LIVERPOOL CITY A COLLECTION OF INFORMATION

ALL LIVERPOOL INFORMATION WILL NOW BE MOVED

2007-06-20T08:27:00.000-07:00

Wednesday, June 20, 2007

ALL LIVERPOOL INFORMATION WILL NOW BE MOVED

TRYING TO KEEP UP WITH ALL MY BLOGS IS BECOMING TOO MUCH , THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN EACH OF MY BLOGS IS BASICALLY ALL THE SAME THEME OF , LIVERPOOL CITY, SO I'M JOINING THEM ALL TOGETHER. AS OF NOW YOU CAN READ ALL THE USUAL COLLECTION OF INFORMATION IN ONE LOCATION.

LIVERPOOL IN A MESS LINK BELOW.

LIVERPOOL IN A MESS?

TORI BLARE

TONY BLAIR BANGS LIVERPOOL'S POLITICAL HEADS TOGETHER

2007-06-16T09:07:00.000-07:00

TONY BLAIR HAS ISSUED AN ULTIMATUM TO LIVERPOOL COUNCILLORS TO STOP THE FIGHTING AND UNITE IN THE CAPITAL OF CULTURE CELEBRATIONS 2008. ALTHOUGH ON THE ONE HAND I CAN SEE HIS POINT, ON THE OTHER, I WANT TO KNOW WHERE MY MONEY HAS GONE? CAPITAL OF CULTURE TO ME IS NOT AN OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL THE VULTURES TO COME OUT AND GET THE EASY FINANCIAL PICKINGS FROM THE CULTURE GRANTS. CAPITAL OF CULTURE IS ABOUT CELEBRATING OUR HERITAGE, OUR ARTS AND OF COURSE THE CULTURE. IT IS NOT A FREE FOR ALL IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS! SEE BELOW FOR THE SOON TO BE FORMER PRIME MINISTER'S COMMENTS

Blair: Get behind 08 and stop squabbling

Jun 15 2007

by Nick Coligan, Liverpool Echo

TONY Blair today urged Liverpool to end the squabbling over 2008 and get behind Capital of Culture.

He was speaking during his last visit to the city as prime minister.

Despite concerns raised by Labour politicians this week about 2008 preparations, particularly a £20m funding gap and Liverpool Labour leader Cllr Joe Anderson resigning from the Culture Board, Mr Blair insisted he was “sure Liverpool will do really well”.

He said: “These types of disputes do arise about funding and whether the balance is right between the top end and bottom end of the culture market.

“I’m sure Liverpool will do well and I think the city will want to put on a big show.

“It’s a tremendous showcase. The reason people fight so hard to become Capital of Culture is that it can do so much for a city.

“If you look at some of the European cities which were Capital of Culture in the past, it made a big difference.

“It’s a massive opportunity and it’s important ordinary people get involved.”

Mr Blair also praised Liverpool’s transformation during his 10-year premiership.

“Liverpool has lifted itself in a remarkable way. It can still get even better – and the people of Liverpool know that.

“We’ve now got to develop the potential there. Liverpool has earned a place in people’s affections, not just in Britain but worldwide. It’s a brand of its own, because of its character and culture.

“It’s remarkable in the past 10 years how Britain’s big cities have transformed. Liverpool is the prime example.”

Mr Blair took a break from the world of politics to roll modelling clay with youngsters as his “farewell tour” hit Liverpool.

The Prime Minister, who stands down this month, joked “I’ll be doing a lot of this in the future” as he sat with three and four-year-olds at a community centre in Dovecot.

Mr Blair performed the official opening of the Yew Tree Centre, the £4.6m home to a health complex, nursery and family facilities.

Earlier, he visited Knowsley Community College where he met some of the 12,000 students and tried his hand at decorating a wall in blue paint and attended a reception at the Devonshire House Hotel in Edge Lane.

MATT FINNEGAN WAS RIGHT, WHAT A SUPRISE

2007-06-07T05:35:00.001-07:00

MATT FINNEGAN HAS WON AN AMAZING LEG IN HIS PURSUIT FOR JUSTICE.

