I received an email from the Council offices last Friday reminding all Elected Members that due to the Easter break the deadline for submitting motions to the next Full Council meeting (on April 2^nd) would be brought forward 2 days to Tuesday March 18^th.

Keen and eager as usual to ensure there was an item on the agenda about an issue the Lib Dem group cares passionately about or has concerns panic set in about midnight on Monday when I realised the deadline was looming. 

Or so I thought!!! The following morning I hastily sent the duly prepared Notice of Motion to the Head of Democratic Services and copied it to my Group leader Cllr Ian Smith.  I followed it up with a call to Ian to prompt him to send an email confirming he was happy to second the motion. 

I then called the Council to check they had received my email and let them know Ian would be sending one in due course to confirm he would second the motion.  I could sense the tone of surprise and confusion in the Officer’s voice……..”Ok but you do realise you have another week yet, the deadline is next Tuesday,” he pointed out!! Whoops! 

Feeling somewhat sheepish I knew my excuse that I was just being helpful by getting it in early was not going to convince anyone. 

But at least – for once – I am ahead of schedule!