NORTH East Lincolnshire Council will be launching a brand new website this month, marking the beginning of a new era in providing local services and information online.
The website has been developed using feedback from customers and employees. It looks cleaner and brighter and will be much easier for people to find the information they want. It is simple to use and it will bring many benefits to the council, local residents and partner organisations. As more and more services become available online, it will be easier and cheaper for customers as they will need to make fewer telephone calls and personal visits to council offices.
The council has been developing the new site over the past year with internet firm Web-Labs, and the first phase of the development is expected to go live on February 16. The new site is part of one of a number of projects in the council’s improvement programme, Towards Top Performance.
The project is an ongoing one. This first phase will see all the important information that the council must provide online, but many more functions will appear on the website as the project is rolled out throughout the year. Some of the other features that will become available include opportunities for people to get involved with polls, forums and blogs. Information will be available on maps so customers will be able to see at a glance the services near to where they live. There will be an events facility, to which community groups can contribute, and a photo gallery allowing people to share their photos of the region.
Rob Walsh, executive director of business services, said: “When the council’s original website was launched in 2003, it was considered at the forefront of local government websites in terms of design and content. But online technology has evolved radically since then, and the functionality we had has become ever-more restrictive. It has also fallen behind the times in terms of accessibility – a shortfall which the council has an obligation to correct.
“This new website gives us the ability to exploit new ways of communicating and delivering services to local people.”
Councillor Steve Beasant who is the cabinet member with responsibility for customer services said: “This new website should prove to be much more successful than the old, outdated site. Technology in recent years as moved forward rapidly. In the coming months more features will be added and this will mean that local residents will be able to take advantage of new ways of accessing services and information.
“We expect they will have a much better customer experience and be able to find their way around the site much easier.”
The council chose to work with Web-Labs because they have a proven track record of providing local councils with high quality websites and functions tailored to the needs of councils and their customers.
Wednesday, 10 February 2010
USE ST VALENTINE’S SEASON TO HELP MAINTAIN A HEALTHY HEART!
MANY people do not realise that allotments are not only good for growing your own fresh fruit and vegetables but they can also be a great way to help you maintain a healthy heart.
On Friday, February 12, 2010 the North East Lincolnshire Council Allotment Team is having a Valentine’s Day information stall giving you the opportunity to go along and learn more about allotments and ways they can help your health.
Working alongside the Allotment Team will be Hospitality students from the Grimsby Institute of Further and Higher Education who are cooking some fresh soup for you to try. The ingredients that will be used in the soup will consist of seasonal vegetables that can easily be grown on an allotment plot. There will also be a competition with the chance to win some Grimsby Market Vouchers.
Maintaining an allotment plot can provide several health benefits to your heart. It can help you work towards eating the Governments recommended five portions of fruit and vegetables a day by growing your own fresh produce. Tending to a plot is an excellent form of exercise for people of all ages and building friendships can have a positive effect on stress levels.
If you are interested in renting and cultivating an allotment please come and visit us and we will be able to answer any questions you may have and also give you any further details on allotments.
The information stall will be in the Freshney Place Shopping Centre on Friday 12th January from 9.30am-1.30pm at the Freshney Place Flottergate entrance to Grimsby Market.
If you would like any further details about allotments please visit: www.nelincs.gov.uk/leisure/allotments or call Lesley Smith, Allotment Officer on 01472 323394.
On Friday, February 12, 2010 the North East Lincolnshire Council Allotment Team is having a Valentine’s Day information stall giving you the opportunity to go along and learn more about allotments and ways they can help your health.
Working alongside the Allotment Team will be Hospitality students from the Grimsby Institute of Further and Higher Education who are cooking some fresh soup for you to try. The ingredients that will be used in the soup will consist of seasonal vegetables that can easily be grown on an allotment plot. There will also be a competition with the chance to win some Grimsby Market Vouchers.
Maintaining an allotment plot can provide several health benefits to your heart. It can help you work towards eating the Governments recommended five portions of fruit and vegetables a day by growing your own fresh produce. Tending to a plot is an excellent form of exercise for people of all ages and building friendships can have a positive effect on stress levels.
