Police take to road
POLICING WAS taken out to the people when
the rural beat vehicle for Leicestershire Constabulary’s
north area was used to the benefit of the community.
This was a very positive policing initiative when the police
took to the road in a slightly different format from their normal
duties.
Members of the public showed a tremendous amount of interest
and, in addition to giving out crime prevention leaflets and
advice to 612 people, 355 mobile telephones were post-coded,
with an additional 427 leaflets giving information on how to
keep details of mobile phones.
Three potential recruits for the police force came forward, as
did 20 potential neighbourhood watch co-ordinators.
The inspectors at both local policing units were delighted with
the response and will encourage their staff “to take to
the road” as often as is possible depending upon the demand
of other policing duties.
In July, the rural beat vehicle visited Birstall, Rempstone Steam
and Country Fair and Bradgate Park. The message is “come
and talk to us, we will try to help with any leaflets and advice”.
Goscote Hall plans
PLANS FOR 16 dwellings in the grounds of
Goscote Hall have been put forward by Goscote Hall Estates Ltd.
There are also plans for the creation of seven apartments within
the Hall.
Longslade's bridging project
LONGSLADE COLLEGE has continued to develop
its relationship with its partnership schools as part of an ongoing
Bridging Project.
During the summer term:
All Year 9 students from Stonehill High visited Longslade to
be taught in the Design & Technology and ICT Departments.
Our community laptops were taken to Martin High in Anstey for
them to use with one class of Year 9s to teach aspects of nets
and pop-up mechanisms.
Longslade Maths staff visited three of our partnership primary
schools: Highcliffe, Latimer and The Hall. Our staff worked with
the top 10% of mathematicians in Year 4 on using Excel to create
graphs using data they had entered into spreadsheets.
Maths staff also visited both feeder high schools, Stonehill
and Martin, to work with the top 10 mathematician students in
Year 8 to use Omnigraph to plot graphs etc.
The Year 5 bridging project, Badges, Biscuits and Boxes, done
with Riverside Community Primary last year, was run with students
from Richard Hill CofE Primary and Woolden Hill Community Primary.
This involved students making badges in ICT, biscuits in the
kitchen and boxes in Design.
Helen Foster, Longslade’s ICT Co-ordinator, said: “Those
schools which have returned their evaluations have given us very
positive feedback and have said that their experience encourages
them to take part in future liaison activities. Thanks to all
those who took part in any way, shape or form!”
Dress code for students
LONGSLADE COLLEGE has announced a new set
of guidelines for students’ dress while attending college.
Principal Geoff Court said: “Many students have been wearing
inappropriate clothing to school. In some cases items of clothing
are a health and safety risk, for example, chains hanging from
trousers.”
He added: “I feel strongly that students must wear clothing
that is appropriate for a place of work and learning”
Students must now follow these guidelines:
Coats/jackets and other outdoor wear must be removed in lessons
or during assembly
Hooded tops, zipped fleeces and denim jackets are regarded as
outdoor wear and must be removed in lessons or during assembly
Caps/hats must be taken off when students enter building
Shirts or T-shirts must not have slogans, images or phrases (small
logos are acceptable)
Items of clothing which could be a health and safety risk must
not be worn eg chains, spiked gloves etc
Ripped or town trousers/jeans are not appropriate
Tracksuit bottom (or similar) and shorts are appropriate for
sporting activities but not for daily wear
Exposure of shoulders, midriff or underwear is not appropriate
- this is a sensitive matter but common sense should prevail
Old Birstall exhibition
WOULD YOU like to find out more about the
‘old days’ in Birstall? If so, you will certainly enjoy
the new exhibition to be presented by Birstall Local History
Society in September.
Entitled ‘Eight Ounces of Gold, The Story of the Village
of Birstall’ it will show how, over the centuries, a poor
unenterprising peasant village of two hundred souls, valued in
Domesday Book at eight ounces of gold, changed beyond recognition
to become the prosperous commuter suburb we know today.
