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.
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