Licensing Policy Review 2015 - Barrow Borough Council

The Licensing Act 2003 requires that the Council publish a ‘Statement of Licensing Policy’ setting out the policies the Council will generally apply to promote the four licensing objectives when making decisions on applications under the Act.

The Council’s current Policy Statement came into force from January 2011 and at the time the legislation required the Statement of Licensing Policy to be published every three years. Section 122 of the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 changed this from every 3 years to 5 years.

The Licensing Authority is currently reviewing its Statement of Licensing Policy. The main changes reflect the latest version of the Secretary of State’s Guidance document, updated links to various websites, and updated contact details.

Visit here http://www.barrowbc.gov.uk/news/licensing-act-2003-consultation/

We are keen to hear from residents, businesses, licensees and anyone else with an interest in the Barrow area. Please send comments on the draft policy to:

Graham Barker, Principal Environmental Protection & Licensing Officer, Environmental Health Department, Town Hall, Duke St, Barrow LA14 2LD.

Or email commercial@barrowbc.gov.uk

The closing date for comments is 18th September 2015

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion at University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay

 Equality, Diversity & Inclusion at University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust

We would like your views on how can we ensure that everybody can access our services.  For example, how can we improve our communications and information to patients, families and carers? How can we improve your experience when visiting our services? How can we improve our recruitment policies and processes?

We would particularly like to hear from people who have, or who represent people with protected characteristics as identified in the Equality Act 2010, which are:

• age
• disability
• gender reassignment
• pregnancy and maternity
• race
• religion or belief
• sex
• sexual orientation

To hear your views, you are invited to attend an event in your local area:

Kendal, Town Hall 1 April 1-3pm

Barrow, The Forum 8 April 9.30–12.30pm

Ulverston, Coronation Hall 8 April 1.30–3.30pm

Tea, coffee and a snack will be provided.

There will be British Sign Language (BSL) interpreters attending all the events.

We believe that providing equality of opportunity to patients, their families and carers, and staff is fundamental to ensuring that our hospitals are a Great Place to be Cared For; Great Place to Work. Managing diversity and inclusion underpins the Trust’s strategic plan to ensure that people from all communities in our local area and beyond want to access University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust for care and treatment.

At the session we will:

·         talk to you about how the Equality Act 2010 can have a positive impact on the way you access health care at the Trust

·         seek your views about how the Trust intends to meet its public sector equality duty under the Equality Act.

·         confirm whether we are planning appropriate action and if we have missed something important, to seek your views about what else we should include.

We would be grateful if you could confirm your attendance at one of the events with: Vicki Davies, Trust Headquarters

email: Victoria.Davies@mbht.nhs.uk by 20^th March 2015

Police launch public consultation on budget cuts

A public consultation has been launched by Cumbria Constabulary and the Office of the Police & Crime Commissioner today (27 October), which will give people in Cumbria the opportunity to have their say on frontline services.

Last month Cumbria Constabulary announced a number of areas which are to be reviewed as part of an ongoing need to make financial savings.

Cumbria Constabulary has already delivered savings of £16 million since 2010/11 by restructuring and changing the way the force works whilst protecting the frontline as much as possible. However, the force continues to face major financial challenges and current budget forecasts show that a further £11.8 million needs to be saved by 2017/18. As the government’s next round of funding allocation draws closer, it is likely that this figure will increase and further savings will be required.

The public consultation will cover areas which will affect local people (i.e. frontline services). This includes:

·         How we engage with the public

·         Police community support officers (PCSOs)

·         Front counter services

Chief Constable Jerry Graham said, “This is the ideal opportunity for people in Cumbria to have their say and influence the ongoing reviews. We are keen to hear people’s thoughts, and I would encourage people to fill in the survey and consider how they want policing services to look in the future.

“Change is required due to budget cuts. Previously we have focused on making savings through reducing management and reviewing administration costs, while protecting the frontline as much as possible. We will continue to look at how we can make savings in back office functions, however currently 85% of our costs are on staffing and therefore it is unfortunately inevitable that the majority of future savings may have to be found in operational areas of the business. This will mean a reduction of officer and staff numbers.

“Difficult decisions now need to be made – do people want officers or front counters? How can we best use PCSOs? We are keen to get people’s views on these areas to help us to make these challenging choices. We are also looking at innovative digital and mobile methods of working to help officers remain visible and accessible in their communities.

“I will continue to work hard to keep Cumbria one of the safest places to live, work, and visit, and provide the best possible policing service we can afford.”

Police and Crime Commissioner Richard Rhodes said, “This is a great opportunity for the public to let the Constabulary and the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner know their views about the future of policing in the county.  There are some tough decisions to be made and it is important the people’s views are known before changes begin.”

