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• First Mths at WCC

Since being elected on Friday 6th May - with a substantial majority – I have hardly drawn breath! Saturday morning saw me heading off to Devizes for a Conservative Group Meeting to appoint a leader for the new administration.

Over the next four weeks I attended almost every session in the excellent Councillor Induction programme, covering topics as diverse as the Role of an Elected Member, Financial Management, the Decision-Making Process, Overview and Scrutiny, Listening to Communities and Departmental Tours.

The first Full Council Meeting took place on 17th May, at which I was appointed as the Cabinet Member for Children and Families, giving me responsibility for promoting the well- being of children throughout Wiltshire.

I have taken part in a Conference in Devizes on improving services for disabled children and young people, and have met with every Head of Department within the Children and Families branch. I have attended the Special Educational Needs Strategy Monitoring Board, a Foster Panel, an Advisory Panel, a Scrutiny Committee, the Teenage Pregnancy Board and the Local Safeguarding Children’s Board. I am involved in discussions with the Chief Executive and Chairman of S. Wilts PCT on plans to co-locate services for children and young people in Salisbury, and am contributing to the Wiltshire County Council Corporate Plan.

In Salisbury, I have visited Orchard House children’s home, attended the opening of the Avon Valley Cycle Path extension in Stratford, and taken part in a consultation with the young people over the re-location of Bass Connections.

Further afield, your intrepid councillor has met with other portfolio holders for Children and Families in the South West region at a quarterly gathering of the IdEA Children’s Members Network in Taunton, and also taken part in a Secure Review at Chippenham Crown Court. I also gave my support in Devizes to the Inaugural Meeting of the Wiltshire Fostering Association.

I am definitely on a steep learning curve, but am thoroughly enjoying my new role and I have nothing but praise for the Council Officers with whom I work.