From 12th January, 2004, but sorted here as 31st December. Possibly to be shared at a Labour Party branch meeting. Published under the banner of "New Labour Plus", in a 3 column format. . Michael Edwards
Councillor for Mapperley ward, Deputy Leader Nottingham City Council
2004
January
12th
Full Council and …
Strategic Plan and progress on better services
Housing Improvement Programme
Education debate
5th
January sees the return of the No. 22.
4th
Miscellaneous case work includes reporting abandoned bed base left on The Wells Road.
Review of the Year 2003
In an effort to catch up on all the reports I should have issued throughout the year.
December
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 switch 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
[Annual Audit Letter!!!!]
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 locals 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. 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. 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 their working to a national agenda, without any knowledge of how much a Local income Tax might be 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 of 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.
November
xxth
Woodhedge Drive resurfaced.
28th
Elliott Durham and the Magdala Opera Trust stage “Macbeth the Opera”.
26th -28th
Eurocities Annual General Meeting in Porto - a meeting of major European local authorities to work more effectively for the interest s of local government in the European Union. Unfortunately, the stilted, and read, presentations seriously undermine the effectiveness of the event. One session I attended on assessing Quality of Life was all theory and when challenged for action, one of the EC researchers said they needed 5-6 years to get it right. It all plays into the hands of those who think of Europe run as bureaucrats, and yet you do pick up information on future policy trends and more importantly examples of good practice that can be used [finish].
27th
Elliott Durham governors – missed – key points are ….
20th
Labour triumphs in the Sherwood by-election. Labour gains a seat from the Tories by 500 votes, having lost by 32 in May.
19th
First Government announcement on grant support for the City Council next year. At this early stage, can only really glean that it’s good news for schools.
18th
Mapperley and Sherwood Area Committee ….
17th
Launch of the Kangaroo ticket.
October
xxth
Pension Credit starts.
29th
Iain Duncan-Smith loses confidence of Tory Parliamentary party.
24th
Penarth Gardens street trees are pruned.
24th
Briefing on 387 Woodborough Road.
23rd
Tony Blair visits Greater Nottingham.
23rd
Mapperley Sports Village – can Elliott Durham’s extensive sports facilities be combined with the new sports hall scheduled to be built by September 2004, and be used to run the swimming baths in a facility geared to providing good facilities for local pupils during the day, and associated sports clubs and residents at other times? That’s the challenge.
The Mapperley Sports Village
shall provide
an integrated range of sports facilities
at an attractive campus site,
to
local schools,
the local communities,
specialist sports clubs and
associated colleges and social clubs,
with improved transport links,
at no nett cost to the education of the Elliott Durham pupils,
in a way that
offers new opportunities for pupils and residents to work with specialists in their sport,
contributes to the improved health and welfare of local communities,
seeks opportunities to develop sports for girls,
is inclusive and egalitarian,
embraces the 'One Council' vision and
fundamentally, shall
support the school's drive to acquiring specialist status, and
help to change and improve
the public's perception and appreciation of the school, its site and its communities.
22nd
Paula Charlemagne-Bertfield, Elliott Durham school governor, wins City Governor of the year.
21st – 22nd
Interviews to appoint the future Headteacher for Elliott Durham. Valerie Penny-Stewart, a deputy Head in a Wolverhampton school is selected. [Expand]
20th
Join a test run of the new tram from the depot to Highbury Vale.
18th
Nottingham Labour Party meet to discuss the future.
17th
Labour Party dinner – Neil Kinnock speaks.
13th
Full Council …
… and we debate “Respect for Nottingham” and the Gearing Up for Change programme.
8th
Conservative Councillor for Sherwood resigns after just 5 months; Tories call a by-election for November 20th. There will be a by-election in Sherwood ward on Thursday 20th November caused by the resignation of Tory City Councillor Kate Baxter. Sherwood ward was Conservative held until 1993 and Labour held all three seats from 1995 to 2003. Kate Baxter was elected with a majority of just 35.
6th
Three Cities meeting.
6th
“Respect for Nottingham” launched.
5th
Cosmopolitan Debating Society.
5th
John Heppell MP canvasses Pearmain Drive estate and The Wells Road.
4th
Tour of Pearmain Drive estate and The Wells Road.
2nd
Goose Fair dinner.
September
30th
OCP crime and drugs group.
29th
Gearing Up seminar.
29th
Footprints events.
27th
Wells Centre Area Action planning meeting.
26th
Deputy Leader’s report.
22nd
SIGOMA Balance of Funding.
18th
Elliott Durham special governors – action plan following Ofsted inspection.
16th
Mapperley and Sherwood Area committee.
16th
Three Cities economic study.
15th
One City Partnership discuss strategic direction of the city.
15th
Tour of Pearmain Drive estate and The Wells Road.
13th
Big Wheel event in the Old Market Square.
10th
SIGOMA event at the House of Commons.
9th
Thorneywood Action for Control of Traffic.
8th
Full Council …
… Statement of Accounts
7th
Green Festival.
2nd
Review of Elliott Durham results.
August
15th
Ward review with Area co-ordinator – preparations for a new Area Plan
6th
Radio interviews for transport news
4th
Tour of Pearmain Drive estate and Warton Avenue
July
31st
Presud workshop
25th
Visit to Meadow House, Mansfield
23rd
Residents concern about expansion proposals at the Croft, Albert Road (Family First).
