It’s been an interesting couple of weeks with a lot to learn.

After the the count at the Civic Centre on May 5th, I got home at about 4.30am. My adrenaline was running so high that I think I only managed to drift off about 10 minutes before the alarm clock went off at the usual time of quarter to seven. I told my two boys straightaway that that I’d won for Labour and they were both thrilled and proud. I almost cried.

Within hours and after a fairly full day’s work at the Uni I was back up at the Civic Centre, signing the official bits of paper that you have to do and getting my photo taken for my ID card and the website. I can’t help thinking how tired my eyes look after zero hours sleep but it’s probably the same for the other winning candidates.

I did a gig with the Guv’nas the next day at the Old Cemetery for the Friends (FOSOC) which was great fun and quite a few of my new Councillor friends turned up to enjoy the day. (No photos though)

Since the election I have had two half days of new Councillor training, got my council email address sorted; met with some great people from Highfield Residents Assoc.; Friends of Portswood Rec. and members of Southampton Cycling Campaign. I know I’ve got a lot to learn so I’m very much in listening mode at the moment. I did get the chance to get out the following Saturday to meet with the residents of Portswood and thank those people who voted for me and did some work there (and Millbrook) distributing info and chatting to people about the remain campaign. I also managed to attend the University of Southampton Labour Society AGM and it was very gratifying to see the marvelous work done by the students to get things going and elect their own full committee. We’re confident of great things coming out of the university with new members potentially helping towards the next local elections and the General Election in 2018 and 2020. This week I’ve also picked up some very important casework, got to meet the folks down at St Denys Sailing and Rowing Club; set up personal surgeries with residents and arranged to meet the people down at Portswood Central Residents Assoc. as well as the Southampton Scrap Project.

Wednesday was the Mayor making followed by the first full council meeting of the election year. It was absolutely brilliant and we won the debate (both numerically and through strength of argument) on the council’s response to the EU referendum. We want to stay in!  I’ll be spending a lot of time over the next few weeks down at the Civic. More training on planning regulations tomorrow and Thursday will be the Labour party Test branch meeting. It’s been brilliant.

Saturday I went down the Farmers’ market in the Guild Hall square. There have only been a few of these so far but it would be great if we could make them a more regular feature of City life. My boys really enjoyed the morning (even if it did pull them away from playing on the PS4) and the rain managed to hold off most of the day. Some great music from Southampton Irish music band “The Croppies”.

I’m conscious this blog post reads like a boring shopping list  of activities so next time I intend getting down to some serious exploration of ideas. I’m working towards making a real contribution in the council but the learning curve is steep. In the meantime if you want to contact me just email.

councillor.j.savage@southampton.gov.uk      or tweet to     @savage1958

A big thank you to all the residents of Portswood who voted for me on May 5th. If you need help from me please get in touch.