"Love is wise, hatred is foolish."
Bertrand Russell
Working together for a safer, cleaner and stronger neighbourhood.
Friday, 18 February 2011
Thursday, 17 February 2011
Cumbria Police Authority sets its budget
Cumbria Police Authority has today set its final budget that it will have full responsibility for holding the Chief Constable to account for its delivery.
The Police Authority will set the 2012/13 budget however under the intended timetable will be replaced by an elected Police and Crime commissioner in May 2012, who will take responsibility for holding the Chief Constable to account for its subsequent delivery.
The budget has been set inline with Government exhortations that there isn’t a rise in council tax. However, the Authority has been compensated by an additional special grant equivalent to 2.5% of council tax that might otherwise have been raised from taxpayers.
Police Authority chair, Ray Cole said: “These are unprecedented times and mark some unimaginable outcomes. Not only will this be the last budget that the Authority will have oversight throughout the coming year it will also be implementing significant cuts in the overall policing budget as savings of £18.7million are made over the next four years.
“The Police Authority fully supports the Constabulary in its programme of cuts and has asked that wherever possible frontline policing is not affected. The budget that we have agreed today is the first in a four-year transition period and it is forecast that 66% of the budget cuts required will be in the first two years. The Constabulary faces some difficult challenges due to the scale of the budget cuts over a four year period.”
Chief Constable, Craig Mackey said: “This is a challenging time for the Constabulary with significantly reduced budgets over the next four years.
“The scale of the budget cuts means that the Constabulary will have to shrink by a fifth by 2015. This cannot simply be achieved by reducing support functions and we have a detailed programme of work to change the structure and the way that we work. These include: the re-structuring of the way that the Constabulary deals with urgent and community calls, increasing the use of mobile working where officers can benefit from direct access to computer systems while in the community, streamlining management structures and reducing bureaucracy by removing processes which create an unnecessary paper audit.
“The total savings required for 2011/12 will be £7.6million and, given some of the work that has already been identified, in the short term, we will be able to balance the budget by budget cuts of £5.6million and recycling the savings made in 2010/11 financial year.
“Work is already well developed to find further savings by: a review of the estate and front counter services and will explore opportunities to work with partner agencies, reducing our vehicle budget by 30%, our ICT and Programme Management Unit costs will reduce by £2.75million and a review of administration processes.
“We are firmly committed to providing the communites of Cumbria with an affordable and realistic policing service. It is by us all working together to ensure that crime and disorder remains at the low levels that we have experienced in recent years.
Further information contact Joanne Thornborrow, Community Engagement Officer, at the Cumbria Police Authority office, Carleton Hall, Penrith CA10 2AU. Tel. (01768) 217416
Website: www.cumbriapoliceauthority.org.uk
Tuesday, 15 February 2011
The 2011 Census: what it means for your community
In March and April, 35,000 census field staff will be taking to the streets to offer assistance to, and collect questionnaires from, residential households and communal establishments in your community. They will be working for the Office for National Statistics which runs the 2011 Census in England and Wales. This fact sheet is to help you understand which census teams will be working when.
Background information
We, the Office for National Statistics, are sending a census questionnaire to every household to arrive in mid-March. Householders can complete online or return their paper questionnaire via prepaid post. We have an address register which lists all households. When we get a completed questionnaire back, we tick the household off the list. That way, come 6 April when our census collectors start visiting households who haven’t returned their questionnaire promptly, we make sure we are only going to non-responders. Completing a census questionnaire is compulsory, the few who refuse may be prosecuted and face a fine of up to £1,000, but this is a last resort.
The census field operation runs from March to August.
Census day is on Sunday 27 March 2011, although people can complete their questionnaires before, on or after that date. We have the majority of our field staff out and about from mid-March until mid-August; you can request details from your area manager about what’s happening locally (see contacts).
Census field staff will always carry their photo ID, bearing the 2011 Census and ONS logos, and they should automatically show it to residents. Our staff will do everything they can to reassure people and will not try to prevent anyone from checking their identity.
When they visit an address, collectors will introduce themselves, show a census ID card, and explain they are from the census. Their primary aim is to take a completed census questionnaire away with them. They may also ask for the name of the person they are speaking to, whether that person is usually resident there and for the number of usual residents.
