Year's End

This is my last instalment until the New Year.  And again I’ve slipped into four weeks worth …

Saturday 24th November I had a stand at the Green Fayre – as usual I’d left things to the last minute and was making stock any spare minute I had in the week leading up to it!  Annoyingly this clashed with the local Labour Party’s first Policy Conference.  Believe it or not I actually wanted to go to it but I’d booked & paid for the stand months before.  And as I’m sure I’ve said to some of you I believe you are no good as a councillor if you haven’t got a life, and this time ‘life’ came first.

December has been a slightly ‘gentler’ month what with Christmas on the horizon, (and this can make it all too easy to forget that for some people like the homeless it’s just another day).  Still had a smattering of meetings, like planning, Trustees (shortest meeting I’ve ever been to!) full council where we said ‘goodbye’ to Richard Parry, Director of Education, and former Chief Superintendent Mark Mathias, and a PACT meeting.  These are the ones where community police come to hear concerns raised by the public.  Although these are never that well attended by residents I still feel they are worthwhile even if only one person turns up.  Phone & e-mail are fine most of the time, but it’s great to see people face to face and hopefully help resolve an issue.

In the last week I visited TOPIC House & the Phoenix Centre to pass on seasons greetings, and also scoff a very naughty but nice fry-up in the café – strongly recommend going there as very reasonably priced and even the small breakfast is plenty.  Also went to Seaview School’s nativity play in St Nicholas Church.  I have an admission to make as I really don’t enjoy kids singing – usually too noisy and out of tune!  But you can’t beat these for enthusiasm, and the animals, ‘sheep’ especially’ were all very cute.

That’s it until January but as Arnie says ‘I’ll be back!’ (only not in that weird Austrian/American accent!!)

Les

The Long Fortnight

A busy and varied two weeks – mix of council, business including work for Federation of Small Businesses (FSB). 

Had a heavy start trying to resolve an ongoing issue in my role of school governor, but most of the rest of that week was spent either on FSB – Treasurer work for local & regional AGMs and monthly branch meeting – and other business ‘as usual’.

On the Saturday I attended the first Sparkle ‘Transgender and public integration day’ in the Brangwyn Hall, in part aimed at letting the public know more about the relevant issues. Over 25 stands were there, from advice & information to jewellery & makeup. It carried on into the evening with entertainment provided – some of you may remember the Swinging Blue Jeans who were practising as we were leaving.  From the quote from their website, here above right, it was obviously a very good start to what could be a long tradition of such events. 

Last week was back more in council mode with my regular monthly surgery, then meeting up with fellow councillor Nick Bradley to keep up with both cabinet news and issues affecting our ward. 
On Wednesday I attended community PACT ‘meeting’ – these are held by the police outside in various places across the ward, are often better than meetings in venues, and can also show that you are bothering to go out into your ward, willing to meet residents and listen to any issues they have. 
I went to WLGA Induction Training on Thursday : ‘The first 6 months …’.  As well as lots of useful tips, ideas & advice, I found I knew quite a bit.  But then it’s always helpful to get reassurance you are 'going int he right direction'.  
And finally full council preceded by a special meeting to award 7 former mayors as Aldermen/women.  These long standing councillors were from all walks of life, who no doubt would have had to handle the role of councillor & mayor at the same time as going to work and bringing up a family, and maybe even some hobbies.  Interesting, then, that one of our speakers at the morning’s induction gave the impression that when you become a councillor everything else goes out of the window.  There are times – oh, many MANY times! – when I feel I’m losing the ability to multitask to such a degree, but without all that variety of experience I truly believe that I’d make a very poor councillor indeed.

Les

And three nearly becomes four – double oops!!

Where DOES the time go?!  Admittedly I did manage to get away for a few (wonderful) days in Shropshire, just pottering around the countryside taking in the amazing autumnal colours.

One of the events I have been to over the last couple of weeks was a 20th Birthday party to celebrate LASA, the Swansea wide credit union, which had started life as the Hill Community Credit Union just covering Townhill before it expanded over the whole city.  For those of you who don’t know a credit union is sort of a people’s bank where as members we all save regularly, then use that money to lend out to other members who need a loan, at a reasonable rate of interest, unlike those handed out by companies like Wonga at over 4000%, yes you read it right, 4 thousand!!  Click here if you want to know more about it.