IT HAS BEEN A LONG AND VERY EXPENSIVE JOURNEY FOR MATT AND HIS SUPPORTERS, YET HE KEPT HIS FAITH IN JUSTICE OUTSIDE OF LIVERPOOL CITY COUNCIL.

THE INFORMATION COMMISSIONING OFFICE HAS CONFIRMED THAT THE PUBLICATION OF CONFIDENTIAL EMAILS AND MOBILE PHONE INFORMATION, BETWEEN MIKE STOREY AND MEDIA CHIEF MATT FINNEGAN, HAS BROKEN THE BASICS OF THE DATA PROTECTION ACT, WHEN DAVID HENSHAW WAS HOLDING THE CITY TO RANSOM INSISTING HE WANTED THOUSANDS OF POUNDS TO RETIRE FROM THE COUNCIL AS CHIEF EXECUTIVE. MATT HAS ALWAYS MAINTAINED THAT HE SIMPLY FOLLOWED THE INSTRUCTIONS OF THE ELECTED HEAD OF THE COUNCIL MIKE STOREY. MATT EVENTUALLY RESIGNED HIS POST WHEN IT BECAME APPARENT TO EVERYONE THAT HE WOULD NOT GET ANY JUSTICE FROM THE NEW CHIEF EXECUTIVE COLIN HILTON, (KNOWN LOCALLY AS COLIN COVER UP). THE CITY COUNCIL DID NOT HOWEVER FORESEE THE BACKLASH THAT WOULD ENSUE, IN THE FORM OF LITIGATION FROM MATT HIMSELF, HIS DAUGHTER AND THE PRESSURE OF THE NOW INFAMOUS TONY PARRISH. THE REASON LIVERPOOL BLOGGERS STARTED THEIR PRESSURE IN THE FORM OF BLOGGING WAS THIS VERY ISSUE.

VICTORY FOR MATT FINNEGAN, MAY THIS BE JUST THE BEGINNING OF HALSALL'S DEMISE.

Call for apology over city council data law breach

Jun 7 2007

by Larry Neild, Liverpool Daily Post

LIVERPOOL city council broke the Data Protection Act in the way it released details of private emails between former leader Mike Storey and the town hall’s top spin doctor, a government commissioner has ruled.

Matt Finnegan, who resigned as assistant executive director for media after more than a year under suspension, took the case of the emails to the Information Commissioner’s Office.

It was the latest skirmish in the long-running saga sparked as part of the public fall-out between Cllr Storey and former chief executive Sir David Henshaw.

Last night, Mr Finnegan’s law-yer, Rex Makin said: “I made it clear when the emails were pub-lished that a contravention had taken place. The council’s res-ponse was opposite, and now the Commissioner has ruled I was correct. I think it flawed the disci-plinary proceedings the council was taking against Mr Finnegan.”

Mr Finnegan, who headed the council’s news operation from Dale Street, was suspended and a council audit team, as part of a routine exercise, examined his computer and mobile phone. These revealed communications between Cllr Storey and Mr Finnegan relating to the future of Sir David.

One of Sir David’s key officers, resources director Phil Halsall, sent a draft report to all 90 city councillors which contained full details of the exchanges of emails.

The commissioner’s report says:

“It is primarily the premature circulation of the detail contained within the draft report which raises concern.”

Mr Halsall, in the draft report, included a covering letter stating the full findings of the investiga-tion had been published “some-what sooner than intended due to media interest generated by the existence of the report”.

It then went on to say that, as the draft report also contained information which may lead to a disciplinary investigation, mem-bers were told to treat the details contained within the document as “strictly confidential”.

“What is most pertinent is not the actual contents of the draft report but the untimely manner in which it was distributed,” said the commissioner’s officer. “It is clear the decision was taken to distribute the full contents of the draft report somewhat premature-ly in response to ‘media pressure’ which we believe was unfair (to Mr Finnegan). It is therefore our view that Liverpool City Council has breached the First Principle of the Data Protection Act 1998 in this instance.

