Pictured Above is the latest waste of money from Northwood House, a glossy touchy feely brochure praising the efforts of every organisation which has so far got a taste of the SRB funds. The brochure is titled 'Northwood in a Nutshell' and is funded by Northwood SRB Funds. It features a foreword by Jim Keight, the ex Leader of Knowsley Council who elbowed his way into the prime position of controlling the funds. The SRB funds are dished out by the people below on the SRB 'Partnership Board', only 4 or 5 are actually local people, there names come up when you research the money so far dished out.

Ex Councillor Jim Keight (Ex Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council) Ex Leader - hopefully voted off the Board.

Councillor Jane Aston (Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council) Sold Off St Kevs amongst other dubious activities.

Councillor Jack Bennett (Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council)

Paul Arista (Merseyside Learning and Skills Council)

Pat Cooney (Northwood Head teachers)

Elinor Dodd (Employment Service)

Doctor Colin Ford

Stuart Kernohan (Merseyside Police)

Maureen Dunwoody (Community Representative, had several SRB grants, material girls, busy bee's, now Mollywood)

Keith Hassell (Kirkby Pathways Community Representative, is funded by SRB funding to run Environmental task team.

Hugh Jones (Knowsley Community and Voluntary Services)

Lynn Whelan (Chris Aston) (Community Representative) Both had a vote of No Confidence regarding the dubious Residents Association funded by SRB.

Brian Williams (George Rowe) (Community Representative)

Seamus Brady (Chamber of Commerce)

Stuart Munro (Chamber of Commerce) (Steve Dumbell)

(The committee will have new members now - this will be updated as soon as the names are forwarded)

The Organisations who have touched lucky so far are….......

Northwood Area residents Association

Received £64'000 just before the Council Housing was privatised. This was Keight's way of ensuring that tenants were divided as this new organisation seemed to sit on the sidelines while the housing sell off went ahead. They have not responded to the issues raised on this website. The £64,000 has not been accounted for. 14 volunteers, no paid staff, and likely the usually ugly in fighting if and when jobs are available. Offers free advice on housing, so do many other organisations. George Rowe, one of the volunteers, said "We are open and transparent. There's no secrecy" Really? Read this article here. Jobs created: 0 Trainees/volunteers 14

Building Hopes Building Futures

Basically a Job Center type organisation (another one!) They offer work and training, doesn't everyone? This is another 'Women Only' organisation; they want to encourage people to become involved in the local regeneration projects. Judging by the dubious characters who head this 'regeneration' its only encouraging locals to follow a bad lead. Uses Hope University where the women are put on a course for 'personal development'. Jobs created: 0 Trainees: 6

North Mersey Business Centre

You could guess it was funded as the contractors took an age demolishing the old Job Center and building this new glorified office block.(almost 12 months after knocking the old building down, the new building is not ready!! - story will be up soon) This is a very questionable of the SRB funds. Knowsley Council have set up another 'Trust' to manage the office block, Knowsley Development Trust will manage the building, and it's another 'not for profit' scheme. The Council claim 170 Jobs will be 'projected', but this has cost a massive £750,000 slice from the SRB funds and the total cost will be One and a half Million quid with the match funding deal. 35 businesses are supposedly to be based in the building - many of these will also take funding to set up and keep afloat. No consultation was given in regards to locals agreeing on the project. Once again, beaurocrats or business comes before the children of Northwood. This money should not have been used to fund Knowsley Councils own plans. The actual building is supposedly not within the area that is allowed SRB funds. The rules somehow missed by the committee allocating this funding. Plenty of vacant premises are there in the Town Centre already. Jobs Created: 0 Funding: £750,000 (1,500,000 after match funding)

Ruffwood@home Computer Scheme

One Job created Hundreds of free PC's given out. Seems a good idea, but there was a scheme bought into being by Dick Tracey of Northwood House which entailed giving free PC's to the kids who played truancy or misbehaved. On the whole, schemes that teach our kids computer skills are vital. Benefits local kids. Who actually builds the computers though? Jobs Created: 1 Details of funding not given.

