A good break

A big HELLO from me! I haven't given up my blog, like some politicos I could mention; I've been away on a break with my family. As you know my schedule is quite packed and so I took this opportunity to spend some serious catch up time with my family.

Norfolk was a great place to visit and I enjoyed every minute of my break. Heartily recommended. I think that sometimes we can all become a bit too focused on the minutia and forget that there are other worlds out there beyond the Civic Centre.

Confession Time

Let me start this weeks blog with a confession. I have spent the first three days of this long weekend with my family and I have not carried out a single political action. I did check my emails at just gone six this morning, but I have spent the last three days having a mini recharge of my batteries with my wife, daughter and family.

Even had time to put up a blind in the kitchen -

which had been on the list of jobs for me to do for some time

Monday was spent meeting officers within the Transport area of the portfolio. Although my name was not a surprise to many after my direction to investigate the changes to bustimetabling across the city, it was an opportunity to put a face to a name and understand the way in which my style of working would differ from my predecessors under a tory administration. Decisions which officers had previously brought forward and had been rejected could now be re-considered. Someone once said to me that trust is a big motivator. I have to trust my officers to go out and do the best for our city, knowing that my stance is that I would rather try something considered to be a little less conventional - a little more risky - rather than to not have tried at all.

Tuesday morning was spent out and about in the West of the City with another team of Street Cleaners. It was really beneficial to get out with them and understand the pressures of the frontlines. What was apparent was that changes to working practices could be made and that given the right tools, that much more could be achieved. These are not my words, but those of the guys who took me around. I even came away with a multipage list of changes to make to the service, provided by my hosts for the morning.

How do you solve this issue?

The residents of Testwood Road would like to know..!

There is a definate role for us as citizens to do more. But then my guess is that if you take an interest in politics or the community around you then you are not the people we need to better engage with. We all know the faces and house/flat numbers of those in our roads who could certainly do better with how they keep their property's. This is the challenge of our administration: how to get those who don't care, to care.

Tuesday daytime was then spent at the Transport for South Hampshire Joint Committee. I know. I doesn't exactly roll off the tongue does it? However, this all day meeting was very impressive in its buy in from transport providers from across the region and the Department of Transport. Also my first real experience of working with Hampshire (Tory) and Portsmouth (Lib Dem) jointly. The good news is that due to the hard work of officers working in partnership, they have managed to secure £7.4 million to improve bus services. It was good to meet some of the bus operators and I look forward to some difficult conversations over the coming weeks...

All feels a bit real!

Off the back of this group, officers had also managed to secure £8 million for a new Platform Road; and this was how I spent my evening on Tuesday - at the public consultation. On the whole my feelings were that those present, once talked through the plans felt much more reassured. However, and understandibly a number of residents of Admiralty House were concerned about having a major road appear outside of their home. I feel that this really underscored the importance of good consultation and the chance of local people to put forward their views. Of particular concern was their need to park near to their homes and how the new road may stop this. My direction given to officers was that a joint working group needed to be set up with ABP and some reps of Admiralty House, facilitated by the Council to solve this issue. Fingers crossed.

I'm sure public consultations have been held in worse offices

Wednesday was spent for a third day with the same Transport Policy officer - it was starting to get a bit much! I didn't see my wife for as much time as I spent with Paul for the first three days of the week. Some good work has been planned for a roll out of Real Time Information for the bus routes. The current system is no longer as good as it needs to be and so it is time to refresh in order to meet the need of expectation. Llater in the afternoon was a chance to meet up with one of our new Councillors who I am mentoring. Yes, that is right, after only a year I am mentoring another newby!

Thursday was at Dock Gate 20, our new city depot, based here in Millbrook. Being able to meet with our partners Balfour Beatty and discuss the performance and direction of the operation since its contracting out from council provision. The indicators were all very positive and council officers were extolling the virtue of the contract. However, there is something which sits uneasy with me - but I guess I am allowed that as a Labour member with left leanings. I do look forward to building on the good work already achieved in this partnership - including my plan to roll out a code of practice for all new developments in the city - time and time again you must see like I do that after the building of a wonderful new road or pavement that a utility company comes in and digs it up. My plan is to roll out a much tighter code of practice for all new landmark developments in  our city - of which I hope there are many more announced over the coming months.

The highlight of Friday was a meet up with other members of the Cabinet. A good excercise in sharing news and information. And there was some very good news...but more of that in the coming weeks. Times have been tough in the first couple of weeks; some of which has been our own doing, and some the Machiavellian workings of others, but we are still as determined as ever to deliver a different way of doing things. Everything is back on the table. Within my directorate I will allow the professional expertise of council officers to flourish, but be under no illusion, when decisions need to be made, I will take them.

Lastly, it would be rather remiss of me not to comment on the wonderful jubilee celebrations over the past few days. Now whether you  are pro or anti-monarchist, you do have to admit that it is fantastic to see communities come together AND to see our country's proud flag flying from so many flagpoles, windows and cars...