This is Alfie, the new addition to the Honour’s household. He has just had his vaccinations and has been micro-chipped.

Sutton Council for Voluntary Services

I attended the board meeting of the Sutton Council for Voluntary Services on the evening of 7th March. I learnt about the funding that they and the Sutton Volunteer Centre have won so that they can better help smaller voluntary organisations.

I also had a very useful discussion with a Sutton South resident about services in Sutton for people with learning disabilities and for their carers. In particular I heard how crucial it is to have good quality respite care so that the carers, parents and families can have a well deserved rest.

I briefly attended the Second Saturday Tea Club at the Friends Meeting House at 10, Cedar Road on Saturday 10th Marc. But most of this week has been spent raising residents’ issues with the council.

CATCHING UP ON TUESDAY MARCH 6TH

I am having a welcome breather this morning after a hectic 10 days.

Yesterday, Monday 5th March, I spent most of the day sitting on a Council  Appeals Panel about employment matters.  Highly confidential, but very important work  to make sure that justice is done.

Key Council Meeting

There was a full Council meeting in the evening which was mainly focussed on the budget for 2012/2013. I have put on the Home page the outline of what I said on libraries in the borough.  We also heard from Cllr Colin Stears who leads on health and social care that we can continue to make care available free of charge to those residents with moderate needs.  This  is a complex issue to do with “fair access to care”, but it means that Sutton is one of only 5 councils in London that is prepared to fund at this level, and one of only 22 in the 150 councils in London.  This is VERY GOOD NEWS.

Public Health

Last week started with a busy Monday 27th February when I had meetings with Cllr Mary Burstow and lead officials on the transfer of public health responsibilities from the PCTs (the soon to be defunct Primary Care Trusts in the NHS) to the council.  It has taken me quite a time to understand what public health is all about.  It is things like helping people to stop smoking, exercise more and lose weight, intervening  early to stop mental health problems developing in  children.  The question we have is how to develop a programme that really meets the needs of Sutton’s residents.  This is a good opportunity for us to have a real influence on health in our borough.  Let me know if you have any thoughts.

Residents

During the afternoon I visited two residents whom I am helping with tricky cases.  These are obviously confidential, but I do feel that standing up for residents makes it worthwhile being a councillor.  I had an evening meeting with fellow Lib Dem councillors.

Family First

On the Tuesday 28th we discovered that my husband will be needing another operation, this time on his leg. That will be three ops in as many months and it has been a bit of a blow.  So he needed cheering up in the evening and I missed a meeting because family does come first.

What on ERF?

Wednesday was an incredible day.  First of all off to the Viridor Energy Recovery Facility (ERF) in Slough.  You can find the details and a photo on our Home Page.  Then gardening in the afternoon and in the evening off to the Science Museum.

Lates at the Science Museum

I had no idea that the Science Museum opens late on the last Wednesday of the month to encourage people in their 20’s and 30’s to visit.  The entertainment on offer is outstanding.    You can take part in a huge pub quiz, dress up in stylish cockroach kits for a  bug size tour of the building, speed dating, challenge a chess master to a match whilst he plays with 20 other opponents, or have a drink.  Meanwhile there was a whole series of demonstrations on surgery through out the ages and all the different types available.  I was at the museum to hear a musical performance of a piece of work created and performed by people with learning disabilities.  This was brought about by Outside In, a charity which brings people with learning disabilities into museums and galleries to enjoy and use them creatively.

And some of the rest

Sadler’s Wells on Thursday to see a Contemporary Dance Group led by Richard Alsthom and Friday a meeting on St Helier.

HEALTH MATTERS

Last week found me spending a lot of time on health matters.  And there is a great deal more to do.  On Tuesday morning, with fellow councillors Mary Burstow and Stephen Fenwick, I visited St Raphael’s Hospice.  This was because we were concerned at the announcement by the Sisters of the Cross that they intended to sell St Anthony’s Hospital, St Bede’s Conference Centre, the Nurses Home on the site and St Raphael’s Hospice. We met Sister Veronica, the senior Trustee,  who explained that because there were insufficient younger people entering the order in Europe, it was necessary to dispose of the four entities on the site on Stonecot Hill..  However she made it clear that the future of St Raphael’s would be very carefully planned as it was such a valuable service to the community and so well loved.  All of us who attended the meeting will be vigilant about what happens following the results of the current investigation  by Ernst and Young into the best options for the Sisters of the Cross.

On Wednesday 22nd February, with Mary Burstow again, I attended the South West London Joint Scrutiny Committee.  This consists of two councillor representatives from the six boroughs in South West London. NHS SW London explained the work that was underway in the review entitled “Better Services, Better Value”.  This will determine where the services currently provided by the four hospitals in the area will be located in future.  This is tough stuff.  We will need to weigh up the clinical advantages of more concentration of specialist services, against residents’ natural wish to keep their local hospital as it is.

On a more personal note, I accompanied Peter to see his consultant to evaluate the results of his arthroscopy on his right knee.  All was well.  And I fell victim to a stomach upset and missed the Local Committee on Thursday.

