The Budget can be fun!

The annual budget council meeting is generally considered the most important one of the year. This year’s was three times the ‘fun’ with two meetings in the same week, plus another a week or so later to mop up an item that somehow got mislaid!

From time to time a Scrutiny Workshop comes up that I want to give by input and this month we looked at how well we have supported the workforce during the last year’s pandemic.  Interestingly I think we all acknowledged just how much the workforce had supported us, so many going way beyond the call of duty.

At the end of March the legal Socio-Economic Duty came into force.  Like all my fellow councillor colleagues I attended a session on this.  It’s a mouthful I know but all it means is that we need to deliver better outcomes for those people who experience disadvantage with access to enough money to live on, and other resources, plus issues related to privilege, power and control.  I like to think that as a council we have always endeavoured to do this.

And during the month some of the usual committees made an appearance such as Audit, PDCs, and two lots of Licensing.  Plenty to keep me busy!

Some old, some new

On the very first day of February we had a special council meeting to appoint a new Director of Education.  Whilst of course it’s only right that any job vacancy is open to all that have the right skills, knowledge & experience, it’s gratifying when the person covering a post has been doing a good job, that they then get offered the post.  And I’m pleased to say that was the case here.

I’m also pleased that I managed to attend the Financial Inclusion group for the first time in a good while.  It’s good to know that there are so many organisations who care enough about supporting people financially, and in other practical ways, when they need it.  And it was Dylan Thomas Spring term governor’s meeting, where I was welcomed back for another 4 years, having just had my role on the board renewed.  

As well as a lot of the usual meetings, such as Audit, Licensing, plus all the policy groups I’m on, I went to a webinar looking at how we can all encourage the public to complete the census.  This is held every 10 years and due on 21st March.

Oh, and my first covid jab.  Hopefully not too long a wait before the second.

Les

And still carrying on

As you will all know we have been in Alert 4, the most serious Covid level, for a number of weeks now but meetings still go on, a mixture of MS Teams & Zoom.  These meetings on the whole have gone quite smoothly, which when you consider how many things could go wrong – lose sound, picture disappears, recording won’t work – I for one am pleasantly surprised.

So in fact have had most of the ‘usual suspects’ with Audit, all 3 policy development committees that I’m on, full council, plus regular updates from the Leader to keep us aware of the situation with Covid, both the infection rates, and vaccinations being done.

With regard to council meetings the latest development has been getting used to voting on line.  This again has been OK for me on my laptop but I get the impression that it’s more temperamental when using a pad or phone.  So far so good but better not shout too loud!

Les

Still carrying on

 

I don’t know what has happened to the last few months.  Good intentions and all that but 6 months have whizzed by without me posting a blog!

I could complain that the last few months have been a difficult time for me.  But I’d have very little right to when compared with others – those in care homes who for much of the time haven’t been able to have visitors, those who live on their own and have had to keep self isolating, those who run a business which has lost trade.  Just a few examples from a long list, plus the amazing efforts of all NHS and all other front facing staff!  So instead I’ll take a positive, and brief, look back …

I have kept well and been able to attend council meetings as usual, albeit via MS Teams mostly, and the occasional Zoom.  And I am very grateful for it as it has kept me sane – just!  And another big thanks goes to all council staff - they have definitely managed to pull a very big rabbit out of the hat in keeping all council services going despite this horrible unrelenting pandemic.

I think I’ll finish by wishing you all Greetings of the Season in the hope that we are looking forward to a better New Year in 2021.

Les

A Different Way

Two months down the line I’m now in a position to restart my councillor blog posts. 

Whilst meetings are not taking place in actual committee rooms they have recommenced through the wonders of technology, MS Teams to be specific.  And since the pandemic set in I have also been required to regularly check WhatsApp – very useful in disseminating information quickly regarding council actions - and relaunched my personal Facebook page as a social outlet to help occupy friends and family during lockdown.  All in all a pretty steep learning curve! 
 
So what meetings have I attended on line, and what’s it like?  Well so far I have ‘been to’ Licensing, Audit, coronavirus briefings, ward team meetings, and one full Council albeit as short as possible within legal confines.  And re the latter, if anyone has used MS Teams themselves, or any of the similar software like Zoom and Houseparty, you will know that you simply sit in front of your computer, smart phone, pad, or whatever, and whilst talking does go on, stare at a screen for however long the meeting takes.  The fiddliest aspect is remembering to turn your speaker off when you’re not talking and on when you need to – rather frustrating to start what you believe is a worthy speech only to realise no-one can hear you!

Les

A Month of Two Halves

First half ...
Things relatively normal, attending meetings as usual.  Of note was another first for me, as I had put a question to council which was on the agenda - this is where any back bencher can raise an issue with the relevant cabinet member by putting a written question.  I even asked a supplementary question so a double whammy! 

Second half ...
This is when advice slowly started to trickle through from the government curtailing activity because of coronavirus.  As with everything & everyone else, we have had to change the way in which council is run, starting with ceasing moreorless all face to face meetings, site visits, and all other events.  There is the possibility that some meetings will reconvene online, and we have all been encouraged to get into using the council's recommended platform to do so. A bit of a steep learning curve for me but at least I can now join arranged meetings when required.

As someone with an underlying health issue I'm gearing myself for at least a 12 week self isolation stint at home.  But I'm very lucky - have a nice room I use as an office, can look out at my lovely garden (which fortunately my husband takes care of) which is currently bursting with daffodils & tulips.  And I have lots of things to keep myself busy, including any council work I can do from home.  So the blog will probably be on hold for now.  Back in the summer - I hope. 

Strange times, indeed.

Les

Fewer meetings, still plenty to do

Slightly different start to the month when some of the Friends of Mayhill Washing Lake group assembled there to decide where we would have a flag-cum-cctv-pole.  We want to fly our Green Flag Community Award flag, and also have a camera to keep an eye on antisocial behaviour, hopefully even act as a bit of a deterrent, but on a positive note to monitor any wildlife.  It will be interesting to find out what turns up when we aren't there!

Managed to get to the quarterly FISG meeting - Financial Inclusion Steering Group (what a mouthful!).  One of the best aspects of this group is that by getting together all the agencies in the area who are involved in helping those on low incomes, we are able to avoid duplication so that everything we all do is worthwhile.  It's also quite a positive arena, as you come away realising that you've been with a lot of likeminded people who are not just concerned about themselves but bother about the wellbeing of others.

Also got to both meetings for the two new Friends of
groups.   Whilst both have experienced issues getting everything in place, both committees are peopled by 
those who obviously want to achieve the aims of the 
group, and are willing to put the effort in.  So for me
another source of encouragement in a very uncertain 
world.

Les