Suzanne Fletcher's Blog

It seemed strange to be donning the chains again, but squeezed in between other appointments I was accompanying John as Deputy Mayoress to two very interesting engagements.  This first was at Police HQ where they were launching the new Volunteer scheme, where they are encouraging volunteers for such as being on the front desk of village police stations.  There is no information today on their website but some information about Redcar and Cleveland's scheme gives the idea.  They say all things come around again eventually.  My father was in the West Riding Police Force, so I was brought up in Police Houses.   My mother was a permanent volunteer, and when I was a teenager I can remember answering the door and phone and taking messages!   I thought that was how people lived and what you did - good training for becoming a Councillor.  It wouldn't happen nowadays of course - I hadn't been trained, inducted, CRB checked, signed the Official Secrets Act etc - but it kept the show on the road for the police in those days!.

Then I was thankful for Kevin driving as we had to get to the Transporter Bridge at the Middlesbrough end in time to meet the Fairtrade Bus, along with representatives from Middlesbrough. 

We were only a little late and I did enjoy seeing something so prominent arrive in our area.  It was a great privilege to be able to be part of the delegation there, so I didn't really complain about climbing to the top of the double decker for photos in a howling freezing cold gale.  Coming down and then going up again for a different angle.  And then up again! 

I am going to regale you with a variety of pictures, just to make it all worthwhile!  After we had left the Evening Gazette Photographer arrived, but I hear he didn't make everyone go up to the top deck again - but when you see the photo in the paper, remember we did go to the top 3 times.

All change on the Fair Trade front.  Unfortunately the Banana producer from the Dominca Republic the coming to Stockton on Monday has had to return home because of huge problems caused by flooding.  Fortunately the Fair Trade foundation has been able to arrange for Juan Louis Aviles, Fairtrade Cashew Nut grower from El Salvador to come along.  If you live in the area do come along on Monday 3^rd March to Queen's Campus at Stockton at 7.30 p.m. to hear what he has to say, ask questions, have a look at the Fair Trade stall (and even buy from it), take part in the quiz, and enjoy some free refreshments courtesy of Peros, Coffee Care & Queen's Campus).  This is a key event in our Region for Fair Trade fortnight, so we hope there will be good support.

A reminder that politicians think they are pretty clever and can sort the world out - if only ......  However the rumblings and shakings or the earthquake in the night are a reminder that none of us, even those in power are very powerful at all!  We only heard a rumbling that sounded like the front door being rived backwards and forwards, and didn't get the fright many people had.  The town my parents lived when I was born, Wombwell, was mentioned for probably the first time ever on the national news.  Maybe the town is still getting over me arriving!

I have written before about the "Small Environmental Improvements Budget" that we now have to spend as Councillors in our wards.  We were so pleased to really make a difference with our money last year, overspending a bit on our £13,900, but some good achievements.  This year we will only have £13,000, but even so wanted to have a meeting for people to come along with their views and ideas, and see where to go from there.  We were disappointed that only 2 people turned up, although they did have good ideas and were interested in areas other than their own.  We have a list, yet to be fully costed, of around £¼ of a million.  It is going to take a lot of £13,000 to get through that list!

A forum for bus users in our area has been long overdue.  Somewhere for people to be able to come along and raise their concerns with the people who make the decisions - the commercial bus companies.  Ever since the Tories deregulated the buses over 20 years ago people have had no say at all in what happened, and matters have gone from bad to worse with less services where people want and need them, and a lot less people using the buses.  I said it would be a disaster, as did many others, when it was brought in, and sadly it has been.  The Labour Government has done nothing to make it any better either.

Some years ago a Stockton Council scrutiny Committee recommended there be a Forum.  Every 6 months ago, husband John gets up in full Council and asks (nags really!) about getting this Forum up and running, and he did so again a the last meeting.  So after waiting for years and years one was called with around 10 days notice (bit like waiting for ages for a bus and then 2 come).  I was concerned that people would not turn up with so little notice and publicity.  I had forwarded the information to a number of people, but there were a lot there that had only found out by accident, which did make me wonder how successful they wanted it to be.

