In Conversation - Talking To The 'Chief' - John Van de Laarschott

Well, that is the best Interview I have heard on this site. Even those from the far right of the divide can't fail to be impressed with Mr Van de Laarschott.
The guy tells it like it is and I have a shed load more confidence in him than the last guy.
There is no doubt in my mind that he will sort the wheat from the chaff and we will see a number of the workforce go when he undertakes his review. All those who have been getting the whopping salaries will be getting of the gravy train at the next stop.
Good questions were put to him and he did not duck any of them and he came over as confident. Unlike the Interviews with Ross Irving I have heard on this site.
With all the political parties free falling the new CE maybe the city's last hope.
I would like our far right friends to come on here and give the guy credit or at least make a positive contribution which by my reckoning would be the very first time.
So where are you Craig, Terry, Sam, got anything to say?

I agree, the man talks well and seems to have the drive to pick this city up given time. It will not happen over night, witch some wiil want, but then again they would be just daft.
Its nice to hear his views on the city as a new comer to, and that outside the city, the place is not thought to badly of. I hope he can at least get some to know where it is on the map.
I say good luck Mr. Van de Laarschott, try your best for us dude.
Mind you, the name, it don't sound like an English
name, this may indeed be tuneing Mr. Pond aganst him even now.

It was a good interview and I think the man has some idea of the direction in which he wants to take the City and I would like to make a contribution to that debate.

I did write to Mr Van Der Laarschot in October with a few ideas. I guess he was very busy and I received no response.

10th October 2009

Dear Mr van de Laarschot

Firstly congratulations in your appointment as the Chief Executive of Stoke Council, I wish you every success in your endeavour of turning the City around after turbulent times.

I am a native of the City and live about 12 miles away from Stoke. I work as a part time Adult Literacy Tutor in Meir and I have been an observer of the Stoke political and social scene for many years. From 1982-7 I was a City Councillor and more recently I was a County Councillor in Leek up to 2004.

I am very interested in the green economy and over the years I have written in the local press over what I see as a way out of the morass that the City finds itself in. In February 2006 I wrote to the interim Chief Executive of the City Council with a suggestion that they reopen the rail route to Leek using biogas as a fuel, the idea was based on a Swedish rail route which used methane produced from the remains of farm animals. Earlier this summer I wrote to the MEPs representing the area with some US proposals I had heard about which seem to be finding favour with President Obama around green collar jobs. I enclose a copy of the letter that I wrote to the MEPS.

Last week I read an article in the Observer of an enterprising scheme that was operating in Oakland, California again on the theme of “green” jobs which were benefitting the disadvantaged communities of the city. This approach particularly intrigued me as I have hopes that it could a tool to attack the worklessness in Stoke. Recently an article in the Sentinel reported that 1 in 4 of the working population of the City were receiving benefits. I enclose a quote from a New York Times article on the subject of the Oakland project and the founder of this approach Anthony Van Jones

Using his little center in Oakland, Mr. Jones has been on a crusade to help underprivileged African-Americans and other disadvantaged communities understand why they would be the biggest beneficiaries of a greener America. It’s about jobs. The more government requires buildings to be more energy efficient, the more work there will be retrofitting buildings all across America with solar panels, insulation and other weatherizing materials. Those are manual-labor jobs that can’t be outsourced.
“You can’t take a building you want to weatherize, put it on a ship to China and then have them do it and send it back,” said Mr. Jones. “So we are going to have to put people to work in this country — weatherizing millions of buildings, putting up solar panels, constructing wind farms. Those green-collar jobs can provide a pathway out of poverty for someone who has not gone to college.”

My view is that we should be looking at ways in which major green economy jobs can be generated in North Staffs which can help to ensure a future for the sub region. For example in my letter to the MEPs I had found some projects that looked at growing biomass crops on derelict land. Working on the Meir estate that borders arable land it is easy to see the potential for local jobs in that area of the City.

The Conservative MEP Mr Harbour responded most fully to my letter and I believe discussed my July letter with Ross Irvine so the idea might be circulating somewhere in the City Council and if it is required I am prepared to produce a report that looked at the matter in a little more depth.

Again I wish you every success in your new undertaking.

Yours sincerely,

Bill Cawley.

Its a few months since I wrote that letter and in that time I have been trying to make a case and gathering information that would suggest that building on the capacity that already exists in the City to develop the green economy might be one way.

