Big Energy Week

As part of CCB's  work on addressing fuel poverty we will be holding an event as part of energy savings week.

Helen Dean, Energy Advice Worker, is going to Newbury Library on 30^th January 2014 from 9am to 3pm, to give advice on cutting fuel bills, financial support for insulating your home, and ways to reduce energy use. Do drop in and speak to her if you could do with some tips or have any questions.

NEA has launched the Heat Heroes Awards 2014 sponsored by ScottishPower.

The Awards aim to recognise individuals within communities in England and Wales who have made a significant contribution to helping those struggling with the effects of fuel poverty. This can be through work or through voluntary activities outside the workplace.

If you know of such a person please complete the entry form and send to us with a submission of no more than 500 words outlining the contribution the individual has made to people in fuel poverty and why you think the individual deserves to win.

The award scheme is open to not-for-profit organisations including local authorities, health and social care agencies, voluntary and statutory agencies and community groups.


»You can download the entry form here.

Please send your entries to claire.henderson@nea.org.uk by Friday 31 January 2014.

Alternatively you can complete and upload your entry online at www.nea.org.uk/heat-heroes

Government planning policy puts England’s Green Belts at risk, suggests new research

Half of the councils in England with Green Belt land are preparing to allocate some of it for development whilst brownfield sites throughout the country are overlooked, suggests research published by the National Trust.

Eighteen months after the Government put in place its National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), a Local Government Information Unit (LGIU) survey commissioned by the Trust found that 51 per cent of the councils it surveyed with Green Belts within their areas said they were now likely or very likely to allocate Green Belt land for development [1 – this is based on responses from 59 councils with Green Belt].

Overall, more than half of the 147 councils that responded to the survey said that their local authority had brownfield sites available that could help meet the five-year housing land supply target, but that these hadn’t been considered viable.

Whilst consulting on the NPPF in 2011, Ministers and the Prime Minister stated firm commitments to protecting the Green Belt – whilst promoting an explicit brownfield first policy – both of which seem to be coming undone in practice [2].

These findings confirm evidence from CPRE that the number of houses planned for the Green Belt has doubled since last year, to 150,000 [3].

Simon Jenkins, Chairman of the National Trust, said: “The Green Belt has been the star feature of British town and country planning for half a century.

“In one of Europe’s most congested countries, it has prevented urban sprawl, protected a vision of rural England and retained access to green spaces for urban dwellers that has been admired worldwide.

“Some councils may want to review their Green Belt boundaries as has always been possible, but the planning system as a whole should attach a greater weight to protecting green spaces.

“The Government’s definition of ‘sustainable’ is in practice being interpreted as ‘profitable’, and has effectively killed the former planning presumption in favour of brownfield land.

“What is now happening is a policy of let rip, leading to steady erosion. For the first time in British planning history, planning control is now the slave not the master of profit.”

Jonathan Carr-West, Chief Executive of the LGIU, added: “This research shows that the NPPF and targets around housing supply are putting significant strain on councils' ability to protect Green Belt.

“It's crucial that we build more houses but we need to allow local authorities the flexibility to take a strategic view on how this should be managed locally."

The findings come as new National Planning Practice Guidance (NPPG), to be issued by the Government by early next year, could increase the threat to green spaces.

Analysis of the draft NPPG suggests that it could cause local authorities to release more land than is necessary for development in the countryside, including in the Green Belt.

It also misses the opportunity to strengthen the brownfield first policy.

Further measures announced in the 5 December Autumn statement also look set to increase pressure on local authorities to say ‘yes’ to development by, for example, increasing opportunities for developers to bypass the local planning system and seeking to increase the influence of the New Homes Bonus incentive on planning decisions [4].

Ingrid Samuel, Historic Environment Director at the National Trust, said: “What councils are saying is alarming. Green Belt has historically been some of the country’s most protected green space, and the NPPF was supposed to continue that protection.

