Andy D'Agorne

Newsnight: Greens could push Labour into 3rd place in Norwich North

Newsnight's Michael Crick last night spelled out Labour's nightmare scenario in the Norwich North by-election:that there is a chance "that they [Labour] might come third behind the Greens." (1)

Michael Crick pointed out that "the Greens are Strong in Norwich," already having a strong base in Norwich South and having gone from fourth to first place in a couple of divisions in Norwich North since the last county elections (2). The Greens have thirteen city councillors in Norwich, where they outpolled all comers in this year's county and European elections. They also have seven county councillors in the Norwich city area, a gain of five this year.

Liberal Democrats "might be leapfrogged and come fourth behind the Greens"

Earlier in the report Michael Crick accused the Liberal democrats of running a very negative campaign against Green Party candidate and local city councillor Dr Rupert Read. Michael Crick pointed out that the Liberal Democrats "might even be leapfrogged and become fourth choice for voters behind the Greens."

Norwich Greens are pursuing their campaign "calmly and systematically without over-egging their chances," according to a source close to their campaign HQ. The Green vote has not hitherto been as high in the Norwich North constituency as in Norwich South.

 Heworth By- election

 Meanwhile a hitherto 'safe' Labour seat in Heworth ward in York is to face a by-election following the resignation of colourful councillor Paul Blanchard. In the 2007 election in this ward the Lib Dems were bottom of the poll, behind the BNP (13%) and Greens (18%) so a collapse of the Labour vote here could either favour the Conservatives (who have the balance of power on the council) or the Greens.

Music has become a commodity to be bought and sold, but for some of us the taking part and using your voice to project emotions and inspire yourself and perhaps others is still centrally important. This clip sent to me by someone in Sheffield Socialist Choir makes the point that we are all one human race and each of us can put our own interpretation on a song. Ultimately this planet belongs to us all and we all have to play our part in saving it and changing it to a more harmonious place: Hope it works: http://vimeo.com/moogaloop..swf?clip_id=2539741 Some of this spirit is embodied in the UK annual Street Music Festival (Choirs Festival) that takes place this year in Whitby on the weekend of July 9th-10th

Here's a bit of background from playingforchange.com

'Playing for change' is going to feature on the Jazz/World stage at prime time slot on Saturday at Glastonbury.

Mark Johnson got the idea for the Playing for Change project one day when he happened upon a New York City subway performance. "Some of the best music I ever heard in my life was on the way to the studio," he said. "It just hit me that great music is just moments in time, and they exist all over the world."

So over several years, he travelled the world to capture those moments. They included street musicians from India, performers from South Africa and a children's choir from Ireland.

The album's lead single, a remake of a Ben E. King classic, starts out with the soulful, raspy voice of singer Roger Ridley, playing his acoustic guitar in the streets Santa Monica, Calif., then segues into the voice another street performer, Grandpa Elliott, in New Orleans. It then blends their voices and instruments while folding in musicians and vocalists from France, Brazil, South Africa and elsewhere.

The album also includes versions of Bob Marley's "One Love" and Sam Cooke's "A Change Is Gonna Come," as well as big-name cameos from Bono and Keb' Mo', who said the project has a "big purpose. It's found its way into the consciousness of the public."

"Playing for Change makes a statement because its primarily people who were playing music on the streets," he added. "What it says is people are really moved by real people playing real music. It's real feelings and real situations."

It's also about more than music. Johnson has started a foundation to create music schools across the world, and more concert performances are planned, "There's something transcendent about it and the whole idea," said TV producer Norman Lear. "(There's) a global search for desire for connection, a spiritual surf ... this kind of music has caught that effort.

On the Net:

http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/ap/ap_en_mu/storytext/us_music_playing_for_change/32397274/SIG=1118fk1kq/*http://www.playingforchange.com

Two cars that might have to park somewhere else to allow for cycle lane!

