A parent from a local PPP school visits to tell me parents are up in arms. The grounds are not being maintained, the grass is long and local junkies are discarding their paraphernalia in the grounds. Children go there to play and are at risk from the hidden danger.
I phone the school: the headteacher confirms the facts: indeed one child has been pricked and sent for urgent treatment: the school, following procedures, has reported (several times) to both Amey (PPP company) and C+F department requesting urgent action...without success.
I phone Mike Rosendale who understands the implications immediately, kicks arses and the grass is cut this morning along with a series of other management actions... the picture is complicated though: the grass is Amey's responsibility, the shrubbery is the school's and I imagine there will be future arguments as to who is responsible for what...I'm not in principle against PPP schools but when a convenient funding arrangement leaves kids at risk then serious questions have to be asked...
Friday, 29 August 2008
The Gala
A full house at last night's West Pilton Neighbourhood Centre's AGM and everyone very supportive of guest speaker, John Loughton, who aims to spearhead a Community Gala for all 5 North Edinburgh neighbourhoods.
We discover that the orginal wooden throne of the Gala Queen is still in existence...and is to be resurrected. Could this be the very same throne a very young Eleanor McLaughlin once occupied when she was Queen of the Gala?
Congratulations too, to Angela Cusack who won the West Pilton Rose Bowl for her contribution to Children Inc. and to the community in general. She seemed genuinely overcome.
We discover that the orginal wooden throne of the Gala Queen is still in existence...and is to be resurrected. Could this be the very same throne a very young Eleanor McLaughlin once occupied when she was Queen of the Gala?
Congratulations too, to Angela Cusack who won the West Pilton Rose Bowl for her contribution to Children Inc. and to the community in general. She seemed genuinely overcome.
Thursday, 28 August 2008
Not funny at all
Yesterday I visited Colin Hunter at Waterfront Edinburgh who provided a full briefing on the current situation and his future plans - Colin, I suspect, was a boy who knew how to turn bad news into good, able to see the silver lining in any dark cloud...in other words he is a good lateral thinker with an optimistic outlook. If his new vision comes to pass he will have snatched victory from the jaws of defeat and will have done Granton and Edinburgh a very good turn indeed.
On the very same day I am learning of new ideas to rescue Granton' s Waterfront, Forth Ports application for renewal of the docklands is heard at the Planning Committee. I am told my Liberal Ward colleague Elaine Morris (widely gossiped as the wannabe chair of planning) asked many (negative) questions and prolonged proceedings to such an extent that Cllr Cameron Rose eventually lost patience and asked that 'the question be put' . I am pleased to say the outline application was passed unanimously.
Later she is heard to berate him for disrespect in truncating the debate which is, if I may be so bold, a bit rich coming from the chair of the political group which brought 'traffic lights' to the Council Chambers!
Then, even later, I am a guest of the Chamber of Commerce at the Mela Dinner where my other ward colleague Steve Cardownie is host for the evening. Mine host's duties include announcing the winners of a very extensive raffle draw. He invites various sponsors to draw envelopes from the box. Nathan Thompson, on behalf of principal sponsor, Forth Ports, takes an envelope from Steve who quips, 'This is a first...Nathan taking an envelope from a councillor...usually it's the other way round...'
Not funny, especially on the day Forth Ports gets its planning permission - not funny at all.
Cardownie should watch his mouth.
On the very same day I am learning of new ideas to rescue Granton' s Waterfront, Forth Ports application for renewal of the docklands is heard at the Planning Committee. I am told my Liberal Ward colleague Elaine Morris (widely gossiped as the wannabe chair of planning) asked many (negative) questions and prolonged proceedings to such an extent that Cllr Cameron Rose eventually lost patience and asked that 'the question be put' . I am pleased to say the outline application was passed unanimously.
Later she is heard to berate him for disrespect in truncating the debate which is, if I may be so bold, a bit rich coming from the chair of the political group which brought 'traffic lights' to the Council Chambers!