Collecting from residential households (21 March – 6 May)
Collectors will be working at different times of the day and evening, seven days a week. Most of the collectors start on 6 April, but we also have some early collectors who will be visiting communities where extra assistance may be required in advance, such as translated guidance. The majority of collectors will be working by themselves.
Collecting from communal establishments (7 March – 16 April)
Communal establishments, such as care homes, hotels, halls of residence, boarding schools and hotels, will have their questionnaires hand delivered, as will Gypsy and Traveller sites, caravan parks and marinas. A special enumerator will work with the manager of the establishment and agree a date and time to pick-up the completed questionnaires. The special enumerator will enter the premises to speak to the manager, but will not necessarily speak to the residents (unless specific help is needed). The majority of special enumerators will be working by themselves.
Checking the extent of the census’s reach (9 May – 2 June)
Census Coverage Survey staff will be visiting about 300,000 addresses to conduct a brief doorstep interview. The households will be aware in advance that they will be contacted. Again, coverage survey staff will not enter the property unless invited to by the resident. The staff will be working in pairs and independently.
Checking the quality of the census statistics (23 May – 19 August)
Census Quality Survey staff will be making pre-arranged visits to over 7,000 households and will enter premises as arranged with the householder. The majority of survey staff will be working by themselves.
Contacting those who refuse to complete their questionnaire (26 April - 12 August)
Census officers will visit households who have refused to complete their questionnaire and encourage them to do so, prior to the onset of an investigation phase. Census officers will work in teams of two, and will conduct interviews on the doorstep.
Completion events
Local authorities, national organisations and community groups across England and Wales have volunteered to host census completion events, to offer assistance and support to people completing their questionnaires. Some of these events are being run with ONS support, some are taking place independently. Details are available from area managers (see contacts).
2011 Census purple bus (21 February – 4 March and 17 March – 4 April)
The purple bus will be visiting cities to offer assistance with completing questionnaires – stationed in a high footfall public area. It will be manned by census field staff and will be widely publicised. There is likely to be a high level of press interest, but not increased numbers of people in any given area. Police forces and other relevant parties will be contacted by a census team if it impacts on them.
What’s happening locally
Area managers have already contacted many local police forces, and neighbourhood watch groups. Census coordinators may also make contact, if they haven’t already, during February and March. They may ask for information about health and safety issues in particular areas. They will also provide a list of the names of collectors and special enumerators who will be working in local communities, and car registrations if applicable, to the police.
They will not be able to provide information on who will be working in a particular street or neighbourhood.
Spreading the word
If you choose to talk about the census as part of any community safety campaigns for vulnerable persons, please bear in mind these key points
• residents who return their completed questionnaires promptly (before 6 April) will not be contacted by the census field staff
• all census staff will carry an ID card with a photo, logo and hologram. They may ask for name and number of residents, but they will not ask for specific details (like credit card details, bank accounts etc)
• residents will not be asked to leave their questionnaire on the doorstep for collection
• residents can request a pre-arranged appointment with a collector, via the census helpline number (on the front of their questionnaire)
• close the door if unsure. Phone the census helpline England: 0300 0201 101, Wales: 0300 0201 130 or check online for more info: www.census.gov.uk
• all census staff will carry an ID card with a photo, logo and hologram. They may ask for name and number of residents, but they will not ask for specific details (like credit card details, bank accounts etc)
• residents will not be asked to leave their questionnaire on the doorstep for collection
• residents can request a pre-arranged appointment with a collector, via the census helpline number (on the front of their questionnaire)
• close the door if unsure. Phone the census helpline England: 0300 0201 101, Wales: 0300 0201 130 or check online for more info: www.census.gov.uk
What is the census?
The census is the one source of statistics that looks at everybody in England and Wales. The census has collected information about the population every ten years since 1801 (except in 1941). Everyone is asked the same questions about one day – 27 March – in order to take a snapshot of the population at one moment in time. The census tells us how many people live where and the types of people they are (young, old, married, single): their characteristics. This means decisions, like working out who needs facilities in the future, are focused on accurate, relevant details.
