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Sales of age-restricted products to underage youngsters such as alcohol and cigarettes have been reduced throughout the Wakefield District since the introduction of the Proof of Age Partnership in April 2003.
West Yorkshire Trading Standards Service launched the Partnership, with the backing of Wakefield Council, to ensure that retailers were asking for identification before selling any the age-restricted products to any one they suspected to be under the legal age. All secondary schools in the District were visited and approximately 5,000 Proof of Age cards have been issued to 16-18 year olds. Alongside this important work with schools, Trading Standards Officers visited the 800 retailers of age-restricted products throughout the District to inform them of their legal obligations concerning the sale of age-restricted products to children.
West Yorkshire Police in the Wakefield Division also ensured that all the pubs and clubs were aware of the operation of the Partnership by visiting them and issuing each licensee with a guidance pack.
The Partnership has been a phenomenal success. It was evaluated by sending out questionnaires to all involved to obtain their views. The majority were very supportive of the aims of the Partnership. Most retailers commented that having the schools on board increased their confidence that youngster’s dates of birth are correct and that every young person old enough to purchase age-restricted products legally will have been issued with a card. Pupils involved state that they carry the card to obtain the discounts from shops such as WH Smith, Wakefield Superbowl and GAME.
The full evaluation report can be viewed on the West Yorkshire Trading Standards website at www.ts.wyjs.org.uk but some of the results include:
68% of retailers felt that there had been a reduction in the number of youngsters trying to purchase age-restricted products since the launch in April.
64% of youngsters say they have been asked to show their Proof of Age card since the launch.
In the six months before launch of the Partnership there were 4 sales of alcohol to a youngster on a formal test purchase. In the six months after the launch no sales were made.
Councillor Graham Clarke, Chair of West Yorkshire Joint Services said,
"I am very pleased at the findings of the formal evaluation of the Proof of Age Partnership. I now hope to see the Partnership roll out across the rest of West Yorkshire"
Gill Metcalf, headteacher at Freeston Business and Enterprise College at Normanton added;
"I am delighted that the Proof of Age Partnership has proved to be such a success. Anything that makes it more difficult for underage children to purchase age-restricted products has to be commended."
Councillor Peter Box, Leader of Wakefield Council said;
"I am very pleased that the Proof of Age Partnership is working both for young people and for retailers. These figures show that this is a worthwhile and effective scheme which merits the Council's continuing support."
Anyone wanting to report traders who they suspect are selling age restricted products to children should telephone the West Yorkshire Consumer Helpline on 0113 3848848
A photo opportunity is available at WH Smith at The Ridings Centre, Wakefield at 14:00 on 10th December 2003. WH Smith offer 10% on production of the Proof of Age card to encourage youngsters to carry the card with them.
For further information contact:
Carol Hallett:
General Media Contact and Proof of Age Co-ordinator: 0113 3836407
On the twelfth day of Christmas Trading Standards said to me:
Twelve Dodgy
Dealers:
Avoid counterfeit goods. Christmas is the time when you will see
a lot of counterfeit goods for sale, often by street traders. The
goods will often be poor quality and the seller is operating illegally
Eleven
Stocking Fillers:
You have no rights if the gift is unwanted. You are relying on the
traders goodwill and should check their returns policy before you buy any
items which will be given as gifts.
Ten Lights a
Burning:
Make sure fairy lights are safe and have the CE mark
Nine Faulty
Presents:
Always examine presents as soon as you can and take any defective goods
back immediately. The sooner you take them back the more rights you
have.
Eight Shops a
Shutting:
At Xmas time, empty shops are often occupied by traders offering cheap
goods. They may often be of poor quality and the trader may no
longer be there in the New Year. If the goods are faulty then you
have difficulty finding the trader.
Seven Cards a
Swiping:
Pay for goods over £100 on a credit card. You may have extra
protection if things go wrong.
Six Festive
Bargains:
Don't be too hasty to grab a bargain. If it sounds too good to be
true it probably is.
Five
Doorbells Ringing:
Beware of doorstep sellers. A lot of household burglaries happen
over the Xmas period and doorstep calling is often the way unscrupulous
burglars gain entry into your house.
Four Vouchers
Dated:
Check the expiry dates if you are buying gift vouchers as a present.
Many will have an expiry date and may be useless if not used in time.
Three
Guarantees:
You are not obliged to buy a guarantee or warranty. Many will give
you no more protection than you already have by law. Check the small print
to see what you are covered for.
Two Turkey
Dinners:
Check the best before and use by dates on all perishable food you buy over
the festive period.
And don't forget to keep your receipts!
