A bit like going back to school

Haltemprice Leisure Centre -The scene of the count!

Since the excitement of the election count on May 5th (which was sadly really exciting for a West Wing addict like me) my feet don't seem to have touched the ground!

A week later there was a induction day in Beverley where we learnt all about the Nolan Principles of public life (which, before you ask, weren't authored by the Nolan Sisters) and given a schedule of all the large number of training courses that are offered to new councillors.

As you'd expect everyone was very welcoming and accommodating and the process was polished and efficient.

The following week I attended my first full council meeting which was, I felt, sadly uneventful.

Although the conservatives had lost overall control of the council there was no attempt to form an alternative coalition leadership and the leader of the majority group was elected leader of the council, and after some back stage horse trading of committee and cabinet seats the status quo was re-established.

I feel that the people of East Riding have been somewhat short changed when you consider that over 60% of the electorate voted for the opposition parties - in my view a substantial call for a change that sadly hasn't been heard.

I subsequently joined (and swiftly left) the Independent Group as I have come to the conclusion that my version of independence precludes the membership of any group and my only loyalty should be to the people who have voted for me to do this job.

I am now feeling my way around the job, council officers have been really helpful and fellow councillors are approachable and happy to give advice, and I have already had a few quick wins - more on which to follow!