Paul Crossley

Yesterday I sat on my first O&S panel. Our Council introduced the new modernised system in May 2002 and for the next 5 years I was the Leader of the Executive and Council and so was scrutinised. Since May, when the Conservatives formed a minority Cabinet with Labour and Independent support, I have been on our development control panel but yesterday subbed for a colleague on holiday and sat on my first scrutiny.

We were scrutinising two decisions of the local PCT - the first to move some Gyneacological Cancer treatment from our RUH to a centre of excellence to be based in the UBHT in Bristol and the second to reduce the out of hours cover at Paulton hospital. It was fascinating and for both reviews we heard passionate and informed arguement and reason for and against both moves. Each was half a day hearing and there were a lot of people in for both sessions. We had representatives from the B&NES PCT, RUH, UBHT, patients, surgeons, forum members, Action for Pensioners, representatives from Wiltshire and others.

Our task was to determine whether there had been a 'substantial variation' in the service that warranted us instructing the PCT to halt the change and to go back and consult with the community.

On the Cancer changes we unanimously decided that there was a substantial variation with a negative impact on service to residents and users. We instructed the PCT and the hospitals to put a halt to their change plans and conduct a proper public consultation. We asked that we were to be involved in the consultation and that the consultation should also consider whether the best base for the Centre of Excellance should be the UBHT or the RUH. Apart from the powerful arguements from patients and RUH medical staff we were not convinced that the PCT and its partners had really investigated the concept of value-add for the change or indeed shown any evidence that outcomes would improve. It had a distinct feel of government tick-boxing.

On the Out of Hours sevice change we also decided unanimously. This time that there was not a substantial impact and that in fact adequate cover was provided by a variety of means. However we did ask that in future the panel should be consulted before changes that impact on residents are made. We have also asked that we receive a six monthly report on statistics of the way and means that people seek help from the NHS between midnioght and 8am in our area. Again we had passionate logic for and against. The facts that moved me to my vote were the presentation from a leading member of the local Action for Pensioners who said the money could be better spent on other services and ensuring people knew how to contact health care out of hours and the RUH presentation which said there had been no increase in numbers arriving at the A&E unit due to reduced cover at the Paulton Hospital.

The panel is Chaired by our Labour Leader - Adrian Inker - and additionally has three Conservative and three Liberal Democrat Councillors. The Conservative Cabinet member sat and listened to most of the day but made no contribution.

First impressions of scrutiny from the front-line Councillor perspective. I really enjoyed it and felt that the panel had investigated two important subjects and come to two important decisions. I think the PCT was expecting the first and hoping for the second. All in all it was much more enjoyable, instructive and worthwhile forum than the committees I used to sit on under the previous model of governance.

With the new intake in May this year moans about the new system and how good the good old days were finally seem to be drying up. There is though still a real issue at the level of concentration of power in the new system and particularly where there is a directly elected Mayor.

Having joined the FACEBOOK revolution and started up a group 'Low Carbon Bath' I got a call from John Watson at Bath FM asking what it was about. Although a lot younger than me he considers Facebook a 'bit geeky'. Anyway he called me into the studios for a chat on what I was hoping for by being on Facebook and why Low Carbon Bath.

The younger generation are on these social networks in large numbers and enjoy it. The young vote in less numbers than the old and it is important for democracy that we Councillors engage with all sections of the population and inspire them to vote. Facebook is being used very powerfully in the USA amongst the University Students. Here in Bath a lot of younger people are on Facebook - see ' Moreland Road is Amazing' group.

As to why set up a group on Low Carbon - well the environment is the number one issue and halting global warming the top priority. I believe the technology is there to enable us to solve the problem. It is not just up to states to set a lead and get the framework right - every individual can do their bit to reduce their own individual Carbon Footprint.

