The Chairman of Harlow Council's diary

Annual Council

2008-05-22T22:24:00.003+01:00

It's the Annual Council meeting tonight, when I hand over the chairmanship to my successor. After the usual apologies and declarations of interest, I ask members to rise for a minute's silence in memory of the fourth serving councillor to have died during the year, Cllr Greg Peck. Then I give my Review of my year in office; and for the first time I use a PowerPoint presentation to give people a glimpse of what I've done during the year.

Then it's time to call for nominations for my successor. It's been thoroughly enjoyable, but I'm quite content to hand over to someone else, and return to the political fray of the backbenches after a year of civic responsibility.

If you've been a regular reader of this online diary, thank you. I hope it's provided something of an insight into what it means to be Chairman of a local authority like Harlow; and that it's been a useful exercise in openness and accountability.

Best wishes for a happy and prosperous future.

Switch off

2008-05-22T22:22:00.002+01:00

From Friday morning, the link to my Chairman's Diary will no longer be visible from the Harlow Council web site, as I'll no longer be Chairman.

The direct address of the diary, should you ever wish to look at it again in the future, is http://chairman-of-harlow-council.blogspot.com

Raising aspirations report

2008-05-21T22:16:00.002+01:00

Tonight I present the final report of my Raising Aspirations project to an invited audience of councillors, members of Harlow 2020 committees and action groups, a number of headteachers, and others. Jackie Sully, Chair of the Harlow 2020 Partnership, has kindly agreed to chair the meeting.

With the support of my advisory group, we've developed a list of seven key issues, and a 'priority focus' for each one. I give a summary of our findings and suggestions for future works; there's a chance for questions and comments; and then a lively discussion over some light refreshments afterwards.

After tomorrow, I won't be in post to have anything more to do with the work of the past year; I hope the ideas and thoughts that went into the project are of some use in helping raise the aspirations of our children and young people for the future.

Pretty as a picture

2008-05-14T17:06:00.002+01:00

I've been asked by Kelly, the council's arts officer, to be part of the team of judges selecting pieces of art for the Open exhibition to take place shortly in the Gibberd Gallery.

I arrive at two, and meet my fellow judges - Julian from the Harlow Art Trust, Colin from GlaxoSmithKline (sponsors of the Gibberd Gallery) and Roman, the artist working on the Market Quarter redevelopment.

There are a lot of submissions, all propped up against the walls of the gallery. Kelly gives us two colours of post-it notes (yellow for yes, pink for no) and we all wander round casting our votes for each piece. The unanimous yes-es are included, the unanimous no-es excluded, and we have a lively debate about the pieces on which our opinions are split.

Every artist can submit up to three pieces of work, and we try not to select all the pieces of any one artist, to give as many local artists as possible the chance to be included. The range is wonderful - amateurs, professionals, abstracts, still lifes (or should that be 'still lives'?), portraits, landscapes, drawings, oils, acrylics, fabrics, and a small collection of sculpture.

It's a wonderful way to spend an afternoon, and a real credit to the artistic talent of Harlow and its residents. Do pop in and have a look at the exhibition when it opens for four weeks on 31 May.

Breathe Easy launch plans

2008-05-13T08:15:00.002+01:00

Earlier in my year as Chairman, I held a meeting with Dennis Ramshaw from the Epping Breathe Easy group.

Dennis has now written to say that the group is now ready to establish its first presence in Harlow - a drop-in centre for patients and carers, with tea, coffee, and perhaps some gentle exercise to music. This will give the respiratory nurse specialists the chance to have informal contact with patients and carers they might not otherwise meet.

The drop-in will run once a month for three months, and the group will then review how it is going. My successor as Chairman will be invited to attend the launch on Tuesday 3 June at Purford Green Community Centre.

The Langley with the Lamp

2008-05-12T17:10:00.002+01:00

Twelve thirty (or a little after - it took me a bit longer than I'd planned to get home after my first engagement of the day) sees me at the Florence Nightingale Health Centre at Church Langley, for the official opening of the health centre extension.

We stand in the baking heat outside, while we're addressed by speakers including Harlow Health Centres Trust chairman Martin Lawn, and a representative from the hospital's Child Development Centre, which is also located here. A plaque is unveiled inside the building, and then we all troop in for a buffet, fruit juice (with ice - luxury!) and a chance for a chat.

