I predict we ain't seen nothing yet

Got the chance for a bit of report reading today in between meetings at the Council. First to hand was a wee beezer called 'Children & families organisational review - community learning and development', or loosely translated, 'How we're gonna cut community education'. This has been a favourite pastime of politicans of all political hues and prejudices over the years and I have often found myself impelled to act in its defence.

Let me say I start from a belief that community education (or is it now much less well known, community learning & development CLD, for short [sounds like an acronym for a sexually transmitted disease, or something equally unpleasant]) is the glue that holds a lot of learning together...and I will also start with a favourite example to explain my point ...

Royston/Wardieburn Community Centre runs a breakfast club for children whose families are in difficulty (code for 'not functioning at all'). At 6am the children, referred from two local primaries are picked up by minibus, taken to the centre, given breakfast, clean-up, clean clothes if necessary, help with homework and general motivational stuff, then walked to school by staff/volunteer. After school, many of the same kids go back to the after- school club, pretty much the same stuff only it's tea this time and some good role modelling. Parents who can, are encouraged to come along, get involved in computers, children's homework etc. etc. and are supported in the inch by inch struggle that encourages them and their families to function in something resembling normality. This service was devised and implemented by Allan Hosey, Senior Community Learning & Development Work. Without it, families would fall apart, ergo communities, and schools wouldn't be able to achieve as much either. This is pretty important stuff we're talking about...

So back to said CLD report which, inter alia, recommends a reduction of 5 neighbourhood based senior community learning and development workers. Now, nobody is saying Allan's job will be axed, but the point is, if he hadn't been based in Granton to recognise the problem and to respond to it with a unique local focus, the community would be a lot poorer.

To justify this exercise, CLD critics will point to a handful of postholders who are, quite frankly, rotten at their job and who give the rest of their colleagues a bad name. Off the top of my head I can name 3 who should have been sacked ages ago for incompetence. I ask, why not get rid of them and their ilk, rather than proceed with a flawed process that cuts vital links of understanding and progress between workers and communities.

But that's not the worst of the proposals: what would people have to say if the Council decided it wanted to hand the management of its school buildings over to a bunch of local parents with no guarantee of a janitor or a school secretary or a teacher to open the building, answer enquiries, ensure the cleaning or the repairs or anything?

I think people would have something to say, even if it was only that the council should always have somebody on duty to be responsible for public property...

But folks, that's exactly what is being proposed for community centres...no professional responsible person, cuts in janitor hours, no facilities' managers, no nothing except local management committee members who, even on the admission of the author of this report, 'are busy people'. It's breathtaking...and on top of that, no centrally based team to manage this new guddle or to help translate Council policy into action on the ground.

I hope our Liberal Convenor and her SNP sidekick are prepared for the problems that are coming. I predict we ain't seen nothing yet.

In hot water!

Meant to go to a conference today on tourism but feeling really under the weather so instead I went to the GP who tells me I have a viral infection and I am to keep it till it goes away....aiiee ...I am dead (Victor comic...Japanese soldier shot by brave British Tommy). I am not that stoic and am fed up feeling poorly...

Two constituents contacted me today about their water pressure or lack thereof. Given the amount of rain that fell today it is hard to imagine there could be a problem. A discussion with Scottish Water reveals there definitely is. A burst water pipe means folk can't get a hot shower or bath and though Scottish Water promises to be 'on the job' tomorrow it's not a comfortable thought. I give to only 2 charities: one for cancer research, the other to provide clean water in Africa. The first because of my own family history; the second because I think it's a scandal that generations are blighted by blindness as a result of dirty water. Set in that context, not getting a hot shower is trivial...but this is our context and it matters!

Gaelic to rhyme with phallic

Been a quiet weekend, mostly looking after granddaughter Number 1. Still nursing various infections and feeling none too good.

Very quiet surgery tonight - but loads of email messages to respond to. There is definitely a change in the way people contact their councillor these days: a lot more people use electronic communication. It's interesting that Royston/Wardieburn, the location of my surgery for the last umpteen canteen years, is still much busier so maybe it's more that folk in Granton know me better.

Scotland to get its first Gaelic TV station... complete waste of time and money for me anyway - all I know is it's Gaelic to rhyme with phallic as I was once memorably told - but I understand the argument that if Scotland doesn't work to preserve the language then nobody will. Sometimes you just have to look beyond what you think ...still a load of cods for me, though!

Burns Day

A really different 'Burns Supper' tonight - east meets west - at the Taiwanese Consulate - Jane Cheng recites in Mandarin 'To a Mouse' and is matched by Prof Purdie's rendition in Scots - brilliant! I will never forget it. Indeed, I have asked Jane for a copy of the Mandarin original which I will frame and hang on my wall so when people ask, 'What's that?' I will always be reminded of tonight.

Also, a conversation with Elizabeth Blackadder who has finished Eric (Milligan's) official L.P. portrait which is due for unveiling soon. I am looking forward to seeing it.

And tonight is my daughter's 5th wedding anniversary and the day my brother is told he has been made redundant. A mixed sort of day, really...

