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Rocke · Joined: 08 May 2008 Posts: 795 Location: Abertillery

Yes, you might have thought you'd have a month off - just like I did.

However, business remains to be done and so here's a quick round-up of what Cllr. Rocke has been up to this month.

It started with an Agenda setting meeting for Ed & Leis. Got some decent subjects to start the second half of the season off with.
Training ( along with fellow members from Merthyr and Torfaen ) on how to Chair meetings effectively and ensure that we get the most from questioning decisions and officers' views.
Had a Licencing Sub Committee which couldn't be held over, for certain reasons.
Also had one of the always uncomfortable Appeals Panel where members have to decide if decisions taken by one of our Managers ( the vast majority of the time it being a decision to dismiss someone ) is correct.
But as Members our duty is to ensure the efficient running of the Council as well as representing our constituents as councillors.
We also have to safeguard the Council's finances, so in instances like this we have to satisfy ourselves that a manager has properly followed procedures and that any resultant Industrial Tribunal will not result in the Borough having to pay out compensation.

On the 'Councillor' front it's been very much a 'dog's do's' month.
Had to sort out a few complaints/comments from people who said the bins near them are overflowing. I think this has now been sorted.
However, it seems to me that we need some sort of 'warning' system, so I'm looking into how we can identify when things are close to overflowing and get a system for rapid collection in place.

Wheelie bins seem to be on everyone's lips.
I've had a few conversations on this and it's amazing how many misconceptions are about.
To me that's a sign that people think this Council would put anything in place without adequate consultation. As far as I'm concerned that means we - because it is the partnership I'm part of that's running things now - are not getting the message across properly.
Take today - in The Mersh, person comes in and says 'Rocke, what's with these wheelie bins ? My dad isn't going to put up with that'.
So, has he had a visit yet ( we're sending officers around to see householders themselves ) - no.
OK, so he was perhaps out when our staff called.
Yes- he's had a letter, but he's not going to have a bin.
What does the letter say - he ( Mr. Complainer ) hasn't read it.

Well, Mr. Complainer's father is in his 60's and it's not really practical for him to take his bin down ( and up ) his steps.
So, fill in the form requesting assisted collection ( our lads will do all the fetching and carrying ) and get it back to us.

Just like street lighting, all manner of evils, then you find that those bleating the loudest are among those affected the least.
Talking of which, there's a few downsides to what's happening at the mo and I suspect that the next month or two will see a few changes in the scheme.
Nothing to do with our publicity mad bellweather.
Says something when the strongest opposition comes from within the ruling administration.

See you next week !

Cheers.

_________________
Rocke