Councillor at Large
…December
In the lead up to Christmas, I learnt from the Red Rose Chain Community Theatre Company what it is like to be homeless on the streets ofIpswich, and from retiring teacher Di Cage the love and respect you build up working at the one School for over 35 years. In addition, I learnt Mayor John Le Grys reads my diary…
Thursday 1st December
I went away from tonight’s training session on the Shared Revenues Partnership betweenIpswich, Babergh and Mid-Suffolk, incensed. I thought it was simply an informative session to bring councillors up-to-speed with future changes to revenues and benefits, but found I also had to sit through political point scoring from the likes of Councillor Ross perched on his soap box. It couldn’t be that he is up for election in May?!
Monday 5th December
At the Conservative Group meeting tonight there was much talk about Labour’s new Area Committees that are to replace the Area Forums. Would they improve communication with and participation by our local residents? As a group, we believe there are still many unanswered questions. I am particularly concerned to ensure that regular visitors to Area Forums are not put off by the new format, although I recognise that there is a need to broaden interest within the local community.
Thursday 8th December
I always enjoy taking part in the Overview and Scrutiny Committee meetings because you get to take a ’tour’ of many of the areas for which IBC is responsible. One such item of interest in tonight’s meeting was an update on the ‘State ofIpswich’. Profile data is collected about our town, but how it is used to help inform our decisions going forward? Secondly, the committee was informed of plans forIpswich’s part in the London 2012 Olympics. This included an emphasis on customer service training to ensure that our town is seen in the best possible light by, what we hope will be, an increased volume of visitors. Much needed in my opinion, and I said so!
Monday 12th December
Another Conservative Group meeting tonight. We prepared for Wednesday night’s Full Council Meeting - the first since September. Importantly, as Bixley councillors, both Cllr Carnall and I informed the group of our intention to move an amendment to block Labour’s planned changes to polling districts resulting in our ward losing one of its four polling stations. We think we have a strong argument, but fear it might fall on deaf ears.
Tuesday 13th December
Alongside the rest of the governing body atBrokeHallPrimary School, I attended the retirement do for Di Cage, who had been teaching at the school for some 35 years. The celebration was very well attended – as well it might be when you consider the hundreds if not thousands of local residents who have benefitted from her being a part of their lives. Enjoy a well deserved retirement Mrs Cage!
Wednesday 14th December
In the last council meeting of the year I played my greatest role yet, centring on making a statement in favour of an amendment. Unfortunately it failed. Labour argue that they are taking decision making closer to the people with their new Area Committees, but tonight they voted ‘as one’ against Cllr Carnall’s and my amendment about retaining Bixley’s Broke Hall polling station. Doesn’t that mean, for our constituents, they are taking it further away? I found more fallow ground however, when I asked Cllr Jones why the Town Centre Working group had been abolished – especially as she had fought so hard earlier in the year for the group to be established! I tried to find an answer in her response, but was unsuccessful.
Oh, just quickly. Mayor John Le Grys, having read my comments regarding his chairing skills in full council, was not slow to point out my own poor practice. My questions to Labour portfolio holders sometimes come with statements. It’s a fair cop. Happily we remain on the best of terms, and I will continue to support as many mayoral events as I can.
Thursday 15th December
Tonight I was invited by Red Rose Chain to a new play devised by the company called ‘It’s Cold Out There’. Their new home, Gippeswyk Hall, was packed to the rafters with local residents keen to support this event, set up to raise money for the Ipswich Soup Kitchen. No more worthy cause in the lead up to Christmas. Also, I was pleased to hear that Red Rose plan to extend the hall with additional theatre facilities in the near future.
Friday 16th December
I rarely say no to joining my local Conservative friends for a pint. Tonight Ben Gummer invited us to Lily’s Bar for Christmas drinks. We’ve had a tough 2011 – what with one thing and another - following Ben’s triumph in 2010. Therefore, nights like tonight are important. We are a team brought together by political principles that, for the sake of the country and more particularly the town, must be fought for. In my opinion, 2012 needs to be a time to roll our sleeves up for a Tory fight back!
Monday 19th December
I joined councillors from Rushmere, St Johns and, of course, Bixley for my last official engagement of 2011 - the North East Neighbourhood Partnership Group meeting atCopelstonHigh School. Although the establishment of Area Committees early in the new year may bring about some changes to the format, this group will continue to focus on priorities centred around improving the safety and wellbeing of our neighbourhood. I think Labour and Conservative councillors work well together in the North East, and I firmly believe that will continue to be the case as changes are bedded down going forward.