Having a break..

Fairtrade of course! Don't forget the Fairtrade event @ The Co-op in Barkingside High Street next Saturday and Sunday. Moderation on this post only is off. Feel free to chat amongst yourselves.

Nanny Strict

A common theme these days is opposition to “Big Government” and the “Nanny State”. While these two terms are related I’m not sure they are exactly the same thing – otherwise we wouldn’t need two different terms. Big Government is perhaps where the state takes responsibility for the big things – like defence, law and order, education, health and infrastructure - Transport for example. The Nanny State is where the government tries to micro-manage things that really ought to be left to the indivudual. What do you think?

The trouble is that most of the micro-management has ended up being counter productive. The argument goes that when governments take on “social engineering” things start to go pear-shaped, in more ways than one. There is a whole list of things, from over reactions to Health and Safety legislation, to protection of minors. People just don’t volunteer to be a classroom assistant these days because it costs an arm and a leg and takes 6 months to get CRB checked. People are over cautious because of the risk of being sued. It is the rule of unintended consequences. The local primary school, where 20 years ago you could walk in off the street, is now like Fort Knox.

But then we have the other side of the coin. People only oppose Big Government and the Nanny State when they are doing things that they do not approve of. There are those who would cancel Trident as well as those who would like to see stricter regulation of the banking sector to protect the taxpayer. There is always someone who wants “something to be done” and the politicians, who want their vote, will try to oblige in a half hearted sort of way. One man’s regulation is another’s restriction of freedom. It’s a difficult balancing act because someone is going to be upset.

On 15th December last year Deputy Mayor of London Kit Malthouse and victims of dog attacks were lobbying MPs for stricter regulation.

On the same day I’m reading in the Guardian that “Experts call for government action as new NHS figures show weight problems are worsening”

"Almost a quarter of children are overweight or obese by the time they start primary school, and more than a third are unhealthily heavy by the time they leave, new NHS statistics reveal."

But rather than asking government to “do something”, perhaps we should be looking at how the government has created that very situation in the first place or made it worse. And they don’t seem to be giving up either – even with a change of government.

We have International Junk Food companies sponsoring the 2012 Olympics for whom organic free range chickens are too expensive. We have those same companies, apparently, writing government health policies.

"The Department of Health is putting the fast food companies McDonald's and KFC and processed food and drink manufacturers such as PepsiCo, Kellogg's, Unilever, Mars and Diageo at the heart of writing government policy on obesity, alcohol and diet-related disease, the Guardian has learned."

Felicity Lawrence writes: "Why does Lansley think the food industry has fought tooth and nail to avoid restrictions on its marketing to children? It has to catch them young, to form their palates and create their desires."

Trouble is that Political parties are dependent upon these very people for their finances. There is no such thing as a free lunch and neither is there a “Happy meal”!

Chidren's Food Campaign.

Around the Blogs

Chadwell Councillors have a joint statement on the proposed closure of King George Hospital Accident & Emergency and Maternity Units from Cllr Ian Bond and MPs Lee Scott and Mike Gapes – (Click!)

Despite being promised an e-petition facility on Redbridge-i by 15th December last year our Council are now backtracking and do not intend to do anything until the relevant Bill is enacted. Mark is somewhat annoyed and has started an e-petition for the e-petition facility – (Click!)

We are now going to have a referendum in May, but not the one we were promised on Europe. Prof. Rupert Read fisks William Hague on the Alternative Vote, (Click!) but Jim Jepps has come out against both the Yes and No campaigns (Click!). Confusing isn’t it! The best comment I’ve seen to those who are worried about the costs of AV, is you can reduce the costs by not voting!

Before that, Philip Booth reminds us that Census day is Sunday 27th March. (Click!) That’s crept up on us. Apparently virtually all now agree (incl Whitehall) that the census is useless for government planning but it is too late to cancel!! Philip writes:

"This year's list of questions is the longest and most intrusive to date - and amazingly unlike in Northern Ireland and Scotland, the absolute confidentiality of personal information is no longer guaranteed by law in England and Wales. This was changed by the last government: Statistics and Registration Service Act 2007 section 39: (Click!)

NO2ID lists 10 Census Lies (Click!) and some are planning a boycott (Click!). Got a Grand to spare?

