CSO for Birstall?
COMMUNITY SUPPORT Officers are a new Police
initiative - their job is to assist in the policing of an area
by patrolling on foot dealing with parking issues, nuisance problems
and being an extra set of eyes and ears working in close contact
with their regular Police colleagues.
Birstall Parish Council, concerned at Syston Local Policing Unit’s
failure to supply two beat officers for Birstall, are requesting
the appointment of a CSO for Birstall. This would be an interim
measure, until a regular beat officer is appointed to join Birstall
PC Dave Coles.
Chairman of Birstall Parish Council, Peter West, said: “I
am quite keen on having a CSO in Birstall. Vice Chairman Stuart
Jones and I attended a Police seminar last summer where the work
of CSOs was explained to us. We learned that if we paid the Police
£24,000 a year than a CSO could be appointed, exclusively
for Birstall.
CSO Chris Fielden
“The feeling of the Council is that if we did pay for a
CSO, we would slip to the bottom of the list when it came to
securing a second regular Police Officer, so we are asking for
one to be appointed free, as a temporary measure until a second
officer can be found.”
Several CSOs were appointed in the Charnwood area last summer
including Chris Fielden, who joined PC Rachel Wells on the beat
in Mountsorrel.
Chris (36) had worked for the Police for more than a year before
becoming a CSO, as a crime recorder taking details over the phone.
To become a CSO, he had to complete a five week training course.
“I wanted to do something for the community” said Chris.
I liked by job in the crime bureau but being a CSO gives me the
chance to get out into the community. Our remit is to patrol
on foot, not in vehicles, and I prefer that as people will come
up and speak to me.”
Chris was appointed in May 2003 and when we interviewed him in
September, he had helped in the arrest of four people. He has
issued four fixed penalty notices for illegal parking and says
that a major problem in Mountsorrel is vehicles with out of date
tax discs. In one month he issued 40 notifications to the DVLA,
who will then issue a fine.
Mountsorrel Parish Council has welcomed Chris’s appointment.
A spokesman said: “He’s doing a brilliant job. He has
been seen around the village regularly which is what has been
required for a long time. His presence around the village should
hopefully prevent some of the vandalism on the playing fields
and other public areas and buildings.”
The CSO uniform differs from a regular police uniform - hats
have a blue band and ties are blue - and has the wording ‘Community
Support Officer’ on it.
CSOs work full time hours with shifts starting at 8am and finishing
at 11pm. Chris will always be assigned to Mountsorrel and will
not be called away unless there is a major incident.
Star pupils
THREE PUPILS from the Starlight Theatre
School are enjoying continuing success.
After leaving the school, Katrina Starbuck, Joanne Manning and
James Robinson did a 3 year course at the Leicester College of
performing Arts to further their career. Joanne is now working
on a solo singing career, Katrina is a cabaret dancer in Tenerife
and James is a dancer with the Scandinavian Cruise Line.
Principal, Monica Osborne of Moorgate Avenue, said: “We
wish them every success”. She added: “Many thanks to
all who assisted our successful end of year show, The Magical
Land of Oz. All performances and matinee were a complete sell
out.”
Boxing day footie
Birstall United Junior Under 12s took on their
dads on Boxing Day
WHAT WERE you doing on Boxing Day morning?
Chances are you were having a well earned lie-in after the previous
day’s hectic round of festivities.
Not so the lads and dads of Birstall United Juniors under 12
football team. Some weeks earlier someone had had the idea of
arranging a morning Boxing Day fixture between the under 12 lads
and their dads. The aim was to raise some much needed funds for
a planned visit to Belgium in May for an under 12’s football
tournament.
Boxing Day morning arrived and the reality of dads that were
not in prime condition, playing a squad of very fit and active
lads, seemed daunting. A very muddy, bumpy pitch and a distinct
winter nip in the air, and suddenly, morning television didn’t
seem such a bad option, even if it was the ‘Great Escape’
again!
However, once the game got under way both sides gave a good account
of themselves. True, the dads were not running around quite as
much as the lads, but came off at full time with a very creditable
3-2 win.
After several mince pies and glasses of mulled wine had been
consumed, almost £80 had been raised towards the eagerly
anticipated Belgian trip.
