This is a quote from the late John Kenneth Galbraith, the Canadian-American economist. In my limited time on the Council, I tend to agree. I want to do something, I want to change things and I want to make a difference – idealistic and nieve I know, but I do not want to sit around doing nothing.

I can understand the need for meetings and committee business, without it there could be no democrsatic decision making. However it does feel sometimes like there are meetings for meetings sake and this adds to my growing frustration with the speed of decision making in local government.

So what is the answer? Less meetings? I would answer not necessarily. No doubt there are some committees that should be abolished. But my answer would be to have better meetings, allowing everyone to have their informed say and then come to a clear conclusion within a more swift and modern approach.

I am glad I do not relish meetings. It makes me feel that I still might be an ordinary bloke. What member of the public would relish sitting in a stuffy room with endless meetings, looking forward to the free coffee from the dispenser? Thomas Sowell , the American writer, said “People who enjoy meetings should not be in charge of anything.” Without mentioning names, I tend to agree.