Forum Topic

£500,000 well spent?

So from the front page, this is what Acton is getting:Signs saying "Acton" all over the place - just waiting to be vandalised.  And light pollution.  What happened to caring about the planet?

Anne Brown ● 5392d82 Comments

the  bridge lit up looks  ok  i think wish  the  rid  of  the railings on  the  high st

Jon Kennedy ● 5392d

All very nice but will this encourage more visitors and potential shoppers to Acton? Sadly I don't think so!The Acton Market and the area outside Morrisons should be greatly improved, the dead trees don't do the area any favours for a start, and the drunks lounging outside St Mary's Church could hardly be classed as an attraction.I do hope the ugly green storage shed will somehow disappear!

Jean F Fernandez ● 5392d

It will be nice though to have more trees planted along the High Street as the current crop are beginning to look a  bit moth eaten.

Tony Crumpton ● 5392d

I really liked the Acton Bridge sign suggestion.Maximum impact for relatively small expenditure and an idea that's already proven -  eg see Camden Lock Bridge.I also liked the plan to project a tree onto the ugly car park building on Acton High Street

Richard Grange ● 5392d

ACHTUNG - you are now in ACTON...

David Wright ● 5392d

tree replanting I think is partSo is definitely getting rid of the beastly box.I like the bridge ideas too - and the projections on the derelict building on the high street (though of course it should be compulsory purchased and demolished)

Sara Nathan ● 5392d

Did anyone look at the public art proposal for placing 21 pots around Acton? I would be interested in any responses to the project. I am meeting with the artist and art consultants this morning at the Art Block (A.P.P.L.E.) It would be helpful to get some idea what people think of the idea.

Vicki Barker ● 5391d

I'm afraid I wasn't mad about this.It sounds very expensive, in danger of creating lots of street clutter and unintended places to drop litter - and frankly I just don't get it.Apparently the pots relate to Acton's history - although what part of Acton's history I have no idea.And each pot is to be filled with soil from a different part of London in some kind of act of symbolism - which again was totally over my head.Sounds like the kind of expensive street art project that could get you into the Daily Mail  for all the wrong reasons.

Richard Grange ● 5391d

Vicki, could we have some photos.Sounds like street clutter we can do without and a dumping ground for empty cans.  And no doubt they would be used as urinals.How much are these pots costing?

Dee Cook ● 5391d

Sorry, but isn't the point that we are trying to save the planet, and pointless generation of electricity is not going to help.  Or is that kind of view so last century.  Ditto light pollution.  Green issues just don't seem to cut it any more in Acton.

Anne Brown ● 5391d

Who owns Jeffries House?  If it's the council then they should sell it off to a developer to knock down and build flats and if it's privately owned they should make the owner sort it out - why should council money tidy up a privately owned property?  As for all this planet saving talk.  The planet is fine, it's human beings who need to watch out.  The planet will survive and we will become extinct.  The slogan should be "save the human race" not "save the planet"!  :-)

Sarah Harris ● 5391d

Rachel Pepper (from Acton Arts Forum) and I met yesterday with the artists commissioned to make  the artwork for the centre of Acton.Artists had been invited to submit proposals to Modus Operandi, the consultancy firm appointed by the Ealing team. The artist, John Aldus was selected from a short list.21 pots of varying shape and design, but all the same colour will be sited around the centre of Acton. The pots will not all be at street level. The pots will be filled with earth from oak forests around Great Britian (this part may change) They will not be planted. There is some scope for different communities to get involved but at this stage it is not clear how. The artists are talking to the History Society, Acton High and other groups.For more information contact Ceri Lewis

Vicki Barker ● 5390d

The contact for information about the plans for Acton isceri@modusoperandi-art.com.

Vicki Barker ● 5390d

does anybody know how much this commission of Pots of varying size filled with earth from Oak forrests around Great Britain are costing ?maybe I could put a price in ...there are some lovely pots in B and Q and I am quite willing to donate some soil from my garden to fill them  - I should of course get a "consultant" to represent me .....easy come......... easy go

Joseph Birotz ● 5390d

I am sure the artists are able to justify their art work very eloquently.  But reality will prevail I am afraid.  This is not Kensington & Chelsea or Chiswick.  This is Acton W3.Let's have a competition - what do we think they will be used for by local residents?  To admire as art work?  As litterbins?  Somewhere to sit?  Something to roll over and smash when drunk?  Something to be sick/pee into?A great shame, because I am sure that in the right setting they would look great.Overall, not a good idea.