The next fund raising idea? How about lads versus mums on Valentine’s
Days?
From Keith Pell
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Trophy winning club
Success all the way. A glittering array of
silverware won by Birstall golfers this year is displayed by
team captains: Back Row (l-r) Marcus Beer, Keith Marston, John
Sansome and Robin Francis. Front: Kevin Green and Richard Reed
MEMBERS OF Birstall Golf Club are celebrating
a season of success that saw the club retain the Men’s First
Team Scratch League and win the County Men’s Foursomes.
In addition the club won all four matches against Rothley Park,
with the club’s First team winning the Chapman Cup; the
Second team taking the Kay Harding Shield; the Seniors securing
the Olds Trophy and Junior team taking the Junior Chapman Cup
- which is believed to be the first time that either club has
held all four trophies at the same time.
Club Captain Keith Marston said: “The club has had a tremendous
year on a competitive basis and continues to thrive socially
as well. This winter we have recruited nearly 50 new members
and would be happy to hear from anyone else who might wish to
join”. Anyone wishing to enquire about membership should
contact Sue Chilton, Secretary, on 0116 2674322.
Parish Council Notes
A FULL meeting of Birstall Parish Council
was held on January 12.
It was reported that Mr Mick Bradford from the Highways Department
at the County Council had been invited to the meeting to explain
the situation regarding traffic calming measures on Stonehill
Avenue, as some Parish Councillors had learned that workmen had
been spotted surveying the site. He was not present, but may
attend a future meeting.
The Council agreed to insist that Charnwood remove a number of
stainless steel banner poles that have been stored by Birstall
Parish Council for over a year.
Several residents from Birstall Road were present to give their
views to the Council about a planning application for a number
of dormer bungalows in the grounds of the Grange, on Birstall
Road. The Council agreed to support the residents’ objections.
The Council discussed the current policing situation in the village.
It was evident that Syston LPU had difficulty in providing and
then maintaining two beat officers for Birstall. It was agreed
that the Parish Council request a Community Support Officer (CSO)
as an interim measure until a second beat officer can be provided.
Cllr Roger Wilson reported on the discussions held at Charnwood
on December 18 regarding recycling and refuse collection. He
said that public consultation had comprised nine public meetings,
drop-in sessions at the Town Hall, meetings with community groups
and a random survey of 1942 households in the Borough.
Councillors made several points objecting to wheelie bins: they
are an eyesore, a health hazard, and obstruct both pedestrians
and motorists. It was agreed to write a detailed letter of objection
to Charnwood before the Borough Council voted on the matter on
January 15.
It was reported that the cost of erection of the village sign
on the Triangle roundabout was £2805. Councillors commented
that the work had been done to a high standard.
It was reported that the planning application for sheltered housing
on the site of Nelson’s Cartons on Wanlip Lane had been
approved.
Chairman Peter West said he had been concerned about the remarks
made in the HATS Christmas pantomime regarding councillors being
paid. He said he had contacted HATS and received an apology.
He added that he intended to stand down in May, both as Chairman
and as a councillor. He said: “I am being attacked by the
riff raff of this area in the Birstall Post and I don’t
wish to serve people like that.”
The date of the next meeting is February 9 at 7.30pm in the Village
Hall. Meetings are open to the public.
Naval award
Jonathan Monk
NAVAL MECHANIC Jonathan Monk from Birstall
completed his phase 1a training course at HMS Raleigh in October
2003.
He received the Jim Wicks Plate in Vernon division, awarded to
the most improved trainee during Warfare Branch (Seamanship)
training.
Jonathan (20) attended Longslade College, was a member of Birstall
Scout group and worked as an administrator prior to joining the
Royal Navy. Jonathan has now moved on to HMS Collingwood in Fareham,
Hampshire, where he continues his specialist training.
Quilters’ charity cash
BIRSTALL QUILTERS have raised £900 for the Alzheimers
Society and our picture shows Iris Calew presenting a cheque
to Dborah Swann from the Society
Gift for service
THE FORMER Chairman of Birstall Parish
Council, Mr Nigel Coleman, has been presented with a gift in
recognition of his hard work and achievements during his time
in office.
Birstall Parish Council presented him with a collection of model
soldiers at the Christmas lights switch-on event on Sibson Road
in December.