I spend a little time talking to a group of health visitors, who tell me that they're about to be reorganised into teams onto a more geographic basis, which should help improve the service to the clients on their caseloads. I also chat to some of the trustees of the Health Centres Trust, and its business manager. We discuss the idea of setting up a meeting for all councillors with the Trust, which would be really useful. The Trust owns seven of the health centres in Harlow, and therefore it's a key organisation in the health sector in the town.

There's also a scale model on display, of a sculpture by a local artist which will be placed outside the health centre at Church Langley. The artist is on hand, to explain the elements of the sculpture, which reflects some of the architecture and built environment of the town, from Bishopsfield's podium to the old town hall and the new build to the east of the town.

Fibromyalgia coffee morning

2008-05-12T16:25:00.002+01:00

It's a fine day, so once again I've dug the tricycle out, to cycle to my first engagement of the day - a coffee morning at Wych Elm organised by the local group for people with fibromyalgia. I arrive at about eleven, and the event is in full swing.

I've read a little bit about the condition before going along, and it certainly sounds like something I wouldn't want to experience - muscle pain, fatigue, interrupted sleep patterns, poor concentration and memory, and irritable bowel syndrome.

In some ways, it seems similar to ME or lupus; and I've known people with both, and how wearing it is to have to struggle with a chronic condition, especially when some in the medical profession tell you there's nothing wrong with you.

The local group is small, but keen to reach out and help more people with the condition in and around Harlow. They're affiliated to the national Fibromyalgia Association UK but receive no local funding to support their activities, other than what they raise from their members - and they'd love to be able to hire a room once a month rather than meet in each other's houses. I tell them about some of the organisations they can approach either for funds, or for advice on where else to apply.

I'm given a very welcome cup of coffee, and have a brief opportunity to chat with some of the members of the group. Their stories are illuminating - one telling me she accidentally threw a knife across the kitchen during one of the muscle spasms that she gets; another that she has to follow a 'sleep hygiene' routine that requires her not to sleep in the day, however tired she feels, so that she doesn't have a disturbed night as well ('but it still doesn't work', she adds).

I draw the first ticket in the raffle, which is won by Tom - who, incidentally, tells me a very interesting story about the mayoral chain I'm wearing. I also have the unenviable task of awarding gold and silver medals to two little girls who've taken part in the colouring competition - they're sisters, so whichever I prefer as the overall winner there'll be tears before bedtime!

I'd have loved to have stayed, but I have to do some errands at Sainsbury's before heading home, as I have to be at Church Langley for half past twelve and there's no way I'm doing that journey on the tricycle, especially in this heat - you could already stop traffic with the colour of my face.

I really hope the group finds the funds it needs to provide the support it wants to offer to people with fibromyalgia. If you live in Harlow and you've got fibromyalgia, or care for someone who has, and want to find out more, do email the group - they'd be delighted to hear from you.

Hanging around

2008-05-03T18:21:00.001+01:00

I've not really thought too much about what the abseil will be like - which is just as well, because if I had I probably wouldn't have done it.

Nick and Georgina come with me to spur me on - or laugh, I'm not sure which. When we arrive at the Church Langley Water Tower the event is in full swing, and I register and hand over my sponsorship forms for verification.

Once inside the fence round the water tower, we're shown how to put on the hard hat and the belt and strap it round our legs. Then it's into the water tower, and up to the top.

Everyone I've spoken to who has done the abseil says that the going up is the worst bit, especially the ladders at the top, and they're right. The metal mesh staircase is bad enough, with all those holes, but as the tower narrows, they're superseded by three long metal ladders, each with a small safety platform below. I'm afraid at this point I become a total wuss, and let myself be roped up for the final climb up the ladders to the top. I'm particularly embarrassed, as the photographer has managed to climb up ahead of me unaided, with her heavy camera slung over her shoulders.

Out on the top of the water tower, the view is stunning, but I need to concentrate on the next bit of the task. At the edge, I need to get hooked up, then climb through the barriers onto the outside of the ledge. Then I need to turn round, stand on the little ledge just below the rim, then lie on the piece of carpet draped over the lip of the tower. I'm shown how to stop and start the descent by squeezing or releasing the rope - and it's off I go.

It's an amazing feeling, dangling in space, looking round and out - over the motorway, the sprawl of Church Langley, the yellow fields stretching into the distance. It's almost a shame to come down - and the descent is over all too quickly.

