Belsize library hosted another successful Area Forum meeting

Belsize library hosted another very successful Area Forum meeting last night. It proves that a community event can and does generate truly collaborative ideas.

In this case brainstorming ways to not only keep Belsize library open longer hours but also to explore revenue-generating schemes to partly self fund longer hours.

Most key activists from Belsize were present at this energy charged event. This really serves to show that on all matters of environmental, conservation and business and social cohesion really works in Belsize. Even though activists present were from all the major political parties. The sense of community demonstrates true power of such collaborative approach. Big thanks to all who attended and until the next Area Forum, which will probably be, post Local Council elections May 6th.

Author: Nigel Rumble

The BIG Question about BBC's "Question Time"

On the eve of hearing the economic GDP figures, what does the BBC do but host a BNP special "Question Time".

Whilst some may argue that hearing how BNP leader Nick Griffin conducted himself on the show may think that it was a good thing, no doubt MEP Nick Griffen will continue his line that he had faced a "lynch mob" on prime time TV.

What is clear to me is that NOT one single question was asked about the dire state of the UK economy and recession that the current Government has brought us virtually to our knees and how the opposition parties would attempt recovery when it is highly expected that the Conservatives under the leadership of David Cameron will have to face this problem in office next year.

There was no question either of why the UK continues today in the longest recession in history but yet France and Germany have successfully moved out of recession!

What particularly concerns me is that here in Camden alone 1300 people voted for the BNP in the European Elections 2009, that was about 2.76% of the vote. Yet again this important question of “why” does a seemingly non-raciest electorate decide to vote BNP on matters of Europe. It is clear that to most commentators these votes are mostly a protest vote against the Government and “MP Expenses”. But to think that is perhaps missing the point that nationally and here locally in Camden we do have a lot of people that now feel totally disconnected from main steam politics to verge off to a far right Neo-Nazi party.

The questions that the BBC flagship "Question Time" as presented by David Dimbleby put should have been more balanced in its range of questions rather than creating the much talked about, super high ratings, platform for a BNP "Nick Griffen" special.

However, it was only through the audience apparent unscripted participation that we actually got to see the real side of Nick Griffen and how the BNP publicity machine works. Sadly, the BBC hijacked itself to be part of that machine!

Author: Nigel Rumble

UK economy still in recession

Britain's economy shrunk by -0.4 per cent in the third quarter, making this the longest recession since records began.

Figures from the Office for National Statistics showed a provisional 0.4 per cent contraction in gross domestic product, defying analysts' hopes the UK economy could have returned to growth.

Shadow chancellor George Osborne said the figures were proof Gordon Brown's eoconomic policy had failed.

"This is deeply disappointing news," he said. "Britain is now in the deepest and longest recession in its modern history. Britain's economy is still shrinking a full six months after France and Germany started growing.

"We now know that Gordon Brown's recession plan has not worked, and this news has destroyed Labour's claim that Britain was better placed than other countries to weather the storms."

Liberal Democrat Treasury spokesman Vince Cable said: "For all the hopes of a quick recovery, these figures make it clear we are still in the longest and what could yet become the deepest recession on record.

"For all that has been thrown at the economy to try and stimulate a recovery it is clear that massive structural problems remain, particularly in the banking sector."

TUC general secretary Brendan Barber said: "This is now the longest recession in modern economic history. Even the co-ordinated world-wide stimulus has not been able to halt the damage done by the financial crash."

The negative figure shows an improvement of negative growth of 0.6 per cent in the second quarter of 2009.

Britain entered recession in the second quarter of 2008.

By politics.co.uk 23, Oct 2009 11:30

New Search Tool

Try the new search tool "Search This Blog" that I have added. It gives a complete contextual search to everything that I have written and linked to. Powered by Google.

Start of the 13 month 15% VAT Rate Today

But will it actually have the desired effect and who will profit?

Large e-companies (such as Amazon) clearly will have no problems implementing and passing on the lower rate to their customers. However, the "very type of smaller business" most affected by the credit crunch will have a much harder time to implement and pass on the savings in the high street.

The cost to small businesses to implement the VAT rate change will be high compared to turnover and it will be unlikely that the customer will see benefit at the till. A product or service that has been pitched at £9.99 will not be marked down to £9.77 for long.

The VAT rate change is a negative way of dealing with credit crunch; it serves to illustrate the despair that the New Labour Government is in.

It is back to the OLD Labour days of the past. History does indeed repeat itself

The case of the missing “MeLoveSushi” scooters in Belsize!

