I agree that being a councillor for some is an ego trip but most I have ever met are well meaning. However some are elected because they popular not because they qualified to do the job.
One I know was a librarian, not even a head librarian but now she is head of the planning committee!! They have to rely on the advice given by the expert the council employ or commission to advise them.
The bit about the wealth, I cannot agree with, it is irrelevant to how the council works and in this disaster. Does the fact that multi millionaire Lilly Allen lives in that area along with Adel have any bearing on how a council is funded, not in anyway. Yes it is a rich council but under both labour, Tories and the Tory Lib dem alliance, none have allowed councils to use their reserves to build homes. None have reversed the policy of selling councils home off that Thatcher started. That is why we have so few social homes.
No one should feel or be made to feel ashamed at having worked hard and done something to better themselves, to set rich against poor in this way is shameful, in my opinion. What you get at the end is something we do not want and is getting worse in the UK, why do you need a play car when others cannot afford one at all, is the sort of things some would ask. It is wrong that that being wealthy, or having more than the worst off person, is seen as a crime, unless you sing a bit or play football, allowing this to happen is equally shameful
Emotions are understandably running high, which is why calm reflection with facts is needed. As Mark has said, it may not be as the media has decided, the council, the contractors etc may have followed the rules to the letter. If they have they are in the clear, sort of, if not they are looking at long term jail. If they have done everything 100% then the rules are clearly so wrong and that is a bigger mess to sort out.