Dee Cook ● 5390d

'The artist, John Aldus was selected from a short list.21 pots of varying shape and design, but all the same colour will be sited around the centre of Acton. The pots will not all be at street level. The pots will be filled with earth from oak forests around Great Britian (this part may change) They will not be planted.''Profile of artist: French, works and lives in LondonSculptor, painter, photographer and multimedia artist engaged in examining the role of art and its mechanisms in contemporary society.After graduating from the Ecole des Art Decoratifs and the Ecole des Beaux-Arts in Switzerland in 1961, he was awarded many grants during the following years.  His first museum exhibition in 1965 included both paintings and drawings.In parallel, to subsidize his living he has worked as an architectural draughtsman, graphic designer, theatre and film stage designer and has done some teaching (e.g. invited professor for one year in the Ecole Superieure d’Art Visuel, Lausanne in 1985).John Aldus’ work articulates a basic reflection on the role of the artist in compemporary society.  Art, for him, is an observation point, which affords a critical look at our social context and invites the viewer to reflect on its values and workings.Solo exhibitions in France, Switzerland, Belgium, Canada, UK, USA, Germany, including: Warburg Institute, London; Fal Gallery, London; Palais des Beaux Arts, Brussels; Musee Rath, Geneva; Robert L Brown Gallery, New York; Veith Turske Gallery, Cologne; Arte Arena Gallery, Zurich; Blancpain-Stepczynski Gallery, Geneva.Group exhibitions in France, Switzerland, Belgium, Germany, Austria, Denmark, Sweden, Poland, UK, Greece, Israel, Egypt, Spain, Italy, USA, Argentina, Chile, Brazil, Venezuela, Japan, including: Prince’s Foundation, London; Architectural Association, London; Contemporary Art Museum, Geneva; Contemporary Art Centre, Barcelona; Barbican Centre, London; Nouveau Musee, Lyons; Kunsthalle, Manheim; Museum of the XXth Century, Vienna; Louisiana, Copenhagen; Palais de Beaux Arts, Brussels; Musee de Beaux Arts, Athens; Musee des Beaux Arts;, Tel Aviv; Musee des Beaux Arts, Cairo; Pratt Institute, New York; Kunsthaus, Zurich; Kunsthalle, Bern; Kunsthalle, Basle; Kunsthalle, Basle; Kunst Museum, Bochum; Grand Palais, Paris; Gallery Numero, Firenze.Current public project: Installation of a permanent art piece in Marchmont Street, Bloomsbury which establishes a parallel between the philanthropy of Thomas Coram an eighteenth century merchant,founder of the Foundling Hospital, and today’s concerns'

Dee Cook ● 5390d

Sarah Harris is completely correct.  Our planet will pick herself up, dust herself off and continue after we have consumed ourselves to extinction.  The plans make no environmental sense and it's a shame that £500,000 couldn't have been spent (perhaps) on trying to make the high street cleaner, tidier, more user-friendly.  If I had £500,000 I would improve the shop fronts and signage, incuding correcting all the grammatical errors!  Some years ago, the Council put up black iron noticeboards with the town name and crest on.  They are never used.  Pots filled with earth is a complete waste of money.  No doubt they will be used as litter bins or worse, until they get kicked over.

Anne Brown ● 5390d

I agree with you Anne, the pots will no doubt be used for all sorts of reasons but perhaps not in a positive way. I feel it is a complete waste of money and a rather strange idea to have 21 pots scattered around Acton filled with soil from various forests!I am sure there are many more positive ways to enhance the appearance and attraction of Acton but I'm afraid I really don't think this is one of them.Perhaps these 21 pots would look great in a different location and a different setting but hardly appropriate for Acton W3.The shop fronts could certainly benefit from some improvement, especially those which have been empty for some time, for instance the property next door to Barclays Bank which had an infestation of rats in the past. The empty restaurant across the road next to The George & Dragon, which has had a few owners (previously So Asia).It is nice to see a few new shops but a lot more could be done to imnprove Acton High Street. The building next to The Windmill Pub should have been the subject of a Compulsary Purchase Order long ago instead of allowing the owners to neglect the frontage the way it has been over many years. Ealing Council now plans to spend money trying to hide the building by superimposing a picture of a tree on it. This might be OK as a temporary measure but it is unbgelievable that the owners have been allowed to neglect this property for a long as I can remember.No matter which administration is running Ealing Council nothing has been done to force the owners to clean up their act. With the great demand for additioal housing it is a shame that this matter has not been addressed. With a little bit of imagination the money could be put to greater use in this area.

