Further revelations have been announced by the Home Office of the loss of personal data, it appears a contractor working in the Department has lost a computer memory stick containing tens of thousands of criminal’s details. 

The Home Office was first told by private firm PA Consulting on Monday that the data might be missing. The lost data includes details about 10,000 prolific offenders as well as information on all 84,000 prisoners in England and Wales.  

A spokesperson for the Home Office said the police and the Information Commissioner had been informed. The loss is the latest in a string of lost data incidents for the government, including stolen laptops, lost computer discs and memory sticks and files left on trains.  

Cases included the loss of the National Insurance numbers of 17,000 people and the theft of a laptop with encrypted details of 17,000 Sats markers. The details of 25 million child benefit claimants vanished last year. The incident led to the recommendation that government departments should give details of personal data losses.  

In this latest case, the contractor confirmed to the Home Office on Tuesday it had failed to uncover the memory stick, but it was not clear how it came to be lost.  

The data on the stick also includes information from the Police National Computer of some 30,000 people with six or more convictions in the last year.  Deputy Commissioner in the Information Commissioner’s Office, said the latest loss showed that personal information could be a “toxic liability” if not handled properly.  “It is deeply worrying that after a number of major data losses and the publication of two government reports on high profile breaches of the Data Protection Act, more personal information has been reported lost,” he said.   He added that data protection needed to be taken seriously at all levels and sensitive information, such as prisoner records, held securely at all times.   Visit Home Office Watch

Commenting on today’s figures showing that over a million fewer people have seen an NHS dentist since the new dental contract was introduced in 2006, Liberal Democrat Shadow Health Secretary, Norman Lamb said:

“The Government is in complete denial over the fact that the new dental contract has been an abject failure.

“People want to see an NHS dentist, but all the evidence shows they are finding this increasingly difficult.

“The crisis in NHS dentistry is Labour’s hidden legacy.”

Commenting on the fall in Eastern European immigration announced today by the Government, Liberal Democrat Shadow Chancellor, Vince Cable said:

“This is another clear indication that the British economy is very seriously slowing down.

“We haven’t yet got the figures for the number of Eastern Europeans returning home, but I suspect there will have been a big increase.

“If we get into a serious recession, immigration will become negative, as it has before.

“I hope that all those people who have been running scare stories about the impact of immigration from Eastern Europe on jobs and housing will now eat a little humble pie. They should acknowledge that immigration flows are very sensitive to the state of the economy.”

Commenting on figures showing that house building in England has slumped by 19% in the last year, Liberal Democrat Shadow Communities and Local Government Secretary, Julia Goldsworthy said:“With house building hitting rock bottom, this Government’s centralised housing targets are beginning to look like nothing more than a pipe-dream.

“But unreachable targets will not help the thousands of families in unsuitable housing.

“This is yet another example of how divorced this Government is from reality.”

For more information about Julia and her work click on: http://www.juliagoldsworthy.org/

Nick Clegg has today visited Grimsby in North East Lincolnshire to meet Cllrs. Andrew De Freitas (the Leader of the Council); Steve Beasant; Steve Hocknell and Tony McCabe. The purpose of his visit was part of his UK tour to launch the Policy Paper “Energy Independence for the UK”; we were naturally pleased that he landed in Grimsby after visiting an offshore energy farm.

This the second visit of the Liberal Democrat Leader to Grimsby.  e visited just before the local elections and we also had the pleasure of meeting him when North East Lincolnshire Liberal Democrat Group won the LGA Group of the Year, the Social Care Group of the Year and the Award for tackling Anti-Social Behaviour

On Thursday 21^st August, the day that Liberal Democrat Leader, Nick Clegg visited Grimsby; and announced ambitious action to improve energy efficiency, and secure the UK’s energy independence. It was also announced that E.ON would raising gas prices by a quarter and electricity prices by 16% - I just get the sense that our energy companies are playing a game of leapfrog!

Commenting, Nick Clegg said:

“Millions of people will get a huge shock when they realise how much it will cost to heat their homes this winter. For the most vulnerable people the effect will be devastating.“

One by one, the major energy companies are lining up to clobber customers with enormous price rises.

