Thanks Chris another interesting article. Yes over the last year I've been in the observation stage of joining the local PCC - starting with myself and feeling an interest and even intention. Lots of stories good and bad from locals (and other non-local friends that have become PC counsellers elsewhere), a fair bit of factionalism within the existing body, and feeling it might be fun to rock the boat (not sure that's the right approach tho) but definitely to start as local as poss. Good to hear your experience!
Thanks Chris. Parish/Community council's can be very frustrating. I think it depends to an extent on the size of the parish and hence the budget- the more money there is, the more difficult it can be to move entrenched opinions. Having allies on board will be essential in the future and with sufficient preparation and support, i.e. a group standing for election, it should be possible to have a strong influence.
However, there is a learning curve and much of the usual business can be trivial plus its an "old school" type of group (Chair, treasurer, secretary) and traditional meeting patterns, as in, a tendency to be boring in themselves. There's also a powerful move afoot to get councillors to undertake approved training.
Thanks Chris , it was a very enjoyable read.. i think there are many similiarities in our village inFrance, especially the larger councils having all the funding and control over repairs etc, but being further and further away.. Our Mayor once said "the village is us " we have to take charge of things like maintenance. the big problem is with 2nd home owneres who come , and go, are not there to help out in crises, but never fail to complain about pointless details that they may see as important, often missing bigger issues, due to the lack of connection /integration in the landscape.. best wishes to you all Andy
Thanks Andy. Sounds very similar; here in Gwynedd with we have a high proportion of second homes and holiday homes. However, recently the Welsh Government passed laws allowing councils to charge up to three times the council tax rate on such properties and already we have seen a sharp increase of them coming on the market. Whether local people will be able to afford them is another matter though. Your Mayor has got it spot on!
Thanks Jane. Yes, although at times the business of the community councils can seem mundane and ordinary and even a waste of time, it feels to me like an important part of government to hang on to and get to know as I think it likely to prove crucial in the future when we may not be able to depend on higher levels of government and find we need to organise much more locally.
Thanks Andrew. Indeed, it does feel somewhat lonely at times but I have been amazed by how individual locals can suddenly take on roles and speak powerfully and with effect. The threatened closure of our visitor centre in Coed Y Brenin provides a good example, when we were able to mobilise several hundred people at very short notice for a public meeting in our village hall and again get questions raised in the Welsh Government. I’ll probably write this up at some point.
Thanks Chris another interesting article. Yes over the last year I've been in the observation stage of joining the local PCC - starting with myself and feeling an interest and even intention. Lots of stories good and bad from locals (and other non-local friends that have become PC counsellers elsewhere), a fair bit of factionalism within the existing body, and feeling it might be fun to rock the boat (not sure that's the right approach tho) but definitely to start as local as poss. Good to hear your experience!
Thanks Chris. Parish/Community council's can be very frustrating. I think it depends to an extent on the size of the parish and hence the budget- the more money there is, the more difficult it can be to move entrenched opinions. Having allies on board will be essential in the future and with sufficient preparation and support, i.e. a group standing for election, it should be possible to have a strong influence.
However, there is a learning curve and much of the usual business can be trivial plus its an "old school" type of group (Chair, treasurer, secretary) and traditional meeting patterns, as in, a tendency to be boring in themselves. There's also a powerful move afoot to get councillors to undertake approved training.
Of course, you have to get elected first!
Thanks Chris , it was a very enjoyable read.. i think there are many similiarities in our village inFrance, especially the larger councils having all the funding and control over repairs etc, but being further and further away.. Our Mayor once said "the village is us " we have to take charge of things like maintenance. the big problem is with 2nd home owneres who come , and go, are not there to help out in crises, but never fail to complain about pointless details that they may see as important, often missing bigger issues, due to the lack of connection /integration in the landscape.. best wishes to you all Andy
Thanks Andy. Sounds very similar; here in Gwynedd with we have a high proportion of second homes and holiday homes. However, recently the Welsh Government passed laws allowing councils to charge up to three times the council tax rate on such properties and already we have seen a sharp increase of them coming on the market. Whether local people will be able to afford them is another matter though. Your Mayor has got it spot on!
Gwych, Chris! Perhaps I should consider joining our local one.
Thanks Jane. Yes, although at times the business of the community councils can seem mundane and ordinary and even a waste of time, it feels to me like an important part of government to hang on to and get to know as I think it likely to prove crucial in the future when we may not be able to depend on higher levels of government and find we need to organise much more locally.
Scary how easy real decisions and the wielding of power actually occur. It seems so mysterious to observers on the outside.
It would be good if more people joined in rather than spending time concocting bat crazy explanations for how changes occur.
Its a pity Chris that you have to continue the good fight and that noone else can step in.
Thanks Andrew. Indeed, it does feel somewhat lonely at times but I have been amazed by how individual locals can suddenly take on roles and speak powerfully and with effect. The threatened closure of our visitor centre in Coed Y Brenin provides a good example, when we were able to mobilise several hundred people at very short notice for a public meeting in our village hall and again get questions raised in the Welsh Government. I’ll probably write this up at some point.