Another packed Community Safety meeting, it is easily the most popular of the Kenny Regen committees
I was a bit late having hot-footed it over from Seaforth and our inspection of the planned dock improvements
I managed to sit in for the Carbon Monoxide detectors session though, we have about 150 people waiting for an alarm to be installed. Now Maria has to persuade the volunteers of the Fire Service to put them in - you cannot put them anywhere, they need somewhat precise installation instructions.
Alan Kelly was quite right when he pointed out how far the committee has come. Now we are all quietly pleased with the progress that different partners are making in resolving local safety and anti-social behavour problems. So much to praise. The domestic abuse team are doing great work, the youth clubs are totally on board, then we have HEAT. We are blessed really.
Two years ago there was a lot of anger and no links at all between the residents and the different solution-providers
The utterly marvellous, handsome and wise Inspector Charnock (hope that gives me a few brownie points when I need a crime solving for a resident in the future Dave) told us that he wanted to put KNDC police team forward for the community police team of the year award. I had already sent my letter of commendation and others agreed to do so too. They really deserve it. They are like a cross between Heartbeat and the Sweeney, if you can imagine that. Happy to mingle with the residents and make friends on one hand and yet not afraid to swoop on the dealers, burglars, robbers and thugs, on the other hand. Simon Joyce must be the best Police Sergeant in the country, I cannot think what another Sergeant could do that he doesn't do. I am in a strange position really, representing a ward thick with violent crimes, serious dealing and masses of early stage ASB by kids emulating their criminal family members, and yet our police are very thoroughly on top of it. You only have to think about the work they have done to rid the streets of prostitutes for instance.
Tongue out of cheek for a minute, they are really very very good and we are lucky to have them in our ward.
Friday, July 27, 2007
Mersey Port Health Authority
A double dose of Ron Gould today
We spent the morning with the Mersey Port Health Authority. Beginning with the AGM (my first meeting of this authority) we heard about the work carried out in 2006/7 in the dock area with regard to public health.
Of particular concern was the health difficulties on our ocean going liners. In an incident last year a liner was tested for legionella, or listeria, or some other disease beginning with L, but it only showed up after the ship had set sail for ports elsewhere. We emphasised the importance of a much swifter testing regime, not taking up to 7 days in a lab in Preston somewhere.
Basically the MPHA deals with all aspects of public health within the dock area (which includes John Lennon Airport - Above us only sky).
We learnt at the meeting that the MPHA discovered in about May or June that they were to be responsible for making sure that nobody was smoking within establishments on the dock. There are evidently 400 of them and no database exists as to these buildings. A big job then from what seems like a very small team.
We had a tour of the proposed new liner docking facility on Princes Dock, imagine big liners docking once again in Liverpool, great news. Then we went to Seaforth to see the work of the MPHA in checking incoming food stuffs and animal products and the new building to make this easier. Obviously some consignments from out there in the rest of the world contain scary things and bits of animal parts etc that need a good inspection before they can go forward or are destroyed. A new terminal building will take care of them.
We also saw the plans for a new deep dock that will allow container ships that sit much lower in the water to dock in Liverpool. You know those big orange (usually) tin boxes that contain people's wordly goods or stacks of wood or whatever it is that companies want to import. Well they come into various ports in the country. Liverpool cannot easily take big shipments of ships with deep keels but with the new dock will be able to nearly double its intake.
Fascinating stuff
We spent the morning with the Mersey Port Health Authority. Beginning with the AGM (my first meeting of this authority) we heard about the work carried out in 2006/7 in the dock area with regard to public health.
Of particular concern was the health difficulties on our ocean going liners. In an incident last year a liner was tested for legionella, or listeria, or some other disease beginning with L, but it only showed up after the ship had set sail for ports elsewhere. We emphasised the importance of a much swifter testing regime, not taking up to 7 days in a lab in Preston somewhere.
Basically the MPHA deals with all aspects of public health within the dock area (which includes John Lennon Airport - Above us only sky).
We learnt at the meeting that the MPHA discovered in about May or June that they were to be responsible for making sure that nobody was smoking within establishments on the dock. There are evidently 400 of them and no database exists as to these buildings. A big job then from what seems like a very small team.
We had a tour of the proposed new liner docking facility on Princes Dock, imagine big liners docking once again in Liverpool, great news. Then we went to Seaforth to see the work of the MPHA in checking incoming food stuffs and animal products and the new building to make this easier. Obviously some consignments from out there in the rest of the world contain scary things and bits of animal parts etc that need a good inspection before they can go forward or are destroyed. A new terminal building will take care of them.
We also saw the plans for a new deep dock that will allow container ships that sit much lower in the water to dock in Liverpool. You know those big orange (usually) tin boxes that contain people's wordly goods or stacks of wood or whatever it is that companies want to import. Well they come into various ports in the country. Liverpool cannot easily take big shipments of ships with deep keels but with the new dock will be able to nearly double its intake.
Fascinating stuff
Elm Park Residents
A good meeting on Wednesday night, I had asked Ade and Ronnie from Neighbourhood Services to come along and talk about how we can clear up the back entries (alleys) in the Hinton/Parton/Kelso/Ottley area from rubbish and dogs so that we can establish community gardens there.
They were great, they promised to begin enforcement activities straight away in both dog ownership roaming and fouling and also to tackle our prima donna bin men who will only take wheely bins with flat lids (not too much rubbish in them) where the handles point towards the road (!!!)
This TRA on the neglected north side of the ward (not in the Kenny Regen area) does not get agencies to attend as a rule, but now that Ade and Ronnie have been and were so warmly welcomed, I have promised to get the police to come to the September meeting.
On the south side within the Kenny Regen area, all the TRAs get loads of partners and agencies attending, on the north side they get me, Wendy and Frank (sometimes) but no-one else. I am determined that they should be taken as seriously as everyone else.
This weekend they are having a children's party in St Sebs club (Sunday) and plans are going well for a trip to Llandudno on Sept 2nd, only £5!
They were great, they promised to begin enforcement activities straight away in both dog ownership roaming and fouling and also to tackle our prima donna bin men who will only take wheely bins with flat lids (not too much rubbish in them) where the handles point towards the road (!!!)
This TRA on the neglected north side of the ward (not in the Kenny Regen area) does not get agencies to attend as a rule, but now that Ade and Ronnie have been and were so warmly welcomed, I have promised to get the police to come to the September meeting.
On the south side within the Kenny Regen area, all the TRAs get loads of partners and agencies attending, on the north side they get me, Wendy and Frank (sometimes) but no-one else. I am determined that they should be taken as seriously as everyone else.
This weekend they are having a children's party in St Sebs club (Sunday) and plans are going well for a trip to Llandudno on Sept 2nd, only £5!
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Setting up a couple of websites for free
I am hoping some enterprising soul out there can give me a few tips.
I want to set up a couple of new websites - one for my genealogy and one for consultancy work.
I dont want to pay for the hostings if I can help it, although would want to buy a replacement URL address for each, I see these sites as being more for information and much less interactive than a blog. I would want to be able to display photographs, PDFs, text, logos etc, with contact details and a way to email me from the site.
I have a blueyonder email account and understand I could have a website with them but I have struggled to find out how to do it on their site. I keep get taking to a page I cannot understand where my login details for my email account dont get me into it?
I am clearly doing something wrong.
Other than Blogger which is great for blogging but wouldn't be the right format for my new sites, and Blueyonder, what else could you suggest?
I dont want something that is free for now but where I would have to start paying later, and ideally I want a standard layout function within the setup so I dont have to write HTML but can just use it the way they have it - a Frontpage perhaps?
Any ideas?
I want to set up a couple of new websites - one for my genealogy and one for consultancy work.
I dont want to pay for the hostings if I can help it, although would want to buy a replacement URL address for each, I see these sites as being more for information and much less interactive than a blog. I would want to be able to display photographs, PDFs, text, logos etc, with contact details and a way to email me from the site.
I have a blueyonder email account and understand I could have a website with them but I have struggled to find out how to do it on their site. I keep get taking to a page I cannot understand where my login details for my email account dont get me into it?
I am clearly doing something wrong.
Other than Blogger which is great for blogging but wouldn't be the right format for my new sites, and Blueyonder, what else could you suggest?
I dont want something that is free for now but where I would have to start paying later, and ideally I want a standard layout function within the setup so I dont have to write HTML but can just use it the way they have it - a Frontpage perhaps?
Any ideas?
Monday, July 23, 2007
Deane Road Cemetery plans update
Last week saw a very successful clean-up day in the Deane Road Jewish Cemetery.
I went to the latest planning meeting tonight and Saul Marks of the Old Congregation Project told us about all the different volunteers that turned up, the hard work of the Probation Service volunteers and the efforts of the Kensington Clean Team.
One particularly interesting visitor during the clean-up was a man who as a child used to live on Chiswell Street and overlooked the cemetery from his bedroom window. He and his pals used to climb over the wall to play amongst the tombstones and he said he still has vivid dreams about the place.
A good third of the cemetery has once again been cleared of weeds and overgrowth, Tony, one of the Probation Office volunteers did a good job clearing the southern path nearly all the way down and everyone worked really hard clearing round a particular grave that was due to be visited by relatives over the weekend.
I have done some genealogy work in conjunction with Saul and with Maria Grimes and we have identified some descendants who we are now going to approach to see if they can help with our fundraising efforts to find the £200k we need to fully restore the cemetery.
The next project is to tidy up the front, outside area, so that residents walking past can see a renewed drive and flower beds. We have already got the funding for this and agreed tonight to get on with this straight away, so if you want to help please get in touch.
I am going to put a few photographs up for you to see the work and the workers (and the Sid Vicious graffiti I mentioned in an earlier post). These are of the areas that have been cleared up to a point, the rest is still head-high in weeds.
Comments would be appreciated
Full council - the usual bearpit sadly
We had our full council last Wednesday - where all 90 councillors come together to debate the issues of the day.
Well that is what it says on the tin, the truth is a little different
It is a horrible bearpit where we all shout abuse at each other and drown out each other's contributions, and yes, there are times when I am as guilty as everyone else. It turns perfectly rational sensible people into hostile ranting animals.
I hate it, I hate full council, it is the worst meeting I go to during a council cycle, I see it as a waste of four hours, we achieve little, the public has long since been turned off, very few turn up unless it is to hear a short debate on something they are interested in (this month was the agonising debate about care-workers in the city), the press go home early and we spend the rest of the time shouting at each other.
What a total waste of time and energy.
If we expended as much passion resolving the issues as we do yelling and cat-calling we would solve the problems of the city in a heartbeat.
This month's meeting was a special pilot, we only discussed five issues and tabled the rest, whereas technically we could discuss 100 issues at our usual format meetings. But it didnt seem to me to be any better. Or at least the behaviour was no better.
It did give us all the opportunity to think about the topics and decide if we wanted to make a contribution to the debate, or at least it would have done if we had had more than 24 hours notice of them.....but I dont think it worked
What is to be done? Perhaps if more people came to listen we would be shocked into behaving properly? But while we behave as badly as we do, why would anyone want to?
Well that is what it says on the tin, the truth is a little different
It is a horrible bearpit where we all shout abuse at each other and drown out each other's contributions, and yes, there are times when I am as guilty as everyone else. It turns perfectly rational sensible people into hostile ranting animals.
I hate it, I hate full council, it is the worst meeting I go to during a council cycle, I see it as a waste of four hours, we achieve little, the public has long since been turned off, very few turn up unless it is to hear a short debate on something they are interested in (this month was the agonising debate about care-workers in the city), the press go home early and we spend the rest of the time shouting at each other.
What a total waste of time and energy.
If we expended as much passion resolving the issues as we do yelling and cat-calling we would solve the problems of the city in a heartbeat.
This month's meeting was a special pilot, we only discussed five issues and tabled the rest, whereas technically we could discuss 100 issues at our usual format meetings. But it didnt seem to me to be any better. Or at least the behaviour was no better.
It did give us all the opportunity to think about the topics and decide if we wanted to make a contribution to the debate, or at least it would have done if we had had more than 24 hours notice of them.....but I dont think it worked
What is to be done? Perhaps if more people came to listen we would be shocked into behaving properly? But while we behave as badly as we do, why would anyone want to?
Every neighbourhood matters
I spent last Wednesday at Blackburne House on Hope Street. This wonderful centre used to be a school where two dear friends, Sara and Sandra used to be school-girls, I bet they gave their teachers a real runaround, but I digress
We were there as community members, representatives and partner agencies of the City and North neighbourhood to discuss how local people can get involved with the decision making in the area.
I was pleased to see some of the K&F resident groups in attendance as I had particularly asked that they be invited.
We talked about the neighbourhood charters, about different ways of sourcing funding for small local projects, about the different ways that residents can be involved in their area and about the way forward. There will be a meeting just for K&F people in October when we will be able to get into the detail.
It was good to see a more ethnically diverse group of residents than we usually see, perhaps because of the involvement of the Toxteth area in this meeting. Our BRM community in K&F is still finding its feet in community work as most have only been in the country, let alone the city for a few years.
As is usual, most of the residents attending were women (with a few exceptions of course), the men present tended to be from partner agencies, the police and some of the council staff for instance, but the real unpaid heroes who roll up their sleeves for their area are nearly always women. I see this a lot as I go round the different Tenants and Residents Associations. The lead presenters were women too. Someone should write a thesis on the role of women in community development, probably they already have, the men are great of course but the women are even better, seeing that most of them have not been key players in the world of work but do play huge parts in their community.
A very enjoyable day.
We were there as community members, representatives and partner agencies of the City and North neighbourhood to discuss how local people can get involved with the decision making in the area.
I was pleased to see some of the K&F resident groups in attendance as I had particularly asked that they be invited.