Jean F Fernandez ● 5390d

I hardly think correcting grammatical errors on signs is a "good use" of £500,000.carl

Carl Tamboli ● 5389d

I am sure it cannot be true that they will be buying pots and putting soil in them!  Not £500K worth anyhow.I agree the shop fronts should be improved, it is not simply a question of correcting grammar!  But then I cannot help wondering why it is that some shops take pride and others don't?  If the money was handed over to the rough looking shops would they actually use it to improve the shop front?

Jen Morty ● 5389d

Thought the council had to save money.  It appears that labour councils have a good track record for wasting money on silly projects.  Pots...guzunter.  (goes under the bed)I just hope that people remember all the follies of this administration at the next council elections.Pots and dirt.Garden Tax.Betrayal.CPZ screw-up.Acton baths.

Nicola Howard ● 5389d

Jen, I suspect that some shops can afford to take pride and others cannot. I know there was a grant available for the shopkeepers as I know one such shop in Churchfield Road that obtained it.Personally, I think I'd like more cameras on the streets, more street lighting around the bridge over Perryn road and more council staff on duty to catch dog fouling.Carl

Carl Tamboli ● 5388d

" and more council staff on duty to catch dog fouling. "They'll need to be pretty fast, if they're to catch it before it hits the ground.

Fred Bray ● 5388d

I have a few comments to make about all of this - more in sorrow than anger (but there's a lot of anger nevertheless!):Jeffries House (aka Beechworth House)This is owned by the enormous property company Freshwater Property Management. They are notorious for allowing buildings to lie empty for decades and rot (as has happened with Jeffries House) - I think it's an accountancy/tax wheeze. A few years ago, the Acton Business Forum tried to get Freshwaters to enter into a dialogue about the building's future, but they simply fobbed us off. The council seems to have had more success - I understand that they've been having pre-planning application talks with the company about Jeffries House. Compulsory purchase seems to be off the table. The council refuses to countenance it (except, that is, if you're a petrol station by North Acton station…).Would it be worth having the oak tree artwork in the windows of Jeffries House? In my opinion, this is an absolute yes! Even if it is for only two years (the minimum amount of time it would take for something positive to happen to the building), it would make that part of the High Street beautiful rather than an embarrassment. But given Freshwater's track record, we might have this beautiful oak tree for decades to come!Shop frontsAll the money we're getting has to be spent by 31 March, or at least the work that it is being used to pay for has to be set in motion by then. It has taken the council regeneration team years to get even a few owners of shop fronts to agree to upgrade them (many of Acton's shops have tiers of owners, who are often impossible to contact). The deadline has also stopped lots of other  terrific ideas from being taken further. The potsI'm increasingly unhappy with what is, in effect, being imposed on Acton with absolutely no input from residents and businesses, except for a few meetings with them that ticks required boxes for the council.I wasn't enamoured with the idea of 21 pots round Acton. Like others, I wondered what in the world this had to do with the town. (I think it relates to vessels to hold water, as Acton has lots of springs…) But then I talked to Vicki Barker, one of the managers of APPLE, the fantastic charity dealing with children and young people in Acton Park, who has already commented on this forum. Unlike me, she really got the idea. Suppose, she said, 21 different parts of Acton - organisations, local communities, churches, the mosque, schools, etc. - each took charge of one of the pots (which could be about a metre high - big planters, in fact). They could decorate them (mosaics, painting, you name it - as long as it was durable) to reflect them and their part of Acton, and then they could plant something appropriate in the pot and look after it - and 'own' that pot. There's a wall just off Churchfield Road where we could have a mosaic map showing all 21 pots, with a brief description of what each one represents and who worked on them, to wrap up the whole project. And children, young people, old people - all the generations could work on it and get involved.Now that really got me enthused. And if people like Vicki and APPLE could be involved, I knew that the results would be creative and practical and would be done on time. This vision was spelled out to the artist and the council team working on the art project.So what are we getting? 21 pots, all the same colour, randomly strewn around the High Street, filled with dirt from elsewhere and left to grow weeds. What a waste!And what really makes me angry is that all this is being imposed on the people of Acton as if we are 'natives' and the artist/council are 'missionaries' come to teach us 'culture'. At no point were we consulted before the artist was commissioned and the project were signed and sealed. Not only do we have creative youth organisations like APPLE, we have dozens and dozens of artists living here who could have contributed. Even with the tight deadline - or even because of it - agreement could have been achieved to have something that (1) would have reflected life in Acton and (2) would have been at least partly created by the people of Acton. But we were never even given the chance. So shame on Nick O'Donnell and his team in the council!Oh, and why are there 21 pots? According to one of the council team, 'that number means a lot to the artist' …Where is the money coming from?Someone blamed Ealing's Labour council for 'wasting money on silly projects'. Although I do blame some council employees for wasting this opportunity to let our community show what it can do (see above), the money for the project has actually come from Boris Johnson and his Mayor's Outer London Fund - hardly Labour.

