Tuesday 27 February 2007

TWELVE new Community Wardens to be recruited

Redcar and Cleveland Council today announced plans to begin a recruiting drive which will add another 12 community safety wardens to its successful borough-wide service, bringing the number of wardens to 35 by April 1.

The increase in personnel will help the service, which currently operates from the Borough's six police stations on a seven-day shift pattern, widen its targets of tackling antisocial behaviour and enviro crime.

The Council's Cabinet Member for Community Safety Councillor Joyce Benbow said: "We are absolutely delighted to be in a position to extend the service.

"We hope that, along with the increased numbers of Police Community Safety Officers, we can show a far greater uniformed presence on the streets, working in partnership with the Police and other agencies as part of the Neighbourhood Policing approach."

Councillor Benbow explained: "We had intended to increase numbers in the current financial year, but haven't been able to because of budget pressures. Those pressures have now been reduced with so we are in a position to recruit new wardens.

"We are looking for men and women who are good communicators, can use their initiative in all sorts of situations and will try to instil a real sense of pride, encouraging the community to improve the quality of everyone's lives."

The service, which was launched in 2000, will see some wardens allocated to the existing teams, bolstering numbers in each of the Council's six areas and the rest will form a dedicated team to deal with specific 'hot spot' areas where enviro-crime is prevalent and to assist in the implementation of the new smoke-free legislation.

Councillor Benbow said: "This expansion of our already much-improved warden service, following the review of hours in 2005, shows that our commitment to a cleaner, greener, safer Borough is as strong as ever.

"We believe that the extra staff will allow us to provide a more focused service and give support in dealing with any matters arising from the implementation of the smoke-free legislation coming into force on July 1."

Thursday 22 February 2007

Redcar & Cleveland Council maintains position as a top performing Council

Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council has maintained the highest overall performance rating for a Council with an Audit Commission assessment of ‘four stars’ and is judged to have plans in place to continue ‘improving well’.

The Assessment, which took place at the end of last year, looked at how each of the Council’s main services are performing, how well the Council is being managed, how it manages its finances and achieves value for money, as well as what progress the Council has made over the past year and the plans it has in place for the future.

Cllr Eric Empson, Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council’s Cabinet Chairman, said: “This is a significant achievement which should be celebrated by residents, partner organisations and staff alike.

“The Audit Commission’s assessment of the Council as a four-star organisation is real evidence of the sustained and continuous effort by staff and partners throughout the Borough to improve services for the benefit of local residents and businesses.

“What is really gratifying is that despite the growing demands against the budget and the increasingly challenging criteria of ‘The Harder Test’, we have maintained our status as one of the top-performing Councils in the country. We would like to thank residents, partner organisations and staff who helped us to achieve this excellent result.”

The Commission singled out a number of achievements for particular praise:

- Good performance levels have been sustained and services are improving in areas prioritised by local people, including increasing employment.
- Early Years provision is good and performance by 11 year olds continues on an upward trend.
- Adult social care services help more people to live at home and benefits claimants are dealt with more accurately and promptly.
- Rapid progress is being made in improving local housing services.
- Environmental performance is strong with targets for waste and recycling significantly exceeded.
- Libraries perform well against national standards.
- More people access services through the contact centre, one-stop shops and Libraries.
- The Council engages well with young people and progress has been made in delivering equality in service provision.
- Support services have been brought back in-house during 2006 and a
Council-wide project is underway to deliver improvements at lower cost.
- Value for money is good and statutory plans are robust.
- Improvements to performance and financial management offer a sound basis for continued improvement.

Cllr Glyn Nightingale, Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Corporate Resources, said: “What has been accomplished in the past year is tremendous. However, as a Council, we are determined to continue to improve and respond to residents’ priorities.

“We, along with our partners, will build on recent work to tackle the challenges of crime and anti-social behaviour and we are exploring how we can further address health improvement, social care and the quality of our local environment.

“Our work in these areas, alongside significantly increased investment in education and the creation of future employment opportunities, means that we are looking forward to the future with renewed confidence.”