Corporate responsibilities of Business and Belsize

Having chaired the recent Belsize SNT Police panel public meeting of 16 Sep’09. A rather surprising fact emerged that the small chain of “MeLoveSushi” restaurants has had rather a lot of delivery scooters stolen by joy riders and being dumped in and around the Belsize area, causing considerable concern for local public safety in the Belsize area.

What is particularly concerning is that the restaurant appears not to be taking either the problem or the security of these vehicles seriously.

It was of the opinion of all those who attended the "SNT Public" meeting that there is a "duty of care" by all business such as “MeLoveSushi” towards the local community to secure and make safe their delivery vehicles. Incidentally the driving and parking of these vehicles in what is a public "walk way" at Swiss Cottage Market is rather suspect too.

Therefore, I like to remind the chain that corporate responsibility means exactly that, having a "duty of care" towards the local community and minimising Health and Safety risks to the public caused by operational delivery vehicles.

Author: Nigel Rumble

G20 and Protests in the City on a sunny April Fool's Day

The G20 parties have started; the mass media circus is here in the City, well-rehearsed smiling faces are on show by G20 leaders. Lets hope that the G20 Talks are fruitful, that protests are peaceful and that everyone walks away with a sense of participating in what is seen by many as the last real chance to halt the recession taking hold in all economies. In the 1930's countries were seen to take unilateral positions adopting "protectionist policies", this historically worsened the recession into the “Big Depression”.

This must not be allowed to happen again, all G20 member countries must agree to actively participate in a multi-lateral policy of financial control measures. Already, we have “fighting” talk from France and now Germany wishing to put a more unilateral line into Europe. This would create a destabilisation effect to the G20 accords.

There must be a cohesive and affective adaptation of monetary policies by all G20 members’ countries.

In terms of the other melt downs taking place not just in the banking system but on our own Planet, such as the polar ice melts taking place at increasing speed. Climate change is happening fast, we have at best less than 10 years to check global warming and CO2 emissions, this represents not only a potential disaster in store for all generations to come on a scale unknown before. The current World “Financial Credit" problems will pale into insignificance by any comparison.

Written by: Nigel Rumble 1st April 2009

The PFI debacle in Camden Social Housing

Five towers on the Chalcots were lucky to be selected for the £150M PFI retrofit 4 year makeover works, or at least the residents had hoped would be the case.

A different story is now slowly emerging that sets the tone of building problems to come over the 15 year PFI contract period.

Click photo left and you will just about be able to see the panels peeling off !

Question: What does a contractor do when faced with an output driven specification to deliver to a quasi "Decent Homes Standard".

You have probably guessed the answer already; build to that standard, especially as it only represents the minimum standards that builders can get away with.

The output specification is met and the client Camden is satisfied.

It now turns out that the cladding system and metal window system which only just meets the thermal insulation levels to pass current building standards is inadequate. As I have reported in previous blogs during the "cold winter snap" levels of condensation on the metal window frames have been unacceptable and black mould fungus has been popping up (mostly on the silicon sealant) everywhere in many of the resident homes during the past months, more are being reported to me every week.

I have started to dig around in the details of the window specifications themselves, it is clear to read that the windows used are the minimum specified by Schüco. That is not to say that the windows are bad but indicates that in the environment for which they have been installed is unsuitable.

All windows are made to a “thermal insulation” standard. A basic solid wood non-insulated frame provides about 1.4W/m2K. Double glazed glass with argon gas is rather better at 1.2W/m2K. (The lower the U value the better the insulation).

However, here is the rub the Schüco window frames installed on the Chalcots are around 3.9 W/m2K which represents a very poor level of thermal insulation. Which when you take into consideration the exposed nature of the “five” towers facing the Primrose Hill, leads to a thermally inefficient design that HAS already presented all the classic signs of high levels of cold bridge condensation on the metal frames.

As important is the increased energy costs to heat these new refurbished buildings, energy is basically going out the window and with it an increased CO2 footprint for Camden. Compared to what could have been achieved with improved insulation provision.

To add double insult to all the residents of the Chalcots, heating cost are set to increase by 13% over the year for Camden housing properties.

One of the key “selling features” that was used to get buy-in from the 717 resident homes was the fact that an energy efficient saving design was put forward.

Also the level of thermal cladding itself is only what has been described to me as a bare minimum, the architects HTA publicly state in press articles that their design concept is “London Borough of Camden is aiming to deliver a 30% cut in CO2 emissions”

When one considers that the original 40 year old buildings with high prevailing winds facing the Primrose Hill with no double glazed windows (using only one single sheet glass) literally losing up to 50% of heat through the old single sheet windows and cold concrete walls. Then 30% reduction represents only a small improvement of energy efficiency in the wider perspective.

