On Tuesday it was the regular Forum of Forums meeting, which was held at the Town Hall .  I attended this meeting as a representative of Yarborough Forward.  Several other Liberal Democrat Councillors also attended the meeting.

  An important part of the meeting, which was organised by Lib Dem Councillor Sue Pickett of South Ward, included a presentation from a probation officer and a magistrate which explained the options available to magistrates when they decide an appropriate sentence for a crime.  There was also an opportunity for members of the Forum to put questions to a panel which included probation officers, lawyers and magistrates. 

It was stated by Mr Jackson of the Probation Service that it is a common myth that community orders are not a punishment.   A community order can include a number of requirements such as unpaid work, supervision, paying costs or compensation, and drug testing if it applies.  If someone fails to attend an appointment more than once, they will be taken back to the court, who may then deal with them more severely, but I wonder how many of the community volunteers present at the meeting would agree with him that being required to perform  a mere seven hours unpaid work in the community each week for a few weeks  really is a severe punishment? 

It seems worthy of comment that there were several Liberal Democrat Councillors present at this meeting, along with a few from the Labour Group, but despite the claims of the Conservative group that they are concerned about law and order issues in North East Lincs. not one of the Conservative Councillors considered it important enough to attend. 

The House of Lords has recently ruled that residents of private nursing homes are not covered by the Human Rights Act ,1988.  The following motion, which was proposed and seconded by Liberal Democrat Councillors Moreland and Beasant, was passed by the council at the recent meeting:-

“This Councilconsiders that any non-public authority, private or public body caring for the elderly in North East Lincolnshire should ensure that the rights and freedoms of citizens, enshrined in the Human Rights Act, 1988, are reflected in the standards of care they provide to the elderly”

The minutes for the meeting of Yarborough forward which took place on 7th February are now available, and are available from the following link:

Minutes of Yarborough Forward held on 07-02-2008

The next meeting of Yarborough Forward will be held at the Community Centre in Yarrow Road, Grimsby at 6.00pm on 13th March,2008.  Anyone who would like to help to help to make the Yarborough area a better place to live and work in is welcome to come along.  If you would like to know more about Yarborough Forward feel free to ring the secretary on 01472 310855

Antiques guru and television personality David Dickinson will be making a special appearance at Grimsby Central Library on Sunday, March 9 from 11am to 1pm at the first ‘What’s it Worth?’ valuation event to be held at the Grimsby venue.

View a PDF flyer of the event.

David Dickinson – who can currently be seen on his ITV1 afternoon show ‘Dickinson’s Real Deal’ – has a cult following, particularly from students who have tuned in to his many televised shows including ‘Bargain Hunt’ which has won several television awards.David will be valuing some of the Town Hall treasures before joining valuers from John Taylors Valuers and Auctioneers of Louth, for an antique valuation and identification day.After valuing the Town Hall treasure objects, David will be following up on his appearance in the BBC’s popular programme ‘Who Do You Think You Are?’ by taking the time to look at the libraries local history resources before meeting library customers and signing copies of his autobiography: ‘David Dickinson: The Duke – What a Bobby Dazzler’.Members of the public are invited to bring along their treasures from the attic between 11am and 3pm, and for £1 per item get them identified and valued by experts from John Taylor’s Valuers and Auctioneers. All money raised after costs will go to the Mayor’s nominated charities.All visitors attending the event on Sunday, March 9 can enter into a free prize draw to be in with the chance of winning a selection of ‘food and drink’ themed antiques, especially chosen for the event by John Taylors Valuers and Auctioneers. David Dickinson said: “I am very much looking forward to visiting

Councillor Stephen Hocknell, portfolio holder for culture, leisure and healthier communities, is delighted David Dickinson is able to pay a visit to Grimsby Central Library. He said: “Whether you are interested in your family history, are an avid antiques collector or have one item you have always wanted to get valued, then this is a great opportunity to uncover some answers.  “As well as the public having the opportunity to meet David Dickinson, library staff will be on hand to help, register new members and make recommendations on the resources available in the library. So if you have a keen interest in your family history or would like to investigate the value of antiques, then your local library is the place to start your research.”
 