Then, even later, I am a guest of the Chamber of Commerce at the Mela Dinner where my other ward colleague Steve Cardownie is host for the evening. Mine host's duties include announcing the winners of a very extensive raffle draw. He invites various sponsors to draw envelopes from the box. Nathan Thompson, on behalf of principal sponsor, Forth Ports, takes an envelope from Steve who quips, 'This is a first...Nathan taking an envelope from a councillor...usually it's the other way round...'
Not funny, especially on the day Forth Ports gets its planning permission - not funny at all.
Cardownie should watch his mouth.
Tuesday, 26 August 2008
Idle hands
Missed the C+F committee today as a) still without my car and travelling quickly about town not easy and b) had a special PEP Board meeting to attend...staff hours being cut as a result of dismal, uncertain financial situation ...however most staff seem phlegmatic if not exactly upbeat. I am not exempt from the hours/salary cut so I will have more time on my hands. Just think of the mischief I can get up to...idle hands and all that...
Monday, 25 August 2008
Diligence and commitment to public duty
Today, a meeting with other Forth councillors about the location of recycling bins in a local street - and disagreement over the solution. Apparently the protocol is we go with the majority vote...we try valiantly to find some common ground aware, that for 1 constituent, this has become an issue of overwhelming importance but to resolve in her favour, most probably means upsetting all the rest. We edge towards a solution that involves monitoring, trials and an attempt to change a whole street's recycling behaviour in order to reduce the number of on street receptacles.
The officer explains this exercise will involve her visiting the street every day for 4 months (even if only briefly) and instinctively I want to back pedal on the solution - it seems a helluva lot of extra pressure on a busy, senior officer's time just to find a solution to 1 singularly persistent complaint.
She is adamant, though. If she can crack this problem then it can be applied elsewhere in the city and she can only be certain of the evidence if she sees it for herself.
I have to applaud her diligence and commitment to duty and I hope, in the end, we are able to satisfy the constituent...nonetheless, it seems a very expensive way to serve the public.
The officer explains this exercise will involve her visiting the street every day for 4 months (even if only briefly) and instinctively I want to back pedal on the solution - it seems a helluva lot of extra pressure on a busy, senior officer's time just to find a solution to 1 singularly persistent complaint.
She is adamant, though. If she can crack this problem then it can be applied elsewhere in the city and she can only be certain of the evidence if she sees it for herself.
I have to applaud her diligence and commitment to duty and I hope, in the end, we are able to satisfy the constituent...nonetheless, it seems a very expensive way to serve the public.
A swim by jumping over the wall
Saturday's Gala at the new park in Waterfront was busy - many people there and I am sure the organisers will be well pleased. Whether it will lead to an increase in Church membership is another thing altogether.
The park itself is nicely laid out with a good spread of interesting water features and well designed, well planted borders - maybe a wee bit short on benches for folk to have a seat and take in the view - but nevertheless an undeniable improvement on what preceded it. I predict that, once opened, the viewing platform which overhangs the pond will become a favourite spot for local kids to dive from - and once they realise they can take a swim by merely jumping over the wall and fence from West Granton Road....
The park itself is nicely laid out with a good spread of interesting water features and well designed, well planted borders - maybe a wee bit short on benches for folk to have a seat and take in the view - but nevertheless an undeniable improvement on what preceded it. I predict that, once opened, the viewing platform which overhangs the pond will become a favourite spot for local kids to dive from - and once they realise they can take a swim by merely jumping over the wall and fence from West Granton Road....
Saturday, 23 August 2008
An old joke...
You know the old joke about how many electricians does it take to change a light bulb? How many councillors does it take to send a letter?
Weeks ago, 15th July to be precise, my secretary organised a public meeting for folks in Dudley to tell their councillors how we'd got it wrong with the bus route for Newhaven Road. Then, there was a meeting with the new director of transport and a solution of sorts was found. Then we meet to agree to send out a letter signed by all 4 Forth Ward councillors to tell our constituents the proposed changes ...much flaffing about and only 6 weeks since the saga began is the letter finally being posted...this business of working together to get things sorted ain't quick or very efficient...
