So fun-packed, here is a brief account of what happened (more details to follow):
Not in attendance
The Conservatives so desperately wanted your votes at the local elections that they promised money to RAWS if they got voted in and yet now it is difficult to see how they can effectively represent local people when 14 Conservative councillors didn't show up to the meeting of the Full Council and 4 left early. Was there something good on the telly?
There were 22 members of the public in attendance who almost outnumbered the Conservative councillors who actually made it.
Military Service
Bamber Bridge Councillor Paul Foster was presented with a Veteran's Medal. However, the microphone was not switched on and members of the public could not hear as the Mayor Kath Beattie mumbled through his military CV.
Well behaved children
There were 4 very well behaved children from a local primary school present. They were members of their school council and asked the Mayor why she decided to be a mayor and what qualifications were needed. They did their school great credit.
Conservatives abandon RAWS (RAWS having served their purpose)
Earlier this year the Conservatives were saved by a mystery donor from an embarrassing and possibly illegal situation surrounding the promised gift of public money by a Conservative-led council to RAWS to fight a legal challenge against the siting of a waste recycling plant in their area. Last night the Conservatives officially abandoned the campaign group. The Conservative Leader Margaret Smith confirmed that no more cash would be pledged to any appeal RAWS may lodge against the Farington Waste Plant. It seems the group has served their purpose for the Conservatives in helping to get them elected. Read the background to this story here and here.
'Nothing to do with me' - Councillor Suthers
Conservative Cabinet Member in charge of leisure centres in South Ribble last night washed his hands of problems at the centres. A new booking system had caused chaos after it was introduced without staff being properly trained to use it and the requirement to pre-pay using debit cards threatens to exlcude those without access to one such as the young and unwaged. Additionally, the playscheme run by Leyland Leisure Centre (not to be confused with Leyland Playscheme which is excellent) received a damning Ofsted report which Councillor Suthers described as 'not that bad' even though the Ofsted inpsection revealed basic health and safety measures for children were not in place.
Councillor Suthers, when questioned about the problems, said that there wasn't much he could do about it.
He might well have stayed home and watched the telly!
South Ribble prides itself on being an open and transparent council and there are many opportunities for the public to have their say on local issues.
The public are able to attend meetings of the Full Council and are permitted to speak and ask questions on agenda items. Agendas here.
Each area of South Ribble has an Area Committee which the public are strongly encouraged to attend. More details here.
'Lancashire Locals' are designed to bring decision-making on services delivered by Lancashire County Council closer to local communities. South Ribble has its own Lancashire Local. Details can be found here.
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