JUST RELEASED

Search for

SHEDDING TIERS:

THE DEVOLUTION REVOLUTION

IN ENGLAND

by Steve Milton, Chair, LGRC 

LEGAL MATTERS

FARMERS URGE COUNCILS TO CUT BACK ON PRO-VEGAN POLICIES

The farming community is fighting back after a county council urged residents to go greener. GLOUCESTERSHIRE County Council suggested that residents could swap cow’s milk for vegan alternatives, while the county’s Children and Families Commissioning Hub asked families to consider a plant-based diet to reduce their carbon footprint. However, the council was forced into a U-turn after it was pointed out that Gloucestershire is predominantly rural with a plentiful supply of local meat and dairy products, while processed soy and oat-based ‘healthy’ foods are mainly processed abroad, increasing food miles and damaging the environment more. The county council backtracked following an outcry from local farmers and agriculturists.

The Holocaust Memorial Stone in Buckingham’s Bourton Park.

COUNCILS UNITE IN HOMAGE TO VICTIMS

Holocaust Memorial Day was commemorated on January 27 with a series of services across the nation. It was a time to remember the millions of people murdered during the Holocaust.  BUCKINGHAM’S Holocaust Memorial Stone in Bourton Park provided a poignant backdrop for the town’s ceremony. The ceremony was led by Mayor Anja Schaefer and featured readings by Ruth Newell and Stan Cohen, a representative from the Milton Keynes Synagogue. Pupils from Bourton Meadow Academy showcased recent work about the Holocaust, following a visit to Bletchley Park, while staff and students from Furze Down Sixth Form contributed a vibrant hand-painted banner, symbolising hope and resilience.  

Dorset county councillor Clare Sutton, Weymouth Mayor Jon Orrell, and Weymouth town councillor Mike Sewry with children from Holy Trinity CofE Primary School.

RISING TO THE OCCASION

Children in a Dorset town are united in a call to make their town less polluted. Mayor of Weymouth Jon Orrell praised local schoolchildren for their suggestion of a new message to be read out when the town bridge rises. He met children from Holy Trinity School and councillors from Dorset Council and WEYMOUTH Town Council after the youngsters requested that the announcement is amended so that as well as the usual safety messages, drivers are also requested to turn off their engines while waiting.

 Woodroffe School students display their maquettes at the Guildhall, pictured with town councillors, council staff, and teachers.

Newbury’s hanging baskets add a glorious splash of colour to the town.

TOWN’S BASKET BONANZA

A popular summer hanging basket scheme is returning to a Berkshire town. NEWBURY Town Council are offering local businesses the opportunity to enhance their premises with beautiful floral displays. Professionally arranged with vibrant summer blooms, the baskets are designed to thrive throughout the warmer months, adding colour and charm to the town. Council leader Gary Norman said: “The town council puts up over 100 summer hanging baskets throughout the town centre each year, including at our beautiful Victoria Park, and at Shaw, and Newtown Road, cemeteries. We’re eager to see even more businesses get involved this year.” Each basket costs £65, which covers watering and maintenance.

Mayor Joanna Hewitt with children from Laburnum Primary School, deputy clerk Ian Reed and Cllr Susan Sutton enjoying the new slide.

SLIDE IS NOW DOUBLE THE FUN IT USED TO BE

A double-width slide is proving popular at a Bedfordshire playground. It is in place at SANDY’S Bedford Road Recreation Ground, replacing a 20-year-old embankment slide. The new slide was commissioned by Mayor of Sandy Joanna Hewitt, chair of the community services and environment committee Susan Sutton, and deputy clerk Ian Reed, accompanied by children from Laburnum Primary School. In a brief address, the Mayor said: “The council is committed to providing play equipment that is inclusive so that our playgrounds can be enjoyed by everyone.” The school children ‘tested’ the slide and said they were absolutely delighted with their new piece of play equipment.

Members of the Sawbridgeworth orchard support group at Rivers Nursery.

CELEBRATIONS FOR ORCHARD’S 300TH ANNIVERSARY

Relatives of the man who founded SAWBRIDGEWORTH’S historic orchard were among those at the launch of a year of celebrations to mark Rivers Nursery’s 300th anniversary. Sawbridgeworth Mayor Reece Smith and East Herts Council vice-chairman Martin Adams were among those who were at the celebration. The business once covered more than 400 acres but closed in the 1980s. All that remains is a large meadow and mother orchard, containing about 600 fruit trees, which are now maintained by volunteers. Residents help pick the apples and more than 1,000 bottles of juice are produced and sold at events throughout the year.

Hetton Mayor Susan Waterston with community champions Leon O’Connor Ahmadi, Margaret Scanlin and deputy mayor Phillip Dowell.

COMMUNITY CHAMPIONS

Two residents of a Durham town are feeling champion after receiving awards to honour their community work. HETTON Town Council handed out Champions of the Community awards to Margaret Scanlin, from Hetton-le-Hole, and Leon O’Connor Ahmadi (age 15), from Easington Lane. Margaret was nominated for her charity and community work over many years, while Leon received the nomination for his keenness and enthusiasm for helping out at Easington Lane Community Access Point. Town Mayor Susan Waterston presented the winners with framed certificates and prizes of Sunderland Gift Cards.

High Sheriff of Shropshire Brian Welti JP with Mandie Haywood, left, and Lord Kuldip Sahota, right, at the Freedom of the Town ceremony at Great Dawley.

COMMUNITY COMMITMENT EARNS HONOUR FOR PAIR

GREAT DAWLEY Town Council has awarded the Freedom of the Town to Lord Kuldip Sahota and Mandie Haywood, in recognition of their extraordinary service and commitment to the community. A ceremony at Dawley Town Hall was attended by honorary guests. Lord Sahota worked at GKN Sankey before dedicating himself full-time to public service and politics, serving as leader of Telford & Wrekin Council and chair of Great Dawley Town Council. Mandie Haywood’s career as an educational leader left an indelible mark on Old Park Primary School and the wider community. They were presented with Freedom of the Town scrolls and bouquets of flowers.