Went along to the Cabinet tonight, which must have been the busiest of this administration. A two and a half hour meeting that dealt with:
1. Council performance data - we learnt that the Council is looking into the possibility of a 'roof tax' for the 10,000 new house builds over the next 20 years (could raise £200m or £10m per year for infrastructure and such like - sounds good, no imperative, to me); I was assured that the Council hasn't further tightened the already stringent rules for homeless acceptances, despite a recent sharp drop.
2. An IW Fairtrade Strategy was agreed, thanks to Labour's original initiative last June.
3. Our public conveniences are going to be rationalised and made more attractive!
4. The Council is setting up an Improvement Board chaired by the Chief Exec of Northants. I secured a commitment to transparency with the publication of action points from its meetings.
5. The Education privatisation was confirmed and extended for the next year, with a guarantee made that there will be an 'exit strategy' if it does not work out as planned. I secured promises of resources into schools for pupil data analysis - vital to an standards improvement agenda.
6. A policy commission paper on public drinking was approved. I welcomed this, but stressed that the sellers of booze to underage people need to be clamped down upon, as well as licensed premises that encourage irresponsible drinking. I also stressed that young people should not be demonised, as it is a small minority that cause problems in town centres, etc.
7. A policy commission paper on decriminalising parking was approved. I welcome this too now that it will be implemented as an in-house operation .
8. A much needed new Special Educational Needs Strategy was approved. I secured a Member's briefing on this, given the implications for local councillors.
This was a meeting which saw the Tories delivering on chunks of their agenda, whether you agree with it or not. Very focussed and disciplined, but with room for an opposition member to make contributions. Once again only Labour was represented at the meeting - through me.
There was much suggestion from the Council Leader during the meeting that I am the opposition member that is most interested, able and strong enough to be the chair of a re-invigorated Scrutiny Committee - but as my readers will know by now this will not happen as long as the other opposition group members - LibDems and Independents - rest on their self-importance rather than seriously challenging this Tory administration
Tuesday, February 28, 2006
FURRLONGS PROTECTED FROM BUS PLANS
A renewed attempt to keep plans for a bus-gate at the junction of Furrlongs and St Georges Way in the Local Transport Plan (LTP) have been successfully seen off after my swift action. Such a gate could have seen main bus routes routed through Pan to avoid Coppins Bridge, and attracted much local opposition and my own last September. I subsequently secured assurances that this would not happen in the final LTP, but the plans were still there when the Plan was approved for submission to Full Council yesterday.
I immediately sought a 'call in' of this decision by the members of the existing Scrutiny Committee. One of the Tory members took an interest and through his good offices the Cabinet member has this evening instructed officers to remove these plans from the LTP.
I am delighted and know local residents will be too.
I immediately sought a 'call in' of this decision by the members of the existing Scrutiny Committee. One of the Tory members took an interest and through his good offices the Cabinet member has this evening instructed officers to remove these plans from the LTP.
I am delighted and know local residents will be too.
Friday, February 24, 2006
WHAT WAS THE POINT OF ALL OF THAT ?
Went along to the existing Tory-controlled Scrutiny Committee last night - I've not missed one yet. Found it even more under their control than usual with FOUR Tories at the table, plus the three co-opted people; so there wasn't even a pretence at them not controlling the scrutiny function. It was just like the LibDem/Island First days - an administration scrutinising themselves. Who polices the police ? The Council's performance assessors will love it ! Can hardly wait until May......
For the second meeting running there was no County Press presence - showing how irrelevant this committee is in their eyes. And for the third meeting in succession in its current guise (and there only have been three), there was no LibDem or Independent observer at the meeting. I find this astonishing. I accept that the committee is not what it should be, but surely a serious and responsible political group would keep a watching brief, as Labour does ? I increasingly get the feeling that self-importance is of more concern to some of the other opposition members than seriously challenging this Tory administration.
This committee no longer has a Chair after Garry Price's resignation last month, and the 'over our dead bodies' response of the LibDems and Independents to the idea of me being Chair of a reformed, truly opposition-controlled Scrutiny Committee. Consequently we had the alarming sight of one of the co-opted people being elected Chair for the evening. Nothing personal in my objection to this, but exactly who is she accountable to ? She was not elected - rather she was appointed by the Tories.
