Hugh Sandeman
Conservative Councillor for Bell Hill ward, Petersfield

David Cameron's blog about his visit to India earlier in the summer has now evolved into the brilliant Webcameron blog. I really like the style of the Beta version I have just had a look at, the embedded videos are a nice touch as they convey DC's domestic life to those that view them, showing that he is a normal parent too.

Whilst at the Winchester University freshers fair last weekend the CF stand was next to the Jamie's Computer Club stand. They are a Social Enterprise from the Society of St James a homelessness charity from Southampton. They help vulnerable adults in and around the city by collecting, refurbishing and re-using electronic equipment and materials.

There are many advantages of this project, the environment benefits as less used computer equipment is sent to landfill. The equipment which can be refurbished is bought back to life and then re-sold very cheaply.

The work allows people to learn new skills and gives them a greater chance of employability. Is also means a ready supply of fully working PC's affordable to almost everybody.

It seems like a great initiative for example a PIII PC with Windows XP is only £145 with a 3 Month Guarantee! I will definitely consider them the next time I need to upgrade to a newer PC.

On Saturday I attended the freshers fair at my old University in Winchester. It went really well, we signed up some new members and our positive, realistic message on issues the Conservatives have a real chance of being elected to implement were well received by those students who came to talk with us.

Conversely the Lib Dem stand had an array of the usual petitions pretty much against everything that already exists and for anything that would make them permanently unelectable... I do wonder whether these petitions ever get to Menzies Cambell as they are alleged to do.

Probable highlight of the day was the hugely popular Boris Johnson branded merchandise, posters, badges and postcards that had the amusing effect of baiting the Lib Dem MP for Romsey, Sandra Gidley (who had a majority of only 125 votes at the last election) to come over and ask about the way Boris had voted over the Iraq War! Such cutting, up-to-date and relevant political insight is clearly why the people of Romsey are likely to relieve her of her post at the next election.

If any of you are keen to read more about her 'latest' news check out her blog http://romseyredhead.blogspot.com/, from what I can see the last entry was made in January this year and her 'latest news' on her website http://www.sandragidley.org/news2006.htm was last updated in early July. This somewhat makes a mockery of her 5th pledge on the front page of her website too, '...keep in touch with local people, reporting back regularly'.

Anyway I will leave the ongoing critical commentary of the MP for Romsey to http://gidleywatch.blogspot.com/ a hugely entertaining read and much more regularly updated blog than her own!

As a political critic I often spend my time and online space (here) highlighting the profligacy of the Public Sector, Government or other Councils wasting public money on items that only further alienate those we are elected to serve.

Being the deputy chair of the Public Halls Committee for 2006 -‘07 I have taken an even larger interest than last year in the budgetary rounds for the next financial year which are just beginning now.

I am well aware that I am one of twelve Councillors on the Council and only one of four who attended last week’s Halls Committee. At that meeting my view that providing air conditioning for some of the Town Council’s offices was a poor use of Pubic money, (yes that means your Council Taxes) however - fellow Councillors, (and Officers) disagreed with my view, (which is entirely their democratic right of course) the item now continues to the Finance and General Purposes Committee for consideration.

My concerns about the air-con being budgeted are numerous; many of the reasons FOR air-con were strongly put to me by Officers sat around the table on Monday and also by the Chair and other Councillors.

As I suspect my views against expenditure on air-con would carry more weight with the public of Petersfield than those at the Halls meeting I will list the reasons why I think embellishing our own offices at a time when the Town needs as much Council cash as possible to be spent on our existing assets, could be seen as a mistake.

1) Air-conditioning is expensive to purchase, install, run and maintain. (all of it from your council tax bills folks)

2) The claim of equity for all staff to work in Air-conditioned offices falls flat when we consider the Officer who works in the un air-conditioned entrance hall of the Festival Hall.

3) We have a duty of care to our staff (the Officers) however I am sure there are plenty of employers who run businesses in Petersfield without using Air-conditioning – hands up those of us who break into a sweat whilst at work during our annual fortnight of hot weather?

4) I have heard that even the Chief Exec. of East Hampshire District Council doesn’t have air-conditioning in his office.

5) It’s introduction into a Council office which is locked to prevent Public or Councillors from entering is not in the public interest in my opinion.

6) The huge impact of Air-Conditioning on the environment due to the increased demand for electricity and the by-product of heat being released into the atmosphere is clearly undesirable, as a Quality Council I would like to think that PTC would lead by example on this one. The aim of the Quality status is afterall to;

...provide a benchmark minimum standards for parish and town councils and enable them to better represent the communities they serve.

Although air-con is a luxury that would be nice to have, at the moment I cannot see any reason that other projects which would directly benefit the people of Petersfield should see their funding reduced or lost to make way for this to be installed - or worse still the Town Council tax precept increased in order to have the air conditioning installed.

I believe that my primary duty of care is with the public who rely on our council to administer their Town, by not installing this additional air conditioning I don't think the Council will have breached any current employment law. Windows can be opened, fans used and summer clothing worn. I’ve got a feeling that it isn’t just me that will be getting hot under the collar about this issue.

Brilliant cartoon from the Guardian - click HERE

The massed unions at today's TUC conference didn't give Tony Blair an easy ride during his final visit as PM.

The bad old days of the dinosaur unions were recalled by militant jeering from the audience, walkouts and slow hand claps whilst Blair tried to give his speech.

Although unions have their place, the ridiculous display today further illustrates the childish, un constructive way that they seem to conduct their business.

No other political party in the UK (at the moment at least) is as close to these unions as the Labour Party. Regardless of my thoughts on Blair's politics it is a fact that he has been the most successful Labour PM ever.

Seeing this cauldron of rude unrealistic socialists giving him a hard time not only shows how impossible they are to please but also sends out a dangerous warning of what the future may be if a more left-leaning replacement for Blair is found.

Given the fact that the unions hold one third of the votes available in any Labour leadership contest, it seems likely that those wishing to be the next Labour leader will have to do a certain amount of flirting with these people...hopefully the new leader will need their votes more than they will need their political ideas.

Amused to read about the Government funded TV channel for the Government's favourite key workers. Teachers'TV is funded by the DfES and basically runs shows about teaching and how to teach more effectively.

If I was a Dr, Nurse, Fireman, Council Officer, member of the armed forces etc I would be dissapointed not to have my own dedicated channel on Freeview feeding me new-labour style 'how to do your job' tv shows.

To add insult to injury Cherie Booth QC Cherie Blair has pocketed £3000 of public money in presenting a series for the channel. More info to be had at the following BBCi link.

The Heath Pond is currently experiencing an attack of a vicious algae which is devastating both the fish and birds that live there.

Petersfield Town Council and the Petersfield and District Angling Club have erected signs warning the public not to enter the water and also to keep dogs from entering as the algae can be deadly to them.

In order to keep up to date with the issue both the Petersfield Herald and Post have information in their papers and on their websites (The Herald doesn't seem to have uploaded any news to it's site lately).

Today Vosper Thornycroft's yard at Portsmouth is launching HMS Clyde, a new offshore patrol vessel which is due to protect the Falkland Islands.

The ship is the first Naval Vesel to be built entirely at Portsmouth for 40 years, more about the launch can be read here at BBCi.

David Cameron is blogging about his trip to India to read more click HERE.

It looks like a great blog which utilises embedded video to illustrate what has been going on. Pleasing to see him opening a new JCB plant in India. Proof that Britain & India's economic relationship is thriving.