Good morning. Sorry that this weeks blog is a few minutes late - I've been have technical issues, which is the last thing you want at 6.30 on a Sunday morning! Anyway, all sorted now. This week I have mostly been on tenterhooks waiting for the arrival of my firstborn - every single ache and pain for my wife leaves us both saying "is it now?"
However, in amongst all of this I have also been attending meetings and campaigning on your behalf. After work on Tuesday I undertook a tour of the General to get a better understanding of the people who deliver the services. Some great work has been undertaken on alcoholism and the stroke unit really is very good. I think we are very lucky to have such a good institution on our doorstep, when many others in the country have to travel significant distances to get treatment. I did mention to them that they may wish to send more positive messages out - I did not realise that we had so many medical world leaders all working in Southampton; Nobel prize standard. Truly a challenge for their communications department.
Straight after a presentation attended by the hospitals chairman, it was off to the Waterloo Arms for a discussion with Alan Whitehead MP. He had been invited by the anti-biomass group to share in the benefit of his knowledge and expertise. I believe that the group found the meeting very useful, even if some people thought that Alan was in Government at the moment! He found it quite difficult to have to defend coalition Government policies! The changes on national planning guidance left many downbeat when they realised the impact of the changes - in so far as the default position would be to grant applications such as Helios. Thanks Eric Pickles! As your elected Councillors, both I and Dave Furnell will fight against all poor development plans, even if the Government wants to agree them.
On Thursday evening, I was out and about with Councillors Pope and McEwing in Redbridge ward. Although its called Redbridge ward, everything west of Wimpson Lane, I would describe it more as Millbrook - but what do I know! Anyway, Councillor Pope had recently put out a letter on Lidl's plans to build a distribution Centre on what I would describe as a field behind a school. Most residents were against the proposals and were pleased to see so many campaigners knocking doors and listening to people. One comment I have been hearing on the doorstep lately is "When’s the election then?". Always nice to say that it’s not for a while yet.
Yesterday morning Team Millbrook was out and about door knocking and listening to the concerns of residents in Millbrook. Quite a few maintenance issues have come up over the past few weeks and we have reported them. Indeed last week Councillor Furnell asked why the grass was so long and this week it had all been cut - making a difference!
Next week is bubbling along with Council and Labour party meetings. I guess its guaranteed that the little one will arrive when I have a meeting on. Therefore instead of organising less meetings in the run up, I have decided to arrange more - there’s logic for you somewhere.
Lastly, just found out about the thefts of manhole covers from Barters Close. I am getting a bit fed up at the moment that officers within the Council are not notifying your representatives of when issues are arising. Don't worry I am on the case!
Sunday 25 September 2011
Sunday 18 September 2011
This was my week. How was yours?
The week just past was going to be quick a time for meetings are pressures at work. As it turned out my body decided to be ill for Sunday evening, Monday and Tuesday. As such, I have reacquainted myself with daytime television and the sofa / duvet combo. Quite ironic really as I was the one supposed to be looking after my wife at the moment!
As such, due to my incapacity I missed both our Labour Group meeting of Councillors on Monday evening, of which I am the secretary - at least the minutes and agenda were sent out earlier in the week. This also meant that I also missed the police consultation and discussion meeting on Tuesday evening, but I am pleased to note that Southampton Labour were ably represented by our Deputy Leader, and Head of the Police Authority, Jacqui Rayment.
So on Wednesday morning, after most of the hot and cold shivers, sore throat and snozzy nose has subsided, I dragged myself into full council. I met up with Dave Furnell (our other Millbrook Councillor) to have lunch and catch up with what I'd missed over the previous few days...it turned out Dave thought I was having lunch with him to tell him some scary news! How I laughed!
There were a number of big ticket issues to discuss at full Council, including my own first real contributions. In order to allow me to get to my Sunday morning canvassing (at 10.30am) I will summarise the main issues:
Fluoride: We were presented with a petition calling on the council to reverse the strategic health authority’s decision to put fluoride in the water. The council set out the legal position i.e. the Government can now only stop this action, but still debated the motion and found 2-1 in favour of removing fluoride.
Deaf teaching provision: A heartfelt speech by a parent of and a representative of a national charity for deaf children. A post had been cut from the service, and quite a lot of people had signed a petition forcing the Council to debate the matter. The Tories opposed the motion and we abstained due to a very real confusion over what the exact provision of staff was. A good speech none the less.
Police Commissioners: Funny in itself as the three people who have the most experience of policing in Hampshire had to declare a personal interest and so had to leave the debate. I did have a nice cup of tea in the waiting room though.
