First week in the "Asylum"

11 days in and things are very busy.

On Monday I was present at a Biomass meeting for all Councillors. Suffice to say that my personal view is still very much against the powerstation. I just don't think it fits with where we want to go as a city. However, for the first time ABP were at a Biomass meeting - they own the land and publicly stated that they could only see benefits to having a Helius on their land. Either money from rent or sale of land; hiding less asthetic activities such as wood piles or scrap metal; and a long term contract to bring in a huge amount of wood pellets on an annual basis. It was also reiterated that the people of Freemantle and Millbrook would not see any provision for community benefits from Helius. Finally that any benefit from excess heat would only be made available commercially. This was on top of estimates, which I would describe as being conservative - up to 21 extra lorry loads of pellets entering the site, which of course means 21 exits aswell... on top of any admitted sales of byproducts which means more lorrys on the road. In an area which Mr Brighton admitted was in an area of poor air quality; poor air quality caused by traffic.

Tuesday was spent catching up on paperwork including reassuring a representative on behalf of the Maybush residents Association. As you will be aware, if you live where I do - the work to demolish to old Ordnance Survey site is almost finished. And as the building work begins, we must be sure that new traffic issues don't emerge.

On Wednesday I met with officers to discuss the work of Street Cleansing and a number of other teams who get up very early to make our city a clean place to live. After agreeing that the Environment and Transport portfolio touches everyones lives on a daily basis - I decided that going out early on Friday morning was a good idea!

Later that day I also met up with my policy team, made up of Councillors Jeffreys, Furnell and Whitbread. Topics discussed for action included bus routes, recycling policy, street furniture and energy policy. Certainly enough for my colleagues to be busying themselves with.

Thursday afternoon was spent discussing the impending demolition of a property in the north of the city. After much consideration by myself and the leader, it was decided that in this case there was no overwhelming reason to defy the planning process. It was a little late in the day to stop the building of new units. We have committed to protecting our city from inappropriate developments, but we have also stated that we will get the wheels of development turning. If choices were easy, then they would have already been taken.

Friday saw a visit to regulatory srvices, which takes in amongst others parking, land use, pest control and births, deaths and marriages. The officer was very enthusiastic about his area of the council and that enthusiasm was most definately infectious...

A stuffed former resident of the city -

apparently been around longer than most of the staff!

But in the morning I went out with the teams working in the city centre. Getting out for 06.30 hours in the morning wasn't an issue as with a seven month old baby, I am always up at stupid o'clock. The street cleaning team are very committed to the task in hand and take pride in the work they do. I have yet to meet staff who better embrace reduce, reuse, recycle in terms of environmental policy.

Miguel, Nick and Mark

The night time economy is a vital part of being a successful premier city; however, the mess which needs to be cleaned up on a daily basis is rediculous. A big part of meeting challenging financial budgets is about changing peoples perceptions and what they view as being a part of their daily responsibilities.

We have very committed staff within the portfolio; staff who will be at the heart of returning pride to the city. After my whirlwind tour of the city centre, it was off to Regents Park College to see their Olympic Torch Relay leave for a tour of the family of schools in the Millbrook / Freemantle area.

The cultural Olympiad was something which seems to have passed a lot of us by, even though it was a major plank of London winning the 30th games. It was really good to see the students, and staff enthused under the leadership of Interim headteacher Mr. Archibald.

Friday afternoon was spent discussing our transition plan with my Executive and Deputy Director. We have a plan, and I love it when it comes together. Finances are tough. Much better than we feared, but not as good as we hoped. Under strong and committed Leadership of our Leader, we as a Cabinet are empowered to deliver a challenging manifesto. With the support of our fellow Councillors, we shall make our city a fairer and better place to live.

Communication

Communication: Noun. Imparting or exchanging of information.

This is what I do. I try to be honest and upfront with you the reader. I do not have a hidden agenda. I am very forthright in clear unwavering support for my Leader, the Labour cause and Millbrook as a whole.

Other more formal media channels are not bound by these moral codes. They do have a hidden agenda. Information, may be imparted, but it is certainly no exchange of views.

I hope those that partake of other media channels accept these truths. They accept that there is always an angle for any dispensing of information. And often the truth is the first casualty of sensation.

I choose who I speak to. I choose not to speak to some.

What is abundantly clear is that we, the Labour Party in Southampton are no longer in opposition. We cannot behave like we are. As much as it pains me to say this, we will be becoming more aggressive - actually, that is isn't quite true. We need to become more assertive, and acknowledge that not everyone who says they are on our side and wants to aid our cause actually will.

To say that this is a steep learning curve would be an understatement.

