Friday Funday

the lighter side of local government

Reduce, reuse, re-mourn?

Reducing waste to landfills is important responsibility for local government. Introducing waste charges might persuade some people to throw away less. But The Guardian has highlighted some interesting work that councils have done in reducing waste without imposing charges. And that includes innovating recylcing of and re-using materials. For example:

Tameside council, east of Manchester, promotes recycling while cutting carbon emissions, by running a recycling plant. The council then uses the plant's products, with plastic recycled for litterbin and park bench manufacture. As the latter are more resistant to arson than wooden ones, the council has re-introduced cemetery memorial benches. It is also considering plastic headstones.

"We can show children that the plastic they collect is used locally," says Robin Monk, head of environmental services.

What price local engagement?

When I worked in local government, we sometimes gave a small "appearance fee" to members of the public who gave up a wet Thursday evening to talk to us about say...highways maintenance.

But what if you're a member of the public who'd like to get involved - but maybe you just don't have the time? Could you hire a proxy to share your views on local services? Well, in Germany you can.

Young, good-looking, and available for around 150 euros (£100), more than 300 would-be protesters are marketing themselves on a German rental website.

OK, so they're mostly just willing to protest - but maybe they'd charge a little less to attend a neighbourhood forum - so long as sandwiches were provided.


Those don't grow on trees, you know

Pranksters were being held responsible today after a tree sprouted a strange fruit of shoes and boots.

Councils have to deal with all sorts -

Brenda Brooker, spokeswoman for Gosport Borough Council, said contractors had been tasked with taking the shoes down.

She said: "I know the winds have been strong of late but unless it blew down the changing rooms of the local football team and whistled up all the boots into the air, I suspect it is someone having a laugh."

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Friday Funday

The lighter side of local government

So what's the point of all these Friday Funday posts. Why to make you laugh, of course (or perhaps raise a little smirky smile)? And what's the benefit of the giggle? Well, apparently, laughing can help you lose weight. That's according to a new study in the Journal of Obesity.

And what's the link to local government? As it happens, Friday Funday started off because although the IDeA's Policy Unit is known as a heads-down, hardworking, bunch of quiet boffin-types, we did happen to have a bit of a laugh on Fridays - perhaps sharing interesting snippets of news about local government and public services (yes, we're the types that can't really get away from work.) And since we're all about sharing practice - the Friday Funday blog posts were born.

And now that we know how beneficial it is, there's another reason to continue. See here at the IDeA we support councils in their role of promoting healthy communities - including being a healthier employer.


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Friday Funday - 12 Jan

If you're looking for the latest improvement technique, forget business process reengineering or future basing. One local government manager in Thailand seems to have a whole new technique for putting a little extra pep into the workforce. Napping.

A Bangkok municipal office has launched a new program to increase productivity: Lights go out just past noon and civil servants are invited to take an afternoon nap. Seeking to infuse city workers with a bit more pep, the Pathumwan district office in central Bangkok has set up a lunchtime "nap room" with soft music, sweet-smelling flowers and strict rules barring mobile phones and talking, said Surakiet Limcharoen, the district's top official who started the program.

Workers report feeling "fresher and brighter" after the midday snooze.


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Friday Funday

Ah, the first Friday Funday of the New Year. So what's new on the lighter side of local government?

Tonight we're gonna party like it's 1999

This headline caught my eye.

Alcohol blamed for rise in New Year 999 calls.

Really? There's a shocker. But it turns out that people were in partying more than they have been for a while despite (or maybe because of) the bad weather in places.

Ambulance staff dealt with the highest number of emergency 999 calls in the early hours of the New Year since the Millennium, with the majority related to alcohol...

I'm a celebrity, get me out of this council meeting!

Brace yourself! Lindsay Lohan is being encouraged by the New York State Independence Party (NYSIP) to run for local government in 2009.

According to celebrity gossip blog Hollyscoop:

At first I thought this was a joke, but the NYSIP's Frank Morano believes Lohan could bid for New York City Public Advocate - a position next in line to the mayor.

Morano writes, "As Albany is currently a cesspool of corruption, badly in need of reform, you may also want to consider a bid for the state legislature. Many celebrities have made the transition from Hollywood to politics, ranging from Arnold Schwarzenegger and Jesse Ventura to Sonny Bono and Ronald Reagan. Few if any though, had the enormous potential that you possess."

Blackberry preserves

As you may be aware, the US held Federal midterm elections in the Autumn - electing our national representatives. But a lot of state and local elections were also held and many governors, state legislators and other locally elected officials take office in the New Year.