Wednesday 21 February 2007

Council issues warning to litter louts

Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council has issued a warning for littering and dog fouling following the prosecution of over 100 people in the past 12 months.

The most recent prosecutions, involving three women and four men, for littering and failing to remove dog faeces, received a total of £460 fines and £680 costs at Teesside Magistrates Court on Wednesday 14th February 2007.

Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Community Protection, Councillor Joyce Benbow, said: “We are determined to prosecute anyone who doesn’t pay a fixed penalty notice issued to them. We do not forget and we will not ignore.

“If your case is taken to court and proven, then the fine and the court costs can be substantially more than the initial cost of accepting a fixed penalty notice.

“Our wardens do a fantastic job, sometimes in very difficult circumstances, to help maintain a pleasant environment and, in doing so, make a vital contribution in helping to make our Borough a cleaner, safer place to live.”

The Council’s Community Safety Wardens have issued 294 £50 fixed penalty notices for littering and dog fouling in the past 12 months.

A fixed penalty notice will not be issued in every instance and individuals do not have to accept the notice, however, the Council will, where appropriate, take individuals to court who fail to pay the fine within 14 days after they have accepted one. Should a fine not be accepted the matter will be taken to court.

It is an offence for people to refuse to give a Community Safety Warden their name and address when witnessed acting in an anti-social manner, littering or refusing to clear up dog fouling.

Wardens powers include enforce littering and dog fouling laws, carrying out patrols on foot, in vehicles and on cycles across communities and in hotspot areas, dealing with abandoned and dangerous vehicles, visiting vulnerable residents of the community, advising residents on anti-social behaviour and liaising with the Police.

The Council has six teams of warden patrolling the Borough. Their hours of patrol are normally 1pm till five minutes past midnight, 7 days a week.

Tuesday 20 February 2007

BALLROOM DANCING TO FIND A NEW HOME AT COATHAM LINKS

Persimmon Homes have issued the following press release:

Persimmon Homes has announced a number of positive changes to the planning application for the proposed Coatham Links development in Redcar, with renewed plans submitted to incorporate a large new dance floor performance space within the leisure centre of the landmark £88m scheme.

The updated application details plans to create a state of the art dance floor and performance space to be housed alongside the further proposed facilities at Coatham Links leisure centre. The changes will now create a 30m by 20m dance floor, with adjacent viewing and entertainment facilities, creating an exciting new performance space for the hundreds of dance enthusiasts within Redcar.

The proposed leisure facilities at Coatham Links are at the heart of the new £88m Coatham Links scheme and will be recognised as the gateway to a variety of sporting and leisure facilities, from the extreme to the sedate. For the first time, residents will be able to enjoy a first-class water-based leisure facility boasting a six-lane swimming pool, separate leisure pool, bowling alley and new dance floor performance space.

Changes to the planning application submitted by Persimmon Homes in August 2007 have been made following liaison with both the local business community and Redcar residents. The further changes enable the delivery of the new dance floor right at the start of the development, ensuring that the consequential relocation of the bowling alley to replace the bingo hall addresses fully the concerns of local businesses.


Further changes to the plans include a new home for the planned bowling alley, which has now been moved into a different section of the leisure centre.

Joan Martin, who runs the Martin Grove School of Dance and Fitness in Redcar is looking forward to utilising the new space to showcase the dancing abilities of her many students throughout the area. Joan said:

“Redcar has a long dance tradition and I am pleased to see that the plans for Coatham Links now include a dance space as part of the leisure centre, ensuring that the local dance community will benefit from a new performance space as part of the first development phase.


“A well sized dance floor at Coatham Links will help cater for the growing numbers of people becoming interested in dancing, and in particular ballroom dancing, and guarantee that the talented people of the area will have the performance space they deserve to show their skills on the dance floor to new audiences.”

The amended plans have now been submitted to Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council for review, with a decision on the overall planning application for the Coatham Links scheme expected prior to Easter 2007.