Yes it is a welcome improvement but does it represent good value for a £150M PFI project that is the big question still to be answered.

Author: Nigel Rumble 20 January 2009

Microsoft job cuts: thousands of UK staff at risk

Rumours are spreading on the web that up to 3000 staff at Microsoft UK could face redundancy. Up to 30,000 jobs worldwide could be at risk, as the company battles with the economic crisis, which has led to businesses spending less on software.

Henry Blodget, a blogger on Silicon Alley Insider, responded to the rumours saying, "The only way we could see Microsoft laying off this many people is if the company decided to eliminate business units. And if Microsoft did decide to restructure its business, it would likely sell rather than shut down divisions, including MSN."

According to analyst Datamonitor's "Technology Trends: Analysing Global Enterprise IT Budgets 2008" report, half of businesses will freeze their IT budgets in 2008. This budget freeze could have a big impact on Microsoft, which relies heavily on software sales, as businesses are deferring upgrading to the latest Microsoft products.

The coming year will be important for Microsoft, as it begins a major shift in the way it makes money, away from selling software licences, towards software as a services, based around its Azure cloud computing service.

Microsoft's plans to roll out Azure in Europe could be negatively affected if the rumoured job cuts go ahead.

Source: Computer Weekly - Cliff Saran, 11:08 05 Jan 2009

Marks & Spencer to cut over 1,230 jobs

UPDATE (BBC) M&S to close stores and cut jobs
LONDON, Jan 5 (Reuters) - British retailer Marks & Spencer is set to cut more than 1,000 jobs in stores, its head office and support functions following disastrous Christmas trading, The Times web-site reported on Monday.

The newspaper said the iconic high street chain would announce the cuts on Wednesday, when it is due to release a trading update to the City.

A spokeswoman for M&S declined to comment.

The news comes as retailers across the board are expected by analysts to announce terrible sales figures over Christmas, while some, such as Ireland's Waterford Wedgwood on Monday, have called in receivers. (Reporting by John Bowker, editing by Leslie Gevirtz)

Reuters UK

Weak pound pushes Britain to bottom of wealth league

• UK living standards set to slump
• 43% of small businesses expect to cut jobs in new year

Britain's standards will fall to the lowest level of any major economy in 2009 as recession and the plunging pound take their toll, new research by consultancy Oxford Economics reveals.

As recently as 2007, Britain was at the top of the heap, with GDP per capita - measured at market exchange rates - exceeding that of America for the first time since the Victorian era. Consumers rode a decade-long wave of prosperity, snapping up holiday homes in the Dordogne and bargains at Bloomingdale's store in New York.

But Oxford Economics predicts that in 2009, with sterling expected to weaken further, and the credit crunch rippling out from the City into the real economy, the UK will slip right to the bottom of the league, with GDP per capita of $35,243 (£23,913), compared with $46,373 in the US, and $41,531 in Germany, and beaten too by Italy, Japan and France.

"The UK was at the centre of the global financial boom and this led to a dramatic improvement in its apparent living standards relative to its peers, but the subsequent bust in financial markets has taken a very heavy toll on the UK," said Oxford's director, Adrian Cooper.

Consumers would feel most exposed to the relative fall in their living standards when they travelled abroad, he said, adding "Britons will no longer be among the richest people on the beach".

His gloomy prognosis comes amid mounting evidence that the credit crunch is taking a heavy toll on jobs and industries far beyond the Square Mile. Almost half of small firms are drawing up plans to cut staff in the new year, according to an exclusive survey for the Observer carried out by mobile phone company Orange.

Of more than 300 small business owners and managers polled, 43% said they were expected to lay off workers in the new year, while a third warned that they would 'struggle to cope' with the downturn in 2009.

The impact of the financial crisis on the car industry in the UK is also underlined today by figures released to the Observer by the Finance and Leasing Association, which estimates that, in November, the number of loans issued by the finance arms of car manufacturers or dealership slumped by a quarter compared with last year. The number of loans in October fell by just over a fifth.

As recently as the third quarter of this year, the level of credit extended by car companies and dealerships to consumers had hit a four-year high due to the drying up of availability of other funds traditionally used by consumers to purchase a car - bank loans and savings. The collapse in forecourt finance deals has exacerbated the slump in new car sales. Analysts said the availability of credit to buy cars - which the car industry hopes a government rescue package will address - would remain scarce next year.