If you're a Governor leaving office, you'll probably have this commemorated with a painting of an official portrait so that your lovely visage will be preserved for posterity.

President George Bush's less famous older brother Jeb stepped down from his position as Governor of Florida this week. His official portrait reflects the growing role of portable technology in local governance.

Via the Governing blog:

Jeb's official portrait contains a few noteworthy features in addition to his smiling mug. The painting, unveiled a couple weeks ago, also includes a photo of Bush's family, several books, including the Bible, and Bush's BlackBerry, a nod to his prodigious email use.

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A real Christmas cracker

The lighter side of local government

Well, I'm off for my holiday break after today - but I wanted to wish all the readers a Happy Holiday and a Prosperous New Year. The IDeA wishes you Seasons Greetings (do follow the link - it's cute!) If you're so minded - I wish you a Merry Christmas, too. In lieu of Friday Funday -we're having a wacky Wednesday full of holiday cheer:

A punishment to fit the crime
I've already blogged about councils putting up seasonal displays. Now one council has already experienced vandalism of their lights and a little restorative justice.

A hooded gang who vandalised a town's Christmas tree were made to redecorate it again just moments later after being caught on CCTV. The yobs had ripped £100-worth of fairy lights from the tree in Bridgwater, Somerset, but were marched back to the scene of the crime to repair their handiwork by police officers.

Sedgemoor District Council has released grainy, CCTV photos of the youngsters re-decorating.

Too right, I say. Though not exactly in the same league, I experienced a little Christmas vandalism last year at the hands paws of a local youth.


I tried my best to make her pay, but I had less luck with the restorative justice than the local Somerset constabulary.

Christmas dinner
Growing up in the Southern US, Brussels sprouts were not a regular part of our holiday fare. But I've grown to like them. But not nearly as much as this guy.

A Devon man who hoped to set a world record by eating the most Brussel sprouts in a minute has failed. Richard Townsend, 24, of Exeter, fell seven short of the target of 43, which was set in December 2003. Mr Townsend, who had eaten a plate of sprouts every day for the last six months, said he just "lost it".

Oh, dear. Mr Townsend prepares his sprouts simply by trimming them to a uniform size and cooked them (I guess quite simply) for four minutes. I definitely couldn't eat 43 in a minute. I can eat more than I might otherwise though if they're prepared in a way taught to me by an old friend - I'm no recipe writer, so do bear with me - but trust me these are delicious!

• Prepare sprouts as normal
• Load the sprouts up in a steamer (I use a double boiler with steamer section - but you can also steam in a microwave proof boil with a bit of cling film over the top)
• Toss in three or four peeled cloves of garlic - cut in half or thirds if you're so minded - otherwise at least score them
• Throw in a pinch of oregano or basil - or even herbes de Provence
• Dice red sweet pepper or bits of sundried tomato and stir them into the mix (an optional step - but it does make those sprouts look festive)
• The essential step: drizzle sprouts with olive oil
• Steam until tender, but not too mushy (you'll just have to use your judgement)
• Salt to taste (I usually do this at the table afterwards)

Yum. Yum. Happy Christmas everyone.

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Friday funday: spoilt for choice

The lighter side of local government

Yes, sometimes it's a struggle to find those clips that can tickle the local government fancy, but this week, I have to say, I've been spoiled for choice. Since, I can never make up my mind, I'll just share them all...


South Beds DC flushed with success

Leighton Buzzard’s multi-storey car park loos have been named the United Kingdom’s best public toilets by the British Toilet Association, beating off entrants from the rest of England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales.

You don't look half cheery

West London local authority trading standards units have cracked down on short measures in the festive season.

The lighter side of public health?
If the trousers fit, please call 0-800-YOU-R-FAT. (I'd think this were funnier if I weren't in line to see this myself.)

We're not squabbling over chicken feed here

London Mayor sued for withdrawing pigeon food subsidies for Trafalgar Square.

I vant to suck your blood buy your castle

Brasov County Council, in the heart of Transylvania, is offered the opportunity to purchase Dracula's castle. (I've been there and it's awesome!)


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Friday funday: innovation

The lighter side of local government

It's all about inovation today. Innovations of all sorts. It's quite timely because one of my colleagues, Adrian Barker attended a seminar on innovation this week. Charlie Leadbeater spoke - he's always thought provoking - and you can find his recent presentations - including those on innovation - here.


Drunk or just boring?

