NEED EXTRA MONEY IN 2007?
This could be your last chance!
If you work with children and young people 0 - 19 yrs old and have a short-term project in 2007, but lack the necessary funds to get it started look no further…….
The Local Network Fund for Children and Young People (LNF), administered by Tees Valley Community Foundation may be your answer, but you only have 6 months in which to submit your bids( i.e. up to 30 September 2007).
If you are a small, locally managed group and you need between £250 and £7,000 to organise or run an activity for children or young people, and your activity fits into one of the five outcomes of the Government’s Every Child Matters strategy:
· Being Healthy
· Staying Safe
· Enjoying and Achieving
· Making a Contribution
· Achieving Economic Wellbeing
now is the time to apply!
The Foundation holds regular grant panels to ensure the fastest possible response to your application. Help and support is also available from our Outreach Officer, Chris Barkas.
All projects need to be completed by 31 December 2007 so to avoid disappointment get your application in as soon as possible.
If you would like to discuss making an application, or speak to our Outreach Officer, please contact Tees Valley Community Foundation on (01642) 314200.
The Local Network Fund for Children & Young People is a programme of the DFES and is managed by Tees Valley Community Foundation.
Thursday, 25 January 2007
Wednesday, 24 January 2007
Royal connections
Posted by ChrisPictured cheek to cheek with Prince William is my sister Cheryl's boy, James Hunter.
They are in the same regiment stationed just outside Windsor Castle.
Public's chance to debate Council budget
Redcar and Cleveland Council is giving the public the chance to have their say in preparing its 2007/2008 budget, which plans a £6million-plus investment for more and better services for the elderly, children and environment and only a cost of living Council Tax rise.
The consultative meetings are planned for Tuesday, January 30 - the first to start at 10am at the Redcar Education Development Centre, Corporation Road, Redcar and the second fixed for 6pm at Redcar Central Library, Coatham Road, Redcar.
The Council's Cabinet Member for Corporate Resources Councillor Glyn Nightingale will outline the Council's budget strategy at both meetings, then invite questions from the audience, which will also include members of the Borough's business sector plus community and voluntary sector organisations.
The consultation on the £105million budget, which will be formally approved by the Council on March 1, is expected to centre around the Council's success in keeping the projected Council Tax rise, within the cost of living increase, as well as promising a streamlined service with more public and private sector jobs.
The budget proposals earmark over £3million to invest in care for elderly people and those with learning disabilities as well as ensuring improvements to residential care and more help for people to live at home.
There is also a commitment to invest just under £2million in improving transporting children to school and ensuring 'vulnerable' children get more support, with a further £1.3million in the environment and transport.
Councillor Nightingale said: "The consultative meetings are crucial in planning next year's budget. We will be listening to what local people have to say.
"The budget process has already gone through enough stages to allow us to ask the public to look at four options. It is important everyone understands what can be achieved and what demands are being placed upon our services."
The options include:
*The 3.6 per cent increase in Council Tax in line with the cost of living.
*A 3.9 per cent increase to pay for extra Clean and Green operatives to build on our position as the second most improved recycling council in England.
*A 4.9 per cent rise in Council Tax - the Government maximum - with an extra £625,000 spent on further improvements in Council services.
*A Council Tax rise less than 3.6 per cent with cuts in services and the jobs of people directly serving the public or much higher charges for Council services, hitting the most vulnerable in our society.
The consultative meetings are planned for Tuesday, January 30 - the first to start at 10am at the Redcar Education Development Centre, Corporation Road, Redcar and the second fixed for 6pm at Redcar Central Library, Coatham Road, Redcar.
The Council's Cabinet Member for Corporate Resources Councillor Glyn Nightingale will outline the Council's budget strategy at both meetings, then invite questions from the audience, which will also include members of the Borough's business sector plus community and voluntary sector organisations.
The consultation on the £105million budget, which will be formally approved by the Council on March 1, is expected to centre around the Council's success in keeping the projected Council Tax rise, within the cost of living increase, as well as promising a streamlined service with more public and private sector jobs.
The budget proposals earmark over £3million to invest in care for elderly people and those with learning disabilities as well as ensuring improvements to residential care and more help for people to live at home.
There is also a commitment to invest just under £2million in improving transporting children to school and ensuring 'vulnerable' children get more support, with a further £1.3million in the environment and transport.
Councillor Nightingale said: "The consultative meetings are crucial in planning next year's budget. We will be listening to what local people have to say.
"The budget process has already gone through enough stages to allow us to ask the public to look at four options. It is important everyone understands what can be achieved and what demands are being placed upon our services."
The options include:
*The 3.6 per cent increase in Council Tax in line with the cost of living.
*A 3.9 per cent increase to pay for extra Clean and Green operatives to build on our position as the second most improved recycling council in England.
*A 4.9 per cent rise in Council Tax - the Government maximum - with an extra £625,000 spent on further improvements in Council services.
*A Council Tax rise less than 3.6 per cent with cuts in services and the jobs of people directly serving the public or much higher charges for Council services, hitting the most vulnerable in our society.
Monday, 22 January 2007
Proud of our Yorkshire roots
Glynis Abbott (centre in red) joins Yorkshire campaigners at the Ormesby roundabout.Flying the flag
Left to right, Redcar Councillor Chris Abbott, Former Mayor of Scarborough Michael Pitts and International Opera Singer Stephen Laird, celebrate the erection of the North Riding boundary signs.Lib Dem slams triple whammy of mistakes
A Liberal Democrat Councillor has reacted today to the claims of Local Government Minister Phil Woolas, who is applauding the 39 per cent funding increase for local government over the past ten years.
