Are Wulvern Tenants putting lives at risk?

If you walk down the dark alley from West St to the Queens Park just over the bridge my Bentley the one that comes out in Wisaston rd then you are likely to get your eyes ripped out by rose bushes that overhang the footpath from house believed to be owned by Wulvern Housing. Its not just one but many houses that back onto this public path have these dangerous thorns often at eye height just right to rip your eyes out or cause tetanus.

To further fuel the fire we have had a lot of complaints in the same area just over the bridge by Bentley cars from the houses cross the foot path with no drive ways and the footpaths are very slippery and muddy and people are falling over. Will Wulvern take any action the matter has been reported to the local councillor and nothing has happend 

Name the new cafeteria pavilion in Queens Park

 

Chronicle readers are being offered the chance to form a piece of Crewe history.

With work well underway on the new cafeteria pavilion in Queens Park, the Chronicle would like to offer readers a chance to name the building, which is to replace the 34-year-old Jubilee Cafeteria.

The impressive timber structure is now in place and the design will enable users to view the internal timbers when using the new facility.

The wall materials, on both the cafe and games pavilion, have been carefully chosen to match the sandstone on the two lodges located at the park’s main entrance, where possible.

Councillor Andrew Knowles, Cabinet member with responsibility for health and wellbeing, said: “Queens Park, as the name implies, has many royal connections with a history to suit. Readers may wish to name it after a royal event, maybe one that is taking place this year or even a past occasion.

“The details of the winners will be engraved on a plaque within the building and they will also be invited to be the first people to enjoy a meal in the new facility, together with up to five of their friends and family.”

Readers are also invited to suggest ideas for what items they consider should go into a time capsule, which will be buried in the park grounds. Those with the winning suggestions will receive a voucher for coffee or tea and cake for two at the cafe.

Councillor Roy Cartlidge, ward member for Crewe West, said: “This is a quality facility which will be the hub of activities within Queens Park and a focal meeting point for many years to come.

“We obviously can’t keep referring to it as the new pavilion and so would welcome readers’ ideas. The idea for the time capsules is a fun one which will provide much enjoyment when it is unveiled in years to come.”

Queens Park, once renowned as one of the finest parks in the North West, is undergoing a £6.5m transformation to bring it back to its former glory. The Heritage Lottery Fund is providing a £2.7m support grant with the rest of the investment coming from Cheshire East Council.

Within the park’s 45 acres are walkways, trees, shrubs, planting, children’s play area, crown green bowling, putting, boating lake (currently drained for construction works), grassed areas, memorials and cafeteria.

For more information on the Queens Park restoration project, visit the Queens Park web pages at: www.queensparkcrewe.com or www.cheshireeast.gov.uk – then click on ‘leisure, culture and tourism’, then follow links to the park pages.    

Those without online access can request a paper copy from Queens Park manager Elaine Dodd, on 01270 537896.

SEND YOUR ENTRIES TO:

Suggested capsule items can be sent on a postcard to:

Elaine Dodd, Pym’s Lane Depot, Pym’s Lane, Crewe, CW1 3PJ.

Entries to be received no later than Friday, March 18.

Don’t forget to include your name, address, daytime telephone number and email address if you have one.

MP Bulletin 78

Welcome ...

Welcome to this my 78th electronic news bulletin.

This last week the Government continued apace with the rescue mission of our economy - dealing with the huge deficit we inherited is the single most important step towards recovery and growth. Now they must strive to be the most pro-growth Government in living memory. Over the next few months we must drive forward a programme with one purpose - creating jobs. Although there are currently around 500,000 job vacancies in the UK, there is still more to do. We must show we are on the side of enterprising business and enterprising people - and that there are no 'forgotten areas' of the nation when it comes to growth.

In Crewe and Nantwich, small and medium sized businesses play a vital role in that drive for growth and all those local businesses I have visited or spoken with in recent months have been clear that getting the bulging bureaucracy off their backs will go a long way in helping create the conditions they need to expand and prosper.

Please remember, you can always contact me directly if you have any questions for me.

You can forward the bulletin on to your friends and family, who can sign up themselves by clicking here for my website.

Best wishes,

Edward Timpson
Member of Parliament for Crewe & Nantwich

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I have recently ...

• Met with regional representatives from Royal Mail to discuss postal services in Crewe & Nantwich
• Asked the Deputy Prime Minister what the government is doing to rebalance planning applications on wind turbines, phone masts & overdevelopment in Crewe & Nantwich
• Visited local business Boldon James - Qinetiq, in Crewe to meet with staff 
• Visited Station House Nursing Home in Crewe to meet with staff and residents & present national carers awards
• Attended Looking After The Homeless group in Crewe to discuss support for homeless people in Crewe & Nantwich
• Attended Crewe Town Mayor's Annual Charity Ball, in Crewe
• Held a constituency surgery for local residents
• Met with Willaston Green Gap Group to support the campaign to protect greenspace
• Played in a charity football match with the Parliamentary Football team, in London
• Attended a reception for Rare Diseases UK with local representatives from CLIMB Cheshire, in Parliament
• Met with constituents attending Parliament for several events to lobby MPs
• Attended a reception for Missing People, in Parliament raising awareness of the difficulties they & their families face
• Attended the launch of '100% Proof CitizenCard' in Parliament
• Met with representatives from Action For Children in Parliament

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Photos & Video ...

• Edward attends Rare Diseases UK reception with local representatives from CLIMB Cheshire

You can view all my photos and video at edwardtimpsonmp.com

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North West Virtual Heads Network Meet Cheshire East MP

Cheshire East News

A Cheshire East MP loaned some of his unrivalled knowledge of fostering to the Council’s Virtual School for Cared for Children.

Conservative Edward Timpson, MP for Crewe and Nantwich, addressed the gathering of more than 20 people at Dalton House in Middlewich about his role as chairman of the all-party parliamentary group for looked after children and care leavers. He also canvassed the views of the heads of the various North West councils virtual school heads present on the day.

