Leicestershire Matters

Spring 2006

Go Leicestershire

A NEW free guide to the best of Leicestershire’s attractions is now available.

The Go Leicestershire! visitor guide, produced by Leicester Shire Promotions, highlights the best places to visit in the County and City and offers suggestions for short breaks, places to eat and drink and interesting things to see and do.

The guide highlights exciting events for 2006 including the Battle of Bosworth re-enactment, the Moira Canal Festival and the Caribbean Carnival.

Copies are available from tourist information centres across the County, the Leicester Tourist Information Centre or by request by visiting the Go Leicestershire! website.

What’s on in the County?

OUR comprehensive free guide to events happening across Leicestershire in County Council museums, libraries & country parks is now available.

The latest issue of the Leicestershire Events Guide, which runs until the end of May, is packed with over 300 events and activities to help you and your family enjoy the forthcoming festivities and celebrations – many of which are free.

The current guide includes a two-for-one voucher for Snibston Discovery Park, special DVD offers available at libraries and egg-citing Easter activities across the County.

Don’t miss out - pick up your copy from any County Council library or museum. Alternatively, to receive regular copies directly, e-mail libraries@leics.gov.uk or complete or our online form

Join your library today!

STATISTICS show the number of people visiting Leicestershire’s libraries is on the up – but we would like to encourage even more of you to take advantage of the wonderful facilities libraries have to offer.

Did you know?

·Libraries have the latest bestsellers as well as a fantastic range of other titles
·You can use the computers with free broadband internet access, e-mail and other software available
·Many libraries have a vast collection of DVDs and CDs for you to hire for a small charge
·You can search, renew and reserve online
·All 53 County libraries are open on Saturday.

So, if you are not already a member, how can you join? Well, it has never been easier. Simply dowload and fill in the form (pdf file)and hand it into your library with a form of identification to receive your free membership card and start using your library today!

Plus, when you join you get a voucher for a free loan of a DVD, CD or talking book!

A taste for learning

SHORT taster sessions for those interested in trying a new activity or learning a new skill will be on offer across the County as part of the forthcoming Adult Learners’ Week.

The sessions, which will take place at libraries, community centres and colleges will introduce a new programme of adult education courses. The free short taster sessions will be followed by five-week introductory courses in June and July.

You will have the opportunity to learn a new language, take part in sports or healthy lifestyle classes, IT/computer workshops and family learning activities.

Adult Learners’ Week runs from 20^th – 26^th May. Look out for sessions advertised in your local library, college or community centre.

For more information e-mail Louise Robinson at communityed@leics.gov.uk or call 0116 305 6387.

Quality childcare

WE have developed a quality assurance scheme to ensure parents can take up the best possible early years and childcare facilities for their children.

More than 125 day nurseries, pre-school playgroups, out-of-school clubs and childminders have joined our IQ (Integrated Quality) scheme.

They will be monitored by the County Council to ensure they maintain the highest standards. The provider’s accreditation will last for three years, after which they will have to re-apply.

The scheme has been developed together with Leicestershire’s Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership. It demonstrates our commitment to the continually improving early years education and childcare in Leicestershire and aims to give parents peace of mind that they are receiving a first-class service.

The IQ scheme is accredited by Investors in Children. This is the Government’s endorsement of early years and childcare quality assurance schemes.

Call our Children’s Information Service on 0116 305 6545 to find details on all OfSTED registered childcare providers.

Youth awards

MORE than 120 young people were presented with awards to recognise their hard work and dedication to Youth Service projects across the County.

The special ceremony was held at the Walkers Stadium and recognised initiatives including babysitting courses, tackling teenage pregnancy and entry into employment.

A new ‘Local Youth Award’ was presented to youngsters to acknowledge their learning and achievements outside of school

Changing face of County schools

WORK has started to create two new state-of-the-art schools for Leicestershire.

The exciting new developments at Shepshed High School and Gartree High School in Oadby mark the second phase of a three-year County Council programme to create five new high schools.

Both new buildings, which are being built on the site of the existing schools, will include a full range of classrooms, science and design laboratories, and sports and assembly halls.

The two schools will cost a combined total of £24million and will open to pupils in the autumn term, 2007.

The work is being funded by the County Council with support from the Government’s Department for Education and Skills. Each County school now receives its own funding for building works to tackle smaller projects.

Pupils, staff and governors have all contributed ideas for the new developments – many of which have been included in the final designs.

The innovative new schools have been designed on environmental and sustainable principles, which include high levels of insulation so buildings are heat-efficient.

When the new developments are complete the existing schools will be demolished to create land on the site for sports/play areas and car parking.