Press statement: In response to comments by Fulford councillor Keith Aspden (Cycle lanes to 'hit motorists' York Press 17th June) Fishergate councillor and new cycle champion Andy D'Agorne has said that the planned changes will actually help local businesses by opening up short stay parking spaces near shops. " Contrary to the article, the changes will have no impact on parking in Hospital Fields, but will increase the numbers of vehicles that can leave Hospital Fields Rd at one time by introducing left and right turn lanes. This should help encourage workers to use their work car park rather than side streets such as Maple Grove."   Cllr D'Agorne has been pressing for the current resurfacing work to be done as soon as possible so that the new stop lines, lane markings and on-road cycle lanes between Kilburn Rd and Hospital Fields Road can be put in place. A move proposed by Cllr D'Agorne for limited waiting near the shops will also come into force, supported by local businesses. 'The only business that had concerns was a Guest House, and for this reason the parking orders nearest this business restrict the times of limited waiting so as to not apply during evenings and weekends' he said. "Allowing only limited waiting actually helps boost sales turnover by keeping spaces free for passing motorists to stop and use these important local shops"  

 Cllr D'Agorne said that while ward councillors have to be sensitive to the needs of local residents, they also have to avoid undermining a key strategy for tackling congestion in the city. "Bus and cycle lanes on Fulford Rd will provide a faster journey for thousands of  commuters and local people and help cut traffic pollution experienced by these residents. I am concerned that Cllr Aspden would rather have adult cyclists riding on a shared path crossing many driveways than lose a couple of  'parking spaces' required to create a safe on road facility. No one has a 'right' to park on a public highway, without considering the needs of other road users."  

 Cllr D'Agorne says that he is working closely with officers over the detailed design of facilities in Fishergate ward, and is liaising with the local schools to encourage greater levels of walking, cycling and bus travel once the new facilities are in place. He has also written to businesses in the Hospital Fields area encouraging them to use a tax benefit scheme offering cheaper bus travel for employees.   "Im really hopeful that these changes will make walking and cycling safer and more attractive in the area by the end of the year." he said.     

As of today, the two Green Councillors on City of York Council have achieved the status of both being council 'champions' - Cllr Dave Taylor is to continue in the role of Heritage Champion for the historic city and now Cllr Andy D'Agorne has become the Cycling Champion for the city that was successful in 2008 in  becoming a 'Cycle Demonstration Town' (2008-11). The bid to boost cycling levels in York that had reached a plateau in recent years got off to a slow start and experienced some controversy when the previous (Conservative) 'cycle champion' resigned in protest over a new cycle lane replacing a traffic lane at a major junction - see previous entries.

With two years to run, Cllr D'Agorne has said he intends to work with the unsuccessful Labour nominee for the title (Cllr Dave Merritt) who is actually a member of Cycle England. "We actually put forward our names to jobshare but the other political groups were not happy with and forced it to a vote. As far as I am concerned we will need as many champions as possible to spread the message and get the work done in a relatively short space of time" said Andy.   Andy has thirty years of experience cycle campaigning - from being 'Pedals' newsletter editor in Nottingham in 1979 to campaigning in Sheffield in the early 90's when many routes in that city were first established. He became one of the two first Green Party councillors in the City of York in 2003, since which time he has represented the Fishergate ward of the city.

While I recognise the importance of safety and encouraging responsible cycling, my emphasis in my year of office will be much more on giving novice cyclists courage to start cycling, educating all road users to have respect for the needs and difficulties of others and putting York back on the map as a city that really is a superb place to get about by bike. There are some correspondents to the local paper that we will never win over, but I think many people will welcome a real buzz of excitement that York is 'going places' and putting in new facilities. We have to engage with cyclists and other local residents so that the money is well spent and a real investment for the future.

It now appears that the name of the next cycle champion for the City of York will be decided by who forms the ruling administration at the council's annual meeting on May 21st! The Liberal Democrats have said that if they form the administration as expected, their nomination will be Green Councillor Andy D'Agorne while a Labour administration would put Labour's Cllr Dave Merritt in the role for the city. The outcome depends on the decision of the seven strong Tory group on the council who are expected to allow the Lib Dems to continue running the city for another year.

  Cllr D'Agorne said ' It will be an honour for me to champion the cause of cycling in this crucial year of the Cycle City project. A nomination from the Liberal Democrat group will not prevent me from being critical of any priorities that get in the way of the most effective use of government funding to develop York as a European standard cycling city."    Cllr D'Agorne had been critical of the previous cycling champion Cllr Joe Watt (Conservative) who had accused the council of being 'anti-car' shortly before the end of his year of office. It is understood that the Conservatives do not wish to nominate anyone for the role this year.    

