Suzanne Fletcher's Blog

I needn't have worried when to get my sleep today, it was the only chance to read the Council minutes and that is guaranteed a snooze.  Odd to reconcile when there is so much going on, so much that affects our communities, and yet so little of relevance is decided upon in the public minutes.

I had met some people earlier collecting names on  the "Justice for Kelly" petition started by a Billingham mother calling for driving bans for people imprisoned for killing someone whilst drunk driving to have their driving bans when they are not in prison.  Have a look at the link and read more about it and sign.

Also I have been reading that G8 have still done nothing about calling a moratorium on Haiti's debts.  Many people are starving whilst their Government pays out $1 Million a week in debt servicing.  Please do look at their petition and sign it.

It wasn't raining and we had no engagements, so we were tempted off to Whitby.  Even though there had been a bank holiday I reckoned on doing over 45 hours in the 4 days just gone for those who are complaining about the recent Councillors pay rise.

The sun shone in Whitby. I was able to nap on the way there and back and even snooze on the sands.  Healthy lunch, and all of the delicious smelling fish and chip shops walked past - can you see the halo ?  we came back with fresh crab for tea and kippers for breakfast.  Lemon buns from Bothams too.   mmmm.  whoops the halo has slipped a little.

I did look behind me every time I took a photo (after the fall last Saturday), especially whilst on the pier!

Some progress on big issues around.  The hundreds of leaflets about the Vodaphone Mast are now printed and safely in the hands of reliable volunteer deliverers, so I hope that some of the facts that we have been able to put together will help people.  I would have preferred it if Vodaphone and the Council had done the same but it has not been so, and yet again, Councillors are doing their best to fill in the gaps and pull things together.  In financial terms in isn't huge but adds up.  In personal terms it costs!

Also it was good to be able to visit the exhibition that the Sixth Form College has put together at a days notice about their new plans..  A lot of residents have been able to go and view them thanks to the hundreds  of leaflet we put together, printed and got delivered on Wednesday.  I have a better understanding of the plans now, as have a lot of local people, and at least I know which the outstanding issues are now to follow up.  A few weeks, if not months, start by information from the Council would have helped though.

A meeting has been booked to sort out many of the Bishopsgarth Cottages issues due to go to committee next week.

In the midst of this it was great to accompany John as Mayor when he opened the "Fun Day" at Elm Tree Community Centre.  After so many years of "blood, sweat and tears" over the Centre it was lovely to see so many people taking part and helping in a Centre that we can now all be proud of.  I particularly loved seeing so many little children enjoying the entertainment, and a lot of young people both from the "Asylum" (meaning ‘alternative' young people) and Clive's Music School actively entertaining.  Older people were doing there bit too serving a continuous stream of refreshments.  I shouldn't have started mentioning people, I will have missed some out - sorry! (the pictures will be on the Mayor's Blog next week)

My first day since the bang on the head that I hadn't stopped as I should for a rest, and by 6 0'clock I couldn't wait to lie down and snoooooze. 

At least some things were moving on though.

How many more contentious planning applications can there be ?  I've spent hours listening, talking and reading up about the latest on the proposed Vodaphone mast on Darlington Lane.  The planning application is now going to be submitted, and Vodaphone say they are writing to lots of residents so we need to let them all know the latest facts - there have been enough false rumours.  So yet another "special edition" of Focus is written, laid out and got ready to print first thing in the morning.  I don't know if burning the midnight oil affects carbon footprints, but it isn't good for you!

One of our residents was annoyed at a leaflet she had seen that said our Labour MP had said the Councillors should be doing more! Like when!  We have the job of trying to explain to very upset residents that Government rules makes it almost impossible for their voices to be heard on such planning applications.  And who makes Government rules ?

I was heartened when someone else sent me this link - showing how Stockton Labour Party cares about Sunderland!

All of this after a busy day supporting John as Mayor.  I was very impressed with the people we met and the work they are doing.  Too tired to write much, but have a look at his blog for Friday to see the School Crossing Patrollers, Concierge staff, and work on Thornaby Library.

A committee too.  At long last the Council looks as though it is going to arrange for the Thornaby Mayoral Chains to be able to be worn by the Thornaby Town Mayor. 

