Latest News
Broadband speed is a hot topic at the moment. The
prime issue is that private service providers do not
consider there to be an economic case for improving
broadband provision in some areas with poor
connectivity. A key element of this is that it usually costs
providers considerably more to provide broadband
services in rural areas than it does in more urban areas
emda recently hosted a rural broadband summit
which brought together stakeholders from across the
region to explore the potential for improved broadband
connectivity in areas that are least likely to be reached
by mainstream market providers. Delegates were
invited to put forward their ideas to inform a rural
broadband manifesto for the region.
Broadband connectivity has been identified as a
key priority within the Leicester and Leicestershire
Strategy for Economic Growth, 2010-20. Prospect
Leicestershire, as a delivery partner with the new subregional
governance arrangements, is currently leading
interventions within the County. More »
How can you help?
The Broadband Line Information Monitoring Project
(BLIMP) is supported by a number of Regional
Development Agencies to gather information on local
broadband speeds. It aims to measure the broadband
speeds which are being achieved in the real world
and store these in a database from which the relative
levels of service being delivered across the country by
different suppliers can be monitored. This information
will be made publicly available. It will enable an up to
date, self maintaining atlas of Internet connectivity to be
created.
Visit http://www.blimpchecker.co.uk where you
can download a tool which will make periodic
measurements of your line speed and return this data
automatically to the BLIMP database.
You can uninstall the tool at any time, it doesn’t collect
any personal information and the tool should not
significantly impact the performance of either your
computer or the speed of your broadband connection. « Less
Supported Accommodation for Older People in Leicestershire
1. Consultation on the proposal of a stand-alone procurement of extra care and specialist dementia care for Catherine Dalley Elderly Person’s Home and Silverdale Hostel Site.
We invite your views.
Consultation period: 25 January 2010 to 19 April 2010.
Who can get involved: Open to anyone.
How can I get involved?
If you would like to contribute see the link above.
2. Consultation on the transfer of nine in-house Elderly Person’s Homes and associated day care services (where co-located) to the independent sector.
We invite your views. More »
Consultation period: 25 January 2010 to 19 April 2010.
Who can get involved: Open to anyone.
How can I get involved? If you would like to contribute see the link above. « Less
ONE year after its creation the NHS Constitution is currently being updated and NHS Leicester City is urging local people to have their say.
The national document outlines what patients, public and staff can expect from the NHS and what is expected from them. There are 25 rights and 14 pledges for patients and the public contained in the NHS Constitution.
The first anniversary of the document is this Thursday and we are asking what people think about Government proposals to introduce two new rights. More »
These rights include reducing waiting times and the introduction of health checks for patients aged 40-74.
NHS Leicester City is currently asking people in the city to comment on the proposed changes via a questionnaire online at www.leicestercity.nhs.uk. NHS Leicester City members will automatically receive a form in the post.
Philip Parkinson, chairman of NHS Leicester City, said: “The NHS Constitution is important and belongs to patients, staff and the public. We hope local people will take this opportunity to have their say on this national document and highlight what is important to them.”
All website and written responses must be returned to the Get Involved team by Monday January 25, 2010.
The Get Involved team work with residents in Leicester to understand what people want from their NHS. For more information please contact the team on 0116 295 4183. « Less
Record levels of Government borrowing mean that public spending will have to reduce.
Over the next four years it is likely that Leicestershire County Council will need to make savings of around £70 million – approximately 25% of its budget (excluding schools).
Over half the savings (c£40 million) will be found from making even more efficiency improvements - but that will not be enough; service reductions will have to be made. Over the coming years Leicestershire County Council will be faced with some very hard choices about services. More »
Leicestershire County Council would very much like your views on how to tackle this issue.
An on-line Budget Consultation Questionnaire asks which services should be reduced, which should be protected and whether you agree with the County Council’s proposals on council tax. The questionnaire would only take a few minutes to complete.
You can access the on-line questionnaire by clicking on the title of this article. « Less
Following consultation with directly affected stakeholders, the Hinckley & Bosworth Local Strategic Partnership have now revised the Community Forum boundaries of the MRG/Bosworth area. As a result the area covered by Bosworth forum now includes Desford residents, County, District and Parish representatives from this area are now invited to attend this Community Forum.
The review comes from a number of requests received from parish councils and other members of the community.
We don’t always know in which village residents on our mailing list live. If you live in Desford and would like to continue attending the forum covering your village, please contact us so we can amend our records.
