Social animal

Robocop 4

Middlesbrough’s tough-talking, tough-acting mayor, Ray Mallon, might have mixed feelings about the plot of a recently shot feature film that, in one respect, appears to have been loosely based on his rise to power.

The film, called Sub Zero, features the character Ronnie Lord, a mayoral candidate in the gritty northern town of – you’ve guessed it – Middlesbrough, whose hardline stance on law and order have made him favourite for election.

A harmless case of art imitating life, even Mallon might agree; but from here the filmmakers clearly decided to deviate entirely from reality.

In the film, Lord is backed by a cabal of businessmen who stand to make millions on the back of his election, and in the melodramatic words of the early publicity I’ve seen, “when the aims of these men collide with the real lives and loves of the young people of Middlesbrough, no one is safe”.

Social Animal plans to be first in line for tickets when – that should probably be if – the film gets a release.

Bowler over

I hear one particular Whitehall move spells good news for the sector. James Bowler, currently housing lead in the Treasury, is to become Gordon Brown’s personal private secretary. As well as a huge endorsement for Bowler, this move, date as yet unspecified, is a good indication of the chancellor’s commitment to the sector.

This role in Brown’s inner circle will mean Bowler has the chancellor’s ear and we understand will keep social housing towards the top of the agenda inside 11 Downing Street.

No news yet on Bowler’s own replacement, but watch this space.

Wimby-ing free

The Netherlands is building on its reputation for tolerance by reversing the concept of the Nimby. A movement called the Wimbys, standing for welcome to my back yard, embraces vulnerable people who have newly arrived in their community.

Grass is good for you

Parks are the new Prozac. It’s official. Well, according to a report published by Green Space, a not-for-profit organisation committed to protecting and developing the UK’s parks it is.

The annual spend on parks and green spaces is £600m, which is only a third more than the NHS spends every year dishing out the anti-depressant to 6 million people. So why spend money on pills when you can cut costs and prescribe park time?

Park and public space professionals are now being urged by the organisation to engage with politicians and the public to convince them that the nation’s happiness depends on our parks.