Newsnet Midlands

UK Economy Could Be Stagnating

2011-09-06T01:35:00.000-07:00

By Ben Aulakh

The British economy grew by just 0.2 per cent in the second quarter of this year, prompting fears among some economists that the economy is stagnating.

The figures, released by the Office of National Statistics also show that GDP grew by just 0.2 per cent over the last 9 months.

The overall growth rate in the economy for the rest of 2011 is also expected to remain low at around 0.8 per cent.

This shallow growth is in contrast to the rate of inflation, which moved up to 4.4 per cent in July, from 4.2 per cent in June.

Sluggish output in manufacturing and declining growth in the production sector in April, May and June this year are cited by the ONS as key factors in the countries poor economic performance.

However Tony Dolphin, Senior Economist at the Institute for Public Policy Research also cites high food and energy prices, January’s increase in VAT, and the government’s public spending cuts for the low rate of growth.

Mr Dolphin said, “Consumer and business confidence in the UK remains depressed, unemployment is increasing again, and there are more rises in gas and electricity prices to come, which will squeeze households’ spending power even further.

“It is now crystal clear that weak demand over the last three quarters has brought growth in the economy almost to a standstill.”

Mr Dolphin also says that the Coalitions deficit reduction measures risk pushing the economy back into decline.

He added, “This is not yet a double-dip recession, but it is almighty close to one.

“The chancellor’s gamble that fiscal consolidation and low interest rates would lead to a vibrant recovery led by the private sector is clearly not working, and the time has come for a change of course.”

“These economic indicators may mean that the clamour for a change of policy – either to temporarily cut taxes or to increase the scale of quantitative easing – is likely to grow.”

Another key indicator of business activity in the UK, the Markit/CIPS Purchasing Managers' Index, showed its biggest fall since the foot-and-mouth outbreak of 2001.

The index, which monitors business activity in the financial, IT and service sectors fell by 4 points, its biggest overall reduction in nearly a decade.

Companies contributing to the figures also said that business confidence was the lowest for a year, with firms blaming on going worries over the impact of government spending cuts for a lack of optimism.

Angela Eagle MP, Labour’s Shadow Chief Secretary said that the data painted a ‘bleak picture of an economy that has ‘flatlined’

She said, “It's no wonder that even the Chancellor's former supporters, from the head of the IMF to the founder of the world’s biggest bond fund, are now warning of the dangers of cutting too far and too fast and urging a change of course.”

“To kick-start the economy the Government should temporarily cut VAT and use the money raised from a tax on bank bonuses to build thousands of affordable homes and get people off the dole and into work.”

Photograph from www.news24.pk

Record Numbers Of NEET's In The UK

2011-09-06T01:28:00.000-07:00

By Ben Aulakh

The number of young people not in education, employment or training, known as NEET’s, has risen by 119, 000 in the last year, the biggest increase since records began in 2000.

A combination of the trebling of student tuition fees, the scrapping of the Educational Maintenance Allowance and the Future Jobs Fund are being blamed for one in five young people being classified as NEET’s

Richard Darlington, Head of News at the Institute for Public Policy Research says, “All the evidence is increasingly suggesting that we are letting down a generation of young people by failing to provide them with the opportunities afforded to previous generations.

“The current state of government youth policy is nothing more than a vacuum, the government needs to provide more places at further education colleges and a job guarantee for every young person out of work for more than a year.”

Figures from the Prince’s Trust also show that young people who are NEETs are almost twice as likely as other youths to lack a sense of belonging in life.

Statistics from the charity also show that 37 per cent say lack a sense of identity, and this figure rises to 47 per cent for those who have been out of work for a year or longer.

More than 34 per cent also say that they feel isolated, and a worrying 48 per cent claim that unemployment has caused problems including self-harm, insomnia, self-loathing and panic attacks.

The trust reports that youth unemployment costs the economy around £10 million a day in lost productivity, while youth crime costs more than £1 billion a year.

Mr Darlington cites the scrapping of the Future Jobs Fund, which removed the jobs of 100, 000 people out of work for more than a year as one of the key factors in steep rise in the numbers of NEET’s.

Figures from the Local Government Association also show that children's services and youth clubs have been hardest hit by the government’s spending cuts.

Youth charity Catch 22’s Chief Executive Chris Wright says that it’s is crucial that young people are given the kind of emotional support that these organisations provide, to get back into employment.

“We strongly believe in supporting young people to get jobs and apprenticeships as lot of the young people we work with lack the family and emotional structures, which are an essential part of preparing for a working environment.

“For many, what is needed as a first stage to employment is that emotional and practical support along with strong direction to get them job ready’ our experience shows us that when young people receive this support they are better able to stick with employment.”

Unique Cathedral Attraction Praised.

2011-09-06T01:24:00.000-07:00

By Ben Aulakh

A unique historical attraction in Gloucestershire, which charts the lives of famous figures buried in the cathedral, has been given special credit by a national tourist body.

Gloucester Cathedral’s Great Lives, which uses mobile phone technology to bring the true stories of seven historic figures to life, has been singled out as “interesting and innovative” in Visit England’s

Visitor Attraction Quality Assurance Scheme.

It is also the ninth year in a row that the cathedral has been recognised as part of the scheme.

Anyone going to the cathedral can simply dial a number on their mobile phone and choose which of the seven stories on offer they want to hear.

Operations & Marketing Manager Bairbre Lloyd said, “The feedback from visitors has been excellent.

“We now have five mobile phones available to borrow from the shop for just a five pound deposit, so those on a Pay As You Go tariff or who don’t carry a mobile phone won’t miss out.”

Customer satisfaction research firm The Mystery Shopper also described the attraction as ‘very well produced with engaging voices and sound effects.’

The pilot scheme is run by Cheltenham-based tourism company PastPorte, and was the brainchild of founder Ben Blackler, who had the idea for mobile phone audio guides whilst visiting the Cathedral.

Co-founder, Dinah Lammiman, an ex Radio 4 producer, was responsible for creating the seven stories.

The audio covers the lives of individuals as varied as Edward II, scientist Edward Jenner, poet Ivor Gurney, the story of battleship HMS Gloucester, and composer Herbert Howells.

Visitors to the cathedral can dial 0300 900 1327 to listen to the vivid tales of these fascinating lives, or for more information on events at the historic monument log on to www.gloucestercathedral.org.uk.

Photograph from wikimedia commons, by Saffron Blaze

Thousands Of New Homes For Stratford

2011-09-06T01:19:00.000-07:00

By Ben Aulakh

More than 8, 000 new homes could be built in and around Stratford upon Avon in the next 20 years, after the district council unanimously backed a plan to boost new builds in the area.

Stratford-on-Avon District Council's Cabinet agreed on Monday September 5 to support two independent reports which have recommended that thousands of new homes are built in the area by 2028.

Leader of Stratford-on-Avon District Council, Councillor Chris Saint said, “The reports form a significant piece of work and are two parts of the complete jigsaw that will go towards the development of the Core Strategy for the area.

“As part of the strategy we want to encourage affordable family homes alongside the building of more three bedroom housing, as well as the provision of extra care accommodation.

