Is football run by morons?

This season we've seen the team that finished 2nd in the league and 2nd in the FA cup sack their manager. They won the league last year. We've seen the team that finished 3rd in the league and won the Champions League sack one manager and appoint another, who has previously won the Champions league, on a temporary contract, with the intention of replacing him at the end of the season.

We've also seen a new contract signed between TV companies and the premier league, giving untold millions to already rich football clubs. Those clubs have ever fewer english players. My 13 year old son plays in the Harrow and district youth league. How much of that TV money filters down to this level? How much money is channelled into coaching English youngsters? I think you can guess the answer.

There are no set coaching standards for youngsters. There is no hardship fund to buy boots for deprived youngsters who can't afford to buy their own boots.

In short, football is a cartel that is seemingly run by a bunch of morons, with not a care about the grassroots, living in an ever more rarified atmosphere at the top. I am starting to wonder if the oxygen will run out completely.

Brent Cross development - follow up to the "dodgy DPR"

I have received a steady trickle of emails from concerned residents of Barnet following the expose on Sunday of the "Dodgy DPR" detailing how Barnet Council lack the resources to manage the Brent Cross regeneration planning case.

I have received through unofficial channels confirmation that some members of the administration are also concerned with "certain aspects" of the DPR. They have asked me not to go public with their names and what the concerns are (for obvious reasons) but I can say that there are aspects of the Dodgy DPR that I had completely missed.

One of my more esteemed readers (who wishes to remain anonymous) also made the following observation

 Under the latest planning “reforms” (NPPF etc) the government is encouraging developers to carry out greater consultation up front  with the community, stakeholders and Local Planning Authority.  It gives developers the right  to enter into a Local Planning Agreement whereby the developer pays a fee up front to the council and the planning dept gives the scheme priority over other jobs and the priority services of a planner and access to senior planners.   They deny that this is favouritism to the rich developers as the service is available to anybody with access to a four or figure sum ( and the rest) to get what they are supposed to be paying for through their business rates/council tax .  It is immoral queue jumping and inevitably has an undue influence on the planners as they “impartially” consider the application before them.

I am deeply concerned with the repercussions of what is happening to planning in Barnet. I believe that any councillor who buries their head in the sand and doesn't at least acquaint themselves with this issue is negligent in terms of their responsibility to the voters and should hand back their allowance.

So far 29 out of 63 Barnet Councillors have returned a read receipt for the email. I may publish a list of those that haven't. Of course they may have withheld their receipt, but if I were a councillor, I'd want people to know I take my job seriously.

Guest Blog - Barnet Planning in Meltdown - By John Cox

Guest Blog by John Cox,

It is no surprise that Barnet Planning is in meltdown, as the Barnet Eye yesterday  indicated.

The whole Cricklewood, Brent Cross and West Hendon area was included in Barnet's statutory 'Supplementary Planning Guidance' some years ago. Among other things, it predicts over 29,000 extra cars in the area every day, as a result - something that has never really bothered the council.

To try and mitigate against that 'road congestion disaster', campaigners have suggested an east-west light-rail scheme of some sort, across outer north London. (There are various other large development sites that could also contribute towards the cost.) You can search for the 'Brent Cross Railway' and (the even grander) 'North and West London Light Railway' on the web.

After the combined 'Development Framework' was published, West Hendon, next to the Welsh Harp's 'Site of Special Scientific Interest', was made a separate scheme. However, Barnet has failed to ever produce a viable redevelopment.

The latest result is a 'three-times-the-density', ' let's-build-over-a park-as-well' West Hendon planning application. This includes three tower blocks, only 20 metres from the SSSI. There are only twenty-four hours for you to oppose the planning application, if you (hopefully) wish to do so!

As West Hendon and Welsh Harp campaigners say:
 
"If you do just ONE thing this Monday apart from football, gardening, clubbing, drinking, eating, and amusing the kids, THEN make it submitting an objection to the Barratt Homes planning application to vandalise the wonderful Welsh Harp SSSI, nature reserve and bird sanctuary."
 

"See the London Borough of Brent's submission (below) for ideas on what to say, but ALSO make it personal - what does this development mean to YOU?"


ONLINE

"Go to the Barnet Planning site LINK and type H/01054/13 into the Search Box. Make sure you give a name and postal address and email address, to get an acknowledgement."

E-MAIL

"Email the Barnet Planning Officer dealing with this application quoting the above reference number: tom.wyld@barnet.gov.uk  Make sure you give your name and postal address, to get an acknowledgement," 

Link to

Save the Welsh Harp 

web site.