A WIN IN WORCESTER PARK

I am writing this on Friday 17th February, the day after the Worcester Park by-election.  We won!  It is  a great success for us and a tribute to the residents of Worcester Park for realising the value of the local candidate, Roger Roberts.

Since becoming a councillor in May 2010 I have become very aware of just how strong grass roots politics, or community politics,  is in Sutton.  It makes sense, in local council elections,  to focus on what local candidates can do for their residents.  After all we are elected to the local council whose services  affect all our lives whether it is rubbish collection, social care for the vulnerable, or the upkeep of our local parks.

People were very kind when I knocked at their door and I had many interesting conversations.  People were very happy at the support they get from our local MP, Paul Burstow.  They were pleased at the way we have reviewed our services to see if they can be carried out differently, rather than cut.  The fact that we have not had to close a single library is a big relief.

A number of people, understandably, were uncomfortable at our involvement at national level in coalition with the Conservatives.By the time of the next election I am sure people will recognise more widely the positive impact that we have had in the country.  But we must make the case every time we talk to  one of our residents…..because it is unlikely that the press will do it for us.

A GOOD NEIGHBOUR

I called on a resident whom I had met last year when he was concerned about his elderly next door neighbour.  I had helped him to persuade the council to remove her garden waste that he had cut for her.  I discovered that he and his wife are still looking out for the neighbour, alerting the social services to her declining health, visiting her in  hospital and dealing with leaks and other maintenance problems.  If there were a prize for being  good neighbours this couple would be way up the top of the list.

Another good piece of news was that the Council reversed the decision to refuse a Blue Badge to a resident in my ward.  As councillors, we take up many cases for individuals.  It is of course absolutely confidential.

Solving IT problems for crumblies

My lovely 28 year old niece, Sarah, came for a “sleep over” on Wednesday.  It is always fun to see her and she gives Peter and I advice on our IT.  This week she helped me start up my new kindle, bought for me by my sister, Gillian, and her four children.  I am already half way through a thriller.  Sarah also helped Peter with some problems he was having with his mobile phone.

Peter has been making excellent progress with his knee and has resumed his early morning swims in the open air!

Next week is going to be very busy with three evening meetings.  One is  an important meeting on where hospital services should be in SW London and then there is  our Local Committee meeting on Thursday 23rd., so a restful weekend would  be a good idea.

SATURDAY  FEBRUARY 10th

I have had a very interesting week.  The best aspect of it is that Peter, my husband, is making good progress after having an arthroscopy on his right knee.  He is sticking to his exercises and gradually doing more and more walking and jobs around the house.  Very soon he will be back to his usual role of “domestic god”!  ( Hope he does not read this!)

On Tuesday 7th  I went to my “senior step” class with my sister Gillian.  It is called “senior step” but for me it is more like a “very active step” class.  It is good fun with lots of music from the 70’s and 80’s.  I am determined to keep up the good work, as I have got to the age where it is oh so easy for the joints to stiffen.  My sister keeps me on my toes.

There was a Sutton Arts Council  meeting in the evening and once again I was struck by the wide range of activities that there are in Sutton.  However, I am not so sure that residents are aware of this.  For instance, I discovered that we have a Sutton photography competition that everyone can enter.  I suggested that the organisers, who are disappointed that they do not get more entries, should put the posters in photography shops.  When I find out more details I will put them on this website.  I might even enter a  photograph I have taken.

Wednesday 8th saw me canvassing in Worcester Park in preparation for the bye election their on 16th February.  It was very cold but in my long fur coat, a bargain from TK Maxx, I was very comfortable.

In the evening I attended the Development and Control meeting in support of local residents who were concerned about a potential development in Langley Park Road.  My Lib Dem colleague Richard Clifton spoke against the planning application and the committee turned it down.

I was able to attend a seminar on the future funding of social care in Central London on Thursday 8th, one of the subjects in which I am particularly interested.  The focus of the discussion was the Dilnot Commission in the long term funding of social care which had confirmed the shortage of funding in the long term and which recommended ways to tackle the problem.  We are likely to hear what progress the Government has made on this in a document to be published in the Spring.  It is a matter that concerns us all.

Today I attended the afternoon tea for older residents at the Friends Meeting House in Cedar Rd and had a good chat with a number of people who were there as well as a delicious piece of home made cake and a cup of tea. I heard that the local red “S” buses are much appreciated even if the drivers do not always stop where the passengers want.

Overton Grange   Great Art at the Europa Gallery

As a member of the Sutton Arts Council Executive, I keep an eye on the exhibitions in the Europa Gallery .  Many of these get help from the Arts Council to stage them.  I was intrigued today, when I went to choose some new library books, to see the exhibition of young artists in Sutton.  The exhibits were by secondary school children.  I was delighted to see such a great range of art from the students at Overton Grange, a school in Sutton South ward.  When ever  I have visited the school I have been impressed by the quality of the art.  In particular the hall in the school is made dramatic by the art displayed there.

And by the way, how lucky we are in Sutton that our council has found a way to save our libraries, unlike Croydon.  I take out books at least every fortnight.

Another source for satisfaction today was to learn that I have managed to persuade the council to reassess a resident who had had her application for a blue badge turned down.  This was a totally inexplicable decision .  I have known the resident for some time. And there is no doubt that she is disabled.  As Peter, my husband said, ” that’s when its good you are a councillor!”

