Endings and Beginnings

Today is the last day of February: one month to go until the end of Cumbria County Council which finishes at the end of March, and Cumberland council will then take over from us and from the district councils in Allerdale, Carlisle, and Copeland.

I attended the last meeting of Cumbria Health Scrutiny in its present form last week: in the coming days I will be attending the last meetings of the Pensions committee under the current dispensation, of the Copeland Local Committee and of Cumbria County Council itself. As a former member I have also been invited to the last meeting of Copeland Borough Council.

Last week was my penultimate meeting as their representative at St Bees Parish Council and Egremont Town council. The St Bees meeting was Jeff Hailes' last meeting as their Borough councillor as he will be at work when they meet next month: that meeting will be my last one as their county councillor.

St Bees PC thanked Jeff for his service.

Although I have one more meeting with Egremont Town council as their representative, they decided to get their "thank you" in at last week's meeting, and were kind enough to present me with a card and a small present: I was particularly touched by the very kind words which were said to me by the Chairman of the town council in her presentation and by the equally kind words in the card which they gave me. It is always nice to know that one's work has been appreciated, especially when the thanks come from all sides and not just from those who agree with you politically.

I wish all the best to the new Unitary authorities and those elected to serve on them. More on this (probably much more) to follow in the coming month. 

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