A day of rushing and frustration, which I could well have done without as I was not going in to do my voluntary work given my bad head.  Some people were splendid, including the Principal of the 6^th Form College where there is the big planning application the Council did not tell us as ward councillors about.  Also some Council officers were really helpful in giving us good information very quickly.  However having rushed to get a leaflet written, laid out and printed off to get out to residents today, in time for viewing and explanation of the plans on Thursday and Friday (deadline for comments is Monday 1^st September) ........

I had just finished sorting them and about to dash out to get them to people to deliver when the phone rang.  There had a been a mistake with the site notice for the planning application, it would be put up tomorrow, so the date for consultation to end is now September 18^th.    One ...... two ......... three .......  I didn't actually say that, I said other words not to be printed in a public blog.

On the subject of planning, I find that the poster stakes put up around the area by our Conservative would be MP do not have planning permission.  Tut, tut.  Bad omen.  He thought it would remind people politicians work all year round.  I could have done without the dash to get out a leaflet covering 3 crucial local issues today, to say nothing of all the talking, e-mailing and meeting of people.  But then Liberal Democrats do believe in working all the year round, not just at election time, and don't break the law in doing so - even if it does give them a bad head !

The select committee looking at how our "Strategy for older people" was looking at the Bunny Hill Centre in Sunderland today to see how a centre with lots of services in one place was working.  An excellent idea, but of course it is not possible to emulate something exactly in another place.  Nor would I want to, there were some really good ideas and practices to copy, and some things I think we would do better differently.  For instance I sat in a nice comfy looking armchair in one of the waiting areas and could not get out again easily!  However I have a fist full of literature about a number of services I want a closer look at to see how we could do some things better.  It was interesting to see that there library positively encourage community notices, whereas our libraries have apparently banned them.  One thing I didn't find out much about was the Area Committee that served the area, made up of local councillors.  I'll dig around and would appreciate any information anyone else has about Area Committees that work elsewhere.

A still sore head had me slumped in front of the TV along with the rest of the world watching the Olympics and the handover.  I cannot help feeling that we are making too much of our great medal coup.  I am truly delighted for the people who did so well, given the huge amount of training and dedication they have put in to achieving what they set out to do, and that goes for all of their supporters such as family, friends, team and coaches.  However it is not a victory for "us".  I haven't contributed towards it, and I don't see how the frantic media or pleased Government can either.  As a non sport following person maybe I have missed something.

What I am really interested in now is not how many medals we can win in 2012, or how glitzy a ceremony London can put on, but what is the effect going to be on the rest of the Country (me included I suppose) in getting people enjoying and able to take part in some fun exercise ?  In getting out there and working in teams too ?

Hope I am not sounding mean, and I really am glad that so many people enjoyed having a great time together, and I applaud all who actually qualified to go, even if they didn't come back with a chunk of metal.

One way of another we all fell down today.  I was accompanying John for the for Daisy Chain "SCAD jump".  Some very brave people were being hoisted up on a crane and falling out of a cage onto a double safety net.  And being well sponsored to do so, hopefully raising thousands of pounds for this charity.  It was taking a while to set up so we were chatting to some nervous participators assuring them all would be well.

However as the first group were ready to be hoisted up I was taking their photo with the John in the mayoral chains.  One step backwards to get a better picture and whoops - a very nasty fall banging the back of my head.  Some excellent calming people around eventually had be sitting up, but the poor people waiting nervously had to wait even longer.  I visit to A and E and my head was declared OK, but I never did find out if anyone else took the photo!

Back home with instructions to sit quietly I thought it was my chance to watch the Olympics for the first time.  I'm sure the divers were much more graceful than I was as they dived down.

I was sent the link for this Fairtrade blog today.  A new slant on issues.  Have a look and add it to your favourites.

Whatever problems we are presented with as Councillors, you cannot beat sitting down with relevant people to try to work things through.  This afternoon Julia and I had a productive meeting trying to resolve some local issues sat down with a representative from the Council and a Registered Social Landlord.  There are no easy solutions, as with most issues we get involved in, but at least we have a way forward now.

