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Minister calls for common sense approach from councils and schools after spate of ridiculous excuses

Frilly socks and small daffodil canes are some of the items banned on grounds of health and safety.

Mike Penning MP
Mike Penning MP

Schools and councils across the country need to educate their staff to prevent the misuse of health and safety laws, Minister Mike Penning said today, following a number of complaints from members of the public.

Nearly 300 people have approached the Health and Safety Executive’s (HSE) Myth Buster Challenge Panel in the last two years, claiming they have been fobbed off with bogus excuses.

The Minister responsible for Health and Safety, Mike Penning MP, has written personally to councils and schools on issues ranging from a ban on Help for Heroes wristbands to a council’s refusal to clear dog mess in a playground.

He said: “Enough is enough. Health and safety has long been used as a smoke screen by jobsworths who have little knowledge of the law and who want to fob people off with an easy excuse.

“I want all councils and schools to take advantage of this advice from the HSE to make sure we get the right balance in the future.”

Other examples of bizarre mis-interpretation of health and safety law include:

* A school in Hampshire not allowing a pupil to bring in a baby chick for his presentation due to concerns about spreading bird flu.

• A school in Gloucester banning girls from wearing frilly socks for fear of them tripping over.

• A borough council in Derbyshire ordering the small wooden canes protecting daffodil bulbs to be removed in case someone tripped and fell in the flowerbed.

• A local council in Scotland banning dog shows from being held in community halls on the grounds of health and safety.

• A town council near Manchester adopting a policy that prevents loose flowers and pots being placed on graves.

• Despite being applauded by the council for their flower display, a group of residents in Whitley Bay were subsequently asked to remove it on health and safety grounds.

The Health and Safety Executive is also cracking down on over-zealous application of health and safety law, with a dedicated advice section on its website for councils. It has also held an event with local authorities in Yorkshire to educate staff about what constitutes a sensible risk ahead of the arrival of the Tour de France in the summer.

Judith Hackitt, Chair of the Health and Safety Executive, said: “I would urge all decision makers to take a step back and ask themselves whether a decision made in the name of health and safety, is actually just an excuse for something else. Real health and safety is about protecting people in the workplace from life and health threatening risks – it is not about stopping a child taking a baby chick into school, or banning indoor dog training.

“Own up to the real reasons behind the decision, don’t just reach for the easiest excuse.”

To check if a health and safety excuse is genuine, CLICK HERE: to contact the Myth Busters Challenge Panel.

 

Kemptown MP stands up to developers on Woodingdean housing development

Simon Kirby, MP for Kemptown and Peacehaven says he will request the ‘Call In’ of the Meadow Vale housing development in Woodingdean once planning permission is requested.

Simon Kirby MP

Mr Kirby whose constituency takes in Ovingdean, Rottingdean and Woodingdean made the pledge at a public meeting at Longhill School this evening (Thursday, April 17) against the proposed housing development. He promised to press Ministers to ‘call in’ in any planning application that may be sent to Brighton and Hove City Council to develop housing on the Meadow Vale area.

At the meeting Mr Kirby thanked all his constituents for attending the rally and for expressing their concerns about the proposed development at Meadow Vale. In his speech he explained that Ministers had made clear in correspondence that development on greenfield sites was not to be encouraged especially when there are brownfield sites available. In addition, he expressed his concern that once development is allowed on this particular parcel of land, it could set a precedent for other land nearby.

Commenting, Simon said: “People are rightly angry that the special village feel of Ovingdean, Rottingdean and Woodingdean could be compromised by this development. I pledged to work with residents and Ministers to do all I can do to stop this proposal from being agreed.”

Downs Campaign

 

PREVIEW: ‘The Electra Project’ at Emporium

After their five star success at the fringe festivals last year, Hungry Wolf return with a new play The Electra Project.

Electra Project

This production is a piece of theatre that alludes to a 2012 nationally publicised and controversial GCSE performance, which resulted in the sacking of two drama teachers.

The piece explores themes such as the importance of drama in schools, the boundaries that are in place and questions whether we are still allowed to make mistakes in education. This is a very current and relevant issue, given that under the new government strategy there is presently so much political debate as to the future of creative arts in schools.

The production, a black comedy, will preview at Emporium, London Road, Brighton on May 4 & 5, 2014 as part of the Brighton Fringe Festival prior to a week long run at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in August.

Visionary Youth Theatre Company Hungry Wolf will perform the piece, following an extensive search across East and West Sussex to find the area’s most talented young actors and Hungry Wolf hopes to become Sussex’s answer to National Youth Theatre.

The piece is written and directed by National Youth Theatre director, Radio 4 Young Comedy Writer of the Year and ITV writer Dave Jackson.