If you cannot
resolve your complaint you can contact the West Yorkshire Consumer
Helpline, on 01133 848 848
Mon - Fri 8.30 – 6.30, Saturday 9.00 – 1.00
Councillor Graham Clarke, Chairman of West Yorkshire Trading Standards Committee said;
"Christmas
can be a busy time for traders and consumers. By following the advice of
Trading Standards, you should be well on the way to avoiding problems over
the season of goodwill. However, if things go wrong the consumer helpline
advisors will give practical legal advice to try and ensure you have a
Merry Christmas."
For further information please contact:
Carol Hallett:
General Media Contact: 0113 3836407
John Field: Helpline Manager: 0113 2898238
For a list of jobs recently completed under Neighbourhood Action, please click here
Residents in the Five Towns are being invited to a public meeting at Castleford High School, this Friday evening, 12 December, to see a presentation by international consultants Koetter Kim produced on behalf of Yorkshire Forward on plans for regenerating the area over the next 25 years.
The study, entitled 'Our Towns, Your City' has been produced from twelve months work with the local communities and the Towns Teams.
Allen Parks, "Everyone attending will receive a copy of the Yorkshire Forward (Koetter Kim) report and hear a short presentation on the first stage of this scheme which has brought many local people in touch with the process of developing an urban design strategy. "We are already working on some early projects and this first stage provides a basis and agenda for the next year when we finalise the Urban Renaissance Strategy for the Five Towns area. We hope that local people will take the opportunity to come along and see and hear the results."
The meeting will begin at 4.30 for 5.00pm at Castleford High School, and is expected to finish at around 6.30pm. Light refreshments will be available before the meeting. Anyone wanting more information can contact Andy Sheppard on 01977 723940.
Wakefield Council is celebrating another top award for its recycling team.
The Waste Services team won the Best Local Authority Initiative title in the Composting Association Awards for their successful composting scheme.
They beat off the challenge of Lancashire, Surrey, Newport and South Tyneside councils to land the award, which has been instrumental in raising recycling levels from 7.5 per cent to 17.5 per cent in the last year.
The latest recognition follows a successful year which saw Waste Services Technical Manager Julie Greenwood pick up the Recycling Officer of the Year award and the Council as a whole win second place in the most improved recycling performance award in October.
After the ceremony in Nottingham this week, Cabinet member for the Environment Councillor Betty Rhodes congratulated the team on their success. She added:
"Wakefield is now really developing a reputation for being at the forefront of improvements in recycling. To win this best local authority initiative award hot on the heels of the other two awards shows that we are really making a difference locally. The prizes are a tribute to the hard work of everyone involved in the schemes."
The Composting Association is the national body promoting composts and composting.
Over the Christmas and New Year period, changes will be made to the collection days for both household waste and kerbside collection of recyclables.
In the New Year collection days will move forward as they did last year. Current Monday collections will move to Tuesday, Tuesdays will move to Wednesday, Wednesdays will move to Thursday, Thursdays will move back to Monday. Friday collections will remain unchanged.
The table below explains the special collection days over Christmas and New Year, and the day changes for household rubbish.
Current
Collection on Mon 22nd Dec Next is then Tue 30th Dec
Current Collection on Tue 23rd Dec Next is then Wed 31st Dec
Current Collection on Wed 24th Dec Next is then Thu 8th Jan
Current Collection on Thu 18th Dec Next is then Mon 29th Dec
Current Collection on Fri 19th Dec Next is then Fri 2nd Jan
The last GARDEN WASTE COLLECTION of 2003 will be on Friday 19th December. The service will recommence on Monday 5th January 2004 by which time the collection day changes will have been implemented.
The PAPER RECYCLING Scheme will continue but collections will be temporarily rearranged over the Christmas / New Year period as follows:
Thursday 25th
December will be collected on Monday 22nd December.
Friday 26th December will be collected on Tuesday 23rd December.
Thursday 1st January (wheeled bins only) will be collected on Monday 29th
December.
Thursday 1st January (boxes and bags only) will be collected on Tuesday
30th December.
From then on the new collection days will be in place.
Arrangements can be made to collect non-household waste like excess garden rubbish or bulky items by contacting our customer helpline on 01977 722090.
Cabinet Member for the Environment Councillor Betty Rhodes said:
"The changes may seem complicated at first but once they are introduced they will lead to a much more efficient collection system. Every household will receive a copy of the leaflet detailing the new collection arrangements which they can refer to, or people can ring the customer helpline."
Wakefield Countryside Service is planning a series of seasonal events during December.
