Tuesday saw the council's annual budget setting meeting, and the first one I've been to as a councillor where we were setting the budget ourselves.
Some people argued we should be opposing the government cuts by refusing to set a budget incorporating those cuts - well, that is illegal. By law we have to set a budget that is balanced. If we refuse to, the government can simply order senior officers of the council to set one for us. So we'd still have the cuts, but would have no control over what would be cut and what would be saved. That's just plain irresponsible - if you put yourself up for election you have to be prepared to accept the responsibilities that come along with it.
There was an argument that we could use the council's reserves to cover the cuts this year. True, we could. But what about next year? And the year after that? What about if there is something that the council needs to spend money on in the future? Reserves are there in case of emergency, and to pay for things that cost a lot and can't be afforded in one year. It would be like using your savings to live on if you lose your job- OK for a while, but if the roof blows off your house you might wish you still had those savings. Besides, there's not much left in the reserves now.
The Tories had a bright idea - sell our shares in Birmingham Airport to fund projects for 2011/12 like more spending on the roads. The big problem with that - the shares can't be sold till March 26th next year. That's four days before the end of the financial year that they want them to fund projects in. Imagine the scenario - in the run up to 26th March 2012 a likely buyer is lined up, and they agree to pay the price that was estimated in the Tories budget plan. Then, just before they sign on the dotted line, the buyer announces that they've looked again, and the shares are worth less than they thought, and they won't pay the agreed price. What then? What if no one wants to buy the shares at all? You can't base the council's budget on a risk like that. I'm not saying the council will never sell its share in the airport - but that it needs to be a decision based on the return to the council and an expectation that we are getting the best possible price, not a fire sale to cover a hole in the accounts.
So, we did our best with what we had. I'm proud to say we were able to find more money to invest in the roads, more money for the youth service, more for children's services, and as yet no compulsory redundancies. It isn't ideal, but I think we did the best we could with what little the government have given us for next year.
But it was strange just how many Tory councillors remained silent throughout the debate. Were they just a little embarrassed by the cuts their party has inflicted on us?
Wednesday, 16 February 2011
Monday, 10 January 2011
North of England Education Conference
Last week I spent three days in Blackpool at the North of England Education Conference.
This was a great conference, I've come back with lots of ideas and am a lot better informed on some issues.
The downside of the whole thing was that it was that it was presided over by Ann Widdecombe.
Now, I can tolerate Conservatives if i need to, I even like some of them, but this was a step too far.
I'm not the world's greatest expert, but I do know a bit about education. I don't think she does. Or if she does, I'd like to know where she got her information from.
AW was lecturing us on how we must ensure the brightest and best in our schools should be nurtured and polished to ensure they achieve everything they possibly can. I have no problem with that. My problem is when she starts saying even our 'slowest' children should get support.
I'm sorry, but what does she mean by slow? Someone who doesn't achieve outstanding results in their SATs at 11 isn't 'slow'. Children with special needs aren't 'slow'. This is offensive language, and it's offensive because what she is doing is labelling children as successes or failures, bright or slow, according to some criteria of which I am not aware.
What about the children who don't do so well at school because they don't have internet access at home to help with homework? And of course the scheme Labour introduced to help remedy that has been cut.
What about children who are behind with reading because there are no books at home?
And of course Bookstart, which gave free books to small children, was nearly axed before being rapidly reprieved but with massively reduced funding.
What about children who don't achieve at school because they can't see the relevance of it for them? The ones that need projects such as Film Club, or the Schools Sports Partnership, or Creative Partnerships to spark an interest in what goes on inside school and encourage them to learn?
Sorry, but those are all losing funding too.
Vocational education was another theme of the conference. Estelle Morris was saying we should stop making changes every few years, we need a proper debate and decision on what vocational education is, who it is for, and routes through vocational courses. Vocational education should NOT be lessons in something practical for those that aren't clever enough for GCSEs. It should be about an education that equips people for work at whatever level they are capable of working. And arbitrarily selecting children for a particular type of education at a set age, whether that is 11 or 14, is wrong. I know at 14 I struggled with O level options, and worried that if I chose the wrong set of subjects I could find problems later on. Any system needs to leave routes open between vocational and academic courses for as long as possible. In fact, I think Andy Burnham has it right when he said at the conference that children should study both academic and vocational subjects for as long as possible.
