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