This week:

• I raised concerns about the way Constitutional Committee works and proposals to change the way that the council operates that I think will make it less democratic. I’ve created a new Constitutional Committee page setting out the issues.
• I contacted the Licensing Team about two applications from city casinos to change their licences. It turns out that this is to allow them to take advantage of new legislation to increase the number of gaming machines in casinos. I am concerned about gaming machines and the impact they may have on people with gambling problems but this is one of the areas, like planning, where the council’s role is to implement the law.
• I was contacted by Brunswick Methodist Church about problems with the bins outside Monument Mall. Some businesses were not looking after them properly. This creates a mess and can attract rats. There is a plan to create a bin store but, in the meantime, businesses have been reminded to take better care of their bins and the area has been tidied up.
• I was sorry to see that the Magic Hat Cafe, which uses food that would otherwise go to waste, is having to close because their lease is coming to an end. I think it’s great to have a project like this in the city centre.