In other news – council claims protesters cause flood, pestilence & global financial crisis

COUNCIL COMMON GOOD POLICY MUST CHANGE

We’re kidding about the flood and pestilence…

…but this is just as nonsensical as the ‘senior council source’ who is quoted by The Herald:

“The stance taken by the campaigners has been overly simplistic and this issue is just another example of how managing successful services is more complex than they want to admit.”

This blatant attempt to shoot the messenger is not only crude but inaccurate. We welcome the following assurance from Cllr Stephen Curran, Executive Member for Service Reform:

“I share your concern at these unfortunate and unattributable comments, which are simply inaccurate with regard to “Save Pollok Park” for whom the phrase “overly simplistic” is wholly inappropriate. Clearly there is a risk to maintaining the current high level of expenditure in Pollok Park and the Common Good Fund if those are not addressed, but they did not preclude its consideration and inclusion as a Common Good Asset and are in no way insurmountable.” “ In my previous role as City Treasurer I introduced a new investment policy on the Common Good that had been developed on a non-partisan and cross-party basis, focussing on appropriate measures to protect the level of the Common Good Fund in future.”

Referring to Common Good assets in general, Cllr Curran says:
“(At the Executive Committee meeting) I also asked and received confirmation that it was “not difficult” to manage Pollok Park effectively as a Common Good asset.” “I added that we support Pollok Park’s inclusion as a Common Good asset and that accounting for this will be an ongoing issue in future, particularly as additional properties may be included on the Common Good Asset Register.”
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Council policy on Common Good must change

The Council would not be in such disarray if they were simply to update the Common Good asset register as required by the Scottish Government. This should have been completed by 31 March 2009.

According to the Chief Executive’s department this would cost £1.3 million to implement. Perhaps a ‘senior council source’ would tell us how this figure has been calculated? It sounds like a lot of money but perhaps it should be put in the context of the £2 million bill for the salaries and expenses of the Chief Officers’ for 2008-9. Details here.

The absence of an up to date register was partly responsible for the wrong advice to councillors about Pollok Park’s status and the eventual downfall of the Go Ape proposal. It will be interesting to see how much that fiasco cost the Council when our FOI request for details of all the expenditure is finally answered. Having failed to provide the data at the first request the Council now has until 9 November to provide this information on appeal.

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…and finally – more news about Go Ape

The website for Friends of Itchen Valley Park reports on Go Ape’s attempts to build a course in a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and the local council’s attempts to block the protesters.

Bill Fraser

Save Pollok Park

Tel: 0141-424 0447

Mob: 07775 832 461

Fax: 0141-626 4235

How We Organise event: Where we go from here

Conclusions: How We Organise – There is not enough being done to break down the barriers that stop people participating. While the “activist” is to busy and has no time for whatever reasons – there is a whole community out
there looking in. What they are looking at (generally) is something they do
not feel part of – something out-with their experience – or more troubles
to add to the ones they already have. If we are to get more people involved
(an imperative if we want things to change) we need to start using our
imagination and the type of tools that do not create more alienation – but
power and understanding for those who need it most.

The event attracted some new people interested in what is going on around them. The Common Good day event, also set out some of the benefits we could gain by more communication through our various groups and activities. A few highlights of the events and updates, follows.

Shopping ( Media day)
I worked with young folk during the week with the theme of shopping. We went for walks around town and the shops, took some pictures, wrote some essays and graphics on shopping and had discussions a the Electron talking about different aspects such as Needs, wants, branding, values, symbols, choice, propaganda (advertising) and the credit crunch

Walking
City Strolling was keeping everybody fit (Group from Adelphi centre) as we walked to Richmond Park under the guidance of someone who once lived near there. Noticing a big part of the park has been given over to a private housing development. Unbelievable that our young folk need to rely on a memory from someone for such vast areas of our city. Here any historical reference, and public institutions, has been obliterated – Our young folk are losing fast something they do not even know that they own as the common good fast becomes just another memory.

Common good day
CG day attracted a good diverse bunch of folk involved in various community projects and issues. We had Wyndford parents + waen, a group of artists doing a project in the Wyndford, (GogetGlasgow) Save Pollok Park, North Kelvin Meadow, New Social Art School, ASAP Scotland*, Burgh Angel news and others. Very interesting day. We agreed to do more.

Common Good Grant application
Below is a link to a grant form issued by a citizen of this city. On it is a brief description of the “Common Good” and an application form to apply for a common good grant. Remember the council only use the Common Good fund of Glasgow to fund junkets, mobile phone bills and fancy receptions – and who knows what else. Why cant it be used to fund a street party or celebration in your area?
Application form - or design your own for your town or village.
Information-read-first.pdf
Go on try it.

