The appointment of Phil Redmond as artistic chief for 2008 is far more than a gesture to more direct Scouse involvement in 2008. It will revolutionise the process.

Redopnd is a hands-on trype of person. His time at Mersey Television proved that. He gets things done, and done well.
So when he says he wants things done with the 2008 programme - some fine tuning to add events or fill in gaps - the culture company crowd will be jumping to attention. Or Redmond himself will want to know why not.
The 'bypass' operation of power was needed, given serious comunication problems twixt council, culture company and the old culture company board.
Ironically the term bypass equally applies to elected representatives who have been less hands on that required.
Rather than councillors now calling the tune (and indulging in political in-fighting) Redmond's appointment creates a direct action (and accountability) line between himself, and chulture company chief executive Jason Harborow and his staff.
With Redmond's natural expertise, plus the financial know-how of new culture company chairman Bryan Gray (also chair of the Northwest Development Agency), there is no real need for councillors to require anytying other than te be regularly informed of actions, changes, costs and any other concerns - on a daily basis.
Redmond and Gray are the new decision makers.
As yesterday's ECHO front page made clear, Jason Harborow andhis staff "will come under the direction" of this new slimmed down board structure. Very different from merely reporting to the board.

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