Moving on the WWF have published a new report on Energy: “Our new Energy Report confirms that all the world’s energy needs could be provided cleanly, sustainably and economically by the year 2050.” (Click!)

And on Energy Clive Durdle highlights London’s Eco Power House and New York’s plans to use sewage as fuel. (Click!) Clive ponders “Where is the strategic energy planning for combined heat and power, tidal and hydro from the Thames, the district energy systems, the solar and wind farms as well as seriously using our sewage and waste as chemical feed stock and as gas?"

And finally an innovative new plan to deal with the expected Man-Flu pandemic (Click!)

And finally, finally.....from the BBCs Politics Page

Wanstead Parklands

I like Wanstead Park. But funnily enough I haven’t been a regular since I moved to Redbridge. When I lived in Newham I would visit regularly on a Sunday afternoon with my kids for a walk around the ponds, up the east side, around The Heronry and then down the west side, lots of lovely woods and cover. And The Grotto.

So, I am pleased to report on the Wanstead Parklands Community Project.

From their newsletterPLANS FOR WANSTEAD PARK - "WARMLY WELCOMED"

Tricia Moxey, Chairman of the Wanstead Parklands Community Project (WPCP), has warmly welcomed the draft conservation statement, published by Chris Blandford Associates last Friday. She said - "The consultants have done a really excellent job. They have set out very fully what is special about Wanstead Park, the challenges it faces, and what needs to be done to safeguard the future of its natural and historic heritage.
Mrs Moxey continued - "At this stage the approach is quite broad-brush - detailed plans will be developed at a later stage, and people will have a chance to comment on those as well.
She concluded - " The Conservation Statement and its supporting documents are primarily intended to inform a possible application to the Heritage Lottery Fund. However, they are a mine of information in themselves, and will be a valuable reference source on Wanstead Park for many years to come. We hope everyone who cares about this remarkable local asset will read them, participate in the consultation process and play their part in shaping the park's future."

CONSULTATION UNDER WAY

The City of London Corporation, working with Chris Blandford Associates and local resident groups, are developing plans to improve Wanstead Park. Proposals for enhancing the landscape, historic features, visitor facilities and educational programme are summarised in a draft Conservation Statement which the City of London will then consider making the basis of a bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund later in the year. The formal public consultation on the draft proposals to inform the Conservation Statement is now under way and will conclude on Monday 28th February. There are a number of events over the next fortnight, which aim to give everyone the opportunity to have their say, and these are summarised below. Please note the surgeries each week-day lunchtime and the drop in event on 23 February when you can meet members of the project team for more detailed discussions.

DETAILS OF THE PROGRAMME
Exhibition
14-28 February, 10:00am-5:00pm at The Temple.
Read the draft Conservation Statement, view displays, speak to staff and leave your feedback. Please note that the exhibition will close at 2:00pm on Wednesday 23 February.

More details and some wonderful Pictures on their website.

Free Range Bacon

First we had the Agricultural revolution. Then we had the Industrial revolution. It is said that we are now in the Information revolution but nothing could be further from the truth. We have information, lots of it here on the Internet, but is it the right information? Is it of any use? Does it tell us what we want to know, or should know. There is another revolution going on too. It is the Industrialisation of Agriculture including Fishing and Livestock. And it’s not working. And what’s more we’ve known since at least 1962, when the Nobel economist Armartya Sen discovered [and since confirmed by dozens of other studies] that there is an inverse relationship between the size of farms and the amount of crops they produce per hectare. The smaller they are, the greater the yield.

Now, I don’t know if this applies to fishing and livestock too, but I wouldn’t be surprised. I have posted on this blog about how Industrialised Fishing is not working and on Industrialised Dairy Farms. And now we come to Industrialised Pig Farms. I was vauguely aware of the recent problems over in Germany, but then I received a press release from Pig Business.

Tomorrow, [9th February] MEPs will condemn the use of EU taxpayers’ money to subsidise industrial pig farming over small family farms at an especially convened meeting in Brussels, and will question:

1. the use of antibiotics in industrial pig farming linked to the spread of antibiotic resistant diseases to humans,
2. cancer-causing dioxins found in pig feed raising concerns over European food standards.

It’s not just a question of the way animals are treated, the ethical considerations and whether we should be eating them at all, but whether or not what is slapped on the counter is fit for consumption. And labelled so that we know.

