Suzanne Fletcher's Blog

"Horizons", a new service for lone parents, was launched in Stockton today.  The partnership is between the Citizens Advice Bureau, Family Welfare Association and One Parent Families / Gingerbread.  People can make an appointment by calling Angela Corner on 01642 626101 based with the CAB at Stockton & District Advice and Information, Service at Bath Lane Stockton.  From the people we heard and met today I am sure that you will get a good reception.  Support and advice is given

on money matters, providing grants towards education and training costs

and help to get back into work.

The project is being backed by Barclaycard as part of their corporate responsibility, and the Financial Services Authority were there too promoting the work they are doing in enabling all parents to be able to manage their finances better, starting before the birth of their children if possible.  All the above websites are interesting and worth having a look at.

It all brought a very clear flashback for me though.  40 years ago I was left as a lone parent when my first husband left me with a baby and arrears in the mortgage and rates.  In those days there was a lot of stigma in being a "single parent", and no obvious source of help.  I couldn't often afford a newspaper, but I had the local paper of where I lived then one day and saw a letter from someone saying that a new organisation had been formed called Gingerbread to support single mothers.  The letter said that she had a choice that day of an egg for her tea or a stamp for the letter to let other people know about Gingerbread.  I walked a long way to meet this person, and it made a big difference to me at that time.  So thank you to Gingerbread for being there then.  I have moved on, times have moved on, and now there is a splendid new service that I hope will help many other people.

An interesting presentation and discussion at a joint Council committee today on tackling obesity in young people and older people.  There were a range of views from people should take responsibility for their own health and we should stop spending money on it, to people should have compulsory exercise in the workplace! And everything in between.  Personally I am concerned that there is too much "top down" pressure and people being told what is good for them, and would like to see an approach that makes people want to take up healthy options rather than be bullied into it.  I would be interested in views on how other people think it should be tackled!

However nothing is easy, and it would help enormously if there were healthier options around when trying to get something to eat when out "on the move" as many of us Councillors are, and that goes for buffets provided at various meetings too!

On the bright side the voluntary organisation I work for had provided a fresh fruit salad for our training session this afternoon.  As I had another meeting after the committee meeting I was sat in the car outside their house eating my healthy picnic with tuna and salad - I do try!

A lot of time today has been spent getting organised for the John Owen Trophy.  I've written about this numerous times before, but we now have the details.  Sunday 10^th August, kick off at 3.00 p.m. at the Norton Sports complex on Station Road, Norton.  The match is about people of different cultures uniting around the common ground of football, and having fun together. 

The John_Owen_Trophy.doc tells you a bit more.

Tonight is was the civic night at the Billingham International Folklore Festival, and very good it was too.  I always enjoy the bit at the end when all the different musicians for the night play together.  Uniting around a common love of music.

This morning we had a meeting about the Hardwick Dene.  A number of officers sat around the table with people from the community looking at tackling the problems and issues.  United by  desire to make the most of our green lung at the edge of a very deprived area, but full of interesting wildlife.

It is good to be together, isn't it.

Another partnership meeting today, Health and Wellbeing.  I wasn't in to good a mood, not having proper directions for walking or getting a bus there, and knowing there would be no spare parking places.  However the first item on the agenda was quite different to anything we normally have - "Wellbeing".  We are inundated with documents and policies about strategies reached with targets, but this was what it was all about, and what we need to achieve.  A feeling of well being in people, a satisfaction and contentment with life.  We can achieve every target there is, but why bother if people are not happy ?  At health meetings we talk about targets leading to longer lives but why bother if people are in pain (not a target illness), discomfort (definitely not a target illness), are lonely, isolated, do not feel valued and have no purpose.

At last someone is talking sense and reminding us what we are there for.

I had to leave early to accompany John to open Shopmobility at Teesside Park.  It is a very long way to get round the shops there if you have difficulty in walking, and I recall John having to drive me to different shops and keep on trying to re park.   All the details are on his blog which the Council should be publishing very soon..

I accompanied John on a visit to the Gurdwawa at Thornaby which is the local Sikh Temple, after we had been to our own Church here.  We were made most welcome and put at ease, as I was rather worried about doing something that might offend.  The address by the Priest, responded to by John, made me realise how much that really matters is a core principle for both of our religions.  I was also impressed by their community work, and their commitment to providing activities such as football for their young people.

On a lovely sunny day the garden beckoned, and it was a chance to sit out in the sun and read that pile of Council papers that I didn't get read on train journeys last week.  You won't be surprised to hear that I had a really good sleep !

Throughout the weekend though the concerns about the mobile phone mast continue to come through from worried people who sound as though they are not sleeping well if they live near the site.  People are finding it very difficult to accept that the Government says they are safe so objections on those grounds are not accepted.

Today was the official opening for the Billingham International Folklore Festival, and we begun with lunch with representatives of all the groups, and also the Principal Technical Officer for the Ministry of Tourism for Malta, along with "dignitaries".  He gave an interesting speech encouraging us all to go to Malta!  A film crew from Malta were here and they also had an artist who was painting scenes throughout the week.  I was presented with a lovely hand made lace mat.