Weeks ago, 15th July to be precise, my secretary organised a public meeting for folks in Dudley to tell their councillors how we'd got it wrong with the bus route for Newhaven Road. Then, there was a meeting with the new director of transport and a solution of sorts was found. Then we meet to agree to send out a letter signed by all 4 Forth Ward councillors to tell our constituents the proposed changes ...much flaffing about and only 6 weeks since the saga began is the letter finally being posted...this business of working together to get things sorted ain't quick or very efficient...
Thursday, 21 August 2008
The house is falling down
Council meeting went off smoothly enough today though there were some odd rulings by the Lord Provost which were certainly not impartial (and I don't mean the two castings votes)...however, I'm sure they would be able to point to some similar prejudice when we were in power so no use making a meal of it...
It's been a busy few days with constituents' complaints - easily 20 - which is a high number for a 72 hours period and all coming in by phone or email...strangest complaint is easily the one where it is alleged somebody on the ground floor knocked down a wall causing serious problems for those upstairs - cracked walls, unstable balconies, floors subsided and ceilings falling down...I've asked the housing department to get on to it tout de suite...I will keep you posted!
It's been a busy few days with constituents' complaints - easily 20 - which is a high number for a 72 hours period and all coming in by phone or email...strangest complaint is easily the one where it is alleged somebody on the ground floor knocked down a wall causing serious problems for those upstairs - cracked walls, unstable balconies, floors subsided and ceilings falling down...I've asked the housing department to get on to it tout de suite...I will keep you posted!
Wednesday, 20 August 2008
Caveat Emptor
Today was strike day and so I found myself nowhere near the Council and barred from my surgery - I was half hoping 1 of the 4 UNISON members (of which I am one) at PEP might decide to mount an official picket at No.3 West Pilton Park...not this time, though.
So tonight I have no official business to report only local gossip...of which there is plenty. North Edinburgh is jumping with red hot kind of stuff - about the Unfairer Scotland Fund and how it is allegedly all the fault of the Labour Party!!!
[Just for the record, it's not Labour who agreed the formula that scythes the size of the grant to North Edinburgh. It's not Labour who is trying to force bona fide, long standing community reps off the funding panel. It's not Labour who is listening to and repeating endless, false tittle tattle about community organisations. It's not Labour who is trying to stop community organisations meet and it's definitely not Labour who is collaborating in the oldest trick in the book...create a diversion, send a false hare running, try to split the opposition and use any trompe l'oeil to divide and rule.]
Across the country political opponents of the Labour Party scent blood. That's politics with a capital P. The rules of politics with a capital P mean criticism is attributable so issues are debated openly and people get a chance to respond.
However, in North Edinburgh the Labour Party's enemies sneak around anonymously (with at least 1 politician with a capital P aiding and abetting, presumably in the delusion it gives some political advantage) stoking up a 'looking at the world through the wrong end of a telescope' view of the world.
Meantime, the interests of the community are being damaged.
Like the rest of the Forth Ward, I am still waiting for either or both of the Administration councillors to make any kind of statement that acknowledges there are risks to their constituents as a result of the funding agreement. Indeed, I am still waiting for either to acknowledge there is any crisis at all. I think it's called turning a blind eye...or maybe they genuinely don't really care...
I've been around long enough to know the wisdom of the old adage: you can fool all of the people some of the time, some of the people all of the time but you can't fool all of the people all of the time.
Caveat emptor.
So tonight I have no official business to report only local gossip...of which there is plenty. North Edinburgh is jumping with red hot kind of stuff - about the Unfairer Scotland Fund and how it is allegedly all the fault of the Labour Party!!!
[Just for the record, it's not Labour who agreed the formula that scythes the size of the grant to North Edinburgh. It's not Labour who is trying to force bona fide, long standing community reps off the funding panel. It's not Labour who is listening to and repeating endless, false tittle tattle about community organisations. It's not Labour who is trying to stop community organisations meet and it's definitely not Labour who is collaborating in the oldest trick in the book...create a diversion, send a false hare running, try to split the opposition and use any trompe l'oeil to divide and rule.]