As one local café owner says: “I could go to Smithfields and buy whole chickens for 70p each, but I don’t, I buy free range. We are a responsible business which tries to purchase sustainable and consciously produced products.” But how does he know? We are living in the age of spin, greenwash and disinformation. Which is rasher worrying for someone who is partial to a bacon sandwich.

Here’s Molly:

Something is wrong in our relationship with animals. Lurking beneath the smooth surface of our sophisticated lives there is a deep and unexpressed grief for the mass murder of the other animals to whom this planet belongs, what more 'primitive' people might have thought of as their brothers and sisters. We read that we, the human animal, are responsible for a mass extinction event. My good friend and colleague Rupert Read calls for 'a new convenant with all beings' and such a call is long overdue.

The journey towards a sounder basis for our relationship with animals will not be an easy one. For me, it will not include the abandonment of meat eating, but killing animals for our consumption will be undertaken in a different cultural framework. Because failing to respect the sacrifice of animals' lives is destructive to our own lives.

Eco Teams

Received via email

Join the first ever EcoTeam in Redbridge!

Play your part in keeping Redbridge a cleaner, greener place to live and save cash along the way!

Looking to reduce your household bills and help save the environment? The environmental charity Global Action Plan in Partnership with Enterprise Plc and the Redbridge Recycling Team are hosting a FREE EcoTeams event for residents of Redbridge on Sunday, 27th March, during Climate Week (21st –27th March).

What is an EcoTeam?
The EcoTeams programme is designed to help you make the small changes needed to live a greener lifestyle and help others to do the same. This covers everything from energy use and travel to rubbish and shopping. We are looking for volunteer team leaders and team members in the Redbridge area to participate in the EcoTeam project.

“Climate change, increasing stress on natural resources, growing mountains of rubbish, worsening air and water pollution – it can be difficult to know where to begin,” says Penny Sturgess, Head of Community at Global Action Plan. “Making changes is easier when we do it together, with friends and neighbours. That’s why forming or joining an EcoTeam works so well - you’re never working alone.”

The 2½ hour training will help you to inspire and work with family, friends, colleagues, even strangers, through a series of meetings or online groups. We will provide you with the tools you need to make a difference.

What difference will I make?
The EcoTeams programme has been independently certified, and endorsed by the United Nations Environment Programme. A household taking part typically:

• improves energy and water management, reducing CO2 emissions by 17%
• reduces bills by £170 a year
• reduces waste by 20%, while increasing the proportion of rubbish that is recycled
• reduces water used by 15%

At the end of the project you will receive an individual household report showing the savings you have achieved and be presented with a United Nations Environment Programme Certificate.

How to register:
Places are limited so please pre book to avoid disappointment by calling the Recycling Team on 0208 708 5074 or email. The deadline for registration is 15th March 2011.

How to attend:
WHEN: Sunday, 27th March 2011
WHERE: Sir John Heron Primary, School Road, London E12 5PY
TIME: 10.00 am to 2.00 pm.
COST: Free event (including free lunch)
WHO: EcoTeams is aimed at all residents and is open to all.

-----------------------------
Editor’s Note: “First ever EcoTeam in Redbridge”, eh?. What do they think B21, HCP, Wanstead Transition, local FOE, local Greenpeace etc peeps have been doing?

Super Scrimpers

Channel 4 TV have been on to Redbridge Council and they have been on to me. It seems that C4 are producing a new series called ‘Super Scrimpers: Waste Not, Want Not.’

In ‘Super Scrimpers: Waste Not, Want Not’ we will show families how to save money by reducing their household waste. We will be showing families their current levels of waste and what this costs them financially. We will then attempt to help them reduce their waste, at the same time saving them money.

We are currently looking for families who are interested in taking part. As councils have similar aims in trying to reduce the amount of waste a household produces I was hoping that you may be interested in getting involved in the project.

Firstly it would be great to know if you had any facts, figures or locations on which areas or more specifically streets within the borough produce the most waste. I don’t know if you keep this kind of data but it would really help us locate the families that are most in need of help. If you do not keep this data would you be able to best advise how to reach our target families?