Chairman of Birstall Parish Council Peter West said: “We
made this gift to Nigel in recognition of his outstanding service
as Chairman. Just one of his achievements was his work helping
to tackle the drugs problem in Birstall.”
Nigel Coleman said: “I was very touched to receive this
thoughtful gift - a limited edition set of figures from the Zulu
wars.”
Nigel served as chairman of Birstall Parish Council from May
1999 to May 2003.
NHS withdraw mobile clinic
A MOBILE podiatry clinic that used to visit
Birstall has been withdrawn because of health and safety reasons.
The NHS caravan would periodically visit the Birstall Social
Club carpark, but its lack of running water, no sterilisng equipment,
a leaky roof and insecure steps meant that it no longer satisfied
health and safety regulations, said Mark Wightman, media spokesman
for Charnwood and Northwest Leicestershire Primary Care Trust.
As well as offering chiropody, the clinic would also treat other
medical conditions relating to feet.
Mr Wightman said: “We very much want to continue offering
this service in Birstall and we have been looking for local premises
- so far without success”.
Space in Birstall Village Hall is unavailable or unsuitable,
but Birstall Parish Council offered the use of its old building
at 10 Sibson Road. The Care Trust decided these premises were
unsuitable.
Mrs J Anderton of Birstall contacted the Birstall Post after
the service was withdrawn. She said: “Patients have been
told to travel to Anstey, Loughborough and Barrow, most of these
patients are elderly or disabled and will be unable to travel
to these locations. This is a disgraceful state of affairs.”
All the mobile clinic’s patients have been contacted by
letter and directed to clinics at Mountsorrel and Barrow.
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Your Say
I feel I have to reply to the letter in last month’s
Birstall Post from Mr Gerald Hardington, concerning comments
made about Birstall Parish Council during HATS pantomime at the
end of November.
I played the part of Widow Twankey in HATS production of Aladdin
and was very offended by Mr Hardington’s comments. During
the whole show, Widow Twankey only made one reference to Birstall
Parish Council, and that came directly from the script, which
was written by one of the country’s most prolific playwrights.
The actual line in the published script was “I’ve never
seen so much lolly since I watched (she names local council)
getting their expenses paid”. As you can’t get more
local than our own parish council, that was what we inserted
into our version of Norman Robbins’ script. There was certainly
no attempt on my part to get any extra laughs at the expense
of any individual or organisation.
I am glad that you enjoyed most of the panto, Mr Hardington,
as did many others, but it would have been better if you had
paid a little more attention to who said what during the show.
please get your facts right before writing to the Birstall Post.
That may prevent you from making more false accusations in future.
Rod Atkins
Leicester City Council has financial problems. Leicester City
Council and Leicestershire County Council do not co-operate.
Unless Central Government pays for all the park & rides in
or near Leicester, including maintenance there will not be any
park & rides.
Consequently a mini park & ride will be built by the developers,
and Greengate Lane (a rat run) will receive minimum attention.
The developers have not consulted the bus people about a route.
How can a full size bus operate on narrow bendy streets with
a 10mph speed limit?
All this will make West Wanlip an estate where the car will dominate
and pollution will increase in Birstall. Why not use the survey
map? A clever name will not solve anything.
Also if there is concern about traffic entering Leicester from
a northerly direction then the Melton Road is busier than the
Loughborough Road. If you stand near the Melton Turn anyone can
see that the traffic coming down the Melton Road is much greater
than traffic coming down the Loughborough Road. Why should Loughborough
with its own traffic problems help Leicester? Pollution must
be shared.
Les Briers
Through your correspondence column I would like to put the
following questions to residents of Birstall and other nearby
villages.
With regard to the proposed introduction of ‘wheelie bins’
replacing the usual weekly collection of refuse (black bags)
and recyclable materials (green bags).
1. Do you think that consultation meetings were clearly publicised
well in advance of any deadline?
2. Do you consider that all Charnwood residents have been fully
consulted?
3. Are you in favour of ‘wheelie bins’?
4. Do you feel strongly that the present collection system must
be retained?
5. In either case, are you prepared to make some effort to make
your views known?
6. In the first instance, will you provide your answers in a
brief letter or an e-mail to the editor of The Birstall Post
and its sister community papers.
