Councillor at Large
…August
I’m now into my forth month as an Ipswich Borough Councillor and I’m starting to get into my stride. Yes, that’s right, and while others have sought sand, sea and Sangria, or sallied forth on Summery sabbaticals, I the brand new Councillor for Bixley, secreted myself away determined to carry on councilling…
Monday 1st August
Ex-Mayor, and Tory stalwart Billy Wright held his annual councillors BBQ. Being from good Aussie stock I turned up prepared to perform the usual duties thrust my way on such occasions. Little did I know however that The Butcher of Cliff Lane (Councillor George Debman) would be in attendance - and on the case! I strapped myself in for some fine food washed down with a glass or two of red, and wasn’t disappointed.
Tuesday 2nd August
I reach for my copy of the Evening Star only to be reminded that there are plans afoot to locate a pole dancing club in Tacket Street. I might be a borough councillor in only my forth month, but my gut feeling tells me that this can’t be right for the town. It is time to set the wheels in motion that will see this application challenged; even if I have to do so as a local resident. More on this later…
Tuesday 9th August
My first series of diary entries appear in the Star. I’m more than pleased with the way they have been presented and begin to look forward to seeing part 2 next week. That is until it is enthusiastically pointed out to me by friends that I am pictured standing next to a large arrangement of flowers with the caption referring to me as Councillor Groet…or as they would have it ‘Grow it’!
Monday 15th August
I’m a secondary school teacher which means I can not usually attend meetings that take place during the day. However, it is school holidays so I am able to take part in my first North-East Neighbourhood Group meeting at Copelston High School. It is not overly well attended (as many are enjoying that Sangria I referred to earlier), but those present were brought right up-to-date with local issues by the Safer Neighbourhood Team.
After a short break I head off to Grafton House to take part in a Conservative Group Meeting. Our main focus is to consider the Executive Meeting Agenda, due to take place on Tuesday 23rd. It’s not long before realisation strikes that we don’t have the papers that we should have. Subsequently the Executive Meeting is postponed until the following week. Not only is the Labour Executive carrying out very little business when they do hold a meeting, now they are having scheduled meetings cancelled. Mmm.
Tuesday 16th August
Not wishing to be limited in my role as a councillor, I attend an optional Human Resources Committee Employee Appeals training session. Councillors who are trained to consider dismissal decisions within the Ipswich Borough Council naturally take their responsibilities very seriously indeed, so understanding procedures is paramount. I don’t relish the opportunity to put my training into action, but will not bulk at the chance to play my part with honesty and integrity if and when the necessity arises.
Thursday 18th August
Whenever I get the chance to help a Bixley resident with a concern, I jump at the chance. This morning I received a letter relating to the planted verge right outside a constituent’s house. I had a very pleasant visit (including an admission that he had read my recent diary entries and, like me, had a great affection for the Ipswich Transport Museum) and have subsequently contacted the appropriate individuals on the council to see what can be done.
Last time I attended a presentation by a private company looking to invest in Ipswich’s future there wasn’t a Labour councillor to be found. Guess what? John Lewis and Waitrose are presenting a plan to develop the old (highly polluted) Crane Site into a shopping complex that will bring people from all over the county and create over 300 full time jobs, and Labour Borough Councillors just aren’t interested. However, the plans stimulated a great deal of interest from a number of Conservative councillors who were there, and you can be certain that we will do our best to ensure this scheme to regenerate this Labour run ward is not overlooked.
Friday 19th August
Ben Gummer MP has been running ‘Ben in the Pub’ surgerys since long before he was elected in May 2010. I attend whenever I can. On this occasion the ‘never-ending pub crawl’ had moved on to The Duke of York on Woodbridge Road. This is a great opportunity to meet new people, talk politics and (as Aussies will have it) ‘blow the froth off a couple’. Tonight’s is another successful session and proves once again Ben’s ability to listen to local people has not been lost since we sent him to Westminster. I lose a couple of games of pool to ‘thirsty’ local sharks.
Saturday 20th August
Team GB gymnasts competed with Spain and Portugal at Piper’s Vale today and I was more than impressed with their preparations for London 2012. I not only joined the packed crowd who enthusiastically cheered on the fearless young athletes, but was then invited to attend a mayoral reception given in honour of all three teams, with my daughter, following the event. She was particularly pleased as by the end of the day she had been given a grand tour of the mayor’s parlour, and left the event with Beth Teddle MBE’s autograph!
Thursday 25th August
I referred earlier to an application to develop a pole dancing club in the heart of Ipswich. Not surprisingly I am not the only local who takes issue with this plan. I met with Father Leeder and Rev. Kleissner this morning, from the Roman Catholic St Pancras Church and United Reformed and Baptist place of worship, Christ Church, (located opposite the proposed club) to discuss a way forward. As a local resident, I will be speaking against the venture at the Planning Committee meeting 9.30am on the 7th September at Grafton House. Public are welcome to attend.
Tuesday 30th August
Executive meeting tonight. Most of the Labour Executive Portfolio Holders have returned from holiday so, albeit a week late, they got back to business. One item involving an application for Hackney Carriages to increase fares was postponed, so Transport Portfolio Holder Phil Smart’s absence went largely un-noticed.
Wednesday 31st August
As the sun set on the coldest Summer for 18 years, I headed to Grafton House for a Human Resources Committee meeting. Thorough as ever, Councillor Young got Conservative members together for a pre-meet. Although we agreed that there were questions that needed answering, the agenda was one that found general agreement. We do not disagree with the Labour administration for the sake of it, but you can be sure we will hold them to account when required!
Next Month find out how Councillor Stroet gets on touring the Ipswich Waterfront, dealing with plans for pole dancing and attending a reception for the Royal Anglia Regiment.