Of course, that was broadly what Diplomas were going to achieve, but this government is allowing them to wither away. Shame.
This was a great conference, I've come back with lots of ideas and am a lot better informed on some issues.
The downside of the whole thing was that it was that it was presided over by Ann Widdecombe.
Now, I can tolerate Conservatives if i need to, I even like some of them, but this was a step too far.
I'm not the world's greatest expert, but I do know a bit about education. I don't think she does. Or if she does, I'd like to know where she got her information from.
AW was lecturing us on how we must ensure the brightest and best in our schools should be nurtured and polished to ensure they achieve everything they possibly can. I have no problem with that. My problem is when she starts saying even our 'slowest' children should get support.
I'm sorry, but what does she mean by slow? Someone who doesn't achieve outstanding results in their SATs at 11 isn't 'slow'. Children with special needs aren't 'slow'. This is offensive language, and it's offensive because what she is doing is labelling children as successes or failures, bright or slow, according to some criteria of which I am not aware.
What about the children who don't do so well at school because they don't have internet access at home to help with homework? And of course the scheme Labour introduced to help remedy that has been cut.
What about children who are behind with reading because there are no books at home?
And of course Bookstart, which gave free books to small children, was nearly axed before being rapidly reprieved but with massively reduced funding.
What about children who don't achieve at school because they can't see the relevance of it for them? The ones that need projects such as Film Club, or the Schools Sports Partnership, or Creative Partnerships to spark an interest in what goes on inside school and encourage them to learn?
Sorry, but those are all losing funding too.
Vocational education was another theme of the conference. Estelle Morris was saying we should stop making changes every few years, we need a proper debate and decision on what vocational education is, who it is for, and routes through vocational courses. Vocational education should NOT be lessons in something practical for those that aren't clever enough for GCSEs. It should be about an education that equips people for work at whatever level they are capable of working. And arbitrarily selecting children for a particular type of education at a set age, whether that is 11 or 14, is wrong. I know at 14 I struggled with O level options, and worried that if I chose the wrong set of subjects I could find problems later on. Any system needs to leave routes open between vocational and academic courses for as long as possible. In fact, I think Andy Burnham has it right when he said at the conference that children should study both academic and vocational subjects for as long as possible.
Of course, that was broadly what Diplomas were going to achieve, but this government is allowing them to wither away. Shame.
Wednesday, 1 December 2010
Showhomes at Spirit Quarter
Finally the big day arrived! New houses are being built in teh NDC area, and last week some of us got to look around the showhomes. And the verdict is....wow!
I have to admit I was seriously worried about the new houses at one stage. I'd been to visit some new houses that had been built in a similar scheme in another council area not far from Coventry, and couldn't get over how small and cramped their houses were. I couldn't imagine how I could tell residents they were getting a better deal with the new houses if that was what they were going to end up with. Then I got told that the Homes and Communities Agency was putting some funding into the scheme, and their standards are quite high. Or should I say were, because they are yet another body that the new government is thinking of shutting down. The upshot of that was the houses had to be bigger. But we've all been in new houses, they are often like shoe boxes, and someone telling you floorspace measurements is never the same as seeing it for yourself. Well, seeing is believing. These are generously sized houses, with room for a table in the kitchen, nice layout, and we ended up with several residents saying 'please can I have this one??' Sorry, no, you'll have to wait a bit longer, but finally we can see the future coming and it's looking good. Here are some pictures I took of the insides. They aren't very good as they were taken on a camera phone, but you can get the general idea.
And I'm pleased to report that some of the houses have been sold already, even though they aren't all finished yet.
Apologies for the layout, can't work out how to change it!
Monday, 15 November 2010
Blitz memorial service
Sunday November 14th 2010 was the 70th anniversary of the blitz.
