In those two years one of my remits has been to help promote the council better. Recently we re-designed the quarterly newsletter which goes out to all households and also designed a leaflet to inform local people about the functions of the council. We have also set-up a Facebook page. But none of this attracts local residents to attend meetings to find out what is happening in the village.
Is this apathy or something more deep rooted? If we have something controversial on the agenda, however, we can fill the village hall. That gives credibility to those who believe that people only turn up to council meetings when they want to have a moan or criticise.
It would be nice to see a representation from the village at the council meetings. Last night we had just two members of the public and our county councillor. The agenda includes a chance for the public to make comments and bring up matters at both the start and towards the end of the meeting.
We will continue to work on behalf of the village, but it would be nice to have some support.
Today we are off to London for a tour of the Wimbledon Tennis complex. Just heard on the news that trains are suffering severe delays. Will tell you tomorrow whether we make it or not.