Over 4,000 paper surveys, as well as posters and flyers informing people of the consultation have been distributed across the county across a number of organisations (such as selected doctors surgeries, leisure facilities, and libraries), so that the Constabulary can reach as many individuals as possible and receive a representative view across the county.

Members of the public can also request a paper survey by calling 101, or they can fill it in online on the Constabulary’s website: www.cumbria.police.uk

Paper copies will also be available at Police Desks across the county. For your local Police Desk please visit: www.cumbria.police.uk/policedesks

The deadline for responses is 7^th November for paper surveys and 14^th November for online surveys.

Commissioner Continues Council Tax Consultation – Online Survey Reminder

Cumbria’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Richard Rhodes is reminding people that they still have time to take part in the online survey and share their views about the future funding of the police service in the county.

“Your Police, Your Say” campaign started on 1 September, and runs until the end of October. The aim is to provide an opportunity for members of the public to engage with Mr Rhodes about the future levels of council tax precept.  Approximately, 14% of the local council tax bill goes to pay for the police service. It is one of the roles of the Police and Crime Commissioner to decide whether the amount of council tax is increased or ‘frozen’ every year.

Police and Crime Commissioner Richard Rhodes said “As part of the consultation, our online survey will remain open until the end of the month, and I urge people to take just a few minutes to complete the questionnaire and let me know their thoughts. The results of the consultation will enable me to make an informed decision about the future levels of the policing part of the council tax precept over the next two years, so it is very important that as many people take part as can.

“Part of the rationale for Police and Crime Commissioners was that they would represent the public and enable people to have a voice in policing.  This why I am going directly to the people of Cumbria to get their views about the future funding of policing through their council tax payments.”

Last year, the policing part of the council tax precept was increased by 1.93% which was an increase of £3.96 per year, taking the police part for a band D property to £208.62. Although there was an increase in council tax precept savings were still necessary as the overall police budget was reduced.   

The overall police budget is £128million for 2014/15 and most of the funding comes from central government supported by council tax precept, the police’s own financial reserves and money not spent in the previous year’s budget.

The survey can be found on the Commissioner’s website, http://www.cumbria-pcc.gov.uk/governance-transparency/budget-finance.aspx

Paper copies are available from the office, please contact 01768 217734 or email commissioner@cumbria-pcc.gov.uk if you require a copy.

Commissioner Seeks Views on Dealing With Offenders of Low Level Crime and Anti-social Behaviour

Police and Crime Commissioner for Cumbria, Richard Rhodes, is today launching a public consultation to give people a say on how offenders of certain low level crime and anti-social behaviour can be dealt with.

From this autumn, victims of low level crime and anti-social behaviour will have a say in the sanction given to the offender by the police from a menu of Community Remedy options. This is being introduced through the recent Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, which places a statutory duty on all Police and Crime Commissioners to develop and publish a list of 'Community Remedies’.

The Community Remedy document could include options for the offender to repair damage to property, clean up graffiti or receive a sanction proportionate to the crime. Victims can also request to meet the offender (in a controlled setting known as Restorative Justice) where they can ask the offender direct questions, seek an explanation for their actions, explain the impact of the offenders behaviour, and ask for an apology. So far, experience of informal arrangements that presently exist along these lines have been positively received by victims and offenders alike.

On launching the consultation, Richard Rhodes said “Community Remedy allows victims of anti-social behaviour and low level crime a voice by enabling them to have a say in how offenders are dealt with. Putting victims at the heart of all our work is something that I have advocated from day one, and I welcome the opportunity to engage with people on the Community Remedy options  to reinforce this commitment.

“I would urge as many people as possible take the chance to have their say on this important change by completing the questionnaire on my website. Following the consultation, I will draw up the Community Remedy document and agree it with the Chief Constable, before publishing it in October.”

The questionnaire can be completed online at http://www.cumbria-pcc.gov.uk/working-for-you/public-consultation.aspx

Alternatively, copies can be downloaded from the website: www.cumbria-pcc.gov.uk or obtained from my office.  Email: commissioner@cumbria-pcc.gov.uk, or tel: 01768 217734

Consultation event on Barrow Island this weekend

Public consultation on Barrow Island - have your say about planned landscaping changes

Policing Plan Survey - your views wanted!

The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner and Cumbria Constabulary are carrying out a consultation exercise to find out what matters to the people living in Cumbria and to understand how policing services can be improved. 

The information gathered will help to form the policing priorities for Cumbria in 2014 -2015 and focus resources in the areas that are most important to the community.