Richard Lambert, director general of business body the CBI, warned that UK plc must wait until 2010 to see the green shoots of recovery.

'There is no doubt that 2009 is going to be a very tough year for the economy, and for society as a whole,' he said. 'But there are reasons to hope that by 2010 economic activity is more likely to be expanding than shrinking...'

His sombre assessment reflects a growing consensus that Chancellor Alistair Darling's hopes that his £20bn economic rescue package would kick-start recovery by the middle of next year now look wildly optimistic.

After official figures last Thursday showed the economy contracting by a worse-than-expected 0.6% in the third quarter, analysts have downgraded their forecasts, and postponed the start-date for recovery for two full years.

Published in The Observer Sunday 28 December 2008,Heather Stewart and Tim Webb

High tech products set to increase by 20% on high street

It has been announced by leading Japanese companies yesterday that due to the weakening of the Pound that many imported high tech products will now face a "price increase" of up to 20%.

Could the government have known in advance when reducing the VAT rate to 15%!

Announced in BJP 5/1/09 latest news section quote:

"Nikon, Canon, Sony and Leica are all expected to raise their prices in January as the pound continues to fall in value. Nikon has confirmed to BJP that it is to implement a price increase across its range of imaging and optics products, effective on 12 January. 'The price increase is the result of volatile exchange rate conditions and will continue to be reviewed on a regular basis,' a spokeswoman says. 'All product groups will be affected by the price increase to some degree. A recommended retail price list will be available to view from 12 January online.'

Leica has also told BJP that, as of 01 January 2009, its prices would increase across the board.

Canon and Sony are also said to be looking to raise their prices in the UK and continental Europe as both the Euro and the pound have seen their values decline against the Yen. Canon is expected to increase its prices in its consumer division, which sells digital cameras and printers.

The increases could reach up to 20% for all companies, BJP understands."

See Reuters UK feed for latest

Is carbon offsetting ever ok?

In Cllr Alexis Rowell's Blog Monday, 29 December 2008 he asks the question is carbon offsetting ever ok?

He writes: "The current edition of the Ecologist has an article castigating carbon offsetting Carbon Offsetting: forgive my carbon sin?. I have a lot of sympathy with the sentiments expressed. The price of carbon used in the offsetting business is far too low, because the market price of carbon is far too low, and investing in trees on the other side of the world, trees which might be chopped down one day, has never seemed to me to be a very sensible way to deal with the carbon problem."

I agree that the price of carbon is set too low to make carbon offsetting less attractive, I know from experience in dealing with blue chip companies tasked with reducing the company carbon footprint, carbon offsetting is "currently" very attractive to many organisations precisely because it is cheaper than directly dealing with the problem of carbon reduction.

Therefore, I would not directly advocate using carbon offsetting as it currently stands as a control method of dealing with climate change. However, if the carbon offsetting "cost" was increased to the point of being more expensive than "implementing" energy reducing solutions, I feel confidant that this would achieve a better outcome for the planet.

Author: Nigel Rumble

BLACK MOULD (FUNGUS) hits the Chalcots PFI £150M project

Black mould (Fungus) growing on the NEW window frames hits the £150M PFI "Chalcots" project. This serious and potentially hazardous situation has continued to become worse due to the moisture condensation during these cold and dump winter nights.

The new "state-of-the-art" window metal frames (with poor internal thermal insulation) conduct heat from the warm inside surfaces to the colder outside surfaces. Therefore, all the inside metal frame surfaces become very COLD which acts as a condensing surface for the moisture in the air of resident homes.

It is believed that the condensates (upto 50ml per window) which collects on the lower window frame and window ceils is responsible for the development of black mould spores in the "silicon" sealant, which appears NOT to be the "anti-fungicidal" type which would have helped to control these bacterial growths.

It will be asked at the next PFIC meeting that all 710 properties be checked and repaired to comply with building regulations and Health and Safety legislation of mould spore prevention.

It is widely recognised by medical experts that mould spores are responsible for potentially causing allergic reactions and respiratory problems. Some moulds also produce mycotoxins that can pose serious health risks to humans and animals. Exposure to high levels of mycotoxins can lead to neurological problems and in some cases death. The health hazards produced by mould have been associated with sick building syndrome.
If you are concerned and wish to know more Read Wikipedia here, APSNET

The thermal efficiencies of the NEW window frames is thus compromised by not having any thermal insulation properties, heat (energy) is being conducted straight out from all the window frames in this £150M PFI scheme, this energy conservation inefficient and poor design requires an investigation at the highest level.

PFI Contract info here

Author: Nigel Rumble