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Leicestershire MattersJuly 2007 - Issue 2Please tell us your views!
Leicestershire Matters is all about YOU and your County Council.
We want to include stories on County Council services that you will find interesting and useful - please let us know if we are succeeding!
You can call us on 0116 305 6162 or 0116 305 6967, or e-mail: Leics-Matters@leics.gov.uk. Alternatively, write to us at: Leicestershire Matters, Room 211, Public Relations Unit, Chief Executive’s Department, County Hall, Glenfield, Leicestershire LE3 8RA.
The results of our residents’ survey have shown high and improving levels of satisfaction with many of our services.
You have told us that our libraries, waste sites and the way we handle anti-social behaviour have all improved. More people told us they were kept well informed about our services and most said we are making the County a better place to live.
Every three years all councils are required to conduct a random survey of their residents, using a number of set questions.
We received more than 2,500 replies. This was one of the highest response rates in the country with more than half of those who received the survey taking the time to reply.
Despite largely improving scores for our services, the results did show a slight fall in overall satisfaction with the council as a whole. Although this follows the national trend, it will be looked at in detail to see why there is a difference between satisfaction with our services and satisfaction with the Council, and so that we can make further improvements.
For more details about the survey and voicing your views about our services visit Have Your Say, e-mail: haveyoursay@leics.gov.uk or call Andy Brown on 0116 305 6096.
New parking attendants, in distinctive red and black uniforms are making sure that drivers park considerately across Leicestershire.
Council-employed parking attendants are now enforcing restrictions in council car parks and on the streets. They can issue parking fines - called Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) - anywhere there are parking restrictions, such as yellow lines, loading bays, limited time areas and marked bays, including parking behind yellow lines on pavements or verges.
 Police will still deal with vehicles causing an obstruction, such as parking on the footpath, but the attendants will alert the police immediately if they see motorists parking dangerously.The parking attendants will patrol over 300 miles of parking restrictions and all council car parks, varying the pattern of when each is visited.
The fine for both is £60, reduced to £30 if paid within 14 days. Parking attendants cannot accept payment and cannot cancel a notice once issued.
The notice includes payment details and instructions on how to appeal should you wish to do so. If done within 14 days you could still pay the reduced rate.
Money collected will fund the scheme, which is operated as a partnership between the County and the District Council, including paying attendants and processing fines. Any extra will be invested to improve transport in Leicestershire.
For more details call our hotline on: 08458 450 450, visit Parkingmatters or e-mail: parkingmatters@leics.gov.uk
Pictured - On patrol... new parking attendants
Why not join an adult leaning course?
 Why not join one of our fantastic adult learning courses available at a centre near you this autumn?
There are computer, language, cookery and art courses, to name a few, as well as basic help with English and maths – whatever your choice, there’s a course here for you.
Some are free or there may be discounts and financial help with exam fees, childcare costs, materials and transport.
GoLearn! brochures will be delivered to many households with free papers in August, or to order a copy e-mail adultlearning@leics.gov.uk. Alternatively, search for a course at Adult Education and Activities.
Go on, indulge yourself, and GoLearn!
Pictured - A new skill... why not learn yoga?
We are working with many organisations across Leicestershire to make your life healthier, safer and more prosperous as well as enabling you to influence decisions – whatever your age.
This partnership is called Leicestershire Together.
David Parsons, Leader of the County Council and Chairman of Leicestershire Together said: “I am delighted that the County Council is part of such an innovative partnership. It is helping to deliver services to local people in new ways, which are more efficient, cost less and meet their needs.”
All the projects in this feature are organised through Leicestershire Together and its Local Area Agreements. There are also many more, including reducing the number of teenage smokers, getting more people involved in active sport and making you feel safer in your homes and community.
For more details on this unique partnership, please visit Leicestershire Together e-mail: LT@leics.gov.uk or call 0116 305 8117.
Youth clubs meet right across the County and give young people a chance to have fun and get support.
 We know that life isn't always easy for teenagers, so youth clubs give them the chance to meet friends in comfortable, safe surroundings and have some fun. Youth club activities include arts, sports, outdoor education and environmental and residential opportunities.In addition, youth workers are there to listen, offer advice and be someone to trust.
We also recognise that teenage years can be particularly difficult for some young people, such as those who are carers, have learning difficulties or disabilities, are from black and minority ethnic communities or are gay, lesbian or bisexual.
Because of this, we are particularly keen to get these young people involved in youth clubs – to give them the social interaction and support they may need. We have been successful in increasing numbers from 1,420 to 1,875, but we’d like even more to get involved.
To find a youth club near you, please call 0116 305 6338, e-mail: youthservice@leics.gov.uk or visit Youth Groups & Activities or The Jitty.
A fantastic programme of walks and other activities, designed to help you get out and discover the delightful hidden treasures of the Leicestershire countryside, is being held in August.
The ‘Walking Festival’ is on Saturday 4th August, at Bosworth Battlefield Visitor Centre and Country Park from 9.30am until about 4.30pm. There are walks for everyone lasting from 30 minutes to all day. There are also family activities, health and advice stands, and competitions with great prizes. Enjoy being outdoors and get a buzz from feeling fitter.
For more information and booking call 0116 305 8160 or visit Walking Festival.
Do you want control over how your care is provided, and, by whom?
 If so, our direct payments scheme could help. We will need to assess you to find out what help you need and then you could be given money to make your own arrangements. Jan is totally blind and uses a wheelchair. She uses direct payments and said: “I don’t have people to ‘care’ for me anymore – I employ them now. It puts me in control.