If you are interested in renting and cultivating an allotment please come and visit us and we will be able to answer any questions you may have and also give you any further details on allotments.
The information stall will be in the Freshney Place Shopping Centre on Friday 12th January from 9.30am-1.30pm at the Freshney Place Flottergate entrance to Grimsby Market.
If you would like any further details about allotments please visit: www.nelincs.gov.uk/leisure/allotments or call Lesley Smith, Allotment Officer on 01472 323394.
EAST MARSH NEIGHBOURHOOD PRIORITIES - ACTION TAKEN
Priority 1: Anti Social Behaviour - Stanley Street/ Weelsby Street and Duke Street.
Residents have reported that youths are congregating in the area causing criminal damage and anti social behaviour.
This priority was set by East Marsh Involve for the fifth month. Patrols have been carried out in this area; the problem has also been discussed with local residents together with landlords who have responsibility for premises which has attracted anti social behaviour. Two families have been referred to Support Agencies and support has commenced. The activities undertaken have already resulted in fewer problems. Patrols will continue to focus on the area to maintain this improvement.
This month there have been no calls for service!
Priority 2: Castle Street/ Harold Street - Anti Social Behaviour and Criminal Damage.
This priority was set by East Marsh Involve for the third month. Patrols have been deployed to this area to try and identify youths or families that are causing anti social behaviour and criminal damage.
The activities undertaken have already resulted in fewer problems. Patrols will continue to focus on the area to maintain this improvement.
Priority 3:Guildford Street- Arson
This priority has been raised by East Marsh Involve after having some large fires down the street in the empty properties. Patrols will continue in the area and checks are to be made on the properties together with Shoreline to make sure that they are secure. This is aimed at reducing the risk of arson attacks. There is a reduction in fly tipping in the area but arson still remains a risk.
The Local Authority is exploring options of CCTV to cover Guildford Street, Grimsby.
Priority 4: Parking Issues- Oxford Street, Grimsby
This has been raised by East Marsh Involve for the second month.
Oxford Street is a major carriageway which is heavily used by local traffic meaning that parking issues impact on road safety when cars are parking on double yellows. Cars are also parking on the footpaths which can result in people not been able to walk on the footpaths and having to go onto the road.
Patrols have been deployed in the area and tickets have been issued to divers committing parking offences. Road safety advice has been given to motorists and pedestrians.
Also a letter drop has been carried out on Oxford Street and local businesses have been warned and given a poster to display for customers.
Residents have reported that youths are congregating in the area causing criminal damage and anti social behaviour.
This priority was set by East Marsh Involve for the fifth month. Patrols have been carried out in this area; the problem has also been discussed with local residents together with landlords who have responsibility for premises which has attracted anti social behaviour. Two families have been referred to Support Agencies and support has commenced. The activities undertaken have already resulted in fewer problems. Patrols will continue to focus on the area to maintain this improvement.
This month there have been no calls for service!
Priority 2: Castle Street/ Harold Street - Anti Social Behaviour and Criminal Damage.
This priority was set by East Marsh Involve for the third month. Patrols have been deployed to this area to try and identify youths or families that are causing anti social behaviour and criminal damage.
The activities undertaken have already resulted in fewer problems. Patrols will continue to focus on the area to maintain this improvement.
Priority 3:Guildford Street- Arson
This priority has been raised by East Marsh Involve after having some large fires down the street in the empty properties. Patrols will continue in the area and checks are to be made on the properties together with Shoreline to make sure that they are secure. This is aimed at reducing the risk of arson attacks. There is a reduction in fly tipping in the area but arson still remains a risk.
The Local Authority is exploring options of CCTV to cover Guildford Street, Grimsby.
Priority 4: Parking Issues- Oxford Street, Grimsby
This has been raised by East Marsh Involve for the second month.
Oxford Street is a major carriageway which is heavily used by local traffic meaning that parking issues impact on road safety when cars are parking on double yellows. Cars are also parking on the footpaths which can result in people not been able to walk on the footpaths and having to go onto the road.