In the morning I had gone with John to the presentation by the Drugs Action Team of a £1,000 cheque from competition winnings to Zoe's place.  A lovely thought of the DAT team.  Hearing how much Zoe's Place does and that it costs £2,000 a day to run, made me both happy that so many people put so much into the provision of the superb and essential care for these special children, and angry that the Government leaves so much of the fundraising for this care to volunteers and charitable giving.  It is fair enough that the nice "extras" come from voluntary giving, but the core work should be funded from the NHS.  I spoke on this at the Liberal Democrat Conference earlier this year, about the funding of hospices and whilst it is good that our own Party agrees with this, what about the others ?

It was the Citizenship ceremonies again today, and as usual, I did enjoy being present.  It was a pleasure to meet three lovely families, and I am sure that they will contribute to our society as British Citizens, as they have been up until now.  It is when the words "To be a British Citizen means that you show tolerance and respect for others" that I do wonder how many of the people "born and bred" here could sign up to the same thing.

The photo and links are on The Mayor's Blog

It could be said it was the day of the Co-op, and part of it was.  At the meeting of the Stockton Fair Trade Borough Partnership today we were pleased to find when we swapped information that there are more and more Co-ops springing up.  All of which of course are good Fairtrade stockists.  Also we found out about an "Ethical Shopping event" at The Swallow Hotel on Wednesday 17^th September between 9.30 and 3.  I cannot go but it should be interesting - pass the word around.

I was very privileged to meet a lady aged 106 in the afternoon, and amongst other things she was regaling us with the story of how she worked in the Co-op shoe shop in Darlington, well before the war.  She said how the Co-op chose shop fronts just off the High Streets so they were handy but with cheaper rents.  What a memory and what stories she told.  There is more on John's blog on Wednesday.

When I eventually got home, there waiting for me was my new Co-op card.  I had had one before and mislaid it, but I shop increasingly at our local Co-op and will use it often.  I do like their ethical stance as well as their Fairtrade goods and being very handy indeed.

The rest of the day involved a lot of non co-operation on many fronts.  I will say not more for now than a number of strong e-mails are winging their way off.

There were a lot of upset residents at ward surgery last week as they had happened to find out about an application for an entertainment and alcohol licence from an advert in the local paper - and the building, Stockton Town Football Club in the grounds of Stockton 6^th From College, was right opposite where they lived.  They were upset, had lots of questions that Julia and I could not answer, and we had only found out ourselves from phone calls from residents a few days earlier.  So tonight we had been able to arrange a meeting in the Club so that residents could see for themselves what the premises were like, and be able to ask questions of the club officials.

Although residents were upset at the thought of the alcohol license, at least they were able to see for themselves and very importantly find out a lot more about what was planned.  I give the Club full marks for giving such good, open, and professional answers.  I give the residents full marks for making it a good meeting, listening to what everyone had to say, and asking the questions.  My comments about the Council not informing us about the issues are unprintable.

To make matters worse some residents had had letters about a big planning application for the College which is right opposite where they live.  We knew nothing at all about it.  Again what I have to say is not to be put at this moment, even in an uncensored blog.  But a letter is forming in my mind to write tomorrow !

If you want to know about the planning application and are reading this - please wait a few days to give me time to find out.

I've been trying to clear my "in box" for a week now, and it has not been at all easy, having found lots of items that are too difficult to deal with.  Well deal with easily.  However all have now been put into a relevant pile (like "to file"!) and there was gold at the bottom - £15 vouchers for a shop I had to go to today, and today was the last day they were valid.  Councillors "in boxes" are notorious, and nowawdays we have electronic one's too which really mess things up when over full.  Now if there was always money at the bottom, would we have more incentive ?

next week - "to file".  I do wonder if any of hte people complaining about our "pay rise" as Councillors have any idea of the amount of paper and messages we have to shift.

I was sitting in on the Council's Cabinet meeting tonight.  It is usually a pretty boring nod through of rather large strategies and policies.  Tonight was more interesting with some real discussions.  The first was about the location of the new hospital.   It is beyond me why a large range of possible sites has been narrowed down to just two, very close to each other.  Some might be more "difficult", but this is a massive and costly project that will affect the lives of just about everyone in the area in years to come.  Transport links are crucial and public transport links even more so - no point in getting there by a convenient car and then having to walk a mile through a car park, even if you are likely to be a car driver.