No we have our Forum though, and I or John will be keeping our eyes and ears open and hopefully contributing to the next stages.

The bus companies might be unhappy at coming along to meetings, but you never know - they might end up with more customers.

Before this, though, I was at "Face to Face and Side by Side", a meeting about working with and alongside people of all faiths and none.  We have a long way to go, but at least there are good people from many directions that are keen on working together and making progress.  Getting along, listening, respecting and where appropriate sharing are not so difficult.  Or are they ?

Distinctly not well and I don't remember much.  You cannot beat handmade cards from grandchildren, warm family and a home made cake with candles though - even though I could only manage the strawberry on top.

At last, after years of planning, talking, meeting, to say nothing of blood, sweat and tears - we were there.  The Sure Start addition to Elm Tree Community Centre was celebrating it's "designation day".  Trees were planted to celebrate the effort that had been put in by people over the years to the present day.  The management committee past and present who have done so much;  Pat Rose and Glynis Robertson who gave so much commitment to the Centre when they lived.

A time of true celebration, to say nothing of great relief!  There will be an official opening to come, but today marked the legal finish which had to be done in this financial year.  Well done to everyone who has done so much.

3 times 21 today, so Happy Birthday to me!  Nice cards, presents, and a meal out to look forward to.  However the difficult task of helping to sort through the belongings of someone who has been deported.  It was sad and difficult looking through the possessions of someone who had been taken away and not necessary left everything in a way he would want people to find it.  It was interesting to see what he had collected in his time here, along with the very few things he had brought with him.  He had brought a small family bible in his own language and a few photos of his family.  Of his collection here - it included a bible in English and a Union Jack flag.  Does that sum up the popular press view of an asylum seeker ? I don't think so.

On a happier note.  Whilst we went into Stockton to support Fair Trade events being put on in readiness for Fair Trade fortnight, we found everything cancelled because of the wind - apparently 30 mph this morning.  We had lunch at the newly opened Green Bean just round the corner from the Green Dragon Yard.  It advertises Fair Trade and organic food, and it was good.  I noticed a number of comfortable looking sofas for people to sit and meet.  At present it is open 12 till 2 from Wednesday to Saturday if you want to pop in.

When we finally got out for our evening meal (by bus, note, using our bus passes - the joys of old age) an hour late, we did enjoy our visit to Kaminaki on Church Road - another establishment serving Fair Trade when it can, and delicious food in a really Greek atmosphere.

A celebration of the achievements of young people volunteering was the theme of today's presentation by the YMCA at the Georgian Theatre in Stockton.  Young people who had used their spare time to take on a number of voluntary activities were presented with certificates, and rightly so.  It is always good to see achievement rewarded, and it was interesting to hear what they had been doing as I chatted with a number of them afterwards.  It made me wonder how much we do to encourage and use the time and skills of all of our young people locally, and how much they are encouraged to continue to volunteer after they are "officially young" and turn 18 ? food for thought and I would be interested in any feedback.

It seemed strange that as John is preparing to be Mayor in April, tonight I was speaking the Norton Methodist Church Ladies Circle on my experiences when I was Mayor.  I started by setting out the reason for what some see as a family succession!  The constitution was changed to make it that the longest serving Councillor who had not already been Mayor would be offered the post.  I had been by far the longest serving member when I became Mayor - and John is the next longest serving member - honest! No nepotism.

As I talked it was good to recall some fun, interesting and useful times that we had.  For all that we are a very modern society, people are extremely interested in our heritage, and the stories around how our Borough grew.  If we don't know where we come from how can we possibly work out where we are going!