Councillor Glyn Nightingale, the Council's Cabinet member for Corporate Resources, said: “I am sure the Minister is right for the national average - but the reality here is very different. A triple whammy of mistakes has cost our taxpayers £7.1million.
“Despite the Government’s failure, through our own efficiencies we have been able to find a productivity improvement of seven per cent to invest £6.5million in improved services for the elderly, vulnerable children and the environment whilst keeping the Council Tax to a cost of living increase."
He explained: "The Government has an army of civil servants working out in great detail the funding needs of local areas. Not surprisingly, the North needs more than it has been getting, but the South needs less. To give the North more means giving the South less.
“So another army of civil servants is employed to reduce the grants for the North to prop up the overspending councils in the South. Redcar and Cleveland has lost £3.5million over the past two years by this so-called dampening mechanism.
“I estimate that our sub region as a whole has seen £15million of its required resources in the last two years sent to help Kensington and Chelsea, Surrey and Hampshire.
“We then get a double whammy from the Government’s admitted mistake in estimating population figures. Twelve months ago new population estimates claimed our population was falling rapidly against all recent trends and measures of reality.
"We forced the Government to admit they had got it wrong, but for a second year running they have continued to give grant on the basis of population figures they know to be wrong.
“Redcar and Cleveland’s tax payers have lost £4million over the last two years because of this. I estimate our area and the whole North East region has lost many millions more. Again the South East gains by the error.
“The Triple whammy comes from the outrageous distribution of a special grant called “supporting people”. The Government have redone their estimates for this grant and say that Redcar and Cleveland should have an increase in grant to help the elderly and disabled of £3.4million. However as many Councils in the South have been getting too much, and they cannot be reduced, our increase is only £188,000.
“Add all this together and Redcar and Cleveland’s tax payers have been cheated out of £7.1million for 2007, as they were in 2006 as well.
“If the Government could get its sums right and give the North its fair share we could do even more for the quality of life of our people.”
Councillor Glyn Nightingale, the Council's Cabinet member for Corporate Resources, said: “I am sure the Minister is right for the national average - but the reality here is very different. A triple whammy of mistakes has cost our taxpayers £7.1million.
“Despite the Government’s failure, through our own efficiencies we have been able to find a productivity improvement of seven per cent to invest £6.5million in improved services for the elderly, vulnerable children and the environment whilst keeping the Council Tax to a cost of living increase."
He explained: "The Government has an army of civil servants working out in great detail the funding needs of local areas. Not surprisingly, the North needs more than it has been getting, but the South needs less. To give the North more means giving the South less.
“So another army of civil servants is employed to reduce the grants for the North to prop up the overspending councils in the South. Redcar and Cleveland has lost £3.5million over the past two years by this so-called dampening mechanism.
“I estimate that our sub region as a whole has seen £15million of its required resources in the last two years sent to help Kensington and Chelsea, Surrey and Hampshire.
“We then get a double whammy from the Government’s admitted mistake in estimating population figures. Twelve months ago new population estimates claimed our population was falling rapidly against all recent trends and measures of reality.
"We forced the Government to admit they had got it wrong, but for a second year running they have continued to give grant on the basis of population figures they know to be wrong.
“Redcar and Cleveland’s tax payers have lost £4million over the last two years because of this. I estimate our area and the whole North East region has lost many millions more. Again the South East gains by the error.
“The Triple whammy comes from the outrageous distribution of a special grant called “supporting people”. The Government have redone their estimates for this grant and say that Redcar and Cleveland should have an increase in grant to help the elderly and disabled of £3.4million. However as many Councils in the South have been getting too much, and they cannot be reduced, our increase is only £188,000.
“Add all this together and Redcar and Cleveland’s tax payers have been cheated out of £7.1million for 2007, as they were in 2006 as well.
“If the Government could get its sums right and give the North its fair share we could do even more for the quality of life of our people.”
Friday, 19 January 2007
Better Value Customer Services
Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council is to invest £161,000 creating 13 new jobs in its Contact Centre after monitoring showed take up of public access services is up by almost a third.
In May 2004, there was an average of 18,500 calls a month to the Council's newly-created Contact Centre and 2,000 visitors to One Stop Shops.
The service has been so successful that nearly 24,000 people call the Contact Centre a month and over 3,000 visit the One Stop Shops.
Opening hours at the One Stop Shops in Eston, Guisborough and Redcar are also being realigned. Although visits have almost doubled, take up on Saturdays remains minimal.
In October 2006, for example, 3,644 people used the One Stop Shop service. But only 12 of those visits took place on Saturdays. So staff are being switched to meet demand elsewhere.
The Council's Cabinet Member for Corporate Resources, Councillor Glyn Nightingale, said: "The Contact Centre and One Stop Shops have been a real success with the public, with increasing numbers of people now choosing to use them to get in touch with the Council. We're committed to making it as easy as possible for people to get the service they need. That's why we're continuing our investment in the service.
"The pilot Saturday opening has shown there's only a limited demand for One Stop Shops at weekends. By switching resources to times and options that the public prefer, we can offer a better service when people actually need it.
"People are now increasingly realising that it's easy to use a wide range of new ways to contact the Council - web cams in libraries, email - as well as the 'phone and in writing.
"By re-aligning the hours of the One Stop Shops and investing in 13 extra staff we can deliver an excellent service as and when people need it."
The One Stop Shops are currently open from 9am until 5pm, Monday to Friday and 9am until 1pm on Saturdays at Redcar and Cleveland Town Hall, Eston; Belmont House, Guisborough and Redcar and Cleveland House, Redcar.
The One Stop Shop will cease to open on Saturdays from April 1, when the new staff will be in post in the Contact Centre.