Kirkby Employment and Education Program (KEEP)

Basically duplicating other work here and reportedly pays 22K a year to staff though we cannot confirm this as of yet. Jobs were not advertised in the Job Centre. We don't know if the staff are all local, by rights they should all be. All the jobs which come from SRB funds should be advertised in the Job Center and the Liverpool Echo. There is a history in Kirkby of funded jobs going to the 'left' wing cliques and their friends regardless of their qualifications or experience and without jobs being advertised. This continues today and if the SRB allocations were duly investigated this would become clear. The jobs for the boys and girls culture must end if we are to get honest reliable accountable local people to become involved with fighting for our community. KEEP is just another way to privatise the Welfare State. Jobs created: 4 Volunteers 19 No mention of funding.

Learning new Landscapes

Seems to have done work with local kids who were allowed to suggest 'landscapes' for their schools. Is this Keith Hassles work? Is it the Environmental Task Team? The Council used to maintain schools grounds, likely paid by the church. Jobs created: 0 No funding info given.

Local Labour into Construction

Knowsley Council taking over the Job Centers work by finding jobs for people in construction. 51 people are 'accessing work through training' according to Knowsley Council. If it's work or training with Knowsley Council or their contractors, why can they not just put training opportunities in the Job Center? Jobs created:0 No funding details given.

Flats redevelopment

Funds demolishing of run down vandalised flats which Knowsley Council by rights should have demolished with their own money. Since Knowsley Housing Trust took over the running of the housing stock, surely the SRB money should NOT be used to help KHT save a few quid? The contactors who demolished the flats took an age, and this is definitely a case of Knowsley Council/ Knowsley Housing Trust taking money away which they had no right to. £400,000 matched funding, so a tasty sum of £800,000 for the contractors who got the jobs. Knowsley Housing Trust seems to be taking SRB funds to save their own allocated money - no doubt to give them all a big pay rise, the managers that is. Basically a giveaway for contractors, it would be interesting to see how the contracts were awarded for ALL contractors involved with SRB projects. Jobs created: 0 Funding: £400,000 (800,000 total matched funding)

Kirkby Community Based Economic Development: CBED.

Based in Kirkby Unemployed Centre. According to our information the people running it are from Formby and Ormskirk, apart from Peter Mc Dermott who works as the token local. Sheila Bilton sweet talked the comrades from the Unemployed Centre to let her organisation set up here in Kirkby as she knew a run down area like Kirkby would have lots of funds to set up the organisation. How much are the CBED staff paid? More soon on this matter. Basically an advice service with the beaurocrats who run it being adept at filling in forms for various grants. Locals should be trained to do this job. Jobs Created: 4 No funding figures given.

40+ Into Employment

Another Job Center service passed out to the private sector. Another 'not for profit' business. That means the manager will be on a fat wage, possibly the staff. So far it has helped 8 residents into work. But the Jobs offered are to be found in the Job Center. A great way to privatise the welfare state. Maybe they'll branch out into 50+, 60+, 70+ into employment schemes. 0 Jobs created. No funding details given.

Mollywood

Frank Clarke ran a casting agency which has apparently passed out of his hands, therefore he was awarded £150,000 to help him train local kids in drama and dance etc. Maureen Dunwoody, his co partner, has already had grants for several projects and was/is on the SRB committee which controls the money. Jim Keight is/was the chair. No-ones denying that dance and drama is something working class kids should have access to. The actual deal on the land came after it was originally sold by the Council for an Off License to be built, no idea is given as to how much the SRB paid to buy the building and land compared to the original price. This project was given a critical going over on Kirkby Times.

