1 email DERBY GUARDIAN , not-for-profit community news-viewsletter, an alternative voice for the caring people of Derby. Controversial but rational.

© Brennan Publications 2nd Year ISSN 1743-2243

Volume 2 (No. 93) By email on donation/subscription November 5, 2005

Leadership at stake

Cameron forging ahead as Blair is challenged

Declarations for David Cameron by top Tories in the region put him firmly ahead in the leadership stakes. The latest to come out in support include Robin Wood and Pauline Latham, respectively president and chairman of Derby Conservative Association, and Philip Hickson, leader of the Tory group on the city council. Mr Wood, a former councillor and mayor of Derby, told the Derby Guardian: “Cameron is my man. He stands for the type of Conservative Party I have always wanted. The party needs to change its spots if it is ever to become electable again. “With New Labour crumbling fast and the Liberals imploding, the Tories could really clean up. My prediction is that this parliament will not go the full term and we need to be ready to be ready win new hearts and minds in an early General Election. “David Davis is a fine man but to me he represents the right-wing people who will vote Conservative anyway. They always have. David Cameron has the qualities to embrace the Right but also win the Centre. It is the centre that wins elections. Young people, ethnic and other minorities form the centre ground. So does the ordinary common-sense person in the street.” Pauline Latham said she had first heard David Cameron speak in public some time ago, and thought then that one day he could be leader of the party. “Now I’m quite sure that he will.” Views on Europe The East Midlands Tory MEPs, and Chris Heaton-Harris, had already declared for Cameron. They argue that as policy differences between the two candidates are relatively minor, issues of personality and style are critical. They told the East Midlands Guardian: “Cameron has a strong media and electoral appeal which will be attractive to sectors of the electorate where the Tories have 2

polled badly in recent years -- women, young people, and middle-class professionals who have drifted to the Lib-Dems. “It has been claimed that his ‘privileged background’ may count against him (he went to Eton), but it would be perverse to reject an excellent candidate because he went to a good school, as did the Prime Minster, who went to Fettes, a highly-rated Scottish public school.” They also applaud “his commitment to taking Conservative MEPs out of the European Peoples' Party group in the . This may not be a hot issue on the doorstep, but it puts down an important marker on Conservative EU policy. No longer will Conservatives talk a good euro-sceptic story at home, but cosy-up to the federalists in .” Voting papers are now being distributed to party members, and the result should be known on December 6. Members know that the choice of their new leader, while being vital to the party’s future, is the beginning of a long and possibly difficult road to the next election. Some think they will get help from the Prime Minister, who faces strong opposition from all sides to important parts of the anti-terrorism legislation, as well as from his own party on his insistence on more reform of social and public services. His confident assurance that he will serve another full term is now very much in question. ______

Labour gives Trust more time

City council U-turn on St Helen’s House by our political editor

Good news for the supporters of the preservation of St Helen’s House. The announcement of a U-turn by the city council’s controlling Labour group is to be made at Tuesday’s meeting of the cabinet, following a successful challenge by the opposition Liberal Democrats. Council rules permit a challenge on a key decision when written notice is received from three councillors who are of the opinion that the decision was not made in accordance with the constitution. The process, described as a call-in, was agreed at the request of Lib Dem members Les Allen, Mike Carr and Ruth Skelton, who challenged the decision made by the all-Labour cabinet on October 18. An official council statement in advance of Tuesday’s cabinet, signed by David Roberts, deputy leader, and an official, Chris Edwards, assistant director of property services, does not mention the challenge, nor the role of the opposition. It refers only to a meeting of Mr Roberts with members of the St Helen’s House Trust, and the successful outcome of that meeting. The statement says: “Councillor Dave Roberts will be announcing to the council cabinet meeting (on November 8) the successful outcome of his meeting with members of the St Helens House Trust. 3