P.S. This blog is my property. I expect any use of it to be asked for - otherwise its called stealing.

It is starting to sink in...slowly

After a gap of 12 days, on Wednesday Southampton city Council turned from a Conservative to a Labour Administration. It was the first time this century for such an occaision and the first time for 28 years that we have followed a Tory Council. Suffice to say that on Wednesday, there were butterflys a plenty.

A quick candid shot before entering our first meeting as a cabinet proper

Over the past few days I have been getting used to my new working routine and creating that balance. Thankfully my family are understanding, but on occaision I do get held up at the Civic - it can mean missing bathtime with my little one...but life is about sacrifices as I am learning; sacrifices as the main breadwinner, as a father, a councilllor and now a cabinet member. We do these things because we care.

Councillor Burke in his Sherrifs outfit before becoming the 790th Mayor

Sometimes saying that you care is not enough. Over the past few days we have been accused by leading Tory members of having "secret meetings for months with officers". I can say hand on heart that I have not had any meetings with officers in Environment and Transport prior to my elevation to portfolio holder after the election. I have worked as an officer in many local authorities and I know how difficult it can be during a change of political control - and I don't play those games. So for example when the Conservatives still wanted to meet in the council chamber even though we had 30 plus attendees, to there 16 or so,  for our group meeting on the same night (last monday), I did not cause a fuss. I did not put officers in the middle of what could've been a petty dispute. If they wouldnt offer to move then we will make a sacrifice for one evening. We're different to them.

Just an example of an average Monday: full days work at the Constabulary; get to the Civic Centre for meetings; home for an hour to see my wife and little 'un; back our for a pre-group meeting; followed by the main group meeting; leave the Centre at a quarter to ten; home by just gone ten to say hello to my wife and prepare to go to bed for another early start.

Some old and new faces chomping at the bit to get into the Guildhall

So to say its busy is an understatement. As I said on Wednesday we were accused of plotting with officers and having secret meetings. Some officers have been willing to meet with us in the period between election and formally being able to make decisions. Some officers have been curiously obstructive...my hope is that it is just an over zealous application of guidance rather than anything more sinister. Of the officers I have met so far, they have been professional, enthusiastic and forward looking. What did make me laugh is that they also shared some concerns about the media; namely that they felt there hands were tied when misquotes were reported and they felt unable or indeed what was the point in correcting the information - they were open and honest enough to have the truth available if the media wanted it. I guess our relationship with the media will continue to develop over time.

Wednesday was my first full council meeting as a cabinet member. It was a real eye opener and the realisation was sharply brought into focus; no longer was I sat on the back benches able to feel safe and slightly removed from the firing line into direct line of sight for the front five of the new opposition. You could tell that they were hurting; they had been decimated in the chamber - although not all opposition councillors were able to stay awake for the whole meeting - welcome back councillor. Apart from those resting their eyes to concentrate, I can say that we were a little slower off the mark - perhaps trying to get used to not being the opposition. It was new for a lot of people in the chamber and what they hoped to achieve, what they felt they achieved and in the cold light of day they did achieve were markedly different.

The chamber looks a lot bigger from the front row!

Although we were slow to start our new Councillor for Millbrook gave her maiden speech (very well written) and I did not crumble under intense questioning; I am still waiting for the threat to become real, "some people are going to have some scores settled, as they have crossed the line". However on a day when both sides set out to be professional and not personal, the lowest comment for me was from the Leader of the opposition group who stated that "Councillor Thorpe says the first thing that comes into his head". Well aren't you the big man for saying that! Even though insults were traded, what was crucial is that we won all of the votes and that we have started to make headway on our programme of change.

I have already tasked senior officers in my portfolio with a copy of our transition plan; all councillors have been sent a link to our manifesto; and work has begun on investigating the closure and changes of a number of routes across the city - I have a meeting shortly with the bus companys. In addition I was able to approve our councils application to the Government for financial support in making positive changes to our recycling. A review of our declining recycling rates begins and planning for bringing in of glass recycling commences. As i said at full council, the Tories had 5 years to bring this in. They did not. Times are a changing.

And so to work

If you were thinking that because the election was over that Southampton Labour were sitting back, then you'd be very much mistaken. Team Bargate were recently bragging that they had started campaigning on the Sunday after the election. However, Team Peartree had gone one better and had begun the long campaign for the 2014 election last Saturday. With meetings in between, they hadn't even taken a day off! I must admit that Team Millbrook aren't sitting back on their laurels - with Dave making thank you trips, and Georgie attending residents meetings and sending out numerous thank you cards.

