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Last night I Tweeted from Wandsworth’s council tax setting meeting. You can see the Tweets in my last post. As with anything in life, it’s worth a little bit of reflection.

Why I did it
It seemed a worthy experiment, but beyond that I can’t give any really good reasons. I’d seen a few examples of it happening elsewhere, but hadn’t seen any examples that I thought had ‘worked’; none had members of the public had responded or engaged during the meeting, and they seemed one way.  Obviously I don’t know how much interaction took place via direct message or after the event.  I’m sure someone can point me to an example where it did work.

How it went – Engagement
Was it successful ‘engagement’? Did people actually read it? I think the answer is yes. There were at least 4 Wandsworth residents reading and Tweeting during the meeting, and at least one afterwards. It’s obviously impossible to tell how many others read but did not Tweet about it.

Admittedly 4 is not a huge number, but it’s also 4 more than you usually get in the public gallery at a meeting. The argument I would make is that anything that increases involvement and engagement is a good thing. I rather suspect that, overall, far more residents will read those Tweets than will read the council’s minutes.

But do people really want to be involved in the formal decision making processes of the council. This is where I have doubts, last night perhaps had a certain novelty value – but given that hardly anyone bothers with the public gallery isn’t that a message that residents look for their engagement elsewhere, perhaps where they can interact and have their say rather than just listening to councillors?

How it went – doing it
It was much harder work than I expected. There is, clearly, a skill to summarising in 140 characters, giving a flavour of the meeting but not overloading followers with unnecessary Tweets. Perhaps I don’t have that skill, because it took effort to keep the Tweets up to date, respond to incoming Tweets and follow the discussions.

I was speaking in the debate on the council’s response to the recession and decided not to Tweet so I could concentrate on what was being said and plan what I was going to say in response. The consequence was that the most interesting discussion of the evening went untwittered.

Will I do it again?
Probably not. I don’t expect huge waves of disappointment, it was an interesting experiment but not one I’m planning on repeating.

My view would change if there were other councillors, even from the other side, to share the load, but as (currently) the council’s lone Twitterer it is quite a burden. It definitely does change your view and approach to the meeting and leaves you a little detached while you analyse and think of Tweets and that was something I didn’t enjoy.

Additionally, I suspect I might have breached the council’s standing orders by Tweeting during the meeting!

As always, I’m interested in your thoughts, you can always comment below, contact me or even follow me on Twitter.

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As an experiment I posted some updates from last night’s council meeting. They follow, in chronological order below, along with a few others that didn’t carry the #wwcnl hashtag. Most notably the shocking revelation that I stayed up to watch Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason when I got back. I am in touch with my feminine side.

It’s worth highlighting the second tweet from me, these will have some political bias.

From: jamescousins at 18:49, Tue 10 Mar
As an experiment I’ll be Tweeting from tonight’s council tax setting. Feel free to join in, I don’t want to be the only one using #wwcnl

From: mario at 18:51, Tue 10 Mar
RT @jamescousins I’ll be Tweeting from tonight’s council tax setting. Feel free to join in, I don’t want to be the only one using #wwcnl

From: jamescousins at 18:53, Tue 10 Mar
I should add that I’m a Cabinet member and I’m the council’s controlling group, ao won’t be entirely impartial. #wwcnl

From: jamescousins at 19:06, Tue 10 Mar
That’s the first bit out of the way, the Executive have formally recommended a 0% increase. #wwcnl

From: jamescousins at 19:30, Tue 10 Mar
Kicking off the formal meeting now, in the Civic Suite following the roof collapse in the Chamber. #wwcnl

From: jamescousins at 19:47, Tue 10 Mar
Formalities, including tributes to former Cllr Julian Proudman, and a petition from Eccles Road residents done, now onto questions. #wwcnl

From: jamescousins at 20:02, Tue 10 Mar
Fascinating question from the opposition: while don’t you spend a few months consulting on your response to the recession? #wwcnl

From: agentoffortune at 20:04, Tue 10 Mar
@jamescousins Anyone would think that the Labour response to anything is to spend money on consulting. #wwcnl

From: jamescousins at 20:09, Tue 10 Mar
@agentoffortune I did find it bizarre, you can guess the result: would you like the council to do something to help? Y\/N #wwcnl

From: agentoffortune at 20:11, Tue 10 Mar
@jamescousins I was slightly off, the standard procedure should be spend a fortune on consulting, then try and take away civil rights #wwcnl

From: jamescousins at 20:13, Tue 10 Mar
@agentoffortune You missed off setting up a national database! #wwcnl

From: jamescousins at 20:24, Tue 10 Mar
Just noticed two people in the public gallery, bringing the total audience including Twitter, to three! #wwcnl

From: agentoffortune at 20:29, Tue 10 Mar
@jamescousins sorry only 140 chars you see 🙂 I’ve taken the data base as read 🙂 #wwcnl

From: jamescousins at 20:31, Tue 10 Mar
Questions over, first item for discussion are children’s services grant allocations for the coming year. #wwcnl