Your response will indicate if further action should be taken.
Gloria Brown
As residents of Birstall we personally appreciate the work
of members of the Parish Council who on our behalf manage our
village.
Constructive criticism is a good thing but praise when praise
is due is both stimulating and supportive.
In particular:
our playing fields & sports are excellently maintained; our
pavements & parking are continually being improved; our street
lighting, Christmas lights, litter collection etc.
So we say, on behalf of the ‘silent majority’, to Birstall
Parish Council - please keep up the good work.
M & T Downs
A lot has been said about how the young people of Birstall
behave and their lack of respect for the village. It’s true
some youths have a disrespect for property etc but most of them,
I would say 89%, are terrific. I can prove this theory by saying
to people go and take a look at my gym on Birstall Road. You
will be taken back by the behaviour of my fantastic boys &
girls. I have about 100 members probably nearer 120 now with
the girls being there. Their terrific enthusiasm for work and
respect leaves me speechless at times (and that’s something).
They work hard, there’s no swearing or bad behaviour whatsoever.
The kids and adults that use ‘Gunns Gym’ are a credit
to the human race. We only started the gym less than a year but
‘Oh Boy’ what a success and it’s all down to lads
& girls, they are the heroes of Charnwood.
Even with hindsight I could have never in my whole boxing dreams
hoped for a better start to the gym. The youth of Birstall should
be proud of themselves and soon will be featured on TV in my
gym and they deserve the recognition. We have already reached
the finals of the Crimebeat awards. This in itself is down to
the hard work the boys & girls have put in.
I’m never going to stop crime in Birstall I didn’t
intend to do this by opening my gym but I hope I have contributed
to keeping the village a little better place to live. It’s
a great village, Birstall people have been fantastic for me,
by their support of my gym. It’s also notable that a lot
of trouble that is caused in Birstall is by ‘outsiders’
from other villages, and Birstall youth gets the blame. I’m
not saying they’re all angels but there’s an awful
lot of good young people here and I’m a very proud man these
days to have a fantastic bunch of people in my gym. Birstall
people can be proud of its ‘sporting achievements’.
What a feat, over the last decade Birstall has been at the top
of the sporting calendar for years. I hope my gym can contribute
to this, soon I will be bringing a couple of world champions
to the gym, another chance for people to see world and British
champions from the boxing world. All my members can soon see
the likes of Ricky Hatton, Robbie Reid and David Barnes, currently
the hottest property in boxing. They will all be visiting my
gym here in Birstall so come down to see us.
And to close, take a bow, Birstall youth, because you have been
fantastic!
Yours in sport
Carl Gunns
Recently I bumped into a Spanish wheelie bin, in an unlit
street, but guided by a bottle of Rioja, empty of course, for
recycling.
It appears that Spanish homes don’t have any form of council
issued container for household rubbish or recyclables. Instead
there is a communal green wheelie parked near a neighbour’s
property (certainly not your own front yard if you’re canny!)
Residents provide their own bags etc in which to collect various
household recyclable items and now and then dump this collection
into the street based wheelie. Similarly landfill rubbish is
tipped into a different coloured street-wise wheelie. Well, at
least this reduces the number of eyesores but they still have
the usual disadvantages which Birstallians and Loughborough folk
are starting to realise.
(Many of these concerned people have already written to Mr Jonathan
Hale, Community Engagement officer for Charnwood Borough Council
expressing their resistance to the black wheelies for landfill
rubbish).
There is still time to inform Mr Hale or his Chief Executive,
Mr Brian Hayes, where to dump the proposed monsters. However,
individual residents need to write, NOT group letters signed
‘Birstall Residents’.
Be positive, constructive, assertive but above all ‘do it’.
If you don’t feel that wheelies for landfill rubbish help
increase recyclables collected in other containers, then tell
Charnwood BC!
Ola! The Spanish wheelies! Well, another one in the area I was
visiting was set on fire overnight and next morning there was
a green flat plastic alien shape - with a wonky chassis littering
the road. More seriously in Leicestershire, last year, a lady
was burned to death after vandals set fire to her wheelie bin
and pushed it against her front door.