Hungry Wolf are Youth theatre innovators and made their debut at the Edinburgh fringe last year to 5 star reviews resulting in national press interest, a school tour and a slot on ITV. Hungry Wolf gives talented young actors 15-21 years old the opportunity to work with up and coming directors and writers on imaginative, cutting edge theatre resulting in national performance opportunities.

For more information, CLICK HERE: 

What: The Electra Project

Where: Emporium, 88 London Road, Brighton BN1 4LJ

When: May 4 at 7.30pm: May 5 at 5pm and 7.30pm

Cost: £9

 

 

Councillors consider measures to tackle parking problems in East Brighton Park

Proposals for a new parking scheme for East Brighton Park to be considered by members of Brighton & Hove City Council’s Environment, Transport and Sustainability Committee on April 29.

Brighton & Hove CouncilThe aim is to prevent the park being used for long stay parking by commuters, residents and others, and follows concern about parked vehicles causing access problems – particularly for ambulances picking up patients from the air ambulance helicopter, which uses the park as a landing area for the Royal Sussex County Hospital.

Visitors trying to reach the Brighton Caravan Club site in adjoining Sheepcote Valley, which is served by the access road through the park, have also had problems with access.

Public consultation on the parking scheme was carried out in February and March. A report to the committee reports that of the 189 people who responded to the consultation, 89% agreed with proposals to control parking in East Brighton Park, and 84% agreed with controls along nearby Wilson Avenue.

There was also strong support (88%) for any surplus income generated from parking charges to be spent on improvements to the park.

As a result the committee is being recommended to give the go ahead to parking controls in the park and Wilson Avenue, subject to the statutory consultation process for Traffic Regulation Orders.

Cllr Pete West
Cllr Pete West

Councillor Pete West, chair of the committee, said: “We have had a lot of complaints about problems being caused by long stay parking in the park and we are particularly concerned about the risk of delays for ambulances needing to transfer seriously ill patients from the air ambulance.

“There are also access problems for visitors going to the caravan site, to the extent we are told it is deterring some people from returning to the site and going outside of Brighton & Hove for their next break.

“We want to tackle these problems and free up parking spaces for park users. We have tried to keep the proposed parking charges low for genuine park users and the basic charge will be 50p for an hour’s parking. This will pay for enforcing the scheme and any surplus income generated will be ploughed back into improving the park.”

Currently the road which runs through the park, serving the caravan site, the park’s Pavilion Cafe, Whitehawk Football Club, and Brighton College, is widely used by drivers who are not actually visiting the park, causing congestion and spoiling the appearance of the park.

Proposed parking charges to cover the cost of enforcing the scheme will be kept to a minimum. Any surplus will be ring-fenced to improvements to the park, with park users consulted on how any money is spent:

Charges would apply from 9am to 4pm Monday to Friday and 2pm to 6pm Saturday and Sunday. The maximum length of stay would be six hours:

• Up to 1 hour 50p

• Up to 2 hours £1

• Up to 4 hours £2

• Up to 6 hours £3

• Disabled parking free

Councillors consider moves to deal with coach parking in Roedean

Councillors are considering action to tackle coach parking in parts of Roedean in response to concerns from residents.

Brighton & Hove CouncilMembers of Brighton & Hove City Council’s Environment, Transport and Sustainability Committee will be looking at the possibility of banning heavy goods vehicles and public service vehicles from entering The Cliff, Cliff Road, Cliff Approach, Roedean Crescent, Roedean Way, Roedean Vale and Roedean Heights, except for access.

The move follows a petition from residents in Roedean who are concerned about coaches parking outside their homes on residential streets in the area.

At a meeting on April 29 the committee will be recommended to advertise a traffic regulation order (TRO) – a first step towards implementing possible restrictions. A TRO would give people an opportunity to comment on the idea and, if there were objections, it would then go back to the committee for a final decision.

A new half day £8 tariff is also being proposed for the seafront coach parking area on Madeira Drive, which has space for 42 coaches, to encourage more coach drivers to park there instead. The daily tariff is £15.

Cllr Ollie Sykes
Cllr Ollie Sykes

Councillor Ollie Sykes, deputy chair of the committee, said: “Brighton & Hove is a very popular destination for coach trips and there is coach parking available on Madeira Drive, but many drivers are choosing to park in Roedean instead.

“We have listened to residents in Roedean and are considering this action to alleviate problems in their streets. Alongside this, a new half day parking charge is being proposed for Madeira Drive to encourage coach drivers arriving later in the day, or leaving earlier, to use the coach parking area there.”

Simon Kirby MP
Simon Kirby MP

Simon Kirby, MP for Kemptown and Peacehaven added: “I have raised the issue of coach parking on Roedean Road many times with the City Council, after receiving countless representations from constituents. I am pleased to see that officials are finally looking into this matter, and I am hopeful that the Council will take action soon.”