As I have said in previous posts there are about 150 private firms in the area that are providing green jobs in energy generation, insulation, building, recycling, land use and public transport etc. Those 150 companies are based in a growing sector of the economy especially in micro energy generation with the potential of the feed in tarrif.

I think that Stoke especially given its land reclamation tradition as well as its engineering background could be ideally placed and that there is an opportunity of developing locally a "virtous" circle of well paid jobs, tackling climate change and building industries for the future.

The stumbling block seems to be the City Council. I have e mailed and tried to speak to an officer who is supposed to have an interest in this agenda several times without any message returned. I have left mesages for a Councillor who supposed to have an interest in this area and again nothing back.

Stoke sems to operate on the princiople of a medieval court and that in order to get anywhere you have to have a favourite at court.

The whole point of a dialogue is that it is two way which is something that the Council seems to have to learn.

It's not his name I'm having trouble with Warren, and even though he talks the talk, I can't help thinkng his help comes at too high a price.
If he wants to half his ridiculous salary, he'll get my backing.

Craig, lets just see what he can do without jumping on his head over payment in what is a very short time in the job. Quality and good work comes at a price, lets give him a year or so. Its a high wage granted, but it may prove good in the long run.

Sounds promising - although a bit thin on substance at present (to be expected).

Slightly concerned though that he is anticipating that things need to be turned around by the council being more 'member-led'. He's absolutely right, of course, but is it likely to happen with such low-quality elected members?

So, I guess I was right. No positivity from the far right. All they can do is knock and criticise. Remember Craig, you pay peanuts you get PONDS!

Sounds like Mr Van de Laarschott is setting some very high goals for both himself and the people and council of Stoke-on-Trent. To me he's talking about a complete reboot of Stoke.Plc with an eye on some proper long term goals.

Coupled with what Bill was saying about green industries, a work force out of work who need and want to work again, SOT is actually looking a little positive at the minute.

I'll be interested to see what members from the political arena have to say about this interview, and if they can pull them selves out of their infighting to lend a hand, in turning our city around.

Right now it's hooneymoon period for Mr Van de Laarschott, as at the minute he's fact finding and sizing things up. Soon he's going to take a large bite out of certain areas, to see his plans through.

Tony - great interview, I think I'd like this to be a regular feature with VdL as he reaches his milestones.

I've never felt so informed and actually reassured by a politician.

Excellent work in getting this interview, and the current series of interviews.

Now for this interview yes his a very good orator, sounds very promising but what DID he say?

The 2 main points I picked up was its going to be a COUNCILLOR lead authority from now on, and councillors dont need to make difficult POLITICAL decisions this year (those closures can wait till next year)

So Councillors in this Budget make it clear YOUR vision, make this budget make COMMITMENTS to services you want to PROVIDE as a council, then lets see if in the all new medium term budget the officers respect YOUR vision and Mr Van de Laarschott backs Councillors up on the commitments you make this year.

I am posting here without listening to the interview Tony. Sorry about that. However, I've got a feeling he's creating a few justifiable shockwaves down at the CC already.

I'm sure it's no coincidence that suddenly we're now seeing council officers faces on the TV, taking far more accountability for their actions. Mr. Crossland this morning over the tendering issue. JVDL leads by example, it seems, however. Immediately, in the aftermath of The EDL rally JVDL was on TV. How often have the people of Stoke seen the Chief Exec standing for the people of Stoke.

I've got a sneaky, but positive, feeling that this guy, already showing more faith in the talents and the ablilities contained with the communities and businesses of Stoke than many of his Stoke born and bred counterparts, is going to do Stoke proud. Hope I'm right, but already there seem to be signs.

There's still much to be done of course, but that's why he's justifiably paid a decent wage to clear out all the detritis. The public relations department springs to mind Mr. Cawley. I empathise with you. And the persistent patronising, sanctamonious, pious, producer-led attitudes of a significant number of council officers in general....Bit of a rant there...lol

But I reckon he'll get there with our help.

Firstly congratulations Tony to you and your team on being able to secure the interview with Mr Van de Laarschott, and thanks need to go to him for putting his trust in P n P by accepting the offer of an interview and speaking so openly of his intentions.

This man speaks a lot of sense, I wish him every success and he has my full support …even if that means me paying a bob or two extra in council tax.

Same hear Looto, I don't mind council tax being upped to protect sirvice in the city.

