When writing this column, I have not long received the sad news that my good friend, Cabinet colleague and fellow Longlevens councillor Jim Porter had passed away. Jim had been bravely fighting cancer in recent times, but never lost his enthusiasm for his council work and for serving his community. He continued to work in his role as Cabinet Member for the Environment and as Longlevens councillor pretty much until his passing – because he really cared about it and genuinely enjoyed what he did.

Serving communities and changing things for the better
Politicians often get a bad press. Sometimes they deserve it, but in reality most people go into public office for the right reasons – to serve their communities and to change things for the better. Being a local councillor is a million miles removed from the political game-playing and point-scoring at Westminster, but we often get tarred with the same brush.

Often people who hold public office help out in the community in other ways too. Jim was no different – he was a long-standing member of the Rotary Club at Kingsholm, he was an active member at Holy Trinity Church in Longlevens and for ten years was Chairman of Governors at Oxstalls School. I remember telling an astounded opposition councillor, in responding to a mischievous question, that Jim had never received a penny for his work as a councillor during all the time he had served.

Making recycling easier
Jim will leave a big legacy, but one major part of it will be the new waste and recycling service to be introduced next year. We will be renewing the fleet of recycling vehicles, allowing us to collect cardboard, mixed plastics and textiles from the doorstep. As well as making recycling a good deal easier for a lot of people, we estimate this could add about 5% to our recycling figures.

Local councillors frequently get criticism and it’s right that we should be challenged and held to account for our decisions. But I believe most councillors of all parties work hard and do it for the right reasons. Jim was definitely one of them.