Indeed the format of these meetings smacks of a bureaucracy rather than a democracy. Unlike the Cabinet, Full Council, and now the Commissions, there is no facility or even ad hoc invitation for either members of the public who may go along or observing Councillors - like myself - to ask questions about what is going on.
What is going on, as Marvin Gaye famously asked, indeed ? (Musical references apparently now being all the rage at County Hall). This meeting was establishing a number of lines of enquiry for the next few months, all bar one of which were planning applications related. Forgive me if you think these are the key areas for scrutiny of this Council, but I would suggest that more enquiries on subjects like the other one they agreed last night - future affordable housing provision - are far more relevant to ordinary Islanders. But this is what you get when 3 of the Tory members on the committee are also members of the Development Control Committee.
I had to leave after that, but as my 18 year old son, who I made accompany me for the hour or so I was there, said 'What was the point of all of that?'.
For the second meeting running there was no County Press presence - showing how irrelevant this committee is in their eyes. And for the third meeting in succession in its current guise (and there only have been three), there was no LibDem or Independent observer at the meeting. I find this astonishing. I accept that the committee is not what it should be, but surely a serious and responsible political group would keep a watching brief, as Labour does ? I increasingly get the feeling that self-importance is of more concern to some of the other opposition members than seriously challenging this Tory administration.
This committee no longer has a Chair after Garry Price's resignation last month, and the 'over our dead bodies' response of the LibDems and Independents to the idea of me being Chair of a reformed, truly opposition-controlled Scrutiny Committee. Consequently we had the alarming sight of one of the co-opted people being elected Chair for the evening. Nothing personal in my objection to this, but exactly who is she accountable to ? She was not elected - rather she was appointed by the Tories.
Indeed the format of these meetings smacks of a bureaucracy rather than a democracy. Unlike the Cabinet, Full Council, and now the Commissions, there is no facility or even ad hoc invitation for either members of the public who may go along or observing Councillors - like myself - to ask questions about what is going on.
What is going on, as Marvin Gaye famously asked, indeed ? (Musical references apparently now being all the rage at County Hall). This meeting was establishing a number of lines of enquiry for the next few months, all bar one of which were planning applications related. Forgive me if you think these are the key areas for scrutiny of this Council, but I would suggest that more enquiries on subjects like the other one they agreed last night - future affordable housing provision - are far more relevant to ordinary Islanders. But this is what you get when 3 of the Tory members on the committee are also members of the Development Control Committee.
I had to leave after that, but as my 18 year old son, who I made accompany me for the hour or so I was there, said 'What was the point of all of that?'.
Thursday, February 23, 2006
WHY I WON'T BE THE NEXT CHAIR OF SCRUTINY
Some of my readers are aware that I was going to be nominated to Full Council as the next Chair of a properly opposition-controlled Scrutiny Committee last night. However, it did not happen and I have now withdrawn from future consideration.
Labour were asked by the administration three weeks ago to consider making a nomination that they would then support. Deborah Gardiner and I agreed it should be me, as the one opposition councillor who is able to and does attend as many meetings as possible to hold to account this Council leadership.
Before I would let my name go forward I had two stipulations. One that the new committee should be as inclusive of opposition members as possible, and two that there would not be significant opposition from the other opposition groups. I achieved the first with agreement from the administration that all but two opposition members of the 12 in total would be able to be on the committee, together with 4 Tories and the 3 lay members.
However, before last night's Full Council it became clear that there was enough opposition from the LibDems and Independents to my being Chair to imperil the plan. So it was decided to defer this discussuion until next month.
Today Deborah and I accepted that the LibDems and Indpendents will never agree with a Labour councillor being Chair the Scrutiny Committee, so I have withdrawn. Hopefully we will still get the opposition-controlled committee I have suggested next month, but it will have to be a different Chair.
It remains to be seen who that will be and whether they will give the commitment and insight into the role of scrutiny that the position requires. On their record over the last seven months, I am not optimistic, but Deborah and I will go along with just about anyone who is put forward - with one or two exceptions - in the interests of having effective and robust formal scrutiny of this Tory administration. We do this in the interests of Islanders, not our personal egos.
