Local & National

Two real things of note worth mentioning this blog…

Firstly, along with various officers and one of my fellow ward councillors, I undertook a very interesting, useful and positive ‘walkabout’ around Mayhill.  You may recall in my last blog I said all three of us had been looking to get some street improvements carried out.  This walkabout followed on from those discussions and in doing so I was able to see for myself some of the environmental issues in the area.  As we went round we all pretty much agreed on a number of actions which would help enhance the area – not major work so not too costly but enough to make a difference and show that we were bothering.  The next step is some form of consultation with residents, to make sure we have their support in the main.  And for someone like me who spends most of my day in a sedentary position, an added bonus of the exercise was just that – the exercise!

The second?  Well apart from the usual plethora of meetings there was full council on Tuesday.  And for me yet another first even after 18 months, my maiden speech.  I’ve always said that I’m not bothering to waste my time and everyone elses by just talking for talkings sake - there are plenty who do that already!  So I’ve bided my time until now.  I spoke on a motion about payday lenders and other legal loan sharks, and how to curtail their activities – I feel very strongly that they are parasites, making money off people who haven't got it.  Apparently recent stats have them raking in £1 million a week!  After the proposer did his bit, it was then seconded by the Leader who in turn very graciously passed on to me to give my speech.  Must have been OK as I was applauded!!  And I'm very pleased that I’m pretty sure everyone present, including the opposition, voted for it anyway. 

Many of us are out tomorrow afternoon in the city centre, asking Jo & Jill Public what they think.  There was a very good item on TV last night highlighting the issue.  It included the amazing mums from Bonymaen.  They had who kicked all this off in the first place by realising they were being ripped off, decided they'd had enough of it, and were going to fight back.  It’s been a privilege fighting the cause alongside them.

Les

Quieter on the council front

A quieter fortnight on the council front thank goodness!  But some very useful meetings nonetheless, staring with a recent scrutiny group I have joined.  We intend to assess how we can best engage with the public, and after taking time to decide on the scope of the inquiry we are now in a position to get to work.  To the outsider it might appear that the process is a bit cumbersome to begin with as it takes a couple of meetings to get to this point.  But it’s really important to make sure we all understand & agree the issue from the outset, so in my view it’s time well spent.

I managed to get to the PACT meeting in TOPIC House.  I’ve probably said before that this venue is the Older People’s Information Centre and that these meetings are open to residents from the whole of Swansea.  But there are regulars who come from the ward itself, and of course it’s useful to keep in touch with those who run centres like this.  And they do a cracking range of cakes, (for which Jeff is very grateful!)

This last week has concentrated very much on the ward.  As local councillors all three of us have put forward various ideas for street scene improvements as we all feel even minor ones can definitely make a difference to residents.  But of course, as you probably all well know, the council is a big lumbering organisation and the wheels can grind very (and frustratingly!) slowly.  However we’ve had a double whammy of help, from another cabinet member and a director, so some of our suggestions might finally come to fruition in the not so distant future.

Outside direct council meetings I’ve also been to my once termly Finance subcommittee up in Seaview Community School.  It always surprises me how much I get from my involvement with the school as I would never have put me down as school governor material.  But then years back I would never have dreamt of being a councillor!

Les