Ross Willmott

Leicester’s Mini WE Day – Anti Bullying

24th July, 2014

I was really pleased to be able to attend the Mini WE Day event organised by and for young people in Leicester. The theme was anti bullying and there were young people from across the country present. The Leicester event held at the Y… Read full article

Adventure Playgrounds – Scrutiny

26th June, 2014

Plans by the executive of the City Council, to cut the Adventure Playgrounds funding have been scrapped. This follows strong protests and demonstrations from the playgrounds and an in depth… Read full article

The case of the Council’s customer service centre; How £16,000 became £6.5 million or if it’s too good to be true it probably is.

8th June, 2013

Not all scrutiny takes place in meetings. Here is an example of scrutiny undertaken simply by asking questions of the council and the executive. The council has decided to move the customer service centre from its current location at New Walk Centre to the… Read full article

Scrutiny says no to imposed academies

28th February, 2013

After lengthy and full consideration of the options the Children and Young People’s Scrutiny Commission rejected proposals for voluntary academies for some primary schools in Leicester. We agreed to endorse the council’s current policy of opposition to all academies. We were told that all our… Read full article

Pressure mounts to re-open Belgrave Hall and Gardens

13th February, 2013

Last night the Belgrave Hall Conservation Area Society held an open meeting as part of its campaign to re-open the Hall and gardens. Cllr Piara Clair Assistant Mayor responsible for the Hall attended to answer questions and explain why he had agreed to the closure. Cllr… Read full article

Momentum builds in search for Wolsey

12th February, 2013

The call to discover the remains of Cardinal Wolsey gathered momentum today as the Leicester Mercury published the story on its front page. I agree with the Mercury that this is a bit of a ‘long shot’ given the size of the Abbey and the number… Read full article

Richard III, Cardinal Wolsey an unlikely connection?

8th February, 2013

Now that the mortal remains of Richard III have been found in the social services car park here in Leicester, will the search for Cardinal Wolsey begin? What is the connection between these two men? In November 1530 Wolsey had been summoned by Henry VIII… Read full article

Scams defraud elderly & vulnerable people of £3.5 billion

23rd January, 2013

Most of us are familiar with letters that offer us deals that are too good to be true. Most of us ignore them and consign them to the bin where they belong. My Aunt’s story Until recently I thought that is what everyone did. Until… Read full article

Relaunching Europe

4th December, 2012

Relaunching Europe was attended by a large number of delegates who gathered in Nottingham on Saturday to hear what Socialists and Democrats want to see changed in the European Union. The theme was youth unemployment and many of the delegates were young people. In the… Read full article

American Presidential Elections: postscript

29th November, 2012

“The office of President of the USA is too important to leave it up to Americans, the whole world should be given a vote”, I heard said whilst I was in the USA for the elections. Such was the fear that Romney might get elected…. Read full article