Leicestershire Matters

July 2008 - Issue 8

Ready, steady…read!

Get ready for a free reading challenge at all libraries in the County this summer.

Children, aged four to 12, can go for gold by collecting a free, reflective membership card and foldout stadium poster from their local library*.

They can then race ahead in their reading, collecting stickers to win a Team Read gold medal and certificate – the sign of a real reading champion!

All children who complete the Team Read challenge will also be entered into a prize draw to win special prizes.

Team Read is all about having fun and encouraging every child to be proud of their own reading, whether they’re sporty or not.

Under-fours will have their own challenge, the Team Read Bookstart Bookcrawl, and will get stickers as they borrow books and a splendid certificate when they have completed their challenge.

Leicestershire Libraries will be running free Team Read activities throughout the summer. For details about these or Team Read call into your local library or visit: Team Read

It’s free to join the library and there’s something for all the family.

*Available while stocks last.

A star for 2012?

More than 50 youngsters from 14 different sports have received medals and trophies in recognition of their improvement.

They were awarded at the annual presentation evening organised by the Leicester-Shire & Rutland Competitions Board and held at County Hall.

Young swimmer, Bradley Matthews (15, pictured below), a student at Winstanley Community College in Braunstone Town, was presented with the prestigious Chairman’s Trophy.

Bradley is currently ranked as the fifth best junior in the country and we hope to see him at the 2012 Olympics!

For more details about the awards, visit: www.lrsport.org.uk call Kate Scott on 01509 226769 or e-mail: k.scott@lboro.ac.uk

Egyptian Leicestershire

You can experience the excitement of Ancient Egypt this summer without even leaving Leicestershire!

Deserts of golden sand will be transforming town centres across the County as part of our Egyptian Leicestershire events.

Activities will include creating your own Egyptian mask, learning to write your name in hieroglyphics, listening to stories about ancient kingdoms or building a pyramid in the sand whilst ‘mummies’ and daddies relax in deckchairs!

Events have already taken place in Syston, Ashby and Blaby, but you can still enjoy a taste of Ancient Egypt at the following venues:

Melton Mowbray Thurs 17 & Fri 18 July – Market Place
Earl Shilton Thurs 31 July – Town Centre
Hinckley Fri 1 & Sat 2 August – Argents mead
Lutterworth Fri 8 August – Town Hall Car park
Wigston Sat 9 August – Bell Street
Coalville Fri 15 August – Marlborough Square
Loughborough Sun 17 - Wed 20 August – Market Place
Market Harborough Wed 6 August – The Square

Town centre libraries will also be joining in the fun with Egyptian-themed competitions throughout the summer.

For more details about the Egyptian Leicestershire events, visit: Egyptian Leicestershire call 0116 305 7031 or e-mail: jbillington@leics.gov.uk

Log-on today!

Our website is on target to receive more than five million visits this year.

Almost 6,000 Leicestershire residents are using the site every day.

By logging-on, you can apply for jobs with the County Council, school places and renew or reserve library books.

You can also take part in consultation exercises, view agendas and minutes for Council meetings, search for adult education courses and much more.

Remember, if you do not have the internet at home, you can always access the website for free at your local library or service shop.

The Cabinet

Our key decision-making body

The County Council's Cabinet is the key decision-making body for the Council. For more information visit the Cabinet pages of this website, telephone 0116 305 6034 or e-mail dpitt@leics.gov.uk

Find out more

Do you want to find out more about working for the County Council?

If so, our recruitment staff are attending a number of events throughout the County this summer.

The aim is to promote the County Council as an employer and to talk to as many people as possible who may be looking for work or a change of career.

You can visit our recruitment stalls at the:

Caribbean Carnival on Saturday, 2^nd August at Victoria Park in Leicester
Loughborough Mela on Sunday, 24^th August
Leicester Mela on Sunday, 14^th September
Leicester Mercury Jobsfair on Wednesday, 24^th September.

We will also be visiting school and college careers evenings throughout the autumn to let students know about the opportunities available at the Council.

For our latest jobs, check out Jobs or visit us at one of the events.

Jobs in libraries

If you are outgoing, flexible, enjoy helping people and serving the public, then why not come and join us? Library children

We are looking for library services assistants at various libraries throughout the County.

With experience of using computers and a love of books, you'll be part of a team providing a welcoming, efficient and positive service to all library users.

A standard Criminal Record Bureau check applies to these posts.

Vacancies are advertised on our website at: Jobs Please check regularly for jobs in your area.

A casual approach to employment

We have many ‘casual’ jobs available throughout the County.

People are needed to fill short-term posts, to:

Help us meet demand for our services
Do simple specific projects
Cover for staff absences.

We also have a range of permanent and temporary posts which are advertised on our jobs website.

The length of casual employment can range from a few days part-time work to a 12-week full-time contract. They are usually advertised locally, such as at schools, care homes or libraries.

There is regular demand for administrative and clerical support. This may include:

Data inputting
Filing
Reception and telephone enquiry handling
Reconciling invoices
Issuing bus passes.

There are also casual jobs which may be available on a more ad hoc basis. These could include:

Theatre assistants at Snibston Discovery Park
Colliery guides at Snibston Discovery Park
Traffic counters
Staff for residential homes for the elderly
Work at community homes for young people
Work with people with learning disabilities
Library assistants
Drivers and escorts
School crossing patrols
Caretakers.

