ECO car trial game aka ECO-safe Driving

Daniel Cox in poll position!

Boys toys !  I had a go but couldn’t get the motor visual stuff working, - probably because I’ve never played video games.  However, the point of this game is to learn to drive in a more ECO FRIENDLY way, essentially by keeping the right foot a bit lighter on the accelerator pedal!!

No stopping the Councillors and seniors Officers from having a go after the cabinet meeting on Monday.

Cabinet Member for Planning & Transportation looking on

The theory is that by driving better, fuel consumption can be reduced by 20%, the life of the vehicle can be prolonged and more importantly driver safety is improved.

The trials are being organised through the NCC Driver & Rider Development Team – they can be contacted at : roadsafety@norfolk.gov.uk

Chief Officer for Transportation having a go!

 

Daniel Winning !!!

Billy’s Bench

Really pleased to see this bench back….well it not exactly the same bench, but it is in the correct place.

When the Morrison round-a-bout upgrade of the area was done the old bench was removed and it has taken all these years to get one back.

Anyway, I always called the old one “Billy’s bench” as Billy Bull was always seen to be sitting on it, together with one of his brothers, Reggie.  they just sat there passing the time of day, but a regular sight nevertheless.

Billy sadly died quite suddenly a few years ago, but equally as sad was the death of Reggie just a few weeks later following a house fire.

20 is plenty

This is Hampshire’s take on child-friendly Slow Down signs ………

About MY PLACE

Probably been around for ages…………….but just discovered this mapping site today. A bit out of date, but really clear aerial pics of Diss.

NCC new-look Cabinet

I am delighted to have been chosen to be in Daniel Cox’s new Cabinet.  I have been appointed to the position as Portfolio Holder for Partnership and Performance.

This is a new position and recognises the importance of partnership working.  More than ever we have to rely on our partners to help drive up performance – in all areas of work. 

We must continue to give better value for money and this can only be achieved through effective and sustainable partnership working.  It will be my job to improve on what is already in place externally and also to look inwards at the County’s own services to ensure effective working practices are in place.

The aim is to provide the best possible services for the people of Norfolk.

David Cameron visits Norfolk

David Cameron is visiting Norwich on Monday 22nd June to help launch Chloe Smith’s campaign to win the North Norwich seat recently vacated by Dr. Ian Gibson.

Social Enterprises

Social Enterprises have been around for ever, but I dont think we make as much use of the concept as we could……….recently I visited three via the EEDA organisation called simply Social Enterprise East of England.

Together with some local government officers, we started our tour at the Keystone HQ in Thetford, then travelled to Great Yarmouth and visited The Priory Centre, and finally went across county to March, where we were shown the not quite open, but very impressive,  factory units  belonging to the Ferry project.

The ethos behind them all is to help those in need by allowing them to help themselves.

I was in Liverpool towards the end of last year and visited another there, too.  Blackburne House.  A slightly different background which is mainly educational, but a social enterprise nevertheless.

Big Band Sound in South Norfolk

Dont often doing advertising, but the Jonathan Wyatt Big Band sound is rather special and getting dressed up for the 40s event is always popular…

Diss Website

Good to see a new all-Diss website beginning to take shape.  Hopefully, it will become as useful as the Diss Town Guide.   Irrespective of public perception, most people still prefer the written word to the Internet…..but both are essential in the 21st century!

Tories get an increased majority at Norfolk County Council

Firstly, many thanks to my local electorate for returning me as their County Councillor with an increased majority even though the turnout was down on 2005!

Norfolk County Council being run by the Tories, with Daniel Cox as our Leader,  is truly 4 ****, and we have won 60 of the 84 available seats!

For the first time we have a UKIP member representing part of Great Yarmouth.  The Green Party have increased their membership to 7, but still does not allow them to qualify for a political “assistant” (to help organise their work load) as you need to represent 10% of the total membership for this.  The Lib Dems are still a Group of 13, but they are not all the same people as before.  The Labour Group is now a mere 3 people, which means they no longer qualify for an “assistant” or private meeting room, but unlike the UKIP Councillor they are still regarded as a Group!  3 is the minimum number.

Groups make up the Committees overseeing the work of the Council.  Each Group has a “Widdecombed” membership – this means their political make up reflects the size of the Group.  Sometimes seems unfair, but that’s Democracy………….most of the residents of Norfolk voted Tory, so most of the decisions will be Tory ones, only a few people voted UKIP, so they have a very small voice.

Unlike many Councils we allow the Leader of the main opposition party to Chair the Cabinet Scrutiny Committee – this is now the Liberal Democrat party.

While I’m thinking of it, Norfolk, amongst many other wonderful assets, still has its own Regional National newspaper – the Eastern Daily Press (EDP).  Its Political Editor is Shaun Lowthorpe, who can often be seen in attendance at Council meetings, so typically he has reported on the election results, but has on this occasion reported via a video link his opinion.   Shauns reference to S.W. Norfolk is the seat of Christopher Fraser MP.