In other Leicestershire communities with wheelies, the bin men
claim their rounds are quicker and easier. This is because after
auto-emptying into the expensive collection vehicle (bought by
we taxpayers) the bins are thrown(!) back roughly to where they
were found, sometimes on the pavement, often into the road and
hardly every upright.
Oh yes! residents please make sure your bin isn’t overflowing
in the first place or you may be reported, fined, or not have
your wheelie emptied! Be tidy please! There’s plenty of
room inside!
Who pays for a replacement bin if yours is collected by an avid
plastics recycler or is set on fire by an invisible EU citizen?
It seems that at the time of the so called Birstall consultation
on December 4 last, Charnwood BC’s Cabinet were unaware
that “higher performing authorities (in the UK) do not use
wheelie bins” - to help increase recycling via other containers
- but one of their (CBC’s) own committees ‘The Public
Health and Safety Scrutiny Committee was very concerned about
this fact AND many other issues which they felt strongly should
be taken into account by the Cabinet. This situation was dated
November 15, 2003.
Come on Charnwood BC, work together or you may lose public credibility
and support over plans to increase recycling.
Viva Plastica Bagas! Ole!
Gerald Hardington
I wish to express my sincere thanks to all of your readers
who donated their old spectacles to the Vision Aid Overseas (VAO)
appeal. We have now collected in excess of 300 pairs and these
have been forwarded to VAO who will distribute them to areas
of need in the developing world.
I would like to emphasise that this is an ongoing appeal and
the collection box will remain in reception at Pilbeam Opticians
in Mountsorrel - so keep them coming!
I would also like to thank Birch, Alan Birchenell MBE, for his
endorsement and kind support of the appeal.
Jonathan Pilbeam
Pilbeam Opticians
I have lived in Curzon Avenue since I was 15, and am now retired.
And, though my working life was spent in Belgrave and my church
life continues to be based there, I have always supported local
events in Birstall as far as possible.
I have always enjoyed the Birstall Post and found it full of
information concerning activities in Birstall, and also very
useful for the advertisements of local services. Any I have contacted
have been very reliable.
However, lately I have been so saddened by correspondence to
the Letters Page. I refer to the long, rambling, critical letters
concerning the affairs of Birstall Parish Council, which obviously
necessitated long complicated replies to these accusative and
derogatory letters.
I accept that everyone has the right to their opinion, but I
am amazed that these letters (particularly those with personal
comments) are not edited - or seem not to be so. This is not
the sort of thing I expect to read.
In the very recent past there was the switching on of the Christmas
lights, the HATS pantomime, and I have heard of the presentation
to Mr Colemen, who has worked so hard for the people of Birstall,
all very positive things that seem not to have been reported
in our community newspaper.
Of course Birstall has its problems, all Parish Councils do.
I think most people would prefer to read of the good things,
the positive things, which seem not to be sufficiently appreciated
and reported.
People are entitled to state their views, and have differences
of opinion, but a community newspaper would seem to be an inappropriate
place to air apparent personal disagreements at great length.
Mareta Spillane (Mrs)
Having lived in Birstall all my life I’m sad to see the
state it is in now. This being through no fault of the chairman
or any of the other councillors who give up many hours of their
day to try and help the people of the community, but through
fault of the people of the community who would rather stay on
their own backside writing to the local newspaper about how hard
done by they are.
Well I’m sorry but I have absolutely no sympathy for you.
What right do you have to criticise the job being done. Have
you ever attended a council meeting? The fact of the matter is
many of you criticising wouldn’t have the foggiest idea
about helping the community or anyone else apart from yourselves.
Having witnessed the work of the chairman, past and present,
first hand I can tell you there is no abusing of power, or sense
of self-importance. In fact there is little or no gratification
at all. So I put it to anyone who wants to slate the parish council
that instead of doing it in a local newspaper, to attend a council
meeting and state their opinion there, because being the son
of Peter West it makes me angry to see self obsessed people slagging
off his work when I see how much effort he puts into trying to
make this village a better place to live.
Could J Smith please explain why he thinks that it is OK for
people like himself to write letters criticising my dad, but
it is NOT OK for my dad to write a reply, when he is the one
who does all the work?