Brent Council Objection to West Hendon Development

Meanwhile, the outdated, car-based, unsustainable Brent Cross scheme has run out of ideas.

Barnet's Cabinet Resources Committee shows what a disaster it has become.

In addition, Barnet Council has finally admitted that - if ever its 'New Cricklewood Thameslink station' is built at Brent Cross - then 'Old Cricklewood Thameslink station' would almost inevitably close.

We think that even Hendon station would be too close to any new station, and might become threatened. Neither Cricklewood nor Hendon are getting longer platforms, like at Mill Hill Broadway, for instance.

Anyway, there are nearly 2000 postings on our 'Coalition for a Sustainable Brent Cross Cricklewood Redevelopment' web site. So enjoy!

Brent Cross redevelopment exposed - Barnet Council - stripped to the bone and unable to do its job

Here's a question you may wish  to ponder. Do you think that your local council should have the staff and resources to be able to deal with local planning issues? As far as I'm concerned such matters are fundamental to the local community and should be fully controlled by the democratically elected officials. Such issues are important and as far as I am concerned, the expertise necessary to control planning issues needs to be built up over years, if not decades. It is all very well for experts to be shipped in from elsewhere, but how can experience in the area be bought? Barnet is a unique place. We have a mix of rural areas and large industrial and commercial areas. How many other London Boroughs boast both farms, factories, council estates and millionaire mansions.We have unusually diverse religious and ethnic communities, unlike anywhere else in London. Each of these issues brings special considerations for planners. Perhaps the most important hub in the Borough is Brent Cross Shopping Centre. I was shocked to see a paper on the Council website which said

To authorise undertaking a procurement exercise to engage an external, multi disciplinary planning practice to undertake all planning work in respect of the proposed re-phasing of the Brent Cross Cricklewood (BXC) scheme.

You can see the document on the council website here:
http://barnet.moderngov.co.uk/documents/s8647/DPR%202012%20-%20BXC%20Procurment%20of%20planning%20consultant%20Public.pdf

Reading through the document I was even more shocked to read paragraph 8.7 of the document. This say

The Council does not have sufficient resources in terms of staff numbers or specialist skills to commit to this timescale and is therefore seeking to procure the services of a multi disciplinary planning consultancy in order to meet the planning timetable.

This exposes the fact that Barnet Council is no longer able to do its job. They have to buy in services to manage the planning for the most important development in the history of the London Borough of Barnet.

According to the paper the Council wards affected are Childs Hill, Golders Green West Hendon. This is complete nonsense. The Brent Cross regeneration scheme affects every person in Barnet and every ward in Barnet in some way. Every high street in the Borough has been affected by Brent Cross. When Brent Cross opened in 1973, every High St had clothes shops, shoe shops, electrical retailers and hardware shops. Mill Hill Broadway had a great shoe shop called Freeman, Hardy and Willis, three greengrocers, Mill Hill Televison selling electrical goods and records, a great little record shop on the site which is now the Bridge Tavern. We had Woolworths as a general retailer. We had Kentfields Toy shop. We had  H.A. Blunt and Sons (aka The Model Shop) selling train sets, Scalextrix, Airfix models and other boys toys. If anyone thinks that the demise of such shops is anything other than a direct result of the advent of Brent Cross, they are deluded. Now I am not arguing against progress, merely pointing out the fact that Brent Cross does not simply affect the three wards mentioned.

The planners in Barnet Council, for all their faults, know the area. How can it be wise to hand over such an important scheme to people who are coming in on a fat fee and once they've gone don't have to live with consequences?

The document states in section 3.2

It has been considered whether the procurement of a planning consultancy is likely to raise significant levels of public concern or give rise to policy considerations and it is not considered that the issue will raise significant levels of public concern.

 I would suggest that the only reason that they can make such a statement is because they believe no one will know what is going on until it is too late.

Like many Barnet Council documents, there are significant untruths in the document. It states in paragraph 5.4.1

There are no Staffing, IT, Property, Sustainability implications.

This could not be more dishonest. It contradicts what is said in section 8.7. The only reason they are outsurcing it is precisely because of staffing issues. Are you happy that your council is prepared to make such misleading statements in its official literature.

Section 8.2 gives the whole game away. It says

The Brent Cross Development Partners have indicated that they wish to revise the masterplan to, amongst other things, improve the linkages between the northern and southern elements of the site and to change the phasing to produce a scheme that is viable in the current economic circumstances. It is intended that these changes will be within the parameters and principles (and timescales) of the existing outline consent and that they should therefore be considered as a S73 change to the existing consent.

