NHPNA AGM

I have always had a particular soft spot for North Hyde Park Neighbourhood Association despite it being the only local institution to ever refuse me membership. But then we all know what to think about clubs that would have us as members. Its the second year running the AGM has been held in Wrangthorn Church on Hyde Park Corner. There's something mind focusing about meeting in the House of the Lord particularly is its November and the heating isn't working. We cantered through a packed agenda and were particularly grateful for the Tea. Although the boundary change significantly reduced the amount of Headingley Ward they cover the issues are cross cutting and they are also the back bone of the Leeds Girls High School Action Group and the LGHS site is in Headingley. My favourite bit of being a Councillor is these sort of public events. If anything saves us from tyranny or managerial ism its these sorts of grass roots residents led initiatives. I said a few words about the LGHS saga ( still no sign of planning applications ) and listened to a presentation from the University of Leeds community Engagement people. They got Brownie points for speaking to the Lions Den but IMHO it was the usual PR bilge without wanting to engage with any of the real problems. I lost interest in what they were saying and concentrated on the stained glass and dimly lit architecture of St Augustine's. I suppose its a professional hazard of meeting in such a beautiful building.

A Trip to the Pictures

Its a bold claim given that we host the Cricket and Rugby Stadiums but I have always felt that the jewel in Headingley's cultural crown is the Hyde Park Picture House. Grade 2 listed and still lit by Gas Lamps enter always make me feel like I have walked through a wardrobe into an Art House Narnia.

Last week I make one of my regular but not frequent enough visits and met Wendy Cook the Manager. I have been around to long to genuflect at public service for the sake of it but its always moving to engage with someone badly paid doing a difficult job because they love it. We had a quick run through staffing, fabric, finances, development and programming and the House is clearly in Good shape. I was concerned to learn about the size of recent budget cuts but they are in surplus and under no immediate or medium term threat. That certainly wasn't the case when I was first elected and much credit goes to several committed managers and Chairs of Theatre Grand Board.

But here in also lies the problem. Leeds City Council owns the Picture House Building but its managed via the arms length Grand Theatre Board. If you are managing 3 premises 2 of which are city wide treasures ( The Varieties and Theatre Grand ) the Picture House will always be at the back of the queue for funding. Now that much needed lottery schemes have been approved at the former approved at the former surely its time for the Picture House to have its day in the Sun? An early priority for my successor should be pulling the Picture House lottery bid out of moth balls. The Building still isn't fully DDA compliant, the toilets are inadequate, the cellar space could be better used and a sympathetic extension might provide a revenue generating cafe space. Its difficult to admit publicly but there is a geographic bias at work here as well. If Leeds City Council had a Grade 2 listed Art House Cinema in the City Centre then it would have been plated with gold a long time ago.

Before I left I had a cheeky sneak into the projection pit and looked down. Watching something depressing with Norwegian Subtitles or staying up late with the Friday night late show are part of the Hyde Park experience. Visiting Wendy has spurred me into doing what Local Councillors do. A few phone calls, a small funding package application and some words of advice. Institutions need day to day repair which is what I have tried to do. However Institutions need every now and again big visionary projects to take them forward every generation. I haven't done that but some one else is going to have to soon.

and the winner is...

This blog doesn't often dust off its pom poms and Cheer lead. However I'm genuinely delighted that Cllr Richard Brett has been elected as the new Liberal Democrat Group Leader in Leeds.

I attended the hustings on Monday. I won't say to much as it was a private meeting but what I heard made me very hopeful although it all rather confirmed the size of the task ahead. As an experiment in including members ( because only Councillors had a vote) we invited the entire membership to come and observe, put on a bit of hospitality and allowed ordinary members to ask questions via the chair.

I deliberately kept schtum and raised many smiles as all the issues I have been pushing for years came up a again and again. WE held the hustings in the Council Chamber which lent it an air of Gravitas. Two performances were very good a third very poor in my view. I'd hoped the contest might have generated more policy debate but we have at least aired some issues that needed airing.

I actually didn't support the recent decision to restrict the franchise in Leader elections to just Councillors. Whether or not I'm right or wrong about this I definitely felt the event benefited from having "real people" there and not just hacks like me.

I wish Richard well. For my mind he brings three things that the Group leadership has been desperately lacking over the years of my involvement. Firstly he's an Inner City Ward member and will hopefully challenge the suburban drift we have been experiencing. Secondly hes actually a proper liberal and went into politics to change the world rather than just mange it a bit better. Thirdly he's a campaigner and a street fighter rather than some one mummified by having represented a safe seat for 20 years.

I wish him the best of luck.