Well, we are entering the most important week in Police Reform and the proposed introduction of Police and Crime Commissioners:
•Debate on amendments in House of Commons today
•Debate on House in Lords on Wednesday
I am pleased to see that, whatever happens in the parliamentary debate, that there will be no changes to police governance this side of the Olympics. However, plans for Policing and Crime Commissioner elections in November 2012 will decouple that from other polls usually held in May, adding an extra £25m to the anticipated costs.
Also, the Electoral Commission has said: 'There are almost half as many daylight hours on 15 November compared with early May and there is also the increased likelihood of inclement weather. It is possible that such conditions could discourage some electors from participating in the election and limit campaign activities by candidates'.
So it's watch this space for the moment.
Kent Police Authority are getting very close to the end of its summer roadshows - have you any idea how many Kent and Medway people we have spoken to during the last six weeks? Go on, have a guess....you'll be amazed! There will be more next week about the details of that very helpful feedback from local residents.
Finally, I'm looking out of my office window at some really inclement weather - driving rain and very strong winds. It's no wonder that my 9th attempt to get up in a hot air balloon trip over East Kent fell foul of the weather yesterday. It was a rather daft present from my husband last year, just in case anyone is wondering why I am persisting with it - I am nothing if not tenacious.
I shall look forward to the week ahead of us.