From: jamescousins at 20:47, Tue 10 Mar
Short debate on awarding a grant to an organisation whose original application was unsuccessful. Lost 38-6. Council tax setting next. #wwcnl

From: jamescousins at 20:50, Tue 10 Mar
Deputy Leader presenting our budget. 0% rise in tax, some extra spending, some money in reserves for when the days get rainier. #wwcnl

From: LouiseBrown at 20:51, Tue 10 Mar
@jamescousins it’s a bad night for the council tax discussion … the liverpool game is AMAZING! #wwcnl

From: jamescousins at 20:53, Tue 10 Mar
Labour presenting their alternative. They’ve been reading Keynes; 0% rise, use reserves to create around 50 jobs & re-visit charges. #wwcnl

From: jamescousins at 20:54, Tue 10 Mar
@LouiseBrown I only watch Liverpool when Grimsby are beating them! #wwcnl

From: jamescousins at 20:58, Tue 10 Mar
Labour takes the pessimism award, comparing the situation to the 30s when it "took a world war to fix the economy". Brown’s plan B? #wwcnl

From: agentoffortune at 21:02, Tue 10 Mar
@jamescousins Wow Brown has a plan B? I think he would be relieved if you could get in touch and let him know what it was. #wwcnl

From: jamescousins at 21:04, Tue 10 Mar
We’re getting into discussion on Friedman and John Maynard now – it’s Milton Keynes! (sorry, couldn’t resist). #wwcnl

From: ingridk at 21:06, Tue 10 Mar
@jamescousins is tweeting a Wandsworth Council meeting #wwcnl and making bad economist puns.

From: jamescousins at 21:06, Tue 10 Mar
@agentoffortune Well, from tonight’s discussion it seems to be 10 years of depression and 6 of world war. Might keep that to myself! #wwcnl

From: agentoffortune at 21:10, Tue 10 Mar
@jamescousins The annoying thing is that if the govt announced that as the plan I’d feel a bit better cos at least they had a plan. #wwcnl

From: jamescousins at 21:19, Tue 10 Mar
There are some odd arguments coming from Labour, we should have higher tax and spend more, but also lower tax to stimulate spending. #wwcnl

From: jamescousins at 21:29, Tue 10 Mar
Moving to a vote, Labour’s proposal loses 44-6. Tory 0% rise approved 44-6. So no rise in tax for Wandsworth residents this year. #wwcnl

From: agentoffortune at 21:30, Tue 10 Mar
@jamescousins I love the idea that Labour want to raise taxes. They really are out of ideas. #wwcnl

From: jamescousins at 21:32, Tue 10 Mar
Recession debate. Apparently we should have a credit crunch task force. Wow. #wwcnl

From: jamescousins at 21:32, Tue 10 Mar
@agentoffortune Hmmm, but they are also open to lowering taxes. One person suggested both. #wwcnl

From: jamescousins at 21:37, Tue 10 Mar
Another suggestion from Labour that we should be reducing tax. Why can’t they at least be consistent? #wwcnl

From: agentoffortune at 21:41, Tue 10 Mar
@jamescousins I’m so glad I’m not there. I certainly don’t have the tact or patience for local politics. #wwcnl

From: jamescousins at 21:44, Tue 10 Mar
@agentoffortune I sometimes wonder if I do! #wwcnl

From: jamescousins at 21:45, Tue 10 Mar
A lull in Tweeting, have to speak later on in this debate, although the arguments I’m answering are fairly incoherent. #wwcnl

From: jamescousins at 22:00, Tue 10 Mar
Well, my speech went down well, rapturous applause & a standing ovation (if only). Now for the opposition leader to have a go at me. #wwcnl

From: peterholt99 at 22:00, Tue 10 Mar
@jamescousins (even!) – sod the tweeting about the agenda – what the hell did you do to cause the roof to collapse?

From: jamescousins at 22:03, Tue 10 Mar
@peterholt99 Apparently it was just old age (the roof’s, not mine). It’s been there since the 30s and decided enough is enough. #wwcnl

From: jamescousins at 22:14, Tue 10 Mar
And the last vote: council’s recession package approved 44-6. Apparently Labour don’t think we should do anything to help. #wwcnl

From: jamescousins at 22:16, Tue 10 Mar
And that’s that. Meeting over, let me know if you enjoyed it. Or not. #wwcnl

From: agentoffortune at 22:19, Tue 10 Mar
@jamescousins Labour don’t want to help apart from rasing and cuting taxes whilst consulting to see what can be done? #wwcnl

From: wandsworthdog at 22:32, Tue 10 Mar
@jamescousins Thanks. Did other councillors think you were txting the whole evening?