Patrols have been deployed in the area and tickets have been issued to divers committing parking offences. Road safety advice has been given to motorists and pedestrians.
Also a letter drop has been carried out on Oxford Street and local businesses have been warned and given a poster to display for customers.
FREE 'POWER DOWNS' AVAILABLE TO HELP YOU SAVE ELECTRICITY AND MONEY
THE Energy Saving Trust will be visiting our Customer Access points in the week commencing February 22 to give general energy saving advice and free Power Downs to the members of the public.
The link below gives details of the Power downs. There is no charge for this and it can help people save up to £25 per year on their energy bills. Each day, 80 of these will be given away based on a first come, first served basis.
For further information; click
HEREThe trust will visit the following locations from 10am to 4pm on the given day:
- Municipal Offices, Grimsby - Feb 22
- Civic Offices, Cleethorpes - Feb 23
- Kennedy Way, Immingham - Feb 26
UNSOLICITED SECURITY SERVICES WORKING IN NORTH EAST LINCOLNSHIRE
Recently, a large number of readers have reported receiving telephone calls from companies making out they are connected with Government Schemes to perform security checks with the offer of free or reduced price burglar alarm systems.
Safelinks advises that if you where to consider the installation of a burglar alarm you should engage the services of a local burglar alarm installer recommended by relatives, friends or neighbours. In any case before allowing anyone into your home you should check with the local trading standards department at council offices.
Humberside Police in North East Lincolnshire provide a free home security check and upgrade by trained fitters. Please telephone Jane Taylor on 01472 324988/324987 for appointment for this very useful service. The Police fitters are experienced in the methods used by burglars in this area and so will help you to avoid a nasty experience.
Any problem contact Safelinks; click HERE
Safelinks advises that if you where to consider the installation of a burglar alarm you should engage the services of a local burglar alarm installer recommended by relatives, friends or neighbours. In any case before allowing anyone into your home you should check with the local trading standards department at council offices.
Humberside Police in North East Lincolnshire provide a free home security check and upgrade by trained fitters. Please telephone Jane Taylor on 01472 324988/324987 for appointment for this very useful service. The Police fitters are experienced in the methods used by burglars in this area and so will help you to avoid a nasty experience.
Any problem contact Safelinks; click HERE
BY THE END OF THIS WINTER THE KEEP WARM, EAT WELL PROJECT WILL HAVE SECURED £1 MILLION IN UNCLAIMED BENEFITS
A project to help the elderly to keep their homes warm this winter and eat properly is starting to make a difference to people’s lives.
The Keep Warm, Eat Well Project is funded by the North East Lincolnshire Care Trust Plus (CTP) and is estimated that by the end of the winter more than £1 million will have been secured in unclaimed benefits for the elderly residents of North East Lincolnshire.
Last winter the CTP highlighted some alarming facts: that many older people living in the borough could not afford to pay their fuel bills and eat properly, which could have been a factor leading to the increased admissions to hospital and higher mortality rates among the elderly population.
The CTP is working in partnership with the Citizens Advice Bureau, Community Advice Service and Home Efficiency Team to provide welfare benefits advice designed to raise the income of the elderly population and to help them keep their home warm this winter.
Sarah Avery, CTP Transforming Care communications project manager, said: “Keep Ward, Eat Well is actively working to tackle poverty and reduce the impact of problems related to low incomes.
The project is successfully increasing older people’s incomes, with vital information and advice to help them access welfare benefit entitlements, pension credit take-up, advice on how to heat their homes economically and how to eat well to stay healthy.”
The campaign focuses on three main contact numbers (01472) 232203 or (01472) 871383 for benefits and council tax advice and (01472) 324782 for heating and insulation advice.
An over-60s drop-in session is now held by the Community Advice Service every Tuesday at the Home Shop, 31 Freeman Street, from 1pm to 4pm; no appointment is needed.
Home visits are also available too by calling (01472) 871383. Older people can help with form filling, Attendance Allowance, Pension Credit and get a full benefit check.
