Merry Christmas!

I apologise that my blog hasn't been updated in many months. It has been a combination of a hectic schedule and the inability of blogging to make it onto my daily 'to do' list. In 2008 this will change!

In the new year Dunchurch and Knightlow residents can look forward to a comprehensive recycling service because of your Conservative controlled Borough Council. We also have the continuing fight to save our local Post Offices. We have taken up our muskets and will be fighting all the way.

To all residents I wish you a happy and peaceful Christmas and a prosperous 2008.

Please remember to contact me at anytime should you have problems with your Rugby Borough Council services.

Diary of a Backbench Councillor

Since becoming a Councillor in May my schedule has never been empty. This week is proving a very busy time, I thought it would be a nice indication of what a backbench Councillor actually does if I outlined my timetable:

Today (Monday) I had the Resources and Corporate Governance Panel. This Panel looks at the next Cabinet agenda and also adjudicates on various Corporate matters affecting the Council. The meeting lasted from 4pm to 7.35pm, but this isn't really a true representation of the work involved. There were over 20 agenda items that needed to be read before the meeting and I think this took over 3 hours. I particularly enjoy the work of this Panel as it looks at the whole working of the Borough Council and as a new member it provides an invaluable training.

On Tuesday I have the monthly meeting of Dunchurch Parish Council. These are not mandatory for Borough Councillors to attend, but they allow Ward Councillors to keep an eye on the live issues in their area. I don't make all Parish Council meetings; with 7 Parish Councils, 3 Ward Councillors and very experienced Parish Councillors this isn't either possible or necessary, but I get to all that I can.

On Wednesday I shall be attending a seminar on the Health Commissioning strategy. At my other Panel, Sustainable and Inclusive Communities, I heard a presentation about this and I am keen to try and contribute.

On Thursday I hope to make the Conservative Groups pre-Cabinet meeting in order to discuss further the issues raised at Resources and Corporate Governance Panel. This is a good way for the Executive to keep an eye on how the rest of the group are feeling about certain issues. After this I shall rush to Princethorpe to attend their Parish Council. This is an important meeting as Princethorpe was affected by the recent floods and I hope to make sure any continuing problems are solved by the Borough or County Councils (where appropriate).

On Friday my diary is empty but I will ensure any outstanding correspondance is followed up and settle down for a relaxing weekend.

Sustainable Inclusive Communities

During the election campaign, I made it clear to the Rugby Conservatives Group leader, Craig Humphrey, that if I elected I would be keen to sit on the Sustainable Inclusive Communities (SIC) Panel. After my election Craig kindly granted me my wish.

Amongst other things the SIC Panel looks at increasing voter participation. Over the course of this year it will look at engaging the younger members of the electorate with Council work and trying to increase voter turnout in this demographic. With this a key priority of this years Panel it is fortunate that both Cllr. Tom Day and myself sit on this Panel as we are both in our early twenties and the youngest members of Council. Tom has already served a year on Council and is firmly entrenched in Council affairs and I am gradually finding my feet.

We will be using our unique insight to try and show the way forward, creating a town where democracy is a key part of a young persons citizenship. It is hoped this will be achieved by a special meeting of this Panel where we will go out to the community. It will make Rugby's democracy stronger and hopefully result in the Council looking more representative of our illustrious town. I look forward to the challenge ahead!

Policing matters...

Dunchurch Parish Council met again on Tuesday. As usual, the excellent rural officer came to give a report and answer questions from Cllrs. and residents.

There was an increased residents' turnout because of the recent spate of crime in the village. This is excellent as it shows people want to engage with the Police to try and solve the problem. The Parish Council is well run and the members have a vested interest in the success of the village, we will deal with this issue together, but it will take time, hard work and patience.

I am committed to liaising with the Police and residents to try and target resources to the areas where they are needed. Dunchurch is a quiet area where people are brought up to respect each other. The youngsters in the village are on the whole polite, and a real asset to the community. We should remember this and not talk as though all are causing trouble.

At the next Parish Council meeting I hope to be able to offer some positive feedback.

New Website

In order to connect with more residents of Dunchurch and Knightlow I have setup a website www.dunchurchandknightlow.co.uk to keep in touch and make it easier to represent you in the Council Chamber.

A huge thanks to Stuart Barfield who has done a fine job of creating this website.

Any comments are kindly received: studavenport@hotmail.com.

Post Office Closures

I am not naive; if a company loses money then that company needs to make changes in order to survive. While the Post Office is, in many ways, a company in the traditional sense in many other ways it is not. The Government has prevented it rolling out new services, it has usurped some of its traditional roles with a heavy handed approach and there can be little wonder that it is in financial peril.

As far as taxpayer subsidy is concerned, one wise resident candidly put it: "So what?". The Post Offices may cost the taxpayer money, but as a service they are fundamental to the lives of many vulnerable members of society. This is especially true in villages like the ones in Dunchurch and Knightlow. We must fight to keep them alive, and while subsidising their excellent work we should also encourage Central Government to create an atmosphere where they can thrive as a commercially stand-alone enterprise.

We are committed to saving Dunchurch and Stretton-On-Dunsmore Post Offices!

Thank you

A massive thank you to all who voted for me on May 3rd. I hope to represent you in an honest and open way. Please keep coming back to this blog for updates on my time as Councillor for Dunchurch and Knightlow.