On a festive note a Christmas Card making workshop will be held at Newmillerdam Boathouse on Sunday 7th December where the Countryside Team will be on hand to show you how to make your own cards, wrapping paper and tree decorations. Christmas Decoration workshops will be held at Newmillerdam Boathouse and the Waterton Countryside Discovery Centre on Sunday 14th December. Two Calendar making sessions are planned for Newmillerdam Boathouse on Sunday 21st and Sunday 28th December.
Keen birdwatchers and beginners can take advantage of the Countryside Rangers' knowledge of the winter birds at Wintersett on Wednesday 17th December, on a three mile, easy, walk from Anglers Country Park.
A post-Christmas walk along the Waterton Trail, around Anglers Country Park and Haw Park Woods, will lead to buried Treasure Hunt for anyone wanting to enjoy some fresh air and exercise after the festive celebrations on Sunday 28th December.
Details of the events are as follows:-
Sunday 7
December 12noon - 3.00pm Crafty Christmas Cards
Newmillerdam Boathouse
Sunday 14
December 10.30am and 1.30pm Countryside Christmas Decorations
Waterton Countryside Discovery Centre
Sunday 14
December 1.15pm and 2.45pm Countryside Christmas Decorations
Newmillerdam Boathouse
Wednesday
17 December 2.00pm - 3.30pm Winterbirds at Wintersett
Anglers Country Park
Sunday 28 December Staggered start: Waterton Treasure Quiz 10.30am - 12.30pm Anglers Country Park
Sunday 21
December and Sunday 28 December 12noon - 3.00pm Calendar Making
Newmillerdam Boathouse
All events are free but some have proved to be popular and so are bookable via the Countryside Office on 01924 303983. All the events are suitable for families but children must be accompanied by an adult.
Wakefield Energy Efficiency Advice Centre (WEEAC) is touring the district promoting home energy efficiency. The WEEAC team will be giving away low energy light bulbs and advising members of the public on the schemes available to households in the Wakefield District.
The promotions coincide with Warm Homes Week 28th November -8th December.
Warm Homes Week is an annual winter awareness campaign organised by the national energy efficiency charity NEA (National Energy Action). The campaign aims to emphasise the benefits of increased investment in energy efficiency and to raise awareness of grant aid and schemes available to householders to improve their home energy efficiency.
Nationally during Warm Homes Week Over 80 MPs, Members of the Welsh Assembly and Scottish Parliament will be visiting constituents whose homes have benefited from heating and insulation works under Warm Front, HEES, Warm Deal or the Central Heating Programme.
The events will be held at the following locations:
Wednesday 3rd
December Featherstone Library 10.00am-3.30pm
Thursday 4th December CO-OP Supermarket, Ossett 10.00am-3.30pm
Friday 5th December CO-OP Supermarket, Horbury 10.00am-3.30pm
Thursday 18th December Morrisons Supermarket, Pontefract 10.00am-3.30pm
Wakefield Energy Efficiency Advice Centre is a council service which aims to; increase awareness of home energy efficiency and tackle fuel poverty within the district.
There are many ways to improve home energy efficiency ranging from simple no cost measures to having your home fully insulated. There are grants and discounted price schemes available across the Wakefield District to help improve your home. By increasing home energy efficiency you will; save energy and therefore save money on your fuel bills and also increase your comfort by having a warmer home. Increased thermal comfort may also reduce the of risk or symptoms of 'cold related illnesses' .
By visiting at one of the above events you can find out what schemes are available for your home and collect a free low energy bulb.
If you are unable to visit the WEEAC team, you can contact WEEAC for home energy efficiency advice by telephoning freephone 0800 0527496 or email WEEAC@wakefield.gov.uk.
New opening hours at cash offices for residents in the Wakefield District who pay rent and other bills to the Council come into effect from next Monday, 1 December.
Opening times are:
For Eastmoor (Stanley Street), Featherstone and Knottingley housing districts the cash office is open on Monday and Tuesday from 9.00am until 3pm.
Wakefield:
Monday - Wednesday: 8.45am - 4.30pm
Thursday: 10.00am - 4.30pm
Friday 8.45am- 4.00pm
Pontefract:
Monday - Wednesday: 8.45am - 4.30pm
Thursday: 10.00am - 4.30pm
Friday 8.45am - 4.00pm
Lupset:
Monday - Wednesday: 9.00am - 1.00pm
Thursday: 10.00am - 1.00pm
Friday: 9.00am - 1.00pm
South
Elmsall:
Monday - Wednesday: 9.00am - 3.00pm
Thursday: 10.00am - 3.00pm
Friday: 9.00am - 3.00pm
At Castleford
cash payments are through the kiosk service only on:
Monday - Wednesday: 9.00am - 4.30pm
Thursday: 10.00am - 4.30pm
Friday: 9.00am - 4.30pm
Ossett:
Monday - Wednesday: 9.00am - 3.00pm
Thursday: 10.00am - 3.00pm
Friday: 9.00am - 3.00pm
Normanton:
Monday - Wednesday: 9.00am - 3.00pm
Thursday: 10.00am - 3.00pm
Friday: 9.00am - 3.00pm
Following the closure of the cash office in Hemsworth, and for people living in Airedale, residents are advised to make their payments by cheque, credit and debit card.
