Archive for category: Local News

Last chance to have a say on a proposed change to the prescribing of gluten-free products

 

We wrote to you a few weeks ago when we launched the public consultation on a proposal to stop providing gluten-free products on prescription. The consultation closes on Sunday 25 August 2024.

 

Thank you for your help in circulating information. Many people have already joined the conversation to provide us with a better understanding of what any change may mean for people and their families.

 

Please could you help by sending a final reminder to encourage as many people as possible to participate? Don’t forget to join the conversation yourself.

 

Below, we have included some information on the survey. We would be grateful if you could share it via your networks. There is also a social media copy if you wish to share this on Facebook, Whatsapp or any platforms you are part of.

 

Many thanks for your time and support.

Have your Say on the Local Plan

 

Residents, community groups, local businesses, and others with an interest in the borough are invited to give their views on the new Hinckley and Bosworth Local Plan in a consultation which begins at 9am on Wednesday 31 July 2024.

 

The Local Plan is the key planning document for the borough that will guide future development in Hinckley and Bosworth up to 2041. The Plan sets out where and how housing and economic growth should take place and includes a range of development sites.

 

The requirement for a Local Plan is set out in national planning policy setting out that the planning system should be plan-led and that succinct and up to date plans should provide a positive vision for the future of each area; a framework for meeting housing needs and addressing other economic, social and environmental priorities; and a platform for local people to shape their surroundings.

 

The Plan also includes planning policies that would be used to manage important issues such as conserving and enhancing the natural and historic environment, transport, good design and responding to the challenges of climate change. The policies will be used to guide development and respond to economic, environmental, and social issues within the borough. The Local Plan must meet government set targets for development, with the Regulation 18 Plan proposing to deliver over 13,000 dwellings by 2041.

 

The council has continued its work on progressing its Local Plan after consultation on a submission draft of the Plan published in February 2022. Since then, the Borough Council has been reviewing and updating the document to respond to comments received from the most recent consultation. Planning officers have worked closely with external partners to ensure the Plan reflects national and county wide changes, and revisiting the evidence base to ensure that it is up to date for the Plan period up to 2041. Now the public is being asked to give their views on the latest draft Local Plan and supporting documents, as part of what is known as a Regulation 18 consultation.

 

Councillor Bill Crooks, Executive Member for Planning at the Borough Council said: “I encourage all residents, local businesses, and stakeholders to engage with the Local Plan consultation over the next eight weeks. Progressing the new Local Plan is necessary for the borough to ensure that development is planned to 2041 through suitable site allocations. Advancing the Local Plan through the stages will then add greater weight in decision making, allowing the Council to defend its policies and allocations from unplanned, speculative developments.”

 

Members of the public and businesses are invited to attend consultation events scheduled across the borough where planning officers will be available to answer questions, discuss views and provide advice on how to submit comments. There is no requirement to book onto these in-person events, which will be hosted at the following locations:

 

• Newbold Verdon Library: Thursday 15 August 2024, time: 4 – 7pm
• Earl Shilton Library (upper level): Tuesday 20 August, 2 – 5pm
• The Methodist Church, 31 Station Road, Ratby: Thursday 22 August 2024, 4 – 7pm
• Hollycroft School, Hinckley: Wednesday 4 September 2024, 4 – 7pm
• Higham on the Hill Methodist Church: Wednesday 4 September 2024, 4 – 7pm
• The Black Horse, Market Bosworth: Saturday 14 September 2024, 10am – 12:30pm
• Millennium Hall, Burbage: Saturday 14 September 2024, 2 – 4:30pm
• Hinckley Hub, Hinckley: Wednesday 18 September 2024, time: 4 – 7pm

 

Officers will also be available via Microsoft Teams on Wednesday 18 September 2024 between 4 – 7pm, however residents and businesses will be required to book onto this event in advance to secure a slot and to gain access.

 

For further details on the consultation and events, or to book onto our virtual consultation event, go to https://www.hinckley-bosworth.gov.uk/reg18

 

Alternatively, printed copies of the document will be available at all libraries within the borough, at the council offices (Hinckley Hub), and can be viewed by contacting Parish Councils, all of whom will receive a printed copy.

 

The consultation will run for over eight weeks until 5pm on 27 September 2024.

 

Once this latest consultation has taken place, all comments will be reviewed, and any further changes required will be made in preparation for the final consultation stage before the Plan is submitted to a Government Planning Inspector for independent examination.

 

The proposed timetable allows the council to meet the previous government’s deadline to produce and submit the Local Plan for Examination by 30 June 2025. Once it has completed this process and is adopted, it will form the council’s future framework for decision making on all planning applications.

