tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19208183.post8216236436174612320..comments2023-10-22T14:14:16.419+01:00Comments on J. Arthur MacNumpty: The Sunday WhipWillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10978812670312106107noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19208183.post-75345251549813897892007-11-19T16:37:00.000+00:002007-11-19T16:37:00.000+00:00I know that for many folks it's not the biggest bu...I know that for many folks it's not the biggest budget issue ever, but I'm increasingly concerned about the SNP Administration's intentions (or non-intentions) over Community Regeneration.<BR/><BR/>Whilst the overall 'Regeneration' budget gets a big hike in the next financial year and levels out a bit, but remains significant, the Community Engagement bit is seperately stated as a small and three-year flatlining sum (circa 3.5 pa).<BR/><BR/>It seems that the Regeneration budget increase represents larger funding to the private sector (housebuilding etc.) Fair enough, that's a political decision an Adminstration can take. Moreover, to the housing associations disappointed about this settlement, I would suggest that if 'community based' housing associations in north Glasgow can afford Gala Anniversity nights at the Kelvingrove galleries, maybe they're not so hard up. <BR/><BR/>But, couple this private sector weighting with the underwhelming 3.5 figure for community engagement, and the fact that activities like the national Community Voices Network for community activists is to be dismantled... sorry, I mean handed over to local authorities (worse than being dismantled).<BR/><BR/>Where does all this leave the community and voluntary sector with regard to Regeneration? Back to have Regeneration being 'done to' their communities only to fail yet again!<BR/><BR/>The lessons of Scottish urban history show us time and again that without meaningful and deep-rooted community engagement most public funded activities falter and are not sustainable without huge repeat cash injections... and Regeneration is no different.<BR/><BR/>So what is the SNP game plan on Community Regeneration?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19208183.post-59614113520046466832007-11-19T10:32:00.000+00:002007-11-19T10:32:00.000+00:00Good to see JFM back, and I mean that.Interesting ...Good to see JFM back, and I mean that.<BR/><BR/>Interesting tale from the Highland count.<BR/><BR/>JFM was being kept up to date with the results across the land, and had been told about Nora and Euan Robson losing their seats.<BR/><BR/>A Lib Dem activist ran up to inform JFM breathlessly that George Lyon had lost Argyll and Bute.<BR/><BR/>"Ah, so it's not all bad news then" came the reply.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19208183.post-40495816475928879302007-11-18T20:35:00.000+00:002007-11-18T20:35:00.000+00:00Actually, I can see a few of them doing that. Mayb...Actually, I can see a few of them doing that. Maybe we should start the rumour that 100% attendance until the Recess nets a £10 shopping voucher?<BR/><BR/>Oh, and up to now, the Auntie of the House hasn't tried the "Rosie Kane Defence" to explain away her error. I hope she stays above that, if only because I didn't like the imagery associated with its original use, and I wouldn't like it to be associated with Bella either.Willhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10978812670312106107noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19208183.post-43350399269082582492007-11-18T19:51:00.000+00:002007-11-18T19:51:00.000+00:00Well, at least she didn't do the (possibly apocryp...Well, at least she didn't do the (possibly apocryphal) trying to vote with her Tesco Clubcard.Marco Biagihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00556542210042853649noreply@blogger.com