Darren

Well, I’m not at all sure that we live in the Socialist Republic of Redbridge where our every move is monitored and recorded by the State. And of course the regular readers here will have already implemented all the necessary measures to reduce their waste and be energy efficient. However, we may have a neighbour or two who could do with some “encouragement”. You can put them in touch here.

IJPS Consultation

Public Consultation Event

Ilford Jewish Primary School currently located at Carlton Drive, Barkingside is proposing to relocate to new premises within King Solomon High School at Forest Road, Barkingside.

This new Primary School, together with Crèche and Nursery facilities will provide a through school education campus for age 2 to 19 at the King Solomon School Campus.

The London Borough of Redbridge intend to purchase the existing IJPS school site with a view to it becoming a new mainstream primary school, proposals for which are currently under consideration.

As you can see, initial design proposals have been drawn up.

You are invited to come along to view and discuss these proposals with members of the project team, in order that the views of local residents are considered before a Planning Application is lodged.

Location: King Solomon School Hall
Date & Time: Wednesday 16th February 2011, 3.30 – 8.00pm

Editor's Note: Quite how they plan to get Planning Permission and build it before September is anybody's guess!

Re-Imagining the High Street

This is a report by the New Economics Foundation.
Extracts from Executive Summary:

nef’s Clone Town Britain report, published in June 2005, called attention to how the increasing domination of large chain stores left our communities and high streets vulnerable to economic shocks. Now, as the economic crisis plays out in the UK economy, it is clear just how vulnerable the domination of chains on our high streets has left them. In times of recession, chain stores have proven to be fair weather friends. Some have abandoned the high street entirely migrating to large, high volume trading locations. Others have simply shut less profitable stores. In 2009, at the height of the recession, we once again took stock of the nation’s high streets. We found Britain still to be a nation of clone towns.

The recession has left holes on the high streets with the dramatic collapse of such household names as Woolworths and Barratts. In 2009 a reported 17,880 retailers had shut up shop. The towns most dependent on the biggest chains and out of town stores have proven to be most vulnerable to the economic crisis. The impact of high streets facing creeping abandonment, on our communities and our sense of social cohesion, is only beginning to be understood. But, it is becoming clear that a Big Society cannot be built on the fractured foundations of undermined local economies.

Rising to the challenge of climate change and peak oil will require a different development approach: one which harnesses the potential of local entrepreneurs, includes residents in the planning and delivery of schemes which intimately affect how they live, and recognises that public well-being is the overarching principle of success, not merely the growth of the retail sector.
With a little imagination, our high streets could become places where we go to actively engage with other people in our communities; places where shopping is just one small part of a rich mix of activities including working, sharing, exchanging, playing and learning new skills. As the hub of our communities, the high street could become the place where we begin to build a more sustainable world.
So, where does Barkingside Town Centre fit into this scheme? On pages 44-45 of the report is the template to find out – so we did. We were out in force on a sunny Monday afternoon in a bustling High Street. We started at Sainsburys, included Tescos, and made our way up the High Street making a note of each shop/outlet as we went, past the New Fairlop Oak [don’t do that very often] to finish at Triton Cycles. Back to The Oak to analyse the results over a pint. Now, we had to make some guesses and assumptions and indeed later some aspersion was cast over our knowledge of Women’s Fashion emporia – we mis-classified Risky. But it doesn’t make much difference it’s still a good guide. So, are you ready – Barkingside is a Border Town with a score of 68 – only 2 points short of a Home Town – We are definitely not a Clone Town. Something like 98 of the 156 shops are Independents and there is a pretty good range although some of NEFs classifications are missing. Cinema/Theatre but we do have Gala Bingo. No department stores or Music/Books/Videos or camera shops. And no Off Licence. But some of these things are available in the more “general” shops. We were quite surprised at the 10 clothing retailers.

There does seem to be an undeserved pessimism though. The High Street is changing people say, it’s all Takaways, the High Street is completely edible…. Well, High Streets have always changed and always will. They respond to the market. I recall at one time Barkingside High Street was the Shoe Shop capital of the world. No Longer – Clarkes has gone but you can still buy shoes, although there is now no specific “shoe shop”.

There was a report recently saying that High Street businesses are beginning to focus on services that cannot be purchased on-line. There is evidence of this in Barkingside with 15 Hairdressers, Barbers, Beauty Salons and Nail clinics. You actually have to be there to get your hair cut…..