Today some 80 people took part in a commemorative ride, a year on from the tragic death of a carefree 17 year old when cycling home from York College along the Sustrans cycle route beside the Knavesmire racecourse. In accordance with the wishes of friends and relatives we had bright clothing, balloons and streamers. At the scene of the accident flowers were laid, her Dad gave some upbeat stories about Ruby's sense of fun and love of life, followed by a rendition of the last post on a trumpet by the family next door neighbour. A solomn silence decended on the crowd made more poigniant by the distant hum of traffic speeding along the distant A64 by-pass. As Dad explained, Ruby had been cycling on the cycle path as her parents wanted her to use the safest route to college. The access road gates were opened for the first time that year to allow traffic setting up for the first race meeting of the year into the site, and she was hit by a large lorry carrying a portable building, hidden from view by a hedge (which has now been removed at this point). This is the route I use myself every day to college, in fact I only missed being their shortly after the accident by virtue of staying late for a meeting.

 The police investigation and inquest have yet to be concluded so it is inappropriate to comment further on specifics. However it contrasts sharply with recent press comment on provision to make it safer and more attractive to cycle in York. The aggressive driving and antagonism experienced in the past on 'critical mass' rides shows the irresponsible,  selfish and downright ignorant mentality of a small minority of drivers. However stupid, ignorant and selfish a cyclist or pedestrian might be, it has to be the responsibility of the person in control of the heavy metal box on wheels to act in a mature and cool headed manner and avert a collision. By all means, call them an idiot afterwards, but two wrongs dont make a right, especially when a pedestrian or cyclist might be killed or maimed for life in a moment's error of judgement from either party.

Just to illustrate that drivers do some pretty stupid things, last night I went through town at rush hour, and observed a driver take off at some speed from a queue on Peasholme Green, driving the wrong side of a pedestrian island to get to the right turn lane at the distant junction. Any pedestrian or cyclist crossing the stationary traffic would have looked left, and if emerging from behind a HGV or bus would have been hit at some speed. Later on my way home along Fulford Rd there was a car waiting to turn right into Hospital Fields Rd, as I approached the lights they went to amber but I decided to go for it - fortunately - as a 'park and ride' bus came through behind and AFTER me at about 35mph, between the right - turning car and me! If I had stopped for the lights Im not sure there would have been room for the three of us!! He disappeared too fast for me to get his number, otherwise there would be a complaint going to First.

So we have to get away from this futile and dangerous 'motorist v cyclist' line of debate and instead have a 'responsible road user' campaign. Both have a right to use the road, can make mistakes or get annoyed. Safety has to be the top priority, and in any collision it will be the cyclist or pedestrian who will suffer physically. So yes, lets try to educate everyone to act sensibly, respect signals and lanes,be considerate, indicate etc , but we have to resist temptation to 'teach others a lesson' on the road - its too risky. I think teaching roadcraft in schools should include cycling and driving so that everyone understands the constraints of the other - cyclists might swerve because of a pothole, a gust of wind, an uneven load, to avoid a child or animal, to take advantage of a gap to get into lane to turn right. They will slow down when hitting a uphill gradient, and speed up downhill!! Drivers dont have the same all round vision of a cyclist, might be trying to find a road name or see a signpost, slow to drop off a passenger etc All road users need to try to anticipate the actions of others but cant assume they have got it right!

Here's a thought - see everyone on a bike or walking as someone who has chosen to leave a car at home, not someone slowing you down. Each time you act considerately you help someone else feel positive about doing the same at the next junction/ crossing and slightly less stressed about the delays they are facing. Sometimes I think car radios should only be capable of receiving Classic FM or Radio 3 -just thing what a difference that would make to the driver's temprement!!

A perhaps off- putting title, but an excellent thought provoking film that should be screened for the cabinet and every council in the land to watch before deciding on spending and policy priorities. Judge for yourself at http://www.ageofstupid.net/video

The Archivist (Pete Postlethwaite):  "We could have saved ourselves, but we didn't. It's amazing. What state of mind were we in, to face extinction and simply shrug it off?"

The Archivist: "Throughout our history, the deal was we left the world in a slightly better place than we found it. That was progress. The wheel, the rule of law, penicillin. It was our covenant with our children and grandchildren."

The Archivist:  "It's strange, watching these film fragments. It's like looking through binoculars observing people on a far off beach. Running around in circles, fixated on the small area of sand beneath their feet, as a tsunami races towards them.

The Archivist:  "We wouldn't be the first life form to make itself extinct. But what would be unique about us is that we did it knowingly. What does that say about us?"