Then a debate on the "Local Development Framework" which is a VERY big document.  However it is about trying to shape, literally, the shape of our area.  The contentious part was about the wording for where any future windfarms could go.  I don't see why people are so worried about the location for matters like attracting tourists or general views.  There are windfarms in many countryside areas that do not spoil the natural beauty.  Going over to Skipton the windmills are far less of an intrusion than the Menwith Hill establishment for starters!

Reading the Electoral Reform Society magazine today, the examples of how our present "first past the post" system is just, as the article puts in "a freak show".  Examples of how the present system skews results in local government elections are shown - and the facts show how ridiculous it is.

The "Carnival of the Bizarre" gives examples of "Wrong winners" :

Sefton Council - Conservatives polled the most votes and the fewest seats of the three main parties;  Birmingham - Labour was second in votes, very close behind the Conservatives, but third in seats; North East Lincolnshire - Lib Dems won the majority of seats on less than 30% of the vote.

"Excessive majorities". Eastleigh - Lib Dems won 86.7% of the seats on48.6% of the vote; Tamworth - Conservatives won 90% of the seats on 49.5% of the vote; Rotherham - Labour won two thirds of the seats on 36.2% of the vote.

"Unpopular winners" BNP won Maltby ward in Rotherham with ony 23.1% of the vote, which is against the wishes of three quarters of the voters; UKIP won a ward in Dudley with 28.6% of the vote.

There are lots more facts and figures, but you get the idea.  There are winners and losers from all the parties, but the main losers are the voters who are not properly represented and are less and less likely to vote at all under this system.  I know good people from other political parties read this blog - so come on, do your bit and join this society and campaign within your party for change.  If you are non political - join the electoral reform society and spread the word around.  Come on all of you, "roll up roll up".

It is pouring down and am I keen to set off on the regular "Estate walkabout" with Council officers around the Council estate.  Frankly - no.  However it was a chance to wear my new "Tilley Hat" bought last week in The Dales.  Excellent it was too, and kept my hair and face as dry as could be.  It was useful to walk round in the pouring rain as it showed up clearly where drains were blocked, downpipes were missing and which potholes were deep when we got splashed with passing cars.

Then on to the residents meeting in a much drier sheltered accommodation.  Again a lot of important issues to be taking up.  I had a brief talk about the Older Persons Strategy ( wasn't going to try a presentation!) and left the notes for them to comment on when they thought of issues.

Home to catch up on all the casework picked up and out again in the rain to ward surgery.  Would it deter people from turning up ?  Not at all, we had so many people we had to split up and use 2 rooms!

As part of our select committee review on how well the Older People's Strategy is working I went along to the Over 50's Assembly to hear what they had to say.  It was interesting to listen to some views that I hadn't picked up on before.  Although I must say that they had more to say before the presentation of what the strategy was all about than afterwards!

Rather ashamedly I joined the library - it is so long since I borrowed a book from them I had no idea where my ticket might be.  The (very helpful) librarian had rather a shock when I checked out 2 large history books, and she pointed out when they had to be back.  I told her that if they weren't read tonight they wouldn't get read at all.  Seeing her look I did add that I was only interested in 1771 - for my Brass Crosby research.

I asked where the community information was, but apparently all the posters and leaflets that used to be put up and around are now in a folder that people have to ask to see, as that is now Council policy.  As a Councillor I didn't know that, and I think some questions need to be asked.

Later on that night I did get the relevant pages in the library books read.  I had no idea that history could be so interesting!  But I did note that one pragraph was wrong, and I knew so from my own research - not bad for someone who didn't even take history at school after the first year at secondary school

After months of planning it was the John Owens Trophy football match today, and John was breaking the habit of a life time and doing the "kick off".  This was, of course, with a "Fairtrade Football against Child Soldiers".  John has written about the match on his blog which will be published tomorrow, and the pictures will be there too.  I'll just add that whilst I was chatting to people so many of them said what a good idea it was to have such a match between a "local" team and a team made up of Africans living on Teesside.  As one person said, it is a step to kicking out racism in the sport, and people on and off the field said how they welcomed the opportunity to play together.