 

Not guilty! Caroline Lucas cleared

Caroline Lucas, MP for Brighton Pavilion was found not guilty today of obstruction of a public highway and breaching an order under Section 14 of the Public Order Act in Balcombe last August.

Photo Phil Bailey: ukmomentcatcher.com

Her co-defendants Josef Dobraszczyk from Bristol; Ruth Jarman from Hook, Hampshire; Sheila Menon, from north east London and Ruth Potts from Totnes, Devon  were also cleared of both charges.

Following the verdict Caroline made a statement from the steps of the court to the media and her supporters.

Caroline Lucas MP
Caroline Lucas MP

She said: “We’re very pleased that the court upheld our right to peacefully protest against fracking. Protest is the lifeblood of democracy. We are deeply concerned that the right to protest is being eroded and undermined with legitimate protest criminalised by oppressive policing in an attempt to silence dissent.

“This judgement is right but it is not a victory or a cause for celebration. We will continue to campaign to end fracking and will only celebrate when our world is on the path to a clean energy future.

“The UN’s latest comprehensive reports on climate changes make it clearer than ever that exploiting new forms of fossil fuels such as shale gas will fatally undermine the governments stated ambition to protect Britain from the worst impacts of the climate crisis and to meet our international obligations to reduce emissions. The only safe and responsible thing to do with shale gas is to leave it in the ground.

“Fracking will not lower our fuel bills, it will not give us energy security and it will not create significant numbers of jobs. Fracking will accelerate climate change, polute our environment and lock us into yet more dependance on fossil fuels precisely when the overwhelming scientific and political consensus confirms that we need to move urgently in the opposite direction.

“Now more than ever David Cameron must listen to the climate scientists rather than letting oil and gas industry lobbyists dictate UK energy policy. He needs to show real leadership by calling for an immediate end to fracking. Finally we would like to thank all of our supporters who have come to court and to the thousands who have sent messages of support, the action that we took was for all of our futures.”

Sussex Police moved quickly to defend their actions and issued the following statement: “The operation was a difficult balancing act throughout and we have been variously reported as caving in to protestors and accused of overkill in the number of officers deployed.

“Right from the outset we made it absolutely clear that our priority in this operation was safety for the general public, local residents, protestors, Cuadrilla employees and for our own officers and staff. We worked with all sides to enable them all to meet their peacefuland lawful objectives whether they were day to day activities or protest.

“We respect the decision of the court.”

Outside Brighton Magistrates Court in Edward Street, Brighton
Outside Brighton Magistrates Court in Edward Street, Brighton

Ultimately it was the Crown Prosecution who brought the case against Caroline Lucas and her co-defendants.

They defended their decision saying: “The prosecution was in the public interest. There was sufficient evidence to prosecute and they believed there was a realistic prosepect of a conviction.”

 

Stonewall secures Heritage Lottery Fund support

Stonewall wins funding to launch legacy project – From Section 28 to equal marriage.

Stonewall

Stonewall, the Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual (LGB) equality charity has received £68,800 from the Heritage Lottery Fund for a new project looking back at the campaign for equality for LGB people over the last 25 years. The programme will focus on the gay equality movement since 1989 and will chronicle and celebrate the accomplishments of key individuals, historic events and legislative changes.

The two year project will involve a number of activities around the country, volunteering opportunities and an oral history project to celebrate the older LGB community.

James Taylor
James Taylor

James Taylor Stonewall’s Head of Policy said: “We are thrilled to have the support of the Heritage Lottery Fund to ensure the voices and contributions of all those involved in the gay equality movement since 1989 are not lost or forgotten.”

In March Stonewall launched a new website to mark its 25th anniversary featuring an historical timeline of key moments in the fight for equality.

For more information, CLICK HERE: 

Young staffies desperate for homes

 Young Staffordshire bull terriers continue to be dumped on city streets.

Brighton & Hove CouncilAnimal welfare officers in Brighton & Hove are continuing to pick up the abandoned dogs, and council kennels are constantly full.

Animal welfare officer Izzie Blanden, said: “Our hearts sink when we find another stray staffy as we know that they are going to be so difficult to re-home.” 

There are currently five staffies in council kennels in desperate need of new homes.

They are:

Archie a handsome, well behaved male blue staffie

Archie the staff

Trixie, a sweet and loving one year old

Trizie the staff

Jake, a male staffy/Jack Russell who is bright, eager to please and walks nicely on the lead

Jake the staff

Narla, a lightly overweight tan female and Enzo, a glossy coated black male.

Izzie continued: “All would make fantastic, loyal and loving family pets in the right homes.“ 

“We urgently need to find good homes for some of these animals, which have been abandoned through no fault of their own.”

If you think you can offer a staff a home and want more information, CLICK HERE:

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