 It appears to me that the whole things is a shoddy attempt to knobble the planning process . The developers are moving all of the aspects of the scheme which will make them pots of money into the early phase of the scheme and moving many of the things that will cost them money and be socially desirable towards the end of the scheme, when doubtless they can be convienently "modified due to current economic circumstances". Now I ask you this. Do you really believe that such an attempt to "re-phase" the plan should be done by a bunch of outsiders, hired in, no doubt at huge expense, who have no historical links with Barnet and who don't fully appreciate the history of the development or even the effect of the development on the rest of the Borough.

The most shocking thing of all about this truly horrendous decision is that it has not been democratically made. It has been simply signed off by a senior Council Officer, Pam Wharfe. The Delegated authority process she used was designed for minor decisions that with negligible effect. They were not designed to manage decisions which affect every citizen in the Borough. This is a complete scandal. It is proof, if proof were needed that there is no democratic control or accountability in the London Borough of Barnet. It appears to me that One Barnet is misnamed. It should be called "No Barnet".

I will be writing to every Councillor and to the local Papers because I believe that this is scandalous.

   DPR 2012 - BXC Procurment of Planning Consultant Public

Greenacre Writers Literary Festival

Greenacre Writers are delighted to confirm the authors who will be appearing at the Greenacre Writers Literary Festival. Our venue for the first two events is the fantastic Friern Barnet Community Library, the People's Library, which was closed by the council but has been reclaimed by the community. Come and see why.

Fri 17th May 4.30-6.30pm Friern Barnet Community Library
Miriam Halahmy will be running a creative writing workshop: 'So you want to write for Kids!' £10.50 Creative writing workshop with author and experienced facilitator Miriam Halahmy. Miriam will offer vital insights into the world of writing and publishing fiction for ages nine to early teens as well as offering some writing starters to get the creative juices flowing. All levels welcome, just bring pen, paper and the energy to write! Miriam Halahmy has published short and long fiction for children, adults and teens, as well as poetry, book reviews & articles.

Fri 17th May 7-10pm Friern Barnet Community Library
Allen Ashley will be facilitating an Open Lit Mic: Guest poet Sarah Doyle, CJ Flood and Miriam Halahmy will be appearing but this is your chance to shine too. We are opening slots to members of the writing community to showcase their work, email: greenacrewriters@gmail.com. Allen Ashley has published nine books as author or editor. In 2006 he won the British Fantasy Society Award for Best Anthology as editor of The Elastic Book Of Numbers (Elastic Press, 2005). He is also a successful poet and wrote under a pseudonym for Time Out London for many years.
Sarah Doyle’s poetry has been published in various anthologies, and in magazines such as Orbis, The Dawntreader and the Poetry Society’s Poetry News. She has been placed in several national poetry competitions. She is Poet-in-Residence to the Pre-Raphaelite Society, for whom she writes commissioned poetry and acts as a judge in their Poetry Prize; and she co-organises, co-hosts and performs in regular jazz-poetry event The Sunday Edition at Enfield’s Dugdale Theatre.
Our venue for the main festival is Trinity Church Centre

Sat 18th May 11-12.30pm,Trinity Church Centre, Finchley, N12 7NN
Josie O Pearse will be running a creative writing workshop. 'Life Writing and the Writing Life'. £8.50 This workshop will look at practical techniques for writing from life. From planning what to write and how to begin, through to the deeper questions that help keep your writing on track. What is this about? Who is it for? Where does it end? And how do you fit your writing into a busy schedule? Bring questions, ideas, imagination, pen and paper. Josie O Pearse has just completed a PhD at Cardiff University in creative and critical writing. She writes sexy romances under a pseudonym, Angel Strand, and is published with Random House.

To book Festival Tickets or Workshops see – www.greenacrewriters.blogspot.com

Andrew "Spud" Hudson RIP

This week saw the funeral of one of Mill Hill's most colourful characters. Andrew "Spud" Hudson passed away aged 65 after an heroic struggle with cancer. I first got to know Spud in the 1970's when he started working for my dad's car repair business. My mother used to tell the story to demonstrate my fathers general lack of attention to detail, when she questioned his decision to take on the new member of staff. My mum queried his decision "Why have you employed a fitter who only has one arm?". My father replied "Don't be stupid" and went off to see Spud. When he then approached him and said "You'll never guess what, Celia thinks you only have one arm!". Spud showed my father his stump and, rather bemusedly said "I have".

