At last week's Council Meeting, a Scrutiny Report on the Role of Members and the Full Council was tabled. One aspect of the evidence gathering was a MORI study which involved interviewing councillors about their roles. One of the more widely reported findings was that  "(there is) widespread concern about political point-scoring and rudeness combined with an intimidating and uncivilised atmosphere in the council chamber." I would have spoken in the debate but there hardly seemed any point given the behaviour of some people in the Chamber while we were discussing the issue. We're all guilty of it, though some are much worse then others - but it is a shame that the Council Chamber is not a place to get things done, and to have a high quality of debate. If we were to be broadcast on the big screen in Victoria Square, as suggested in the report, I think most people would have a lower opinion of their elected representatives than they do now.

Saturday was a rather better day. I went to the Witton Lodge Community Association Spring Fayre for an hour in the morning. Despite being a bit chilly, there was a good turn out and range of local organisations with entertainment and freebies. Earlier this year, there were free apple trees for local residents, and this time there were hanging baskets and pot plants - all part of the ongoing efforts to 'green' the estate. I did, however, duck out of the fun run to go and do some leafleting in Edgbaston in the afternoon, though I probably made up for it with running down the stairs (thankfully not up) of several tower blocks..