 I will have to keep these fragments in mind, next time that we are told that our economic prosperity is at risk if we dont build that runway, road, call centre, flatten that garden,tear out those trees and hedges, build that shopping centre. When I joined the Green Party nearly 20 years ago we had just had the first dramatic weather event in my memory that tore down thousands of trees in southern England - the hurricane of 1987 Soon after it looked as if at last the world was taking global climate change seriously with the Rio Summit in 1992. But we have largely squandered the past 15 years - we have only met our targets by choosing a base year prior to the last big round of pit closures in the early 90's. Do you remember Prescott's promise in 1997 that traffic would be cut? Ten years on and contracts have been let to widen the M1, A1 when that money should be going to build bus and bike lanes, tram systems and wind turbines!

While the Labour government has failed us, in York the Lib Dems and Tories between them have just forced through a decision to allocate money from our transport plan to widen a roundabout (cost £2m) instead of a range of sustainable travel measures. If someone living in Deighton is killed crossing the A19 trying to get home, it will be no consolation that the queues on the northern ring road have been marginally cut instead of them getting a safe crossing place. Likewise in Fishergate the funds for tackling the Fishergate gyratory air quality and accident blackspot (where the A 19 meets the inner ring road) has been cut to less than half the amount allocated. Its no coincidence that the programme of work is scheduled for 2010, when the Tories and Lib Dems both have hopes of taking the new 'outer York' constituency, the year before the whole York council is up for re-election in 2011.  Yes the congestion on the outer ring road is bad, but the consultants report on the modelling showed that any benefits of widening would be wiped out by more traffic in a couple of years. That's assuming of course that the world economy has started to recover but oil prices have not!  

Blogs are supposed to be about what our great political masters do with their lives, so for once I thought I might say something about a day in the life of a Green councillor. This morning I cycled to my normal workplace, York College. On the way note the first sound of newly arrived Chiff chaff. I stopped at Millennium Bridge to use my mobile to report some fresh grafitti and a broken street light to the council 'action line'. The usual conversation to describe the location about it not being on a street as it is on the riverside path...  Continue up the hill to the former Terry's (of which more later), passed the Knavesmire racecourse on the Sustrans route 65, noting the sound of the first swifts (or were they martins?). Double lock the bike (better safe than sorry now that summer is here). Lunchtime is spent trying to read the most important parts of the draft Development Brief for the Terry's site before the Planning Committee takes place at 4.30pm. Too many meetings this week!

Come 4pm Im on my bike down Tadcaster Rd heading for the Guildhall - at this time of day I go round passed the station rather than down the cobbles on Micklegate because of the 'footstreet' hours in our city centre. Traffic is well jammed up, but we have a bike lane, which is fine until a driver decides at the last moment to change their mind and turn left for the station. Fortunately they had an indicator on their wing mirror (shame they didnt look in it!) and a prompt bang on the side window saved me from a car across my path. They didnt stop, but later when I caught up with them in the traffic the driver did at least apologise ('Sorry I hadnt thought about cyclists') and since I avoided coming off I left it at that and went on to my meeting.

The Planning Committee was a key step in moving forward plans for the old Terry's chocolate factory site - after the committee had thrown out the first application largely because of traffic implications it was agreed to revise the development brief - this has been out for consultation and now our task was to agree the new version that will be the yardstick for assessing a new application. Much of the discussion centred on whether a particular statement should be 'explore' 'take account of' and 'have cognisence of' or 'expect', 'require' and 'must'! Having declared a personal interest 'as a regular user of cycle route 65' (the only member to declare any interest!) I found myself in a somewhat animated exchange with the Head of Development Control and the committee chair about proposals (tabled at the meeting in response to objection from the developer) to water down a requirement to provide a new cycle route on the edge of the development. Initially they said it wasnt legal to require provision of something that wasnt within the site - when it was pointed out that the development brief covered the land across which the more evenly graded cycle route has been proposed they were still insistant that the current route isnt within the site! Other members supported me in the arguements, to the point when they agreed to delegate agreement on an alternative form of wording that might keep everyone happy. My other points were fairly incidental but still significant - to specify that lighting should be 'appropriately designed' to cut light pollution and to require that the historic clock on the listed clock tower (visible from many vantage points in York with the word Terrys in place of numbers) should be maintained in working order!