The story will be told through 18 displays using over 150 photographs.
Topics covered include The Gentry, Halls and Country Houses,
The Schools, The Churches, Birstall at War, Village Characters
and the Domesday Book. There will also be documents and artefacts
on display some of which are many centuries old.
The exhibition is at Charnwood Museum, Granby Street, Loughborough
from Friday September 5 to Sunday September 28. Opening times,
Mon to Sat, 10am to 4.30pm, Sun 2-5pm
Admission free
Inspectors report on progress
GOVERNMENT INSPECTORS say the behaviour
of Longslade students has improved but they are critical of the
pace of change at the College.
The inspectors visited the college in June, the first monitoring
inspection since the school became subject to ‘special measures’
after failing its Ofsted inspection last year.
Following the Ofsted inspection, Longslade drew up an action
plan and the aim of the Inspectors’ visit was to assess
the quality of the plan, the pupils’ standards of attainment
and their progress, the quality of education provided, the leadership
and management of the school, the pupils’ attitudes and
behaviour and the progress that has been made in implementing
the action plan.
In summary her Majesty’s Inspectors stated: The School’s
action plan is satisfactory overall with some weaknesses.
The LEA’s statement of action is satisfactory with some
weaknesses.
The school has made limited progress since being subject to special
measures.
College Principal Geoff Court said: “The Inspectors agreed
that the College’s leadership has succeeded in managing
the staff turnover to the extent that improvements have been
achieved in some areas, but greater stability is now necessary
if the college is to move forward”.
Club smells of roses
WE ARE now over halfway through the bowls
season and Birstall Club are very grateful for the sponsorship
of over 60 Floribunda Roses from Iain Bentley of Bentley’s
Roses on the A6 between Birstall & Rothley.
Following improvements to the club there is more room around
the sides of the green and the roses enhance the outlook onto
the park.
The club has several representatives in the latter stages of
the Leicester City & District Parks competitions, which were
taking place at the end of July. A report on those matches will
be in September’s Birstall Post.
In the Ladies County Triples, Pam Ratcliffe, Nicky Greasley and
Jan Everitt reached the quarter finals before losing 23-16 to
a team from Loughborough.
Meanwhile the men take on Loughborough Brush later this month
in the quarter final of the County Unbadged competition. They
also reached the area semi final of the new national Top Club
competition but were beaten 4-1 by Shepshed who are Leicestershire
representatives in the Regional Finals.
The junior section is still being run on Friday nights from 6.30-7.30pm.
For further details please call Diane or John on 2675457 or Jan
or Rick on 2122578. For more information about the club please
call Andy on 2677100.
From Andy Wye, Birstall Bowling Club
Glorious gala
THE BIRSTALL Gala had perfect weather,
huge crowds and excellent entertainment. Who could ask for more?
The Sunday started with an open air service, led by The Rev Sue
Wicks and helped by The Rev Malcolm Lambert and the Rev Chris
Gray. The Fosse Swing Band started the entertainment, followed
by the Blue Stone Blues Band and Birstall Brass. Morris dancing,
Elvis, line dancing and the children’s fancy dress competition
continued through the afternoon with the Royal Legion Standard
Bearers ending the proceedings. The day proved to be a great
success, thanks to the hard work of several people, and I would
like to offer my thanks to them.
Stuart Jones, Vice Chairman of the Parish Council, took on the
role as representative of the Council, as Peter West the Chairman
was on holiday, and performed an excellent job, accompanying
the Mayor and Mayoress of Charnwood and her daughter during the
day, and later entertaining them at the evening concert. Thanks
also to The Mayor and Mayoress for giving their time to attend
our Gala, and for judging the fancy dress. We trust they both
enjoyed themselves as much as we enjoyed their company.
Thomas Corbett (10) and Ella Fox (2)
Jeff Cassidy, Tony Fowler and the ATC were of great help throughout
the day and without their help a lot of things would not have
got done.