Peter Jordan, Persimmon Homes Regional Projects Director said, “The planning application for Coatham Links has now been altered and re-submitted as a result of what the team felt to be required changes relating to the inclusion of the dance floor space.

“Redcar has a long dancing tradition and it was felt that providing this important facility from the outset is a positive move for the benefit of the whole community. It demonstrates that we are listening and adapting our plans to take on board the concerns of residents and businesses.


“With a development of this scale it is normal that changes are made during the planning procedure and this is precisely what has occurred at Coatham Links. We are confident that the scheme now fully represents the needs and aspirations of local and future residents and look forward to putting the plans into action to create what will be one of the region’s most pioneering development projects.”

Report shows environment is improving

Redcar and Cleveland Council together with Redcar and Cleveland Partnership this week published its latest ‘State of the Environment’ report providing the most comprehensive review of the environment ever undertaken in the Borough.

The report sets out evidence illustrating the significant environmental improvements made to the area since the State of the Environment Reports began in 2002.

The Council’s Cabinet Member for Environmental Improvement, Councillor Bob Stanway said: “This is the third report produced in partnership and we’re delighted that the work of the Council and the Redcar and Cleveland Partnership to improve our environment is paying dividends.

”Our response to climate change, receiving Beacon status for our waste management services and continuous improvement in bathing water are just some of the examples.”

A previous report for 2004/5 won praise from the Environment Agency as ‘best practice’ in its field as a way of embedding performance management and the latest report follows this model.

Copies of the report can be accessed through the Council’s website www.redcar-cleveland.gov.uk.

Wednesday 14 February 2007

Amended Planning Application received for Coatham Links

Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council has received amended plans in respect of the application already lodged for the multi million pounds Coatham Links development.

The Council has learnt from Persimmon Homes that following the consultation process of their planning application, they have decided to amend the scheme, taking into account feedback received during that initial consultation.

They have told the Council that their intention now is to put leisure facilities in place of "bingo", such as ten pin bowling, which is classified as "D2 leisure uses", on the amended plans.

They also show revisions to the leisure centre incorporating a dance floor and performance space in the area previously allocated to 12-lane bowling.

The amended plans also incorporate design changes to some of the houses on the planning application but no increase in the number of dwellings and a slight move in the position of the coastguard station in recognition of earlier consultation.

Persimmon Homes has also confirmed that objections from Natural England, the Environment Agency and RSPB, which were raised during the earlier consultation process, have been withdrawn.

The amendments will now be considered within the statutory planning framework.

As part of this process, the Council is embarking on a three-week consultation exercise.

Any comments submitted in response to the original application will be taken into account in considering the application.

The Planning Committee is due to meet in March to consider the application.

Council and Police promise action on loads of litter

Redcar and Cleveland Council today promised to clampdown on windblown litter louts who are causing a road safety hazard along one of the Borough's busiest roads.

Cleveland Police has given backing to the Council's initiative, aimed at tackling a long-running problem of wagons and lorries, without netting, strewing rubbish along the A1085 Trunk Road.

The Council's Cabinet Member for Environmental Improvement Councillor Bob Stanway said: "I'm sure everyone has seen the problem, which has been plaguing us for the past 18 months.

"We try to keep the problem under control, but it is not easy. For example, we can deploy crews to pick up the litter, yet within hours the road is covered again."

Councillor Stanway said: "The time has come to take action and if we can gather the necessary evidence and positively identify the culprits, we will prosecute. I am delighted to say we have the backing of the Police in trying to combat what is a real environment headache."

Inspector Eric Robinson, Head of Cleveland Police's Road Policing Unit, said: " It's important that operators keep their loads secure so that items do not fall from their vehicles causing a road safety hazard and an environmental eyesore. Patrolling officers have been alerted to this issue and will deal robustly with offenders."

Masterplanners appointed

International property advisors GVA Grimley have been appointed by Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council to create the Greater Eston Masterplan.

The firm has advised all nine House Market Renewal Pathfinders and has a proven track record of success.

