What is going on in the ROMFORD TOWN WARD of the London Borough of Havering Your Councillors are: Cllr. Wendy Brice-Thompson Cllr. Joshua Chapman Cllr. Frederick Thompson
Saturday, 23 March 2013
Anchors away for Havering’s older residents
Councillor Andrew Curtin with Ruby from Southwark Circle and Jean, Sue and Brenda from Havering Circle
Residents of Havering had a great time visiting HMS Belfast as part of a new scheme which offers older people the chance to socialise and meet new people.
Havering Council is working with a new service called the Havering Circle to provide more opportunities for residents over 50 to socialise in the borough. The Circle is part of a wider scheme called Active Living, which also encompasses volunteering, befriending and fitness offers. Active Living is designed to give residents the opportunity to have fun, learn new skills, take part in social activities or make a valued contribution to their local area.
The visit was offered by the Circle as one of their day trips. Visitors had the chance to learn about the history of the warship, hear stories from World War Two and have a look around the nine decks.
The Circle is a membership-based service open to anyone over the age of 50, supporting individuals and communities to lead more involved and active lives as they get older.
The Circle supports its members across four areas of their lives: social activity, life’s practical tasks, tailored learning and appropriate health and well-being services. At the heart of the Circle is a fundamental belief that everyone has the right to a flourishing, independent later life, in which people are able to do everything they want to do in the ways they want to do it.
Membership of the Circle includes access to a network of local helpers: friendly and vetted local people who can help with gardening, cleaning, technology and odd jobs around the house. There is also a monthly calendar with a whole range of social events including meals, day trips, concerts and money saving offers.
Evidence shows that staying active as we grow older has significant health and well-being benefits. People who are socially active are said to have a 50 percent less chance of developing dementia and have a significantly reduced chance of having high blood pressure.
Councillor Andrew Curtin, Cabinet Member for Culture, Towns and Communities, said:
“We have a large population of older people in the borough and we want to offer them the chance to go out and socialise, have fun and be healthy.
“We often get requests from those who have retired about how they can give something back to the community and how they can get involved in what is going on around them.
“This programme gives our older residents a chance to make a positive contribution to the borough through volunteering and befriending as well as other social opportunities to ensure that our older population don’t become inactive or lonely.”
Residents who are interested in the scheme can visit www.havering.gov.uk/activeliving
Saturday, 16 March 2013
Traffic in Western Road
WESTERN ROAD
Drivers are ignoring traffic restrictions. We have raised concerns with the police.
This problem has been going on for a couple of years. The Council have marked the road correctly but some inconsiderate drivers insist on crossing where it says "No Right Turn" and causing tailbacks. This is an offense and is a police matter.
Drivers are ignoring traffic restrictions. We have raised concerns with the police.
This problem has been going on for a couple of years. The Council have marked the road correctly but some inconsiderate drivers insist on crossing where it says "No Right Turn" and causing tailbacks. This is an offense and is a police matter.
Queen Street, Albion Close, Haysoms Close
QUEEN STREET
Following requests from residents, a gate is to be erected at the car parking area near the railway line to deter non-residents from parking there. Once the gate is in place residents who rent a garage at the site will be issued with keys.
ALBION CLOSE
The height restriction at the entrance to the car park is to be reinstated. Many thanks to residents who contacted us about this matter.
HAYSOMS CLOSE
The Council’s Housing Department intends to replace the soffits on the properties in 2013.
Following requests from residents, a gate is to be erected at the car parking area near the railway line to deter non-residents from parking there. Once the gate is in place residents who rent a garage at the site will be issued with keys.
ALBION CLOSE
The height restriction at the entrance to the car park is to be reinstated. Many thanks to residents who contacted us about this matter.
HAYSOMS CLOSE
The Council’s Housing Department intends to replace the soffits on the properties in 2013.
