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SELECT COMMITTEE MEETING

The Social Inclusion Select Committee of High Peak Borough Council meets. I am the present Chairman, but tonights meeting elects the Chairman for the ensuing year. I am delighted to be elected unanimously. The meeting goes on to discuss several things but the main topics are the review of housing allocation policy and the success of the Council in bidding for housing related funding.

LONDON

My monthly trip to London to meet with the other selected Conservative Candidates across the Country. We discuss Police mergers and how there is a large ground swell of opinion against this policy. I tell my colleagues that as far as I can establish, the only person in the High Peak in favour of the merger is the local MP.

CUMBRIA

When I see the Lake District in the sunshine it is difficult to know why any of us go abroad for our holidays. As I walk round Whitehaven I note the regeneration work that has been done around the Marina and how it enhances the town. With a bustling market and friendly people and the views across to the Isle of Man it is very pleasant

DAYS AWAY

Take the opportunity to have a few days away to celebrate my 20th wedding anniversary. Margaret Beckett isnt the only one who enjoys caravans !

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

Along with my Conservative colleague, County Councillor Robin Baldry, I attend a Q&A session for Buxton Conservative members. They asked many questions about the party and the present Governments difficulties.

CONSERVATIVE FUTURE

I have a meeting to discuss a major event for young people in the High Peak that I am trying to organise - watch this space. Its early days.

IN THE KITCHEN

I volunteer once a week to help in the Pepperpot Cafe in Fairfield. It is a community cafe that is very popular and they were short of helpers. I enjoy my monthly stint and can recommend it to all

FAIRFIELD OLDER PERSONS GROUP

Providing a real community service, this Group helps people in Fairfield to get to the Post Office every Thursday. Since the closure of the Fairfield Post Office they struggle to get to an alternative. Following their trip they get together in Fairfield and have quizzes and bingo. The organiser Cathy Ayrton has asked me along, I have agreed to help where I can. My first task is to provide a  quiz for them all. Watch this space for more details.

WARD ISSUE

I meet with Council officials as I try to resolve an issue in my coiuncil Ward. This work is the most important of any day.

GREAT NEWS FOR GLOSSOP

I am delighted to hear that the new PCT arrangments for Derbyshire are what I have been advocatin. The most important thing is that Glossop will not be consumed into a Derbyshire wide PCT , it will retain its relationship with Tameside. Backed my colleague Jean Wharmby I had proposed this to a full meeting of HPBC and received backing from all Members. It was very disappointing that Derbyshire County Council had not agreed with us, instead preferring to express their support for Glossop going in with the whole of Derbyshire. Cty.Cllr. George Wharmby was the lone voice amongst Glossop Coutny Councillors to stand up against this recommendation.

FULL & ANNUAL COUNCIL MEETINGS

Two meetings of the full council in one evening. A discussion takes place over a motion concerning the proposed Police restructures. I propose an amendment that provokes a long and constructive debate. The whole Council supports my amendment after a couple of minor changes have been made. Yet again we have opposed the Governments' proposals to get rid of the Derbyshire Constabulary in favour of an East Midlands Regional super force. I hope that they will listen ! Who knows, a change of Home Secretary may force a change of heart. 

DEVELOPMENT PLAN MEETING

I chair the Development Plan Select Committee of High Peak Borough Council. This committee looks at the long term planning strategy for the High Peak and its different areas.

MEETING AT THE PCT

Whilst the Minor Injuries Unit in Bxton remains closed in the evenings and the PCT face further pressure on their budget, I was invted to meet with Dianne Jeffrey (Chairman) and Neil Swanwick (Chief Excutive, High Peak and Dales PCT) to dicsus the problems they face. We had a long discussion and covered a wide range of problems that they face as they continue to wrestle with their budget. I urged them again to make the re opening of the MIU at Buxton one of their main priorities

MEET WITH DERBYSHIRE CHIEF CONSTABLE

I accompanied Conservative MP's Patrick McLoughlin and Nick Herbert to a meeting with David Coleman. We had a long discussion around the Governments proposed mergers of local forces into an East Midlands regional force.

WORKING WITH THE YOUNG

I attended a Peak 11 event in Glossop. Along with fellow Conservative Councillor Jean Wharmby and County Councillor George Wharmby I spent the day at the Glossop Community College on hand to answer questions from young people about what services are availabel for them. As part of the Group on HPBC working on a play strategy it was interesting to hear their thoughts and comments.

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