In May 2004, there was an average of 18,500 calls a month to the Council's newly-created Contact Centre and 2,000 visitors to One Stop Shops.
The service has been so successful that nearly 24,000 people call the Contact Centre a month and over 3,000 visit the One Stop Shops.
Opening hours at the One Stop Shops in Eston, Guisborough and Redcar are also being realigned. Although visits have almost doubled, take up on Saturdays remains minimal.
In October 2006, for example, 3,644 people used the One Stop Shop service. But only 12 of those visits took place on Saturdays. So staff are being switched to meet demand elsewhere.
The Council's Cabinet Member for Corporate Resources, Councillor Glyn Nightingale, said: "The Contact Centre and One Stop Shops have been a real success with the public, with increasing numbers of people now choosing to use them to get in touch with the Council. We're committed to making it as easy as possible for people to get the service they need. That's why we're continuing our investment in the service.
"The pilot Saturday opening has shown there's only a limited demand for One Stop Shops at weekends. By switching resources to times and options that the public prefer, we can offer a better service when people actually need it.
"People are now increasingly realising that it's easy to use a wide range of new ways to contact the Council - web cams in libraries, email - as well as the 'phone and in writing.
"By re-aligning the hours of the One Stop Shops and investing in 13 extra staff we can deliver an excellent service as and when people need it."
The One Stop Shops are currently open from 9am until 5pm, Monday to Friday and 9am until 1pm on Saturdays at Redcar and Cleveland Town Hall, Eston; Belmont House, Guisborough and Redcar and Cleveland House, Redcar.
The One Stop Shop will cease to open on Saturdays from April 1, when the new staff will be in post in the Contact Centre.
North Riding signs in place
Pictured are 3 of 7 North Riding of Yorkshire boundary signs recently erected on the roads leading into the Borough of Redcar & Cleveland.Sign 1 (bottom) - On Stokesley Road between Great Ayton and Guisborough
Sign 2 (middle) - On the A1085 Trunk Road on the boundary with Middlesbrough
Sign 3 (top) - On Normanby Road at Ormesby with Chair of the Ridings Society Cllr Chris Abbott in pic
The seven signs were erected at no cost to the Borough of Redcar & Cleveland. They were paid for with a donation of £1150 from the Yorkshire Ridings Society.
Chairman of the Yorkshire Ridings Society and Cabinet member for Housing and Neighbourhood Renewal on Redcar and Cleveland Council, Cllr Chris Abbott said:
"We are delighted that at last our real county is shown on road signs in our area.
"The Coalition running Redcar & Cleveland has promoted the area as part of Yorkshire ever since it took control in May 2003. In July of that year the Council made Yorkshire part of its postal address and introduced an annual Yorkshire Day festival that has proved very successful. The Council also joined the Yorkshire Tourist Board.
"Promoting the area as part of Yorkshire keeps our link with history and heritage alive. It is quite separate from the areas invented for local government administration, economic development and regional planning. These areas can change at any time but Yorkshire is one of England's 39 Counties, which have been part of our geography for more than 1000 years. Real Counties should appear on maps alongside our administrative areas.
"The Ridings Society campaigns for recognition that the three Ridings of Yorkshire still exist for all cultural, ceremonial, sporting and postal purposes. Local government changes in recent years have not affected the North Riding of Yorkshire. The 1972 Local Government Act abolished only North Riding County Council and not the North Riding.
"Government statements made at the time and often repeated since declared that "the changes were for local government purposes only, for all other purposes Yorkshire is still Yorkshire."
Monday, 15 January 2007
Council seeks independent members for Audit Committee
Redcar and Cleveland Council is seeking applications from the public for two new part-time and voluntary members to join its internal Audit Committee as part of a process to bring an independent perspective on how public money is spent and how it conducts business in accordance with the law.
Committee chairman Councillor Keith Pudney said: "Successful applicants will have an exciting and vital role in contributing and influencing the Committee's work.
"It is responsible for providing independent assurance to the Council of the adequacy and effectiveness of its internal control measures, which include risk management and performance measures."
The Committee also has the potential to advise all organisational arms of the Council, Members and Officers within its Terms of Reference.
Membership will involve five or six meetings a year plus additional time to consider issues and liaise with members and officers and entitles the person to travel and subsistence expenses.
Ideally you will preferably live or work in the Borough and possess an accounting background, while you cannot be related to an officer or Member or have been an employee or councillor in the Borough during the past five years.
Committee chairman Councillor Keith Pudney said: "Successful applicants will have an exciting and vital role in contributing and influencing the Committee's work.
"It is responsible for providing independent assurance to the Council of the adequacy and effectiveness of its internal control measures, which include risk management and performance measures."
The Committee also has the potential to advise all organisational arms of the Council, Members and Officers within its Terms of Reference.
Membership will involve five or six meetings a year plus additional time to consider issues and liaise with members and officers and entitles the person to travel and subsistence expenses.
Ideally you will preferably live or work in the Borough and possess an accounting background, while you cannot be related to an officer or Member or have been an employee or councillor in the Borough during the past five years.
Oh dear! Labour is struggling to find candidates for the Council elections
Selections from a Labour Party document found under the lid of a photocopier in Redcar & Cleveland Town Hall. (surely they were not using Council facilities? - CA).
Leader's New Year Report for 2007
Dear Comrades,
Campaigning. We were out in Eston on Saturday and Sunday with Vera Baird introducing the Eston candidates on the doorsteps in the Whale Hill Estate.
This year we have our local elections taking place on Thursday the 03rd of May. Whilst all the "A" wards have been completed we still need candidates for some of the "B" wards and also the "C" wards.
