Leader's Monthly Report - September

1.48.31pm BST (GMT +0100) Thu 8th Oct 2009

After a fairly quiet August, political life at County Hall returned to normal in September with a wide range of meetings. At Full Council on 28th September the various factions in the Tory group came together to pass a motion opposing any changes to the structure of Local Government in Norfolk. Whilst there were parts of the motion we could have supported - primarily a clause about rejecting a Norwich Unitary on current boundaries - we voted against it as in principle we support the idea of unitary local governance.

Whether by 'cock-up' or 'conspiracy' Bev Spratt, Conservative Member for East Depwade, sent all Councillors a message from a Cabinet Member complaining about a lack of discipline by the Conservative Group. Councillor Spratt also espoused his theory that the Children's Services Department should be outsourced. When I questioned the Leader, Daniel Cox, about this he said this was not under consideration, though nothing could be ruled in or out long-term.

The Conservatives are changing their policy towards County Farms. Earlier in the year, following an investigation by a Scrutiny Working group, they committed themselves to investing in the farms and maintaining the size at around the current 16,000 acres. Their full intentions are not clear but we will continue to support the Working Group's main recommendations.

Even this early in the year there are significant pressures on the Children's Services and Adult Social Services budgets. Given there were similar pressures last year, we question the efficacy of the budget setting process.

The Party Conference season has now closed, with the spending plans of all three becoming clearer. We enjoyed a lift in the polls; it will be interesting to see if that is maintained. Locally we had two stunning Broadland District Council by-election results in Walsingham and Wroxham.