Nancy Duin ● 5388d

I'm really unhappy about these pots.Acton High Street desperately needs this £500,000 investment and this pot plan is kind of obscene.What have pots got to do with Acton's history? Why are there 21 one of them? Why are they going to be filled with earth from 'oak forests around Britain.' (It is after all just earth). And why does everyone think that people in Acton are obsessed by bloody oak trees?I have been trying to reserve judgment - but at the moment it just seems artistically vacuous.More pertinently do the council realise that they are sitting on a potential PR disaster? Seriously - it just seems gobsmacking that in the middle of a financial crisis you would blow half a million quid (or even a few thousand quid)on well .... 21 pots. 

Richard Grange ● 5388d

Sneak preview.1st design in a collection 21 artistic Acton pots.This special pot, to be located on the The Mount.

Fred Bray ● 5388d

Well done Fred.  I think you nailed it.It just about sums up the whole idea.....POTTY.

Nicola Howard ● 5388d

This pot, to be located . .Option 1)  The entrance path to the railway foot bridge on Goldsmith Avenue.Option 2) The corner of the Vale and Dordrecht Road, marking the spot where Michael Barrymore got arrested.

Fred Bray ● 5388d

Re: dog poo

Nicola Howard ● 5388d

Re: woodland/forest dirt for the pots!!!!!

Nicola Howard ● 5388d

These special pots, made from scrap paper, are to be located on some of the poorest Local Authority estates in Acton, with rumours of a symbolic pot to be placed within view of Acton Town Hall.Residents will be able to point to them and say 'Acton gets half a million pounds to spend ONLY on art, but we STILL don't have a pot to p***  in.'      

Fred Bray ● 5387d

Could I suggest that the artist be asked to attend a meeting of residents to explain how the 'pots' will enhance Acton???  before they are installed.  Although presumably if he already has the commission, they are, as I write, being made.  But perhaps it is not too late to scrap this rather silly and inappropriate art work?  Does the artist have a contract?  If not then the whole thing can be scrapped.'The artist, John Aldus was selected from a short list.21 pots of varying shape and design, but all the same colour will be sited around the centre of Acton. The pots will not all be at street level. The pots will be filled with earth from oak forests around Great Britian (this part may change) They will not be planted.'

Dee Cook ● 5385d

Re the pots project:I am practising artist,film-maker and tv producer resident  in Acton.  I work on projects with young people for Apple from time to time.  So I know how much talent and potential there is around here and how exceptional indivdiuals like Vicki Barker, Joy Goddard and their team are able to develop that talent, and how they could contribute to a precious opportunity such as this.  I am also aware of the great work done by Rachel Pepper and the Arts Forum.  (However, I'm not a public art practioner, (so the following isn't axe grinding.)  There is always a case for high quality, well-thought out, thoroughly researched  public art and 'socially engaged practice' which involves and develops local talent and encourages engagement with the arts and the wider community.It would have been great to see that in action here, with some real funding behind it. Judging by the marketing excercise at the Christmas Fair, this project seems to have been put together very hurriedly, the research has been rather shallow and the idea has little connection with contemporary Acton which is really meaningful to the residents. There is no genuine scope for invovlement in devising or delivering the project as it was very clear that the concept is firmly in place, with no flexibility.  (The stand at the Fair was not in that sense a consultation).  On questioning the artist and the guy from, presumably, the arts consultancy, Modus Operandi, to find out what scope there was for groups of local people to become involved in the project design (ie. of the pots) I was advised not to 'obsess or 'fixate' about the pots themselves - the point is to draw the viewer's attention to the environment.  So if others are feeling patronised or condescended to, I'm not really surprised. The whole tone of the exercise was very badly judged.Clearly you're all well aware of the lack of sustainability in the project - what condition the planting is likely  to be in in 6 months time.THis seems to be a done deal, unfortunatley. So I think the best that could be done at this stage would be to talk to the person with the budget and commissioning power at the council and ask them whether, given that there is no opportunity in this project for any meaningful community involvement, could part of the overall 500k funding be allocated/diverted to a genuine community project.  Particuarly as expectations about community involvement have been raised, and then disappointed, and particularly given the apparently wasted opportunity for such involvement that this project represents.I would also ask whether in future, publicly funded projects like this could be more widely advertised when put out to tender, and the community involved in a more genuine way from the outset. Other questions to be answered are: who selected the people who drew up the shortlist, who else was on it,and what is the budget? The way this has been handled is extremely bad PR for the council.  For the local community in general, and for its young people and arts practitioners, I would so far as saying that it is a waste of public funds.

