My day started with a visit to the local International School to talk to the kids there about local government. They’re running a module in politics and are in the process of forming their first student council (8-10 year olds, can you believe it).

They asked me to come in so they could learn a bit about what I do. I hadn’t been in a classroom since I was teaching English on my student summers and so was a bit nervous. The class were quite something though – bright, confident, inquisitive. They asked me questions like ‘had I lived up to my campaign promises’ and ‘what was my greatest achievement to date’. Tough going. But it was good fun and I hope they got as much out of it as I did. I must look in to their curriculum more (the international baccalaureate). Whatever these guys are doing, they are getting it right.

The day continued with some work in City Hall and some correspondence before going to the first of two residents meetings in the evening. The first concerned the proposed development at RTE and was a reasoned discussion of the issue before us as Councillors. Everything that needed to be said was said and no more – my type of meeting.

The second related to a contentious parking issue on one of the local roads. A good initiative from a fellow colleague and I thought well run by all of the public reps there. There was something of the community empowerment feeling among the residents who attended and I liked it. Something in the whole coming together to be an active player in finding a workable solution. Hopefully it will play out to their liking.

A few phone calls to some of the team and now this. Tomorrow is an 8am in the Mansion House for those of us involved in the Lord Mayor’s Commission on Employment. I HATE early morning meetings but this is too important to skip.