Thursday
6:00pm
Two e-mails stand out as worthy of mention.
The first is from a gentleman in Nuneaton and he has sent it to all councillors. He asks that we find continued funding for a scheme called Silver Surfers. This provides training courses for senior citizens in using computers and the internet on public facilities in our libraries. He goes on to explain that his wife died a few months ago and this scheme has provided him with much needed interest and focus in his life. A very moving and telling appeal.
The second is a progress report on major capital schemes. Many of them are schools-related, new sports halls or replacing temporary classrooms but also multiuse facilities at a new library. They total over £56M and I'm struck by the connection between this and the previous item. The question is never what to do with resources but what not to; what schemes are more worth more than others and to whom?
Call a constituent who I've known for years. She suffers from a debillitating disease which she struggles with daily but never complains. I've been told that the benefits agency have just decided to withdraw her disability allowance. No interview, no nothing, just BANG! no money. I don't want to go into details for fear of breaching confidentiality but it leaves her with less to live on a week than some people spend on a night out. She's been told she can appeal but that will take weeks. It's not something I feel I can influence greatly and we agree I'll talk to our MP, James Plaskitt.
Two e-mails stand out as worthy of mention.
The first is from a gentleman in Nuneaton and he has sent it to all councillors. He asks that we find continued funding for a scheme called Silver Surfers. This provides training courses for senior citizens in using computers and the internet on public facilities in our libraries. He goes on to explain that his wife died a few months ago and this scheme has provided him with much needed interest and focus in his life. A very moving and telling appeal.
The second is a progress report on major capital schemes. Many of them are schools-related, new sports halls or replacing temporary classrooms but also multiuse facilities at a new library. They total over £56M and I'm struck by the connection between this and the previous item. The question is never what to do with resources but what not to; what schemes are more worth more than others and to whom?
Call a constituent who I've known for years. She suffers from a debillitating disease which she struggles with daily but never complains. I've been told that the benefits agency have just decided to withdraw her disability allowance. No interview, no nothing, just BANG! no money. I don't want to go into details for fear of breaching confidentiality but it leaves her with less to live on a week than some people spend on a night out. She's been told she can appeal but that will take weeks. It's not something I feel I can influence greatly and we agree I'll talk to our MP, James Plaskitt.
posted by Tim Naylor at 9:12 PM
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