“Whilst it is acknowledged this is perhaps an extraordinary case in terms of the events which occurred and the high profile of individuals who were involved in the investigation, the disclosure, having been circulated at such a premature time, was still unfair. If the council felt it needed to res-pond to media pressure on the case, a summary of the necessary facts may have been sufficient.”

The commissioner has now written to the city council advis-ing that the untimely manner in which the circulation of the Draft Report occurred could have had further consequences in that it may have compromised disci-plinary proceedings which might have subsequently followed.

Although no action is proposed against the council by the ICO, Mr Finnegan now has the legal right to take court action against the council for their breach.

Last night, Mr Finnegan said: “It has always been my contention that the city council broke the law by publishing confidential emails, and the ICO has now confirmed that the Data Protection Action was breached by them.

“This is a small, if belated, victory for democracy and a vind-ication of my actions in obeying the leader of the council. If the council had any decency, it would now issue an abject public apol-ogy to me for acting illegally. But I won’t be holding my breath.”

Mr Finnegan is now calling for the council to take legal action against Sir David Henshaw, chair of the North West Strategic Health Authority, for contravening the Data Protection Act and to suspend Mr Halsall, who is still employed by the council, pending a full investigation into his actions.

A city council spokesman said last night: “The city council accepts the findings of the Information Commissioner and notes that he has recognised the exceptional circumstances that led to the complaint. We welcome his decision not to take any further action.”

larryneild

JACKO NESBIT THE PLINKEY PLONK MAN

2007-05-26T12:03:00.000-07:00

LOCAL CHARECTORS IN LIVERPOOL HISTORY

WHO REMEMBERS THE PLINKEY PLONK MAN? BELOW THE KIRKBY TIMES DID A PIECE ON HIM IN 2003.

JACKSON NESBITT REST IN PEACE

www.kirkbytimes.co.uk Working Class Resistance

Local Culture

Local Culture Kirkby

Jackson Nesbitt (Jacko)

Jacko is one of Liverpool's characters. Many Scousers will know him or know of him. Jacko is one of the Street people who amuses and brightens up a dull day. Jacko uses a cardboard cut-out of a banjo to busk with in Liverpool City Center - you may have seen him dressed in a Father Christmas hat which compliments his beard. He talks in an Irish Accent and is a great story teller. I've personally known Jacko for a good few years now. I'd sooner donate money to people like him than to most charities. He is from an era where we had many tramps and old blokes who stayed on the streets, a lot of the younger generation of street people are drug casualties. Jacko has always been polite to me and has NEVER asked me for money. He's a busker/street entertainer and we the public have the choice of whether we pay him or not. The people who annoy me are the stuck up Lib Dem Councillors and the likes of the devious Chief Executive of Liverpool City Council - David Henshaw, who'd like to kick Jacko and anyone else who doesn't 'look right' out of the City Center. We must make sure that the City Centre is a place where the snobs are allowed to push the working class culture out of the way; they've already tried to ban Big Issue Sellers! Jacko is part of our culture in Liverpool. We ought to pay him just to stand around the City Center.