PS  Kept my New Year’s Resolution today!

New Years Resolution

My NewYear’s resolution is to keep my web page up to date.  As my last entry was September 5th this will be a much needed improvement in my self discipline!

No web updating does not mean no work!  Quite the reverse.  So here is a short account of some of the things I have been doing and I will try to do better in the future.

Supporting Residents

Issues raised by residents are my top priority.  And of course they are confidential.

Amongst the many I have been dealing with, I was particularly  worried by a decision to refuse a blue badge to a disabled resident.  Sometimes council decisions are inexplicable and I have been vigorously trying to get this iniquitous decision overturned.

I have been supporting the residents of Sutton Court to get a Residents’ Association up and running.  This should be invaluable in making sure that Sutton Housing Partnership are responsive to the needs of residents, such as dealing with anti social behaviour and bad workmanship by contractors.

My special interests as a councillor are health, social care and housing.  I sit on what is known as the Health and Wellbeing Committee which scrutinises Council activities in this area.  I am now the vice chair of that committee.

Checking up on social care

One big investigation we have undertaken is into changes to social care that are taking place as a result of Government decisions to give every one receiving  social care an individual budget. This should give individuals more control over the way their care is structured.  However, the proof of the pudding is in the eating.   Our report will be published shortly.  So watch this space.

Giving the right priority to those who want to be housed

I have been playing a big role in discussions that are taking place within the Council about changes to the allocation of the council’s social housing.  Once more this is the result of decisions by central government.  We can decide whether we want to give greater preference to local residents in the allocation of housing, to give more help to soldiers returning from the battlefields of Afghanistan, and decide whether there should be fixed term tenancies, or tenancies for life for new residents in social housing .  These, and many other aspects of housing allocations’ policy, have been the subject of widespread consultation, with more to come.  It is an important subject so let me know if you have any views.

What is going on at St Helier’s?

There are so many changes going on in the NHS at the moment that it is difficult to work out what is really happening.

St George’s  decision not to go ahead at the present time with a merger with St Helier’s makes sense when you realise that another part of the NHS, NHS London, has been pressing for changes to the number of locations delivering services such as A & E, maternity and end of life services.  I suppose they say, “let’s get that sorted and then we can think about St Helier’s.  In the mean time, the long term survival of St Helier’s is once more in doubt.

Having been appointed one of only two Sutton Councillors sitting on a pan South West London committee of councillors for 6 boroughs, I am digging around trying to find out what is best for the residents of Sutton South.  I will keep you updated.Speaking Up at Council

Speaking Up for our Soldiers

Peter, my husband, and I had the privilege of attending an Army briefing at the Territorial Army Centre on Stonecot Hill on 1st December.  This was to give us, and other representatives from the local communities in Sutton and Merton, an opportunity to learn about the Community Covenant which the Army and Local Authorities can agree to help cement good relations and mutual understanding in local communities.

I was therefore pleased to speak at Council on 5th December in support of Sutton getting involved in such a local compact.  I  supported the need extra help for the armed forces in finding homes and in gaining better health, social care and welfare advice.  You can here the full debate on the link below.

http://podcast.streamingwizard.com/sutton/Council/Council_11_12_05.MP3

BACK TO WORK

Week beginning 5th September

Back to work with a vengeance this week with meetings all day Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday , evenings included, and then this Friday afternoon as well.  The good thing was that all the meetings were all interesting and my mind felt clearer after the summer break.

I have been appointed a council representative on Sutton’s Arts Council.  The meeting on Tuesday evening was the second I have attended and I have been fascinated to learn about the vast range of arts groups that there are in Sutton.  We considered applications for small grants from two local groups and I raised the question about the display facilities for exhibitions in the library which I do not feel always do justice to the quality of the work on display from the talented citizens of Sutton.

I also had the chance to promote the use of our wonderful local church, Christchurch, and all those present  were very interested to be reminded about what a splendid venue it is.

Wednesday was a long day!  Lib Dem party stuff in the morning and then a very useful introductory meeting with Sgt Brendan McWilliams, our new Safer Neighbourhood Team sergeant in Sutton South.  Even before he was appointed he helped me sort out a problem for one of our residents so I am looking forward to working with him.  His team can be contacted on Tel 020 8721 2497. Email: suttonsouth.snt@met.police.uk.

Ward Visit

Each year, Daniel Ratchford, Sutton Council’s Strategic Director Leisure and Environment, undertakes a ward visit with councillors and one or two of his officials. The purpose is for him to keep in touch with what is happening at grass roots and for councillors to discuss issues that concern them with a senior council director.

We had an extremely useful afternoon, paying particular attention to concerns I have had about the safety of the junction at Cedar Road and Brighton Road. I know that elderly people often find it hazardous to cross with traffic sweeping round from the right of Cedar Road.  For drivers trying to turn right from Cedar Road into Brighton Road, there is a constant hazard as the road markings seem to be sending traffic directly onto them from Brighton Road.

