Difficult Questions

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 25^th 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.