[Ailist] how best to negotiate with a council

[Madelyn Blair]

Kate,

Building on what Mark has said, I would also seek out stories of the  
effect these groups have already had on the community. Seek stories in  
the first person if possible and select ones that touch on sensitive  
issues in the community and to the council.

Good luck, indeed,
Madelyn

Madelyn Blair, Ph.D.
Pelerei, Inc.
Turning Vision into Reality
www.pelerei.com
301-371-7100
301-371-7957 (fax)
301-471-8721 (mobile)
Skype ID: madelynblair


On Dec 8, 2008, at 4:11 PM, Mark Berns wrote:

> Kate,
>
> Iis it possible the council doesn't fully appreciate the benefit of  
> what the
> centre houses? What would the future be for the community groups if  
> they
> were to lose access to the building? And what kinds of groups are  
> they - do
> they provide some kind of service to the community?
>
> If they do provide some support for the community, and they would find
> themselves very challenged without the centre as their home, perhaps  
> an AI
> approach would be to envision a future where those groups have  
> flourished
> and they've had some very positive effects on the community. The  
> flip side,
> of course, would be to prepare an assessment of what it would cost the
> community if those services are no longer available - and hopefully  
> show
> that the council's "investment" in not charging is offset by what  
> the 35+
> groups provide.
>
> Good luck,
>
> Mark
>
> ************************************************************
> Mark Berns
> Ready About LLC
> New Directions for Organizations
> 25 Buckingham Place, Norwalk, CT 06851
> Phone: 203-247-6369 | Fax: 240-363-4802
> http://www.readyaboutllc.com
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: ailist-bounces at lists.business.utah.edu
> [mailto:ailist-bounces at lists.business.utah.edu] On Behalf Of Kate  
> Start
> Sent: Sunday, December 07, 2008 7:42 AM
> To: ailist at lists.business.utah.edu
> Subject: [Ailist] how best to negotiate with a council
>
> Dear Ai-ers,
> I am involved in our local community centre. The local council, who  
> own the
> building,  want to start charging us rent of £10000/year when to  
> date we
> have not paid anything.  They have stated that the agreement can  
> only be for
> 10 years.
> Our centre provides a meeting place for 35+ community groups who  
> would not
> be able to pay increased centre hire charges if we were to agree the  
> high
> rate.
> We have a meeting next week with Councillors to discuss our position  
> and how
> best to move forward.
>> From an AI viewpoint I think I should go in to the negotiations  
>> with' how
> best can we ensure that the community centre is a sustainable viable
> resource for the centre' and how can we best work together (council,
> councillors and centre users) to ensure this.
>
> Does anyone have any pearls of wisdom, great questions I can ask the
> councillors, any tips?
>
> What we would like out of negotiations would be a 'peppercorn rent  
> for 25
> years' or an asset transfer
>
> best wishes
> Kate Start
> London
> England
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