Tag Archives: engagement
Prove me wrong on surgeries…
While I’ve often complained that surgeries are not that useful I still do them. So if you want to be my first visitor in something like two years I’ll be manning the councillor surgery session in Battersea Library tomorrow (Saturday 21 August) from 10am to 11am. No appointment necessary, just show up. Like the Filipino [...]
On sausages and local democracy
It has always puzzled me how local democracy, while incredibly important to everyone’s day-to-day lives barely impinges on people’s consciousness. I’ve never quite been sure whether that’s because we don’t do enough to publicise it (although politically and administratively I think we’re good at communications) or because people just don’t care. And I’m not sure [...]
Why why why?
At the risk of precipitating electoral disaster for the Conservative Party I got my hair cut today (to give an indication of how bad it was I was told that it was five months since I’d last been for a cut). Hair cuts, like taxi rides, are one of those scenarios I dislike because of [...]
What do you want from this blog?
I’ve been in reflective mood about this blog recently. Perhaps because it’s New Year, perhaps because it hit one year old last month. Whatever the reason, I’ve been thinking about it’s future. I set it up as an experiment, and for the first three months was surprised at its success and the size of its [...]
Weekly wrap-up, 7 August
As I have mentioned summer is a quieter time on the council than the rest of the year. While last week saw no trips to the Town Hall this week saw only one for my regular briefing and policy meeting with officers. Much of the rest of the week has been, not to put to [...]
Last night’s SW11 Tweet-up
It was with some nervousness I went along to The Goat last night for the Tweet-up. I left having had a glass or two of wine too many but having spent an excellent evening in a fine put with good company. Having never been to one (which really put me at a disadvantage for organising [...]
Is all communication good communication?
I’m sure many are getting bored with my council surgeries and engagement obsession, but sadly for those that are it’s my blog – and if a blog has any point it’s surely to allow the blogger an outlet for all those thoughts and ideas which he worries bore his wife far too much – so [...]
A bi-partisan approach to surgeries?
If I have wittered on enough about surgeries the South London Press have prompted me to witter on even more by publishing a story sparked off from the original blog post. They don’t seem to have it on their website, but it essentially restates my belief that they are a waste of time – under [...]
Council surgeries – the debate continues…
I’m really rather surprised at the response I got to my post on council surgeries. There are a few comments on the blog, I’ve had a few emails and the South London Press called to chat about it for a story (which makes me nervous, because I know this can be portrayed negatively). I’ve even [...]
Do council surgeries serve a purpose?
I’m going to come right out and say it, it’s a risk, but I’m taking it: I think council surgeries are a waste of time. They are a hangover from a bygone age. And we should look at how we provide them, and even whether we should provide them at all. I’m going to give [...]
