Access and Information

As many readers of this site will know, I've been having some problems getting hold of the information I wanted from the Council.

Perhaps some of this was due to the changeover of the council, perhaps some was because I didn't know what I was asking for. However - just a little may be to do with the fact that the Council don't like giving out information that much.

And perhaps this is where I show my age, or perhaps my "culture". Because I've never been one for withholding information. I've always found in my work life that you don't prevent others from attacking you or climbing the ladder quicker than you by withholding information from them - you just end up making yourself look like a bit of a prat.

But for many people it's comforting to keep schtum. I disagree, and that's why I have this blog, and why I got the big wigs here for the day, and why I'm so keen on the leaflets.

There is a concept closely linked to this, and that's one about letting people have their say. I've found over recent months that many people in my ward are upset because they feel their previous Councillors* didn't listen to their point of view. At first, these people are quite angry, but once they feel that they've been heard and you talk about the difficulties involved in getting what they want I find that they're a lot happier.

But for many people it's comforting to keep your head down and never chat to someone who might disagree with you. I disagree, and that's why I quite enjoy talking to the slightly weird fellow on the bus. And the Socialists.

So I'm quite upset that I had to speak out at a Council meeting this week to suggest that "listening" should be the attitude that our council took. At the "Children's and families" scrutiny committee we were asked to consider if we should let the public speak to us at the start of the meeting. This isn't about dealing with particular items on the agenda, it's about Joe Bloggs being able to walk in off the street and speak about anything he likes.

I was agast when it was clear that my colleagues didn't like this idea. Their concerns were that it would allow the public to raise anything they wanted....I mean, the cheek of the taxpayer to think they should have their say!

The current way this works is that there is a public speaking time of 10 or 15 minutes, in which each speaker may be limited to a couple of minutes. It's not like you can get stuck with a 2 hour diatribe - and as we're a scruity committee and not part of the executive we don't have to, and in fact can't, give on the spot answers.

But it works. We had a representative in from the Older Peoples Network who had concerns about funding a couple of months ago and we got her problems dealt with. To be honest - although it's 10 minutes of your life which you'll never get back, every now and then it throws up points of view you'd never ever considered.

We voted on it, and my view won, just. 6 votes to 5. Unfortunately, this is being decided by higher powers and this only goes to represent our committes viewpoint, but at least it's a start.


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* Edit for clarification:

Some people have contacted to ask why I was singling out my colleagues, Andrew and Liz, who previously represented Ivy Ward for criticism. Of course the truth is I wasn't - the entire ward that I represent was covered by up to 3 of a possible 7 different representatives previously, depending on where you lived. Only 2 of these are from the same party as me.

Previous to getting elected, I contacted one of my ward Councillors named above with regards to an issue that we had. I received a quick response from the Councillor in question, followed by contact from an officer of the Council who dealt with the issue. I was another satisfied customer.

I wasn't specific because I felt that those with "good" Councillors know who they are, and those who had trouble getting their voice heard would similarly know who their Councillors were.

But if it's still not clear: I'm not a Labour supporter.

Steps & Tea.....but even then the best day yet?

Well, as it turned out I managed not to fall up anymore steps - however I did get home from Canalside and poured a mug of tea over the impossibly white rug in the Conservatory. Ho-hum.

Lots of scrubbing later...and I'm ready to fully report on a pretty eventful day.

I now have in my possession a copy of the agreement(s) between MBC, Wilson Boden and Barratt Developments. It looks to be about 400 pages in total - and whilst I'm desperate to put everything on hold and plough through it I'm conscious that there's a few things I need to get done (including the finishing touches for the new Macclesfield Conservatives Website which has gone live a little earlier than I expected, and I need to spell Lesley's name right!)

But the fact remains, getting hold of this agreement is a huge milestone for me. It's probably the biggest battle I've had to fight so far. I have to admit that I was strengthed by random phone calls from people suggesting that I didn't want to upset "them" and that I didn't know what I was getting involved in. Red rag to a bull...

It's not clear at the moment under what terms this has been released to me by the Council. I have requested it under the EIR legislation, which means that I should be free to publish anything about the agreement that I see fit. However, at some points in the process it was suggested that I would get is under Councillor's "right to know" which is more confidential. If that's the case then I will be continuing the fight for EIR as I think that's it's something that should be in the public domain.

I'm sure plenty to follow on this one...

Mixed bag.

Mixed day so far.

Good scrutiny meeting this morning, followed by the unexpected delivery of the Wilson Boden agreement. Woohooo!

Then I fell up the step trying to get in the house...

