Public Access to Council Committees

I have asked for the Councils agenda papers to be amended to highlight the fact that residents are able to attend both Full Council and Committee meetings of the Council. Conservatives were keen to open up access to the public and this was one of the main reasons for installing a Community Outlook Scrutiny Committee to enable residents to put forward issues for discussion by elected members. As part of our re-vamp of Full Council meetings we also initiated a Public Questions slot to enable residents to put forward a written question to be answered at the Full Council meeting. Residents are also allowed to speak at Development Control and Licensing meetings on applications that affect them.

I would urge residents to keep an eye on the Councils website for dates of meetings. All are welcome!

Weekly Update 15th 19th Jan

This week has been a busy one within the Town Hall with the week starting with Human Rights Training on Monday morning. The course was intended to inform Councillors of the current and emerging legislation coming out of Strasbourg, residents will remember that such issues in the past had to go to the European Court of Justice for consideration. Human Rights legislation has now been absorbed into the UK legal framework.

Monday evening I attended a cabinet pre brief and then Chaired the Conservative Group meeting.

17th Jan. In the morning myself and the Chief Executive of the Council met with a representative from Government Office North West (GONW) The meeting was to discuss the Councils Improvement Agenda and track our progress in our quest for a 'Good' CPA re-inspection.

In the evening I chaired the Cabinet meeting.

19th Jan. This morning I attended the North West Regional Assembly meeting held at the JJB Stadium in Wigan. The agenda included items on Natural England, NW European network and updates on the work of scrutiny groups. You can view items on www.nwra.gov.uk

Friday evening was the Annual Conservative Association Dinner held at the Lindum Hotel, St annes with guest speaker Den Dover MEP

New Team Member for Ward committee

This week saw the arrival of a new recruit to the Heyhouses Ward Conservative Committee, Mr Craig Halewood. Craig has a keen intrest in politics and will be helping Conservative candidates with campaigning on the run up to the May elections. Craig has lived on the Fylde Coast all his life and is about to move into St annes, he works at BAE Systems in Warton.

Keith Hyde has been working with Groundworks this week on the consultation for Waddington Park and has also led the budget setting process in the Town Hall by considering budget bids.

I was invited to speak on Wednesday night at the Civic Awareness seminar held at Lytham YMCA.. Conservatives as well as other political groups groups were invited to speak about how their respective groups operated within the Town Hall. The Conservatrives are the only group to hold regular meetings to dicuss local issues raised in their wards.

The Conservatives have launched a recruitment campaign this week to find District candidates for Rural Wards. If you know anyone who may be intrested in becoming a Conservative Councillor please get them to contact the Fylde Conservative Office on 01772 671533. Thanks!

Week Commencing the 8th January

This week sees the return of regular meetings of the Council. Today the Cabinet has met informally to discuss the draft agenda for 17th of January meeting.

The Conservative Group on Fylde Council also met this evening to discuss issues that have arisen over the Christmas Period.

In the Ward the Consultation exercise initiated by New fylde Housing regarding potential development on a small section of Waddington Park has started. The Consultation will be carried out by Groundwork Lancs West. They will be contacting a cross section of residents within the park area to float plans and register concerns. Councillor Keith Hyde has been working closely withe Council Officers and the friends of Waddington Park on this project.

Getting Started!!

Well It's day one of the the Heyhouses Ward Blog. I will try to give an up to date report of my work as your Ward Councillor and as the Leader of Fylde Borough Council. I will use the blog to inform you of issues that affect you within the Borough and Nationally and to also give a more in depth review on some of the news and letters in the local media.

I hope that you will sign up to my e-mail alert scheme, which will send you useful information, such as issues to be discussed in the Town Hall, Ward fund raising and Social events and how Government policies may affect you, your families and friends. This service will be in addition to Heyhouses monthly Ward Surgeries and our quarterly Heyhouses Harrier leaflet.

You will have to bare with me as I familiarise myself with the technology! I hope you will find this trial useful, I look forward to hearing from you in the future.