“We also want to re-use brown field sites in preference to new green field sites, and also take this opportunity to review our policy of redundant rural buildings.”

However the council’s estimation for the number of new properties needed is based on a low rate of immigration into the area, something which Cllr Saint says is needed to ‘preserve the special nature of our District, whilst protecting our countryside for future generations.’

The council also recently received the findings of the Employment Land study, which councillors say provides a ‘comprehensive and robust basis for considering the amount, types and broad location of additional employment land in the District.

The decision by the local authority to support this level of new construction will form a key part of the districts emerging planning policies for the area in 2012.

This plan amounts to around 400 new build properties each year; 545 new build properties have already been delivered in the district since 2008.

Photograph from www.geograph.co.uk, by Kenneth Allen.

Funding Boost To Create Jobs In Leicester

2011-09-06T01:12:00.001-07:00

By Ben Aulakh

More than £6 million is to be given to new businesses and social enterprises in Leicester, to boost the city’s jobs market and infrastructure.

The city council was given £8.3 million of funding earlier this year by the European Regional Development Fund to create new employment opportunities.

The local authority is now asking businesses and individuals from across the city to come forward and bid to fund a particular job creation or work-space project.

The council hopes that the funding will be used to fund ventures that can provide much needed support and advice to help grow local enterprises.

The remaining £1.9 million will be released in the next few months to support schemes focused on improving the city's streets and public spaces.

Councillor Ted Cassidy, Assistant City Mayor said, “I am delighted to announce the launch of the largest funding allocation in the East Midlands, which comes as a much needed boost for the local economy.

“It follows our commitment to make Leicester the ‘Place to do Business’, and builds on the Mayor’s recent 100-day pledges to support new and growing businesses, and to create a range of new employment opportunities in the city.”

Cllr Cassidy also said that he was keen to see bids for funding from organisations that can deliver a package of different projects to support business growth and survival, particularly in the most deprived areas of the city.

He added, “I would also like to see schemes that support innovative new businesses for instance in the emerging creative and low carbon sectors, and projects that can contribute to retaining graduates in the city.

This latest funding is in addition to £8 million which was allocated to the city in 2008, money that has been used to support people wanting to start up in businesses in some of the cities most depressed areas.

It has also helped fund improvements to Granby Street, the creation and refurbishment of business workspaces in St Matthews, and Leicester Business Centre.

Leicester City Council's head of economic regeneration Mike Dalzell added, “We know there are organisations out there with imagination and ideas that are in need of support to create businesses and job opportunities for the city.

“I would urge them to contact my team to discuss these possibilities, because if we can lay the groundwork now by investing these funds where they will create the biggest employment benefits, the city as a whole will be able to reap the rewards.”

The deadline for expressions of interest in the money is 2pm on Friday October 7, applicants will then need to put a full bid together in January 2012.

Fine For Birmingham Man Who Lied About Armed Raid

2011-09-06T01:09:00.000-07:00

By Ben Aulakh

A Birmingham man who pretended to police that two armed raiders had burst into his flat and robbed him has been fined.

The 39-year-old male, from the Aston area of the city, dialled 999 at around 8.45pm on Friday August 26, claiming that two individuals had held him up at knife point, before making off with £750 in cash.

Officers raced to the supposed scene of the crime at the man’s Birchfield home, before taking him to Newtown police station to provide a victim statement.

While speaking to the man, officers soon became suspicious of his account of the incident.

A short time later, he admitted lying to officers and said he had made-up the story as he had a gambling debt.

The 39-year-old was given an £80 fixed penalty notice for wasting police time and making a false report.

Detective Inspector Pete Dunn, from Birmingham West and Central CID said, “Reports of robbery are taken very seriously and are thoroughly investigated.

“Not only will false reports be found out, they also waste the time of detectives who are dealing with other, genuine cases.”

“People should be warned that they will be fined or, maybe even arrested, if found to be falsely making such allegations.”

Wandsworth Council May Evict Tenants for Riot Involvement

2011-08-26T23:43:00.000-07:00

By Ben Aulakh

Council tenants in two London Boroughs are facing eviction after allegedly being involved in the London riots.

Letters have been sent by Southwark Council to 35 of its social housing residents telling them that if they are found guilty of criminal offences related to the rioting, they will be kicked out of their properties under the housing act.

One tenant in Wandsworth has already been served with an eviction notice after her son was charged, but not convicted, of involvement in unrest in Clapham on August 8.

Eileen Short, Chair of Defend Council Housing commented on the proposed evictions, “These plans amount to the victimisation of council tenants. Council housing is not subsidised and we are not second class citizens to whom different laws should apply.

“Failure to invest in council housing and the stigmatising of council tenants have already fed into the alienation of young people on our estates, this makes a mockery of tenancy law to give landlords such sweeping powers to evict.”

The eviction notice states that the council will be seeking possession of the property, and that an application will be made to the court to approve the eviction.

Council leader Ravi Govindia, writing in The Times newspaper defended the local authority’s decision to have the tenants thrown out.

He said, “Wandsworth Council has been criticised for its decision to evict tenants if they - or one of their household - are found guilty of being involved in the looting and rioting.

“We did not come to this decision lightly and it was not a knee-jerk reaction. We wanted to send out a clear message: actions have consequences.”

“Having the long-term security of a council flat or house is privileged positions that, as the waiting lists show, many people aspire to; with that privilege comes a sense of responsibility to your neighbour and your neighbourhood.”

He added that if tenants or members of their households did not take that responsibility seriously, Wandsworth Council would enforce its side of the contract.

Cllr Govindia also derided as ‘nonsense’ the suggestion that anyone evicted from council housing would end up on the streets.

He said that they would simply find a home through the private rental market, and would still receive their benefit.

However a spokesperson for Defend Council housing questioned the legality of such a decision.

They said, “It is highly dubious whether there is a legal basis for this, and there is certainly no justice in singling out tenants in this way.

“Councils already have powers to deal with nuisance behaviour affecting neighbours within council estates.”

“The criminal law is there to punish those who do commit crimes; it is an offence against natural justice to single out one particular group, council tenants, for the additional drastic penalty of losing their homes.”

Thus far although Southwark Council have informed a number of those living in social housing in the borough they could face eviction, no one has yet been forced to leave their home.

Ian Wingfield, Southwark’s member for housing said, “We want to send a clear message to these individuals that if they are convicted there are serious consequences to their actions which for some could result in their eventual eviction.”

Eleven other councils across the country whose boroughs were caught up in the rioting have thus far not issued any warnings of eviction to residents.

Photograph from www.firstnews.co.uk

River Cottage Most Sustainable Restaurant

2011-08-26T23:37:00.000-07:00

By Ben Aulakh

Celebrity television chef Hugh Fearneley-Whittingstall’s River Cottage restaurants have been voted the most sustainable places to eat in the UK.

A recent report by the Sustainable Restaurant Association said that both of the brand’s eateries demonstrated ‘especially good credentials in local and seasonal produce, healthy eating, waste management and responsible marketing.

Under the SRA’s comprehensive sustainability star rating the River Cottage HQ run by Head Chef Gill Meller was given a score of 87 per cent; while chef Tim Maddams and his team at the Axminster Canteen notched up 84 per cent.