Chatter Books
CHATTER BOOKS
Central Library and Gidea Park Library run this scheme with The Reading Agency for children aged 7-11. Children under 10 must be accompanied by an adult. The aim is to help children make the most of their reading. The activity runs at Central Library (telephone 432389) on the last Tuesday of each month from 4-5pm and at Gidea Park (telephone 434978) on the 3rd Tuesday of each month 4-5pm.
Central Library and Gidea Park Library run this scheme with The Reading Agency for children aged 7-11. Children under 10 must be accompanied by an adult. The aim is to help children make the most of their reading. The activity runs at Central Library (telephone 432389) on the last Tuesday of each month from 4-5pm and at Gidea Park (telephone 434978) on the 3rd Tuesday of each month 4-5pm.
Fall in welfare claimants
Ministers have stated that the number of people claiming out-of-work benefits has fallen by nearly a quarter of a million since the last general election. The Government has disclosed a list of the top 20 areas in Britain where the number of people living on sickness benefits, income support for lone parents and Jobseeker's Allowance has fallen since 2010. Glasgow comes at the top of the table, with 2,300 fewer people claiming the main out-of-work benefits. Coventry saw the second highest improvement, with a reduction of 1,700 people, and Wigan and Caerphilly each have nearly 1,500 fewer people on benefits than they did three years ago, reports the Telegraph.
Ministers have stated that the number of people claiming out-of-work benefits has fallen by nearly a quarter of a million since the last general election. The Government has disclosed a list of the top 20 areas in Britain where the number of people living on sickness benefits, income support for lone parents and Jobseeker's Allowance has fallen since 2010. Glasgow comes at the top of the table, with 2,300 fewer people claiming the main out-of-work benefits. Coventry saw the second highest improvement, with a reduction of 1,700 people, and Wigan and Caerphilly each have nearly 1,500 fewer people on benefits than they did three years ago, reports the Telegraph.
Monday, 4 March 2013
British Road Casualties
Reported Road Casualties Great Britain
The 2011 annual report was published 27 September and can be found at:
http://www.dft.gov.uk/statistics/releases/reported-road-casualties-great-britain-annual-report-2011/
In addition to detailed tables there are seven articles, including a summary:
0. Summary (with guide to articles and tables)
1. Overview and trends in reported road casualties
2. Valuation of road accidents and casualties
3. Drinking and driving
4. Contributory factors in accidents
5. Self-reported drink and drug driving: Findings from the Crime Survey for England and Wales
6. Hospital Admissions data on road casualties
The figures for 2011, first published on 28th June, show:
• The number of people killed in road accidents reported to the police increased 3 per cent from 1,850 in 2010 to 1,901 in 2011. The first increase since 2003. Compared with the 2005-9 average, the number killed in 2011 was 32 per cent lower.
• A total of 25,023 people were reported killed or seriously injured in 2011, 2 per cent more than in 2010. The first increase since 1994.
Adverse winter weather (sustained periods of snow and ice in many areas) was experienced in both the first and last quarters of 2010, but not in 2011. This is likely to be a factor in the increase in fatalities and serious road casualties between 2010 and 2011. However, despite a general pattern of increases in deaths and serious injuries from 2010 to 2011, the 2011 figures (with the exception of seriously injured pedal cyclists) remain below 2009 levels.
Provisional casualty figures for the year ending Q1, Q2 and Q3 2012 have been published at https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-transport/series/road-accidents-and-safety-statistics. The most recent figures show a fall in the number of fatalities (by 7 per cent to the year ending September 2012) but a small rise in KSI casualties (by 2 per cent to the year ending September 2012). The final 2012 figures will be published in June 2013.
Given the recent falls in fatalities, it is starting to look likely that the increase seen in 2011 was a one-off and the trend has returned to its recent downward direction. KSI causalities, however, have continued to increase on a 12-month basis (though have decreased on a latest-quarter basis). Once the Q4 2011 with Q4 2010 comparison drops out of the 12-month figures (i.e. when the whole of 2012 can be compared with the whole of 2011) there is a good chance the KSI casualties may start falling again.