During autumn 2008, 19 of the 27 community forums completed a consultation exercise under the topic of ‘Influencing the Big Budget’. This exercise involved using the voting handsets to gain people’s view on what they thought was most important and most worthy of investment.
The choices were based on Leicestershire’s Sustainable Community Strategy, the overarching strategy for all public sector organisations in the County.
The consultation was also conducted with the Citizens Panel and Leicestershire Together Forum. In total approximately 850 people have been directly engaged in this exercise. More »
The key finding from the consultation is that making Leicestershire a safe and attractive place to live and work was seen as the most important area for investment. To make that happen tackling anti-social behaviour and disorder should be prioritised.
The results of the consultation have informed the budget process of the County Council and its partners and ensure resources are focused on the delivery of the priorities for Leicestershire.
A copy of the full report on the ‘Influencing the Big budget’ consultation can be donwloaded by clicking on the link below: « Less
BARWELL PARISH PLAN - PLEASE HELP US TO HELP YOU!
Barwell parish plan adult questionnaire has now been distributed with the spring edition of the Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Bulletin to every household within the parish!
With the help of the Rural Community Council, the parish plan has been undertaken by a group of local volunteers who are trying to help the relevant authorities and organisations provide you with what you need. We therefore really need to know what you are happy about, what concerns you, and what you feel Barwell needs in the future. More »
It is important that as many people as possible are included and are able to give their views, so if another member of your household wants to have their say the questionnaire is available for online completion at: www.ruralcc.org.uk/parishplanquestionnaire.html
Alternatively, you can pick up a copy at Barwell Parish Council Offices at 10 High Street. We are asking that only people aged over 16 years fill in this questionnaire. We ask that all responses are returned by the 1st May 2009.
By filling the questionnaire in online it will make it much easier for the results to be analysed and we are therefore offering an incentive of a £50 CASH PRIZE if you can fill it in this way. However if it isn’t possible to fill it in online please complete the questionnaire which was delivered to you and return it to Barwell Parish Council Office or send it in a stamped envelope to: ‘H&B Community Development Officer’, 133 Loughborough Rd, Leics, LE4 5LQ. A CASH PRIZE of £10 will be drawn from all entries who return their questionnaire as a paper copy. (The parish plan group will draw one winner from the hat from each category at a public parish plan meeting and will inform the two winners of their prize.)
If you have any questions about this questionnaire, need help in filling it in or need someone to collect it from your house on completion, please call local volunteer Tina on 01455 844229. (Evenings only) If you would like to be involved in the completion of the parish plan please contact Jessica at the Rural Community Council (0116 268 9708) who can advise you of the next meeting date.
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Notes for Editor
Include additional background information about the RCC
Additional information
The RCC ensures that those who work and live in rural communities are provided with access to a range of opportunities, services and facilities, which are sustainable and inclusive to all and are empowered to influence and manage their own future. We have been facilitating community consultations throughout Leicestershire and Rutland for nearly 15 years and are keen to ensure that local people can have their say about the area they live in.
For more information about the RCC visit www.ruralcc.org.uk « Less
Attention all Youth Leaders!!
Environmental Action For A Better Leicestershire (ENABLE), the County wide environmental partnership, is launching a new scheme to loan renewable energy resource kits. This resource will add to the eco-school objectives to deliver sustainable education through schools in Leicestershire.
The resource includes a miniature wind turbine, PV cell and solar water heater for use as a teaching resource. We will be also providing a set of lesson plans that helps teachers to link applications of these kits to the National Curriculum. More »
The kits will be available to all the schools in Leicestershire for the term starting 20th April 2009.
Why?
We are witnessing climate change and the Government is encouraging us to pass the message to our next generation – School Children.
What you can use it for?
You will be provided briefing notes with lesson plans integrating to Science, Geography, ICT, CARE, PSE, etc. showing their links to the National Curriculum.
How much does it cost?
You can borrow these kits for free, there will be a small delivery charge or you could collect and return them yourself. You can also spread the delivery charge by borrowing other items from the Resource Box Scheme.
How long can we keep the loans for?
Schools can borrow up to 25 items from the Resource box including these kits for a whole school term. Non-school borrowers can borrow at any time for a fixed agreed time.
ORDER NOW!! There are only 20 sets available on first come first serve basis. To reserve your renewable energy kit, contact Resource Box Officer on 01455 552834 or sherrier@leics.gov.uk
For further information, please contact Hetal Patel on 0116 3057068 or enable@leics.gov.uk « Less
The new Leicestershire Looks, a directory of Independent Fashion Retailers is now available.
