When I am not involved in my council work for South Derbyshire District Council or campaigning on behalf of people with Autism and other Learning Disabilities; either as an ambassador for The National Autistic Society or as a passionate parent and trustee of Linkage Community Trust; my other overwhelming passion is for Formula1 and Red Bull racing in particular. Actually it is Mark Webber in particular but now I really am giving my secrets away. So in deciding on what to do for a late holiday, my husband and I decided to spend the kids inheritance and undertake the trip of a lifetime, firstly to see the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and then to go on to visit our friends in Hong Kong. We have had the most amazing and unforgettable time, both from the days spent watching my team at the stunning Yas Marina Circuit to the warmth and hospitality of our friends who immersed us completely in the Hong Kong experience I will never forget it. Just before I left however, I received an invitation to attend an event where the keynote speaker was Maria Miller Minister for Disabilities and which would also be attended by four other members of parliament, all  involved with policy making around the disabilities agenda. The problem was the meeting was to be on the afternoon of the day I arrived back into the UK at 5.30 am after a 13 hour flight from Hong Kong! No matter this was an opportunity not to be missed, both from being able to listen to what the Minister had to say, but also to have the opportunity to say something on behalf of the service users I represent. What to say to have an impact, to make a difference? After much discussion and planning about what I should say, all was dictated by the topic of conversation which centred on Councillors and Local Authorities, something I am definitely able to comment on. One delegate was being critical of councillors whom he said held portfolios for providing services to people with disabilities yet he felt they had no idea about disability and no interest in it. I leapt up; I had to disagree at least from my experience here in Derbyshire. As a council and as a councillor at South Derbyshire District Council we do not have responsibility for Adult Social Care but I know the man who does and I was able to say with knowledge and experience, how passionate about disabilities and about providing a good service he is. However I did say to The Minister that it is no good having good policy if it is not delivered through all local Authorities and more importantly through commissioners. We must ensure that the good intentions of The Autism Bill or the Valuing People strategy or any of the policies she is working on do not get blocked by those on the front line, for example commissioners and panels, and that these strategies are delivered to those people whose quality of life depends on those decisions. She wrote that down, point made, it was worth the desperate lack of sleep. I left happy having given her my card and asking her to call me if I could be of any assistance. You may laugh but it worked with my husband 30 years ago so who knows!

A big THANK YOU to Kim Billingham and the staff at Hawthornes Resource Centre in Burton on Trent for organising a superb day of information, support and networking recently. The day brought together parents, social workers, head teachers and service providers in order to share information and to inform everyone of the expansion into Staffordshire of Linkage Community Trust. Six members of Linkage staff were on hand and they were able to talk to parents about the plans for supported living in Burton on Trent as well as informing them about Linkage Colleges and Linkage Employment Services. Most helpful was that there were also several parents of Linkage service users who were also on hand to inform other parents of their experience of Linkage. For further information on the fantastic work that Linkage does go to http://www.linkage.org.uk

I am delighted to have been selected as an ambassador for The National Autistic Society. I was privileged to attend a training day with a number of other new ambassadors many of whom themselves battle with Aspergers and Autism. I am in awe at their capacity to cope with the challenges of meeting people and raising awareness of their often hidden disability and it made me even more determined to be involved in raising awareness and striving for the right to a better life for those battling with these disabilities. We must fight against hate crime and bullying of vulnerable people, we must enlighten employers to the benefits of employing people with Aspergers, Autism and Learning Disabilities and we must fight for better funding and support for those who are not substantial or critical in their difficulties but who have a pervasive disability that affects their quality of life. With support, many young adults with Autism and Learning Disabilities can lead fulfilling and rewarding lives, we must do everything we can to help these young people to fulfil their potential. Will you join us? Contact The National Autistic Society, http://www.autism.org.uk/ do it now, make a difference!

I was inspired to enter local politics because of David Cameron and his drive to launch The Big Society concept. For me there has never been a more exciting or challenging time to be in local politics. The key concepts of The Big Society are to firstly to empower communities, effectively this means giving local councils and communities more power to take decisions and shape their area. The second aim is to open up public services enabling other organisations to compete to offer high quality services so that local authorities are not the only solution. Thirdly and most pivotal is the concept of promoting social action. This aims to encourage people from all walks of life to play a more active part in society as well as promoting more volunteering and philanthropy. As these ideas establish themselves in reality we will see the roll of the local authority change as it becomes more a commissioner of service rather than service providers, overseeing and scrutinising the service provision to the community. The Localism Bill will put the flesh on the bones of the Big Society concept by decentralising and strengthening local democracy, reforming planning policy, reforming social housing and introducing new duties and powers to local authorities. It also requires councillors to help communities build vision and direction, encouraging them to work in partnerships and to move away from the idea that the council can and must do everything. All of these ideals will require trust and solid relationship building. It will inevitably take time to achieve this but it must happen for communities to move forward and take control. The role of the local councillor is no longer just to inform or even consult communities, now we must involve communities in joint decision making and in joint action and most importantly be proactive in our role to support community organisations in order for them to be able to help themselves. All this will be even more challenging given the scope of the cuts needed to tackle the deficit, as a council we will be challenged with doing more for less which is why we will need to encourage new ways of working, new partnerships and delivery models but that is not a bad thing as I said earlier there has never been a more challenging or exciting time to be in local politics.