No I have not been away just totally immersed in the County Buildings which is a bit like the Dr Who "tardis" - looks normal from the outside but inside a different world all together.
Well we are just over a month into government – sorry I am sounding like T Blair or Alex Salmond. What I should say is the council has been in business for about six weeks now – and are we much further forward? I hope so.
All the new panels are in place ( the new word for committees) and members are trying to get their minds round the new setup. The same could be said for the officers who are also working under a new system.
It may sound a bit chaotic – but don`t panic dear reader – the business of local government still continues to flow with decisions being made, plans being passed, grants being allocated…Policy is still being formulated, but that will come and all hopefully to the benefit of you the council taxpayer.
The committees may have new names but the people are still there doing the same job. However as was pointed out at the meeting of voluntary community groups last week it is not always easy for somebody on the outside to find out who is there on the inside to provide help when it is needed. Part of the essence of the new South Ayrshire Council is community involvement – so easier access is something we must look at. A clear contact list on the council award winning website ( www.south-ayrshire.gov.uk ) would be a start. But then what do you do for the people not on the internet and there are still a lot of them out there?. Lists pinned up on library walls perhaps.
In between panel meetings, training sessions (learning how to be a good councillor and giving you value for your council tax) this is the season of galas and school productions and prizegivings – so the councillors` diaries are pretty crowded.
I was at Maybole Gala Day on Saturday and despite the wintery weather – it was freezing! (so much for global warming) – there was a great turnout to see the procession and crowning of the King and Queen of Carrick. The Burns theme of the previous week continued into the Gala – Maybole has been celebrating the fact that Burns` parents met and married in the town – and lots of kids and adults were in period costume.
As well as local folk, the Gala procession had one MP one MSP, the Provost, four councillors, plus the World President of the Burns Federation and the next World President of the Burns Federation. Surely that must be some sort of record!..I suspect the Coylton Gala on this coming Saturday (June 23) may not have such a `star` line-up – but maybe the weather will be better. Let`s hope so.
Monday, 18 June 2007
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