Tony Gaskins, Citizens Advice Bureau Chief Executive, said: “Keep Warm, Eat Well Project is really beginning to make difference in elderly people’s lives. More than £113,000 in additional benefit income has been secured for people who have used the project. Community Advice Service has secured similar benefits for people aged 60 or over.
“While some older people are enjoying more sociable, active and wealthier lifestyles, others remain isolated, poor and relatively powerless.
“Many older people heat one room in the house, buy the cheapest food, and never spend money on holidays or clothes.”
Annmarie Webster, Service Manager at the Community Advice Service, said: “As the recession continues to bite, pensioner poverty is growing. This is why the Keep Warm, Eat Well Project is vital at this time to assist those most in need.”
People aged 60 or over who are worried that their heating bills have increased, or are worried that their homes are not warm enough, should contact the Keep Warm, Eat Well Project to make sure they are receiving their full entitlement to benefits and that they can keep their homes warm.
The Keep Warm, Eat Well Project is funded by the North East Lincolnshire Care Trust Plus (CTP) and is estimated that by the end of the winter more than £1 million will have been secured in unclaimed benefits for the elderly residents of North East Lincolnshire.
Last winter the CTP highlighted some alarming facts: that many older people living in the borough could not afford to pay their fuel bills and eat properly, which could have been a factor leading to the increased admissions to hospital and higher mortality rates among the elderly population.
The CTP is working in partnership with the Citizens Advice Bureau, Community Advice Service and Home Efficiency Team to provide welfare benefits advice designed to raise the income of the elderly population and to help them keep their home warm this winter.
Sarah Avery, CTP Transforming Care communications project manager, said: “Keep Ward, Eat Well is actively working to tackle poverty and reduce the impact of problems related to low incomes.
The project is successfully increasing older people’s incomes, with vital information and advice to help them access welfare benefit entitlements, pension credit take-up, advice on how to heat their homes economically and how to eat well to stay healthy.”
The campaign focuses on three main contact numbers (01472) 232203 or (01472) 871383 for benefits and council tax advice and (01472) 324782 for heating and insulation advice.
An over-60s drop-in session is now held by the Community Advice Service every Tuesday at the Home Shop, 31 Freeman Street, from 1pm to 4pm; no appointment is needed.
Home visits are also available too by calling (01472) 871383. Older people can help with form filling, Attendance Allowance, Pension Credit and get a full benefit check.
Tony Gaskins, Citizens Advice Bureau Chief Executive, said: “Keep Warm, Eat Well Project is really beginning to make difference in elderly people’s lives. More than £113,000 in additional benefit income has been secured for people who have used the project. Community Advice Service has secured similar benefits for people aged 60 or over.
“While some older people are enjoying more sociable, active and wealthier lifestyles, others remain isolated, poor and relatively powerless.
“Many older people heat one room in the house, buy the cheapest food, and never spend money on holidays or clothes.”
Annmarie Webster, Service Manager at the Community Advice Service, said: “As the recession continues to bite, pensioner poverty is growing. This is why the Keep Warm, Eat Well Project is vital at this time to assist those most in need.”
People aged 60 or over who are worried that their heating bills have increased, or are worried that their homes are not warm enough, should contact the Keep Warm, Eat Well Project to make sure they are receiving their full entitlement to benefits and that they can keep their homes warm.
BEST MONTH EVER FOR RECORDED CRIME IN NORTH EAST LINCOLNSHIRE
SMARTER APPROACHES LEAD TO BEST CRIME MONTH EVER
JANUARY 2010 has seen the lowest number of monthly recorded crimes across the North East Lincolnshire region since records began, in 1996, meaning 57 fewer victims of crime in our area compared to the highest recorded crime figure of 3069 in March 2004.
It is no secret that national targets are tight and changes have been made to the way in which the police work alongside the multitude of communities that make up North East Lincolnshire.
These have been made in order to improve the quality service delivered to residents and businesses across the region.
They have led to ongoing reductions in area's such as burglary and night time economy related violence which can have a lasting impact on victims.
