Allan Smith

I have just been in hospital for a minor operation. I am actually due back at Castle Hill Hospital today. When people complain about the tolls in crossing the Humber Bridge I can certainly understand - but then the hospital reduced my waiting time by 4 months for this operation so this time I was certainly prepared to pay that little bit more.

The service I received at the hospital was first class.  Without the foreign doctors and nurses we have in our hospitals the health service would collapse tomorrow. I have nothing but admiration for them. People seem to complain about the health service but i wonder how many of these people have actually experienced them?  It's easy to complain when you are not using the service.

Quite a few people attended the recent Grange Field Estate meeting in Winterton. To be fair to North Lincs Homes the service seems to be improving. We have got to work together but it is public money and I feel they should be more accountable.

 Because of my operation I missed the recent full council meeting and the discussion of councillor's mileage. 10,000 miles is an appropriate amount. I represent a ward with a number of town and parishes which goes as far as Whitton, Alkborough and Flixborough.  It is our job and we stood for it. However, if people think this is unfair and they feel strongly about it they should stand up and be counted and even stand for election and make a difference.

A Happy New Year to all residents.

2008 has started with reports to police of problems with anti-social youths in Winterton. There have been reports of youths drinking on the streets of Manlake Avenue in the surgery car park and urinating on lampposts and I wholeheartedly back calls for a booze ban for the town. I shall be discussing the issue once again at the next town council meeting.  We have to sort out these problems. 95 per cent of the town's youths are fine, it is just the same old five per cent who spoil it for everyone else. We need to work together with the police and what I would like to see is the parents brought to the police station and be told about the problems their son or daughter is causing. Parents need to become aware and do something about it. 

Next week I shall be attending the Grange Field Estate residents meeting. It is being held on Thursday, January 10 at 2pm at Nassau House, Winterton and I hope many other local residents will be attending. I hope many people will be able to make a contribution. Although housing no longer belongs to the council I will do my best to help anyone who requires it.

I am always available to help local residents - I will always get back to people if they contact me if I am not in. I have a very good partner who takes messages so don't hesitate to get in touch. I am a servant of the people - that's why Burton upon Stather and Winterton had the best turnout in the May elections across the whole region!