We talked about the neighbourhood charters, about different ways of sourcing funding for small local projects, about the different ways that residents can be involved in their area and about the way forward. There will be a meeting just for K&F people in October when we will be able to get into the detail.
It was good to see a more ethnically diverse group of residents than we usually see, perhaps because of the involvement of the Toxteth area in this meeting. Our BRM community in K&F is still finding its feet in community work as most have only been in the country, let alone the city for a few years.
As is usual, most of the residents attending were women (with a few exceptions of course), the men present tended to be from partner agencies, the police and some of the council staff for instance, but the real unpaid heroes who roll up their sleeves for their area are nearly always women. I see this a lot as I go round the different Tenants and Residents Associations. The lead presenters were women too. Someone should write a thesis on the role of women in community development, probably they already have, the men are great of course but the women are even better, seeing that most of them have not been key players in the world of work but do play huge parts in their community.
A very enjoyable day.
United Colours of Kensington face painting team
Last week saw the AGM of the United Colours of Kensington face-painting team. I am so proud of them and was absolutely delighted to accept their invitation to the meetingThey formed about 18 months ago from local women in the community, from all different ages and ethnic backgrounds and have now been professionally trained in face-painting to a staggeringly high standard. They have had a lot of funding to get them to the point where they are now a highly professional outfit and all those funders are very pleased to be associated with them.
They have now appeared at 32 community events in the city, painting children's faces, events like the African festival, the Arabic festival, Chinese New Year, the Lord Mayor's Parade, Kensington Fun Day, Newsham Park Festival and many more. Everywhere I go, at every event, I can expect to see their blue polo shirts, working hard, painting. Apparently they can now do a face in three minutes, and they are true works of art.
It was particularly heart-warming to see them conduct their AGM, elect each other to committee places and give very thorough presentations on the finances, the year's activities and so on. This is a real success story, a real legacy of the Kensington Regeneration programme in particular who have done so much to encourage and work with the group.
Well done every single one of you, I was so proud to see you all get your certificates of achievement and to see your great work being recognised.
St Helens would-be Councillors interviews
Back by popular demand.......
Sorry not to have posted in a week but I have been very busy, here goes with the latest instalments.
As is the usual case, independent Labour Party members from outside Liverpool, St Helens this year, interviewed would-be Labour Councillors for Liverpool to assess them for suitability to be included on a panel for wards to select from for next year's elections. In a spirit of reciprocation, members from Liverpool then interviewed St Helens party members over two weekends
I was part of the interviewing team on both Saturdays and it was very interesting, meeting these enthusiastic people who want to champion their local areas. Some of the would-be candidates were putting their names forward for the first time, as well as sitting councillors asking for the chance of a further term and the standard was high. We were impressed with a couple in particular (who shall remain nameless) and we look forward to watching their stars ascend, as they surely will. One guy has just moved to St Helens from Liverpool, definitely our loss and their gain.
The results in St Helens were better this year than some pundits suggested, although not as good as we would have liked, hopefully this new panel of candidates will go some way to restoring our fortunes.
Their offices are fantastic, I envy them their light airy rooms which they share in an extensive suite with their two MPs.
I get a great deal of pleasure out of meeting LP members from across the region and it gives lots of opportunity for sharing of best practice campaign ideas in particular.
We also got to eat some great cake thanks to Alan's mum, thanks very much!
Sorry not to have posted in a week but I have been very busy, here goes with the latest instalments.
As is the usual case, independent Labour Party members from outside Liverpool, St Helens this year, interviewed would-be Labour Councillors for Liverpool to assess them for suitability to be included on a panel for wards to select from for next year's elections. In a spirit of reciprocation, members from Liverpool then interviewed St Helens party members over two weekends
I was part of the interviewing team on both Saturdays and it was very interesting, meeting these enthusiastic people who want to champion their local areas. Some of the would-be candidates were putting their names forward for the first time, as well as sitting councillors asking for the chance of a further term and the standard was high. We were impressed with a couple in particular (who shall remain nameless) and we look forward to watching their stars ascend, as they surely will. One guy has just moved to St Helens from Liverpool, definitely our loss and their gain.
The results in St Helens were better this year than some pundits suggested, although not as good as we would have liked, hopefully this new panel of candidates will go some way to restoring our fortunes.
Their offices are fantastic, I envy them their light airy rooms which they share in an extensive suite with their two MPs.
I get a great deal of pleasure out of meeting LP members from across the region and it gives lots of opportunity for sharing of best practice campaign ideas in particular.
We also got to eat some great cake thanks to Alan's mum, thanks very much!
Friday, July 13, 2007
Fabulous Friday 13th
We are supposed to be nervous of Friday 13ths but I have had a fab day today (granted it is not entirely over yet and there is still time for something to go horribly wrong).
Work was good, I spent some time with colleagues helping them design a training programme.
Then I went off to a social event with Kensington Regeneration, it was meant to be a BBQ but like much else in the city in the last 6 weeks, it was rained off. So we ate indoors instead. I had a lovely long chat with our local police team, even Inspector Charnock himself was there (I say, that is Charnock, not Chadwick, certain local councillors please note, if you are going to name-drop, do please try and get it right!). I was regaled with various tales of successful collar-feeling (as a big reader of crime novels I do like to throw in a bit of the vernacular), I was fascinated, as I always am, to hear about the exploits of some of the most stupid criminals in the world, and all living in Liverpool.
One story which we are still laughing about was when a local criminal in Liverpool broke into a warehouse, attacked a guard and then stole his phone. The police were called and one officer decided to call the stolen guard's phone. The offender answered and the police officer pretended to be the guard, said he recognised the offender, forgave him and wished him well, saying he knew him and his friends and was on their side. The police officer kept him talking for long enough for other police officers to find him, until the point when the offender told the man on the phone that he would have to end the call as the bizzies had arrived. This confirmed they had their man and the rest is history.
They also told me about how useful YouTube has been in helping fight gang activity. These gangs are so arrogant that they post their own videos on the internet of them committing crimes. The police then send the video snatches to their experts who are able to identify voice patterns and images and identify the perpetrators.
You couldn't make it up.
I took the opportunity to talk to Val from GEARS about our plans at the As One anti-social behaviour group for physical boxing training for young men and boys in the area. We are all of the view that hitting a punch bag and doing press-ups etc is much more fulfilling than falling around drunk and mugging innocent passers-by. We are going to try for a scheme to develop the availability of this training in the area. I dont like boxing, I dont really agree with it, but I do agree with the training and think it would be wonderful to extend this very disciplined activity across the area.
We also chatted about some ideas for young women and girls, like nail-painting and adornment, fashion and beauty.
Then I went to our surgery where I took a bit of time out to help Rob, the security man who helps guard us while we are there, to update his CV.
Councillor Ian Jobling contacted me to talk about our joint campaign to outlaw smacking, more on this later, and then Carl came to see me to develop our thoughts about mine and Wendy's radio show on Kensington Radio in the autumn.
A busy day and I loved it all
Work was good, I spent some time with colleagues helping them design a training programme.
Then I went off to a social event with Kensington Regeneration, it was meant to be a BBQ but like much else in the city in the last 6 weeks, it was rained off. So we ate indoors instead. I had a lovely long chat with our local police team, even Inspector Charnock himself was there (I say, that is Charnock, not Chadwick, certain local councillors please note, if you are going to name-drop, do please try and get it right!). I was regaled with various tales of successful collar-feeling (as a big reader of crime novels I do like to throw in a bit of the vernacular), I was fascinated, as I always am, to hear about the exploits of some of the most stupid criminals in the world, and all living in Liverpool.
One story which we are still laughing about was when a local criminal in Liverpool broke into a warehouse, attacked a guard and then stole his phone. The police were called and one officer decided to call the stolen guard's phone. The offender answered and the police officer pretended to be the guard, said he recognised the offender, forgave him and wished him well, saying he knew him and his friends and was on their side. The police officer kept him talking for long enough for other police officers to find him, until the point when the offender told the man on the phone that he would have to end the call as the bizzies had arrived. This confirmed they had their man and the rest is history.
They also told me about how useful YouTube has been in helping fight gang activity. These gangs are so arrogant that they post their own videos on the internet of them committing crimes. The police then send the video snatches to their experts who are able to identify voice patterns and images and identify the perpetrators.
You couldn't make it up.
I took the opportunity to talk to Val from GEARS about our plans at the As One anti-social behaviour group for physical boxing training for young men and boys in the area. We are all of the view that hitting a punch bag and doing press-ups etc is much more fulfilling than falling around drunk and mugging innocent passers-by. We are going to try for a scheme to develop the availability of this training in the area. I dont like boxing, I dont really agree with it, but I do agree with the training and think it would be wonderful to extend this very disciplined activity across the area.
We also chatted about some ideas for young women and girls, like nail-painting and adornment, fashion and beauty.
Then I went to our surgery where I took a bit of time out to help Rob, the security man who helps guard us while we are there, to update his CV.
Councillor Ian Jobling contacted me to talk about our joint campaign to outlaw smacking, more on this later, and then Carl came to see me to develop our thoughts about mine and Wendy's radio show on Kensington Radio in the autumn.
A busy day and I loved it all
Housing, Housing, Housing (Homes, Homes, Homes)
Housing provision has always been my primary political concern.
I remember talking about it at the selection conference where they chose me as the Labour candidate for K&F back in November 2005. I believe that health, education, jobs etc are all an irrelevance if you dont have anywhere warm, safe and secure to live. It is a fundamental and essential primary need.
I also believe very strongly in what we are now encouraged to describe as "social" housing. A strange expression to use, really we mean "rented" from a not-for-profit landlord. Surely all housing should be social, we certainly dont want any anti-social housing.
Not everyone wants to buy a home, some people intend only a short stay in an area and for them renting is ideal, others dont feel comfortable with a long-term financial commitment. Some will never afford a home of their own, others like the idea of a landlord who will manage the repairs, I have rented before. I can see why at certain times it is the ideal answer.
Both sets of my grandparents lived all their lives in council houses and flats and they wouldn't have wanted it any other way, it suited them.
As a Labour Party member I want to support my leaders and agree with and support their policies but sometimes, inevitably, it is a bit difficult. However, when GB told us that housing was one of his top three priorities, something I have not heard in 20 years from any politicians of any parties, my heart soared.
I am personally of the view that there is a lot we can do to bring back derelict, empty or damaged existing homes into use, this will reduce the need to build so many brand new ones which, although I am not against the idea, does rather use up lots of land that we struggle to find in some places.
I think it is true that there are lots of brown field opportunities in Liverpool and we won't necessarily find ourselves having to build swathes of new homes on the green belt between us and Warrington or Southport, but it is also true that we have houses already built that need redeveloping, not knocking down.
I dont know if you ever find your way onto Ullet Road or Princes Park Avenue. There is a block of flats there, I cannot recall the name of the road exactly at that point, but it is opposite Sefton Park Drive. A multi-storey block of flats, unattractive and poorly designed. It is in the process of being refurbished and upgraded and will become much more desirable. We have seen the disasters of high rises before, usually they get knocked down, this is a scheme, that for someone who only drives by and knows nothing of the finances, at least at face value looks really good. I am happy with bringing unwanted homes back into use.
Councillor Alan Dean showed me some figures last week where there are families in his area waiting for four, five and six bedroom properties. How dreadfully ironic it is then that we are planning on demolishing just such houses in Kensington because there is apparently "no call" for such large homes.
Says who?
Let's do up just one of the houses and monitor the list of people who are interested in either buying or renting it, before trashing the lot. I think the nay sayers would be pleasantly surprised by the take-up. Alan says that his families, at least 40 I think he says, would like to be near a suitable church, fancy that, we have at least two of those nearby that are empty and aching for someone to do them up too!
This new focus on housing gives us a great opportunity to call for renewal and regeneration of existing homes, even as we acknowledge that in some cases, usually of long term neglect by owners, the demolition of some homes is beyond redemption.
What say you?
I remember talking about it at the selection conference where they chose me as the Labour candidate for K&F back in November 2005. I believe that health, education, jobs etc are all an irrelevance if you dont have anywhere warm, safe and secure to live. It is a fundamental and essential primary need.
I also believe very strongly in what we are now encouraged to describe as "social" housing. A strange expression to use, really we mean "rented" from a not-for-profit landlord. Surely all housing should be social, we certainly dont want any anti-social housing.
Not everyone wants to buy a home, some people intend only a short stay in an area and for them renting is ideal, others dont feel comfortable with a long-term financial commitment. Some will never afford a home of their own, others like the idea of a landlord who will manage the repairs, I have rented before. I can see why at certain times it is the ideal answer.
Both sets of my grandparents lived all their lives in council houses and flats and they wouldn't have wanted it any other way, it suited them.
As a Labour Party member I want to support my leaders and agree with and support their policies but sometimes, inevitably, it is a bit difficult. However, when GB told us that housing was one of his top three priorities, something I have not heard in 20 years from any politicians of any parties, my heart soared.
I am personally of the view that there is a lot we can do to bring back derelict, empty or damaged existing homes into use, this will reduce the need to build so many brand new ones which, although I am not against the idea, does rather use up lots of land that we struggle to find in some places.
I think it is true that there are lots of brown field opportunities in Liverpool and we won't necessarily find ourselves having to build swathes of new homes on the green belt between us and Warrington or Southport, but it is also true that we have houses already built that need redeveloping, not knocking down.
I dont know if you ever find your way onto Ullet Road or Princes Park Avenue. There is a block of flats there, I cannot recall the name of the road exactly at that point, but it is opposite Sefton Park Drive. A multi-storey block of flats, unattractive and poorly designed. It is in the process of being refurbished and upgraded and will become much more desirable. We have seen the disasters of high rises before, usually they get knocked down, this is a scheme, that for someone who only drives by and knows nothing of the finances, at least at face value looks really good. I am happy with bringing unwanted homes back into use.
