Leicestershire Matters

In this issue we have good news on how we are helping to prevent anti-social behaviour, how you can help your community by becoming a ‘lollipop’ person and how you could win a luxury hamper of local food.

Your views on Leicestershire Matters are always welcome as we want to know if we are including stories and information that you find useful and interesting. Please also let us know if there are any County Council-related subjects you would like us to include.

You can call us on 0116 305 6162 or 0116 305 6967, or email: 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.

Young people in six trial areas can use the vouchers on participating buses and taxis, thanks to our ground-breaking new pilot scheme.

The vouchers, which are valid until the end of the summer, are in £1 units and can be used with cash to pay for fares.

The trial is open to those who pay for post-16 educational transport and live in and around:

County Council Leader, David Parsons, said: “Young people in rural areas have told us they often cannot afford to use buses and taxis.  We have listened to them and believe this pilot scheme will increase their independence.”

Jess Robinson, from Husbands Bosworth, said: “I think this is a great idea.  Having £50 in vouchers is really helping out with the journeys I need to make – it is saving me so much money!”

Eligible young people have been notified by post. If the trial is successful, it could be extended to more areas of the County.

For more information, call 0116 305 8777 or e-mail: passengertransport@leics.gov.uk

Leicestershire is the fifth highest performing County in the country for recycling and composting. As a County, we recycle and compost more than 42.5% of our household rubbish – and we want to increase this to 50% by 2010.

However, we do need to reduce the amount of waste going to landfill, so we are asking the Government for money to build a 130 million waste treatment plant.  

If successful, we will ask waste companies to bid for a contract later this year.  This is likely to take up to two years as there will be rigorous process to ensure we chose the best option for value for money and for the environment.

The winning bidder is expected to have a plant built and running by 2015.  

We are not committed to any particular technology but we feel a treatment solution that could provide heat and power to homes or businesses would be cost effective. Where the plant will be is yet to be decided.

In June we will be publicising and consulting on the final version of plans to deal with all types of waste. These will set out how much waste will need to be dealt with up to 2021 and where this will be done.

For information, visit the Planning pages of this website or call 0116 305 7041, e-mail:  planningcontrol@leics.gov.uk

Our street-based workers are meeting young people aged between 10 and 18 to find ways to stop rowdy behaviour, drinking and vandalism.

They are doing this by challenging anti-social behaviour, identifying young people’s needs and issues and showing them where to find support and activities.

Thanks to the extra money, the Impact project will be extended to more areas of the County, running from six to 12 weeks at each location. Information from the police and our district council partners will be used to help choose the areas to be targeted.

Byron Rhodes, our Cabinet Member for Community Safety, said: “This money means we can target more areas where the behaviour of a few young people is causing concern.

“We are determined to reduce anti-social behaviour in our communities and to help young people to get involved in more positive activities.”

For more details about how we are tackling anti-social behaviour, visit the Anti-Social Behaviour pages of this website, e-mail youthoffending@leics.gov.uk or call 0116 260 6000

We are trying to make parents aware of the potential risks of using the internet, e-mail and mobile phones.

Risks include identity theft, cyberbullying, inappropriate contact through a social networking site and the mistaken downloading of disturbing images.

These can all be avoided through a series of simple actions by parents, teachers and carers. These include:

For more details visit the Cybersafe pages of this website.

If you do, you can do all of this and more through the County Council.

Last year we:

You can also arrange a celebratory event, which is not legally binding, including:

Since May 2006 we have also helped 2,250 people to apply for British Citizenship through our nationality checking service. This service has been praised by the Home Office and we have been placed in the top three nationally by a senior caseworker.

We have register offices at:

There are also 56 licensed venues across the County including hotels, stately homes and even a castle.

At County Hall and Melton Mowbray we can also record your ceremony onto DVD or broadcast it over the internet.

For a brochure, or for more information about any of the services mentioned, please call 0116 305 6565, or 0116 305 8158 for the nationality checking service or visit the Registration pages of this website

Leicester-Shire Arts in Education helps young people to develop their ability in dance, music and drama.

Young people from the age of seven, can join bands, orchestras, dance and theatre groups. They can meet others and also have a chance to perform in front of an audience – at prestigious venues such as De Montfort Hall.

Last year, more than 25,000 children and young people took part in activities. More than 500 also performed at the Royal Albert Hall in front of 5,000 people at the Schools Prom.

18-year-old trumpet-player Matthew Yardley (pictured) joined 10 years ago. He has played in semi-professional orchestras and bands as well as with Arts in Education. Matthew aims to pursue a career as a professional musician. He now has a place to study music at Leeds University, including a scholarship to study abroad.

He said: “Arts in Education has given me enormous support and many opportunities. These include meeting people, building my confidence and self-esteem and travelling and playing in Spain, Italy and Belgium. Also, I wanted to try jazz music and within a week they had sorted out lessons.

“It’s a great feeling to perform in front of an audience. The buzz you get when you know you’ve worked hard and it’s gone well is unbelievable.”

Young people have to audition for some music groups, but not all. There is a charge, but activities are partially subsidised to keep costs down.

Arts in Education is a partnership between the County Council and Leicester City Council.

For more details about joining and auditions, which will be held from June, visit the Arts in Education pages of this website or call 0116 270 0850.

The plan for up to 15,000 homes has been shortlisted by the Government, along with 14 other areas across England.

The Government asked for eco town proposals to help meet an expected shortfall in houses. The Co-operative Group has made this proposal, known as Pennbury.

The area has previously been ruled out for development because:  

Comments can be made to the Government until 30th June. A further opportunity for comments will be given and the Government will make a final decision later this year.  

You can e-mail: ecotowns@communities.gsi.gov.uk with comments or questions, or write to: Eco-towns Team, Housing and Growth Programmes, Department for Communities and Local Government, 2/H9 Eland House, Bressenden Place, London SW1E 5DU.

We want to continue to deliver the best services. To do this, we need to keep attracting the brightest, most creative and talented people. People just like you.

Could you help us deliver the best services? Why not join us and discover your true potential.

We’re creating an environment that’s friendly, welcoming and open to change. One that’s as diverse as it is fast-moving, and where challenge and reward go hand-in-hand.

Our values are:

What can we offer you?

We feel our benefits make a significant addition to our overall employment package. Some of these benefits are listed below.