From: jamescousins at 22:48, Tue 10 Mar
@drodeh I can’t say they put forward the most coherent arguments. But I have a little bias, I suppose. #wwcnl

From: jamescousins at 22:49, Tue 10 Mar
@wandsworthdog I think I’ve probably breached council standing orders and did feel a little self-conscious. But was it worth it? #wwcnl

From: jamescousins at 22:52, Tue 10 Mar
@agentoffortune Well, it isn’t my job to put them in a good light, but yes, it was opposition, rather than constructive debate. #wwcnl

From: mario at 22:54, Tue 10 Mar
@jamescousins interesting following your tweets from #wwcnl tonight. not on your side politically but appreciate you pushing the envelope!

From: jamescousins at 22:57, Tue 10 Mar
@mario Thanks. Thought it was worth a go. I’m not sure about the benefit, to you, the council or democratic engagement, but we’ll see #wwcnl

From: jesscousins at 23:36, Tue 10 Mar
RT @jamescousins Well, home from the meeting, and my wife is watching Bridget Jones. Should have gone to the pub!

From: jesscousins at 23:37, Tue 10 Mar
I’m off to bed. My husband is staying up to watch the rest of Bridget Jones!

From: sliah at 7:31, Wed 11 Mar
Yah! Sorry catching up on tweets, am at the no rise in council tax one

From: sliah at 7:36, Wed 11 Mar
@jamescousins my last tweet was in response to your no council tax rise tweet (yah), hmm found the twmeeting somewhat interesting from afar

From: LouiseBrown at 9:52, Wed 11 Mar
@jamescousins thanks for tweeting from #wwcnl last night, between you, @sadiqkhan and other Wands people i’m feeling much more connected