My own week has not stopped yet; on Tuesday night, I was able to stand down as Secretary of the Labour Group and hand over to Freemantle's newest councillor, Dave Shields. By handing over this crucial task, I will be able to concentrate more time on the community and any important other tasks which may come my way. The remainder of Tuesday's meeting was spent with Councillors looking to form policy teams with Cabinet members, creating resilience, diverse and emerging experience and crucially an eye on the future.

In the meanwhile, still cracking on with casework - this week challenging issues on bin collection, the adding of another shade to some public lighting in St Edmunds Road and the Biomass issue. There will be another "consultation" carried out by Helius, but suffice to say, as quoted by The Echo, I am still unconvinced as to the benefits for the people of Millbrook, Freemantle and western Southampton. The fancy documents may change, but the same questions still remain. I look forward to challenging this issue in a Labour Administration.

A host of meetings have taken place throughout the week, with cabinet members, ececutive directors and a range of employees - not least have been my employers and the supportive way they have dealt with my political change in circumstance. Yesterday I also attended a meeting at the Leaders house for a few hours. I think getting the work/home/political life balance is going to be harder than ever. Hopefully clearly demonstrating how much I care about my community.

So today I am going to spend some time with the family before another set of meetings tomorrow night, where we look at who will be working on what committees, and debate the first council agenda where we will be in charge. Ten days after the election and we still can't make any choices on behalf of the city!!! Anyway, today I choose chores, sunshine and family.

Humbled

Good morning readers. I can honestly say that it has taken this long for the reality of the situation to sink in. Today in all reality is the first day of a Labour Administration. What a resounding victory for the people of Southampton.

Across the city the Labour Party was once again trusted with delivering hope and change for the future. In places which we were told we would never win representation - we won. In areas such as Peartree, we now have three Councillors - in less than a year. Our communities have selected three Labour Councilllors to be their champions in Redbridge, Coxford, Bargate, Bevois, Bitterne, Woolston and also Millbrook.

The personal digs suffered by myself, Dave and especially Georgie over the past few months can now be forgotten and the hard work begins. The good people of Millbrook have shown faith in the Labour party for a third time in as many years. We are never going to have majorities of hundreds in our community. Ours is a social diverse ward, but one which must have Labour representation to develop and improve. I maintain my assertion that Millbrook is the frontline of politics in Southampton and the best ward in the city!

You now have a Labour Team of four in Millbrook; myself, Georgie , Dave and Alan - I would hope that between us we have the experience and understanding of a range of issues from benefit and taxation issues, to immigration and policing through to educational maintenance allowance and even the social media!

As we move to form an administration, I am proud to say that I have been asked by Richard Williams, our leader, to be a portfolio holder. This means that I would be a part of the Cabinet for Southampton City Council. With the support of my employers, fellow Millbrook Councillors and my family, I will be the new Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport. This is a huge task given the state of our roads, pavements, buildings and even on a local level the building of a powerstation at the bottom of our ward. I pledge to work tirelessly and with all aspects of the city to get a better deal for Southampton and a better deal for Millbrook. For all those people who sit at home and moan that it doesnt matter what they think - because politicians are all the same - I was shouting at my TV during the general election in 2010; voted in as a Councillor in 2011; and now a Cabinet member in 2012. We all have the power, it is whther we choose to use it.

One issue that I do still have with the Conservatives, is that technically until our first full Council meeting next Wednesday, technically they are still in control of the Council. This includes their plans to carry on with selling off the City's CCTV unit to a private company. This is something that we do not want to happen. However, even though the Tories have been roundly beaten, they are still in control until next Wednesday. Legally they may be able to do this, but morally this is abhorent. The reverse has applied to the Mayor (beaten by Team Shirley), who was asked to step down immediately after he lost his seat - rather than finish off the last twelve days of his civic year. So which is it? You go on to the next civic year or you lose an election immediately? My guess is those staff currently employed by CCTV would rather we were in charge now!

The reason for my blog being decidely late this week was not through hangover (I wish), but because I wanted to spend a few days with my family. Over the last eight weeks I have worked tirelessly with Team Millbrook to elect another Labour Councillor. I had put my party and my community first every time. Over the past four days I reminded myself why I entered into politics in the first place - not for victorys or for power - but to make the world a better place for my wife and our seven month old daughter. My family has supported me throughout my work in representing Millbrook - and they have done so without question - all those mealtimes missed, bath times forgotten and bedtime stories unread. We're not all career politicians. We do really care, otherwise we wouldnt make the sacrifices that we do.

So, the work begins today. The election is forgotten. We move to put in place our manifesto. Thank you to people across the city and thank you to the people of Millbrook. I hope that we can deliver real change. I hope that we can live up to your expectations.