Members allowances: It was decided that the report of the independent remuneration committee was noted, and the council decided to maintain levels at the 2009 minimum wage level until 2015.
Questions to the cabinet: I made a number of questions and points to the cabinet, the first of three regarding social worker provision. I maintain that we have more agency staff than a year ago, more vacancies than a year ago and only one member of staff on the much talked of grow your own social worker scheme. Not that I'm having a downer on all workers within social care, but that on 27th July the deputy leader of the Southampton Conservatives stated that "It was not right to put vulnerable people at risk". The three clear facts seem to contradict his statement.
Additionally I raised issues on the fact the Council does not seem to have a handle on understanding why staff leave our employment. But my favourite exchange was with Councillor Royston Smith, who missed the opportunity to improve on the state our potholes across Southampton. Instead he launched into a patronising lecture on the past failings of my party. He didn’t seem to understand that I was elected in May! Suffice to say that the Leader did not want to visit Millbrook to look at the state of our roads and pavements, as he had presided over the largest ever road replacement investment. I'll remember that as the potholes reappear in Oakley Road and Regents Park Road. Big picture stuff is important but so is the elderly constituent who is afraid to go out because she thinks her mobility scooter may tip over.
On Thursday evening, I attended Health Scrutiny Panel at the Civic Centre. The main item for debate was the result of the national consultation on the future of the Children’s Heart Unit at Southampton. In short, there was some considerable amount of hope that the Government will make the right decision as the majority of professionals across the country backed the Southampton Option. In addition, Councillor Payne (Woolston) made a fantastic recommendation that the Chair of the panel contact the Channel Islands to ask for their explicit support in the consultation, given the regular support the General often gives them.
Straight after the Health meeting, I attended the General Committee of Southampton Labour Party. We discussed a number of items and received updates from both of our Southampton MP's. Suffice to say that some of the discussions surrounded the gerrymandering of the Boundary Review options for changes to parliamentary constituencies. Suffice to say that we want the people of Southampton represented by full time Southampton MP's. It wasn’t the only topic for discussion, as we lay further plans for the future, uncover further Conservative financial shenanigans at city hall and relay information to those who weren’t aware that social workers have reluctantly decided to strike.
Yesterday was my wife’s birthday and I spent it with her. That was my week, how was yours?
As such, due to my incapacity I missed both our Labour Group meeting of Councillors on Monday evening, of which I am the secretary - at least the minutes and agenda were sent out earlier in the week. This also meant that I also missed the police consultation and discussion meeting on Tuesday evening, but I am pleased to note that Southampton Labour were ably represented by our Deputy Leader, and Head of the Police Authority, Jacqui Rayment.
So on Wednesday morning, after most of the hot and cold shivers, sore throat and snozzy nose has subsided, I dragged myself into full council. I met up with Dave Furnell (our other Millbrook Councillor) to have lunch and catch up with what I'd missed over the previous few days...it turned out Dave thought I was having lunch with him to tell him some scary news! How I laughed!
There were a number of big ticket issues to discuss at full Council, including my own first real contributions. In order to allow me to get to my Sunday morning canvassing (at 10.30am) I will summarise the main issues:
Fluoride: We were presented with a petition calling on the council to reverse the strategic health authority’s decision to put fluoride in the water. The council set out the legal position i.e. the Government can now only stop this action, but still debated the motion and found 2-1 in favour of removing fluoride.
Deaf teaching provision: A heartfelt speech by a parent of and a representative of a national charity for deaf children. A post had been cut from the service, and quite a lot of people had signed a petition forcing the Council to debate the matter. The Tories opposed the motion and we abstained due to a very real confusion over what the exact provision of staff was. A good speech none the less.
Police Commissioners: Funny in itself as the three people who have the most experience of policing in Hampshire had to declare a personal interest and so had to leave the debate. I did have a nice cup of tea in the waiting room though.
Members allowances: It was decided that the report of the independent remuneration committee was noted, and the council decided to maintain levels at the 2009 minimum wage level until 2015.
Questions to the cabinet: I made a number of questions and points to the cabinet, the first of three regarding social worker provision. I maintain that we have more agency staff than a year ago, more vacancies than a year ago and only one member of staff on the much talked of grow your own social worker scheme. Not that I'm having a downer on all workers within social care, but that on 27th July the deputy leader of the Southampton Conservatives stated that "It was not right to put vulnerable people at risk". The three clear facts seem to contradict his statement.