A good chance for a photo of the groups, and again the photos are on this blog as no room on the official Mayor's Blog, and it would take a long time to upload them onto his Readmyday blog.  However he has taken the time to put all the links in if you want to pick those up! We call it team work in this house, but dancing together we would be stepping on feet!

Then to the opening ceremony.  First of all the flag for this 44^th Festival.

Then all of the groups came onto stage

As well as groups from all over the world what would we do without our very own Billingham Silver Band who led us in the singing of our own National Anthem.  This festival is not just about lovely colour, dance and music, it is about the steps that we can take here for people to enjoy themselves together and hopefully lead to a world with more peace and genuine understanding of each other.

The Sri Lankan group and the visiting Indian group based in Birmingham were there today but had not been able to perform last night.

We had to leave early to go to the launch of "Seeds of Hope".  This newly formed charity is to give support to children orphaned by AIDS in Uganda.  It was started by a local Eaglescliffe woman who went out there with her son and is doing magnificent work.  The orphans do not only need to be rescued  and cared for in their most basic needs, such as shelter, food, medical help, education and clothing, but rescuing from other terrible ends.  For instance these children are picked on to become soldiers in the Ugandan Army.  If you want to know more about the charity or donate to it you can e-mail welwell@toucansurf.com for more details.

It was the opening informal dinner for the Billingham International Folklore Festival tonight, and what an occasion!  If you weren't planning to come to Billingham then I suggest you do - come for the Festival that is on till next Saturday.  I took loads of pictures and there won't be room for them all on the Mayor's Blog as the Council site can only take 6 at a time, so here they are.

There was a fantastic atmosphere as the groups came together in the large marquee at Bede School where everyone is staying.  Whilst people queued for their meal there was impromptu music and pictured here are the Colombians dancing to the Turkish contingent's music, but everyone joined in - Germans, Italians, Maltese, Malaysians, Romanians, Russians and a Scottish Group.

Whilst we were eating we were serenaded by all of the groups and I even had the chance to play one of the instruments - but it is rather difficult to describe!

Outside afterwards there was a big rush for photos, and it is a bit unnerving to think we will be in photo frames all around the world!

Then there was the display of the Italian Flag dance, quite amazing with the flags regularly being thrown in the air and neatly caught.  I wonder if it will catch on around the streets of Billingham ?

Then there was dancing from each of the other Countries present.  Difficult to describe the colour, music and skill, to say nothing of the energy.  You will have to come and see!

Back home to a deluge of e-mails and calls about a proposed mobile phone mast on Darlington Lane - that grass verge is too popular with unpopular causes!  Vodaphone are doing nothing to help their proposal.  They wrote to us as Councillors at the same time as some local people, and as the letter arrived on Saturday morning in was Monday before anything could be found out from the Council about process or anything else.  By then people were up in arms, upset, and worried.  The letter to people did not make it at all clear that it was a letter asking for views before planning approval was applied for.  Only 15 people received the letter, but we didn't know which, and goodness only knows what criteria they used.   It appears that not all of us have had the same letter.  The letter refers to a 15 m high mast but the plan show it is 17.3 m with the antennae on top.  Then they wonder why people have no confidence in them when they say it is safe!

Telling people that they cannot object on health risks because the Government says there is no proven risk isn't going down well at all.  There is just no trust left.  Sad, but given the history of Governement in the 26 years plus that I have been Councillor, inevitable.

Another day in the steps of Brass Crosby, but my steps back home were not very easy.  John had gone home the day before for Mayoral engagements so I was in charge of the wheely case.  Stumped at Victoria by the long flight of steps down I went to the information desk to ask if there was a lift I could use, surely there must be one, even if not for use by all the public.  I was given a blunt "no".  So I asked if I could have assistance with getting my case down the steps, I couldn't possibly carry it down.  Another blunt "no".  I was directed to the number 73 bus "just over there".  However there were no dropped kerbs on the way over and I had to walk on the road in a very busy part of London to get to the stop.  I find it hard to believe that the hub of our capital city is so backwards in such simple provision.  People complain about London being "full of foreigners" but I must say that they helped so pleasantly lifting the case on and off buses and the train.  I did catch the train with 2 minutes to spare after the 50 minute bus journey!

More enjoyable was the Brass Crosby research.  I was met in Chelsfield by a friendly and helpful Church worker and along with Geoff Copus, who has also done Crosby research, was taken to the local Church where Brass worshipped and was buried.  I had an exciting time as I inspected the silver patten he had given the Church, and found it had been stolen in 1935 but eventually returned by post! They must have had a more reliable postal system in those days.  Also I saw the original entry for his death in the Parish registers; large plaque to him memory in the Church; wonderful new extension for a Parish Room called the "Brass Crosby Room"; kneelers with his crest on.  The Church bells were the very same that he would have heard all those years ago.  On the way out I saw the blue plaque that had started my search when I was asked in the Town Hall "who was Crosby?" and I had gone onto google, finding the information on the plaque.

