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!