The regeneration strategy they devised to address the problems of decline in Sefton, Merseyside which included neighbourhood masterplanning, planning, neighbourhood management and financial advice is now being delivered.

Gerry Hughes, National Head of Urban Regeneration at GVA Grimley who will lead the study, said: "We are delighted to be working in Redcar and Cleveland and welcome the challenge of preparing a masterplan for Greater Eston.

"Our aim is to develop a vibrant community, that will continue to flourish by improving existing housing; building new, high quality housing for rent and for sale; improving the layout of the area - including paths, roads and the environments and improving or introducing new community and retail facilities.

"We will take in to account residents views on previous plans for the area and we will involve the local community and ensure that the masterplan promotes a future that reflects as far as possible the aspirations of those who live and work in Greater Eston.

"The masterplan will also act as a guide for future development and investment to drive forward, attract new residents and visitors and create a vibrant and sustainable community that we can all be proud of."

Councillor Chris Abbott, the Cabinet Member for Housing and Neighbourhood Renewal, said: "We are thrilled to have a team with the expertise and experience of GVA Grimley on board.

"They have excellent experience in delivering similar schemes elsewhere and we are certain that they will listen to the community's views. The Masterplan is an essential tool that will be used to make things happen and create thriving communities in Greater Eston again."

The Greater Eston Masterplan is a key document that will play an essential role in securing major investment for the area - including affordable new homes, shopping, leisure facilities, pleasant open public spaces and woodland and a new library and healthcare services.

Council celebrates £2.8m funding

Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council is today celebrating after being allocated £2,817,000 in Government money, to deliver a range of housing improvements.

The cash will be used to improve housing occupied by the vulnerable and aid area-wide regeneration in the most deprived housing areas.

Over a million will be used for the Housing Market Renewal Programme, which is currently underway in South Bank for acquisition, demolition and relocation costs.

The remainder will be used for:

tenure switch, which is where the Council assists with general housing enquiries e.g. people moving from owner occupation into rented accommodation.

housing assistance, in the form of loans, for improving the general condition of stock, addressing energy efficiency, bringing long-term empty properties back into use and improving housing to meet the Decent Homes Standard.

Community Housing Needs, which includes different projects, such as the sanctuary scheme for the homeless, adaptation and disabled facilities.

The Cabinet Member for Housing and Neighbourhood Renewal, Councillor Chris Abbott, said: "We are thrilled to have got the second largest pot of money in the North East and our teams will be putting a lot of thought into how best it will be spent to the benefit of the community."

Thursday 8 February 2007

Proposed amendments to Traffic regulation Orders - Newcomen Ward, Redcar

No waiting at any time restrictions – Corporation Road

The north side from its junction with Sandringham Road for a distance of 10 metres in a westerly direction.

Concerns have been raised from residents regarding parked cars at the junction of Corporation Road/Sandringham Road. The parked cars are restricting visibility for drivers when exiting or entering Sandringham Road and restricting two-way traffic movement for other motorists. It is proposed to introduce ‘no waiting at any time’ restrictions. The proposals will increase highway safety in terms of reducing highway obstruction and increase highway visibility.

No waiting at anytime restrictions – Corporation Road, Redcar

South side. From a point 115 metres west of its junction with West Dyke Road, for a distance of 167 metres in a westerly direction.

Concerns have been raised from residents and local ward members about vehicles parking on the footway and causing access/ egress problems. It is proposed to implement no waiting at anytime restrictions to prevent vehicles parking in the carriageway and effecting the free flow of traffic. In addition to this designated parking bays are to be provided on the hard standing verge for safe parking.

Unlimited Waiting Bay – Corporation Road, Redcar

South side. From a point 115 metres west of its junction with West Dyke Road, for a distance of 167 metres in a westerly direction. (off carriageway).

Concerns have been raised from residents and local ward members about vehicles parking on the footway and causing access/ egress problems. It is proposed to implement unlimited waiting bays to provide safe off street parking. In addition to this no waiting at anytime restrictions are to be implemented to prevent vehicles parking in the carriageway and affecting the free flow of traffic.