Scrutiny of Council Services or services of an organisation that the Council is in partnership with is  relatively new to Local Government.  I get some satisfaction from it.  It isn't about using the process to roundly condemn something, but a way of looking constructively at how something actually works and, hopefully, making suggestions as to possible improvements.  Any proposals have to be agreed by the Council Cabinet, though.  I am chairing a new "Task and Finish" Group on the Voluntary and Community Sector.  This is a small group of just 4 of us to look at an issue, and is a relatively new process.  I thought it a good idea that we met in the premises of voluntary organisations, so we were at a local community centre today.  A number of the issues around voluntary organisations with buildings came to light straight away.   Tables and chair needed to be put out, the heater had to be turned on, and we made our own hot drinks (Fair Trade, of course!!).  However it was a nice room, someone from the committee popped in the see all was OK, and the charge was very reasonable.  That is the voluntary sector!

Post Office closures are understandably in the news.  People and communities are fighting against the closures with all the good reasons that there are.  However, some of us cannot mount a fight as we never got one in the first place!  The Elm Tree estate is about 30 years old, and I've been the Councillor for over 26 years.  For all of that time a Post Office has been badly needed, and I had tried everything with constant lobbying, petitions, facts & figures and the lot.  That was when the Tories were in power nationally, and then they started closures.  Whenever there was a local election the Labour candidate would come along and promise a winning campaign to get a Post Office.  Now the Tories are campaigning against closures brought about by a Labour Government.  Well at least Lib Dems have been consistent in wanting a proper Post Office network!

In the meantime I, along with thousands of others, will have to wait in even longer queues to be served when we do need a Post Office. Nowhere to sit, just stand and wait.

Those who know me will be amazed that I am a patron of the Africa Sports Embassy.  Probably the only link I have with sport.  However I strongly support getting young people involved in a good team sport, and playing with and against people of other cultures and race.  That is how the John Owen Trophy came about, and it was our first meeting for planning this years match.  Watch this space! And no, I will not be donning African football shorts and socks as I did when I was Mayor - I will leave that to the incoming Mayor - John.

Back to work after the break, but we were tempted by the beautiful sunshine despite the cold.  We made for Mount Grace Priory and the beautiful peace and calm with the banks of snowdrops.  It is a real treat - if you live nearby it is just 15 minutes south of Eaglescliffe down the A 19 and it is well worth visiting this English Heritage property.

I must be returning back to normality though - I noticed that niether the tea, coffee nor chocolate bars were Fair Trade.  I'll be writing a letter to English Heritage!

Immersing myself in fiction was going to be the only way to cope with going home, so I settled into "Queen Camilla" by Sue Townsend for the journey.  However it was too near the truth for my comfort!  Exclusion zones for those deemed unworthy of being part of society, including those who were overweight and who had dared to speak out against those in positions of importance, as well as those with an ASBO !  I fear I would end up in one, but even worse, they would actually sound attractive to some people.  You couldn't go anywhere without an ID card and I did feel for the "Queen" who couldn't find hers.  I'm sure I would never have mine to hand either.

It might have been a relief to get back to the pile of post and hundreds of e-mails, but I think I preferred the exclusion zone.

A week away from it all, enjoying sun, sea and reading, with a strong theme of goodness and evil fighting.  I read several books at a time when away, and somehow they all gelled together.  Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows; Nella Last's War, and The Flood all had the same theme, and in each one goodness triumphed over evil and wrong doing in various guises.  However whilst I was being transported to other times and places something very real and very wrong was happening in our own Country.  A friend of ours who had been claiming asylum from the Democratic Republic of Congo had been arrested by Immigration Police to be sent back to the Country he had fled.  Fled in fear.  The Country that is emptying the British Embassy of British Citizens because of danger.  The Country that is having its borders reinforced.  Arrested even though in the process of applying for a judicial review.  Detained even though a High Court Judge said last year that there should be no more deportations till the Country was deemed to be safe.

As the plane was about to leave Heathrow we were watching the sunset, and the sun went down as the plane left.  I wondered - is goodness really going to overcome everything in this case?  Every time that the sun sets, it does rise again.  We all need to hold on to that.