Over to the 5 Bells for lunch where I had a great time listening to the exploits of some of the locals who were also interested in local history.  I suggested that they wrote a book about what they had got up to and surprisingly they had! It sounded as though it had been quite controversial - so what.  If only more people took to trouble to record what they got up to in younger days it would be fun for us to read ( even if it wasn't too complimentary to some of us) and make research in the future so much easier.

A kind lift to Orpington and I was back in the British Museum Print room in an hour.  I am fascinated how much detail there is on the satires of the 18^th Century, and it was interesting to note that on each of the one's depicting Brass Crosby there was always a cap of Liberty on a pole, and Justice, represented by Britannia. 

It is one thing writing down what is happening - quite a feat to record it in a detailed satirical cartoon!

I have spent the last 2 days in London researching the life and times of Brass Crosby, the Stockton born man who made it possible for the proceedings of Parliament to be published, but was sent to the Tower for his efforts in 1771. It has been very tiring, I've walked more miles than the sponsored walk, and could have done with that scooter at times! However it has been exciting to make some new discoveries, to see the originals items, and find out more. The staff at the places I have been to have been so helpful and all were very interested in the Stockton connection. So I have been to the British Museum, The Guildhall, Mansion House and National Portrait Gallery. I've found an inscribed bowl, original cartoons, a huge portrait, engravings and press cuttings. Also I have visited the Obelisk in St Georges Circus where I met some young people filming skateboarding, telling me about the set up needed for a skateboard facility in Stockton. Exploring the Bread Street Ward in the City I was amazed to see that The City still had the ancient version of Aldermen and Common Councillors. I'll post some pictures when I get home.

I was intrigued to see that in the 18^th Century one way of commemorating Political occasions, satire or people was by making a range of crockery from teapots to bowls and plates. Also that when giving a cup, as Brass Crosby was to mark the great feat he had achieved, it gave the price on it! £200. Imagine giving a work colleague a gift inscribed with "given by colleagues at a cost of X£".

A couple of things struck me that had changed in London. There is a lot less traffic which is good, and presumably thanks to the congestion charge. Also loads of people are walking round the streets with cups of coffee in cardboard containers. Strange, especially when seeing someone with holder carrying 8, presumably back to the office - whatever happened to kettles!

Oh, and I've been to Buckingham Palace to the Garden Party and seen the Queen too!

Having done the 4 miles of the Mayor's Sponsored walk yesterday, I didn't think my joints would stand a second stint today.  However I very much wanted to be able to see the lower parts of the river that I had only seen from the car on bridges.  Help was at hand.  Bon Campbell, Countryside Warden for the River Tees, who is also a trustee of Shopmobility, suggested I used one of the mobility scooters to do the whole walk this afternoon.  Me in a mobility scooter ?  I'm not that old, and not that bad ?  But - did I want to see the river downstream of the barrage or didn't I ?  Did I want to join in with all the other people and enjoy the company ? Did I want to raise £20 per mile?  Well the answer to all 3 was yes, so after a brief instruction on the easy controls I was off !

I managed to negotiate the shopping centre but I did have the feeling that people were looking at me strangely as if to say "what's matter with her".  I half expected someone to ask one of the people with me, I was in a "disability" scooter so could I be expected to speak for myself ?  However nobody asked, and despite people walking in front I did negotiate through without bumping into anyone and onto the footbridge over the riverside road.  I didn't think I would manage the corners of the ramps down, but slowly did it and I was on the riverside path. 

Did I enjoy myself ?  A resounding yes.  I loved it.  I had never walked past the Princess Diana bridge and there were banks of roses on either side of the path.  A temporary diversion because of works to the magnificent new bridge did cause a few problems.  First of all I had to negotiate a barrier and was only able to do so because a friend pulled back the bushes on the side.  Someone said there was a better route the other way round - but there were no signposts to tell you this.  Then a caravan parked on the pavement so I had to go on a road - people just don't think do they!

I was amazed as I went past the barrage and there were the Portrack marshes on our left with ponds, bulrushes and lots of birds.  Lots of wildflowers on the sides of the path, and I was just the right speed to be able to take all of that it in, along with views of the river and its bridges.  Fantastic.

I was pleased that I negotiated the Newport Bridge successfully and we were on the return leg.  However there was a gate across the path just before the bridge and had I been on my own or just with friends that would have been it.  I would have had to turn round and go back the way I came.  Bob Campbell had a key so that was OK for today - what about other days and other people I thought ? Had anyone thought of this when they put it there ?

Nobody else was cold, but I was as I scooted along not using any energy, but the kagoul in rucksack (in a handy little basket at the back of the scooter) was fine.

The problems started when we were nearly back to the Town Centre.  First of all the heavens opened and it threw it down, and scooting into the rain is definitely not fun.  Turning to see if traffic is coming as you cross the road is difficult with a hood up, and my hands were frozen.  No putting in pockets - they were needed to keep the scooter going!  Silly me not taking gloves on a July outing, but I would if using a scooter again.  As I went through puddles I was careful to slow down and not splash anyone but thought how awful it would be in a wheelchair, especially one you pushed the wheels on yourself.

