Last Council Meeting closes harmoniously.

On Thursday I attended my last full County Council meeting.

Since it was the last meeting of the full council before the election in early May, the atmosphere during the early part of the meeting was fairly highly charged with political point scoring being the order of the day.  Both the Labour Party and UKIP introduced motions which, I suppose, were designed to embarrass the administration.  One was about Highways and the other about the democratic accountability of the Local Enterprise Partnership.  Both motions were fairly technical in nature however, which means that they were unlikely to resonate particularly strongly with the public at large.  I am not sure if either made much of splash in  the EADT.

Despite being four down the Conservatives managed to win both votes and thus see off any criticism.   In  recent months this has been the usual outcome, despite the fact that the Group has not always had a theoretical majority.  Luckily our record of attendance is good;  better than some of the opposition groups.  The Greens in particular seem to have put in a rather patchy performance.

The last hour or so of the meeting was taken up with reports and business from committees that are largely concerned with the internal workings of the council such as the Audit, Scrutiny, and Pension Fund Committees.  Although these do include members from different political parties, and, in the case of the Pension Fund Committee, representatives from the District Councils and also the Unions, these bodies have worked very effectively over the past four years,  It was good to hear politicians from all sides coming together in a mood of mutual congratulation, and, more importantly perhaps, praising the council’s excellent officers, for their extremely professional and efficient support.

Chief Executive, Deborah Cadman, Chairman Colin Spence and Vice Chairman Stephen Burroughs

Attending full council meetings has not been the part of the councillor’s role that I have most enjoyed, and I left the chamber shortly before the end without much feeling of regret.  The coming weeks, when I will be bidding farewell to the Parish Councils that I have worked with since 2013, will, I suspect, prove much more difficult.

Gone!

A month of free Sundays at Gainsborough's House

This weekend the 'month of Sundays' initiative continues at Gainsborough's House.  There will be free admission to the museum from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. this Sunday, 19th March and also on 26th March.

Families are very welcome and there are currently two very interesting exhibitions on display.

More information is available HERE.

We should not leave it to 'Them'

Russian communal clean up or 'subbotnik'

On 4^th March, at Sudbury on Show, the Sudbury Society launched the LoveSudbury Campaign.  The aim of this initiative is to encourage people to ‘do their bit’ when it comes to improving the appearance of the Town.  Last week the Group launched its website which can be accessed HERE.

Apparently this admirable campaign is to some extent motivated by the perceived shortfall in services that has resulted from central Government cuts to local authorities.  This has caused some people to criticise the campaign because they say that councils will not resume services when the current period of austerity is over, and ‘people’s jobs will be at risk’.  This negative approach is misconceived for a number of reasons.

Firstly, are we to wait until councils have the ability to start spending again (probably some time in the mid 2020’s on current forecasts) and simply allow the situation to get worse and worse?  I certainly hope not!

Secondly, upright and responsible citizens in all communities have, even at times of plenty, done their bit for the common good.  How many people do we know who 'just cut that little piece of grass' that is always neglected, or regularly organised small scale litter picks?  Even in the Soviet Union regular communal clean ups were organised that encouraged a voluntary approach to civic pride.

Thirdly, demand for public services is infinite.  However much money is available there will always be room for improvement, always more that can be done.  Even in the City of London, where support from business rates from banks and other businesses mean that to some degree the streets really are paved with gold, there are patches of neglect.  Sadly there are few residents around to take these in hand.

When it comes to our communal environment, there are always those who say ‘it’s a disgrace, “THEY”  should do something about it.’    What they forget is the actually ‘THEY’ really means ‘US’.

Poster advertising a communal clean up

A chance to meet Jo Churchill

On 6^th April Articulate HLC is hosting a business breakfast with the Member of Parliament for Bury St Edmunds, Jo Churchill, pictured left.

An M.P. since May 2015, In July 2016, Jo was elected, with joint highest nominations, to join the Executive Committee of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) and was also appointed Parliamentary Private Secretary (PPS) to Rt Hon Mike Penning MP, Minister of State for Armed Forces.

With a depth of knowledge of small business, retail and rural life, Ms Churchill is well placed to explain, advise and listen to the concerns of those who live and work here.

