Photos in the Park

It sounds idyllic but it was work. The photographer from the local paper came to take photos of people who want to keep the Park as a park. They don't have a united view on where the school could go, but they certainly are united in where it shouldn't go. I had to spend a lot of time explaining that this wasn't a planning application, that a decision hasn't yet been taken and that the study of different sites really is a genuine study.
It's very hard for people to understand that just because an MP says it's a good idea doesn't mean that it's a done deal.
In the photo are some of the residents who were happy to have photographs used on political leaflets and the like - there are many more who prefer to stay out of the limelight in that way.
I hope that the report being prepared by the SBC officers produces a suggested site which is acceptable to all parties even if it isn't anyone's first preference. The staff, students and parents need some certainty on what's going to happen. If we don't get that, we don't stand a chance of getting the funding for the rebuild and we desperately need that.
After an hour in the park there was just time for some personal jobs before an update meeting on the issues surrounding children, young people and social care in the borough. There are ongoing problems across the country with recruiting staff following the tragic case of baby Peter in London and so existing staff are having to cope with increased workloads. Add to that the fact that we're expecting Ofsted to descend at any time and it's a recipe for a stressed workforce. Unfortunately for social workers the Christmas break often means an increase in problems rather than a decrease as families try and fail to be something they're not.
Peace and Goodwill? I wonder.
But then I read a Christmas letter from friends overseas and remember that, as my mother would say, there's always someone worse off than yourself. Imagine having children in your care run off and murder someone - it doesn't bear thinking about.

The plot thickens

Our MP wrote to people who'd responded to her letter with a long epistle, part of which said that the petition she presented to Parliament suggested moving Egglescliffe school to Preston Park. Tonight one of the IBIS councillors showed us a copy of the petition form, which didn't mention either Egglescliffe school or Preston Park. Something strange is going on. Who is telling the truth? or put another way, who's telling nearest to the truth?
The last full council meeting before Christmas tonight was followed by the traditional hospitality from the Mayor - drinks and nibbles. It was a pleasant end to a hectic day with members of all parties mixing and chatting. It was particularly good to see two councillors who've suffered serious health problems recently back with us, not fully restored to health but at least capable of taking a full part in proceedings again. Something of the Christmas spirit rubbed off as even the questions were relatively good natured today.
I even found time today to locate our Christmas card list and count up how many cards we still need to buy! Now all I need is a bit of shopping time and we'll be organised.

The truth, the whole truth and ?

Today a resident showed me a response from our MP to her objection to the school in the park issue. According to Ms Taylor she was hoping to engage people in debate. There's a first! She also claims to have secured the funding for the school rebuild. It's a pity that no-one has told Stockton Council that. In fact the government department concerned specifically told Stockton Council that Egglescliffe, Conyers and All Saints are excluded from the funding.
Meanwhile more and more people are joining in the outcry, signing our petition and offering to help in the campaign. We haven't got the financial resources of the larger parties but we have got a lot of people who recognise that over the years Liberal Democrat councillors in Eaglescliffe have kept them informed about what's going on and can be trusted to do their best for the area.
This evening's meeting of Stockton's Local Strategic Partnership heard that although crime figures for the area have dropped dramatically over recent years and Stockton is the safest place in the old Cleveland County to live we can't have top marks from the inspectors because we're not reducing the crime in an innovative way!! No wonder the police representative on the Partnership despairs.

Busy Busy

There hasn't been a lot of time for thinking about a blog this past week. The online petition was getting signatures even before we told people it was there. Letters and emails have continued to stream in. We can't go into a shop or even to church without being approached. The issue of saving the Park for posterity has united the people of Eaglescliffe in a way that hasn't been seen for years.
In the midst of all that hubbub there hasn't been a lot of time to think about other things.
Although my letter to the Echo was published in the newspaper it wasn't put up on the online version so I can't provide a link. The Darlington & Stockton Times made the story front page news on Friday and they published my letter inside.
Thursday evening's Parish council meeting had also discussed the matter although unfortunately I had to leave early as I was travelling down to the Midlands to help with a house move the next day. All weekend, between unpacking boxes and amusing the grandchildren I was receiving and responding to emails on the subject. Now I see that Dari Taylor says today that she was trying to open up a consultation, something I haven't done!! Quite what she thinks our regular Focus articles are I don't know. But of course she doesn't live in Eaglescliffe so can't be expected to know what's going on. Perhaps if she did a little consultation of her own and asked her own party members in the area how many times they've been asked for their views? Too much to ask.
And in case anyone is wondering - the house move passed off without major disasters though with lots of stress.

Hands off Preston Park petition

Today we've launched our online petition against the suggestion promoted by Dari Taylor and Ingleby Barwick Independent Society (an unholy alliance) to put Egglescliffe School in Preston Park. No-one wants the children of Ingleby Barwick to be denied accessible school places but it must not be at the expense of the Green Lung of Eaglescliffe, a tourist attraction for the whole region and the centrepiece of the proposed River Tees Heritage Park.
In response to IBIS' claims that there is money in a pot waiting to be spent on a bridge they might like to contemplate the real cost of building a bridge across a river of that width, navigated by sailing craft as well as by motor vessels. Even if all the money from the Sustrans Connect2 project were to be spent on the bridge it would hardly build a wooden pontoon. They really need to take a reality check.
If anyone would like a paper copy of the petition to take to people without ready internet access just let us know.

Hands off Preston Park

Ms Taylor's letter has provoked as much comment as the most horrendous planning applications used to. So far not one has been to tell us what a good idea it is. Could it be that she's gained the votes of Ingleby and lost those of Eaglescliffe? Only time will tell. Meanwhile her comrade in arms for Stockton North had the grace to look a little embarassed at what had happened.
Meanwhile the campaign gathers pace. Stockton council officers and members will soon see that it's not only the people of Ingleby Barwick who feel strongly.

Advent Sunday

In the rush and hurry of life it's good to have times set aside for quiet reflection. For Christians Advent is such a time, leading up to Christmas. 4 Sundays before Christmas we start to really consider what it means - not jolly gents in red suits, not reindeer nor snowmen nor robins; not overspending on presents nor overeating nor even family get togethers. Christmas is about God with us - a challenge but also a comfort. And since this blog is about life as a councillor and political activist rather than about the rest of my activities I'll leave it at that. I'll just say that making the Advent wreath with my grand-daughter this weekend brought back memories of years ago doing it with her mother. Lighting that first candle before eating our lunch together was a timely reminder that there's more to life than the location of schools, selection of Parliamentary candidates or even the council budget!