Monthly Archives: November, 2012
Castle Ward planning applications, up to 23rd November
Just two this week: 122034: Listed Building application for change of use etc, North Hill 121742: Change of use from office to residential, Manor Road. Please note that I am a member of the Council’s Planning Committee for this municipal year. This means that I’m required to act in a ‘quasi-judicial’ manner with regard to [...]
If Labour won’t listen to Arnie Graf, should the Liberal Democrats?
Yesterday’s Guardian had a very interesting interview with Arnie Graf, a veteran community organiser from Chicago who Ed Miliband brought in to advise on how to change the way the Labour Party works to make it more effective. Graf produced a report with various recommendations on how to improve the way the party works, but [...]
Do Tories understand the meaning of ‘localism’?
Two interesting stories from recent weeks that show what a couple of Secretaries of State think of it: From last month, Michael Gove wants more powers to change how schools are run, to stop people having their say over what happens to their local school. And today, Eric Pickles has started threatening councils that don’t [...]
Worth Reading 81: A dandy to the power of a Bohemian
Why was turnout so abysmal in the Police and Crime Commissioner elections?? – Great post by Jennie Rigg looking at the reasons. Spoilt Ballots in the PCC Elections: What Do the Numbers Tell Us? – And following that, some data on just how many ballots were spoilt, and for what reasons. Don Jimmy Gambino OBE [...]
Monty Python fans block women directors
The General Council of Monty Python have today rejected moves to enable women to become directors of Monty Python films. This comes twenty years after it was agreed that women could attempt to tell jokes on screen, but were not allowed to ascend to the position of director. Hopes had been high that women would [...]
David Cameron wants to do it without protection
Another week, another big idea from David Cameron to boost the economy. Well, I say another big idea, but it’s just a reiteration of an old one. Yet again, just about the only thing standing in the way of unbridled and unrivalled economic growth for Britain is government regulation. After two and a half years [...]
Petition watch
A couple of petitions to the Government that people who read this might be interested in signing: Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Nov 15th elections : My vote was a “No” vote – I plugged this a lot during the week on social media, and it’s a very good way of making clear that people [...]
Fearing for the future
Jennie Rigg and James Graham have both written posts recently that have touched on issues that have been concerning me. To quote Jennie: And because people are just generally pissed off with politicians, political media, and elections this feeds into the perception that there is a lack of meaningful choice – if all politicians are [...]
Castle Ward planning applications, up to 16th November
There were no new applications in the ward last week, so that’s why there was no update. For this week: 122010: Erection of conservatory, Margaret Road 122013: Advertisement consent for replacement signage, Culver Street West. 121941: Penthouse flat to be added to existing building, North Station Road. Please note that I am a member of [...]
by John Hodgman
by Drew Westen
by Ian Mortimer
by Jeff Greenfield
by Heather Peace
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