This directory has been compiled to make it easier for the customer to see the wide and diverse range of jewellers, independent fashion retailers, shoes and accessories that are available in Leicestershire’s Market Towns and Rural Centres.
By purchasing locally not only do you get a unique item
but it helps to support the local economy and reduces carbon emissions through less use of the car! To complete your new look why not have a new hairstyle and beauty treatment at one of Leicestershire’s many salons. More »
The directory is arranged by town and then by category, enabling you to find what you are looking for easily.
To complete your day in one of the towns, each offers a unique selection of eating places,
from cafés through to restaurants. Should you welcome a change from shopping, then most towns offer quality museums - especially Snibston in Coalville, which has a new and exciting
Fashion Gallery where you will find pleasant or unpleasant memories!
Copies of these will be distributed to all the shops included in the directory as well as the following,
Car Dealers
Doctors
Dentists
Hotels and other accommodation
Café’s
Tourist Attractions
District Councils
Libraries
If you have any comments or you are interested in a future directory then please contact Nicola Lees on 0116 305 7986 or email betterplaces@leics.gov.uk « Less
Beacon Success for Managing the Night-Time Economy
Sadiq Khan MP last night (3rd March 2009) awarded Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council and Leicestershire Police Hinckley Local Policing Unit (LPU) Beacon status for their outstanding work in Managing the Night-time Economy. The Borough Council and the police walked away with a share of £3m government funding to expand their work and help other councils achieve the same success.
The Beacon awards recognise local government’s excellence and innovation in improving quality of life for their residents and communities. More »
The Borough Council worked in partnership with Leicestershire Constabulary LPU, the Local Strategic Partnership (LSP) and the Community Safety Partnership (CSP) to secure the award for managing the night-time economy in Hinckley. The partners demonstrated their work in making the town centre a safe, clean, welcoming and thriving place ‘after dark’.
Sadiq Khan, Communities Minister comments, "My congratulations go out to Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council and Leicestershire Police Hinckley LPU and other partners. The Beacons are about showcasing the very best in service delivery, and in this, their final year, we really have seen some exceptional examples of managing the night-time economy. Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council and Leicestershire police Hinckley LPU are among are the top performers in their field, setting the standard for innovation, service excellence and improvement. With the added emphasis on economic recovery in this year’s Beacons, the winners are ideally placed to share their knowledge and skills to improve the sector as a whole.
Marianne Hood, chair of the Beacons Panel continues, “Being awarded Beacon status means that Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council and Leicestershire Police Hinckley LPU and their partners will receive recognition, from national government and other authorities, for their expertise in managing the night-time economy. I will be closely following the work that the Beacon authorities carry out, and wish them the very best of luck, in their new role sharing knowledge and supporting improvement.”
Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council with Leicestershire Police Hinckley Local Policing Unit, the Local Strategic Partnership and the Community Safety Partnership and the other Beacon councils for this theme will now work together, with the support of the Improvement and Development Agency, using a range of learning activities to help improve standards in all authorities in this area.
Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council Leader, Councillor David Bill said: “ What is important is not just that the Borough Council and partner agencies have received yet another award, encouraging though that is, but that we have shown once again what can be achieved by everyone working together towards a common aim."
Inspector Martyn Ball, Commander of the Hinckley local policing unit, said: “Working closely with our partners at the council has helped us achieve this prestigious award and I am extremely proud of the success we have attained in recent years.
“By focusing on key problems and locations that impact on crime and disorder we have dramatically reduced crime in the town and across the Borough. We have launched a number of successful campaigns with the Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council and our wider partners, such as Street Pastors and Pub Watch, which has had a significant impact on community cohesion and reassurance. Making Hinckley and Bosworth a safer place to live, work and visit has been at the heart of our efforts and our Beacon Status recognises that.”
South area Commander, Chief Superintendent Garry Forsyth added: “This is a tremendous accolade to the hard work of the local policing unit and the Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council. Beacon Status has provided us with a wonderful opportunity to invest further in our commitment to managing the night-time economy in the area.”
The Beacon Scheme is funded by the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG), and the programme is managed at the Improvement and Development Agency for local government. This year, the independent Beacon panel received 125 applications (involving 159 authorities), and using an extensive judging process, they whittled this number down to a shortlist of 62. « Less
The Leicestershire Local Involvement Network being officially launched on Friday 27th March 2009, 12-1pm followed by refreshments, at the BRITE Centre, Braunstone Avenue, Braunstone, LE3 1LE.