And the wheels keep rolling along

A different kind of day today - interviewing for the head of Economic Development - all the candidates were strong in different ways - it was difficult to arrive at a decision.

Then a phone call from a constituent half complaining at a van, advertising the best lapdancing joint in town, with the following number plate PU51 BAR (read it...get it?) wondering if it was legal...you couldn't make it up! It made me laugh anyway.

Now, I am sitting down to what feels like a million emails and half a million phone calls to make (not really, just a lot), wondering what to make the better half for dinner and wishing just for once I could get away with a takeaway ...but the will to diet is still upon me - 11lbs lost at the last count - so there will be no takeaway: at least not today.

And finally, a reassurance from the powers that be that the Waterfront Recruitment Centre will continue in one form or another post March...good news, I think.

Waterfront Recruitment Centre

One worrying issue has bubbled up.
I am advised that the Waterfront Recruitment Centre, achieved through a great deal of hard work locally, is under threat of closure following budget reviews at SEEL. This would be a wrong message to send out to the community who are already very cynical about any job opportunities emerging from the Waterfront - I am sure those running the show now, will want to make sure some arrangement is put in place to secure a direct link between local people and their access to any local jobs becoming available in the new development. They had better!

Promoting Edinburgh

Thursday morning already - how time flies. Council, Community and PEP have all made their demands felt - perhaps most interesting has been the shortlisting for the Head of Economic Development. Interviews are next week. Lots of interest in the post, narrowed down to a handful of good candidates. I did smile, though - three men from Glasgow advising us on whom we should appoint to promote Edinburgh!

back to work

That's me back at work now - still not feeling too hot: strike that - feeling very hot and still running a temperature - but needs must.

A busy morning at PEP catching up with a pile of work, then all afternoon and evening engaged in public duties. I confess, though, I skipped the Trinity Community Council as I was just too whacked.

Snippets of the day...some lighter news on the funding front with confirmation that the city's CRF settlement is better than anticipated so hopefully this should translate into fewer problems locally...interesting meeting at PYCP which is a valuable local organisation charting a new path...some sad constituency cases tonight at surgery, nearly all about anti social behaviour and its impact on the victims...

The start of another year, in other words...

2008 may see a repeat

Still not feeling too wonderful but have been able to get out to a couple of meetings...starved of human companionship, I was. The dog just doesn't do it for me.

First, good news on the local front with TIE at long last conceding they can allow vehicles to enter West Pilton from the Waterfront access road. The local community has won after a very long campaign (stretching back to the days of Billy Fitzpatrick) and it is a tribute to both the local communtiy council and its supporters as well as to the combined efforts of Cllrs Jackson, Morris and Maginnis. So a good start to 2008 for West Pilton.

Also, I understand that the Royston/Wardieburn Community Centre relocation is to go ahead (albeit perhaps slightly reduced) and that is good news too. I am pleased that the new Administration seems to be intent on keeping faith with Granton - at least with this proposal...no word on the planned school rebuild but we will wait and see.

Locally, voluntary organisations (PEP among them) are holding their collective breath for news on the funding front - this is a particularly difficult year with the future of the CRF monies under review, various other previously ringfenced funds now going into the melting pot and of course, the prospect of budget reductions - already given wide advance screening - in local authority grants. I must say that for North Edinburgh, whose infrastructure has been developed on the flexibility offered by the voluntary sector as opposed to the less creative statutory sector, the future looks decidely unpromising. I know of at least 4 local organisations who have already made people redundant or who are planning to do so and I suspect it is likely there will be more. What makes it harder is that nobody actually knows the situation until after the 21 st February (budget day) which makes advanced planning impossible as well as knocking momentum and morale completely askew.

I have worked in the voluntary sector for 6 years now and though I have previously coped with budget uncertainty (i.e. not knowing if there will be a cost of living rise etc.), I have never experienced this level of worry.

1996, as convenor of Education, was a difficult year when Tory budget cuts and local government reorganistion collided to create a similar crisis...and at that time many small organisations went to the wall ...I fear 2008 may see a repeat...

Nothing is easy

Staying with America for the moment, I am watching its president speak at a joint conference with the Israeli Prime Minister Olmert. Is it me or does George Bush look unwell? He seems to have lost weight and his colour is poor. He is, however, as resolute as ever in his warnings about the security threat he believes Iran poses. Given my previous blog about the UK's nuclear programme, his estimation of Iran's potential to make a bomb from uranium intended for peaceful purposes is sobering.

I wonder if the people who will undoubtedly oppose the UK's nuclear replacement programme will share Bush's worries about Iran.

Nothing is easy, is it?

Quality will out

Whoopee - the polls got it wrong. Hilary won through and Obama will be scratching his head this morning wondering where it went wrong. For me, the critical turning point was when Clinton showed her vulnerability but still kept it under control. Women (me, for example) responded positively and it was their vote that did it for her. And anyway, quality will out!

Still off work, I am watching Prime Minister's Questions where Gordon Brown has just swatted David Cameron aside like a pesky wee fly. Again, quality will out.