Councillor Alan Dean showed me some figures last week where there are families in his area waiting for four, five and six bedroom properties. How dreadfully ironic it is then that we are planning on demolishing just such houses in Kensington because there is apparently "no call" for such large homes.
Says who?
Let's do up just one of the houses and monitor the list of people who are interested in either buying or renting it, before trashing the lot. I think the nay sayers would be pleasantly surprised by the take-up. Alan says that his families, at least 40 I think he says, would like to be near a suitable church, fancy that, we have at least two of those nearby that are empty and aching for someone to do them up too!
This new focus on housing gives us a great opportunity to call for renewal and regeneration of existing homes, even as we acknowledge that in some cases, usually of long term neglect by owners, the demolition of some homes is beyond redemption.
What say you?
Saturday, July 07, 2007
Yet another councillorship module - working with constituents
I had an email last week from one of our committee clerks, Michael Jones, asking me whether I would be interested in a councillorship module into working with constituents which was run the year before I was elected but which he thought he would re-run for new arrivals.
After some deliberations - after all I am already studying one module and holding down a full time job as well as being a full time councillor - I decided to go for it. If they can teach me new and successful ways of serving my constituents then I want to do it!
I turned up for the session and it was just me and Michael Jones.
He was sweet enough to hold the course open, even though I was the only student, and I had an interesting presentation on organising surgeries, and advertising them in ways that will attract residents from all the different communities.
It was good stuff, I may well have bitten off more than I can chew with this extra module but I want to learn as much as I can about being an effective councillor and if it means a few months of particularly hard work then so be it.
After some deliberations - after all I am already studying one module and holding down a full time job as well as being a full time councillor - I decided to go for it. If they can teach me new and successful ways of serving my constituents then I want to do it!
I turned up for the session and it was just me and Michael Jones.
He was sweet enough to hold the course open, even though I was the only student, and I had an interesting presentation on organising surgeries, and advertising them in ways that will attract residents from all the different communities.
It was good stuff, I may well have bitten off more than I can chew with this extra module but I want to learn as much as I can about being an effective councillor and if it means a few months of particularly hard work then so be it.
Jane Kennedy, friend or boss?
I sent Jane a text message last week, saying that I hoped she had the call from number 10 offering her a post in Gordon Brown's new Government the following day.
Joy of joys, she did get the call. As Ian Herron described in yesterday's Daily Post, she is now the Financial Secretary to the Treasury, a very big job indeed. She is the Paymaster General in all but name, the title goes to Tessa Jowell, the work goes to Jane. Ian says she is inches away from being in the cabinet itself and I will be the first to congratulate her when she is elevated to the cabinet, I know this will happen.
This of course means that she is my new boss at work. Although I never talk about work on the blog, I have been approached by work mates the country over this week, all asking me if I know Jane and saying how thrilled they are with her appointment.
Yes I know her, yes she is my friend, yes I will help her all I can and yes she is going to sort out new tax credits if it is the last thing she does.
A great appointment of a great woman and things, as they say, can only get better.
Go Jane!
Joy of joys, she did get the call. As Ian Herron described in yesterday's Daily Post, she is now the Financial Secretary to the Treasury, a very big job indeed. She is the Paymaster General in all but name, the title goes to Tessa Jowell, the work goes to Jane. Ian says she is inches away from being in the cabinet itself and I will be the first to congratulate her when she is elevated to the cabinet, I know this will happen.
This of course means that she is my new boss at work. Although I never talk about work on the blog, I have been approached by work mates the country over this week, all asking me if I know Jane and saying how thrilled they are with her appointment.
Yes I know her, yes she is my friend, yes I will help her all I can and yes she is going to sort out new tax credits if it is the last thing she does.
A great appointment of a great woman and things, as they say, can only get better.
Go Jane!
Unexpected consequences of the smoking ban - or how Louise met Gary from China Crisis
I popped down to the Richmond for a drink last night, quite late and because it is now illegal to smoke in pubs I went outside for a quick puff (sorry Mum!).
I couldnt get my matches to light in the wind so I approached two nice looking chaps on a nearby table for a light and we got chatting. It turned out that they were brothers, Colin (another one for Adele to get confused about) and Gary Daly. We had a lovely chat and Colin told me that brother Gary was the lead singer in China Crisis.
I had heard the name before but had to admit that I didnt really know what they had sung off the top of my head. However, I did tell them that indoors were two good friends of mine, Colin and Terry who were extremely big fans of popular music, especially those from the North-West and would no doubt know every little detail about the group.
I went back inside and sure enough they both had all the requisite albums and they asked me to go back outside and ask Colin and Gary to join us, which they did, and a lot of mutual "do you remember when" type conversations subsequently ensued.
Today I was played some China Crisis hits and I did recall at least two of them, although ironically their best top twenty entry, at number 9, Wishful Thinking was the only one that Gary did not sing!
Two very nice blokes. This smoking ban is even better than I had hoped it would be, who will I meet next?
I couldnt get my matches to light in the wind so I approached two nice looking chaps on a nearby table for a light and we got chatting. It turned out that they were brothers, Colin (another one for Adele to get confused about) and Gary Daly. We had a lovely chat and Colin told me that brother Gary was the lead singer in China Crisis.
I had heard the name before but had to admit that I didnt really know what they had sung off the top of my head. However, I did tell them that indoors were two good friends of mine, Colin and Terry who were extremely big fans of popular music, especially those from the North-West and would no doubt know every little detail about the group.
I went back inside and sure enough they both had all the requisite albums and they asked me to go back outside and ask Colin and Gary to join us, which they did, and a lot of mutual "do you remember when" type conversations subsequently ensued.
Today I was played some China Crisis hits and I did recall at least two of them, although ironically their best top twenty entry, at number 9, Wishful Thinking was the only one that Gary did not sing!
Two very nice blokes. This smoking ban is even better than I had hoped it would be, who will I meet next?
Tony Blair says goodbye to Liverpool
I have just been sent this great photo of TB saying his goodbyes to Liverpool Labour Party at a recent event in Liverpool. It clashed with our surgery on the Phythian so you wont spot Wendy and me in the photo. They all had a great time though by all accounts.
'Ello, 'ello, 'ello
Kensington New Deal Police Team were out in force at Kensington Fun Day today, the kids had such a great time in the police car, flashing the lights, sounding the siren, really enjoying the "blues and twos" that they flattened the batteries and it had to be jump-started when home time came!
Jane, Wendy and I joined other local people in trying on all the uniforms, here we are pictured with a little girl who was debating whether she might like to be a policewoman when she grew up. Sergeant Simon Joyce was the photographer, thanks mate, I know you read the blog, so here is your name check!
Tale of two fetes
Last Saturday was the Newsham Park Festival, Lisa Harrison of St Francis of Assisi Academy had put in a tremendous amount of work with a supporting cast of thousands, but even she could not do anything about the dreadful weather.
Today was the Kensington Fun Day (ironically they hold it in Fairfield, but let's not get too parochial about it). The weather was lovely, sunny and warm, once again lots of stalls had packed up by the time we got there, but this time it was because they had sold out of all their goods and given away all their tombola prizes. Everyone was wandering round looking shell-shocked, pointing to the sky and asking each other what the blue stuff was! I particularly enjoyed the Kensington Community Choir who sang some great old songs from the 60s mainly. We met lots of our community friends from the different residents groups and everyone had had a great day.
Here is a photo from last week at Newsham Park, Michael from the Kensington Clean Team joining in with the big clear-up after the day's event.
Sunday, July 01, 2007
More photos of Harlow Carr
Great pics, if I dont say so myself........Diarmuid Gavin made this wonderful 2004 garden, and you cannot see the purple walls in this picture, but they are there!
Inflatable sofas
There has been a massive amount of interest in the inflatable sofa we bought at Knowsley. There are photos of me in my sexy rain poncho sitting on our sofa, but I have not downloaded it yet so here is a photo taken at about 2pm on Sunday last week, of other people sitting on their own sofas in front of the stage. Look how empty it was at that early hour, what a shame for the acts who were essentially performing to an empty arena
A wet visit to York
I drove over to York on Saturday night to spend some time with Susan, Tom and Dylan (not really a baby any more) in their new home.
We had a great evening, Tom cooked a lovely curry from scratch and then we drank wine, caught up and enjoyed ourselves. Susan insisted I joined up with Facebook and then we discussed plans for a visit to the north of the northwest of Scotland for a friend's wedding in September.
Today we went to the RHS centre at Harlow Carr, it only rained a bit while we were there but we drove through flash flooding on the way back to York. I took some great photos, I will pop a few up, I only know how to do one photo per post so there will have to be several posts.
I got home in good time, although the A1 and the M62 were rough in places.
A lovely weekend with my mates, I just hope this facebook stuff doesnt end up being a pain in the bum!
Newsham Park Festival
........was a bit of a washout.
Wendy and I went along about 2.30 in the afternoon and stayed until the end. What a shame about the rain, which clearly lead to lots of stalls not showing up and also local people too.
However, we did spend some time on the Kensington Regenaration Stall, the Fire Service, the hanging baskets, face-painting and cheese burgers stalls! We listened to great music from the Congo and watched local children dancing, we just missed Eton Road who made a short appearance.
We also met our new L6 Sergeant, Bill MacGregor, who we expect to get to know very well as he takes over responsibility for the north end of the ward.
Last year it was so hot I burnt, this year I wore my wellies. C'est la vie
Wendy and I went along about 2.30 in the afternoon and stayed until the end. What a shame about the rain, which clearly lead to lots of stalls not showing up and also local people too.
However, we did spend some time on the Kensington Regenaration Stall, the Fire Service, the hanging baskets, face-painting and cheese burgers stalls! We listened to great music from the Congo and watched local children dancing, we just missed Eton Road who made a short appearance.
We also met our new L6 Sergeant, Bill MacGregor, who we expect to get to know very well as he takes over responsibility for the north end of the ward.
Last year it was so hot I burnt, this year I wore my wellies. C'est la vie
First meeting of the Sustainable Environment Committee
It is a new municipal year and a new select committee. We have a new name and a new chair - Councillor Steve Radford.
I presented our final Parks Strategy Scrutiny Panel report and it seemed to go down very well. No-one argued with any of the proposals which is good news indeed. I remain cautiously optimistic that our many recommendations will come to pass.
I was of course disappointed that the new Parks Scrutiny Panel has a new Chair - a new LibDem councillor named Paul Twigger. He was appointed without discussion or voting by Cllr Radford who also appointed LibDem councillor Roger Johnson as Chair of the Waste Scrutiny Panel and Paul Twigger again as the vice-chair of the committee itself.
So four jobs available for appointment and three LibDems and a Liberal put into post (and all men, but we are supposed not to notice that, I wager!). You can make your own assumptions from that.
I presented our final Parks Strategy Scrutiny Panel report and it seemed to go down very well. No-one argued with any of the proposals which is good news indeed. I remain cautiously optimistic that our many recommendations will come to pass.
I was of course disappointed that the new Parks Scrutiny Panel has a new Chair - a new LibDem councillor named Paul Twigger. He was appointed without discussion or voting by Cllr Radford who also appointed LibDem councillor Roger Johnson as Chair of the Waste Scrutiny Panel and Paul Twigger again as the vice-chair of the committee itself.
So four jobs available for appointment and three LibDems and a Liberal put into post (and all men, but we are supposed not to notice that, I wager!). You can make your own assumptions from that.
Councillorship training - equality and diversity and community involvement
The second session of this module of the councillorship qualification is fascinating. We are asked to concentrate on those who are in a minority in our ward, women and men in different ways, people with disabilities, older people, younger people and those in the middle age, people of different races and religions and sexual appetites, the whole gamut of the human population.
How should a good councillor engage with all groups in the community? That is the task in hand.
I do my best to go to events where I will meet people from all those different groups and welcome them all to surgeries and public meetings. But there is clearly so much more to be done, given that Kensington and Fairfield is a very diverse place.
I am still trying to decide whether the new African population in the ward would want some of our literature in French, their first language, and whether we should also put out material in Polish, our other new group. Or would they prefer us to keep on with English and not be patronising?
I have asked lots of people in both groups but there is still no consensus, what do you think?
How should a good councillor engage with all groups in the community? That is the task in hand.
I do my best to go to events where I will meet people from all those different groups and welcome them all to surgeries and public meetings. But there is clearly so much more to be done, given that Kensington and Fairfield is a very diverse place.
I am still trying to decide whether the new African population in the ward would want some of our literature in French, their first language, and whether we should also put out material in Polish, our other new group. Or would they prefer us to keep on with English and not be patronising?
I have asked lots of people in both groups but there is still no consensus, what do you think?
Thursday, June 28, 2007
Emerging details of new cabinet
It is really exciting today, it feels like the day after a general election.
Who is out, who is in, how did my favourites get on, how are the women doing....
Here is the BBCs latest information as at about 1pm
Prime minister: Gordon Brown
Chancellor: Alistair Darling
Foreign Secretary: David Miliband
Home Secretary: Jacqui Smith
Health: Alan Johnson
Schools and children: Ed Balls
Justice: Jack Straw
Commons leader: Harriet Harman
Defence and Scotland: Des Browne
Int Development: Douglas Alexander
Work and Pensions: Peter Hain
Northern Ireland: To be confirmed
Cabinet office minister: Ed Miliband
Culture: James Purnell
Transport: Ruth Kelly
Lords leader: Baroness Ashton
Attorney General: Baroness Scotland
Environment: Hilary Benn
Chief Whip: Geoff Hoon
Industry: John Hutton
Duchy of Lancaster: To be confirmed
Housing: Yvette Cooper (tipped)
Communities: Hazel Blears
What say you?