I had sent off my response to the consultation for the Clarence Street Surgery (see numerous previous postings!) in good time to the address that was on both the letter addressed to me personally as a Councillor from the PCT, and the same address on the public consultation letter.  Imagine my shock when the letter was returned today saying "address unknown".  I rang the phone number on the letter - no answer.  Has the whole of the North Tees PCT disappeared ?

I am seriously worried as to how responses from the public are going to be dealt with.  If letters are returned are they going to spend a lot of time and energy trying to work out where to send it next ? probably not.

I am furious that not only have the consequences of people with no access to a car wanting to get to the surgery been taken into account, but they don't even want to hear what anyone says about it!

Catch up time.  I haven't been able to post the blog every day recently, so a big catch up exercise has gone on tonight - and nearly made it - hope all in the right order!

Our Focus goes to every house in our ward (2,900 houses) at least every other month.  Julia and I write the words, sort out the pictures and struggle with the electronic layout ( I was happier with scissors, a sheet of clip art and pritt!) and it is printed on the local Party riso.  However it only gets out to every house with a team of willing volunteers who deliver their own roads.  We had some vacant rounds due to some people not being well enough to continue delivering, so replacements had to be recruited.  What lovely people we serve in our ward - 2 willing volunteers.  A big thank you to them, everyone enjoys reading the Focus, and it keeps people informed, but without the deliverers it wouldn't be possible.

More meetings, all different.  At the Fair Trade meeting we made plans for Fair Trade fortnight in Stockton, but beginning with what will be literally "fun and games" in the High Street on February 22^nd during half term.

Then the scrutiny committee I am now chairing looking into the voluntary and community sector in our Borough and its relationship with the Council.  An interesting look round and discussion with the Ragworth Community Centre.  This Centre is in an area that was torn apart with riots in the late 80's, and living proof that it is people based solutions that turn communities round, not just bricks and mortar.

I was disappointed to have to cut the meeting short as others besides me had to get to Stockton for the Local Strategic Partnership meeting, known here as Renaissance.   The presentation on "pathways to health" was full of some very nice words, with some fine ideas.  As to how it will work out in practice, given the experience we are going through with now on the Clarence Street Surgery consultation - maybe the public blog is not the place to say.

There are times when you wonder why we bother going to meetings, but today's meeting of Bishopgarth Association of Residents brought home what a "meeting" actually is.  A number of people round the table working through the issues, each contributing, and coming out with some solutions and ways forward.  For the impossible, hopefully we have at least all given each other support.

Residents, Police, School, Councillors - a good combination.

the news is full of seediness and sleaze of politicians at a national level.  Much is being said, I'll just make 2 points.

1. There is much to do about an MP paying family members and that this practice should be banned.  They are missing the point.  If the family member of anyone else is being employed out of public funds to do a job, it should be done properly.  The sin is in paying (and taking) money and not doing the work to the benefit of constitiuents.
2. A housing scam sounds as though it is alright because it is legal.  So an MP can get a rent allowance for paying rent to family members.  However if we move down the ladder to every day people - if someone had had difficulty in paying their mortgage (loss of job, illness etc) and a family member bought the house from them and charged the occupier rent - would they be able to claim housing benefit - no!  one law for the rich and one for the poor.

Away from Party Politics again and I met up with some people from Justice First, who are standing by and working with people seeking asylum having a terrible time on the snakes and ladders game where there are infinitely more snakes than ladders.  People who work selflessly and long hours that are passionate about justice coming first.  Such a simple concept, but in a world where so often justice does not come very high up the list of priorities.

some more horizontal wind, this time bearing snow, as we ploughed away over to Arc for a session on "Carbon Management".  Global warming - must be joking - except of course that the effect of this rather nice sounding phrase is not about warmer days but far more extremes of weather conditions.  It was heartening to find about some imaginative plans to tackle better carbon management on our own doorstep.  We have been trying to promote such for years, and discussing at Party Conferences.  We used to be considered rather loopy for having such ideas - but now they are being put into practice by our own Council.  We had some good discussions about other ideas too.  It was actually worth braving the weather.