Alison Lumb ● 5385d

What an utter waste of money that would be much better spent elsewhere on far more deserving, PRACTICAL project/s that would give REAL value in the return.Yep, serious questions should be asked on who signed this folly off, and why?This arty farty nonsense doesn't cut it in Acton, we're not Islington.

Rosco White ● 5385d

I think you may have slightly misinterpreted my post. There is very real, practical and social value in community arts projects, as Apple have so clearly demonstrated over the years. At times like this, when these very valuable activities have had their funding cut so dramatically, that any available funds should be used wisely to try to compensate for the harm done by cuts to arts funding.  Indeed Acton is not Islington. If only.

Alison Lumb ● 5385d

Sorry but the thread is now so long I've forgotten the exact details.Is there no way for us to get the decision makers together and explain to them what we do want, rather than leave it to them to decide for us - clearly they are making decisions that are totally against what I'm hearing the majority of people would want.Or is it that we are currently in a consultation period with them?Carl

Carl Tamboli ● 5385d

I think it's a done deal. The artist has been given a commission (with no reference to Actonians) by the 'great and the good' (Modus Operandi and the relevant department of the GLA, plus, of course, the council team led by Nick O'Donnell). And the deadline for spending the money is 31 March.But that shouldn't stop us from criticising and registering our complaints, if only to try to stop this happening to anyone else. As Alison has reported, the whole attitude of those involved in the decision-making for this has been patronising and condescending.I for one am quite sick of being 'consulted' only as a box-ticking exercise.

Nancy Duin ● 5385d

I am glad someone has raised the issue of how the consultation process was carried out.I also went down to the market a couple of weeks ago to look at the proposals. I loved some of the ideas and filled out postcards with my feedback and put them in the feedback box.While I was there I found myself being very heavily lobbied about the pots project. I was also told that the budget (£500000) wasnt really a lot of money ! If I am honest I thought the pots idea was so ridiculous that I assumed it could never be commissioned.  I walked away, slightly bemused, holding a pot of earth "from Hampstead heath".Imagine my surprise then when only four days later I discover that the decision has been made and the pots project has been commissioned.To me this feels like a a £500,000 heist.Frankly what I would like to know is who made the decision and  was it independent? How many people were consulted, how widely were the projects advertised, and was there enough time given to consider the feedback. (No-one I know seems to know anything about the pots plan.) I also want to know whether people giving feedback on that market stall were being unduly influenced.I wrote to Modus Operandi asking some of this - and have now been directed to the council.Part of me is still astonished at what is happening. The council seem totally unaware that they are facing a PR catastrophe. It just seems indefensible in the middle of a recession to spend half a million quid on an absurd plan to create 21 pots.

Richard Grange ● 5385d

To be fair, they are NOT spending the entire £500,000 just on the pots, but on all the projects, including some welcome changes to The Mount (possibly including getting rid of the awful kiosk - I'd almost forgive them anything if they could just do that). I can't remember how much the pot project will cost - the figure of £30,000 keeps coming into my brain but that may mean nothing.

Nancy Duin ● 5385d

I wrote to Modus Operandi asking how much the pots project was going to cost but didnt get a specific answer.From my point of view its not just the cost. Its the whole concept. I am just unconvinced of the artistic rationale and  merit of the project - and a bit concerned we will end up with 21 unofficial litter bins scattered about Acton.The thing I always think of is the silver wall on the Churchfield Road next to the Oak Centre. For years I thought it was piece of an industrial building. Then I got told that it is in fact a piece of public art designed ( I am quoting from memory...) to raise awareness about the suffering of Iranian torture victims. I really like  public art - but I also think you have to consider very carefully how you are going to spend your money.