Additionally I raised issues on the fact the Council does not seem to have a handle on understanding why staff leave our employment. But my favourite exchange was with Councillor Royston Smith, who missed the opportunity to improve on the state our potholes across Southampton. Instead he launched into a patronising lecture on the past failings of my party. He didn’t seem to understand that I was elected in May! Suffice to say that the Leader did not want to visit Millbrook to look at the state of our roads and pavements, as he had presided over the largest ever road replacement investment. I'll remember that as the potholes reappear in Oakley Road and Regents Park Road. Big picture stuff is important but so is the elderly constituent who is afraid to go out because she thinks her mobility scooter may tip over.
On Thursday evening, I attended Health Scrutiny Panel at the Civic Centre. The main item for debate was the result of the national consultation on the future of the Children’s Heart Unit at Southampton. In short, there was some considerable amount of hope that the Government will make the right decision as the majority of professionals across the country backed the Southampton Option. In addition, Councillor Payne (Woolston) made a fantastic recommendation that the Chair of the panel contact the Channel Islands to ask for their explicit support in the consultation, given the regular support the General often gives them.
Straight after the Health meeting, I attended the General Committee of Southampton Labour Party. We discussed a number of items and received updates from both of our Southampton MP's. Suffice to say that some of the discussions surrounded the gerrymandering of the Boundary Review options for changes to parliamentary constituencies. Suffice to say that we want the people of Southampton represented by full time Southampton MP's. It wasn’t the only topic for discussion, as we lay further plans for the future, uncover further Conservative financial shenanigans at city hall and relay information to those who weren’t aware that social workers have reluctantly decided to strike.
Yesterday was my wife’s birthday and I spent it with her. That was my week, how was yours?
Sunday 11 September 2011
Tough decisions
Good morning. How are you today? I have a bit of a sore throat and am trying to get my head around the rugby on TV. I played it for two seasons when I was younger, until I decided that it hurt a bit too much. And to be honest, I'm still trying to get my head around the rules!
Just checked outside and nothing seems to have blown down overnight, but apparently its supposed to get a bit wilder this evening - make sure you're all snuggled in and all the hatches are battened down.
Yesterday, we were out and about in Millbrook again. Quite a few people seemed to be impressed that we're knocking on doors in September, months before an election is in sight. It is easy for other parties to employ a company to post your leaflets for you, but it takes commitment and determination to go out and talk to people face to face, each and every weekend, all year round!
Next week will be a very busy time, with meetings on Monday, all day wednesday and Thursday evenings. Although I won't be able to make it, I have received an email to say that their will be a talk held at the Waterloo Arms (Freemantle, SO15 3BS) on Monday at 7.30pm, by a respected environmental academic. The No Biomass group continue to work hard throughout the summer, and they are doing a wonderful job. I have only managed to get to one or two meetings with the group who meet every week, but I am lucky in having a number of Labour party members who are involved with the group - that and Alan Whitehead keeps sending me more and more literiture to read on it!
So Wednesday will be full council, with big debates likely on the future of police stations and fluoride. My mind is clear on both items: Let officers work out of a state of the art building, a few minutes down Shirley High Street, with officers working in the community - the alternative would be more redundancies - but as we know the Tories don't mind that! In terms of fluoride, many have claimed it is a poison. That is true in the same way that oxygen can also be used to kill you. I would have supported the proposal to put fluoride into the water supply if, IF, the public consultation had not been so overwhelmingly against the proposal. This is not me being populist, but rather there is no point asking people their opinion if you are going to completely ignore it. A matter of principle. Rumour is that one of the political groups will be whipped to vote against flouride on Wednesday. That means your party forces you to vote a certain way even if you disagree. In the Labour Party, this vote is a matter for conscience. A number of our group are firmly against, and a number will probably vote for it. We are allowed to make our own minds up.
Oh yes, and then on Thursday evening, I have a Health Scrutiny meeting to attend. There may also be a meeting on Tuesday evening, but the memory is clouding now. I think I may have to go and make another coffee for this blooming throat. In the rugby, the green ones have now scored ten, and the blue ones don't like this. Strange game indeed.
Lastly, for all thr ights and wrongs of our invaisions into the middle east, today marks a very poigniant moment in our and our allies history. More important than the major changes in domestic and foreign policy, ten years ago today the world changed for many many families. For all who have been touched by the events of 9.11, you have my sincere sympathy.