Across the country political opponents of the Labour Party scent blood. That's politics with a capital P. The rules of politics with a capital P mean criticism is attributable so issues are debated openly and people get a chance to respond.
However, in North Edinburgh the Labour Party's enemies sneak around anonymously (with at least 1 politician with a capital P aiding and abetting, presumably in the delusion it gives some political advantage) stoking up a 'looking at the world through the wrong end of a telescope' view of the world.
Meantime, the interests of the community are being damaged.
Like the rest of the Forth Ward, I am still waiting for either or both of the Administration councillors to make any kind of statement that acknowledges there are risks to their constituents as a result of the funding agreement. Indeed, I am still waiting for either to acknowledge there is any crisis at all. I think it's called turning a blind eye...or maybe they genuinely don't really care...
I've been around long enough to know the wisdom of the old adage: you can fool all of the people some of the time, some of the people all of the time but you can't fool all of the people all of the time.
Caveat emptor.
Tuesday, 19 August 2008
Homeward to think again
Another busy day capped by my wee faithful Fiesta blowing up on me at George Street. A long delay waiting for the vehicle recovery only to be told, 'There's nothing wrong with it, hen. Just put the heating fan on full blast and get it checked at your garage tomorrow.'
S-C-R-E-A-M
So all tonight's meetings went kaput and here I am, on the laptop instead.
I enjoyed this morning's Economic Development Committee. It is obvious the new officers are already making a difference even if the Convener needs to brush up on Citrine's Rule Book, not to mention standing orders, which mean that council officers don't take part once the political debate has started, and that the amendment is moved after the motion, not the other way round. These little hiccups notwithstanding, there was a lot of good stuff on the agenda. Most pleasing was the unanimous agreement that responsibility for the Inspiring Capital brand needs to come under the curtilage of Econ Dev.
Most depressing was the situation WEL finds itself in - it looks certain there will need to be some considerable restructuring both financially and organisationally which will inevitably mean prolonging the regeneration project.
Back at PEP, I was surprised to find a photo in tonight's Evening News - I couldn't even remember when it was taken and my hair was a mess (vanity I know, but when you hate getting your photo taken as much as I do, these things matter) but since the story was about a real mess too, maybe there was a bit of clever, subliminal editing going on.
Anybody who thinks Edinburgh's distribution of the Fairer Scotland Fund is fair needs to go homeward to think again.
S-C-R-E-A-M
So all tonight's meetings went kaput and here I am, on the laptop instead.
I enjoyed this morning's Economic Development Committee. It is obvious the new officers are already making a difference even if the Convener needs to brush up on Citrine's Rule Book, not to mention standing orders, which mean that council officers don't take part once the political debate has started, and that the amendment is moved after the motion, not the other way round. These little hiccups notwithstanding, there was a lot of good stuff on the agenda. Most pleasing was the unanimous agreement that responsibility for the Inspiring Capital brand needs to come under the curtilage of Econ Dev.
Most depressing was the situation WEL finds itself in - it looks certain there will need to be some considerable restructuring both financially and organisationally which will inevitably mean prolonging the regeneration project.
Back at PEP, I was surprised to find a photo in tonight's Evening News - I couldn't even remember when it was taken and my hair was a mess (vanity I know, but when you hate getting your photo taken as much as I do, these things matter) but since the story was about a real mess too, maybe there was a bit of clever, subliminal editing going on.
Anybody who thinks Edinburgh's distribution of the Fairer Scotland Fund is fair needs to go homeward to think again.
Monday, 18 August 2008
Joined up thinking
Gawd, it's been a long day - just in (9pm) and been on the go since 7.45am - decided it would be too easy just to not bother with the blog but this is where my steely discipline kicks in...
PEP's AGM today: nearly 40 people there and Malcolm as the guest speaker. He speaks well -even if we do not always see eye to eye there is no question that on his day he can put the words together: he is also locally popular.