After missing a couple because they clashed with school governor meetings I went to a very interesting Equalities one on Hate Crime.  I have never understood how someone can actually hate another person who, in the majority of cases, they don’t even know, just because they look different, or don’t have the same beliefs, or dress contrary to some perceived norm etc etc.  And what worries me more is that this obscures the fact that good and bad people cut across all these differences.  On a more positive note, some of you will have heard about SRTRC – Show Racism the Red Card – which is trying to stamp this out on the football terraces.  Maybe we can take some comfort in the guy that was recently prosecuted who actually publicly stated afterwards what an idiot he’d been.

Earlier that same day I attended a public meeting to look at ways of providing more facilities for young people in one part of my ward.  It’s all very well, as the policewoman observed, telling kids to move along when they are hanging about but what if they have nowhere else to go?  Of course a common issue for many many communities throughout Wales and the UK, and I don’t suppose we’ll have all the answers but I’d at least like to help find some.

Les

Two weeks become three - oops!

I know, I know, late with the blog again!  Have I any excuses?  Loads probably but let’s just get on with it …

Talking of excuses, in the first week of October I had an excellent one for missing a meeting – I managed to fall UP a hill!!  My knees aren’t great at the best of times, and after my fall the left one looked like I’d done a few rounds with Mike Tyson, so Doctor Jeff advised rest.  Funnily enough I didn’t disagree!

But before you get the wrong idea, the last three weeks have been pretty busy with a number of formal council meetings, one lasting almost 4 hours, and informal meetings with officers, fellow ward councillors etc etc, plus other events, surgeries, and doing casework.  And there is the small matter of running a business, including working on my tax return!

And yet still something new – finance sub-committee for Seaview.  I’ve been to hundreds of meetings in my time and read lots of financial reports so this one stands out.  Why?  It was the first time I can recall having looked at one and more or less understood it before an explanation.  And there have been plenty where I’ve still not got a clue AFTERWARDS!

Whilst not my in role as a councillor I will finish by saying I had what I feel was a very worthwhile Saturday spent in London on the A Future that Works march.  Question is, unless something drastic happens, will it?

Les

Being a councillor can be fun!

Pretty busy these last two weeks ie up to the end of September (OK I know this blog posting is three days overdue!) what with having quite a bit of business work as well as council duties.

Mainly meetings outside council eg regular Phoenix Centre surgery, branch meeting, and yet another first – Seaview Governors meetings.  A lot of it was taken up with what sub-committees we would be prepared to go on.  Now I just need to do the training to help me know what I’m going to be doing!

And of course it’s not just meetings and surgeries which show you are bothered about your ward – socials can play a role too.  The former Fairfield Club, now the West End Football & Social Club, on Townhill Road, had their relaunch on the 22nd.  I’ve passed it many times and never knew just how big it is, with a ‘tidy’ sized function room.  It was an evening with a difference – as well as your standard food, drink, disco & raffle, they held a question & answer session with a panel of football players present and past including current Wales Coach Chris Coleman.  Beat that!

Les

Time still flying!

You will probably have noticed that again my posting has taken two weeks – as meetings will settle down you’d get bored (if you’re not already!) with me saying the same old stuff so to ensure a bit of novelty is allowed to creep in I’ll stick to this from now on.

In any case, the last two weeks have gone like a flash, yet interestingly not had so many council commitments – a useful reminder that I also run a business and do have some kind of life outside politics! 

Another first even though I’ve now been a councillor for a while now – went to a Student Liaison Forum meeting.  But then these are in a way governed by student activity which of course is virtually negligable in the summer months.  As most of you will know Swansea has a large student population and with it brings both good and bad.  The forum aims to bring together interested parties to help prevent in the first place but also resolve issues that residents raise eg parking, rubbish, recycling, and housing in general.

