Summary:
As I predicted in my June report July was a quieter month on the council front partially as there has been less going on and partially due to the personal circumstances that meant I have taken some time out here and there.
Council work:
The only committee related to the council that met that I am a member of in July was the SACRE meeting on 1st July. Due to unavoidable personal circumstances I sent my apologies for this.
Out and about in the ward:
Jim Hanley and Mike Orton held a councillor’s surgery/coffee morning at Whitley Advice centre 3rd July. Our next formal surgery is on 3rd September.
I’ve continued to receive contacts from a number of residents and have been following them up – seems to be a lot of dog muck issues and questions about buses this month, as well as a number of residents with concerns about the mini-motorbikes that are such a pain in the summer.
I attended a meeting of the South Whitley NAG on Thursday 29th and the community fun day at the South Whitley park on Saturday 31st.
Other meetings:
Mike and I met with members of Friends of the Earth about the potential of 2 sites in the south of the ward on Friday 30th.
Labour party and campaigning
This section is not related to my work as a councillor but is something I do on a voluntary basis and is relevant to constituents.
This month I’ve been encouraging members to consider applying to be candidates for the council. I’ve also been working with other party members on the internet presence of the local party, as an increasingly popular way of contacting us and finding out more about
The councillors also organised an away day on Saturday 3rd July to which we invited councillors from Slough and a campaigner from Birmingham to give us their perspectives. It was a very useful day. As councillors a number of us have also agreed to increase our donations to campaigning because we are serious about taking back control of the council as soon as possible.
Next month:
I don’t currently have any scheduled meetings or activities for most of August! I’m sure that will change and if not I plan to use the time to ensure that I am fully ready for September which is looking busy and to ensure that I am fully on top of local issues in Whitley.