“The talks which took place last Thursday led to an agreement that both the council and the trust believe will allow the trust to continue with the feasibility study Stage Two. Long-term future “It is hoped this will lead to a bid being put to the Heritage Lottery fund. If successful, this would enable the trust to secure the long-term future of the property.” Mr Roberts added: “I am delighted that, as promised, the city council was able to provide the assurances that will enable the trust to continue its efforts to keep St Helen’s House as a focal point of the city’s historic past.” Mr Edwards added: “This agreement is a step towards a secure future for the building and at the same time, doesn’t prevent the council from considering other expressions of interest.” At the cabinet meeting when the original decision was made, both sides (David Roberts for Labour, Hilary Jones for the Lib Dems) were at pains to convince the protesters in the gallery that they were on the side of the trust. The cries of protest were aimed at the Labour group, and the applause at the Lib Dems. The official announcement above is not incorrect, but is economical with the facts. A member of Derby Heart writes of campaigners’ hopes now that the cabinet is agreeing to prioritise St Helen’s House, though below the Roundhouse and Silk Mill, in any future bids for Heritage Lottery funding: While the council agenda still includes seeking a private buyer for St Helen’s House, it has agreed to pay back the money needed by the trust to carry out its feasibility study in the event of the council’s finding a buyer within 18 months. With a viable business and marketing plan, this will enable the trust to put in its own separate bid to the Heritage Lottery fund next year, for about £3 million towards the total cost. ______

Calling all librarians

Libraries now answer questions live in 24-hr service by Regional Bookman

Instant free answers to your questions from trained professionals are now available to library users at the touch of a button – and here is the first report on the new system as it operates in an East Midlands county library service, in . The county council has launched the live question-and-answer service to make it even easier for people to get information by working online through instant “live chat” and email. Enquire is a 24-hour, seven-days-a-week online service that instantly connects people to someone who is trained to help them find the answers. It works like instant messaging or chat-room technology, letting you ask questions which will be answered by trained staff, just as they would if you were talking to them face-to-face or on the telephone. 4

Hosted by the People's Network, Enquire aims to deliver information in this way across England, the United States and Canada. It is one of three new online services being introduced by the People’s Network. The other two, Discover and Read, are designed to guide users through the web and explore books and reading online. Derbyshire’s cabinet member for cultural and community services, Councillor Bob Janes, who launched the new service at Chesterfield library, said: “Enquire demonstrates how libraries are moving with the times and embracing the digital revolution to improve one of the greatest traditions of the public library.” Log on to Enquire at: www.peoplesnetwork.gov.uk/enquire.html English library staff deliver the service Monday- Friday, 9am- 5pm, and international library partners cover at other times. People’s Network online services are a natural extension of the lottery-funded project to provide broadband internet access for all within public libraries. Enquire, Discover and Read are the first three online People’s Network services to go live from www.peoplesnetwork.gov.uk with support from a £500,000 grant from the Big Lottery Fund during 2004/05. All three services are national firsts. Enquire is the only national real-time and email inquiry service to be delivered round the clock. Discover offers people the chance to search for objects from a wide range of museum, library and archive projects from one single point. Read gives access to a range of online services related to books and reading, including another new PN service called reader2reader where readers can meet online. Feedback from all county librarians will be welcomed by Regional Bookman on [email protected] ______

Flu warning by teachers

Pandemic could shut down schools

The city council may have to shut schools in the event of a flu pandemic, says the National Association of Schoolmasters/Union of Women Teachers. At a meeting of the Education Safety Committee meeting on November 11, the union’s Derby branch secretary, Dave Wilkinson, is to ask the council to negotiate a policy with the unions to minimise the effect of any flu pandemic. This policy should include 1) additional breaks during the school day to enable pupils and staff to wash their hands between lessons; 2) suitable and sufficient training for the workforce and pupils in how to wash hands to cut down the spread of the flu virus; 3) consideration of flu immunisation of staff in the same way as many private sector companies immunise staff. The Council should recognise that schools are highly contagious environments where the virus can spread rapidly. And 4) Additional school closures if a pandemic does develop. 5

Mr Wilkinson said: “Clearly, if bird flu becomes transmissable between humans and reached this country it is a highly serious situation, and schools would have to close, together with other public safety measures. “However, a pandemic of a less serious strain of flu can still kill many people in this country, including children. The council should not press ahead with a policy of keeping schools open at all costs if the risk to pupils, staff and the general public becomes unacceptably high.” ______

Rigorous standards for new teaching assistants

More higher-level teaching assistants from Derby schools are to receive their qualification certificates at a celebration on Monday, bringing the total in the city to 34. Councillor Chris Wynn, cabinet member for children’s and education services, said the assessment process for the status of the higher-level teaching assistants (HLTA) is a rigorous one. Candidates are required to demonstrate that they meet 31 exacting standards, under the headings of Values and Practice, Knowledge and Understanding, and Teaching and Learning Activities. They must be expert in working with individual children, groups and whole classes, both with and without the teacher present. They are highly skilled and experienced para-professionals who work under the direction and supervision of teachers to support teaching and learning. They are a key group in the government’s drive to raise standards in schools and to reduce teacher workload. The presentation ceremony will take place at the Conference Centre, Enterprise Park, Mackworth. ______