Jonathan West
I have no intention of responding to the bulk of Dr McNeil’s
letter (January Birstall Post), as despite his accusations, there
are no ‘politics’ on Birstall Parish Council, I am
not a politician and I have no interest whatsoever in his party
political games. He is condemned by his own words when he writes
“why Mr West thinks I would want to observe parish meetings
puzzles me.” The simple answer is that it might qualify
Dr McNeil to write sensibly on the subject.
But, although I have already answered his question about “Mr
Clarke’s position over the Harrowgate Drive issue”,
I shall answer a second time.
Birstall Parish Council has no powers to prevent any councillor
speaking on any subject and has never done so.
However, if the Clerk of the Council believes that a councillor
has spoken on a subject in which he has a “prejudicial (financial)
interest” or has failed to declare a prejudicial interest,
he is obliged to refer the matter to the national Standards Board.
The clerk, Mr H M Knight, therefore quite properly referred the
matter of Mr Clarke to the Standards Board almost a year ago
and the case is currently at the second stage of investigation.
We can do no more.
I trust that this answers Dr McNeil’s question and that
we shall hear no more from him.
A thought for J Smith, who believes that I should not have the
right of reply to even the most ill-informed and obnoxious letters
criticising our volunteer councillors.
For several years, Birstall Parish Council meetings have been
disrupted by just one person, who has wasted our time, interrupted
other councillors, insulted our employees, driven away good people
and made others unwilling to stand for election (in the process,
allowing him to be elected unopposed). At all times, the other
members of the Council have been fine, public-spirited members
of the community, who have just wished to do their best for Birstall.
But foolish writers like Mr Lacey and disingenuous apologists
for Mr Lacey, like “name & address supplied” and
“J Smith”, tar all the members of the council with
the same brush.
Imagine a situation where a hooligan went around breaking his
neighbours’ windows. If someone, who had never visited that
street and knew no-one who lived there, wrote in claiming that
“ALL the people in that street went around breaking EACH
OTHER’S WINDOWS”, the other residents would be outraged.
Not only would they be the victims, but they themselves would
be classed as hooligans.
That is how our parish councillors feel. We give up a great deal
of time for the village, only to have much of that time wasted,
and then are likened by a small number of ignorant correspondents
to the very person who is wrecking our efforts to improve our
community.
A further thought for “J Smith”. Many people have asked
if the disruptive councillor is, perhaps, ill. I do not know
the answer. I am not a doctor. But responsible people do not
regard illness of any type as a “source of amusement”.
In common with many members of this community who have spoken
to me recently, I believe that “J Smith” (whom I would
guess is related to Mr Lacey and, possibly, the same person as
“name & address supplied”) owes an apology to the
members of our council and also to my family, who are extremely
upset.
Peter West
In the past three months or so, during the times when I have
been in my car in the queue at the end of Sibson Road waiting
at the traffic lights, I have seen several cars being driven
along the other side of the road, past the waiting traffic and
the lights and then turning into the slip road in front of the
shops etc which face Loughborough Road.
The drivers are obviously people too impatient to join the queue
and to wait for the lights to change. They travel fast along
the slip road, using it as a rat-run for when they reach the
end of the road they aggressively turn left into the traffic
coming down the A6 and drive towards Leicester or turn right
and go into Greengate Lane. On one occasion in November a motor-cyclist
rode very fast past my car and other cars waiting at the lights,
he turned into the slip road and at the end threaded his way
dangerously through the traffic coming down the A6 and went into
the outside land, he did a U-turn at the lights, in front of
traffic crossing the junction, and then went very quickly up
the A6 towards Loughborough.
Apart from these movements being foolish and rather dangerous,
they appear to be illegal, in contravention of the Highway Code
- it seems obvious that the traffic lights on Sibson Road, on
the side of the road outside the vet’s premises, refer to
both sides of the road. It seems equally obvious that when there
is a queue of stationary traffic because the lights are at red,
these vehicles should not be overtaken. What may be confusing
these impatient and dangerous drivers is the fact that there
is a set of traffic lights at the end of Sibson Road, on the
shops side, at the end of the grass strip adjacent to the A6.
I suggest that this set of lights needs to be moved to the other
side of the slip road, alongside the parking sign outside the
dental practice premises.
