News on Local and County Issues

Local Issues First

In my last Blog, I said during the coming weeks and months I would pursue issues you had raised with me in the run up to the County Council elections and report back to you, so here’s an update relating specifically to some of our parishes.

At Spixworth Parish Council I was pleased to report that the County Council will be implementing flood prevention improvements at Godfrey Road, subject to funding, we will complete this work by end March 2010, and if funding cannot be found this year, definitely the following year.

Further improvements to the Lillian Road footway will be completed this summer.

At Hevingham Parish Council last week we discussed three issues affecting Hevingham road safety:

• Many Hevingham residents have expressed concerns about the safety of pedestrians when attempting to cross at the junction at the A140 and The Street.  The County Council’s transport department has agreed to review with me and the Parish Council Chairman, the situation with a view to improving safety
• The County Council has agreed to investigate local concerns that there is no “No Exit” sign, at the Aylsham end of lay-by near the church on the A140.

At Hainford Parish Council I was pleased to confirm that as your local County Council member I have approved the re-appointment of a local governor at the primary school.

At Stratton Strawless Parish Council concerns have been expressed about the safety of people crossing the A140, at The Hall, to reach the bus stop although there have been no reported accidents.

County Issues

As I mentioned in my last Blog, I shall be continuing as a County Council Cabinet member, with expanded responsibilities for Corporate Services including Finance, Human Resources, ICT (Information, Communications and Technology) and property assets, as well as my previous responsibilities for the County Councils NORSE group of companies and our Efficiency Programme. 

In this role during the last month I have:

• Taken up the Chair of the Eastern Shires Procurement Organisation (ESPO).  This organisation seeks to bring together Local Government procurement across the Eastern Regional to drive savings based on the economies of scales that are possible by bulk buying
• Presented the NORSE Company Annual Report to Norfolk County Council Cabinet, I was pleased to explain that the company had continued to grow and the majority of it’s profits were made from outside Norfolk, mostly for the benefit of Norfolk. 

Moving forward, I will represent your local concerns at the County Council, alongside my Cabinet role, where I will seek to drive improvements and efficiencies, to benefits the whole of Norfolk.