Councillor at Large
… January
This month began with Area Forums being replaced by Labour’s new Area Committees, resulting in a chilling level of political co-operation between councillors keen to make the most of this untried format. It ended with the sad loss of my friend and mentor Councillor Russell Harsant. He was wise, giving and a ‘very naughty boy’.
Wednesday 4th January
Area Committees don’t just make themselves you know! We need to be properly trained. So, with that in mind, it was standing room only in the Orwell Room at Grafton House as councillors jostled for position to hear from the Labour Leader of the Council, David Ellesmere. Following his introduction councillors met with their own group – in my case the North East Area Committee - to kick around ideas and learn how to play nicely together. Our group kicked around and played so nicely that we were late back and got that ‘now that we are all here’ kind of response that we probably deserved.
Monday 9th January
I have a ‘bee in my bonnet’ about poor service standards undermining efforts to improve our town centre, and I informed the group at tonight’s Conservative group meeting that I intended to ask Cllr Jones a question about it at the next full council meeting. We also learnt that there is a tree planting scheme this Saturday atLandseerPark. A number of councillors planned to attend.
Wednesday 11th January
Stalwart defender of truth, justice and Broomhill Pool, Sally Wainman, was the only member of the public who joined us for the first of our North East Area Committee meetings - held at Grafton House and she doesn’t even live in any of our wards! My proposal of fellow Bixley Councillor, John Carnall, to be elected as chair was seconded by Labour’s Cllr Ross. It was decided to hold future meetings in the wards the committee represents (ie Bixley, Rushmere andSt Johns) - and who was going to make tea.
Sunday 15th January
Cllr Russell Harsant and I visited St Elizabeth Hospice together when I was first elected back in May last year. I remember that he spoke of the impressive workmanship and equipment that was in evidence in the new wards. Today I visited Russell for the last time, making use of those very facilities. Cancer had clearly taken a cruel hold of him, but he still hadn’t lost his edge – chiding me impishly about some political choice I could or should have made.
Wednesday 18th January
I rushed to Grafton House for an earlier than usual pre-meet called by Cllr Young to discuss this evening’s super-size Human Resources Committee agenda. This is a committee ably chaired by Labour’s Cllr Gardiner who, in my opinion, provides a conciliatory tone that isn’t always reflected elsewhere on the council. Annoyingly business moves at a snail’s pace whilst we wait for vacillating unions Unite and Unison to serve their latest decree.
Thursday 19th January
The main business tonight at the Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting was an in-depth review of the Community Safety Partnership. Many councillors took part in a discussion that lasted well into my bedtime. I had a few questions of my own. On crime. Why is recorded crime going up in Ipswich whereas in every other district inSuffolkit is coming down? On anti-social behaviour. Is enough being done about street-drinkers who disrupt businesses and shoppers in our town centre? On parenting support. Were programmes being made available to fathers wishing to learn how to be better parents? I received positive responses to each question, but they also suggested work in progress.
Friday 20th January
I joined Cllr Rudkin for a public meeting at Crown Pools. Discussion centred on the progress of the important work being carried out and the necessity for services provided at the centre to meet the needs of visitors going forward. In truth I have a personal and prejudicial interest in the redevelopment of Crown Pools because I am there 4 or 5 times a week. In fact, the only time I put my councillor hat on was when asking why prices remained the same whilst patrons only had access to half the facilities. Had any of the Liberal Democrat councillors, who allegedly represent the good people of St Margarets, been there, I’m sure they would have thought to do the same.
Monday 23rd January
Tonight it was the responsibility of leader Cllr Carnall to discuss changes to committees and working groups, at the Conservative Group meeting. The news about the health of my colleague and friend Cllr Russell Harsant was such that – and Russell would understand – decisions had to be made. With due pragmatism we looked ahead to the Full Council Meeting on Wednesday, but there was a sense of sadness and loss that hung over the proceedings.
Tuesday 24th January
Russell passed away in the early hours of this morning. Rest in peace, Russell.
Tonight I attended a curriculum meeting atBrokeHallPrimary School. Happily, I was able to turn my mind to discussions about teaching and learning and away from gloomier matters. The School Development Plan (SDP) was being reviewed; governors were given a presentation of priorities – with an eye to an Ofsted inspection in the not to distant future. The London Olympics is being seen as a springboard to broaden learning opportunities in our school. I hope that a greater commitment to sport is a legacy that will live well beyond 2012.
Wednesday 25th January
When I asked Labour’s Cllr Jones, at tonight’s Full Council meeting, to describe the shopping experience in our town centre over the festive period, she pointed to Pre-Christmas sales. I suggest that a little more long-term, strategic thinking is required. With the additional visitors we are trying to attract to our town (who, like many local shoppers, might not take to service with a grunt), I would have thought that providing programmes to raise service standards might be worth considering. When did you last hear - “Good morning Sir/Madam. How may I help you?” No. I can’t remember either.