TAXI DRIVERS GO THE DISTANCE TO IMPROVE ACADEMIC SKILLS

Hard-working Hackney Carriage drivers employed by North East Lincolnshire Council have gone the extra mile by securing an academic qualification which will boost their professional careers.

Sixteen taxi and private hire drivers employed by the council have completed a nine-week BTEC Level 2 Transporting Passengers by Taxi and Private Hire course at the Second Avenue Resource Centre in Grimsby. And a further 84 drivers have expressed an interest in taking the course, which has been supported by the council with financial help from central government’s Train To Gain programme.

Hackney Carriage driver Ray Lawrance said: “Drivers have given up their own time to complete this course to give their passengers greater piece of mind and to provide a better service across the streets of North East Lincolnshire.”

Drivers have to complete modules on health and safety, handling difficult customers, and how to transport passengers with mobility problems. Passing this qualification has been a real confidence boost for the drivers who now have the recognition that they have passed a nationally-accredited course.

“It shows there are some excellent and committed drivers working within North East Lincolnshire. We have been well supported by the local authority in realising ambitions of having an academic qualification that will increase professionalism and confidence.”

Success on the BTEC means students can then take the NVQ Level 2 in Road Passenger Vehicle Driving. Several drivers within North East Lincolnshire have now moved on to the advanced course. Topics on the 27-hour BTEC course also cover customer service, passenger safety, disability awareness, hire regulations and driving technique - with the drivers not only gaining recognition for their experience and skills, but also being able to demonstrate that they comply fully with the highest standards of customer service and key operational standards.

Councillor Steve Beasant, the council’s portfolio holder for communities and neighbourhoods, said: “Drivers have used their own initiative to take this course, which shows their commitment to passengers receiving the very best possible service.

“Passing an academic qualification not only gives drivers greater confidence that their job is a valuable and important one, but shows the council’s commitment to further education for all its employees.

“As someone who has just passed an academic qualification at Huddersfield University I fully support the idea of lifelong learning, in this case I am sure it will add power and weight to their overall knowledge.”

A YOUNG GRIMSBY ACTOR WHO WAS BROUGHT UP ON THE EAST MARSH HAS BEEN NOMINATED FOR A PRESTIGIOUS FILM AWARD.

A young Grimsby actor who was brought up on the East Marsh, and attended Shalom Youth Club has been nominated for a prestigious film award.

Tommy Turgoose who won a 2006 British Independent Film Award for best newcomer – is nominated for the best actor category in the 2008 awards.

Tommy (16), who finished his GCSEs at the Oasis Academy, Wintringham in the summer, was shortlisted for his role in Somers Town.

The British film was inspired by the regeneration of the eponymous neighbourhood in London between the Euston, Kings Cross and St Pancreas stations.

The film’s director, Shane Meadows, who also worked with Tommy on This Is England, is nominated for best director.

Tommy, who is now at college, said: “Everything I do with Shane I seem to get nominated for.
“It’s really exciting to be up for the big award. It’s the one most actors work towards.

“When you have been nominated for best actor, that’s the best it gets.

“Working with Shane was a really great experience the second time.

“When he told me I had got the part I was buzzing, I’m really glad that I got to work with him again.”

“I’m not expecting to win, I know for a fact that Michael Fassbender is going to win.”

Fassbender, who starred in The Hunger, has attracted Oscar buzz.Tommy added: “If I don’t win I would like it to be him because he’s a good mate of mine.”

Somers Town is also shortlisted in the best screenplay and best British independent film categories.

FUEL POVERTY WILL AFFECT MORE THAN 5.5 MILLION HOUSEHOLDS OVER THE COMING YEAR

I am pleased that today’s Grimsby Evening Telegraph reported on the September meeting of full council – it feels like a long time now, but the Notice of Motion that I moved and was seconded by Councillor Les Bonner is now becoming very crucial to vulnerable individuals.

During the meeting I called requested Chief Executive to write to the Prime Minister asking him to take immediate action to end the pre-payment meter tariff, and call upon him to increase the winter fuel allowance. I further requested that the only way to resolve the energy crisis in the long term is to invest in renewable energies in places such as the North Sea and to have a major investment in home insulation as outlined by the Local Government Association.

The Grimsby Evening Telegraph reported me as saying that: “Fuel poverty will affect more than 5.5-million households over the coming year, which means that those households will spend over 10 per cent of their income on energy.