Ivan Ould, our Deputy Leader with responsibility for Children and Young Persons’ Services, said: “The new high schools will be modern, innovative developments that will improve learning and teaching facilities significantly.

“The programme as a whole represents our aim to provide the best possible environment for the education of our young people.”

Castle Rock High School in Coalville has been completed ahead of schedule and will open to pupils for the summer term, 2006. Bushloe High School in Wigston will be completed as planned and will be open for the autumn term, 2006.

The fifth school to be replaced is Brockington College in Enderby; this will be managed by the Leicestershire Diocesan Board of Education as it is an aided school, and will be open in early 2008.

Pictured - Artist’s impression…how Gartree High School will look.

... and a new primary school will open shortly

THE brand new Woodstone Primary School, which incorporates the latest environmentally-friendly and energy-saving ideas, will be open for teaching after Easter.

The school is sited on the edge of Ravenstone village and brings together, on one site, the former Snibston and Ravenstone Primary Schools.

Environmental and sustainable features include solar tubes to provide hot water, cells which convert daylight into electricity, a water recycling system for flushing the toilets, and natural drainage for play areas and roads.

The school will accommodate about 200 pupils; providing a range of classrooms, art and technology facilities, a library and ICT suite, studio and assembly hall.

The surrounding area is being planted with trees to create a woodland setting for the school, as part of the development of the National Forest.

The budget – protecting priority services

OUR budget for providing services for the next financial year, beginning on April 1^st, has now been agreed.

The budget is aimed at protecting priority services. It has been agreed after carefully considering the views of Leicestershire people who took part in our consultation exercise.

Over 80% of respondents supported the County Council’s approach – to keep down Council Tax yet still invest in high quality services, reduce spending in other areas and continue efficiency savings.

The budget is made up from Government grants and Council Tax. In 2006/07 we will receive the minimum increase of 2% in the allocation of Government funding. Given the removal of some specific grants the increase is even less.

In light of this and our determination to ensure we continue to protect and provide the highest standard of services possible, we have set an increase of 4.5% for our portion of your Council Tax.

Key improvements to high priority services

We have outlined several key areas where we are investing to improve services

More Police Community Support officers. A further 22 officers, making a total of 50, will be operating across the County to help tackle crime and anti-social behaviour.
Caring for people with learning disabilities. We will be supporting people to live independently and providing improved respite care.
Increased recycling of waste. This will help to manage escalating waste management costs in the future.
Better libraries. We are investing to create new and redeveloped libraries and are extending opening hours.

Making savings and improving services

We have identified areas where we can make savings to keep down Council Tax and fund improvements to services

Efficiency improvements. Ensuring the County Council is run even more economically while still maintaining the high standard of your services.
Concessionary Travel contribution. District Councils have responsibility in law to provide the service and are receiving an increased Government grant to do so, enabling them to retain and even enhance the present scheme without a County Council subsidy.
Increased home care and community meals charges to bring them more in line with charges elsewhere in the region.

Capital Investment Programme

We are building for the future through our capital investment programme. Over the next three years over £200m will be invested in rebuilding and improving schools, roads and other facilities. Over £70m will be spent in 2006/07. The main features of our programme are:

New schools.

Five new high schools are being created and a new primary school will be opening shortly.

Centres for young children.

This year two new children’s centres at Warren Hills Primary School in Coalville and Cobden Primary School in Loughborough will be completed.

New Park and Ride facility.
This is being developed in partnership with Leicester City Council. It is due to open near Enderby in 2010. It will provide a 1,000 space car park linked by a convenient high quality bus service to the city centre.
Maintaining and improving roads.
There will be particular emphasis on schemes to improve road safety and reduce congestion, as well as targeted investment to improve the condition of our roads, bridges and street lights.
Library development programme.

Over the next three years seven new libraries will be created and there will be 10 library refurbishments across the County.

New visitor centres.
A £5.5m visitor centre at Watermead will be developed in partnership with local disability charity, Mosaic. The building will be eco-friendly and meet the highest standards of equal access for all.

There will be a new Bosworth Battlefield Visitor Centre and Museum as well as a new Heritage Centre for visiting schoolchildren, community groups and meetings/conferences.

Help with paying

There are benefits for people on low incomes to help pay Council Tax.

Information on this, and other Council Tax discounts and exemptions, is available from your District Council. Details should be included with your bill. Information is also on the Council Tax pages of the website

For more details on the budget call 0116 305 7831, e-mail LeicsMatters@leics.gov.uk or visit the Budget pages of the website.

Back to contents