23rd
Metropolitan Housing claim progress on tackling quads. Bath Watson says
“I have sat on a 'Quad Bike Task Group', which was set up as an offshoot of the Community Safety Group. Between us we formulated a press release which was in the Evening Post a couple of weeks ago, and we also clarified what the legislation was and what powers the Police had under new legislation issued earlier this year.
“Using these new powers, the Police set up an operation on our estate which ran for a week, every evening between 5 and 10pm. The Police were able to issue Section 59 warnings on any of the riders that they witnessed - the next step after a warning being confiscation of the vehicle. Staff at the office here have also provided witness statements to PC Paul Walters (the officer tasked with dealing with this issue) which has resulted in further warnings being issued.
“Paul's mobile number has also been widely circulated to residents, and feedback we have received has been very positive. Certainly, the staff have noticed a significant reduction in these issues, and our residents are telling us the same. Generally, I feel as though the word has got out that this is a 'No Tolerance' zone for quads and scooters - which is great !”
22nd
Developing Nottingham – event at BioCity
22nd
Kingsthorpe Close inspection
21st
City Council …
… and discussion of the Best Value Performance Plan
… oh and Lib Dems finally publish their City Council manifesto (unfinished)
18th
Meet with NCT and Graham Allen
15th
Mapperley Forum at St.Judes Church Hall
14th
Thorneywood Action for Control of Traffic
14th
Elliott Durham full governors
12th
Metropolitan Housing Fun Day celebrating their 20th (check) anniversary.
12th
Tour of Council Housing in Nottingham
11th
Experian Primary Parliament
10th
Lib Dems report themselves for illegal deal.
8th
Honeywood Estate Action team Meeting
8th
Crime summit with Chief Constable.
8th
Sure Start conference.
7th
Stephanie Sirr, Playhouse
6th
Leafletting in Basford; come across a house fire.
5th
Awareness Day at Kingsthorpe Close and Kendale Road
1st – 3rd
LGA conference at Harrogate.
June
29th
Friends of the Forest walking tour of Nottingham’s inner-city parks.
27th
European event.
27th
Voluntary Sector Compact launch
26th
Workplace Parking Levy interview with Radio 4
21st
Samsung Tennis Open
17th
“The Day that Kevin Came”
16th
Experian Primary Parliament – training – rule of 3.
16th
Full Council …
and …Anti-Social Behaviour Bill – and Lib Dems split. The rump of the Lib Dems vote against the resolution supporting the ASB bill.
8th
Labour group away day – discuss lessons learnt from the elections and hear from Meg Munn MP, who was once a Nottingham City Councillor.
6th
6th UK Chairs of Transport Conference – London
2nd
Elliott Durham Ofsted feedback
1st
Mapperley Labour Party victory social.
May
Woodborough Road safety measures and bus lane installed.
22nd
David Bellamy visits St.Anns Infant School’s new eco gardens.
19th
Full Council …
… and adopt Labour Party manifesto.
18th
Hungerhill Allotments and Stonepit Coppice Gardens - event.
16th
Full Council …
… and elected as Deputy Leader of the City Council.
16th
Tenth anniversary of Robin Hood Line - celebration.
12th – 15th
Elliott Durham Ofsted inspection; unofficial feedback – 5 excellent lessons (4.5%); 17 very good lessons (19.4%); 50 good lessons (64%); satisfactory 39 (98%) and 2 unsatisfactory.
11th
Tour of Pearmain Drive estate.
2nd
Elected as Deputy Leader of the Labour Group.
1st
Nottingham City Council elections –
Labour wins all 3 seats in Mapperley ward
And retains control of Nottingham City Council with 36 seats out of 55.
April
29th
Shrewsbury Town relegated from the Football League.
24th
Car cavalcade.
19th
Abandoned car, crashed into Kildare Road bus shelters, is removed on a Saturday, within hours of request.
17th
Labour publishes Mapperley Election Address.
9th
Baghdad liberated.
8th
MPRA AGM
8th
Elliott Durham Ofsted inspection – Governors’ presentation.
6th
John Heppell MP canvasses Ransom Road estate and The Wells Road.
1st
Lobbied to enable deadline for voter registration deadline to be delayed to allow applications from 500 City residents to be processed.
March
During the winter nights, casework consists largely of reporting street scene issues; 72 this month.
30th
John Heppell MP canvasses in Mapperley Park.
28th
Introductory leaflet.
27th
Elliott Durham full governors
26th
North East Area Committee – young people perform rap.
25th
MyBus launch
20th
Busy traffic in Thorneywood.
17th
St.Patrick’s day.
7th
Calming and re-surfacing works on Ransom Road.
3rd
Full Council …
… and
Betty Higgins’ last full Council.
February
During the winter nights, casework consists largely of reporting street scene issues; 107 this month.
24th
David Miliband, Education Minister
14th
Elliott Durham school girls kit
13th
Pensioners achievements leaflet
12th
Mapperley Rose No30 – highest ever numbers of Police; getting things done;
11th
John Reid briefing on Iraq.
9th
Congestion Charging begins in London.
8th
Bikers on Caunton Avenue
6th
Labour criticises EME for not doing light works fast enough
3rd
Full Council …
… and budget
January
During the winter nights, casework consists largely of reporting street scene issues; 37 this month.
29th
North East Area Committee.
26th
Shrewsbury Town lose to Chelsea, live on MotD.
13th
Full Council …
… and Tory motion on CPA
13th
Police statement on Operation Stealth
10th
Angel Row Gallery display
10th
Mapperley Chapel
6th
Mapperley Rose No29 – school buildings
4th
Shrewsbury Town beat Everton.