The survey is carried out annually, and is available online at:

The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner’s website: http://www.cumbria-pcc.gov.uk/summer-survey.aspx

Cumbria Constabulary’s website:  http://www.cumbria.police.uk

The survey has four sections covering:

·       Your feelings of safety.

·       Your views on Community Policing.

·       Your local concerns and service priorities.

·       Your views on the quality of service we provide and your understanding of the role of the Office of the Police & Crime Commissioner.

Police and Crime Commissioner, Richard Rhodes said: “A key part of my role is finding out what the people of Cumbria want from their police force and taking the next step forward about the budget implications.  I would encourage as many people as possible to take part in the survey as your views are important and will make a difference to policing in Cumbria.”

T/Chief Constable Bernard Lawson said: ‘It is extremely important to us that we know what the communities of Cumbria want from their police force. This survey is a great opportunity for people to provide us with details about the issues that matter most to them and to have their say in how the area is policed.

“The survey only takes about ten minutes to complete so we would urge people to complete the survey online and share their opinions. The views of the people living in our county are very important to us and will help shape our policing priorities for the future.”

The closing date for completing the survey is Friday 6^th September 2013.

If you would like the questionnaire in hard copy; another language or have any queries, please telephone Cumbria Constabulary’s Corporate Development Department on 01768 217343.

Your Health, Your NHS, Your Say in Barrow or Kendal!

Let us know what you think of your local health service. Come along and talk to us at the following venues …

South Lakes – Wed 23 May, 12noon-7pm, ASDA,Burton Rd, Kendal
Furness – Wed 30 May 12noon-7pm, ASDA, Walney Rd, Barrow

Also FREE Health Checks – Check your health and have your say!
http://www.yourhealthcumbria.co.uk/  

Have your say on new electoral divisions for Cumbria

The Local Government Boundary Commission for England (LGBCE) has begun the second part of its consultation on electoral arrangements for Cumbria County Council from 29 March 2011.

Following the completion of its initial consultation late last year, the Commission is proposing that the council should have 84 county councillors – the same as at present. The LGBCE now needs information from people and groups across Cumbria to help it to map out a new pattern of electoral divisions for the county.

The Commission was due to announce its recommendation on the number of county councillors for Cumbria in late 2010 but delayed its decision as it sought further information from the council. Having considered the council’s plans for devolving decision making to local areas and its ambitions in relation to the representational role of county councillors in the future, the Commission has decided to retain the current number of county councillors.

Max Caller, Chair of the LGBCE, said “It is not uncommon for the Commission to seek further information from local authorities before coming to a decision on an important issue like council size. That’s why we have had further meetings to find out more about the role county councillors are likely to play in the future and their potential workload. The County Council’s plan to devolve decision making to local committees, for example, was one of the key reasons why we have concluded that 84 councillors is the right number for Cumbria

“We are now asking for information and evidence from people across Cumbria that will help us understand where the new electoral division boundaries should be drawn. We will be looking for evidence of strong community ties and areas that should be together in the same divisions. We’ll also be looking at the natural boundaries between communities.

“First and foremost, we want to ensure that the pattern of divisions means that everyone’s vote in Cumbria is of roughly equal value regardless of where they live in the county. Our other major consideration is to ensure that divisions genuinely reflect local communities.

“Your views will make a difference. After all, local people know Cumbria best. We encourage anyone who is interested in what the new divisions should look like to submit evidence-based proposals to the Commission.

“We will carefully consider all evidence that is provided during the consultation, whoever it is from and whether it applies to the whole county or just a small part of it.

“We will also publish all submissions so that local people can see all the various proposals we receive. Residents will then have a further chance to have their say after we publish our draft recommendations in September 2011.”

This stage of consultation will last until 20 June 2011. Further information on electoral reviews and guidance on what sort of information the Commission is looking for is available on the LGBCE website at www.lgbce.org.uk.

Parents and Carers Questionnaire

Cumbria Children’s Trust is currently in the process of developing the next 3 year Children and Young People’s Plan and as part of our consultation they have developed an online questionnaire for completion by parents and carers, which can be accessed by pasting this address into your internet browser.

https://www.secure1.cumbria.gov.uk/surveys/cumbria/ctparents2009.htm

The deadline for responses is 30 October 2009.

Young People's Questionnaire

Cumbria Children’s Trust is developing a 3 year Children and Young People’s Plan.

Below is the link to an online questionnaire for completion by young people aged 11 upwards, which can be accessed by pasting this address into your internet browser.

https://www.secure1.cumbria.gov.uk/surveys/cumbria/ctyoungpeople2009.htm

The deadline for responses is 30 October 2009