An Update

The sheer scale of our task in delivering the Community Assets Transfer project becomes clear on Friday. We have the preliminary "scoping" meeting with the Development Trusts Association to begin to develop the fully costed proposal, design brief and planning permission. It is more about establishing a timetable to fit all the pieces of the jigsaw in place - and in time. We had originally conceived of a timetable which meant that we would be submitting towards the end of October (this was thought of as tight but achievable). However, clarification with the Big Lottery reveals that the effective date for submission is now at the end of September which really piles the pressure on. Lots to be done but I have a lot of confidence in project partners so we begin to look at the "whose working on what" elements of the process and feed in our work plans of what we will be doing. As ever, it is the formalities which are time consuming such as a written partnership agreement to describe our respective roles and responsibilities. It will rely on some legal work to be completed at speed which is not always the Borough Council's 'gear of choice' but we shall see.

On the recreational side it was a sheer delight to see Jools Holland in concert and jamming with an exceptional group of musicians. It was also a fine evening which permitted a picnic which was great.

On the good news/bad news front we will shortly be saying goodbye to Jan who has looked after our health work by supporting the Health and Social Care Forum. Sad that we lose a really effective worker - and member of the winning HVA quiz team. But nice to have played a role in the next stage of someones professional development.

Apart from that I co-design an Employment Law training course with Pat our group support worker and generally catch up on issues affecting a couple of the groups we are jointly supporting. We also welcomed Sue to work this morning wearing a medal and a rather proud grin on her face. She did the Race for Life yesterday (5miles in 50 minutes) raising over £300 in the process.

What else? I guess I should record the fact that another birthday has passed and I am now a whopping 47 years of age!! Nice card from the team though which was much appreciated. A sobering thought to remember that by the time he was my age Mozart had been dead 20 years!During his short life he composed over 600 hundred pieces of music spanning opera, chamber music, symphonies, diverdimenti, sonatos, concertos and a requiem. Here is my favourite Mozart moment from the impeccable Shawshank Redemption. A wonderful aria from the Marriage of Figaro http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GAJ2skOJvdY proving - if proof was needed - that beauty can be found in the most unlikely of places.