I am very impressed with what Mr Van de Laarschott has to say. He has not been in the job very long but already has a good idea of the problems that need addressing, and at least acknowledges that the council needs to work harder to engage with the public.

Yes people may complain at the high salary, but I have a feeling this will be money well spent.

I wish him every success.

I am also impressed with what Mr,Van de Laarschott had to say, I must say he is on the wright track when he acknowledges a change of management, within the city council [officers] and sortting out the dead wood. He is right when he came to the conclusion that the ellected members seem to be looking backwards, but this comming election this year should sort that situation out, It is time for our city to have councillors who are interested in being a city councillor, and go within the communities they represent, and to put the citizens first and not any political party, the change as got to come for our city. I must say that for the first time i can say i have conferdance in the [CEO] Mr Van de Laarschott, in his forward thinking I like his kind of leadership. As i have said it is time for change the only hope is that after the council ellections in june ,we ellect councillors with the Quality of leadership to take our city forward. Respectfully Yours, Samuel R Tunstall, [PCF] [FENTON]

I was impressed by John's interview. I share his views in respect of the need for the council officers, members, local businesses and MPs to work together. Raising aspirations is a key issue for the area. It is great to hear him recognise the needs to raise the aspirations of the youth in the area and to raise the profile of the city.

I am looking forward to meeting John to discuss how we can work together. Based on this interview, he has the right attitude to help to take Stoke forward. If elected, I will make it my priority to work with him to develop the key message for Stoke. He is spot on with his messages about building pride and marketing the city in a positive way. At last we have someone who is talking about developing a strategy and looking forward rather than looking backwards.

My commercial and practical approach sounds consistent with John's. As a local who is passionate about the area, based on this interview, I congratulate John on his appointment and look forward to meeting soon. Stoke needs a step change. John sounds as though he has the energy to help make this change.

Good to hear that at least one of our PPC’s is prepared to take up the challenges made by Mr Van de Laarschott …and make a personal contribution to PnP . Do I hear the footsteps of others? …Hope so.

Good news all round I think. But we shall have to wait and see if he delivers on his promises.

Mr VDL was absolutely right to comment on the apathetic attitude of the people of Stoke (generally), they do have a cap in hand mentality and will accept second best. Hopefully, new strategies will raise the hope and ambition within the city and put Stoke on a level footing with other cities of a similar size, because one thing's for sure, we are lagging behind at the moment. Better paid jobs and more income generated will lead to an increase in the service industries, better homes and recreational facilities.

Good luck to Mr VDL, I'd love to be a fly on the wall when some of our Council officers are explaining their strategies for the future. Lol, like a scene from "The Office"

Congratulations on an excellent interview Tony. Well thought out questions, probing and useful.
Well done also to Van de Laarschott, questions answered. Thoughtful processes appear to be installed in the guy,hopefully his attitude will rub off on those at the council and Stoke can become a city to be really proud of.
Its good that he sees the councillors having more of a say in the running of the city, maybe with this type of support we can get some councillors working even more with the local communities and making them stronger with input in many aspects of life, employment, housing, health,etc...it would be good to get a more 'joined up' ethos of community spirit.
We are all aware of the magnitude of the job he has, lets hope his ideas hold strong and that he gets the back up he needs to succeed in what was never going to be an easy job.

Eventually managed to find time to listen to this interview... Much better than the one he did on Radio Stoke which was a bit bland, maybe it's partly down to the quality of the interviewer.

This was a really good interview (if you ignore the bit of sexism focussing on dads having jobs - what about the mums?). His vision is spot on so if we stick with that vision and make it more than a vision, put it into practice, things bode well. I also like his goal oriented approach. He is very much correct to question some of the behaviour in the council chamber, there is too much focus on political differences. Councillors need to be doing the best for the city (which some are trying to do) rather than playing silly political games.

On the down side I was seriously underimpressed by his response to my presentation at council of Terry Crowe's petition about no confidence of the communities in the Mitchell High locality in serco and the council under Ross Irving's leadership to deliver high quality secondary education. He just came up with a rather pathetic response about serco doing a good job and was too dismissive about the plight of the communities concerned. So if his fantastic vision turns out in practice to be rooted in defensive responses like this across the board, it's not going to get us anywhere.

So the jury is out as far as I'm concerned. It's all going to depend on whether a great vision and the right aims will actually translate into positive actions and it's not so much about engaging people, it is whether those people will be properly treated by the council in the end.