The drummers went down a treat, and made each goal scored (or nearly !) all the better for some rolls on the drums.

I'm not a football expert by any means, but it was clear that people enjoyed getting on together through the fun medium of footie. 

I unwittingly became part of the match when banged on the head by a ball that just missed the goal.  I think I'm OK, but you know why if I stop talking sense!!

Proceeds from today go to CRY, a charity campaigning, supporting and researching around Sudden Adult Death Syndrome, which is why John Owens died so young.

A huge thanks to all those who helped make the day work, and especially the Norton Sports Complex who gave the pitch, gave so much practical help, and the officials who donated their time free too.

I wrote yesterday about trees and some problems around them, but another development today.  Julia was contacted by a man on a mobility scooter who had his hat taken off by an overhanging branch whilst he scooted along the pavement.  Obviously he was not able to retrieve it either.  He doesn't want to go on a busy road and needs to go past that tree on his way anywhere.  Obviously this is being taken up by with the Council but it may be a tree in someone's garden causing the problem.

SO - if you have a tree or bushes next to a public path - CAN PEOPLE WALK OR RIDE PAST ?  Please do check.

The Select Committee looking at the Older People's Strategy heard evidence from Council Officers today on how our Housing Polices are working towards this.  As regular readers of this blog will know I am more interested in how policies are working than discussing the strategy, but the committee did spend quite a bit of time looking at the issues.  We talked about insulation grants, Housing and Council Tax Benefits, sheltered accomodation, private housing for the elderly, planning issues, and the long awaitied Home Improvement Agency.  I can remember pleading with the then Chair of Housing and senior officers for Stockton to have such an agency to help people living in their own homes to be able to get essential repairs and improvements done.  That was about 14 years ago - what is the saying "we can do the impossible, miracles take a little longer"!. 

If anyone has any issues about housing and the elderly, or other older people issues then do please get in touch.

"We must look to the future" were the words of the Chairman of the Billingham International Folklore Festival at the closing ceremony.  Not only was Maureen Taylor right, but it reflected the day so well.  We can look back on the past and remember our mistakes, we can enjoy reminiscing on good times, and we need to preserve good traditions and folklore that remind us of where we come from, but look to the future we do, and here is how.

John had a hectic schedule with four engagements as Mayor, all worthwhile, and I did squeeze in a pile of casework before going out.  We started off with celebrating 40 years of the building that housed Asda at Thornaby.  It had served the people of Thornaby with decent things that were affordable all of that time, and reminded me of the days when supermarkets first came in.  Asda in Harrogate in the late 60's was exciting, if scruffy, piles of boxes that you helped yourself to and then you went to the new fangled thing called a checkout.  Pristine aisles and shelves with all the packaging do annoy me nowadays, but we have moved on from those scruffy boxes!  I am sure there is a way forward without all that packaging!  We met a young local boy there that Asda are helping to take part in the 2012 Olympics in the diving section.  The young teenager goes to Leeds 3 times a week to train for this, and also spends the time catching up on any schoolwork missed to do this.  There is hope for the future with youngsters like Josh around - and I am not forgetting the dedication of his parents in taking him there and back every week!  Another teenager came up and introduced himself - he was one of the "hoodies" we had met the other month from the youth assembly.  Another reminder of the good youngsters we have coming along to take our place.

We got to the SIRF Community Carnival in the nick of time, and just before it poured down.  Our second procession in two days.  There were hoards of youngsters (not forgetting the older people who had helped do it, mind!) arrayed in wonderful costumes.  They looked great, and didn't just walk along but danced away, and looked completely undeterred by the rain pouring down on them.  The theme was around sowing seeds for the future.  Indeed.  I have edited 41 photos, some of which will be going on the mayors blog on Monday onwards.  If  there is one that you would like to see that isn't there do get in touch and we will arrange for it to be displayed.

Time for a quick sandwich, catch up on the blackberry and pick up ansaphone messages and we made it, just in time again, for the farewell gala at the Billingham International Folklore Festival.  Absolutely wonderful, and all those young people as well taking part that will be the main performers of the future.  I enjoyed seeing the little children and even toddlers in the audience swaying and dancing to the music too.  I was impressed with the way that the Astra folk group from Malta (Gozo )were promoting not just themselves but a destination for tourism too.  Something to think about for the future.

