Thought I'd update you on my activities over the past week or so. Last Thursday I took the day off work so that I could spend the day on council activities. In the morning myself and Councillor Furnell attended Redbridge Fire Station (Redbridge Hill, to talk to Commander Mickey Smithers. It was a very interesting morning finding out about the pressures of fire and rescue in our community. We are very lucky to have these boys and girls working out of our patch, and I will be looking to work with and support the valuable work undertaken by Mickey and his crews. On Saturday 25th July, the station will be holding an Open Day from 10.00 – 17.00 hours. I would recommend dropping by for an hour or two.
On Sunday I was out with members delivering thank you leaflets. There are a lot to deliver at the moment, so if you fancy lending a hand, do let me know! It is important to thank people and also let them know that I am fighting on your behalf, and even remind them of my contact details as its been at least a month since the last leaflet!
Monday evening was interesting as it was my first opportunity to question the Chief Executive of Southampton City Council. Suffice to say that he received a grilling from my fellow Councillors on a range of subjects, and I even got in a few questions on your behalf. It must be a difficult job to carry out the actions of a council if you don’t exactly agree with them, but I look forward to many different choices being made next year, hopefully under a different colour council.
After the Chief Executive had left we had a briefing from three representatives of the Unions. It was a real eye opener to hear the other side of the story from the one which the Conservative politicians are putting into the local media. It would be wrong of me to divulge the content of the discussion, but it was constructive.
Some people have contacted me about when there bins may be collected next and I have tried to help as best I can with information. However, a number have contacted me to complain about the strain which the refuse strike is placing on their families. If it helps, as a resident of Southampton, I am also going through the pain with you. What is important to remember is why people are striking – “What’s it got to do with me? I don’t work for the Council..!” Well, it has everything to do with you. I have said it a number of times, but happy to oblige again:
IF WE DONT FIGHT THE TORIES IN CUTTING PEOPLES TERMS AND CONDITIONS, YOUR EMPLOYER COULD DECIDE TO DO IT TO YOU NEXT.
Last night I was out at my first committee meeting – Health Scrutiny. This is where the members of the committee can challenge some of the decisions being made that effect the health and well being of people in Southampton. Although it was a long meeting at three and a half hours, I did enjoy asking difficult questions of senior officers of the health services. Sometimes you get the feeling that people in high places don’t have to justify themselves very often. On your behalf I asked difficult question after difficult question. It’s important that those people taking decisions that affect you and me are held to account, in the same way that you would hold me to account.
Thursday 23 June 2011
Sunday 19 June 2011
Welcome to 2011...
I have at last joined the decade of technology! Eagle-eyed readers of the blog will notice one of two things today: firstly, I havent updated my blog this morning; and secondly, you will see a new section on the left hand side of the main screen which lists "tweets".
I have at last joined twitter and can now post comments direct from my mobile phone to my blog. This means I no longer have to wait to get home before I can put my comments out to you, the reader.
A full update will be forthcoming after tomorrow evenings meeting - but I wont spoil the surprise. Enjoy the tweets, and welcome to 2011...
I have at last joined twitter and can now post comments direct from my mobile phone to my blog. This means I no longer have to wait to get home before I can put my comments out to you, the reader.
A full update will be forthcoming after tomorrow evenings meeting - but I wont spoil the surprise. Enjoy the tweets, and welcome to 2011...
Sunday 12 June 2011
A tough job, but somebodys got to do it
Another week in the life of your recently elected Millbrook Councillor! I do hope that my updates give you a sense of whats going on in my role as your elected representative. I sit here most sunday mornings and settle to write my blog, not because i want to push ideology down your throats but because I think that in this day and age you deserve to know what i've been spending my time on.
On Monday evening I spent the evening in the presence of Councillor Furnell (also Millbrook) and Mary Lloyd, the Labour Freemantle Campaigner. We attended the Freemantle and Shirley Community Association who aid the running of the Freemantle Community Centre on Randolph Street. These volunteers are a committed bunch who have taken it upon themselves to make the centre as accessible to the community as possible. They are doing a great job, but feel free to go along and make contact with them as this is a community centre for the whole community. I will certainly be hosting more events their in future, as well as continuing to have our local Labour Group meetings there.
Tuesday evening was supposed to be an evening of Environment and Transport (E&T) Policy Forum - where all members of the local party can come together to share ideas - and a meeting with the Leader of the Labour Group on some work I am undertaking. However, due to an unforeseen family commitment I had to send my apologies for both. Thankfully I was able to reschedule with the leader and send my comments on policy proposals via email to the group.
It did strike me this week, that I do have to start prioritising some of my commitments. Currently as well as being your councillor, I serve on the Health Scrutiny Committee - more of which after my first meeting. But I also serve as Secretary to the Test Branch of the party and now Secretary of the Labour Councillors. This is in addition to my membership of both the E&T and Economic and Leisure Policy Forums! Time to have a sit down and work out which is best for me and which is best for our community. Interestingly Councillor Furnell will be taking the lead for the local party on all issues coming out of the Biomass Power Station. It is good that our local councillor will be taking the lead on this important issue.
Wednesday. This was a busy old evening. Straight after work I had a meeting with the Director of Communications at the Council, so that I could understand the role and function of the department. It was extremely useful to gain insight into the balancing act played by the department in trying to get the Councils message across. After that meeting I attended a training session on Safeguarding Children. I felt that this was very important to attend as a new councillor and given the politics of the day e.g. some people suggesting that our hardworking staff were putting vulnerable people at risk.
