Its early, its sunday and therefore it means another run up of the weeks events from your elected representative for Millbrook. Last Sunday morning over 35 members of the local party came down to Millbrook to canvass people on the doorsteps. We regularly do this every weekend as you will know from my blog, but it was a humbling show of support to have councillors, candidates, members, the shadow cabinet, regional officers and the Chairman of the local party out campaigning for you in our community.
On Sunday afternoon we spent discussing our manifesto amongst Councillors and candidates, before taking it to our wider membership. As you can appreciate, we are doing everything we can to win the election, but we also have to put considerable work into what we have to do if we are fortunate enough to be in control of the Council on 4th May. The transitional work needed to be undertaken is HUGE!
On Monday night, we continued our debates from Sunday. As well as trying to take a full part in the discussions, it is my job to make sure that the agenda, minutes and reports are all in order. But it is important that somone take the responsibility of Group Secretary.
On Tuesday night I met up with a major organisation based in the ward. The 3 hour discussion was both illuminating and saddening that we as a council have not done more with this group. I will be meeting with the Leader of our local party to discuss how we can make better use of these people in the coming years. Apologies for not setting out exactly who they are, but I am aware that it is not just supporters who read my blog - and I wouldnt want the other side to steal ideas at the moment.
On Wednesday night, I spent some time with my family.
On Thursday evening I attended the Health Scrutiny Panel. I had the pleasure of working with Councillor Pope, as my regular partner Councillor Payne was with his other half in the Princess Anne Hospital. Happy to report that the Payne family has now increased in size by one, with mother and baby doing well.
Friday evening was spent doing the weekly shop. I tried to bump into the store manager, but he swerved away from my grasp at the last moment. I cant wait for our scheduled meet up in the next few days. A number of issues to talk to him about...
Yesterday morning, Team Millbrook were out and about delivering leaflets introducing our new candidate to you. There have been a lot of leaflets circulated by the other parties at the moment. Instead of saying what they will deliver, it seems that they are content to use the politics of fear to influence peoples voting intentions.
How about a couple of myth busting straight answers from a politician:
Will you raise Council Tax next year? The Government has stated that any council freezing tax levels will get a bonus payment to make up the difference. Any Council wanting to raise it substantially will have it reduced. As such, no party will raise the levels.
Are you going to close libraries or sure start centres? This is unforgivable that other parties are suggesting that we might be closing them. The way in which they are "suggesting" these cuts makes it difficult to challenge legally, but the message is clear. We have no plans to cut these vital public services.
Staff pay levels: In the week you may have read in the Echo about our Leaders comments. We are committed to reversing the current administrations staff pay cuts. This will start with the lowest paid and is a very real alternative.
This morning Team Millbrook will be out door knocking again. We are committed to making a difference in our community and will continue to fight against the failures and distorted truths of the other parties. Expect to see us on your doorstep very soon or on a hand delivered leaflet. There is an alternative.
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