On Canalside with Heidi in half hour. Keep your fingers crossed that I don't fall up anymore steps....

Dogs and kennels II

I've recieved the following information regarding the crazy policy of having to collect your mutt from Stoke on Trent if he's lost....

Pre LGR any strays collected in the Crewe area, were taken to kennels in Haslington, where they were kept for up to 3 days, then collected by the City Dogs home in Stoke, and kept for the statutory period.

In Congleton a facility in Bosley was used, which fortunately was also a registered Kennelling facility, therefore, dogs could stay for the statutory period of seven days that we are required to undertake, before being re- homed where necessary. However the owners, decided to retire, deciding not to renew their contract with the council.

In Macclesfield, no kennelling facilities were provided, and dogs were taken direct to a dog’s home in Manchester, for the statutory seven day period, before being re homed, if unclaimed.

In April last year, the Police handed over their responsibility for stray dogs, to the local authority; this meant that the council had to provide an out of hours, reception centre, to allow members of the public to take stray animals to. The council does not operate a collection service, out of hours, or at weekends. Crewe continues to use the facility at Haslington, as they are currently tied into a contract, but the owners when asked, did not want to take on any more work.

Therefore, an advert was placed in the local press, asking for expressions of interest to provide this service to the residents of Congleton and Macclesfield. We received one reply, (but they were) not able to keep the dogs for the statutory period and act as a holding centre for up to three days, and are collected by the City dogs home as per Crewe.

As Crewe were already using the City Dogs home, to ensure we could deliver a harmonised service, on day one of Cheshire East, it was decided to send all dogs to this facility.

They collect the animal, which allows us to save on the dog warden’s time, and keep them for the statutory seven day period, for a one off, all inclusive cost.

This contract is for a twelve month period, and towards the end of this period, further expressions of interest will be sought. Hopefully, local providers will show some interest.

So essentially, no one in Cheshire will do it cheap enough. At least now we know.

Rangers

I've just been sent a list of the upcoming events hosted by our Ranger service (which is quite extensive).

Perhaps it's an indication of my flammable personality that this one caught my eye:

"Could you make a fire using friction? Come along and learn some basic bushcraft skills."

Sounds like fun ;-)

You can view all of the ranger events here:
http://www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/leisure_and_culture/ranger_service/ranger_events.aspx

Macclesfield Express "Surgery"

The Macc Express will, for the foreseeable future, be holding surgeries in Macclesfield Library on Wednesdays and Fridays between 12pm and 5pm.

Moving the 'Express out of the Town after nearly 200 years was a big mistake, but it's excellent to know that they're doing everything they can to remain in touch with the town.

More details from the horses mouth.

Gas Safe

I found a very odd thing in Park Lane People.

Apparently, in June 2008 the HSE announced Capita as the prefered bidder to run a new gas installer registration scheme to take over from Corgi.

The new scheme is called Gas Safe - which seems odd. Because surely everyone knows about Corgi. Why change it? Why spend millions on advertising a new name when there's already one that the public know and trust?

And how on earth do Capita keep getting these contracts? On second thoughts....I don't want to know.

Toddlers Play Area

(Readers of the email update will need to go online to the blog to see the pictures)

Eagle-eyed weather watchers will note that conditions took a turn for the worse last Monday - coincidentally the same day to work started on the Toddlers play area.

On behalf of the workmen I can only apologise for bringing torrential rain to the ward.

The good news is that the work is well underway. The outline of the play area can now be seen, and the work is on schedule to be completed in around 5 weeks time. Photos below.

Door Stops

It seems that West Cheshire Council are propping up (or should that be open?) the local economy with by purchasing plenty of door stops. More info here.

One year on

Knocking Up.

It's a funny term - because it sounds every so slightly dodgy, and it doesn't normally involve any knocking on doors.

But knocking up is what I was doing at this time exactly a year ago. I'd spent all morning outside a polling station asking for electoral roll numbers as people went in to vote, and I then spent the afternoon running round houses putting cards through the doors of those who hadn't voted (and had suggested they might vote for me) asking for their support.

Yes: it's one year on from the Cheshire East elections 2008, although of course I wasn't actually elected until the count (which was the day after.)

Standing for election involves a sine wave of emotion. You swing from positive to negative with tremendous regularity - the frequency increasing the closer you get to the polls closing. Every time you start to think you might be in with a chance, something happens that convinces you otherwise.

I remember collapsing into a chair with a pint at the Blacksmiths after the polls closed completely exhausted - the maths from the turnout telling me I had a strong chance, all the while convincing myself it was all a complete waste of time.

And how do I feel about my first year as a Councillor?

I'll have to have a think about that one...