Published April 30th, 2011
Fire Kills campaign makes itself heard in N E Lincs
Humberside Fire and Rescue Service reaches out to deaf and hard of hearing communities this Deaf Awareness Week 2nd – 8th May to ensure they have effective smoke alarms
A whole range of alarms designed specifically for the hard of hearing, from strobe lighting and vibrating alarms to small wearable radio linked pagers. These specialist alarms can save lives, alerting residents to a fire in the home even if an individual has taken their hearing aid out at night.
British Standard BS5446-3:2005, which was amended in 2007, specifies smoke alarm kits for deaf and hard of hearing people. Products made to this standard give deaf people assurance of quality smoke alarms designed to meet their needs.
Julie Smith, from Humberside Fire and Rescue Service said:
”It is vital that people who are deaf or hard of hearing ensure they have the right smoke alarm in their home to protect them, and that they test them weekly, to make sure they work!”
Many people with hearing loss could be at serious risk if they don’t have the right alarm in place. A specialist alarm system provides valuable time to escape from a house blaze, and without it lives could be lost.
”Anyone in doubt about the alarm they need should contact 0808 141 8282 for a free Home Fire Risk Check. We are here to help make sure your home is as fire safe as possible.”
Community safety staff from North East Lincolnshire will be giving safety advice, offering free home fire safety checks and will have their community safety trailer at the following places:
St Peters Avenue, Cleethorpes, (outside John Turners butchers) Tuesday 3rd May 10:00hrs – 16:00hrs
Morrisons Supermarket – Laceby, Thursday 5th May 1000hrs -1600hrs
Anyone wishing to request a Home Fire Safety Check can contact Humberside Fire & Rescue Service on 0808 141 8282
For further information and safety advice from Humberside Fire and Rescue Service please visit www.humbersidefire.gov.uk.
Plan your escape
- Plan your family’s escape route and make sure everyone in your family knows how to escape
- The best escape route is the normal way in and out of your home
- Think of a second route in case the first one is blocked by smoke or fire
- Take a few minutes every month to practice your escape route with your family
- Think about which room you will go to if you can’t get out
‘Test it Tuesday’
Fit a smoke alarm on every level of your home and test them all once a week. Try to make this check a regular habit in your weekly routine by testing them on the same day and at the same time every week. As an easy reminder we call it ‘TEST IT TUESDAY’
Bedtime Check
- Close all inside doors at night to stop any smoke or fire spreading.
- Make sure all exits are always kept clear.
- Keep door and window keys where everyone can find them.
- Turn off electrical appliances that are not designed to be left on
Published April 30th, 2011
Paul Burstow and Nick Clegg attend NHS listening event for patients
Liberal Democrat Leader and Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg, and Liberal Democrat Care Services Minister Paul Burstow yesterday heard patients views at the first of a series of listening events on NHS modernisation exclusively for patients.
Health Secretary Andrew Lansley today also met staff and patients at a listening event at a GP consortium.
Following a tour of the stroke and outpatients wards at the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, the two Lib Dem Ministers were joined by Professor Steve Field who is Chair of the NHS Future Forum which will drive engagement in the ongoing listening exercise, and together they met more than 30 patients from the local area to hear their views and discuss modernisation plans.
The Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister and Health Secretary recently announced that the Government would use the natural break in the parliamentary timetable to pause, reflect and improve proposals to modernise the NHS and safeguard it for the future.
So far more than 119 listening exercise events have been organised, with still moreto be planned. The Government has made clear this is a genuine opportunity to listen to views and make any necessary changes for a stronger NHS.
Speaking after the event, Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg said:
“We are all committed to creating a world-class health service which is why events like this are so important. We want to make a real difference for patients and listening to them is the only way we are going to make this happen.
“I’ve learnt a lot today about how the public feels about our changes to the NHS and I’m confident that by taking this chance to pause and really engage with staff and patients, we can ensure that we modernise the NHS to improve the health service for everyone.”
Care Services Minister Paul Burstow added:
“So far, 119 separate events involving discussions between the NHS Future Forum, staff, patient and public representatives have been arranged around the country, with more events coming on stream.
“This is the first listening exercise I’ve been able to take part in and I’d like to thank the patients who took the time today to share their views with us.”
Published April 30th, 2011
Humberside Fire & Rescue attend major fire in Grimsby
At 2200hrs last night (Friday 29 April) Humberside Fire and Rescue Service was called to attend a fire in Grimsby Pipe Works and Engineering, Murray Road, Grimsby.
Several bales of recycled plastic contained within a warehouse approximately 80m by 40m were involved.
Six fire engines, an hydraulic platform and a specialist water support unit attended the incident from Grimsby – Peaks lane and Cromwell Road, Cleethorpes, Immingham, Waltham and Barton.
Fire crews had to pump water from a nearby dock basin for additional water supplies to tackle the blaze.
Due to the intensity of the heat from the fire, firefighting initially took place from outside the building but the fire was quickly reduced allowing firefighters using breathing apparatus to enter the building and tackle the heart of the fire. Several propane cylinders had exploded in the blaze but firefighters managed to remove the five remaining cylinders to safety.
