WATCH WORD

For & Newsletter of CITY & COUNTY NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH – (LEICESTER & LEICESTERSHIRE) Working in SUPPORT of . Charity No. 1072275 Issue 4/2015 The City & County Neighbourhood Watch is here to represent the concerns of members and their families. We operate entirely outside the police chain of command, so we can always promise an independent and confidential service Working in SUPPORT of LEICESTERSHIRE POLICE

DETAILS of a new grant scheme to support local business growth have been announced by e-petition Fitting security screws Leicester's City Mayor. to car number plate The new discretionary business rate grant has been Your City & County Neighbourhood Watch introduced to support fast-growing businesses in Association are supporting this e-petition. We would the city and to help attract inward investment. ask that you get as many of your neighbours, relatives and friends to sign as possible Local businesses with high levels of growth can apply for a grant of up to £150,000 over three years We need 100,000 signatures for parliament to even to help them expand into larger premises. Grants discuss it. Click on the Link below will also be available for companies looking to set up in the city or for firms aiming to develop vacant YOU KNOW THAT IT MAKES SENSE properties for business use. e-petition Businesses must apply for the grant through a competitive process, and this will be awarded as relief against business rates. fit security screws to all car number plates at point of sale & MOT to prevent their theft City Mayor Peter Soulsby said: “Increases in business rates are one of the unavoidable costs Responsible department: Department for Transport that businesses face when considering taking on new or larger premises, and this can hold them Over 40,000 number plates stolen from vehicle's back. each year costing over £15 millions but to fit security screws costs 60pence per vehicle By fitting “This new package of financial support will make it security screws to car number plates at point of sale easier for local businesses to expand and grow, as or MOT takes a couple of minutes preventing YOU well as offering an encouragement for firms to take the POLICE and others wasting time effort and on new premises which might otherwise stand money SIMPLES!!! INDIA have done it already why empty. can't we?

“It is another way we can build confidence in http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/68647 Leicester as a place for businesses to invest, grow and create new jobs in.” LEICESTER CITY Up to £800,000 of support will be available each New grants to support local year. This will be offset against business rates income, split between the council and the business growth Government.

03/02/2015

Bringing vacant buildings into use will also increase are thrilled to have the opportunity to place artists in the availability of business premises in the city and residence in St Barnabus and St Matthew's libraries could help create new business rate income. and see the magic of Imaginative Spaces get to work." For more information visit www.leicester.gov.uk/businessrates LEICESTER CITY

LEICESTER CITY Reinterment events announced

Grant transforms libraries 03/02/2015

03/02/2015 LEICESTER and LEICESTERSHIRE are preparing to welcome thousands of people from across the TWO city libraries will be transformed into creative globe with a huge programme of events and and cultural hubs, thanks to a grant of £89,000. activities to tie in with the reinterment of King Richard lll. Leicester City Council has won a successful bid from Arts Council England to continue its More than 100 special events and activities will run Imaginative Spaces project. from Friday 20 March, leading up to and beyond the reinterment of the king in Leicester Cathedral on Imaginative Spaces is a 12-month artists-in- Thursday 26 March. residence project, which will place artists at St Barnabus and St Matthews Library. Organisations across the city and county will be inviting people to join them for what promises to be Local charity The Spark Arts for Children will be a momentous week for the area, as the eyes of the working alongside the city council’s library service world focus on the final journey of the last King of to deliver the project. England to die in battle.

Similar schemes were delivered at Southfields and Leicester’s City Mayor Sir Peter Soulsby said: “It’s Braunstone Library at the Brite Centre last year. hard to believe that tomorrow (February 4) will be two years to the day since the human remains The aim of the project is to create a place where found beneath a Leicester car park were confirmed local families and communities can get involved in as those of King Richard lll. drama, dance and exciting events inspired by stories. “We are now only weeks away from his reinterment The artists will work closely with the library service, in Leicester Cathedral, which is only 100 steps young people, schools and community groups to away from where he was hastily buried more than form a calendar of fun and inspiring activities. 500 years ago.

Cllr Sarah Russell, assistant city mayor responsible “ A huge amount of hard work and planning has for neighbourhood services, said: “A visit to the gone into ensuring he is laid to rest with dignity and library can be about much more than borrowing honour, and that people from all over the city, books, and this project is a fantastic example of county and indeed the world can be a part of this that. historic event.

“The libraries will be transformed into a cultural hub “We look forward to welcoming them here, and to for local people to take part in many different kinds sharing this unique occasion with them.” of creative activities and events.” Events taking place throughout the week range Adel Al-Salloum, director of The Spark Arts for from the opening of new Medieval Leicester Children, said: “Our relationship with Leicester Galleries at the city’s historic Guildhall on Friday 20 library services goes from strength to strength. March, to a special King Richard lll service at Bosworth Battlefield Heritage Centre on Sunday 22 “We have, over many years, been able to deliver March. Ticket details for this event are due to be really exciting work and last year's work at The Brite announced shortly. Centre and Southfields Library proved to have an enormous impact. Nick Rushton, leader of Leicestershire County

Council said: “Next month’s reinterment is going to “This new project will build on that success and we

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be a unique historic occasion which is designed to site of the medieval friary where the king was buried give King Richard lll the dignified burial he was more than 500 years ago. denied over 500 years ago. We’re delighted that Bosworth and nearby villages will be playing a Located just 100 steps from Leicester Cathedral, central role.” the centre uses 21 century technology and great design to tell the fascinating story of the king’s life The University of Leicester will hold a number of and death. events throughout the week, including King Richard lll Day on Saturday 21 March. Visitors will be able Further details of the procession that will take the to hear from the experts who made these historical remains of King Richard lll through the city and discoveries, experiment with DNA extraction, county before arriving at Leicester Cathedral for a sample a medieval banquet and much more. service of compline on the evening of Sunday 22 March will be published in the next few weeks. Screenwriter Phillipa Langley, who led the search for King Richard lll will be at Leicester’s Guildhall on Two giant screens will be erected in Leicester city Saturday 21 March to tell the story of her seven- centre to enable visitors to watch the service of and-a-half year journey to uncover the king’s grave compline, and the reinterment ceremony, which will through the Looking for Richard project. take place on Thursday 26 March.

