A quick summary of news, events and casework December 2003
30th
The Government announce new guidance, enabling courts to withdraw driving licences of kerb-crawlers and other drivers who commit anti-social behaviour such as racing and abandoning cars. John Heppell MP and I have been lobbying Ministers to issue such guidance since it was first ventured in the Government’s White Paper on Anti-Social Behaviour in March.
19th
A new sculpture outside the Ice Centre in the Bolero square is switched on.
19th
Rob Boothroyd’s last day as Elliott Durham’s headteacher is celebrated with a 2 hour concert staged by staff, pupils and former pupils.
19th
The Government announce increased capital funding for transport in Nottingham. The authority is recognised as one of 11 excellent transport authorities in the country and its Annual Progress Report scores joint top with 2 other authorities. An extra £5.5m is allocated to Nottingham, including money for the Turning Point scheme, which will divert traffic around the Victoria Shopping Centre, enabling a much more pleasant environment for shoppers and better bus stops.
18th
Audit Commission publish Annual Audit Letter - no immediate action required from the City Council in the light of the independent body's findings.
17th
Joined a lobby of Local Government Minister, Nick Raynsford, by SIGOMA, representing metropolitan authorities outside of London.
17th
The Audit Commission upgraded its assessment to Nottingham City Council to a “fair” authority. Education, Social Services and Transport have continued to improve, but dramatic improvements in Housing Benefits, and significant improvements in the Council’s use of resources enable the Council to take another step forward. Our next priorities are to continue the recent improvement in Housing services and to improve debt recovery.
16th
Attended the LGA Annual Conference. A presentation on local taxes showed how three quarters of local spending could be raised through local taxes by raising non-domestic rates locally again, and by part of the Income Tax also being set locally on top of Council Tax. A Lib Dem spokesperson turned up to denounce the Council Tax and all forms of property tax, and then left before hearing any of the concerns about such a proposal. One advisor pointed out that if a local property tax didn’t exist (and is does exist in most countries), the Treasury would be tempted to introduce national one. The Lib Dems do need to think these things through.
14th
Saddam Hussain captured.
11th
Ofsted report their findings of the City of Nottingham’s Education self-assessment and find they can agree with much of what’s said.
8th
Full Council …
… and the Lib Dems present a motion to Axe the Council Tax – without having the faintest idea of how a Local income Tax might actually work. It’s clear that they're working to a national agenda, without any knowledge of what rates a Local Income Tax might be set at and whether it is fair to increase the burden on low-earning families, whilst retired people in expensive properties would pay nothing. In short the Lib Dem campaign is cheap and not thought through – a desperate response to their political problems in the South of England..
Meanwhile, the Labour Group welcomed the return of Cllr. Jane Urquhart to full Council.
6th
Sherwood Victory social – and the Lord Chancellor takes the evening off to join Sherwood Labour Party and pass on Tony Blair’s personal congratulations.
6th
Ideas for the redevelopment of the Old Market Square are discussed with 6 shortlisted companies. A redeveloped square could enable full access to the Square for all people, and more easily support events and fairs.
5th
David Triesman addresses a meeting of party activists in Kirkby, before presenting a special achievement award to Cllr. Nellie Smedley in Hucknall.
5th
Joined Leaders of the Core Cities (the 8 major English cities outside of London) to discuss economic development with John Prescott in Sheffield. Ministers and Civil Servants have recently agreed that the core cities should be the drivers of economic development outside of London. John Prescott is as usual full of passion and ideas – he believes sustainable development should be the theme for urban regeneration and I was able to discuss giving environmental concerns a higher priority.
4th
An external “peer review” of the City Council reports its initial findings, reporting that progress in the effectiveness of the Council has been made in the last year.
2nd
An annual stock-take of Elliott Durham school by the Education Department acknowledges the significant improvement in the school, also recognised by last May’s Ofsted inspection.
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