Posters and leaflets advertising the change in opening times have been distributed via the local housing offices.
Wakefield Council Housing Services is committed to widening access to its services, which includes offering as wide a choice for bill payments as possible as follows:-
Payments can
be made at any post office by cash, cheque or postal order (made payable
to Post Office Limited)
Using the forms available at local housing offices, customers can pay
through their bank by standing order
Housing Services's One Call means that payments can be paid at any time,
day or night (24 hours). Call 0845 8 507 507
Online payments, via the Internet, can be made by debit card at the
website www.wakefield.gov.uk
Cheque, credit and debit card payments are accepted at local housing offices, but cash can only be accepted at the times specified earlier.
Members of the public are being invited to comment on under age alcohol misuse in the District by Wakefield Council's Social Inclusion and Community Issues, Overview and Scrutiny Committee.
The Committee reported its findings in April this year following an in-depth inquiry into under-age alcohol misuse. A number of recommendations were made which are now being reviewed to check on how effective they are proving.
Cllr Albert Manifield, Chair of the Committee said:
"The Committee's recommendations are aimed at improving the lives of people in our communities. Alcohol misuse, especially by young people is a key factor in anti-social behaviour, crime and public disorder which the Council and its partners are committed to tackling. Addressing under-age alcohol misuse requires a combination of short and longer term actions to produce the necessary improvements for people. These range from better education about the dangers of alcohol and easier access to services to help and support people with alcohol problems, to firm responses where alcohol is misused, especially to the detriment of others. The health and well-being of our young people is a priority for families and the wider community who understandably want to see improvements quickly. We therefore believe it is important to monitor how the Council and its partners are responding to the Committee's recommendations so far".
The review will take account of information from services and organisations which gave evidence to the inquiry but the Committee would especially welcome further contributions from members of the public.
Anyone wishing to submit comments or suggestions can contact: Overview and Scrutiny Office, Room 55, County Hall, Wakefield, Te;: 01924 305145 email: jkosborne@wakefield.gov.uk
A new proactive strategy to tackle the misery caused by alcohol misuse is expected to be given the go-ahead by Wakefield Council's Cabinet next week.
The two year strategy, produced by the District's multi-agency Drug Action Team, (DAT) has taken the initiative ahead of the Government's National Alcohol Harm Reduction Strategy to make some urgent progress on reducing the problems caused by alcohol misuse.
The report shows that current consumption in the UK is rising with some worrying trends appearing including:-
Drinkers under 16 drinking twice as much today as ten years ago
An estimated 780,000 -1.3m are affected by parental alcohol problems
Between 11-17million working days lost to alcohol related sickness per year
360,000 victims of alcohol-related domestic violence every year
19,000 alcohol-related sexual assaults each year
Between 11,300-17,900 alcohol-related deaths due to chronic disease every year
Objectives in the Strategy include increasing the number of people accessing alcohol treatment services by 100% by 2008 and engaging 50 staff with specific training by April 2005.
Elaine McHale, Chair of Wakefield Drug Action Team, said:
"The Alcohol Strategy ties into the District Partnership's Fast Forward Strategy and the Community Safety Strategy in addressing the wide range of damage which can be caused by alcohol misuse. Alcohol is an addictive drug and a major cause of ill health and social distress. The Council needs to play a leading role in tackling alcohol issues both in the workplace and society at large and we have already built-in £100,000 to contribute to developing a bespoke Alcohol Service. There are 80,000 arrests for drunkenness and disorder every year, with only tobacco and high blood pressure being higher risk factors in causing disease. By supporting this strategy, we will be helping to combat health inequalities and promoting public health, as well as tackling crime and anti-social behaviour. Prevention is always better than cure and the strategy will be targeted both at certain groups and the whole population in encouraging people to get treatment sooner rather than later".
Copies of the Wakefield District Alcohol Strategy are available from the Council's Social Services & Health on 01924 306239 or e-mail: ismith@wakefield.gov.uk
A section of Wakefield Council 's Social Services and Health is to receive a prestigious Investors in People award in recognition of its commitment to its staff. The award comes as Wakefield Social Services celebrates a star rating from the Social Services Inspectorate.