And from 8.10am (everyone to be seated by Leicester Cathedral will open for two special 7.30am) on Sunday 22 March, Leicester Cathedral sessions on Friday 27 March when the tomb of King will host a service, open to all, to mark the week of Richard lll will be revealed. Open from 3pm to the reinterment. 5.15pm and from 6.15pm to 9pm, these will be free events and large queues are expected. Guided trips to Fenn Lane Farm, reputedly the site of King Richard’s death at the Battle of Bosworth, Everyone is invited to share in a unique celebration will be offered six times a day, on selected days on Friday 27 March that will mark the historic throughout the week, starting on Monday 23 March. events of the week. ‘Leicester Glows: Fire Garden and Cathedral Illuminations’ will see 8,000 fire pots There will also be a series of talks at Bosworth, lit around Jubilee Square and Cathedral Gardens, including a presentation on ‘Arming Richard for marking the reinterment of the king. Battle’ involving re-enactor Dominic Smee who played King Richard’s body-double in a Channel 4 Running from 6pm to 10pm, the evening will include documentary. a stunning illumination of Leicester Cathedral along with a firework display. Bosworth Battlefield Heritage Centre hosts a permanent exhibition, which tells the dramatic story Activities will continue in the city and county on of the Battle of Bosworth on August 22 1485, which Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 March. marked a major turning point in English history. A full programme of events including contact details Visitors can use interactive displays to find out how and charges where applicable is available at the battle unfolded and to learn about the impact of http://kingrichardinleicester.com/events/ the new and powerful Tudor dynasty. More information about travelling to, and staying in, Tours of the battlefield will also be available, giving Leicester and Leicestershire is available at visitors the chance to enjoy breath-taking views of www.visitleicester.info and the Leicestershire countryside as an expert guides www.goleicestershire.com them along the 2km trail. Further details about Bosworth Battlefield Heritage Leicester University’s Richard Buckley and Richard Centre can be found at Morris will talk about their search for the king in ‘X www.bosworthbattlefield.com marks the spot’, a free event at Leicester’s Guildhall on Tuesday 24 March. & BOROUGH A number of venues in the city and county will offer activities and exhibitions throughout the week, Car Park Disruptions at Parklands including the King Richard lll Visitor Centre: Dynasty, Death and Discovery, which stands on the and Brocks Hill

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Date of Release: Monday, 2 February 2015  Work to raise awareness of healthy relationships and prevent abuse Borough Council wish to  Targeted work for child on parent abuse or apologise to user groups and visitors to Parklands male victims. Leisure Centre and Brocks Hill, for the current reduction in car parking spaces on this leisure site. Find the application form here, complete it and This is a temporary arrangement in order to make sure it is submitted by the closing date of facilitate the works on the new swimming pool; Friday 13 March 2015 12 noon. service diversions and refurbishment work at the Leisure Centre. Councillor Trevor Pendleton, Chair of the Safer North West Partnership, said: “It is important to Thank you for your patience and understanding in raise awareness of domestic abuse and support this matter. victims and witnesses to move forward with their lives. Funding groups and organisations that NORTH WEST LEICESTERSHIRE provide this service is a great way of doing it, allowing experienced people to tackle this ever- present problem. Domestic Abuse Grants, don’t suffer in silence “If you are part of such an organisation or group, I would encourage you to put yourself forward for one of these grants and continue to help tackle the Date of Release: Mon 2 February, 2015 negative effects of domestic abuse.” The Safer North West Partnership is offering grants The Domestic Abuse Grant application form is up to £5,000 for work that supports the victims and available here. witnesses of domestic abuse. Hard copies can be requested on 01530 454490 or The scheme is aimed at voluntary and community [email protected] sector organisations, community groups, schools, colleges and other Completed applications should be sent to [email protected] or posted to Safer and Stronger Communities, Council Offices, Whitwick Road, , LE67 3FJ

LEICESTERSHIRE POLICE

Community policing at the heart of force changes

Issued on 2/2/15 at 3:43 p.m. groups and organisations that operate or provide a Neighbourhood police teams will be more visible on service in North West Leicestershire. the streets when changes to the way Leicestershire Police delivers its service come into effect next The partnership is offering grants from £100 to week. £5,000 and is looking for initiatives which help to support those affected by domestic abuse and can From Monday February 9, beat officers will be demonstrate positive outcomes. known as Dedicated Neighbourhood Officers to reflect a change in role that is solely focused on Examples of initiatives include: working with communities.

 Support services for young people who Officers working in this new role, along with Police have witnessed or experienced domestic Community Support Officers, will be patrolling abuse streets and dealing with issues relating to public  Workshops or group work to help victims protection, community engagement and anti-social move on from domestic abuse behaviour.