I collect my sponsorship forms and certificates, and find the refreshment stall for a well-earned cup of tea and piece of cherry cake, secure in the knowledge that I've raised about £400 for Harlow Stroke Support Group.

Photograph exhibition

2008-05-03T17:15:00.001+01:00

The East Anglian Federation of Photographic Societies launches its annual exhibition today in the Gibberd Gallery at a quarter to two. I'm there to say a few words, and open the event.

Malcolm Tinn reads out the roll call of winners and highly commendeds, all presented with their awards or certificates. I don't have much time to browse the display, but I vow to go back, as the quality of the photographs is stunning.

Down to earth with a bump

2008-05-03T12:17:00.002+01:00

Now that the local council elections are over and the council publicity restrictions known in the trade as purdah have come to an end, I'm free to reopen my diary for the last three weeks of my chairmanship of the council.

It's a pity I couldn't report some of the things that have happened over the last few weeks, especially the St George's Day events on 23 April, including my first ever school dinner - at St James' School - afternoon tea at Harlowbury Chapel (amazing how many long-term residents of Harlow don't know it's there, when it's Harlow's oldest building), and the raising of an English pint at The Hare pub.

Anyway, this afternoon at 3:45 I shall be abseiling down Church Langley Water Tower in aid of my chosen charity, Harlow Stroke Support Group. Unfortunately, they don't yet have a JustGiving membership up and running, so you can't donate online, but if you'd like to make a contribution, I'm sure a cheque made out to Harlow Stroke Support Group and sent to me at the Civic Centre, Water Gardens, Harlow CM20 1WG will be much appreciated by a very worthwhile cause.

It's me or the blog!

2008-03-26T13:01:00.005Z

The local elections come round on the first Thursday of May every year. I've had a chat with the council's chief legal beagle, and I must suspend this diary if I'm to be involved in any way in the election campaign.

As a result, this will be my last entry until 2 May, when I'll be into the last three weeks of my year as Chairman - though you'll still be able to access what I've written here up till now. The comments feature will also be switched off.

I'll see you in early May, and thanks for reading.

Rob Eschle's funeral

2008-03-26T12:55:00.002Z

This morning sees the funeral of Cllr Rob Eschle - the third funeral of a Harlow councillor since the elections last May, and nearly one in ten of the total. A crowd is gathered at Holy Cross church at Brays Grove just before ten o'clock, and it's clear from the numbers present, and the different walks of life from which they come, just how much a part of the community Rob was. After the hymns, prayers, homily, short speech, and communion for those able to receive it, Rob is carried out to the strains of When The Saints Go Marching In. He'll be much missed.

Large object overhead

2008-03-25T20:51:00.002Z

In a moment of madness, I've offered to abseil from the Church Langley Water Tower in aid of my Chairman's Charity, the Harlow Stroke Support Group. The abseil takes place on the first weekend in May, and all offers of sponsorship in a good cause will be warmly welcomed.

A trip to Harlow Fields

2008-03-25T17:56:00.002Z

It's many years since I set foot in what's now Harlow Fields School. When my son was under a year old (he's now 24!) and we lived in Bishopsfield, I used to go with him to the hydrotherapy pool there, when they used to open it up to the public for mums and tots swimming. So I'm delighted to have the opportunity to go back, all these years later, and see the school on a typically busy day.

I've been invited along by Mick Granger - he of the homeless shelter at Christmas - who has also invited along Terry Kirkby from Pitney Bowes, and the Herald newspaper. New head teacher Sue Davies, together with several students and staff and parents, is on hand to welcome us, and show us round the school.

Like many special schools, Harlow Fields takes children and young people from age three to 19, from the whole of West Essex, with a range of needs and abilities. We start with the lower school, move to the upper school, and finally the FE department for the 16-19 year olds.

There's some great equipment, like the benches in the science labs; but there are also some very real funding needs. The school needs a replacement minibus, for example, and as we visit the hydrotherapy pool the water is dripping from the roof onto the Herald journalist's head. The minibus is likely to cost around £6,000 - the pool improvements easily ten times that.

Tomorrow is a big day for the school - the annual Wheels Round Town, when each class decorates up a shopping trolley or other wheeled vehicle and takes it on a tour of the local cycle paths. One of the lower school classes is hard at work on its trolley when we pop in; while another is using PECS pictures for an afternoon healthy snack time.

School assembly is at three o'clock, and we're treated to a special performance of the African Gum Boots Dance, followed by some sharing of some of the work the different classes have been doing. It's been a lovely afternoon, and we've been made very welcome.