Specific interesting points to notice from the 2012 provisional statistics is that the number of child (aged 0-15) KSI causalities has fallen on both a 12-month and latest-quarter basis. This does appear to be a clear downward trend. Vulnerable road users (pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists) show contradictory outcomes to other users, though. On a 12-month basis, the number of vulnerable road user KSI casualties has risen in comparison with the previous 12 months (by 6 per cent for pedestrians, 8 per cent for cyclists and 4 per cent for motorcyclists for the year ending September 2012).
The 2011 annual report was published 27 September and can be found at:
http://www.dft.gov.uk/statistics/releases/reported-road-casualties-great-britain-annual-report-2011/
In addition to detailed tables there are seven articles, including a summary:
0. Summary (with guide to articles and tables)
1. Overview and trends in reported road casualties
2. Valuation of road accidents and casualties
3. Drinking and driving
4. Contributory factors in accidents
5. Self-reported drink and drug driving: Findings from the Crime Survey for England and Wales
6. Hospital Admissions data on road casualties
The figures for 2011, first published on 28th June, show:
• The number of people killed in road accidents reported to the police increased 3 per cent from 1,850 in 2010 to 1,901 in 2011. The first increase since 2003. Compared with the 2005-9 average, the number killed in 2011 was 32 per cent lower.
• A total of 25,023 people were reported killed or seriously injured in 2011, 2 per cent more than in 2010. The first increase since 1994.
Adverse winter weather (sustained periods of snow and ice in many areas) was experienced in both the first and last quarters of 2010, but not in 2011. This is likely to be a factor in the increase in fatalities and serious road casualties between 2010 and 2011. However, despite a general pattern of increases in deaths and serious injuries from 2010 to 2011, the 2011 figures (with the exception of seriously injured pedal cyclists) remain below 2009 levels.
Provisional casualty figures for the year ending Q1, Q2 and Q3 2012 have been published at https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-transport/series/road-accidents-and-safety-statistics. The most recent figures show a fall in the number of fatalities (by 7 per cent to the year ending September 2012) but a small rise in KSI casualties (by 2 per cent to the year ending September 2012). The final 2012 figures will be published in June 2013.
Given the recent falls in fatalities, it is starting to look likely that the increase seen in 2011 was a one-off and the trend has returned to its recent downward direction. KSI causalities, however, have continued to increase on a 12-month basis (though have decreased on a latest-quarter basis). Once the Q4 2011 with Q4 2010 comparison drops out of the 12-month figures (i.e. when the whole of 2012 can be compared with the whole of 2011) there is a good chance the KSI casualties may start falling again.
Specific interesting points to notice from the 2012 provisional statistics is that the number of child (aged 0-15) KSI causalities has fallen on both a 12-month and latest-quarter basis. This does appear to be a clear downward trend. Vulnerable road users (pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists) show contradictory outcomes to other users, though. On a 12-month basis, the number of vulnerable road user KSI casualties has risen in comparison with the previous 12 months (by 6 per cent for pedestrians, 8 per cent for cyclists and 4 per cent for motorcyclists for the year ending September 2012).
New Drug Driving Offence
Crime and Courts Bill – New Drug Driving Offence
Legislation is currently in Parliament which will make it an offence to drive a motor vehicle if you have certain controlled drugs in your body in excess of the limits set for them.
The new drug driving offence will improve the law available for tackling the problem of drug driving, which presents a significant road safety risk. The new offence contains a statutory defence for those drivers who have taken medicines containing specified controlled drugs in accordance with medical advice. The bill was introduced in the Lords on 10 May 2012 and is now progressing through the Commons and is expected to reach Report stage and 3rd reading in mid March. Royal Assent is expected in April 2013. Regulations will be drafted during 2013 and 2014, setting out the controlled drugs to be specified and their limits.