Those who know we well will be aware that I take being a councillor very seriously, and have done my best to be fully active in this role.  But of course it had to happen eventually, and so I’ve finally blown my 100% attendance record – not bad though after 4 months!

Les

PS I thought I'd posted this on Tuesday but obviously gremlins in the works - hopefully you agree better late than never!

Doesn't time fly!

Anyone who follows my postings regularly will notice that I haven’t managed one yet this week.  This has been for a number of reasons (bank holiday & others too tedious to mention so I won’t!) so here are two weeks worth …

The last fortnight has gone from the ridiculous to the sublime – from 8 council related events the week before last to only two this week.  But of course this is just how it goes.

And you will I’m sure be very pleased, even grateful, to hear that I’m not going to tell about them all, just two examples on procedural matters, both new for me, that I actually found quite fascinating (but feel free to yawn at any point!)

At full council last week it was the first occasion I was party to a ‘named’ vote.  It needs 10 councillors to stand up to indicate that everyone present has to verbally state their voting intention.  It felt a bit like being back in school as the appropriate council officer read out our names, and by the time it got to me – I’m second but last – I was convinced I was going to say the wrong thing!  (Another first – I can now say I have actually spoken at full council!!)

This week’s only formal council meeting was the full planning committee which can also potentially be attended by all councillors.  As with all such meetings, councillors are guided by recommendations made by the officers who are experienced in planning law and its many nuances.  However there are times when they might still get voted against, at which time there has to be a second vote on the reason for doing so.  This was a new experience for me, and curiously it actually relied to a certain degree on the same officers supplying the appropriate valid reason, but then this is politics!

Les

Which one?

Cymbals, rather than meetings, 'clash'
(Sorry the picture's naff - ran out of ideas!)

In a previous blog post I mentioned that I often have to make a decision whether to attend an event or not – you simply cannot go to everything.  What makes this process just that bit more interesting is when two or more events, or meetings, clash.

It was again a fairly quiet week council wise, with one meeting on Monday.  Still learning in that we did an exercise on how to plan of piece of scrutiny work – they call it ‘scoping’.  The real work is soon to follow.

The problem came on the Tuesday - two meetings, both important, so which one?  As it happened I had arranged to meet a resident at one, the PACT meeting so felt that it was important not to let them down.  Another time I don’t think it will be so straightforward!

Les

All Quiet on the Council Front

Well almost!  Just the one meeting, and that was an additional Labour Group. 

The idea is to have this one every month where us ‘backbenchers’ can have the chance to get & feel more involved - ask our questions, air our opinions, and put forward our suggestions.  I even managed to air mine, which was good practice for the day, which I guess will come, when I actually say something in full council!

Downside?  Yet another meeting, of course.  But for all of us non-cabinet members, both newbies & oldies, I think it’s a good move.

Les

Behind the Scenes

No official council meetings all week – chance to do some of the ‘background’ stuff …

Until I started to run my own business I never really thought I was an ideas person.  And even then it was only when a business advisor friend of mine pointed this out.  Even now I’m still not quite convinced I have original ideas but I do know I can take one that already exists and, in the words of my Dad, do a ‘mod’ on it.  So what’s this got to do with anything?  Well, I’m sure all councillors have parts of the role they like best.  For me, one of mine is I get a buzz out of creating ways to improve how we interact with residents - I've got a real 'bee in my bonnet' when it comes to communication, and how ineffective it so often is.  By rethinking or developing processes I’m forever coming up with ‘mods’ when producing literature, or planning surgeries, or putting on events, etc etc to help get the message across.

And it will often be something quite simple.  One of our surgeries was in the evening and very few ever went.  We’re now trying it out in the morning when it’s busier, and because the main meeting place is in a café I can put flyers on the tables & the counter.  So I was well chuffed when the other week a guy picked up my flyer and said ‘thank you, will keep this in case I need it’ – small beginnings but big potential.

And isn’t just great after you’ve delivered a direct mail letter, or general newsletter, when someone responds to it, even if they aren’t very happy about something - at least this proves you have actually managed to communicate with them so they know who you are and how to get hold of you!