We'll keep the Guinness flowing here

Born in Armagh on the 26th of June 1938, his proper name is Jackson Nesbitt. Jacko told me that his family were originally Germans and Jewish and he has fond memories of his grandmother who apparently led a singsong on a boat which was targeted by torpedo. Jacko can recall with clarity many stories from his youth and as a young man. It would be interesting to record his stories, and his songs which he writes himself. Jacko sang a song he'd lined up to promote Guinness - to the tune of 'we'll keep the red flag flying here' - changed to 'We'll keep the Guinness flowing here" A Classic! Jacko has been in Liverpool for some 25 years busking, and spent a total of 50 years in all entertaining the people with his brand of humour and amusement for passers by. As I sat down with Jacko today (Fri Oct 14 2003) he was sat by Queens Square, it was a rainy day with a fair old breeze. Jacko's shoes were falling apart, so if any readers are in Liverpool City Centre - Jacko takes a size 9 - A good few people stopped to say hello - and a bloke stopped to take a photo. Apparently Jacko is a good photo opportunity for tourists and passers by - but I would say that if anyone does photograph him then paying him a couple of quid would be a nice gesture. I paid him a couple of quid for the photos I took - but would have donated it regardless. This is the first time I've had my camera when Jacko has been around so I was glad of the opportunity to capture one of Liverpool's legends. Below - the view from the street - this is what the audience looks like for a busker Jacko or Jackson Nesbitt can be contacted at his headquarters around Queens Square and surrounding streets. You may spot the cut out banjo, his beard and perhaps a Father Christmas hat. You can donate by cash only - no cheques or credit cards please! If you don't wish to donate cash then you have the option of buying food or non alcoholic beverages from Sayers, Gregg's etc. Ask him beforehand - he may have eaten already. Jacko takes a size 9 shoes - as of 14th Oct 2003 the need for new shoes is vital - if your there - and you care - catch him on his rounds and drop off the shoes. A warm waterproof coat would be also be appreciated - water proof trousers would be a help now the Winters here. Do what you can - lets look after people like Jacko - he is a pleasant enough bloke and deserves a break. That little spot where Jacko was sat could well be reserved for you or me. For this reason it's wise to treat people at the lowest end of society with dignity. Most of us know this and we try to be kind to those who have hit on hard times or those who choose to live on the streets because it's the only place they know. As we approach Christmas - try to be good to people worse off - and never forget that it's the poor like me and you who dig deepest in our pockets. I gave Jacko £3.00 - that represents about 3% of my total weekly income at this financially challenged period of my life - now look at some of the high earning Middle Class pen-pushers invading Liverpool - some of them earn £600 at least per week - and for them to donate the equivalent percentage I gave, would add up to giving about a £15 donation. Funnily enough - it's the very same highly paid pen pushers who walk on by! - The middle classes and snobs NEVER throw a few quid to a tramp - and many tramps and street people have told me this. The people donating are the Working Class as a rule. This makes me proud to be Working Class - yet I see the stupidity of our Class in allowing the rich to rob us as they do. Charity is often the poor donating to the poor! Anyway - if you see Jacko in town - tell him he's famous on the Internet now! - If any rich people want to donate a top pair of shoes to him - get in touch with Kirkby Times.

Kirkby Job Center and the fiddle

If you ever see me busking in town - don't tell Kirkby Job Center I'm on the fiddle - I'm actually playing a guitar! - get it? - Good luck if you need it. Give generously! And take generously -off the rich of course! Back to Top

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LIVERPOOL HISTORY 2005

2007-05-13T16:15:00.000-07:00

Over 2 years ago, Larry Neild was asking if the next Chief Executive was in the list of 10 pictured below. Over 2 years later we are still asking that question? Colin Hilton is the person the Liberal Democrats chose, however he is so ineffectual, how can he lead us to anything, let alone the Capital of Culture????

Is a new leader in waiting here?

Mar 18 2005
City Editor Larry Neild looks at the top 10 names to take Liverpool up to Capital of Culture year
Daily Post

INTERNATIONAL headhunters were paid £75,000 to search for a new captain to steer Liverpool out of troubled waters in 1999.

However, their search stopped at nearby Knowsley Council whose then chief executive left to take up the top job in Merseyside's largest local authority.

Now the hunt is back on to find a new steward for the city, someone who will lead it into Capital of Culture Year in 2008.

The outgoing Sir David Henshaw has been credited as one of the key architects in the transformation of Liverpool.

However, his intention to leave his Dale Street office sooner rather than later opens up the prospect of a key job in local government being up for offers. And, with a salary worth at least £180,000, it offers the successful applicant the chance to shine as Liverpool focuses on becoming one of Euope's major city destinations.

Undoubtedly, this will lead to a number of high-quality candidates jockeying for the number one position in the forthcoming months.

Top 10 names in the frame are:

* John Flamson, head of Merseyside Objective 1 Programme. His current task is ensuring the £2bn European-backed programme is wisely managed. He is seen as a tough talking civil servant with the gentle touch.

* Carole Hudson, chief executive of St Helens council. The glass town has seen its profile raised dramatically thanks to Ms Hudson who has put it firmly on the regeneration map.