“Labour has allowed the energy giants to act as they please. It is unacceptable that on this Government’s watch these companies have benefited from a £9bn windfall, yet they continue to turn the screws on people who are already struggling with high prices.

“Energy companies should be compelled to put some of this money back into insulating the homes of their poorest customers.”

Why not celebrate our rich and varied local heritage by paying a visit (free of charge) to the Great Grimsby Town Hall and Cleethorpes Town Hall on Saturday, September 13, between 10am and 4pm?  The Mayor and the Deputy Mayor will be in attendance for part of the day too. 

Visit the Great Grimsby Town Hall and Time Trap with its old police cells containing a display of police memorabilia from 1846 to 1967 from the old Grimsby Borough Police Force, kindly loaned to the council for the day by avid collector Christian Brydges.

Why not pop along to the Cleethorpes Town Hall Knoll Street and have a look at the hidden parts of the Town Hall?

It’s a great chance to see the Civic Regalia and the magnificent Council Chamber. Treasures from the Archives will also be on display in the Great Grimsby Town Hall Council Chamber on Friday, September 12, from 2pm until 5pm 

You can only vote in elections if your name is on the Register of Electors. The Register is updated in the autumn each year using the details from the registration forms delivered to every household, which will be sent out shortly.  The new register will be published on 1st December.

If you’ve moved since the Register was compiled or have been missed off, you can get your details amended. All you have to do is to fill in a Voter Registration Form. You have to sign your own form, someone else cannot do it for you.

Registration forms are available from the Council’s main reception points at the Municipal Offices, Grimsby; Civic Offices, Cleethorpes; and Kennedy Way, Immingham

Your details will be changed within 2 to 6 weeks of receiving your form. We will write to tell you when your application is allowed. There are special rules about names being added to the register during an election period, so make sure your name is included on the register in plenty of time before an election.

Your questions answered …………….

I filled in the registration form I received last October. Do I still need to fill in a Voter Registration Form?

You do not need to complete this form as long as your details are still the same. If your details have changed and you want to re-register, you need to fill in this form.

How do I know if I’m on the electoral register?

Contact the Electoral Registration Office to find out if you are registered.  You can telephone on 01472 324160 or 324118 or e-mail: customerrequests@nelincs.gov.uk

Do I have to let you know if I move?

No, it is completely up to you. If you don’t let us know you have moved, you will still have a vote at your old address. Only the regular October update is compulsory.

Can I put my whole family on the form?

No, you need a separate form for every person 18 years old and over (and every person just under 18). Each of them will have to sign their own form.

I’ve already let the council know I’ve moved and am paying council tax at my new address. Can they update the electoral register for me?

No, the only way you can update your electoral record is by filling in an voter registration form.

What if I change my name?

If your name has changed, you are welcome to use this form to update the electoral register.

Who has access to the electoral register?

The electoral registration officer makes and keeps two versions of the electoral register - the full register and the edited register.  When you fill in your registration form, you can say if you wish your name and address to be excluded from the edited register.

The full register lists the name and address of everyone who is registered to vote.  The council holds a copy.  Anyone can look at it, but it is a criminal offence to supply or use copies for purposes other than those set down in law.  More information is available at www.aboutmyvote.co.uk

The main use of the full register is to show who can vote in elections and and referendums.  Credit reference agencies can use it, but only to check your name and address if you are applying for credit and for other purposes specified in law.  It can also be used for law enforcement.

The edited register is available for general sale and can be used for any purpose.  The edited register can be bought by any person, company or organisation and can be used for commercial activities such as marketing.

How do I make my choice?

If you tick the box in section 4 on the Voter Registration Form, your name and address will only appear on the full register, which will only be used for certain lawful purposes, such as elections, law enforcement and checking applications for credit.

If you do not tick the box in section 4 on the Voter Registration Form, your name will also appear on the edited version of the register, which anyone can buy. This means anyone can use your details for any purpose.

What are the different types of election?

