Sunday, July 28th, 2013
Conservative controlled Staffordshire County Council is urging its residents to take up free health checks in a bid to reduce preventable deaths.
In the last financial year (April 2012 to March 2013), nearly 45,000 Staffordshire residents were invited for a health check but only just over half of them took up the opportunity to have one. The NHS Health Check programme aims to reduce preventable deaths by spotting the early signs of heart disease, stroke, diabetes and kidney disease so that people can get rapid treatment.
Staffordshire County Council took on responsibility for public health in April 2013 and is urging all people aged between 40 and 74 invited for a free health check by their GP to take up the offer.
Cllr Robbie Marshall, Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing, said, “Ensuring our residents are living and ageing well are key priorities for us. I would encourage everyone between the ages of 40 and 74 who is invited for a Health Check by their GP to take up the offer, as it is potentially a lifesaving opportunity for them.
“As a council we are committed to helping support people lead as healthy and independent a life as possible and the early pick-up of any illness is crucial to this. Prevention of an illness is always better than curing it.”
Robbie, who is also Joint Chair of the Health and Wellbeing Board, said prevention and early diagnosis is a key element in Staffordshire’s ambitious five-year plan to improve the health and wellbeing of people in the county.
Residents are also being encouraged to take part in the consultation on the Health and Wellbeing Board plan, Living Well in Staffordshire, so they can influence the way care and support services are delivered to them.
To take part in the consultation on Living well in Staffordshire, which is open until September 6th, people can send in their views to the www.engagingcommunitiesstaffordshire.co.uk website or by email at: contactus@conversationstaffordshire.co.uk or by telephone on 0800 051 8371.
Sunday, July 28th, 2013
Conservative controlled Staffordshire County Council is helping local farms prosper by using local milk in its schools and council buildings.
The county council has a contract with Wells Farm Dairy to supply milk to nearly 400 schools across Staffordshire as well as County Buildings and Staffordshire Place. Wells Farm Dairy sources milk from county farms around Staffordshire, and bottles it at its headquarters in Bradley. The milk is then distributed to schools across the county, meaning local schoolchildren benefit from fresh milk whilst also boosting the local economy.
County Councillor Mark Winnington, cabinet member for economy and infrastructure said, “Staffordshire’s rural economy is a vital part of our prosperity agenda and county farms are an integral part of enhancing it. By working with Wells Farm, we can ensure we are helping and the farms they source the milk from to secure business and at the same time benefitting the local community.
“Case studies like Giles Bristol’s, a tenant farmer on one of our many county farms, shows that we can make the most of the assets we have here in Staffordshire and ensure the arrangement is beneficial to farmers and to schools and parents. It’s also a great educational tool; showing youngsters the process of how milk gets from the farm into their schools and all within a very short distance. So, not only are we benefiting local businesses, we are also helping to promote a healthy lifestyle for our youngsters.”
One county farm that has benefitted from this arrangement is in Penkridge, South Staffordshire. Tenant farmer Giles Bristol said, “I currently have 55 cows, and Well’s Farm comes in every day to take milk back to their headquarters to then distribute on to local schools, council buildings and other organisations. Dealing with such a local business means food miles can be reduced, meaning there is less distance from farm to fork and that produce is traceable back to its original source.
“Well’s Farm is a local family business, which means they are approachable and the produce does not have to travel far. Staffordshire as a county is the perfect location for this type of arrangement, with a wealth of local resources that can be used to benefit not only local farmers, but local people in general.”
Thursday, July 25th, 2013
Up-and-coming young golfer Aimee Wilson has been given a boost to her sporting development – thanks to a £400 sports grant from Conservative controlled Tamworth Borough Council.
17-year-old Aimee has been playing golf since she was seven and has competed in a number of junior European and world championships – recently winning the European Championship in Scotland for her age group. In the last year alone, she has won the Burton Golf Club Junior Open, the Champion of Champions, the Derbyshire Order of Merit trophy and is this year’s Derbyshire Ladies Champion.
The Polesworth School pupil spends around 11 hours a week on her golf practice, as well as taking part in competitions throughout the summer.
Aimee plays at Mickleover and trains with her coach Danny Taylor at the Robert Rock Academy in Lichfield, so there is a lot of travelling involved. Club fees, coaching sessions, equipment and clothing are all vital parts of Aimee’s golfing development – but can be expensive.
Tamworth Borough Council has now given Aimee a sporting boost with the award of a £400 sports grant, to be used towards her sporting development.
Cllr Jeremy Oates, Cabinet member for Community Development, said, “Encouraging the aspirations of the young people of Tamworth is one of our main priorities, and I am delighted that we are able to help and support Aimee in her golf development.