Material Girls

Recently had a worrying case when an ex manager tried to sue them for unfair dismissal. Luckily, and rightfully as it happens, the person involved lost the case and the Girls can carry on with their work. It is however another Woman only project. They have a shop in Kirkby Town Center, where they sell a range of items and offer a number of services such as alterations and furnishings sold at affordable rates. The girls are happy working, people are happy with the stuff they produce. Nine Jobs created, trains 32 woman a year. Jobs Created: 9. Funding: £280,000. (£560,000 total)

Northwood Family Service

Knowsley Primary Care Trust is thought to be behind this project but there's no mention of them in the Northwood in a Nutshell report. Apparently the project involves the Kirkby Women's Community Action Group who recently went to the wall after the lottery funding disappeared. Works with Probation Service, Parents against Drug Abuse, the Northwood Area Residents Association and anyone who'll have them basically. Offers the usual 'advice' and also counseling. Also run a 'family room' with a tots play area. Jobs created: 2. Funding figures not given.

Northwood Star

Basically a van and minibus plus driver hire, a good idea which has been used by locals. Two jobs created but 19 volunteers. The service is based in the North Mersey Business Centre and there are a total of 10 minibuses and a 'community van'. Hopefully the price will get lower. Does not say not for profit, this is a shame as money made could be used to fund days out for kids and the elderly. Jobs created: 2. Funding Figures: not given.

Woman's Health Project

Despite the fact its men who die earlier and are more likely to suffer depression or commit suicide, women's health projects and women only groups seem to be getting a lot of funding.. Despite the fact that men have just as many problems as Woman we still find the 'Woman's cause' can get a nice grant. Maybe it's just a moan because I'm a man. If mens projects were given as much funding then it would be a level playing field. Sadly mens health in Kirkby seems to come second. The project helps woman to 'realise their full potential', but is it locals running the show? Based in the Kirkby Health Suite. No mention is made of who is behind the project, but it's apparently the Young Women's Christian Association, the female version of the God Squad. Why are the rich churches getting there hands on this money? Anyone got an answer? Jobs Created: 0. Funding: information not given. Maybe God knows.

Northwood Sure Start

A Government program which provides free supplementary services for parents and carers in Northwood. Allegedly bought £3,000,000 into Northwood, er, where? The services funded so far include 'Family Rooms' at Overdale and St Maries Schools, the 'splash and sing group' at Kirkby Swimming Pool, a 'baby club', 'musical gym tots' and the 'teenage health bus' which offers advice from a nurse a GP, health visitor and a midwife. Are they serious? The play areas in schools are a good idea but 3 million seems a lot of money and people may question whether it's been value for money for the community. 'Local Solutions' a 'charity' in Liverpool has muscled in on the act managing the schools projects. Jobs Created: 0. Volunteers: 19. Funding: £3,000,000.

Garden Extensions

More ways for Knowsley Council or the Housing Trust to save money by using SRB funds to carry out work. No-ones doubting people who benefited are happy, but to use SRB funds is perhaps taking liberties. Jobs Created: 0. Funding information not given.

Activity for Life

Not quite activity for life as the scheme gives residents 12 weeks on a variety of courses including Tai Chi, swimming, shapers gym and other activities. However, if people do get a taste for healthy activities, after 12 weeks they'll have to pay like everyone else. For the very poorest, who the SRB money is supposed to help the most, this will mean being unhealthy again. Jobs created: 0 (2 'safeguarded') Funding Figures not given.

In Search

Another 'not for profit' organisation which helps people with community research. Any research the volunteers do will be twisted no doubt to make sure the 'research' favours Northwood House. Funnily enough what research has been issued so far paints a rosy picture of how the SRB regeneration is going. Kirkby Times has done more research than the collective staff of this organisation. Jobs Created: 2 20 Volunteers. Funding Figures not given.

Youth and Play Workers

Trains local people to get qualifications to become Youth and Play Workers. No Jobs are guaranteed here in the community which is a shame. This should have been given priority and the Youth Workers here who are local lads and girls do a great job. We need local people to be trained, problem is, we need to build some youth centers to guarantee jobs. We also need the Council to fund this training. Jobs Created: 8. Volunteers: 16. Funding Figures not given.