I had gone ahead with Julia in Teesdale so as to try to get back to the Castlegate Centre before they closed it and minimise time out in the rain.  However negotiating the dropped kerbs was very difficult.  You didn't know in advance what dropped kerbs would be where.  Julia helped a lot running on in advance to look, but I still ended up having to go on the road and round a roundabout on that road to reach the beginning of the millennium bridge.  The Shopping Centre was closed off by the time we got there so the dual carriageway of the riverside road had to be negotiated.  Where were the crossings ? and even more important where were the dropped kerbs to get to them ?  Again Julia helped, thank goodness I wasn't on my own, and thank goodness I wasn't pushing someone in a wheelchair the extra walking they had to do.  Negotiating the crossings was difficult.  The so called dropped kerb badly jolted my back; you needed to be very slow to approach the crossing quickly speeding up to get over before the green man went off.

Back to base.  Wet, cold and jolted, but had I enjoyed the afternoon - a definite yes, I was delighted to have had the opportunity of seeing places, the river and the wildlife I would not have had otherwise, and I so much enjoyed everyone's company.  However I am glad I don't have to go everywhere on a scooter, there are limitations and problems that able bodied people don't have to even think about.  Thank you to Bob and Shopmobility for making today possible.

There will be more pictures on the official Mayor's Blog in a few days, along with what else happened.

It was the Mayor's sponsored walk today.  There is a write up on his blog and on Maureen Rigg's blog to save me writing and the photos will be on the official Mayor's Blog next week.  I will just add my personal bit.  I was immensely proud of myself managing the 4 miles around the river, mainly thanks to friendly encouragement from fellow walkers, being sponsored at £20 a mile (although more welcome now!) and it really is lovely pastoral scenery by the river.  I want to say a big thank you to all who work so hard at keeping the paths and area so good to walk on, and that includes a number of volunteers working to make our area so nice.

Police seem to be in the headlines this week.  Seemingly we are going to be encouraged to have an elected Mayor so that they can direct the Police Force locally.  I assume that is as well as cleaning the streets, delivering excellent education, joined up health and social services, getting value for money, tackling climate change, greening the environment .......... What sort of sure beings do the Government think there are out there ?  If they are that clever they will stay right away from local government where they have to fit in with what the Government of the day wants!  Also how can they run a police force for an area smaller than a police authority ? And what about someone getting elected on an extremist ticket.  

A local radio discussion I heard part of  talked about it meaning that the elected mayor chaired the local crime reduction partnership, and he did that already.  In Stockton it is not chaired by a politician but there are all the partners there, including Councillors, Police, Probation, Fire and many other people.  Surely better partnership working is the way forward, and less Government targets would be even better.

I thought of our own partnership working in our ward.  It isn't formalised but we can do so much more, better, by working together.  We were asked yesterday to put out a warning to one estate about arson to cars outside houses on our e-mail list and it was done in minutes.  We ask our local police advice on a range of issues, particularly where changes or improvements are planned and it affects traffic or safety in any way.  They come along to the residents meeting and we work through local issues together.  These are just some examples, but it does show that the answer is not in inventing something new - but to get on and work well with what we have.

If there is time and money for changes - what happened to the police pay review last year ?

We had an enjoyable afternoon walking around Bishopsgarth and looking at gardens nominated for "Bishopsgarth in Bloom" by the residents association.  It is amazing what a difference to the area it makes when people put in the effort to make their garden colourful adn interesting.  I have 20 photos but don't want to pick out one! 

So I will put on the photos of the ones that won in the last 2 years.  the results will be announced later.

There has been a lot of exchanges of views in the local press about the Councillors allowances in Stockton, but few facts.  I had been attacked in a letter in the Evening Gazette as making the oddest comment - based on a curtailed quote out of context!  So I set to and wrote a letter setting out the facts.  The editor is unable to publish it is too long for the letters page, so an amended letter has gone in.  However what is space on a blog!  I reproduce below the letter that I had written.  However before you read it I have a confession to make.  I didn't get the facts right either and on July 8^th I said that Councillors were paid £525 a WEEK whereas they are, in fact, paid that amount a MONTH.  My fault, and thank you to the person who commented and pointed it out.  I'll alter it tomorrow.

Here is my about to be unpublished letter

The Editor,

Dear Sir,

I do want to respond with some facts to the letter (15.7.08) which took part of a sentence of mine out of context, and also many of the other letters on the subject of allowances for Councillors.  For ease of reading, I've put the issues and facts down in bullet points.

