Follow up and bail hostel

Well I didn’t expect to have over 400 page hits over the last 24 hours! I’ve had an interesting mix of messages from councillors and the public. Two things and then i’m moving on:

- An experienced Northampton Borough councillor once said to me, “I like to believe in something and debate policy as much as the next but it shouldn’t get personal and we should be able to go to the pub afterwards and still be able to have a pint together.”

- My message to people on Children’s Services – i’ve been in the job just 25 hours. Please give me the time and the chance to get to know it and do something with it.

Moving onto Aldridge North – I attended another protest outside of the bail hostel on Saturday. Residents are determined to keep the pressure on the Probation Service. Cllr Garry Perry has posted about it on his blog and he will ensure that it is kept on the Safer Borough Partnership agenda until it is closed.

There is some confusion over a meeting with the bail hostel people. I haven’t received an invitation, nor have the other elected representatives. I find that a bit odd seeing as the Probation Service spokesperson said we had been in the Express and Star.

In the meantime I am trying to set up a meeting with the Council, Probation Service and Ministry of Justice to see if we can breathe some life into their idea – now of two years ago – to look for an alternative site. Work in progress… will keep you updated.