The virtual school in Cheshire East is a new development which treats its pupils as one ‘school’, although they are educated in a variety of settings across and beyond the authority area. Mr Timpson has spent 30 years living with and working in the care system and is now leading an enquiry into cared for children’s education. His parents have fostered more than 80 children over the last 30 years, many of whom he grew up with.

Councillor Hilda Gaddum, Cabinet member with responsibility for children and families, said: “This was a very productive session for Cheshire East’s Virtual School for Cared for Children and I am extremely grateful to Mr Timpson for taking the time to address the group.

“This is a subject which is very close to his heart and is very much of concern to virtual heads in the North West. It was a useful exchange of information and ideas.

“The session is another example of Cheshire East working with others to improve life opportunities and health for everybody in the borough.”

Cared for children, of which there are more than 450 in Cheshire East, are those subject to care orders and those who are voluntarily accommodated, whether that be foster care or at home with their families. Cheshire East is responsible for their care and support and the virtual school takes the lead in ensuring they have the best educational opportunities possible and that there is consistency of approach across the authority.

The virtual school provides training, advice and support for foster carers, teachers and social workers as well as working closely with agencies that support the children. For more information email about the Virtual School for Cared for Children at Cheshire East, or ring 01606 271951.

© Cheshire East Council

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Postal figures confirm South Cheshire was the worst over Christmas period

Crewe and Nantwich Chronicle

SOUTH Cheshire officially had the worst postal service in England over Christmas.

Royal Mail performance figures from December 6 last year to January 1 this year show the area’s service was significantly lower than the First Class Stamped target of 93% for mail arriving the next day.

The official figure was 79.3% making it the third worst service in the UK compared to Dundee which had a figure of 78.5%, and Lerwick, in the Shetland Islands, which had a figure of 43.4% – but both those areas experienced large amounts of snow.

Steve Leach, Royal Mail’s regional operations director for the North West, said: “Despite doing everything possible to get the mail through in difficult circumstances, we were unable to deliver everything

“We apologise to our customers. We hope they understand how hard our staff worked.”
MP Edward Timpson, added: “Obviously we have no data to prove how they’re currently performing, but the number of complaints I’ve received has tailed off significantly, and Royal Mail have been a lot more communicative about the problem following pressure from me.”

© 2011 Trinity Mirror North West and North Wales Ltd.

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South Cheshire has second-worst postal service in Christmas run-up

The Sentinel

RESIDENTS and businesses in South Cheshire continued to suffer the second-worst postal service in mainland Britain before Christmas.

Latest Royal Mail figures show posties in the CW area delivered 79.3 per cent of first-class mail on time between September 6 and December 5, down from 89.1 per cent during the previous quarter.

Only residents in Dundee had a worse service.

Nationally an average of 89.2 per cent of first-class post arrived on time, against Royal Mail's target of 93 per cent.

In Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire, 87.9 per cent of first-class mail was delivered on time.

Residents and firms in South Cheshire say the postal service has gone downhill since Crewe's sorting office closed last August.

Royal Mail admitted last year it suffered "teething problems" since operations were transferred to Warrington, but insisted the issues had been ironed out.

Cheshire East councillor Margaret Simon, who represents Rope ward, said: "Up to Christmas and beyond the service has been appalling, but it has got better in recent weeks.

"I understand the weather has been bad, but I've been receiving council papers for meetings well after the meetings have taken place.

"I feel sorry for those actually doing the job, because if people stop using the service then jobs will be at risk."

Nantwich resident Jenny O'Brien, aged 32, said: "Last year there was a big delay, the post used to come in the morning but it just got later and later. But recently it seems to have got back on track."

Crewe and Nantwich MP Edward Timpson, pictured left, has been meeting with Royal Mail to help resolve the issue.

He said: "This report shows just how bad the situation became in the run-up to Christmas. However, Royal Mail seems to have improved its service.

"We have no data to prove how it is currently performing, but the number of complaints I have received has tailed off, and Royal Mail has been a lot more communicative."

Royal Mail said the severe weather towards the end of the quarter had a "significant" affect on the performance figures. Nationally just 33.7 per cent of first-class mail was delivered on time between December 6 and January 1.

Steve Leach, North West regional operations director, said: "Despite doing everything possible to get the mail through in exceptionally difficult circumstances, we were unable to deliver everything to our usual high standards. We apologise to our customers."

© 2011 The Sentinel

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All-Stars Charity Match Raises Money For Wingate Centre

Crewe and Nantwich Guardian

AN all-star charity eleven travelled to London last week to take on the UK Parliamentary Football Club.

The match - which finished a 3-3 draw - raised money for South Cheshire's Wingate Centre and featured a number of former professional players and members of Parliament.

Former Crewe Alexandra players Callum Carey and Mark Roberts were on the team sheet, as well as players from Aston Villa, Manchester City, Everton and Newcastle.

Barry Donegan, who put together the All Stars team, said: “We’ve had a great time down here in London.

"It’s a pity the MPs managed to sneak one back at the end, but what’s really important is coming together to try to raise money for local charities.

“The Wingate Centre does great work for disabled children in South Cheshire, and it’s great that we had such a good turnout of ex pros and MPs to help raise money for them.”

Crewe and Nantwich MP Edward Timpson, who often plays for the All-Stars, helped organise the game and this time was up front for the Parliamentary side, which included four other MPs.

For much of the first half the charity team looked the more dangerous, but the UKPFC team defended doggedly, and attempted to expose a high defensive line on the break.

UKPFC took the lead on the half hour against the run of play with a well struck long range effort.

But they didn’t hold the lead for long as the All-Star team moved up a gear and scored two in quick succession to take a 2-1 lead into the break.

Further goals were exchanged leaving the All-Star XI 3-2 ahead going into the final quarter hour.

Mr Timpson had dropped back and started playing ‘in the hole’ allowing him to orchestrate the attack as the team went looking for an equaliser.

And this seemed to work as he got the assist on the equaliser five minutes from time.

The All-Star Charity XI was set up 12 years ago by Barry Donegan and has raised over £200,000 for local charities since then.

