Peterborough Power to the People? Morag Irving Reports

Stanground Youth Project Group
urgently needing funding

Power to the people is very much in the air as the much vaunted Localism Bill - set to shift the balance of local power - goes through Parliament and also as Peterborough City Council is today by Central Government, being urged to sell off some of its' assets.  We thought you may like a peep at where just some of your 'Localism' rate money is being spent hereabouts.

On a related theme, and to expand your own knowledge, you might also like to read this recent article from The Guardian Newspaper:  http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2011/jul/26/peterborough-power-to-people

We applied using several Freedom of Information requests (available to everyone) to see just where the money collected by way of the Rates precept has been going, and how we can best assist our own Neighbourhoods.  


Ward Councillors are elected for five years, each hold a discretionary 'Community Leadership Fund' of £10,000 per annum. The CLF fund is spent with the agreement of all Ward Councillors, and in theory anyone can apply, although no minutes are available of the decision making process, and the public is also excluded from any decision of where the money goes....

We have already reported on the 'donations' Stanground residents have made through our CLF to the Dogsthorpe St Georges hydrotherapy pool, this is taken from part of an authoratative report from the USA  :

You can also read the full report here:  http://www.intelihealth.com/IH/ihtIH/WSIHW000/8513/34968/362192.html?d=dmtContent
we are also currently considering a further very lengthy detailed British Government report on the whole subject from HMSO, which has just been passed to us and will report on its findings at a later date. But back to the Intelihealth.com study:-

Potential Dangers
The safety of some hydrotherapy techniques is not well studied.

Sudden or prolonged exposure to extreme temperatures in baths, wraps, saunas or other types of hydrotherapy should be avoided, particularly by patients with heart disease or lung disease or by pregnant women.

Warm temperatures can lead to dehydration or low blood sodium levels, and hydration and electrolyte intake should be maintained.

Cold temperatures may worsen symptoms in people with circulatory disorders, such as acrocyanosis, chilblains, erythrocyanosis or Raynaud's disease.

Water temperature should be carefully monitored, particularly for patients with temperature-sensitivity disorders, such as neuropathy.

People with implanted medical devices such as pacemakers, defibrillators or liver infusion pumps should avoid high temperatures or therapies that involve electrical currents.

Contact with contaminants or additives in water (such as essential oils or chlorine) can irritate the skin. Skin infections may occur if water is not sanitary, particularly in patients with open wounds.

There are several reported cases of dermatitis and bacterial skin infections after hot tub or whirlpool use.

People with fractures, blood clots, bleeding disorders, severe osteoporosis or open wounds and pregnant women should avoid vigorous therapy with water jets in.

Although water births are popular, safety is not well studied. The effects of prolonged labour in hot or cold water are not known.

Hydrotherapy should not delay the time it takes to see a health care provider for diagnosis or treatment with more proven techniques or therapies. And hydrotherapy should not be used as the sole approach to illness. Consult with your primary health care provider before starting hydrotherapy.

The community has also made endless 'donations' to the Stanground Community Centre, including the purchase of a series of motor buses. Interesting, as if the City of Peterborough is looking to become the Green capital of the UK, why are our local councillors investing public funds, your money, in the secondhand bus market?

The PCC already gives free bus travel passes to those at retiring age and also to people with mobility issues. You really have to wonder how commercial bus companies, struggling as we all are in these harsh economic times, really feel about it? If passenger numbers reduce, the scheduled bus company will certainly apply to withdraw scheduled loss-making services from Stanground and related areas.

But the stories revealed through the Freedom of Information Act facility can throw up some real shockers!How about this one? All our residents in Stanground East have (through our local councillor and long time school governor) also made a donation of £2,000 to send 2 toy Teddy Bears with students to China! The toy bears are part of an educational scheme, promoted by Heritage Park School. The bears keep in contact via e mail, so obviously public funds well spent and well educated toy bears .....

We have estimated the combined spending in the last few years, could have established and run a local facility such as a swimming pool or a local football ground and associated club house.  We know a pool is available at Stanground College and the writer has used it, but how much better and healthier to have a pool, available to all our residents and at any time?

It was also good to see photographs of a few of our local councillors at the Stanground Skateboard Park Launch Event today. You may remember we also reported that you have already donated £10,000  to a Council organised Youth Scheme and the results are reported at Neighbourhood Council meetings.

Equally we are all looking forward to next year's Stanground Fete being organised by Cllr Irene Walsh, as she is on the record as agreeing, all the profits will go to the underfunded Stanground Youth Project Group. Perhaps the local Skateboarders, whe are all Stanground/ Park farm members within benefit, will finally be admitted to the Stanground Community Centre?

A full list of local council spending is also available to residents on the PCC website.



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