tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7270519116653924891.post6905778982385754351..comments2023-05-15T11:11:49.407+01:00Comments on Dan Essex: WALC Rugby Branch Meeting - 30 NovemberDan Essexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02187095644493464497noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7270519116653924891.post-65200387170811440732011-12-12T17:01:50.536+00:002011-12-12T17:01:50.536+00:00Hello again mystery comment person,
As I've s...Hello again mystery comment person,<br /><br />As I've said to you before please contact me directly for a discussion. It would be so much more, hmm, honorable?! <br /><br />I'm not self-employed or retired and I think you will find that any Councillor who is a commuter to London would not make every meeting. <br /><br />As every parish council knows my number and email address and that my door is open they can always get in touch even if I cannot attend. I was also advised that this was the best policy to take considering my education commitments (I'm a full-time LPC student sponsored by Stephenson Harwood at College of Law, Moorgate) by other Councillors who stated you should attend if you have something to report on otherwise give apologies and reaffirm that your door is open. <br /><br />Also, the reason I am not standing for re-election is that I have my legal training contract to begin at Stephenson Harwood in Septmeber 2012 - full-time in a corporate law firm of course is impractical with being a Rugby Borough Councillor. <br /><br />I believe I've had a beneficial impact on various committees I have sat on and the one and only grumble I have heard, my association, the Council itself and any other Councillors is from you who won't even give me a contact detail. <br /><br />As you are so passionate about attacking me and, therefore, I presume, local politics I would really encourage you to stand. Then maybe you could understand how Rugby is such an innovative Council partially because there are young and old in a variety of roles from full-time mum to someone in education to someone who works for a huge corporation. You would also understand the time pressures and, especially if you are not self-employed or retired, that certain parts of your life must be prioritised over others.<br /><br />My open door policy still stands and feel free to reply but I will not be drawn into a discussion with an anonymous poster - especially in an exam week, but I will still be there at Full Council and Task Group this week FYI! <br /><br />Kind regards,<br /><br />RachelRachel Wattsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7270519116653924891.post-10653394286332577662011-12-11T12:34:18.141+00:002011-12-11T12:34:18.141+00:00Thanks for your response Editor.
It is a real sh...Thanks for your response Editor. <br /><br />It is a real shame that you cannot consider standing for the Borough Council. I hope that in the future when your circumstances are different you will think seriously about becoming a representative on the Borough or County Councils.<br /><br />Unfortunately I have no idea who will be replacing Rachel Watts as the Conservative candidate(do they even know?). I would contend that Ms. Watts should stand aside now because she quite clearly is not performing the tasks she was elected to do. Being a Borough Councillor is a serious duty and she is making a mockery of the role.<br /><br />Let me be clear, I do not have a personal vendetta against Ms. Watts but I do believe in democracy and holding Councillors to account when they fall short. <br /><br />Do you ever recall a situation where either Cllr. Gillias or the past Cllr. Neil Campbell missed three Shilton Parish Council meetings in a row?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7270519116653924891.post-78173773836190092422011-12-10T20:40:34.348+00:002011-12-10T20:40:34.348+00:00Thanks for your comments. My recollection is that ...Thanks for your comments. My recollection is that Rachel Watts hasn't attended any of the last three Shilton Parish Council meetings, and had submitted her apologies for non-attendance for different reasons. I think that at two out of the three meetings, we did have Tony Gillias come along though.<br /><br />It would be for Rachel herself to argue whether she's done enough work in the ward to justify the allowances she receives, but I have to say that I've continued to find her interested in what's going on in the ward when I've talked to her outside of parish council meetings, notwithstanding the fact that she won't represent it after May.<br /><br />Whilst I'm flattered by your comments regarding my suitability as a borough councillor, it is not something I am able to pursue at the moment, not least because it would be incompatatble with my current paid employment.<br /><br />(As an aside, do you know who the Conservatives have selected to standing in the Wolvey & Shilton ward in May, or would you like this blog to break the news?!)<br /><br />For myself, with elections in Shilton next May, including the possibility of new parish councillors coming on board, there's exciting times ahead locally during the next 12 months which will keep me busy anyway. Do look out for future posts about some of the new initiatives that are planned.<br /><br />Thanks again for submitting your comments - debate is what it's about!Dan Essexhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02187095644493464497noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7270519116653924891.post-6899436072505486322011-12-10T07:26:33.856+00:002011-12-10T07:26:33.856+00:00Given Cllr. Watts has now decided not to stand for...Given Cllr. Watts has now decided not to stand for re-election in the ward, can you give us an update on her attendance at the last, say, three Parish Councils?<br /><br />It would be disappointing to see her taking her Council expenses (£6,000/year) without doing any of the work simply because the voters will not be asked to pass judgement on her tenure.<br /><br />My view is that attendance at meetings is really important because representative politics is a dynamic process. It is important that Borough Councillors hear the views of local people and vice-versa. Debate should be encouraged.<br /><br />By the way Editor, have you considered standing as a Borough Councillor yourself? I am sure you would be an welcome addition to the Town Hall, and a darn sight better than certain current Councillors.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com