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  • Wow. What an absolutely fantastic day. I feel I need to take advantage of this, but how? #
  • I’m trying to show @pipsmitherman the joys/evils of Twitter. ‘Twould be nice if you could Tweet her a hello and words of encouragement. #
  • Yesterday I moaned about working on Sundays. Today, I’m putting together a video of my baby son to the Rocky theme. Could there be a link? #
  • Tooting shops vow to be good neighbours http://tinyurl.com/c3y8xa (via @wandbc) Shop owners are playing a key role in improving their area. in reply to wandbc #
  • I’m a councillor. I have a blog. It was only a matter of time before dog fouling was an issue http://bit.ly/11MBBC #
  • I’d been promising myself a new iMac when they were refeshed. So tempting. But part of me feels I should wait. #
  • Finding Nemo is 1 of only 3 films to accurately depict memory loss? http://bit.ly/Kv4B All the ones I can think of use the bump to a head. #
  • D’oh. Turned up for a meeting an hour early – still that’s an hour gained which I mustn’t waste on Twitter. #
  • Just finished the police ward meeting. One of the key topics; dog fouling! Councillors just can’t escape it. #
  • National Rail website says off-peak. Ticket-seller says off-peak. Guy at gate says peak starts at 1515, please give me lots of money. #
  • Heading up to Bolton, never been there in my life, but there’s something about going north that always feels a bit like going home. #
  • Pesky Tweetie, telling me it hadn’t posted when it clearly had – and on the same day it crashed and deleted my accounts. #
  • You see how bad #uktrain is on a regional train; nasty seats & a kicked in toilet door betray a lack of love from both passengers & operator #
  • Every hotelier in the world seems to think I
    a) want two single beds
    b) like paying £15 for an days internet &
    c) compulsively steal hangers #
  • More hotel ranting: 4 adult channels. So, single bed, anti-theft hangers, expensive ‘net & porn. What do hoteliers think of their guests? #
  • I’m still ranting about hotels, and now broadening the argument to include the human condition. Post may be incoherent: http://bit.ly/iGdNE #
  • Having great fun in the north, interesting and challenging work, but no time for Twitted. I’m sure you’ve all missed me though, haven’t you? #
  • Boasting isn’t a positive trait, but http://bit.ly/Zb8i9 #
  • Bolton Council’s intranet is called ‘t’intranet’. Credit to their web team. #
  • Right, I’m back Twittering; but lacking in things to say. #
  • Balham seems Wandsworth’s most connected area, so this is worth a RT: Free business advice for Balham http://tinyurl.com/dbxr69 via @wandbc in reply to wandbc #
  • Should I be annoyed or flattered that some chose the empty seat next to me on a busy-ish train? I’m thinking flattered. #
  • For years I thought GPRS was quite good. After a couple of hours on it I’m wondering if people once felt the same about outside toilets. #
  • I’ve always thought the approach to London into Euston is one of the capital’s ugliest. Thank god it’s dark. #
  • The guy opposite me on the Tube was reading Carpworld. I don’t know why but I feel better knowing that magazine exists. #
  • Aaaaaaaand… Back in the Brighter Borough. I missed you Wandsworth. #
  • Is there a recommended daily allowance for pizza? #
  • Grimsby 5 – Lincoln 1. ‘Ave it! That will help the goal difference and reinforce that Grimsby is miles better than Lincoln! #
  • Facebook suicidal? Yes, I don’t really get any benefit from facebook anymore and don’t like leaving all the personal info on there. #
  • In kitchen stirring rice pud while my wife tries to soothe a (potentially) teething baby. Not that long ago I’d have been in pub by now. #
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  • Looking after my son on my own for the first time today. Wish me, and more importantly him, luck. #
  • Just published my latest attempt at crime mapping: http://is.gd/ky6U #
  • Most shop-keepers won’t sell knives to children, but when they do we will take action. http://is.gd/kzaD #
  • Canvassing again. Third day in a row, mad mad mad. #
  • Mindlessly watching Gladiators on Sky+, does Ian Wright have any presenting style other than shouting? #
  • On my way to the Apple Store to get Panda, my beloved MacBook, fixed. I’ll pass in any get well messages you care to send. #
  • Celebrity spot. Neil Kinnock in Cavendish Square. #
  • Is there a pub in the land that can legitimately have Kate Bush on their playlist? I think not, so why am I having to listen to Heathcliff? #
  • Heading to Tooting for the first Good Neighbour awards. Nothing like travelling against the rush hour flow. #
  • Tooting’s first ‘Good Neighbours’ http://post.ly/4MC #
  • Just seen the news about David Cameron’s son. Tragic and shocking; events like this always bring so much into persepective.. #
  • Why am I going to a meeting on my birthday? Apart from the fact I organized it, I mean. #
  • Thx for bday wishes. To show how value conscious Wandsworth I got a (rice) cake at no cost to the tax payer. http://twitpic.com/1pakb #
  • RT @onmodernliberty David Davis reiterates ‘The price of liberty is eternal vigilance’ http://is.gd/kWRl (via @Timforchange) in reply to Timforchange #
  • So, if we all decide Gordon Brown hasn’t done a good job we can take legal action to remove his pension? #
  • Been thinking about whether I should have a recovery.jamescousins.com – but settled for a standard list instead http://is.gd/kYQp #
  • It’s a long time since I’ve had to travel into London at rush hour. Someone tell the IDeA I’ll be late. Was rush hour always this bad? #
  • Time from group agreeing no Blackberry rule to someone emailing on Blackberry, about 45 seconds! (I’m Tweeting in a break, before you ask) #
  • Where is @Paul0Evans1 when you need him? I need a good TPA/Daily Mail inspired rant, and he’s just the guy to help! #
  • Issue for council types. What do you do if developers or protesters of a planning app follow you? Is this a pre-determination issue? #
  • 90 minutes of canvassing and still going, on the whole think I’d rather be at #modernliberty #
