2023 has been the most challenging yet rewarding year of my life so far.
It truly is an honour to serve my community. Being a ward councillor for ERYC has been eye-opening. Do you know over 10,000 staff deliver hundreds of services across the East Riding? That is to over 340,000 residents spanning Bridlington to Goole.
I have spent over 100 working hours in council meetings since October (I was going to go back to May and count, but diary history is only three months, but I estimate 8 to 12 hours a week in meetings). As a councillor, I also get emails and calls from residents on ranging issues such as:
Potholes and uneven pavement
Dog fouling and fly-tipping
Council home maintenance
Anti-social behaviour
Highways and speeding
Supporting local business
A highlight this year, not including the room-spinning experience of the Count Day on the 5th of May 2023, was having the responsibility of Chairing the Children and Young People Overview & Management Scrutiny Sub-committee. It was a great experience. As the Vice-chair, I am constantly practising the skills I need to make a difference.
As a political back-bencher, I thoroughly enjoy my role in scrutinising decisions and have been involved in many of these scrutiny meetings, including:
Children and Young People
Health and Wellbeing
Overview Management
Safer and Stronger Communities
I even stood up in the council chambers to speak for the democratic right to proportionate representation in these scrutiny meetings. Full council meetings this year have been pretty lengthy (5hours!!), which is something I didn't know before being elected. It doesn't bother me now that all the meetings are recorded Live and steamed on YouTube, which certainly has taken some getting used to. If you have a few spare hours and want to see me in action, watch on the East Riding of Yorkshire Council YouTube channel.
As part of my desire to make a difference, one of my biggest challenges is to find a balance. I am a councillor, mother, and employee. I am also involved with the following (which have their own schedule of meetings):
Public Governor - York and Scarborough Teaching Hospital Foundation Trust
Council representitive on North East Inshore Fisheries & Conservation Authority
Trustee - Bridlington Health Forum
Trustee - East Coast Community Churches Music Festival (and choir)
Trustee - Bridlington School
Looking to 2024, I hope to refine my key responsibilities, balance and focus areas. It would be great to receive feedback from residents on what they feel my priorities as a councillor should be. I will always prioritise residents' emails and will continue to help steer our council to ensure that our part of East Riding is and continues to be a place people want to live, work and retire.
Anyone who knows me knows how much I love Bridlington. I want to encourage and build strong and resilient communities and develop growth. Ensuring the future prosperity of our town is my desire. If you have any ideas but don't know how or where to start, it would be great to hear from you. It is and always will be a team effort that gets things done!
Thank you for your support and many blessings for 2024. It's going to be a great year. I will keep you posted with online updates monthly and get out physical leaflets every six months. (Call this my resolution if you'd like to be more visible to you all).
Best wishes always from your Conservative Bridlington Councillor,
Maria Bowtell
01262 475881
My year in some pictures :-)
Comments