This week marks the traditional end of the school holidays and a return to formal council business. Although the major decision making committees break over the summer, I was still heavily involved in dealing with residents casework and discussing various issues with residents on the doorsteps which I am sure many of my other colleagues were likewise doing.
Tonight, sees the return of the Traffic & Parking Working Party, meetings that I enjoy as they rarely divide across political lines. Some the items which are discussed at Traffic & Parking can be very emotive and usually is one of the meetings which is very well attended by members of the public, something which I see little change this evening.
Tuesday was also the first Cabinet meeting following the summer recess and there were a couple of important papers on the agenda including the review of the town's library service and the borough's sports strategy which is appropriate as we are nearing the end of the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
I also had an important paper on the agenda which included measures to be taken on London Road following the death of Joseph Ball killed by an irresponsible driver whilst crossing the road with his mum. Whenever this item is discussed it still never gets any easier but even though a formal crossing wasn't proposed, the measures that were agreed by cabinet, are the belief of many, will lead to better road safety in this area which will ultimately be the legacy of Joseph Ball.
This paper was one of the first to go through to the new pre-scrutiny route and I think considering the nature of the topic it was the right thing to do. I know I have been very vocal and sometimes highly critical of the conduct of some members at council meetings but the Economic & Environmental Scrutiny Committee deserve some credit in the professional way it handled the debate and conducted itself. It showed Southend Council at its best.
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