ASAP*
I came across Stephen Koepplinger (After School Activities Scotland) in the Wyndford estate as he led a team in stripping of the overgrown top-soil from a red blaze pitch behind the schools that were closed down and are now being demolished. Steve is working with folk from the Wyndford who are creating their own regeneration.
If you want to help at the pitch. Every Saturday from 10 at the Wyndford pitch. Bring a ball a few of your friends and a few snacks. Video — Website

Reshuffle
Starting to organise for the January Reshuffle. If your group, yourself or anyone you may feel would be interested please let me know. Organising the Reshuffle is a lot of work mostly done by myself – so any kind of help is welcome. See here for last years program
Date for this years event will be 30 January – plenty time for people to organise, events stalls, discussions. 09 video

Common Good News
Hoping to start to put together at the beginning of the year a Common Good newspaper, for distribution nationwide – A kind of common Good awareness publication – setting out historical details of the CG, details of recent events, victories, and the CG as a tool for organising and enlivening our communities. This publication could also act as a precursor to a national Common Good Day, somewhere, sometime in 2010. (Reshuffle discussion?) Common Good for beginners

The Bridge
The Bridge network will endeavour to organise the connecting up of groups and folk connected with community organising everywhere. Feel free to join – create groups and tell us your news, views and events

Connecting communities everywhere

How We Organise was held at the Electron Club at CCA during Document7 Human Rights Film Festival

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FOI REQUEST – WHAT INFORMATION?

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MORE FROM GO APE!
Council rejects SPP maladministration charge

Rejecting our recent letter of complaint the Executive Director of Corporate
Services at GCC replied:

‘I am satisfied that the Council sought appropriate advice, both internal
and external, on the application of the law of common good to the
development. I am also satisfied that the Council consulted appropriate
parties, including the National Trust for Scotland, at the relevant stages
of the consideration of the development. I would further confirm that the
Council’s policy for accounting for common good assets has been the subject
of detailed discussion with Audit Scotland and that the Council’s current
policy has been agreed by Audit Scotland. I cannot, therefore, agree with
the conclusions in your letter.’

We have now referred the matter to the Scottish Pubic Services Ombudsman
seeking a ruling on this dispute. In our submission we say:

‘Save Pollok Park, is seeking a ruling from SPSO that there has been
maladministration by Glasgow City Council in respect of the Go Ape proposal
in Pollok Park in respect of their failure to identify at a sufficiently
early stage that the asset is part of the common good and that Glasgow City
Council did not enter into negotiations with NTS at a sufficiently early
stage. We also ask that SPSO make recommendations to Glasgow City Council
that any future activities involving common good assets involve an early
identification of the common good interest and that the fact that the asset
is common good is taken into account at an early stage, and that Councillors
are made aware at an early stage that the use of common good assets are
restricted’.

___________________

Council fails to respond adequately to FOI request

Under Freedom of Information laws, we requested ‘full disclosure of
correspondence and details of expenditure dedicated to (the Go Ape) project
…from the date of the adoption of the Parks & Open Spaces Strategic Best
Value Review and Implementation Plan in 2005 to the decision of Adventure
Forest Ltd in July 2009 to abandon the project’.

What is clear from their reply is that the phrase ‘Common Good’ does not
appear in any of the internal correspondence we received. Crucially, in
documents disclosed so far, the implications of privatising common good land
were not disclosed to Councillors by officers before they were asked to
approve the scheme in principle.

The papers supplied by the Council stop in October 2007; we are told that
the Council holds no relevant written records after this date! So, we are
asked to believe that in the subsequent period no correspondence exists
covering – for instance – the significant public opposition, multiple
public objections, planning committee briefing and decision, referral to
Scottish Government, subsequent discussion with NTS and Go Ape on the
relocation of the reception areas to Knowehead Lodge, renegotiations on the
‘free places’ offer and the decision to cancel the project in July 2009?

On the subject of how much the Council spent on this doomed project, they
say ‘ln relation to your request to provide full disclosure of expenditure
dedicated to this project, detailed on a monthly basis, we can advise that
Glasgow City Council does not hold the information that you have requested
in relation to the “Go Ape” proposal’.

SPP has now appealed this lack of disclosure to the Council, as required
under FOI. If we do not receive a satisfactory supplementary answer, we will
refer the case to the Scottish Information Commissioner who is already
considering complaints from others about Glasgow’s refusal to provide
information on Common Good assets.

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…and finally – more news about Go Ape

SPP’s success in repelling Go Ape in Pollok Park has reached a world-wide
audience.

