Les Bonner

This Wednesday I shall be travelling to London along with fellow Liberal Democrat councillors Steve Beasant, Dave Boylen, Doug Pickett and Steve Kibble  and  a party of other residents  from N E Lincs to present a petition from the people of N E Lincs to the Government. The petition calls for urgent action to be taken to tackle the problems of crime and antisocial behaviour in the area.  It must be obvious to anyone that we are all being badly let down by the  Government by it’s failure to ensure that existing legal powers are used to take action against a small number of people who spoil the area for the rest of us by regularly  committing violent or antisocial crimes.  The government claims to be “tough on crime and tough on the causes of crime”  Let us hope that we can persuade them to match their tough words with tough actions so the people who commit these crimes will be brought before the courts and will be punished to the full extent of the law.

I look forward to meeting the rest of the party on the bus, and I shall be pleased to take the opportunity to find out what they think about this or any other issue.

I attended this meeting as a substitute for another councillor who was unable to attend.  The purpose of the meeting was to consider the proposals for changes to the sheltered housing scheme proposed by Shoreline HP.  The minutes of the meeting can be found by following this link:

Minutes

North East Lincolnshire councillors have rallied around in support of post offices.
At a  recent meeting of the full council, a motion was passed to campaign to the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry not to close the post offices.Coun Enid Cragg (Lib Dem, Immingham) said: “Post offices are the lifeblood of our communities in both rural and urban areas.
“The most vulnerable in society are those most affected by post office closures - the over 65s, people with disabilities, carers, the unemployed and those without a car who find it difficult to access public transport.”
Leader of the council Coun Andrew De Freitas (Lib Dem, Park) said: “Elderly people look forward to talking to people at the post office and meeting their friends there. The way things are going, we will find ourselves in a situation where there are no post offices left.”The council members voted unanimously to support the campaign not to close post offices in North East Lincolnshire.

The council’s consultation on whether it should change its name ends at 5pm on Monday November 26.

The consultation to change the name of N E Lincs Council was launched following a report from the Chief Executive, which raised questions over whether there would be benefits in changing the council’s name. 

Full details of the proposal can be found here.

If you would like to comment on the proposals, please email namechange@nelincs.gov.uk

To help me to represent the wishes of the people of the Yarborough Ward as closely as possible I would welcome comments on this or any other subject.    Please email me with your views on les.bonner@nelincs.gov.uk

NELC have recently announced the arrangements for refuse collection at Christmas and New Year.  Details can be found at http://www.nelincs.gov.uk/news/christmas+waste.htm

Following numerous requests from residents of the area I have recently made a request to Humberside Police for mobile speed cameras to be used on the stretch of road between Bradley Cross Roads and the roundabout at Morrisons to try and persuade motorists to observe the existing speed limit.   As soon as I receive reply I shall let you know

Thank you to everyone who signed the recent petition in support of the provision of a crossing for pedestrians on the stretch of Laceby Road between Bradley Cross Roads and Morrisons.  The petition has been presented to N E Lincs Council, and the matter will be discussed at the next meeting of the Environment Culture and Tourism Scrutiny Panel which takes at the Town Hall at 6.00pm on December 4th.  Local resident, John Blanch and myself will be speaking in support of the petition at the meeting.  It would be a big help if we were supported by as many local residents as possible on the evening.  It really makes a difference, so please come and give us your support if you can! 

I have recently been appointed to the Healthier Communities and Older People Scrutiny Panel.  This was the first time that I had attended, and the only item on the agenda was to discuss proposals to close Ward C4 at the Diana Princess of Wales Hospital. 

The panel were informed that there is currently a surplus number of beds available in this department of the hospital, and that a reduction of the number of available beds would make cost savings that would be reinvested elsewhere in the health service.  Members of the panel agreed that this would help to provide a better srvice, and that despite certain reservations about the potential lack of beds, the panel welcomed the measures taken to reduce the length of stay of patients where possible, provided that patients are not discharged until they are ready, that support services should be given extra funds to enable them to be increased, and beds would not be closed until they could be sustained over a substantial time.  It was also agreed that  regular monitoring and feedback information will be submitted to future meetings of this Panel.The complete minutes can be read by following this link:

Minutes

A new custom built mobile unit will take youth work into communities where young people have not previously had access to young people’s support service activities.

The mobile unit includes all of the latest, up-to-date multimedia equipment, PC’s and interactive software plus video games consoles, music, a plasma screen TV including DVD, with a seating area and kitchen that is easily accessed by those with disabilities. 

The vehicle also carries a wide range of sports equipment; including, basketball, netball, football, soft cricket and rounders. 

Young people will be included in decision making about the running of the mobile unit along with local community groups. This will be particularly beneficial to them as it is a great opportunity for young people to use their initiative and build their confidence.  This is an amazing resource that will make a big difference to our children and young people.  It can be used free of charge and young people will have the opportunity to interact with each other, make new friends and form new relationships.

I have made a request for the Yarborough Ward to use this facility, so we should be one of the first areas to benefit from this new facility.  As soon as I receive details of the times and locations I shall publish them here.

WHAT are the most important needs and priorities of older people in North East Lincolnshire?  The only way to find out, of course, is to ask them - which is what will be happening between now and early in the New Year.  A questionnaire is being posted out to 12 per cent of the people in the area aged 65 or over - some 3,400 in total.  The short, simple-to-complete document covers such subjects as:

•  Support needs

•  General health

•  Nutrition

• Retirement and retirement planning

• Community involvement

• Transport needs

• Social activities

• Communication, including use of computers 

It is possible there are also other requirements that are not fully met - or maybe not even fully recognised.  This important project is a joint initiative by the Public Health Directorate of North East Lincolnshire Care Trust Plus and North East Lincolnshire Council.  Its aim is to gather as much information as possible about the needs of older people who make a hugely important contribution to society in many different ways.

“We want to improve services for these valued members of our community and to make sure the right kind of help is there when they need it,” said Cynthia Manson-Siddle who is Grimsby-based Deputy Director of Public Health and Consultant in Public Health.

“Our population structure is changing - people are living longer and the proportion of those aged over 65 is increasing.

“By 2025 it is estimated that there will be an additional 10,000 people in this age group in North East Lincolnshire.”

Ms Manson-Siddle continued: “Expectations are also changing - older people anticipate remaining active longer.

“They expect to live these extra years in better health and to have a higher quality of life than their predecessors.

“But increased numbers of older people will place increased requirements on local services, not just health and social care but also  housing, transport, leisure and learning.”

“Completing the questionnaire will give older people the chance to make sure they get the help they really need,” said Ms Manson-Siddle who stresses that those who take part in the survey are guaranteed complete confidentiality. 

“We are asking anyone who receives one to take a little time to complete and return it in the postage paid envelope.

“Only by getting a large response can we make sure that views are representative.”

You can help NELC to improve it’s services for older people.  If you receive one of these questionnaires please try and spare a few minutes to complete it and return it to NELC in the prepaid envelope provided.