They have recently played teams of former Liverpool and Crewe players, as well as one from the cast of Hollyoaks.

The team is currently raising money for the Wingate centre, which has been helping young people with disabilities participate in gymnastics since 1988.

They said the money raised would go towards upgrading existing facilities.

Afterwards Mr Timpson said: “Huge congratulations to Barry for managing to organise the game.

"I know the money he raises for the Wingate Centre and other local charities really makes a difference to them.

“It’s great to be able to take part. MPs aren’t well known for being good at football but I think we just about deserved the draw.”

© 2001 - 2011 Newsquest Media Ltd.

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Upbringing fostered MP's sense of justice

The Sentinel

EDWARD Timpson was just six-years-old when he got his first glimpse of the care system, an experience which later inspired him to become an MP. Two little boys had arrived at his family's home in Cheshire in need of fostering.

"I'd been told somebody was coming to play with us for a bit," he recalled.

"When these two boys, who were five and three, arrived, my reaction was to run upstairs to my bedroom and refuse to come out until they left. It took a bit of getting used to.

"People often forget families who foster have their own natural children. But it became part of my childhood.

"As I got older, I played a more active role in things like bottle-feeding and nappy-changing. It also gave me a sense of social justice."

Edward's parents John and Alex went on to foster almost 90 children over three decades. They also adopted two sons, who grew up alongside Edward and his brother and sister.

Sometimes there would be an emergency call from social services. A youngster would arrive that night with a bundle of pent-up emotions and a traumatic history.

But the family also offered respite care, longer term placements, and even cared for triplets.

It left an indelible impression. Soon Edward was training to become a family lawyer, representing young people at hearings in Stoke-on-Trent and Crewe.

"Although I got a lot out of it, I felt frustrated," he said. "By the time I got involved in these children's lives, the damage had already been done.

"More often, you weren't reuniting families, you were looking at permanent placements. I felt if I was going to make a real impact, I needed to affect policy."

It was the trigger for entering politics. As MP for Crewe and Nantwich, Edward occasionally encounters people his family used to foster.

And the 37-year-old Conservative, who lives in South Cheshire, has now found himself at the forefront of trying to improve the lives of other young people in Britain's care system.

He is chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Group for looked after children and care leavers. Edward is currently leading a national inquiry into the education of young people in care.

It's set against some stark statistics.

He said: "Half of all prisoners under 25, and half of prostitutes, have been in care. There is also a vast attainment gap between looked after children and their peers.

"Even factoring in that they are likely to have suffered from neglect or abuse, they still underachieve. There's a huge amount to do."

He believes early support for families is crucial and also wants clearer accountability structures within local authorities.

One welcome step has been the growth in 'virtual' headteachers, who champion the needs of looked after children to ensure they make good progress at school.

Edward recently met Cheshire East's virtual head and others from across the North West. Other issues include what happens when young people leave care. "There's a cliff edge when the support finishes," he added.

On the back of horrific cases like Baby Peter's death, significantly more children are also being taken into care, fuelling the shortage in social workers and foster parents.

Edward is keen for the Government to extend to social work the philosophy behind its Teach First programme, where top graduates are encouraged to go into teaching.

He's come across other innovative ideas too. In Staffordshire, social workers supporting teenagers from Newcastle and the Moorlands have set up their own GP-style practice to trial running services at arm's length from a local authority. It has helped reduce bureaucracy.

Edward, a father-of-three himself, said: "There's no quick fix. But I'd like to think we will improve children's lives."

© 2011 The Sentinel

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Help for families before they reach breaking point

The Sentinel

THERE are more than 450 children in care across Cheshire East.

Now a radical shake-up of the way vulnerable youngsters are supported is under way.

It will revolve around small social work units covering different local patches. Each frontline team will be led by a practice consultant. The emphasis is on helping families much earlier, before they reach breaking point.

The idea is similar to a scheme pioneered in the London borough of Hackney.

Crewe and Nantwich MP Edward Timpson said: "In Hackney, the vacancy rates for social workers have fallen, sickness levels have been reduced, and each team can't go beyond having 45 children. Cheshire East is right to learn from this.

"Crewe does have a disproportionate share of looked after children. There is more call for support."

Cheshire East Council has also created a new children's assessment team, which will manage all incoming referrals.

Cath Knowles, head of safeguarding and specialist services, said the ultimate aim was to reduce the number of youngsters needing public care.

In a report to councillors, she highlights how Cheshire East Council has come a long way since 2009, when it inherited serious problems in children's social care.

At the time, a series of reviews found social workers were managing excessive workloads, with individual staff overseeing as many as 40 cases. They were bombarded with child protection referrals and struggled to prioritise.

Councillor Hilda Gaddum, cabinet member for children and families, pictured below, said they were now working hard to "improve life opportunities" for young people.

She is particularly pleased with the progress in setting up a new 'virtual' school. It tracks the progress of looked after children in their own schools and also offers training and advice to foster carers, teachers and social workers.

Children in care across South Cheshire have also played a pivotal role in writing a new council pledge. Their suggestions include:

Actively involving them in decisions affecting their daily lives;

Not moving children from placements where they are happy and settled unless it's absolutely necessary;

Helping them stay in touch with their birth families and keeping photos of their personal histories;

Supporting them to learn money skills so they can make the transition to adult life.

© 2011 The Sentinel

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5 ways to contact Edward Timpson

• By email: timpsone@parliament.uk
• On the web: edwardtimpsonmp.com
• By phone: 01270 501 725
• By post: 30 Victoria Street, Crewe CW1 2JE
• In person: Click here to see surgery times

Motorcycle Rider Assessment Day

Motorcycle Rider Assessment Day

South Cheshire Advanced Motorcyclists will be holding the next Motorcycle Rider Assessment day on Saturday 12th March between 10:00 and 16:00.  These events are proving to be very popular for motorcyclists from the Northwest, North Wales and the West Midlands. This event will once again be held at the Broxton Picnic area on the junction of the A41 and A534.