“It is wonderful to see young people so committed to their sport and to try hard to be the best they can. It is an honour to be able to play even a small part in that.”
Aimee’s next competition is the Midland Girls’ Championship in August. This is her last year as a junior, before she moves up into the ladies category.
Thursday, July 25th, 2013
The UK economy is “on the mend” after figures showed it grew by 0.6% in the three months to June, said Chancellor George Osborne.
Output grew in the construction, manufacturing, services and agriculture sectors according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
It said the figure meant the economy has recouped more than half the 7.2% of output lost in the 2008-09 recession.
The 0.6% seasonally adjusted growth rate was in line with market expectations, and was up from 0.3% growth in the previous quarter.
It is the first estimate for growth during the second quarter of 2013, and is based on about 44% of actual data on economic activity.
Mr Osborne said, “These figures are better than forecast. Britain is holding its nerve, we are sticking to our plan, and the British economy is on the mend, but there is still a long way to go and I know things are still tough for families.”
Thursday, July 25th, 2013
A unanimous vote across Tamworth Borough Council’s Chamber means the Staffordshire Regiment’s mascot Watchman has been awarded the Freedom of the Borough.
Deputy Leader of the Council, Cllr Rob Pritchard, proposed a motion to admit LCpl Watchman V – former mascot of the Staffordshire Regiment – and his handler, to hold Freedom of the Borough of Tamworth, which would then pass to successive mascots and handlers.
The role of Watchman is steeped in tradition, and the ever-popular Staffordshire bull terrier mascot has been representing the serving men and women of Tamworth and Staffordshire for more than 130 years.
Watchman is the traditional mascot of Staffordshire Regiments and continues to carry out numerous duties. He was also part of the flag party of the Mercian Regiment, which met the Olympic Torch in the Castle Grounds last summer.
This honour also means Watchman will march through Tamworth with the Mercian Regiment, whenever it returns to the borough. There will be a special ceremony to officially award Watchman and his handler the Freedom of the Borough later this year.
Watchman joins the Mercian Regiment, The Defence Medical Services and Royal Fleet Auxiliary ship RFA Fort Rosalie (A385) in holding the Freedom of the Borough.
Cllr Prichard said, “I was incredibly proud to propose the motion which saw Watchman and his handler receive the Freedom of the Borough of Tamworth.
“This restores the Freedom of the Borough of Tamworth to Watchman, which was lost in 2007 when the Staffordshire Regiment was merged with several others to create the Mercian Regiment.”
Cllr Pritchard added, “Watchman is an iconic Staffordshire symbol which is an important tradition to a great many people. Awarding Watchman the Freedom of the Borough, means he can take his rightful place with the Mercian Regiment when they march through our town.
“However it is not just Watchman who deserves this honour, it also his handler. The two come as a pair and I am delighted to bestow this honour on his handler who deserves recognition for his hard work. I would like to thank the current, former and future handlers for their selfless service to Tamworth and Staffordshire.”
In addition to Watchman and his handler being awarded the Freedom of the Borough, Cllr Simon Peaple put forward an amendment to the proposals to recognise members of the branches of armed forces associations and servicemen past and present, by also awarding them the honour. This proposal will be discussed at a future meeting, set to take place next month.
Thursday, July 25th, 2013
Figures released by the Office for National Statistics show that unemployment in Tamworth has fallen once again under this Government.
The number of unemployed claimants in Tamworth constituency in June 2013 was 373 lower than in June 2012 and 105 lower than in May 2013. This represents a 21.4 per cent decrease in unemployment over the last 12 months.
Responding to the latest fall in unemployment Mr. Pincher said, “I am very pleased that despite the challenges that exist in the Eurozone which is a major export market for us, the employment situation in our town continues to improve.
“Employers continue to want to come to Tamworth whilst the government’s policies to help people off welfare and into work and help businesses with lower taxes are support for apprenticeships are bearing fruit. After the crash of 2008, we are on the right road and our economy is on the mend.
“British businesses have risen to the challenge with 1.3 million new private sector jobs created in three years. We must continue to encourage the growth of small business in Tamworth. In the House of Commons this week I raised the importance of helping small businesses to grow and I will continue to champion Tamworth as a great place to do business.”
Monday, July 22nd, 2013
The Government is working closely with partners, including American Express, to bring Small Business Saturday to the UK, which will be on December 7th, the busiest shopping day of the year and the Prime Minister is giving his full support to the campaign.
There are 4.8million businesses in the UK. The vast majority are small businesses, the lifeblood of the economy. Alone they account for almost half of overall employment and over a third of UK wide turnover. The Government recognises the huge importance of small businesses to the UK economy and is supporting them in a number of ways including giving up to £2000 off National Insurance for every business through the Employment Allowance.