Both sites also achieved excellence on the association’s Three Star Sustainability Champion status, scoring between 90 and 100 per cent in each category.

Account manager at the SRA George Clark said, “River Cottage doesn’t just talk about sustainability, it practices it too and its very high score reflects this.

“We were particularly impressed with their steadfast commitment to sourcing produce locally and also their dedication to reduce the environmental impact of both sites.”

For a restaurant to achieve such an accolade it must provide detailed information on sourcing, environment and society, covering everything from the provenance of their produce to how they manage their waste and energy.

The SRA’s Star Rating system is also rapidly becoming the industry standard for measuring the sustainability of restaurants.

The Sundays Times recently dubbed it the “Michelin Stars of Sustainability”.

Photograph from www.channel4.com

September Strikes Set To Hit Notts Police

2011-08-26T23:30:00.000-07:00

By Ben Aulakh

A series of strikes and industrial action is set to hit Nottinghamshire police in late August and early September.

Police staff have voted to strike on August 30 and September 2; alongside a work to rule from August 31 onwards.

Public Services union Unison is in dispute with the force over its restructuring, which has so far resulted in 20 officers being made redundant.

However Nottinghamshire Police say the changes are necessary to reshape the force and transform the service it provides, alongside making more than £40 million in savings by 2015.

Unison object to the manner of the force’s organisational restructure, and is demanding a policy used by managers to comply with legislation and implement changes fairly and effectively, is re-negotiated.

However, as the policy was agreed to by the union in October last year the force says that it is unfair to amend the reform process part way through.

Assistant Chief Constable Ian Ackerley said: “We are extremely disappointed it has come to this as we believe industrial action will not benefit police staff, the organisation or ultimately, the public of Nottinghamshire.

“Unison members have a choice over whether they take part in action and we hope they will recognise that the restructure the force has embarked upon is necessary, if we are to meet substantially reduced budgets and become the best performing force in the country.”

ACC Ackerley also argues that that a relatively small number of job losses have resulted from more than 350 staff having gone through the restructuring process, with 150 officers having left through voluntary redundancy.

Regional Unison organiser Roger Young said, “It is with great regret that we have found it necessary to implement strike action; throughout this dispute we had genuinely believed that force management would eventually listen to our submissions.

“However there is still time for Nottinghamshire police to be reasonable and avoid this action by their staff, and the disruption to services and inconvenience which this will cause.”

He added, “This dispute is not about the need to make the budget cuts placed upon the force – or indeed making people redundant – it is how the employer is seeking to achieve those job losses, and current procedure which our legal advice confirms is flawed.”

However ACC Ackerley disagrees with this assertion, saying “The processes we have adopted is fit for purpose and legally compliant, though we accept there are some elements which would benefit from greater clarity.

Contingency plans have been prepared to ensure the force continues to provide an effective service during the industrial action.

Photograph from www.independent.co.uk

Midlands Showcase of 'Green' Vehicles

2011-08-26T23:21:00.000-07:00

The Microcab hydrogen powered car will appear at the show

By Ben Aulakh

Some of the world’s most advanced low-carbon vehicles are coming to the Midlands this September.

Warwickshire County Council, Coventry City Council and Coventry University are joining forces to showcase the latest hydrogen and battery powered cars at the Cenex Low Carbon Vehicle exhibition.

The vehicles, all developed in Coventry and Warwickshire, will be the highlight of the, LCV exhibition, being held for the first time this year at the Rockingham Motor Speedway in Northamptonshire, on September 7 and 8.

Councillor Alan Cockburn, Portfolio Holder for Sustainable Communities at Warwickshire County Council said, “Coventry and Warwickshire is home to some of the world’s most renowned automotive companies.

“Many of these global organisations are leading the way when it comes to low carbon technologies, collectively spending billions of pounds on research and development.”

The Low Carbon Vehicle exhibition is the perfect platform to showcase these technologies to both the public and the business community.”

The LCV exhibition, now in its fourth year, is being held at Rockingham for the first time having outgrown its old venue, something organisers put down to the growing interest in the increasingly important low-carbon sector.

The event will feature three low carbon cars, the Microcab, which uses a engine powered on hydrogen, the battery-powered Tata Ace EV, and the Mia, in which Evida, who recently relocated to Coventry, will be showcasing their latest battery technology.

In addition, Eon will be providing an electric vehicle charging post similar to those installed around Coventry as part of the CABLED scheme, Coventry and Warwickshire Low Emissions Demonstrator project, a 12-month trial of electric vehicles.

The Tata Ace Ev will also feature at the show

John Latham, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Business Development at Coventry University said, “The Cenex Low Carbon Vehicle exhibition affords businesses both small and large the chance to take advantage of the business and manufacturing opportunities emerging as a result of the UK’s green

revolution.

“The University’s on going investment and research into low emissions related automotive technologies are one of a number of initiatives in the area, underlining the region’s commitment to providing state-of-the-art expertise to help grow Britain’s green economy.”

Coventry and Warwickshire are both currently home to a many of the big players at the forefront of research and development in the green sector, such as WMG, Ricardo, MIRA, Prodrive, BMW, Coventry University and Jaguar Land Rover.

Jaguar Land Rover alone recently invested more than £1 billion on environmental innovations for its range of cars.

Cllr Linda Bigham, Cabinet Member for City Development, said: “The low carbon economy is an opportunity for major growth, both in England and worldwide.

“Businesses in the area are leading the way in the design, development and manufacture of the technologies required to meet the demand, it will hopefully bring new jobs to contribute to a sustainable future for local communities.”

To attend the event, register on the website at http://www.lcv2011.co.uk.

Photographs from www.coventrytelegraph.net/www.indianautosblog.com

Police Appeal On Missing Burglar

2011-08-26T23:09:00.000-07:00

By Ben Aulakh

Police in Worcestershire are appealing for the public’s help in its search for a man who absconded from an open prison in Yorkshire.

Daniel O’Loughlin, who has strong links with the county town of Evesham, failed to return to HMP Hatfield open prison on July 18, after being given temporary release for a community based work placement.

The 35 year old had been serving the final period of a custodial sentence for his role in an organised crime group, that committed a series of high-profile burglaries at large country houses across central and western England.

In August 2008, O'Loughlin was imprisoned for his part in the conspiracy, and in May 2010 a court ordered him to pay back £113,000, which he was deemed to have gained from criminal activity.

The police investigation, called Operation Haul, was a multi-force investigation involving Thames Valley Police, Gloucestershire Constabulary, West Mercia Police, Warwickshire Police and Wiltshire Police.

West Mercia Police's Detective Chief Inspector Stuart Murphy said: "O'Loughlin has been missing for more than a month and we need to find him and return him to prison.

"While it is thought he does not pose a direct threat to the public, we would advise that he should not be approached by members of the public.”

“If you do spot O'Loughlin, contact West Mercia Police immediately on 0300 333 3000, information can also be passed anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.”

