Friday I did a short IW Radio interview reviewing the first 6 months of a Tory Council. I was as fair as possible, but of course I had criticisms of non-delivery and the fear they have created amongst staff and many Islanders with their cuts and privatisation agenda.
Saturday morning lots of visits to constituents - helping with planning applications and housing association repairs. I do enjoy the personal contact with people in my ward !
Today I will be out with a Labour team in Lake delivering newsletters, warning people of the Tory cuts plans
Sunday, October 30, 2005
Tuesday, October 25, 2005
LABOUR TO RE-JOIN COUNCIL SCRUTINY
With the defection last week of Cllr Roger Mazillius from the opposition side to the Council Conservative Group, the Labour councillors at County Hall have decided to re-engage with the formal Scrutiny functions of opposition members.
Last July Cllr Deborah Gardiner and I decided to support a principled withdrawal from Scrutiny by all but one of the opposition councillors – a withdrawal initiated by Cllr Mazillius around the issue of meeting times.
However, in the light of Cllr Mazillius’ defection the Labour Group has decided to re-commence participation in Scrutiny.
I have told the media, “Our decision is based on both the changed circumstances of Cllr Mazillius’ defection and our increasing worry that the important Scrutiny function is just not being done under the new Chair of Scrutiny, Cllr Garry Price. Last July we felt it was important to have a united front against Conservative diktat over meeting times. However, that front has now been broken by Cllr Mazillius. In the light of the many worrying changes to the way the IW Council operates, and the seeming inability of Cllr Price to either convene a Scrutiny Committee meeting or set a programme of inquiry, we have decided that we need to re-engage. We do this in the hope that dialogue will replace diktat, and in the best interests of representing the many, many Islanders who are concerned at the direction the Council has been taking over the last 3 months”
The Labour councillors have also urged all other opposition group members to join them in this move
AIM HIGH, MISS YOUR TARGET
'Aim High' - the new Council's change management plan, written by a graduate of the Shanklin School of Bull***t. Yes, the Tory administration at County Hall is ready to approve this cobblers at next week's open Cabinet (as opposed to their numerous informal and private meetings), ready for submission to Full Council on 23 November. Of course it is all a fait accompli, but Deborah and I will naturally be opposing.
As an example of how to demotivate your staff in world record time, this Aim High rubbish takes some beating. But I get the feeling they are only practicing........
As an example of how to demotivate your staff in world record time, this Aim High rubbish takes some beating. But I get the feeling they are only practicing........
Sunday, October 23, 2005
BACK ON THE IW
Now back from my four days in Birmingham, which was interesting - in parts. Heard about Cllr Mazillius' return to the Tories whilst I was away. Now there's a surprise ! Could of course change the dynamics of the opposition parties at County Hall. Rumours abound of other councillors changing affiliation - but not the Labour councillors, who after all DO have principles. Apart from that everything seems to be fairly quiet.....
Saturday, October 15, 2005
ASSURANCES FOR FURRLONGS
A good week for Pan. At Full Council on Wednesday in response to my questioning I received assurances from the Tory Cabinet member for transport that the proposed new junction at the bottom of Furrlongs (opening up Furrlongs to more traffic) will not be included in the Local Transport Plan if it is against the wishes of a majority of local residents. I thanked him for this and I have to say that I am increasingly reassured with the measured way in which this cabinet member deals with his portfolio.
Later in the week I attended a Pan Urban Extension Steering Group with three Cabinet members and key senior officers, chaired by the said cabinet member, Cllr Ian Ward. This Group is reviewing the Masterplan for the Pan development which will take place over the next ten years. There will be nothing definitive to report until the new year, but I have assurances that there will be full consultation with Pan residents about the final outcome of this review.
More good news for Pan. I helped to appoint a new Headteacher for Downside Middle School, who I believe will be excellent for both the children and the community. He is Peter Shaw, currently a Head in Wrexham, but who was Deputy Head (and Acting Head for his last 6 months) at Medina High School prior to 2002. As I am now a governor at Medina and Barton, Mr Shaw's appointment should greatly facilitate the strengthening of relationships between these three schools and others in the Medina cluster.
Less good news for Council staff. The Cabinet on Tuesday appointed a 'change agent' for their strategic partnering agenda. They are PA Consulting, who have a very bad history on the Island, as they helped devastate jobs and services at the old Medina Borough Council in the early 80s. I am told they are a very different company now, but we will see.
At Full Council after the Leader had been extolling the strategic partnering model he had been to see in Suffolk (introduced by a very new Labour administration), I reminded him of the verdict Suffolk voters gave that Council last May - Labour lost - and asked him if he feared a similar outcome for his group in 2009 ! He laughed it off - but I believe my question will come back to haunt the local Tories.........
I met with the Community Support Officers on Tuesday and I am impressed with their keenness. As an aside, the drinking problem on the recreation ground is less problematic now (probably due to the weather) and even the litter is being cleared on a regular basis. I had to point out to fellow councillors that of course these new posts are funded by Government money, as the Tories seem keen to claim the credit. I appreciated the County Press using my comment on the appointments rather than one from the cabinet member for safer communities, who has had absolutely nothing to do with these appointments.