Labour were asked by the administration three weeks ago to consider making a nomination that they would then support. Deborah Gardiner and I agreed it should be me, as the one opposition councillor who is able to and does attend as many meetings as possible to hold to account this Council leadership.
Before I would let my name go forward I had two stipulations. One that the new committee should be as inclusive of opposition members as possible, and two that there would not be significant opposition from the other opposition groups. I achieved the first with agreement from the administration that all but two opposition members of the 12 in total would be able to be on the committee, together with 4 Tories and the 3 lay members.
However, before last night's Full Council it became clear that there was enough opposition from the LibDems and Independents to my being Chair to imperil the plan. So it was decided to defer this discussuion until next month.
Today Deborah and I accepted that the LibDems and Indpendents will never agree with a Labour councillor being Chair the Scrutiny Committee, so I have withdrawn. Hopefully we will still get the opposition-controlled committee I have suggested next month, but it will have to be a different Chair.
It remains to be seen who that will be and whether they will give the commitment and insight into the role of scrutiny that the position requires. On their record over the last seven months, I am not optimistic, but Deborah and I will go along with just about anyone who is put forward - with one or two exceptions - in the interests of having effective and robust formal scrutiny of this Tory administration. We do this in the interests of Islanders, not our personal egos.
A VERY UNSETTLING BUDGET
Last night saw the Tories approve a 2.49% increase in the Council Tax at Full Council. Assurances were given that services will not be slashed, but that £6.5m will be cut from existing service budgets by 'efficiencies' and a further £0.5m raised through higher charges. What these efficiencies are has not been revealed other than their intention to move resources from the back office to the frontline. Our real fear is that this will mean support jobs, but that is not admitted. We will watch this closely.
The Council meeting was like a political rally with the Tories banging the table in joy as each announcement was made by the Council Leader. There were lots of popular funding announcements - such as mainland travel costs for cancer patients, 50p travel for young people, unlimited free travel for pensioners, police community support officers - that Deborah and I as Labour councillors were pleased with. The Liberals along side us looked very uncomfortable as the Council Leader hammered their past record of non-delivery
Given the lack of transparency in the budget Deborah and I decided that it would be very difficult and churlish for us to propose our alternative budget as so much was unclear in what was being proposed by the Tories and we only had 20 minutes to consider the official papers. You cannot restore 'efficiencies', without knowing what they are. What a mad way to have to operate ! We said that we would abstain on their proposals and scrutinise their delivery over the next 12 months. The other opposition groups similarly abstained, though they had not prepared any alternative proposals.
Frankly I am deeply worried for the next 12 months.
On other business, plans to get the Scrutiny Committee back on track were deferred until next month, due to the importance of the budget debate and the unwillingness of one or two opposition members to engage as Labour wants to.
The Council meeting was like a political rally with the Tories banging the table in joy as each announcement was made by the Council Leader. There were lots of popular funding announcements - such as mainland travel costs for cancer patients, 50p travel for young people, unlimited free travel for pensioners, police community support officers - that Deborah and I as Labour councillors were pleased with. The Liberals along side us looked very uncomfortable as the Council Leader hammered their past record of non-delivery
Given the lack of transparency in the budget Deborah and I decided that it would be very difficult and churlish for us to propose our alternative budget as so much was unclear in what was being proposed by the Tories and we only had 20 minutes to consider the official papers. You cannot restore 'efficiencies', without knowing what they are. What a mad way to have to operate ! We said that we would abstain on their proposals and scrutinise their delivery over the next 12 months. The other opposition groups similarly abstained, though they had not prepared any alternative proposals.
Frankly I am deeply worried for the next 12 months.
On other business, plans to get the Scrutiny Committee back on track were deferred until next month, due to the importance of the budget debate and the unwillingness of one or two opposition members to engage as Labour wants to.
Monday, February 20, 2006
Sunday, February 19, 2006
A MASSIVE WEEK
This week will see the Conservative's establish their service-slashing budget for the next year, and set the financial tone for the next four years. Wednesday evening at 6pm will see the Annual Budget Council where they will reveal how they plan to cut £9m from the Council's budget. There is great secrecy about their budget, despite my request to get it into the open ahead of the meeting. Many people are worried who are dependent on local services. Very worryingly their restricted consultations on the budget seem to have supported their service-slashing agenda - as highlighted by a young man in this week's CP letters page.
