Archive for December 12th, 2012
Wednesday, December 12th, 2012
A week after announcing free Christmas car parking, Conservative controlled Tamworth Borough Council are giving local traders and shoppers a further boost, with free parking at the Jolly Sailor car park until January 12 2014.
Parking fees at the Jolly Sailor car park have been waived from this Saturday, December 15, up to and including Saturday January 12, in a bid to encourage more people to shop in Tamworth.
The car park is a short walk from both Ventura Park and the town centre and shoppers who park at the Jolly Sailor will be able to avoid traffic congestion in the run-up to Christmas, as well as having easy access to both the town centre and Tamworth Castle.
Residents and visitors are also reminded that parking in all of the town’s council-run car parks will be free all day on the two Saturdays before Christmas, December 15 and 22.
Tamworth Borough Council Deputy Leader, Cllr Rob Pritchard, said, “The Jolly Sailor car park is only a stone’s throw from the town centre and a short walk from Ventura Park. Both areas have such a lot to offer and we want to make it easier for people to visit both without having to drive.
“Tamworth Borough Council remains committed to encouraging and promoting town centre trade. This year we are attempting to extend that period for both visitors to Ventura and the town centre in Jolly Sailor until January 14 2013, in addition to the free parking in all town centre car parks already announced.”
Wednesday, December 12th, 2012
Staffordshire’s Police & Crime Commissioner, Conservative Matthew Ellis, has announced plans to recruit police officers and put an end to A19 redundancies.
Staffordshire Police last advertised for police officers three years ago and the last new recruits to join the force started on the 22 February 2010.
Regulation A19, which requires police officers with more than 30 years pensionable service – to and including the rank of chief superintendent – to retire, has been in place since November last year.
The moves follow discussions with Chief Constable Mike Cunningham, Staffordshire Police Federation – which represents rank and file officers – and Staffordshire residents on the pre-election campaign trail.
Matthew Ellis said, “Staffordshire Police has lost a lot of valuable experience since the A19 policy was introduced and has not been able to bring in new blood for even longer. I’ve got ambitious plans for the next three years so I am determined to keep the best talent within the force.
“This hasn’t been an easy decision but it is the right decision for the police service in Staffordshire so that we can continue to drive down crime. During the next three years, I want people across all of Staffordshire to see the positive difference that the role of Police and Crime Commissioner will make.
“Opportunities for more joint working, efficiencies and collaboration with other agencies in Staffordshire will mean that we will meet our financial obligations in the future whilst crucially ensuring that jobs and prosperity stay, wherever possible, within Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent.
“I want policing to be more visible to people across Staffordshire and for our determination to prevent crime and reduce re-offending to have even greater impact”