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SALFORD PUBLIC MONEY EURO JOLLIES
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Star date: 5th August 2015
Islington Estate Euro Exchange Sham
A two year 44,000 euro exchange programme called Re-Block was meant to help the community of Islington Estate 'revive' the neighbourhood.
But was it just an excuse for so-called community reps to have a jolly in some rather nice European locations? Mary Burns investigates...
Full details here...
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Euro money is the best you can get, certainly for those lucky people who got involved in a thing called Re-Block, a European funded two year `exchange and learning programme' which focussed on "reviving high rise blocks for cohesive and green neighbourhoods".
Salford was chosen for the towerblock focus, along with nine other partner cities across Europe, including the rather nice locations of Malaga, Rome and Budapest as well as places in Romania, Sweden, Germany, Greece and Lithuania. All expenses paid `exchange' trips were soon arranged for those `active members' of the group. Indeed, in the project's final report there's a lovely photo of Councillor Stephen Coen, Assistant Mayor for International Relations, enjoying himself at a buffet in Malaga.
The two year, 44,331euro, jolly sorry, `exchange and learning programme' - around Europe had very serious aims..."To create inclusive governance structures; to improve social inclusion; and the refurbishment of estates through improvement of public/green spaces". An `Urbact Local Support Group' was set up with all the usual suspects on board, and, of the thirty people who contributed, there were only three actual residents of Islington Estate; the rest made up of ten Salford University bods, seven from Salford Council, a few other odds and sods from the Chapel Street regeneration vested interest incs, and two local councillors.
From what I'm hearing, almost no-one on the Islington Estate actually knew about this, backed by a Salford Council report which states that a Re-Block Workshop was held with tenants five were invited, three attended! But, hey, it's what comes out at the end that matters...
...And, after two years and various visits and conferences around the Continent, a Local Action Plan was formed. What was needed for the Islington Estate was better signs, a website, more leadership skills in the community (so they too can get on Euro jollies?), improved use of green space (pea growing), more positive publicity for the Estate (see this article) and `meaningful activities for residents' (buffets in Malaga anyone?). Also what was needed was to remove the railings around the estate as they gave `a sense of isolation'...The railings also gave a sense of security and when one resident found out about the `madness' of removing them he kicked off, and has now been assured that the railings will stay.
A totally worthwhile exercise obviously, with the final words from Salford City Council... "As there is no additional money with which to implement the action plan, the Local Support Group are eager not to unrealistically raise expectations..."
Oh, and just to add insult to Euro injury, the Local Support Group, 95% of whose contributors didn't live on the Estate, decided that there were some `underlying issues' with residents, including a `Lack of ambition, a lack of confidence, a lack of self value and a lack of self worth'. Nice.
This article first appeared in the Mary Burns page in the printed issue of the Salford Star - click here
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Salford Resident wrote
at 10:59:53 on 07 August 2015 |
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| Steve Coen - what an absolute waste of space this guy is as a councillor. The sort that will turn up to the opening of an envelope if there is a photo opportunity or he thinks it will make him look good. A desperate sycophant and only interested in climbing the greasy pole in the Labour Party. No surprise to see him embroiled in this. I have absolutely no time for the man. |
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Wendy Olsen wrote
at 17:12:00 on 06 August 2015 |
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| Their insulting summary stereotype about local people is worrying. We need more voice, but I know from experience it is tricky because so many admin people now want to do everything by online survey. That is divisive and no fun, and it will not work well in gathering up people's opinions. Instead I would advise the Islington residents' association gets a paper survey of short length going. This could have a pilot stage with a smallish meeting, then a wider consultation stage. Who leads that association for Islington? Every neighbourhood near Chapel street needs to do this to set priorities. Bottoms up! - Wendy Olsen |
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tony flynn wrote
at 17:11:24 on 06 August 2015 |
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| Love it! keep opening those cans of worms, as they say if they have done nothing wrong then please feel free to answer on this site, I doubt it somehow. |
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