I am very pleased so far, especially as five of the Deputy Leader candidates are in there already, is there room for a sixth?
Who is out, who is in, how did my favourites get on, how are the women doing....
Here is the BBCs latest information as at about 1pm
Prime minister: Gordon Brown
Chancellor: Alistair Darling
Foreign Secretary: David Miliband
Home Secretary: Jacqui Smith
Health: Alan Johnson
Schools and children: Ed Balls
Justice: Jack Straw
Commons leader: Harriet Harman
Defence and Scotland: Des Browne
Int Development: Douglas Alexander
Work and Pensions: Peter Hain
Northern Ireland: To be confirmed
Cabinet office minister: Ed Miliband
Culture: James Purnell
Transport: Ruth Kelly
Lords leader: Baroness Ashton
Attorney General: Baroness Scotland
Environment: Hilary Benn
Chief Whip: Geoff Hoon
Industry: John Hutton
Duchy of Lancaster: To be confirmed
Housing: Yvette Cooper (tipped)
Communities: Hazel Blears
What say you?
I am very pleased so far, especially as five of the Deputy Leader candidates are in there already, is there room for a sixth?
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Knowsley Hall Music Festival - Sunday
Colin and I went to the Knowsley Hall music festival on Sunday. We paid around £40 for the pleasure and got there full of excitement and anticipation
We got up there about noon but it was around 1.30pm before they let us park our car and then walk the long walk through several fields (at least a mile) before we got into the complex. It was already thick with water and mud but we had no idea what was still to come.
One of the first to arrive we bought a blow-up settee for £15 (a huge sum for a temporary item but it proved worth its weight in gold, which as I think about it, was probably itself less than £15, LOL). We found a relatively dry spot in front of the big stage and the big screen and for a few hours we were more or less on our own. But as the show wore on and the names playing got bigger, more and more people joined us.
The photo shows us about 4pm before the mud really got going but the rain had started.
They had refused to let us bring in food or drink, so we quickly quaffed our cans of coke at the entrance (thankfully we had not brought sandwiches otherwise things might have been a lot more aggressive at the gate as they made people throw food into bins before they came in). We did have a cheese burger each and a tray of chips to share at £9.50, and as a one-time Yorkshire dweller I could scarcely thole it, so we only had the one lot of food. Colin was drinking Stella, I was on water so I dont know what the bar bill was like but I suspect it was huge.
The mud crept on slowly, and by about 4pm there was not a blade of grass left on the site, and I kid you not, it became a mud bath.
The music was great, it started off well and got better and better as the day wore on, Madness were a particular triumph, the rain poured down and the ground disintegrated but the music was awesome, they even did the House of Fun, my own personal favourite, it was electric. They opened with "One step beyond" complete with the opening "heavy, heavy sound" soundtrack, fabulous.
By about 9pm the drunks were falling over in the mud, throwing bottles and cans across the audience and even one of the wonderful inflatable sofas, it started to get scary. I wonder why no-one tells you this when they report back in the newspapers? Perhaps they were sponsors?
I saw a ten year old girl being lead out of the area with a bloody head, crying, it was bound to be the result of a bottle to the back of the head, how does anyone think this is good fun?
We left in the middle of the Zutons, who I love, and missed Keane. Call me a scaredycat if you like but it had become somewhere that felt intimidating rather than exhilirating.
Thankfully when we finally got to the carpark there was still a chance for at least another 20 cars to get out of the top gate before it became a quagmire, the bottom gate was already shut with abandoned cars littering the field, covered in mud.
Thankfully even more so no-one stopped the car to see Colin with no trousers and shoes, he was so muddy he wrapped them up in my rain poncho and hid them in the footwell on the way home.
I am clearly am too old for this life, be it Glastonbury or Knowsley, I like my creature comforts too much! No-one can account for rain or mud, but there was insufficient straw or walkways either. We did have a great musical experience but the planning was poor, the toilet queue was over an hour long and the stewarding was so minimal as to be invisible. Sorry if I sound miserable, but this was the experience of a middling aged woman, no longer 17 and up for it to that degree.
I will want to go again next year but only if Lord Derby has learnt a few lessons.
African festival in Kensington
Wendy and I were in the Kensington Sports Centre on Saturday to join in with the African celebrations in the sports centre on Jubilee Drive, Kensington.We turned up in time to see the musical workshop with children and bands, I bought a loose African dress to wear on holiday or when relaxing and a great pair of purple earings. I also had a lovely lunch thanks to Senegambia Menus (Senegal and Zambia) who I tried to take a photo of at the Edge Hill festival last week. I have that photo now although one of the ladies moved, but I hope you see how beautiful they look.
We loved the band and the dancing, it was a great afternoon.
Sadly there were not many attendees, maybe they were in Sefton Park at a different African festival? I hope these events don't clash next year.
Extract from Ann Black's NEC report of 24th June 2007
This is an extract from a personal report from Ann Black, LP NEC member, it is not an official report. Further of her reports are available online, you can google for them.
"Gordon Brown assured us that despite the rumours, conversations
with Paddy Ashdown had been limited to issues around security and
investment in Northern Ireland, given his role as Chair of the parades
commission and his longstanding experience. There was no
question of him joining the cabinet, and though we needed to draw in
everyone who shared our values, Gordon intended to lead a Labour
cabinet and a Labour government.
Moving on to the main event, Labour proved that it can prevent leaks
when it tries, to the extreme annoyance of the media. At half past
one the six candidates for deputy were locked in a room, deprived of
their BlackBerrys, told the results, and given a brief time to compose
themselves. The audience waited in ever-increasing impatience
while the NEC Chair Mike Griffiths and general secretary Peter Watt
welcomed us to Manchester, still a Tory-free zone, emphasised the
inclusiveness of the process, praised the conduct of the candidates
and the quality of debate and thanked all those involved, especially
the party staff who have worked without a break virtually since
Christmas.
At last the suspense was ended, with less than one per cent
separating the winner and the runner-up in the final round, and
individual party members proving decisive. (The full breakdown was
published in Monday’s Guardian.) Turnout was 99% among MPs
and MEPs, 53% for individual members, but only 8% in the affiliate
section, maybe depressed by some ballot papers arriving just days
before the deadline. The hustings showed that all the candidates
had much to contribute, and I am sure that Gordon Brown can find a
use for all their talents without resorting to the LibDems. After warm
applause Harriet Harman made a polished speech, Tony Blair took a
final curtain call and graciously introduced his successor, who sent
members away with renewed hope, enthusiasm and determination."
"Gordon Brown assured us that despite the rumours, conversations
with Paddy Ashdown had been limited to issues around security and
investment in Northern Ireland, given his role as Chair of the parades
commission and his longstanding experience. There was no
question of him joining the cabinet, and though we needed to draw in
everyone who shared our values, Gordon intended to lead a Labour
cabinet and a Labour government.
Moving on to the main event, Labour proved that it can prevent leaks
when it tries, to the extreme annoyance of the media. At half past
one the six candidates for deputy were locked in a room, deprived of
their BlackBerrys, told the results, and given a brief time to compose
themselves. The audience waited in ever-increasing impatience
while the NEC Chair Mike Griffiths and general secretary Peter Watt
welcomed us to Manchester, still a Tory-free zone, emphasised the
inclusiveness of the process, praised the conduct of the candidates
and the quality of debate and thanked all those involved, especially
the party staff who have worked without a break virtually since
Christmas.
At last the suspense was ended, with less than one per cent
separating the winner and the runner-up in the final round, and
individual party members proving decisive. (The full breakdown was
published in Monday’s Guardian.) Turnout was 99% among MPs
and MEPs, 53% for individual members, but only 8% in the affiliate
section, maybe depressed by some ballot papers arriving just days
before the deadline. The hustings showed that all the candidates
had much to contribute, and I am sure that Gordon Brown can find a
use for all their talents without resorting to the LibDems. After warm
applause Harriet Harman made a polished speech, Tony Blair took a
final curtain call and graciously introduced his successor, who sent
members away with renewed hope, enthusiasm and determination."
Free entry to museums
Labour blogger Mike Ion has posted this entry on his blog. I cannot link to it because it came in an email to me and didnt include the web address, but you could find it if you tried.
A future Tory government would abolish free entry to Britain's' top museums and galleries and allow institutions to levy a charge for admission. Shadow Culture Secretary Hugo Swire says the Tory party will reverse automatic free admissions introduced by Labour and allow the attractions to restore entry charges. The policy on free admission to the nation's top museums and galleries was introduced by Labour in 1997 and has resulted in places like the Victoria and Albert Museum seeing an increase in visitor numbers of over 130%! A recent poll showed the measure, which costs the Government £40 million a year in subsidy, is the most popular policy introduced by Labour since its election in 1997. To sign the on-line petition opposing such a policy click here.
I do urge you to sign the petition. Didnt I read this week that National Museums in Liverpool have seen a 139% increase in visitors, was that this year? Certainly it was a wonderful fact and someone will doubtless look it up and post it in the comments box.
Anyway, free museums are wonderful, speaking as a regular attender of museums and art galleries, I am totally in favour.
Thank you Labour Party!
A future Tory government would abolish free entry to Britain's' top museums and galleries and allow institutions to levy a charge for admission. Shadow Culture Secretary Hugo Swire says the Tory party will reverse automatic free admissions introduced by Labour and allow the attractions to restore entry charges. The policy on free admission to the nation's top museums and galleries was introduced by Labour in 1997 and has resulted in places like the Victoria and Albert Museum seeing an increase in visitor numbers of over 130%! A recent poll showed the measure, which costs the Government £40 million a year in subsidy, is the most popular policy introduced by Labour since its election in 1997. To sign the on-line petition opposing such a policy click here.
I do urge you to sign the petition. Didnt I read this week that National Museums in Liverpool have seen a 139% increase in visitors, was that this year? Certainly it was a wonderful fact and someone will doubtless look it up and post it in the comments box.
Anyway, free museums are wonderful, speaking as a regular attender of museums and art galleries, I am totally in favour.
Thank you Labour Party!
Saturday, June 23, 2007
Annual General Meeting of the Merseyside Waste Disposal Authority
Friday saw me at the AGM of the Merseyside Waste Disposal Authority. I would be the first to admit that doesnt sound like much of a rave, but it was actually quite interesting.
In the first place it was interesting because although this cross-Merseyside body, made up of councillors from the five authorities, sees the LibDems holding five seats to Labour's four, they didnt bother to make a nomination for chair, deputy chair or any of the lead members' positions. Labour took all of them, I am now the lead member for Communications and PR, apparently I only get involved when the director has to make an Executive decision in that field and needs to run it past someone. I do have a lot of experience of both, and believe me, I know the fallout from bad news stories about bins and rubbish!
It is just another example of the LibDems shying away from anything that involves consensual politics. Fancy having the majority and sitting on your hands! Why bother putting names forward if you dont intend to play a part?
It was also interesting learning masses about the difference between collecting authorities and disposal authorities and lots about the different facilities ready and waiting for Liverpool City Council to ask to use. I am going to sign up to visits to various of them, to get the full picture about what happens to the contents of our bins after they have been picked up.
After the meeting we had a useful workshop on DEFRAs plans for waste management. I think that, although I was a bit reluctant when my name went forward, I am going to enjoy the work on this committee and it was good to spend time with colleagues from Knowsley, Sefton, St Helens and the Wirral.
In the first place it was interesting because although this cross-Merseyside body, made up of councillors from the five authorities, sees the LibDems holding five seats to Labour's four, they didnt bother to make a nomination for chair, deputy chair or any of the lead members' positions. Labour took all of them, I am now the lead member for Communications and PR, apparently I only get involved when the director has to make an Executive decision in that field and needs to run it past someone. I do have a lot of experience of both, and believe me, I know the fallout from bad news stories about bins and rubbish!
It is just another example of the LibDems shying away from anything that involves consensual politics. Fancy having the majority and sitting on your hands! Why bother putting names forward if you dont intend to play a part?
It was also interesting learning masses about the difference between collecting authorities and disposal authorities and lots about the different facilities ready and waiting for Liverpool City Council to ask to use. I am going to sign up to visits to various of them, to get the full picture about what happens to the contents of our bins after they have been picked up.
After the meeting we had a useful workshop on DEFRAs plans for waste management. I think that, although I was a bit reluctant when my name went forward, I am going to enjoy the work on this committee and it was good to spend time with colleagues from Knowsley, Sefton, St Helens and the Wirral.
"Our take" on Liverpool's 800th birthday with local school children
One of the great benefits of Wendy having been elected to Kensington and Fairfield in May is that we can share some of the work and ensure that at least one of us can get to important meetings and events. We found out quite late about a public residents meeting on the Phythian on Thursday night and I had already accepted an invitation to the big children's show at the Olympia, just on the edge of the estate.
Wendy went to the meeting on behalf of us both and by all accounts it was lively and very well attended. They are proving very useful in giving the residents a chance to talk to various agencies about their concerns and to learn about key new intiatives in the area. Now we just need to set up a proper residents' committee to manage the administration and we can start fund-raising for events and schemes, really getting the show on the road.
And talking about shows, what a treat for me. I accepted the invite to a grand show, featuring local children from Kensington Infants and Juniors, New Park Primary and Phoenix Primary as well as Broadgreen High where a lot of our local kids attend. There were lots of other schools represented too - Bueberry Park, Broadgreen Primary, Lawrence road, Bluecoat, Knotty Ash and St Anne's Stanley.