We have been contacted by a group opposing similar developments in Sydney
where Go Ape wants to build on protected land described by the local council
as:

‘.. towering eucalyptus forest, weathered sandstone cliffs, sparkling creeks
and sheltered rainforest gullies, Bidjigal Reserve is an island of natural
habitat in the heart of the Hills area. 370 native plant species, over 140
native animals, myriads of birds, spectacular varieties of native orchids
and a diverse show of fungi makes a walk through Bidjigal Reserve an
interesting, relaxing and educational experience.’

Full details at Save Bidjigal Reserve

Closer to home, a public park near Southampton is under threat. The park is
described by the campaign group as having Sites of Scientific Interest and
as necessary green space for a rapidly expanding population. Sounds
familiar? The protesters would like those who support their fight to vote in
a poll organised by the local paper. If you would like to express an
opinion, read the article
‘Go Ape plans not popular with residents near Itchen
Valley’ in the Southern Daily Echo and vote in the poll.

Bill Fraser

Save Pollok Park

Tel: 0141-424 0447

Mob: 07775 832 461

Fax: 0141-626 4235

In an embarrassing gaffe [sic] by members of Glasgow City Council, revealed over the weekend, it was shown that the principal reason put forward for the closure of nearly two dozen schools in the city earlier this year could not now be supported by official statistics. In April this year leading Labour politicians within the country’s largest local authority revealed that they intended to close a significant number of city schools because of “falling school rolls”.

However, it has since been found that school rolls in Glasgow are actually on the increase, although city council planners and politicians claim that the rising number of children attending schools in the city has taken them by surprise.

Councillor Stephen Curran, the politician responsible for overseeing service reform within the council, confirmed the rise in pupil numbers when he said that there were “more children in Glasgow than we had been expecting”. In an added development the councillor intimated that the rise in school rolls would now mean that politicians would have to make an extra £2million in cuts to the city’s education budget to accommodate for the increased number of pupils in city classrooms.

Although pupil numbers are on the rise, the council has appeared to rule out any possibility of a reversal of the controversial, and deeply unpopular, closure of 20 city schools earlier this year. In a number of cases – as with Barmulloch Primary School in Glasgow North East (shown below) – the school has already been demolished, despite the fact that the term has only recently started…

http://discuss.glasgowguide.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=17364

——————————————-
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1/2 189b Maryhill Road
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t. +44 (0)141 333 9522
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http://www.variant.org.uk

receive events info & online Variant:
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SAVE POLLOK PARK LAUNCHES MALADMINISTRATION COMPLAINT AGAINST GLASGOW CITY COUNCIL

Save Pollok Park today launched a formal complaint of maladministration against Glasgow City Council over its handling of the Go Ape project.
Full complaint PDF

Common Good report Fife CouncilPDF

FIFE COUNCIL’S external auditors have told the local authority it needs to improve the way it looks after the Common Good funds.

Scott Moncrieff state that it is not clear where specific responsibilities for administering the funds lie, there is poor information about moveable Common Good assets such as paintings and books, and there is a risk the funds do not receive rental income which is rightfully theirs.

“There appears to be significant variances in the level of rental income received from both council services and external organisations and inconsistencies as to whether the Common Good asset is on the Common Good asset register or the council asset register.

“We understand that many of the rental agreements have been inherited and not reviewed since local government reorganisation,” they say in a report to the council’s standards and audit committee.

The auditors have drawn up an action plan.

Neil Crooks, chairman of the standards and audit committee, said, “This is a very thorough piece of work that has been done by Scott Moncrieff. It has given us a very clear picture on the way forward for the council in its management of Common Good assets.

“I’m pleased to say that a number of the recommendations in the report are already in hand. The review of the council’s scheme of administration will clarify where responsibilities for Common Good lie and also widen them out.

“Our committee consider the area committees to be a key component in the process and there are obvious gaps in the Common Good register which will be addressed. Councillors will also be offered training on the definition of Common Good and stewardship of those funds.

“The council has already made great progress over the last few years by taking a proactive approach to creating a Common Good asset register and the development of a Fife Council policy on the security of moveable assets will now include Common Good artefacts.

“I think once the external auditor’s action plan is implemented, there will be a more robust management of these historical Common Good assets and it will ensure they are given a status equal to those of council assets.

“Local communities are very interested in these funds and would be concerned if they read the report.

“Members felt that a higher priority should be given to Common Good issues and hopefully this report will encourage buy-in from services who have perhaps not seen this as a priority before.

“We accept that it is a very complex issue, but there is a determination to iron out anomalies and record information in an open and transparent way.”

Michael Enston, the council’s executive director of performance and organisational support, said there was a risk to the council’s reputation if it failed to implement the proposed action plan, but warned that doing so would require further targeting of existing resources.