Deborah and I will propose a budget alternative that will attempt to lessen the effect of their proposals and offer a clear choice between their political dogma and the real needs of the Island. Of course it will be sunk without trace..........
The Council meeting will also see attempts to re-surrect opposition control of the Scrutiny function. That is in the hands of the other opposition groups and hopefully they will join with Labour in formalising the holding the administration to account.
Deborah and I will propose a budget alternative that will attempt to lessen the effect of their proposals and offer a clear choice between their political dogma and the real needs of the Island. Of course it will be sunk without trace..........
The Council meeting will also see attempts to re-surrect opposition control of the Scrutiny function. That is in the hands of the other opposition groups and hopefully they will join with Labour in formalising the holding the administration to account.
Friday, February 17, 2006
NO MORE 'PAN ESTATE' !
Motorists on St George's Way may notice that the 'Pan Estate' signpost has gone from just before the turn into Furrlongs. This is down to my initiative and after many local requests. No other housing estate has such a sign, so why did Pan ? Pan is Pan - no more, no less.
PAN MATTERS
Meeting of Pan Partnership management board last night.
Most notable decisions were to spend £18k on mobile CCTV, which is something I have been pursuing for some time as part of our 'safer communities' agenda. The cameras purchased will be able to be located at a variety of 'hotspots' within the ward, most notably by Barton Primary.
Additionally agreed to spend £17k on a community minibus, to be maintained by the schools within the ward. These decisions mean that the current budget will have been spent by end of financial year, which I am delighted about.
A Delivery Plan for the next financial year was also agreed, which the regional government office (GOSE) are happy with - they monitor us.
Finally I proposed and it was agreed that the vicar of St Paul's church - on Staplers Rd - should be appointed to the board. Just to show that my atheism is personal - as should be all religion.
Most notable decisions were to spend £18k on mobile CCTV, which is something I have been pursuing for some time as part of our 'safer communities' agenda. The cameras purchased will be able to be located at a variety of 'hotspots' within the ward, most notably by Barton Primary.
Additionally agreed to spend £17k on a community minibus, to be maintained by the schools within the ward. These decisions mean that the current budget will have been spent by end of financial year, which I am delighted about.
A Delivery Plan for the next financial year was also agreed, which the regional government office (GOSE) are happy with - they monitor us.
Finally I proposed and it was agreed that the vicar of St Paul's church - on Staplers Rd - should be appointed to the board. Just to show that my atheism is personal - as should be all religion.
Wednesday, February 15, 2006
HEALTH INTEGRATION - THE STORY UNFOLDS
I went along to the Policy Commission I am on tonight - the one for Care, Health Scrutiny & Housing - to be greeted by a veritable phalanx of Health managers and Trust members from both the Island and the Strategic Health Authority. The main issue on the agenda for me was an update on the proposed IW health and social care integration.
There is still a commitment to achieve this from both the Council leadership and the IW Health Trusts, but the Leader of the Council was at pains to stress that it can only be achieved if the Trusts sort their finances out. Given that there seems to be as much chance of that as me thinking Alan Shearer is not a dirty footballer, this is clearly the 'dead duck' a Conservative councillor has recently deemed it. A shame really because it is the right way forward - but not at any cost to Council Tax payers
We were told last August that the IW Trusts would be in financial blanace by this March. It now seems to be next March. What odds on 'March 2008' this time next year?
Significantly the Chair of the Strategic Health Authority - a very important personage - stressed my own repeated point. The NHS is in receipt of record Government funding, but how that is spent and managed in local Trusts needs to improve.....
There is still a commitment to achieve this from both the Council leadership and the IW Health Trusts, but the Leader of the Council was at pains to stress that it can only be achieved if the Trusts sort their finances out. Given that there seems to be as much chance of that as me thinking Alan Shearer is not a dirty footballer, this is clearly the 'dead duck' a Conservative councillor has recently deemed it. A shame really because it is the right way forward - but not at any cost to Council Tax payers
We were told last August that the IW Trusts would be in financial blanace by this March. It now seems to be next March. What odds on 'March 2008' this time next year?