The Labour Group and Joint Trade Union meetings were reconvened during 2006. (Had they fallen out? - CA).
Unison look very likely to be moving out of the Town Hall annex up to Marton Road in Middlesbrough by the end of January 2007, after receiving notice to quit. (The annex is due to be demolished!!!).
The Unison Brancy Secretary has said on a couple of occasions that whoever takes control of the Council on the 3rd of May will have great difficulty when it comes to running the Council.
Yours fraternally,
George R. Dunning
Eston Park is outstanding and that's official
Rising achievements at Eston Park School has earned top marks from Ofsted inspectors.
The number of students achieving five or more GCSEs at the school has almost quadrupled in the last five years, resulting in an ‘outstanding’ Ofsted rating.
The report says: “Students make outstanding progress given their starting points and develop into confident young people.”
The Redcar and Cleveland school in Eston is now in the top 14 per cent of schools nationally for the progress students make from entering to leaving the school. Some students are given the opportunity to study GCSEs in Year 9 when they are 14, two years earlier than expected.
The report said: “The holistic approach taken by the school is a major factor in enabling the students to make excellent progress in their learning. There is a very strong sense among staff of their commitment to helping all students to achieve.”
Headteacher Jim Rogers, praised for creating an ‘ethos of continuous improvement’, said: “We are delighted that the report recognises the outstanding progress at Eston Park. We work extremely hard to instil appropriate values in our pupils and they can be justifiably proud of themselves and their school.
“This report is the culmination of 11 years of hard work by strong, dedicated staff at all levels. We intend to build on it to improve further to convince people of the value and importance of comprehensive education and to maintain Eston Park’s outstanding status.”
The report highlighted the ‘excellent’ student behaviour, ‘good’ teaching and high attendance which was hailed as ‘better than found nationally.’
It praised the promotion of healthy eating lifestyles to the school’s 899 students together with the school’s celebration of student achievements through reward systems and displays.
Redcar and Cleveland Council's Cabinet Member for Education Councillor Steve Kay said: "Congratulations to Eston Park on a truly deserved report which is testament to the dedication of hard working staff.
"The school clearly works extremely hard to ensure that every child is given the opportunity to reach their full potential and the improving examination results demonstrate its effectiveness in doing so.”
Links with parents were commended in the report, with inspectors stating: “The school works well, and increasingly successfully, to involve parents in the education of their children and is rightly continuing to explore new ways to help parents become more involved.”
The report also highlighted the extra support given to students with disabilities, learning difficulties, or those at risk of exclusion from school.
Inspectors predicted an ‘outstanding’ capacity to improve at the school, where the number of students has increased by almost 100 in two years.
The number of students achieving five or more GCSEs at the school has almost quadrupled in the last five years, resulting in an ‘outstanding’ Ofsted rating.
The report says: “Students make outstanding progress given their starting points and develop into confident young people.”
The Redcar and Cleveland school in Eston is now in the top 14 per cent of schools nationally for the progress students make from entering to leaving the school. Some students are given the opportunity to study GCSEs in Year 9 when they are 14, two years earlier than expected.
The report said: “The holistic approach taken by the school is a major factor in enabling the students to make excellent progress in their learning. There is a very strong sense among staff of their commitment to helping all students to achieve.”
Headteacher Jim Rogers, praised for creating an ‘ethos of continuous improvement’, said: “We are delighted that the report recognises the outstanding progress at Eston Park. We work extremely hard to instil appropriate values in our pupils and they can be justifiably proud of themselves and their school.
“This report is the culmination of 11 years of hard work by strong, dedicated staff at all levels. We intend to build on it to improve further to convince people of the value and importance of comprehensive education and to maintain Eston Park’s outstanding status.”
The report highlighted the ‘excellent’ student behaviour, ‘good’ teaching and high attendance which was hailed as ‘better than found nationally.’
It praised the promotion of healthy eating lifestyles to the school’s 899 students together with the school’s celebration of student achievements through reward systems and displays.
Redcar and Cleveland Council's Cabinet Member for Education Councillor Steve Kay said: "Congratulations to Eston Park on a truly deserved report which is testament to the dedication of hard working staff.
"The school clearly works extremely hard to ensure that every child is given the opportunity to reach their full potential and the improving examination results demonstrate its effectiveness in doing so.”
Links with parents were commended in the report, with inspectors stating: “The school works well, and increasingly successfully, to involve parents in the education of their children and is rightly continuing to explore new ways to help parents become more involved.”
The report also highlighted the extra support given to students with disabilities, learning difficulties, or those at risk of exclusion from school.
Inspectors predicted an ‘outstanding’ capacity to improve at the school, where the number of students has increased by almost 100 in two years.
Friday, 12 January 2007
Libraries host recycling surgeries
Redcar and Cleveland Council will be using its 13 branch libraries for a new awareness-raising campaign on recycling, starting at Saltburn on Monday, January 15.
The Council's Community Waste Liaison Officer Barbara Webster will be joined by assistants Chris Orr and Ryan Williams on a programme of visits, which plans three stops at each library from now until the end of March.
The sessions, funded through the Government's WRAP - Waste and Resource Action Programme - initiative is geared to offer advice and information to residents on all recycling issues.
Barbara explained: "This will be the third year we have organised these visits and we've been really encouraged by the turn-outs."
The Council's Cabinet Member for Environmental Improvement Councillor Bob Stanway said: "We achieved Beacon Council status for our waste management and recycling practises last year - and we're determined not to rest on our laurels.
"We see these recycling surgeries as another key way of getting our message across. We were all heartened by the Government's latest statistics which showed our recycling rate of 35.7 per cent last year as a 20.8 per cent increase making us the second most improved council in the country.”
