Parks Councillor Swindon - What have I been doing?

You've probably see the news already in the Adver
We have 10,500 properties and the consultation is asking what tenants want to do for the future, stay within Council control or move into control of a non for profit organisation, such as a housing association.

There is a Swindon wide information day to be held on Saturday, January 17, from 11am to 3pm, at the Steam Museum in Kemble Drive.

In Parks there is going to a public meeting on February 19th @ 6.30pm, in the Reuben George Community Centre, on Cavendish Square.

Hopefully all tenants will find out all the information and vote whichever way they believe would be best. It is a hard desision. One thing in the favour of leaving the council would be that there would be no national subsidy payment so more of the rent paid would stay local and could be used to improve the housing stock. We give about £9 million at the moment and that would most likely rise next year.

But then we need full information on the implications of leaving the council, what it's like to be under a housing association too to ensure we hear all sides.

No immediate decision needed, they'll be plenty of talk and debate I'm sure.

If I don't blog before, have a very Happy Christmas

Just a quick note about the recycling and rubbish collections -
As PARK SOUTH's normal day is Christmas day, the collection will be made instead on Tues 23rd.
AS PARK NORTH's normal day is Christmas day, the collection will be made instead on Weds 24th.
Hope that's clear!

Not an easy time for anyone just now, I am trying not to get down hearted by the credit crunch and it's effect on peoples lives and jobs. With friends working at Honda, redundancies at the council, and then Woolworths closing it's not surprising it's hard to keep a positive outlook. But I'm trying! Things are busy at the hospital too which is apparently what happens when there is a recession. Keep well, you don't want to be in the busy hospital just now.

Childrens services have all been affected by the baby P incident. Like childrens services everywhere we are looking again at all the families who may need help to prevent any such thing happening here. I do feel for social workers who bear the brunt when things go wrong, I guess noone can stop people insistant on harming children and it is them that deserve the full anger for what they have done. That is not to say lessons can't be learnt and they should be of course. But I do have reservations about the upheaval of whole new reviews and changes in practice that have been suggested. If there was such big overhaul everytime something went wrong in govt, leaked memos on trains etc, perhaps they would see that actually it can mean attention is taken away from the children who we should be focusing on. One good thing it has made many councillors sit up and take note of their responsibility as Corporate parents.

I have been keeping busy, chairing childrens overview which looked at at how we consult with young people and the schools forum which I now know a little more about. There's also been adoption panel, meetings about the Councils bid in for Schools for the future. If we are successful in our bid, it will enable more Swindon secondary schools to have large investment in them for improved buildings, new ways of learning etc. Here's hoping!

I've been trying to get to the bottom of what is happening for youngsters across Park North & Park South. There is a large shortage of youth workers not helped by the council having a recruitment freeze. When someone goes at the moment it means noone can take their place, awful shortgaes everywhere. I am trying to see if more can be done to put across a convincing arguement for more youth workers dispite the freeze as I understand some departments are getting around it. I've left two messages and emailed but have had no reply, I will keep trying.

I did manage to ge to a real warm feeling event last Thursday the Special Schools Concert, is was fantastic. Kids singing all sorts of songs, some soloists, some acting with their walking frames and wheel chairs and others joining in with help to play their drums. They were all stars and seemed to enjoy themselves as much as we did being in the audience. Fantastic.

Have to laugh about the magic roundabouts Christmas tree Here's hoping they have more luck next time. It does add to my concern that the money could have been better spent. Here's hoping it is up soon so we can enjoy it as long as possible.