Cost Could Keep Motorists Off High Speed Rail

2011-08-23T19:10:00.000-07:00

By Ben Aulakh

Nearly two thirds of motorists cite pricey rail fares as the biggest reason as to whether they would use their car, or high speed rail on a long distance journey, according to the Automobile Association.

A recent survey carried out by the AA found that 62 per cent of respondents said that the cost of rail tickets would be the biggest factor which decided their choice of transport.

The research also found that 33 per cent would use High Speed Rail for a journey they would usually make by car, 34 per cent wouldn’t, and 33 per cent didn’t know.

However, according to the motoring organisation, only 3 per cent of those taking part in the survey cited speed as the most important factor in deciding whether to go by road or rail.

Commenting, Edmund King, AA President, said: “It appears that perhaps the main raison d’être of High Speed Rail – speed - seems pretty irrelevant to most drivers.”

The survey also shows that those people who would be likely to get the most immediate benefit from HS2 are least likely to use it, with just 30 per cent of those in London and 31 per cent in Birmingham saying that they would travel on the new railway.

Similarly, 44 per cent of those on lower incomes would choose a car over HS2; 36 per cent of those in the West Midlands and 35 per cent in London and the south also felt the same way West Country 33%.

A recent survey into High Speed Rail, carried out by London Chamber of Commerce and Industry, suggested that it must be effectively integrated into the wider transport network to allow passengers to reach destinations that are not on the high speed line.

LCCI Chief Executive Colin Stanbridge said, “Two thirds of respondents are concerned about the costs of using high speed rail.

“Therefore we believe that rail enhancements that are cheaper and based more on reliability and increased capacity, rather than speed, would be much more effective in convincing people to let the train take the strain.

Stop HS2, the national campaign opposed to the new rail system also argues that the cost of the new venture is the single biggest reason against it.

Campaign Co-ordinator Joe Rukin said, “All that has resulted from High Speed Rail in other countries is financial failure due to soaring costs and predicted passenger numbers that never materialised.

“Portugal has been told to stop building high speed rail as a condition of the bailout, Spain has already cut services, and in the Netherlands the company is almost bankrupt.”

“The current fast line in Kent is only carrying 10 million of the predicted 25 million passengers every year, so why on Earth we are so desperate to follow these examples of massive financial failure?”

Police Ask Public For Views On Disorder

2011-08-23T19:03:00.001-07:00

By Ben Aulakh

The Midlands biggest police force is asking the public for their views on its handling of the violence and disorder that swept Birmingham on August 8 and 9.

West Midlands Police have launched a survey to find out how good a job people feel the force did in dealing with the recent disorder and looting, and whether the rioting affected their confidence in the

force.

West Midlands’ Police Assistant Chief Constable Sharon Rowe said, “We are very keen to understand how the events of the recent disorder within the West Midlands may have affected our communities and we hope this survey will demonstrate that.

“We would appeal for people in the West Midlands to take part in the brief survey to provide us with some useful evidence as we move forward.”

A forum was also launched last week to help ensure that views of those affected by the two days of violence are heard in future court proceedings.

The on-line facility, which closes today, gives the public the opportunity to personally record how they have been affected by the events across the region by contributing towards Community Impact Statements.

CIS’s are designed to make sure that courts understand the damage public disorder offences have done to a community, a neighbourhood or individuals.

So far more than 100 such statements have been received from by the police from people in the city.

Officers are now in the process of collating these statements, which will then be handed to magistrates and judges over the coming weeks.

They will be used when appeals are being heard and sentences are being passed by the courts to those involved in the rioting.

The police will use excerpts of the these statements, received both from people and business, to help paint a clear picture of the impact of the disorder.

Amnesty Calls For Halt To Traveller Eviction

2011-08-23T19:00:00.000-07:00

More than 1000 people are set to be evicted by the council

By Ben Aulakh

Human rights organisation Amnesty International is calling for the planned eviction of more than 86 Irish traveller families in Essex to be halted.

Basildon Council has moved to try and remove the travellers from the largest settlement of Roma, Gypsy and Irish traveller families in the UK, which is currently home to more than a thousand people.

If the eviction goes ahead as scheduled by August 31, more than 400 people could be forced from their homes on the site at Dale Farm, Crays Hill, Billericay.

Despite the land at the site being owned by the families living there, the travellers have been denied repeated requests to build residential properties because of local zoning restrictions.

Jezerca Tigani, Deputy Director, Europe and Central Asia Programme at Amnesty said, “The eviction notice applies to plots on Dale Farm that the local authority, Basildon Council, says are ‘unauthorised developments.’

“Up to 400 people could be left homeless as a result of the forced eviction which would require them to vacate their plots without an authorised site to which they can take their caravans.”

“The authorities must ensure that their actions do not break international law. We suggest that they instead talk to the residents of Dale Farm and reach a negotiated solution.”

The council say they will cut off water and electricity supplies as soon as the evicted families have left the site.

However Amnesty say that the move would leave the families with nowhere to go, more than a hundred children without access to schooling, and would deny a number of current residents with serious illnesses access to continuous medical treatment.

While the council have offered ‘bricks and mortar’ housing to those facing forcible removal, many have said they do not want this as it doesn’t meet their cultural needs; in many cases residents fear they will be left homeless.

Many of the Irish families at Dale Farm have also expressed wider concerns about discrimination against their community, and fear they would be unable to find a home that they consider adequate without a negotiated settlement.

Jezerca Tigani added, “A negotiated settlement is a must and the local authorities should work with those living at Dale Farm towards achieving it.

“This means genuine consultation, in a manner that seeks meaningful input from Travellers because if an eviction is unavoidable, the authorities should ensure adequate alternative housing which allows the Irish Travellers to express their cultural identity.”

Photograph from www.guardian.co.uk

Gauging The Green Mood In Nottingham

2011-08-23T18:44:00.000-07:00

Transport is one area where the council hopes it can reduce carbon emissions

By Ben Aulakh

A Midlands council is asking people for their views on how it can best create a prosperous, low carbon, green economy in their city.

Nottingham City Council has launched a public consultation, giving city dwellers an opportunity to help draft the city’s Community Climate Change Strategy.

The local authority is hoping to gauge the city’s feelings on how the issue of climate change can be tackled, in the areas of jobs and the economy, energy saving, public transport, food production and green spaces.

The council is hoping that the draft policy will outline how it plans to use the green economy, covering everything from jobs and solar panels, to environmentally friendly public transport and locally sourced food, to tackle the issue of global warming.

The strategy will be a partnership between the city’s Green Partnership and the city council.

The Chair of Nottingham Green Partnership Richard Barlow said, “I am pleased that both us and the council are taking what we believe is a unique approach to making climate change locally relevant through Ward based actions.”

Councillor Alan Clark, Nottingham City Council's Portfolio Holder for Energy and Sustainability added, “Tackling climate change is both necessary and an opportunity.

“It affects all aspects of living, working and enjoying Nottingham; therefore I would encourage everyone to download our draft Community Climate Change Strategy and have their say on the priorities for the future.”

The plan will outline how local wards, estates, streets, offices, factories, educational establishments and open spaces all have a part to play in tackling the issue, through the use of resources, how people travel and use their leisure time.

