Seven years ago I was declared one of the Clewer & Dedworth West Ward Councillors in the 2019 elections and so began a new journey and my education in the world of politics.
I really thought I could change the hearts and minds of fellow Councillors through my persuasive arguments… how naive was I 😉
Each Cllr is allowed 5 minutes to talk about any item on a Full Council. At the start I produced 5 minute thought provoking, persuasive (I thought) arguments for each and every agenda item… I would read all the papers, decide on my approach and create an argument to try and get some of the opposition to vote with me… hours would be spent going through this process of preparation for each agenda item, every month!
Once you realise you are “just the opposition” and the ruling party Cllrs are whipped based on the leaders whim… add in the ruling party always has 1 more vote than the combined opposition on any committee, then you know they are always going to win the vote, whatever you do. Even if you are the Vice Chair…
The picture above captures the moment I was voted Vice Chair of the Infrastructure Overview & Scrutiny Panel… bucking the general trend… shame the videos have all been deleted 😉
This is why so many Councillors don’t even bother to read the papers because there is no point, they will have to vote as instructed or they’ll be sent to sit on the naughty step and will not be invited to the next gathering of the clan, left out in the cold until they recognise the error of their ways…
As I entered my 4th year, I would focus on the items that resonated with me and rather than address the Cllrs, I would create the shortest of presentations to engage intelligent residents who happened to be listening on YouTube. I figured I had an audience of probably 10 or 20, so would cut to the chase, often in less than 90 seconds I’d have said all I needed to say on the matter.
When a Tory cabinet member tells you that they don’t really have any power… that the bigger decisions are made by officers and essentially they are equally powerless, they are simply better at looking like it’s their decision!
Then you realise that while being a Cllr is a great training ground for understanding the Planning process and how the system of government works, you can have a far more meaningful impact as an officer.
You can’t be an officer for 12 months in a borough you have been a Cllr in. I applied for a couple of roles off patch but neither resonated at interview… then I was asked to help out with some planning meetings at Bray as the Deputy Clerk had some eye problems…
A few months later, he resigned and I was asked to take on the role of Deputy Clerk. I found the role very rewarding and began to see how the Clerk can have a massive impact on the local community.
The Clerk who took me on decided to move on, as a couple of the Councillors were making it very difficult for her to do her job properly. This process has cost residents of Bray tens of thousands of pounds in Locum Clerks’ fees!
Some of the Cllrs asked me if I would apply. I did ponder the opportunity but discussing the situation with the Locum Clerk, experience had taught her, Clerking a parish which is a few miles away from your home is often better for all concerned.
With 12 months experience under my belt, Greenham Common were looking for a new Clerk and since my wife’s favourite colour is green, it felt like fate was calling me…
Let’s consider the history of the Greenham Common women challenging the nuclear situation in a peaceful way. The amazing success of the Greenham Trust, a business park that now gives away over £3m a year to community groups across West Berkshire, even match funding our parish’s S137 grant giving. The Diamond baseball pitch / football ground that needs a new facility. The racecourse. The retail park. And a population of around 6,000.
I’m now officially the Clerk of Greenham Parish Council, have already done some good work and I am looking forward to the future…
I am so glad I stood for election in 2019 and began this journey of community service. Part of me wishes I had found this path earlier but then I obviously had to try other things to really appreciate the path I am now on…
Thank you for voting for me in 2019… and not in 2023 😉
Jon