1. The point I was talking about was the amount of dependent carers allowance that could be claimed by a Councillor in certain circumstances.   The amount proposed was not sufficient to pay for a qualified carer for a dependent if the Councillor had to attend a council meeting and such care was necessary.  My proposal was that the hourly rate needed could be claimed, subject to approval by a high ranking Council Officer.  It is not likely that this amount will need to be claimed very often, there is a monthly ceiling on it, and it could make all the difference between a Councillor being able attend the formal duties as a Councillor or not.  This proposal was agreed by every Councillor present at the meeting with no argument.
2. Before the allowances were reviewed the slip which comes with our monthly allowance tells us that the hourly rate we are paid is £3.26 an hour.  That is based on a 37.5 hour a week, and I certainly work as a Councillor for more hours than that most weeks
3. The recommendations of an independent panel (appointed by the previous Labour administration) recommended increases that gave a Councillor an allowance of £9,300 a year.  
4. In previous years the Labour administration always agreed the recommended amount from this panel for the basic allowance.  Councillor Gibson said in the Evening Gazette last week that "he accepted Stockton was behind other authorities in the level of allowances paid but smaller steps should be taken to catch up over several years."
5. The option in front of Council that was put forward by the Labour Group proposed an increase of the basic allowance for all Councillors to £8,000 for this year, which is an increase of 26.3%.  It would have then increased by the rate of inflation for each of the following 2 years.
6. The option in front of Council that was put forward by the Leader of the Council, and supported by the Tories, Liberal Democrats and Independents was also an increase in the basic allowance to £8,000 (£4.05 an hour on a 37.5 hour week) for this year, which is an increase of 26%.  It will then increase in steps over the next 2 years to the amount recommended by the independent panel, £9,300 (£4.76 an hour for a 37.5 hour week) in 2001/11.
7. The other point I made was that we must bear in mind that some Councillors have their wages deducted for time spent on Council business.  The basic allowance paid does not begin to meet that deficit.

I hope that these points clarify many of the accusations flying around, and that future discussions can be based on fact. 

I end by saying that although the work of a Councillor is hard, and the hours long, I enjoy doing it. Serving the community I represent as well as the wider Borough are what motivate me to continue to try to do so after over 26 years of service.   Nobody with any sense would attempt to take on the responsibility for the money paid, the reward of being able to make a positive difference both to individuals and within communities is what it is all about.  However it is important that there is a more balanced recompense than there has been in the past if we are to attract more people from different backgrounds to become the Councillors of the future.

Yours faithfully

Councillor Suzanne Fletcher (Liberal Democrat)

An integrated with our new "Integrated Services for Children and Young People" manager covering our ward.  The idea is that all of the services for young people including Sure Start, Social Work, Extended Schools, Youth intervention teams etc are all going to be managed in one unit on a geographical basis.  There are 4 geographical areas for the Borough and Bishopsgarth and Elm Tree straddle 2, but we are going to be dealt with under Stockton North.  The annoyance at this silly glitch quickly disappeared with the hope of a much better and more co-ordinated approach that is badly needed for a number of the subjects.  However the best news of all is that at last, Elm Tree is going to have a youth club.  I have done everything I could think of over the years to make progress on this, and Julia has joined with me in this since she was elected 3 years ago.  I've found people to volunteer, people who have trained,  places to have it, even pots of money for it, but never at the same time and the rug has always been pulled from under my feet.  Sadly the young people who needed it are now adults, but hopefully their children will benefit.  I know it is not net etiquette to shout but even so I say HOORAY!  AT LAST.

If at first you don't succeed try again, and again and .............

It is always a pleasure to be at the Citizenship Ceremonies, but to see anyone who has fled from Zimbabwe and the atrocities that are now so public reach their goal of being safe, secure and part of a democracy is a double pleasure.  There is such a look of relief on their face, mingled with happiness that they can now play a full part as a citizen here.  At last.  We are going to enormous efforts to encourage people to vote - I bet most of our new citizens won't take much encouragement!

Well the unauthorised builders boards on Darlington Back Lane are down at last!  A pity it took the media having to "name and shame" to have to toe the line, and they blatantly ignored all the correspondence following correct procedures from the Council.  But they are Corporate so no sign of an ASBO!  That is planning law for you, and we know who makes that.

At a rather boring titled "Corporate, Adult Services and Social Inclusion Select" Committee we had some interesting issues to look at.  For a long time myself and some other Councillors had been pressing for the issue of people with disabilities not being able to access the Town Hall in the middle of our half pedestrianised High Street (widest in the world we believe here, for any readers from outside our Borough).  At last there are now proposals for some taxis in some circumstances being able to take some people.  Quite a way to go yet, but at least the journey has begun !

"we voted against a Regional Assembly and now we've got one!"  I am often hearing that cry, but how ignorant.  There has been a Regional Assembly in the North East for a number of years, not directly elected, but made up of 2/3 elected councillors, appointed by their Councils, and 1/3 Social partners from business/unions/many other agencies.  The "unelected" assembly very much wanted a directly elected assembly that would be directly accountable and have the powers to make decisions for our North East Region.  However a lot of ignorance and prejudice, along with John Prescott making proposals for an Assembly with weak powers saw the end of it.  So we are left with the one we have until it is abolished in 2010.  I was at its annual meeting today as a substitute for a fellow Councillor, and it was sad to see so many issues that an elected Assembly could have had a real voice and influence on, on behalf of local people.  Promoting sustainable development, job creation, housing, planning, more environmental issues.  Also an elected Assembly could have had a real influence in decisions made in Whitehall such as the withdrawal of one of the regional police helicopters or shifting our ambulance call stations to the other end of the region.  To say nothing of just who is going to scrutinise the Regional Development Agency, One North East which spends many millions on behalf of the Government to Government agendas.

