Presidents Report

Presidential Report

Wednesday 2nd November 2011 - Sussex Branch Visit

I’ve just attended my first official engagement as President but as it was only six miles from home, the journey was not too difficult!

The Sussex Branch held its meeting in the Uckfield Civic Centre courtesy of Ashley Serpis, Clerk to Uckfield Town Council. 27 clerks and one guest speaker were present and the Chairman of the branch, Cathy Tobin (Clerk to Southwater Parish Council) kept us in order and ensured we followed the agenda on time.

After giving a short presentation on my theme of Caring and Sharing, Ian Davison a solicitor with Hedleys and associate of the Sussex and Surrey Associations of Local Councils spoke to us about the Localism Bill, up-dating us on the latest discussions. This was followed by an excellent presentation by Sam Shippen on The Code of Recommended Practice for Local Authorities on Data Transparency.

The remaining business included giving guidance to our NEC representative, Carol Smith on topics she will need to consider at the next NEC meeting in the New Year.

Having concluded the Branch business, Ashley organised a buffet lunch for us to enjoy.

Tuesday 8th November 2011 - University of Gloucestershire Prizes Presentation and lunch

On Tuesday 8th November I travelled to Cheltenham Race Course to attend the University of Gloucestershire Prizes Presentation and lunch. The location was splendid although it was rather misty on the day but I’m sure in good weather the views would have been amazing. I was delighted to present Delia Shephard with the David Trafford Prize; Delia worked hard on her studies and is a well-deserved recipient of this award.

 
The Society of Local Council Clerks held the South West Regional Conference at the Aztec West Hotel at Almondsbury, Bristol on Wednesday 9th November. The event was very well attended by both clerks and councillors and I was pleased to open the event. The programme was well structured and afforded plenty of opportunities to ask questions and network with others in our sector. This event was very well supported by sponsors and exhibitors who supply us with many of the services we need.

Saturday 26th November 2011 - Oxfordshire Branch Meeting

I received a very warm welcome from everyone attending the Oxfordshire branch meeting held in an impressive rugby clubhouse in Stratfield Brake.

The formal AGM business was conducted with not only the Chairman, Mike Kennedy but the Secretary, Liz Folley being re-elected. Mike introduced me and I addressed the meeting on my theme of Caring and Sharing and gave some examples of what is inappropriate behaviour from some of our employers. . As some people in the audience were councillors this led to an interesting discussion but it was all very good natured. However, on the plus side it is good to report on the benefits of having such supportive colleagues. The branch meeting was sponsored and after their presentation, we all retired for an excellent buffet lunch, after which the South East Regional Training Manager, Janet Haines imparted lots of useful information about the job of clerk. The meeting then concluded with a Question and Answer session.

Wednesday 30th November 2011 - South East Regional Conference, East Grinstead

On Wednesday 30th November I attended the South East Regional Conference, this year held at the Felbridge Hotel, just north of East Grinstead (home territory for me!). As well as opening the Conference, I was asked to speak about the ‘Local Perspective on how the Big Society has been Implemented’. In order to make this more interesting for the audience I ‘coerced’ colleagues Chris Elphick, Clerk to Ringmer Parish Council and Scott Lipa from the North Wealden Community Transport Partnership into joining me in the presentation…a good move on my part I believe. The whole event attracted a good number of delegates and everyone seemed to appreciate the efforts of the SLCC staff members.

Friday 2nd December 2011 - Somerset Branch Meeting
Having travelled to Somerset on Thursday afternoon, I spent an interesting evening with Bruce and Ann Poole learning about the villages where Bruce is clerk; of particular interest was the remains of the Bleadon man and I shall be looking up his story on the internet when I get a minute. Ann provided a lovely meal on Thursday evening and then on Friday morning we set off for Ilminster and the Somerset branch meeting and A.G.M. Bruce agreed to remain as Chairman for another year but suggested the branch should start to look for new younger blood for the future and to this end Julia Thorne, Clerk to Ilminster Town Council agreed to be Vice Chairman of the branch.