I went to the memorial service at the cathedral. It was a lovely service, with some very moving parts. The Lord Mayor had written out his own memories of the blitz, which were read out by a boy who was 8, the same age the Lord Mayor was when the blitz happened.
after the service in the new cathedral we all moved across to the old cathedral, where there were more prayers and speeches. The dignitaries were gathered around the charred wooden cross, along with the bishop of Coventry and the standard bearers. The air raid siren was sounded at exactly 7.15, the time the raids began. Then there was two minutes silence, followed by the all clear.
The old cathedral ruins were completely packed, but there was not a sound.
Then the bells rang out from the old cathedral, and were joined by the bells of other churches across the city.
It makes you proud of the city (though I was already).
Here are two photos I took. One is of the message projected on the front of the council house.The other hasn't come out too well, it's meant to be the searchlight beams going across the old cathedral. But it gives an idea of what it was like in the ruins.
There are some good pictures in today's Coventry Telegraph. I'm in the picture on the front page - above the C in Coventry, you can just make out me and my neighbour.
Saturday, 13 November 2010
Let them eat cake
This is really excellent news. Mrs Black is baking me a cake. I'm not allowed to eat it all myself - 1. I'm dieting and 2. It's for Children in Need. Mrs Black is the best cake maker I know. Vicky's partner is going to ice it so it will be a truly delicious affair, and I shall be selling slices at the Council House on Friday, with the money being added to what they raise from the events at Moat House Leisure Centre. I shall have to have some of it, but I promise not to keep it all to myself.
Local by Social Event
Today I’ve been at the Local by Social event at Moat House Leisure Centre. When I first heard about it I wasn’t sure what it would be like, but Afzal from NDC persuaded me to come along, and it’s been great! Me and the residents that were there have learnt loads about blogging, using Facebook and Twitter, and how to find information online about our area.
I have had help restarting my blog, as you can see.
And I’ve found out our local police team is on Twitter- so we can find out what they are up to.
And though many of our residents don’t have computers and internet access at home, nearly everyone has mobile phones. So we’ve been learning how to use social media to connect with local people in all sorts of different ways.
It’s also raised issues about access to new technology - we don’t have the answers yet, but at least we’re starting to ask the questions.
So, onwards, upwards and into the electronic universe!
I have had help restarting my blog, as you can see.
And I’ve found out our local police team is on Twitter- so we can find out what they are up to.
And though many of our residents don’t have computers and internet access at home, nearly everyone has mobile phones. So we’ve been learning how to use social media to connect with local people in all sorts of different ways.
It’s also raised issues about access to new technology - we don’t have the answers yet, but at least we’re starting to ask the questions.
So, onwards, upwards and into the electronic universe!
Sunday, 25 April 2010
I love Eddie Izzard
Today I took a break from door knocking and delivering letters to postal voters, and hit the streets with Eddie Izzard.
Now, politicians have got a vested interest in elections - after all, we want to get elected. But to have someone famous, who won't get anything out of it for themselves, walking the streets saying Vote Labour May the 6th! warms your heart.
It was funny watching people in New St, they'd go past and you could see them thinking 'I know that man', and then we'd say Eddie Izzard is here urging you to vote Labour, and then they'd rush over for a photo. And in return for a photo, Eddie explained why they should vote labour.
Such fun.
Thank you Eddie, i think you reinvigorated everyone's campaign. Let's hope the people of Birmingham like you as much as I do!
Now, politicians have got a vested interest in elections - after all, we want to get elected. But to have someone famous, who won't get anything out of it for themselves, walking the streets saying Vote Labour May the 6th! warms your heart.
It was funny watching people in New St, they'd go past and you could see them thinking 'I know that man', and then we'd say Eddie Izzard is here urging you to vote Labour, and then they'd rush over for a photo. And in return for a photo, Eddie explained why they should vote labour.
Such fun.
Thank you Eddie, i think you reinvigorated everyone's campaign. Let's hope the people of Birmingham like you as much as I do!
Tuesday, 20 April 2010
I was asked yesterday what my main priorities would be once elected.
