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Permalink Reply by Mary Durcan on April 7, 2017 at 16:08

Not sure yet. Apparently we can have either. I was waiting for William's return from holiday before making all the decisions. Do you have a view?

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Permalink Reply by Hussain on April 8, 2017 at 20:13

Personally I would like to see all elected Cripplegate councillors working together for the good of both residents and businesses within the ward that they have been elected to serve.

The past shows that certain councillors have never held surgeries, and have no attention in doing so, engagement with the residential voter is beyond them, hence the seismic changes that we have witnessed, which hopefully will mean that residential voter’s concerns are heard and addressed.

Only two councillors have been brave enough to state their political affiliations. For other councillors to say that they have no political party bias is wrong, past policy voting decisions clearly show a bias towards the right wing within Cripplegate and the wider City.

I would prefer if all Cripplegate councillors were to hold an open combined quarterly meeting within the Guildhall, allowing all voters to question them, and hold them to account. The meetings should be broadcast live on Skype, allowing those unable to attend in person to watch and question. If any elected councillor fails to turn up to these open meetings, you can then make your own judgement as to their suitability at the next Common Council/Alderperson election.

If any political party, or individual councillor wish to hold individual surgeries, then they should, voters should have the option to talk to them in private too. I believe it is essential for the City of London Corporation to allocate suitable meeting rooms in which the elected councillors may hold their surgeries.

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Permalink Reply by Mary Durcan on April 8, 2017 at 20:48

Thank you Mr Hussain for your comments. I would be delighted to work with any or all of the other councillors for Cripplegate. As you say some councillors have never held surgeries and William and I as Labour Councillors were the only ones to promise in our election material to hold them. Having made such a promise I thought we should deliver as soon as possible -hence the surgery this Wednesday

Your idea of a quarterly meeting with all councillors present is an excellent idea. I would be very wiling to participate in such a meeting. An open meeting such as this is somewhat different from an advice surgery where residents can discuss private issues pertinent to them alone. 

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Permalink Reply by Mary Durcan on April 11, 2017 at 22:36

A reminder that your Labour councillors Mary Durcan and William Pimlott will be at Golden Lane Community Centre tomorrow evening Wednesday 12th April from 6pm to 8pm to hear your views

We look forward to meeting you.

William Pimlott and Mary Durcan

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Permalink Reply by Mary Durcan on April 12, 2017 at 23:14

Our first advice surgery was very successful. We had 10 people turn up and we were busy from about 6.10pm to 8pm. One elector brought us a box of sweets. Most told us how they had voted - many Labour votes but some who admitted they had voted otherwise. We emphasised that we were there to represent all the residents of Cripplegate. All said how pleased they were that we were holding advice surgeries. Concerns raised were about the state of the Golden Lane estate (in particular absence of decorating), refurbishment of Great Arthur, poor quality of repairs, time taken to carry out repairs, security especially concerning bike thefts, pet policy, lack of parking especially for the disabled, lack of electricity points for electric cars and mobility scooters, black plastic on Stanley Cohen for 2 years, cycling courses for children, parking provision at Richard Cloudesley development etc etc.
We will, of course, be following up on all these issues.

A very interesting evening and one to be repeated.

Mary Durcan CC and William Pimlott CC

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