Council Meetings In A 'Milestone Week'

A week in the life of a local councillor in Chiswick

Cllr Sam Hearn who represents the Riverside ward in Chiswick, is chairman of the Chiswick Area Forum. He has written this account of his week as a busy local councillor

Saturday – 7th February: Part of a large operation bringing volunteers in from across the region to two West London constituencies. We successfully extended our canvassing in key Wards. The highlight for me was a heated argument at the end of the day with an MP. We discovered that we would have been on opposing sides at the seventeenth century Battle of Turnham Green. Ho hum.
Sunday – 8st February: Sorting completed canvass cards. Taking leaflets to deliverers. I crept into St Pauls’ Grove Park for another of their second Sunday in the month free concerts. Dazzled by the young violinist’s amazing performance.
Monday – 9nd February: Completing arrangements for the Ward AGM. Trying hard to focus on the Audit Committee papers.
Tuesday – 10rd February: Ward AGM held at my house. We looked back at our poor overall performance in May 2014 and “licked our wounds” over a glass of wine. Had a detailed look at progress to date and the plans for the General Election.
Wednesday – 11th February: A little light canvassing in the evening. Back in time for Wolf Hall.
Thursday – 12th February: Ever hopeful Into the Civic Centre to have my I-Pad and laptop fixed. With councillor colleagues John Todd, Gerald McGregor to talk through the 2014/15 Budget proposals with Finance Officers. On with colleagues to hear from Officers about the arrangements being made following Miss Naysmith’s sad death. Into a short meeting with the Audit Committee, two external auditors and the Head of Internal Audit. The main Audit Committee was not quorate but we pressed on “noting” reports. One councillor joined the meeting via a telephone link and another joined us late having mistaken the start time of the meeting.
Friday – 13th February: My son’s 18th birthday a milestone for us both

February 13, 2015