  • Why isn’t Marmite on Twitter? I need to declare my undying love. #
  • Wearing a suit on a Saturday just feels wrong, and since I’m obviously not at a wedding I bet other people think I’m an estate agent. #
  • Is it me or is this house a bit surprised to see me? http://twitpic.com/1r0zp #
  • The local press does annoy me sometimes: headline = council should do more, actual story = council is doing more than any other councils. #
  • Why am I working at 8pm on a Sunday? A rhetorical question, since I know it’s party because I was so lazy on Thurs and Fri, but even so.. #
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  • Anyone fancy a stint as my PA? Unpaid, unless you count gratitude and karma as payment? #
  • It had to happen sooner or later… Just added the first BNP cllr to CllrTweeps. We’d agreed the policy on this, but still felt a bit odd. #
  • I’ve rejected some of these people I’ve never met on Facebook friend finder so often I’m beginning to wonder if I do actually know them. #
  • I’m aware that I’m allowing myself to be a little too diverted by Twitter rather than working – anyone care to send motivational Tweets? #
  • RT @OpenEyeComms: #police UK Cops spend only 65 mins of an 8 hr shift on patrol protecting the public. http://tinyurl.com/btakzk #
  • Looking for some crowd wisdom… if you were going to a public meeting about crime, about what sort of things you would want to hear? #
  • Thanks to everyone for your comments, even if it has made the preparation much harder. The presentation is on Thursday – http://is.gd/jrmX #
  • One last question – I was thinking of doing a YouTube version of the presentation. Would there be any interest if I did? #
  • Despite complaining about procrastinating on Twitter, I’ve actually had a very productive day on here. Thanks fellow Tweeps. #
  • Off to the Town Hall, wondering how things would be different with a 140 char limit on interaction. #
  • First run for a couple of weeks due to snow and laziness. Only around Battersea Park, but feeling achey. And smugly virtuous. #
  • Happiness: my new slippers have arrived! http://twitpic.com/1jb0u #
  • My house has been invaded by NCT types. I’m retreating elsewhere to work -resisting the type of elsewheres offering wifi and alcohol. #
  • Inspired by Dame Stella Rimington I’m owning up to my own terrorist tendencies http://is.gd/jOP0 #
  • Can anyone briefly outline the pros and cons for YouTube v Vimeo? Vimeo seems to allow longer vid length, but is there anything else? #
  • Why do so many public bodies make it virtually impossible to get data in a usable format from them? #
  • Right, I’m de-twittering for a while, I’m off to my association’s AGM. #
  • BBC are reporting the Springfield escapee – a convicted murderer – was the person under the train at Balham yesterday. http://is.gd/jXfl #
  • Springfield, escaped murderers and safety. I know I risk being premature here, but surely this is one time too many? http://is.gd/jXt2 #
  • RT @wandbc: Jail and seven year Asbo for teenager: A teenager behind a wave of harassment, vandalism and intimid.. http://tinyurl.com/cwqurd #
  • Still wrestling trying to get crime stats from t’net. Met only provide most recent month, the Home Offices stats site, helpfully, is down. #
  • RT @AndySawford: local government Twitter Top 10 http://tinyurl.com/c9opoe [I love ego-RTs] #
  • Hello to today’s flutter of followers… though I might be a bit Wandsworth-centric for those who do general local government. #
  • Going to a meeting at Battersea Power Station, can’t help wishing it was in Battersea Power Station though. #
  • I can’t hear Pet Shop Boys w/o thinking of Flight of the Conchords: “You know you’re not in high finance/considering second hand underpants” #
  • Quick bit of Twitter wisdom required. Can anyone think of a generic image that represents youth crime that ISN’T a hoodie? #
  • RT @sliah: RT @alcartwright: this is great – youtube clip from 1981 – the future of newspapers http://tinyurl.com/ctcmur The future’s great. #
  • If you are coming to tonight’s meeting on crime priorities we’ve changed the venue to the Civic Suite, just up the road. http://is.gd/k69j #
  • I’ve been really quiet on here today. I’d like to think you all missed me. #
  • Wandsworth freezes council tax again, no increase this year. http://bit.ly/19y4kn #
  • Any iMovie experts out there? I’m trying to remove some audio hiss from a video, it must be possible, but how? #
  • I’m worrying that I’m starting to like Come Dine With Me. #
  • Loving the Fred Elliot hat storyline in Coronation Street, how can people like @Liz_Azyan be down on such quality television? #
  • RT @CllrTweeps: FYI @localgovernment is a fake account (confirmed by @EdwardWelsh at the LGA) so you might like to block or unfollow. Pls RT #
  • I’ve just, effectively, re-tweeted myself. Probably a breech of Twitter etiquette, if not a sign of my own identity issues. #
  • What a fantastic morning for canvassing. What a fantastic morning, full stop. Spring is in the air. #
  • There is something very satisfying about taking the decision not to do anything all day. #
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  • I took a day off yesterday. Result? I’m crazily busy today. So much to do, where do I start? #
  • Found a trap street in Google maps http://is.gd/iUOE so had to use a paper A-Z, 1st time in several years, and pleasingly retro to boot. #
  • That’s it, @IainDale’s gone a tenuous Draper reference too far, so I’m unsubscribing from his blog too. Someone tell me if he ever stops. #
  • Busy busy busy day. Now to the Town Hall for the Community Safety Scrutiny Ctte. Another step in setting the crime priorities for the year. #
  • Kicking off presentations of the strategic assessment of crime & disorder – there’ll be a public version on 19 Feb, I’ll Tweet details later #
  • I’m probably more pleased than I should be to discover one of Battersea’s better pubs – @dukebattersea – following me. #
  • I occasionally make the offer – anything (Wandsworth related) I can do for anyone? http://is.gd/j3c9 #
