KPMG, the government appointed auditors of Wiltshire Council, have issued a damning interim report for 2009/10. In it they clearly state that overall the Council has not been fully effective. They particularly highlight significant weaknesses in the Information Technology (IT) control environment plus concern about PFI schemes.
Following the sad death of Mike Nevins there are two by-elections on Thursday 15 July. One for the county seat of Normandy & Pirbright and the other for the borough seat of Pirbright.
Town Sunday is a tradition where the Mayor formally accepts the office of Mayor and promises to work for the people of Folkestone. Gathering around the cross in the grounds of St Mary and St Eanswythe's Church is the beginning of the formalities. In times past, this was the moment that the new Mayor was chosen and if he refused to accept the honour, his house would be burned down. I willingly agreed to be Mayor!
Dressing into full robes is exhausting enough but standing in 30 degrees for an hour is sweltering! The procession to The Stade on Folkestone Harbour was led by the Folkestone Pipes and Drums and included Folkestone Town and Shepway District Councillors as well as clergy from various denominations, all fully robed and finding the heat overwhelming.
This week I travelled by pedal-powered Rickshaw to a meeting in Kempston in support of Bike Week 2010. All sorts of events have been taking place in the Borough to promote the event, and I am always keen to support cycling as a healthy, environmentally friendly way for people to get around and help beat congestion in the Borough. The ride was actually very comfortable (thanks to Rebecca from Beds Road Cycling Club for cycling so smoothly!), and I was even able to get the laptop out and do some work on the way over!
I wouldn't have missed the British Armed Forces Day celebration on the Leas in Folkestone for all the world: I am so proud of our service men and women and those who have served us in the past, and judging by the many hundreds of people on the Leas, I'm not alone.