Finally I went along to the Island Plan meeting on Thursday. The planning officers are suggesting six options for future housing and employment development on the IW and are seeking public comments on these by 11 November. Personally I favour future development based on Option 3 - basically Newport and Cowes (as now) together with Ryde - the so-called North East Triangle. However, people should try to look at these options and send their views in. Details can be found at: http://www.iwight.com/living%5Fhere/planning/Planning%5FPolicy/Island%5FPlan/Core%5FStrategy/
As anticipated it has been a busy week, all accomplished with the most appalling tooth abcess ! Thankfully the antibiotics are now kicking in.
Now off to do my monthly surgery. In Birmingham four days next week for a Social Services Conference with three Conservative council colleagues from my Policy Commission. wish me luck......
Later in the week I attended a Pan Urban Extension Steering Group with three Cabinet members and key senior officers, chaired by the said cabinet member, Cllr Ian Ward. This Group is reviewing the Masterplan for the Pan development which will take place over the next ten years. There will be nothing definitive to report until the new year, but I have assurances that there will be full consultation with Pan residents about the final outcome of this review.
More good news for Pan. I helped to appoint a new Headteacher for Downside Middle School, who I believe will be excellent for both the children and the community. He is Peter Shaw, currently a Head in Wrexham, but who was Deputy Head (and Acting Head for his last 6 months) at Medina High School prior to 2002. As I am now a governor at Medina and Barton, Mr Shaw's appointment should greatly facilitate the strengthening of relationships between these three schools and others in the Medina cluster.
Less good news for Council staff. The Cabinet on Tuesday appointed a 'change agent' for their strategic partnering agenda. They are PA Consulting, who have a very bad history on the Island, as they helped devastate jobs and services at the old Medina Borough Council in the early 80s. I am told they are a very different company now, but we will see.
At Full Council after the Leader had been extolling the strategic partnering model he had been to see in Suffolk (introduced by a very new Labour administration), I reminded him of the verdict Suffolk voters gave that Council last May - Labour lost - and asked him if he feared a similar outcome for his group in 2009 ! He laughed it off - but I believe my question will come back to haunt the local Tories.........
I met with the Community Support Officers on Tuesday and I am impressed with their keenness. As an aside, the drinking problem on the recreation ground is less problematic now (probably due to the weather) and even the litter is being cleared on a regular basis. I had to point out to fellow councillors that of course these new posts are funded by Government money, as the Tories seem keen to claim the credit. I appreciated the County Press using my comment on the appointments rather than one from the cabinet member for safer communities, who has had absolutely nothing to do with these appointments.
Finally I went along to the Island Plan meeting on Thursday. The planning officers are suggesting six options for future housing and employment development on the IW and are seeking public comments on these by 11 November. Personally I favour future development based on Option 3 - basically Newport and Cowes (as now) together with Ryde - the so-called North East Triangle. However, people should try to look at these options and send their views in. Details can be found at: http://www.iwight.com/living%5Fhere/planning/Planning%5FPolicy/Island%5FPlan/Core%5FStrategy/
As anticipated it has been a busy week, all accomplished with the most appalling tooth abcess ! Thankfully the antibiotics are now kicking in.
Now off to do my monthly surgery. In Birmingham four days next week for a Social Services Conference with three Conservative council colleagues from my Policy Commission. wish me luck......
Sunday, October 09, 2005
BUSY, BUSY.....
After a very busy week last week - phone in, Pan Partnership Board meeting, Downside headteacher appointment preparations - this coming week will be even busier.
Apart from the actual appointment process for the Headteacher, which will take 3 days, there is a Cabinet meeting and a Full Council, followed by a public meeting on the new Island Plan, and then a meeting to look at the development plan for the Pan Village scheme.
The Cabinet will be seek to appoint a 'Change Agent' to prepare the ground for privatisation of Council services - Labour opposes. At the Full Council I have tabled three questions relating to Pan and Newport - on Furrlongs plans, the 'red carpet' in Newport, and problems of drinking on Downside Recreation Ground. The Island Plan is about how the IW will be developed over the next 20 years, so important that people have input. Finally I will be seeking a scaled down housing development from what has been talked about so far.
I will update on each of these meetings throughout the week.
Apart from the actual appointment process for the Headteacher, which will take 3 days, there is a Cabinet meeting and a Full Council, followed by a public meeting on the new Island Plan, and then a meeting to look at the development plan for the Pan Village scheme.
The Cabinet will be seek to appoint a 'Change Agent' to prepare the ground for privatisation of Council services - Labour opposes. At the Full Council I have tabled three questions relating to Pan and Newport - on Furrlongs plans, the 'red carpet' in Newport, and problems of drinking on Downside Recreation Ground. The Island Plan is about how the IW will be developed over the next 20 years, so important that people have input. Finally I will be seeking a scaled down housing development from what has been talked about so far.
I will update on each of these meetings throughout the week.
Tuesday, October 04, 2005
WELL THAT'S OVER........
Well I got through the phone-in relatively unscathed. They are quite enjoyable really, but a hell of a drain on your nerves ! Hopefully I did a reasonable job in promoting Pan and managed the few idiot callers well enough. Feedback I have had so far has been good. Any more views out there ?
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