Following my re-election in May I am now in the process of developing my Police and Crime Plan 2024-28.   This Plan seeks to build on the significant progress made over the last three years to ensure that local residents receive the type of service they deserve.

 

During my election campaign, I was clear about my priorities for policing and community safety across the force area. I believe that these views are supported by our local communities and businesses.

 

I am of course asking the public to confirm this, via a survey open to all those who live and work in the force area.

 

However, it is vital that, as democratically elected representatives of the local community, we work together.  In that way we will make Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland safer for everyone.

 

Therefore, it is important that I receive your views on my policing and community safety priorities and the ways in which you feel these can be addressed effectively.  I would also be interested to know if there is anything else you would like me to consider.

 

To complete my bespoke survey for stakeholders, which will not take many minutes, please click on this link or use the QR Code below. If you would be kind enough to send this email on to others who you feel would be interested, I would be very grateful.

 

So that I can include your thoughts in the formation of my new Police and Crime Plan, please let me have your responses by 30 August 2024.

TWO HINCKLEY parks have once again been officially recognised as among the best in the UK after they were each awarded a much-coveted Green Flag – a prestigious accolade that is only awarded to the very best parks and green spaces in the UK.

 

In a double celebration Hollycroft Park has been awarded its 15th Green Flag Award and Argents Mead has been awarded its eighth Green Flag Award.

 

The Green Flag Award scheme, managed by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy under licence from the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government, recognises and rewards well-managed parks and green spaces, setting the benchmark standard for the management of green spaces across the United Kingdom and around the world.

 

The award is a sign to the public that the space boasts the highest possible environmental standards, is beautifully maintained and has excellent visitor facilities.

 

Councillor Lynda Hodgkins, the Borough Council’s Executive Member for Street Scene Services, Parks and Open Spaces said: “The news that Hollycroft Park and Argents Mead have both achieved the Green Flag Award once again is testament to the hard work and dedication of the team that make the green space a great space that everyone can enjoy.

 

“Thanks are due to the Green Spaces team who work across both parks, and in particular, the Friends of Hollycroft Park Group, for their dedication and hard work that has helped Hollycroft Park to be awarded its 15^th Green Flag, a fantastic achievement.”

 

Keep Britain Tidy’s Green Flag Award Scheme Manager, Paul Todd MBE, said: “I would like to congratulate everyone involved at Hollycroft Park and Argents Mead on achieving a Green Flag Award.

 

“These parks are a vital green space for communities to socialise, enjoy nature, for children to play safely and it provides important opportunities for park users to improve their physical and mental health.

 

We know that staff and volunteers work tirelessly to ensure that it maintains the high standards of the Green Flag Award, everyone involved should feel extremely proud of their achievement.

 

It is important that our free to use spaces are maintained to the Green Flag Award standard, making them accessible for all members of the community while ensuring the environment is protected.”

Uniform Swap Shop Launched by Borough Council 

  

School uniform swap shops are set to open in local co-ops and community venues across Hinckley and Bosworth this summer to help families prepare for the new school term. 

 

Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council is encouraging families to donate good quality school uniforms no longer required, as part of a new summer scheme to support residents in saving money on school uniform costs as well as cutting down on clothes being sent to landfill. 

  

The Uniform Swap Shop will run within local Co-ops and community venues across the borough from Tuesday 9 July to Tuesday 27 August. 

  

Families who have good condition, clean, useable plain coloured clothing or have a school uniform with a logo that they no longer need can drop them into their nearest School Uniform Swap Shop venue.  

  

This includes school coats, jumpers / blazers, trousers, polo shirts / shirts, dresses, Skirts, P.E kits (not personalised) including bags and shoes, school shoes and book bags. 

 

Clothing will be displayed in the local venues and there will be collection boxes for items donated. 

 

Families can then access free-of-charge school uniform for their children from their local venue.    

 

Helen Tong, Welfare Support Officer at the Borough Councl said: “We all know how quickly children grow and how many local schools insist on the pupils wearing logoed clothing, further adding to the increasing cost for our households so we hope this scheme will help local families.

 

“By swapping uniforms, we are also supporting the environment, cutting down on clothes going to landfill.” 

 

“We are grateful to the Coop, Ratby Library, the George Ward Centre and the many other locations who are helping us with the ‘Shop’.” 

 

School uniform swap shops will be opening in Bagworth, Desford, Markfield, Hinckley, Market Bosworth, Earl Shilton and Barwell to name a few locations. For an up-to-date list of locations, go to: www.hinckley-bosworth.gov.uk/uniformswap