After approximately one hour the main fire was under control which had severely damaged a warehouse but had also spread to an adjacent building. Crews continued to tackle the second fire and by midnight both buildings were completely under control and the incident was scaled down.
Pete Baron, from Humberside Fire and Rescue Service said: “The fire developed extremely quickly generating very intense heat which meant that fire crews had to tackle the fire from outside at first. They worked extremely hard to get the fire under sufficient control to allow them to enter the building and get to the heart of the fire. When gas cylinders are involved in fire it is always a concern but the firefighters did very well to remove them to safety preventing a possible escalation of the incident”.
Crews returned at 0803hrs to deal with a few small amounts of smouldering cardboard but were only needed to remain for approximately 10 minutes.
The blaze, which was started deliberately, continues to be investigated by Humberside Fire and Rescue Service and Humberside Police.
Published April 30th, 2011
Another Parliamentary election by AV is coming our way!
The following article was written by Mark Pack and originally appeared on the Liberal Democrat Voice Website:
Clearly tis the season to do elections by AV because in addition to a new member of the Lords being elected by the alternative vote at the moment (postal ballot papers went out during the week), there is now another AV election on its way.
Baroness Hayman has announced she will be stepping down as Speaker in the Lords in July. Her replacement will be elected by the alternative vote, just as she was in 2006. The Lords isn’t unusual in using preferential or multi-round elections in this respect, because the Speaker in the Commons is elected over multiple rounds whilst the Commons deputy speakers are elected by the alternative vote.
Once again we’ve got a case of Parliamentarians having chosen to use AV for their own procedures and yet those very Parliamentarians who now tell us there are principled reasons why AV is wrong in general (not just arguments specific to general elections) were remarkably quiet when it came to choosing what election system they get to use to elect others.
It’s good enough for them to elect other people but not for us to elect them it would appear. Not exactly the strident principled stand they like to paint their views as being.
Published April 30th, 2011
If Yes2AV can’t convince you to vote for change, maybe these people can!
The Yes campaign HQ has been saying, doing, tweeting, calling, blogging and leafleting all they can to explain why everyone should vote Yes on 5 May – but it’s not just them.
The Yes campaign asked their supporters – ordinary voters of all ages, from all over the country with views from across the political spectrum – why they will be saying #yes2av next week. So if Yes2AV haven’t been able to convince you yet, perhaps these guys can:
“It’s a moral and democratic scandal that a candidate can become an MP with the support of less than 50% of voters” – Thomas, Edinburgh
“It’s a once-in-a-lifetime chance to take a step towards a more representative & accountable parliament” – Marina, Southampton
“It’s a small first step in turning parliament from cosy, complacent club into the forum of the nation” – Nigel, Portsmouth
“For 40 years I’ve despaired at MPs winning with under half the vote. Democratic legitimacy ONLY comes with at least 50% support” – June, Walsham
“It sickens me that the No campaign still tells lies. I want people to know the facts – then go & vote for change!” – Alan, Watford
“No major party chooses their own leader by FPTP! If it’s too unfair for them, why lumber us with it?” – Derek, Scarborough
Published April 29th, 2011
Which? investigation into supermarket special offers reveals advertisements for deals that aren’t available
A Which? investigation into supermarket special offers has revealed phantom offers and advertisements for deals that aren’t available.
Undercover shoppers made 198 visits to Asda, Morrisons, Sainsbury’s and Tesco stores looking at over 2,000 items, that had been advertised in newspapers or on TV as being on special offer.
All four supermarkets were found to be advertising some products that weren’t in stock on the day the offer was advertised, and some stores were selling items at full price when they had been advertised as being on offer.
In one example, Which? researchers found Fairy and Ariel washing powder, advertised as being on offer at half price by Sainsbury’s, being sold at full price in three quarters of the Sainsbury’s stores visited.
Peter Vicary-Smith, Which? chief executive, said:
“If supermarkets are going to promote special offers, they must make sure all stores honour the prices advertised. There is no excuse for selling a product for £20 when it has been advertised at £10. They should also make sure they have enough stock to meet demand.”
Published April 29th, 2011
Local Government Association says Local government workforce has shrunk as councils tighten their belts
A new analysis of the local government workforce has revealed that the number of people employed in local government has fallen sharply over the last two years as councils made economies during the recession, .
The number of people employed in local government between 2008/09 and 2010/11 fell by more than 15,000 full-time equivalent jobs, a 1.5% decrease.
The number of people working in mainstream local government jobs currently stands at 1,697,100. The reduction happened at the same time as the overall level of public sector employment increased by 4.5%.
Research carried out by the Local Government Group shows that the total pay for mainstream local government workers, including bonuses and overtime, was £26.4billion in 2010/11, an increase of 1.2% from 2008/09. This is the same as a fall of 5.4% in real terms when inflation is taken into account.
Average salaries for local government workers below chief officer level have risen by 3.9% over the last two years, which is the equivalent of a reduction in real terms of 2.7%, compared to an increase of 7.1% in the wider public sector.
The research also shows that these workers in local government have the lowest average earnings compared to other groups of workers in the public sector. Comparing pay rates in terms of full-time equivalent jobs, 45% are paid at less than £18,000 a year and a further 27% are paid at between £18,000 and £24,000.
