Catch up and Infinity - Town Pastors, Social Housing reform and more

I’ve not got into the habit of writing my blog on this new site.  However times have been busy here in Stockton as well as on the national scene.

There has been a meeting of the housing partnership, looking at the “A fairer future for local housing” consultation paper.  Some measures, whilst new and controversial could be good, but I am concerned about the lack of emphasis and understanding of the need for stability for people and their communities.  Not one to winge and not do anything, I’ve done a full response and put it to the Council for them to add to what they send and will get it off to Government by the deadline on Friday.

A meeting with the Lib Dem group on budget options was followed by a pleasanter time at Queen’s Campus University.  I can never resist taking the picture of the Infinity Bridge.

A Wassail at a friends house was, I suppose, the final event of Christmas.  Lovely to share food and thoughts, and lots of debate too ! needing to feed soya to dairy cattle, problems of libraries being run by volunteers, were there other options to joining the coalition (no!) and fairer voting systems were all aired.  No dissent on lovely vegetarian food !

A talk on Stockton Town Pastors at Church was followed by a discussion with our own volunteer.  Most interesting on not only how there was a reduction in crime and anti social incidents since the scheme started in Stockton, but how young people are really appreciating that someone is there for them, to listen and give a helping hand if needed.  There are visions of angry young people rampaging through the streets, but actually there are a lot of people out there that have many issues burning away inside, and someone just to be there and listen is so important.

Today lots happening.  A visit to the Wolfson Institute to meet with the North East Public Health Observatory with Elm Tree Community Centre was most interesting, and exploring ways of using statistics available on health to be able to deliver services to really make a difference.  I was really struck by this rainbow !  Then a meeting on tackling parking around a school – maybe there are some answers in the pipeline, working with the school children and all using our imagination.