No waiting at any time restrictions – Sandringham Road

The west side from its junction with Corporation Road for a distance of 16 metres in a northerly direction.

Concerns have been raised from residents regarding parked cars at the junction of Corporation Road/Sandringham Road. The parked cars are restricting visibility for drivers when exiting or entering Sandringham Road and restricting two-way traffic movement for other motorists. It is proposed to introduce ‘no waiting at any time’ restrictions. The proposals will increase highway safety in terms of reducing highway obstruction and increase highway visibility

No waiting at anytime restrictions – Troutbeck Road, Redcar.

Both sides. From its junction with Mersey Road, for a distance of 15 metres in an easterly direction.
The purpose of the order is to prevent vehicles parking and obstructing site lines at the junction of Troutbeck Road and Mersey Road as part of road safety improvements.

Revocation of No Loading and Unloading Saturday and Sunday 9.00am – 3.00pm – Troutbeck Road, Redcar.

North side. From its junction with West Dyke Road for a distance of 56 metres in a westerly direction.
South side. From its junction with West Dyke Road for a distance of 64 metres in a westerly direction.
It is proposed to revoke the existing restrictions as they are now thought unsuitable due to the improved parking facilities within the racecourse for race goers.

No waiting at anytime restrictions – Mersey Road, Redcar
East side. From its junction with Troutbeck Road, for a distance of 15 metres in a northerly direction.
East side. From its junction with Troutbeck Road, for a distance of 15 metres in a southerly direction.
The purpose of the order is to prevent vehicles parking and obstructing site lines at the junction of Troutbeck Road and Mersey Road as part of road safety improvements.

No waiting and unloading, Monday – Friday, 8.30 – 9.30am and 2.45 – 3.45pm – Mersey Road, Redcar
East side. From a point 60 metres south of its junction with Corporation Road, for a distance of 284 metres in a southerly direction.
West side. From a point 60 metres south of its junction with Corporation Road to its junction with St Josephs Court.
West side. From its junction with St Josephs Court to its junction with Thames Road.
The local schools, residents, councillor, bus companies and Cleveland Police have raised concerns about vehicle parking on the extents of road described above. The vehicles are preventing the free flow of traffic on Mersey Road, St Josephs Court and Thames Road, in addition to this the parked vehicles are obstructing site line for vehicles exiting the school and also causing safety issues for children crossing in the area.

Revocation of No Loading and Unloading Saturday and Sunday 9.00am – 3.00pm – West Dyke Road, Redcar
East side. From a point 100 metres south of its junction with Thrush Road for a distance of 42 metres in a southerly direction.
East side. From the racecourse entrance opposite Lakes Avenue for a distance of 362 metres in a southerly direction.
East side. From the racecourse entrance north of Easson Road for a distance of 271 metres in a southerly direction.
East side. From a point 77 metres south of its junction with Thrush Road for a distance of 25 metres in a southerly direction.
West side. From its junction with Westfield Avenue to a point 15 metres north of its junction with Easson Road.
West side. From its junction with Orchard Road for a distance of 33 metres in a northerly direction.
West side. From its junction with Brooksbank Avenue for a distance of 24 metres in a northerly direction.
West side. From its junction with Brooksbank Avenue to its junction with Lakes Avenue.
West side. From its junction with Lakes Avenue to its junction with Lucerne Road.
West Side. From its junction with Lucerne Road to its junction with Troutbeck Road.
It is proposed to revoke the existing restrictions as they are now thought unsuitable due to the improved parking facilities within the racecourse for race goers.

No waiting at anytime restrictions – West Dyke Road, Redcar
East Side. From a point 69 metres south of its junction with Thrush Road, for a distance of 737 metres in a southerly direction.
West side. From its junction with Brooksbank Avenue, for a distance of 10 metres in a northerly direction.

West side. From its junction with Brooksbank Avenue, for a distance of 10 metres in a southerly direction.
The purpose of the order is to prevent vehicles parking and obstructing the carriageway for the lengths described. This will aid with the free flow of traffic on a busy route in Redcar.