Last month the Conservative Party launched the Supporting Small Business campaign, lead by Matthew Hancock MP who has been appointed the Conservatives’ Small Business Champion by David Cameron. Twelve Small Business Ambassadors have also been selected nationwide and will help promote and represent small businesses across the country and government. You can find out full details of the campaign here.
Monday, July 22nd, 2013
Proposals to present Watchman with the Freedom of the Borough are set to be discussed at a Full Council meeting tomorrow, Tuesday July 23, at 6pm.
Deputy Leader of the Council and Conservative Party councillor for Spital ward, Robert Pritchard, will be proposing a motion to admit LCpl Watchman V, former mascot of the Staffordshire regiment, to hold Freedom of the Borough of Tamworth, which would then pass to successive Watchman.
Councillors vote on the motion at the public meeting in the Council Chamber, Marmion House. The honour would also allow the popular Staffordshire bull terrier mascot to march through Tamworth with the Mercian Regiment, whenever it returns to the borough.
This proposal is to recognise the 130 years this role has been representing the fighting men and women of Tamworth and Staffordshire.
Watchman is the traditional mascot of Staffordshire regiments and continues to carry out numerous duties. He was also part of the flag party of the Mercian Regiment that met the Olympic Torch in the Castle Grounds last summer.
If agreed, Watchman would join the Mercian Regiment, The Defence Medical Services and Royal Fleet Auxiliary ship RFA Fort Rosalie (A385) who also hold Freedom of the Borough.
The motion, which Cllr Pritchard will propose, is as follows, “In pursuance of the provisions of Section 249 of the Local Government Act 1972, the council permit the holders of the position of Watchman’s handler, Watchman and their successors to hold Honorary Freedom of the Borough of Tamworth, in recognition of the roles historic service representing the fighting men and women of Tamworth and Staffordshire.”
The Mayor of Tamworth, Cllr John Garner said, “At tomorrow’s meeting we will discuss the proposals to award the mascot of the Staffordshire Regiment, LCpl Watchman V, Freedom of the Borough of Tamworth. The mascot has served Tamworth and Staffordshire for 130 years and is a tradition treasured by soldiers of the Staffordshire Regiment, now 3 Mercian.”
Members of the public are invited to come along to the meeting.
Thursday, July 18th, 2013
The number of crimes fell to 8.6 million in England and Wales in the year up to March 2013, the lowest figure since records began in 1981.
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said it was a 9% decrease compared with last year and overall crime is now running at half the level it peaked at in 1995.
Home Secretary Theresa May praised the police forces but also her own government, which she said had “played its part by slashing red tape and scrapping targets to enable the police to focus on crime fighting”.
Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg said, “It’s one of the great triumphs of recent years that we’ve seen crime come down.”
The stats also showed that firearm offences have dropped by 15% in year ending March 2013, continuing to fall since a peak registered in 2005/2006 and offences that involved a knife or sharp instrument decreased by 15% compared with the previous year.
Thursday, July 18th, 2013
An on-going crackdown on car insurance dodgers in Staffordshire has been praised in the House of Commons.
Cars Behind Bars was instigated by Staffordshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Ellis. The campaign has so far seen 375 vehicles seized, some to be scrapped, in just two months.
During Home Office questions this week, Monday 15 July, Home Secretary Theresa May spoke of “…the excellent work that Staffordshire police force is doing to tackle this particular problem, which is an issue that blights many areas up and down the country. Other forces would do well to look at the example set by Staffordshire police, and recognise the importance of this crime in the eyes of the public and follow its example.”
Mr Ellis said, “The zero tolerance approach on insurance dodgers has proved very popular – people I’ve spoken to across Staffordshire are so enthusiastic about this crackdown. It’s about fairness for law-abiding motorists who are hit by rising premiums because of these law-breakers.
“People who drive without insurance have nowhere to hide. They are being caught and dealt with by having their cars seized and, in some cases, scrapped.”
The seized vehicles can be viewed at www.staffordshire.police.uk/carsbehindbars. Cars Behind Bars uses Staffordshire’s extensive automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) system that identifies those flouting the law.
The fixed penalty fine for people who are caught without insurance is set to increase nationally from £200 to £300 this summer. Motorists also face their car being seized, could be summoned to court and be disqualified, and an endorsement of six penalty points. Drivers re-claiming their car when they have proof of insurance have to pay £150 car recovery costs plus £20 per day storage.
Nearly 200,000 motorists have been given the Cars Behind Bars message thanks to petrol pump warning signs in no insurance hotspot areas in Stoke-on-Trent, Burton, Tamworth and Cannock.
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