“We need more homes and, if agreed in approved local plans, some of these may be built on previously undeveloped land, but the priority should remain brownfield first.

“The Prime Minister and Communities Secretary Eric Pickles have always made clear their desire to protect the Green Belt but this is not what the NPPF appears to be delivering on the ground.

“We are calling on the Government to amend its new guidance to ensure the planning system delivers on the Government’s promise to deliver a ‘brownfield first’ policy, and to reaffirm its commitment to protect valued green spaces from development.”

Hundreds of communities taking up chance to have a say over their neighbourhood

Communities were urged to make full use of their rights and join the hundreds of groups now working up plans that will set out the future vision for their neighbourhood. 

 

A new landmark has been reached with more than 800 communities now working on getting a neighbourhood plan in place. 

Neighbourhood planning is one of the new community rights introduced by government to give people more say over their area and puts communities in charge of setting out the homes, shops and amenities they want in their neighbourhood.

55% of local authorities have neighbourhood plans being worked up and have received an application for an area to be designated, with 43 of these authorities having at least 6 plans in progress. 

For more details of Neighbourhood Planning please click here.

Do you Love Food, Hate Waste? Would you like to get involved in reducing food waste?

 

Do you Love Food, Hate Waste? Would you like to get involved in reducing food waste?

If the answer is 'YES' come along to one of the Love Food Hate Waste Workshops that will be taking place on Thursday 6th February 2014 in:
•    Hungerford: 12pm – 2.30pm at the Croft Hall, The Croft, Hungerford RG17 0HY
•    Newbury: 6pm – 8.30pm in the Council Chamber, West Berkshire Council, Market Street, Newbury, RG14 5LD

Refreshments will be provided at both workshops, which will be delivered by Emma Barnett from WRAP (www.wrap.org.uk).

Love Food Hate Waste is about helping you to make the most of all of your food, saving you money and raising awareness about the huge environmental impact of wasting food in the UK. Come along and get our top tips and advice, along with ideas on how to share the benefits with people at work or in your local community.

The sessions will be fun and interactive and will cover some fascinating research on food waste and the myths which contribute to food waste. By the end of the session, participants will be clear about correct storage (for example eggs and rice), freezing, what date labels really mean, defrosting plus have an insight into how retailers are helping.

Who should attend?
The information covered applies to anyone interested in reducing their food waste at home and for people in a position to spread the word about the benefits covered in these sessions and/or incorporate this vital information into their existing communications and support work.

Possible attendees could be those in Community and Voluntary Groups, Health Support Officers, Adult Community Learning, Parental Support, Community Champions, Housing Association Officers, Teachers, Children Centre Staff, Disability Support, Community Kitchens, Food Banks, Community Environmental Champions or those looking for something tangible to implement locally to support climate change.

A full support pack is provided, including activities and guides for use after the training. To book, please click here to complete the booking form.

These sessions are facilitated by CCB and funded by the West Berkshire Council Adult and Community Learning Team.

Could you be a Lay Visitor and help West Berkshire Council provide quality care services?

Could you be a Lay Visitor and help West Berkshire Council provide quality care services?

Why not come along and hear more about becoming a West Berkshire Council Lay Visitor
on Thursday 19th December from 2 - 3.30pm at WBILN, 'Broadway House', 4-8 The Broad Way, RG14 1BA (Close to the clock tower).

Please let them know if you can come by contacting Debbie Sowerby on 07905 521 452 or emailing her on deborah@wbiln.com

Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue: Take Extra Care

The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) has announced that further strike action will take place on two separate occasions this coming weekend.

Friday 13 December             from               18:00 to 22:00

Saturday 14 December         from               18:00 to 22:00

Although Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service (RBFRS) has contingency plans in place, during any period of industrial action they will have significantly fewer resources. They will therefore be prioritising ‘life critical’ incidents, such as house fires and road traffic collisions where people are trapped.