It shows that the division is moving in the right direction but we are striving to achieve further reductions and build on public confidence in the future.
To put these reductions into perspective, January 1997 saw a total of 2071 recorded crimes which actually rose to a peak of 2879 in January 2004 however this year January 2010 has seen just 1309 crimes being recorded across the division.
Detective Chief Insp Bob Clark said: "It is pleasing to see the ongoing hard work throughout the division is starting to bear fruit however there will be members of public out there who still feel we could do more to improve on the service we deliver and that is what we intend to do.
"Along with our partners, we are constantly looking at new ways to tackle crime and disorder issues that cause the most concern throughout the area and how to encourage members of public to work with us in order to make North East Lincolnshire a safer place to live, work or visit.
"For example, making residents aware of emerging issues as soon as we identify them and advising on how to reduce the chances of being targeted has seen significant reductions in burglary in area's traditionally targeted by criminals. This is just one example of how we are looking at involving our communities more in order make life harder for those looking to commit crime.
"Although we feel there are still further improvements to be made in areas such as satisfaction and in particular the perceptions of crime and disorder across the area these figures certainly show that we are moving in the right direction and it is to be hoped that residents will look at what they can do to support our work in the future to continue reducing the number of crimes and victims across North East Lincolnshire."
JANUARY 2010 has seen the lowest number of monthly recorded crimes across the North East Lincolnshire region since records began, in 1996, meaning 57 fewer victims of crime in our area compared to the highest recorded crime figure of 3069 in March 2004.
It is no secret that national targets are tight and changes have been made to the way in which the police work alongside the multitude of communities that make up North East Lincolnshire.
These have been made in order to improve the quality service delivered to residents and businesses across the region.
They have led to ongoing reductions in area's such as burglary and night time economy related violence which can have a lasting impact on victims.
It shows that the division is moving in the right direction but we are striving to achieve further reductions and build on public confidence in the future.
To put these reductions into perspective, January 1997 saw a total of 2071 recorded crimes which actually rose to a peak of 2879 in January 2004 however this year January 2010 has seen just 1309 crimes being recorded across the division.
Detective Chief Insp Bob Clark said: "It is pleasing to see the ongoing hard work throughout the division is starting to bear fruit however there will be members of public out there who still feel we could do more to improve on the service we deliver and that is what we intend to do.
"Along with our partners, we are constantly looking at new ways to tackle crime and disorder issues that cause the most concern throughout the area and how to encourage members of public to work with us in order to make North East Lincolnshire a safer place to live, work or visit.
"For example, making residents aware of emerging issues as soon as we identify them and advising on how to reduce the chances of being targeted has seen significant reductions in burglary in area's traditionally targeted by criminals. This is just one example of how we are looking at involving our communities more in order make life harder for those looking to commit crime.
"Although we feel there are still further improvements to be made in areas such as satisfaction and in particular the perceptions of crime and disorder across the area these figures certainly show that we are moving in the right direction and it is to be hoped that residents will look at what they can do to support our work in the future to continue reducing the number of crimes and victims across North East Lincolnshire."
“COUNTDOWN TO A NEW START”; AND A “FRESH START FOR THE EAST MARSH”
The Grimsby Evening Telegraph are reporting today, that the “Countdown to A New Start” for the East Marsh as now commenced; it is a positive step forward which will result in the demolition of one hundred houses on Guildford Street.
The remaining houses will be radically revamped, and it is hoped that as soon as the Guildford Street site is cleared new low density housing will be built which will radically transform the area; giving a “Fresh Start to the “East Marsh”. It is a one in life-time opportunity, in these difficult time and we need to make the best of the situation.
As reported in the Grimsby Evening Telegraph and on this website, the residents have been consulted on number proposals for the Guildford Street area, which would include a new street layout, home zone, and new low density housing to replace the existing housing; along with plans to revamp the housing that will not be part of the demolition.
The latest move in the development has been met with joy from councillors and the East Marsh Community Group, which wants to see new “aspirational” housing on the site.