One of the key aims of the proposal will be to deliver a significant reduction in carbon emissions in the city by the year 2020.

The council is also hoping to support the creation of jobs and apprenticeships in a new green economy in the city.

The consultation is open to anyone in Nottingham up to when it closes on Friday September 9.

Council To Fork Out More On School Dinners

2011-08-23T18:32:00.001-07:00

By Ben Aulakh

Leicester City Council looks set to have to fork out an extra £76, 000 to maintain the city’s school meals provision, in the wake of rising food prices and inflation.

Members of the council’s ruling cabinet have been told that the cost of each school dinner needs to rise by around 10 pence, to keep pace with high food prices and inflationary pressures.

The proposed price increase would push the cost of a primary school meal to £1.75, and lunch at a secondary school to £2.05.

Cllr Vi Dempster, Assistant City Mayor for children, young people and schools said, “It’s vital that all of our school children have access to a hot, nutritious meal at lunchtime.

“We know this makes a big difference to their behaviour and ability to learn at school, and also to their long-term health and wellbeing.”

“We need to make sure this service can continue to operate and can cope with the likely inflation rises ahead, because if prices don’t go up, we will need to cut other areas within children’s services to find the extra money we need.”

The council say that even taking into account the proposed price rises; Leicester would still have among the lowest meal charges in the region.

The city catering team produce around 16,000 school meals every day; around half these are part of the national free school meals programme, where 50 per cent of the cost dinners provided to the least well off children are paid for by the government.

However one of the main reasons cited by the council for having to spend more on school lunches is that government funding in this area has failed to keep pace with inflation.

Cllr Dempster added, “It’s very important that people take up their entitlement to free school meals; as a council we are continuing to look at ways we can encourage everyone who is eligible to apply for them.”

A final decision on the matter will be made the city’s council and mayor Peter Soulsby on September 12.

More information on free school meals and an online application form are available on the council’s website at www.leicester.gov.uk/freeschoolmeals.

People can also call the council on 0116 252 7865 and apply on the telephone if they have their national insurance number to hand.

Forms are also available from schools and from the city council’s customer service offices.

Get Your Blanket Checked

2011-08-23T18:27:00.000-07:00

By Ben Aulakh

Anyone over 50, in Warwickshire, who uses an electric blanket is being encouraged to get it tested for free, by the county council’s Trading Standards.

Warwickshire County Council's Trading Standards Service has launched a campaign to dramatically cut the numbers of accidents resulting from faulty electric blankets.

The campaign will run for one week in October, across five venues.

County Councillor Richard Hobbs, Portfolio Holder for Community Protection said, “Faulty electric blankets are a serious fire hazard.

“Our campaign seeks to remove old and dangerous electric blankets from circulation and protect Warwickshire residents.

“I would strongly urge anyone aged over 50 and living in Warwickshire to take advantage of this offer and book an appointment now”

Although electric blankets are manufactured to strict standards, wear and tear can leave them more vulnerable to developing a fault, which can increase the risk of them catching fire.

Any Warwickshire resident aged 50 or over can book an appointment to get their blanket tested; however the service is on a first come first served basis, and spaces for the checks is limited.

Also, due to the expected demand for blanket tests, a limit of two blankets per person has been set by the council

The first set of tests will be held in Stratford-upon-Avon on Friday October 7 at the town’s Fire Station.

Trading Standards are also urging people to check their own blankets by looking for worn or frayed fabric, scorch marks, tie tapes that are damaged or missing, unsafe flex’s or loose connections.

Anyone wishing to book an appointment should phone the council on 01926 414004 between 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday; alternatively you can email the local authority at ebtesting@warwickshire.gov.uk

For a complete guide to choosing, using, storing, and checking an electric blanket, visit www.warwickshire.gov.uk/tradingstandards

Riots Mixture of Poverty, Unemployment and 'Me-First' Culture

2011-08-18T22:18:00.000-07:00

By Ben Aulakh

The Labour leader Ed Miliband has blamed a ‘me-first, take what you can’ culture for the violence which swept many of the country’s city’s last week.

In a speech, given at Mr Miliband’s old comprehensive, Haverstock School in Chalk Farm, he cited the lack of example set by the country’s elite as a root cause of the unrest.

He said, “It’s not the first time we have seen this me first, take what you can culture; the bankers who took millions while destroying people’s savings, the MP’s who fiddled their expenses, the people who hacked phones to get stories, all are greedy selfish and immoral.

“Those who talk about the sick behaviours of those without power should start talking about the sick behaviour of those with power, because what role models have really been provided by the elites in Britain in the last few decades.”

“Children’s ideas of right and wrong do not just come from their parents, and we cannot honestly say that the greed, selfishness and irresponsibility that we have seen has been confined to the looters, or even their parents.”

Mr Miliband also pointed to the lack of opportunity in some sections of British society as another root cause of the violence.

“People from comfortable backgrounds took part in the riots, so lack of opportunity cannot explain all of what happened, but just because it can’t explain everything, does not mean it cannot explain anything.”

The latest figures on youth unemployment show that around 30 per cent of men between the ages of 16 and 24 are unemployed, with around 20 to 25 per cent of young women also out of work.

Figures released by the Institute for Public Policy research show that youth unemployment has risen sharply since 2009.

Furthermore a decade ago roughly one in ten of 18-24 year olds had been unemployed for a year; it is now one in four, and the figure is even higher still among young men.

Matt Cavanagh, Associate Director of Migration Policy for the IPPR says that a mixture of boredom among young people, as well as diminishing education and employment opportunities have provided fuel for the recent wave of violence.

He said, “Surveys of young people find 8 in 10 saying they have little to do outside school, and no one is surprised when youth anti-social behaviour and petty crime increase during the long summer holidays.

“So how surprised can we be when the same young people provide the foot soldiers for a riot?”

Research has shown a link between youth unemployment and the riots.

Mr Cavanagh also cited economic factors such as the increase in tuition fees, funding for colleges and skills training being cut, and the Education Maintenance Allowance being abolished as the most significant social factors behind the violence.

He added, “Unemployment is not an excuse, but a powerful message would be sent send by ministers if they announced a guaranteed job at the minimum wage for all young people who have been out of work for a year.”

Research carried out by the IPPR has also suggested s strong correlation between youth unemployment, poverty, and the areas where violence took place.

The number of young people unemployed in areas where there was rioting was 2 to 3 times higher than the average number of jobless among the rest of the population.

Similarly, more than 80 per cent of young people in the areas worst affected by the unrest only had the most basic educational qualification, an NVQ 1.

The research also showed that 38 per cent of London’s children are living in poverty, 8 per cent more than the national average of 30 per cent.

The data’ authors added, “In considering the impact of child poverty in particular areas, we see substantially higher numbers of children living in poverty in the areas where riots took place compared to the UK average.

“Youth unemployment is not an excuse for looting, but we cannot ignore the fact that it is high in the places where the riots took place.”

“Child poverty rates in local authorities where riots flared are stubbornly high. While poverty is no excuse for criminality, it places additional pressure on families not only to make ends meet but also to spend time together.”