Like him or loathe him, Tony Blair had a very tough call to make on that day. Communication had been lost with a commercial plane packed with holiday makers, flying over the UK. He was asked for permission by the chief of defence staff to shoot it down if the moment came. It reminds me that nobody comes into politics to make decisions to shoot planes down or make people redundant, but they are choices that politicians must make. Decisions which we must be held accountable for.
Just checked outside and nothing seems to have blown down overnight, but apparently its supposed to get a bit wilder this evening - make sure you're all snuggled in and all the hatches are battened down.
Yesterday, we were out and about in Millbrook again. Quite a few people seemed to be impressed that we're knocking on doors in September, months before an election is in sight. It is easy for other parties to employ a company to post your leaflets for you, but it takes commitment and determination to go out and talk to people face to face, each and every weekend, all year round!
Next week will be a very busy time, with meetings on Monday, all day wednesday and Thursday evenings. Although I won't be able to make it, I have received an email to say that their will be a talk held at the Waterloo Arms (Freemantle, SO15 3BS) on Monday at 7.30pm, by a respected environmental academic. The No Biomass group continue to work hard throughout the summer, and they are doing a wonderful job. I have only managed to get to one or two meetings with the group who meet every week, but I am lucky in having a number of Labour party members who are involved with the group - that and Alan Whitehead keeps sending me more and more literiture to read on it!
So Wednesday will be full council, with big debates likely on the future of police stations and fluoride. My mind is clear on both items: Let officers work out of a state of the art building, a few minutes down Shirley High Street, with officers working in the community - the alternative would be more redundancies - but as we know the Tories don't mind that! In terms of fluoride, many have claimed it is a poison. That is true in the same way that oxygen can also be used to kill you. I would have supported the proposal to put fluoride into the water supply if, IF, the public consultation had not been so overwhelmingly against the proposal. This is not me being populist, but rather there is no point asking people their opinion if you are going to completely ignore it. A matter of principle. Rumour is that one of the political groups will be whipped to vote against flouride on Wednesday. That means your party forces you to vote a certain way even if you disagree. In the Labour Party, this vote is a matter for conscience. A number of our group are firmly against, and a number will probably vote for it. We are allowed to make our own minds up.
Oh yes, and then on Thursday evening, I have a Health Scrutiny meeting to attend. There may also be a meeting on Tuesday evening, but the memory is clouding now. I think I may have to go and make another coffee for this blooming throat. In the rugby, the green ones have now scored ten, and the blue ones don't like this. Strange game indeed.
Lastly, for all thr ights and wrongs of our invaisions into the middle east, today marks a very poigniant moment in our and our allies history. More important than the major changes in domestic and foreign policy, ten years ago today the world changed for many many families. For all who have been touched by the events of 9.11, you have my sincere sympathy.
Like him or loathe him, Tony Blair had a very tough call to make on that day. Communication had been lost with a commercial plane packed with holiday makers, flying over the UK. He was asked for permission by the chief of defence staff to shoot it down if the moment came. It reminds me that nobody comes into politics to make decisions to shoot planes down or make people redundant, but they are choices that politicians must make. Decisions which we must be held accountable for.
Saturday 10 September 2011
Do the right thing.
I know its saturday night and I should be enjoying it, but I have had enough of opposition councillors claiming to have secured changes on the closure of police stations in Southampton. I do have to be careful in what I say on this subject for obvious reasons, but seriously - tell the whole truth.
The long and short of it is that Hampshire Constabulary will choose to close outdated buildings instead of making staff redundant. This for me is the right decision. We live in the 21st century. The majority of people dont walk into police stations; they call, email and now even tweet. I want to know that when it hits the fan, top quality officers will be at my side. These changes allow for that to still happen.
Claiming to have secured a commitment on police teams remaining in the locality is pure fiction. Local neighbourhoods teams will always be based locally, whether other stations are closed or not.
I look forward to local meetings and no doubt further interesting claims on how the Tories have made a real difference policing changes. The reality is that our city is in a mess and we desparately need new ideas, not media stunts and half truths.
Biomass = formally supported by the Millbrook Conservatives in February 2011.
Millbrook Library = now sited in Redbridge - maybe they'll change the name?
Industrial action = not resolved and into 14th, 15th or 16th week?
Sea City Museum = £15 million funding gap - enough to cover pay cuts?
Instead of playing political games, do the right thing.
The long and short of it is that Hampshire Constabulary will choose to close outdated buildings instead of making staff redundant. This for me is the right decision. We live in the 21st century. The majority of people dont walk into police stations; they call, email and now even tweet. I want to know that when it hits the fan, top quality officers will be at my side. These changes allow for that to still happen.