  • RT @RajeevTrikha: Twitter to begin charging brands for commercial use http://tinyurl.com/byl9rf – interesting discussion in the comments. #
  • Obviously I’m getting tired of life, spending the whole day in Central London today and I’m not entirely happy about it. #
  • Abusing the Apple Store’s wifi to catch up on email. My criticism of other’s doing it last week is irrelevant, and in no way hypocritical. #
  • Fascinating meeting at the Metropolitan Police Authority about crime mapping, and now a dash to a school governors’ meeting. #
  • Incredibly tired, and that goal seems to have sapped a lot of what energy I had left… #
  • On a cold cold platform at Clapham Junction waiting for Boris. #
  • Boris announces East London Line extension to Clapham Junction http://post.ly/1LK #
  • Couldn’t resist posting another Mayor pic http://post.ly/1LW #
  • My iPhoto now recognises Boris Johnson. It’s about the closest I’ve ever come to celebrity (altho’ I did once answer a call from him at 5am) #
  • #uksnow SW11 3/10 #
  • Trying to read council reports, but, frankly, the lure of pointless Tweeting can be too great. #
  • Here you go, me still wittering on about snow – I won’t say Wandsworth was perfect, but it was better than most http://is.gd/jpQB #
  • Was going to Tweet something cryptic, but does cryptic work on Twitter? #
  • Wandsworth’s crime has fallen again: http://is.gd/jr5W #
  • You can find out how we’re planning to fight crime over the next year at our ‘Face the Public’ meeting next week. http://is.gd/jrmX #
  • Spending Valentine’s morning romanticly, um, canvassing. I often wonder what my wife sees in me. #
  • Canvassing on Valentine’s Day is very productive, people bound to the door expecting flowers; I’m sure they weren’t disappointed at all. #
  • Does anyone really care what I wore canvassing? At least it’s a chance to show off the best t-shirt ever! http://twitpic.com/1hef3 #
  • So my wife’s secret admirer sent her flowers. But they were addressed to me. And the chocolates were missing. And there were only 11 roses. #
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  • I’m slightly embarrassed that the UK grinds to a halt with a bit of snow. #
  • It’s snowing! http://is.gd/i4Ag #
  • I’m thinking I should get out there with my camera, but worry I’ll just end up getting questioned by the police again. #
  • My TV has died. Blessing or curse? #
  • No buses. No taxis. So I’m about to start a 1.5 mile walk to the Town Hall. “I’m going out now, I may be some time.” #
  • Amazed at what it’s like out there. Hardly any traffic, pubs closing at 9.30 just a handful of people on the streets. It’s eerie.. #
  • A rare blog post promotion: A little (self) praise for our response to the snow http://is.gd/idI8 #
  • Much as I like @stephenfry this is going a bit far – a #frylift hashtag?! Who are the other people in there, I want to follow them instead. #
  • I’m making a bad habit of Tweeting blog posts, but would appreciate comments on the future of Wandsworth crime mapping… http://is.gd/imHq #
  • Phew haven’t stopped today. And a full council meeting tonight, but I won’t be boring anyone with Tweets on that! #
  • Ego-RT @wandbc: Bin those scam emails and letters: The council is supporting a campaign to expose and combat some http://tinyurl.com/ashxve #
  • At a full council meeting where I’m pretty sure standing orders forbid me Tweeting. I MUST RESIST. #
  • Would-be cllrs tip: if you’re responding to a debate with five speakers, don’t drink lots of water before you go into the Council Chamber. #
  • Right, council meeting finished, slightly bizarre moment with Labour trying to congratulate Martin Linton for opposing the 3rd runway! #
  • Cold, wet and dismal out. The snow induced happiness seems to have disappeared and London is back to normal. #
  • If any cllrs find their way here from the firstonline article http://bit.ly/3Dz15a can I suggest you follow @CllrTweeps? #
  • Just been to a fascinating day on digital engagement and communities organized by @simongrace. Thanks and congratulations are in order. #
  • I’m not ashamed to admit I get a palpable sense of disappointment when I discover new followers are spam. But I do enjoy blocking them! #
  • Reading the #questiontime stream is really appealing to the Liberty supporting part of me. Not something I would have said a few years ago! #
  • It’s great that LMAO is a trending topic for no particular reason other than lots of people are laughing at lots of different things. #
  • Chairing the Employment and Skills Partnership ths morning, though some of our targets set pre-recession are looking a bit unrealistic now! #
  • Massive ego- RT: [SIF] Twitter best practice from Wandsworth Borough Council http://tinyurl.com/balzxo (via @twofootedtackle) in reply to twofootedtackle #
  • Ego of the last tweet aside, if anyone does have any Wandsworth problems or issues feel free to @, DM or email me, & I’ll try to help. #
  • Feeling guilty for my bout of egotism earlier. Sorry everyone, I will try and avoid subjecting you to it again. #
  • Shouldn’t be so bearish about the economy. The Employmt & Skills Partnership was very productive, there are reasons to be +ve in Wandsworth. #
  • I’m not retweeting @ingridk’s blog post because I’m going cold turkey on ego-tweets. #
  • Does anyone know of a fairly easy to set-up web-directory? doesn’t need to be too flash, just to work as a web front-end for a few weeks. #
  • Bad news for Balhamites. M&S have confirmed they are closing their Simply Food. http://is.gd/iEfA #
  • If any councillors happen across my Twitter after reading the LGA first feature, why not follow @CllrTweeps and visit http://cllrtweeps.com? #
  • At my cllr surgery. No attendees so far. Feel free to come along to Battersea library, no appointment needed! #
  • Still no attendees. These surgeries average 0.5 people a week, I’m beginning to think this is the week the 0.5 is rounded down. #
  • Pleased to read in the log that 2 weeks ago someone came to say they had no issues but asked the duty cllr to pass on their regards to me! #