Dates, venues and times for next week's surgeries are:
Monday, January 15: Saltburn, 11am-noon; Redcar, 2pm-4pm,Tuesday, January 16: Guisborough, 10am-noon; Ormesby, 3pm-4pm,Thursday, January 18: Grangetown, 1pm-2pm, Friday, January 19: Skelton, 10am-11am, Laburnum Road, Redcar, 11.30am-12.30pm.
The full list of surgeries can be accessed via the Council's website, www.redcar-cleveland.gov.uk.
The Council's Community Waste Liaison Officer Barbara Webster will be joined by assistants Chris Orr and Ryan Williams on a programme of visits, which plans three stops at each library from now until the end of March.
The sessions, funded through the Government's WRAP - Waste and Resource Action Programme - initiative is geared to offer advice and information to residents on all recycling issues.
Barbara explained: "This will be the third year we have organised these visits and we've been really encouraged by the turn-outs."
The Council's Cabinet Member for Environmental Improvement Councillor Bob Stanway said: "We achieved Beacon Council status for our waste management and recycling practises last year - and we're determined not to rest on our laurels.
"We see these recycling surgeries as another key way of getting our message across. We were all heartened by the Government's latest statistics which showed our recycling rate of 35.7 per cent last year as a 20.8 per cent increase making us the second most improved council in the country.”
Dates, venues and times for next week's surgeries are:
Monday, January 15: Saltburn, 11am-noon; Redcar, 2pm-4pm,Tuesday, January 16: Guisborough, 10am-noon; Ormesby, 3pm-4pm,Thursday, January 18: Grangetown, 1pm-2pm, Friday, January 19: Skelton, 10am-11am, Laburnum Road, Redcar, 11.30am-12.30pm.
The full list of surgeries can be accessed via the Council's website, www.redcar-cleveland.gov.uk.
Thursday, 11 January 2007
Planning ahead for learning campus
Redcar and Cleveland Council is ready to submit its detailed planning application for the £16million Saltburn Learning Campus project next week.
The Campus will provide a new secondary school to replace the existing Huntcliff School buildings and a new primary school to replace the two Saltburn Primary School sites at Marske Mill Lane and Upleatham Street.
The development of the current Huntcliff School site will create a modern learning campus, expanding on the existing facilities of a Children’s Centre, Leisure Centre and Multi-Use Games Area providing life-long learning opportunities.
The first of two phases is hoped to commence in July, with the building of the new secondary school, and the second phase, the new primary school, will be completed by September 2009, subject to planning approval.
The Council’s Lead Member for Children's Services Councillor Valerie Halton said: “This is a marvellous and innovative project which will be a great asset to the young people and the wider community of Saltburn for years to come."
Members of the public attended the latest meeting at Huntcliff this week to see the proposals and designs for the development presented by Council officers and the project's architects, Aedas.
The Council's Capital Projects Manager Lionel Danby, who chaired the meeting, said: "The plans for the new buildings were generally well received. We have also taken on board issues raised and noted them for consideration during further design development."
Improved shared facilities for both schools and the community will include a sports hall, multi-use activity halls, changing facilities and remodelled playing fields.
Enclosed wildlife areas and amphitheatres will form new outdoor learning areas for the schools while woodland areas and landscaping will be used to improve the visible aspects of the site.
The inclusion of on-site parking, drop-off facilities and cycle storage is expected to alleviate public concerns over traffic management and control. A formal public consultation process will take place once the planning application has been submitted.
The Capital Projects Team's website is regularly updated as design development progresses - log on to www.redcar-cleveland.gov.uk and click on the Capital Projects BLOG on the home page.
The Campus will provide a new secondary school to replace the existing Huntcliff School buildings and a new primary school to replace the two Saltburn Primary School sites at Marske Mill Lane and Upleatham Street.
The development of the current Huntcliff School site will create a modern learning campus, expanding on the existing facilities of a Children’s Centre, Leisure Centre and Multi-Use Games Area providing life-long learning opportunities.
The first of two phases is hoped to commence in July, with the building of the new secondary school, and the second phase, the new primary school, will be completed by September 2009, subject to planning approval.
The Council’s Lead Member for Children's Services Councillor Valerie Halton said: “This is a marvellous and innovative project which will be a great asset to the young people and the wider community of Saltburn for years to come."
Members of the public attended the latest meeting at Huntcliff this week to see the proposals and designs for the development presented by Council officers and the project's architects, Aedas.
The Council's Capital Projects Manager Lionel Danby, who chaired the meeting, said: "The plans for the new buildings were generally well received. We have also taken on board issues raised and noted them for consideration during further design development."
Improved shared facilities for both schools and the community will include a sports hall, multi-use activity halls, changing facilities and remodelled playing fields.
Enclosed wildlife areas and amphitheatres will form new outdoor learning areas for the schools while woodland areas and landscaping will be used to improve the visible aspects of the site.
The inclusion of on-site parking, drop-off facilities and cycle storage is expected to alleviate public concerns over traffic management and control. A formal public consultation process will take place once the planning application has been submitted.
The Capital Projects Team's website is regularly updated as design development progresses - log on to www.redcar-cleveland.gov.uk and click on the Capital Projects BLOG on the home page.
Wednesday, 10 January 2007
Council budget's big investment
Redcar and Cleveland Council is ready to invest £6million on more and better services for the elderly, children and the environment - and keep its Council Tax rise down to a cost of living increase.
The Council's Cabinet also believes its 2007/2008 budget will deliver a seven per cent productivity improvement, as well as being able to limit the Council Tax rise to 51p a week for Band A properties, which accounts for over a third of the Borough's 61,000 properties.
