Number Crunching Peterborough 12th October

Number Crunching Peterborough October, writes Morag Irving

Cost of allowances paid to peterborough Councillor £500 (tax free), does not include other allowances e.g. Cabinet member etc, who are now going to be given a iphone each.

Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance

The maximum weekly rates are:

Single people, aged under 25 £53.45

Single people, aged 25 or over £67.50

Couples and civil partnerships (both aged 18 or over) £105.95

Lone parent (aged under 18) £53.45

Lone parent (aged 18 or over) £67.50

Figures:-Report Peterboroughtoday 12th October 2011./Directgov Website 12.10.11





(C) Stanground & Park Farm News 2011 E&OE Tel: 01733 345581 ..... ALL ENQUIRIES LOCAL NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICE: 0345 4564564 OR Dial 999. If you have any information about crime contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at crimestoppers-uk.org. No personal details are taken, information is not traced or recorded and you will not go to Court. >> Broadcast Quality ISDN 01733 555319 ISDN Codecs G722 & ATX >> Media Enquiries: JULIAN BRAY 01733 345581 http://tinyurl.com/STANGROUNDPFNW

Elementary Mr Cereste......

A trawl through the latest Freedom of Information requests can produce all manner of strange and wonderful things. A newly published request asks the question 'How much has Peterborough City Council spent on private detectives in the past 5 years?

 

The answer? PCC has not employed any private detectives.

 

(C) Stanground & Park Farm News 2011 E&OE Tel: 01733 345581 ..... ALL ENQUIRIES LOCAL NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICE: 0345 4564564 OR Dial 999. If you have any information about crime contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at crimestoppers-uk.org. No personal details are taken, information is not traced or recorded and you will not go to Court. >> Broadcast Quality ISDN 01733 555319 ISDN Codecs G722 & ATX >> Media Enquiries: JULIAN BRAY 01733 345581 http://tinyurl.com/STANGROUNDPFNW

Safer Peterborough Brews Up...

Service Users’ Coffee Mornings

We are holding a series of coffee mornings across the city.

These coffee mornings are to give service users a chance to come and ask any us and the new provider any questions you may have about the new service, as well as view the new treatment system model

The coffee mornings are as follows:

Monday 24th October 10am - 12 noon

The Fleet Centre Fletton

Tuesday 25th October 10am - 12 noon

Herlington Community Centre

Wednesday 26th October 10am - 12 noon 

Dogsthorpe Community Centre

Thursday 27th October 10am - 12 noon

The Pyramid Community Centre Bretton

Watch out for further posters and leaflets in the coming weeks about the new service. If you feel you are not getting a quality service during this time please contact the saferpeterborough team on:

01733 747474

.. (C) Stanground & Park Farm News 2011 E&OE Tel: 01733 345581 ..... ALL ENQUIRIES LOCAL NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICE: 0345 4564564 OR Dial 999. If you have any information about crime contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at crimestoppers-uk.org. No personal details are taken, information is not traced or recorded and you will not go to Court. >> Broadcast Quality ISDN 01733 555319 ISDN Codecs G722 & ATX >> Media Enquiries: JULIAN BRAY 01733 345581 http://tinyurl.com/STANGROUNDPFNW

Ministry of Justice say Dangerous Drivers to face longer jail terms

Ministry of Justice say Dangerous drivers to face longer jail terms

Dangerous drivers who seriously injure others could spend longer in jail thanks to a new criminal offence, Justice Secretary Kenneth Clarke has just announced.   The new offence of 'causing serious injury by dangerous driving' will carry a maximum sentence of five years in prison and allow the courts to impose tougher punishments on dangerous drivers who devastate the lives of others.

The changes will be taken forward as part of the Government's Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Bill.

For the vast majority of other dangerous driving cases, the maximum penalty of two years' imprisonment provides the courts with sufficient and proportionate powers to punish offenders, claims the MoJ.

Justice Secretary Kenneth Clarke MP said: 'Dangerous driving can destroy lives and have a devastating affect on victims and their families and friends.

'We have listened to the victims of dangerous drivers, their families, MPs, judges and road safety groups and their experiences have directly informed these changes.

'Making our roads safer is a priority - five people died on our roads each day last year, so we need to do everything we can to further improve safety.'