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They will no longer routinely carry out duties such it delivers aspects of policing to the people of as crime investigation, planned arrests and Leicester, Leicestershire and . attending incidents - these will now be dealt with by other specialist units. “This transformation is the latest in a series of on- going changes in response to reducing budgets and Currently less than 25% of neighbourhood officers’ changing public expectation and demand. time is spent working on ‘core community’ activities, so by shifting these duties to other areas of the “This new way of working will allow the teams force it will free up their time to work closer with based in our communities to dedicate their time to local communities. working closely with neighbourhoods and partners to resolve issues at a local level. An investment in mobile technology will also allow officers to be more flexible, accessible and visible, “Protecting our communities still remains at the without the need to be located in traditional police heart of everything we do and I hope that this shift stations. shows our commitment and dedication to seeing this continue and improve.” This shift is part of the force’s on-going transformation to meet the change in public need and demand. CHARNWOOD BOROUGH

A reduction in budget also means that the force Proposed Council Tax Freeze for needs to make significant savings. Fifth Year in a Row

In the last four years £20 million has already been Charnwood Borough Council is proposing to freeze removed from the budget by reducing overall its share of Council Tax for the fifth year running. operating cost. This latest overhaul will see a further £10 million reduction. The Council’s Cabinet will consider the proposal on Thursday, February 12 as part of the budget for As part of the changes the force’s 15 Local Policing 2015/16 before it goes before Full Council on Units will become eight Neighbourhood Policing February 23. Areas (NPA). If accepted, it would mean the average Band D As well as Dedicated Neighbourhood Officers, each council tax payer in Charnwood would pay £102.62 NPA will also have a team of Neighbourhood for services provided by the borough council which Priority Officers. They will help support local is £1.97 a week, the same as in 2010. problem solving and planned operations. The Special Rate, paid by residents Other changes include the introduction of a new of Loughborough and the equivalent of a parish dedicated Patrol and Resolution Team. This team precept in villages, would also be frozen at £73.51, will focus on patrolling streets and attending and which is £1.41 a week. resolving all emergency and urgent incidents. The proposed budget includes: Non-emergency calls that still require a police response will be dealt with by a new Managed Appointment Unit.  £37,500 to spend on assessing the impact of and improving measures to control Houses of Multiple Occupancy Through this unit, members of the public will be  £3,000 to reopen Biggin Street public toilets able to book an appointment to see an officer at a on a Friday convenient time and location, usually on the same day that the incident has occurred.  £25,000 to support the voluntary sector in Charnwood  Funding a Voluntary and Community Sector A new Force Investigation Unit will conduct Development Officer to support the investigations, process prisoners and make planned voluntary sector arrests, and the Force Intelligence Bureau will  Putting an extra £50,000 towards action all intelligence reports and requests. discretionary housing benefits payments to support people in need. Leicestershire Police Chief Constable Simon Cole said: “Next week will see the force change the way

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Councillor Tom Barkley, Cabinet Member for City grot spotting app gets Finance and Property, said: “Yet again we are proposing to freeze the Charnwood element of the revamp Council Tax bill. 02/02/2015 “We had anticipated using some of our reserves in 2015/16, however that is no longer the case.” A SMARTPHONE app that helps people report problems like street grime and potholes in Leicester Also, on Tuesday, February 17, Cllr Barkley will be has had a major update. hosting a Twitter Q and A about the budget and finance issues between 1pm and 2pm. If you have The new ‘Love Leicester’ app has been developed a question about the Council’s finances, tweet Cllr as an improved and streamlined replacement to the Barkley a question using the @CharnwoodBC ‘One Clean Leicester’ app, which was launched by handle. You can also use the hashtag the city council in 2011. #Charnbudget. The upgraded version still allows users to quickly For more information about the budget, visit and easily report problems such as fly-tipping, www.charnwood.gov.uk/committees/cabinet. graffiti, dog fouling, faulty street lights and potholes, but now includes some useful extra features. People can use it to find council information, including details of consultations or activities at their Date set for decisions on homes nearest leisure centre, and to quickly get to the smartphone-friendly version of the council’s Published Monday 2 February 2015 website.

A meeting is set to be held in March to make a Cllr Sarah Russell, assistant city mayor for decision on a major area of planned housing to the neighbourhood services, said: “The number of north west of . people who use smartphones is growing every day and apps like ‘Love Leicester’ make it really easy The extraordinary meeting of Harborough District for them to take an active pride in their city and neighbourhoods. Council’s planning committee will be held on Monday 2 March 2015 at 6.30pm at Harborough Market in Road, Market Harborough, “The heart of the app is still the ability for people to to allow more capacity for the public to attend and quickly tell the council about any grot spots or other will consider applications relating to the Strategic problems they come across, so we can put it right. Development Area (SDA) in the town. “We’ve now made it easier to use and added lots of The following planning applications will be other information to make the app an even more considered: useful tool to have on your phone.”

 11/00112/OUT – Airfield Farm, Lubenham The app allows people to take a photo of any (924 dwellings) problems they encounter and then quickly report it  12/00044/FUL – Lubenham Hill, Market directly to the right team at the city council for Harborough (119 dwellings) action.  13/01483/OUT – Manor Farm, Lubenham (450 dwellings) Reports are automatically tagged with the sender’s location, before being sent. All reports and pictures If any member of the public wishes to speak at the then appear on the Love Leicester webpage, along meeting please contact Nicola Parry by email with a progress report as council teams tackle the [email protected] or telephone 01858 problem. 821145, before 12noon on Friday 27 February 2015, quoting the application reference number, The Love Leicester app is being officially launched name, postal address and contact number. on Monday (Feb 2) at an event co-hosted by St Matthews Big Local, a lottery-funded community group that was set up to make its local LEICESTER CITY neighbourhood cleaner and greener.