Tomorrow there will be a statement about nuclear power - let me say at the outset I support (with all the caveats of secure disposal, security risks etc) the decision to go ahead with a new generation of nuclear stations - of course, there must also be maximum concentration on alternative energy sources- we need the mix but we have no choice to reduce dependency on carbon based fuels since they are running out and are, at the same time, crucifying our planet. I see no feasible option.

I readily confess I am no expert and my view will most probably be in a minority but, as usual, nobody could ever accuse me of courting popularity...it will be a major bone of contention between Westminster and Holyrood...and I doubt much sense will be heard over the cacophony about to ensue...

Worrying parallels

Still confined to the house while one superbug after another batters me. I am totally knackered, every bone aches, I feel squeamish most of the time etc etc. I hate being off work and am totally bored but, in truth, motion of any kind is exhausting. Even setting the laptop up almost defied me.

I read that Mike Bloomberg ex-Democrat backer and ex-Republican mayor of New York is about to enter the presidential fray. Certainly rich enough to run as an independent, and with all the credentials to represent the Jewish democratic lobby, he will be a formidable candidate against a Mormon Republican and a Christian Afro-American Democrat.

Barack Obama, while certainly a talented orator, has said nothing of substance that enthuses me...I still think his flame will begin to flicker... but the opinion polls must be worrying Clinton...one thing is for sure the presidential race is wide open.

Eric (Milligan) reminded me today of the post Vietnam election where the Democrats rallied behind McGovern and his anti-war rhetoric and in the end were thumped...for those on the left, there are worrying parallels.

Caucuses

The Iowa Caucus has delivered its surprise result. I am truly amazed that Hilary Clinton came third. She is an amazing, super smart woman and should become the first female president of the USA. I can only assume her age, her husband's reputation and the natural conservatism of the mid-West has done for her. I imagine she and her team are analysing the results closely - but she has been wounded. Third place and her enemies will already be smelling blood.

I know little of Barack Obama but I will remedy that fast. It is hard to believe his victory was other than a shot across the bows of the establishment.

The Republican victor Mike Huckabee has no chance. He will be pushed aside in the later votes. His appeal was largely to do with his opposition to the Iraq war and to the many people of faith who like his religious views. Again, I believe a vote for him was a broadside from the ordinary voter against the Washington establishment.

My recent trip to Nevada gave me an insight into three key facts about the mid West psyche: everybody is worried about the low value of the dollar...people are working hard for less in their pocket; faith plays a huge part in the ordinary person's life - even the hairdresser spoke to me about the importance of church going for her; nobody was very sure who they wanted to see win the next presidential race but all mentioned the need for big change. Interestingly, few mentioned the Iraq war except in the most non committal way.

I go to New York later this year - it will be interesting to see what city dwellers in the east think.

2008 and a resolution to be more confrontational

2008 started well. Dinner on Hogmanay at Cafe Sardi with six good friends then off to Musselburgh for a family hoolay - my daughter arranged a quiz including general knowledge, spelling bee and bowling with Wi (my mother swept the boards) - and bringing in the New Year with cocktails.

After that it was downhill all the way. Mike and I both have the flu bug (though he is worse than me) and so I am shivering, huddled in a thick cardi, writing this not very fluent blog (only because he has commandeered the bed) and I want to commit my not very ambitious resolutions to page:

Resolution 1: Lose weight (my resolution every year since forever, but this will be the year it happens!)
Resolution 2: Challenge myself each day ( I have grown adept at sliding round challenges - it might be a small thing like force myself to take a walking route that involves a slope when normally I will walk hundreds of yards extra to stay on the flat [see resolution 1] or it might be a bigger thing like stick up for myself more. Friends tell me I have grown too placatory in my old age and that I let things go when previously I would have been more confrontational...
Resolution 3: to learn a new skill...I'm not sure which yet, but I have grown bored with myself so it is time to add to my repertoire

I will report on progress as the year goes on.

Viz Resolution 2: I happened to be in the second hand bookshop in Leith last week and came across a glossy covered booklet called Leith Lives by David Stewart Valentine.

I am most aggrieved.

In the early 80's I managed a project called the Leith History Project which was a government sponsored scheme to help people into work. Our aim was to collect the oral & pictorial history of Leith since the 19th century onwards and to reproduce it.

My team was an eclectic mix of academics, post graduates and community development workers as well as local people who wanted to rejoin the job market. We called our series of booklets Leith Lives: the name was first mooted by Simon Taylor (now a respected academic at St Andrew's University) and was chosen by the team because of the play on 'lives' as both plural noun and verb.

Now, I see that Mr Valentine had received Crown permission to reproduce our work; I also see he has acknowledged Pat Donald, the chair of the original project, but I think his explanation as to the source of the stories is disinegenuous in the extreme. Any casual reader of the acknowledgments would be unable to draw the conclusion that the original research was not his. My word, he has even pinched the titles of each of the original booklets to head his chapters plus the map of the Kirkgate that Simon and Andrew and Russell laboured long and hard over...

He is charging £10 for this book. I shake my head in wondernment ...