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
There have been two notable developments which have progressed issues raised at the South Charnwood (Syston, Thurmaston and Wreake villages) Area Forum held in October.
Concern was expressed at the meeting about the inadequate provision of public toilets in Syston, a busy town attracting many visitors. Syston Town Council can now confirm that Wreake Valley Rotary Club have provided funding to get the toilets in Central Park completely re-fitted, providing a unisex toilet that will also meet the needs of disabled people. The Town Council will ensure that they are regularly cleaned and locked up at the end of each day. More »
A second issue raised at the Area Forum concerned the safety of users of Central Park, popular with all sections of the community. Syston Town Council has recently installed a high quality CCTV with fibre-optic connection linked to a control room at Charnwood Borough Council. The camera covers both the teenage and younger children’s facilities in the park. This should deter any wrong-doing and create a safer environment for teenagers and younger children and make it easier for older and more vulnerable people to feel safe in the park.
All Area Forum meetings provide the opportunity for members of the public to bring forward ideas to improve areas as well as to raise items of concern with local councillors and officers from the public service organisations. It is pleasing that the issues of public toilets and safety in the park, raised at the most recent meeting, have led swiftly to measures to address public concerns. « Less
