Come what May – well not at all actually

Last Thursday's Council meeting began with a completely pointless (and by Milady Fitzgerald – witless) display of chairmanship (see previous post). It was prompted by the non-arrival of the cabinet Member for Housing, Cllr Peter May – the Uplands Uriah Heep.

Now Chris Holley had told me that UH would be late – childcare issues out of town. Given the frequency with which he brings his children to meetings, I thought it more likely to be canvassing, but then I am a cynic! Prior to the meeting he had apparently told others the same thing (arriving late, childcare) – including the Evening Post (which seems a very curious thing to do....). Why say this if you weren't planning to come at all? So it would seem he was coming. The Housing items were the first on the Agenda, as it was known he would be late, why not just defer them until later? And why didn't he arrive?However, the first Housing item was a contentious one – mobility scooters in Gloucester House (see a previous post) and the wider application of his Department's decision to all users in Council sheltered and shared entrance accommodation (and indeed private/Social landlords). Given the imminent election, I had suspected that Cllr Heep would not want to stick his head above this particular parapet – and indeed so it proved.

As the evening wore on and he still did not appear, CH began to look a little desperate. And as the meeting went on until nearly 9.30pm (almost 5 and half hours) UH had plenty of opportunity, but no sign. Indeed, every time the doors to the Chamber opened, one of the wags on my side cried out "Is it Peter May?" – but it never was.

Now I entirely understand that things happen – especially with children. However, this was a scheduled meeting, in the diary for over twelve months – he could claim for the costs of caring (and he often brought his kids with him) – neither he nor his children were ill and his absence seemed apparently planned - so where was he, why had he arranged something else on the evening of a Council meeting when he had items on the agenda – something that doesn't happen too often with his portfolio at the best of times, and no-one was prepared to put the items off until later in the meeting. I believe that politics were being played here. UH has always tried to stay away from anything troublesome in case it harms his slim chances of victory in the election.

Well, whatever his reason was, it was contemptuous of the Council meeting and of the fact that he is getting a large wedge to be the Cabinet Member and for which is not normally called upon to do much in receipt of it.

If anyone saw him around in Swansea last Thursday or knows his actual whereabouts please get in touch.