The census is the one source of statistics that looks at everybody in England and Wales. The census has collected information about the population every ten years since 1801 (except in 1941). Everyone is asked the same questions about one day – 27 March – in order to take a snapshot of the population at one moment in time. The census tells us how many people live where and the types of people they are (young, old, married, single): their characteristics. This means decisions, like working out who needs facilities in the future, are focused on accurate, relevant details.
Census statistics are used by government, local authorities, health providers, commercial businesses and other users to develop their policies and plan services effectively. This includes water pipes into and out of houses, car parking spaces at supermarkets, location of bank branches, and allocation of funding from central government for facilities and services like school places, healthcare and transport.
To find out your area manager’s contact details, email SMC.Team@ons.gsi.gov.uk.
Inspiring Communities News #46
Find out what's on and what's happening - Inspiring Communities News #46
Monday, 14 February 2011
Scam Awareness Month
February is the Office of Fair Trading’s 'Scam Awareness Month'. Trading Standards are encouraging the public to report any scams that they have received by post, email, phone or fax to Consumer Direct on 08454 040506.
Postal scams can also be deposited in our ‘Scamnesty’ bin by the check outs at Morrisons, Barrow.
To avoid being scammed:
• Never be rushed into replying to an exciting or urgent offer, always speak to a friend or relative before sending money
• Never send money to anyone who says you've won the lottery or a big prize
• Never give your bank account details or other information to people you don't know
If you have any further concerns please ring Consumer Direct on 08454 040506.
Thursday, 10 February 2011
Thought for the Week
“It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it.” Aristotle
Wednesday, 9 February 2011
Alan Carr comes to the forum - 29 March 2011 - SOLD OUT!
Comedian Alan Carr comes to the forum theatre Barrow with work in progress Star of Channel 4’s ‘Alan Carr Chatty Man’ returns to the road for his first UK Tour in over 4 years.
Come and join Alan as he tries out new material for his forthcoming 33 date UK and Ireland arena tour.
Plus support Josh Widdicombe.
www.alancarr.net ring the Forum box office on 01229 820000
Neighbourhood Wardens clean-up at Holker Street
The former Kwik Save site on Holker Street was covered in litter through irresponsible people depositing their food wrappers, drinks containers and other litter all throughout the bushes surrounding the site. The photos here show the mess the site was in before the clean-up.
Central and Hindpool Neighbourhood Wardens have carried out a litter pick and general clean-up around the site to maintain the look of the site and wider area. Neighbourhood Wardens spent an hour on the site and made a significant impression on the mess.
Steve Robson, Neighbourhood Manager, said "We're cleaning the site because we care about how the neighbourhood looks. If we were to leave the site collecting litter and rubbish for a long time, it just gets worse and worse and tends to spread to the nearby areas.
By keeping on top of it we hope to show people that someone cares about how the neighbourhood looks and hopefully they'll think twice before throwing their litter and rubbish on there as they pass."
Senior Neighbourhood Warden, Andy High, said "We regularly carry out small scale clean-ups and litter picks around the town centre and Hindpool area - from Channelside to the Vulcan and lots of areas inbetween.
On the day the team collected 13 bags of rubbish and several larger itesm such as traffic cones, recycling boxes and an old child's scooter.
Andy High summed up the problem saying, "It's terrible how soon an area can need clearing up again after we've carried out a clean-up and what would really help us is if more people took a responsible attitude to littering in the first place."
For further information about Central and Hindpool Neighbourhood Wardens contact Andy High on 01229 876546 or ahigh@barrowbc.gov.uk
Monday, 7 February 2011
Friday, 4 February 2011
Thursday, 3 February 2011
From police pup to canine crime fighter ...
Community members are invited to log onto the Cumbria Constabulary website to follow two new recruits on their journey from police pup to canine crime fighter.A three part web diary has been created chronicling the training of police dogs Dexter and Bailey from joining the Constabulary at just eight weeks old until they become fully functional Police dogs.
The series, presented by Dog Handler PC Paddy Bainbridge, shows the pups learning the skills they’ll need to help solve crime and viewers can learn more about the wide variety of work they can be called upon to do.
In the first chapter viewers meet Dexter and Bailey (originally called Oscar) as puppies and learn how they are trained at this early stage.