Nearly £2million is earmarked to invest in care for elderly people and those with learning disabilities as well as ensuring improvements to residential care and more help for people to live at home.
This investment is geared to address national fears from the Commission for Social Care, who believe families face a growing financial burden to pay for their own support services.
There is also a commitment to invest just under £1million in improving transporting children to school and ensuring 'vulnerable' children get more support.
The budget proposals, which are going out to widespread consultation over the next month, also plan to build on the Council's status as a Beacon Council for its recycling and waste management services. This could see an extra Clean and Green operative in each of the six zoned areas of the Borough.
The Council's Cabinet Member for Corporate Resources Councillor Glyn Nightingale said: "The Council's primary objectives are to maintain existing services and respond effectively to the need for improved services.
"We can spend an extra £6 million for a cost of living increase of 3.6 per cent, the figure used by the Chancellor for pensions increase and achieve productivity improvements worthy of any world-class business."
Consultation on the £105 million budget, which will involve hundreds of people, with meetings planned for both public and staff before it is formally agreed by the Council on March 1, will offer three further options.
Councillor Nightingale explained: "We want the views of local people on whether we should employ more Clean and Green workers. This would mean a Council Tax rise of 3.9 per cent instead of 3.6 per cent.
"If Council Tax was to rise by 4.9 per cent - the maximum allowed by Government, an extra £625,000 could be spent on further improvements in Council services. If we did that, what should we spend it on?
"However, if people wanted us to set the Council Tax at less than 3.6 per cent, we would need to make serious cuts in services with job losses. We need the public to tell us what those reductions should be."
Each of the Council's main directorates - Chief Executives, Finance and Procurement, Area Management, Health and Social Well Being and Children's Services - have also already made considerable efforts to find new ways of delivering services with greater efficiency.
"The result is savings amounting to £7 million achieved in some cases through investment in automation, ending duplication of work, less office space and new work practices."
Councillor Nightingale said: "Our overall package will see an increase in jobs in the private as well as the public sector. There will be a reduction in administration and managerial jobs but a bigger increase in jobs directly serving the public.
"The exact numbers of job losses and job gains have not yet been determined because we are going through a voluntary process. There are no compulsory redundancies planned."
Copies of the proposals, which are being circulated to all councillors, the Borough's town and parish councils, businesses, trade unions and the voluntary sector, can be access through the Council's website, www.redcar-cleveland.gov.uk.
Details of public meetings and other consultation events will shortly be advertised.
The Council's Cabinet also believes its 2007/2008 budget will deliver a seven per cent productivity improvement, as well as being able to limit the Council Tax rise to 51p a week for Band A properties, which accounts for over a third of the Borough's 61,000 properties.
Nearly £2million is earmarked to invest in care for elderly people and those with learning disabilities as well as ensuring improvements to residential care and more help for people to live at home.
This investment is geared to address national fears from the Commission for Social Care, who believe families face a growing financial burden to pay for their own support services.
There is also a commitment to invest just under £1million in improving transporting children to school and ensuring 'vulnerable' children get more support.
The budget proposals, which are going out to widespread consultation over the next month, also plan to build on the Council's status as a Beacon Council for its recycling and waste management services. This could see an extra Clean and Green operative in each of the six zoned areas of the Borough.
The Council's Cabinet Member for Corporate Resources Councillor Glyn Nightingale said: "The Council's primary objectives are to maintain existing services and respond effectively to the need for improved services.
"We can spend an extra £6 million for a cost of living increase of 3.6 per cent, the figure used by the Chancellor for pensions increase and achieve productivity improvements worthy of any world-class business."
Consultation on the £105 million budget, which will involve hundreds of people, with meetings planned for both public and staff before it is formally agreed by the Council on March 1, will offer three further options.
Councillor Nightingale explained: "We want the views of local people on whether we should employ more Clean and Green workers. This would mean a Council Tax rise of 3.9 per cent instead of 3.6 per cent.
"If Council Tax was to rise by 4.9 per cent - the maximum allowed by Government, an extra £625,000 could be spent on further improvements in Council services. If we did that, what should we spend it on?
"However, if people wanted us to set the Council Tax at less than 3.6 per cent, we would need to make serious cuts in services with job losses. We need the public to tell us what those reductions should be."
Each of the Council's main directorates - Chief Executives, Finance and Procurement, Area Management, Health and Social Well Being and Children's Services - have also already made considerable efforts to find new ways of delivering services with greater efficiency.
"The result is savings amounting to £7 million achieved in some cases through investment in automation, ending duplication of work, less office space and new work practices."
Councillor Nightingale said: "Our overall package will see an increase in jobs in the private as well as the public sector. There will be a reduction in administration and managerial jobs but a bigger increase in jobs directly serving the public.
"The exact numbers of job losses and job gains have not yet been determined because we are going through a voluntary process. There are no compulsory redundancies planned."
Copies of the proposals, which are being circulated to all councillors, the Borough's town and parish councils, businesses, trade unions and the voluntary sector, can be access through the Council's website, www.redcar-cleveland.gov.uk.
Details of public meetings and other consultation events will shortly be advertised.
Monday, 8 January 2007
New chapter for Brotton Library
Redcar and Cleveland Council has started a new chapter for Brotton Library, opening the doors to its new home in the new Freebrough Specialist Engineering College.
The College, which opens tomorrow (Tuesday, January 9) for its first day, incorporates the library as a shared school and community facility, with a separate entrance for public access.
The Council’s Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure and Tourism Councillor Dave Fitzpatrick said: “We are confident that the library users will be delighted with their fantastic new library. We hope people will come along and see for themselves what a tremendous improvement it is.”