  • My shift is over, no attendees. I’m not sure surgeries are the best way to offer access nowadays, but at least the library is warm & toasty! #
  • Just a gentle push for any councillors passing through here after reading LG first – please follow @CllrTweeps & visit http://cllrtweeps.com #
  • Time for the rugby now… but today, no Tweet is complete without pushing @CllrTweeps and http://cllrtweeps.com #
  • England winning the in rugby, now Grimsby in the lead against Exeter. The weekend is getting better. #
  • Exeter have equalised. How dare they? #
  • Indeed, though obviously I can’t speak for Dafydd (though he’d been speaking to Tweetminster about it!) #
  • Total Wipeout starts a night of naff TV, pizza & moderate alcohol consumption. There can only be one phrase to describe my life: Rock & Roll #
  • The definition of annoyance: seeing there’s a ‘QI XL’ just in time to catch the closing credits. Consoling myself with Transformers on Sky. #
  • Anyone watching ITV2? This has to be a classic movie scene. #
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  • To my Wandsworth followers: Is there anything I (as a councillor) can do for you or help you with? You won’t be the first, so don’t be shy. #
  • I’m having one of those days when I’m just rattling through my to-do list – and it’s giving me a great feeling for the week ahead. #
  • Havin’ changed me olde facebooke language t’ pirate I’m rather enjoyin’ usin’ it again. Arrrr. #
  • At Town Hall. Something about its 30s grandeur charms just enough to compensate for the lack of modern amenities. http://twitpic.com/17iin #
  • Wow, this is my first Tweet of the day. Still quality over quantity… oh, now I’ve failed on that one as well. #
  • I’m so pleased with the response to my offer of help so a repeat: Anyone want any help with Wandsworth issues, feel free to @ or DM me. #
  • Thanks to @appleblossombea I think ‘democratic gigolo’ title has to go – any suggestions for alternatives? in reply to appleblossombea #
  • Quite a few places are tipping Paul Stephenson as the new Met Commissioner – an interesting appointment, if true. #
  • It was cold, wet and miserable for a run around Battersea Park this morning, but I counted at least 8 others as masochistic as me. #
  • They are tweeting live on This Morning. I can’t help but think that is a bad thing. Not as bad as a Daily Mail endorsement, but bad. #
  • Taking the little ‘un on his first trip into central London to meet his Mum’s work colleagues. #
  • Well, a couple of hours to myself in central London. What to do? #
  • Whenever I walk past packed meeting rooms I think: 1. That looks dull, glad I’m out here & 2. That might be interesting, wish I was in it. #
  • Cheers for suggestions. Amazingly I’ve found myself in the Apple Store – totally unexpected. #
  • I admire the guys with beat up Dells in the Apple Store theatre who are shamelessly there only for the free wifi to get onto Hotmail. #
  • Such is my hypochondria that I can’t even read about the cello scrotum story (http://bit.ly/13PBl) without a tiny bit of worry. #
  • I’m doing 200 words for ‘first’ on being a Twittering cllr. That’s about 8.6 tweets worth! How will I fill it? #
  • I’m getting quite excited about this Saturday, even though I don’t know what to expect and have no idea what additional insight I can bring. #
  • Going to my policy meeting with officers. I often wonder if Yes, Minister is a good comparison, but that wouldn’t paint me in a good light. #
  • Well, that wasn’t Yes Minister at all. Now for some real work and resisting playing with the new iPhoto. #
  • Tooting-ites might be interested in this facebook group http://bit.ly/tPfI – join in and let us know how we can make Tooting even better. #
  • I try to avoid Twittering blog posts, but couldn’t resist that one. The explanation on Martin Linton’s site is here http://bit.ly/2X6pIq #
  • Community Safety Strategy Group and council group tonight. But @gill_edwards has really set me thinking about social media love in Balham. #
  • Meetings over. Now for some serious face recognition with iPhoto. #
  • Doing my 200 words on Twitter. I can’t decide it It needs less than 140 characters or more than 200 words! #
  • 200 words later (well 212, actually) you can read my efforts on my blog http://is.gd/hO2m before they are mercilessly edited. #
  • So, now people are starting to think about #ukgc09 I’m beginning to wonder what I have to offer the day. #
  • I’m wondering if I’ve been a little dismissive of facebook. Does anyone know of any good examples of facebook as an engagement tool? #
  • What’s the betting on if (when?) #ukgc09 becomes a trending topic? #
  • On bus. Going to #ukgc09. Need coffee. #
  • Stood behind @ingridk at the #ukgc09 queue. Wondering if she’ll notice me or this tweet first. #
  • Wondering if I should pay attention to the current session, or just follow the live Twitter #ukcg09 #
  • Big thanks to all the #ukgc09 organisers. Probably the best ‘conference’ I’ve ever attended. #
  • To most this will be meaningless. But to those it isn’t: Daddy is in the chair. Repeat. Daddy is in the chair. #
  • My hopes for British victory in Eurovision ’09 are sunk. That song is, well, rubbish – can’t stop thinking of Geraldine McQueen. #
  • Hmmmm. I’m seeing why these weren’t the finalists. Apart from Lulu of course, she rocks. #eurovision #
  • #uksnow SW11 0/10 – and very very unhappy about it. I want snow. #
  • I’m just not getting any work done today, I think I should admit defeat. It’s Sunday, time to relax in my chair and veg infront of the TV. #
  • #uksnow SW11 3/10 in reply to paulhenderson #
  • I’m beginning to hate my modem, why must it fight everything I do online? It’s only a Wii, I’m not trying to look for UFOs at the Pentagon. #
  • Somehow it seems wrong that @stephenfry likes darts and watches ITV4. Mind you, he’s right, a better match for Taylor being out of form. #
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twitter logoI’ve written a very short piece for first magazine on my use of Twitter.  They are doing a feature on councillors using social media and asked me for a short contribution on Twitter, which I’ve pasted below.