Also it would probably be safer if traffic coming out of the
slip road at the Sibson Road end was made to turn left only into
Sibson Road.
J Woods
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Age Concern info
Making sense of the pensions puzzle
Skateholder pensions? Second state pensions? SERPS? The types
of pension seem to be getting more prolific and confusing every
day. After reading reports about pension funds being closed to
new employees or wound up completely and disappearing into thin
air, you could be forgiven for thinking you’d be better
off keeping your hard earned money under the mattress.
If current trends continue 35% of the UK population will be of
pensionable age by the year 2030 but more and more of us are
failing to make adequate provision for our retirement. If thinking
about pensions makes you feel ill, or if you just fancy retiring
early, perhaps you should invest in a copy of Age Concern’s
new book, Your Guide to Pensions 2004 by Sue Ward. Now in its
tenth edition, the book is primarily aimed at people in their
30s, 40s and 50s, who can still do something about their pension.
There are three main sections to the book: state pensions, occupational
pensions and personal pensions, as well as chapters on pension
issues for women and pension security. Throughout, the book gives
personal examples and checklists to help you get what you really
want out of your pension.
With a substantial section of the book devoted to the state pension
and with updates on recent and forthcoming changes in pensions
- such as stakeholder pensions and pension scheme deficits -
it’s useful also for those over 60 and people involved in
giving pensions advice.
Your Guide to Pensions 2004 : Planning Ahead to Boost Retirement
Income by Sue ward, 188pp. Price £6.99 (plus £1.95
p&p) ISBN: 0862423783. Available from Age Concern Books,
Units 5 & 6, Industrial Estate, Brecon, Powys LD3. Tel:0870
44 22 120
Pensions credit and the savings disregard
The Department of Health has issued further guidance on how the
savings disregard is calculated for the purposes of charging
for residential care. It gives a brief explanation of Pension
Credit, a list of qualifying income, how councils may access
benefits information, a brief explanation of the savings disregard
and worked examples of how the savings disregard should be calculated.
On November 4 an Early Day Motion (EDM 1865) was tabled in the
House of Commons. The full text is as follows: “That this
House deplores the fact that people in care homes, unlike in
any other setting, are not able to see the full value of the
Pension Credit because the charging regulations only permit them
to keep a maximum of £4.50 per week; and calls on the Government
to ensure that those in care homes supported by local authorities,
who saved for their older age, have this recognised in full,
up to the maximum possible savings credit award of £14.79
per week.”
Pension Credit and the Savings Disregard. 24pp. Available on
the Internet at www.doh.gov.uk/scg/crag/index.htm
Hospital travel costs : updated guidance
The Department of Health has updated its guidance on the Hospital
Travel Scheme to take into account the introduction of Pension
Credit. The guarantee credit entitles recipients and their partners
to full reimbursement of hospital travel costs. Those in receipt
of savings credit alone may be entitled to full or partial help
under the NHS Low Income Scheme and are advised to complete an
HCI form (available by calling the phone number below).
The Hospital Travel Costs Scheme : Guidance Document. 11pp. Available
free from: Department of Health, PO Box 77, London, SE1 6XH.
Tel: 08701 555455.
Also available on the Internet at
www.doh.gov.uk/hospitaltravelcosts/hospitaletravelcostsguidance.pdf
Disabled people’s experience of direct
payments
SCOPE has undertaken research looking at disabled people’s
use of direct payments and has published its findings in the
Direct Approach : Disabled People’s Experience of Direct
Payments.
Most of the disabled people who took part in the research found
that direct payments had a positive impact on their lives and
on those of their families. However, obtaining a direct payment
was often difficult. The co-operation of social services, and
in particular the individual’s social worker, was crucial.
Many respondents found obtaining information, recruiting and
managing personal assistants and obtaining support were problematic.
Many respondents decided on direct payments because they were
dissatisfied with services rather than because they were attracted
initially to the positive benefits of direct payments.
Most direct payments were used to employ personal assistants.
This was partly because of a reluctance on the part of social
services to encourage wider and more imaginative use of payments:
for example to purchase equipment or to develop joint health
and social care packages. Recommendations include extending the
responsibilities of the Criminal Records Bureau to cover direct
employment payment issues.