Got a prompt reply back from Stephen - many thanks - so I will have to gather some evidence to support my case. It would be a shame to loose this incredible opportunity to reduce pollution because of a dispute over the definition of what counts as renewable. It seems that this is perhaps caused by the a number of suppliers of renewable fighting over too small a cake. Stephen, the solution is simple get Gordon Brown to ditch his love affair with nuclear and switch the vast sums planned for that nightmare supply to all renewable opportunities.

Anyway I am glad that the department will be meeting with 2OC. I would not normally print an email response but as this is a campaign and public consultation I feel in this case it is ok to do so.

Subject: RE: Ldr, Bath and NE Somerset Liberal Democrats - Geopressure - RO Consultation Response

Date: Fri, 17 Aug 2007 16:21:08 +0100

From: "Roco info"

To: "Paul Crossley"

Mr Crossley

Thank you for your e-mail.

As you are aware we are currently consulting on reforms to the Renewables Obligation (RO). This is being done in the light of a decision to band the RO to provide differentiated levels of support for different technologies.

Our proposal on geopressure is that where it is associated with fossil fuels it is an anomaly in the current legislation and does not fit with definitions of renewable sources of electricity generation. This proposal is in response to a number of representations we have received from different groups in the past. We are therefore taking the opportunity to ask respondents to the consultation to give us their views on this subject and provide evidence either supporting, or opposing, this proposal. We will assess these responses and make a decision in the Autumn.

We are meeting with 2OC this month to discuss the evidence they have provided us with.

Yours sincerely

Stephen Clark Renewables Obligation Team, BERR

Andrew Mercer, a Bath based business man, has with others, created a company 20C to exploit the energy potential of pressure change as natural gas is pumped around the grid. The gas is carrier of the potential, the pressure is the source of the energy. By fitting the technology to the grid enough energy is generated to the equivalence of a nuclear power station. It would reduce the countrey's CO2 emissions by about 5% and as it fits within current infrastructure does not cause large planning issues.

The Government originally agreed to classify this under the RO obligation but has now changed its mind due to the link to gas and fossil fuels. This is wrong thinking as the gas is being pumped around anyway. The technology exploits the pressure changes in the flows not the gas itself.

My email to Stephen Clark. Mon, 13 Aug 2007 01:23:48 -0700 (PDT)

From: "Paul Crossley"

To: Roco.info@dti.gsi.gov.uk

CC: "Annette Mercer" , "Richard Lyddon"

Stephen Clark Renewables Obligation Policy Department of Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform 2nd Floor 1 Victoria Street London SW1H 0ET

Dear Mr Clark,

I am very concerned about the recent Government decision to remove geo-pressure from the RO. Geo-pressure is used in the USA and mainland Europe. 20C are the only company in the UK exploiting these ideas.

The fact that the gas itself is not renewable is not the issue. Gas is merely the carrier of the pressure which is exploited to produce energy.

20C can deliver around 5% of the country's carbon reduction targets and produce the amount of electricity that a single nuclear station would produce.

The system generates energy when it is required and would be located around the country in existing plants. Therefore planning issues would be minimal.

RO accreditation is important as without it the implementation becomes non-viable for the Gas Company.

I urge you to reconsider your decision on RO status for geo-pressure technology and reinstate it so that this amazing idea can be implemented and at a stroke deliver a large chunck of our CO2 reduction targets.

yours sincerely

Paul Crossley Leader of Bath and NE Somerset Liberal Democrats

National Allotment week started today. Since its inception we have been regular shoppers at Bath Farmers Market. Buying locally produced food, non-GM, wholesome and fresh. One of the mainstay storeholders is Chris Rich and he opened up his farm for visitors to see where and how the food is grown. Whilst there bumped into friends Nic Rattle and Roger Symonds who are keen allotmenters in Combe Down.

Whilst there brought some lettuce plants - so back home planted them out - sowed some autumn lettuce and planted out some other lettuce plants. This week on Thursday we also have an interesting lecture 'Providing for the People' on allotments and housing in Bath.

One of the pressures in Bath is providing allotment space for the growing demand from residents who want to have allotments.