RBFRS will still be responding to 999 calls but they are asking members of the public to take extra care to reduce the risk of fire and road traffic collisions.  At this time of year, you may be enjoying Christmas parties with friends or entertaining at home. Make sure Christmas tree lights and decorations are switched off before you go out and don’t leave candles burning unattended.

Whatever you are doing during these times we would like to remind you to Take Extra Care, at home, on the roads and while out and about. Further advice and information can be found on their website: www.rbfrs.co.uk.

Recruiting: BBC Children in Need South West

BBC Children in Need South West is recruiting for new freelance external assessors. The charity provides grants to make a positive difference to the lives of disadvantaged children across the UK. Our vision is a society where all children and young people who face disadvantage in their lives are supported to realise their potential.

They wish to recruit a number of home-based freelance assessors, with varied experience and knowledge of the voluntary sector, to assess grant applications across the South West region. (The South West region includes Cornwall; Plymouth; Devon: Bournemouth, Dorset & Poole; Somerset, North Somerset and Bath & North East Somerset; Wiltshire & Swindon; Hampshire & IOW; Berkshire; Oxfordshire; West Sussex; and Bristol & South Gloucestershire).

If you find anyone interested in applying, please click the link for more information.

http://careerssearch.bbc.co.uk/jobs/job/Grant-Application-Assessor-Freelance/6337

JOB VACANCY: Come and Join the CCB Team!

CCB is looking to recruit a Communications & Administration Officer.

Salary: £1061 per month (£21.200 FTE). 
Hours: 21 hours per week. 
Based in Theale. 
Duration: Maternity Cover until November 2014.

CCB is an independent charity and community development agency. CCB is the rural community council for Berkshire and works to strengthen and support local communities throughout Berkshire.

The successful candidate will have a key role in managing communications, CCB’s online training opportunities and providing administrative support to the Chief Operating Officer, Trustees and CCB team.

You will gain experience working in the voluntary and charitable sector, writing and editing online communications, organising online training events as well as contributing your ideas on how we can continue to improve our marketing and training offers.

Specific duties include:

·         Maintaining and updating CCB’s website and Social Media presence.

·         Organising and facilitating our online training sessions ‘webinars’.

·         Writing/editing content for websites and our e-newsletter

·         Organising and co-ordinating CCB Membership, including editing and distributing our Community Digital magazine and Annual Review.

·         Managing and co-ordinating our Adult Community Learning Contract

·         Organising and co-ordinating Board Meetings, staff meetings, our Annual General Meeting and other events.

·         Maintaining the secure storage of appropriate records on contracts, members, trustees and staff.

·         Managing stationary supplies, petty cash, other general office administration and handling telephone calls.

·         Other duties as directed from time to time.

Desired competencies include:

·         Excellent IT skills including all Microsoft Office Packages.

·         Excellent organisational,  communication (written and oral) and team working skills

·         Hold an NVQ2 or equivalent in Maths and English

·         Knowledge and experience of CRM systems and web designing products preferred.

·         Communication and Marketing skills or experience preferred.

Candidates with experience of working in the voluntary and community sector will be preferred.

For a job description and application form please click here.

Closing date: 12pm, 24^th December 2013.

Interviews: Week commencing 6^th January 2014

Start date: Week commencing 13^th January 2014

CCB is an equal opportunities employer.

 

Planning Camps in 2014

Do you need help with your neighbourhood plan? Planning Camps look at how communities can take a leadership role in planning, how to engage people in your local area and what localism legislation means for you. They are funded by the Department of Communities and Local Government and delivered by the Eden Project in partnership with Locality and Planning Aid England.

More from the Eden Project Website.

Take time to help your NHS this winter

Winter is a busy time for the NHS. Everything from flu to falls and sickness to sore throats means our health service is under extreme pressure during the winter months.

By choosing well, it could save both you and NHS services a lot of time and inconvenience.
So if you become ill or suffer an injury, take two minutes to decide which NHS service is most appropriate for your needs. Many minor ailments can be easily treated at home or with advice from your local chemist or NHS 111.