Then on to the Council for meeting after meeting after meeting - all of which went well: tomorrow is the Economic Development Committee and I think there may be fireworks about the Newbridge issue: if ever there was a case of bureaucratic stonewalling then it is this.
Depressing news though about the Waterfront company - the price of land is dropping like a stone, the cost of remedial infrastrucure is rising and is now beyond the investment value of the private developer - this is bad for North Edinburgh. An already very elongated development schedule is about to be stretched into infinity if we are not careful. You would think the Council would want to take advantage of low land values and invest in some affordable housing for which the city is crying out; it would help kickstart the construction industry too but I suppose this is joined up thinking - not something we are particlarly famous for.
PEP's AGM today: nearly 40 people there and Malcolm as the guest speaker. He speaks well -even if we do not always see eye to eye there is no question that on his day he can put the words together: he is also locally popular.
Then on to the Council for meeting after meeting after meeting - all of which went well: tomorrow is the Economic Development Committee and I think there may be fireworks about the Newbridge issue: if ever there was a case of bureaucratic stonewalling then it is this.
Depressing news though about the Waterfront company - the price of land is dropping like a stone, the cost of remedial infrastrucure is rising and is now beyond the investment value of the private developer - this is bad for North Edinburgh. An already very elongated development schedule is about to be stretched into infinity if we are not careful. You would think the Council would want to take advantage of low land values and invest in some affordable housing for which the city is crying out; it would help kickstart the construction industry too but I suppose this is joined up thinking - not something we are particlarly famous for.
Saturday, 16 August 2008
A total guddle
I'd like to say that the reason for my recent disappearance from your screen was anything to do with holidays or Festival....sadly, not. I have turned into a very boring workaholic ...at the moment there is no such thing as a work/life balance for me. That does not mean to say I have not had some interesting encounters, just not the time to relate them.
In anticipation of decisions, all North Edinburgh local organisations in receipt of Fairer Scotland Fund monies have been asked to submit a questionnaire providing details of their service, how they fit the new criteria (employability, early intervention and health inequalities) etc. Interestingly, we have also been asked for postcode data of service users as well as the number of local people (i.e. those who live in the Forth Ward) employed in each project.
The postcode data I can understand: historically, North Edinburgh included Drylaw (now in Inverleith) and obviously projects will be delivering to people in Inverleith as well as in Forth so it is not unfair to ask Inverleith to continue to part fund some of those projects.
However, I can't think of any rule that dictates local employment in FSF funded projects. As it happens, in PEP we have 12 out of 15 staff members who live in the Forth Ward, but there will be many projects where this isn't the case and there isn't a law in the land which could make it otherwise. It will be interesting to know how the Panel intends to use that information.
I have been doing a bit of digging into the Edinburgh distribution arrangements for FSF.
Previously, this fund was distributed on the basis of the national index of deprivation which used 'datazones' of 800 people to identify the communities which needed most help. In Edinburgh though, it has been decided to use a new system called the Edinburgh Index which uses census data (last collected in 2001) to drill down to very much smaller groups of 50 - 60 people.
Remember, nobody knows who these 50-60 people are: they are not identifiable on an individual basis - but on the evidence of these very small numbers, all Neighbourhood Partnerships have been awarded a share of the FSF money. So the unedifying results are:
In anticipation of decisions, all North Edinburgh local organisations in receipt of Fairer Scotland Fund monies have been asked to submit a questionnaire providing details of their service, how they fit the new criteria (employability, early intervention and health inequalities) etc. Interestingly, we have also been asked for postcode data of service users as well as the number of local people (i.e. those who live in the Forth Ward) employed in each project.
The postcode data I can understand: historically, North Edinburgh included Drylaw (now in Inverleith) and obviously projects will be delivering to people in Inverleith as well as in Forth so it is not unfair to ask Inverleith to continue to part fund some of those projects.
However, I can't think of any rule that dictates local employment in FSF funded projects. As it happens, in PEP we have 12 out of 15 staff members who live in the Forth Ward, but there will be many projects where this isn't the case and there isn't a law in the land which could make it otherwise. It will be interesting to know how the Panel intends to use that information.