To finish the week, and after the last few weeks' steep learning curve, it was great to have a relaxing get together with ‘the girls’ on Friday – swap stories, issues, problems, and good practice (and of course gossip!)

Les

Shortish & Sweetish

I’ll be fairly brief this week (partly because I spent most of the weekend either preparing for or clearing up after The Walton’s annual BBQ!)

Have had my fair share of phone calls, but on Monday had my first ever casework visit since becoming a councillor, then another first in going to the Equalities committee Tuesday followed by Labour Group.  (Then managed to take a ‘day’ off – Wednesday afternoon watched the first event of the London 2012 Olympics at the Millenium Stadium, with Team GB Women playing footie against New Zealand.   They won but boy was I hot!)

Back midday Thursday, in plenty of time to attend full council meeting late afternoon.  It was one of those that people tend to describe as ‘lively’ – read into that what you will, and/or read the article in the Evening Post last Friday, which includes a line stating that someone called someone else a liar.  I wonder who!

Finally on Friday afternoon quite a lengthy community meeting but well worth going to – for keeping in touch with what goes on in your own ward these are the kind of meetings that really count.

Les

PS Struggled to think of a suitable political picture hence the Millenium Stadium -  well, we went there this week!

A quieter week, lull before the storm?!

Went to my second councillor surgery in the Phoenix Centre – still early days but this time took up some flyers to leave in the café.  I could see people were reading them – one even made a very creditable paper dart out of it! – and another said thanks, and took it away with him for future use.  No enquiries yet but we only just changed the timeslot so people are getting used to it.  Back home had another ‘play’ with the flyers – when I worked for BT one of their 5 mantras was ‘continuous improvement’ which is an excellent idea but I find I don’t always know when to stop!

Had a break from formal stuff until Wednesday when I went to my last (I think?) training session.  It was on Equalities – what a huge area covered by just that one word.  A number of people have in the past pointed out that as everyone is different you cannot treat everyone equally.  Maybe not but what you can do is your utmost to treat them all fairly.  There are all the obvious factors that need to be considered, like race, religion, sexual orientation etc but treating people fairly really does cut across everything, and there are times when you really do need to think ‘outside the box’.  One of the short film clips we were shown was a good illustration - a couple both suffering from dementia had reverted back to the language they grew up with, yet they were provided with care assistants who spoke in another language - certainly not fair, and possibly, even probably, did more harm than good.

Afterwards managed to catchup with one of my fellow councillors - sorted quite a few things out – then did a bit of work on casework I’d picked up.

The rest of the week was ‘Civic-Centre-less’ which meant I could do some more background work - reading, research etc - whilst still keeping on top of business.  But I didn’t get completely away with it as on a Friday anything left in your pigeon hole is delivered by courier – my weekend reading would be the agenda for the next council meeting, quite small really at only just over 100 pages!!

Les

Something new every day, and a lot of acronyms

Monday pm had the OSC, Overview & Scrutiny Conference I mentioned last week, for all those councillors involved. It was noticeable, but maybe not surprising, that the preferred areas to look at overlapped so much. For instance public transport is not just getting from a to b, but can also be the difference between getting/keeping a job or not. 

Tuesday morning I went up to Seaview school for their 6th form leavers assembly – what talented kids!  Amongst other things a large group of them performed a contemporary dance piece, something I doubt most adults could have done. 

I then went straight on to TOPIC (The Older People’s Information Centre) House PACT (Police & Communities Together) meeting.  This centre is open to all ‘older’ people from Swansea, and this particular meeting allows them to raise issues that can have implications on policing in their areas.  (hey had a cake sale the other week and to the lady who’d made the fruitcake I’d bought I was able to report back very favourably Jeff had made sure it wasn’t around for long!)

Wednesday – very early on in my councillor role, (and in a moment of ‘saying yes when I should have said no’!) I agreed to go on the Seaview D&DC, Disciplinary & Dismissal committee.  After weeks of changed dates finally got to the day of the hearing.  And reason I should have said ‘no’?  Well, a few really …  For one it’s quite a responsibility as you are going be one of three making the decision as to whether or not  someone gets the sack.  Also, it took hours to read up the associated paperwork – a ‘job’ in itself – and we’ve already sat through a half day on the hearing, and as it didn’t get resolved will have to meet up again in the Autumn after the start of term.  As it happens I think the three of us on the panel worked well together so perhaps it was meant to be.

