And so it begins...
Thank those of you who voted for me in the recent elections. I guess there are all sorts of reasons why people can be triumphal about getting elected. First off its a huge vote of confidence and a compliment that people think you might be best placed to represent their views and interests. Then there's the temptation to be egotistical and indulge a sense that its an endorsement or suggestion that you might know better than your competitors, and that you've been given a mandate to try and improve things for everyone. So in case anyone thinks I'm marching around with a puffed up chest feeling great about this public duty, let me puncture that bubble straight away. This REALLY is a job I wish I didn't have to do. And its not just because its voluntary and will involve hours and hours of unpaid work. The parish council has been created not as a means of extending local democracy to you or your neighbours. It was created to raise tax and to palm off services onto volun