New role for children and young people’s service

The city council’s director of education, Andrew Flack, is to be the new director for children and young people. He joined the council as education director in 2000, and has been involved in work to integrate the children and young people’s services, provided by the council and its partner organisations. Councillor Chris Wynn, cabinet member for children’s services, said the move to create the directorship for children and young people heralds a step change in the move to the Every Child Matters agenda. “This is the government’s push to ensure that every child, whatever their background or circumstances, is supported to achieve five aims: Be healthy, Stay safe, Enjoy and achieve,· Make a positive contribution, and Achieve economic well-being. Mr Flack said: “Children and young people are the future of the city, and I know that our partners share the aim of achieving better lives for them and their families. 6

I am delighted to have the opportunity to work with them on this very important agenda and to build on some existing good practice and success.” Mr Wynn said the appointment was “a unanimous and enthusiastic cross-party decision.” A presentation of his vision for children, young people and families in Derby to a panel of members, representatives of partner organisations and young people themselves was “most impressive.” The council’s partners involved in providing services to children and young people include the Health Service, Police, Learning and Skills Council, schools, Derby College and Connexions, as well as many voluntary and community sector organisations.

To raise funds towards the costs of reporting, editing and production, James Brennan will talk to groups and answer questions on politics, the media, and society, anywhere in the region, for a modest fee and travel costs.

Derby Guardian Book List NOW AVAILABLE: Supping with the Devils: Political Writing from Thatcher to Blair, by Hugo Young. Hard cover, as new. (Atlantic Books, 2003) Poor Men’s Guardians, by Stanley Harrison (early campaigning newspapers). Packaging Politics, by Bob Franklin (paper, Edward Arnold, 1994). Melville’s Derby Legacy: The story of the Grand Theatre, by Harry N.Greatorex. Hard cover, as new, illustrated (Breedon Books, 1985, limited edition of 1,000 copies). Hanged for Three Pennies: The story of capital punishment in Derbyshire, by Edward Garner. Hard cover, as new, illustrated (Breedon Books, 2000). The Demon Haunted World: Science as a Candle in the Dark, by Carl Sagan. Paperback (Headline, 1997). WANTED: Our Town and Other Plays, by Thornton Wilder. Brave New World, by Aldous Huxley. The Iron Heel, by Jack London. The Hidden Persuaders, by Vance Packard. Never Tire of Protesting, by George Seldes. The Right to Know, by Francis Williams.

Responses please to [email protected]

Members of European Parliament, East Midlands Region Conservatives (2): Chris Heaton-Harris, 11 Central Park, Leicster Rd., Lutterworth Leics. 01455-558447. Email [email protected] Roger Helmer, address and phone as above. Email [email protected] Labour (1): Phillip Whitehead, 1st Floor, Abotts Hill Chambers, Gower St., Derby. Tel. D.204455. Email [email protected] 7

Liberal Democrat (1): , 10 Church Lane, , Lincs. 01522-810812. Email [email protected] Veritas (1): Robert Kilroy-Silk (until resigning the party in July 2005). Derby contact: City Councillor Frank Leeming (Boulton ward), tel: D.756190. UK Independence Party (1): . Derby contact: David Black, chairman Derby branch. Tel: 07970 332 057. European Parliament, rue Wiertz (ASP 14E 242), Brussels R-1047, Belgium

Derby political party contacts Conservative. Derby North & South, 2b Chapel St., Spondon. Agent, Steve Ellis. D.545154. Labour. Derby North & South, 2a, Wentworth House, Vernon Gate. Agent, James Shires. D. 345636. Derby Labour Party Social Club, 26 Charnwood St. D.364627. Liberal Democrat. Office, 250 Uttoxeter New Rd. Agent, Michael Mullaney, D. 298934. Veritas. Derby contact: City Councillor Frank Leeming (Boulton ward), tel. D.756190. Parties not represented on the city council: Peace and Progress. Founders Corin and Vanessa Redgrave. Midlands office, POBox 9497, Birmingham B24 9ZY. Web site www.peaceandprogress.org/ Respect (Left coalition). East Midlands HQ, 72 Evington Rd.,Leicester, LE2 1HH. Tel. 0116 254 3879. Email [email protected] UK Independence Party. Chairman, Derby city branch, David Black, tel: 07970 332 057.

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