Straight on to another meeting, the first of DSC, Democratic Services Committee – the overview body assessing ‘adequacy & provision of staff, accommodation, and other resources’ ie to ensure the council officers are able to efficiently/effectively carry out their duties.  This meeting was possibly the shortest I’ve ever been to, at just under 15 minutes – very unlikely to be repeated!

Thursday was a ‘planning’ double whammy – training followed by the ‘real thing!  The council officers have decided to rename the main ‘planning’ committee, in which all councillor participate, as DMCC, Development Management & Control Committee, on the basis that the new title better reflects its purpose.  But both in the training notes and the committee papers they are still using the term ’planning’!

With regards to the actual meeting, I thought it would be the ‘dryest’ on record but it was in fact quite interesting.  Part of it covered a vote on agreeing to the LDP, Local Development Plan document, to take it forward to the consultation stage, and there were quite a few comments from the floor.  Thank goodness I went to the meeting recently on it, as I had some idea of what they were all talking about!

And Friday, at last a day of rest, from the council that is, as plenty to be doing on the business instead!!!

Les

To go or not to go ...

Was going to a meeting Monday morning but it got cancelled.  Later in the week I learn that there wouldn’t have been any real point in me going anyway - how weird is that!  The Monday afternoon one, however, did go ahead - a rather dry affair looking at what is now called the LDP.  The Local Development Plan is a document outlining proposed plans for future housing in the city & county.  This particular plan will eventually take over from where the Unitary DP leaves off around 2015/6. (Admittedly there is a difference in the process how it will be formulated but in essence it will still be serving the same purpose so no, I don’t know why these names have to change either!) 

The committee itself is one of those slightly surreal groups as it’s a monitoring body rather than decision making.  Also although occasionally you might have a meeting in between, these usually only crop up every six months – I might have forgotten it all by then!

For me decisions are always a bit of a trial.  I’d already made one to attend a particular AGM more or less as soon as I received the ‘invite’.  It wasn’t vital that I go but could have been quite useful.  Then just before I went I changed my mind!

Wednesday late afternoon I had my first People scrutiny meeting – this is one of three such committees which holds the cabinet (the group which effectively runs the council) to account but is also there to give help & support.  We made a start at looking at what our future workload might be, and Monday we have a conference to bring it all together.
(see left 'red' Cabinet - do you get it?!)  


Thursday evening joined both councillors at one of the evening surgeries, where we were able to have a good catch-up, something I found not just useful but essential.  Some wards just have the one councillor which isn’t necessarily a bad thing as you know the only person you have to rely on is yourself!  However I’m definitely happier being in a ward where there’s more than one.  At times it has been quite difficult for me – with a new council you have the contradiction of starting all over, yet whilst I was being ‘induced’ everything else still carried on!  

But the role is gradually taking more shape, and with the support I’ve had from both fellow councillors I feel I’m getting to grips with the survival ground rules, number one being a councillor is no good to anybody if you don’t say ‘No’.  Probably sounds obvious but it’s all about priorities. It wont always be easy to, and I wont always make, the right decisions but each time we meet I feel just that bit more prepared (and less scared!).

And Friday had a day off!

Les

Variety is the spice of life, but you can have too much of it!

A week of many things – and that was just council work!

Monday – attended ‘Fly the Flag for the Armed Forces’ – one of many such ceremonies all over the UK in the past week.  Like many others I see war as the most utterly stupid way to settle an argument, apart from the fact that at the end of a conflict there may well be millions dead or maimed, most of them totally innocent.  But I also understand that the majority of those people who do go and fight risk their lives on our behalf, and a lot come home traumatised, and/or wounded, or in a box.
I then went to have a chat with my Chief Whip – rather wonderful as it is now a ‘she’ after years (probably decades!) of having a man.  Some of you I’m sure are familiar with the term, but maybe not so aware that as well as keeping us all towing the line – going to meetings, voting the right way etc – they are also there to give support, particularly with the mechanics & machinations of council meetings. 

