Rocke
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That was the nearly-a-month that wasSeems like it anyway.
Due to work commitments, the hosting issue and the Survival of Florence it's been a time since I gave the usual insight into the life of a councillor.
From what I remember there's been a Licencing committee where we had what's becoming the usual new applicants with spent and/or minor convictions up before us.
People who have either lost or are afraid of losing their jobs and who want to still be able to provide.
It's nice to see their faces when they're told that we've granted their application.
What wasn't very pleasant was the Appeals Sub-Committee that I sat upon, where an employee was appealing against dismissal.
Or rather, I should say, the outcome.
Whether one thinks the decision was/is correct it's still not a very nice feeling that someone's means of income has been taken away.
That moves very much on to current affairs.
Firstly the prospective closure of Nantyglo Comp.
I'm part of the Schools Development Panel that had a say in the development of the proposals.
Admittedly the 4 original options all resulted in the demise of Nantyglo Comp. BUT they did include a new school on the site.
It's quite staggering how parochialism has crept in.
From what I've seen the 'Bryns' automatically viewed it as an attempt to close 'their' school - and pointed to its record of achievement, standard of education etc.
The 'Nants' have pointed to 'their' school's record of achievement, standard of education etc. and added their concerns about having to apply to the Bryns to get their children in there, and their fears ( honest) for their children's safety if they go to Aber.
The 'Abers' appear to have been actively soliciting for pupils from Nantyglo, including apparently measuring up for new classrooms and telling parents about what it will mean for 'their' school.
I haven't seen anything about its record of achievement etc., apart from the possibility of expanding the SEN section to cater for a wider range of needs.
I have to admit to being agog at the whole thing.
Notwithstanding confidentiality, we ( Panel members ) wished to have the affected schools' staffs told first, early in the New Year. Because of the law the proposals had to come into the public domain just before Christmas but there was an expectation that those affected would have had the courtesy of learning by way of the meetings that had been arranged.
However, one way or the other it got out.
That of course immediately gets people thinking that something underhand is going on.
It also doesn't help when some Heads are telling parents ( and Governors ) about prospective expansions to their school.
It's worse when I can't say too much, especially when what's being said is almost guaranteed to give people the wrong impression.
Anyway, almost straight away the public come up with another 3 possible options, which have been added to the list.
I can tell you that I have personally read every letter and email that's come in on the subject and the transcripts of all the consultation meetings.
We've a meeting on Weds to discuss the outcome(s).
Another similar story with the old Leisure Centre.
The Indoor Bowls Centre was apparently up for closure ( I know, but let me finish. You can see what really happened then ). Seems 'someone' saw 'something' that said it.
What actually happened is that every area of operations was asked to identify how it would effect a cut of 3, 4 and 5% in its budget.
Leisure Services was confident that it could do 3% with just some 'tinkering' and some who had indicated they would be interested in early retirement. At 5% it might have meant the closure of a Leisure Centre, so you can see the possibilities at all points within the range.
As a backdrop to this a Member had asked about the amount of money being spent on the Centre and I was chairing a working group looking into the costs (and the value gained).
Anyway, I got a call and met with the Bowls Club's Committee.
A few phone calls and as far as I was aware the actual position was known and the Bowls Club informed.
It seems however that things were overtaken by budget events.
It would have been nice for someone to keep me informed but in any event I had to advise of a probable conflict of interest and another Member will be asking questions on their behalf, while I present a report on the sustainability of the building.
Going to be fun, keeping the two things apart, especially with the stirrers so active.
Got a phone call last Monday morning 'Cllr. Rocke ? It's (so-and-so) here to give you an update on the incident at Arael View last night'.
You've probably heard or read about the evacuation.
After the call up I headed to the Leisure Centre to see how things were.
The evacuated residents were being well looked after and the Council's Leisure Services people ( Centre staff and high-level managers ) had things well under control. Social Services were organising meals and transport and Housing were at the other end sorting out a hotel for that night.
It's been quoted in The Gazette about the standard of the response and care provided.
I'd like to add my comments regarding what I consider to be a highly professional operation. I know the residents appreciated it and as Ward Member I'd like to thank all the staff ( I won't name them because it wouldn't be fair to miss out those I didn't see but who were working at the far end ) for excellent service.
I suppose now it's on to the really big issue - budget-setting and the likely increase in Council Tax.
The stirrers have been out and about already of course, including on here.
Just what anyone's supposed to do when they're given what is in effect ( I won't bore you with how it's worked out ) a less than 2% increase in income I don't know.
Just to balance the books as it were I should say that apparently Blaenau Gwent has the lowest settlement in Wales ( nothing to do with having turned its back on Labour would that be ? ).
I say it simply so that you can compare what actions we are taking against what you hear about other authorities, some of which are having as much as 5% more.
In short we don't seem to be doing anything that different to any other authority, so what's all the fuss humbugs ?
( Sorry, but if someone's going to be childish and refer to people as 'allsorts' then expect to have an appropriate and robust response ).
There are a couple of things that this administration now has to do however, and this is where we start to prove to people whether or not they made the right choice last May.
From hereon in we're not just picking up the problems this Borough already had, any issues now might also be as a consequence of what we have put into place.
If the powers that be have got the budget-setting right and our managers and workforce can still provide acceptable services then we're on the right track.
But stabilising things isn't enough. There's 30 years of atrophy to overturn and regenerate and 4 years won't be anywhere near enough.
That's why we now have to take things by the throat and start sorting it.
I'd just ask this - every Council is being screwed down, this one more than virtually every other one. Don't just look at eg. fortnightly collections or switch-off of lighting as a diminution of services, but compare the cost-cutting measures this authority is taking with others as the real measure of what's being done.
I can tell you now that Blaenau Gwent seems to be comparing favourably with the actions planned for the neighbouring Authority that I happen to work for.
Cheers.
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