Just 2 hours for the weekend shopping, getting changed and more Council work before we were out again to the Closing Ceremony at BIFF.  There was great excitement as John robed for the procession.  I must say he looks splendid all dressed up in robes and chain and there was a great rush for photos with all of the groups wanting to be snapped with him on.  Another procession, the 3^rd in 2 days, through Billingham, led by the Newcastle Pipe Band.  Splendid.  Although people had lined the street there were not many for such a wonderful display, but when I say the local paper that night I saw that it didn't mention it was on.

We hear that "all the world is a stage", well it seemed that al the world was on the stage.  All the Countries dancing together, and at the very end we were dragged on stage too, and what a time we had.  Our Country has been at war with so many of those Countries in the past, and here we all were together.  Countless photos were taken of mixtures of all the groups, and John will be there on photos around the world with arms round the dancers. 

Festivals that bring people together like this are surely a hope for the future ?

A wonderful day, celbrating all that is good about Yorkshire.  Part of our Stockton Borough (south of the river Tees) is in Yorkshire for "civic and ceremonial purposes", so there we were on behalf of Thornaby, Ingleby Barwick and Yarm.  I have never seen such a magnificent display of civics heads, and it is good to be able to celebrate our wonderful countryside, natural resouces, wealth making capacity, heritage, and most of all people.  I did enjoy meeting people who were there to represent everyhwere I have aver lived (Wombwell, York, Mexbrough, Doncaster, Gargrave, Harrogate) as well as visited.  I was especially pleased to see Councillor Chris Abbott who had worked so hard in his role as the Chair of the Yorkshire Ridings Society to bring this event to this end of the County.

It may sound insular to anyone not from Yorkshire, but I think it is good to celebrate, and having a sense of identity and firm roots is part of a mature society.  Confident people and places are good at welcoming and reaching out to others.  I've cheated and pasted in John's blog entry below for more detail, but you will need to go to his offical site on Monday for the photos, apart from the one above of some of the Lib Dem Mayors we met.

As there has been over a thousand years of the North Riding of Yorkshire including all land south of the Tees which is in our present Borough, and since 1996 that area has been in the lieutenancy and shrievalty of North Yorkshire, we were invited, along with all Yorkshire mayors, council chairmen and macebearers, to the Yorkshire Day celebrations at Guisborough.  We all paraded in our robes and chains, preceded by our respective maces, followed by members of the Yorkshire Society, along Westgate (Guisborough's main street) and into a service in Guisborough Parish Church.  The words, hymns and songs (sung by the Men of Staithes Choir) reflected the varied occupations of Yorkshire people.  A new Yorkshire Day Anthem by Annie M Hinchcliffe was sung by Suzannah Clarke.  The Yorkshire Declaration of Integrity was read by Stewart McFarlane MBE.  The preacher was the Archdeacon of Cleveland (the Ven. Paul Ferguson).  We then went into the grounds of Gisborough Priory for group photographs, which, although I say it myself, show an impressive array.

After lunch and speeches in Laurence Jackson School, we took the opportunity of a conducted tour of the Priory ruins and the work being done by a voluntary body (Gisborough Priory Project) to restore the Priory Gardens.  These had been laid out formally as the setting of the original Gisborough Hall, but most had since been taken over by secondary woodland and shrubs.  Snowdrops and orchids had sprung up in area cleared in the last couple of years and a nature-conservation corner had been started.  Many years of work remained to be done.  Recently, work had been started on cleaning and recording a large number of stones from the Priory, unearthed during the 19^th Century.  In the last few weeks, English Heritage had identified a series of stones as having come from the choir stalls, where they contained carved apertures to magnify the sound of the singing.

Ah enjoyable day, in which we met people we already knew, people from our areas of origin (we are both natives of the West Riding) and people with interesting things to tell us!

A good end to the day - I found in Mary Reid's Blog that the "Read my Day" blogging platform will continue.  Well done to her for campaigning for this, long live the bloggers!