Tuesday – started off by visiting a constituent looking to transfer to another area, then home to learn about election data input so it can be used for instance to help in campaigning to get more people to vote, or find out why they don’t.  And finished off with a very useful catch-up with one of my fellow ward councillors.

Wednesday – trawled through a number of e-mails giving dates of future meetings.  You may recall I was getting a bit inundated with information during the induction period.  I now see that was nothing compared with some of the agendas and associated paperwork I’m now getting - paperless office, ha ha!  Before all those 'greens' out there start muttering may I add that I print off as little as possible, and use scrap where I can without compromising confidentiality, but it's the nature of the beast.
After wading through all that had a meeting later in the day looking at how future work will be aimed at helping with some of the issues in my ward, amongst others, and how it is going to be managed.  It’s a daunting task and it’s easy to feel you are only scratching the surface at some of the problems, but when I stop wallowing whatever I can do is better than doing nothing.

Thursday – a slight lull in the proceedings (including a very pleasant lunch date with Jeff) but the rest I was keeping up with yet more meeting dates and the requisit paperwork (as well as actually doing some ‘work’ work!)

Friday – work took a proper hold as I had a deadline to meet which meant missing a meeting ‘on the Hill’.  But as it happens I’ve been getting quite a lot of background information on part of this group’s remit, and will certainly try to keep on top of its activities even if I can't always get there.

I used to be a Wimbledon fanatic, not so much these days.  But I did manage to find some time to watch some great play.  After all, all council and no play would make me a very dull girl indeed!

Les

Start & Finish

To start the week, a first …  Held a surgery in the Phoenix Centre café – this is where any resident can just turn up with an issue for the councillor then to look into on their behalf. (I have to say that it was slightly tortuous as I spent most of the time resisting the sight of watching people eat wonderfully naughty fried breakfasts!) I’m hoping this will become a good time for meeting residents – it used to be in the evening but very few came - as the café is now holding a regular LASA Credit Union collection point there every Monday morning. 

The Phoenix Centre

I may have banged on about this before but credit unions are one of those ‘best kept secrets’ which in these awful days of increasing legalised loan sharks – I personally believe they shouldn’t be allowed to advertise on TV – is a secret which ought to stop being ‘kept’!  I’ve been a member for years and still we seem to be no nearer getting the message across as to how good they are, both for people desperate for a short term loan to pay a bill, and those of us lucky enough to use it mainly as a savings account.  In other countries such as Ireland, Germany, Australia, they are as big as banks, although personally I’d rather they complemented them, rather than competed with them.  But most of all I just want people in difficult financial circumstances to know they have an alternative, and so can avoid getting into an even worse mess through having to take out loans at grotesquely inflated interest rates.

Some issues can sound very trivial.  I remember when Simon Coombes, Tory MP for Swindon, kept going on about postmen & women dropping elastic bands everywhere.  Arguably it shouldn’t be the MP who highlights this but on the other hand beneath the surface there are the bigger problems of litter and our throw-away society.  So whilst I was tempted to make light of my first photo opportunity, me standing next to the dog warden picking up dog poo, yet again this seemingly minor issue covers a multitude of others, from unsightliness to health issues.  Not so trivial after all.

And to finish the week, I now know all about being a governor – well I’ve had the training at least!  I think it can be a job in itself – a lot of information if nothing else – but when I do get really into it, I’m sure it’s going to be very rewarding.

Les

Oh how times change

Times of meetings, that is!  I realise that suiting up to 72 people is not an easy task by any means and meetings will inevitably get rearranged, but it is nonetheless disconcerting.  I currently have FOUR documents which include the same calendar period.  The trick is to make sure you know which one is the latest, assuming of course that will be the most uptodate!  Anyway so far so good as I’ve attended on the right day and at the right time.  Will my luck last I wonder?