I have been doing a bit of digging into the Edinburgh distribution arrangements for FSF.
Previously, this fund was distributed on the basis of the national index of deprivation which used 'datazones' of 800 people to identify the communities which needed most help. In Edinburgh though, it has been decided to use a new system called the Edinburgh Index which uses census data (last collected in 2001) to drill down to very much smaller groups of 50 - 60 people.
Remember, nobody knows who these 50-60 people are: they are not identifiable on an individual basis - but on the evidence of these very small numbers, all Neighbourhood Partnerships have been awarded a share of the FSF money. So the unedifying results are:
- money is redistributed away from poor areas to wealthier areas
- wealthier areas have money to help the small number of poor people living among them but have no idea of who or where they are
- identified poor people living in poor areas are seeing important community supports, that help improve their personal circumstances, eroded
- all areas, rich or poor, have to meet criteria set by those on high
- the criteria may not be relevant (take Almond, for example: it is thought their 'poor' are mostly frail elderly people - how do criteria for employability, early intervention or addressing health inequalities fit their needs?)
- the 'employability' criteria is given equal weighting (32%) with 'income' in deciding the formula for distribution of the FSF grant with education (15%) , health (15%) & crime (5%) - yet employment strategy is almost entirely (very well) funded by DWP, as is income
- The city has just won a £5 million grant from Europe to address employability issues at a strategic level and have matched funded it by top slicing £1 million from FSF - so why the insistence on employability as a key criteria at local level too?
- the 2 areas where local authorities and local projects working together could actually make a difference i.e. education & health are ranked low and community safety doesn't even get a mention
To me - this reeks of muddled thinking:
- on the one hand they want to identify individuals living in deprived circumstances and have created a distribution formula to meet that objective...
- ...but have failed come up with a formula that identifies the individuals
- they have moved resources away from large groups of identified individuals living in deprived circumstances
- and imposed a set of city wide criteria that may not be locally relevant for any area, large group or individual
- worst of all - they are in a complete guddle between 'area/geographic allocation', 'thematic allocation' and helping 'individuals who don't live in recognised areas of deprivation'
I worry when so-called 'experts' don't actually know what they are trying to achieve - looking at this debacle, you can understand why.
Thursday, 7 August 2008
Open Prisons
The story about open prisons to be found on the front page of today's Scotsman made interesting reading.
Two years ago PEP inherited the services of the former Muirhouse Six Circle. One such service was to provide a 'training for freedom' placement for John Bowden, then held in HMP Saughton.
We worked with John for about 18 months (without much trouble) during which period he qualified to teach adult literacy and was a 'hit' with his students.
After he left, we took another trainee but he was withdrawn when the programme was 'pulled' from Edinburgh and relocated to Shotts.
It was an interesting experiencence working with John and Alex. They had to follow a strict regime 'outside'. They had to make sure they traveled on the same bus morning and evening. They weren't allowed to talk to people on the bus as the authorities could be observing them without their knowledge and, if caught, their prospect of freedom would be compromised.
They couldn't vary their routes, weren't allowed to take anything into the prison (presumably in case they tried to smuggle in drugs or weapons) - I didn't fancy the regime myself: anybody who thought they had it 'easy' were fooling themselves but I didn't have much sympathy either - they were on the final stages towards release after what must have been serious crimes (we weren't told the details, only that they had both murdered) and it seemed important to me that they could handle these comparitively small constraints without 'losing' it.
What was also interesting was different people's reactions: one female member of staff, in particular, was horrified at working with either man: she asked for a lot of training in working with difficult people and self defence (which she got) but others seemed to sympathise with them as victims...some were just plain watchful, others showed no difference in their attitudes...
One thing was for absolutely sure though: both were heavily institutionalised and irrespective of any training for freedom they did it was unlikely either would find 'freedom' easy or threat-free even though both apparently longed for it.
So today's conclusion that 'open' prisons aren't working isn't much of a surprise - the whole concept is an oxymoron. On my (admittedly) limited experience, once somebody has spent a very long time in jail then (unless they are exceptional individuals) it's not very likely they will ever be free mentally, emotionally or empathetically again.