Where to go:

1. Your first aid kit – many minor ailments such as bruises, grazes, sore throats, colds, coughs, minor cuts, hangovers, and indigestion can be effectively treated yourself. Remember to have a well-stocked medicine cabinet or first aid kit. For details of what to keep in stock ask your pharmacist, or visit http://www.nhs.uk/chq/pages/990.aspx

2. Pharmacies – many people forget that their local pharmacist or chemist can provide treatments and advice for a wide range of complaints. If you have diarrhoea, a minor infection, headache, tummy upset, an insect bite or sting, a cough, a cold or even if you want travel advice, your pharmacist can help.

3. GP Surgeries – if you are feeling generally unwell, have feverish children, a rash, ear pain, an infection, persistent symptoms then your GP is the right choice. If your surgery is closed but you don’t feel you can wait for help or advice, call 111.

4. 111 – This is the free, 24 hour a day, 365 day a year NHS advice line. You should call 111 when you are feeling unwell or have been hurt but it is not a 999 emergency. If you are unsure where to go or what to do, 111 can provide valuable advice on the most appropriate action to take. It is also a valuable service for people who are not registered with a GP or who just need information or reassurance about what to do next.

5. Minor Injuries Units (MIUs) – these centres can often treat many of the complaints people go to A&E for. Deep cuts, eye injuries, broken bones, sprains, minor burns and scalds can all be effectively treated at an MIU. In Berkshire we have MIUs in Reading, Ascot, Newbury, Maidenhead and Slough.

6. Accident and Emergency/Emergency Department (ED) – This is ONLY for genuine emergencies e.g. Life threatening conditions such as severe chest pains, breathing difficulties, choking, and serious bleeding injuries. If you attend the ED with a minor cut or a bad hangover you are taking up valuable time of the Emergency doctors and nurses who are there to treat those who are badly hurt and severely unwell.

Article courtesy of ORCC

A Silver Line to combat loneliness as winter draws near

Esther Rantzen launched Big Lottery funded The Silver Line - the telephone line has been described as a 'lifeline for older people'.

The £5 million project will give befriending support and advice 24 hours a day to older people suffering loneliness, neglect or abuse. The Silver Line will also connect individuals to local services and activities, in the same way that ChildLine did, also founded by Esther 27 years ago.

Esther said, "Loneliness is, according to the Department of Health, as dangerous as smoking or obesity. Mentally and emotionally, it is utterly destructive. This is the generation that does not readily ask for help. They don’t want to be a burden. But loneliness is a creeping enemy, it isolates, erodes confidence, until it becomes more and more difficult to step outside the front door.”

Miss Rantzen has been at the centre of all media activity singing the new telephone number on the Today programme, BBC News, regional BBC radio stations and presenting a special That’s Life edition of The One Show.

The Silver Line Number is 0800 4 70 80 90 - open 24 hours a day, every day.

NHS to raise army of Good Samaritans for winter

News from: Reading Neighbourhood Network (RNN)
by David Neale (Reading Neighbourhood Network)

The NHS has issued a call for 100,000 people to sign a pledge saying they will look in on an elderly friend or neighbour this winter.

In England, 51 per cent of all people over 75 live alone and five million older people say the television is their main form of company. Research shows that loneliness and social isolation are also harmful to our physical health, with studies indicating that lack of social connections is as likely to cause early death as smoking 15 cigarettes a day.

Specifically, the NHS is asking for people to sign an electronic pledge that states: 'I will take time out this winter to look in on an elderly friend or neighbour to make sure they are warm and coping well.' Volunteers pledge to visit an elderly person at least weekly and check that they are keeping warm and have adequate food supplies, and to help them get out if they can.

Those who sign the WinterFriends pledge will receive free cold weather alerts and email tips throughout the winter to help them do their bit.

Learn more at: WinterFriends pledge site