Over £8,000 has been spent on new adult and junior books including an additional 526 non-fiction books and 842 fiction books to join the libraries existing stock.
The new site offers an improved layout with easier access for people with mobility difficulties, a disabled toilet and baby change facilities.
The new library has something for everyone – books for both adults and children, including large print and talking books, DVDs and music CDs, plus a reference collection with resources for both local and family history.
There are 12 computers providing free public access to the internet, word processing and other software whilst a Viewpoint web-cam is available to provide confidential access to council services.
Library staff are available to help students from the College as well as members of the public with everything from locating books to printing to homework.
The library has increased opening hours from 30 to 37.5 per week with the library open Tuesday mornings and through lunch during term time.
New opening hours - Term Time: Monday 9.30am-7pm, Tuesday 9.30am-5pm, Wednesday noon-2pm, Thursday 9.30am-7pm, Friday 9.30am-5pm, Saturday 9.30am-12.30pm.
School holidays: Monday 9.30am-12.30pm, 1.30pm-7pm, Tuesday 9.30am-12.30pm, 1.30pm-5pm, Wednesday Closed, Thursday 9.30am-12.30pm, 1.30pm-5pm, Friday 9.30am-12.30pm, 1.30pm-5pm, Saturday 9.30pm-12.30pm.
Council officers are now looking into future potential uses of the old library site on the High Street, which was closed on December 16.
The College, which opens tomorrow (Tuesday, January 9) for its first day, incorporates the library as a shared school and community facility, with a separate entrance for public access.
The Council’s Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure and Tourism Councillor Dave Fitzpatrick said: “We are confident that the library users will be delighted with their fantastic new library. We hope people will come along and see for themselves what a tremendous improvement it is.”
Over £8,000 has been spent on new adult and junior books including an additional 526 non-fiction books and 842 fiction books to join the libraries existing stock.
The new site offers an improved layout with easier access for people with mobility difficulties, a disabled toilet and baby change facilities.
The new library has something for everyone – books for both adults and children, including large print and talking books, DVDs and music CDs, plus a reference collection with resources for both local and family history.
There are 12 computers providing free public access to the internet, word processing and other software whilst a Viewpoint web-cam is available to provide confidential access to council services.
Library staff are available to help students from the College as well as members of the public with everything from locating books to printing to homework.
The library has increased opening hours from 30 to 37.5 per week with the library open Tuesday mornings and through lunch during term time.
New opening hours - Term Time: Monday 9.30am-7pm, Tuesday 9.30am-5pm, Wednesday noon-2pm, Thursday 9.30am-7pm, Friday 9.30am-5pm, Saturday 9.30am-12.30pm.
School holidays: Monday 9.30am-12.30pm, 1.30pm-7pm, Tuesday 9.30am-12.30pm, 1.30pm-5pm, Wednesday Closed, Thursday 9.30am-12.30pm, 1.30pm-5pm, Friday 9.30am-12.30pm, 1.30pm-5pm, Saturday 9.30pm-12.30pm.
Council officers are now looking into future potential uses of the old library site on the High Street, which was closed on December 16.
Thursday, 4 January 2007
Labour and Independents desperate rush to claim credit for Eston precinct is premature
Letters from rival Labour and Independent Councillors in Eston and Teesville wards in the Evening Gazette have suggested that they have had contact with a company who wish to redevelop Eston Precinct.
The Council has twice written to the prospective developers asking them to provide details of their business plan and how they will finance the purchase of the existing properties and businesses on the site. A meeting that was due to take place this week, between the Council and the proposed developers, had to be cancelled when it was learned that they do not have a business plan for the site.
The Council is unable to talk about the feasibility of development proposals that we have not yet been formally advised about. We are happy to help to facilitate any plan to redevelop the Eston Precinct, which is a privately owned development, but we need to know that it can be financed and is sustainable.
There have been too many red herrings thrown in over the past couple of years, due to the bitter and senseless rivalry between Councillors in the Eston and Teesville wards and it does nobody any good when they are each rushing to claim credit for development proposals that may not amount to anything. Premature claims can also put off other potential investors.
The Council is committed to finding a suitable developer for the precinct and we hope the latest proposal is not another cruel hoax in the run up to an election.
The Council has twice written to the prospective developers asking them to provide details of their business plan and how they will finance the purchase of the existing properties and businesses on the site. A meeting that was due to take place this week, between the Council and the proposed developers, had to be cancelled when it was learned that they do not have a business plan for the site.
The Council is unable to talk about the feasibility of development proposals that we have not yet been formally advised about. We are happy to help to facilitate any plan to redevelop the Eston Precinct, which is a privately owned development, but we need to know that it can be financed and is sustainable.
There have been too many red herrings thrown in over the past couple of years, due to the bitter and senseless rivalry between Councillors in the Eston and Teesville wards and it does nobody any good when they are each rushing to claim credit for development proposals that may not amount to anything. Premature claims can also put off other potential investors.
The Council is committed to finding a suitable developer for the precinct and we hope the latest proposal is not another cruel hoax in the run up to an election.
Coatham beach is not closed
The Evening Gazette has today published a letter claiming that the Council has closed Coatham beach to walkers and dog walkers. There is not one word of truth in this.
Council to launch sanctuary scheme
Redcar and Cleveland Council is one of the first local authorities in the North East to follow government guidance and offer a sanctuary scheme for residents who are victims of domestic abuse.
The scheme's aim is to provide a victim-centred initiative for people who have experienced or are at risk of domestic abuse and, as a result, likely to be made homeless.
