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Posted at 6:32pm Friday 21st May 2010
"Why Do I Survive"
Now the election dust has settled I am back to provide my take on Council meetings and other local issues. My first Annual Council Meeting was back in 1986. That was before the formation of the Liberal Democrats. There were just three of us. I, Monroe Palmer and Brian Stone flew the flag for the Liberal SDP/Alliance.
Posted at 2:30pm Thursday 22nd April 2010
Back in the USA
End of term for Councillors. The final full Council meeting of the current term took place on Tuesday. We all said our goodbyes, some will not return (not standing again), and others may or may not return.
Posted at 10:07pm Saturday 17th April 2010
Win Win for The Lawyers
User nec vi, nec claim, nec prercario- not by force, not by stealth and not by permission. The Planning Committee on Wednesday evening was being asked to determine an application by local residents to register a piece of land as a Village Green.
Posted at 2:51pm Friday 9th April 2010
UFOs and Icelandic Deposits
Holidays over, and the election gun has been fired. Nominations for the Council Elections closed yesterday. So we political geeks will be straining to find out who is standing where and more important who is not standing.
Posted at 3:42pm Friday 26th March 2010
New Style Leadership
The public gallery at the Town Hall was empty for last night’s meeting of the “Special Committee (Constitution Review)” The Committee were being asked to consider amongst other things “Review of Delegated Powers Process” “Amending The Council’s Financial Regulations” “Contract Procedure Rules” and Statutory Officer –Scrutiny Officer” The Public don’t know what they are missing ! We whipped through these items, which actually are probably very important but it is difficult to get excited. Only time will tell if we did the right thing.
Posted at 8:56pm Tuesday 23rd March 2010
What Its Like To Be A Councillor
Elections beckon, so begins the round of public meetings. Yesterday I joined a Panel of local Political luminaries to be interrogated by Barnet 55+ Forum. Around one hundred members of the Forum turned out.
Posted at 6:18pm Sunday 14th March 2010
Nuclear Free Hampstead Garden Suburb
Four evening council meetings last week; Monday I attended the Health and Safety JNCC. This is a meeting of the Unions and the Employers (us Councillors). This meeting is held behind closed doors so I can not tell you what went on.
Posted at 1:17pm Monday 8th March 2010
Pretty Harmless Stuff?
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.
Posted at 1:38pm Wednesday 3rd March 2010
We're Lumbered with It
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.
Posted at 9:58am Tuesday 23rd February 2010
Deep Freeze
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.
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