Richard Grange ● 5385d

The Manager of An-Noor Centre and I went to the Oak Tree Centre 2 days before the Town centre where they had the proposals there also. We found that they were hungry for ideas where to put the pots. The pots are going to be placed around Acton town where there is an historical part to play. I gave as many as possible historical places and we gave many ideas on the postcodes too and how to use different communities, but we were a bit at odds with the pots too. They had made mention of town maps outside train stations and Acton town square.

A Tailor ● 5385d

What are the historical parts of Acton?  The laundry's, the birth place of Adam Faith (Churchfied Rd.)As for consultation....very select.Maybe they should put the pots around the garage in north Acton (compulsory purchase) for the students to pee in.

Nicola Howard ● 5385d

Nearing completion, artists put the finishing touches to the generously funded replacement of an unpopular, green market kiosk in Acton.
View Larger Map

Fred Bray ● 5385d

I thought it would be helpful to clarify the situation around this major investment in Acton.The Council wanted to prioritise Acton as an important part of the borough in order to get funding through the Mayor’s Outer London Fund.  We were delighted to have been successful and shown that we were worthy of getting one of the highest allocations of £1/2m to invest into Acton.As people have noted, whilst we only recently got notification, the terms of the funding is that it needs to be spent by March 2012.  Given this tight deadline we’ve been working extremely hard in order to pull together the initial ideas around how it could be spent ahead of a genuine consultation.  The initial posts on this forum listed ideas that run through the core of what we are trying to do with this money for Acton.  Those early ideas were informed following meetings with local councillors, those who attended the three Acton ward forums as well as a very well received presentation at the Churchfield Community Association AGM.  Of course, as part of any consultation, there is an opportunity to take on board feedback, both positive and negative in order to ensure that the money is spent as best as possible and in a way that will really benefit Acton, its residents and shoppers.Key elements of the project, which I have already noted is what people are calling out for (on this Forum and elsewhere) include:·        Tree replacement project in King Street·        Moving or removing the green Market Kiosk (would be replaced with more suitable storage in a more suitable location)·        Improvements in The Mount and space outside St. Mary’s Church·        Business support/start up training and grants·        Funding support for a trader’s group·        Better, more focussed lighting along the High Street which will be more environmentally friendly and a better deterrent for anti-social behaviour·        Better landscaping of the paving allowing better pedestrian access along the High Street as well as allowing the trees to survive and flourish·        This includes decluttering the High Street and where appropriate this will mean removing guard railsThe current plans also seek to develop and deliver:·        More community events·        Improvements to signage and ‘wayfinding’ (as can be found outside Shepherd’s Bush station and is now the standard across London)·        Lighting and public art project for Acton Vale Bridge (only two signs on either side)·        Uplighting of key buildings and an opportunity for public art throughout the area (although this is a small part of as you can see above a far wider list of things that we are hoping to achieve with this project)On the last point we are liaising with local groups such as APPLE and are open to incorporate ideas to ensure that the money goes to what local residents and traders feel with have the biggest return for the investment in improving the experience people have of using the area and who knows, maybe even draw in other people to come and shop in Acton too.  That is why the vast majority of the funding is going on the key elements of the proposals.I’m very positive that with the team that we have, we can work and deliver a project that Actonians can be proud of and that means continuing to be open to ideas and suggestions.  If you have any then please do not hesitate to e-mail Nick O’Donnell on odonnelln@ealing.gov.uk Bassam--- Cllr Bassam MahfouzEaling Cabinet member for Environment & Transport twitter.com/BassamMahfouzwww.bassammahfouz.com

Bassam Mahfouz ● 5383d

"needs to be spent by March 2012"............. Why?I have always wondered why in Government (& private enterprise?) monies always have to be spent by a certain date, which more often than not leads to quick and wasteful decisions. Why can't funds be "carried forward" and added to the following year's budget for "careful" spending?If the budget holder/spender is "good" with their spending & budgetry control, they then get "rewarded" by having their budget/s slashed the following year! So where's the incentive to be prudent (thank you Gordon, not) - just go and blow it if the end date looms and you've not spent it yet. On any nonsense, just spend it. Quick.And Government are past masters at this, as they constantly demonstrate.What an utter waste this "spend by" diktat causes.I just don't get it, enlighten me! Please!