Ann Laverack, director and valuer at John Taylors, said: “Identifying and valuing antiques can be an in-depth process, sometimes requiring a great deal of reference material. Libraries are an excellent starting point, particularly for the beginner, so we are very pleased to be involved in this event, encouraging people with their enthusiasm. We are looking forward to seeing what interesting items arrive for us to identify.” All items are brought at the owner’s risk. For any large pieces of furniture people are asked to bring photographs which show any distinguishing features such as the makers mark, rather than bring the item itself. Visitors are asked to bring no more than three items to be valued.

Last Monday I attended a meeting held to see if there was any interest in forming a Tenants and Residents Association for Laceby Acres.  About 15 people attende the first meeting, and it was decided to hold another meeting at the Gunner’s Watch at 6.30pm on Tuesday 26th February with the intention of forming  properly constituted group to represent the area, and to work with Shoreline HP to improve services in the area.  Anyone who might like to join the new group is welcome to come along and learn more about this project. 

Tthe commitment that North East Lincolnshire has been putting into reducing waiting times for Disabled Facilities Grants (DFG) has been recognised by the release of an additional grant of £129,000 to the council.

If you, or someone in your home is disabled, you may qualify for help towards the cost of providing adaptations and facilities, so that you or the disabled person can continue to live in your own home.

Councillor Geoff Lowis, portfolio holder for regeneration and housing, said: “This is really good news for residents who have a disability and are currently waiting for a disabled facilities grant.

“The additional funding will mean between 25 and 30 clients will receive a DFG much sooner than originally projected.”

By increasing capital funding to the DFG the council has reduced waiting times in 2006/07 by over 30per cent and is continuing this trend throughout 2007/08.

Julie Ogley, executive director of community care, added: “North East Lincolnshire Council is pleased to have been able to commit additional funding to the scheme. As a result of this, and as a direct result of the increased number of DFGs we have carried out, the council has received further funding from the DFG.

“The Government has rewarded the councils that have shown a commitment to funding DFGs and North East Lincolnshire Council has received the second highest grant in the Yorkshire and Humber region.”

If you, or anyone that you know would like to learn more about Disabled Facilities Grants, or would like to apply for a grant, then contact NELC’s Home Improvement Agency on 01472 324777

North East Lincolnshire Council’s trading standards service is asking local consumers to get involved in a nationwide campaign, entitled ‘Scamnesty’, to help in the fight against scams which cost the UK an estimated £3.5 billion a year. As part of Scams Awareness Month, in February, trading standards are asking members of the public to collect any potential scam mailings they have recently received and drop them into designated ‘Scamnesty’ wheelie bins at any North East Lincolnshire library.The designated secure bins, which are all marked up as ‘Scamnesty – don’t let them con you’, are being promoted by trading standards with the theme ‘Drop in and drop them in it’.Every year an estimated three million people fall victim to mass marketed scams such as bogus lotteries, deceptive prize draws and sweepstakes, fake psychics, get-rich-quick schemes and miracle health cures. A number of these scams are sent through the post, as well as by email or over the phone, and target the elderly and vulnerable. However, national research suggests that less than five per cent of victims report the scam to the authorities.Scam mailings collected from the ‘Scamnesty’ bins could provide crucial intelligence to help to inform future investigations, and prevent others from being scammed.Neil Clark, principal trading standards officer, said: “We want to empower the public to help beat the scammers by participating in the Scamnesty campaign.

The street lighting columns in Wroxham Avenue and Evesham Avenue have been chosen to be replaced by new ones, and at the same time the lights are to be upgraded to an improved standard.  N E Lincolnshire Council is keen to consult with local residents to ensure that the lighting columns are sited in the best possible positions.  Maps of the area are included at the end of this post.  If you have any comments or observations about how the positions of the columns might be improved, please contact the Street Lighting Department through the call centre at 01472324500, or by emailing streetlighting@nelincs.gov.uk

                           Wroxham Ave.                                                        Evesham Ave.

 Please click on thumbnail to see a larger picture

It has been necessary to call a special meeting of Yarborough Forward to consider a number of outstanding Acorn bids so that they can meet the final deadline.  It is important that as many residents  as possible attend the meeting so that the bids can be approved.

The meeting will be held at 4.00pm on Monday 4th February at the Community Centre, Yarrow Road.  I apologise for the very short notice but there is no other way approve the bids before the Acorn funding scheme closes.

If anyone knows of any group in the Yarborough Neighbourhood Regeneration Area  that wishes to have a bid considered at this meeting would you please ask them to contact Alan Burley, the Neighbourhood Engagement Worker, on 07862277435 before the meeting