- Abertillery Online Discussion Forum -

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

Almost the end.

On Friday we scheduled a meeting of Chairs and Vice-chairs.
First on the agenda was attendence at meetings.

Guess what ?
Yes the meeting was cancelled due to lack of attendees.

I'll say my piece on this one anyway.
You might remember last week's FIP, and the low attendence and my views then.
Well, this week has bordered not only on the ridiculous but I suspect that some high-profile anti-councillor payments people ( there was one in last week's Gazette ) might even say 'money for old rope'.

Committees consist of 15 Members - 10 Partnership and 5 Labour
Council is 42.

Tuesday - Ed & Leisure, 10 attendees
Weds am - Council, Lord knows must have been 30-odd
Weds pm - Housing and Regen - 8
Thurs - Env & Public Protection - 6

At each committee the Opposition Labour Group fielded just 1 member.
Now, unfortunately one of their 'workhorse' members, who in fairness has a high workload and a high attendence rate, is recuperarting and it's understandable that he can't attend but even so.
Strangely, they beat their record for numbers attending Council on Weds though, I think.
The whole of 'their' tier was just about full.
I understand that Cllr. Hedley McCarthy wasn't there due to holidays.
Funny, that's what I thought the idea of a recess was for.
( And before anyone mentions my sojourn the midnight sun doesn't shine in August ).

I'm really going to campaign for the publishing of Members' Attendences alongside their payments.

Finally, Attendence Management Group, where we discuss how things are going on our initiative to reduce the amoount of days lost due to sickness.
We had two presentations from another two functions, in order that we could drill down to issues specific to certain job areas etc.
For example, 'outside' workers are more exposed to the risk of injury than office workers, and more exposed to the elements. Does this account for the varying levels of absence across directorates etc. ?
A good productive meeting.

A couple of other things.
Anyone caught a driver going the wrong way past Cwrt Mytton ?
The diversion sign put up at the top of Station Hill points to the access road and yes - cars were going down it.
A quick word with one of our officers and the sign is now on the wall, clearly pointing up Gladstone St !

A couple of good discussions on the state of the place and things going on in a couple of the local hostelries as well.
I'm very pleased that people make their views known. I seem to have got people a bit interested in the things that are happening and why it is so.

Ruth's not happy though...................

Cheers.

You can have a break now............................

_________________
Rocke