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Councillor Jack Cohen is the leader of the Liberal Democrat Group on Barnet Council. He has represented Child’s Hill Ward for more than 20 years |
Jack Cohen »
Pretty Harmless Stuff?
Posted on 1:17pm Monday 8th March 2010
The NHS is currently sending out a mail drop. It contains important information about care records. It seems the NHS is collecting data on our medical histories; treatment etc which it says will help deliver better safer care. It is called summary care records it all sound pretty harmless. Who could argue about Health Professionals having access to relevant data when they treat patients? Especially as the NHS is giving assurances about who will be able to access this information There is a provision to opt out. But how many of us will want to do that. Over time, the leaflet notes further details will be added to the summary care records. All of this will be stored online using secure website.
Jack Cohen »
We're Lumbered with It
Posted on 1:38pm Wednesday 3rd March 2010
Last nights Council meeting cleared one thing up, The Conservatives read this blog. As far as any thing else goes nothing changes. The Conservatives used their majority to vote in the Mayor Designate and again their majority ensured our budget amendment was voted down and the Tory Budget went through.
Jack Cohen »
Deep Freeze
Posted on 9:58am Tuesday 23rd February 2010
Yesterday I had a night out. Well to be exact I went as spectator to watch the Barnet Cabinet debate their proposed Budget for 2010/11. Palace of Varieties it was not. I think there were two members of the public in the gallery. Council officers outnumbered the Councillors. Curiously none of the Cabinet members had their nameplates in front of them.
Jack Cohen »
Where have all the Cars Gone ?
Posted on 12:20pm Friday 19th February 2010
Just got back from two weeks Rand R. I made the most of it as I suspect life will be hectic from now on. The local council elections are less than three months away. A General Election has to be called before the middle of June.
Jack Cohen »
Rudderless
Posted on 1:30pm Tuesday 26th January 2010
Last night I attended two meetings at the Town Hall. First up was the Policy and Performance Overview and Scrutiny Committee. I am not sure what this committee does. It meets twice a year.
Jack Cohen »
"All the Virtues of Man without his Vices"
Posted on 1:36pm Thursday 14th January 2010
Yesterday Jake my beloved companion for the past twelve and half years died. It all happened so quickly. He collapsed at home. When we got him to the Vet it was obvious little could be done , so we mercifully put him to sleep. He had a happy life and only that morning he had enjoyed his walk to Swan Lane Open Space. Jake was a rescue dog twice over. His previous owner a young girl died of anorexia.
Jack Cohen »
cat napping
Posted on 5:50pm Tuesday 12th January 2010
I am not allowed to tell you what went on at the Corporate JNCC meeting last night. The whole meeting is held in what’s called part 2. This means the public and Press are excluded.
Jack Cohen »
innings closed
Posted on 9:13pm Wednesday 6th January 2010
I don’t know how many of you have been to North Finchley Post Office recently. They have introduced a “no queue “system. You take a ticket and wait for your number to be called. On Monday I went to renew my Freedom Pass. The last time I was there I had a twenty minute wait, just to buy stamps This time I took my ticket, number 181. The current number being dealt with was 120! Sixty one customers were in front of me. Forty five minutes later and after doing my shopping in the High Road my number came up. The whole set up is almost surreal. You really do need to go there and see for your self. To be fair to the staff they are doing their best. One of them confided they were as fed up as everyone else. This is what happens when all the local post offices close. Another policy this Government has to answer for.
Jack Cohen »
The Dowager Leader
Posted on 11:12am Friday 18th December 2009
The full Council meeting on Monday descended in to farce. I can not recall any Council Meeting under any Political Control that ever ended up in such a shambles. There were so many vignettes that I would be blogging well into the New Year with these delights.
Jack Cohen »
Christmas With The Aliens
Posted on 2:25pm Tuesday 15th December 2009
No this blog is not about tonight’s full Council meeting. Last week I was at St Agnes’ RC Primary School in Cricklewood. I have been a Governor there since 1988. This was my twenty second Christmas play. As usual it was the story of the Nativity. But this time we had space ships and sat-navs thrown in. So hence the tile of their play “Christmas with the Aliens”
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