Practicing what I Preach (or trying to)!

I'm having a fairly odd start to the week due to a lot of media attention around a small trial of cross-party Councillors using ipads that I am taking part in. I'm taking part to see if the new technology can help me be more effective at my role but also reduce the massive printing costs that the Council runs up every year of around £90,000.  Understandably this has sparked a lot of debate, very little of it positive! I'm not going to rehearse all the arguments here but I am happy to report back at the end of the trial as to the success or failure of it and if the business case stacks up to save paper, money and therefore services.

One comment has struck a particular cord with me though and that is around the ethics of the production of the ipads that we had not initially been considering as part of the trial. As the Council champion on fair trade and sustainable procurement as well as overall Environmental issues I try very hard to practice what I preach but like everyone I'm fallible.

I had a call from Leicester Mercury journalists asking about what my 'big environmental crimes' are, seemingly the top ones include instant coffee, non recycled loo roll, using a dish washer and tumble drying (there were 5 but my mind has gone blank on the other 1!). I do use fair trade products whenever they are available, but occasionally fancy a Dime bar or Twix that isn't. I don't drink coffee at home but am rather partial to the occasional caramel machiato from Starbucks (yes, I know bad bad bad).  As to loo roll, well it seemed a bit of a personal one but hey, yes we use recyled loo roll - unless there is a really good offer on other sorts! As to tumble drying, I try not to, but am a miserable failure as hate putting washing out in the morning and coming home to find it's been rained on! The only one I am truly 'good' on is the dishwasher - I have a fantastic energy efficient one - called Andy!

I don't drive so try and walk, cycle (more of that another day) or catch the bus to get around but am less good at the weekends when we're together as a family and have the car there! I get ecover washing up liquid and floor cleaner but gave up in the batheroom and got something stronger! I have long tried to buy shampoos and cosmetics not tested on animals but when I tried to go one further recently with a new shampoo with 'no parabens or chemicals' I ended up with a hair like straw and gave up! I don't shop at Primark as I understand they discourage their workforce from joining unions but can't always afford to buy fairtrade cotton clothes.

It is right for me to try and be as ethically and environmentally aware as possible and I have no problem being challenged whenever I get something wrong but, at the end of the day I am human, I was not elected as a perfect expert, I face the same dillemas and difficulties that other people do.  This applies even more when making budget decisons at the Council.  We try and make sure we are as aware as possible of the implications of all decisions we make, on a service, on individuals, on older people, on younger people, on those with a disability, on the envionment, as well as the legal and financial facts.

I'm always happy to listen to every side of an arguments and gather as much information as possible before making a decision so will often spend a lot of time asking questions to make sure I have understood an issue. I am equally happy to answer questions from people about decisions I have made - including taking part in the ipad trial, and have already taken on board the concerns raised not only about budgets but also about ethics and will ensure all are included in the final assesment.

To be honest I don't like preaching and recognise that when you do it often comes back to bite you on the bum so for now I'll keep listening and trying and accepting that I'm not always right.