And that seems as bad a punishment as could ever be dreamed up by Man.
Two years ago PEP inherited the services of the former Muirhouse Six Circle. One such service was to provide a 'training for freedom' placement for John Bowden, then held in HMP Saughton.
We worked with John for about 18 months (without much trouble) during which period he qualified to teach adult literacy and was a 'hit' with his students.
After he left, we took another trainee but he was withdrawn when the programme was 'pulled' from Edinburgh and relocated to Shotts.
It was an interesting experiencence working with John and Alex. They had to follow a strict regime 'outside'. They had to make sure they traveled on the same bus morning and evening. They weren't allowed to talk to people on the bus as the authorities could be observing them without their knowledge and, if caught, their prospect of freedom would be compromised.
They couldn't vary their routes, weren't allowed to take anything into the prison (presumably in case they tried to smuggle in drugs or weapons) - I didn't fancy the regime myself: anybody who thought they had it 'easy' were fooling themselves but I didn't have much sympathy either - they were on the final stages towards release after what must have been serious crimes (we weren't told the details, only that they had both murdered) and it seemed important to me that they could handle these comparitively small constraints without 'losing' it.
What was also interesting was different people's reactions: one female member of staff, in particular, was horrified at working with either man: she asked for a lot of training in working with difficult people and self defence (which she got) but others seemed to sympathise with them as victims...some were just plain watchful, others showed no difference in their attitudes...
One thing was for absolutely sure though: both were heavily institutionalised and irrespective of any training for freedom they did it was unlikely either would find 'freedom' easy or threat-free even though both apparently longed for it.
So today's conclusion that 'open' prisons aren't working isn't much of a surprise - the whole concept is an oxymoron. On my (admittedly) limited experience, once somebody has spent a very long time in jail then (unless they are exceptional individuals) it's not very likely they will ever be free mentally, emotionally or empathetically again.
And that seems as bad a punishment as could ever be dreamed up by Man.
Wednesday, 6 August 2008
A community divided
I referred in yesterday's blog to subterranean rumblings but today they burst out in full view. The front page of the NEN makes for dismal reading ... a wee history lesson first...
in the mid 90's local government reorganisation meant that the regional and district councils merged to form a single tier of local government. At that time I was appointed chair of the Pilton Partnership, the organisation tasked with local community regeneration. My first decision was to try to bring together the 5 neighbourhoods which comprised 'Greater Pilton' as a single entity, to eradicate the divisive tribalism of Muirhouse, West Pilton, Granton and so forth. Henceforth the area was to be known collectively as 'North Edinburgh' not Greater Pilton, and activitists were encouraged to think beyond their local loyalty while budgets were used on an area -wide, as opposed to small neighbourhood, basis. It took a lot of time, energy and commitment from many, many people - mostly experienced activists who saw the benefits - to create a united approach but largely, we succeeded.
It didn't prevent local disagreements (Lesley, Billy and I were as guilty as anybody of falling out about priorities but we were forced to come together because our committed activists were telling us what they wanted). Always, community interests came first. It's easy to say that this approach was possible because all 3 local councillors were Labour but anyone will tell you that a politican's bitterest critics are always from within your own Party. What we never did was allow our personal differences become the subject of community division - we always left the community to make up its own mind.
One year on from the elections, with a new electoral system that has given North Edinburgh representatives from 4 different Parties, we are looking at an entirely different landscape: not because the majority of activists think any differently - they are all still interested in their community and doing their best for it - but entirely because two or three malcontents (people who make trouble in an empty room) now have the ear of Politicans who think their Party Political interests are served by listening and acting on ill informed gossip.
Naturally, people have the right to take contrary points of view - that's what makes for democracy, and I personally have no problem arguing with folk who make their view known candidly and openly. I respect those folk even if I don't agree with them.
What I can't be bothered with is the wee group of chatterati who don't know enough, deliberately distort the little they do know and then point the finger at everybody else when predictably things come crashing about their ears.