Significantly the Chair of the Strategic Health Authority - a very important personage - stressed my own repeated point. The NHS is in receipt of record Government funding, but how that is spent and managed in local Trusts needs to improve.....
Sunday, February 12, 2006
EDUCATION, 'OLD NEWPORT' & SCRUTINY.....
Latter part of last week was spent fulfilling my various school governor roles. Full governor meeting at Medina HS, meetings at Downside MS- and a farewell party for the Downside Headteacher on Thursday. She had been there for 14 years and was an integral and well-respected part of the Pan community. I worked well with her for nearly 8 years as governor and Chair. She will be missed by very many, but after her retirement now is the time for a new Head, a new chapter.....will be interesting times.
Spent time at the Riverside Centre on Wednesday. I am now a Director there and spent a very informative couple of hours with the manager. Lots to read up !
Yesterday there was a fantastic 'Old Newport' all-day photo exhibition at Downside, put on by PNP and local businessman Barry Price. It was packed and very successful. It was great to see so many people there from all over the Island. Well done to all involved.
Finally, I have been involved in some discussions with the ruling administration about how to re-surrect a truly opposition-controlled Scrutiny Committee after the resignation of Garry Price as Chair last month. Deborah and I have wanted to get re-involved for some months now after the July walkouts, but without all parties agreeing to some constitutional changes this has not been possible. However, hopefully progress will be made on this at the next Full Council and all opposition councillors can start to formally hold this administration to account. Scrutiny is important to Islanders in the face of such a powerful Conservative adminstration.
Spent time at the Riverside Centre on Wednesday. I am now a Director there and spent a very informative couple of hours with the manager. Lots to read up !
Yesterday there was a fantastic 'Old Newport' all-day photo exhibition at Downside, put on by PNP and local businessman Barry Price. It was packed and very successful. It was great to see so many people there from all over the Island. Well done to all involved.
Finally, I have been involved in some discussions with the ruling administration about how to re-surrect a truly opposition-controlled Scrutiny Committee after the resignation of Garry Price as Chair last month. Deborah and I have wanted to get re-involved for some months now after the July walkouts, but without all parties agreeing to some constitutional changes this has not been possible. However, hopefully progress will be made on this at the next Full Council and all opposition councillors can start to formally hold this administration to account. Scrutiny is important to Islanders in the face of such a powerful Conservative adminstration.
Monday, February 06, 2006
GETTING ON WITH IT
Been very busy, which will explain no updates for nearly a week.
Wednesday spent thinking about and working on the alternative budget Labour will present on 22nd.
Thursday went along to the Safer Communities Policy Commission. At this the decision was made to de-criminalise car parking offences. I stressed the need to keep this service in-house to protect a revenue source for the Council, which the Council Leader assured me was what the administration will do. Also a paper considered about public drinking, which will provide legal remedies for the sorts of problems we have seen around Newport - including Pan recreation ground - since the Church Litten ban.
Today I went along to a Strategic Asset Management group meeting at the invitation of the Tory Chair. They want me to be involved as an opposition member. I found it interesting and potentially powerful, but I am wary of doing too much. I will decide after another meetinmg or so.
Later I was at the launch of the Newport Town Council petition. I am committed to this due to the unfairness of double taxation on existing parished areas, the potential for more local decision-making about our town, and my belief that there should never be taxation without representation. I suspect there will be elements of opposition, but all the parties are behind this.
Wednesday spent thinking about and working on the alternative budget Labour will present on 22nd.
Thursday went along to the Safer Communities Policy Commission. At this the decision was made to de-criminalise car parking offences. I stressed the need to keep this service in-house to protect a revenue source for the Council, which the Council Leader assured me was what the administration will do. Also a paper considered about public drinking, which will provide legal remedies for the sorts of problems we have seen around Newport - including Pan recreation ground - since the Church Litten ban.
Today I went along to a Strategic Asset Management group meeting at the invitation of the Tory Chair. They want me to be involved as an opposition member. I found it interesting and potentially powerful, but I am wary of doing too much. I will decide after another meetinmg or so.
Later I was at the launch of the Newport Town Council petition. I am committed to this due to the unfairness of double taxation on existing parished areas, the potential for more local decision-making about our town, and my belief that there should never be taxation without representation. I suspect there will be elements of opposition, but all the parties are behind this.
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