Having a rest?

Good morning, and time for this week’s update. A few constituents have said that because the school holidays are coming up that things must be very quiet for me. I can honestly say that between the meetings, the casework and attending Labour Party events it’s never quiet.

I am getting to grips with casework and am starting to get some useful answers on behalf of those who have contacted me. It can take time, but with perseverance we can get officers and other organisations to change what they’re doing or why they’re doing it. Hats off the Councillor Furnell this week, who with some excellent deputations from residents of Edward and Henry Road, had a number of changes to a planning application approved on Tuesday. This was a campaign by the residents, supported by Councillor Furnell. As a community we can come together in Millbrook to make a real difference.

Monday night was a public consultation meeting with Regents Park Community College, discussing the pro’s and con’s of entering into a local learning trust with a number of other schools in the area (Foundary Lane Primary School being the other in ward). Thanks to Councillor Pope for attending these events also and sharing his vast knowledge of co-operatives. The opportunity to ask questions and challenge on behalf of the current and future students, residents of our area and wider Southampton means that I will be submitting my thoughts into this round of consultation.

Tuesday evening was meeting of the Test Branch of the Southampton Labour Party. There were a number of items which we discussed, most of which I can’t share (I hope you understand). We did, as is the case with all our meetings, take a collection, and raised £70 which we felt it appropriate to donate to the Unite Union in support of the workers currently out on strike. I do not believe for one moment that anybody in 2011 likes to go on strike. It is an unsettling, stressful and action of last resort. My hope is that the administration come good on their public proclamations and actually decide to sit down with the unions instead of constantly fanning the flames of anger.

Wednesday was our 20 week scan. Mother and baby, happy and healthy.

Thursday evening was a meeting with Councillor Furnell. We had a bit of a “wash up” session, discussing how the turn of events had panned out. The overall conclusion was that it had been blinking marvellous, although there were a number of hard lessons to learn. We have come up with a list of objectives and tasks which we are starting on immediately, on your behalf. We have worked hard for a number of months, and now we hope to build on our hard work by keeping up the effort, but also becoming more visible in the ward, in the council and in the media.

Yesterday I was mending the fencing in my back garden with my brother and Father-in-law. Today I shall mostly be finishing that off. Tomorrow more chores, before I go back to work on Tuesday for a rest...

First Committee!

Good afternoon - quick update. Wednesday was my first council meeting sat as your councillor. As some of you may know I was a council officer in East London and so this was very surreal to be sat in the council chamber as your representative.

I have been asked to sit on the Health Scrutiny Panel for the party. This means that I will be a part of a committee dedicated to scrutinising health decisions made which affect the people of Southampton. It doesnt help that the ruling administration have cut the finance to this valuable work, but we will endeavour to do our best.

Additionally, yesterday evening I was invited to attend a public consultation on the possibility of setting up a Regent Park Schools Trust, with a number of schools in Millbrook and the surrounding area. It is a very interesting proposal and shows the imagination and professional ability of the staff who lead our local schools. I await the finer detail of the proposals, but as ever asked challenging questions on your behalf. Also in attendance was Councillor Pope of Redbridge ward, which was a clear demonstration of how seriously us "newbies" are taking our community responsibilities. Meanwhile, Councillor Furnell (an oldie by comparison with a year under his belt) was in attendance at the Maybush Residents Association.

As I always knew, its not just a case of attending my first committee!

What a few days!

Good morning campers!

I have just about come back down to earth after so many supporters came out on 5th May. I have been grappling with the new administration proceedures and a host of new passwords and usernames. I though technology was supposed to make things easier?

Although I have taken a few days off from leafletting, I have still been attending meetings on your behalf. Indeed, I can confirm that I was dealing with your issues the very next morning. If you have any issues, feel free to contact me - I will always listen to your problems, thoughts and feelings and try to offer sound advice. If the issue is to do with the Council, I will champion your cause.

Yesterday i received an update from Helius on the next steps for the Biomass. I am so proud of our community in the impact that we have all made on the project. I have read the most recent statements, and look forward to challenging on your behalf. Additionally, I have been looking at a number of council documents and will be feeding into the Low Carbon Strategy document - which is coming up for agreement in June. I will be asking to be consulted on this document and will ask for your input. This is a chance for us to make a real green commitment, at a price which is acceptable to all.

I'm off to do some housework this weekend. Hope you're going to have a good one - Eurovision tonight...What a few days!

p.s. look out for me on The Weakest Link on Monday, BBC1, 5.15pm!!!!!

Thank You.

Thank you to so many people for your support. If I listed all of those who have helped me over the past 8 months, I'm sure the word limit would kick in. Over the next week I will be trying to personally thank as many of you as possible.

Over the next four years I hope to be a worthy representative to our community. Today I feel like I have 1,904 new friends. My wish is that I can prove to the rest of Millbrook that I am a credible servant.

I am humbled. Thank you.

Decision day

Good morning,

Just a quick update after I've been out posting good morning leaflets. Over the past weeks and months I've tried to call on as many members of our community in order to listen to your thoughts and feelings. You may not have agreed with everything I said or everything that my party does, but I hope that I convinced you that I could be a hard working representative for you.

If I can ask you to think back on the numbers of leaflets that I have posted, the number of times you have seen me at public meetings or the number of times that I have knocked on your door. I have always been committed to Millbrook, now and always.

Its decision day...