The show was a look back at the 800 years of Liverpool's history, featuring sketches, music, singing and dancing about the granting of the charter by King John in 1207, the port of Liverpool, the plague, the slave trade, the Irish connections, Stephenson's Rocket (that would be George, not Robert Louis, twice in a fortnight I have heard people get that wrong), World War 2 and the blitz, Blood Brothers (which I have never heard of but Sharon tells me is a must see musical from the 1960s) Ken Dodd (full marks to the adorable Kensington Infants for their diddymen routine) and of course pop music and football.
I particularly enjoyed Cody McDowell who sang Amazing Grace solo and unaccompanied, she has a great voice, one to watch and still only year 9 at Broadgreen. Also The Big Dig by ARC and DRB - I dont know what the acronyms stand for but they were deaf kids signing songs and other kids in wheelchairs, wheeling dizzyingly across the stage in hard hats and tabards. An interesting political sketch with great comic timing. It was good to see a few boys dancing along with the girls in some of the class troupes too. It is not fair really though to single anyone out as every child gave a genuinely polished all round performance.
It was clearly a very professional enterprise, great costumes and make-up, good choreography and huge numbers of kids involved.
There was upwards of 500 parents, siblings and supporters in the theatre, I sat with Councillor Sharon Sullivan and her son Harry and we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. I only wish more councillors had been there to see what a great job our kids did and what a good time everyone had. Top marks to all concerned, and if the Culture Company made much bigger PR efforts about shows like these (which they supported) instead of promoting the flashy stuff with the big name celebs then they might not get such a bad press!
Wendy went to the meeting on behalf of us both and by all accounts it was lively and very well attended. They are proving very useful in giving the residents a chance to talk to various agencies about their concerns and to learn about key new intiatives in the area. Now we just need to set up a proper residents' committee to manage the administration and we can start fund-raising for events and schemes, really getting the show on the road.
And talking about shows, what a treat for me. I accepted the invite to a grand show, featuring local children from Kensington Infants and Juniors, New Park Primary and Phoenix Primary as well as Broadgreen High where a lot of our local kids attend. There were lots of other schools represented too - Bueberry Park, Broadgreen Primary, Lawrence road, Bluecoat, Knotty Ash and St Anne's Stanley.
The show was a look back at the 800 years of Liverpool's history, featuring sketches, music, singing and dancing about the granting of the charter by King John in 1207, the port of Liverpool, the plague, the slave trade, the Irish connections, Stephenson's Rocket (that would be George, not Robert Louis, twice in a fortnight I have heard people get that wrong), World War 2 and the blitz, Blood Brothers (which I have never heard of but Sharon tells me is a must see musical from the 1960s) Ken Dodd (full marks to the adorable Kensington Infants for their diddymen routine) and of course pop music and football.
I particularly enjoyed Cody McDowell who sang Amazing Grace solo and unaccompanied, she has a great voice, one to watch and still only year 9 at Broadgreen. Also The Big Dig by ARC and DRB - I dont know what the acronyms stand for but they were deaf kids signing songs and other kids in wheelchairs, wheeling dizzyingly across the stage in hard hats and tabards. An interesting political sketch with great comic timing. It was good to see a few boys dancing along with the girls in some of the class troupes too. It is not fair really though to single anyone out as every child gave a genuinely polished all round performance.
It was clearly a very professional enterprise, great costumes and make-up, good choreography and huge numbers of kids involved.
There was upwards of 500 parents, siblings and supporters in the theatre, I sat with Councillor Sharon Sullivan and her son Harry and we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. I only wish more councillors had been there to see what a great job our kids did and what a good time everyone had. Top marks to all concerned, and if the Culture Company made much bigger PR efforts about shows like these (which they supported) instead of promoting the flashy stuff with the big name celebs then they might not get such a bad press!
Home Start South Liverpool
Wendy and I met with Fiona from Home Start South Liverpool on Thursday.
She works for a charity who support families with children under the age of five in their homes. They work with trained volunteers from the community who work for three hours a week with their matched family, offering support, friendship and practical help.
Fiona wanted to talk to us about the possibility of setting up a project in Kensington and Fairfield, Picton and Wavertree. We were extremely enthusiastic, once they establish whether they can get the funding we will work closely with them to help identify both families in need and volunteers.
In the meantime though we have promised to put Fiona in touch with all sorts of people and organisations in our area so that she can start to build her networks.
Thi is something for us all to really look forward to.
She works for a charity who support families with children under the age of five in their homes. They work with trained volunteers from the community who work for three hours a week with their matched family, offering support, friendship and practical help.
Fiona wanted to talk to us about the possibility of setting up a project in Kensington and Fairfield, Picton and Wavertree. We were extremely enthusiastic, once they establish whether they can get the funding we will work closely with them to help identify both families in need and volunteers.
In the meantime though we have promised to put Fiona in touch with all sorts of people and organisations in our area so that she can start to build her networks.
Thi is something for us all to really look forward to.
Final Parks Scrutiny Panel meeting in Croxteth Hall
What a lovely setting for our final scrutiny panel meeting.
Croxteth Hall and Park, if you have never been, is a wonderful park with a grand hall. There are extensive grounds, a walled garden, a farm, 32 ponds, glasshouses housing some of the historical botanic collection and much more. Well worth a visit, I plan to return over the summer and spend at least half a day there, having a proper look round.
We had an interesting discussion with John Stonard from CABE Space who have some thoughtful views about how the built environment and green spaces and parks should interact. They are a national organisation who have the potential to very positively influence urban renewal.
The Parks and Lakes strategy document that we have been scrutinising since February has a lot to commend it and clearly fits in with CABE's views, which I was keen to ensure.
I wrote the draft final report and presented it to the committee on Wednesday night. Having agreed a few additions with attending members, I will be presenting the final report to the select committee next week. We have made over 20 recommendations covering a variety of important subjects, I cannot list them all here but have a look on the council website next week and you should hopefully find the full detailed report there.
But the main points were around tackling anti-social behaviour in parks (dogs, bikes, gangs), extending healthy activity in parks (sports equipment, tracks, walks etc) involving children more in the lives of parks with better and bigger playgrounds and an extension of the Junior Park Rangers scheme, tackling graffiti in parks, tree planting, bringing new blood into the parks staffing teams with apprentices and the long-term unemployed learning horticultural skills ready to take over when the experts inevitably retire, tackling derelict buildings close to parks, and lots more beside.
I closed the meeting by thanking the council staff who have supported the panel, they have done a really good job, not only helping us to find the right experts to present evidence to us, but hosting all of our meetings in parks across the city. I doubt they have had this much attention paid to them by existing members before and they really rose to the occasion.
This has been one of the most enjoyable and informative things that has happened to me since becoming a councillor, chairing this important scrutiny panel, I have felt my grandfather, great grandfather and both great uncles at my shoulder much of the time, they were all parks men and would have been animated and interested at every session I am sure.
Finally I am going to thank Councillor Josie Mullen at the select committee next week for having asked me to chair, a big surprise given it was my first year on the council and she was the LibDem chair of the Select committee. A truly non-partisan gesture.
Croxteth Hall and Park, if you have never been, is a wonderful park with a grand hall. There are extensive grounds, a walled garden, a farm, 32 ponds, glasshouses housing some of the historical botanic collection and much more. Well worth a visit, I plan to return over the summer and spend at least half a day there, having a proper look round.
We had an interesting discussion with John Stonard from CABE Space who have some thoughtful views about how the built environment and green spaces and parks should interact. They are a national organisation who have the potential to very positively influence urban renewal.
The Parks and Lakes strategy document that we have been scrutinising since February has a lot to commend it and clearly fits in with CABE's views, which I was keen to ensure.
I wrote the draft final report and presented it to the committee on Wednesday night. Having agreed a few additions with attending members, I will be presenting the final report to the select committee next week. We have made over 20 recommendations covering a variety of important subjects, I cannot list them all here but have a look on the council website next week and you should hopefully find the full detailed report there.
But the main points were around tackling anti-social behaviour in parks (dogs, bikes, gangs), extending healthy activity in parks (sports equipment, tracks, walks etc) involving children more in the lives of parks with better and bigger playgrounds and an extension of the Junior Park Rangers scheme, tackling graffiti in parks, tree planting, bringing new blood into the parks staffing teams with apprentices and the long-term unemployed learning horticultural skills ready to take over when the experts inevitably retire, tackling derelict buildings close to parks, and lots more beside.
I closed the meeting by thanking the council staff who have supported the panel, they have done a really good job, not only helping us to find the right experts to present evidence to us, but hosting all of our meetings in parks across the city. I doubt they have had this much attention paid to them by existing members before and they really rose to the occasion.
This has been one of the most enjoyable and informative things that has happened to me since becoming a councillor, chairing this important scrutiny panel, I have felt my grandfather, great grandfather and both great uncles at my shoulder much of the time, they were all parks men and would have been animated and interested at every session I am sure.
Finally I am going to thank Councillor Josie Mullen at the select committee next week for having asked me to chair, a big surprise given it was my first year on the council and she was the LibDem chair of the Select committee. A truly non-partisan gesture.
Deane Road Jewish Cemetery restoration update
I had a really interesting meeting on Tuesday with Saul Marks, superintendent (is that the right title Saul?) of the Jewish cemetery on Deane Road in Kensington, Cath Taylor and Maria Curran (formerly Grimes, oft mentioned in this blog for her hard work) both from Kensington Regeration.
Saul has managed to get hold of all sorts of specialists to quote for works needed to restore the cemetery. We need builders to repoint and in some places rebuild the walls of the cemetery, the front gates and arch, which are grade 2 listed, need urgent work, the graves need the help of stonemasons, the grounds need clearing of weeds and overgrown plants - buddleia particularly which has pushed a lot of the stones over. We need some paint daubs cleaning off (30 year old graffiti in the main, some celebrating Sid Vicious and the rest some local youth called from memory "Chris"). We need the rubbish tip (now about 5 years old) clearing out and the gardens replanting.
There is a lot to do and we think it will come in at around £200,000 in the end. That doesnt sound so much when you see the huge scale of the job.
What made the meeting really interesting was when we got on to talking about funding options and one possibility is to raise some funds from living descendants of those buried there, which as I have blogged before, include the founders of H Samuel jewellers, Lewis's department store, Bahrend's Shipping and many local worthies of big importance in the Victorian era. Maria, Saul and I are all keen genealogists and work has already begun, finding these living relatives. We have identified at least two Sirs already - one of which Sir Nicholas Montagu, was the Chairman of the civil service department where I now work, a small world.
We are so looking forward to the restoration when Saul can take groups on guided tours but also I think we are looking forward, with the rest of the community volunteers who are involved but didnt happen to be at this particular meetings, to the task itself.
If you want to get involved, please let me know, this is really something very special
Saul has managed to get hold of all sorts of specialists to quote for works needed to restore the cemetery. We need builders to repoint and in some places rebuild the walls of the cemetery, the front gates and arch, which are grade 2 listed, need urgent work, the graves need the help of stonemasons, the grounds need clearing of weeds and overgrown plants - buddleia particularly which has pushed a lot of the stones over. We need some paint daubs cleaning off (30 year old graffiti in the main, some celebrating Sid Vicious and the rest some local youth called from memory "Chris"). We need the rubbish tip (now about 5 years old) clearing out and the gardens replanting.
There is a lot to do and we think it will come in at around £200,000 in the end. That doesnt sound so much when you see the huge scale of the job.
What made the meeting really interesting was when we got on to talking about funding options and one possibility is to raise some funds from living descendants of those buried there, which as I have blogged before, include the founders of H Samuel jewellers, Lewis's department store, Bahrend's Shipping and many local worthies of big importance in the Victorian era. Maria, Saul and I are all keen genealogists and work has already begun, finding these living relatives. We have identified at least two Sirs already - one of which Sir Nicholas Montagu, was the Chairman of the civil service department where I now work, a small world.
We are so looking forward to the restoration when Saul can take groups on guided tours but also I think we are looking forward, with the rest of the community volunteers who are involved but didnt happen to be at this particular meetings, to the task itself.
If you want to get involved, please let me know, this is really something very special
Friday, June 22, 2007
It is not too late
Message to Labour Party members
There are just four and a half hours left to vote in the Deputy Leadership Contest.
Click on the title of this entry and it will take you to the online voting facility.
The deadline for the three million union members with a vote has now passed, but ordinary party members have up until 5pm tonight, Friday 22nd June.
I am voting for Hazel Blears who sees the role of Deputy Leader of the Labour Party as a campaigning role, working with activists, local councillors, MPs and community representatives to deliver Labour councils and a Labour government. She is also keen on involving a wide range of people in agreeing on the future direction of policy, using local examples of best practice for instance to inform a national direction.
There are just four and a half hours left to vote in the Deputy Leadership Contest.
Click on the title of this entry and it will take you to the online voting facility.
The deadline for the three million union members with a vote has now passed, but ordinary party members have up until 5pm tonight, Friday 22nd June.
I am voting for Hazel Blears who sees the role of Deputy Leader of the Labour Party as a campaigning role, working with activists, local councillors, MPs and community representatives to deliver Labour councils and a Labour government. She is also keen on involving a wide range of people in agreeing on the future direction of policy, using local examples of best practice for instance to inform a national direction.
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Daniel Kitson live at the Everyman as part of Liverpool's 2007 Comedy Festival
My head is full of lovely things to tell you about but it is nearly half past Midnight and with the best will in the world I cannot cover all of them, so I shall concentrate tonight on Daniel Kitson.
(ooh err missus, ed)
We shall I think draw a veil over the first half, but the second half was gold, pure gold. If you left half way through then shame on you!
(And if you were there then you will already be laughing)
He said that he had been described as the King of Student comedy, but looking round the theatre I reckon he is much more likely to be the King of Graduate comedy, but hey a King is a King, right Daniel?