She will be focusing on a range of issues, from areas in which she is campaigning for her constituency to the broader issues on which she is focused in Parliament - Brexit, rural business needs and women in business.

 The business breakfast will be held at Highwaymans in Risby.  If you would like to meet this dynamic local  MP and air your views, details and a booking form can be found on www.articulatehlc.co.uk <http://www.articulatehlc.co.uk>

£15pp Bookings close on 30th March.

Bring out your unwanted medical equipment!

A antidiluvian crutch

Many years ago my husband, Nick, had a nasty accident while on a business trip in San Francisco.  The driver of the taxi that he took from the airport to the city drove much too fast during a rain storm and skidded and crashed into the barriers at the side of the freeway.  As a result he broke his ankle and, having been patched up by San Francisco Hospital, he returned home for further treatment at the West Suffolk Hospital with crutches provided by the US medical services.

These crutches were immediately condemned as antediluvian in design by the orthopaedic department at West Suffolk.  However I have no recollection of ever returning their replacements to the hospital

Well, it seems I was not alone in hanging on to medical bits and pieces that are given out by hospitals in times of need.

Last year in Suffolk local health services issued over 100,000 NHS community equipment items to patients in need at a cost of more than £8.5m. By the end of the year nearly 40,000 items, costing £3.4m, had not been returned to the contractor Medequip. While some patients need equipment for long periods of time, NHS services lose thousands of pounds each year due to missing equipment.

In a bid to save some money the NHS, working with Suffolk County Council, has announced an amnesty during the month of March, hoping that people will return some of the items that they no longer need.  Three collection points have been set up at Medequip depots in Ipswich, Bury St Edmunds and Ellough (near Beccles), which will be open to collect goods from 8.30 to 5 p.m. on Monday to Friday and from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays.  Mediquip will also pick up items if you call them on 01473 351805. The locations of the sites can be found by clicking Here. . The collection service will continue after the March amnesty is over.

Best of Sudbury

The Mayor and Caroline on the Compassion Stall

A fine collection of organisations was represented at the Sudbury on Show event yesterday.  A large number of different charities and associations, from local history recorders to those giving support to the sick and needy,  were ranged across stalls in the Town Hall and in St Peter's Church.

Compassion, the charity that combats domestic abuse in Babergh,  was allocated a good spot in the central aisle.  During the couple of hours that I spent on the stall we spoke to several people about the work of the organisation, which continues to need more volunteers.

In a moment of distraction I was enveigled into joining the Sudbury Society, being unable to resist the lure of a free fridge magnet, and also a wonderful glossy book displaying the unlisted glories of the town.  This was originally printed in 2002 and, since the first run rapidly sold out, this was a reprint from 2010.  At the time of the reprint only two of the many properties featured had disappeared.  I wonder if there has been much change today?  I am looking forward to going along to some of the interesting events that the Sudbury Society hosts and promotes.

It was great to see so many friends and acquaintances during the morning.  The event really does demonstrate the fact that Sudbury continues to be a caring and active society that includes many people keen to volunteer to improve the lot of the town and its residents.

Three Johns, two from Go Start Community Transport, and Cllr. John Sayers

Rare frogs

George Millins

Frogs have been at the forefront of my mind recently

Initially the  intrepid amphibians were brought to our attention when we were on our way to Edwardstone last week.  In Great Waldingfield we encountered George Millins and his stalwart troop of volunteers who, every year at this time, can be seen in the evenings toting large buckets as they seek to assist the little creatures across Folly Road. The frogs need to cross the road so that they can return to the pond near the school to mate and spawn.  If you are travelling along Folly Road do take heed of the signs, slow down,  and help them to make the perilous crossing.

Meanwhile, a frog of a rather older vintage took pride of place in the February edition of From the Vaults published by Heritage Suffolk.   Roman in origin, the figurine was discovered in Wixoe by a metal detector in the 1980’s and donated to the County Council.   Recent investigation has revealed that there was once a substantial Roman settlement in the vicinity.  Frogs are rarely found in Roman art and so the find was a significant one.

The little beast (only 3.6 cm long and 1.3 cm high) is currently on display at West Stow Anglo Saxon Village.  For more information about him or her go to ON THE VAULTS here.