Political View: The final column before it all kicks off!

Writing this column for the print deadline is a tricky task when two significant events are before us, writes Conservative Group press officer John Howard.

Firstly, England playing their World Cup Semi-Final vs Argentina. By the time of reading this column, we will we know the result, no doubt in addition to having sore heads! Whatever the result, the lions and the lionesses have given us some fantastic footballing moments these last few years. A nation that is yearning for some good news, let’s hope we are still celebrating at time of print.

The more sobering news will be the central government decision on local government reorganisation. It would be sad if apparent leaks are true, as we should all know the result at the same time. By now, we will know the look of our local authority as we become a ‘super council’ where we will be grouped with other authorities. The governments theory is probably to bring more efficiencies, which may be true in the long run, but it will take a lot of years and a lot of work to achieve any desired savings. And if ‘Option D’ is rumoured to be the actual outcome, it is at odds with the idea of creating savings as the payback period will be around 50 years.

That means my children will be older than I am now writing this column before there’s any advantage shown in the reorganisation, which is a very sobering thought. I will leave Councillor Allen to wrap up thoughts once we have the direction of travel agreed.

We had our full council meeting a few weeks ago, which fell on the night of an England match. Officers and the Mayor made efforts to adjust the timing of the meeting, which of course, couldn’t work for everyone but we did get through the important business. We even timed out on the questions to cabinet, so nobody was cutting corners!  The motions were tight in the timing, but it was sensible we voted through the business where there was consensus, and the more in-depth motions be moved to the late July meeting.

One of my questions was around the £1.5 million of money directed to Cathedral Square and the Guildhall, and when Councillors, and therefore the public, get to see the detail. This money is welcome news, but as per my motion last year, I want to see full council have an insight into the plans. It’s not in anyone’s interest to slow down the work or progress, but equally we all have a civic interest in the outcomes for the vision and plan for these pivotal sites.

I have hopes this will come forwards in what can only be good news for the city. And if cabinet does approve the Youth zone project, a concept started under a Conservative administration which we are happy to see continue, then I hope it comes with a clear vision for the embankment. We can’t keep dropping pools, university expansions and youth zones into this area without a clear vision of the whole site, protecting the vital open green spaces whilst also allowing the development of leisure and university projects within a sensible band of the area.

Locally, the work of a ward councillor continues. From missed green bins, trollies, failed waste pumps, car cruises in the Ortons, and general grounds maintenance queries, the work never stops. With the outcome of LGR, there may be less councillors being elected to represent your areas in the ‘all-out’ elections next year. Its important you support councillors who are also your local champions, as in a bigger authority, local will matter even more.