Meeting the HDC Chief Executive and District Administrator to secure the right to get all committee papers and agendas when I discovered that a new standing order proposal would restrict the rights of minority members and so I was advised to use the system whilst it lasted. Home after lunch and some shopping to study the copious rules and documentation and then off to Offord to take Debbie horse-riding with Amy law in tow. An evening at the village hall for my first Parish Council meeting where I was co-opted on to the Council and got support for wanting a village policeman but less so about the football pitch. The local news full of my successful election and congratulations from the Constituency leader. News today that David Steel will not stand for SLD leader, P&O Ferries are emerging as the problem in the seamen’s dispute and defeat for the government in the House of Lords over the Education Reform Bill that would allow schools to opt out of Local Authority Control.
A poor night’s sleep without a pain killing tablet to ease the discomfort of my ribs. Slow to wake up this morning and so I had my breakfast in my dressing gown, to be with the others. Afterwards, I went to my office to order a few papers and soon realised that my meeting with the Chief Executive of Huntingdon District Council, Mr Gee, was at 9.30am and so I set off to arrive there on time. Other elected members were also due to see him and so my quarter of an hour of discussions caused a bit of a queue. I tackled him about standing orders and other HDC procedures and obtained permission to receive all of the agendas and papers for all of the committees, regardless of my eventual selection for any of them. On then for more time with the District Administrator, Peter Watkins, who was even more helpful and gave me quite a lot of background information and documentation. It seems that the new set of standing orders in preparation will be much more restrictive for minority groups and so I should appreciate the present opportunity to ask questions and comment freely. It remains to be seen which of my preferences, planning, environmental services, and leisure & amenities are accepted.
I then went around Huntingdon town centre, buying a local paper and having morning coffee, then, finally, I went to the model centre and bought a replacement radio control set for Daniel’s car. Home in time for lunch and then this afternoon reading copious documentation of the rules and organisation of the council. After tea, I took Debbie to her horse riding lesson in Offord and Amy Law wanted to come too and watch. She quite enjoyed it, but I hope that it does not lead to her wanting to go horse riding on her own account, as her parents may not be able to afford it. Once home, I went straight out again and along to the village hall for a Parish Council meeting. I was co-opted onto the Parish Council and also got agreement for a united Parish/District/County approach to the Chief Constable of the Cambridgeshire Constabulary, on the question of a village bobby for Little Paxton. I was less successful on the continued use of the Little Paxton football pitch, due to the absence of toilet and changing facilities. Home to the TV news and a phone call from Derek Mitchell, the SW Cambs Constituency leader, congratulating me on my election victory. It was also well reported, with good pictures, in the press today. This afternoon, I went to St Neots, picked up extra copies of the local newspapers and got my hair cut at the same time. It had turned into quite a warm and humid evening. The news tonight is of David Steel announcing that he will not stand for election as SLD leader. The unions of seamen are now concentrating on their dispute with P&O and even Sealink management has come out criticising the stance of P&O Chairman, Sir Jeffrey Sterling. The government has been defeated in the House of Lords over the Education Reform Bill on the arrangements for schools opting out of local authority control.