pay
Believe we're gliding down the highway
When in fact we're slip slidin' away

PS : "This was a complicated case" he said about the school for which a 3 year old was destined whose sibling already attended...they had 2 houses. Yes, really fucking complicated.