tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8150854159364820604.post2280533091562372623..comments2023-05-10T16:38:37.925+01:00Comments on Stockwood Pete: Cuts, Greens, and the Peoples Front of JudeaPete Goodwinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07115478143080295370noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8150854159364820604.post-36449186568061805122013-02-07T12:36:43.049+00:002013-02-07T12:36:43.049+00:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.f.paulhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04408349231262681655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8150854159364820604.post-54458079863175209332013-02-03T23:34:04.440+00:002013-02-03T23:34:04.440+00:00Yes, I saw that they're closing the adventure ...Yes, I saw that they're closing the adventure space at Windmill Hill City Farm. I said this was going to be be cruel and unfair.<br /><br />But you can't be suggesting that it wouldn't have happened if Gus had stayed out of the Cabinet?<br /><br />Can you suggest anything with even a half chance of preventing cuts like this? Other than defeating the government, of course.... Stockwood Petehttp://stockwoodpete.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8150854159364820604.post-91888299178991273852013-02-01T16:17:36.179+00:002013-02-01T16:17:36.179+00:00That press release doesn't create the impressi...That press release doesn't create the impression you don't support it. Quite the reverse.<br /><br />There's more on this in today's Post: <br /><br />http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/Bristol-s-Windmill-Hill-City-Farm-closes/story-18021185-detail/story.html<br /><br />It's also worth finding about the TUPE arrangements (or lack of them) that BCC staff transferring to the new organisations have received. Once again, workers are paying the price in lost jobs, lost employment benefits and less pay. <br /><br />A terrible thing to be putting your names to.The Bristol Bloggerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05776065164023718096noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8150854159364820604.post-17983670102990944482013-02-01T00:54:21.578+00:002013-02-01T00:54:21.578+00:00From what I've heard, the youth service cuts a...From what I've heard, the youth service cuts are some of the worst - and they're pretty sure to be counterproductive. <br /><br />These must have been planned a good while ago, though. I don't think anyone on the green side would choose to go down this path.Stockwood Petehttp://stockwoodpete.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8150854159364820604.post-32946524487703915512013-01-31T23:30:14.812+00:002013-01-31T23:30:14.812+00:00I see you've wasted no time in getting behind ...I see you've wasted no time in getting behind the outsourcing of youth services:<br /><br />Youth reforms on track to officially start next month<br /><br />The transformation of youth and play services in Bristol is on track to start on Friday 1st February with the beginning of new contracts, Bristol City Council announced today.<br /><br />As part of the £22m Youth Links scheme announced in October a number of current council assets such as youth centres and playgrounds are likely to transfer to new consortia. Others will continue to be used in the interim for delivery of services, whilst the interest expressed by a number of community organisations to run premises is explored further. A £140k fund has been established to ease the process.<br /><br />Bristol Youth Links will create more up-to-date, joined up services for children and teenagers aged eight to 19, outside of school through new area-based contracts. It includes youth groups, play services, advice and guidance and support to help young people volunteer and get involved in their community. Specialist services include counselling, preventing drug and alcohol misuse, reducing teen pregnancies and supporting groups with particular needs such as disabled children and young people.<br /><br />It is anticipated that newly shaped services will be up and running from Easter. Young people will have the opportunity to influence the new services while being able to attend activities in the usual locations and at the usual times in the meantime.<br /><br />Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods and Environment Gus Hoyt said:<br /><br />“There has already been considerable interest in many of the sites available to transfer to communities or to the new consortia involved in delivering youth services. From April young people will start to notice the difference in their communities through Youth Links and brand new services on their doorstep such as courses, outreach services and apprenticeship schemes.”<br /><br />Sites for transfer include Felix Road Adventure Playground, St Paul’s Adventure Playground, Southmead Adventure Playground and Lockleaze Youth and Play Space. Other centres under discussion for transfer include Southmead Youth Centre, Brentry Lodge Youth Centre, Docklands Youth Centre, Lawrence Weston Youth Centre, Oldbury Court Youth Centre, Hillfields Youth Centre and Hareclive Youth Centre.<br /><br />Young people can get more information about the changes and activities in their area at www.goplacesdothings.org.uk and www.goplacestoplay.org.uk<br /><br />News release Tuesday 15 January by Bristol City Council press officeThe Bristol Bloggerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05776065164023718096noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8150854159364820604.post-80478248426455646272013-01-31T07:26:23.655+00:002013-01-31T07:26:23.655+00:00To give you some idea of the crisis heading toward...To give you some idea of the crisis heading towards local government if they continue as managerialists imposing cuts:<br /><br />"The Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) must establish emergency intervention plans in case budget cuts and increased demand for services force a spate of town hall bankruptcies, government spending watchdogs warned today."<br />http://www.localgov.co.uk/index.cfm?method=news.detail&id=108643<br /><br />Local authorities could end up with the Whitehall men in grey anyway.<br /><br />Particularly in Bristol when it becomes evident what former finance boss, Will Godfrey, has really done.<br /><br /><br />The Bristol Bloggerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05776065164023718096noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8150854159364820604.post-9376863932259620622013-01-31T00:15:59.293+00:002013-01-31T00:15:59.293+00:00Shall we try asking him on Friday? I'll pitch...Shall we try asking him on Friday? I'll pitch in with <br /><i>"Would you consider challenging the government by setting a 'needs' budget to protect essential services if other major cities were pledged to do the same?"</i><br />If others put in similar suggestions, maybe he'll be given the chance to brush it to one side - or even to surprise us.<br /><br /><a href="http://bristolmayor.co.uk/2013/01/30/join-me-for-my-first-askgeorge-live-webcast/" rel="nofollow">http://bristolmayor.co.uk/2013/01/30/join-me-for-my-first-askgeorge-live-webcast/</a>Stockwood Petehttp://stockwoodpete.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8150854159364820604.post-61699449694124398292013-01-30T22:49:37.801+00:002013-01-30T22:49:37.801+00:00you call the government's bluff. Set a needs b...you call the government's bluff. Set a needs budget and see whether they really want the conflict involved in sending the men in grey from whitehall to run the local authority.<br /><br />Thatcher backed down to local authorities a number of times in the early 80s and Hatton got the money to build 5,000 council homes. That's a solid achievement your red trousered toff will never match.The Bristol Bloggerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05776065164023718096noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8150854159364820604.post-55942096092988600072013-01-30T09:42:36.050+00:002013-01-30T09:42:36.050+00:00Thanks, Robin. I'm sure that, as you say, it&...Thanks, Robin. I'm sure that, as you say, it's just a minority who are tempted into mudslinging.<br /><br />I see that Derek Wall has put his own analysis (looks persuasive, but a bit above my head!) in the Morning Star.<br /><a href="http://www.morningstaronline.co.uk/news/content/view/full/128738" rel="nofollow">http://www.morningstaronline.co.uk/news/content/view/full/128738</a>Stockwood Petehttp://stockwoodpete.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8150854159364820604.post-56982445675615882602013-01-30T07:03:02.545+00:002013-01-30T07:03:02.545+00:00Well said Pete, I think that's a very eloquent...Well said Pete, I think that's a very eloquent analysis of the current position. It dismays me that minority elements within BADACA seem inclined to attack the Greens relentlessly rather than actually talking to us and trying to understand our position, and also that of the Mayor. Furthermore they offer no alternative as far as I can see. What would they do if they managed to put a stop to George's programme, risking Central Government intervention? Where is their alternative? They haven't supplied one, primarily because they are stuck firmly within the politics of reaction and seem unable to move on or think constructively in a positive and flexible manner. Robin Whitlockhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05144555444059516672noreply@blogger.com