Chair of Governors Meet with Cabinet Member

It was my pleasure to arrange for the Chair of Governors of Fen Ditton, Great Wilbraham, Teversham and Fulbourn primary schools to meet with David Harty the cabinet member of the County Council responsible for school buildings. I brought together the 4 chairs to discuss the implications for their schools on the new primary school capacity being built in the city.

During a very thoughtful and positive meeting all the concerns were expressed and noted. David was very pleased to have had heard first hand about the concerns and would be looking into the key points to see what can be achieved. This meeting felt like real democracy in action. The group of four chairs and myself will meet on a regular basis to see where other collaboration between the schools may be possible.

Cllr John West – Rest In Peace

It is with great sadness that we were informed this morning of the death of Councillor John West. As a Conservative County Councillor John always made a positive contribution to debates. He was frank  in his views and ready to go into battle on matters he believed in or on behalf of others who needed his help. He was always ready with advice when it was needed. John will be missed.

I would like to pass on my sincere condolences to his wife and family.

The Wisbech Standard has this to say:

Mr West, 66, a town, district and county councillor had been feeling unwell after a severe bout of flu but had managed to attend a meeting of March Town Council on Monday evening.

Carol, his wife of 41 years, said he had spent most of yesterday sleeping and she thought he was unwell and tired.

Mr West was born and brought up in March and had represented March North on Fenland District and March Town Council for 10 years and had been a county councillor since 2005. He was mayor in 2009-10.

Mrs West said: “He was terribly hard working as a councillor and was so well-known in the town. He loved getting results for people when they came to him with a problem.”

Clive Lemmon, clerk to March Town Council, said: “He was a larger than life character and will be sadly missed.

“He was the kind of person that if there was a job to do he would always be one of the first to volunteer.”

 

Lib Dem’s “putting party before country”

I can only think that it is in the DNA of the Lib Dem‘s to complain and moan about most things yet when asked to stand up and take the tough decisions they wobble and abstain. I guess this is what comes from years out of power.

Personally I prefer any decision rather than no decision. At least in making a decision and monitoring the results you learn something, even if the decision is wrong. Abstaining or not making a decision is weak thinking and lacks leadership and courage. The Lib Dems often abstain at the County Council when they agree with the Conservative policy but don’t want to agree with it in public so they can moan if it goes wrong.

Have a look at this example of wobbling:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/journalists/rosa-prince/8173923/Tuition-fees-Liberal-Democrats-are-putting-party-ahead-of-country.html

Interestingly, during Prime Minister’s Question Time, David Cameron refused to criticise the Lib Dems in his Government for considering abstaining, instead urging MPs to start “looking at the substance of this issue rather than the process”. I agree.

More cats to herd? Nick Clegg and Vince Cable clash over tuition fees

The Business Secretary has warned the Deputy Prime Minister that unless he votes for the proposal to raise fees he will endanger the future of the Coalition.

During one fraught confrontation Mr Cable demanded that Mr Clegg “hold his nerve” and told him the party would “look ridiculous” if Lib Dem ministers voted against the proposals when they go before the Commons this Thursday.

Details of the clash between Mr Clegg and Mr Cable emerged after Mr Cable issued a string of contradictory statements about whether he would back the tuition fees rise.

It is understood Mr Cable always planned to vote for the legislation, but was repeatedly blocked from saying so explicitly by Mr Clegg, who demanded they keep the party’s options open.

Read the whole story here:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/liberaldemocrats/8181410/How-Nick-Clegg-and-Vince-Cable-clashed-over-tuition-fees.html

 

County Councillor announces resignation from Lib Dems

Cllr Nichola Harrison, who represents Petersfield on Cambridgeshire County Council, said she would stand down from the Liberal Democrat group with immediate effect.

I don’t agree with many of Nichola’s policies and political view points but without a doubt she is hard working, dedicated, full of energy if a little misguided. What has happened to take her from being a senior Lib Dem to independent? Time will tell. Is this the first of many expected Lib Dem splits we are going to see?

People sometimes say that all politicians are the same. Well I have picked up on one very important difference between the Conservatives and Lib Dems at the County Council. The Conservatives are able to debate issues internally and come to an agreed position. If you are to govern and lead effectively this is important. On the contrary, the Lib Dem’s seem to be a group of individuals, all wandering around in different directions, whilst sheltering under a very wide Lib Dem umbrella.

Herding cats is an expression that is overused these days but sums the Lib Dems up wonderfully. All soft and fluffy on the outside, they like being stroked by as many people as possible, snarl and spit at the slightest irritation and can not be led anywhere. This is true at the national level as well as at the County Council. Prrrrrr – milk anyone?

Read the whole story here:

http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/Home/Councillor-announces-resignation-from-Lib-Dems.htm

Nick Clegg’s office paid £88,000 to his wife’s law firm

Conflict of interest – surely not. I thought all  this had stopped. It needs to.

Nick Clegg faced accusations of a conflict of interest last night as it emerged his wife’s law firm has been paid £88,000 by his own department since the Election.

Figures published by the Cabinet Office in what was described as a ‘revolutionary’ transparency exercise revealed that the department had made two five-figure payments to DLA Piper since May.

The disclosure is an embarrassment for the Deputy Prime Minister, whose high-flying Spanish wife, Miriam Gonzalez Durantez, is a senior partner at the firm.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1331056/Nick-Cleggs-office-paid-88-000-wifes-law-practice.html#ixzz17FWAhlg6

 

Dirty tricks – not the Lib Dems surely?

http://order-order.com/2010/11/19/cleggs-sneaky-av-coffers-liner/

An interesting article. Beware if you get one of these leaflets through your door.

The AV voting system being pushed by the Lib Dems is as in all things they do wishy washy. They seem to be fixated with process rather than outcomes for members of the public.