Mary Allen and Sheila Alcock were responsible for the programme
and collection of the prizes for the raffle and here we must
thank our main sponsors Tomorrows World whose staff were present
throughout the day selling raffle tickets and organising the
distribution of the prizes.
Our old friends the Hathern Brass Band accompanied by soloist
Joyce Rimington gave their usual excellent performance. These
concerts are most enjoyable, and the atmosphere is friendly,
happy and relaxed.
I must also thank Charnwood Fireworks Display for their generous
donation which resulted in being a truly magnificent firework
display to end our evening. We hope everyone including all the
stallholders who play such a vital point in our village fete,
enjoyed the day and if it was a success let us know if you would
like another Gala Day next year.
Saturday was a day for the young performers and Joel McCann once
again organised a good afternoon and evening with music and dancing.
Well done Joel, this gives these youngsters a chance to show
their talents and we hope they enjoyed doing so.
Mary Houghton
Joel said: “I would like to thank all the people who attended
for making the day a success and thank the bands and DJs and
dancers, the surprise package of the day.
Alan Holford conducts Birstall Brass
I would like to apologise for the skate ramp not being there
on the day. I was informed on the day that the people bringing
the ramp were told not bother. I raised £75 for Cancer
Research UK with the help of a couple of young lads from the
cricket club. Thanks to the Council for the use of the park and
the sound system. If I do run the event again I will need more
money and more help.”
Many thanks to you all for attending the Birstall Gala and we
hope to see you next time.
From Cllr Doug Topley, Chairman Birstall Gala Committee
Council tax totals
CHARNWOOD BOROUGH Council has collected
£45 million in Council tax for the year 2002/03 - an increase
of almost £5 million on the previous 12 months.
The total collected was £45,049,000, representing 97.9
per cent of the estimated total of £46,033,000.
Planning applications
Mr Coleman - erection of shed to front of town house, 33 Bramley
Rd
Mr & Mrs Coleman - extension for conservatory to rear of
semi detached house. 199 Harrowgate Drive
Mr Watson - erection of compost shed and portacabin, with 1.5m
fence to front boundary - Rectory Field Nursery, Wanlip.
Dr R A Clark - erection of single storey extension to rear of
semi detached dwelling with creation of balcony above. 31 Walnut
Avenue
Mr N J Oldridge - erection of 2 storey extension to side and
rear of semi detached dwelling. 2 Sycamore Rd
Mrs E Murphy - erection of a detached bungalow and garage 222
Birstall Rd
Goscote Hall Estates Ltd - erection of 16 dwellings and associated
works. Goscote Hall, Goscote Hall Rd
Mr S C Dorsey - erection of 1st floor extension to rear of semi
detached dwelling. 42 Wanlip Lane
Mr Allison - erection of single storey extension to front of
detached dwelling. 2 Farm Close
Mr T Loakes - erection of conservatory and 2 storey extension
to rear of semi detached dwelling. 44 Wanlip Lane
Leics County Council - removal of existing glass fibre roof and
wall covering and replacement with powder coated aluminium profile
cladding to existing swimming pool structure. Highcliffe Primary
School
Mr C Palmer-Tomkinson - conversion & extension of farm buildings
to form 6 dwellings. 23 Rectory Rd, Wanlip
Mr C Palmer-Tomkinson - conversion and extension of farm buildings
for office use. Manor Farm, 23 Rectory Rd, Wanlip
Village Watch News & Crime Report
INSPECTOR DUNCAN Cullen who has been the
Syston Local Policing Unit commander for the last two and a half
years has moved to take over command of Hinckley & Market
Bosworth L.P.U.
Inspector Cullen has been a great help to the area. The Watch
has worked very closely with him in his time at Syston. He was
responsible for the recruitment of a second beat officer for
our area, his chairmanship of the South East Charnwood Crime
and Safety Forum in its initial stages was crucial to the start
of this now successful meeting. The Watch wishes him well in
his new appointment, and welcomes Inspector Chris Brown who has
taken his play at Syston L.P.U.