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City wardens will be on-hand to introduce people to Inclusive members get unlimited use of seven the new app and demonstrate how it works during a fitness suites and seven swimming pools across the patch walk. city, at Aylestone, Braunstone, Cossington Street, Evington, Leicester Leys, New Parks and Spence Simon Johnson, Chair of St Matthews Big Local, Street leisure centres. said: "We have spoken to hundreds of residents in the area, and it’s clear that they want to help make Membership also includes access to more than 100 St Matthews cleaner and greener. fitness classes a week.

“Working with the city council, we are keen to In addition, Lifestyle Fitness ‘Lite’ memberships are promote the new Love Leicester app. available, where members can use facilities at a smaller range of leisure centres – New Parks, “It’s a great way for local residents to get involved Cossington Street and Spence Street. and report issues of concern themselves. They can then see the direct action that is being taken to Savings of up to £72 are available on Lifestyle make the area even better.” Fitness ‘Lite’ memberships if you join at the same time as a friend – from £18 each a month. The Love Leicester app is available as a free download for Android and Windows phones and Even bigger savings can be made by customers iPhone. who pay their annual membership fee in one go, rather than by monthly direct debit. 1+1 People who have the old One Clean Leicester app memberships paid for in this way work out from on their phones should delete it and reinstall the £229 each for the year, or just over £19 a month. new Love Leicester app. Lifestyle Lite annual memberships paid for upfront work out from £166 each for the year, or just under £14 a month. Over 1,000 people downloaded the original app. The city council received an average of around 40 to 50 reports this way per week. To sign up, simply call in to your local leisure centre. For more information on the city council’s lifestyle fitness suites, please go to To find out more, or to arrange a demonstration of www.leicester.gov.uk/lifestylefitness the new app for your community group, visit www.leicester.gov.uk/loveleicester OADBY & WIGSTON BOROUGH LEICESTER CITY Conviction for Oadby & Wigston Save at city leisure centres Borough Council constituent who fraudulently obtained 02/02/2015 benefits CITY council sports and leisure centres are offering savings on their membership schemes throughout February. Date of Release: Monday, 2 February 2015 Existing members who ‘recommend a friend’ will get a month’s free membership for every friend they Oadby and Wigston Borough Council successfully sign up – while the friend will pay no joining fee. prosecuted Mrs Danwant Sambi (67), of 64 Hermitage Court, Oadby in relation to offences New members who want to join the gym with a committed whilst she was in receipt of Housing friend can benefit from the city council’s 1+1 Benefit and Council Tax. inclusive memberships, which offer savings of up to £114 compared to two single memberships. When she made her application for benefits in 2011, Mrs Sambi had failed to notify the Council of The 1+1 membership deals start from £28.50 each a property which had been in her name since 1980. a month – and you don’t always have to attend with The Council reassessed her claim for benefits when your friend to use your membership. it was notified (through the Department for Works and Pensions) that Mrs Sambi’s gross capital had been calculated as being £208,969.62.

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The Council investigated and determined that as a The new money is committed to four specific result of her undeclared property, Mrs Danwant had projects which will see more than 1,200 jobs received an overpayment of benefits totalling created and local investment of over £80 million by £11,886.88, between March 2011 and May 2013. 2021. The four projects include: Mrs Sambi has since transferred the property to her daughter.  Leicester City Council Connecting Leicester scheme In mitigation, it was stated by Mrs Sambi’s Solicitor  Melton Cattle Market that nothing was in dispute but that in her mind, the  Leicester and Leicestershire Workspace property had been left to her daughter by her late Programme husband, who had died in 1981. Mrs Sambi was  Midland Mainline Improvements – Market told by the Magistrates that for this sort of fraud the Harborough. starting point was a community order but that because of her remorse, her guilty plea and the fact Nick Pulley, Chair of the LLEP said, “This additional that she was making repayments, the sentence £20million funding will boost our total Growth Deal would be reduced to a fine. Sentencing her to a fine funding to in excess of £100 million. This is by far of £295, the Magistrates also ordered Mrs Sambi to the biggest capital regeneration fund to be received pay a victim surcharge of £30 and Council costs of in Leicester and Leicestershire to date. £850. “This will be a crucial addition to the development of Prosecuting Solicitor, Crystal Andrade, stated that our local economy. Importantly, it will enable five “Oadby & Wigston Borough Council encourage new strategic economic projects to be kick-started, applications for benefit assistance from all members which between them, are set to generate up to of the Borough who are entitled to make such £80 million private sector leverage and create over claims but where there has been an overpayment 1,200 new jobs over the next six years.” due to fraud, the Council is determined to act appropriately in order to protect the public purse.” Leicester City Mayor Sir Peter Soulsby said: Mrs Danwant has been making repayments “Today’s announcement is excellent news for towards the amount of overpaid benefits received, businesses and communities in our city and county. at a rate of £30 per week If you know or suspect someone of benefit fraud, please telephone the fraud hotline on 01455 255683 in confidence "I am particularly pleased that funding has been secured for the next phase of our Connecting Leicester project, which will further improve the LEICESTER / LEICESTERSHIRE public realm in the city centre and make Leicester even more attractive for residents and investors. £100 million growth deal boost for "Expansion plans for our workspace project have LLEP also secured funding, allowing us to build on the success of Dock by providing new grow-on space Date of Release: Fri 30 January, 2015 for small businesses.