Photographs from Christian Guthier/www.british-news-portal.co.uk

New Police Powers To Tackle Youth Disorder

2011-08-18T22:12:00.000-07:00

By Ben Aulakh

A range of new powers to allow police to tackle organised street crime, and a new umbrella police agency, have been announced by the Home Secretary Theresa May.

In a speech on Monday on police reform the Home Secretary announced the creation of a National Crime Agency to tackle serious and organised crime in the UK.

The minster also announced a raft of updated police measures including giving forces the option of imposing curfews in specific areas, and removing the anonymity of youth offenders.

She said, “We will also establish a national crime agency, an operational crime fighting body, charged with taking on serious and organised crime, economic crime, border policing and child protection.

“I have also asked that the CPS reinforce that prosecutors can and should request, in the public interest, that the Courts lift the anonymity of young offenders once they have been found guilty.”

“We will also give the police new powers, including new gang injunctions for young people and the right to remove face coverings, as well as considering new curfew powers.”

However in the speech Mrs May was also critical of the ‘immediate police response’ to the rioting.

She said how, as chief police officers have admitted, ‘that when faced with an unprecedented satiation, the immediate police response was not enough.’

She added, “That is why in the future, at times of need, forces will be able, under the new statutory police requirement, to pool resources and allow the sort of surge capacity that we saw work to such good effect on the streets from last Tuesday onwards.”

“We saw that it was only when the police surged in greater numbers -- 16,000 in London's case -- backed by a tougher arrests policy and earlier intervention to disperse crowds, were officers able to restore order.”

The power to impose curfews on individuals under the age of 16 is also being considered in reactions to last week’s violent disturbances.

However, in an article written in The Guardian newspaper, the former Conservative Party leader Ian Duncan Smith has advocated a very different tactic to tackle gang culture.

“Gangs are a product of social breakdown and a driver of it; family breakdown, unemployment, educational failure, addiction and debt are to blame for fraying the social fabric of society.

“We need a new national approach to combating gang culture, because as senior police officers on both sides of the Atlantic have said, you cannot just arrest your way out of this problem.”

Photograph from ukhomeoffice on flickr.

Two Million For Brum In Aftermath of Violence

2011-08-18T22:07:00.001-07:00

By Ben Aulakh

A Midlands council has outlined how it plans to help businesses rebuild in the aftermath of the riots that swept the UK last week.

Birmingham city council is hoping to receive £2 million form the £20 million national High Street Recovery fund, to support businesses damaged or forced to close during the violence.

The council has also outlined which businesses in the city will be eligible to bid to a slice of the money the city hopes to receive.

Firstly the local authority plans to offer a 25 per cent reduction in business rates, to complement the 75 per cent reduction being offered to affected companies by national government.

To qualify for the rate relief the relevant business will have to show the suffered directly from the violence between August 6 and 11, and they would suffer further hardships without a rate cut.

Secondly BCC is offering grants to those firms with fewer than 250 employees and an average turnover of less than £11.2 million per annum, who suffered during the unrest.

It’s hoped these grants will enable businesses to recover losses not covered by insurance pay-outs, hire temporary accommodation, and clean up and emergency repairs to premises or vehicles.

The grants will also cover additional staff costs, structural surveys and associated professional costs arising from any direct damage to buildings by the rioters.

Since the disturbances, officers from the City Council have proactively been out to talk to up to 100 businesses that were directly affected by the disorder

Any business wishing to find out more about the recovery scheme and how to bid for grants and rate relief should contact the City Council on a dedicated phoneline, on 0121 464 8164

More Than a Hundred Arrests After Notts Violence

2011-08-18T22:03:00.000-07:00

More than a hundred arrests have been made after violence hit the city

By Ben Aulakh

A total of 117 people have so far been arrested by police in Nottingham in connection with the violence and disorder the hit the city on Monday August 8 and Tuesday August 9.

So far 75 of them have charged with a variety of offences relating to violent disorder, including possession of an offensive weapon and being drunk and disorderly.

However a heavy police presence on the streets on Wednesday night combined with the hard-line response of authorities and effective community involvement, have all been cited has keeping the streets trouble free.

Councillor Collins Nottingham City Council Leader said, “Last week a small number of people showed a side of Nottingham which is unacceptable and which will not be tolerated.

“Thankfully the vast majority of people showed Nottingham at its best, with a really positive response from citizens, council staff and Notts Police who did a sterling job.”

“For me, the many young people who didn't engage in the disorder, the parents who acted responsibly, the community leaders who urged calm, all showed what Nottingham is really all about.”

The Deputy Prime Minister also praised both police and the wider community in Nottingham for working together to tackle sporadic violence in the city last week.

Visiting the city he said, “People should be rightly proud that the community and police have worked so effectively together and that there wasn't any looting and rioting in the city centre.”

However, although only 15 retail premises were attacked across the whole city, more arrests were made in the city on the Tuesday night, something which police say took many troublemakers off the streets at an early stage.

Cllr Collins added, “People involved in the disturbances have only damaged their community, their chances of getting a job and if they're a council tenant, they could lose their home.”

Photograph from www.thisisnottingham.co.uk

Warwickshire Set For Superfast Broadband

2011-08-18T21:52:00.000-07:00

By Ben Aulakh

People in Warwickshire could soon be surfing the net at super-fast speeds thanks to the council getting its share of a £4 million grant from the government, to improve internet access to 120, 000 premises across the Midlands region.

Warwickshire County Council, in partnership with Coventry City Council, Solihull Borough Council and the Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership will oversee the integration of rural areas into the already planned superfast broadband networks.

Cllr Alan Cockburn portfolio holder for sustainable communities at Warwickshire County Council and member of the local enterprise partnership board said, “This will bring massive benefits to the whole economy of the region.

“It will especially benefit our more rural areas, which are currently at a disadvantage because of not being able to use everyday technologies.”

The improvements should also provide a better education platform with schools set to benefit from faster connections, as well as helping adults gain new skills online..

Rural areas throughout England and Scotland will receive £363m of a £530m pot, raised by the license fee, to improve broadband connections, making them quicker and more reliable than the current service.

At the moment an internet connection can be sourced from either British Telecom, Virgin Media, or via mobile phones enabled with 3G technology.

The council are encouraging anyone who is unsure about the current speed of their connection to check it at one of the sites listed on their website.

Cllr Cockburn added that “Superfast broadband will also help councils provide a wider range of improved services.

“A stronger digital structure will help to modernise libraries by giving the option of downloading e-books direct to computers; it will offer more convenient ways of accessing services and paying bills.

The council also say that fast broadband internet is essential for regeneration, and they hope the planned improvements will make Warwickshire the destination of business choice for the future.

The scheme is just one part of a national commitment by government to provide speeds of at least two megabytes per second across the entire country by 2015.

Further information on the implications for superfast broadband in the region can be found at http://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/superfastbroadband.

'Don't Bag Up Your Recycling'

2011-08-18T21:36:00.000-07:00

By Ben Aulakh

“Don't bag up your recycling, leave it loose in your bin” – that's the message Stratford-on-Avon District Council is sending out to householders in its area.

The District Council together with waste contractor Biffa have recently been working to reduce levels of non-recyclable material contaminating recycling collections, and issuing stickers on any problem bins.

