After frantic horse trading between the four major political parties, a truce was reached by 13th May when the new Authority met under the leadership of Arnold Woolley, (Buckley Bistre East). He appeared to be the only candidate that all Parties were prepared to accept. My group were very happy to endorse his selection although we felt we were entitled to 2 seats in the new Cabinet and not the one on offer. Arnold Woolley had managed to broker a compromise that saw the Lib Dems lower their sights, leaving them to speak again to Arnold and accept fewer seats on the Executive. With Party agreement finally resolve by close of business on the 13th, the way was clear for the transfer of power from Labour to a coalition the following day which was to be headed by the Independents, the largest party in the Authority.

After fulsome praise from all Party leaders being heaped on Chair, Cllr. Ann Minshull, she vacated the chair and time served Lib Dem. Quentin Dodd took over. Ex school head, Colin Legge, accepted the vice chair and in his acceptance speech quoted from my letter that had been published in the Flintshire Leader. I had merely stated that serving the people was more important than pandering to party politics. I had been relieved that my relationship with labour councillors was still cordial and positive.

Alex Aldridge and I exchanged bear hugs and good natured banter before the meeting began and to my surprise, Ian Roberts, Flint long serving councillor bent over to peck me on the cheek.

After the business of the day, we all took off for a buffet lunch n Theatr Clywd Cymru and then the afternoon was devoted to a thumbnail sketch of how the major departments work and how the Authrity conducts its affairs.

Emails were now popping up seeking this and that help with constituents needs and I started making entries in a big blue book provided courtesy of Flintshire County Council to keep abreast of progress on various cases.

Footpath inspection duty called to examine the site of the missing bridge from the Hollins Farm area in Ewloe footpath to Hawarden. A housing development had severed a part of the link, newly planted conifers now barred the way and someone had stolen the bridge across a deep ditch. Complaining constituent and I set off in hot sun, across a high metal gate, (ouch) three styles, ouch again as my elderly knees struggled to bend sufficiently to haul myself over. Down a steep bank to yet another style and then across another overgrown field. We were watched with interest by a group of curious cows who came close and eyed us with considerable interest. Seriously flagging by now, at last the scene of the missing bridge was reached. The ditch certainly required a bridge to traverse it and the new conifers were doing an excellent ‘keep off my property’ role. More piccies captured on the digital and the journey was performed in reverse, with the same friendly cows in attendance.

Mournfully, I told constituent that I doubted my ability to get a) the bridge reinstated and b) the footpath returned to its former status. The cost would be prohibitive to a cash strapped Authority I opined. Wrong again! My call to “Footpaths” filled me with joy. Interfering with Rights of Way broke the law and after the file had been checked by “Legal”, the link would be restored and the bridge rebuilt. No time scale was offered but it’s in the big Blue book for a follow up.

Off to be trained in the mysteries of Planning by officers of that Department. No one could become a Planning Committee member until three sessions had been completed. We worked though a complex Code of Conduct and listened with amazement when we were firmly told it was our duty not to speak for or against a project before the matter had gone to committee and we should obey the recommendations of officers. As a Director of the Save the Family Charity, I knew that considerable anxiety had been raised by the professional expert helping the Charity to obtain residential consent needed to turn an old disused chapel into accommodation for homeless families. One councillor had been particularly vocal in expressing an opinion, even to the Press and the Committee had apparently overturned not only the recommendations of Country Planning Officers who favoured acceptance within certain boundaries, but also the findings of an Inspector from the Welsh Assembly. The sad end was loss of vital homeless accommodation and approximately £500.000 in Lottery and other grants that fizzled out when the change of status was rejected! All very rum! I clearly need the full training package before I can understand this seeming glaring anomaly between reality and practise!

Headed back to County Hall to visit the Members Help Office and saw my bursting mail box. I had almost forgotten the ritual of checking regularly. The Member Coffee lounge beckoned and browsing newspapers, my concentration was shattered by Cllr. Patrick Heesom angry voice announcing, “Alison, you’ve accused me of being a criminal in your Blog. I will be taking it up with my solicitor”! I jumped as did two lady cllrs who looked startled but not so much as I did. “Patrick, I wouldn’t do that. I know of all people that one is innocent until proved guilty”. “Well it’s in your blog or email and I’m surprised at you”. Shocked that anyone had read this recent blog, I went over to him. “Patrick, if I am wrong, then you have my unreserved apology”. His mood softened at once and we did a little bear hug. “Ring XX from the Chronicle and tell him you’ve apologised. I don’t want it run in the Press”. He gave me the number and I did just that. Journalist was relaxed. “No names were mentioned but I got a tip off to read your blog.” “Amazed anyone would read it” I countered. “You’d be surprised who reads what”, he hinted archly. I checked with a trusted friend who always put any blog on my site. “I’ve hit a raw nerve, tell me if I’ve got it wrong”, I pleaded.

Trusted friend soon back with the “offensive para.” Nothing wrong! “Seems silly to elect a leader who is then distracted by possible legal investigation”. If Patrick’s tone was aggressive and accusatory then, (friend argued), he Patrick could be accused of hectoring or bullying me!”. “Hasn’t he got enough on his plate?”

I was relieved trusted friend had “found for me”. At the time of apologising, I told Patrick that I felt very sorry for his unfortunate position. “I’ve always supported you all those years ago. I begged the Labour Bigwigs to take you back into the Party but they refused”. I had always recognised his intelligence, his capacity and his commitment to serving his public. Had we not explored the option of my standing as an Independent and had I not kindly rejected Patrick’s appealing offer after much thought? I believed the Blog issue had been resolved between us. Time would show it was not to be and this now infamous Blog had been passed to the top.

Surprised to receive a letter that attributed to me that “I accepted the above blog was ill advised and I had agreed to re-visit the site and amend the blog.” Although part of the Blog had been discussed with a County senior officer, my recollection of the conversation recalled no such thing and I concluded that my memory must be failing faster than I suspected! However, I despatched a brisk email suggesting that I disagreed with the contents of the letter and its description of the conversation was at odds with my memory I was becoming disappointed that Blog had been given so much attention and, busy as ever, I got on with important matters.

Meeting of Local Issues Action Group (LIAG), a determined and knowledgeable band of local Ewloe and Aston constituents who were actively challenging the need for yet more land fill waste sites in an already heavily over-subscribed and questionable air quality polluted area. LIAG was naturally worried that two applications to utilise yet more landfill sites were awaiting a decision. They suspected that one or the other site, close to Ewloe and the 5 “live” Buckley tips would be chosen as Flintshire had run our of other land fill options and needed to act fast to stop heavy fines. Already this group had caused a major upset by intervening in the A494 road widening scheme as the Welsh Assembly Planning Inspector had decreed that seven lanes were OTT and too grandiose for the area. Why had the expensive compulsory purchase of several privately owned houses up Aston Hill taken place without checking on the feasibility of such a wide road? No one knew.
Blame lay with Welsh Assemlby Government and not FCC scheme. One minister had fouled up badly, so it would appear!., Who will compensate FCC taxpayers for this debacle. No one is telling! Officials of the Trunk Road Agency have much to explain. We propose to invite them and the minister to come north and do just that!