Newbury Town Council, Full Council Meeting - 1930hrs Monday 24th February, 2014 Options

[Ruwan Uduwerage-...]

Dear Forum members,

Feel free to come along this evening to the Newbury Town Council February full meeting where the Council Precept will be formerly agreed at a 0% rise.

Lots of other interesting things will be discussed (I am sure).

Members of the public are always welcome.

Ruwan Uduwerage-Perera

Newbury Town Council - Councillor for Victoria Ward & Deputy Leader

[On the edge]

Dear Forum members,

Feel free to come along this evening to the Newbury Town Council February full meeting where the Council Precept will be formerly agreed at a 0% rise.

Lots of other interesting things will be discussed (I am sure).

Members of the public are always welcome.

Ruwan Uduwerage-Perera

Newbury Town Council - Councillor for Victoria Ward & Deputy Leader

Aaagh! I'm not in West Berks at the moment and this time no chance of getting back tonight.

[Andy Capp]

Yes, two hours notice is a little on the short side, however well intended!

[Simon Kirby]

Yes, two hours notice is a little on the short side, however well intended!

It's a start, and I applaud that.

[NWNREADER]

It's a start, and I applaud that.

And I suspect the meetings are on the NTC website, further in advance?

[Simon Kirby]

And I suspect the meetings are on the NTC website, further in advance?

Yes. The meeting dates are published a year in advance and the agenda is posted on the Tuesday for a meeting on the following Monday. I feel there is more to be done to encourage public engagement and participation, but a journey starts with a single step.

[NWNREADER]

Yes. The meeting dates are published a year in advance and the agenda is posted on the Tuesday for a meeting on the following Monday. I feel there is more to be done to encourage public engagement and participation, but a journey starts with a single step.

[motormad]

It's a start, and I applaud that.

Same.

I was pre-booked tonight.
Would have gone along otherwise.

Simon if we get notice shall we make a date for the next one?

[Strafin]

It's a start, and I applaud that.

Me too, a step in the right direction.

[Dodgys smarter b...]

Can someone film it?

[Strafin]

I wish I could "like" that!

[blackdog]

... if we get notice shall we make a date for the next one?

Here is notice for plenty of meetings: http://www.newbury.gov.uk/schedule.php

[HJD]

Just as a matter of interest did any forum members take Ruwan up on his invite & go to the meeting !!

[Ruwan Uduwerage-...]

Just as a matter of interest did any forum members take Ruwan up on his invite & go to the meeting !!

I do not think so. There was sadly only one member of the public present.

Next Monday (3rd) is the Civic Pride, Arts & Leisure Committee meeting at 1930hrs.

Ruwan Uduwerage-Perera

Newbury Town Council - Councillor for Victoria Ward & Deputy Leader

[Ruwan Uduwerage-...]

Roll up, Roll up!

Today I will be standing near or on the Town Hall steps in Newbury doing the Councillor's Surgery.

Most Saturdays, there are two representative Councillors, one from the Conservatives and the other from the Liberal Democrats running the surgery between 1000-12000hrs come rain or sun.

This is intended as an opportunity for members of the public to easy access a Councillor and either ask generic or specific questions of concern, or merely have a general chat.

Feel free to come along and have a chat about whatever is on your mind.

Ruwan Uduwerage-Perera
Newbury Town Council - Councillor for Victoria Ward & Deputy Leader

[Turin Machine]

I do so hope it's brain surgery!

[Nothing Much]

A surgery on the Town Hall steps does sound a bit daft.
Still. Googling the phrase comes up with zillions of surgeries,but only Newbury seems to have such an open meeting place.

It sounds medieval, like handing a petition to the King, but it is a nice idea.
So many public figures are shielded from view by officials and procedure that such a venue has to be applauded.

Maybe a consultation could be organised or a comittee scheduled to think of a better name than Surgery.
ce

[Ruwan Uduwerage-...]

A surgery on the Town Hall steps does sound a bit daft.
Still. Googling the phrase comes up with zillions of surgeries,but only Newbury seems to have such an open meeting place.

It sounds medieval, like handing a petition to the King, but it is a nice idea.
So many public figures are shielded from view by officials and procedure that such a venue has to be applauded.

Maybe a consultation could be organised or a comittee scheduled to think of a better name than Surgery.
ce

Nothing Much,

May sound a strange term and I am sure that the process could be improved but it certainly seems to provide an opportunity for people to air their concerns.

Only yesterday I had questions and concerns raised about the condition of the roads, the local MP's Surgery times, congestion in some of the outlying villages, the Newbury Town Council Budget, as well as immigration matters, the causes of the Holocaust, and the differences between the various ukulele's that are commonly used.

The matters that are directly the responsibility of the District Council are passed onto them, and the others are forwarded to other responsible bodies or in the case of the latter three thoughts and views are shared without any particular resolution.

I am more than willing to hear how this engagement practice can be improved.

Ruwan Uduwerage-Perera
Newbury Town Council - Councillor for Victoria Ward & Deputy Leader

[Andy Capp]

I am more than willing to hear how this engagement practice can be improved

Q&A on here, or a blog, or something?

[Cognosco]

Q&A on here, or a blog, or something?

Yes much prefer to keep unknown to the local authority stormtroopers and secret service agents........we have seen what they are capable of........if not just ask Simon?

As I have stated before when going to the town hall on a Saturday there was a silly chap in fancy dress ringing a bell and inviting people in to have a cup of coffee.....very friendly until I happened to say I wish to discuss the Allotmentgate Scandal..... another clang of the bell and then hurriedly run up the Town Hall steps gathering others with him...not even an excuse me!

So unless there has been a complete transformation, and nothing I have seen leads me to believe so, then this bonhomie of lets talk is just because there is elections looming I presume?
Ruwan and the Council know a lot of peoples feelings regarding the problems with the Town Council but state they are unable to do anything because there has not been an official complaint made.......if that isn't an excuse then I'm afraid no complaint will ever get investigated? No one seems able to explain why the Council will not discuss the reasons why Simon was declared vexatious let alone the sorry saga of the allotments and the particular Councillors who do not exactly appear to have acted in the supposed tradition of that role!
And that is without discussing the fact that he has now got a full life sentence with no right to appeal even if they had reasons for declaring him so.

But after a bit of thought perhaps the Council wants it this way......not having to discuss the Allotmentgate......is for the best......the Councils of course!

Andy's idea of questions and answers on this Forum sounds good to me.....lets try and bring our Town Council into the digital age I see no difference in me writing a letter and sending it via snail mail and posting on here? I do believe Ruwan was intending to ask relevant questions sometime ago?