The Government announced on Thursday "Today's announcement shows that the 29 January 2015 that the Leicester and Government recognises the success of these Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership (LLEP) is set schemes and I welcome this endorsement of the to receive a further £20.3 million from tjhe national work that we're doing in Leicester." £7 billion Local Growth Fund. County council leader Nick Rushton said: "I'm delighted with the announcement of a further £20 million Growth Deal support, especially the funding being made available to regenerate the Cattle Market in , provide new and improved business workspace in Coalville as well as an upgrade to the Midland Mainline rail network through Market Harborough.

"These funds, added to the Growth Deal The additional £20.3million follows the LLEP’s first announcement last year and our own investment in successful Growth Deal bid for £80million, which supporting the economy, will help ensure the further was announced in July 2014.

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growth of businesses and create new jobs in the “The new Centre will help to position Leicester as a county." hub for global businesses and reflects IBM's long- standing commitment to developing skills and providing high-value technology services to LEICESTER CITY business across the UK."

IBM to create first UK services Leicester City Council’s inward investment team centre in Leicester worked closely with IBM during 2014 to help them in their national competitive search for a UK base. 30/01/2015 Helen Donnelan, Head of Inward Investment for the city council said: “IBM could have gone anwhere in GLOBAL information technology company IBM the UK, and the fact that a company of this size and announced today that it is to open its first UK calibre chose Leicester as the base for its first UK Services Centre in Leicester. Services Centre confirms that this city is an excellent place to do business. The centre will create up to 300 jobs over three years, enabling IBM to extend its technology “Their move here will be a huge boost to the services to UK-based clients. economic growth of the city and the wider region, and we are delighted to have played a part in this Leicester’s City Mayor Sir Peter Soulsby said: “This decision.” is excellent news and a significant achievement for the city council and our economic regeneration of IBM is already working with local universities and the city. educational institutions to start recruitment for the new positions. “We have worked very closely with IBM and I am delighted they have now chosen Leicester for their Applications can be made directly to the recruitment UK base. team by sending CVs to recruitment- [email protected]. “We welcome them to our city, along with the opportunities they bring for our graduates and The centre has received additional support from the young people to gain the vital technology skills that Regional Growth Fund through the Leicester and businesses need in today’s competitive market. Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership.

“This move reinforces that Leicester can not only More details about the IBM Services Centre: meet the location needs of major businesses, but Leicester can be found on the IBM website. that it is also a great place to study and work, and to build an exciting future.” Leicester will be the home of IBM’s fourth European Services Centre, with others in France, Germany IBM Services Centre: Leicester, will be based on and Holland. New Walk in the heart of the city.

It will employ graduates and experienced MELTON BOROUGH professionals who have technical backgrounds or who show an aptitude for IT and want to pursue a Successful bid application for career in the industry. Livestock Market It will also offer internships and apprenticeships to harness the best talent from across the city and Published Thursday, 29th January 2015 region. We have received confirmation that our bid of David Stokes, Chief Executive, IBM UK and Ireland £3.5m for “Growth Fund” to secure the future of the said: “This investment in job creation aims to inspire Livestock Market in Melton Mowbray has been the next-generation workforce from local technical successful colleges and universities who will deliver the technology skills needed to drive business Melton Borough Council and Leicester and innovation in the UK. Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership (LLEP) have received confirmation that their bid for £3.5 million to help secure the future of the Melton Mowbray

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Livestock Market. This is part of a wider £20 mil submitting a planning application for phase 1 in the Growth Deal for Leicester and Leicestershire near future.”. announced by Secretary of State Rt Hon Eric Pickles, today. Melton Borough Council would like to get the views of those connected to the Borough of Melton and These funds together with an allocated £2million the market on what sort of facilities people would from the Council capital receipts budget will provide like to see on the opportunity site. Views can be funding for Phase 1 of the two phased project . communicated to Livestock Market Phase 1 is relocation and replacement of cow [email protected] sheds which will protect and safeguard the livestock market on the current site for the next 20 years.Phase 2 will be development of an For more information please contact: “opportunity area” for food and drink and rural related activities. Name: David Blanchard Melton Borough Council Telephone: 01664 502416 The existing facilities, especially those for Email: [email protected] auctioning of cattle, are in a poor condition and no longer fit for purpose - they do not meet the standards of animal welfare achieved by more LEICESTER CITY modern markets. Replacements pens are required to ensure that Melton Livestock market remains New entrance for hall and college safe, competitive and continues to comply with increasingly stringent DEFRA requirements. 29/01/2015 The grant funding also means that the Council can avoid an estimated £1million of patch up repairs expenditure on an asset that has reached the end MORE people will be able to enjoy one of of its useful life. Instead the project will unlock the Leicester’s hidden architectural gems, now that a potential of the southern ‘opportunity area’ through new entrance has made it much easier to access. better use of space on site From tomorrow (Friday 30 January), visitors will be A development programme will now be drawn up able to enter the city’s historic Hansom Hall via the with consultants Pick Everards and the appointed old lending library entrance on Belvoir Street, contractor Morgan Sindall to agree target dates–a instead of having to follow a complicated route planning application for Phase 1 is expected to be through the Adult Education College from submitted in the near future. Wellington Street.