“This will be especially prominent in North East Lincolnshire, where we have one of the lowest average wage counts in the UK.”

“We have families and pensioners in this area struggling to heat their homes, and if the winter is a harsh one, there will be a winter of discontent.

“The Labour Government is simply not addressing the problem and yet we see energy companies announcing record profits.”

These sentiments were shared by Councillor Malcolm Morland (Liberal Democrat, Sidney Sussex), who said: “The energy companies buy their gas from Russia and then store it in France and Germany.

“We, the consumer, have to foot the bill for these storage cost as well as inflated prices. It isn’t right and the Government should look into why energy companies can get away with this.”

The decision to raise the issue with the Labour Government was backed unanimously by council members.

BUSINESS RATES REVALUATION COULD TRIGGER REDUNDANCIES AND BANKRUPTCIES

A financial nightmare is unfolding at docks across England and Wales with the prospect of huge hikes in business rates triggering bankruptcies and redundancies.

The scale of a likely disaster first emerged at the Port of Hull; the first English Port to have received its rating demands (some weeks in advance of other Ports), where port operators have been asked to pay an extra £18.4 millions, (up from £1.6 millions pre 2005 to £20 Millions) including a shock 3 years backdated bills.

Port operators on the South Bank are now bracing themselves for staggering bills as new business rates are rolled out following the new business rate revaluations.

Traditionally, port operators have paid a rent to a landlord such as Associated British Ports, which then paid a sum to the Treasury to cover business rates.

But the Government’s Valuation Office Agency (VOA) – part of HM Revenue and Customs – has changed the system nationally so firms pay an individual rate based on the size of the premises they rent.

And in a move that has angered employers – and the launch of a campaign to have the decision overturned – they are being backdated to April 2005.

Shipping firm Cobelfret has indicated it could lead to 100 job losses at Killingholme, and as the demands are sent out, key figures have warned of the dire pitfalls should it happen. Regional MPs have also secured a meeting with Gordon Brown today to discuss a change to the law.

North East Lincolnshire Council leader, Councillor Andrew De Freitas, said: “There could be lots of jobs at stake. If these rates are backdated it will cripple some businesses.”

“We have two Liberal Democrat MPs on the Treasury Select Committee and we have sent the details to them to put pressure on.”

A website www.fairportrates.co.uk has been set up to support the case of these businesses and an on-line petition established at www.humberbusiness.com ‘Deeply damaging’ bills raise job fears - Humber Business

DON’T BELIEVE POLITICIANS BECAUSE THINGS MUST BE BAD AC/DC TOP THE CHARTS

Last week we had Gordon Brown and Mervyn King, the Bank of England’s governor, admitted that Britain was on the verge of recession: they actually used the dreaded “R” word. Then food sales were reported to have seen their biggest fall for 20 years.

Then, to prove things just can’t get any worse AC/DC are back at the top of the charts. This is apparently a bad omen for Gordon because if he looks back at his history books he will discovery; firstly it is the first time for 28 years, and secondly they always enter the charts at tough economic times.

1973: AC/DC form in Sydney, Australia.

Economy: Start of the oil crisis, which saw the price quadruple

1980: AC/DC release breakthrough album Back In Black

Economy: Inflation in UK reaches 20% and unemployment nears 2 million

1990: AC/DC score comeback with The Razor’s Edge

Economy: Recession in UK imminent

2008: AC/DC top UK album charts

Economy: Biggest world recession in decades looms

EAST MARSH CHILDREN’S CENTRE AND STRAND COMMUNITY SCHOOL SPECTACULAR FIREWORK DISPLAY

East Marsh Children’s Centre is teaming up with Strand Community School to bring you a night to remember. Strand Community School (Junior School site) will be the place to be for this a firework display extravaganza on Wednesday 5 November at 6.30 pm.

Entry is only £1 per family and there will be: fireworks, hot dogs, and whole lot of ooo’s and aaaaaarrrr’s……

Don’t be late, but remember to make sure your pets are safe before you leave home - remember fireworks can scare animals.

EAST MARSH INVOLVE

The next meeting of East Marsh Involve will be held on Tuesday 29 October, 6pm at the Grimsby Neighbourhood Centre, which is on the corner of Wellington Street and Weelsby Street.

On average at least 30 residents attend the East Marsh Involve and at the last meeting almost 60 residents attended. At each meeting many issues are normally discussed and actioned upon, including matters relating to: crime, anti-social behaviour, the environment and other matters of interest and concern relating to the of the East Marsh.