Obviously, getting the best for Yardley is the main aim, but which areas of work would I concentrate on?
It has to be children and young people.
The last recession resulted in massive unemployment, and a whole generation of young people were left feeling that they were surplus to requirements. Unemployment rates for young people when I left school were eye-watering, and over a million young people were on benefits.
The Tory government then did nothing for young people except tell us all to look for work, when there was no work around.
This time the Labour government has recognised that not only do we need to make sure young people aren't overlooked, but also that when job opportunities arise they have the skills to grasp those opportunities. That means ensuring there is training available, and we guarantee that there will be a job or a training place for ever young person aged 18 to 24 who is out of work for six months. No other party will do that.
Every child deserves a decent start in life. That means our schools should be the best that we can make them. The Tories will halt the Building Schools for the Future programme, meaning an end to new school buildings.
The increased funding to schools IS having an impact - standards of ecducation are improving, and we should be working to ensure every school is a good school, so that every child gets a good education.
Tory plans to fund new schools set up by parents and businesses don't make sense. After all, if I wanted to run a school I'd become a headteacher, not set up my own school. And I don't know about you, but I don't have the time to set up and run a new school. If a new school is needed, shouldn't your local council do that for you?
Obviously, getting the best for Yardley is the main aim, but which areas of work would I concentrate on?
It has to be children and young people.
The last recession resulted in massive unemployment, and a whole generation of young people were left feeling that they were surplus to requirements. Unemployment rates for young people when I left school were eye-watering, and over a million young people were on benefits.
The Tory government then did nothing for young people except tell us all to look for work, when there was no work around.
This time the Labour government has recognised that not only do we need to make sure young people aren't overlooked, but also that when job opportunities arise they have the skills to grasp those opportunities. That means ensuring there is training available, and we guarantee that there will be a job or a training place for ever young person aged 18 to 24 who is out of work for six months. No other party will do that.
Every child deserves a decent start in life. That means our schools should be the best that we can make them. The Tories will halt the Building Schools for the Future programme, meaning an end to new school buildings.
The increased funding to schools IS having an impact - standards of ecducation are improving, and we should be working to ensure every school is a good school, so that every child gets a good education.
Tory plans to fund new schools set up by parents and businesses don't make sense. After all, if I wanted to run a school I'd become a headteacher, not set up my own school. And I don't know about you, but I don't have the time to set up and run a new school. If a new school is needed, shouldn't your local council do that for you?
Thursday, 15 April 2010
New Party Political Broadcast
Just watched Labour's new party political broadcast starring Eddie Izzard with a voiceover at the end by David Tennant.
Brilliant.
The second best PPB ever in my opinion.
The best was that one from last year - all those images of what we'd achieved and why we are Labour - but this one is running pretty close. Let's hope lots of people watch it!
I'll put a link in to it as soon as I work out how to.
Brilliant.
The second best PPB ever in my opinion.
The best was that one from last year - all those images of what we'd achieved and why we are Labour - but this one is running pretty close. Let's hope lots of people watch it!
I'll put a link in to it as soon as I work out how to.
Tuesday, 6 April 2010
The election campaign starts for real!
So the day began with the election being called.
And so I hit the streets in Yardley, and I had a great day.
The reception I've been getting on the door steps has been great, and I've been meeting some really nice people as I've been out and about.
Should have worn sun block today though - it wasn't a hot day but it was quite clear, and there is definitely a red tinge to my face now after spending several hours outdoors.
It also means the election fit plan starts for real too.
So far today I've done 14,000 steps - an excellent start I'd say - and the day isn't over yet!
And so I hit the streets in Yardley, and I had a great day.
The reception I've been getting on the door steps has been great, and I've been meeting some really nice people as I've been out and about.
Should have worn sun block today though - it wasn't a hot day but it was quite clear, and there is definitely a red tinge to my face now after spending several hours outdoors.
It also means the election fit plan starts for real too.
So far today I've done 14,000 steps - an excellent start I'd say - and the day isn't over yet!
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