Rocke
|
Another Street Lighting Week that was ( and other matters )Monday morning, bright and early ( for me ) and up and ready for our regular walkabout around the Roseheyworth Estate(s) at 10:30.
I'd arranged to visit a tenant just before that to look at their problems with damp, and to discuss their wish to move into a 3-bed house. 3-bedroom houses are like gold dust and it's always awkward to try to explain to people why families of 3,2 and (allegedly) even 1 are allocated these. I must confess that while I've been satisfied with every explanation I've been given I remain amazed at some of the policies that seem to been put in place in years gone by. Hopefully though I might soon be in a position to try to change some of these ( more later ).
Anyway, there doesn't seem to be too many and certainly no great issues in Lower Arrail View,. the Rows and Roseheyworth itself, though it would be nice to see more substantial repairs, if the money was there.
Hopefully the Doggie Bin that's been nicked from the end nearest Bourneville will be replaced very soon.
Tuesday was a double-record day !
Licensing Committee in the morning. Started 11:00, ended 11:06.
All those applicants who would normally have had to come before us due to previous offences now fall under the category of being able to be dealt with by officers, due to the minor and/or age of the convictions.
That means our Officers can now spend less time at committee and more time dealing with issues - and of course drivers etc. can get started sooner, not having to wait up to 6 weeks for the next meeting. Nice to see new policies introduced by this administration having a positive effect.
Tues afternoon and it was FIP, the main item being to do with budgets and how each individual portfolio ( area/directorate/division - you get my meaning ) of the Council was doing.
Regrettably some officers who we might have wanted to ask questions of weren't there. Sadly Member turnout wasn't the best either. A total of 8 out of 15, for a committee that is quite important.
4 Labour Members out of its allocation of 5 and 4 from the 10 Partnership members. The meeting was therefore deferred. That's another one for our organisational geniuses in Democratic Services to fit in to a heavy schedule. Thank Goodness we went on a 6-week cycle. The old 4-week one would have had us with sleeping bags.
Weds was the first meeting of Housing & Regen's 'Marketing Working Group'. Former Executive for Regen Cllr Owen, former Exec for Environment and Leader Cllr McCarthy, Cllr Collier, the Chair - and me. A very productive meeting ( insofar as it went ) where we all sang from the same hymnsheet - which basically was that it seems strange to have all these departments, all with their own individual marketing budgets.
When Regen put on an industrial roadshow in, say, Cardiff to attract businesses up here why can't they also advertise, eg. Abertillery Blues or Brynbach Triathlon if appropriate. Similarly when we advertise Aberfest why not add a bit about 'opportunities for business in BG' ?
However, because one Committee/Portfolio can't interfere with another this will need a fuller discussion. We're therefore suggesting that this be opened up and hopefully all areas will benefit. Nice to see how co-operative working can start to benefit the authority.
Weds evening and it was our pre-Council Group Meeting. Main item ? - you've guessed, Street Lighting. Although not on the Council Agenda it was our opportunity to discuss the findings, views of the public and options before the Executive make a decision next Weds.
Officers were there to answer questions and give advice regarding what could and could not be done ( technically and/or legally). ( Officers aren't allowed to be politically involved ie. in decision-making and it's a BIG no-no to get them involved. I'm not sure if people realise that ).
They presented a report containing EIGHT possible options ( no wonder it took almost 2 hours discussing this ! ) but that shows the depth they went to and the comprehensive detail. Thanks Officers.
After they left we had a very in-depth debate. I can tell you that every member had their say ( more than once ) and 'what people have said' was a phrase used probably more than any other.
No doubt the decision will be made in the light of that ( no pun intended ).
Those I represent should hear the views I put forward. You're my and ears and I am your voice, so just so you know that I haven't spoken with forked tongue:
* A midnight switch-off is unacceptable.
Most comments I've had on this is that people understand the need
for saving but why can't it be limited to times when people won't miss them ?
* Similar comments regarding them being off at 5 in the morning when the clocks go back ( a bit weird, since that means lighter mornings ). I think they mean in the depths of Winter.
On these two points you'll have seen my letter in The Gazette. I think - and have passed on a suggestion - that a 01:00 - 05:00 switch-off would achieve what I think should be the objective - maximum possible savings whilst having minimum impact on citizens and impacting on a minimal number of them.
* Residential areas should be a last resort, and then on extremely limited times ie. unearthly hours such as 2-4.
Just to give you some findings:
* A comparison of crime statistics shows that there was a rise in anti-social behaviour during July and August, in line with previous years. This seems to be due to school holidays and young people staying out later due to 'no school tomorrow'. May-Sept shows a slight drop in crime figures.
In fairness there is a debate about what, from a reporting point of view constitutes 'anti-social behaviour'. However, since the same definition has been applied to this and previous years it is a true comparison.
* Two reported RTAs, both in 'lit' times.
None after midnight.
After this and Delwyn and I were intending to go to Penybont Residents' monthly meeting - then found it had been replaced by a Chinese Auction.
Due to my shifts I can only attend a few a year but hopefully we'll get there before Christmas ( this year ).
Thursday and it was Council.
Rumour had it that there would be the usual shenanigans, petitions abounding etc. etc.
Lo and behold, two well-dressed figures in the Public Gallery ( yes, they did remind me of Car or Insurance salesmen ). Speculation as to who they were - well, I didn't know which was which to be honest.
A few other figures -mmm, thinks I, which of these will be writing the letters to the press this week ?
Anyway, meeting runs very smoothly and it's all over in 26 mins.
A record-breaking week, truly !!
One of the items on the agenda though - Councillors' Allowances.
The Independent Review Panel has recommended a 2.5% increase in the basic allowance wef last April. We have voted to keep levels as at present, no increase. Why should we ( as a National Association ) be asking workers to accept 1% this year and then we, as their local employers, be awarding ourselves over twice that. Also means that's some £24,000 per year that won't have to be spent. Interesting that until now every allowed rise has been made by BGCBC ( last year's was for some reason delayed until after the elections ). Strange that there was no proposal from Labour to carry on the tradition now they're in Opposition.
Cheers.
|
