Suzanne Fletcher's Blog

A morning with fog and icy puddles isn't one to tempt you out, but we had a mini estate walkabout planned for the Council estate in the ward to meet our new Tristar patch manager.  Once we got going it was enjoyable, meeting people, listening to and looking at their problems, as well as getting to know each other.

A visit to the Community Centre to sort a few things out and I realise no time to go home for lunch so a sandwich and a little treat of time to go to the Farm Shop on Yarm Back Lane.  If you haven't been do go, lovely fresh veg and fruit and you wouldn't think you were 2 mnutes away from the urban area.  Half an hour for casework picked up throughout the morning.

Then the CCTV centre for a visit with Friends of Newham Grange Park to sort a few issues out.  Very useful for us all.  I hadn't realised that the public could ring in direct to the CCTV (528989) centre if there was a problem in an area covered by CCTV as well as contacting the Police or ASB team so they coujld point the camera straight there.

Away from communty issues to Council one's (isn't life as a councillor varied!).  Presentations on regeneration (re-run of Tuesday's with a bit of a difference, but still very positive), followed by various "Plans for planning issues" but with longer names.  A sense of frustration as there are lots of issues I have wanted to be able to insist on for planning applications over the years that are now going to come into force - but most not for another 6 years.  Seems the Government is giving developers time to sort themselves out - pity we don't get the same consideration in local government!  The a worrying presentatin on "Personal Care at Home".  Seems the Governemnt has made announcements on how wonderful it is in making this available to people, but where is the money coming from that wil pay for it ?  sounds to me like another strain on local government budgets.

Then a lovely evening with no politics - photos and music by Robert Cooper.  For a nice calm experience have a look at his website.