The narrow pedestrian pavement at Grange Vale and the danger from the one way traffic has been an on going issue for some time, and Transport for London, have refused to make any alterations because there have been no accidents!  Anyway, Steve Jobs from Sutton’s  traffic department was more helpful and will have a further look to see if there is anything we can do to make the place safer for pedestrians

We also had a good walk around Devonshire Avenue Nature Area, which provides the habitat for the endangered small blue butterfly, and where we had our Butterflywatch back In June.  We looked at some  of the areas that need to be improved and generally said that we want progress to be made as swiftly as possible.

We also viewed properties where there are planning issues as well as other local issues.

Changes to the NHS

In the evening I attended a briefing for councillors on the proposed changes to the status of St Helier.  Representatives from the hospital, various administrative arms of the NHS, public health and Cllr Dr Brendan Hudson, the co-chair of the Sutton Consortium, of GPS described to us what is going on. An awful lot is the answer, and some of it far too quickly.  As someone who is interested in making sure we have the right NHS services locally for our residents, it is very helpful to have these briefings, particularly as the Health and Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee, on which I sit, is examining these proposals at our next meeting ( Thursday 15th September at 7pm in the Civic Offices, open to the public).  If any resident has any queries please contact me on heather.honour@sky.com.

Sutton Court

With other ward councillors I attended the estate inspection of Sutton Court and Beauclere House with Officers from Sutton Housing Partnership and residents.  The purpose is to identify work that needs to be undertaken to keep the estate up to scratch.  It gives we councillors the chance to urge Sutton Housing Partnership to make sure that the work is undertaken swiftly and well.

Smarter Services Sutton Review of Leisure

Unlike many other councils Sutton is not adopting slash and burn tactics to find the £30 million savings we need to make as a result the very poor Local Government settlement we were allocated.

43 council work streams are being reviewed to see if their can be achieved in a different way that enables savings of about 25 per cent for each area to be made.  A painstaking process but one that shows our determination to do the best for people, even in the present difficult financial circumstances.

On Thursday evening I attended what is called a “members challenge session” which enables councillors to challenge officials about how they go about their business and how they propose to make the 25 per cent efficiencies.  The session was on Leisure Activities and covered sports and arts in Sutton.  I was impressed at both at the practical way officials were approaching their task, whilst taking a long term and imaginative view about what the residents of Sutton might want from sports and arts in their borough.

AUGUST

Meeting Residents

Work eased off during August although I attended a number of meetings concerned with problems that residents are suffering as a result of anti social behaviour.  I also had the opportunity of meeting other residents and hearing about their lives.  One of the great things about being a councillor is the people that you meet.

RIOTS

I also attended a briefing  on 15th August by the Sutton borough police commander, Guy Ferguson,and colleagues on how police in Sutton had handled the riots.  Very well is the answer, both in taking a firm hand from the start when matters were getting out of hand at the bottom of the High Street, and in their determination to track down anyone who took part.  Apparently we have excellent CCTV in Sutton which makes it easier to track down miscreants.  Another positive factor, in limiting the impact of the riots, was the long term relationship established between the police and traders in Sutton, under our partnership approach.  It made me proud to live in Sutton.

Thursday 28th July

Olympic Art

Last night I attended a party to celebrate the ’One year to go’ Olympics ceremony and the launch of the Unlimited Global Alchemy Project. The organiser of the party, Rachel Gadsden, a close friend of mine, was delighted to have been awarded an International Unlimited  London 2012 Cultural Olympiad commission in Jan 2011 for her project Unlimited Global Alchemy which will be part of the London 2012 Festival.

Unlimited Global Alchemy is an artistic commission led by British visual artist Rachel Gadsden, in partnership with South African artist/activist Nondumiso Hlwele and the Bambanani Women’s Group (Khayelitsha Township, Cape Town, South Africa).

Sharing a powerful sensibility and complicated life-giving medical regimes the women are united by their ability to survive, and their shared desire to communicate important messages about human fragility through art. This international exchange will reflect outwards and unite communities in South Africa and the UK.

Unlimited Global Alchemy will create an exhibition of large-scale visual artworks in South Africa and in the UK that explore culturally diverse experiences alongside shared survival.

During London 2012, a film, an exhibition of artworks and a live multi media theatrical visual performance by Rachel with Nondumiso will celebrate life and present important life enhancing narratives to new audiences.

I’ll keep you informed of this fascinating project as it develops!

Thursday 21st July

Watch out! Wasps about!

Peter and I recently have had to call on Monitor Pest Control to deal with wasps under the eaves of our house. They were swarming everywhere- even into our house! We called the Council and they put in an order for us to the Monitor Pest Control, the organisation who handle pest control on behalf of the council.

Two days later, an operative arrived. Armed with a long pole, he spread a white dust under the roof, around where the wasps nest sprawled. He told me then that the wasps would be gone within two days, and that if this did not happen, he would return and presumably try something different.

Monitor Pest Control won the contract with the council about 6 months ago. Three quarter of their calls are in relation to foxes. Summer is a busy period since fox cubs are mature enough to explore and they are the ones who might just enter an abode. The best way to deal with foxes is ‘prevention’; closing up all gaps in fences, not leaving food outside, amongst other things.