Revocation of No Loading and Unloading Saturday and Sunday 9.00am – 3.00pm – Brooksbank Avenue, Redcar
Both sides. From its junction with West Dyke Road, for a distance of 10 metres in a westerly direction.
It is proposed to revoke the existing restrictions as they are now thought unsuitable due to the improved parking facilities within the racecourse for race goers.

No waiting at anytime restrictions – Brooksbank Avenue, Redcar
Both sides. From its junction with West Dyke Road for a distance of 10 metres in a westerly direction.
The purpose of the order is to prevent vehicles parking and obstructing site lines at the junction of Brooksbank Avenue and West Dyke Road as part of road safety improvements.

No waiting and no loading restrictions Monday - Friday from 8.30am - 9.30am and 2.45pm – 3.45pm – Keswick Road

The west side from a point 10 metres north of its junction with Penrith Close to a point 10 metres south of its junction with Ambleside Avenue.

Following concerns from residents regarding parking problems associated with the start and finish times of Lakes Primary School and by the obstruction caused by parking it is proposed to implement parking restrictions on Keswick Road. The restrictions are necessary to ensure the free flow of traffic through the estate, make the roads safer for pedestrians to cross and to ensure residential properties are not obstructed.

Revocation of No Loading and Unloading Saturday and Sunday 9.00am – 3.00pm – Lucerne Road, Redcar
North Side. From its junction with West Dyke Road, for a distance of 55 metres in a westerly direction.
South Side. From its junction with West Dyke Road, for a distance of 52 metres in a westerly direction.
It is proposed to revoke the existing restrictions as they are now thought unsuitable due to the improved parking facilities within the racecourse for race goers.

Revocation of No Loading and Unloading Saturday and Sunday 9.00am – 3.00pm – Lakes Avenue, Redcar
North Side. From its junction with West Dyke Road to its junction with Rydal Avenue.
South Side. From its junction with West Dyke Road to its junction with Coniston Avenue.
It is proposed to revoke the existing restrictions as they are now thought unsuitable due to the improved parking facilities within the racecourse for race goers.

Revocation of No Loading and Unloading Saturday and Sunday 9.00am – 3.00pm – Coniston Avenue, Redcar
East side. From its junction with Lakes Avenue for a distance of 38 metres in a southerly direction.
It is proposed to revoke the existing restrictions as they are now thought unsuitable due to the improved parking facilities within the racecourse for race goers.

Revocation of No Loading and Unloading Saturday and Sunday 9.00am – 3.00pm – Rydal Avenue, Redcar.

East side. From its junction Lakes Avenue for a distance of 27 metres in a northerly direction.
It is proposed to revoke the existing restrictions as they are now thought unsuitable due to the improved parking facilities within the racecourse for race goers.

Revocation of No Loading and Unloading Saturday and Sunday 9.00am – 3.00pm – Orchard Road, Redcar.

North side. From its junction with West Dyke Road for a distance of 15 metres in a westerly direction.

It is proposed to revoke the existing restrictions as they are now thought unsuitable due to the improved parking facilities within the racecourse for race goers.

Revocation of No Loading and Unloading Saturday and Sunday 9.00am – 3.00pm – Westfield Avenue, Redcar.

South side. From its junction with West Dyke Road, for a distance of 15.5 metres in a westerly direction.

It is proposed to revoke the existing restrictions as they are now thought unsuitable due to the improved parking facilities within the racecourse for race goers.

Should you require any further information please contact Andy Martin (Highways and Transportation) on (01287) 612464.

"Cash Strapped" - You must be joking!

Redcar and Cleveland Council today is furious at claims it is a 'cash-strapped' council as it underlined budget proposals which will invest £6.5million into the Borough to improve services for the elderly, young people and the environment.

The Council’s policy and its 2007/2008 budget has already inspired job creation in the private sector, with three new independent care homes planned for the Borough.