Staff from the Strategy, Performance and Commissioning section get their Investors in People award on Friday, November 21, at 10.30 in a ceremony at Wakefield Town Hall. The award is being presented to Section Head Sam Pratheepan by Majeed Rehman on behalf of the Learning and Skills Council
Investors in People was developed in 1990 by the National Training Task Force in partnership with leading national organisations. The award sets a level of good practice for improving an organisation's performance through its staff. It is accepted and implemented by large and small organisations in private, public and not-for-profit sectors.
To achieve the award, the Section has shown that it is fully committed to developing its staff effectively to improve performance and that the section understands the importance of staff in driving improvements in services.
Elaine McHale, Corporate Director for Social Services and Health said:
"This is really good news, coming as it does just a week after our star rating which recognised us as an improving Council. Congratulations to all concerned."
Sam Pratheepan said: "The quality of our performance depends on the enthusiasm and efforts of all our staff. This award recognises the commitment we are making to help our staff do their jobs effectively."
A free parking initiative proposed by Town Centre Partnerships across the District in the weeks running up to Christmas was approved this week. The £30,000 scheme, which has proved popular with shoppers in past years, will run in the Council's off street car parks in Wakefield, Castleford, Pontefract, Normanton, Ossett and South Elmsall throughout December.
This year’s initiative concentrates on creating incentives to have free parking on less well used days to help shift some of the peak traffic use and help reduce congestion. The proposal for this year’s scheme is to provide free parking in the 6 centres as follows:
Wakefield –
4 Tuesdays in December (2nd, 9th, 16th,
23rd)
Castleford – 3 Fridays in December (5th, 12th, 19th)
Pontefract – 3 Thursdays in December (4th, 11th,
18th)
South Elmsall – 4 consecutive days (20th, 22nd, 23rd,
24th)
Normanton – 3 Fridays in December (5th, 12th, 19th)
Ossett – 3 Fridays in December (5th, 12th, 19th)
Cllr Denise Jeffery, Wakefield Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration, said: "The Town Centre Partnerships are running free parking in the run-up to Christmas to encourage shoppers into the centres and help retailers compete with out of town facilities.
"The scheme has proved extremely popular in the past and we hope that this will have the benefit of boosting the local economy."
Wakefield Council's Waste Services is extending its recycling services to new areas across the District to include blocks of flats, sheltered accommodation and multi-occupancy dwellings. The scheme is aimed at reaching 100 new locations by the end of March, and the Council is now identifying the areas to introduce the scheme. Over the next few months Waste Services staff will be working closely with local caretakers and estate managers to make sure the scheme runs smoothly with special containers for mixed glass and paper being delivered. Leaflets are being circulated to householders in the locations to explain the service in detail. Cllr Betty Rhodes, Wakefield Council's Cabinet Member for Environment Services, said: "We have already been successful this year in achieving recognition for the service, as well as one of our staff winning Recycling Officer of the Year.
"We are committed to extending the service to make it easier for citizens to recycle their rubbish and this latest scheme is a priority as the households involved are not currently included, and in some cases need special arrangements. Over 70,000 households now have a kerbside garden waste recycling scheme and the home composting promotion this summer proved extremely popular."
Anyone needing more information or wanting to inquire about their household being included in the new scheme can contact the Council's Recycling Helpline on 01977 722090.
Working parents and carers' can now use a Freephone number - 0800 587 8042 - to find out up to date information on what childcare is available from Wakefield Children's Information Service, based at Chantry House. Wakefield Surestart Partnership (formerly the Early years Development and Childcare Partnership) runs the service for parents, carers, employers, childcare providers and workers in the District.
Councillor Olivia Rowley, Chair of the Partnership said:
"Accurate information on good quality childcare is important in removing the barriers faced by parents, in particular women, when they want to go out to work or take advantage of education or training opportunities and the helpline is a faster and easier way of getting advice."
The helpline is open Monday to Thursday 8.30am to 5pm and Friday 8.30am to 4.30pm. Outside these hours a voicemail service is available, or you can email cis@wakefield.gov.uk
A poem written by a local 85 year old who learned about the work of Wakefield's Youth Offending Team through an unfortunate brush with some young people, has struck a note of promise for today's youth.
Lillian Beevers from Pontefract needed hospital treatment after a fall when she was knocked to the ground by a teenager in a group of young people who were pushing each other around earlier this year.
The young person involved ran away and as a result received a Final Warning from the Police over the incident and was referred to the Youth Offending Team (YOT). As part of their work, YOT officers encourage young offenders to take personal responsibility and examine the consequences of their actions, and to make amends for their offence by apologising to their victims by letter.