Councillor Chris Saint, Leader of Stratford-on-Avon District Council said, “We have listened to public concerns regarding our recent attempts to improve recycling in the District.

“While we are still committed to reducing contamination we are looking to work with our residents to make sure that they fully understand our recycling scheme.”

Cllr Saint added that one of the council’s biggest problems is that they cannot currently recycle plastic bags; therefore it is important that any material placed in the blue-lidded wheelie bins is not disposed of in such containers.

He went on, “We are already one of the top ten recycling authorities in the country and if we all work together on this it will continue to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill saving the environment and tax payer's money.”

The top five contamination items that are most commonly found in bins are plastic bags, expanded polystyrene, film wrap, hard plastic items, shoes and textiles.

The District Council has listened to homeowners concerns on the issue, they are now giving people a period of grace between now and the end of September to allow them to again familiarise themselves with the scheme.

During this period advice stickers will be used to inform residents about contamination in bins.

The council are keen to stress that the only materials that can be placed in the bins are paper, cardboard, packaging material, glass, tins and cans, plastic packaging and aluminium foil.

More information on this and ideas on ways to reuse items that you no longer need can be found on the District Council's website.

'Tory Government Will Lead to Rioting,' Says Deputy PM

2011-08-11T20:04:00.000-07:00

By Ben Aulakh

The Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg predicted in March last year that austerity measures pushed through by a Conservative government could lead to rioting on the streets.

Speaking to Sky News on April 11, in the run up to the general election, Mr Clegg said, “If the

Conservatives come to power, on a thin mandate, and slash and burn public spending, a violent backlash is not inconceivable.

“There is a danger in having any government, of any composition, which doesn’t have a proper mandate to govern right across the country, trying to push through really difficult decisions, and I think there is a very serious risk of rioting on the streets.”

More than £80 billion has been cut from public spending by the government, in a bid to halve the deficit over the course of the next parliament.

One part of these spending cuts, the Conservative's decision to scrap the EMA grant – which helps young people stay in education after 16, is being cited as a significant driver of youth unemployment, and in turn, youth crime.

The number of 16 to 24 year olds out of work currently stands at around 952, 000, the highest rate of youth joblessness since records began in 1993.

More than a fifth of young people are now classified as being out of a job, with the number of 16 and 17 year olds out of work having risen by 27, 000 towards the end of last year.

The General Secretary of the UK’s biggest union Unite, Len McCluskey said that young people who feel disconnected from society are at the heart of the recent violence.

He said, “Events of recent days have shown us that a substantial minority of young people simply do not feel connected to a society where the prevailing ideology prizes individual wealth above everything else.

“Unemployment and the dismantling of the social infrastructure can only make this worse, addressing these deep-rooted problems takes time, dedication and political will but what is clear is that super-charged tough talk about law and order will not on its own work.”

“Our communities need now to be given the resources and the support they need to get back on their feet.”

Nina Power, Senior lecturer in philosophy at Roehampton University writing in the Guardian echoed this sentiment that the inequalities in British society are responsible for the wave of violence on Britain’s streets.

She said, “Decades of individualism, competition and state-encouraged selfishness – combined with a systematic crushing of unions and the ever-increasing criminalisation of dissent – have made Britain one of the most unequal countries in the developed world.

“Images of burning buildings, cars aflame and stripped-out shops may provide spectacular fodder for a restless media, ever hungry for new stories and fresh groups to demonise.”

However, we will understand nothing of these events if we ignore the history and the context in which they occur.”

A Spokesperson for left-wing activist group the Coalition of Resistance is very clear about what is behind the rapid spread of rioting,

“Although this violence was sparked by the death of Mark Duggan by police, the trouble we have seen has been building up for many months.”

“Brutal austerity measures, spending cuts to every public service, rising unemployment, attacks on education, police tactics on demonstrations and the increased use of stop and search has meant that anger towards this government has heated up to boiling point.”

Only Shots Fired Were By Police

2011-08-11T19:58:00.000-07:00

An IPCC Officer at the scene of the shooting.

By Ben Aulakh

An investigation into the shooting of 29 year old Mark Duggan has confirmed initial reports that the only shots fired were by police, not as the Met had originally reported, by the victim.

Initial findings from tests carried out by the Forensic Science Service, at the behest of the IPCC; found that the only ammunition discovered at the scene of the incident were police issue ‘jacketed bullets.’

An extract from a statement released by the IPCC also stated that the bullet lodged in the radio of one of the CO19 firearms officers was also police issue, ‘consistent with having been fired from an Heckler and Koch MP5 gun.’

The IPCC have also reported that a post mortem examination concluded that Mr Duggan was killed by a single gun-shot wound to the chest; he also received a second gunshot wound to his right bicep.

The Metropolitan Police had originally reported that a police had only fired shots at the 29-year-old after he had initially shot at them.

However, a firearm found at the scene, a converted BBM ‘Bruni’ self loading pistol, had a cartridge bulleted and ready to fire in the magazine, though initial tests have shown that no ammunition was fired from the gun.

Though the firearm, as it was converted without a licence, was illegal.

IPCC Commissioner Rachel Cerfontyne said: “I know this is an incredibly difficult time for Mark Duggan’s family,

“I am committed to ensuring they are provided with answers from the IPCC about the investigation into Mark’s death as soon as we have them.

Both the IPCC and the Met have been heavily criticised for not making the details surrounding Mr Duggan’s death public to his family in the hours after his death.

In the hours after his death, senior officers refused to disclose to friends and family of Mr Duggan the details surrounding his fatal shooting, even after they visited a station in Tottenham Hale to demand answers from police into his death.

It was this incident which originally sparked the rioting and violence that has gripped the nation’s capital in the past few days.

Responding to the criticism Commissioner Cerfontyne said, “Any concerns expressed by the wider public about a perceived lack of information from the IPCC should be considered in the context that I am only willing to share information once I have had it independently verified.

Photograph from www.talktalk.co.uk

Arrests After Riots

2011-08-11T19:39:00.000-07:00

Arrests have begun in the light of looting and theft from city shops

By Ben Aulakh

Police in Birmingham and the West Midlands have started the long process of making arrests in the wake of the recent riots.

In an unprecedented move, Solihull Magistrates Court took the step of sitting all night to help fast track those already in custody for disorder related offences.

A total of 24 prisoners were processed, including 18 adults and six juveniles.

Chief Superintendent Phil Kay said, “This is a first for the West Midlands and has given us the opportunity to put before the courts the prisoners involved in the disorder in a really timely manner, which helps speed up the judicial process.”

The majority of those dealt with were charged with burglary at shop premises and violent disorder and arson.

Five were sent straight to prison and one juvenile has been bailed with strict conditions including an electronic curfew, reporting daily to police and not to enter any retail premises.

There were also 31 further arrests across the West Midlands by uniformed officers between 4pm on Tuesday and 1am on Wednesday morning.

These were for a range of offences including going equipped, possession of an offensive weapon, assault and burglary.

Many have been charged with theft.

Of those arrested, three have been charged, 14 are currently in custody helping with enquiries, and the remainder have been bailed while police make further enquiries.