Electors in North East Lincolnshire have the opportunity to vote in several types of election.

Local government elections - There are 42 councillors on North East Lincolnshire Council. The Council’s area is divided into 15 wards - 12 with three councillors and 3 with two councillors each.  Elections are held in three years out of four.  Council elections will be held in 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012 and so on.

Details of the ward councillors      Councillors Terms of Office

There are also 14 parish or town councils in North East Lincolnshire and elections to these are held every four years.  The next elections will be held in May 2011.

UK parliamentary elections - parliament is elected for a maximum period of 5 years but the Prime Minister may request an election at any time within that term. The last parliamentary election was held in May 2005. The area of North East Lincolnshire is covered by the two parliamentary constituencies of Great Grimsby and Cleethorpes.

Details of the MPs

European parliamentary elections - the European Parliament is elected for a fixed term of 5 years. The Members of the European parliament representing the UK are elected using a system of proportional representation.  North East Lincolnshire is included in the Yorkshire and the Humber electoral region, and there are 6 MEPs for this Region.  The next elections to the European Parliament will be held in June 2009. 

Details of the six MEPs for the region  

The Urban Neighbourhood Policing team, traffic officers and North Lincolnshire Councils Neighbourhood Enforcement Team currently run Operation Yokohama  across North Lincolnshire.

The operation sees calls for service attended in relation with complaints of mini motos and off road bikes being used to annoyance of residents in the area.

Recent results include two bikes being recovered, one of which had only just been bought for £650 the previous day. A stolen moped has also recovered.

Sgt James Main, the officer in charge of the operation said:

‘Operation Yokohama has been run each year and over 70 bikes have been taken from residents in the area last year and crushed. It is pleasing to see the numbers taken each month have reduced, but we continue to take bikes from youngsters and in some cases parents who continue to ignore the warning and have their bikes crushed. The message is clear – YOU ANNOY & WE WILL DESTROY. We are not trying to ruin people’s fun, but the law has to be upheld and the noise and general nuisance disrupts resident’s lives and often the subject comes up at Neighbourhood Action Team Meetings. We would urge parents thinking of buying these types of bikes for their children to think about doing so before parting with their money. It could well be waste as has been seen today where one person has lost £650 over night!
There have already been tragic accidents on these machines and this operation is not meant to ruin people’s fun, but to avoid any further deaths or serious accidents and also to ensure the noise and general nuisance caused by them is reduced for residents. ‘

Other days are planned for this operation over the summer holidays and the daily RESEPCT patrols have officers ready to seize any bikes used illegally.

Some frequently asked questions:

What are mini-motos?
Mini-motos are exact replicas of full sized motorbikes. They are 36 inches tall (knee height) and 24 inches wide. They are powered by small petrol or electric motors and capable of speeds up to 60 mph. They are not toys. They are classes as motor vehicles under the law and treated exactly the same as full size motorbikes. Petrol and electric Go-peds, scooters and mini-motos can only be ridden legally on private land with the permission of the landowner.

What are the legal requirements for driving on the highway?
• Registration and tax
• Insurance
• MOT
• Driving licence
• Drivers must be over 16 years of age
• Drivers must wear an approved crash helmet

Where can mini-motorbikes be used legally?
Only on private land with the permission of the landowner.

Where can they not be used?
They cannot be used on the highway – which includes the road, pavement, public rights of way, cycle-paths, verges, public parks or any place to which the public have access such as car parks and playing fields.

What are the risks?
Criminal charges can be brought against the offender and the parents (if the offender is under 16 years of age).
Possible charges if ridden in a public place include:
• Riding without a licence
• Riding without valid insurance
• Riding without a valid MOT
• Not displaying a valid excise license
• Driving without due care and attention
• Dangerous driving and in cases of fatalities, Death by dangerous driving
• Endorsement on driving licence
• Fines and prison sentences can be considerable
• Parents can also be charged with ‘aiding and abetting’ if they permit the illegal use of a motorcycle.

Please pass any information about dangerous motorcycling, in particular the people who continue to do this, via “Contact safelinks” and it will go straight to Sgt Main.