Members of the group will be on hand to discuss any riding or capability matters with the public and our accredited Observers will be undertaking free assessment rides. The observed rides will last approximately 45 minutes and will include pre and post ride briefings. There is no charge for the assessment rides, simply turn up and register. All motorcyclists are welcome, but they must have passed their full Motorcycle test before they are eligible for Advanced Motorcycling Guidance.

All Cheshire East residents will qualify for a 50% discount on the cost of The I.A.M.’s Skill for Life course provided by South Cheshire Advanced Motorcyclists, other discounts may be available to Cheshire West & Staffordshire residents

For further information, please contact Bob Morris at bob.morris@southcheshiream.co.uk or on 01270 766384

Full details are available on the group website at www.southcheshiream.co.uk

Bob Morris
S.C.A.M.

Tel: 01270 766384
Mob: 07916 148983
e-mail: bob.morris@southcheshiream.co.uk     

.

S.C.A.M. meet socially on the last Thursday of each month at “The Hawk” Inn at Haslington, Crewe. The Group attracts motorcyclists from all areas of Staffordshire, Cheshire and adjoining counties and is considered to be one of the best Advanced Motorcycle Groups in the country.  The group is affiliated to the Institute of Advanced Motorists and has accredited observers who are certified to provide assessment and feedback.

Job seekers put at risk by Jobcentre

Its come to light that the jobcentre in Crewe is using what people are describing as illegal Gestapo type tactics against innocent job seekers. People have complained that they have signed on and been told their dole has been suspended as they havent looked for work. But these people have one job seeker had two interviews in two weeks but he had his dole stopped. The job centre are supposed to issue a form ESL 48 which they dont so the person doesn't know why its happened or any of their rights.
It is claimed this is forcing young people into prostitution or crime as they have no other option to get money to buy food and in some cases were they live will elderly parent who are on a pension the pensioners lives are put at risk as the heartless staff stopping the young persons dole means the pensioners have to support them out of a meagre pension.

Many have been people only on the dole a few weeks and desperately looking for work but at the end of the day there are no jobs out there
We have asked our MP to look into this as there is growing concern for young people welfare having no money makes them vulnerable  and crime may be the only option they have as job centre staff are not advising them about emergency payments.

Several sites have been set up claiming this is illegal and its agaisnt human rights to stop dole as the law says you need that money to live on see http://myreader.co.uk/msg/13972314.aspx

or http://www.workprogramme.org.uk/20100425766/social-security-unlawful-benefit-sanctions.html

some of the comments on these sites are


Thanks for the post I really fear for how you have been treated as I think a number of people have been treated the same and have committed suicide. I think someone needs to make an FOI for suicide rates
It Is hard to say what to do but If i was you I would write letters complain, and talk to your local M.P even the press if you can face it. Time the stuff these asses were pulling was aired.
And yes go for it nothing ventured nothing gained go for the money and remember something important if they are spending time dealing with you it means they gotless time o bully harrass and intimidate other people

DECISION OF THE SOCIAL SECURITY COMMISSIONER

1.  I allow the appeal. For the reasons below, the decision of the tribunal is wrong in law. It is set aside. With the agreement of both parties, I substitute for that decision the decision that the tribunal should have taken. This is:
Appeal allowed. The decision of the Secretary of State of 9 11 2006, superseding the decision of 28 3 2006, is set aside. The appellant was actively seeking work in the period 31 10 2006 to 6 11 2006. That is therefore not a ground for superseding the decision awarding jobseeker’s allowance to the appellant during that period.
For the avoidance of doubt, this means that there is no break in the appellant’s entitlement to jobseeker’s allowance for the period 31 10 2006 to 6 11 2006. He does not therefore need to make a new claim for that or the following period. He is also entitled to any relevant credited earnings for contribution purposes for the period.
2.  The claimant and appellant (C) is appealing with my permission against the decision of the Worcester tribunal on 5 02 2007 under reference 055 06 00550.

REASONS FOR THE DECISION

C’s jobseeker’s agreement

3.  This appeal arose from a dispute between C and an adviser at his local Jobcentre about whether he was actively seeking work during the week starting 31 10 2006. This was because of a difference between them about whether C had met his obligations jobsearching that week.
4.  The dispute was stated to be about what C’s jobseeker’s agreement (“the Agreement” in this decision, but often abbreviated to “JSAg”) required him to do. I set the relevant parts of the Agreement out in full. The Agreement stated that what C “will do to identify and apply for jobs” is:

• Write to at least 1 employer a week
• Phone at least 2 employers a week
• Contact Jobcentre Plus Direct at least 2 times a week
• Ask friends and people I have worked with before
• Look at [a named local weekly paper] each week and [a trade journal] occasionally

Further down the page C is told:

“Take the following steps each week:
Read the reverse of this jobseeker’s agreement and record three weekly jobsearch activities on it. Bring this to each signing day. Apply for any suitable vacancies at least one per week either advertised or on spec. Use all available resources including searching jobpoints before each signing day or adviser interview, jobcentre website at www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk, jobseekers direct on 0845 60 60 234 and www.directgov.uk.”

5. During the week in question C read the papers, applied for two jobs, went to the Jobcentre once, and used the local internet facilities in the library to check the Jobcentre website. The adviser advised that this was a breach of the agreement both because the jobs for which he applied were unsuitable and because C had not visited the Jobcentre twice “as directed on his JSAg”.

The tribunal decision

6. The tribunal agreed with both parts of that decision after an oral hearing. C appealed to the Commissioner on several grounds. I do not need to examine the full detail of either the tribunal’s decision or all the grounds of appeal. The Secretary of State’s representative now accepts that both the original decision and the decision of the tribunal were wrong both in law and in fact. I was invited to set aside the tribunal decision and replace it with the decision at the head of this decision. I do so with consent of both parties.