PS - if you follow the web link to the farmers market the Bath info is wrong. Our market is weekly (not 1st and 3rd Sats as stated) and has been for many years. I have reported the error to the web team.

This week we got to the final interviews for the appointment for our Assistant Director for Culture Leisure and Tourism. On Monday we met the shortlist of 5 very good candidates and over the course of the day this was reduced to 4 for the Tuesday interviews. In the end from an exceptional field we have appointed David Lawrence. CLT is very important for our authority and David had a wide ranging grasp of all the areas and also the ability to pinpoint issues and problems. I am looking forward to working with him.

At this month's Development Control meeting we have finally granted planning permission for signs to sponsor roundabouts. For years roundabouts around the country have been sponsored as a way of having better quality planting. Except for Bath and NE Somerset that is. Here over the last 8 years the Conservative and Labour groups have resolutely resisted this form of sponsorship which the Liberal Democrats have been promoting. This week we have finally won through. I proposed that we grant approval for two roundabouts to be sponsored and much to my surprise won both votes.

St John's also finally got approval for their new school which is great news and we also were asked to comment on the new Government Planning White Paper. My comments covered concern at Gov poposals on major projects, loss of democracy and consultation, extension of permitted development rights need to look at the varying requirements of different areas, pressure on gardens under current rules, the need for a much stronger sustainability agenda, Needs Test for supermarkets should be kept and much more training and support for Councillors to develop on Dev Control Committees.

Today a large number of Sham Castle Lane residents had a street tidy up day. Because of parked cars weeds are growing in the gutters.Sunday is the only day you can see one of the kerbs as the road is so well known to commuters. The wall along the bottom has not been trimmed by the Waterways Board for two years plus and some of the storm drains were full up with soil - so not exactly good for storms. In addition we trimmed back overgowing hedges that were obstructing pavements for some of our elder residents. The event was organised by the neighbourhood watch coordinator and our local Councillor Nic Coombes came along as well. It was a great community event and one of the new residents got to meet a large section of the street.

Picture shows 5 of the 25 helpers on the day. On the left Cllr Nic Coombes and on the right our Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinator and organiser for the day Derek Stent. More pictures on my Photo Blog.

National Allotment week is August 13-19. In our street lives a leading Bath allotmenteer who for the drinks break brought out a selection of photos of the street from 1945. What a change in the area over the last 60 years. Finally got to my veggie patch - poor harvest of potatoes this year. Planted GM free seeds - raddish, carrots and leef spinach. Well done to the Irish Government in its fight against GM food and shame on ours for bit by bit caving in to agri business.

Lets hope and pray the foot and mouth outbreak is an isolated incidence. Farmers have had a tough time this year and they and we do not need a F&M epidemic. Gordon Brown has certainly had a baptism of fire since he took over the keys to No 10.

Seagulls are big problem in Bath. These birds seemed to have evolved into a new urban sub-species. They feed on scraps and in breeding season can get very protective and aggressive. Too many people are feeding them as though they are pigeons. I was in Bristol on Friday with Cllr Steve Hedges and liked the new signs they have put up there on College Green to discourage feeding.

National Play Day on August 1 was a great success. In Bath we had the Bath Area Play Project take over the Pennyquick Fields and with a group of youngsters from every play project around Bath present it was a fun day. Everything seems to be so much more structured nowadays and organised. But then play is very different in 2007 from my early years in the 50s and 60s. For a start every spare bit of space didn't have a parked tin box with 4 rubber rings at the corners. We did not have 24 hour news reporting problems from round the globe and we played out more and roamed over wider areas than young people of today are allowed.

The Bath International Guitar festival is bigger than ever and goes from strength to stregth and now incorporates several other sections. Tom Kerstens has done a supreme job in building up the standard and quality of this festival over the years. Went along on Thursday to the first full concert in the newly refurbished St Michaels Church in Broad Street. They have taken out the pews and the heavy Victorian wood work and now have a wonderful open space and a glass balcony. They now have far more flexibility for services and other functions. The sound was very good and the concert with Antonio Forcione Quartet was great.