The hot weather has of course seen the increase in burglary offences
across the area. The easy access that is offered to the burglar
by open windows, doors etc whilst we are trying to keep cool
can be part of the answer. Please remember to keep the thief
out by locking up the front of the house if you are in the back
garden enjoying the good weather. Do not leave even small windows
open if you leave the house unattended.
PC Kevin Palmer reports “There have been five house burglaries
in the last week (July 15-22) and in four of these, access was
gained by open window. At two of the properties car keys were
taken and the cars stolen from the owners’ drive. These
burglaries were on Rosetree Ave, Harrowgate Drive, Birstall Road
and Highgate Ave. None have been detected.
Again car crime is still giving concern and again the hot weather
can be a contributory cause, please remember the golden rule:
“Vehicle locked, valuables in view? If you can see it the
thief can too”.
Our next advice shop is at the Old Council Offices, Sibson Road,
Birstall on Saturday August 16 from 10am until noon. Lamps, shed
alarms, PIR alarms etc are for sale, cycle coding and much more.
Why not pay us a visit.
From Peter Allen, Chairman Birstall & Wanlip Village
Watch
Crime Report June 10 to July 10
Burglary Dwelling 4 (Newton Drive, Stonehill Ave, Fielding Rd,
Sycamore Rd), Burglary other 4, theft 4, theft from motor vehicle
4, theft stores 1, theft of motor vehicle 2, damage to motor
vehicle 1, damage 3.
|
Pavement parking
A word on parking from PC Garry Rayns
SINCE COMING to Birstall approximately two
months ago I am happy to say that I have found the area to be
a generally low crime area.
The people of Birstall are very friendly and approachable and
will normally say hello when they see me.
This said, I do have one problem, which is causing complaints
from local residents. A small number of drivers are parking their
cars on the footpaths. This causes several problems.
For those with any type of physical and/or visual impairment,
cars parked on the footpath can force them onto the road in order
that they can navigate their way past the car. I do not want
to consider the consequences of that action. Parents with young
children will have a similar problem, increased by the number
of children they have with them.
Drivers, you should also think of the possible damage that could
be caused to your cars every time someone tries to squeeze past
the side of your car. Would you drive so close to a thorny bush
that it might scratch the gleaming paintwork on the side of your
car? Drivers think on, by driving onto the footpaths you are
leaving yourselves open to prosecution. At the very least you
are likely to receive a Fixed Penalty Ticket, which you will
cost you £30 every time you are caught.
I am aware that a local traffic warden has recently been dealing
with this same problem in Birstall. I have received the details
of those vehicles that have been dealt with by the traffic warden.
It is my intention, along with the traffic warden and my colleague
PC Palmer, to reduce the number of vehicles parking on the footpaths
of Birstall.
I hope this message will encourage those of you who have, in
the past, parked your vehicles on the footpaths to think twice.
From PC 1643 Garry Rayns
Birstall & Wanlip Local Beat Officer
Your Say...
I would like to express my sincere thanks to the gentleman
who helped my mother (aged 89) and uncle (aged 86) after they
had a fall in the grounds of the ‘White Horse’, Birstall
on Thursday June 26.
I would add they had not been drinking but had stopped for a
sit down after a short walk down to the river.
The gentleman concerned picked them up and bought them a drink
and saw they were all right. I am a little late in passing on
my thanks due to the fact I have been down to the ‘White
Horse’ making enquiries on several occasions in the hope
of meeting the gentleman in person. Having had no luck I am turning
to the Birstall Post in the hope my thanks will reach him.
My mother sustained a broken wrist in the fall but is now making
good progress. Again Sir many thanks from us all.
If you would contact me through the BP I would be pleased to
meet and by you a drink.
John Beckett, 6 Henson Close, Birstall. Tel: 2676170
I refer to your letter entitled ‘Rubbish’ written
by Nicholas G Black which appears in your June issue and would
comment as follows.