The Youth Offending Team also try to involve victims in the process to try to prevent young people re-offending. Lara King, Victim Liaison Officer, said: " I arranged to see Lillian at home to offer our support, see how she was getting on and to explain our involvement with the young person involved in the incident.
"Although she was still having problems with her back she was very concerned at what would happen to him and also became interested in the wider aspects of our work. She showed me a poem she had written which focuses on young people and attitude towards them in today's society. It would be very easy for her to be quite critical and bitter, but instead the poem is extremely positive and up-beat and I think has lessons for us all to learn."
Lillian said: "I was very shaken up when it happened and was grateful to a passer-by, Mr. Alan Boyd who stayed with me until the ambulance arrived and helped me to my feet. I don't bear grudges and that is why I decided to do the poem as I think many people are too quick to condemn young people."
Under Wakefield's Youth Offending Team's programme, local young offenders have been involved in making greetings cards and furniture for charity over the past two years as part of the work in trying to turn their behaviour around into creating positive results.
Have you ever
heard
The older people say
The young ones wouldn't have
To do that, no, not in my day
Do they mean it?
Is it really true?
Did they never ever do,
The things the young ones do?
Were they always angels
Doing what they should,
Helping other people,
In any way they could?
Were they always kind,
Considerate and true
Did they always try to see
The other person's point of view?
Did they never ever cause,
A loving mother pain,
Did they have a character,
Without a single stain?
Now what about the young ones
They are not all bad
Some of them are just about
The best we have ever had.
Just because a few of them,
Are mentioned in the press
For acts of violence they've done,
For causing some distress.
We didn't really ought to judge
The many by the few
Just think of all the good things
That many of them do.
There are many younger people
Of whom we should be proud
So don't be quiet about it
But shout it out aloud.
We ought to get together
As often as can be
We need their help and they need ours
That's very plain to see
We should be good listeners
Understanding too
Be ready with our praises
Give credit where it's due.
Give advice when asked to,
Withhold it when we are not
Let them know we trust them
With everything we've got
Then perhaps one day we will hear
The younger people say,
I hope that I can be like them
When I grow old one day.
Anyone wanting to find out more about the work of Wakefield's Youth Offending Team can contact Maxine Hinks on 01924 304193.
Further
information:
WMDC Press & Communications
tel: (01924) 305295; fax (01924) 305144
e-mail: pressoffice@wakefield.gov.uk
Wakefield Council is setting out its stall to inform people about Neighbourhood Action and to encourage citizens to use the hotline number - 0845 8 506 506 - to report any environmental issues.
Neighbourhood Action staff have already run a stand in the Ridings Shopping Centre in Wakefield and will be continuing the programme in Castleford Carlton Lanes Shopping Centre on September 8, with plans ongoing to visit Ossett and Pontefract. Cllr Betty Rhodes, Cabinet Member for Environment Services, said: “It is very important that we show the public what we are doing through Neighbourhood Action and to give them the chance to talk to us and to report any difficulties. “We are getting an excellent response to the initiative and some very positive feedback from people who are thanking us for dealing with issues they are raising very rapidly.”
Neighbourhood Action: Cleaner Places - Safer People is the Council’s biggest clean up and community safety campaign, supported by West Yorkshire Police and the Community Safety Partnership. It is operating in neighbourhoods across the District on a planned programme, backed up by rapid response and enforcement teams. Neighbourhood Action’s 24-hour phoneline gives the public a single point for reporting environmental issues like litter, graffiti, dog fouling, abandoned vehicles, noise nuisance and off road motor-biking and other anti-social behaviour. Neighbourhood Action teams are working to a planned programme, visiting each of the District’s 21 wards twice in a year, staying approximately two weeks. They are currently working in Hemsworth and Wakefield Rural wards, moving on to Pontefract North and Normanton/Sharlston after the Bank Holiday.
Council Chief Executive John Foster went out with the teams last week, visiting sites in Hemsworth to see them in action clearing and removing fly-tipped rubbish. He said: “I was very impressed with the quality of the work being done. People are now seeing we mean business. We are developing our services to meet their needs. The Neighbourhood Action teams and our environmental services core workforce are doing one of the most important jobs in this Council - making a difference to the quality of people’s lives. “Even in these first weeks the comments from citizens show we are moving in the right direction. The work is developing and we are closely monitoring progress to make sure that Neighbourhood Action does what it says it will do - delivers Cleaner Places - Safer People.”