The Council's Cabinet Member for Health and Social Services, Councillor Valerie Halton, who leads on domestic violence issues, said: "For many people, being able to stay in their own home is important, as they may have an existing support network, including health facilities and it is better for the children’s welfare if they do not have to move schools.
"The Sanctuary Scheme will not be suitable for everybody, but it will give victims of domestic abuse who face homelessness an additional choice when considering the options available to them."
To deliver the scheme, which will be launched on Monday, January 8, the Council is working in partnership with several agencies including the Police, Women’s Aid, Victim Support and Guinness Trust Housing Association.
The Council's Housing Options Development Manager Jane Bayley said: "The scheme helps people to remain in their home and feel safer by adding additional security measures to the property.
"These can include alarms, locks, CCTV, fire safety equipment and the creation of a ‘safe room’ within the home. Each sanctuary will be tailored to meet the needs of the individual and in addition ongoing support will be offered."
The scheme's aim is to provide a victim-centred initiative for people who have experienced or are at risk of domestic abuse and, as a result, likely to be made homeless.
The Council's Cabinet Member for Health and Social Services, Councillor Valerie Halton, who leads on domestic violence issues, said: "For many people, being able to stay in their own home is important, as they may have an existing support network, including health facilities and it is better for the children’s welfare if they do not have to move schools.
"The Sanctuary Scheme will not be suitable for everybody, but it will give victims of domestic abuse who face homelessness an additional choice when considering the options available to them."
To deliver the scheme, which will be launched on Monday, January 8, the Council is working in partnership with several agencies including the Police, Women’s Aid, Victim Support and Guinness Trust Housing Association.
The Council's Housing Options Development Manager Jane Bayley said: "The scheme helps people to remain in their home and feel safer by adding additional security measures to the property.
"These can include alarms, locks, CCTV, fire safety equipment and the creation of a ‘safe room’ within the home. Each sanctuary will be tailored to meet the needs of the individual and in addition ongoing support will be offered."
Freebrough School opens on Tuesday
Pupils, staff and governors at Freebrough Specialist Engineering College will move into their new site in Brotton on Tuesday, January 9, following the culmination of a £16million project by Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council.
The new 10,000 square metre building brings together 1,000 students from the school’s previous three sites in Brotton, Loftus and Skelton.
It is the sixth new school to open its doors in Redcar and Cleveland in the last 12 months. In November, Bydales Specialist Technology School in Marske, Gillbrook College in South Bank and Sacred Heart RC Specialist Science College in Redcar all moved into new buildings.
Last April, South Bank Community Primary and St Benedict’s RC Primary also moved into new buildings.
The Council's Cabinet Member for Education Councillor Steve Kay said: “The opening of the new Freebrough College marks the start of a new chapter in the delivery of excellent educational provision in East Cleveland.
"The new building brings first rate facilities for both students and local communities to ensure they have every opportunity to fulfil their goals.”
Built by HBG Construction and designed by Aedas architects, the new school includes eight hi-tech science laboratories, a modern design suite, state-of-the-art technology and engineering rooms, a music suite including a recording studio and art facilities with an outdoor balcony.
It boasts a range of facilities serving the local community including a sports hall, outdoor playing surfaces and The Fusion Youth and Community Centre, based within the new building. The school also houses a new joint school and public library, replacing the former High Street premises.
The new school has taken just 15 months to build and has been funded by the Council including funds from the sale of the school’s former Loftus and Skelton sites.
Its opening comes just a few weeks after Redcar and Cleveland was named as part of the national Building Schools for the Future programme which aims to rebuild and refurbish secondary schools.
Students will be phased into the new school by year group over the next few weeks and inducted into a range of new processes and facilities within the building. Formal opening ceremonies will take place at a later date.
The new 10,000 square metre building brings together 1,000 students from the school’s previous three sites in Brotton, Loftus and Skelton.
It is the sixth new school to open its doors in Redcar and Cleveland in the last 12 months. In November, Bydales Specialist Technology School in Marske, Gillbrook College in South Bank and Sacred Heart RC Specialist Science College in Redcar all moved into new buildings.
Last April, South Bank Community Primary and St Benedict’s RC Primary also moved into new buildings.
The Council's Cabinet Member for Education Councillor Steve Kay said: “The opening of the new Freebrough College marks the start of a new chapter in the delivery of excellent educational provision in East Cleveland.
"The new building brings first rate facilities for both students and local communities to ensure they have every opportunity to fulfil their goals.”
Built by HBG Construction and designed by Aedas architects, the new school includes eight hi-tech science laboratories, a modern design suite, state-of-the-art technology and engineering rooms, a music suite including a recording studio and art facilities with an outdoor balcony.
It boasts a range of facilities serving the local community including a sports hall, outdoor playing surfaces and The Fusion Youth and Community Centre, based within the new building. The school also houses a new joint school and public library, replacing the former High Street premises.
The new school has taken just 15 months to build and has been funded by the Council including funds from the sale of the school’s former Loftus and Skelton sites.
Its opening comes just a few weeks after Redcar and Cleveland was named as part of the national Building Schools for the Future programme which aims to rebuild and refurbish secondary schools.
Students will be phased into the new school by year group over the next few weeks and inducted into a range of new processes and facilities within the building. Formal opening ceremonies will take place at a later date.
Tuesday, 2 January 2007
Christmas card recycling
Happy New Year to all.
Please remember to recycle all your Christmas cards at all participating primary schools and libraries.
Alternatively at home, you can place your cards into the white sack or orange sack (terraced homes only) for collection.
Please remember to recycle all your Christmas cards at all participating primary schools and libraries.
Alternatively at home, you can place your cards into the white sack or orange sack (terraced homes only) for collection.
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