(If you want to follow me on Twitter just go to my Twitter page and click follow.  It really is worthwhile, and if you want a helping hand just send me a message.)

Twitter is often portrayed in the media as a festival of celebrity banality but it is a valuable medium, where diverse people congregate, contribute and discuss.  I first became aware of its power through Twitter conversations about local government engagement, and from there is was an obvious step to use it as a councillor.

My approach, in short, has been to ‘be human’.  I use my personal account and try to avoid too much about the Town Hall, which I suspect even I would find dull.  Instead I try to make my Tweets either encourage discussion or be informative, but that doesn’t stop me discussing TV or celebrating my team’s rare wins.

What is surprising is not just how many local people were Tweeting, but how many were eager to engage and use Twitter to communicate with their councillor.  While I often sit in a draughty library with no-one attending my surgery it is quite the reverse in the Twitterverse where people are keen to ask questions or air local issues with me.  In the past week alone parks, parking, traffic, policing and business issues have all been raised with me via Twitter.

Like any dialogue, you get out what you put in.  For me, Twitter has been incredibly rewarding.

 

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  • Why are M&S leaving Balham? http://bit.ly/MSwtd #
  • I’m returning to Facebook to join @mysociety in their campaign to stop MPs’ keeping their expenses secret. Join at http://bit.ly/Z3Zp #
  • It feels a bit like when I realised Father Christmas wasn’t real… The Stig has been outed http://tinyurl.com/8h2hp3 (via @Timforchange) #
  • I’ve just been told my Stig link was wrong. Sorry, it should be http://bit.ly/ABCOc Ken Clarke isn’t the Stig, and wasn’t Black Stig either #
  • My productive day has been brought to an end by the discovery my email server is down and has been queuing emails all weekend. #
  • About to begin a long long meeting at the town hall. Why did Sky move 24 from Sundays? Mondays are so bad for me and TV. #
  • Another day of solid achievement beckons. #
  • Today’s a good day to follow @usembassylondon (future Wandsworth residents) if you don’t already, they’re flagging up some interesting reads #
  • My house is very quiet today – too quiet – can anyone recommend some good internet listening for some background noise while I work? #
  • My old iMac G5 is crawling, will it be snappier after the inauguration, or are my expectations of the President-elect a little too high? #
  • Right, time to put on the inauguration coverage. Does anyone think the BBC’s coverage with have enough cliche to justify a drinking game? #
  • Right… Stopping work and watching a Sky+ed ’24’. But will Pres. Obama ever have to face Die Hards 2-4 in a single day? #
  • On my way to meet the scrutiny chairman to discuss the next meeting. Focusing on crime next time, particularly the strategic assessment. #
  • First coffee of the day, freshly ground and brewed. I refuse to accept anyone in the world (Obama included) will have a better coffee today. #
  • RT @StuartYoung: Social Media “Experts” are the Cancer of Twitter (and Must Be Stopped) http://tinyurl.com/8gnnb7 #
  • No offence intended with that last Tweet, btw – I’m in no position to knock, I can only claim incompetence across a range of activities. #
  • I wonder, do any of the Gladiators tweet? The nice ones I mean, not Tornado. #
  • At the launch of Wandsworth’s 10 year vision. Difficult to imagine what the next. 10 years will bring when you think back to 1999. #
  • Right, logging out of Twitter, closing mail.app and turning off the phone to wrestle with a bout of solid achievement. #
  • Spent morning wrestling with solid achievement. I won, two falls & one submission. Now back being distracted by Twitter like everyone else. #
  • I’m bored rigid by my work-out regime at the gym, does anyone know of some good online resources to help me develop a new routine? #
  • Retrieving a few bits and pieces from my old Palm Treo. I thought this was good, then came the iPhone – how did I use it for so many years? #
  • I bet Obama doesn’t do his own canvassing. #
  • Alcohol. The fuel of democracy. #
  • I’m fighting depressing weather and official recession by whistling while I work. #
  • Meeting with my community safety team to chat about some of our projects for the next year. Got some exciting stuff on the horizon. #
  • Anyone know what this guy was doing between 1997-2007? (sorry for the politics) http://twitpic.com/167gf #
  • I’m resisting the urge to respond to a @liz_azyan tweet – and instead concentrating on my own work. #
  • Just been on facebook and found myself wondering why I bothered, it seems to have become a chore. Will Twitter ever be like that? #
  • A freezing cold Saturday morning. Obviously ideal canvassing time. So why does everyone look so tired and grumpy? #
  • Having watched the football inertia is carrying me through Police Academy 2. Could I be less productive? Yes. Yes I can. I’ll tweet about it #
  • Another win for the Mariners, 3-0. Take that Rotherham. #
  • Facebook as a crimefighting tool? (via @WandsworthNews) http://tinyurl.com/b64rqe #