There is also the comment from Fullwell Autos on an earlier post.

Local high streets should be the centre of a town’s social and creative life and offer a varied shopping experience………..

Well, where do people go to socialise? Pubs and restaurants. There are 27 restuarants/cafes/takaways/coffee shops in the High Street. Too many? Some of them have a day time trade and some evening. People moan about takeaways but most of them now do home delivery, which is fine by me. It’s the litterbugs who annoy me.

So, let’s be positive. It’s not that bad, in fact I think it's quite good and it can get better, but only if those who complain about supermarkets use the High Street.

Operation Good Guys

And we thought it was a spoof comedy programme rather than a documentary? I thought the Police were there to catch villains? Click on image for video.

Our local Art Critic is not too impressed with Northumbria Police’s new ball bearing.

Our neighbouring Freewheeler highlights the new regulations for police officers using bicycles.

Further afield, Ruralshire’s Inspector Gadget laments on no longer being able to use the phrase “as sure eggs is eggs” and ponders on what the Prime Minister's speech on Multi-culturalism means for front line police officers. Probably the same result as the new Home Secretary scrapping targets and bureaucracy, which hasn’t.

Elsewhere the BBC report on how the NHS could save £500million on procurement while The Mirror highlights what happens when A&Es are closed.

Judith sent me this with title “how pertinent” to another blog post…. How pertinent!

The Ant Story : Working Life

More PowerPoint presentations from myportal

There is a serious problem here and it’s not, before Judith starts, a question of Public v. Private. These things happen in the private sector too. The real problem is the relationship between the Political and the Executive. The Politicians do not appear to have the balls to drive their policies through to implementation. They are the decision makers, not the doers. Maybe it’s time for Theresa and her mates to get their hands dirty?

Discuss

Four Upcoming Events

So, having told you in the previous post about our public meeting with the Council Leader and Lee Scott MP on 8th April on the Future for Redbridge Services, we now come to the opposition. They are having a “Save our Services” Meeting on Valentines Day [I think they may have chosen that date deliberately]. Billed as a broad coalition against the cuts, this public meeting will tell the human story behind the headlines, with a diverse platform of speakers on the arts, health, education, the community and trade unions affected. Details.

On Wednesday 23rd February the Wanstead Transition Group will be hosting a night of discussion about ways to cut bills in your home whilst helping to protect our environment.The night will include tips on everything from draught-busting to solar panels. A mixture of information, inspiration and support. Invite your friends, meet your neighbours, discuss the issues, share views, build community. ALL WELCOME. Details.

Moving into March – Fairtrade Fortnight is from 28 February to 13 March and there will be various events. One such has been organised by Cllr Wes Tweeting on Thursday 10th March.

The Redbridge Co-operative Party will be hosting a social reception from 7-9pm in the Gloucester Room at Ilford Central Library to mark Fairtrade Fortnight with free Fairtrade refreshments - including wine and chocolate. The event is open to all and will include a few short speeches from Ilford South's Labour and Co-operative MP Mike Gapes, Cllr Bob Littlewood, Leader of the Opposition on Redbridge Council and a member of the Shadow Cabinet.

A few days later on Sunday 13th March there will be an Italian Market in Barkingside High Street. It will be located on the pavement from Clinton Cards up to the Co-op. The last one was a disaster. It was booked to be on the piazza outside the swimming pool but was moved to the Craven Gardens Car Park on the day due to ‘elf ‘n safety and most of the traders just went home. So, let’s put the flags out, give them a welcome and stock up on pasta.

Coffee Mornings and AGM

Over the next week or so our February 2011 hard copy Newsletter will be popping through letterboxes in these here parts of Barkingside. So I thought I had better tell our blog readers what new goodies it contains.

Coffee Mornings:

Thursday 17th February 2011
A representative from

Redbridge Citizens Advice Bureau

Thursday 17th March 2011
Georgina Green, local historian
speaking on Valentines Mansion

These are all held in the Hainault Room, Fullwell Cross Library 10:00am – 12:00noon

We do Tea and biscuits too, and it's all Fairtrade.