Sir Steve Bullock, Chair of the LG Group Workforce Programme Board, said:
“These figures show that far from the common myth of profligate councils paying huge salaries to armies of unnecessary pen-pushers, local authorities have been operating significant pay restraint in the past few years as they dealt with the impact of the recession and shrinking budgets.
“The restraint in the pay-bill occurred at the same time that councils were dealing with the equal pay issue and were rightly closing the gender pay gap in local government to one of the lowest in Europe, which caused an upward pressure on salaries.
“Councils knew the cuts to their budgets were coming and did all they could to prepare, taking early action to reduce the size of their workforce and as a result cutting the overall wage bill. This came against a background of overall growth in other areas of the public sector and demonstrates local government’s commitment to providing value for money to council taxpayers.
“Despite the pay restraint demonstrated by this research, the local government workforce continues to work very hard providing essential services to the most vulnerable in our communities.”
Published April 29th, 2011
David Ward says this month millions are receiving their first income tax cut
Today, many of the nearly 900,000 people who have been lifted out of paying Income Tax and the 23m basic-rate tax payers who have received a £200 tax cut will receive their first pay cheques since the changes came in.
The Income Tax threshold, the point from which people start paying their taxes, has been raised by £1,000 to £7,475.
This increase is the first step toward the Liberal Democrat commitment to raise the Income Tax threshold to £10,000, with a further rise of the threshold due in 2012.
In N E Lincs , this is expected that around 2220 low paid workers will no longer have to pay ny Income Tax and a further 110,000 workers will be getting their first cheque with an increase in take-home pay from the increase in personal allowance.
Commenting, Liberal Democrat MP for Bradford East David Ward said:
“At a time when people are worried about their personal finances, this tax cut will help millions of people.
“Today, 166,000 in Bradford will have their first pay cheque with a little extra thanks to the Liberal Democrat tax cut.
“One way we are paying for this is by taxing the banks more, £10bn more, so they pay their share.”
Commenting further, Deputy Prime Minister and Liberal Democrat Leader, Nick Clegg said:
“Today, when millions of people on low and middle incomes look at their pay packet, they will find they have a little bit more in it because of the Liberal Democrats.
“This tax cut comes straight from the front page of our manifesto to the back pockets of millions of taxpayers.
“These are difficult times, but the Liberal Democrats are helping to make life a little easier for people who want to see their hard work rewarded.
“This month, Liberal Democrats stopped nearly 900,000 of the poorest workers from having to pay Income Tax altogether and also gave a £200 cash tax cut to 23million people.
“This is just the first instalment. In last month’s Budget we ensured that next year even more people will be lifted out of tax with a further tax cut for millions more people.”
Published April 28th, 2011
N E Lincs Council takes over the administration of Blue Badge Parking Scheme
North East Lincolnshire Council has now taken over the administration of the European Blue Badge Parking Scheme from the Care Trust Plus.
North East Lincolnshire Council has now taken over the administration of the European Blue Badge Parking Scheme from the Care Trust Plus.
The blue badge scheme allows various concessions, such as priority parking spaces, for people with disabilities and serious mobility issues. The badge itself can also be used abroad in some EU countries.
There are currently 7,500 European Blue Parking Badges in circulation within North East Lincolnshire and in the past, the service provided was restricted to a postal system and three two-hour clinics each week at the Municipal Offices in Grimsby. Many of the people who qualify for the scheme were unable to manage the postal service or attend the clinics.
The scheme will now be provided by the council’s customer services team, who are reviewing the current service with a view to delivering the scheme at each of the Customer Access Points in Grimsby, Cleethorpes and Immingham, later in the year. This will provide improved accessibility, easier issuing and enforcement of the badges, and a fuller approach to disability-related services and support for customers.
For more information about the European Blue Parking Badge Scheme or to find out more about the scheme will be managed in North East Lincolnshire, call customer services on (01472) 313131.
Published April 28th, 2011
Clarification from Humberside Police on reported reduction in number of police officers from incident response teams
The following clarification has been issued in relation to the “CSR 2015 – Programme of Change” report to be discussed at the Humberside Police Authority Business Development Committee meeting on 3 May 2011.
Recent reports have suggested that Humberside Police are considering significantly reducing the number of operational Police Officers from within our Incident Response Teams (IRT).
That is not the case, the numbers stated in the media coverage relating to Incident Response actually involves a total of 82 Officer Posts to be moved from ‘Operational Support’ roles in Public Service Centres and the Incident Handling Units, not Incident Response teams. Officers from within these areas, unless retiring, will be redeployed to active Operational posts, increasing Police Officer visibility within Divisions.
The future work of the new Public Service Centres will be bolstered by the introduction of Police Staff, ensuring that their essential work is carried out in a more cost effective way and that the Warranted powers of our Police Officers are being used to maximum effect within the communities we serve.
Despite the significant cuts the Force is being required to make the Chief Constable is committed to maintaining high quality local operational policing, with Police Officers and PCSOs visible in the communities they serve, working with our partners and any decision will be in support of that commitment.
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