A cheque from Spice Master

2008-03-25T17:48:00.002Z

Abdul from the Spice Master restaurant telephones at lunchtime, to ask whether he can meet me today to hand over the cheque the Spice Master kindly offered following the recent charity dinner in aid of Harlow Stroke Support Group.

I meet him at 1:30 in the Civic Centre - thank you to a passing Paul from the Licensing department for taking the photograph of the cheque being handed over!

White Easter

2008-03-23T12:44:00.000Z

My diary says "Easter Sunday: open Canal Boat family day at the Moorhen". Waking up and taking one look out of the window at the snow gently falling, I thought - that isn't going to happen. I was right. What a shame for the Canal Boat project.

Afghanistan presentation

2008-03-17T22:06:00.002Z

The 1st Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment has returned from Afghanistan, and the Chairman of Essex County Council has invited a whole host of people to County Hall for an event this evening to recognise the operational achievements of our county regiment and garrisoned troops.

In addition to the Lord Lieutenant, the High Sheriff, Members of Parliament and the Mayors and Chairs, of course it's the military's evening - and they're there in force, from all ranks and of all ages.

After a welcome drink, and when we're all settled in the Council Chamber, Lt Col Stuart Carver DSO, the battalion's commanding officer, gives a talk about the regiment's tour of duty in Helmand province. There are charts, photos, even video; and we're given a graphic introduction to the conditions in the field of battle, which doesn't shy away from anything. The young men of the battalion clearly deserve our thanks and respect for the tough and dangerous job they've been doing.

After the presentation, there are questions from the audience, chaired by the Lord Lieutenant of Essex Lord Petre - how old are the troops? what are communications with home like? what's the military's view of the Afghan national police? what about opium? - and the Leader of the County Council gives a concluding speech of thanks.

We end with the national anthem, and move into the atrium for a buffet supper and a chance to talk. It's a pleasure to spend time in conversation with a Harlow couple from the Royal Air Force Association; we talk about their experience of life in the services, and the declining number of veterans taking part in organisations for ex-servicemen and women.

Culture of celebrity

2008-03-14T17:01:00.002Z

In connection with my project on Raising Aspirations, I was interested to read the views of teachers in advance of this year's conference of the Association of Teachers and Lecturers.

Spice Master

2008-03-13T23:04:00.001Z

The weather is appalling, and has obviously put off a lot of people who would otherwise have come out to the Spice Master for the fundraising dinner in support of my charity, Harlow Stroke Support Group.

The restaurant is therefore quiet, but the food is really excellent, the entertainment from Hi-Impact lively, and the evening's raffle and auction raise £140 for Stroke Support, with the proprietors Raj and Abdul generously increasing this to £300. I know the money will be well used.

Global XChange

2008-03-12T22:26:00.002Z

Phil Hanks, whom I met at the Fairtrade event at the Civic Centre a couple of weeks ago, has emailed me about the Global XChange programme he supervises.

Eighteen young people aged 18-25, half from the UK and half from Indonesia, will spend three months in and around Harlow and Bishop's Stortford from March. Volunteers will live and volunteer in cross-cultural counterpart pairs, contributing to community projects and developing greater understanding of the world around them.

Phil is looking for community hosts who can take in a pair of volunteers (one UK and one Indonesian) for up to ten weeks between the end of March and the middle of June. Global Xchange will provide a weekly allowance to contribute towards costs, volunteers who are flexible and fit in with your lifestyle, and support from two programme supervisors.

He's also looking for placements for the volunteers in local community organisations. Again, the volunteers will work in pairs (one UK and one Indonesian) for up to four days a week between April and the middle of June.

If you're interested, do email Phil or call him on 07968 099775.

Charity dinner at the Spice Master

2008-03-12T14:39:00.002Z

The Spice Master restaurant in Staple Tye is very generously organising a dinner tomorrow night (Thursday 13 March) to raise money for my chosen charity, Harlow Stroke Support Group. For only £23 a head, you can enjoy a set meal and entertainment from girl trio Hi-Impact and their Decades Show.

Tickets can be bought individually or per table - the evening will start at 7.15 pm and finish at approximately 10.30 pm. Book directly with the Spice Master on 01279 423814 or 01279 453511. It should be a great night out!