At the last meeting Councillor Steve Beasant promised to draw up an action plan and report back on a number of issues relating to: the Old Art College in Eleanor Street; Oxford Street/Duke Street area; Rutland Street/Tunnard Street; and 105 Robert Street.

All residents are welcome to attend meetings of East Marsh Involve which are held on the last Tuesday of each month; present at each will normally be John Willis (Humberside Police), Ward Councillors, Alan Burley, Shoreline Housing, and the Community Wardens.

SIMPLY RED IS OUT OF FAVOUR WITH NEW LABOUR

The ups and downs of politics often throw up some interesting news items, and I found two tonight on the BBC website.

Firstly, it appears that the New Labour luvvie Mick Hucknell appears to out of favour under the leadership of Gordon Brown.

Mick who is better by his fans as Simply Red was one of the first major celebrities to come on board when Neil Kinnock took charge in the early 1990’s.

In Mick Hucknells’ words “I’ve been shoved aside” by Gordon Brown.

The second story relates to American Presidential race, and the BBC has reported that a 106 year-old American nun who is living in Rome will be voting for Barack Obama.

Apparently she has not voted since 1952 when she voted for President Eisenhower.

Even though Sister Cecilia Gaudette is hard of hearing, she keeps herself informed by reading newspapers and watching TV at the convent.

“I’m encouraged by Senator Obama,” she says.

“I’ve never met him, but he seems to be a good man with a good private life. That’s the first thing. Then he must be able to govern,” she adds.

SCORES ON THE DOORS IS ‘HITTING SUCCESS’

The launch of North East Lincolnshire Council’s Scores On The Doors website has shown that more and more restaurants and caterers are stepping up to the plate and providing excellent hygiene and food management standards.

Nearly 350 inspections have now been uploaded on to the Scores On The Doors website, which launched in April.

The site grades restaurants and other premises selling or serving food from five stars to zero stars, judging the premises on a range of food hygiene and management criteria.

The council’s environmental health manager, said: “The results in the first five months of offering an online service have been promising. Nearly nine out of 10 premises have been awarded two or more stars, showing at least an adequate state of compliance.

“Only five per cent received no stars, which means they will receive education from the council on how to improve standards and quality in their kitchens and restaurant areas.

“We have also had close to 22,000 hits on the website, meaning our online service is fast becoming an important destination for people looking to choose a venue for a night-out or celebration.

“The site serves a twin purpose. Making these results available is encouraging under-performing businesses to raise their game, while highlighting good and excellent practice in others.”

Results for July, released this week, show 11 premises receiving five stars. Only two - Annies in Grant Street, Cleethorpes and Sara Barbecue Kebabs & Takeaway in Freeman Street, Grimsby, received no stars.

Councillor Steve Beasant, portfolio holder for communities and neighbourhoods, said: “I am pleased to see a high-level of compliance amongst our local eateries. I’m sure, as the Scores On The Doors website becomes more popular, we will see more and more restaurants reaching a five-star standard.”

Go to Scores on the Doors for more information

The 10 five-star premises are: Eskimoo Milkshakes; Freshney Place; Paul Butts’ Fish; Cygnet Foods, Birchin Way; Russells; Frenchies; Great Coates Nursery School Kitchen; Grimsby Hall and Lodge; Grimsby Police Station Staff Restaurant; McDonalds Restaurant, Birchin Way; Scartho Junior School Kitchen.

BREATHE EASY OFFERS SUPPORT FOR SUFFERERS OF RESPIRATORY CONDITIONS

A local support group has been set up in the East Marsh and will operate from the Hope Street Medical Centre, Grimsby. The support group has been set up for anyone affected by respiratory condition, either: patients, friends, family or carers.

The new Breathe Easy Support Group will be part of national network of support groups, and there are over 200 throughout the UK, which have 5,000 members between them. More than 20,000 people belong to the Breathe Easy network.

Breathe Easy Support Groups help to provide a network of friends, events and activities that support and empower people affected by lung disease.

Provide mutual support, inform and educate their members and also promote their group, the British Lung Foundation and respiratory disease.

Members can get involved in other aspects of the group, such as fundraising, organising social events and campaigning.

The first meeting of the Grimsby Breathe Easy Support will take place on Friday 31 October at 1.00 pm at Hope Street Medical Centre, DN32 7QL.