The Council’s Cabinet Member for Corporate Resources Councillor Glyn Nightingale dismissed ‘ill-informed’ criticisms of the Authority’s plan to shed over 100 posts in administration and management as well as cutting back on overheads to effect efficiency savings of £6.5million.

Councillor Nightingale said: “The Trade Union-inspired scaremongering does nothing for staff morale and industrial relations.

“Our investment is bringing three new care homes – the first alone will create 90 jobs. Our budget is bringing about a net increase in jobs.

"The public should ask themselves: do they want taxpayers’ money on administration, management and outmoded services no-one wants or do they want it on improved services that are responsive to the needs of the individual.

“The suggestion that these are the actions of a cash-strapped council is a total misrepresentation of the facts – ill-informed and politically motivated. We are not cash-strapped. This is a deliberate policy to make savings and put the money saved into investment on frontline services.

“The critics need to explain if we are cash-strapped how we can be spending £6.5m to improve a range of services that include over £3m in improving services for older people and the disabled, nearly £2m in improving services for children and young people and well over £1m on the environment.”

Councillor Nightingale added: “Over the last two years, across 7,000 employees, there have been approximately 104 voluntary redundancies and 160 early retirements. We always receive more requests than we are able to allow – this time we received 200 requests.

"The Council is continuing to refuse to waste money on employing staff it no longer needs but is promoting job growth in the private and voluntary sectors. The Council should be judged on the quality of services it provides not the number of people it employs."

Friday 2 February 2007

Don't lose ESOL

Classes teaching English for Speakers of Other Languages are under threat. This will affect newly arrived people, resident diverse communities, those seeking asylum, migrant workers, employers (who may be asked to pay for their workers to attend classes) and teachers. There will be nation-wide protests against these cuts, and there will be local action.

To hear about what is happening and what you can do to help protest, there will be a:

PUBLIC MEETING

February 6th 7.30 – 9.00pm Trades Union Centre, 119-121 Marton Road, Middlesbrough (Opposite St John’s Church)

With guest speakers and entertainment
All welcome!!

ADVANCE NOTICE

Bus to lobby Parliament -Wednesday 28th February
(Helen Weir: 07730 216593)

Rally -Middlesbrough Town Centre Saturday 3rd March

Thursday 1 February 2007

Warning over discarded syringes

Liberal Democrat Councillor, Joyce Benbow, has highlighted the dangers of picking up discarded needles after several incidents relating to drug use in the East Cleveland area.

The Council's Environmental Maintenance Team has been alerted to attend several locations in Loftus to remove drugs paraphenalia, while another report gives evidence of a discarded needle found on a play area in the town.

Syringes, with evidence of drug use, some found hidden in the brickwork, were discovered in the two blocks of ladies toilets in Loftus, at West Road and Water Lane, at opposite ends of the High Street. Now the Council's Community Safety Wardens are monitoring the situation on a regular basis.

Since April, there have been 87 reported incidents, totalling over 150 syringes, which have been recovered across the Borough, underlining the need for the public's vigilance - and care in dealing with them.

The Council's Cabinet Member for Community Safety Councillor Joyce Benbow said: "These are disturbing incidents and we want the public to be on their guard.

"We have very efficient methods of disposal of these needles and our advice is very simple and straightforward: We do not want members of the public to pick these items up if at all possible.

"Addiction is a dreadful condition and the thoughtless disposal of needles, endangering children, is unforgivable."

The series of recommended steps is: If members of the public find a discarded needle on the road or open space, such as parks or beach areas, they must avoid picking it up. Its location should be marked with a piece of wood, brick or even a drinks can to help to identify its location. If the needle needs moving, the advice is to move it with a stick or something similar and not by hand.

A call to the Council's Contact Centre on 08456 126 126 with information on the exact location will be responded to immediately, with a promise to recover the needle by our Community Safety wardens inside two hours. The Council would also like the caller's name, address and contact number if it is unable to find the needle.

The Council cannot enter premises to remove needles or search properties. If needles are reported inside a property, it becomes the landlord's responsibility and we will offer advice.