Schools throughout the County may also need lunchtime supervisors and learning support assistants to work on a short-term basis from time to time. Please contact schools directly if you are interested in this sort of work.

A Criminal Record Bureau check will be required for anyone working with children or vulnerable adults.

To register your interest in casual work at the County Council please visit our website at: Jobs or call 0116 605 8300

Code for Councillors

All Councillors have to behave in line with a Code of Conduct.

New arrangements have been agreed under which complaints about County Councillors are dealt with locally by our Standards Committee.

On receiving a complaint, the committee will decide if it should be investigated, and then may conduct a hearing. Very serious or sensitive complaints may be referred to the National Standards Board.

Independent committee chairman, Martin Caple, said: “I welcome the decision to give the Standards Committee more power to deal with complaints locally. I have confidence the committee will deal with this well and will continue to promote the highest standards of conduct amongst County Councillors.”

If you have a complaint about County Councillors write to Elizabeth McCalla, Monitoring Officer, Leicestershire County Council, County Hall, Glenfield, Leicestershire, LE3 8RA with the details.

For more information about the new arrangements, visit: Standards of Conduct call 0116 305 6006 or e-mail: emccalla@leics.gov.uk

Getting there by bus

Visiting one of the many attractions in the County by bus is now even easier.

Our detailed and easy-to-use Leicestershire Attractions… by Bus guide is now bigger and better. It contains even more popular County venues which can be reached easily on the bus network.

The booklet includes bus service details and opening times for over 60 places of interest. This includes family favourites such as Twycross Zoo, Snibston Discovery Park, Conkers and the Great Central Railway.

For a copy call 0116 305 8777, e-mail: passengertransport@leics.gov.uk visit: By Bus or call into tourist information centres, libraries and service shops.

Minding children

Childminders in Leicestershire provide high quality care for children, and contribute towards their learning and development.

They also provide highly flexible care - to suit the needs of parents and carers.

Childminders can also be a great option for childcare because they:

Will be boosting children’s achievements in areas such as staying safe, being healthy and enjoying and achieving, through the Early Years Foundation Stage, from September
Can offer up to 15 hours of free childcare for 38 weeks a year for all three and four-year-olds, if they have a level three qualification
Can be trained up to graduate level – the same as teachers
Are all registered with OfSTED and must meet national minimum standards.

There are around 900 childminders in the County. They offer a range of childcare to fit around families’ needs. This could include providing childcare places during the day, at night, in the late evening, early morning, at weekends or picking children up from school.

For more details on childminders in your area, or on becoming a childminder, call the Family Information Service on 0116 305 6545, e-mail: family@leics.gov.uk or visit: Childcare

Dear Keith…

Thousands of people contact trading standards each year and we have asked our Head of Consumer Services, Keith Regan, to answer one of your questions.

Dear Keith,

I run an internet based business working from home. What help and support can trading standards offer me?

Leicestershire Trading Standards runs a free Business Advice Service. This can give you friendly, expert advice on trading laws.

Many small or medium sized businesses in the County may feel isolated – particularly those based at home. They may not know about trading standards legislation or think it’s costly to get advice.

However, trading standards can offer your business confidential advice either over the phone or we can visit your business.

Advice is available on many aspects of running your business, including:

Preparing terms and conditions for contracts
Helping you to deal with customer complaints
Advice on your rights and responsibilities when dealing with other businesses
A free DVD called ‘Get it right first time,’ which gives examples of how trading standards has helped Leicestershire businesses, is available too.

For business advice, or a copy of the free DVD, visit: Trading Standards, call 0116 305 8000 or e-mail: trading-standards@leics.gov.uk

Win Food and Drink Festival tickets

Would you like to win free tickets to the largest regional food festival in the UK?

We have four pairs of tickets to give away for the East Midlands Food and Drink Festival on October 4^th and 5^th at Brooksby Hall near Melton Mowbray. Children can attend for free so it is a great chance for a family day out.

Celebrity chefs including Clarissa Dickson Wright, Rachel Green and Anjum Anand will be at this year’s event.

The festival is organised by the Melton Food Partnership and Infodex with support from the County Council. The event follows the Leicester Shire Food Fortnight, which runs from September 20^th to October 3.

For a chance to win, simply answer the question:

Name one of the celebrity chefs who will be at the East Midlands Food and Drink Festival.

Send your answer by e-mail to smcartney@leics.gov.uk including details of your name, age, address and postcode by Monday 4th August.

Huge discounts on courses

We are giving adult learners a massive 20% discount off our new autumn/winter course fees if they enrol before 31^st July, 2008.

There are hundreds of day and evening courses at colleges, libraries and centres throughout Leicestershire. Whether you want to acquire new skills, new qualifications, new interests, a new direction, a new job or a new you, we have something for everyone.

To help save the environment our full course brochure is not being delivered to all households this year. However, you can view our whole programme of courses online, or use our course search facility. You can also phone us free of charge and we will post or e-mail you all the information you require.

For course details or to enrol just visit: GoLearn or call freephone 0800 988 0308, Monday to Friday 10am-8pm and Saturdays 10am-1pm.

It couldn’t be easier to find a course and enrol Sign up before 31^st July to qualify for this huge discount and fit learning into your life with Leicestershire County Council!

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