Again, I relayed my Caring and Sharing theme and answered questions from the audience. Howard Medworth, Deputy Chief Executive gave an insight into the working of the Society and Peter Lacey from the Somerset Association of Local Councils gave an update of the current financial aspects of our sector.



The branch hospitality was exceptional and I left with a very warm feeling from everyone.

Saturday 3rd December 2011 - Shropshire Branch Meeting

I left Somerset late afternoon on Friday 2nd December in order to make my way up the M5 to Shropshire and the branch meeting arranged for the following day. Unfortunately, the access onto the M5 at Burnham-on-Sea was blocked by the police so I had to do a detour via [almost] Weston-super-Mare but eventually I was on the road travelling north. I had arranged to stay with Helen Ball who is the branch secretary and although I arrived later than anticipated she had kept my dinner warm!


After a very good night’s sleep we drove a few miles to the village of Atcham. The branch had decided to have Communications as its theme for the day so both Howard and I concentrated on this topic and shared our experiences with the members present. It is very interesting for me as President to compare the different ways branches operate and to learn from them all (I hope to bring some new ideas to my own branch in the future). Chairman, Christine Harvey maintained a relaxed attitude but still managed to deal with all eleven plus items on the agenda.


After the formal part of the meeting we retired to the restaurant of the Mytton and Mermaid Hotel for an excellent Christmas lunch.”

Friday 9th December

My visit to the Berkshire branch took place on a bright, sunny but cold Friday at the beginning of December (9th) and was held in Woodlands Park Village Centre, White Waltham. I have to confess I got lost and had to ‘phone the branch secretary, Jane Kirk, to get instructions for the last three or four miles! But once there the reception was very welcoming.


My theme of Caring and Sharing was well received and struck a cord with a few people. After the usual branch business conducted with ease under the direction of branch chairman, Graham Hunt we all enjoyed a wonderful lunch which had been provided by the host clerk, Doug Stuart.

Hertfordshire Branch Visit - Friday 13th January

On a frosty but very sunny morning I arrived in Harpenden to meet up with John Bagshaw, Chairman of the Hertfordshire Branch and to have a look at the facilities offered by the Town Council. Having met John’s enthusiastic team [including his dog Jenny] we went for a walk along the High Street and then onto the Common to inspect the area that is the responsibility of the Town Council and to give Jenny a good walk too!


We left Harpenden and drove a few miles to Redbourn to look at the wonderful community centre which houses the Parish Office and community rooms for meetings, events and group activities, the Redbourn Youth Council and police. I first met the Parish Clerk, Diane Whiskin when I started attending the distance learning Certificate in Local Council Administration course in 1988 so we had lots of catching up to do. Several other local clerks met at Diane’s office including Emma Payne who is Branch Secretary and responsible for all the arrangements; we then walked a few hundred yards along the road adjacent to the Common to arrive at The Cricketers where Christmas lunch had been ordered.


The lunch was excellent, albeit a little slow, but that enabled us to chat together even longer and enjoy the company. All in all a very enjoyable day as the attached photograph shows.

 Larger Council’s Network Day on Wednesday 25th January

Attending the Larger Council’s Network Day on Wednesday 25th January brought back memories of when I was one of the 41 Best Value Councils and we used to meet at far-flung but interesting locations around the country. On this occasion Chichester was the host City but the format was similar in that clerks of larger councils who have specific needs are working together to support each other. At the beginning this had been done by the Clerks themselves but now it comes under the auspices of the S.L.C.C.

Friday 27th January Essex Branch Meeting: Chelmsford

I enjoyed an exceptionally fine lunch at Channels Golf Club with 22 members of the Essex branch including two former Presidents of the Society – Myrna Lyles who was President 2001-02 and Margaret Grimster, President 1984-85. Also at the lunch was Joy who is the Chief Executive Officer of the Essex Association of Local Councils and it is obvious that the two organisations work closely together in this part of the country.



Again, the size of the councils represented by the clerks present varied from very small councils to some of the largest but we all share the wish to do the best for our respective communities. Talk over lunch ranged from Localism, Christmas lights, planning, agreeing the budget and the practices some council’s employ to set the precept!