Apart from coping with this what else have I been doing?  Well, on Monday I attended a social get together with other Labour women councillors – one of the most interesting things about the make-up of the new administration isn’t across political party boundaries but how many councillors are now women, virtually 2/5.  I’m pleased that locally our party has realised how helpful & reassuring it can be to meet up in this kind of relaxed atmosphere.

On Tuesday I managed the impossible by getting to two meetings which were on at the same time!  OK, I admit I wasn’t at both of them throughout, but I did manage all of one – a community PACT meeting - and the latter half of Labour Group.  PACT meetings are open to everyone living in the local area to which the police, amongst others, attend in order to find out about issues which residents are concerned about. And obviously this is also helpful to us as councillors.

Full council meeting was on Thursday, and not too drawn out.  I think we are all still settling in, with nothing too contentious - yet!  But for me the highlight of the week was going up to Seaview School on Friday.  As well as being made very welcome and shown round, I was lucky enough to listen in as Welsh rugby star Shane Williams answered questions that pupils put to him.  Yes, I did have the ulterior motive of meeting him, but believe me those pupils were very good indeed, and I was most impressed with the quality of questions they asked.  As a governor I think this bodes well for my future association with the school.

And you may have noticed that there’s a gradual transition now from predominantly induction/training sessions to 'real' meetings as it were.  In any case meetings out in the community don’t really have any training – it’s a case of learning as you go and for me that means taking time to get ‘into’ the subject matter before voicing opinions and/or offering other forms of participation. In time I should know what I'm talking about!

Les

Famous Last Words, Forms, and the Lord Mayor

Programme Cover - Lord Mayor's Inauguration

Some say a week is a long time in politics, and for any of you who might be starting to think this is true let me point out that it’s been TWO weeks since I last posted to this blog!  I’ve had a few days away (didn’t quite get the rest I could have done with but that’s another story!!) so I’ll begin with a brief resume of the week before last …

For starters why oh why did I finish the previous week’s blog with ‘… (next week) will be a bit quieter …’ – talk about tempting fate!  I had two possible meetings Monday, although as they overlapped was unable to get to both so went to the launch of a new work club initiative, then another on Tuesday to finalise all election returns, which I then completed and dropped into the council offices along with other forms etc, and although not going til Friday evening, in theory on leave from Wednesday!  Fortunately the rest of the week tailed off a bit so I was able to address far more important matters like what earings to pack etc.

Incidentally have I mentioned all the FORMS?!!!  Actually there haven’t been that many but I have a real aversion to filling them out, even when they only require name & address.  Believe it or not that’s not as easy as it sounds cos I always ask myself ‘do they need my middle name?’ and ‘do I put Lórien House or does that look pretentious?’  Arghhhhhhhhh

We came back in time to attend the Lord Mayor’s Inauguration – quite a ceremonial affair with, amongst others, the High Sherriff, and Deputy Recorder (no, I don’t know what that is either!) in attendance.  One felt that the occasion needed the sound of trumpets to give it suitable gravitas, but instead somehow the sound of Marillion’s pop single ‘Kayleigh’ came wafting into the hall - not quite what I’d have chosen!

Les

Four Meetings and an Induction

Yes, it has certainly been a week of meetings, starting with the local branch, which is where Labour Party members who live in the ward get together each month.  A bit strange as I’m used to going to these in my own ward, Castle, and technically speaking as I don’t live in Townhill - the ward I represent covering Townhill, Mayhill and Gors - I can’t take part, at least not voting.  But I was still made welcome and was able to show them the literature I’d started to introduce, like Birthday Cards for all 18 year olds.  One of my aims is to try and re-engage people in ‘politics’, to get them to take an interest in where they live, their neighbours, their community, get them to vote, even if they spoil their ballot papers.  Quite a challenge I know and I’m not expecting any overnight success whatsoever.  But if you don’t try then you definitely wont succeed! 