PC Paddy Bainbridge said: “The most important time in the training of any pup is when they are between six weeks and six months old so as soon as they are eight weeks old we get them home and start training. They don’t realize they are being trained because everything we do with the police pups is reward based force-free training, playing with toys and learning how to associate objects, scents and people.
“By 14 months they have already learned most of the basics and are given to their handlers to start their full time police training for up to 8-12 weeks where they’ll start learning police work and how they get rewarded for doing certain exercises, it is all about teaching them control.”
Part two flashes forward and shows how they are trained to track human scent, find property, as well as the different ways of detaining of suspects.
By part three Dexter and Bailey have become fully trained police dogs and are going on a refresher course with PC Bainbridge which makes sure all their skills are up to scratch and see how far they’ve come. It also gives some insight into the life of a dog handler, with Dexter’s handler PC Glenn Myerscough, explaining how they work side by side to help combat crime throughout the county.
PC Bainbridge added: “It’s been great to be able to document Dexter and Bailey’s journey online and share it with the people of Cumbria and beyond. Both these dogs have been a pleasure to work with and it’s nice to see them out there catching the bad guys and keeping people safe which is what we’re all here for.
“I know as they continue to mature they are both going to be top class police dogs.”
To watch Dexter and Bailey’s diary and other videos about policing in Cumbria log on to www.cumbria.police.uk or www.youtube.com/cumbriapolice
Part One – ‘First Steps’
Part Two – ‘Growing Up’
Part Three – ‘The Boys Are Back’
Cumbria Constabulary pledges support to National Safer Internet Day
Safer Internet Day is set to be held on Tuesday 8th February and to mark the occasion; Cumbria Constabulary is hosting an online web chat for concerned parents, guardians, and teachers - or for children themselves - to talk about online safety.
By logging onto the live web chat via www.cumbria.police.uk/safetyonline between 7pm and 8:30pm on Tuesday 8 February, visitors can fire questions at Cumbria’s expert ‘ePanel’ – consisting of Deputy Chief Constable Stuart Hyde, who is renowned as one of the UK’s leading lights in cybercrime within his role as President of the Society for the Policing of Cyberspace (POLCYB), and Cumbria Children’s Services E-safety Advisor Jeff Haslam.
They plan to take questions and provide safety advice on topics such as keeping safe online, cyber bullying, Facebook / chat room safety and how young people can make responsible choices when using the Internet.
The international awareness day, organised by Insafe, is designed to promote the safer and more responsible use of the internet and mobile phones, especially amongst young people across the world.
“The Internet is a fantastic tool that provides so much opportunity but it is important that youngsters, their parents, teachers and friends, all understand the dangers that are out there.
“In support of the national awareness day, we are hosting a web chat from 7pm – 8.30pm so that the people of Cumbria can have the chance to discuss issues, ask questions and talk about concerns in a live, open forum. I hope that this sparks some debate and that parents, guardians and teachers take the opportunity to log on to share their experiences and gain valuable advice.”
Jeff Haslam from Cumbria County Council said: “Many parents don’t realise the games their children are playing or that their actions on social networking sites can lead to them being contacted by strangers who are not who they say they are. This and the problem of addiction, bullying, exposure to violent and sexual material and playing online late into the night makes it very important that parents take an interest in what their children are doing online.”
Cumbria Constabulary will also be working with a selection of secondary schools across the county throughout the day and will be posting Internet Safety advice tips and video links on their social networking sites every hour – a first for a Constabulary campaign.
Radio Cumbria will be presenting their breakfast show live from Cockermouth School from 6.30am – 9.30am where they will run regular Internet safety features. This will include an opportunity for schools and parents to ask questions to a panel of experts - including representatives from Cumbria police.
At lunchtime, a web chat will take place in Dowdales School in Dalton from 12.30pm – 1.30pm, hosted by the North West Evening Mail. The webchat will invite questions from pupils at Dowdales School, the local feeder primary schools, parents, teachers and carers about topics such as online gaming, chat sites, texting and internet use on mobile phones as well as ways in which to improve online safety.
Questions will be directed at the panel that will consist of local police officers, some pupils and teachers from Dowdales School, and Jeff Haslam.
Tuesday, 1 February 2011
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)