As always leaders should meet and share ideas. Yesterday, it was my pleasure to visit Norwich to explain how successful sharing our back office function with Northamptonshire has been to the Leader of Norfolk County Council.
They seemed impressed with what we had achieved and I was impressed by the forward thinking, dynamic leadership in Norfolk. I am sure the Leader of NCC and I will be sharing a range of ideas as we move forward.
Wind farms seem to polarise opinion.
I recognise that there are an extreme range of opinions from eco warriors who want to save the world and think that emitting less carbon in Cambridgeshire is the answer to those who just don’t like them towering over the landscape.
The trouble is if you mix in some political mantra, a Liberal Democrat opposition party who have lost their way and finding it very difficult to make any traction politically and a ruling group who want to make a positive difference for the people of Cambridgeshire a fuss is bound to happen.
Just for the record I support carbon reduction, not for political dogma but because it saves us money. Sensible, practical. I think so.
Much has been said on the subject but let me share my views.
All councils are there to serve the people and where ever possible should do no harm. Always difficult with many needs and wants of folk but a reasonable starting point. Sometimes we make decisions for the greater good which are not welcome by individuals but we ought to minimise this where ever possible.
Rural communities and especially Fenland have indicated to local elected members that they have plenty of wind turbines and don’t want any more. Is that a scientific expensive consultation exercise, probably not. Is it feedback from elected members who are in touch with their communities and accountable to them, yes it is.
There seems to be a trend for central government to have a presumption of allowing wind farms to be built. This has meant that local councillors and local people who have rejected planning applications at district councils are having these decisions overturned on appeal. Their seems little defence for local people.
Wind turbines are huge. The one in question is approx 80m high. Taller than Ely Cathedral.
As landlords of the county farm estate WE can decide what happens on our land. That is, the people of Cambridgeshire.
The Liberal Democrat council members who want wind farms building on our 33000 acres of county farm estate don’t live anywhere near where they will be built. Four represent Cambridge, one Ely and one Histon. I’m not sure how often they venture into Fenland but it is a valid question for them to be asked.
There are alternatives to wind farms.
Wind farms are only viable because of subsidy through feed in tariffs. That means we are all paying for them in our bills. When the tariffs end we are stuck with the wind farms for a long time.
The Liberal Democrates claim this will cost the council a million pounds. Any money from future wind farm development had not been built into our budget. What price upsetting so many people?
On balance it seems we should listen to local people and not inflict significant pieces of machinery on those that don’t want it until we really have to and we don’t now. Cabinet is seeking to defer, not abandon, defer allowing any wind farms to be built on council land. We will now be wrapped in process and paperwork by the Lib Dems until their emotions are satisfied but to no avail.
Good use of council money sorting this out?
I’m just pinching myself to make sure today has not been a dream. Did I hear Cllr Brooks-Gordon, Cambridge City Liberal Democrat County Councillor, on the radio calling for brothels to be opened in Cambridge? I know that I am keen on Cambridgeshire being open for business but that seems to be taking things to extremes.
Then today at a public scrutiny committee, where I was answering questions on our decision to not allow wind farms on county land, I was astonished to hear ex Liberal Democrat County Councillor Harrison tell the committee she would support a wind turbine on Parkers Piece in Cambridge!!!! This was not a passing comment but made with gusto and supported by Cllr Kevin Wilkins, also a Lib Dem County Councillor from the city, if vigorous nodding can be seen that way.
Finally, Cllr Kevin Wilkins then insulted me in front of the public. I think respect is important. Clearly if some one gives a different view to Cllr Wilkins he feels the need to resort to name calling. I was pleased that the chairman made him apologise. I think he may need to look into what the words liberal and democratic mean. As it happens this is the second time he has shouted out insults recently. Not good for democracy or preserving respect in our institutions. On a personal level it felt like being savaged by a cotton bud, weak, pointless and totally without impact.
I am regularly reminded by the Liberal Democrat opposition in the County Council that running the council is not like running a business. It is certainly different but I do believe that common sense, efficiency, listening to the people of Cambridgeshire (customers?) and spending money wisely should be even more important as it is public money we are spending. Even more important is making sure we do things for the people of Cambridgeshire rather than just talking about it.
I think what the Lib Dems mean is that process, procedure, endless meetings, politicians droning on, accountability, etc etc is more important than outcomes. I happen to believe that elderly folk are more interested in how we help them rather than politicians self importance. I also think that we can have all the above, in healthy measures, providing we keep focussed on the outcomes. I would like to spend as near to 100% of the public money under our control on the people of Cambridgeshire not on our own internal political preening.
When the Titanic went down I bet it was a Lib Dem in charge organising a meeting to decide if the ship should go left or right around the iceberg.!
I guess that is the difference between our two parties.