As far as my father was concerned, there were more important things than whether people had the right amount of limbs. Spud could do the job and even more importantly, having lead a rich and colourful life, he had a rich supply of anecdotes. Spud had spent time giving her majesty pleasure and some of the stories were simply hilarious. My father had spent time in a prisoner of war camp and he found many of the stories Spud regaled us with rang very true. One of the most amusing was when he was assigned to a work party to sow mailbags. Having only one hand rendered this impossible, but rigid prison regulations meant he couldn't be reassigned. As a result he just had to sit in silence. He said that one of the prison wardens (screws) took pity on him and eventually transferred him to the farm. Spud knew all of the other locals who had spent time in such establishments. One particular character had been telling all and sundry how he'd been the equivalent of Harry Grout in porridge and how he'd had a cushy time. Spud retorted that "well if you like making tea for the screws I suppose that is OK". He also told us about when he became a Sikh whilst serving time, so he didn't have to get a prison haircut. I had assumed that he'd simply given it lip service, but was amazed when he gave me a full precis on the history of the religion and how in many ways it is the worlds most modern and reasonable religion. Spud was a very bright guy and extremely well read on a whole range of subjects. He also had a special and unique knowledge of some of the more nefarious things which happen in our society and some of the ways in which the powers that be keep us where they want us. In the late 1960's Spud wrote a book about some of his experience. There was a huge depth to the man that many people who didn't know him well would have missed.

Spud had a love of anything that makes a large bang. He lost his arm as a teenager when he was trying to make a bomb in the shed, with improvised home made explosives. I was told, although I have no idea whether it was true, that the hospital could have reattached his arm, but the family dog had got hold of it and wouldn't give it back. Spud was an accomplished marksman and won medals as a disabled athelete at European level.

One of the more amusing things, which perhaps illustrates how much life has changed and how much more prosperous we've become was Spuds court suit. Spud had invested in a very well tailored and good quality suit. He told us that if you looked respectable in court it would always work in your favour. Myself and many of my friends at the time were the same height and weight as Spud. We'd regularly borrow the "Court suit" for all manner of things. I personally wore the suit when being interviewed for my first proper job. I can remember seeing one of the other interviewees in a cheap, shabby, ill fitting suit and thinking "Job Done". I bought Spud a pint in thanks for the loan. In hindsight, that was the best investment I ever made.

Spud was someone who always had a solution if you had a problem. Many of my friends got jobs when desperate, as they'd bump into Spud and he'd say "You should have a word with ...... as he's looking for someone". He was very adept at fixing things. Rather coincidentally, on the day of his funeral, I had an Osteopaths appointment. As I was lying having my back cracked, my osteopath said "It's funny, I was thinking about your brother all morning". I enquired why. He said "Years ago my treatment bench broke. The manufacturer said they couldn't fix it. I phoned your brother (he's a welder) and asked if he could. He said that he'd send his friend around who had a portable welding outfit. When the guy turned up, he only had one arm, but he did a fantastic job". My osteopath was amazed when I said I was going to his funeral later.

Spuds funeral was packed and I saw many people I'd not seen for years, decades in some case. Spud was such a larger than life character that the chapel was packed. I don't think any of us could quite believe he'd really gone. A few weeks ago, his son Drew came into my shop. He said "Dad has had a terrible accident, he was cleaning his air rifle and he tripped and fell down the stairs, he shot himself in the head". I was worried and said "That's awful, how is he?" Drew replied "Oh he's fine, apart from the terminal cancer".

As Spud's coffin was lowered into the ground, there was a huge gust of wind, all of the trees in the cemetry shook violently. I thought that this was Spud telling us all that he was OK. Spud was never an angel, but I'm sure that he's up their with the angels now, keeping them all amused. Life in Mill Hill has become just a little bit less fun with his passing.

My sister Val posted a message on facebook saying " Rest in peace and pray the holy ghost isn't really a pigeon." That really summed Spud up. My thoughts and prayers  are with his wife Irene and four kids.

The Friday joke 10/3/2013

What is the difference between Brian Colemans career in politics and a chicken vindaloo? A chicken vindaloo may burn you but you still want more

The Barnet Eye responds to attack in Barnet Press

From Barnet Press 9/3/2013

In todays edition of the Barnet Press, there is a stinging rebuke of this blogs coverage of the Brian Coleman trial. The Barnet Press accuse this blog of being spiteful. We are accused of blurring the coverage between "criminal justice and our own sense of moral outrage over his political decisions and general character".

It will not surprise you to hear that wheover wrote the column did not bother to actually speak to the Barnet Eye before writing their comments. It will not surprise you to hear that they have not sought to give us the opportunity to present our side of the story to their readers.