Charnwood Borough Council provides a free service for the collection
of large household items specifically free standing furniture
and white electrical goods. This service is provided at no additional
cost to the householder, although Councils may charge and in
fact many do. Charnwood is the only Council in Leicestershire
who presently provides this service free. However, this collection
facility does not include fixings, fittings, fencing, sheds,
building materials, wood soil or rubble. These are classed as
building improvements and not normal household waste. The Council
will also arrange for the removal of garden waste, this service
is provided on request for a small charge and advice can be obtained
by telephoning 01509 634715. This material is delivered to a
County Council facility to be processed and the resulting compost
is available for sale through County Council outlets. Before
delivery to the processsing plant all plastic bags have to be
removed and double bagging is prohibited for this reason.
General advice on the Council’s refuse collection and street
cleansing services may be obtained by ringing the help line 01509
634715
F J Clunn
Cleansing Manager, Charnwood Borough Council
Once again we have fallen over laughing at the erudition displayed
in the recent letter from a villager questioning the declarations-of-interest
angle of a Parish Councillor. I do hope that the Parish Councillor
does not have any connection with Harrogate Road, since that
thoroughfare has a post-code LE4 6GS and starts at Catherine
Street opposite the eastern end of Doncaster Road, Belgrave.
As far as we can say, there is no Hallam Fields development extending
in that area of the city, we understand it will be to the north
of Harrowgate Drive, Birstall. That is, unless the questioner
is in possession of secret documents and plans that reveal a
link-up between Harrowgate Drive and Harrogate Road.
Is this is a possibility?
Name & address supplied
Does anyone want to know where part of our council tax money
goes?
Well, I can put your mind at rest.
Yes, they did do a nice play area on Meadow Lane sports field,
with gates and a footpath that lead to nowhere! (supposedly to
the play area). Fair enough, it was a path, but why didn’t
it meet up with the Meadow Lane gate entrance path?
Well, the laugh is four weeks later along came the workmen and
the digger, lo and behold they ripped up that footpath and laid
another one next to it, leading to the play area.
What for, one does not question as to why.
I wish I had a video camera with me (Lisa Riley would love it).
The money our parish council wastes is no one’s business,
to say the least.
We also now have a mushroom on the sports field, a very colourful
mushroom for the hooligans on the skateboards to congregate round
and climb on top. This I believe was blackmail so they did not
wreck the play area, but graffiti is already on it.
So now you know where part of your expensive council tax goes!
Anita J Gamble (Mrs)
I would like to know why it is that a certain taxi firm in
Birstall is allowed to park on double lines, or even on the pavement,
in parking bays outside shops stopping people using it for trips
to the shops. Also they seem to do car repairs at times in this
parking bay. I’m sure many people find this annoying as
I do. Is there one rule for them and another for us? Where is
the local traffic warden? Come on, give them a parking ticket
like other people get, perhaps they will stop then. (Well you
can only hope).
From a Birstall Motorist
Name & address supplied
I would like to thank each and every one of you for your kindness
and support during my lovely wife Margaret’s recent illness
and until she passed away on Monday June 9.
I have received so many cards and flowers that I cannot begin
to thank you all individually.
Rev Malcolm Lambert and Rev Sue Wicks conducted the service and
they were very helpful with the arrangements. Thank you all for
attending Margaret’s funeral on Thursday June 19. It was
a lovely occasion and a tribute to Margaret that so many people
filled the church.
Margaret was a very special person and cared so much about her
friends - she will be sadly missed. I miss her very much but
am pleased we had such a happy life together and I have lots
of memories.
Thanks to everyone who so generously donated to LOROS.
