I think last week fairly counted as a busy week. It opened with a return to the Shrewsbury and Newport canal trust regular Himalayan Balsam removal. I think my grumpy face shows the nature of the work!
However, the canal looked beautiful, and some lilies do not detract from it's function and purpose as a waterway
Less attractive was this fishing line I recovered from the bank. The Anglers have a useful opportunity to be stewards and custodians, but the adage 'leave only footprints, take only memories' applies to all of us, and this fishing line is a massive risk to wildlife.
Monday evening saw our Conservative borough council Group meeting, which we hold prior to Thursdays Full Telford and Wrekin Council. The conservatives are the Main opposition, it is a role we take seriously, and my colleagues and I asked Five questions to the Lib Dems' none.
On Wednesday, I was re-elected as chair of the Newport Hub youth Charity. The Hub is a huge success, it is expanding it's hours, widening it's popular youth offering, and forging close links with Burton Borough school in particular. It is an honour to serve the Hub, and support the staff and volunteers.
Photo is from last year, looks at the snow! We'd just popped outside for a quick snap in from of the sign.
Friday evening I was invited to speak at the Wrekin association AGM. My congratulations to Tom Good elected as the new chair of the Association, and my thanks to Gareth the outgoing Chair. Both of them have done and will do a great job in these very complex times. The Party are in a period of rebuilding, our values don't change and they are still shared by millions who need a voice, a moderate centre-right party that rules in the National interest.
This week is shaping up to be quite different, and potentially difficult. I have a lot of homework.
I have been asked to meet, theoretically on an a confidential annonymised basis, with the principle CQC inspectors. They are the government inspectors who examine how effectively Telford and Wrekin Council deliver Adult social care. I do not know what they are going to ask. I do know that the Council £62million on Adult Social care, that this year's budget is expected to overspend by £4.3 million, and more next year's. Sadly many of the health indicators that lead to Adult Social care - needs - are getting worse. It is a complex issue: most people will get no help from the Council in their lives.
I'm getting there but I started on this one yesterday. The problem I have is that I explode with anger at some piece of egregious 'dependency facilitation ', on every page.