“Whilst the report recognises the ongoing work to regularise the council’s treatment of Common Good assets and the efforts made to produce a complete register, it identifies a number of areas for continuing improvement. These will be taken forward as resources allow. However, it is likely that further resources from various services will be required to be devoted to this area to complete the work timeously.”

Fife Courier

On 12th June Glasgow Council finally gave in and abandoned the idea of of Go Ape in Pollok Park

Thanks to all our supporters – we knew we spoke for the majority and could prove it – they thought we would gradually go away – but were wrong

In their press statement the Council and Go Ape tried to save face – that is to be expected – but they and we know that they simply could not overcome the legal and financial mess they go into – and which we have been pointing out for 18 months

We established that Pollok Park (and Knowehead Lodge ) are part of the Common Good and they would have had to go to court to remove them
Bridge report

Save Pollok Park

In June or July each year the Local Authority should put a public notice in the local
newspaper. This will be headed up:
Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 – Draft Accounts year to 31 March 200X
This will give the place and dates when the draft accounts of the Council can be inspected.
Anyone can take copies of extracts of these, and all books, deeds, contracts, vouchers and
receipts will also be made available. Enquiries concerning this will be directed to a
designated officer of the council who will be named on the public notice.
The second part of the notice gives information about who is the auditor (which may be
Audit Scotland or a firm of accountants) and the date when any objection about the draft
accounts needs to be filed.
The first thing to do is to write off to the named officer of the council (usually the Director of
Finance) and tell him when you propose to attend and what you want to see.
If you are specific about what you want, then there can be no excuses about not producing
the documents! A list may include things like:
1. All vouchers and receipts relating to the income and expenditure of the Oldburgh
Common Good Fund;
2. A list of the assets of the Oldburgh Common Good Fund, and all of the title deeds relating
thereto;
3. All vouchers and receipts relating to the income and expenditure of the Oldburgh Public
Hall, if not included in the above;
4. The title deeds of the Oldburgh Public Hall, Oldburgh Park and Oldburgh Common, if not
included in the above.
The purpose of points 3 and 4 is to get the income and expense and the deeds of property
which may be Common Good, but is not accounted for as Common Good by the council.
Based on this information, you should now know what the income is, what it was spent on
and what assets (the Council thinks) are Common Good. By looking at the other title deeds
of the public buildings and open space within the burgh, and applying the definition of
Common Good provided by the Scottish Parliament, you can now find out if there is any
property which is Common Good and not accounted for as such.
In the event that you think there is anything wrong, then the first thing is to give the council a
chance to confirm or deny your suspicions by writing to the Director of Finance.
The next thing is to send an objection and a statement of the grounds of objection to the
auditor, named in the notice, and copies to the Controller of Audit of the Accounts
Commission, whose address is also on the notice.
Copies must also be sent to the Council and any officer concerned. I normally send copies
to the Chief Executive, Chief Legal Officer and Chief Financial Officer as well as each of the
local councillors to satisfy this.
The objection could be something like:
Scottish Local Authority – Draft Accounts for the year to 31 March 200X
In accordance with s101(2) (a) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 I hereby lodge
objection to the above accounts on the following grounds:
Heritable property gifted to the former Oldburgh has not been included within the assets of
the Oldburgh Common Good Fund. Consequently the assets of the Oldburgh Common
Good Fund are understated and the assets of the council are overstated.
Income derived from the assets of the Oldburgh Common Good Fund has not been
accounted for within the Common Good Fund, and consequently the income is understated
and the income of the council is overstated.
Expenditure of the Oldburgh Common Good Fund has been incurred other than with regard
to the interests of the inhabitants of Oldburgh and such expenditure is contrary to the
provisions of statute.
You should provide sufficient detail to enable the auditor to understand what the point you
are making is. You may also wish to request an opportunity to have a meeting with the
auditor to explain your points more fully. If so, put that request in your letter.
You will probably then be invited to a meeting with the auditor at about the end of August or
the beginning of September. Remember that the council’s accounts need to be signed-off by
30 September, so the Auditor won’t adjust the accounts or anything unless the effect of the
objection is material to the accounts of the council.
Sometimes the auditor will inform you that, although the effect of your objection was not
material, he will ask the council to make the adjustments in the following year’s accounts to
rectify any errors and mistakes. If so check that they do this the next year!
Sometimes, of course, the auditor decides that you are just being a nuisance by bringing up
objections about a few thousand pounds, when the council has income and assets of
several millions, and (politely) tells you so and doesn’t do anything about your objection.
Keep at it, you can bring up the same issues year after year and the quantification of the
mistake will multiply over these years, if it is not fixed.
Let me know how you get on!
James Perman
james@perman.co.uk
21 June 2008