Margaret Tait from the British Lung Foundation will be the guest speaker. For more information, please telephone Rachel Branson (Group Secretary) on 01472 313537.

To find out more about the British Lung Foundation click on the following link: http://tinyurl.com/3f4kxr

COULD YOU BE THE FIRST YOUNG MAYOR OF NORTH EAST LINCOLNSHIRE?

ELECTIONS are to take place this autumn to appoint North East Lincolnshire Council’s first-ever Young Mayor.

The appointment will be made following a vote on November 3. The new Young Mayor will take office for a trial period of six weeks, from November 17 until the New Year, to allow the council to assess the scheme. Should it prove successful, future elections for a Young Mayor could become the norm in North East Lincolnshire.

Becky Smith, the North East Lincolnshire representative on the national Youth Parliament, said: “This is an absolutely brilliant opportunity for young people in our area. It is going to involve them in the community more than ever before, and this new post will allow the council to take a key step into including young people in the administration and decision-making of local community services.”

Youngsters between the ages of 12 and 18 who live or attend school or college in North East Linconlshire will be eligible to nominate candidates, stand for election and vote.

Nomination packs are available from Paul Windley on (01472) 324121 or via paul.windley@nelincs.gov.uk. The deadline for the return of nominations is October 21.

Ballot cards will be distributed to eligible voters via schools and colleges.

MANDELSON RECEIVES A GOLDEN HANDSHAKE

There is definitely one thing about Mr. Mandelson he’s is never out of the news, when he is government. Hopefully, it will prove to be a good thing our local businesses and industry.

However, at the moment it appears he is in the news for all the wrong reasons: yet again!

According to the Independent on Sunday: Peter Mandelson will pick up a £1m “golden goodbye” package following his departure from Brussels, despite walking out after serving only four years as Britain’s European Commissioner.

They reckon he will receive a £104,000 salary as a minister in the House of Lords, and qualifies for a total of £234,000 in “transitional payments” over the next three years to help him readjust to life outside the European Commission (or shall we say to normality – for some anyway).

He will also be guaranteed an EU pension when he reaches 65 – in 2018 – starting at £31,000 a year and rising in line with the cost of living. The overall cost of funding such a pension is put at £750,000 (which will note doubt fall on the British tax payers).

It appears that the new Lord is exempt from the Credit Crunch and doesn’t know the meaning of living on the ‘bread line’ because he can also look forward to an additional annual payment of £78,000 for the next three years. I just wonder why he had to seek out Mr. Blair’s advice before accepting the job the other week.

The gold-plated package will help Mr. Mandelson pay off the mortgage on his £2.4m house in Regent’s Park, London. The minister bought the property in 2006, two years into his term in Brussels, with a £750,000 loan – some four times his then salary.

There is no wonder that the minister is coming under a great deal of scrutiny and he hasn’t even taken his seat in the House of Lords. The details of this pay off are already causing disquiet amongst MEPs as well his relationship with Oleg Deripaska: I am sure these affairs will not go away quickly.

A senior Tory member of the MPs’ European Scrutiny Committee, urged Mr. Mandelson to reject the pay-out. He said: “It is not as if he’s lost his job. If he takes this money, it will be a bad example for a government criticising severance payments and City bonuses.”

ANOTHER DRUGS DEN CLOSED DOWN BY POLICE ON GRIMSBY’S WEST MARSH

A fourth “crack house” has been closed down in Grimsby this is the second closure in the West Marsh area the first was in Bramble Close. There have been similar closures in both Patrick Street, and Roberts Street (East Marsh).

Officers swooped after a closure order was granted for 33 Henry Street, where there have been persistent problems with drug dealing.

Residents’ lives have been made a misery as a constant stream of “customers” visited the property day and night.

However, they will now be turned away after police put two signs up, simply saying “Closed”, in the windows of the house.

Police said residents of the street, and the West Marsh area, will now be able to enjoy a little “peace and quiet”.

District judge granted the closure order at Grimsby Magistrates’ Court yesterday, after officers served the occupant with a closure notice on Tuesday.

The district judge praised the work of the local community and the local PCSO, who prepared a body of evidence.

Following a raid in September, police uncovered a quantity of Class A drugs – including what is believed to be heroin – and associated paraphernalia.

Prior to any ‘crack house’ closure the police have to carry out a great deal of paperwork: in this case, like with the other three instances their efforts have paid off. Let’s hope that normality can return to the local community as quickly as possible.