Environmental Task Team:

Does the same work as the Council used to do in maintaining landscapes, fencing, paving, painting and tidying. Started up after Keith Hassle got all 'green' after hearing how much he'd be paid to manage the project. His green background began when he saw the funding. Are his workers paid as much as the Council, or have they the same rights and benefits? Probably not. We bet Keith Hassles very well rewarded though. Also sits on the SRB committee with Jim Keight chairing it. Allowed to tender for contracts. Wasted £14,000 building a 'community garden' after wrecking the previous garden. Jobs Created: 26 (are they sure?) No details given for funding. Must be a big amount.

Kirkby Unemployed Centre.

Given £615,000 matched funding, which means the Centre has had £1,230,000, almost One and a Quarter Million Pounds in building improvements. The contracts would have been very desirable and lucrative. All the dirt on Kirkby Unemployed Centre can be found here. Kirkby make believe socialists have ALL done very well for themselves. Jobs Created: 0. The funding of £615,000 or One and Quarter Million grant was for building renovations only. The place is still broken into on a regular basis and looks a mess.

Overdale Educare: Childcare and Adult Education facility

9 jobs created, no costs given for the project but apparently they charge for childcare.

Financial Assistance to Industry.

They use Northwood SRB money to fund businesses which are in Knowsley - so far £793,000 of matched funding has been donated to business. Can we have a list of these struggling firms?

Rail Freight terminal - 14 million quid handout!

£7,000,000 match funding so a whopping £14,000,000 is dished out to some very happy people indeed. It's a contractors dream. No-ones denying a rail network is needed, but it is possible that the Railway track could be used by Sonae to great advantage. It's amazing that a 7 million chunk of SRB money is spent when the only jobs created number 15. That's almost One Million for each Job created. They hope that the railway will be a catalyst for 1000 jobs, but you would hope that they could give definite figures. The 1000 jobs figure is simply unfounded and many of these figures regarding regeneration have been shown to more guesswork than economic science at play. Jobs Created 14, Funding: 14 Million Pounds.

SRB Recruitment Grant: (see KEEP)

Another giveaway to people who already have money. This bright scheme gives £2000 to local businesses to recruit more staff. In reality the firms here hire only on a need basis but will always take up these grants which are sweeteners for the firms to just stay here. In reality, it is unlikely an employer will 'create' another job because £2000 is offered. This is just another KEEP project included to fill up the Kirkby in a Nutshell pamphlet. Two of the businesses who took up the offer of free £2000 cheques were the well off QVC and also Vertex. This is NOT creating jobs. Jobs Created: They claim 85. Funding: So far there has been £170,000 given to businesses. No indication given about funding to KEEP to run the project, shuffling the paperwork for this 'freebie' will likely bring the figure a lot higher.

Mojo Theatre

Never heard of it. Apparently they seek to promote theatre and involve people. Fair enough, working class people often get left out of such activities, but there is no indication of funding nor anything produced beyond two 'drug plays' called 'Sorted' and 'The Price'. 2 Jobs created Funding: figures not released.

Northwood SRB Challenge

Useless exercise in publicity by the ex manager of Northwood House, Dick Tracey, who funded 2 lads and two girls to start a boy/girl pop band called SRB (Sonic Rhythm Band) No funding details have been given but its likely thousands have been wasted funding this attempt to throw together a band with people who cannot play an instrument. We'd be better buying a few hundred cheap guitars and hiring local musicians to teach the kids. Jobs Created: 0 Funding figures not released.

Switched on Women

Another 'Woman only' scheme, sexism is alive and well amongst the 'sisters',;-) another feeble attempt at positive discrimination. Gives free computers to local women, why were local people not employed to actually build the computers? It does not say who is behind the scheme or who runs it. Jobs Created: 0 Funding details not given.

Volunteer Reading Help

Voluntary project which is basically shoring up the appalling education system we have in Working Class Areas. It would be simple to fund enough teachers to actually teach our kids. People here could be trained to do so. Saying that - the kids who cannot read MUST be taught and the people involved are to be congratulated for taking an interest in the situation. However, it has to be said that it is not a good sign that we actually have children that cannot read. Perhaps the fault is in the parents? We appeal to any parents who have difficulty reading to take a basic course, there are many in Kirkby. Self help is a good thing. It's a disgrace that Millions of this SRB money are given to businesses and people with money whilst the kids here come a very very poor second. Jobs Created : 0 Volunteers: 19 (81 Pupils benefiting.)