Claiming to have secured a commitment on police teams remaining in the locality is pure fiction. Local neighbourhoods teams will always be based locally, whether other stations are closed or not.
I look forward to local meetings and no doubt further interesting claims on how the Tories have made a real difference policing changes. The reality is that our city is in a mess and we desparately need new ideas, not media stunts and half truths.
Biomass = formally supported by the Millbrook Conservatives in February 2011.
Millbrook Library = now sited in Redbridge - maybe they'll change the name?
Industrial action = not resolved and into 14th, 15th or 16th week?
Sea City Museum = £15 million funding gap - enough to cover pay cuts?
Instead of playing political games, do the right thing.
Sunday 4 September 2011
All Change!
Some say change is inevitable or that change is a good thing or my own favourite, that change is as good as a rest. As I've said to a number of friends and family, the learning curve in becoming a Councillor is very steep. I knew that it would be hard work and time consuming, but until I was emersed into this world I only had a vague understanding. Please don't misunderstand me, I am really enjoying the challenge and even going to all of the meetings!
As regular readers will know, my family life will change again in a little under 5 weeks as my wife is due to give birth to our first child. Many thanks to those on twitter who passed on their congratulations. So family life and political life are progressing nicely. My only hope is that my working life becomes sorted out. The threat of redundancy is never nice. What is important to remember is that I have worked in McDonalds as a teenager and I would have no issues with working there again.
Context is important, as all it takes is one email. I was having a really rough day at work and came back to the office to slump at my desk. Up pops an email to let me know that I'd won £100 in our organisations lottery!
But enough about my life, you want to know what I have been doing for you. On Wednesday evening I went along to the new City Depot based at Dock Gate 20, just off the Millbrook roundabout. Now I have to be careful about welcoming developments to our community, just in case some Tories are reading this and fancy having a pop in The Echo again! Laughs aside, the building of such a new council facility within our community is welcomed. The right investment in the right places are long overdue for Millbrook. What was sad was the first comment on the Daily Echo website said that iot was apt that the new depot would be "a dump for a dump". I reported the comment and thankfully it was removed. However, this is one of the challenges for the future; we must challenge peoples perceptions of our community.
On thursday evening I met up with our Deputy Leader to discuss my progress as a new Councillor. It was a really useful chat and very welcome as a new kid on the block.
Yesterday morning I was out and about in Wimpson Lane chatting to residents about their concerns. Myself and Councillor Furnell picked up on a number of issues to work on. What has been nice is to demonstrate across the city that local Labour members are concerned about their communities now, not just at time of elections. The overriding message from the people was that they wanted the industrial action sorted out. Me too! My bins are overflowing again, and this will only get worse when nappies need to be changed. My fear is that this management dispute will rumble on and on. Surely not long left until the end of the line. All change!
As regular readers will know, my family life will change again in a little under 5 weeks as my wife is due to give birth to our first child. Many thanks to those on twitter who passed on their congratulations. So family life and political life are progressing nicely. My only hope is that my working life becomes sorted out. The threat of redundancy is never nice. What is important to remember is that I have worked in McDonalds as a teenager and I would have no issues with working there again.
Context is important, as all it takes is one email. I was having a really rough day at work and came back to the office to slump at my desk. Up pops an email to let me know that I'd won £100 in our organisations lottery!
But enough about my life, you want to know what I have been doing for you. On Wednesday evening I went along to the new City Depot based at Dock Gate 20, just off the Millbrook roundabout. Now I have to be careful about welcoming developments to our community, just in case some Tories are reading this and fancy having a pop in The Echo again! Laughs aside, the building of such a new council facility within our community is welcomed. The right investment in the right places are long overdue for Millbrook. What was sad was the first comment on the Daily Echo website said that iot was apt that the new depot would be "a dump for a dump". I reported the comment and thankfully it was removed. However, this is one of the challenges for the future; we must challenge peoples perceptions of our community.
On thursday evening I met up with our Deputy Leader to discuss my progress as a new Councillor. It was a really useful chat and very welcome as a new kid on the block.
Yesterday morning I was out and about in Wimpson Lane chatting to residents about their concerns. Myself and Councillor Furnell picked up on a number of issues to work on. What has been nice is to demonstrate across the city that local Labour members are concerned about their communities now, not just at time of elections. The overriding message from the people was that they wanted the industrial action sorted out. Me too! My bins are overflowing again, and this will only get worse when nappies need to be changed. My fear is that this management dispute will rumble on and on. Surely not long left until the end of the line. All change!
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