2001-2025
Embedded Files
Leicestershire
Labour in Leicestershire makes up a small minority of county councillors, but the democratic structure at the county council allowed us to participate in most decisions. Officers and member respect each other equally. And so we were a happy bunch, as you can see in this picture from 2017 with our then leader, Robert Sharp .
Labour in Leicestershire makes up a small minority of county councillors, but the democratic structure at the county council allowed us to participate in most decisions. Officers and member respect each other equally. And so we were a happy bunch, as you can see in this picture from 2017 with our then leader, Robert Sharp .
The Challenge
My service on the County Council lasted 24 years with ten years in total as the Labour Group Leader. Committee papers were challenging, and since 2010 the national policy of austerity made matters very hard going. There were no easy answers as Reform UK are now finding.
Asking formal written questions in Council was an essential part of our challenge. We also used the opportunity to make written submissions to the Cabinet meetings. The more involvement with decisions we were given, the more responsibly we engaged. Successes were shared across the council, not simply by the controlling group.
In addition to local concerns, these three services occupied me most.
Children: Special education and delivering the best results in my local secondary schools
Transport: affordable public transport. All-ability active travel including walking and cycling.
Climate change: with some success, decarbonising and flood alleviation.
An Index of Deprivation
Indices of Deprivation: These Indices were an important but little known innovation of the 1997 Government. They enabled councils to prioritise policies by identifying areas of poverty, education, ill health, and so on. Most of Leicestershire, excluding the city itself, is of low deprivation.
When I arrived at County Hall, I noticed that the index was being used incorrectly when allocating 3+ nursery places. This would not have happened at County Hall in Bedford! Ultimately the Leicester Mercury ran a three word headline "Sort it Out!". And there was a shake up in the statistical team.
Ashmount Special School
Early years and special needs: The transformation that 'Sure Start' provided was evident to the profession but nothing has successfully replaced it. The introduction of "Best Start in Life" programme is an attempt in the same direction with incentive for childcare and early education. This has been followed by a promising White Paper "Every Child Achieving and Thriving".
The County Council will now be considering the growing challenge of Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND). During my term the Ashmount Special School (pictured) was moved to brand new buildings the Burleigh campus.
Charnwood College
Secondary Schools: Serving on the Board of Governors of a large comprehensive school, like Charnwood College (previously called Burleigh) was hard going. The transition to Academies meant that the County Council could no longer take measures to improve failing schools. I am delighted that Charnwood and DeLisle Colleges are doing well.
National Cycle Route Six
Transport: Cycling the twelve miles through Charnwood Forest to County Hall focused my thoughs on active travels and public transport. Generally road building always came first with a network that had little resilience to cogestion.
The Black Brook
Climate Change:
In May 2019 I proposed a resolution to declare a climate change emergency which was accepted unanimously. The County Council's Strategic Plan was amended accordingly and remains extant. Various initiatives were introduced and existing measures targeted and tracked. The focus has now moved from prevention to mitigation, which will be very costly in the long run.
Leicestershire Police Authority 2013-2015
Police: In those days the police were managed by the Chief Constable and with the tax and strategy set by the Leicestershire Police Authority on which I served for two years. This worked well and I was able to meet with responsible officers, notably to discuss changes in "stop and search".
Activity in the Community
County Councillors are required to submit an annual written report. By producing regular newsletters, this presented no difficulty. Furthermore, the act of delivering these by hand and cycling to and from County Hall was both good exercise and enjoyable. Here are some community activities I supported.
Garendon Park
Friends of Garendon Park
In September 2015 the Borough Council agreed to a 3,200 housing development next to the Grade II Registered Garendon Park. In 2013 there was little enthusiasm to meet the conditions and less interest from other councillors. I therefore set up a Friends of Garendon Park to ensure public access, restoration and other promises were met. It is hard work but we have nearly 400 members and growing.
Local Studies
County Library Service
Under pressure, we campaigned successfuly to keep Hathern Library open. Many small county libraries, like Hathern, are now run by volunteers. Some, like Ibstock, have failed to receive extra support. Loughborough, being the largest, has replaced staff with volunteers and shorter hours.
Loughborough Library Local Studies Group
This fantasic volunteer local history group is supported by the library service. The exhibition area (turn left at "crime") is now featuring a highly praised presentation of Garendon Park. It closes at Easter.
Fare Share
FareShare working with the Co-op
Few people are aware of the community work conducted by the co-operative movement. As an active member and for 5 years a Director of Central England Co-operative Society (a community owned grocery and funeral business) it was exhilarating to participate in promoting FareShare food banks and other endeavours often connected with local stores across the region.
Charnwood Arts
Our community arts programme was inspired by the late Kevin Ryan for most of my tenure with the County Council and I joined the committee for a while. Picnic in the Park and the Mela are showcase events where individuals and groups engage. These have included "Miniworks", plays with schools like "What passing bells", artists like Paul Gent and performances with Bill Brookman.
During my time as a County Councillor in Loughborough, Leicester City Football Club won both the Premier League in 2016 and the FA Cup in 2021.
And this is how it was celebrated!
Arts
Climate
Community
Sequel
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse