The weather last Thursday kept me in London until Friday and so unfortunately I missed the opening of the new Arch Hill unit but I did get home in time for the Pathfinder Oscar Awards Ceremony in the Town Hall. This was an impressive occasion with large numbers of awards going to people of all ages who have been instrumental in improving the environment and lives in general for people in Oldington and Foley Park. A survey was reported that showed that 80% of people questioned felt that this was now a good place in which to live. It is a compliment to the success of this initiative that it is going to be emulated in other parts of our area.

On Saturday, a lovely bright afternoon, I was able to join a crowd of just over 2000 at Aggborough to see a totally committed Harriers team beat York City in a nail-biting, physical contest.
To me it was a contrast to some of last season's games when one was exasperated by the apparent lack of the will and the drive so necessary to win and survive in the Conference and above. The win was the result of a whole team effort but I agreed that the towering presence with a safe pair of hands, Scott Bevan in goal, thoroughly deserved the Man of the Match Award. I just hope the record, eight wins and a draw out of the last nine games and the thrilling nature of this match will draw back more supporters for the rest of the season.

This week we have had the Second Reading of the Local Government Bill onto which the Government has tacked the legislation necessary to abolish Patient and Public Involvement in Health Forums (PPIFs). 

I and others would have preferred PPIFs to have been strengthened and improved as they have only been in existence for three years and some, like ours, are now really effective. 
However it is unlikely that there will be a back-bench Labour revolt over this and so we have to work towards their replacements, to be known as local involvement networks (LINks) – sic -, being equally or more effective across the whole country. 

The Health Select Committee is about to start an inquiry into this and I hope the Government will wait for the result of this before proceeding too far with its plans. At the moment these plans for the replacement organisations sound like back-of-an-envelope musings rather than researched, evidence-based proposals.

A crucial decision coming before Parliament soon will be about the replacement of Trident, our nuclear deterrent. 

How should I vote on this issue? 

Should we set an example to the rest of the world by giving up our nuclear weapons or is that naively unwise in the face of other regimes' acquisition of these terrible weapons? 
Please help me with reasoned arguments for your point of view.

R.T.