A related issue is the availability of drug screening devices, both at the roadside and in police stations. These devices would act as “preliminary” screeners, giving an indication of whether a drug is present in a driver’s body above a certain concentration. A blood test would still be required in order to provide evidence for a conviction. A positive result from a preliminary drug test obviates this requirement to obtain a doctor’s opinion that the person has a condition which might be due to some drug before a requirement for blood can be made. Therefore screeners would simplify the process of dealing with suspects under both the existing impairment offence and for the new specified limit drug driving offence.
The Home Office has now type approved a station screening device. It is now for the manufacturer to market and police forces to purchase and deploy the device. For roadside screening devices, the specification will be issued shortly after the publication of the panel’s report to ensure that the roadside device covers the right drugs at the right limits.
The Department for Transport has also set up a panel of medical and scientific experts to advise the Government about which controlled drugs might be included in the subsequent regulations and the specified limits they may wish to set. The panel’s report is due to be published in February 2013.
Legislation is currently in Parliament which will make it an offence to drive a motor vehicle if you have certain controlled drugs in your body in excess of the limits set for them.
The new drug driving offence will improve the law available for tackling the problem of drug driving, which presents a significant road safety risk. The new offence contains a statutory defence for those drivers who have taken medicines containing specified controlled drugs in accordance with medical advice. The bill was introduced in the Lords on 10 May 2012 and is now progressing through the Commons and is expected to reach Report stage and 3rd reading in mid March. Royal Assent is expected in April 2013. Regulations will be drafted during 2013 and 2014, setting out the controlled drugs to be specified and their limits.
A related issue is the availability of drug screening devices, both at the roadside and in police stations. These devices would act as “preliminary” screeners, giving an indication of whether a drug is present in a driver’s body above a certain concentration. A blood test would still be required in order to provide evidence for a conviction. A positive result from a preliminary drug test obviates this requirement to obtain a doctor’s opinion that the person has a condition which might be due to some drug before a requirement for blood can be made. Therefore screeners would simplify the process of dealing with suspects under both the existing impairment offence and for the new specified limit drug driving offence.
The Home Office has now type approved a station screening device. It is now for the manufacturer to market and police forces to purchase and deploy the device. For roadside screening devices, the specification will be issued shortly after the publication of the panel’s report to ensure that the roadside device covers the right drugs at the right limits.
The Department for Transport has also set up a panel of medical and scientific experts to advise the Government about which controlled drugs might be included in the subsequent regulations and the specified limits they may wish to set. The panel’s report is due to be published in February 2013.
Bedfords Park
BEDFORDS PARK
Improvements have been made to footpaths from the car park to the Essex Wildlife Trust Visitor Centre and from the Centre to the deer enclosure. Works have been carried out to historic specimen trees and new trees planted in the park. The work has been funded by Veolia Havering and the Council. For more information about Friends of Bedfords Park please see http://www.friendsofbedfordspark.blogspot.com.
Improvements have been made to footpaths from the car park to the Essex Wildlife Trust Visitor Centre and from the Centre to the deer enclosure. Works have been carried out to historic specimen trees and new trees planted in the park. The work has been funded by Veolia Havering and the Council. For more information about Friends of Bedfords Park please see http://www.friendsofbedfordspark.blogspot.com.
DICKENS WAY/ BRUNEL CLOSE/ CAXTON WAY
Residents have been consulted on the detail of parking controls in these roads. The proposals will not affect Roedean Drive, which will remain a private road and gated.
NEW SPORTS CENTRE
The planning application has been submitted for the new sports centre proposed for Western Road inside the Ring Road. The proposal is for an 8-lane swimming pool, new ice rink, sauna, gym and associated facilities.
Residents have been consulted on the detail of parking controls in these roads. The proposals will not affect Roedean Drive, which will remain a private road and gated.
NEW SPORTS CENTRE
The planning application has been submitted for the new sports centre proposed for Western Road inside the Ring Road. The proposal is for an 8-lane swimming pool, new ice rink, sauna, gym and associated facilities.
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