Further information: WMDC Press & Communications tel (01924) 305295; fax (01924) 305144; e-mail: pressoffice@wakefield.gov.uk
Wakefield Council's consultation on the future of its homes hits the road this week as a transfer roadshow starts a month long tour of the district. The Council is consulting tenants on its proposal to transfer the ownership and management of its 34,500 homes to a new not for profit housing organisation, set up by the Council. Spending restrictions mean the Council is unable to fund the £790m of repairs and improvements that homes need. The new organisation would not be subject to the same borrowing rules and so could carry out the work needed to improve homes. However, the transfer can only go ahead if tenants vote for transfer in an independent ballot next year.
Kevin Dodd, Wakefield Council's Head of Housing said: "The Council is committed to giving tenants the facts about the transfer proposal and this roadshow is another way for tenants to get information."
Staff will be available to answer questions and a range of information will be available for people to take away. The roadshow sites will be advertised well in advance and I would encourage tenants to come along and have a chat. The unit will also include some examples of the sort of kitchens, doors and other improvements that tenants can expect if the transfer goes ahead.
Date Venue
Week 1 (August)
Monday 25th King George Playing Fields, Eastmoor
Tuesday 26th Market Place, Ossett
Wednesday 27th Market Place, Pontefract
Thursday 28th Cathedral Precinct City Centre, Wakefield
Friday 29th Co-op, Hemsworth
Saturday 30th Airedale Housing Office
Week 2
(September)
Monday 1st Precinct, Town Centre, Castleford
Tuesday 2nd Market Place, Normanton
Wednesday 3rd Morrisons Supermarket, Lupset
Thursday 4th Rear of Library, Featherstone
Friday 5th Cathedral Precinct, Wakefield City Centre
Saturday 6th Lupset Housing Office
Week 3
Monday 8th Bus Station, Wakefield
Tuesday 9th Asda at Glasshoughton, Castleford
Wednesday 10th Kwiksave, Knottingley
Thursday 11th Morrisons, Lupset
Friday 12th South Elmsall Market
Saturday 13th Normanton Gala
Week 4
Monday 15th Asda at Durkar, Wakefield
Tuesday 16th Market Place, Hemsworth
Wednesday 17th Freeport, Castleford
Thursday 18th Land rear of Market Place, Featherstone
Friday 19th Market Place, Ossett
Saturday 20th Eastmoor Housing Office
Week 5
Monday 22nd Precinct, Castleford Town Centre
Tuesday 23rd South Elmsall Market
Wednesday 24th Market Place, Pontefract
Thursday 25th Cathedral Precinct, Wakefield City Centre
Friday 26th Market Place, Ossett
Wakefield Council needs to spend around £790m to get its homes up to the modern standard its tenants want to see. Government borrowing restrictions mean that it cannot access the money needed. The Council is proposing to transfer the ownership and management of its 34,500 homes to a new, independent, not for profit housing organisation that the Council would help to set up. This organisation would not be subject to these Government controls and so would be able to borrow the money needed.
If the transfer goes ahead it would mean
* Better
homes - £790m of improvements over 10 years
* Safer and secure homes and estates
* Improved local environments
* More for the rent money - rents kept affordable
* Local homes run by local people
* Key right protected.
Tenants are currently been consulted on the proposal and will vote next year on whether the transfer should go ahead.
Further information: WMDC Press & Communications tel. (01924) 305295; fax (01924) 305144; e-mail: pressoffice@wakefield.gov.uk
The Parsonage
Country House Hotel, Escrick Village, near York,
Tuesday 15 July 2003
The Pathfinder Careers Charity report contains details of 34 awards presented to individuals and organisations in Wakefield, York and North Yorkshire for "Excellence" and "Special Achievement" in the careers field.
The 34 winners are from 5 categories of award:
The Primary Schools Project Award
The White Rose Award for Innovation in Careers Education
The Trainee of the Year Award
The Fred Evans Memorial Award
The Peri Stone Award
It was very pleasing to see 3 of the awards going to Knottingley projects and individuals, and we congratulate all the winners.
The Knottingley winners were:
Primary School Project award - Throstle Farm Junior and Infant School
They developed links with a school in South Africa, making it possible for the children in each school to exchange information about their countries, their schools and the way people in each place live.
The White Rose Award for Innovation in Careers Education - Knottingley High School
As an addition to the schools well established work experience programme involving all pupils in year 10, a project based element has been introduced making it possible for appropriate students to work together on, for example, the production of a newsletter.
The Fred Evans Memorial Award - Jodie Pratt from Knottingley
One of twelve remarkable young people to be awarded for achieving extraordinary success by displaying exceptional determination to reach the highest standards for themselves. In the process each of the twelve has been a source of tremendous inspiration to those around them.
A new integrated advice service dealing with housing, welfare, debt/money and employment right has opened its door to the public.