Well as they clearly aren't interested in hearing our side of the story, all we can do is publish it here. Firstly lets clarify one thing. The Barnet Eye is the only Barnet blog which published its blog on the Friday, so this attack is fairly and squarely directed at us.

As far as the Barnet Eye is concerned, any sense of "crowing" which the Barnet Press may have felt was purely based on the fact that the person who subjected Helen Michael to a vicious assault had been brought to justice. Brian Colemans political career has long since been consigned to the dustbin. As author of this blog I consider Helen to be a good personal friend. Following the assault, Helen immediately called me and I was on the scene within ten minutes of the attack. I saw Helen in a state of considerable shock and distress. If it is beyond the wit of the Barnet Press to understand my repulsion and revulsion at what had happened, I think that maybe they are in the wrong job.

They may or may not be aware of the long history of antipathy felt between Brian Coleman and myself. When I took Brian Coleman to the Standards Committee in 2009, Mr Coleman told several well documented lies to the Standards investigator about my character and  my motivations. He also repeated some of these on BBC London 94.9 Vanessa Feltz show. I refuted these claims and Vanessa Feltz rapidly backtracked when the truth was pointed out to her. She immediately recognised that Brian Coleman had told porkies and mislead her. How would the author of the Press article feel if he had vicious slurs about his personal character made on London radio?

Following the 2009 standards hearing and its press coverage, several people contacted me and recounted incidents concerning the behaviour of Brian Coleman (all were female). I formed my own conclusions about his suitability for public life. These conclusions were not flattering. 

What the Press took to be "spiteful crowing" was simply relief that such a person had been exposed for what he really is. It seems likely that Brian Colemans political career is completely finished. As far as I am concerned, this is a good thing and not a moment too soon. I believe he should have been barred as a councillor following the standards complaint made by Mr Ron Cohen last year. This showed that Coleman had not learned from my case in 2009. In fact his behaviour deteriorated.

I really don't know what the Barnet Press would expect me to say in response to the conviction of Mr Coleman and the probable end of his career. Do they think I should say it is a tragedy that Coleman has got his just comeuppance for assaulting a good friend?

If the Barnet Press feel that "the level of crowing seemed petty" that is their business. Personally I think it is a well justified release of anger following six months where Coleman lied about the incident, lied about Helen Michael and sought to deceive his colleagues (with a degree of success at times) about the truth of the matter. Does the Press have no idea how stressful this period has been for Helen Michael. The Press may not be aware, but Helen has had to endure a whispering campaign against her, seemingly coordinated by friends of Mr Coleman. Other shopkeepers in North Finchley reported all manner of comments made by customers, some of whom had apparently spoken to certain Barnet Councillors.

The Press also seems to have not noticed that Mr Coleman has shown no remorse, has not apologised to his victim and not apologised to those he mislead. If he had ever shown the slightest remorse, the Press may have had a point. He hasn't and they dont. I daresay I won't get an apology from the Press either.

The resignation of Sir Alex Ferguson

You can't escape it. Everyone is talking about it, so I may as well have my say. The current betting is on David Moyes to replace Fergie. A manager who has done a sterling job, but won nothing. United are one of the worlds richest clubs, with owners who take millions out of the business every year. I ask myself, would Fergie have left if he thought he could win the Champions League next year, and beat Biran Clough's record of two European Cups? I personally doubt it. Would United have tempted Fergie to stay, if they thought he was the man for the job, with a huge transfer pot, to buy the players to elevate the club back to contenders? Again I doubt it. United is run by hard headed businessmen. If they do appoint Moyes, I see it as a decision which betrays a lack of ambition. Surely if Fergie was really leaving simply to spend more time shopping in M&S, and they wanted to win trophies, they'd break the bank and get Jose? Am I right? Only time will tell.

Pay and Display Parking returns

Pay and Display Parking is back in Barnet. This paper on the Barnet Council website gives the details


http://barnet.moderngov.co.uk/documents/s8615/1979%20-%20Parking%20Service%20Roll%20Out%20of%20Credit%20and%20Debit%20Card%20Machines.pdf

 This says :-

Following the removal of cash machines throughout the borough the current parking payment options include Pay by Phone, Paypoint and Scratchcards. This has now been extended to include Credit/Debit card
machines positioned at strategic locations within the borough. The DPR report 1859, of 6 December 2012, identified these locations to be Car Parks and On-Street in North Finchley Town Centre. It should be
noted that at that time this was the only town centre where the review of parking provision had been completed.

 Needless to say being Barnet there is no apology to residents for the chaos the abolition of P&D parking caused. I suppose we are expected to be grateful for small mercies from our lords and masters at the town hall.