* Jim Gill, chief executive of Liverpool Vision. Seen as a nononsense talker who heads the public-private company charged with regenerating the city centre. Some say releasing Gill from the 'shackles' of a second tier body overseen by the council executive will show an unseen executive capable of high delivery.

* Frances Done, former Rochdale council chief executive who headed the Manchester Commonwealth Games company. Now a high flyer with the Audit Commission.

* Steve Broomhead, one time Warrington council chief and now chief executive of the North West Development Agency. His job is to delicately balance the interests of a massive area stretching from Cheshire to the Lake District while making sure rivals big city Liverpool and Manchester get their fair shares.

* Sir Howard Bernstein, chief executive of Manchester city council. Veteran local government go-getter who has over-seen the transformation of Manchester.

* Tom O'Brien, chief executive of The Mersey Partnership. A local boy, "done good", who reached the dizzy heights of the World Bank in Washington before being 'loaned' to Merseyside.

* Phil Halsall, Liverpool's executive director for resources. Former chief executive of South Ribble who is credited with transforming Liverpool's financial situation.

* Colin Hilton, executive director for Lifelong Learning at Liverpool. Like Halsall, was one of the five super-directors hired under the Henshaw regime. Education in Liverpool has been transformed.

* Brenda Smith, former MD of Granada and now managing director of another media empire. Former Merchant Taylors girl Ms Smith is also on the board of the NWDA, and, in 2003, was named North West Businesswoman of the Year.

Whatever the choice, though, the man, or woman, picked as chief executive will be at the helm during the 800th birthday celebrations in 2007 and, perhaps more importantly, in 2008.

larryneild@dailypost.co.uk

Hunt is on for outstanding ambassador

LIVERPOOL needs a chief executive who can act as an ambassador to the city during a crucial period in its history.

The Merseyside area has been undergoing something of a renaissance in recent years and this will no doubt intensify as Capital of Culture Year, in 2008, comes closer. So one of the main criteria when considering who to choose for the post will be a person's ability to shine as Liverpool looms larger on the European stage.

The chief executive will receive a salary of £180,000.

Another role will be meeting VIP visitors as well as Royalty, and to be involved in complex talks about key projects.

The person must also be a mover and shaker, as well as the most senior paid ambassador for the city around the country and abroad.

The chief executive is also the chief advisor to the council cabinet, or executive board.

Controversial blog Liverpool Evil Cabal closes with little explanation

2006-09-22T12:06:00.000-07:00

I just searched Liverpool Evil Cabal on yahoo and came up with some interesting sites. This Link below, is the follow up to ONE that I have linked up to on a previous post. I will carry on in my quest and add the sites I have interest in. ENJOY THE FIRST OF MANY. TRY SEARCHING YOURSELF AND SEE!!!!! Controversial blog Liverpool Evil Cabal closes with little explanation

Living in Inner City Liverpool

2006-09-20T14:09:00.000-07:00

Living in Inner City Liverpool THE REALITY OF THE CAPITAL OF CULTURE

STROKE VICTIMS CENTRE TO CLOSE DOWN WITH NO PLANS MADE FOR SERVICE USERS OR SERVICE PROVIDERS!!!

2006-09-15T05:00:00.000-07:00

AMAZING IS IT NOT THAT POSH APPARTMENTS CAN BE PROVIDED TO THOSE LUCKY ENOUGH TO BE ABLE TO AFFORD THEM. HAVE A STROKE AND NEED HELP? WE HAVE NOWHERE IN NORTH LIVERPOOL TO HELP YOU SORRY!! VENMORE HOUSE SEE BELOW FOR DAILY POST REPORT.

WRITE TO YOUR COUNCILLORS AND MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT TO OBJECT!

WHY?

IT MAY BE YOU, AT ANY TIME IN YOUR LIFE, THAT YOU MAY NEED TO USE SUCH A FACILITY AND NEED OTHERS TO PROVIDE YOUR BASIC NEEDS.

MAKE SURE WE HAVE THAT FACILITY NOW!