The more hard-line way is to have culls- shooting or trapping them. However, not only is this unpleasant, culls in general tend to be unsuccessful in the long term, as if an environment is suited to foxes, they will return eventually.

I’ll leave you with a thought. If we can sterilise pigeons through the food we give them, is it worth considering doing the same to foxes? It would certainly be a more humane method of controlling them.

Thursday 5th July

What is going on at St Helier Hospital?

I went along to the St Helier Local Committee to hear the presentation on the proposed changes to St Helier Hospital.  These are a result of the Government’s decision that all hospitals must be part of a Foundation Trust.  The deadline was originally April 2014, but I have heard this week that this is likely to be later as a result of the “pause” to provide the Government a chance to hear more about people’s views on the proposed changes to the NHS.

Because of financial difficulties, the Epsom and St Helier University Trust must be split up, and each find a new partner to go forward and become a Foundation Trust.  In a surprisingly  rushed timetable adopted by the Transaction Board, set up to manage the reconfiguration of local hospitals, only one potential partner for St Helier came forward. The lack of choice in partner has caused great concern, as well as the difficulty in managing to retain key services close to home when linked to a larger partner.

I am continuing my probing into what is in the best interests of local residents in my role on the Council’s Health and Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee, and trying to make sure that  we get answers to the difficult questions that are emerging.

Please contact me with any views.

Wednesday 6th July

Tightening the belt – too tight!

I attended a breakfast meeting organised by Sutton Housing Partnership on the implications of the forthcoming changes to the benefits regime.  Whilst the underlying principles are to make it easier to move from benefits to work; to simplify the system and to save money it is evident that not all the proposed changes have been thought through carefully enough.  If you have any concerns or information about the likely impact please let me know.

Friday 8th July

What is the CQC Up to?

The CQC stands for the Care Quality Commission.  It has been regulating health and social care organisations, as well as councils, to make sure they `are up to scratch.  They are changing the way in which they evaluate organisations, care homes for example.  I have been talking to colleagues about how we make sure that the CQC’s standards continue to provide a good measure for care homes in Sutton.

Saturday 9th July

Lib Dem Garden Party

This was a great opportunity to listen to Danny Alexander , a Lib Dem MP and Chief Secretary to the Treasury, as well as our two local MPs Paul Burstow and Tom Brake.The hardest part for me was preparing the Tiramisu and Curried Nut Roast I had promised  in record breaking time in what had been a a very busy week.  Sampling the taste as I made the dishes was also a challenge to my weight loss regime!

Thursday 13th July

Sutton Council for Voluntary Services

I attended the Trustee’s meeting as a representative of the Council.

Friday 15th July

SCILL  Sutton Centre for Independent Living and Learning

I attended a discussion on future strategy as a  representative of the council.

Play Spaces In Sutton

I had a lovely surprise on Saturday afternoon ( 4th June) when I visited the Hamilton Avenue Recreation Area near to the Kimpton Road Recycling Centre with my sister, Gillian, and her granddaughter Leah.  The park has been revamped with imaginative play equipment  for  younger children as well as equipment suitable for teenagers in a different area.

The flowers and plants were delightful and there was a walk along a stream, with a bridge.  We all enjoyed the afternoon and my sister said that when she had first moved to her house in Gander Green Lane, the park had been a boggy unpleasant area.  What a transformation!  I realised on Saturday how important Sutton’s policy of improving recreational areas is.

It was not only the six year old who had a great time!

A Lot to Catch Up On

Peter and I are just back from Peru.  What an experience! It is a country of vast contrasts.  All along the coast for thousands of miles it is desert.  The sea on one side and desert on the other.  Then there is the Amazonian jungle (which we did not visit) and then the mountains…lush montana near Macchu Picchu and sparse altiplano near Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world.  We visited lots of ancient sites and also learned about life in this country which is only just recovering from the depredations of the terrorist group, the Shining Path in the mountainous areas.  One thing above all struck us that the people work closely together to improve their circumstances, to move from subsistence living in squatter shanty towns to creating their own community, ………out of nothing.

Since Getting Back

Recovering has been quite important, as it was a strenuous trip and we were both unwell towards the end of the holiday.  But I was able to attend the Annual Council Meeting on May 24th at which new appointments were confirmed.  We now have a new Mayor, Councillor Gerry Jerome, who gave a heart warming speech setting out the good things about living in Sutton.

The following day, 24th May, I visited Janice McCulloch, the manager of Sutton Link and learned about their work in promoting better health and social care for the residents of Sutton.  Sutton’s Link has applied to be the new Healthwatch which will be set up under the reforms to the NHS.  If they are appointed to their new role , they will be our health watchdogsand the organisation through which we make complaints about the NHS.

In the afternoon, with Richard, we visited Sutton Housing Partnership to learn about their new system for dealing with complaints that residents have asked us to handle.  A very useful session.

Friday 27th May, I attended the opening by Paul Burstow MP of a house which has been converted into accomodation for three people with learning disability by the James Trust.

This half term week I have been gradually catching up on my mail.  I attended a useful meeting of the new LINK Health and Wellbeing working group. I was impressed by the passion of the people involved and the breath of issues they covered from problems with discharges from hospital to why toenails were no longer cut by NHS chiropodists.