Stan Coley
The Post-Polio group would like to thank all those who contributed
to our happy day at the Gala; those who attempted to Splat our
Rat, bought items, or tried to guess the name of our super cool
polar bear. His name turned out to be Polo and he now lives with
Daniel Woodward. Ratty is now relaxing at home awaiting restorative
baths and a tail transplant before getting back into training
for further high speed challenges. Congratulations and thanks
to all those whose hard work resulted in a wonderful enjoyable
day.
Mrs Helena Edwards
We wish to thank friends and neighbours for the lovely flowers
and cards, also telephone messages sent to us on the occasion
of our diamond wedding, all of which helped in making it a memorable
day. Once again thank you very much.
May & Bill Root
The Committee of Birstall Village Cricket Club and the parents
of the Junior Section would like to thank councillor Doug Topley
and his fellow councillors for all their hard work running up
to the Gala day and during the two days to make it such a great
family day out. The committee would also like to thank all those
who supported the club through the bar and sweet stall. All the
money raised goes straight into the running of the club and continuing
to promote the game through the junior sections.
Andrew Corbett, Junior Co-ordinator BVCC
We at Birstall Royal British Legion would like to thank Doug
Topley and his team for another very successful Gala weekend.
Our stall raised £247 thanks to the good folk of Birstall
which we are very grateful for.
Long may the Gala continue! Thank you all once again.
Angela Parkin, Treasurer
Rhododendron Gardens at Holly Hayes on Saturday May 31 and
June 1 resulted in funds for the National Garden Scheme of £368.89.
Many thanks to everyone who supported this and to helpers on
the two days.
Edith Murphy
May I congratulate Dr D A C McNeil on his letter proposing
that “commissioners” be appointed to run Birstall Parish
Council (Birstall Post, July). It contained so many inaccuracies
that I do not think he got one thing right. Quite an achievement!
Dr McNeil, who recently stood as a Borough Council candidate,
highlighted his ignorance of the village by referring to Harrowgate
Drive as Harrowgate Road. No wonder hardly anyone voted for him!
But to answer his remarks about Parish Council matters: Only
three of the members were co-opted. The other 17 stood for election
in May. All 20 will have to answer to the electorate in four
years’ time, just like borough and county councillors.
Secondly, the Council books of account are not only open to examination
by any member of the public, they are required to be audited
both by a local accountant, acting as ‘internal auditor’
and then by a national firm of accountants.
But I am more than happy to tell Dr McNeil how Birstall’s
money is spent. Apart from the £200,000 per annum it costs
to provide a village hall and some of the finest parks and playing
fields in the county, the Council recently invested £5,000
in new play equipment at Meadow Lane. Thanks to the hard work
of Councillors and the Clerk, we then obtained £45,000
of grants. Similarly, last year, £35,000 invested by the
Parish Council in the Sibson Road Enhancement Scheme gained Birstall
over £200,000 of investment from the Borough and County
Councils. Some rate of return for the council tax payer!
No wonder other authorities in the area came to regard Birstall,
under Nigel Coleman’s chairmanship, as an exceptionally
well-run council which got things done.
(In reply to Anita Gamble’s excellent letter, I am afraid
we cannot at the moment afford toilets on the Meadow Lane site
and, of course, they would certainly be liable to attacks by
vandals. Watermead Park is not under our control.)
Dr McNeil, who, to my knowledge, has never attended a parish
council meeting, claims that a member has been denied the right
to speak on the “Hallam Fields fiasco”.
(I assume that by “fiasco” Dr McNeil means that the
Labour Party, of which he is a member, proposed to ban building
on greenfield sites and then did everything possible, both at
local and national level, and against the wishes of the people
of Birstall, to ensure that this estate would be built on Hallam
Fields, which is clearly a green field.)
Parish Councils have no power to exclude any member from speaking
on an agenda item. However, if a councillor speaks on a subject
in which the national Standards Board deems him to have a prejudicial
(financial) interest, then he may render himself liable to prosecution.
The member to whom he refers has, in fact, spoken on the subject
of Hallam Fields, not merely more than any other councillor,
but more than all the other members in total.