So where else have I been?
- final induction session (for now at least) this time looking at the councillor handbook, which provided lots more on practical help for us as councillors
- another Labour Group meeting, more or less to finalise chair, secretary etc who will then run it on a day to day basis

Phoenix Centre

- then full council meeting, Annual Meeting no less, which was possibly the politest political meeting I have ever been to, probably because mainly just confirmed decisions that had already been agreed; no doubt will be the last time that happens!
- and finally the Hill Community Development Trust meeting, which sort of does what ‘it says on the tin’, held in the Phoenix Centre; again made to feel very welcome but took a back seat for this, my first, meeting.


With luck next week will be a bit quieter – somewhere along the line I really do need to get back to business, my business that is!

Les

And more induction!

Years ago you got a job and had to get on with it, in at the deep end where you either swam or sank.  Sadly there are still organisations that think this is acceptable, so it’s very refreshing when you come across one that realises induction can benefit not just the new employee but the organisation itself.  And I have to say the sessions, whilst pretty heavy going at times,  have all been very helpful and run by officers who know their stuff, are willing to share it, and to answer anything put to them - as one remarked ‘ there are no silly questions’ which I find very heartening.  And fortunately for me I’m pleasantly surprised how much knowledge I’ve gained over the years, about councils, how they work etc.  It's great to have so much of it affirmed, so I haven’t been completely overwhelmed with new information.

Tuesday 15th - my first ever ‘full’ council meeting!  But not here - this is where councillors used to meet, but since the 'new' civic centre was built we hold them all in the chamber there.

The former Council Chamber, Guildhall

Since then I have fitted in more induction (whilst preparing Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) draft budgets for 12-13 – I’m Treasurer of the branch here in Swansea but also Regional Treasurer, which covers the whole of South Wales, and as such I co-ordinate all the other 5 branch budgets as well!) and finished the week by going to ‘Labour Group Annual General Meeting (AGM) Part 2’ yesterday afternoon.  “What?”  To explain, each lot of councillors belonging to the same party will almost definitely form it’s own ‘group’ to meet regularly, especially before a full council meeting.  So not surprisingly us Labour Councillors call ours ‘Labour Group’ and historically (not sure why) the AGM gets split into 2, the first one to elect Leader & Deputy, and confirm who the Lord Mayor & Deputy will be.  In this second one we finished electing those who would run the Labour Group on a day to day basis - Chair, Treasurer etc - but also learnt who’d got the cabinet posts ie the people who would take lead responsibility for a specific area of council policy – some old hands and some fresh blood, but definitely not me as I’m only just coping with the being-a-councillor bit!  

Next week I find out whether or not I get on the committees & outside bodies I've asked for so watch this space!

Les

Diary of a Councillor - the beginning

Some of you may have already clocked that I am now a councillor.  For any of you who find that surprising just read on ...

Sunday 13th May 2012 

One week on …

Oh Boy!  The past few days have gone from one extreme to another – from euphoria to terror, from  ‘wow, fanastic’ to ‘oh my god, what have I let myself in for?!’  I can’t deny that in the past I have said quite openly that I needed to be a councillor like I needed a hole in the head, but things change, and I’ve changed.  Hopefully not my natural caring nature, but I’m now stronger so can withstand the sniping at Labour – the negative comments in the paper started from day one (fortunately there were positive ones too which helped) – and of course the ‘game’ of politics has rules that are open to any & every interpretation, and goalposts that move so quickly that if you blink they’ve already gone!

Swansea Civic Centre and Council Offices

So what’s happened so far?  Well, apart from gaining 48 fellow Labour councillors and being part of regaining the council, I’ve also gained a pigeon hole, filing cabinet drawer, pass, council e-mail address (and 14 e-mails even before I’ve done anything!), had my photo taken, and received so much information my brain’s on fire.  Had a guided tour around the cabinet corridor and the offices of the Leader & Deputy, been allocated an admin support assistant, who I have made good use of already, and attended an interesting but very ‘heavy’ day’s induction giving an overview on the different services provided by the council, and the role of the Chief Executive (who rather weirdly was my bosses boss for a few months at Swansea College).  And most importantly found the staff canteen!

Les

PS    I expect I’ve forgotten something!
PPS    Still I don’t really believe I’m a councillor!!
PPPS    Couldn’t have done it without Jeff – he’s a diamond!!!