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Chris Wells: Laziest Councillor in Kent

Written by Matt B · first published 01/05/2013

I would like to present this un-award to Chris Wells for being particularly bad value for money these last six months.

This special non-credit goes to Councillor Chris Wells who seems to have spent a little too much time in the local boozer (or where-ever he hides) and too little time in meetings for which he is hansomly rewarded for attending.

Mr Wells managed just 50% of his TDc meetings and the only councillor to attend fewer was seriously (as in life threateningly) ill. At KCC Mr Wells also fails to impress managing just 38.5% of his meetings making his also the lowest attendance in all of Kent.

While I doubt that Mr Wells missing two thirds of his Kent commitments and half of Thanet commitments is likely to be explained any time soon this particular Conservative can comfort himself with the Thanet Star un-award for Laziest Councillor in Kent.

Jolly poor show old chap.

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956 Kent children were taken into care last year

Written by Matt B · first published 24/04/2013

I recently asked Kent County Council about the number of children taken into care last year now they have (slightly late) replied I am working my way through the numbers.

My freedom of information request to KCC resulted (late) in some interesting numbers. I originally only asked because KCC had not answered a similar question that was not worded particularly well. I broadened the scope to the year and asked for 8 points of data. I got 4 of those the distribution of children taken into care by age and gender has left me a little puzzled.

I am hoping that you can help me flesh out this picture.

...

» Continue Reading: 956 Kent children were taken into care last year

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Falsely Accused

Written by Matt B · first published 31/01/2013

This may well be the hardest post I have ever written

Over a week and a half ago I received some important documents. I was not expecting these documents because no one should have to expect to receive them.

The document layout a case against me. A certain person (not connected to Thanet blogging as far as I know) with a history of making false allegations has landed a bunch of pretty harsh ones at my door. To say this took the wind out of my sales would be to under state just how shattering this was.

I determined within 24 hours to write about this and it has taken me all that time to get myself ready to do so.

I have seen this person do this to other people and I have seen how upsetting it can be. I've advised them to keep calm and that the allegations would come to nothing. Every time the allegations came to nothing.

Nothing can ever prepare you for having it happen to you, though. It hit me like a ten ton truck and literally stunned me into inaction for a good few hours.

I have a bucket load of charities (especially the children's charities) that I have had and still have active involvement with and I have had to ask myself at what point do I sit down with the respective directors and say "this harsh stuff has been said about me"?

Do I keep silent and hope it goes away or do I speak out and proudly proclaim my innocence?

What of blogging and social media? How much do I say or how little? If I say nothing and the allegations spill outside the court arena as they have in the past will I seem guilty though innocent? If I say something and the whole thing is dismissed as I hope it will be do I look like a fool?

There is no winning in a situation like this.

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Wildwood for �1

Written by Matt B · first published 11/01/2013

Everyone loves a day out and what better day out than one that costs one pound?

Okay so an out of doors trip might not be exactly what you were hoping for the first month of January but wrap up warm bring your thermos flask and have a great day out anyway. Up to four people (or print it twice) can get in to Wild Wood for just a pound each with this voucher.

Go on live a little.

Dyspraxia Signs and Symptoms

Written by Matt B · first published 03/01/2013

Having addressed the issue of dyspraxia a lot lately here is some information for parents.

Dyspraxia is not a crime, John

Written by Matt B · first published 01/01/2013

Let us end this unreasonable prejudice towards dyspraxia.

When I wrote about the challenges of living on benefits the last thing I expected was to hear bigotry from my normally very open minded readers about the difficulties of living with dyslexia, dyspraxia and similar difficulties. It is 2013 not 1813 and it is no longer acceptable to remain ignorant of disability.

So to help you out here is a guide to what I hope will soon be better understood neurological diversities.

Dyspraxia

Dyspraxia is a lifelong neurological condition that is more common in males than in females. It causes problems with physical co-ordination which can be overcome with a little thought and some reasonable adjustments. On the whole dyspraxics tend to have a higher IQ than their peers although it is unclear why this might be.

The Guardian says that dyspraxia needs more recognition and that it is poorly understood compared to its better-known cousins dyslexia, ADHD and Asperger's syndrome. Back in 2008 The Telegraph wrote "Clumsy but clever" about dyspraxia.

Dyspraxia affects each person in different ways and can impact on different parts of life differently for each person. For example a dyspraxic might find that they can cope with taking their children to school on time as this forms part of a daily routine but seemingly arbitrary appointment times (say for job centre meetings) can be a challenge. This is why the new sanctions on benefits unfairly target the disabled, Peter.

The Wikipedia article on dyspraxia has a lot of helpful information including dyspraxia's connection with autistic spectrum disorders. The BBC health site has a shorter write up about dyspraxia.

Seth Godin rightly points out that Empathy Takes Effort and that on the whole we would rather ignore those that are different. So I think you for making the effort to better understand dyspraxia. Here to close for us is a video with a slightly technical explanation of how dyspraxia works and why.

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Happy Seasonal Day Boys and Girls

Written by Matt B · first published 25/12/2012

Here's to hoping that today is amazing for you.

Fatty on the hills (of Folkestone)

Written by Matt B · first published 23/08/2012

When I interviewed Peter I didn't just talk the talk - I walked it.

Here is the video I made (the first one ever) of the trek about 10 miles from Folkestone Station to Dover station across the cliff top.

This video was first shown on my diet and fitness blog here:

Fatty on the hills - part 2

A quick update to Fatty on the hills. Here is the video that I finally got around to editing.Not bad for a first time at editing I think.

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The Olympics can kiss my ...

Written by Matt B · first published 20/07/2012

Can I just add a big fat, grumpy old git, humbug in the general direction of the Olympics.

I'd like to share the excitement of the moment but the over priced, over bearing and over political nature of the whole thing just leaves me cold.

That's my two penny's worth now for yours.

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No right to wear cross at work claims Telegraph

Written by Matt B · first published 13/03/2012

It's time to open an even bigger can of worms than last time.

Apparently (says the Telegraph) the government is to fight for the right to ban crosses at work. Your thoughts?

Christians have no right to wear cross at work, says Government - Telegraph

A document seen by The Sunday Telegraph discloses that ministers will argue that because it is not a �requirement� of the Christian faith, employers can ban the wearing of the cross and sack workers who insist on doing so.

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