Ellen Booth, campaigns officer for the BRAKE charity said:  'We wholeheartedly welcome this new offence which will help to provide justice to families whose lives have been ripped apart by dangerous drivers.

'As a charity supporting bereaved and seriously injured victims of road crashes, we repeatedly see victims' families being grossly let down by the justice system, which only adds to the terrible trauma they must endure.

'This new offence finally means that serious injury is recognised within the title of the offence, and this recognition is vitally important to victims and their families. It also means that dangerous drivers who inflict serious injuries can expect to see higher sentences to better reflect the terrible trauma and injuries they have caused.'

Road Safety Minister Mike Penning said:  'The vast majority of motorists are safe and responsible but the wilfully reckless minority who put lives in danger must face serious penalties.

'We are taking action to help the police tackle drink and drug driving, as well as to crack down on uninsured and dangerous drivers, and this new offence will mean the courts can properly punish those who inflict serious injuries.

'These measures - together with improved educational courses for drivers who need to improve their skills - will help ensure Britain's roads remain among the safest in the world.'

Andrew Howard, Head of Road Safety at the AA said:  'Dangerous drivers who do so wilfully choose to take risks and should face the consequences of their actions.

'These law changes should make sentences more proportionate to the devastation dangerous driving causes and should also deter people from driving badly.'

Julian Bray,  Chairman Park Farm Neighbourhood Watch commented:  'If a person causes death by dangerous driving the maximum sentence is 14 years.  Some 1,850 road deaths occurred during  2010. The Department for Transport published its Strategic Framework for Road Safety earlier this year, setting out the Government’s plans to improve road safety education and enforcement. This is a response to that plan and one we welcome, there can be no defence to dangerous driving. We would also like to see all those convicted required to not only re-sit a driving test but subject to a driving curfew.'



.. (C) Stanground & Park Farm News 2011 E&OE Tel: 01733 345581 ..... ALL ENQUIRIES LOCAL NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICE: 0345 4564564 OR Dial 999. If you have any information about crime contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at crimestoppers-uk.org. No personal details are taken, information is not traced or recorded and you will not go to Court. >> Broadcast Quality ISDN 01733 555319 ISDN Codecs G722 & ATX >> Media Enquiries: JULIAN BRAY 01733 345581 http://tinyurl.com/STANGROUNDPFNW

World Mental Health Day 10th October

Today marks World Mental Health Day, a day designed to raise public attention about mental health issues whilst also encouraging open and honest discussion about the topic.

This year’s theme is “investing in mental health” which seems highly apt given that the World Health Organisation estimates that the resources allocated for mental health are “inadequate especially in low resource countries”. “Low- and middle-income countries spend less than two per cent of their health budget on mental health” (WHO 2011) which is woefully insufficient given the global burden of mental health disorders is
In today’s financial climate, mental health is not the priority and services are being cut due to the recession. Mental health is also costly as to treat a patient takes a long period of time; it’s not like repairing a fractured arm that takes 6 weeks.

In fact, nine out of ten people will experience stigma and discrimination as a result of having mental health problems, according to ‘Time to Change’.

(C) Stanground & Park Farm News 2011 E&OE Tel: 01733 345581 ..... ALL ENQUIRIES LOCAL NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICE: 0345 4564564 OR Dial 999. If you have any information about crime contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at crimestoppers-uk.org. No personal details are taken, information is not traced or recorded and you will not go to Court. >> Broadcast Quality ISDN 01733 555319 ISDN Codecs G722 & ATX >> Media Enquiries: JULIAN BRAY 01733 345581 http://tinyurl.com/STANGROUNDPFNW

Foot in the door salemen targeting pensioners under spotlight from the OFT

Doorstep energy salesman have been in the news for all the wrong reasons recently, and many under-pressure energy companies have now scrapped their doorstep sales. But there's a reported new menace on the doorstep for disabled and /or the elderly - people selling mobility aids.


The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) has warned of the threat to pensioners from some unscrupulous traders offering stair lifts and other mobility aids.

The watchdog said it had received thousands of complaints about sales of equipment like mobility scooters, adjustable beds and stair lifts.

The OFT has promised to try to stamp out unfair sales practices by removing credit licences and encouraging trading standards officers to prosecute. Ann Pope, from the OFT, promised more enforcement activity to protect consumers: "We are issuing a warning to the industry that we will take further action where necessary," she said.