Community and Crime Safety

The funding for this massive project was not given. So far the Northwood SRB funds have been used to turn Northwood into a Big Brother experiment with 29 hi tech broadcast quality CCTV cameras. Match funded by the Home Office who are using Kirkby as an experiment in community surveillance.

Mobile Phones were bought for Policemen here, the numbers are 0794 994843 and 07984 994850. These numbers are to be used to report crime, not ask what time it is.

Knowsley Business Watch is a scheme to protect businesses; they claim that commercial burglary has been reduced by almost 75%. But commercial burglary has gone down on all trading estates; indeed the traditional commercial burglar of the 80's in otherwise involved nowadays.

Traffic calming and parking schemes have been introduced. The 'car parks' are built in residential roads and are a good idea BUT Knowsley Council had a duty to carry out this work, or the Housing Trust. Why bother when SRB funds will pay for it. The 'traffic calming' is simply road humps. A lucrative contract was given to those involved, and the road humps have not stopped one stolen car nor led to a visible reduction in speed. Stolen cars and the Police cars following can 'skim' the humps and drive at 100mph even if there are humps on the road.

Designing out Crime is the final Crime and Community safety project. This involves fitting locks and basically turning the place into a burglar proof fortress. We could tackle the poverty that leads to crime but that's too radical an idea and the SRB Partnership Board, and the Community Forum Executive and the SRB Sub Groups have simply wasted the opportunity to make a real difference to Kirkby.Jobs Created: None Given Funding Figures not given, must run into Millions. A contractors dream.

Not included: .£178'000 was awarded out of Northwood SRB Funds to help Granada build a 'media center' on the site of the Liverpool Academy. This project has been hushed up as it is not going to happen. Where the money and owed interest gone? Also hushed up is the fact the Academy sale was very suspicious. Read more here.

Summary: The SRB monies have been frittered and practically thrown away in a frenzy of spend first think later. Most locals involved learn that to speak out means or meant, exclusion from the jobs and giveaways. The SRB Partnership Board has few locals on it, all had interests in the SRB funds themselves as you can see from this article.

How many Jobs created and how much has it cost so far?

It is impossible to get exact figures on finances. It would have been easy for all the organisations to simply look at the records and tell us how much SRB funds each project has had so far. Below is the list of Jobs created

Material Girls: 9 Jobs created at a cost of £560,000

Mollywood: 2 Jobs created at a cost of £150,000

Northwood Family Service: 2 Jobs created, no cost given.

Community Based Economic Development: 4 Jobs created, no cost given. Likely to be a big eater of funds. We hear the wages alone for the 4 staff head towards, perhaps over £100,000. Ask Kirkby Unemployed Centre, that's were the CBED are based.

Activity for Life: Safeguards 2 Jobs, no costs given.

Environmental Task Team: 19 Jobs safeguarded, no costs given.

Overdale Educare: 9 jobs created, no cost given

Financial Assistance to Industry: Claims to have created 49 Jobs by donating money to businesses who in turn 'create' new Jobs. Funding £793,000 (projected)

Jobs created and cost per job.

The above list has the grand total of 77 alleged jobs created - 49 jobs which were simply businesses taking on staff and getting a free handout for doing so. The cost per actual job created seems to be in the region of £50,000. But the jobs themselves are often not permanent. 21 Jobs are safeguarded, that means that they employers are going back for more funding and have created no new Jobs. Anyone with a head for figures would soon find worrying trends in the allocation of SRB funds in Kirkby. Allocating money for shops in the town Centre is NOT what the Northwood SRB funds were set up for. It is very likely that in a few years we will only have seen a couple of dozen jobs 'created' out of SRB funds.

Any of the organisations or people mentioned here are welcome to put there side of the story.

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