Complaints Panel

I chaired a Complaints Panel last night and it is almost certainly the last one I will be involved in before the elections.  Subject to what others decide over the next couple of months it could be my last one?

It is always a good idea to look back briefly and consider what has gone well and not so well.  If I was to produce a list of the best and most important five things I have done as a Lead Member since 2006, the creation of this panel would most certainly feature.  I wrote a piece about it on Conservative Home – here.

Whilst I was angry at the terrible legacy that my predecessor left me and the bad reasons the previous adminstration gave against this panel being set up (I first suggested it when in opposition), credit is due to the Labour Group for being part of this, especially the likes of Councillor Vaught who have made a great contribution to the success.  Others have also done really well, amongst them Councillors Gill Hutchison, Barbara Harris, Peter Hills, Shirley Fisher, Sam Hearn, Councillor Andy Morgan-Watts, Linda Nakamura and Paul Lynch

This goes to prove that implementation is sometimes more important than the idea and execution is more important than the strategy.

Another example of a brilliant turnaround!

What a week!

An appalling budget.  Does the Labour Party have any humility?  Whilst this is a worldwide recession, we are in the mess we are in (in terms of debt) because of their Public Sector binge.  It is frightening just how much debt Britain is in.  Even further attacks on the motorist and pub goer will not resolve the problem of servicing that debt.  I do not recall one Labour representative saying, “maybe we should have done things differently when times were better?”.

On Thursday, St George’s flag was flown at the Civic Centre.

On Thursday night, I attended the Mayoral Event at the Music Museum in Brentford.  My first time there and I had a lovely evening.  I bid for two items in the Auction, one of which was two tickets to watch Brentford FC next season.  I am especially pleased about this with the excellent news that Brentford are on their way up next season.  Councillor Hibbs has done a great job as Mayor.  What has always struck me about her is just how genuine she is and what a big heart she has.  I am delighted that she has had the opportunity to offer so much to the Borough with what is such an important position.  Her Deputy, Shirley Fisher, has very similar qualities and has both done a great job as Deputy Mayor and made an impressive contribution as a Councillor.  We have served on some Complaint Panels together and she is the perfect member for such a panel – simply interested in coming to the right decision.

On Friday, Dominic Grieve MP, Peter Thompson and I visited Feltham Young Offenders.  It was my second time.  I was both encouraged and feeling down at the same time by what I saw from two young men I met at the computer lab.  Both were very bright and will clearly do well in life if their apply themselves and follow a good path.  How/Why do bright people like this end up in institutions like this.  There are possibly many reasons but frustrating nonetheless.

On Friday evening, the Feltham and Heston Conservative Association held what has become its Annual St George’s Dinner.  Dominic Grieve MP was again out Guest and he was brilliant.  Guests who are as friendly as they are intelligent always go down a treat.

LtoR: Paul Bedi, Dominic Grieve MP, Mark Bowen, Patrick Ground

I had the pleasure of introducing our Guest and Patrick Ground gave the Vote of Thanks.  It never surprises me that Patrick was a very popular MP amongst all sides of the House of Commons and within Feltham and Heston.  A really really nice man!