Cllr Joe Orson said: City council contractors have knocked through a wall at the old lending library to create a direct link “We are delighted that Central government have into the hall as part of a package of improvements approved this funding for Melton Livestock Market that will benefit users of both Hansom Hall and the and shown its support for the local rural economy. Adult Education College. This is a landmark decision for Melton Mowbray securing the long-term future of the Cattle market a A new reception area on the first floor of the former key asset in the rural community and economy library will serve as a ticket office for events at the within Leicestershire and the wider East . hall – which is part of the Adult Education College – We now have a greater degree of certainty for the as well as providing a smart new front-of-house and project and a green light for the next stage. enrolment area for the college.

The project is expected to bring additional benefits Wheelchair users will be able to take the lift to the at the market by providing an enhanced division first floor, where they will be able to access the hall between livestock and visitors, resulting in better – a former Baptist Chapel dating from 1845 – via a safety and improved flows across and into the site; gently sloping ramp. and enhanced traffic flows in and around the site.

Negotiations have commenced with the existing As part of the £300,000 package of improvements, Market Partners for a new 20 year lease agreement the old library’s parquet floors and art deco on the livestock market. entrance area have been restored, new public toilets have been installed, and the college café – The timing of the project needs to be confirmed with now with a fresh new look – has re-located to the LLEP and the contractors however we expect to be first floor of the former library.

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“Our desire to make Joseph Hansom’s stunning A meeting of the Police and Crime Panel has today Victorian hall more accessible to the public also (Thursday 29 January) approved plans from gave us an opportunity to improve facilities at the Leicestershire Police and Crime Commissioner Sir Adult Education College,” said City Mayor Peter Clive Loader to increase the 2015-16 precept by Soulsby. 1.99%.

“Both the hall and the college needed a proper Earlier this month, Sir Clive unveiled his proposals reception area, new toilets and an attractive café – to help enhance community safety and protect the and this scheme allows all these essential facilities most vulnerable in society by increasing the amount to be shared. of council tax the public pay towards policing.

“I’m delighted that we’ve been able to find a way to This equates to an increase of less than 7p a week open up one of Leicester’s architectural gems and (or £3.51 a year) for a Band D property but will I’m proud that the investment we’ve made in generate an additional £1.038m to fund policing Hansom Hall will secure its long-term future as a costs. unique and accessible performance venue.” A report was presented to the Police and Crime The former Belvoir Street lending library now Panel today and the approved increase will enable houses a number of classrooms and galleries, Sir Clive to build a sustainable base budget that will where local photographers and artists can maintain and safeguard policing services across showcase their work. Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland where possible in the future. Its first floor is now home to the Old Library Café, which opens tomorrow (Friday 30 January) and will In addition, he announced that he has earmarked be open from 9am-3pm from Monday to Friday. up to an additional £2m – to be funded from Serving a wide range of drinks and snacks, the café reserves – to be spent on safeguarding children will also be open for special events and will provide and vulnerable adults. a full bar service when evening performances are taking place in Hansom Hall. Last month, the Force was told its funding settlement from the Government would be cut by a Hansom Hall will host around 50 shows as part of further £5.7m (4.7%) in 2015/16 to a total of this year’s Dave’s Leicester Comedy Festival, £114.5m – this is £1m more than was previously including the opening night and preview show on indicated in the Comprehensive Spending Review Wednesday 4 February. Information and tickets are announced in the Chancellor’s 2013 Autumn available at www.justthetonic Statement and is compounded by a process of ‘top slicing’ to fund national policing initiatives. The hall will also continue to be the venue for the Leicester Theatre Group’s productions. The group’s Additionally, the Force loses out to a further £5.6m first performance in the newly-accessible hall will be annually as a result of the way the funding formula ‘Into the Woods’, which runs from 17-21 March. is applied to produce a blanket 5.1% reduction in More information is available at www.leicester- cash across all Forces. theatre-group.co.uk Sir Clive said: “The Force continues to face Anyone interested in finding out about courses run considerable service pressures and increasing by the Adult Education College can call in to the demands that arise out of new areas of criminality new reception area from 9am-8pm Monday to and vulnerability. This precept will not eliminate the Thursday, 9am-4pm on Fridays and from 9am-1pm need to make difficult decisions on where we on Saturdays. More information is available by allocate our resources, but it will give us some calling 0116 454 1900 or at temporary stability to help us address future risks.” www.leicesterlearns.ac.uk The total budget for 2015/16 is £171.573m. LEICESTERSHIRE POLICE However, Sir Clive has earmarked £2m from budget reserves to invest in proactive work with partners to address priority issues including victims, Child Sex Commissioner's budget proposal Exploitation (CSE), cyber-crime, mental health and approved key emerging risks from joint work.

Issued on 29/1/15 at 3:14 p.m. & BOSWORTH BOROUGH

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Hinckley BID’s fifth great pancake Last updated: 28/01/2015 14:02 race POLICE ALERT

National Health Warning - Dangerous ‘Superman’ ecstasy pills linked to deaths

January 28, 2015

Public Health England is asking people to be on Published Wednesday, 28 January 2015 alert about the possible availability of pills sold as ecstasy but containing large quantities of PMMA – a Issued on behalf of Hinckley BID. more potent chemical linked to recent hospitalisations and deaths here and abroad. As all Pancake lovers know, Shrove Tuesday (February 17th 2015) is the time to get the frying The advice comes following an alert to Public pan out, make that special mix and practice those Health England from Spain on January 26 after pills ‘tossing and catching’ skills, trying hard not to leave of this nature were linked to a number of your creation attached to the kitchen ceiling... hospitalisations and deaths in that country.

