Dave's Knowsley diary

Wednesday 23rd February 2005 - Economy & Employment Scrutiny meeting in the evening looking at the business start up element of the enterprise strategy among other topics.

Con't forget if you want to contact email to dave.smithson@knowsley.gov.uk or send me a text message to 07780 602243.

Visiting the scene of a recent act of vandalism
Tuesday 23rd February 2005 - Receive more reports of youth disorder in Torcross Way and drop by to see for myself the extent of the damage.

Speak to the local inspector and reassure residents that we are continuing to put pressure on the police and Council to do more to tackle this problem, it is unaceptable that a small band of yobs are making so many lives a misery and tarnashing the image of all of our young people, the majority of whom are well behaved.

Tuesday 22nd February 2005

Knowsley News will be delivered to every household in the Borough from 28th February

Monday 21st February 2005 - The new Council magazine Knowsley News was officially launched at a lunch time event at Knowsley Hall today. The new magazine contains news and features about the Council and the services it provides and it will be interesting to see what residents feel about it.

Saturday 19th February 2005 - Cllr Dave Smithson tests the strength of the Zip Wire at Bendrigg Trust!!

Friday 18th February & Saturday 19th February 2005 - Head of to Cumbria after lunch to join the Halewood Project Youth Trust's Escape project trip to Bendrigg Trust near Kendal.

A fantastic weekend spent meeting and talking with local young people while joining in the wide range of activities including a Rope Course, Archery, Canoeing, Zipe Wire and an Initiative test.

A very worthwhile trip and a a great opportunity to listen to what young people feel about the area.

Thursday 17th February 2005 - A quiet day with no meetings for a change, a chance to catch up on local casework!!

If you have any issues you wish to contact me about please email me at dave.smithson@knowsley.gov.uk or send me a text message to 07780 602243.

Wednesday 16th February 2005 - Attended the elections of Knowsley's representatives to the UK Youth Parliament, spent some really valuable time talking to some local young people about their concerns and views on local issues.

It is tremendous to see these young people wanting to take part in these elections and play a part in local and national democracy and ensure their voice is heard.

We also had a full Council meeting this evening, very lively as usual and we were delighted to hear the Council make a committment to reinstating the artificial sports pitches in Prescot, an issue we had been campaigning for over the last 3 months.

Tuesday 15th February 2005 - Attended a very interesting media training course, designed to help us understand and deal with the press more effectively. Even though my porfessional background is in this area it was good to listen to someone else and learn some new tips from them.

Monday 14th February 2005 - An interesting meeting of a Scrutiny Exit Strategy working group looking at how we fund some important schemes when the "funny" money that provides the funding currently eventually runs out.

It is a challenging topic as at some point we may have to decide that there is simply not enough money to go round and face having to cut some of the desirable but not essential services.

Friday February 11th - Another meeting with the Finance team to discuss our alternative budget proposals. A difficult process especially with the poor settlement from Government this year but we have identified some potential efficiency savings to fund some of the priorities we want to address.

Thursday February 10th - Inaugural meeting of the New Hutte working group to set out the scope an terms of reference of the review of facilities in the New Hutte/Torrington Drive area.

This is an ideal opportunity to address the lack of resources and facilities in this area and one that should not be lost.

Tuesday February 8th - A Governor's meeting at Plantation Primary School where we had good feedback about the School Council visit to Huyton last week, the children really enjoyed it.

I then attended the Halewood Area Forum in the evening, a good turnout as usual and a lot of good healthy debate on local issues, no doubt this is a very useful forum for local people to have their say on the services being delivered in Halewood.

Monday February 7th - Had a meeting with the Council's Head of Communication to discuss PR and members communications, recent changes in the department and plans for a Knowsley wide magazine.

I was shown a proof of the new magazine due to be distributed later this month and it looks very good, not as politically biased as I feared it would be!! Refreshingly neutral in fact!!

Friday February 4th - Part one of a two day seminar in Preston for Councillors and Chief Officers to discuss future policy and priorities and a chance to meet the new Chief Executive Sheena Ramsay informally before she takes up her appointment in April.

A very productive and constructive two days, it will be interesting to see how some of the ideas discussed will come to fruition.

Thursday February 3rd - a quiet day with no meetings for a change, allowing me some time to catch up on paperwork and casework! And there are always plenty of agendas to pour over for meetings coming up in the next week or two!!

If you need to raise anything with me you can email me at dave.smithson@knowsley.gov.uk

Wednesday February 2nd - I attended a performance of a play called "In Memory of..." at Halewood Community Comprehensive & Performing Arts College which was developed in conjunction with St Mary's Centre and Halewood Arts Association. An excellent production and great performance of a play that was the result of a collaborative intergenerational project to explore the childhood and working lives of a number of elders living in Halewood.

Tuesday February 1st - I was pleased to see work to clean up the paths along Greensbridge Lane was carried out last weekend, much improving the look of the area.

Visited Plantation School yesterday for a Finance & Staffing meeting and a chat with the Head Teacher, we are taking the School Council to Huyton tomorrow (Wednesday) for a visit to the Council Chamber and to meet the Mayor of Knowsley! Should be fun!!

Tuesday February 1st - After weeks of IT problems I'm pleased to report I am back online and hopefully this Blog will now be maintained on a daily basis once more! I intend to use it to let you know what I am doing on your behalf and to give yo the chance to keep me informed of your views on any of the topics discussed.

You can email me at dave.smithson@knowsley.gov.uk