The newly refurbished Advice Centre at The Springs in Wakefield city centre brings together for the first time Wakefield Council's Housing Aid Service and the Centre for the Unemployed who are both offering a front line advice service for people who seek help. Both services have recently been awarded a Quality Mark by the Regional Legal Services Commission recognising the high quality services that are provided to the public by the teams at the new look Centre.
The Council's Community Link Worker service to help the local Asian community access essential housing services is at the Centre, along with Wakefield Rent Deposit Scheme (a partnership project involving Wakefield Cathedral and the Council) which helps single homeless people obtain accommodation in the private rented sector.
Wakefield Council's Head of Housing, Kevin Dodd, said: "By providing this range of advice services from an accessible one-stop shop in the City Centre access for the public will be greatly improved and the needs of local residents better met". The Springs Advice Centre is available to any Wakefield District resident.
The Centre also provides Welfare Rights advice every Wednesday morning at Hemsworth Community Initiative Centre as an outreach service and representation at the local County Courts in Pontefract and Wakefield at mortgage possession hearings for home owners. This service is to be extended to include Housing Association and private rented possession hearings at Wakefield County court from the end of August .
Wakefield Council's Cabinet Member for Housing, Cllr. Graham Isherwood said "I would urge anybody who is experiencing housing, debt, benefit or employment problems to contact The Springs Advice Centre for help. They provide a free, confidential, quality marked service. All the staff are specially trained to deal with your problem and have a vast amount of experience between them. Often the sooner you get advice about these types of problems the better".
The Springs
Advice Centre
4/5 The Springs,
Wakefield,
WF1 1PU,
Tel: 01924 302085, Fax: 01924 302097,
Email: Hsg-housingaid@wakefield.gov.uk
The Centre is open Monday to Friday 10.00 am - 4.00 pm and offers a range of drop-in, appointment and emergency sessions. You can contact them by phone Monday to Friday 9.00 am - 5.00 pm to make an arrangement to see an advisor or discuss your problem with a telephone advisor.
Further
Information: WMDC Press and Communications.
Tel. (01924) 305295; fax (01924) 305144.
Email: pressoffice@wakefield.gov.uk
Wakefield District councillors can now be contacted by people across the world following the setting up of new pages on the Council’s website on the internet.
Councillors on the Web at www.wakefield.gov.uk/councillors/ has a ward map for the District and a search facility so you can find out which ward you live in and who your councillors are, as well as when they hold surgeries and how to contact them direct.
Cllr Clive Hudson, Deputy Spokesperson for Information and Communication Technology, who has worked closely with the Council’s Members’ Support Team in setting up the new pages, said Councillors on the Web was an important step forward in making councillors as accessible to as many people as possible.
"Councillors have had email addresses for some time now and we already have information about who’s who on the website. But these new pages collect all the information in one place and allow people to find their own councillor very easily, even if they don’t know the name. Your address will get you information about your ward.
"We have designed the pages to be as user-friendly as possible and we hope people will visit the site and make use of the information available."
People can also contact their councillor by telephone, letter or by calling at their regular surgeries. If you do not have access to the internet and need information about your councillor, please call Members’ Support on 01924 305114/5.
For further information contact:
WMDC Press & Communications
Town Hall, Wood Street, Wakefield WF1 2HQ
Telephone: (01924) 305295
Fax: (01924) 305144
e-mail: pressoffice@wakefield.gov.uk
Issued by the WMDC Press and Communications Office 25 January 2002
Twenty-four
hand-painted cast iron street name plates are to be erected in Pontefract town
centre this week, thanks to an idea from a keen amateur archaeologist, and money
from Wakefield Council's Community Chest.
Bob Evison, who
lives in Pontefract, got the idea from a Victorian nameplate he saw and thought
it would be a fitting way to mark the Millennium. Local councillors supported
the idea and the Council's Cabinet Committee approved £500 to get the signs
produced.
A local firm,
Knottingley Castings, manufactured the signs and Bob painted them himself adding
the Pontefract Coat of Arms and the Yorkshire White Rose to the street name on
each one.
Cllr Jack Kershaw,
member for Pontefract North, will be unveiling the first of the signs tomorrow,
5th December near Woolworths, helped by Bob Evison, and Peter Cookson, Chairman
of Pontefract Civic Society.
Cllr Kershaw said:
"I am pleased to perform the unveiling ceremony because it shows how well
the Town Centre Management, Pontefract Civic Society and Wakefield Council have
worked together to improve the look of Pontefract centre.
"I would also
like to praise Bob Evison for his idea and hard work , and the signs are a
credit to Knottingley Castings in providing a lasting memorial to the
town."
e-mail: pressoffice@wakefield.gov.uk
Issued by the WMDC Press and Communications Office 04 December 2000