Rosco White ● 5383d

Yes quite extraordinary that it has to be spent by March 2012.  And also ridiculous that a huge amount was spent "improving the Mount" some time ago and still work needs to be done to improve it again so soon.

Jen Morty ● 5383d

31 March is the end of the Governmental financial year so any money not spent by then is normally lost as a new budget starts from 01 April. so I expect that is why the money has to be spent this financial year.

Tony Crumpton ● 5382d

Councillor:'Those early ideas were informed following meetings with local councillors, those who attended the three Acton ward forums as well as a very well received presentation at the Churchfield Community Association AGM.'Can you please confirm what was agreed at the presentation session.Thank you.

Dee Cook ● 5382d

As long as contracts/orders are agreed and in the Council's system by 31 March 2012.  Works do not have to begin in that financial year.

Dee Cook ● 5382d

Nick O'Donnall's responseAs has been explained via several sources including a posting on the W3 forum, the monies secured via the Outer London Fund are primarily seeking to deliver a series of tangible improvements to the High Street. The focus of this is on lighting, landscape and urban realm enhancements which to date have met with very favourable response from residents and businesses.There is a small component of the funding which is set aside towards public art. At present this is looking to deliver an interactive lighting feature on the railway bridge, an image set on the bleak face of Beechworth House and a series of community projects. The later is still very much in its infancy and we are in active discussions with APPLE and other key local groups on how best to take these forward. I appreciate and welcome your suggestion on the street cleaning element. I will raise this with our street cleaning team and seek to establish which is currently being done and what may be possible in future. Hopefully I will be able to update you on this early in the New Year.Thanks again for your input and comment which is most welcome.Kind regardsNick -----Original Message-----From: N HOWARD To:  To:  Sent: 22/12/2011 00:33:21Subject: £500,000 well spent

Nicola Howard ● 5382d

Love all the ideas. There must be some sort of law that states whatever is  suggested, somebody will object to it. Then adding to the objection a statement that cant reasonably be objected to;like its bad for the environment or it should be spent on hospitals, feeding the poor etc.If i was a councillor i would probably despair.

Antony Obrien ● 5382d

... then perhaps they shouldn't take on the paid job of Councillor in the first place.I like the lighting.

Dee Cook ● 5382d

Thanks for this. Good to hear Mr O'Donnall's response about the 'series of community projects', and that APPLE and other key local groups are involved.  Could you keep us all informed about how these progress!

Alison Lumb ● 5381d

Looks as though there's another chance to see the plans, for those of us who missed it first time round - and give our opinions on the proposed pots of earth...See front page. (19 January)

Lorna Dodd ● 5368d

Good discussion at APPLE this morning.More consultation - on much more than the art which is apparently only 5% of the budget (though high proportion of the giref!)St Mary's Church Hall Wed 18th 1900 - 2100

Sara Nathan ● 5368d

Reminder that there is a "final information and consultation event" regarding Acton town centre plans being held on Wednesday from 7-9pm at St. Mary's Church, The Mount to discuss "the £500k planned of improvements" resulting from the Outer London Fund.www.ealing.gov.uk/transportandstreets for more info.

Kim Bobsin ● 5357d

5 per cent of £500,000 = £25,000 for 21 pots =£1,190 per pot.....but is there any maintenance budget allowed for in this project should they be vandalised?  Or will they just be allowed to rot on the streets?

Dee Cook ● 5357d

Insanity.  Who is making these stupid pots?  I still cannot find out where the history of Acton relates to the pots.Here we go round the potty bush, the potty bush etc all day long.

Nicola Howard ● 5357d

Come and have a look at the 'pots' tonight 7-9pm at the exhibition on the Mount.

Dee Cook ● 5356d

thought it was tomorrow night - unless I've lost a day somewhere

Sara Nathan ● 5356d

Sara, thanks for that correction.  I'm one day ahead of myself ..........

Dee Cook ● 5356d

This money was supposed to be spent by the end of the financial year - but apart from classy new paving stones, I can't see any changes - not to road clutter, the enviromnet, the ghastly building on the High Street or any lighting - or anything apart from new trees on the mount.Does anyone know what's going on?

Sara Nathan ● 5262d

A rather colourful, pinky, browny tree and a few flags along the High Street appears to be all that's left to show of the 'Exciting, LOVE ACTON campaign.'    £500,000 doesn't go very far these days.