At this point I will quickly mention the strike. For me the clear message as to why this strike is important to each and every person up and down the country is this:
Is it right that your boss could walk in on Monday and say, "Times are hard, so take a pay cut or your fired!". Its not right, and this could happen everywhere if it goes through in Southampton. Employers and Councils across our country are waiting to see if the strike fails and the Council drives through its threat. You or I could be next. I don't think its fair or proper.It makes your contract pretty much worthless.
Back to the week that was. On Thursday I sent in the response from myself and Councillor Furnell to the Regents Park Learning Trust Public Consultation. Before which I had my rearranged meeting with the Leader of the local Party to discuss and issues I may have been having, hints and tips, future work areas - so really like a one 2 one with your line manager.
On Friday evening I went food shopping and saw my wife. Its important to remember why we do this. Going to the training on Safeguarding Children and seeing my wife on Friday drove it home to me, that above all, the reason why we get involved is to help vulnerable people and to try to make everyones life better. Its a tough job but somebodys got to do it.
On Monday evening I spent the evening in the presence of Councillor Furnell (also Millbrook) and Mary Lloyd, the Labour Freemantle Campaigner. We attended the Freemantle and Shirley Community Association who aid the running of the Freemantle Community Centre on Randolph Street. These volunteers are a committed bunch who have taken it upon themselves to make the centre as accessible to the community as possible. They are doing a great job, but feel free to go along and make contact with them as this is a community centre for the whole community. I will certainly be hosting more events their in future, as well as continuing to have our local Labour Group meetings there.
Tuesday evening was supposed to be an evening of Environment and Transport (E&T) Policy Forum - where all members of the local party can come together to share ideas - and a meeting with the Leader of the Labour Group on some work I am undertaking. However, due to an unforeseen family commitment I had to send my apologies for both. Thankfully I was able to reschedule with the leader and send my comments on policy proposals via email to the group.
It did strike me this week, that I do have to start prioritising some of my commitments. Currently as well as being your councillor, I serve on the Health Scrutiny Committee - more of which after my first meeting. But I also serve as Secretary to the Test Branch of the party and now Secretary of the Labour Councillors. This is in addition to my membership of both the E&T and Economic and Leisure Policy Forums! Time to have a sit down and work out which is best for me and which is best for our community. Interestingly Councillor Furnell will be taking the lead for the local party on all issues coming out of the Biomass Power Station. It is good that our local councillor will be taking the lead on this important issue.
Wednesday. This was a busy old evening. Straight after work I had a meeting with the Director of Communications at the Council, so that I could understand the role and function of the department. It was extremely useful to gain insight into the balancing act played by the department in trying to get the Councils message across. After that meeting I attended a training session on Safeguarding Children. I felt that this was very important to attend as a new councillor and given the politics of the day e.g. some people suggesting that our hardworking staff were putting vulnerable people at risk.
At this point I will quickly mention the strike. For me the clear message as to why this strike is important to each and every person up and down the country is this:
Is it right that your boss could walk in on Monday and say, "Times are hard, so take a pay cut or your fired!". Its not right, and this could happen everywhere if it goes through in Southampton. Employers and Councils across our country are waiting to see if the strike fails and the Council drives through its threat. You or I could be next. I don't think its fair or proper.It makes your contract pretty much worthless.
Back to the week that was. On Thursday I sent in the response from myself and Councillor Furnell to the Regents Park Learning Trust Public Consultation. Before which I had my rearranged meeting with the Leader of the local Party to discuss and issues I may have been having, hints and tips, future work areas - so really like a one 2 one with your line manager.
On Friday evening I went food shopping and saw my wife. Its important to remember why we do this. Going to the training on Safeguarding Children and seeing my wife on Friday drove it home to me, that above all, the reason why we get involved is to help vulnerable people and to try to make everyones life better. Its a tough job but somebodys got to do it.
Sunday 5 June 2011
Team Millbrook
Just a quick update from me this week as I have to get ready to help deliver leaflets in ward on the current strike. Its difficult to convey in words the stresses which currently face those on strike, but suffice to say that the Labour Group of Councillors believe in stopping all council action which is not fair. There are still other options to consider, there are other choices to make. As I said last week, nobody enjoys going on strike.
The other piece of information was regarding a piece of casework which I recently completed. A Millbrook person was being threatened with removal from a daycentre they attended, due to a lack of paperwork being commpleted. This paperwork had been sat on someones desk at the Council since August. Suffice to say the file has now been completed and the member of staff given a training opportunity. Its not that I revel in getting someone in trouble, but rather they can be helped to be more effective in their job. I work in the public sector, as does my wife. If I make a mistake at work, nobody gets hurt or suffers, so I appreciaate the pressures in serving our communtiy.
Anyway, I'm sure the constituent was happier after the intervention. If you're reading this, you have my contact details. If you have a problem and no one else can help, and you can find me, then you should contact Team Millbrook.
The other piece of information was regarding a piece of casework which I recently completed. A Millbrook person was being threatened with removal from a daycentre they attended, due to a lack of paperwork being commpleted. This paperwork had been sat on someones desk at the Council since August. Suffice to say the file has now been completed and the member of staff given a training opportunity. Its not that I revel in getting someone in trouble, but rather they can be helped to be more effective in their job. I work in the public sector, as does my wife. If I make a mistake at work, nobody gets hurt or suffers, so I appreciaate the pressures in serving our communtiy.
Anyway, I'm sure the constituent was happier after the intervention. If you're reading this, you have my contact details. If you have a problem and no one else can help, and you can find me, then you should contact Team Millbrook.
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