On a different note, I've had a request from a constituent to publicise the loss of a dog after a car accident.  This is the link to the story, and you can click here to see the lost_dog.poster.

This isn't exactly the title of today, but my title for it, it being "Matins for the Courts" at Durham Cathedral, which isn't just about lots of (mainly men) dressing up in wigs and gowns.  It is a time to reflect, even if of no religion, of the role of our justice system.   It wasn't just the splendidly outfitted judges, High Sherriff, magistrates and other people from the judicial system, but all the others who play a crucial part.  Police, probation, prison officers who work in our communities too.  Then there is "everybody else", the Mayors were representing the people of their areas, but without the support of people we wouldn't have a justice system.

The balance is often difficult between punishment and rehabilitation.  A prisoner who comes out of prison the same as they go in is no help to anyone in the community.  Locking everyone up for life - many want that to happen, but hardly realistic even if it was a real solution.

Those found guilty being in prison long enough to be able to learn some real skills for life afterwards, but not long enough to be alienated for ever - another fine balance, but one I would go with.  We have a justice system, on the whole, that we can be proud of, is independent of Government, and long may it remain so without interference on any issue, particularly, at the moment, of length of prison sentences seemingly determined by accountants not judges.

Talking to people afterwards the work of Justice First came up a lot of times.  Have a look at their work on their website.  There are some terrible injustices taking place at the moment, such as a woman being arrested at 7.30 in the morning and not being able to hug her very distressed young children and them being put into a separate car to be taken to a detention centre.  Imagine if that was your family.  Her crime ?  She had fled from Uganda  having been tortured and raped because her husband had been a key part of the opposition party.  She is now being sent back to goodness knows what, and the anti malarial drug given to her children will not have had time to take effect before they get there.  This happened last week near to where we live, not somewhere else in a far away place some time ago.

How can we be proud, as a Country, when that is the sort of "justice" meted out to people who have committed no crime and sought refuge here.  Just because people have fled terrorism does not give our Country the right not to treat them with dignity, respect, and above all, justice. 

It was 2003 when the committee that John was part of and looking into public transport recommended that there be a Stockton Borough wide public transport forum.  It got changed by Cabinet to being Tees Valley wide, but nothing happened.  At regular intervals John would ask a formal question at Council meetings, but finally, in February this year, the first meeting was held.  We put our names down to go onto the steering committee for the way forward, but it was a bit like deciding to go and wait for a bus - that wasn't going to come!  As John could no longer put down questions at Council, being the Mayor now, I had one - what had happened ?  Well today we had the first meeting of the Stockton Public Transport Users Forum.  Whoopee - buses do come along if you wait long enough and keep asking.

The bus companies were there to answer questions which was good, as well as relevant Council Officers, and people had a lot, an awful lot, of complaints and queries.  However the important thing is that discussions can begin, people can start listening to each other, understanding each others problems, and hopefully move forward.  Literally.  John was elected Chair, and I don't envy him as there is a lot to talk about and people are passionate about the issues.

Later on a kind person I had met at the barbecue last week had offered to show me how to take photos of a number of items, particularly some rare and interesting items I will hopefully be seeing in London when I go down soon to do my Brass Crosby research.  When I think about it, the advice was pretty obvious - just I hadn't been able to work it out for myself !  If only more people would share their skills and knowledge like that.

I must mention this evening when "The Century Men", a choir of 100 men from around the USA were singing in the Baptist Tabernacle.  It was just so wonderful, I felt my spirit soar with the music.  I am sure there will be a write up on the Mayor's Blog some time next week, but I was so struck on how enthusiastically they thanked us for hosting them here in Stockton where they had been so warmly welcomed.  The pleasure was ours.  It makes the point again doesn't it - it is good to share.

We never get bored as Councillors (except when reading those strategy documents which are sleep inducing!) and there is no end to the range of problems we deal with.  Today there has been the level of Direct payments which are apparently lower than other Councils nearby for people with Special Needs, and my first job is to establish the facts.  Planning issues abound still, but at least the Darlington and Stockton Times has published part of our press release on the unauthorised signs.  It is interesting how they have linked it with the issue of a local florist having to take a sign down proclaiming her "best in Europe" win.  Different circumstances, but making the very clear point that small business is complying with the rules and big business doing what it wants.

News about planned roadworks next week that could be quite disruptive on the A19 and the A177, along with other bits of local news are now sent out on the "Bishopsgarth and Elm Tree "e" news bulletin" to constituents who want it.  If you live in our ward and are not on the list let us know.