I really enjoyed the Fireworks session. Lots of bells were ringing, lots of references connected with me. He talked about the lovely feeling he gets from watching fireworks and how it makes him feel good about the world and his place in it and how he savours the moment and stores it up ready for when he is old and withered in a home and has only those special moments to draw on.
I like fireworks too, but it is the pretty lights (ooooh............aaaah ed) rather than the bangs that I like. Ideally fireworks should be silent in my book, then I could stop flinching and wincing and simply enjoy.
He explored other things that make him feel as good, like paddling in the sea, eating in his favourite veggy restaurant (as long as no-one is smoking), being with his niece, listening to his ipod when it gets the shuffle right, walking on freshly laid snow
I wondered what makes me feel good, popping the cork on a bottle of champagne, cheering an election victory, that moment when your eyes meet his for the first time and inexplicably your heart pounds hard in your chest, getting in between fresh clean sheets, having my nephews run to me shouting for their Aunty LouLou.... It is a very emotive topic, well done to a comedic act for taking this on.
Colin's favourite was the Liverpool taxi driver story. Daniel always has a whinge about Liverpool taxi drivers when he comes over, he has been extremely badly served on many occasions and can go on for up to fifteen minutes when he gets into his stride on this topic. This time he started the story and got distracted and moved on to something else. As he announced an interval, a man in the audience shouted out that he had not finished his Liverpool Taxi Driver story, so he took a breath and said "I came out of Lime Street, got a taxi, and he was a dick....!"
Magnificent and very topical given the Echo's taxi coverage of late.
There was a tiny bit too much focus on the movements of members of the audience but a lot of that came out of the uncomfortability of being in a three quarter round auditorium, practice I am sure will make perfect, so come back please Daniel
(ooh err missus, ed)
We shall I think draw a veil over the first half, but the second half was gold, pure gold. If you left half way through then shame on you!
(And if you were there then you will already be laughing)
He said that he had been described as the King of Student comedy, but looking round the theatre I reckon he is much more likely to be the King of Graduate comedy, but hey a King is a King, right Daniel?
I really enjoyed the Fireworks session. Lots of bells were ringing, lots of references connected with me. He talked about the lovely feeling he gets from watching fireworks and how it makes him feel good about the world and his place in it and how he savours the moment and stores it up ready for when he is old and withered in a home and has only those special moments to draw on.
I like fireworks too, but it is the pretty lights (ooooh............aaaah ed) rather than the bangs that I like. Ideally fireworks should be silent in my book, then I could stop flinching and wincing and simply enjoy.
He explored other things that make him feel as good, like paddling in the sea, eating in his favourite veggy restaurant (as long as no-one is smoking), being with his niece, listening to his ipod when it gets the shuffle right, walking on freshly laid snow
I wondered what makes me feel good, popping the cork on a bottle of champagne, cheering an election victory, that moment when your eyes meet his for the first time and inexplicably your heart pounds hard in your chest, getting in between fresh clean sheets, having my nephews run to me shouting for their Aunty LouLou.... It is a very emotive topic, well done to a comedic act for taking this on.
Colin's favourite was the Liverpool taxi driver story. Daniel always has a whinge about Liverpool taxi drivers when he comes over, he has been extremely badly served on many occasions and can go on for up to fifteen minutes when he gets into his stride on this topic. This time he started the story and got distracted and moved on to something else. As he announced an interval, a man in the audience shouted out that he had not finished his Liverpool Taxi Driver story, so he took a breath and said "I came out of Lime Street, got a taxi, and he was a dick....!"
Magnificent and very topical given the Echo's taxi coverage of late.
There was a tiny bit too much focus on the movements of members of the audience but a lot of that came out of the uncomfortability of being in a three quarter round auditorium, practice I am sure will make perfect, so come back please Daniel
Sunday, June 17, 2007
Saturday afternoon adventures
Colin and I had a busy Saturday afternoon. I had done my duty in the morning, leafleting in Anfield and then putting out some of Wendy's Thank You leaflets in Fairfield so it was time for some light relief.
Colin and I watched a bit of "Homes under the Hammer" which featured an empty falling-down house in Bootle, 4 College View, bought by a property developer, only to discover that it was very likely to be soon the subject of a CPO (although they didnt tell him that until he had spent £7k on work to make it water-proof, looks like Sefton BC is about as good as Liverpool CC when it comes to dereliction and demolition). He spent nearly £30k on it, buying it and starting to do it up, the council offered him £37k to sell it to them so they could knock it down. He was still deliberating as the programme ended. Why weren't the council at the auction themselves? They could have saved themselves £16K as it was sold initially for only £21k. Typical.
Anyway I had a fancy to drive up there and see if it was still there and if it had been redeveloped or not, but it was gone, probably in the last few weeks and months I would think. All around that street the demolition is live and in progress, they are replacing these big three storey family houses with town houses and apartments, I hope they let the former residents move back in and rebuild their shattered communities.
On the way up to Bootle I noticed some great street names, there were ones named after flowers, including the delightfully named Pansy Street, I just bet there are loads of macho men who have refused even to consider perfectly good family homes in that street. There were also some streets named after Shakespearean characters including Macbeth Street, which got me wondering. How would an actor who lived on that street be able to tell anyone his address?
On the way back we went to the summer fayre at St Sebastian's School in Fairfield, where I failed to win anything on the tombola but did buy some lovely greetings cards from the L'Arche stall, all of which were painted by the people who live with in their community in Lockerby Road and have learning disabilities. Great cards, I can definitely recommend them, one in particular was at least as good as some of the Modern Art in the Walker. Wendy and I will be sorting out a visit to meet everyone at L'Arche very soon I hope.
We then had a walk over to the Albert Dock and looked at the narrow boats who were having a bit of a festival. We were struck by how many of them had either a diamond, club or heart on their bows and stern, does anyone know what that is all about?
We walked along the river front past the front of the new Arena, I was disturbed to see how many broken panels are already boarded up, where the glass has presumably broken. I hope the architects did understand just how windy the river front is, I work there every day and I have never heard wind like the ones that can brew up there. It is a bit worrying that it is already showing signs of wear and tear and it is not even open yet.
It was a lovely afternoon but I made up for it today by putting in 7 hours on my council paperwork...
Colin and I watched a bit of "Homes under the Hammer" which featured an empty falling-down house in Bootle, 4 College View, bought by a property developer, only to discover that it was very likely to be soon the subject of a CPO (although they didnt tell him that until he had spent £7k on work to make it water-proof, looks like Sefton BC is about as good as Liverpool CC when it comes to dereliction and demolition). He spent nearly £30k on it, buying it and starting to do it up, the council offered him £37k to sell it to them so they could knock it down. He was still deliberating as the programme ended. Why weren't the council at the auction themselves? They could have saved themselves £16K as it was sold initially for only £21k. Typical.
Anyway I had a fancy to drive up there and see if it was still there and if it had been redeveloped or not, but it was gone, probably in the last few weeks and months I would think. All around that street the demolition is live and in progress, they are replacing these big three storey family houses with town houses and apartments, I hope they let the former residents move back in and rebuild their shattered communities.
On the way up to Bootle I noticed some great street names, there were ones named after flowers, including the delightfully named Pansy Street, I just bet there are loads of macho men who have refused even to consider perfectly good family homes in that street. There were also some streets named after Shakespearean characters including Macbeth Street, which got me wondering. How would an actor who lived on that street be able to tell anyone his address?
On the way back we went to the summer fayre at St Sebastian's School in Fairfield, where I failed to win anything on the tombola but did buy some lovely greetings cards from the L'Arche stall, all of which were painted by the people who live with in their community in Lockerby Road and have learning disabilities. Great cards, I can definitely recommend them, one in particular was at least as good as some of the Modern Art in the Walker. Wendy and I will be sorting out a visit to meet everyone at L'Arche very soon I hope.
We then had a walk over to the Albert Dock and looked at the narrow boats who were having a bit of a festival. We were struck by how many of them had either a diamond, club or heart on their bows and stern, does anyone know what that is all about?
We walked along the river front past the front of the new Arena, I was disturbed to see how many broken panels are already boarded up, where the glass has presumably broken. I hope the architects did understand just how windy the river front is, I work there every day and I have never heard wind like the ones that can brew up there. It is a bit worrying that it is already showing signs of wear and tear and it is not even open yet.
It was a lovely afternoon but I made up for it today by putting in 7 hours on my council paperwork...
Christmas just came early
And so it was, in a moment of pure poetry, that Sam Tyler turned up on Doctor Who.
The only two TV programmes worth watching this year have found a way to cross over, one being the endlessly wonderful and successful Doctor Who and the other one having begun last year and ended this year, several series too soon (that would be Life on Mars to the uninitiated, in which case none of this will mean anything to you, so move on to the next entry).
A new timelord has turned up, it turned out the Face of Boe was right, the Doctor was not alone. The Master, Derek Jacobi (great casting), had been hiding as a human for a long time, just as the Doctor was doing last episode in England in 1913, and like the Doctor he was hiding so well that he had forgotten he was a timelord. A meeting with the Doctor slowly brought it back to him and he realised he too was a timelord. He broke into the TARDIS and was regenerated, and turned into John Timm (the actor who played Sam Tyler).
It was like winning the pools, only better.
I cannot wait until the second episode next week
The only two TV programmes worth watching this year have found a way to cross over, one being the endlessly wonderful and successful Doctor Who and the other one having begun last year and ended this year, several series too soon (that would be Life on Mars to the uninitiated, in which case none of this will mean anything to you, so move on to the next entry).
A new timelord has turned up, it turned out the Face of Boe was right, the Doctor was not alone. The Master, Derek Jacobi (great casting), had been hiding as a human for a long time, just as the Doctor was doing last episode in England in 1913, and like the Doctor he was hiding so well that he had forgotten he was a timelord. A meeting with the Doctor slowly brought it back to him and he realised he too was a timelord. He broke into the TARDIS and was regenerated, and turned into John Timm (the actor who played Sam Tyler).
It was like winning the pools, only better.
I cannot wait until the second episode next week
Thursday, June 14, 2007
Two weeks of L6 and L7 (Kensington, Fairfield and Edge Hill) Radio in November
Tonight I went to a meeting called by Steve Faragher, Director of CIC (Community Interest Company) Kensington Vision.
He is putting together a bid for a radio station which will run for two weeks in our area in November 2007.
We met Carl Speare who works for Likely Alliance who have helped at least 20 organisations on Merseyside to host community radio.
He explained that L6 and L7 could have its own radio station through a community licence for a short period of time (up to 28 days) if we so willed it and could find the funds to support it. Steve said that he was aiming for a 14 day programme in 2007 and if it was successful then we would aim for a 28 day programme to follow in 2008 - Liverpool's European City of Culture Year.
Essentially from Carl's point of view, all we have to do as a community is host and run 72 two hour slots over two weeks, about anything we like, with an equal balance between talking and music, as long as there is no swearing, religion and party political content.
Steve explained the other condition, we have to find the money to host the licence. He wants to bolt on some extras if possible, like monthly talk-ins where we explore latest news in L6 and L7 and also a video of the exercise, but if we cannot manage those we certainly need to raise funds for the licence and the support of the exercise. He has already had a good financial contribution from Riverside/C7 Housing Association, I see one of my tasks as helping him find other sources.
So, if you fancy taking part in an L6 and L7 radio station for a fortnight in November, then please consider two things.
1. Will you, your mates or your organisation present a show (with 10 two hour training sessions over the preceeding 10 weeks) and will you work on a script with Carl (because you cannot do it without one)
2. Will you help find some more money to make this happen?
If we get 2007 right then 2008 can be twice as good again. Let me know of your interest and I will pass your details onto Steve and Carl.
This could be massive, it is all down to us to make it so
He is putting together a bid for a radio station which will run for two weeks in our area in November 2007.
We met Carl Speare who works for Likely Alliance who have helped at least 20 organisations on Merseyside to host community radio.
He explained that L6 and L7 could have its own radio station through a community licence for a short period of time (up to 28 days) if we so willed it and could find the funds to support it. Steve said that he was aiming for a 14 day programme in 2007 and if it was successful then we would aim for a 28 day programme to follow in 2008 - Liverpool's European City of Culture Year.
Essentially from Carl's point of view, all we have to do as a community is host and run 72 two hour slots over two weeks, about anything we like, with an equal balance between talking and music, as long as there is no swearing, religion and party political content.
Steve explained the other condition, we have to find the money to host the licence. He wants to bolt on some extras if possible, like monthly talk-ins where we explore latest news in L6 and L7 and also a video of the exercise, but if we cannot manage those we certainly need to raise funds for the licence and the support of the exercise. He has already had a good financial contribution from Riverside/C7 Housing Association, I see one of my tasks as helping him find other sources.
So, if you fancy taking part in an L6 and L7 radio station for a fortnight in November, then please consider two things.
1. Will you, your mates or your organisation present a show (with 10 two hour training sessions over the preceeding 10 weeks) and will you work on a script with Carl (because you cannot do it without one)
2. Will you help find some more money to make this happen?
If we get 2007 right then 2008 can be twice as good again. Let me know of your interest and I will pass your details onto Steve and Carl.
This could be massive, it is all down to us to make it so
June's Full Council Meeting
I could spend several paragraphs berating the LibDems for their rubbish handling of the city's economy and budgets but it would only repeat everything that has already been in the papers.
I could say I agreed with John Coyne's every word (the Green councillor) when he said that now is the time to re-examine the expenditure on events next year that we already know we cannot afford, but nobody would be listening. (Except perhaps for Larry Neild who made the same point in the Daily Post this week, he talks a lot of sense most of the time in my view). I could say that I am absolutely behind our leader, Joe Anderson (who woke me up this morning on the Today Programme on Radio 4, but that might not want to be a claim he wishes to embrace) in his resignation from the Culture Company Board.