Actively seeking work

7. This appeal also illustrates a number of points of more general importance that deserve consideration. I comment partly because C felt so strongly about being accused of not looking for the right job. I also do so because both the Jobcentre adviser and the tribunal appear to have ignored or overlooked both the terms of the Jobseeker’s Allowance Regulations 1996 (“the Regulations”) and also what the standard wording in C’s Agreement actually says. They both found that C had failed to comply with requirements that were not in the Agreement. They did not consider whether those requirements were consistent with the Regulations.
8. The Jobseekers Act imposes duties on claimants and also gives rights. The requirements imposed on C both in the Agreement and generally must be consistent with the law. I stress that because in this case both the adviser and the tribunal were requiring too much of the claimant.

What steps must be taken?

9. The first error made by both the adviser and the tribunal is that they applied a negative test, not a positive test. The law imposes a test that asks what the claimant did. They looked at what C did not do, not what he did do.
10. Section 1 of the Jobseekers Act 1995 (“the Act”) imposes the requirement that a claimant actively seeks work. Sections 7 of the Act defines the test:

“a person is actively seeking work if he takes in that week such steps as he can reasonably be expected to have to take in order to have the best prospects of securing employment”.

In other words, if asked, a claimant must show what he or she did that week to get work.
11. More detail is set out in regulation 18 of the Regulations. Regulation 18(1) provides:

“… a person shall be expected to have to take more than two steps in any week
unless taking one or two steps is all that is reasonable for that person to do in that week.”

This is the benchmark for judging the reasonableness of the claimant’s actions.
Regulation 18(2) illustrates (but does not define) this by listing steps that are reasonable for a person to be expected to take.
12. That this is the benchmark is confirmed by the standard wording on the Agreement given to C. He was to record “three weekly jobsearch activities” each week on the back of the form. That is an indication on the form itself that the law does not require him to do everything on his Agreement where, as here, that requires him to undertake significantly more than three activities a week.
13. Further, there is nothing in the Act or the Regulations requiring that a claimant must comply with everything in the Agreement. The reverse is the case. The agreement must comply with the law. To be valid, a jobseeker’s agreement must comply “with the prescribed regulations in force”: section 9(1) of the Act. The pattern of the legislation is that a jobseeker’s agreement must comply with the test of actively seeking work in sections 1(2)(c) and 7 of the Act and regulation 18 of the Regulations and not the other way round.
14. That is illustrated by this appeal. C was required by his Agreement to take 6 steps each week and several other steps from time to time. That is clearly more steps than the regulation requires of him to meet the test of “actively seeking work”. And it is more steps than the Agreement asked him to record. On the facts, the secretary of state’s representative now accepts that C took four steps in the week and that those four steps met the test in section 7(1).
15. The questions to be asked where it is alleged that someone is not actively seeking work are those following from section 7(1) and regulation 18(1), not from the agreement. They pose three questions, to be answered by the claimant’s actions that week:
(a) Should the claimant be expected to take at least three jobsearch steps that week, or is it reasonable that only one or two be taken?
(b) What steps were taken?
(c) In the light of that reasonable expectation and those findings, were the steps taken by the claimant “such steps as he can reasonably be expected to have to take in order to have the best prospects of securing employment” (section 7(1))?
If the steps by the claimant taken meet that test, it is irrelevant that the claimant did not also take some other step, whether or not it is in the jobseeker’s agreement.
16. The tribunal erred in law in not considering this but deciding instead that C had not visited the Jobcentre twice.

Visiting the Jobcentre

17. There was another reason why the tribunal was wrong in deciding that C was wrong in not visiting the Jobcentre twice in the week. That is not what C’s Agreement actually states. As the text above shows, the Agreement required C to contact Jobcentre Direct, not the Jobcentre, twice a week. It did not require him to pay any weekly visits at all to the Jobcentre (though other provisions require him to visit to sign on or attend any interview). It was the adviser who replaced a requirement to telephone Jobcentre Direct with an alleged requirement to visit the Jobcentre. But this was not put in the Agreement. As a result, the test of reasonableness required by section 9(6) of the Act was not applied to it. This error was repeated in the submission to the tribunal. It appears that the tribunal looked at the submission and not at the Agreement itself. Had it looked at the Agreement it would have seen that there was no basis in fact for the contention that C failed to meet his Agreement in not attending the Jobcentre twice. C’s visit to the Jobcentre once in the week meant that he took a positive step not required in his Agreement. Far from being criticised for that, he should have been given credit for doing it.

Using the official website

18. C stated that he had visited the Jobcentre physically once during the week. He had also visited www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk. He said in his grounds of appeal that he used:

“…the jobcentre facilities and website available in the local library which is exactly the same as used in the jobcentre. “

The adviser decided that this did not count as a visit to the Jobcentre or as a step in jobseeking. The tribunal agreed. They were wrong on that also.
19. The secretary of state’s representative confirms as fact that C is correct about www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk. This is because “the Jobcentre website holds all the same job vacancies which can be found on the Jobcentre’s computer system.” The secretary of state’s representative also accepted as fact that a visit to the website is therefore as effective a step in looking for employment as use of a jobpoint on a visit to a Jobcentre itself. Access to the official website is also one of the steps encouraged in the formal wording printed on C’s jobseeker’s agreement.
20. It follows that the adviser and tribunal were also both wrong not only in fact but in law in dismissing a visit to the website as not being a step taken by C as part of his jobsearch. Their error is difficult to understand. C was told to do this on the Agreement itself. Other facts in the appeal emphasise the point. Another issue in dispute was about C’s accepted qualifications in information technology. If C was expected to apply for IT jobs, as he was, why was it not reasonable for him to jobsearch by internet?
21. This appeal illustrates the speed at which technology can go ahead of law and official instructions. In my view it must in 2007 be as reasonable – perhaps more reasonable in some cases – for claimants to conduct regular jobsearches and make job enquiries by internet and email rather than by actual visits to Jobcentres and libraries or by writing letters. I see no reason why someone should have to go to a Jobcentre to use a jobpoint when they can get exactly the same information from any computer connected to the internet. And most newspapers can now also be read as thoroughly over the internet as in print form. Indeed, some information is published only in electronic form, a practice the Department for Work and Pensions itself uses. It must be reasonable for applications for, and enquiries about, jobs to be made in the most appropriate way – and not by some having to be by letter and some by telephone as C was told in his Agreement. For example, in this appeal one of the job advertisements detailed in the papers asked for applications by email and expressly stated “No Phone Calls”. By contrast, another asked for telephone calls only.
22. At the same time, the ease with which jobsearches, and direct contact with many employers can be made electronically is directly relevant in deciding what is reasonably to be expected of a jobseeker actively seeking work. While there may, as the secretary of state’s representative noted, be issues about proof, it would now seem entirely possible for someone with the necessary facilities and skills to meet the weekly requirements of section 7 and regulation 18 for jobsearching by using a computer, internet, webphone and email alone and without leaving home. However, claimants would be wise to remember the advice of Commissioner Brown in the Northern Ireland decision C1/00-01 (JSA) and C2/00-01 (JSA) to keep a record and corroborative proof. Much computer software automatically does that.
David Williams
Commissioner
13 09 2007