This afternoon I paid a visit to Sutton Court where there was fun and games with a bouncy castle, a planting session with new plants for the flower bed at the back and also football with the local police team in goal.

Week beginning 18th April

Along with a large number of other councillors from both parties I attended a briefing session on Transforming Social Care on Monday evening 18th April. We looked at what is known as the Customer’s Journey.  This is the various stages that someone has to go through to get social care from first contact to package of care agreed and received.  I had suggested that this briefing would be a good place to start the inquiry into transforming social care that we are undertaking in the Council’s Health and Wellbeing Committee on which I sit.  In fact I had suggested that we undertake this work because the changes that are taking place are so important to people.

The background is the programme launched by the last Government three to four years ago, Putting People First which is intended to put the individual first and make sure that everyone has an individual budget.  An individual budget is one where the individual who is entitled to care can chose  for themselves what services they want and who will deliver them.    This should mean that everyone has more choice but we have to make sure that people can understand the new system and manage it for them selves.

The briefing was good and we all realised that this was a complex issue and an important one as the population gets older.

The next day I attended a meeting with council officials from the Environment Department, members of Sutton Nature Conservation Volunteers and Surrey’s Bio Diversity manager to discuss proposals to incorporate a small piece of play equipment in the Devonshire Avenue Nature Area (DANA) as well as an extensive programme to preserve the environment and help save the endangered small blue butterfly which has a colony in DANA.

After quite an acrimonious beginning to the relationship between councillors and environmentalists I consider that we have now a good working relationship and can work together on our programme.  Following my letter to the Sutton Guardian, I have had many emails from people who have seen small blue butterflies.  However, at this time of the year we are likely to have seen the Blue Adonis ( in my garden, WOW!) or the Holly Blue.

We will be having a Sutton South Butterfly Watch on Saturday June 25th so watch this space!

And so to Easter…………

Week beginning 11th April

I attended a meeting of the Smarter Services Sutton Steering Group on which I am fortunate enough to sit. This gives me an insight into the very thorough way in which all the Council’s services are being scrutinised to see if they can be conducted in a better and more cost effective way without reducing services to residents.  I understand that I was asked to sit on the Steering Group because of my understanding of strategy and background in business, as well as the public sector and more recently, the voluntary sector.

As I see it we are addressing the need for huge cuts in the budget in the Sutton Way, that is looking to find better different ways of working, consulting residents and expecting and getting the best from our staff.  Other Councils, faced with the need for huge budget cuts as a result of  reduced  funding from Central Government, have cut, cut, cut, without seeing if there is another way.

Apart from that meeting, the week was largely devoted to issues raised by residents, and a very special day looking after my 5 year old great niece.

April 4th

Most of my work this week has been meeting and discussing issues with residents of Sutton South, as well as planning for the campaign for alternative vote.

Week 28th March

Amazing visit to the Beddington landfill site and then the Crayford recycling centre on Monday 28th.  It really brought home to me the dreadful amount of waste that we produce and the huge efforts that the local authorities have to go through to dispose of our rubbish.

The sight of a production line of men hand picking some of the rubbish will stay with me for a long time.  I am resolved to be much more careful with recycling in future and to look for opportunities to put pressure on retailers and manufacturers to reduce packaging.

Tour of SCILL and discussion with key staff there on Tuesday 29th.  Their work to help people live independent lives is practical and cost effective.  They assist people who receive social care to mange their individual budgets.  This is vital as many people have been used to social services doing it all for them and will be very worried at managing their package of care for themselves.  However, individual budgets can be a good way of giving people better choice and giving the tax payer better value for money.

Thursday 31st, in the evening, attended the Health and Wellbeing Committee.  We had an excellent presentation about LINK and the proposals for it to develop into the new HealthWatch, an organisation to safeguard the interests of patients when the dramatic changes to the NHS take place.  (Now under review by the Coalition Government).  We also discussed the forthcoming consultation on where the in-patient facilities for patients with mental illness should be located following the temporary closure of Sutton Hospital’s Chiltern Wing, and the decision to treat as many people as possible in the community.  We also started work on our review of transforming adult social care.  This is a crucial piece of work, ensuring that the interests of the vulnerable in this borough are safeguarded when social services change and individuals are given the right to manage their own package of care.

Week 21st March

Briefing session for the health and Wellbeing Committee in the evening of Monday 21st.

Training on the HACKBRIDGE PROJECT on Wednesday 23 April.  Very stimulating to learn about the innovative development of the area and One Planet Living.  One Planet Living is the aspiration to live within our own resources and not diminish the environment in which we live.  I learned that currently, in Sutton, we consume three planets worth of resources, clearly not sustainable in the long term.

The Local Committee took place on 24th March.  There is now a good turn out for this meeting although many people were from environmental groups concerned about our plans for a small piece of play equipment for Devonshire Avenue Nature Area.

Week 14th March

The Commonwealth Thrives

I am now catching up with my activities and apologies to any one who has looked for an update.  I am still very new to this web site business!