It certainly seems strange that Dr McNeil should support a person
who has regularly disrupted Council meetings (to the extent that
the police have had to be called) and who has written many letters
to the ‘Post’ with the sole intention of discrediting
the Parish Council.
Fine people such as Shirley Scott, Tony Stott and Nigel Coleman,
to mention just three, worked hard to try to overcome this disruption
and to improve the village, but have now stood down, partly as
a result of the unpleasantness caused by that one member. A new
group of less experienced people have now stepped forward to
carry on their work and, judging by the success of our latest
gala, will not let Birstall down. Dr McNeil might note that the
organising committee, almost entirely comprising parish councillors,
spent months planning the gala and, on two nights, were on site
until well after midnight, having worked a 16 hour day - unpaid.
Would Dr McNeil’s paid “commissioners” have done
that?
But perhaps there is more to Dr McNeil’s letter than apparent
ignorance of the workings of the Parish Council.
An article in The Times suggested that the present government
would like to abolish parish councils because they represent
the organisation of local matters by ordinary people, outside
the control of political parties or civil servants.
I am sure that the people of Birstall would prefer their village
to be run by local people, known to them, and with the good of
the village at heart, rather than by Dr McNeil’s political
commissioners.
Peter West
Age Concern Info
Pension Service Advice and Information Sessions at Birstall
Library
Apologies for misinformation in the July issue of the Birstall
Post that these sessions were going to be every Friday, they
will take place on a monthly basis only. The next session will
be on Friday, August 8, 10am-12noon, and thereafter on the second
Friday of each month.
Changes to Payment of Benefits and the Phasing out of Pension
Books
As many people are no doubt aware, benefit books including pension
books are gradually being phased out.
When a pension book is due to run out, people will receive a
letter from the Department for Work & Pensions telling them
about Direct Payments. The letter will ask people what method
of direct payment they would like to use in order to receive
their pension in the future and it will give people the following
options:
through a Bank Current Account - by cashing a cheque at a local
bank or a post office
through a Basic Bank Account - using a card to withdraw money
from the account at the post office
through a Card Account - at the post office
a fourth option is that if people do not reply immediately to
the letter, they will be allowed to keep using a pension book
until at least April 2004. However they may receive further letters.
If a pension is paid direct into a Bank Current Account with
Lloyds TSB, Barclays, Co-operative Bank, Alliance & Leicester,
Cahoot or Smile, the pension can be withdrawn by cashing a cheque
at the post office with a cheque book and cheque guarantee card.
Basic Bank Accounts are a new type of account that should be
available from the above banks as well as HBOS, HSBC, Nationwide,
Royal Bank of Scotland, NatWest, Clydesdale Bank, Halifax and
Abbey National. These accounts cannot become overdrawn. Direct
debits from them can be set up but some banks will charge up
to £30 a time if the direct debit cannot be met because
there is not enough money in the account. The pension can be
withdrawn by taking an account card to the post office and punching
in a 4 digit personal number (the PIN) at the counter.
Card Accounts are similar to Basic Bank Accounts in that money
is withdrawn at a post office with a card and using a 4 digit
PIN number. These accounts cannot be overdrawn and they cannot
provide a direct debit service.
It will not be possible with any of these options for different
people to collect the pension on an irregular basis eg if you
are unwell for a week or two. However it is still possible, with
the correct legal forms completed, for one person to be authorised
to collect the pension for you on a regular basis.
How to Open a Post Office Card Account
1. Wait for the letter from the Pensions Service giving you the
choice of the three methods of payment.
2. Call the helpline number on the letter - 0800 1072000 and
say you want a post office card account.
3. The Dept of Work & Pensions will post you a personal Invitation
Document to open an account.
4. Take that to the post office who will give you an application
form.
5. Fill in the application form and hand it back to the post
office.
6. The Post office will then post you two letters, one contacting
your PIN and the other will be a ‘pick up notice’.
7. Take the ‘pick up notice’ to your local post office
and collect your card. Your Card Account is now activated.