Catalytic Convertors thefts

Please be aware that there have been some thefts of Catalytic Convertors from vehicles within Cheshire East recently.  One of our Crime Reduction Advisors has produced some advice that can be followed to try and protect your vehicle.

In order to remove a catalytic convertor, offenders would need to access the underneath of a vehicle.  A such if anyone witnesses any suspicious behaviour in their area, particularly individuals accessing/trying to access the underside of vehicles, please report this directly to Cheshire Police via 0845 458 0000.  If anyone has any further information about these thefts that they feel may be helpful please contact the police or call Crime Stoppers anonymously via 0800 555 111.

Connecting classrooms across the sea

Kenyan teachers from a town more than 4,000 miles away travelled to Cheshire East this week to meet their counterparts. 

A delegation of three representatives from the Njoro education district, in Kenya, made the cross-continental journey on Monday (February 28) to meet with heads of Cheshire East schools. 

Thanks to funding from the British Council, the delegation will visit 10 schools in Cheshire East to share ideas on global education and ultimately develop Global School Partnerships.

The Global School Partnerships Programme encourages schools around the world to share effective practice on developing a 'global' dimension in their respective curriculums.

The Cheshire East schools involved in the project are: Astbury St Mary’s Primary School, in Congleton; Rainow Primary School, in Macclesfield; Pebble Brook Primary School, in Crewe; Buglawton C of E Primary School, in Congleton; The Berkeley Primary School, in Crewe; Disley Primary School, in Disley; Lostock Hall Primary School, in Poynton; King’s Grove School, in Crewe; and Egerton Primary School, in Knutsford.

The delegation is due to return to Kenya on Friday, March 11. 

The partnerships will be similar to the celebrated link between Egerton Primary School, in Knutsford, Cheshire, and its namesake in Njoro, Kenya, which was built by Lord Egerton of Tatton, in 1939. The five-year-old partnership has been hailed as an example of outstanding practice by the British Council.  

The visit follows a recent trip by Cheshire East school heads, who visited 10 schools in Njoro to help to develop school links. Alison Hooper, head at Egerton School, in Knutsford, was selected to represent Cheshire East, along with Jenny Wagstaffe of Astbury St Mary’s Primary School and Mark Bertinshaw of Rainow Primary School.

Councillor Hilda Gaddum, Cabinet member with responsibility for children and family services, said: “Partnerships like these play a very important role in giving schools a global dimension to their curriculum.

“The project supports our vision to improve community life and cohesion by encouraging Cheshire East’s children to think more about subjects like diversity, globalisation, peace and sustainable development.”

Spring is here

We are now seeing the first signs of Spring with this fine display in the Valley park

The Forsythia out side Morrisions now adding spring colour in places Daffs our out and we are hoping for a good display in the Queens park this year now they wont be behind the barriers

DANGEROUS CHESTNUT TREE TO BE REMOVED

 

Shavington Borough Councillors have finally persuaded Cheshire East Council to remove a dangerous Chestnut Tree in Chestnut Avenue, Shavington.( see e-mail below) Cllr. Brian Silvester said," The tree's roots are pushing up the pavement and protruding out into the road. Pedestrians trip on the roots and vehicles hit the tree as they drive along Chestnut Avenue. It has taken a while to convince the Cheshire East Council's officers of the seriousness and danger of the situation but they have finally decided to take decisive action."

Julian Goodier Page, Conservative Candidate for the Shavington Ward said,“Of course it’s a shame the tree has to come down  but the safety of the public must come first . It is causing accidents and Chestnut Avenue does still have two magnificent Chestnut trees either side ,right at the junction with Crewe Road”.

Photo attached of Julian and Brian inspecting the damage done to the tree where  a vehicle has hit it.

Brian Silvester

Cllr Brian Silvester BA (Hons)
Rope Ward Councillor

Tel/fax 01270 567757

From: ASHDOWN, Wayne
Sent: 28 February 2011 17:17
To: SILVESTER, Brian (Councillor)
Subject: RE: Chestnut tree in chestnut ave, Shavington

Dear Cllr Silvester,

After further assessment and advice today,  I have decided that it would be a prudent measure to fell the chestnut tree due to the position, size and possible future maintenance implications. I have asked for the tree to be felled in early April, I will ask Shaun to monitor the footway until the tree is removed and following the removal the footway will be reshaped in this area.

Kind regards

Wayne Ashdown
Area Engineer (Maintenance)
Cheshire East Council
Highways Operations

Tel No  0300 1235020

Unlock your future at support services exhibition

 

Cheshire East residents who are in receipt of a social care budget or are considering using support services are being urged to attend a social care services exhibition.   

Cheshire East Council’s Unlocking the Future 2011 road shows are being held to provide a one-stop-shop for adults with disabilities, and carers and families of adults with disabilities, who want to discover ways of improving their lives through innovative social care services.  

Representatives from businesses and organisations that are involved in adult services - which can range from mobility and care services to leisure, health and wellbeing opportunities – will be on hand to explain what they have to offer.  

The road shows, which consist of a series of exhibitions, will tour Cheshire East throughout March.