Fred Bray ● 5262d

'Exciting, LOVE ACTON campaign.' I thought it was a dirty tent on a dilapidated "Mount" selling T-Shirts, along with some tatty bunting.  Have I missed something?

Nicola Howard ● 5262d

Any sign of the 21 pots containing soil decorating our lovely High Street?What a total waste of money! I am sure the residents of Acton could have come up with much better cost saving ideas given the opportunity!

Jean F Fernandez ● 5262d

The 21 pots had gone down to not many pots when I last heard =- but theats a tiny part of the plan - I wonder what has happened to the rest of it

Sara Nathan ● 5262d

Question: Where has the money gone?

Jean F Fernandez ● 5262d

Probably the same place it always goes....somewhere else.Remember the money to do a multi functional five-a side football pitch come basketball court with a fence in Springfield Gardens, the money went to planting flowers at the bottom end of Crown Street.The five-a-side pitch was re-turfed but, was not allowed to settle and, was chewed up within a couple of days.  Never been sorted out since.  Also the money was intended to plant shrubs around the railings.  What happened to that?The enclosed dog area was removed and, the new playground was paid for by Thames Water, when they built the new sewer and sorted out the flooding on Horn Lane

Nicola Howard ● 5262d

Perhaps certain projects funded in this way should have an independent monitor to ensure that the money is well spent and that residents have something to be proud of.I have a feeling that when something is done on behalf of a council (any council) it always costs MORE money in the end.

Jean F Fernandez ● 5262d

Was the Love Acton campaign linked to this?I thought it was mostly infrastructure money - and presumably spent on the pavements without dropped curbs mentioned on the other thread.

Sara Nathan ● 5261d

I was expecting the planting of mature trees along the High Street etc. There is a new bench outside the Oaks Shopping Centre and that's about it. Very disappointing.

Tony Crumpton ● 5261d

bump for eric

Sara Nathan ● 5254d

Nick O'Donnell - who is in charge of the project - has been in touch to explain why there seems to have been a bit of a hiatus:"As you will have noticed, there still remain a number of project elements to be delivered.  The reason for the delay is that in late February the GLA announced it was going to withdraw £123,000 of our funding on the project.  This meant that I had to put a number of project elements on hold whilst we sought to recover some of these monies.  I'm pleased to say we have fought hard and to date have  recovered most of this money back.  Accordingly we are now pressing on with delivering the final elements of the scheme.  Over the coming months, the following will therefore be delivered: >> 1. Completion of the Corridor 1 works along Acton High Street.  >> 2. Legible London pedestrian wayfinding signs installed at key locations across the town centre.>> 3. A new market kiosk delivered replacing the existing one. Planning approval is expected this week and the order will then be placed.>> 4. St Mary's Church frontage improvements.  Planning application submitted and Church working on finding final funding elements.>> 5. Acton signage and lighting on Acton Vale Bridge.  Network Rail approval now secured and materials on order.>> 6. Public art vessels roll out at approximately half a dozen buildings along the High Street.>> 7. Beechworth House art project.  Agreement completed with owners and materials on order.>> 8. Uplighting enhancement projects secured for Acton High Street, Beechworth House, Acton Vale Bridge, St Mary's Church and The Mount.Not sure if the "corridor 1" works mentioned above are the ones which have sparked some questions on another thread.

Sara Nathan ● 5251d

number 6 is presumably the rather expensive 'pots'.Did Nick say how much money Ealing Council have put aside in each financial year for the upkeep of all this hardwear?

Dee Cook ● 5251d

Nope - but I didn't ask himApparently officers are not allowed to post on fora.

Sara Nathan ● 5251d

Apparently the pots shouldn't need much maintenance - only half a dozen of them.I don't now get the impression that they will be planted...and they won't be at ground level.

Sara Nathan ● 5250d

We desperately need some decent trees on the High Street. The current ones look very ropey

Tony Crumpton ● 5250d

Anymore developments on the £500,000 upgrade of the area? I cannot see any improvements in the High Street or have I missed them?

Tony Crumpton ● 5139d

Check out the oak tree mural.

Fred Bray ● 5139d

FredCould you re-size to 1X1 pixel.Driving along the High St last week, stupid mini roundabout.  Soon it will look like Milton Keynes.....which roundabout.

Nicola Howard ● 5139d

Mini roundabout seems to be doing a good job at keeping traffic flowing.  Good decision in my book.

N Roberts ● 5138d

Nicola Howard ● 5138d