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.