SOME TIME AT LAST !

Been away from my blog the last few days, attending more meetings than is healthy, both as a councillor and at work !

Wednesday was my Care, Health & Housing Policy Commission, which was mildly interesting on public health issues and then some interminable presentation by some local health manager who wants the Commission to be nice to them......

Last night was the last Scrutiny Committee before I get my hands on it ! This one was quite good at times, with some interesting questioning of the Chair & Vice Chair of the Development Control Committee about planning application processes, before that was shut down - possibly for daring to ask challenging questions. No press in attendance again for the third meeting in succession. Desperately needs a shake up - which it will get in April.

Today - after first noting I had a fair bit of coverage in the County Press - spent the morning in County Hall at informal meetings on things like Council assets and scrutiny. This afternoon spent my time with a Cabinet member, the PNP managers and various bigwig Council officers - the Pan Development Steering Group - firstly touring Pan estate and the development site, followed by a progress meeting in the Isobel Centre. Made my usual pleas for a by-pass and better communication with local residents.

I will be outside Pan Stores tomorrow collecting petition signatures against Southern Vectis and the Council's plans to route up to 52 double-decker buses per day up and down Furrlongs from April 2nd. Of course I was not consulted or even told about this by the Council, probably because they know people don't want it. Ce'st las vie - when you are the councillor for Pan. Will they never learn ? ..............The well-oiled campaign machine wheels into action.....