I read with
interest your article on the missing £178,000 allocated by SRB to help build an
ICT/Media facility in Kirkby. The misuse of SRB funds has been well documented on
this site, as has the astonishing lack of accountability of those in control of
the purse strings.
Recycling of ideas within the community
Another key issue is the 'recycling' (to use the parasitic language of the bureaucrat)
of ideas within the community, as highlighted in the piece on the Sacred Heart site
proposals. Have SRB explained why they decided to fund a stage school in Northwood
when an existing stage school was already in place? The established stage school
was set up by Northwood residents without any money from the council or government.
This stage school charges £2.50 and has a good track record of getting Kirkby kids
involved in creative activities and a casting agency with a proven record - getting
young people paid and in work. The SRB funded stage school charges £1.50 and is
closely associated with a privately owned casting agency. Where does the rest go?
Northwood already has a media centre that employs local people, provides free
training and projects for nearly ten years without the support of big business;
training that has continued despite a sudden withdrawal of funding by...
Northwood SRB. The £178,000 didn't go to the existing media centre.
I'd like to think that a general principle (or just common sense) for
any funder is to not duplicate existing established businesses or projects
- or to at least attempt to work with them. If there were doubts to the
effectiveness of existing businesses/projects they should be raised in an
open and transparent forum and resolved. If issues simply can't be
resolved then starting from scratch should be a last resort. Is it
a lack of knowledge about the area? A desire to wholly control projects
and business? A need for bureaucrats to justify their jobs by claiming
they've reinvented the wheel? I suppose these are some of the least
important questions that need asking.
Money used sensibly
As a local person who grew up in Northwood and still lives in Kirkby, my interest
is in seeing money allocated to Kirkby used sensibly, effectively and for those most
in need. It's just a shame that those guilty of misusing our money have moved on to
play God in some other part of the country before they could be called to account.
A lot of local people feel powerless in calling those responsible to account -
especially as some of them are their neighbours.
From a Kirkby girl.
Ed, this email articulates what a lot of us think regarding SRB money - those
of us who do think about it that is - and the only reason funds are vanishing
is due to a lack of genuine independent local participation. Decent people
have walked away due the blatant mismanagement of SRB funds. - Hopefully
there will more information and feedback regarding the stage school situation
and possible duplication of existing community projects. ALL SRB funded projects
should be open to public scrutiny - those managing projects have to make sure
each penny is accounted for.
I was disgusted at the installment of Dick Tracey as SRB manager in Northwood House
- the new manager is rumoured to have come from the organisation Dick Tracey
works for!- Its possible we've actually paid £44,000 a year as advertised
in the Liverpool Echo. Paying £44,000 is a JOKE and we could have found
someone local to do it for £22,000 and put the extra money back into SRB
funds. Hope you enjoy the animation above of Mr Richard (Don't call me Dick) Tracey - snatching £20 notes!