Councillor Tony McCabe (Liberal Democrat, East Marsh) said the work is likely to begin in March, with work crews dismantling house interiors on half the closed off area.
He said: “We identified with the public just how far things had gone in terms of dereliction and boarded up properties and decided something practical needed doing. We got external funding from the Homes and Communities Agency, and we added money to that – which totalled £7.9 million. We used this to buy up the properties, and to cover the costs of people moving to new accommodation.”
Councillor Steve Beasant (Liberal Democrat, East Marsh) said: “It’s absolutely fantastic that we have moved a step closer to the demolition of Guildford Street.
“We are over the moon”
He said it would eliminate anti-social behaviour in the area. As reported, the boarded up homes had been a target of arsonist in recent months, which had been a cause of concern.
He added the next step would be the development of the site, full details of which have not yet been revealed.
“It’s a great opportunity to see what can then be developed on that area,” he added.
“This will be determined by what residents want to see put into place.
“But it will based on low density housing, aspirational housing – and build up people’s life chances – rather than a mish mash.”
John Harrison, Chair of East Marsh Involve said: “Everybody I have spoken to has seen the demolition as a way forward. It’s a start of a wider development of the East Marsh, which is definitely overdue.
“I have lived here since 1979, and back then it was quiet nice, respectable street, made up of families from the fishing industry.
“In the last in the last twenty years it has been in decline – although this will see the area climb back.
“I would like to see good affordable housing here; be it for the first-time buyer or the elderly.”
Alan Burley is the community development worker in the East Marsh. He said: “At the beginning of the process the residents didn’t trust anyone. They had heard it all before, and been consulted before, and had lost faith.
“Now residents are seeing things happen, they are happy to be part of the process.”
The remaining houses will be radically revamped, and it is hoped that as soon as the Guildford Street site is cleared new low density housing will be built which will radically transform the area; giving a “Fresh Start to the “East Marsh”. It is a one in life-time opportunity, in these difficult time and we need to make the best of the situation.
As reported in the Grimsby Evening Telegraph and on this website, the residents have been consulted on number proposals for the Guildford Street area, which would include a new street layout, home zone, and new low density housing to replace the existing housing; along with plans to revamp the housing that will not be part of the demolition.
The latest move in the development has been met with joy from councillors and the East Marsh Community Group, which wants to see new “aspirational” housing on the site.
Councillor Tony McCabe (Liberal Democrat, East Marsh) said the work is likely to begin in March, with work crews dismantling house interiors on half the closed off area.
He said: “We identified with the public just how far things had gone in terms of dereliction and boarded up properties and decided something practical needed doing. We got external funding from the Homes and Communities Agency, and we added money to that – which totalled £7.9 million. We used this to buy up the properties, and to cover the costs of people moving to new accommodation.”
Councillor Steve Beasant (Liberal Democrat, East Marsh) said: “It’s absolutely fantastic that we have moved a step closer to the demolition of Guildford Street.
“We are over the moon”
He said it would eliminate anti-social behaviour in the area. As reported, the boarded up homes had been a target of arsonist in recent months, which had been a cause of concern.
He added the next step would be the development of the site, full details of which have not yet been revealed.
“It’s a great opportunity to see what can then be developed on that area,” he added.
“This will be determined by what residents want to see put into place.
“But it will based on low density housing, aspirational housing – and build up people’s life chances – rather than a mish mash.”
John Harrison, Chair of East Marsh Involve said: “Everybody I have spoken to has seen the demolition as a way forward. It’s a start of a wider development of the East Marsh, which is definitely overdue.
“I have lived here since 1979, and back then it was quiet nice, respectable street, made up of families from the fishing industry.
“In the last in the last twenty years it has been in decline – although this will see the area climb back.
“I would like to see good affordable housing here; be it for the first-time buyer or the elderly.”
Alan Burley is the community development worker in the East Marsh. He said: “At the beginning of the process the residents didn’t trust anyone. They had heard it all before, and been consulted before, and had lost faith.
“Now residents are seeing things happen, they are happy to be part of the process.”
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