Our Annual General Meeting will be held on

Friday 8th April 2011 at 7:30pm

in the Aldborough Room Fullwell Cross Library

This will be followed by a Public Meeting from 8pm - 9:30pm

Where we will have Keith Prince, Redbridge Council Leader and Lee Scott MP speaking on

The Future for Redbridge Services

There is no charge for these events and they are open to all.

Local [Business] Works

Barkingside 21 has been active now for almost 12 years. In that time the Barkingside Business Partnership has lapsed and been re-launched at least 5 times. Their blog has not been updated for over a year and the last item was a copy and paste job from here. After the last but one re-launch B21 was excluded from meetings and the discussion email list and the Traders told not to talk to us. We don’t know why! Presuambly somebody, somewhere, decided that because we are a community and environment group we have different objectives and are anti-business. We are not anti-business, we are anti-irresponsible business. We have a common interest in the environment and our High Street.

Nevertheless, we have continued to support and promote the High Street and local business at every turn, in our hard copy newsletters and here on this blog. The record stands for itself. In fact, where were the BBP on the Sustainable Communities Act? Take a trawl back through this blog and you will see that we have supported and campaigned for it at every turn. An essential element of a sustainable local community is a thriving and sustainable local economy. And look what’s happened… see the first item in the reproduced email below highlighted in nice big bold green environmental letters.

First ‘round’ of the Sustainable Communities Act completed

Good news! - the government has completed its negotiations with the Selector (currently the LGA) to reach agreement on the 199 shortlisted proposals made so far under the Act.

So far, the Act has inspired real change and seeded the potential for much more. There are some great successes, here are six examples:

• Government will give councils the power to offer discretionary business rate relief to encourage and sustain small and medium sized local businesses.
• Government have given Sheffield City Council more responsibility to maintain and sustain the local Post Office network. A pilot scheme has been set up where Post Office Ltd and Sheffield City Council are working together to establish additional service provision and the scope for greater use of Post Offices in the city to deliver Council services. Government have said if the scheme works well it will be extended to Doncaster and Liverpool.
• Government will make it easier to introduce renewable energy schemes by introducing permitted development rights for small scale renewable and microgeneration energy.
• Government will legislate to establish a community right of purchase which will allow communities to bid to take over local assets. A moratorium on the sale of listed assets will give community groups time to prepare a bid.
• Government has amended the planning rules to exclude gardens from the classification of 'previously developed land'.
• Government will ban the sale of alcohol below cost price, this will prevent supermarkets selling alcohol below a certain price floor.

Overall there are a significant number of proposals that the government have either agreed to implement directly, or have agreed to compromise on by taking action that would address the aim of the proposal.

The government’s response to each proposal can be viewed here.

So the first round was good given that this is a radical and new process. There is much room for improvement - we believe the government could have gone further on some proposals that it said no to. However, there is now an exciting new opportunity…

Second invite for proposals launched!

The government has now invited more proposals under the Act. This second invite is very exciting for two reasons:

1. Community groups and Parish and Town Councils can now submit proposals directly to government as well as Borough/District/City/County Councils!
2. There is no deadline for submitting proposals, instead the process is now ongoing as a ‘rolling programme’.

So community groups and all councils can now submit new proposals to government or even resubmit previous rejected proposals with new arguments and evidence.

The government has created a ‘Barrier Busting’ website that community groups and councils can use to submit their proposals under the Act.

Ensuring Councils engage with their communities: Local Works Best Practice Guide published

Councils that use the Act to submit proposals to government must first engage their communities and ‘try and reach agreement with them’ on what proposals they will submit.

Some councils did this very well during the first round of the Act. Local Works have published a Best Practice Guide showing some of these great examples. You can use it to help ensure your councils do a good job of involving local people too.

Download the best practice guide here.

Yours sincerely
Steve Shaw
National Co-ordinator
Local Works - promoting the Sustainable Communities Act
a project of Unlock Democracy

Battery Dump

The above picture was taken at Chigwell Road Recycling and Reclamation Centre, otherwise known to locals as the dump or the tip. I’m not sure that you can appreciate the size of that bin from the photo but it is about 4 feet square and 3 feet deep. Also I don’t know how long it has taken to get that many batteries in there but nevertheless it is an indication that if people know where these things are they will use them. Hence, this post.

Caption Competition IX

Dalek, disguised as litter bin, vapourises two McDonalds customers...