Also I received our MEP, Fiona Hall's interesting newsletter and there is a link to that on the local Party website.  We tend to think about European matters as being rather distant, but they do have an impact on us.

There are lots of "e" issues around today, and the effects of the planned Industrial Action on the Council are now on the front page of their website.

Not so useful, indeed the opposite is "net nanny" being over enthusiastic.  I am dismayed to find that the Council firewall has been gobbling up some e-mails from people for reasons that are beyond me.  So if you have sent me an e-mail and not had a reply can you please re-send to my other address, sfletcher@cix.co.uk and I hope this has not caused too many problems if this has happened to you.

My final word on "e" matters.  Do sign the petition, please to keep the blog site going - otherwise it disappears!

Three crucial issues.  A visit to some new housing schemes and then our committee meeting.  It is amazing how things can change within a few months, and sadly there are now difficulties in selling even "affordable homes" with the difficulty of getting mortgages.  Given that a number of Registered Housing Associations and the Housing Corporation were at the meeting it was an opportunity to raise the issue of finding ways of helping at least some of the homeowners who can no longer afford their mortgages.   It needs imagination and flexibility but I am sure that there are "cost neutral" ways of dealing with this to allow people to stay in their homes and pay rent instead of mortgage repayments till their situation changes.

I accompanied John to a visit to the Stockton Fire Station.  He was visiting as Mayor to show appreciation and support of the work that the fire fighters did, especially in the wake of the incidents last month when they were attacked and injured by youths.  The firefighters had a number of issues to raise with us and the members of the Fire Authority that were there too (including Cllr Julia Cherrett).  Although the Mayor is there to show civic recognition and support he must remain politically silent.  I must say though that I was deeply concerned about the effect of the cuts to the budget for our local Fire Authority.  Julia commented on how there was such a difference in them going down from a 5 person crew to a 4 person crew, and that leaves the fighters very exposed to attacks.  As Julia said, she had put the proposal to lobby Government about the importance of decent funding for our excellent fire service here, to Stockton Council and there had been all party support for this, but it did not appear to have made any difference.  Also I recall that Fiona Hall MEP made representations for maintaining funding because of the high proportion of Chemical Industry locally.

As well as their task in fighting fires we also heard of the excellent work in educating the public of fire safety, building up relationships with the community, and even working directly with young people.  All the firefighters deserve the full support of all of our community, and I hope they know that with very few exceptions they have it.

Then a visit to Billingham Campus School where John was giving the prizes.  This school has not met Ofsted standards, but we were extremely impressed by the standard of the performance from the young people who had put a show on.  Talking to the teachers it was very clear that although the task was difficult at times they were dedicated to help each child to reach its potential - not always measurable which has so much importance attached to it nowadays.  As John said in his speech, what really mattered in achievement was to achieve being a good person, a good friend, good member of the community.  To go out and try, to even take risks in trying something new.  He commented on how Ofsted might mark Motzart and Beethoven - would the latter be marked down as he didn't write as many symphonies!

Quite a day around members allowances.  It started off at some unearthly hour (I don't do mornings!) with first the Tory and then Labour leaders on the local radio putting their cases.  A number of people were phoning in, and that coupled with what the radio presenters were saying did worry me as to how much people do not understand about Councillors.  What we do, why we do it, how much it actually costs many councillors, and what the results are.  I ended up phoning the programme and "having my say", but there is only so much you can try to say in a short time.

Blogging is, of course, one method of communicating with people, but it only reaches a small proportion on people, and I must say that I do not write up a lot of what I do.  Our ward has regular leaflets from us, Focus, but they are not in every ward.  How many times do you hear a local councillor on local radio, just talking about local issues  ? how often is there a debate about some issues that are not necessarily big contentious one's ?  how often does the local press print stories about what councillors are doing ?  And yet a story about Councillors allowances fills the air time and pages.  Come on local media - start putting over what we are about!

The result of the Council meeting tonight ?  after a good hours debate ( and it was a good debate) we went for "option 2" which is an increase to the level recommended by the independent panel, but phased in over 3 years, which I think is the best way forward.

A question I hardly dare ask of some people!  Tomorrow we are debating the level of Council allowance we get as a Councillor.  Before tax I get £525.33 a week, which on my payslip shows up as £3.26 an hour.  I assume that is assuming we work 37 ½ hours a week - if only!  I have worked that amount this week already, it being 15 hours today before I put finger to keyboard for the blog.

There is no easy answer to this one, as giving yourself a pay rise is not likely to be flavour of the month, but the amount we are likely to be voting for will be less than an independent panel recommended. 

On a related issue I am concerned that a relatively recently introduced carers allowance, to pay for the cost of a baby sitter or other sitter when on Council duty is recommended to be up to £8.71 an hour.  This appears fine for a usual baby sitter, but nowhere near enough to cover the cost of anything more specialised that may be needed.  I intend to move an amendment to that effect, suggesting the amount, if more that £8.71 an hour, is paid according to an assessment by a qualified officer.  I will let you know what happens.

