Council creates fund to tackle inequality and receive ideas for a better society

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Permalink Reply by Alan Stanton on August 2, 2012 at 12:10

Here's a suggestion, Clive. Get hold of a copy of Cllr Joe Goldberg's innovation list and give it some careful thought. Have you any comments, or criticisms, or suggestions, or perhaps even compliments about the ideas put forward?

You're someone else who can think for yourself. And do a lot better than simply recycling your party's press releases.

(Labour councillor Tottenham Hale ward)

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Permalink Reply by Clive Carter on August 2, 2012 at 12:42

Alan I like ideas, especially new ones. But do you honestly believe that Haringey Council will or even could create a better society? This new fund (now increased to £1,500,000 I understand) came about after cutting services to the young and old. My own suggestion for a kinder society is contained towards the end of my letter published in the H&H last week (attached, all my own work). Let's solicit ideas for a better society once all the basics are covered satisfactorily.

Attachments:

• Services lost to quasi slush fund.pdf, 666 KB

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Permalink Reply by Alan Stanton on August 2, 2012 at 14:27

Slush fund:

Merriam-Webster Dictionary: "A reserve of money used for illicit purposes, esp. political bribery."

Oxford English Dictionary: "A fund used to supplement the salaries of government employees; a fund used to bribe, or influence the action of, a person or group of persons, spec. for political ends; a fund used to support a favoured political candidate."

Neither dictionary mentions a "quasi-slush fund". Presumably that's something you made up to avoid insulting the various people involved.

I know that my praise for Cllr Joe Goldberg - my party colleague - is sometimes faint. However, I think Joe deserves credit for spotting the Innovation Summit. Which seems to be a current global favourite in areas ranging across software, business networking, and Economic Development. Pulling in leading experts; and even "left-field thinkers" like you and me, Clive. 

So I was rather hoping that before making a sweeping judgement of the whole scheme and all who sail in it, you might be prepared to spend a little time reading and reflecting on the ideas put forward.

P.S. I can't open your PDF file.

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Permalink Reply by Clive Carter on August 2, 2012 at 15:16

Alan amongst other points I make in my published letter, I note that I know of at least one voluntary group (earlier having suffered a LBH funding cut) is now applying to this new fund. This group is thoroughly worthwhile. They're not about a new idea to create a better society: they're about an old idea of creating a better society, that hasn't suddenly become less relevant. One wonders how many other groups are in a similar position.

I also noted that the council closed four drop in centres for the elderly affecting 700 elderly and disabled; also closed a four residential homes affecting a further 89 elderly and disabled residents. These folk - some of whom may since have died - might not immediately see the benefit of the Innovation Summit with Guest Speakers from Think Tanks.

In case you haven't realized it, these elderly are some of the Borough's most vulnerable citizens, unable effectively to fight or resist cruel Council policy.

But to return to the story in the Haringey Independent, based on interviews with some of the dramatis personae: how might five new waste collection officers help meet the alleged goal of the fund, to reduce inequality?

Will the council turn down its own application?

(I can't see anything obviously wrong from my end with the PDF at this end; "quasi-" is normally used together with a noun)

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Permalink Reply by Alan Stanton on August 2, 2012 at 15:59

Believe me, Clive, I'm not unsympathetic. Cognitive dissonance is painful. We in the Labour Party had to suffer it when voting for Tony Blair and the imaginary Weapons of Mass Delusion. I realise that being in the LibDems you have to pretend all the time that Government cuts are nothing to do with your party. 

Yes, it's true that money had to be cut on "thoroughly worthwhile" services. And if there's money to be put back, yes, we could simply refund some of those services. Or we might look for new and innovative ways to re-provide differently and perhaps make the money go further.

I will make my judgement when I find out what Joe/Claire decide to do. And, as you know, I make my own mind up about these things without reading the Labour Party's press releases.

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Permalink Reply by jane waller on August 3, 2012 at 17:32

s a disabled driver I would love to see more designated spaces for blue badge holders. Some were put in in Crouch End and later removed.

It is virtually impossible to park near Wood Green library and taxis are not allowed to stop outside, the shopping city side.I wrote in and complained to the Chief librarian who said there was nothing they could do.

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