The Direct Approach: Disabled People’s Experience of Direct
Payments - Summary of Findings and Key Recommendations. Price
£3.30 to individuals (£14.30 to organisations). ISBN:
0946828776. Available from SCOPE Library and Information Unit,
6 Market Road, London. N7 9PW. Tel: 020 7619 7342. Fax: 020 7619
7360
Ricability - New Guides
Ricability, the independent charity which researches and publishes
unbiased information on products for older and disabled people,
has just published two new guides. Wheels Within Wheels : A Guide
to Using a Wheelchair on Public Transport, tells people what
to expect from newer trains, coaches, buses and taxis. It gives
key dimensions of wheelchairs available in the UK to show which
ones fit onto public transport.
Calling for Help : A Guide to Community Alarms, provides advice
on choosing and using community alarms with full test results
on thirteen models.
Both guides are available in Braille, large print and audio.
Wheels Within Wheels etc. 30pp ISBN 0900621613. Calling for Help
etc 24pp ISBN 0900621621.
Both available free by sending a (12”x9”) sae (56p
postage for the first guide, 46p for the second, 69p for both
guides) to Ricability, 30 Angel Gate, City Road, London EC1V
2PT.
Working Tax Credit : Guide for Self Employed
People Over the Age of 50
PRIME, the initiative for mature self-employment and enterprise
has published a guide to Working Tax Credit for people who are
self-employed or thinking about self-employment,. It contains
examples showing how much tax credit people can claim, depending
on the amount of annual profit they expect to make. The leaflet
also covers New Deal 50 Plus and the special ‘50 plus element’
of the Working Tax Credit. The guide is particularly important
for self-employed people and their advisers because the Inland
Revenue does not currently produce information specifically designed
for the self-employed.
Where Credit is Due - a PRIME Guide to Working Tax Credit for
Self Employed People Over the Age of 50. Available free from
the Prime Initiative, Astral House, 1268 London Road, London
SW16 4ER Tel: 020 8765 7852. Fax: 020 8765 7879. Email : prime@ace.org.uk
Attendance Allowance - New Shorter Claim
Form
Following successful pilot schemes in Bristol and Glasgow, a
new, shorter claim form was introduced nationally on October
6, 2003. The form has been reduced from 37 to 19 pages.
Raising state pension age : an update
This report by the Pensions Policy Institute (PP1) revisits the
issues raised in an earlier report on state pension age and responds
to the debate and research there has been since then. It considers
a range of responses to the arguments that have been put forward
against raising pension age, including concerns about people
in the lowest income groups; the need for flexible retirement
and general public opposition. The PP1 concludes that the answer
to “Are we ready to raise state pension age in the UK?”
is “not yet”. The paper states that people often misunderstand
the policy and focus only on negative effects, whereas raising
pension age is a valid option which could be one of the trade-offs
in reforming the state pension system.
Raising State Pension Age ; an Update. 25pp. Available free from
Pensions Policy Institute, King’s College, 4th floor, Waterloo
Bridge Wing, Franklin-Wilkins Building, Waterloo Road, London.
SE1 9NN. Tel: 020 7848 3744. Fax 020 7848 3235. Email: info@pensionspolicyinstitute.org.uk.
Equal pay by the year 2083
Labour MP Vera Baird says that women will have to wait another
eighty years to earn equal pay with men for the whole of their
working lives, leaving women pensioners in poverty for the foreseeable
future.
Ms Baird secured a women and pensions debate on October 28 and
she used figures provided by Fawcett Society, the leading organisation
working for equality between the sexes, and Age Concern England
to illustrate that the next three generations of women face poverty
in retirement.
We should tell our daughters who are coming up to working age
that they are doomed to poverty in old age. It means also that
we should tell them to tell their daughters, who will start work
in about 2025 - the year I predict Brooklyn Beckham will sign
for Real Madrid - that they, too, will retire poor. Our great
granddaughters will start work in 2045, the year that we - or
rather they, by then - celebrate the centenary of Paul McCartney’s
birth. We should tell them that in retirement, they, too, will
be poorer than their brothers.
Mrs Baird, who has taken up the cause of women’s pensions,
is strongly supporting the joint Age Concern England/Fawcett
Society Let’s Make Pensions Work for Women campaign.
Jex Woods
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