In the words of Robert Falcon Scott - "it's getting really cold now so this may be my last message" as I am away for Christmas. A cool yule and a restive festive to everyone who reads this blog. I accepted a speaking engagement for january and the confirming letter contained the following:-
"It is good to speak to you yesterday and from your blog you are clearly a rennaisanse man"
Proves that someone reads it anyway...as far as our sign of lyric reference is concerned check this out (bet Bing Corosby would be shitting himself if he were still alive) http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=Lv_-jO4o5Xo
See you in 2008
Friday 21 December 2007
Wednesday 19 December 2007
The Goose is getting fat
Today I take off on the morning run with the dog as soon as it gets light. It is very verycold and one of those days where you have to 'hit the road' before your brain kicks into gear (if you thought about it too much you wouldn't do it).
I arrive at work and brief members of our Board on how the next financial year looks and some of the real uncertainties created by thre delayed Comprehensive Spending Review and the change from Neighbourhood Renewal to whatever funding stream will kick in after April 08. It is all very uncertain and the most frustrating thing is that there is not a lot we can do to reduce that uncertainty. A go upstairs to find a new computer waiting for me ready and waiting. This is good news as the old one simply died and was going so slowly I have had to work from home to send e-mails.
Onwards to the Christmas team meal at the Bridge Community Centre. It is a fairly rare occassion all being in the same place at the same time and makes me realise what a really nice group of people I work with. It is such a diverse group of personalities, backgrounds and outlooks but all the better for it. We have a pleasant meal and drift away in stages as some have meetings, others have work and a couple have elected to go Xmas shopping (don't know which is worse as the Town is packed at the moment). I decide that the blog will fall into disuse and not be read unless I get back to regular updates and am sitting here for a good catch up.
HVA's volunteer organiser made a request for a Led Zeppelin track so here is a classic track taken from their reunion comeback concert a few days ago - happy christmas Rose http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3G_JTMuHOQk
I arrive at work and brief members of our Board on how the next financial year looks and some of the real uncertainties created by thre delayed Comprehensive Spending Review and the change from Neighbourhood Renewal to whatever funding stream will kick in after April 08. It is all very uncertain and the most frustrating thing is that there is not a lot we can do to reduce that uncertainty. A go upstairs to find a new computer waiting for me ready and waiting. This is good news as the old one simply died and was going so slowly I have had to work from home to send e-mails.
Onwards to the Christmas team meal at the Bridge Community Centre. It is a fairly rare occassion all being in the same place at the same time and makes me realise what a really nice group of people I work with. It is such a diverse group of personalities, backgrounds and outlooks but all the better for it. We have a pleasant meal and drift away in stages as some have meetings, others have work and a couple have elected to go Xmas shopping (don't know which is worse as the Town is packed at the moment). I decide that the blog will fall into disuse and not be read unless I get back to regular updates and am sitting here for a good catch up.
HVA's volunteer organiser made a request for a Led Zeppelin track so here is a classic track taken from their reunion comeback concert a few days ago - happy christmas Rose http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3G_JTMuHOQk
I fought the law and the law won
A reminder of a previous life as I agree to respresent one of our members at an Employment Tribunal. They are up against a barrister and quite a large law firm so the odds seemed unfair. It is a fascinating if stressful day as I cross examine a witness in detail for over 4 hours. I was a little rusty to begin with but old skills do return and after 3 hours the tribunal make a preliminary determination in our favour.
I'm back...as a matter of fact I'm back
It seems an absolute age since I caught up with myself – blogging wise – and much to report on. Firstly a few days off sees a quick trip to the Czech Republic where I visit the truly beautiful city of Prague with Sue which is simply lovely. I learn much about the history of its Jewish Quarter and about the tragedy of the years of communism from 2 superb guides. I began the days with a run in a local park – weather is not bad (a bit like we left in England). On my return it is a trip to the Brighton Centre to see the Kings of Leon who play a really great set although at just over 1hour and 10 minutes it could have been longer for my £25 quid but there you go.
Workwise things are as busy as ever as I attend the Local Strategic Partnership to try and convince partners that some of the community engagement stuff is among the most important things they do and must be preserved in the new (post NRF) regime. Basically, the Borough Council had planned on the basis that Hastings would no longer feature among the most deprived parts of the Country and, as a consequence, would not be in receipt of the funding this status brings. Both HVA and the Community Network had argued otherwise and were proved right when the indices of deprivation were published. It is a strange state of affairs as, now there is actually money to spend, the Council and LSP seem not to have anticipated how they will actually manage the process. There is much scratching of heads and the forming of a small sub-group to take things forward but 2 months has effectively been wasted since I presented the paper to the Executive Delivery Group time which could have been put to good use given that jobs are at risk. One would have thought that approaching this problem someone would have evaluated all the possible options, looked at the most likely and built some contingencies to be enacted which come into play when a situation arises. However the plan which went to Cabinet assumed only one eventuality which is strange rather like p[laying a game of chess assuming that your opponent will only make 1 move. (memo to self: offer to play Roy Mawford at Chess for money!!).
Onwards to a telephone interview where with the Borough Council and Hastings Trust we describe the community assets transfer bid in detail. This has been assembled in short order but the result looks like it could get through. There is detailed questioning which we make our way through. Our performance hits the right note and we are given the clearest possible indication that the bid will make it through to the next stage.
Workwise things are as busy as ever as I attend the Local Strategic Partnership to try and convince partners that some of the community engagement stuff is among the most important things they do and must be preserved in the new (post NRF) regime. Basically, the Borough Council had planned on the basis that Hastings would no longer feature among the most deprived parts of the Country and, as a consequence, would not be in receipt of the funding this status brings. Both HVA and the Community Network had argued otherwise and were proved right when the indices of deprivation were published. It is a strange state of affairs as, now there is actually money to spend, the Council and LSP seem not to have anticipated how they will actually manage the process. There is much scratching of heads and the forming of a small sub-group to take things forward but 2 months has effectively been wasted since I presented the paper to the Executive Delivery Group time which could have been put to good use given that jobs are at risk. One would have thought that approaching this problem someone would have evaluated all the possible options, looked at the most likely and built some contingencies to be enacted which come into play when a situation arises. However the plan which went to Cabinet assumed only one eventuality which is strange rather like p[laying a game of chess assuming that your opponent will only make 1 move. (memo to self: offer to play Roy Mawford at Chess for money!!).
Onwards to a telephone interview where with the Borough Council and Hastings Trust we describe the community assets transfer bid in detail. This has been assembled in short order but the result looks like it could get through. There is detailed questioning which we make our way through. Our performance hits the right note and we are given the clearest possible indication that the bid will make it through to the next stage.
Saturday 8 December 2007
a grand year for babies and quiz panel games
Onto the Pig in Paradise for the interagency quiz. The HVA 'A' Team is depleted as Peter has to be out of Town for a few days. We come fourth but the HVA 'B' team ('B' in this instance is standing for Better of course) storm to an emphatic victory. So well done Fran, John and James.
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