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

I sometimes say to people when they remark 'who've you upset this time' that I pride myself on those I upset, and it seems I struck lucky last week.
More of that as we go.
I've also given one particular matter a post of its own because it's very much in the public eye for a number of reasons ( and this would be the usual 'boil the kettle' etc. report otherwise ).

Phone call Monday morning, from an Argus reporter. He asks me about information I haven't got. I truly don't know anything about it and as I told him it wouldn't be appropriate to comment since I'm involved in Education matters, not least being a governor of 2 schools.
However, I'm concerned enough to have a little ferret around and it's nothing to do with the council as such.

Monday afternoon and our fortnightly Leisure Exec briefing.
It's the start of looking into where savings could be made if they are demanded as part of next year's budget-setting.
We also discuss issues about the Indoor Bowls Centre ( yep, we are staying on the case - no propping it up and thinking everything's hunky dory and then getting caught napping like 2 years ago ).
I bring up the need to get a nominated officer to liaise with ( and sit on ) the Calon Project Steering Group. The Council owns the land and has a key role to play not only in persuading the powers that be that the centre will be an asset properly managed and supported but also in supporting the aims and objectives of the project.
I also took the opportunity to get the state of Roseheyworth Skateboard area looked at. ( Got a site meeting tomorrow - Tues ).

Tuesday I get a phone call from a different Argus reporter, asking for comments regarding the death of a former Abertillery man. In a way I'm pleased with the call because I believe that Councillors aren't just representatives who sit in meetings or try to sort problems out but they are ( as I put it ) captains of their local community and it was pleasing to be regarded as such, that I might know something about non-council related issues. Very regrettably the person was a close friend of mine, something you might have seen in The Argus.

Later Council business of setting the agenda for our next Ed & Leis Scrutiny Committee took place. Once again there'll be some good news items and others to debate.
Tues evening was the AGM of Aber Comp's Governors.
Bit of a bombshell when the Head announced she was leaving.
Says something that just after that we had to elect the Staff Appointments Panel. 5 people needed and there was a small problem - there's so many of the Governors working at the school ( and therefore precluded from sitting on that panel ) that it was difficult to get the 5. They even had to ask me ( perhaps unfair, I should say someone proposed me ).
I declined because an LEA rep was already on there and I believe that a parent should at least have the opportunity. Ah - found a parent governor who doesn't work at the school ! Job done then.
A few other matters where ( sadly not surprisingly ) I'm at odds with what I see as complacency, often shown regarding exam results, finances etc.

Weds morning and a phone call from one of the Argus reporters.
What's my comment on Mrs. Thomas' early retirement ? If you've read the Argus you'll have seen the comments I can appropriately make.

Later it was that time of the week to buy The Gazette. I used to look at the paper up my mother's but since I got elected it's bought every Weds. Ah - my letter's in there, nestled nicely amongst the politically-motivated carpings.

It certainly got people talking, as you'll see from the other part of this 'report from the chamber'.

Thursday's Community Council Liason Group is the one.

Friday and one can't escape doggie bins.
Mabel's post got me looking and reporting the loss.
I hope our Env Services managed to get something up there for the weekend but they weren't hopeful, being contacted early afternoon by me. I'll be chasing it up tomorrow to make sure all's OK.

Saturday ( yes Saturday ) and my visit to the Corner Club is more er... vibrant than usual.
Thsi time it's not just the usual argumentative person but someone who thought they'd be a clever a$$ ( as you'll see they aren't ).
'Rocky', says he, in front of 3 of his clubmates.
'Yes ?'
'I want to ask you something'
'Don't tell me...........'
'Don't be clever I want to ask you why..'
'I know, you want to ask where your money is?'
'Well....yes'.
So first point, thinks he can get one over by being secretive and have me make a pre-emptive ( and incorrect ) reply. Dear dear, I'm off one the wrong foot because I've disappointed him.

Right, he belongs ( well he better had ) to one of the many organisations that have wriiten to me asking for donations from the 'halfpenny rate' pot all councillors are allotted to dispense as they wish.
Most of you will have seen the few postings I've made about this so I won't go into it again.
There I go, at lengths to explain my rationale and why his club - in common with most similar requests - won't get anything until early next year.
'That's OK', says he, 'don't waste your time and mine talking your councillor b******s'.
Bad move that. His mates looked increasingly embarrassed as I made him aware of what I consider to be the correct way to approach this matter from my role as a councillor and his as a club member.
One of his mates ( a quite drunk one ) actually listened to my explanation and I think understood it, apart from his comment about me being a football player.
I can't understand people - they ask me for money and then complain before they get anything.
I also dislike those who are so selfish as to not appreciate that there are others with good claims.
Ask the general public where £100 would be best spent - helping to support a Luncheon club for older and/or less able people, a morning Mums and Toddlers club, or a sports club, one of whose members is intent on embarrassing ( or trying to embarrass ) a councillor.
And I abhor anyone who thinks I'd think that money equals votes. Picked on the wrong one here mate. People asked me to represent them, people put me in to represent them. People trust me to be fair and even handed.
If any member of a sporting club is reading this and you're concerned that your club might have been unintentionally mired by my comments please post on here and I'll happily confirm that it isn't your club.

Actually thinking about it now I might make a donation in kind. I'd hate to think that the grant given might find its way into the tills of some of the hostelries of Aber.

Cheers.

_________________
Rocke