I have had a wonderful time celebrating the Commonwealth.  On Sunday 13th March I was lucky enough to be invited to the High Commissioners’ Banquet and sat on a table with the High Commissioners for Uganda and Kenya.  It was a delight to hear how much they and their countries value the Commonwealth, not just for its strength through its very diversity and support for democracy and the rule of law, but also for the tangible trade benefits that it brings their respective countries.

On the following day, I was lucky enough, with my husband Peter, to attend the Commonwealth Observance in the presence of Her Majesty the Queen.  The theme was, “Women as an agent of change”, a subject with which I heartily concur.  It was very moving to see young people and children walk through the Abbey carrying the 53 flags of the Commonwealth.

Week Beginning 7th March

I have had a very busy week following the Council meeting on Monday, mostly dealing with queries from residents.  At their request I attended the AGM of the South Sutton Neighbourhood Association and said a few words.  I explained how the ward of Sutton South had changed in character over the last 20 years and then I spoke about our efforts to improve the Devonshire Avenue Nature Area.  A large number of people and organisations want to be involved in growing kidney vetch and saving the small blue butterfly.  We could have a lot of fun with this.

Friday 4th March

Play equipment at Devonshire Avenue Nature Reserve

Meeting with officals and Sutton South councillors to agree play equipment and future action to improve the nature reserve

Thursday 3rd March                   Sutton South Neighbourhood Association

Meeting with Jack Hamilton, the founder of the Association, and his wife to learn about its work.  Fascinating.

March 2nd         Sutherland House

My first presentation to the Development Control Committee who were discussing the final legal point to finalise the planning permission for Sutherland House. Sutherland House is on the Brighton Road and the major landmark in our ward.  It si also the gateway to Sutton from the South.

I pointed out that its current state was a blot on the landscape and that there were many concerns from residents who lived in Grosvenor Court and Forest Dene.  The developer has to make a contribution to the local community in exchange for planning permission.  I argued that we needed this money to improve play for the children in the ward; that we wanted Devonshire Nature Reserve improved as well as better facilities for older people.

Laughter at Age Concern

A room full of people were swaying and exercising at the end of the Age Concern Sutton Annual Review on Friday 25th February..  Janice, one of the instructors for chair based and other exerecise classes for the over 50′s , persuaded us all to take part in a few minutes of action!  It is amazing just how much movement you can do from a chair.  These classes are a life saver for many older people.  In fact my own mum, when she was alive, loved her exercise class.  It was fun and it gave her confidence to go out on her own because she was helped to go up and down stairs, and walk distances by herself.  A number of councillors present agreed that a few exercises at the beginning of Council meetings would make it easier to sit still for the three hour sessions.

Apart from taking part in exercises volunteers and workers at Age Concern Sutton told us about their activities and the good work they do for the residents of Sutton.  We also had an illustrious panel, including our MP Paul Burstow to answer questions.

Local Synagogue

Cedar Road is home to the Sutton and District Synagogue and Richard and I paid a visit to meet key officers there on Thursday 24th February. The Synagogue has a warm and welcoming prayer hall, and over coffee and biscuits in the community hall we learnt about some of the issues that the members of the Synagogue are concerned about.

It was time for the Commonwealth again that afternoon when I attended a Council meeting of the Royal Commonwealth Society in Northumberland Avenue.  Funding was, as usual, an important matter for discussion, but inspite of the tough financial time we are all having, the RCS seems to be attracting a lot of interest, probably due to the hard work of the director Danny Shriskanderajah, and the Chairman, Peter Kellner.

Parking at Westmoreland Drive

On Tuesday 22nd February Richard and I met council officials, representatives of Orbit Housing and the Sutton South Safer Neighbourhood Team  to discuss parking in Westmoreland Drive following concern by residents about problems of access for emergency vehicles following a fire and fatality there.  Proposals to control parking will be put to residents very soon.

Commonwealth       Tuesday 15th February

Today was my day for supporting the Commonwealth.  I chaired a meeting of the Programmes Committee at the Royal Commonwealth Society where I am a council member.

Lots of exciting projects to discuss including a time capsule containing memories of citizens from around the Commonwealth to be presented to the Queen on her Sixtieth Jubilee.  The plan is to have a record for each day of her reign…….thousands and thousands of days.  I am going to find out whether we can put a link for this on our Sutton Council website as I am sure that many people would be interested.  We also talked about getting young people involved in the Commonwealth by arranging for small multinational groups of people between 18 and 30 to go for a month to a country and to work together on a project.  There was a lot more that we discussed, but it was clear that although money is tight at the Royal Commonwealth Society there is no shortage of enthusiasm and ideas.

Once again I realised what a huge potential there is in a group of nations covering many different races, cultures and religions but all brought together by the English language and a common belief ( even if it is tested from time to time) in democracy and the rule of law.

Thursday 10th February

A busy day with a number of meetings with fellow councillors and local supporters discussing ideas about how to make a difference as a councillor.  Quite hard at times, but good to know you are not alone!  Richard and I met Sarah Mullally and Mark Pullinger at Christ Church Sutton.  They are members of the Sutton Team Ministry.  Christ Church, in Christchurch Park Road, is a hidden glory, a magnificent red brick Victorian Church with a huge vaulted interior and an excellent raised dais for events.  We learned about the work of their ministry whilst the rain poured down outside.  Mark told us that he often found the small blue butterfly in his garden which backs on to the Devonshire Nature Reserve.