Award-winning services may be lost if home closes Sep 15 2006 By Jessica Shaughnessy Daily Post Staff Venmore House, in Everton The threatened closure of a day centre and residential home for the elderly last night prompted fears for the future of its award-winning services. Venmore House, in Everton, provides pioneering care for stroke victims, and staff are worried that its shutdown will mean the loss of a vital health facility. Liverpool City Council says it needs to move residents from the home as it will soon become the centre of a building site when Housing Market Renewal Initiative (HMR) work begins in the area. It says it plans to replace Venmore with improved services in an elderly people's village, which will not be completed until 2009. But executive member for health and social care, Cllr Dave Antrobus, last night said the stroke services will be taken elsewhere. He said: "It is something the Primary Care Trust will need to follow-up and they have made the commitment to do that. "At the end of the day, buildings on all sides of the site will be knocked down and rebuilt. Vulnerable people should not have to sit through that kind of disruption. "There is going to be a new elderly village in the area, which in the long term will provide much better accommodation and services." The council announced its proposals to close the home in December at a briefing last night, and wants to begin consultation. The residential unit at Venmore houses 19 elderly people, while the day care centre welcomes up to 70 people a day. Though managers have already been notified, staff at Venmore will not be told until a meeting later today. Politicians and union representatives have attacked the council for making the announcement without warning. Cllr Antrobus added: "We were not sure whether the money would come through from Arena Housing Association for the elderly village, so we were not able to tell anyone, but that has now happened. "All service users will be fully assessed before alternative arrangements are made for them and they will all have a place in the elderly village. "It is understandable that people will be worried, and this has implications for jobs, but we have an unofficial policy not to make any redundancies. On top of everything else, there is a shortage of carers and we would not want to lose anybody." GMB Union convener for council employees, Roy Gladden, last night said staff fear for the people they care for and their families. He said: "There is a real concern that families will collapse around this. "The centre provides vital respite care for families and the truth is there are not enough alternative services to go round. "The elderly village will not be completed until 2009, what are these people going to do until then? Cllr Antrobus added: "We were not sure whether the money would come through from Arena Housing Association for the elderly village, so we were not able to tell anyone, but that has now happened. "All service users will be fully assessed before alternative arrangements are made for them and they will all have a place in the elderly village. "It is understandable that people will be worried, and this has implications for jobs, but we have an unofficial policy not to make any redundancies. On top of everything else, there is a shortage of carers and we would not want to lose anybody." GMB Union convener for council employees, Roy Gladden, last night said staff fear for the people they care for and their families. He said: "There is a real concern that families will collapse around this. "The centre provides vital respite care for families and the truth is there are not enough alternative services to go round. "The elderly village will not be completed until 2009, what are these people going to do until then? Staff have not yet had a formal briefing but the managers are extremely worried, not just for their jobs, but for the future of their clients." A report on the council's proposals will go before the executive board next Friday. Everton councillor Jane Corbett said last night: "These proposals have come out of the blue." jessicashaughnessy@dailypost.co.uk

The UK Daily Pundit: I Am Tony Parrish

2006-09-07T15:21:00.000-07:00

The UK Daily Pundit: I Am Tony Parrish

The Opposite of Apathy: Victory to the FBU

2006-09-07T15:11:00.000-07:00

The Opposite of Apathy: Victory to the FBU A GOOD ARTICLE FROM THIS BLOGGER ABOUT THE MERSEYSIDE FIRE FIGHTERS STRIKE! SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL FIRE FIGHTERS, YOU MIGHT NEED THEM ONE DAY!!!!!

Neil Herron: Liverpool City Council's Unlawful Parking Tickets

2006-09-07T15:07:00.000-07:00

I WOULD LOVE TO HAVE AN UPDATE ON THIS ONE! LIVERPOOL BEST GET IT'S PARKING SERVICES SORTED BEFORE ALL THE MILLIONS OF VISITORS EMERGE UPON OUR FINE TOWN! This is a blog from Neil Heron who's blog is dedicated it seems, to parking legislation, he makes sure Council departments don't get away with anything. Neil Herron: Liverpool City Council's Unlawful Parking Tickets