Earlier in the week I blogged on changes to our Cabinet, and in particular losing the services of Catherine Hutton because of difficulties balancing her role as a portfolio holder with her professional career.
As I said, losing a young, energetic female with a business background feels like a democratic failure, as there are so few people like Catherine in local politics. We should do more to attract councillors from all walks of life and dare I say parties – councillors should be champions for their local residents and therefore we need to have experience and represent a cross section of our society.
Being a good councillor is a full time job. You must be available for your community, have an ear to the national and regional issues while doing your best to balance nearly a £billion budget. All of this while dealing with a range of sensitive issues from the emotionally charged challenge of helping support children who may not have the best start in life to planning the best way to reduce congestion – and everything in between. I say this, not as a moan, as I relish the challenge but to show what demands we put on people who usually step forward as councillors because they want to make the place they live a little better.
In these straightened times, the public is correct to challenge the salaries of public servants, particularly those who are highly paid, and to be satisfied that they are getting value for money. But equally the question must be asked what would encourage more people from across our communities to come forward and give up their work, family or leisure time to work the often long and unsociable hours needed to make a real difference in their community. What would make you give up your Friday night to leave your family for a council meeting or persuade a single parent to become a councillor and speak on behalf of their neighbours and fellow residents.
I believe there is a debate to be had on what would encourage more people to become a councillor, including whether the low level of allowance afforded to Members in Cambridgeshire limits the potential breadth and quality of people we might otherwise attract to become councillors. The basic pay for a County Councillor in Cambridgeshire (before tax) is below £8,000. Cabinet members get a special responsibility allowance which when added to the basic pay still falls short of £20k, and that is for effectively a full time position including lots of evening meetings.
An independent panel – I stress independent – have been reviewing the current scheme of Member’s allowances. They are due to report their findings next month. The reaction from my fellow councillors and from the public will make for an interesting debate, I am sure. But I think one we need to have. There was cross party agreement, amongst the leaders, that this review should take place and I have already signalled that any voting on the review will not be whipped, in my group.
There is a price to pay for effective local government. I wonder if the panel will find that in Cambridgeshire, we have short changed our communities and those desperate to represent them.
I was asked to speak at the community and adult services workshop today. There was about 40 managers present, many of whom I have met in my recent travels around the county.
These managers are clearly extremely well motivated and had a number of excellent success stories to tell. Why do we not share this success more widely? One for our comms team I suspect.
It was an opportunity to drive home how important it is to work within a budget which, given the predicted overspend, is top of my list to sort out. Excellent care alone is no longer enough.
I was keen to stimulate innovative thinking and to challenge the status quo. This will be necessary to provide an effective service against a background of reducing budgets and increased demand. The feedback to me indicated that the team are up for the challenge.
I had an interesting meeting at the new offices of the New Directions Service in Cambridge. This service specialises in working with males who abuse their partners to help modify behaviour. This work is challenging and complex but hopefully worthwhile. I will be interested in the outcomes of this pilot scheme.
Last night Catherine Hutton, cabinet member for Adult Services, let me know that she would have to stand down from the cabinet. Despite a huge amount of effort, balancing work with a full time cabinet position was just not sustainable. My concern is that Catherine is just the sort of person needed in Cabinet to give it balance and energy. Young energetic females interested in politics, with a business background are rare.
I fear local politics will remain dominated by retired males who have pensions. This feels like a democratic failure.
On the positive side I am pleased that Martin Curtis is moving from Health and Wellbeing to take on our biggest challenge, Adult Services. Tony Orgee returns to the cabinet to take over Health and Wellbeing.
I have taken the opportunity to balance some of the portfolios. Now that the guided busway is up and running successfully it is moving from Ian Bates to Steve Criswell. Waste is moving from Steve Criswell to Mathew Shuter.
And all this sorted before 1000 this morning.
This evening it was my pleasure to attend the official opening of the Ramsey library. Based on the concept of being a community hub, it houses elements of county, district and town council activities as well as traditional library services.
Lots of IT, desks and a study area all well lit and comfortable. The meeting rooms are excellent and should be well used by the community.
Some great speeches and thanks to a large number of individuals. Amazing how many folk are involved in creating a multi use facility.
Monday found me visiting CEES at Stibbington, just outside Peterborough. This purpose built residential centre can accommodate up to 38 children whilst teaching them about sustainable lifestyles. Lots of activities that were fun and educational and all led by qualified and experienced teachers in an exciting environment.
I enjoyed the authentic victorian classroom and the WW2 evacuation experience. A great idea to teach children how to save energy and reduce dependancies on carbon. Good to see such sensible topics taught based on attempts to reduce cost and seeking to preserve the dwindling oil reserves. Glad it had not been highjacked by the “save the planet” brigade.
