23rd The day of the Site Visits to locations of Planning Applications to the City Council’s Development Control Committee. There were only two so these were soon undertaken, but we were then given advice by the Dircetor of Governance regarding the meeting on Friday where there is to be a report regarding the situation of the Airport Planning Application and recent communications regarding it. In the evening I was at the University of Cumbria’s Campus in Fusehill Street for a Seminar on “The LEP Experiment” (LEP = Local Enterprise Partnership) The speaker was Dr Lee Pugalis, Senior Lecturer in Urban Theory and Practice, Nothumbria University. The seminar was very thought provoking as the pros and cons were debated by the academics and others present.
24th An evening meeting to attend the AGM of Carlisle College. I attended the formal opening of the new extention during my Mayoral Year and it was pleasant to return this year to hear about future improvements and a new Digital and Creative Arts Building to be developed within the next twelve months. The College is going from strength to strength is well supported by local industries and has a very good Ofsted report. Congratulations should go to the Board, the Principal and all the teaching staff for their excellant work in making this happen.
25th The big day for the Airport Application but it wasn’t as we were advised to adjorn until the 31st in order that legal advise could be sought. The other plans went through with officer recommendation except where a site visit was requested.
26th Last night was Burns’ Night when we of Scottish decent celebrate the life and works of Rabby Burns but it was this evening I attended a Burns’ Night Supper with my wife and friends at the Golden Fleece, Ruleholme. The traditional piping in of the haggis and the eating of haggis with tatties and neeps took place together with the “Address to the Haggis”, “The Immortal Memory”, “Toast to the Lasses” and its reply and finally a redition of one of Burns’ poems, this year being “Tam-O-Shanter” by Councillor Steve Layden. An excellant way to end a week with friends and a good meal. The whole evening was organised and chaired by Councillor Doreen Parsons and our thanks go out to her for a task well done.