However, I am not in band-wagon mode, so I wont say any of that, even though I do mean all of it.
What I will say is what I said in the Town Hall chamber last night, on a completely different topic. We were given the results of last year's performance indicators, which are all mixed in together and make very difficult reading, one minute you are reading about how many people visited our parks, the next item is about pregnant school girls and the one after that about homelessness. Not an easy read...
The PIs on Looked After Children (kids in care) were shocking and diabolical. Last year we had 49 kids facing key stage 3 in English and Maths. The council was hoping that 40% of them would achieve a good result, that is around 20 kids. The reality was that only 8 of them did well. The other 12, indeed the other 41, were low achievers.
As I said to the depleted chamber (they all rush off for coffee, self-congratulatory chats and recriminations after big agenda items), these kids, hundreds of them of all ages, are actually our own children. We as councillors are their corporate parents. Whether they like it or not, they have 90 mums and dads, as well as their own. I don't have any kids, which is the subject of a whole book, not a blog entry, but there is neither time enough nor space, so these kids have to be my concern.
We have failed them as an authority and I was trying to convince the other 89 councillors that we need to take this seriously.
I dont know their names and addresses and although I am their corporate mum I don't suppose it is even right that I should, but that doesn't and shouldn't mean that I don't care about them.
We must get on top of this. Being a kid in care is bad enough and hard enough without us corporate parents ignoring their poor educational achievement and our responsibility for that. I want to do everything in my power for "my" kids, and if that means banging the drum in council meetings and making sure that other councillors realise that our kids deserve better than our neglect and low levels of interest, then I will do it!
I could say I agreed with John Coyne's every word (the Green councillor) when he said that now is the time to re-examine the expenditure on events next year that we already know we cannot afford, but nobody would be listening. (Except perhaps for Larry Neild who made the same point in the Daily Post this week, he talks a lot of sense most of the time in my view). I could say that I am absolutely behind our leader, Joe Anderson (who woke me up this morning on the Today Programme on Radio 4, but that might not want to be a claim he wishes to embrace) in his resignation from the Culture Company Board.
However, I am not in band-wagon mode, so I wont say any of that, even though I do mean all of it.
What I will say is what I said in the Town Hall chamber last night, on a completely different topic. We were given the results of last year's performance indicators, which are all mixed in together and make very difficult reading, one minute you are reading about how many people visited our parks, the next item is about pregnant school girls and the one after that about homelessness. Not an easy read...
The PIs on Looked After Children (kids in care) were shocking and diabolical. Last year we had 49 kids facing key stage 3 in English and Maths. The council was hoping that 40% of them would achieve a good result, that is around 20 kids. The reality was that only 8 of them did well. The other 12, indeed the other 41, were low achievers.
As I said to the depleted chamber (they all rush off for coffee, self-congratulatory chats and recriminations after big agenda items), these kids, hundreds of them of all ages, are actually our own children. We as councillors are their corporate parents. Whether they like it or not, they have 90 mums and dads, as well as their own. I don't have any kids, which is the subject of a whole book, not a blog entry, but there is neither time enough nor space, so these kids have to be my concern.
We have failed them as an authority and I was trying to convince the other 89 councillors that we need to take this seriously.
I dont know their names and addresses and although I am their corporate mum I don't suppose it is even right that I should, but that doesn't and shouldn't mean that I don't care about them.
We must get on top of this. Being a kid in care is bad enough and hard enough without us corporate parents ignoring their poor educational achievement and our responsibility for that. I want to do everything in my power for "my" kids, and if that means banging the drum in council meetings and making sure that other councillors realise that our kids deserve better than our neglect and low levels of interest, then I will do it!
Jane Corbett's surprise 50th birthday party
Jane Corbett was 50 in May, I know she doesn't look it or act it, but the facts will out. So her local Everton LP branch organised a surprise party for her this week.
It was great, good buffet, lots of dancing (you know me, first up to dance and last to sit down) and great company.
A lovely evening, I know Jane enjoyed it and Sharon Sullivan was fab singing an old Patsy Cline favourite of mine, "Crazy", she did a very good rendition.
Happy Birthday Jane, here's to the next 50 years! What a wonderful representative of our party, absolutely dedicated to the cause, you are one in a million and we all wish there were a million more like you.
It was great, good buffet, lots of dancing (you know me, first up to dance and last to sit down) and great company.
A lovely evening, I know Jane enjoyed it and Sharon Sullivan was fab singing an old Patsy Cline favourite of mine, "Crazy", she did a very good rendition.
Happy Birthday Jane, here's to the next 50 years! What a wonderful representative of our party, absolutely dedicated to the cause, you are one in a million and we all wish there were a million more like you.
Edge Hill Festival
I wont say lots about this but suffice it to say it was a great event. Held on Edge Hill station at the site that METAL have now leased as an arts centre - I am sure they call it something different but that is essentially what it will be - this community festival with the theme of Migration was fantastic.
There were about 20 stalls, each one fascinating in its own right. There were artists, photographers, jewellers, foodies, musicians, refugee action, all sorts. There was a big truck that is making its way round European cities talking about and examining migration and asking for items to be included in future truck stops. I donated a passport photo of my bessie mate Colin (who was with me) and on the back I confirmed it was a true likeness - passports are after all essential to migration, and I donated last year's student union discount card from the Liverpool College where I was studying HR. It had the text repeated in Welsh and I pointed out to the truck's organiser that Welsh people settled in Liverpool in big numbers.
I bought some great greetings cards from the photgrapher Jon D Nash of the statues on Crosby beach - my most favourite place on earth at the moment. I sent one to my friends Susan, Tom and Dylan who have moved to a new house in York, one to Jane Corbett, Labour Councillor for Everton for her 50th birthday, one to an Asylum Seeker friend in prison and my dad is getting one for Father's Day, the fifth I may well frame.
There were two food stalls. One was run by three African women in full costume, I tried to take their photo for the blog but the batteries in the camera chose this moment to run out, grrrr. The other was a vegetarian stall where I had a lovely veggie chilli wrap.
There was music and poetry from the tent all day, we stayed about two hours and really enjoyed the contributions.
I had my sketch done for the princely sum of £1 and took part in a questionnaire about my own family's migration patterns - I was proud to explain 500 years of movement albeit only around England, I hope it helps a bit, I know it wasnt as glamorous as moving from Nigeria or the Congo to Liverpool, but it might still contribute a bit to a fascinating project.
I am told by Colette and Ian, the principle movers behind METAL that this will be an annual event from now on, I do hope so, it will certainly go in my calendar of "must attend" events.
There were about 20 stalls, each one fascinating in its own right. There were artists, photographers, jewellers, foodies, musicians, refugee action, all sorts. There was a big truck that is making its way round European cities talking about and examining migration and asking for items to be included in future truck stops. I donated a passport photo of my bessie mate Colin (who was with me) and on the back I confirmed it was a true likeness - passports are after all essential to migration, and I donated last year's student union discount card from the Liverpool College where I was studying HR. It had the text repeated in Welsh and I pointed out to the truck's organiser that Welsh people settled in Liverpool in big numbers.
I bought some great greetings cards from the photgrapher Jon D Nash of the statues on Crosby beach - my most favourite place on earth at the moment. I sent one to my friends Susan, Tom and Dylan who have moved to a new house in York, one to Jane Corbett, Labour Councillor for Everton for her 50th birthday, one to an Asylum Seeker friend in prison and my dad is getting one for Father's Day, the fifth I may well frame.
There were two food stalls. One was run by three African women in full costume, I tried to take their photo for the blog but the batteries in the camera chose this moment to run out, grrrr. The other was a vegetarian stall where I had a lovely veggie chilli wrap.
There was music and poetry from the tent all day, we stayed about two hours and really enjoyed the contributions.
I had my sketch done for the princely sum of £1 and took part in a questionnaire about my own family's migration patterns - I was proud to explain 500 years of movement albeit only around England, I hope it helps a bit, I know it wasnt as glamorous as moving from Nigeria or the Congo to Liverpool, but it might still contribute a bit to a fascinating project.
I am told by Colette and Ian, the principle movers behind METAL that this will be an annual event from now on, I do hope so, it will certainly go in my calendar of "must attend" events.
Friday, June 08, 2007
More about Crosby Beach
The first time I went to the beach at Crosby to see the Iron Men I was struck by the sea-washed rubble at the back of the beach.
Huge piles of building material and rubble has been dumped between the beach and the sand-dunes to prevent the sea from wearing the dunes away.
These bricks and stone pillars and columns have been eroded over the years and now take the shape of bread rolls and loafs, they are a work of art all on their own. Next time you go up there, go and have a look and see for yourself, they are beautiful.
Showing Liverpool Off part two
On Sunday morning we drove over to the Albert Dock and had a walk round and a bit of a shop. We were going to walk through to the Pier Head but now that the building work has started you cannot go over the bridge through the dock. We wandered in the Tate and were fascinated by a strange art book in Japanese with a man who has his head imposed on to all sorts of photographs. Very weird. I showed Cath the statue of Billy Fury which is now accessible once again, having been moved from the Museum of Liverpool Life and the statue of the family getting ready to emigrate, sitting on their suitcases.
We went in the Heritage shop and guess what, they are still not selling any 800th birthday souvenirs, it makes me so cross. We had a coffee in the Pan Am Club and watched the beautiful people walk by before waving to the people on the yellow duckmarine.
A quick drive then round to the three graces and another walk with the dog. Looking back at the city from the side of the Liver Building gives a fascinating vista of the old and the new, Our Lady and St Nicholas, the parish church of Liverpool, side by side with new hotels, insurance buildings, the Unity building with the strange glass box on the top, cranes, work in progress... I promised her a trip on the world's most famous ferry next time she comes over.
We then went up to the Walker Gallery and had a quick look round as a bit of a taster before she comes back with artist partner Steve. A quick diversion to see the Super Lambanana and a drive round Sefton Park before going home for afternoon tea.
I am confident she went away with a good image of Liverpool - that is what being an Ambassador for Liverpool is all about!
Showing Liverpool off
My mate Cath from Holmfirth came to visit last weekend.
It was great. One of the benefits of having only lived here for a few years is that I still have friends visiting who have not been here before so I can act as a real Ambassador and show the city off with pride.
She came over on Saturday lunch time after I had been leafleting (and getting sun burnt) in Knotty Ash. We had lunch and then I drove her round Kensington and Fairfield so she could see all the places she had only previously read about on this blog. Then we went over to Another Place - Anthony Gormley's statues on Crosby beach, which is one of my favourite places to take visitors.
We walked on the beach with the dog (and took her photo with one of the statues) and had an ice cream in the hot sun. You can also see the wind turbines from the beach which will be turned on in about a month's time according to yesterday's paper. When you go out walking with a dog everyone stops to talk to you and chat, it's amazing what an ice breaker they are.
We came home for a few hours and watched Doctor Who which I was amazed to learn she had never seen before, I think I have converted her.
We then went to the Chung Ku on Riverside Road for a lovely meal. I do love the food in there but I also love the restaurant itself, the great view of the river and the English name tags all the waiters have. It is quite expensive but I can definitely recommend it for a special occasion.
Edge Hill Festival tomorrow - Saturday 9th June
I hope I will see you at the Edge Hill festival tomorrow. There will be art, music, drama, comedy, dancing, food and drink, all day from 10am - 6pm.
It is being organised by METAL the art organisation in Kensington based on Marmaduke Street, they have taken a long lease at the Edge Hill Railway Station, developing an art centre where the festival will be staged.
Do come!
It is being organised by METAL the art organisation in Kensington based on Marmaduke Street, they have taken a long lease at the Edge Hill Railway Station, developing an art centre where the festival will be staged.
Do come!
Girls' night out at the Pan Am club
When you get to 41 you are far too old to be a "girl" but nonetheless when I go out with the women I met on my HR course last year, a "girls' night out" is what we always call it.
There are five of us, ranging from 22 to 41, and we meet about every two months to catch up. It is only 12 months since we graduated from our course and yet so much has happened in that time. It is great to catch up and we always enjoy getting together.
The meal was good, it ended up at about £25 per head, we had two courses, I had a tortilla with salad and oriental pork strips and then coq au vin, which was very tasty and the chef was able to cope with Shaz's strange meal request (she is pregnant, say no more).
We did get in a mess with the parking fees for the carpark though.
We arrived at Albert Dock at 6.30, there is a £1.50 fee for the hour up to 7pm and then it changes to £2 for a flat fee until the morning. We had to run outside at 7 and feed the meter again. I think the carpark people need to get their act together, it is not very user friendly. But otherwise I can recommend the Pan Am.
There are five of us, ranging from 22 to 41, and we meet about every two months to catch up. It is only 12 months since we graduated from our course and yet so much has happened in that time. It is great to catch up and we always enjoy getting together.
The meal was good, it ended up at about £25 per head, we had two courses, I had a tortilla with salad and oriental pork strips and then coq au vin, which was very tasty and the chef was able to cope with Shaz's strange meal request (she is pregnant, say no more).
We did get in a mess with the parking fees for the carpark though.
We arrived at Albert Dock at 6.30, there is a £1.50 fee for the hour up to 7pm and then it changes to £2 for a flat fee until the morning. We had to run outside at 7 and feed the meter again. I think the carpark people need to get their act together, it is not very user friendly. But otherwise I can recommend the Pan Am.
Cheque from auctioneers
I know some of you have been waiting to hear how much I got for selling my pottery at Cato Crane's Auction.
It started off okay, they sold for £23.00
However they then charged me £6.76 commission and £9.00 "lot" charge and £.58 insurance plus £1.68 VAT, so the cheque they have sent me is for £4.98
There are several lessons to be learnt here - first of all stop watching cash in the attic, it just doesnt work like that, secondly, take up car booting instead and thirdly, encourage your children to be auctioneers when they grow up so that you can live in the manner to which you would like to become accustomed!
