31/08/2026
Feels like ages since I wrote an update - it’s because it’s been a long old week or so ! I’ve been off (in my day job) since GCSE results day *exhales* but as ever, busy with council stuff.
There is absolutely LOADS of casework - quite a bit of it is not getting what I’d consider to be adequate responses so I’ve pushed it back and ‘We go on’.
Recently I attended a walk around Longford Park with officers and stakeholders. We discussed the planned works and they do sound exciting- during the walk around it became clear that there was a bit of confusion around the plans so I’ve put together a really small working group - to meet every other week. We had our first meeting on Wednesday and I think it was really helpful. My campaign for ‘some miniature donkeys for pets corner’ continues…
On Tuesday and Wednesday (and Thursday) there were evening meetings at the Town Hall- Tuesday was Children’s scrutiny and Wednesday was an emergency meeting to discuss the results of the really unsatisfactory report we received into our Children’s Services.
I am horrified that children in our care were failed, absolutely horrified. Being a corporate parent is the most important role we elected members have. Taking care of people who cannot take care of themselves - that’s it, it’s what we are for.
I spoke against calls for the leader to resign. I’m never sure throwing the baby out with the bath water is the right answer, particularly not when it seems to be called for on an almost monthly basis by our opponents. There’s a time to be political - and I’m not sure this is it- cooperation feels like the most sensible path to take while we attempt to sort out the mess. There is a process and investigation that must be gone through, the political leadership was not criticised during the report. We therefore, must have confidence in our colleagues, see out the investigation and take on board the recommendations they make.
Thursday night was licensing - a committee I chair. I was really pleased to hear of the plans for the Tollgate. They are really trying to make the pub a hub within the community and already have permission to show live sports on screens outside, the permissions they sought were to open an outdoor kitchen and to show pre-recorded things rather than just liveTV.
Despite local opposition and representation from local Councillor Waseem Hassan we said yes but added a restriction that the food was solely to be eaten on site- reducing the ‘Deliveroo’ driver issue and preventing street rubbish being dropped. I know some of you will be disappointed but there were no grounds to turn this down - if you live by a licensed premises you are always able to ask for a licence review if you find it’s not working well.
I did a couple of site visits to do with casework - from tree roots, to crap parking to blocked gulleys. I’ve reported the ones at the junction of edge lane and Norwood / Kenwood/ Cromwell and Hillingdon and asked for them to be dug out (let me know if they aren’t) any more blocked grids please report them - let me know if they are not sorted.
Anyway - enough, it’s bank holiday and I’m busy sorting the house out in time for Stretford Jumble Trail 2026 next week. Have a great week, give me a shout if you need anything.
Finally, as it’s not in my patch ‘I remain committed to finding a way through the noise issues emanating from the Freight Terminal - if you too are kept up all night listening to shipping containers being dropped and cranes reversing do let me know…’.
[email protected]