It is a very sad day when the NEN carries a headline 'A Community Divided'. Cuts in the Fairer Scotland Fund may have been the catalyst but the actions of a tiny few (both activist and politician) have accelerated the process. I fear that North Edinburgh divided may mean North Edinburgh defeated.
My job as a North Edinburgh politican is to try to get the best deal for the community I represent - I sincerely trust that is the reaction of my 3 ward colleagues too.
in the mid 90's local government reorganisation meant that the regional and district councils merged to form a single tier of local government. At that time I was appointed chair of the Pilton Partnership, the organisation tasked with local community regeneration. My first decision was to try to bring together the 5 neighbourhoods which comprised 'Greater Pilton' as a single entity, to eradicate the divisive tribalism of Muirhouse, West Pilton, Granton and so forth. Henceforth the area was to be known collectively as 'North Edinburgh' not Greater Pilton, and activitists were encouraged to think beyond their local loyalty while budgets were used on an area -wide, as opposed to small neighbourhood, basis. It took a lot of time, energy and commitment from many, many people - mostly experienced activists who saw the benefits - to create a united approach but largely, we succeeded.
It didn't prevent local disagreements (Lesley, Billy and I were as guilty as anybody of falling out about priorities but we were forced to come together because our committed activists were telling us what they wanted). Always, community interests came first. It's easy to say that this approach was possible because all 3 local councillors were Labour but anyone will tell you that a politican's bitterest critics are always from within your own Party. What we never did was allow our personal differences become the subject of community division - we always left the community to make up its own mind.
One year on from the elections, with a new electoral system that has given North Edinburgh representatives from 4 different Parties, we are looking at an entirely different landscape: not because the majority of activists think any differently - they are all still interested in their community and doing their best for it - but entirely because two or three malcontents (people who make trouble in an empty room) now have the ear of Politicans who think their Party Political interests are served by listening and acting on ill informed gossip.
Naturally, people have the right to take contrary points of view - that's what makes for democracy, and I personally have no problem arguing with folk who make their view known candidly and openly. I respect those folk even if I don't agree with them.
What I can't be bothered with is the wee group of chatterati who don't know enough, deliberately distort the little they do know and then point the finger at everybody else when predictably things come crashing about their ears.
It is a very sad day when the NEN carries a headline 'A Community Divided'. Cuts in the Fairer Scotland Fund may have been the catalyst but the actions of a tiny few (both activist and politician) have accelerated the process. I fear that North Edinburgh divided may mean North Edinburgh defeated.
My job as a North Edinburgh politican is to try to get the best deal for the community I represent - I sincerely trust that is the reaction of my 3 ward colleagues too.
Tuesday, 5 August 2008
Life 2
I just noticed it's a week since I last wrote anything on the blog - a sure sign I have been very busy or there's not much going on ...
I certainly have been busy but it's more PEP been keeping me occupied - this is the time of the year when funders start wanting end of year reports etc - it's tedious work but somebody has to do it...
Locally there seems to be a fair bit of subterranean activity going on with darkest fears and mutterings and mumblings...all around the Fairer Scotland Fund et al. Tomorrow there is a meeting to discuss it, which I bet will reach no conclusions but you never know...
This weekend my better half and I celebrated (if that is the word) 35 years of marriage...it was a time to reflect on how many people who attended our wedding are no longer with us and how full our family is of people who were not then even a twinkle in anyone's eye. It gave us both pause for thought...
I certainly have been busy but it's more PEP been keeping me occupied - this is the time of the year when funders start wanting end of year reports etc - it's tedious work but somebody has to do it...
Locally there seems to be a fair bit of subterranean activity going on with darkest fears and mutterings and mumblings...all around the Fairer Scotland Fund et al. Tomorrow there is a meeting to discuss it, which I bet will reach no conclusions but you never know...
This weekend my better half and I celebrated (if that is the word) 35 years of marriage...it was a time to reflect on how many people who attended our wedding are no longer with us and how full our family is of people who were not then even a twinkle in anyone's eye. It gave us both pause for thought...
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