It started off okay, they sold for £23.00
However they then charged me £6.76 commission and £9.00 "lot" charge and £.58 insurance plus £1.68 VAT, so the cheque they have sent me is for £4.98
There are several lessons to be learnt here - first of all stop watching cash in the attic, it just doesnt work like that, secondly, take up car booting instead and thirdly, encourage your children to be auctioneers when they grow up so that you can live in the manner to which you would like to become accustomed!
Thursday, June 07, 2007
Labour Party Leadership Hustings in Liverpool
Tonight we had the hustings for the Labour Party Leader and Deputy Leader positions.These two posts will be voted for by individual Labour Party members and individual Trade Union members who pay the political levy. One member One vote - no block votes, thanks to John Smith and John Prescott.
It is a daunting responsibility for a Labour Party member, choosing our future leaders, because we are also choosing the country's leaders.
Gordon Brown was in the end the only nomination for Party Leader, anyone could have put their name forward, they only had to find 45 members of Parliament to support them. As it turned out 91.5% of the PLP (Parliamentary Labour Party - Labour Members of Parliament) supported him and the other 8.5% could not coalesce around any other candidate. He also received the support of hundreds of Constituency Labour Parties and Trade Unions and other affiliated organisations.
Let there be no doubt that the reason that no other candidate is standing in this election for theLeadership of our Party is because everyone who had a vote or a choice, chose him, overwhelmingly. If that is not a mandate then I dont know what is.
Tonight Gordon addressed us and answered lots of questions from this audience of North West LP members at Hope in Everton on Shaw Street. What particularly moved me was when he talked about why he had joined the Labour Party and what his motivators were. Essentially he said that he believed that the Labour Party was there for the people in need, the people in pain, the people who needed support, for the many and not the few and that we all wanted to change the world. It is why I joined the party, to defend and to fight for those who cannot easily do it for themselves, but it is an old-fashioned view that you dont get to hear all that often. Those of us who are socialists because we are christians - particularly chapel goers - will have found that this really resonated. It was reassuring to know that our future leader is there, not for the rich and the priveliged but for the whole of society and in particular those who need a strong voice at the centre of power.
We then moved on, after a break for a change of backdrop from "Gordon Brown for Britain" to a Liverpool corporate purple one about "the future", to hear from the six challengers for Deputy.
We had a series of Q&As and then each was given two minutes to say why they thought they should be leader.
They were asked what had proved a difficult question in previous hustings - Iraq was unanimously chosen. Harriet Harman said that with hindsight she would have voted differently, but then as a favourite country singer of mine once sang "Hindsight is 20:20". She said that if she had known that there were after all no weapons of mass destruction (WMD), she would not have voted for war, but of course this belies the fact that if it had been generally known that there were no WMD, there would have been no UN mandates and no decision to go to war, so that was a silly answer. That is like me saying that if I had known that my husband was a confirmed chronic alcoholic I would not have married him, QED as they say.
They were asked what questions had dominated that one might not have hitherto anticipated - social housing and affordable housing topped the poll.
I am pleased beyond all measure that this is now the biggest issue facing the politicians - not because I want it to be a problem, but because it IS a problem, I have people queuing in my surgery week after week looking for a safe, secure and warm home, and yet there is nowhere for them to live. It is vital to all our people that this comes straight to the top of the domestic agenda and I thank LP members all over the country for making sure that our Deputy Leader candidates understand this.
We all have our own personal political driver, Tony Blair said that for him it was Education (times 3), Gordon has pointed to the NHS (although he has added housing as top of the new challenges), and mine has always been housing.
I think it was Maslow who identified, in his pyramid of needs, that before we can worry about our health, education, or economic viability we have to have somewhere safe and secure and warm to live. I have been guided by that for 20 years since I first studied it. At the most basic level you cannot even dream of studying or going to work if you have nowhere to safely leave your possessions during the day and nowhere to get a good night's sleep.
They were asked what they thought the role of Deputy Leader of the Labour Party should look like. This was fascinating because they did not agree. As an HR professional I found it very surprising that there was not a job description already in place. It seemed that they were each describing the post they would want to occupy rather than one that was already agreed.
Anyway, Hazel, John and Hilary were all supporting a role that would be a link between the party and the leader whereas Alan, Peter and Harriet were supporting a cabinet role where they would be portfolio holders within the cabinet and speaking on behalf of the party therein.
I am on the side of those who say that there are already enough portfolio holders (cabinet members), what we need in this role is a campaigner, literally knocking on doors and speaking at and listening to feedback from members' meetings and meetings of the public up and down the country, and then feeding the results back to the party leader.
I am not a political historian but I have it in mind that the role of Deputy Prime Minister was invented by John Major for Michael Heseltine, which I think must mean that John Prescott was only the second DPM we have ever had. I am happy to be corrected. The point I am trying to make is that the Deputy Leader of the Labour Party is a job in itself, to deputise for the Leader and to be a conduit between the Leader and the Party. It does not have to be a position for the general public to be concerned about, it does not have to be a Deputy Prime Minister's job too, unless Gordon Brown decides to join these two jobs together, which although TB did, is by no means a dead cert for the future.
So, what I think I am saying is that while the Leader of the Labour Party will be the Prime Minister and therefore of interest to the wider public, the Deputy Leadership should be seen as an internal post that is primarily related only to those of us who pay the membership each year.
The other point I would want to make is that if we do not win a general election in the future then there will not be a cabinet to be part of, or a government to be at the centre of, we have to win the fourth term first! I think the Deputy Leader of the Labour Party should focus on winning the next term, and the one after that and so on, and not focus on how that role should link with a government term that we should never be complacent about.
I cannot recall what the other questions were about but can say that my own personal choices would have been about race relations, about crime and anti-social behaviour and about lifting the people of the whole world out of poverty, poor health, infant mortality and no free education.
So, who am I voting for? I am voting for Hazel, because she is a passionate campaigner, because she has humble roots, because she is a northerner, because she made good in her career and studying, because she is a woman, because she above all others understands that without the support of Joe Public it is all a giant irrelevance! Interestingly, she had applause after every contribution but I did not spot this with other candidates in such a clear way.
I dont know who to give my second vote to - for those who are not aware and did not receive their ballot paper today, we are using the single transferable vote method which means that you should choose your first candidate by voting 1 next to their name, then your second choice with a 2 and so on. You cannot hurt your first choice by voting for other candidates in order behind them because your second choice only comes in to play when your first choice has already been eliminated.
I wont be voting for Harriet. Hilary Benn is a man who is admired by millions, in this country and in others for his passion for the third world. Jon Cruddas gave answers that in my view were too focussed on Dagenham and not wide enough to embrace the other kinds of societies in the rest of the country, although much was to be applauded. Peter Hain has wonderful credentials, fighting apartheid and the Nazis and doing the business in Northern Ireland but then Alan Johnson also has great, yet very different credentials, having risen from a life of poverty and difficulty and lots of people I respect are backing him - like Jane K and Suzanne for instance. I think on balance that Hain has had a glorious past that has perhaps lost some of its power and passion in recent years whereas Johnson has more recently fought for what he continues to believe in. It is funny how the hardest decision has been between three and four and not the other positions.
I think I have decided now, I shall vote
Blears
Benn
Johnson
Hain
Cruddas
Harman
The ballot paper came today and I have now made up my mind, what about you?
Photo from the hustings, me, Jane Kennedy MP, my mates Claire Wilner (of Witches of Eastwick fame) and Bora Balci (member of our sister party in Turkey and now a member of Picton LP)
Wednesday, June 06, 2007
Asylum Monologues is coming to Liverpool
'This is the thing that the British people don't understand. They think we came here just because we want to live here. We fled our countries because there are problems. That's why we came here.'
Asylum Monologues is an account of the UK's asylum system, told first hand by the people who have experienced it.
Screened free for one night only in 12 cities from Glasgow to Exeter on 21st June, 2007.
In Liverpool, the performance will be held at:
Metropolitan Cathedral Crypt Concert Hall (entrance on Brownlow Hill), L3 5TQ at
18.30, 21st June.
Contact Person: Lila Khodja Contact Tel: 0151 702 6313 / 0784 990 4998.
More information at: www.iceandfire.co.uk/actorsforrefugees.
Free refreshments, wine and snacks will be available.
Asylum Monologues is an account of the UK's asylum system, told first hand by the people who have experienced it.
Screened free for one night only in 12 cities from Glasgow to Exeter on 21st June, 2007.
In Liverpool, the performance will be held at:
Metropolitan Cathedral Crypt Concert Hall (entrance on Brownlow Hill), L3 5TQ at
18.30, 21st June.
Contact Person: Lila Khodja Contact Tel: 0151 702 6313 / 0784 990 4998.
More information at: www.iceandfire.co.uk/actorsforrefugees.
Free refreshments, wine and snacks will be available.
Friday, June 01, 2007
Latest module on Councillorship course
I went yesterday to the launch of the latest module in the Councillorship course. It might take 4 years to complete, in conjunction with the University of Chester, but results in a certificate of Higher Education.
I have done the media studies module and had excellent feedback, I have promised to do my best to repeat that this time!
This time we are studying community cohesion, essentially it is about how we bring together different racial groups, different nationalities, different levels of disability, different sexes, ages and sexualities within our wards and tailor our services to suit them.
It is going to be an exciting challenge. I have already asked some of our new African residents if they would like our literature in French, for many their first language, but so far they tend to prefer to receive it in English. I must consult further. Otherwise I look forward to learning a lot about bringing our services to all the community. We have until the end of September to complete the paperwork, expect a busy summer from me!
I have done the media studies module and had excellent feedback, I have promised to do my best to repeat that this time!
This time we are studying community cohesion, essentially it is about how we bring together different racial groups, different nationalities, different levels of disability, different sexes, ages and sexualities within our wards and tailor our services to suit them.
It is going to be an exciting challenge. I have already asked some of our new African residents if they would like our literature in French, for many their first language, but so far they tend to prefer to receive it in English. I must consult further. Otherwise I look forward to learning a lot about bringing our services to all the community. We have until the end of September to complete the paperwork, expect a busy summer from me!
Carbon Monoxide Awareness
I had a really good meeting on Friday in Runcorn with Lynn Griffiths of Carbon Monoxide Awareness.
Their aims are to
1. Alert the general public to be safe and aware of the dangers of CO
2. Alert and train the health professionals to diagnose this poison
3. Encourage and train the pathologists to record the poison as cause of death where appropriate
4. Find victims and their families and bring them together and support them
5. Assess the current levels of danger within the country's housing stock.
I have pledged to help them all I can, not just because of the death of my dear fiance Michael Price but also because since the story has been publicised in Liverpool, other victims or their families have come forward to me for help.
The Fairfield pilot project has now been launched and people are queuing up to take detectors but we still need to get awareness right out there, any help gratefully received.
Their aims are to
1. Alert the general public to be safe and aware of the dangers of CO
2. Alert and train the health professionals to diagnose this poison
3. Encourage and train the pathologists to record the poison as cause of death where appropriate
4. Find victims and their families and bring them together and support them
5. Assess the current levels of danger within the country's housing stock.
I have pledged to help them all I can, not just because of the death of my dear fiance Michael Price but also because since the story has been publicised in Liverpool, other victims or their families have come forward to me for help.
The Fairfield pilot project has now been launched and people are queuing up to take detectors but we still need to get awareness right out there, any help gratefully received.
Parks Scrutiny Panel - Stanley Park - Major Ventures
It was a beautifully warm and sunny afternoon as the Parks Scrutiny Panel toured round Stanley Park. I have never walked right through the park before and was very impressed with the council's plans to improve the historic park and the glasshouse, terrace and sandstone pavillions.
We were shown the part of the park which LFC plan on building on, it is always a shame to build on parks but I was a little reassured by the fact that the bit they want to build on is a field, rather than trees, planting, lakes or paths. Apparently the millions that will be spent on restoring the old and formal parts of the park depend on the club's involvement. A very tricky situation.
After the tour we looked at the major ventures and plans in various parks; The Otterspool, Jericho Lane, riverside park area which looks really good, plans for Sefton Park and bids for major works in Princes Park and Newsham Park. In a few years time we should have some parks to be really proud of.
I also asked where my proposals were for a flower bed celebration of the 800th birthday in St John's, I am told they are happening this month all being well. I was asked about publicity. I said I dont mind who gets in the photo of the opening as long as I am not cut out of it altogether, it was my suggestion after all and my urging that Glendale take this on. It is all also in private celebration of my Grandfather and Great Grandfather and two Great Uncles who all planted flower beds for the Corporation, albeit in different cities.
I think flower displays are much loved by the people and we should bring them back as soon as we can!
We were shown the part of the park which LFC plan on building on, it is always a shame to build on parks but I was a little reassured by the fact that the bit they want to build on is a field, rather than trees, planting, lakes or paths. Apparently the millions that will be spent on restoring the old and formal parts of the park depend on the club's involvement. A very tricky situation.
After the tour we looked at the major ventures and plans in various parks; The Otterspool, Jericho Lane, riverside park area which looks really good, plans for Sefton Park and bids for major works in Princes Park and Newsham Park. In a few years time we should have some parks to be really proud of.
I also asked where my proposals were for a flower bed celebration of the 800th birthday in St John's, I am told they are happening this month all being well. I was asked about publicity. I said I dont mind who gets in the photo of the opening as long as I am not cut out of it altogether, it was my suggestion after all and my urging that Glendale take this on. It is all also in private celebration of my Grandfather and Great Grandfather and two Great Uncles who all planted flower beds for the Corporation, albeit in different cities.
I think flower displays are much loved by the people and we should bring them back as soon as we can!
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