The dates of the Unlocking the Future 2011 road shows are as follows:

• Wednesday, March 16, at Congleton Leisure Centre, in Congleton, 10am – 5pm;
• Thursday, March 17, at Victoria Community Centre, in Crewe, 10am – 7pm;
• Tuesday, March 22, at Wilmslow Leisure Centre, in Wilmslow, 10am – 7pm;
• Thursday, March 24, at Macclesfield Leisure Centre, in Macclesfield, 10 – 5pm.

For more information, call on 0300 123 5500 or email unlockingthefuture@cheshireeast.gov.uk

The 2011 exhibitions follows on from the success of Unlocking the Future 2010, which saw the launch of Cheshire East Council’s revolutionary Empower Card – a pre-loaded debit card for people who receive a personal budget for social care.

Councillor Roland Domleo, Cabinet member with responsibility for adult services, said: “This series of road shows is part of a push by Cheshire East Council to improve the quality of life for all of our residents by giving them more choice and enhancing access to adult services.”  

CAMPAIGN'S SUCCESS STOPS 'BLOT ON THE LANDSCAPE' WIND TURBINE.

The campaign to stop  an 112 foot high wind turbine in the open countryside at Shavington has succeeded. The planning application was refused in September but an appeal hearing was heard in the  Municipal Buildings in Crewe on the 15th February 2011.

Cllr Brian Silvester said, "Cllr. Simon and myself worked very closely with local residents and the Parish Council to get the original application overwhelmingly refused by the Southern Planning Committee of the Cheshire East Council. Strong representations were made at the appeal hearing  and we are all delighted that the appeal has been rejected. The proposed  wind turbine would have  been a blot on the landscape that would have been visible for miles. This has been a real 'David and Goliath' battle and it good to see that the little man can defeat the big battalions if they present a good case and campaign effectively. The residents and the Parish Council, along with their Borough Councilors, have fought a campaign that is a model of its sort and everyone should be congratulated."

Councillor Margaret Simon says;

"This is exactly the decision we wanted, it is a great example of 'People Power'.  Residents must never be afraid to stand up for themselves when they feel strongly about an issue that will affect them.  I congratulate everyone who has been involved in this campaign to have the Wind Turbine application rejected."

Cheshire East Council backs Budget to freeze Council Tax

Cheshire East Council backs Budget to freeze Council Tax, boost cash for children and vulnerable adults and nurture economic growth

Cheshire East Council has overwhelmingly backed plans to freeze Council Tax while boosting the coffers of services for children, the elderly and vulnerable.

Proposals in the Budget Report – passed by a large majority at the full Council – also aim to still further improve efficiency in delivering services, while helping nurture economic growth in the Borough. This is despite a 25 per cent cut in Government grants over four years,

The planned gross Council expenditure (funding available to services, less charges and fees for services) for 2011/12 is £597m. This is £4.8m lower than the previous year’s figure, £601.8m.

Cheshire East Council Leader Wesley Fitzgerald said: “I am pleased that this challenging but necessary Budget has been adopted. It follows a lot of hard work and some tough decisions.

“Cheshire East Council is well prepared. We have restructured and transformed services to create real efficiencies over the last two years. This work has continued as the Cabinet and managers worked hard to deliver the Budget, while protecting frontline services. This commitment will continue.

“The Budget recognises the need to meet a rising demand for Council services – particularly those involved in care of the elderly, protecting and enhancing the lives of children and repairing and improving our winter-damaged roads – against a backdrop of the Government’s tightening of public sector purse strings.

“We recognise that delivering high-value, low-cost Council services is essential to being more accountable to local taxpayers and helping grow and develop a sustainable Cheshire East.”

Proposals in the Budget Report include:

● No increase in basic Council Tax levels for 2011/12 – securing extra Government 

   funding of £4.4m (equivalent to increasing Council Tax by 2.5 per cent);

● £10.1m investment in Adult Services – to meet rising demand for frontline services 

   and give older and vulnerable adults greater choice and control over their lives;

● Raising about £2.1m by increasing taxes on second and long-term empty homes

    In Cheshire East – helping to boost moves to increase the number of empty 

    homes brought back into use to meet housing demand – reviewing single person    

    discounts on Council Tax and an increase in the number of homes built;  

● £0.1m extra for Children’s Services – increasing budgets to provide care for 

   children;

● £3.9m savings from the Places Budget – including transforming the way Council 

    transport is run and improving refuse collection efficiency;

● £11.1m savings in efficiency measures including proposed changes to conditions 

    of employment, reducing agency staff costs, targeting procurement savings,   

    greater management efficiency, improving use of the Council’s estate and   

    increasing energy efficiency;

● No proposed Supplementary Business Rates levied in 2011/12.

Councillor Fitzgerald added: “The Council’s spending is based on the needs of local residents and we will strive to make each pound go further.

“Using Government comparisons, the spending power for Cheshire East Council is only £753.31 per head. This compares with an England average of £1007.21. Value in Cheshire East is already high but we will continue to do more.

“The Council will continue to engage with Government to ensure it recognises the potential in Cheshire East. I also look forward to continuing our work with local partners and businesses to maintain Cheshire East’s position as a prosperous place with great potential.”

Cheshire East’s Sustainable Community Strategy, ‘Ambition for All’, sets out a 15-year vision. The Budget outlines the Council’s proposals that will support this vision.

The seven strategic priorities to achieve this vision are: to nurture strong communities; create the conditions for business growth; unlock the potential of our towns; support our children and young people; ensure a sustainable future; prepare for an increasingly older population; and drive out the causes of poor health.

Cheshire East to spend £500k on its winter-damaged roads

 

Repair work on Cheshire East’s damaged road network is being boosted with a £500,000 cash injection.

Yesterday (Thursday), councillors accepted a motion put forward by Councillor Rod Menlove, Cabinet member with responsibility for environmental services, to set aside the money to help fix the highways.

The Council’s environmental services team handled an eight-fold increase in pothole reports in January and it believes the funds are essential to prevent further damage.

Cllr Menlove said: “Early indications are that the damage to our roads will be very significant by the end of this winter unless steps are taken to arrest deterioration immediately.