'Tis the season of office Christmas parties. And yes, I know it shows a flaw in my character, but unless I'm drunk, I usually find them dull, dull, dull. And ever since that last unfortunate incident, I've really tried to avoid overconsumption of alcohol in front of the people that sign my cheque.

But thankfully for seasonal revellers in the borough of Westminster, the City Council has got you covered either way.

With the Christmas party season underway, a new free texting service has been launched to help revellers get home safely from central London.

The service is part of a Westminster City Council's "Some things you only do when you're drunk" campaign All people have to do is go to http://www.somethings.co.uk/ to get telephone numbers for bus and safe taxi services.

And if making small talk with the boss is just too much, there is even an excuse text to help you get away from the boring office party.

What's that smell?

What's the smell that you usually associate with public transport or bus shelters? No, really - go on - close your eyes and smell that smell.

Now imagine what they could smell like, roses, freshly laundered sheets hanging in the sun, new-mown hay, warm chocolate chip cookies fresh from the oven?

Via the Governing blog, I've discoverd that one need no longer imagine. Bus shelters in San Francisco are to smell like chocolate chip cookies - thanks to an advertising campaign by California's milk board. (See, you Brits think of biscuits then tea, but we Americans think of cookies then milk).

Christopher Swope writes of this advertising innovation:

I know how I'm supposed to feel about this. I'm supposed to mourn the passing of yet another of our five human senses into the advertising kingdom. Madison Avenue took sight (TV) and sound (radio) from us long ago. Taste as advertising is give and take -- I'm thinking free samples here. Now they're snatching smell from us, too. Only touch remains an ad-free zone, barring changes in law or social behavior.

But let's be honest: Bus shelters could do worse than smell like chocolate chip cookies. Much worse. As a teenager quoted in the Chronicle points out, "It's going to smell like cookies and bums."

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Friday funday: video gaga

The lighter side of local government

Many years ago - the London Borough of Brent was one of the first councils in the country (the world?) to use a webcam as part of its regular service. The webcam was used in the wedding room - and it was a way for families - often located around the world to share in the newlyweds' joy. The camera is still there.

I remember it because I worked at Brent at the time. Although we looked at the wedding webcam out of a sense of novelty - we really didn't need it. Our offices overlooked the arriving brides and grooms - which was always a treat. We saw big fluffy white wedding gowns, beautiful red Indian saris, and some wedding outfits that defy categorisation (e.g. the woman who wore a gold bikini and then strategically draped herself with golden gauze).

Cradle to grave
At least one South London nursery operates a webcam for nervous parents. And now there's a webcam for end-of-life, too. Peterborough City Council has started a webcam service at its crematorium.

Families will pay £45 to allow friends and relatives to view services at the council run crematorium in Peterborough, Cambs. Crematorium bosses are offering a DVD or video for an extra £25

Although it sounds a trifle ghoulish, I can well imagine that it's a service that could bring a lot of comfort to some. In the weeks following her father's funeral (my granddad) my aunt listened to a recording of the service over and over when she was on the road.

Canned cam
Anderson County, Tennessee installed a webcam in its jails. I'm sorry I missed that - because now the service has been canned. (Plus - as it's where my dad grew up - I might have seen someone I knew!)

Some viewers have been using the cameras to harass female jailers by calling them on the telephone and taunting them as they work, according to Anderson County sheriff's officials. In other cases, viewers are tracking inmate movements and using the information to coordinate deliveries of contraband to prisoners on work details outside the jail.

Yikes!! According to webcam's site -

The department has been pleased with the popularity of the cam over the past few years, but Sheriff White noted that safety and security must take a priority

...and on the right side of the law
According to The Guardian, the Police are using the free online video service YouTube to nab recruits rather than criminals.

Videos of police officers in action are being broadcast on an internet site more used to Beadle's About style footage, in a bid to improve the force's image and attract new recruits. Videos of West Yorkshire officers patrolling the streets and talking about their work nestle alongside clips titled "policeman shoots himself in foot" and "**** the police" on the YouTube site which has tapped into the legal side of the "happy slapping", video phone carrying youth culture.

But the force's web communications manager, Patrick Brooke, says the police no longer feels threatened by such juxtaposition. "There was a time when we would have insisted our videos were safely tucked away on our own site, but not now," he said.

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Friday funday: all a-twinkle

The lighter side of local government - Christmas light switch-on special

It's not just the season of Advent, it's the advent of the Christmas shopping season. And everyone knows that means Christmas lights turn-on.