The evening was devoted to the Health and Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee on which I sit ( and so does Richard co-incidentally).  Bill Gillespie, CEO of Sutton and Merton NHS was grilled on the £23 million cuts to NHS services which were necessary for the year 2011-2012.  This is all part of our scrutiny function, to wheedle out information about developments that might not be helpful to the residents of Sutton.  We also heard about the major changes that are taking place in the NHS with the introduction of GP consortia who will be responsible for commissioning services for their patients, instead of the PCT which currently does the job.  The idea is that as they are closer to their patients they will have a better idea of what is needed and thereby save money.  I am particularly concerned about the voice of the patient, which is so easily forgotten.  I was informed that the local Healthwatch will channel these views.  I will be keeping a close eye on this.  We presented the report we had undertaken on mental health services in Sutton and the key question is whether our recommendations will be implemented.  Finally we presented our report on the availability of places in dementia care homes in Sutton, following the recommendation to close Oakleigh.  It was encouragingto hear from the lead Councillor on Health and Social Care, Colin Stears, that the issue I had raised during our investigations about whether there was any scope for negotiating with the Care Quality Commission on their regulation about room sizes, had been followed up.  This might provide the opportunity for a private or voluntary sector provider to take on the excellent business.  I did feel that I had made a difference.

Tuesday 8th February

A meeting of the Smarter Services Sutton Steering group on which I sit.  Sutton is taking a responsible attitude to managing the drastic reduction in funding from central Government and reviewing all its services to see if they can be conducted in a more cost effective way without reducing quality.  It is a labour intensive approach, but much better in the long run than the slash and burn policies of some councils.  In the evening I attended a meeting at the House of Commons with our MPs Paul Burstow and Tom Brake to discuss developments in the Coaliton and how they affect Lib Dems.  I asked about funding for social care as I am concerned that the Government’s announcement of £2billion extra could be smoke and mirrors.  Half of it seems quite real.  I am not sure about the other half, but I was reassured to learn the seriousness with which Paul regarded the need for the Dillnot Commission looking into paying for long term care for the elderly.

Monday 7th February

I took Beverley Dawkins OBE around our Inclusion Centre in Anton Crescent  and some of the supported living flats for people with profound and multiple disabilities.  Beverley is Mencap’s National Expert in this subject and led the camapign ” Death by Indifference” to expose the way in which the treatment of people with learning disabilities some hospitals had led to their death.  She is a former colleague and a doughty campaigner and I was proud to show her what we  were doing in Sutton.

Wednesday 2 February

A meeting at Reach Volunteering to learn how to attract highly qualified volunteers for Sutton’s Big Society initiative.  This was followed by lunch with Andrea Sulley and Rachel Bowen from the Learning Disability Coalition which I had helped to launch.  I wanted to learn about how they saw the extent of the cuts to social care.  Their answer was , “serious”.  In the evening I attended a traing session for councillors in “safeguarding ” children.  More serious stuff, not made easier by the length of time Court proceedings take.

I visited Springfiled Hospital in Tooting Bec, this morning 31st January.  Having been brought up in Tooting I remember only too well the stigma that used to be attached to people who needed treatment for mental ill health in Springfield.  The purpose of my visit was to assess whether it is a good idea for residents of Sutton, who need in patient treatment, to go to Springfield.

Up until the Chiltern Wing at Sutton Hospital was closed because of an outbreak of legionella, there were three wards in Sutton.  One of the wards was relocated to Tolworth and the other two to Springfield.  With the emphasis on treatment in the community, I have been told that only one ward will be needed in the future and that it will not be efficient for the Chiltern Wing to re-open for just one ward.  The South West London and St George’s Mental Health Trust have plans for a major redevelopment of the site at Springfield.  This has already started and I was able to see the new buildings and the location of a possible new ward for Sutton’s patients.

I have reservations abut some aspects of the design; the lounge area for patients is like the seating area at an airport.  But they would have direct access to fresh air, and a court yard, which is not possible at Sutton without intensive supervision by staff.  However, I am concerned that friends and family would have a long journey-at least two buses, or two buses and a train to get to the hospital.

I will be taking these issues up through my membership of Sutton’s Health and Wellbeing Committee.

I attended the Sutton South, Belmont and Cheam Local Committee on Thursday evening, 27^th January. Not such a good turnout as last time, probably because of the very cold weather. There was a heated discussion about the proposed piece of play equipment in the Devonshire Avenue Nature Reserve as some people, particularly in the audience, were not that keen to disturb the natural habitat should an increasing number of children visit the site. We were told that the existence of the small blue butterfly might be disturbed. I think we can do both. We can all play a part in protecting the biodiversity of our area. We do not need to totally rely on the efforts of council staff. Many residents have told me they would love to have a go at growing kidney vetch, the plant on which the butterfly depends. Peter and I will certainly have a go in our newly designed garden and I have encouraged council officers to involve Sutton South residents in a forthcoming workshop.