This national initiative is a way of giving people the power to improve health and social care services in every local authority area. Through LINk, local people can join together to influence how services are run.
The Leicestershire LINk will work closely with the health and social care services that the people of Leicestershire use, including services across county boundaries. We will also work in partnership with LINKs in neighbouring counties. There are separate LINks for the city of Leicester and the surrounding counties. More »
To find out more and see how you can get involved book your place for the launch by contacting the LINk team on 0116 234 1577 or email: info@leicestershirelink.org.uk
For Leicestershire LINk telephone: 0116 234 1577, or info@leicestershirelink.org.uk « Less
Hinckley and Bosworth patients who need urgent medical care when their GP surgery is closed will be able to get an appointment to see a doctor at a new evening, weekend and bank holiday clinic at Hinckley and Bosworth Community Hospital from next month.
The clinic has been set up as part a new arrangement which sees the Leicestershire County and Rutland Out of Hours Service take over responsibility for providing ‘out of hours’ urgent medical care for patients of all the GP practices in the Hinckley and Bosworth area from Monday 2 February. More »
Previously nine GP practices in the area were covered by an out of hours service managed by a Primary Care Trust over the border in Warwickshire.
The change means:
• all patients registered with GP practices in Leicestershire and Rutland (with the exception of one practice in Castle Donington) will now get urgent care out of hours from the same service
• patients of the nine practices in Hinckley changing to the new service may need to call a different number (0845 045 0411)
• if patients need to see a GP out of hours an appointment can be made for them to do so at a new evening, weekend and bank holiday clinic at Hinckley and Bosworth Community Hospital on Ashby Road, Hinckley.
• if patients need to see a GP out of hours and they are not well enough to attend the new clinic they will be visited at home by a GP home visiting crew. A home visiting crew will be based at the community hospital.
Director of Community Health Services Rachel North said: “We’re well placed to provide this service for the whole of the Hinckley area. The benefits for local people are three fold: from next month all local people can call the same number for urgent care out of hours; if they need to they will be able to get an appointment to see a GP at the town’s community hospital instead of having to travel elsewhere; and those who need a home visit will get one from a crew based at the hospital.
Leaflets and posters are being displayed in practices and the change will be advertised in community hospitals and through the local media. To find out more about the Leicestershire and Rutland Out of Hours service contact the support services manager on 0116 295 0093. « Less
The dental contracts team have confirmed that planning permission has now been granted to enable the new NHS dental practice, Rodericks Ltd, to be established in the centre of Burbage. Rodericks Ltd have begun converting a building in Church Street and the new practice will be open next month.
The new dental practice has been commissioned as part of NHS Leicestershire County and Rutland’s ongoing commitment to improving access to dental services.
Director of primary care, Rosemary Stuckey, said: ‘We are delighted to confirm that planning permission has now been approved for the new NHS dental practice in Burbage which will improve access to high quality NHS dental services. We will continue to improve and develop services for our patients.’ More »
Local people, including staff, can register interest in becoming a patient at the new Burbage practice by logging onto website at www.burbagedental.co.uk and completing the online form.
NHS Leicestershire County and Rutland is the operating name for Leicestershire County and Rutland PCT « Less
All local people are invited to share their stories and legends of Bosworth.
Whether you are aged 10 or 110 we need your views to shape the future of Barwell. Please help us by telling us what you love, hate or want to change about Barwell and we will help your views turn into action!
Barwell will be undergoing significant regeneration in the next 15-20 years which will change the shape of this village forever. The Barwell Parish Plan Group was formed from local residents to devise an Action Plan for the parish which will be sent to the service providers for the area e.g. County Council, Borough Council and Police. More »
The group has currently distributed a short questionnaire to understand what the main concerns are from the local residents. This information will then form a more in-depth questionnaire to be circulated later in the year.
Please help this group by filling in the questionnaire either online at www.leicestershirevillages.com/barwell/parishplan.html or by obtaining and returning a paper copy from the Parish Council Offices, High Street, Barwell.
Charlotte Burt, who works for the Rural Community Council and facilitates Parish Plans in Leicestershire commented that “Parish Plans are a unique way of getting the local community to decide the future of where they live. This is not about service providers telling you what they can deliver, but instead about you telling them what you need”.
Whether you’re concerned about education or healthcare, environment or planning we need your views. Please help us shape the future of Barwell for the better. « Less