A less contentious approval of a Conservation Area appraisal for Heslington followed, although there was some unease at an 'update' comment that the University might seek a 'slight variation' of its existing planning permission for a road across Deans Acre. Finished for 6.30pm, so decide there is time to pop home for some food before my York in Transition meeting at 7.30pm Fulford Rd is fairly quiet, en route note the 'hedge' that someone has asked to be cut near the forlorn Barbican Centre, and a traffic count camera that has been temporarily installed near the junction of Cemetery Rd, right next to the new permanent cameras to monitor traffic movements! The road is already marked up for resurfacing, but not seen a '7 day' notice yet so no idea when they are actually going to start (the sooner the better, so that we can get the new cycle lanes in place!)

York in Transition meeting has a good turn out, with about 10 bikes crammed in the room next to our meeting room. Reports from 3 local groups, the Resources, Events,Training, and Inclusion groups, discussion about venue, timing of meetings,a weekend away to mark the groups first anniversary, being inclusive and the cost of accessible meeting space - My main contribution from the 'Local Authority Liaison Group' was an update on the process for ideas under the 'Sustainable Communities Act' - York council has set May 8th as the deadline for ideas, so we conclude there isnt time to arrange a public meeting, but we will consult members via email on the ideas we already have then submit them into the process. Attempt to explain in 30 seconds to a newcomer what the 'Without Walls Board' is - general consensus that this illustrious body shouldnt be passing judgement on proposals before they are submitted. Technology lets us down for the planned short video clip so we make do with some discussion of efforts to promote Sunday's City Screen showing of 'The Age of Stupid' and head for the 'Slip Inn' (pictures on the walls of how it would have been very easy to 'slip in' during the flood of 2000). A pint to relax before heading off home across the Milllennium Bridge - a blog entry and quick glance at emails before hitting the sack.

Ive just emailed my MP urging that he and the chancellor take note of the Green Party concerns about budget plans to pay people to scrap older cars:

 Dear Hugh,

I was encouraged by your response (News Analysis The Press Apr 16th) to the proposed 'scrappage', pointing to other ways you would like to see the government acting to boost the economy and cut carbon emissions. Since I made my comments, the national Green Party has issues information that makes clear just how bad for the environment it would be to encourage the scrapping of perfectly sound vehicles that are only 10 years old. http://www.greenparty.org.uk/news/17-04-2009-car-scrappage.html   For instance John Whitelegg is quoted:

"Some years ago a study showed that if a car's life was extended from ten years to twenty, there were significant benefits in terms of both pollution and employment. Specifically, doubling the car's life reduced its lifetime energy-use by 42% compared with scrapping it and building a new one, because repair and maintenance were more energy-efficient than new manufacture. And at the same time it increased the labour involved by 56%, because repair and maintenance were more labour-intensive than new manufacture."

 I wonder if you will be able to put pressure on the Chancellor to ensure that the scheme only applies to purchase of new vehicles that are above a certain fuel consumption rating ( eg urban cycle 45 mpg/ combined 60 mpg )? And what about a scheme to re- engine older vehicles aged 9 -15 years old with cleaner more efficient and less polluting parts, as a boost to the parts and repair industry? The energy involved in scrapping a say a Range Rover or Mercedes and making a new one must be massive!     I would also like to see the chancellor boost the construction industry by removing VAT from insulation and renewable energy installation materials and work. I have heard that 1000 jobs are threatened in Sheffield Insulations - at a time when they should be working flat out insulating our buildings! Please do what you can to encourage Alistair Darling to look at the Green New Deal proposed in July 2008 rather than just listen to lobbying from certain major manufacturers.   Yours sincerely   Cllr Andy D'Agorne

"Private residence incorporating an arcade formerly part of York Theatre Royal designed by John Harper in 1834 which was moved in 1879 when the Theatre Royal was remodelled. Of interest for this reason. " Pipkins Nursery 75, Fulford Rd

This is just one of many quirky and unusual buildings and sites around York that local people have nominated for a 'local list' of historic importance. Listed Buildings have to be 'nationally significant' to secure protection whereas the idea of a local list is that locally significant historical and design issues could be sufficient to justify a site being protected. If you want to know more, or help to fill in detail about one of the buildings on this list put forward by York Open Planning Forum go to www.yorklocallist.org.uk  Other buildings mentioned include the Gimcrack, White Swan Hotel, Banana Warehouse, Reynards Garage,Fishergate Post Office.... !