Buyers can typically pay 50 percent more than high street prices on the doorstep and some have overpaid by hundreds or even thousands of pounds. Some victims, like May Bell, found the equipment they were promised failed to turn up.

Mrs Bell, an 88-year-old from Sheffield, told the BBC that she was left £1,800 out of pocket and trapped on the ground floor of her house after a visit from a salesman.

She had been promised a new stair lift, but after her old one was disconnected the replacement did not arrive. She was forced to sleep in a chair and use a commode instead of her toilet for five weeks.

Shane Johnson of Nottingham Mobility, the man who visited Mrs Bell, was convicted of breaching consumer protection regulations and sentenced to a year in prison.

Be aware of the rules

There is nothing to prevent traders knocking on your door, although there are rules about what they can do once they gain entry into your home.

If you make it clear that you aren't interested on the doorstep, they can't pressure you or come inside unless you allow them.

They must show you identification and be honest about who they are. They should also be clear that they are selling something and not put you under pressure to buy it.

Some doorstep sellers have pretended to be from social services to establish trust, while others stay for hours and refuse to leave.
 
Remember that PFNW on 01733 345581 will respond to a telephone call from you and will attend by invitation, if you have an 'unwanted' salesman in the house or need someone to be physically with you when they are giving their sales pitch. You are not alone!

.. (C) Stanground & Park Farm News 2011 E&OE Tel: 01733 345581 ..... ALL ENQUIRIES LOCAL NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICE: 0345 4564564 OR Dial 999. If you have any information about crime contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at crimestoppers-uk.org. No personal details are taken, information is not traced or recorded and you will not go to Court. >> Broadcast Quality ISDN 01733 555319 ISDN Codecs G722 & ATX >> Media Enquiries: JULIAN BRAY 01733 345581 http://tinyurl.com/STANGROUNDPFNW

Duxford Aerodrome final flying airshow for 2011 - a brilliant day out!

Duxford Aerodrome final flying airshow for 2011 - a brilliant day out!


Sally B, the last remaining Flying Fortress B17 Bomber Aircraft,
which is based at Duxford and maintained in airworthy flying condition by donations from the public
and income from flying displays .   (c) IWM

The Imperial War Museum [IWM] Duxford Aerodromes' Autumn Air Show (Sunday 16 October) will conclude the Museum’s 2011 spectacular air show season with an exciting flying participation which will be Remembering the Korean War.

The Korean War (25 June 1950 to armistice signed 27 July 1953) was the first major conflict in which jet aircraft sought air superiority alongside the final-generation propeller-driven piston fighter aircraft.

The Autumn Air Show pays homage to this uniquely international air battle, with an exciting flying participation which sees iconic piston-engine aircraft take to the skies alongside the first generation of jet aircraft.

In addition to the central theme of Remembering the Korean War, the Autumn Air Show presents even more exciting aerial action, with flying displays by the Belgian Air Component F-16; aerobatic masters Alister Kay and Andy Hill in their role as the RV8tors Duo; the BAe Hawk, flown by Flight Lieutenant Juliette Fleming of 208 (R) Squadron, RAF Valley; Spitfire IX; the Shorts Tucano from 207 (R) Squadron, RAF Linton-on-Ouse and the Black Cats Lynx Pair from 702 Naval Air Squadron.

The Tiger Nine Team will perform a thrilling display with nine Tiger Moths in celebration of the 80th anniversary of the first flight of the de Havilland DH 82 Tiger Moth.

With further fantastic flying participation to be confirmed and with activities happening across the Museum throughout the day, the Autumn Air Show will provide a thrilling conclusion to Duxford’s air show season for 2011.  We support both Duxford and the Sally B Trust so that our younger generations can understand and appreciate a time before computers and x-boxes! IT makes a brilliant day out and there are a lot of attractions, exhibits, displays and lectures totally under cover if the weather changes...


.. (C) Stanground & Park Farm News 2011 E&OE Tel: 01733 345581 ..... ALL ENQUIRIES LOCAL NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICE: 0345 4564564 OR Dial 999. If you have any information about crime contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at crimestoppers-uk.org. No personal details are taken, information is not traced or recorded and you will not go to Court. >> Broadcast Quality ISDN 01733 555319 ISDN Codecs G722 & ATX >> Media Enquiries: JULIAN BRAY 01733 345581 http://tinyurl.com/STANGROUNDPFNW