Cllr Rob Eschle

2008-03-11T21:12:00.002Z

I hear during the day that Bush Fair councillor Rob Eschle has passed away, following a period of illness. I'm rung by the Harlow Star wanting a comment from me as Chairman of the Council. I tell them: "The death of Cllr Rob Eschle is sad news indeed. Rob was a man with a tremendous sense of commitment to the town and its people, and he will be much missed. One of Rob's passions, on which I worked with him recently, was fair trade – he took the lead in Harlow's application for Fairtrade Town status and it is fortunate that he lived long enough to see it granted".

Aspirations project again

2008-03-11T17:16:00.000Z

My fourth meeting of the day - after introducing a presentation to a Government minister, going to the monthly get-together of the council reading group, and attending a performance management project meeting - is with Paul from the council's Community Safety team.

We're planning an event to launch the findings of my project on aspiration and attainment for children and young people, and we both come away with some ideas in mind and a list of people to talk to.

I've got an hour and a half to go home and cook a meal for the family - a strange mixture of cod, horseradish, breadcrumbs, lentils and creme fraiche which, surprisingly, seems to work - before the fifth and final meeting of the day.

The world is a dangerous place

2008-03-10T18:16:00.003Z

Would you accept a drink from a stranger? What would you do if you heard a fire alarm? What's wrong with playing on a building site - or drinking more than a few pints and then trying to walk home safely?

All the Year 6s in Harlow - that's top juniors in old money - have been on Crucial Crew at the Study Centre last week and this week. Organised and funded by the Safer Harlow Partnership, Crucial Crew introduces local 10 and 11 year olds to a variety of personal safety issues, and how they should respond.

I've been to Crucial Crew before, a couple of years ago, but the world changes, and so new scenarios have been introduced. There's a new activity based around 'internet grooming', as well as the more familiar ones such as electricity sub-stations, the 'beer goggles' (which distort your attempt to walk a straight line) and washing your hands thoroughly before eating or preparing food. I'm in the company of the High Sheriff of Essex, Lady Diana Kemp-Welch, who demonstrates her usual charm, intellect, and keen interest in all matters to do with young people and community safety.

The Police Community Support Officers are there in force, doing a fantastic job, as are council staff including Patrick who shows us round the ten different activities the children have to do. It's good to see new partners such as Kier Harlow making a contribution to the day - including two of the new apprentices I met last year, when they'd just started in post. One of them is talking very confidently to the children about the dangers of playing on building sites, and the other is operating the 'cherry picker' in which children are being given the opportunity of a ride while wearing their hard hats and fluorescent jackets. I'm photographed by the local press with Laurie from Year 6 on the 'cherry picker' - then there's just time for a quick bite of the buffet lunch and it's home to do some work.

Introduction agency

2008-03-10T17:42:00.004Z

I've been away in Liverpool for four days, and didn't get back till half past eight last night. I've unpacked, and spread loads of paperwork all over the bed so that at least I can sort it into related heaps.

It's absolutely tipping it down with rain this morning, so rather than walk to Wych Elm for my nine o'clock meeting and end up there looking like a drowned rat, I let discretion be the better part of valour and order a cab.

When I arrive, the Rainbow Services building is locked and the shutters are down. I tap on the door, notice the bell and ring that, and then - getting wet and desperate - thump on the door just as it's about to be opened by a very startled Claire.

Marcela and George, together with Peter Woolford and Susan, have arrived and have been waiting in the car in the Wych Elm car park. We're all welcomed, shown upstairs and offered a very welcome cup of coffee.

We're here - following the presentation Marcela gave last Wednesday at the Civic Centre - to meet Harlow 2020 chairman Jackie Sully, to discuss whether Harlow 2020 would consider itself able to act as an umbrella for Harlow's part of the relationship we have with Prague 15 district. There are so many opportunities for different groups and organisations and interests to meet their counterparts in the partner country, to give and take ideas and experience and widen our horizons. But it needs a co-ordinating body to bring all of this together, to plan it out, to map the relationships between the partners and promote the links between our two districts.

Jackie is very positive, telling us that she has already raised this with the Harlow 2020 Board last Friday, following Wednesday's presentation, and that Harlow 2020 are potentially interested - though of course they want more information and to find out what is expected.

Marcela gives Jackie copies on disc of the presentation she gave last week, and promises to email myself and Peter with more notes for her. We all come out feeling very encouraged that perhaps more residents in Harlow - and in Prague 15 - will be able to benefit from the relationship in future.