“The Council is again responding to the challenge of severe winter weather and we believe this money will go a long way to repairing our roads in this financial year.

“Whilst the numbers of defects are expected to increase during winter months, the current levels of potholes and extent of carriageway deterioration is far beyond the resources available for road maintenance without the additional funding.”

It comes as Central Government announced £100m of funding to councils to help them deal with potholes and ravaged road surfaces, of which Cheshire East expects to receive around £860,000.

Cheshire East’s engineers have been assessing the damage to the network and have pinpointed where the carriageway defects are.

The £500,000 will be spent on reactive maintenance gangs to clear any back log of defects and keep the roads open and safe and investment will be made on roads on a priority basis.

Residents should report any defects to Cheshire East’s online fault reporting page at www.cheshireeast.gov.uk or on 0300 123 5020.

Cheshire East libraries mark World Book Day 2011

Fans of all things books will be treated to FREE events at local libraries this March, which are being held to mark this year’s World Book Day.

World Book Day is an international celebration of books and reading, and is marked in more than 100 countries around the world. This year’s World Book Day in the UK and Ireland is on Thursday, March 3.

To mark the day, Cheshire East Council will be holding a number of events at libraries in Cheshire East. Details of some of the events are as follows: 

· Poynton Library, in Poynton, Cheshire, is holding a short story reading session of several nominated books, followed by a discussion and refreshments, on Thursday, March 3, at 2pm – 2:30pm. Members of the public can nominate a book for the readings by visiting www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/libraries

· Middlewich Library, in Middlewich, Cheshire, is holding ‘Senior Moments’ - a short story reading session and discussion, on Thursday, March 3, at 11am – noon. Refreshments will be provided.   

· Macclesfield Library, in Macclesfield, Cheshire, is holding a reading session of some of the winning entries in the Flashback Fiction writing competition, a regional short story writing contest, on Thursday, March 3 at 2pm.

· Nantwich Library, in Nantwich, Cheshire, is holding an afternoon of readings and discussion with author David Maidment, on Thursday, March 3 at 11am. David Maidment is the author of the acclaimed ‘The Child Madonna’. Refreshments will be provided. 

· Crewe Library, in Crewe, Cheshire, is inviting book fans to visit the library on Thursday, March 3 at 10.30am - 11.30am, to share thoughts on their favourite book. Refreshments will be provided.

· Prestbury Library, in Prestbury, Cheshire, will be holding a coffee morning on Friday, March 4 at 10.45am - 11.45am, to celebrate and discuss all things books. Refreshments will be provided.  

For details of other World Book Day events at Cheshire East Libraries, visit www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/libraries

Councillor Andrew Knowles, Cabinet member with responsibility for health and wellbeing, said: “As part of our vision to improve community life, the Council is always looking for ways to encourage local residents to visit and enjoy our superb libraries.

“These World Book Day events provide the perfect opportunity for people to take time out, meet new people and celebrate what they love most about books and reading.”   

More information on local libraries, including a link to the virtual reference library, can be found at www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/libraries

More information about World Book Day can be found at: www.worldbookday.com

Changes to travel information provision in Macclesfield and Crewe

 

The travel information centres at the Crewe and Macclesfield bus stations are to close their doors on Friday (February 25). 

After full consideration, Cheshire East Council has decided to close the centres, which will result in a total saving of more than £50,000 per annum.

The decision to close the centres was made after last summer’s Government budget cuts, in which the Council looked at several cost-saving options. The option to cut funding for the centres was deemed to have the least impact, in comparison with cutting other services, such as reducing vital bus routes.

The decision was made after the Council was satisfied that adequate travel information is available through other sources.  Comprehensive and accessible public transport information is currently available through Traveline – a telephone information line (0871 2002233) and associated website (www.traveline.info).  Local travel information is also available on the Cheshire East Council website at: www.cheshireeast.gov.uk

Plans for a Council-run free travel information telephone service have also been approved and will be implemented shortly. 

Tickets for coach travel are now available at a number of outlets. National Express tickets can be bought at the Macclesfield Tourist Information Centre, in Macclesfield Town Hall. Derbyshire Wayfarer tickets can be bought from drivers of the 58, 60 and 64 bus services and GMPTE Wayfarer tickets can be bought at Macclesfield railway station.

Councillor Jamie Macrae, Cabinet member with responsibility for prosperity, said: “In these challenging times, the Council has had to make some very tough decisions.

“We have strived to limit the impact of our reduced budget on Cheshire East residents. Closing the centres was deemed to have less of an impact than cutting our well-used bus services.

“Although we understand the concerns of those who rely on the centres for travel information, we are confident that the information available through other, more economically-efficient channels, is adequate.”

Sam Plank RIP

 

We were very sad to hear of the death of Sam Plank. Sam was a legend in local broadcasting in this area, working for  three decades for Radio Stoke, Signal Radio, Focal Radio and Radio Moorlands.  Sam had a wonderful knack of putting people at their ease when he interviewed them and he always spoke on behalf of ordinary people. He made people proud of who they were and where they lived. He cared passionately about local issues and local people. He was a great friend of South Cheshire  and tireless in helping local good causes to raise funds. We will always remember the Mayor's Oscar Evening that he hosted with his wife Verity during our Mayoral year. It was a really uplifting, inspirational, happy evening. Sam and Verity also  hosted the local Star Quest 2008 and they made every contestant seem special.

We would like to pass on our condolences and sympathy to Verity and all of Sam's family and many friends.

We have lost a local broadcasting natural, a man with an infectious enthusiasm, who was a pioneer of local radio in our area.

Yours faithfully,

Cllr. Brian Silvester and Sheila Davies

Mayor and Mayoress of Crewe and Nantwich 2008/9

His funeral took place today

Fishing Anyone

 

After the great West St floods I have had lots of complaints about the flood in town outside Santander. It would appear that putting the road hump in means water cant get the few feet into the grid. We even had birds having a bath in it last week and for the town centre it doesn't create a good impression for visotors