Well, now’s the chance to join the 49 already There is no specific threat to the Nottinghamshire entered and to show off your pancake tossing skills, area – the alert has been issued nationwide by or just have some fun and enter the fifth pancake Public Health England, with authorities asked to race which will take place on Castle Street (from share the message. Clarks up to around Holland & Barrett) at midday on 17 Feb. All pancakes will be provided, you just The ‘Superman’ branded red pills have been found need to bring your own frying pan. to contain large quantities of PMMA (paramethoxymethamphetamine) and have been Whether an individual, school, team or company – linked to four deaths in Ipswich, Rendlesham and there are ‘races’ for all in two categories Telford over the Christmas and New Year period.

 Junior event (aged 5-12) PMMA is a class A drug and has similar effects to  Senior event (aged 13+) MDMA (the chemical normally found in ecstasy) and therefore pills containing PMMA are often sold The overall Winner last year was Nathan Long from as ecstasy. North Warkwickshire & Hinckley College. PMMA takes longer to take effect but can kill at Teams can also be mixed in age if entering as a lower doses than MDMA. group or even as a family. There will be Trophies for each race winner in each group, and for anyone It can cause a rapid and fatal rise in body wishing to dress up - for the ‘funniest costume’ on temperature, severely raised heart rate and blood the day. The Mayor will also present a neck medal pressure. to every entrant. FIND OUT MORE FROM PUBLIC HEALTH There is no charge to enter this event. You might ENGLAND HERE also consider it a good ‘fund raiser’ through asking friends, family and colleagues to sponsor you for a good cause of your choice. LEICESTERSHIRE POLICE SAFER NEIGHBOURHOOD TEAM Full details are available from Hinckley Business Centre at 76 Castle St, e-mail [email protected] or call us on 01455 LEICESTER CITY – 698494. For further information, please contact Steve at Hinckley BID ([email protected]) NEW PARKS

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This neighbourhood includes New College, Aikman committed to tackling ASB and will use all available Avenue flats, Mossgate and part of the New Parks tactics to help tackle any problems or issues you Estate (east of the A563 New Parks Boulevard) to have with ASB. Fosse Road. We are proud of the developing relationships within The area is primarily residential with a parade of the community and partners, for whom we rely on shops on Aikman Avenue and other small retail so much to assist in efforts to make the New Parks outlets within the estate along with two local area a happy and safe place to live, work and visit. neighbourhood pubs.  Send an email to your neighbourhood team To find out more about what's happening in your  Leave a voicemail for Sgt Andy Stevens by local area read your local station Inspector's calling 101 and follow the instructions to monthly update. leave a message for an officer. When prompted, key in the identification number Your safer neighbourhood team 0783.

Sgt Andy Stevens Sgt Kevin Sharkey

Collar number: 783 Collar number: 2137

I am the team leader for the New Parks Priority I joined Leicestershire Police in 2006 and have Neighbourhood Policing Team. worked across all parts of the city of Leicester helping people take ownership of their communities I joined Leicestershire Police in 1996 and have by working together to solve problems of anti-social always worked in the City area initially starting at behaviour and crime. Street. I was promoted to Sergeant in 2003 and joined Welford road LPU. Following this I By using close links with our partner agencies, I have worked at Hinckley road and more recently as look forward to working with both the Western Park a response supervisor from Euston Street. and New Parks communities to actively target those that cause the most problems and to ensure the I am keen to develop the good work that has most vulnerable members of our community are already been done by my predecessor, Sgt Wardle protected. and colleagues, and to help promote ongoing initiatives that should make a real difference to If you have any information that will help our team residents and visitors to New Parks. to help you, then please get in touch.

I am keen to find out more about the people who  Send an email to your neighbourhood team either live or work in the New Parks area and to  Leave a voicemail for Sgt Kevin Sharkey by understand the issues that affect them most. I will calling 101 and follow the instructions to endeavour to spend time with each of my staff out leave a message for an officer. When on patrol and hope to speak with as many members prompted, key in the identification number of the community as I can. I believe I am an 2137. approachable, understanding and a professional Police officer I would encourage you to introduce yourselves if you see me. You can also contact me via email or telephone if you have any problems or issues you want to discuss.

I am aware that people in the area care dearly about the environment they live in. I understand that local anti-social behaviour (ASB) is of concern to the local community. My colleagues and I are PC Dave Marlow

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Collar number: 1953 prompted, key in the identification number 1168. I joined Leicestershire Police in 2003, covering the New Parks and the surrounding area.

I am keen and committed to tackle local crime issues that are important to the local residents, by disrupting the activity of local criminals and tackling anti-social behaviour proactively.

I want to continue to build relationships with the local residents by being out and about meeting with people as much as possible, building confidence PC Dave Martin between local residents and Leicestershire Police.

Collar number: 1228 You will see me out and about regularly and I am very approachable so please do not hesitate to come and have a chat with me at any time. It is I have been a Police Officer since 1998 where I was important to me to hear what you have to say and a Patrol Officer, after a few years I moved into the your views. Neighbourhood side of Policing where I have remained since.  Send an email to your neighbourhood team  Leave a voicemail for PC Dave Marlow by I have covered New Parks for over 10 years where I calling 101 and follow the instructions to believe I am a proactive officer dedicated to making leave a message for an officer. When the community safer and dealing with the prompted, key in the identification number community issues that arise. 1953.  Send an email to your neighbourhood team  Leave a voicemail for PC Dave Martin by calling 101 and follow the instructions to leave a message for an officer. When prompted, key in the identification number 1228.