Seasonal cheer:

• Santa and a councillor will switch on the lights in Bromsgrove.
• Spongebob Squarepants flicked the magic switch in Falkirk.
• Brave young cancer patient switches on the lights at Barrow in Furness.
• Local schoolchildren switch on the lights they designed themselves in Bognor Regis.
• Malvern uses "green" lights with low CO2 emissions.

Bah-humbug:

• Parish wins a set of Christmas lights - but has no electricity to turn them on.
• WORST CHRISTMAS LIGHTS IN BRITAIN?
  Council bosses are reported to have only put up one set of christmas lights in Collumpton, Devon, sparking outrage from shoppers. Traders were asked to donate towards the display but refused. A town clerk explained that the council couldn't force people to get involved. (sorry no link)

Personally, I have every sympathy with the council on this one. Why shouldn't seasonal displays be a partnership between the council and local businesses?

• One council is still considering the Health and Safety issues of a big switch-on.
• Christmas is costly and dangerous in one London borough. Staff have been advised not to put up any Christmas decorations.

One worker said: "We only wanted to get into the spirit and brighten the place up. It feels more like the Eastern Bloc than the East End round here now - except slightly less cheery."

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Friday funday

The lighter side of local government

Environmental health don't take half measures
Or the wrong content in measures either at Westminster. Westminster City Council's Food Team busted a pub landlady for replacing branded spirits with the cheap stuff.

Councillor Audrey Lewis, Westminster City Council's Cabinet Member for Licensing and Community Protection, said: "When customers order drinks in any licensed premises we expect them to be given what they asked for and not some cheap alternative.

Darn right! I do have to admit to having done this once myself. I filled a Jack Daniels bottle with cheap supermarket bourbon to bolster the liquor table at a party. None of my guests drank it. But a friend of mine (and co-conspirator in the spirit switch) and I did end up drinking the cheap stuff by accident some time later. The next day we both ended up with the hangover of our lives.


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Friday funday

Something smells a little fishy

And it's a chippie!

A chip shop owner is being investigated - because of a complaint that his shop
smells of fish and chips, a council said today.

Of course, councils have to investigate such complaints as a spokeswoman for Wakefield Council pointed out. And they had to check that the proper extraction systems were installed and working properly.

She said: "The law states we have to investigate the complaint. "It is certainly not a case that fish and chip shops should not be allowed to smell of fish and chips."

The owner of the chippie was not quite so understanding of the council's requirements to check out the salty, vinegary odour.

Chip shop boss Steve Morton told The Sun newspaper he was shocked to receive a letter from environmental health staff which told him: "We are investigating a smell of fish and chips."

Mr Morton, 42, said the chip shop had been operating for 40 years without a problem. He said: "You'd think they'd twig that a fish and chip shop smells of fish and chips. It's absolutely crazy."

When we first came across this story in the office a colleague asked "What else would a fish and chip shop smell like?"

"I dunno," I said "Saveloy?"


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Friday funday

The lighter side of local public services

Put it right out
I've fairly recently quit smoking (just over a month ago) and I debated blogging about it here. Would making a public announcement make it easier to quit - or would I be a hostage to fortune? Well one councillor has made his decision pretty clear. As Nottinghamshire County Council declared a county wide smoking ban (including outdoors in country parks!), Councillor Chris Baron has press released his own smoking cessation. And he's going to blog about it on the council's intranet, too. Good for you Chris - and best of luck!


I can't imagine any better publicity
Ambulance trust warning over new horror movie


If you ever, ever doubted the importance of the trading standards team
Dodgy goods uncovered in London


This race is a dead heat
If you haven't heard - the Midterm elections are on in the US and will take place Tuesday November 7th. In these elections, Americans vote for Congressmen (members of the House of Representatives) who are elected whole-body every two years and in some states for Senator - they are elected by thirds every two years to six year terms. And to avoid wasting a ballot or opening a polling station on more than one day, many Americans are also voting in local elections, too -either in the general election next Tuesday or in the primaries which are held between March and October depending on the state.

Despite some high-profile races in the past, most US elections are straightforward, first past the post type deals. But one school board member (a county-wide rather than school-based post) won her race in a highly unusual way.

Katherine Dunton, who died of cancer on October 3, the day of the local election, was re-elected to the Aleutian Region School District board after her opponent, Dona Highstone, called "heads" on a coin toss that landed "tails," state and local officials said.

Lest you think this is the usual way....

"This is the first that I have ever heard about, not only in our state but in any other," said Whitney Brewster, director of the Alaska Division of Elections.

Democracy finds a way
Hawaiian Islanders whose trips to the poll were threatened by bad roads and an earthquake damaged road will have their ballots delivered to them by helicopter.




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