However I am not complaining about hours worked, and one probably takes out according to what one puts in.  Today, after a raft of correspondence before leaving home at 9, I've been to a meeting, had a number of discussions about tomorrow night's meeting, met with officers over Council business, been right round the ward talking to and listening to people, as well as looking at problems.  Then a partnership meeting, leaving early to arrive late at a meeting to set up a multi cultural football match, leaving early to arrive late at a meeting at premises in the ward to listen to the need for a smoking shelter and give ideas.  Home to a long string of e-mails, and I haven't even looked at the post.  I've met some great people, enjoyed  getting a number of issues sorted out, even made some differences here and there.  and isn't that what it is all about.

I wake up to hearing that Brown tells us that we should not throw as much food out.  In this house we probably err on the side of eating things that are supposedly out of date, and it isn't that often we find something mouldy at the back of the fridge that has to go out.  However there are 2 of us, so that makes it easier to shop.  I do wish that there could be influence on supermarkets to sell items in smaller portions and use less packaging.  Items that are wrapped in plastic don't last as long as those in a paper bag - this is where our famous Stockton Market comes in.

I do wonder if "communicating" with our residents ever ends!  I have today just got our Focus back from the printers and started taking to our wonderful band of willing volunteers who deliver it.  It is an A3 as there is so much news of what is happening in the ward and what we are doing, but even so we had to leave 3 items out.  Then at the residents meeting tonight I was asked by the local police officer if I could get some more news out, so I've just e-mailed them out to our e-mail contacts in the ward.  In case you are not on that list, let us know if you want to be included - it is sent blind copy so other people do not see your e-mail address, and it never has any attachments or graphics to fill up your in-box.  The issues today - I'll just paste in the section :

The police have asked us to let you know that there has been a spate of

shed and garage burglaries.  this has been particularly those with a rear

access to the property, and the main items stolen are pedal cycles and

power tools - so do be extra vigilant and make sure they are properly

locked away.

There is youth football at Elm Tree Community Centre every Friday from 4

till 5.00 p.m. for young people aged around 10 to 15 years old.  It is

free and run by the local police team.  Please tell any young people that

you know, or are playing in your street.

there is a meeting of the PUBLIC TRANSPORT USERS FORUM on Saturday

morning, 12th July from 10 till 12.  All are welcome to go along, and

please tell others you know who might be interested.

You may read this blog because you enjoy reading it - or maybe even out of duty to keep an eye on me !  Whichever, the Government is wanting to take away this facility for communicating, so if you do not want it to stay please do 2 things.

1 sign the petition to the Government - it won't take a minute, honest!

2 write to the Minister, Parmjit Dhanda MP

See the letter below we bloggers have been sent, and go on, it won't take you long.  Unless if course you would like to see the Government of the day take away a platform for Councillors to communicate with the public.

Dear Blogger,

You may have recently seen some news that ICELE (www.icele.org) is
scheduled for closure by the Department for Communities and Local
Government (DCLG).  ICELE is the operator of Bloginabox/ReadMyDay, the
blogging platform that you are using.

It is with regret that I can confirm that the Minister, Parmjit Dhanda
MP at DCLG has confirmed in writing to us that funding for the centre
will no longer be available and hence the centre has closed with effect
from 30th June 2008.

Between now and the end of July, DCLG are conducting a review of the
existing tools and products managed by ICELE, including Bloginabox.
This will hopefully establish how best it might be taken forward.

The Minister has given a commitment that all existing platforms, tools,
products and directories provided by ICELE will be maintained during the
review period and advice and assistance to existing users from ICELE
staff will continue in this interim period, for which DCLG has provided
additional funding.

As part of the review we strongly encourage you to send your comments
about this decision and the future of the tool.  In the interim we are
able to offer an assurance that ICELE has funded the license arrangement
for Bloginabox until the end of September and hopefully DCLG will take
action to ensure it continues beyond this.

Please send all correspondence to:-

Parmjit Dhanda MP
Minister for Local eDemocracy
Departmnet for Communities and Local Government
Eland House
Bressenden Place
London
SW1E 5DU

Email: Parmjit.dhanda@communities.gsi.gov.uk

Well, it is Happy Birthday to the NHS today, and I am sure we all agree with that.  However a founding principle was "free at the point of need".  However, despite our success with our local hospital, University Hospital of North Tees, in getting them to abandon the 0844 number, there are still hospitals, surgeries and health centres using 08XX numbers to contact them.  This is expensive for those who cannot necessarily afford it, meaning those who have to phone such the most.

The draft NHS constitution published on 30^th June states " you have the right to receive NHS services free of charge, apart from certain limited exceptions sanctioned by Parliament".  However the excess used to obtain the "revenue share" from telephone calls is a charge on patients, levied by the NHS service providers, that has not (yet) been sanctioned by parliament.

So let us celebrate this anniversary by making sure that the NHS really does stick to the principle of "Free at the Point of Need".