PC Matt Fletcher (Beacon Officer)

Collar number: 1168

I have covered New Parks and the surrounding area since joining Leicestershire Police in July 2005. PC Ian Lovell I am passionate about reducing crime and anti- social behaviour in the area and improving the Collar number: 1978 quality of life for residents. To achieve this I ask for the support of the whole community. Your input, I have been a Police Officer for the last 11 years however big or small, can be the missing part of the and for the last 8 years I have been a jigsaw needed to hit the heart of criminality. neighbourhood officer on the Stocking farm, Abbey

Rise Estates and Abbey Park. You will see me out and about regularly, please come and speak to me. I am very approachable and will always make time to listen to your views. During this time I have developed partnerships with different agencies to tackle ongoing problems which affect the community.  Send an email to your neighbourhood team  Leave a voicemail for PC Matt Fletcher by calling 101 and follow the instructions to I am looking forward to working on the New Parks leave a message for an officer. When Estate and developing positive links within the community.

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 Send an email to your neighbourhood team leave a message for an officer. When  Leave a voicemail for PC Ian Lovell by prompted, key in the identification number calling 101 and follow the instructions to 6649. leave a message for an officer. When prompted, key in the identification number 1978.

PCSO Emma Walden

Collar number: 6041

PC Martin Birch  Send an email to your neighbourhood team  Leave a voicemail for PCSO Emma Walden Collar number: 1021 by calling 101 and follow the instructions to leave a message for an officer. When prompted, key in the identification number I am on officer on the New Parks Neighbourhood 6041. Team.

I look forward to working with the local community.

 Send an email to your neighbourhood team  Leave a voicemail for PC Martin Birch by calling 101 and follow the instructions to leave a message for an officer. When prompted, key in the identification number 1021. PCSO Gill Edwards

Collar number: 6132

I originally joined the Leicester and Rutland Police Force back in 1969 and served as a police officer for ten years before leaving to have a family.

I am delighted to be back as a Police Community Support Officer at New Parks. I feel I have so much PCSO Allan Charles experience to offer the community. I have raised my family facing all of the problems that brings, and Collar number: 6649 now really wanting to help with anti-social behaviour and issues that occur amongst people of all ages. My aim for Kirby Frith, Braunstone Frith and New Parks is to help tackle any anti-social behaviour We have an excellent team of officers working from issues which seem to be a major concern for New Parks police station and I am so pleased to be people living in this area. I also aim to speak more part of that. We are proud of working closely with with the children and young people in the area to other agencies within the community, for whom we build better relationships with them and work rely on so much to make the New Parks area a towards finding out what they would like in the area. happy and safe place to live for our residents.

Please feel free to get in touch and let me know of If you see me about please do not hesitate to stop any problems you have or any ideas you have to me; I am willing to talk about any problems you may make the area better. be having, or just happy to say hello.

 Send an email to your neighbourhood team  Send an email to your neighbourhood team  Leave a voicemail for PCSO Allan Charles  Leave a voicemail for PCSO Gill Edwards by calling 101 and follow the instructions to by calling 101 and follow the instructions to

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leave a message for an officer. When I have always worked within the community in a prompted, key in the identification number variety of responsible positions. I believe that 6132. community matters.

I feel community policing is the way forward for reassurance and dealing with community issues. I hope staying on the same beat and building up links with my community and partner agencies can make a difference for my beat and the residents that live there.

I am a very approachable person and I am happy PCSO Lisa O'Sullivan for people to come and talk to me about issues that they have. I can assist in dealing with anti-social Collar number: 6608 behaviour and help with community cohesion. I believe that the role of the PCSO on the beat is a I have worked for the Leicestershire Police since vital link between the residents, the police and other 2003, initially working in Admin and Human partner agencies. Resources. I joined as a police officer in 2008, but felt that the shifts were not compatible with two I was delighted to be awarded 'PCSO of the Year young children. Wanting to remain working within 2008'. the community I transferred to the role of Police Community Support Officer in January 2010 and I  Send an email to your neighbourhood team have not looked back.  Leave a voicemail for PCSO Peter Smith by calling 101 and follow the instructions to I feel I have much to offer the community and love leave a message for an officer. When meeting new people which is a huge part of my prompted, key in the identification number role. 6538.

I will be holding a beat surgery every month at the Community Centre on Sharman Crescent (please see the 'meet us' section of this website for further details of beat surgeries). I will be available to talk to local residents openly or in confidence about any issues you may have.

Alternatively, if you see me out and about please stop me to say hello, I am happy to talk about any PCSO Thomas Blencowe local issues that may be affecting you and look forward to working together with the New Parks Collar number: 6634 neighbourhood team and partner agencies to help make New Parks a better place to live. My name is Tom and I joined the police as a PCSO in April 2013. I am based at the New Parks Police  Send an email to your neighbourhood team Station.  Leave a voicemail for PCSO Lisa O'Sullivan by calling 101 and follow the instructions to My main aim for the New Parks area is to build up a leave a message for an officer. When long standing relationship, with everybody within prompted, key in the identification number the community, and to deal with any policing issues 6608. in this area, such as ASB.

I am easily approachable while patrolling my beat, and can often be seen walking or riding my bike around the New Parks area.

I enjoy meeting new people so please don’t hesitate to stop me to have a chat, and to inform me of any concerns you may have. I will always listen to your PCSO Peter Smith concerns about the area and try to do my best to help. Collar number: 6538

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I look forward to getting to know you and your community, and hope I can make the area feel a safer place to live.

 Send an email to your neighbourhood team  Leave a voicemail for PCSO Thomas Blencowe by calling 101 and follow the instructions to leave a message for an officer. When prompted, key in the identification number 6634.

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