Your pension will be paid electronically into the account on
a regular basis.
To collect your pension take your card to the post office and
hand it to the person on the counter and tell him/her how much
you want to withdraw - this can be some or all of your pension.
Tap in your PIN number and then you will be handed your money.
If you would like to talk to someone about this you may enquire
at the local post office or call Age Concern 0116 2992233 (county)
Pension Credits - from October 2003
Pension Credit is a new social security benefit which aims to
provide people aged 60 or over with a minimum level of income
and to give extra cash to people aged 65 and over with modest
incomes who have made some savings for their retirement. it will
start to be paid in the week beginning October 6 2003 when it
will replace Income Support (also called Minimum Income Guarantee)
for people aged 60 and over.
Pension Credit will have two parts: the ‘guarantee credit’
and the ‘savings credit’. The ‘guarantee credit’
is broadly the same as the current Income Support (or Minimum
Income Guarantee) for people aged 60 or over and generally paid
at the same rates. People already receiving Income Support (or
MIG) in October 2003 will automatically be transferred to Pension
Credit without having to make a new claim.
The ‘savings credit’ part will provide extra money
to many people aged 65 and over who have income from pensions,
savings or certain other sources of income. You are likely to
be entitled to Pension Credit if as a single person your income
is less than £139.10 a week and if as a couple your income
is less than £203.80 a week. You may still be able to get
Pension Credit if your weekly income is more than these amounts
if, for example, you or your partner, is a severely disabled
person; look after a person who is severely disabled or have
certain housing costs eg mortgage interest payments.
To find out if you might be entitled to Pension Credit you need
to add up your weekly net income (after deductions) and savings.
Only certain types of income are counted when assessing Pension
Credit. These include
pensions (including State pension, a work pension or a personal
pension)
certain benefits (eg Carer’s Allowance and Bereavement Benefit)
earnings from a job (unlike with Income Support, there is no
limit to the number of hours someone is in paid work).
Types of income that are not counted include:
Attendance Allowance
Disability Living Allowance
Housing Benefit
Council Tax Benefit
Savings - when working out the amount of Pension Credit a person
might get, the Pension Service does not need to know about any
interest or dividends obtained from savings. Instead the amount
of the savings is looked at and £1 a week is counted as
income for every £500 or part of £500 over £6,000
(this figure is over £10,000 if you live permanently in
a care home.)
Savings and investments taken into account include:
money in a bank, building society or post office account
National Savings Certificates
Premium Bonds
Investments like ISAs, PEPs and TESSAs
an income bond, capital bond or granny bond
shares or unit trusts and
property and land (but not including the place where you normally
live)
Making an Application - as already stated Pension Credit replaces
Income Support (Minimum Income Guarantee) from October 2003 and
if you are currently receiving this you do not need to do anything
as your entitlement to Pension Credit will be worked out automatically,
using the information about your circumstances already known
by the Pensions Service. A letter should have already been received
explaining this and you will be written to again when your entitlement
to Pension Credit has been worked out.
The Pension Service state that people aged 60 and over will be
written to between April 2003 and June 2004 to help people decide
whether to apply for Pension Credit - information and advice
on how to apply will be sent. Obviously with the numbers of people
involved, this is a massive task which is why it is being spread
over a period of several months. You can phone the Pension Service
to apply for Pension Credit on 0800 99 1234 from 8am to 8pm Monday
to Friday and 9am to 1pm on Saturdays. If you have speech or
hearing difficulties the textphone number is 0800 169 0133.
If you are able to conduct the Pensions Service by phone a member
of staff will fill in the application form over the phone and
then post the completed form to you to be checked and signed.
However it seems likely that not everyone who tries to contact
the Pensions Service in this way will be able to do so. For many
people it will be a matter of being patient until being written
to.
As long as a person applies for Pension Credit before October
2004 any money due in October 2003 will backdated to that time.
Jex Woods
|