Several thousand pounds worth of sportswear and designer clothing, electrical items and £14,000 worth of mobile phones, which police believe to be stolen, have also been recovered from some of the addresses.

DCI Shaun Edwards from Force CID said, “We have carried out a number of warrants across the region as part of the operation to identify offenders and recover any stolen property.

"The warrants are as a result of intelligence, CCTV images being identified and the public coming forward with information about suspects and where stolen property can be found.

“We would encourage people to continue to provide information and help us bring those responsible to justice."

Detectives are also keen to hear from members of the public who may have recorded footage of the disorder on CCTV cameras or mobile phones; they are asking people to email the footage directly to tellus@west-midlands.pnn.police.uk

Photographs by Dean Gilbert.

Task Force To Improve Social Housing

2011-08-11T19:36:00.001-07:00

By Ben Aulakh

A TASK force is being launched in Leicester to improve the way tenants in sheltered housing are involved in decisions affecting them.

Leicester City Council is launching the scheme to develop a voluntary standard of practice for providers of sheltered housing and Extra Care schemes.

The new standard will outline what is expected of providers in terms of communicating and consulting with residents, to ensure their views and needs are taken into account.

The launch of the task group is part of City Mayor Peter Soulsby's 100-day programme to improve life for people in Leicester.

Eyres Monsell ward councillor, Virginia Cleaver, who is part of the group said, “Whenever changes are proposed by landlords it is essential tenants are involved at the earliest opportunity, and can take part in real consultation.

“We aim to develop a clear set of standards that good landlords will sign up to and embrace, ensuring that people get treated as individuals and that their needs and opinions are fully taken in to account.”

“We want tenants, residents and those with friends or family in sheltered and Extra Care accommodation to give us their thoughts and opinions on what should be included.”

All sheltered housing providers are being contacted to establish their current consultation arrangements, and to invite them to work with the task force to develop the voluntary standards.

A consultation with everyone in sheltered housing be carried out during September and October, while anyone else wanting to share their views can do so through local ward meetings and a forthcoming online questionnaire.

Local ward councillors, housing associations and other private sheltered housing providers will also be invited to take part.

Councillor Mohammed Dawood, Assistant City Mayor with responsibility for adult social care and housing said, “This is an important piece of work that will set clear communication standards for landlords providing this type of accommodation.

“It is particularly important because these tenants are vulnerable and so changes can often have a big impact upon them.”

For more information about sheltered housing or Extra Care schemes contact Leicester City Council's Housing Options on 0116 252 7008.

Pilot Project To Boost Voting

2011-08-11T19:33:00.000-07:00

By Ben Aulakh

One Midlands council is taking part in a pilot project to improve the accuracy of its electoral register, by allowing data stored on it to be compared with public records and databases.

Stratford-on-Avon District Council is one of 22 selected local authorities to take part in a scheme to modernise the register, identify those missing from it, and minimise electoral fraud.

Last year the Government announced that from 2014 voters will be asked to register individually, if successful the model will then be rolled out across the rest of the country.

Local authorities taking part will be able to compare information stored on their registers with the records of the Department for Work and Pensions, Transport, Education, HM Revenue and Customs, Business, Innovation and Skills and the Ministry of Defence

The District Council's pilot is focusing the accuracy of data on the over 70s, those turning 18, and service voters across the District.

The project will also be paid for entirely by the government in Westminster.

These pilots will enable the Government and the Electoral Registration Officer to see how effective data matching is, plus which data sets are of most use to local authorities in improving the accuracy and completeness of the electoral register.

The main aims of the proposed system are to tackle under registration among specific groups, while at the same time ensuring that the electoral system is not vulnerable to fraud.

The District Council has already begun providing the relevant government departments with information from the electoral register to enable the matching to take place.

If the matching of records identifies people on the register that are not found elsewhere, then the Electoral Registration Officer will be able to investigate whether those entries are legitimate.

Also if the process identifies people who are eligible to vote, who are not already on the register then the Electoral Registration Officer will offer them the opportunity to vote.

The pilots will be completed by November 30, once they are finished the data created for the purposes of the pilot schemes will be destroyed, except where it has been added to the electoral register.

Capital Gripped by Third Day of Violence

2011-08-09T00:28:00.000-07:00

By Ben Aulakh

London has been gripped by a third day of rioting which has seen shops looted and set on fire, cars and buses burned, and more than 334 people arrested.

The trouble began on Saturday afternoon after 300 people gathered outside a police station on Tottenham High Road, to protest at the shooting of 29-year-old Mark Duggan by officers.

The gathering descended into violence after two police patrol cars were attacked; a number of bottles were thrown at the two cars before one was set alight; the other was pushed into the middle of the road before it too was set ablaze.

Shops on the High Road were also looted and torched, with people being seen using shopping trolleys to carry stolen goods away from the area.

A bus was also set on fire at the junction of High Road and Brook Street; a number of empty police patrol cars were also set on fire by rioters.

Police fought running battles with rioters who used lit bottles, wheelie bins, chunks of concrete and street signs as weapons, hurling them at police.

Commander Christine Jones of the Metropolitan Police said, “The violence we have seen is simply inexcusable, ordinary people have had their lives turned upside down by this mindless thuggery.

“The Met will ensure that those responsible will face the consequences of their actions and be arrested, anyone involved in criminality should be under no illusion that we will pursue you.”

“We have been making arrests all evening and have a team working during the night examining CCTV images.”

“We will follow up evidence in the coming days in order to bring anyone else responsible for criminal acts to justice."

There were also reports of troublemakers stealing knives and machetes which were used in attacks on officers, in an echo of the murder of PC Keith Blackelock during the Broadwater Farm riots in 1985.

The trouble then subsequently spread to Enfield, Brixton, Hackney, Wood Green and Oxford Circus, as those involved used Blackberry’s, Facebook and Twitter to co-ordinate the trouble.

More than a dozen police officers were injured in the violence, with a number being taken to hospital for treatment.

More than 1700 extra officers have been drafted in to the capital from forces in Thames Valley, Essex, Surrey, Kent, Northamptonshire, Hampshire, and the City of London, to deal with the escalation in violence and disorder.

A total of 334 people have so far been arrested; 69 of those have been cautioned and two have been charged.

Mayor of London Boris Johnson said of the violence and disorder, “It’s utterly appalling; people have lost their homes, business and livelihoods through this mindless violence.”

Home Secretary Theresa May said, “Londoners have made it clear that there are no excuses for violence.”

“I call on all members of local communities to work constructively with the police to help them bring these criminals to justice.”

Tens of millions of pounds of damage have been caused across the city, with sports shops, mobile phone stores, supermarkets and other businesses set alight.

There were also reports of rioters attacking three fire crews attempting to put out some of the fires.

One of the worst incidents saw a 120-year-old furniture business torched in Croydon, with adjoining homes also evacuated.

Fire crews have reported that they have struggled to get to blazes as quickly as they would like, as they have had to wait for police crews to secure areas before being able to enter them.

In Hackney, police reported that around 250 -300 people gathered on the Pembury Estate, setting alight cars, throwing petrol bombs and looting businesses.