“Before, my carers helped me to get me up and get me to bed – but not at the times I wanted. Sometimes I was in bed before my children!
“With direct payments, you employ the person, arrange the times, direct and manage their work – and pay them. This has enabled me to be as independent as I possibly can be.”
Victor’s daughter has learning disabilities. He said: “Direct payments are easy to organise and because of them, we could employ people from the centre where Julie goes. If we’d had people she didn’t know, she may not have taken to them.”
For more information on direct payments please call 0116 305 7404, e-mail: adultsocialcare@leics.gov.uk or visit Organising care with Direct Payments.
Pictured - A great help…Bali (pictured left) says direct payments have given him more independence and control over his life.
Do you use childcare?
Is it in the right location? Is it affordable? Is it what you want? As part of our aim to meet the childcare needs of parents across Leicestershire, we’ll be asking what kind of childcare you need, when you need it, and why.
Your feedback will be compared with what already exists in your area. If there are gaps we will try to fill them by supporting existing childcare providers or helping new providers to set up – equipping them with business skills, advice and funding opportunities.
Your views will also help us to anticipate demand and make plans to ensure there is enough quality childcare for all families with children aged 0 -19 – from nurseries to after-school clubs.
It’s all part of our duty to ensure that Leicestershire has a high quality, flexible childcare market that supports the changing needs of parents and carers. Our aim is to provide the best possible opportunities for growth and development for children – you can help us to achieve this.
We will be publishing a childcare assessment report before the end of March 2008.
If you’re a parent and would like to take part in the survey – let us know. Call 0116 305 6545, e-mail: childcare@leics.gov.uk or visit Early Years & Childcare.
We are offering mature drivers help and advice so they can remain safe motorists.
 For just £10, drivers over the age of 60 can receive a friendly one-to-one assessed drive with an experienced instructor.Our safer driving with age programme (SAGE) provides mature drivers with the confidence to continue motoring safely.
Each evaluation is tailored to the individual. It takes place in the areas where the participant would usually drive, is undertaken in their own car and they can be met at their home address by the instructor.
Julia Harman, from Hinckley, has taken part in the programme. She said: “I found the SAGE assessment to be very useful and would certainly recommend the scheme.
“The instructor made me feel relaxed and at ease and gave me some useful tips which have updated my knowledge.”
The assessment takes one hour. When completed drivers receive a certificate and a written report.
For more details visit SAGE Safer Driving With Age or call Marian Mugglestone on 0116 305 7231 or e-mail: mmugglestone@leics.gov.uk.
Pictured - Safe driver… Julia Harman recommends our scheme
A summer of swashbuckling fun is promised across the County with a host of fun events.
The Market Towns Pirates Events will give visitors the opportunity to play in the sand on a own desert island amongst rustling palm trees and to hunt for buried treasure.
You can follow our treasure map around the streets and collect amazing pirate facts! There will be fairground rides, face painting, dressing up, colouring competitions and much more!
Pirate events will be held at:
For more details, please call 0116 305 7025 or visit .
A £45million plan to revamp education in Melton Mowbray and the Vale of Belvoir is making significant progress.
The ambitious plans to rebuild and refurbish schools in the area over the next two years will involve:
The exciting revamp follows three rounds of extensive public consultation. It aims to provide the best possible environment for education in Melton and the Vale of Belvoir and raise standards of attainment and achievement by pupils.
For more information call David Atterbury on 0116 305 7729, e-mail: datterbury@leics.gov.uk or visit Melton Mowbray and the Vale of Belvoir School Reorganisation.
The two latest state-of-the-art new school buildings in Leicestershire will open their doors to students in September.
Work at the exciting new £11 million Shepshed High School and £13 million Oadby Gartree High School is now complete.
 Students and teachers at both schools will enjoy a full range of classrooms, science and design laboratories, dining, sports and assembly halls.Staff and students have been able to contribute to the design of the new buildings, including room layouts, colours and furniture.
Ivan Ould, our Cabinet Lead Member for Children’s and Young People’s Services, said: “The new buildings are tremendous. They will provide an excellent learning and teaching environment for students and staff.”
The new developments were funded by the County Council, with assistance from the Department for Education and Skills (DfES).
They are the final schools to be completed as part of our programme to replace four high schools in Leicestershire with brand new buildings. Castle Rock High School in Coalville and Bushloe High School in Wigston have already opened and have been extremely well received by students and staff.
For more information about the programme call 0116 305 6551, e-mail: childrensservices@leics.gov.uk or visit New Buildings
Pictured - Opening next term… the new Shepshed High School
Why not join one of the top deck tours taking place around the County this summer?
The bus top tours are a fun, practical and easy way to get around to many key attractions, historic sites, picturesque villages and the County’s beautiful countryside.
In addition, local concessionary bus passes can now be used on these tours.
The tours are organised by Leicester Shire Promotions. For details visit Go Leicestershire call the tourist information line on 0906 294 1113 (25p/min), or visit the Leicester Tourist Information Centre. Booking in advance is recommended.
Every year we tell you how we are performing.
Our Annual Plan shows how well we performed last year against our priorities, and sets out our targets to improve services in the coming year. This will help you to judge the quality and cost of our services and to compare us against other local authorities.
Our plan for 2007-08 has just been published. It is available on our website - Annual Reports or for a paper copy call 0116 305 6371 or e-mail: cgillie@leics.gov.uk
Information on Leicestershire's County Councillors.
View the complete list of Councillors, and search by district, division, political party or alphabetical.
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