'Quality’ Council gags its Councillors.

This article first appeared in the Stratford Herald and is reproduced verbatim with their permission. The Editor of Henley NEWS Online had no influence over this article.

BEAUDESERT and Henley Joint Parish Council is once again a Quality Status council, it was announced at a meeting on Monday night—the same meeting that the council made it clear that from now on it would be shutting itself down to the media, writes Philippa Prankard.

Chairman of the parish council, Cllr Les Goodman, declared receiving the Quality mark was official proof of the council's strong leadership and high levels of communication.

He then addressed all those who had disparaged the hard work of the council by saying the council was working well and its commitment to Henley was paramount to all that it did.

A council achieves Quality Status if it can demonstrate it has reached the certain minimum standard required in a range of areas including code of conduct, promoting local democracy and citizenship and communication and community engagement.

The parish council was originally awarded Quality Status in June 2005. However, the council was not successful in keeping hold of this status when it was up for renewal in 2009.

The council was approved to resubmit for Quality Status in October last year but could only go through with the resubmission process once parish clerk Jenny Walsh was fully qualified and had passed all her exams. Ms Walsh achieved this goal in December and all councillors were in favour of pursuing Quality Status apart from Cllr Bill Leech, who thought the council did not deserve it as it failed in its communication. Cllr Leech's criticism was dismissed as "inappropriate" by the National Association of Local Councils which operates the Quality Status scheme.

Cllr Goodman and Ms Walsh then had to endure a 50-minute interview with a panel of NALC representatives who were unanimous in awarding the parish council Quality Status.

At the same meeting councillors adopted a set of revised standing orders for the council. Every council must have a set of standing orders, or rules, for the conduct of its meetings and those of its committees.

And within Henley Parish Council's revised standing orders is a rule that all councillors are prohibited from having any contact with the press either verbally or in written form. This means councillors will no longer be able to contact the press about any matters of interest in the town such as public events or acts of vandalism while members of the press will no longer have the freedom to call up councillors for quotes on Henley matters.

Fittingly, Cllr Chris Milsom voiced his upset at how the flood meeting at the guildhall last Saturday had been publicised. He said articles in the Herald and on the website Henley News OnLine had suggested the event had been organised by the Environment Agency and not, as he said was the case, by the general purposes committee of the parish council.

Cllr Leech, who is also the editor of Henley News Online, spoke for his publication and the Herald when he said both had received a press release from the Environment Agency alerting them to the fact the meeting was taking place and the information contained in it had been published in good faith. The release had mentioned the county, district and parish councils' part in the meeting.

Report by Philippa Mingins - News Editor - Stratford Herald
Thursday 4th March 2010

Dear Editor,

Re the paragraph saying “And within Henley Parish Council's revised standing orders is a rule that all councillors are prohibited from having any contact with the press either verbally or in written form. This means councillors will no longer be able to contact the press about any matters of interest in the town such as public events or acts of vandalism while members of the press will no longer have the freedom to call up councillors for quotes on Henley matters.”
 
Surely this is illegal?  Only a court injunction can ban someone from talking to the press or vice versa; there’s still a basic human right to freedom of speech in this country.  You can contract someone not to talk to the press if you wish but I don’t see any mention of a contract here.  
 
May be the JPC will need that budget for legal expenses after all.

Concerned Resident - Name supplied but withheld at correspondent's request

Election for Beaudesert Parish Councillor

Cllr Kenneth Mitchell has lost his seat on the Joint Parish Council as he has not attended any council meetings for 6 months. A notice of a casual vacancy for the Parish of Beaudesert was published on 24th February.

14 local government electors from the Parish of Beaudesert requested of the Chief Executive of Stratford District Council that an election take place. The alternative would have been to allow the JPC to co-opt a new member.

Sue Osborne, who has lived in Beaudesert for more than 30 years, has announced that she will be standing as an independent and our photo shows Sue at St Nicholas Church, Beaudesert.

According to Stratford District Council, George Atkinson, the former County Councillor, is also standing. Consequently, there will be a contested election on Thursday 8th April 2010.

JPC Flood Exhibition Update

Letter to the Editor

Dear Editor,

What a great turnout for this event organised by the JPC Emergency Committee. Some 50 residents attended I believe. There was good support from local government, the Environment Agency and the National Flood Forum (NFF).

It was however immensely frustrating as a Henley-based flood protection company that I wasn't able to give expert advice and suggestions to people but had to listen to those given by the NFF instead. Like government the NFF tries to offer advice on a whole range of products in the market place and like government does not want to be seen favouring any one commercial organisation. However this can lead to the wrong messages getting through to people. A key message that needs to be strengthened relates to the British Standard Institute (BSi) Kitemark. There is a standard referred to as PAS1188 that temporary and demountable (T&D) flood protection products can be tested against. Recently the government, through Defra, re-opened a test facility (at great expense to the tax payer) to allow more companies to test their products against this standard.

Those of us that already supply BSi products do so for a good reason. It is a quality mark that demonstrates to our customers that the product is fit for purpose, it is manufactured to exacting standards and that the company will be around long enough to fulfil its guarantee obligations. The tests themselves cost tens of thousands of pounds and we have to pay annual licences to BSi to continue using the Kitemark logo. It is therefore very frustrating to hear the NFF tell their audience that non-BSi products are just as good and it's because they are small companies who maybe can't afford to do the tests. They don't do the test because they know the products will fail more likely.

No wonder the response from some of the audience was "Oh! it's okay then we'll be able to do it ourselves" or "maybe I could just put a piece of board across the door". People don't have such a cavalier attitude to protecting their property from burglars or fire. I wonder why their reaction to flood protection is so different?

Did you know that a metre of water against your house represents a tonne of pressure? If the water rises to 2 metres a load of 4 tonnes is against your house. If you use a flood barrier of inferior quality that succumbs to these loads the resulting flood will be far more devastating than just letting the water flow in naturally and can lead to huge safety issues.

I am happy to share my knowledge of flooding with anyone who is interested including advice on flood protection, internal tanking, fitting non-return valves, insurance, alarms, etc. with absolutely no obligation to buy whatsoever.

It is just my goal in life to get people to stop using sandbags - even the so called new ones. As you all know they don't work.

John Alexander - Director, Revetment Ltd., Henley-in-Arden

School for Scandal

Following their highly acclaimed musical adaptation of The Clandestine Marriage in June of last year, Consensus will be returning to the Memorial Hall again in April to help raise money for The Guild Trust. Our picture right is from this production.

Sheridan’s The School for Scandal, one of the most popular English plays ever written, is combined with some of the young Mozart’s most beautiful music, in a riveting evening of scandal, deception, comedy and social intrigue.

The play is set amidst the gossip columnists, the glamour and the Bright Young People of the early 1930s in a new adaptation by Tim Johnson. It is to be performed by some of the finest local actors and singers, most of whom also performed in Henley late last year as part of the Stratford-upon-Avon Gilbert and Sullivan Society’s highly successful concert in aid of the Guild Hall Trust.

Saturday 17 April, 7:30 pm
Memorial Hall, Henley-in-Arden
Tickets: £8.00, available on the door or phone 01564 795219

Racing Technology Comes To Henley

Many of us have been wondering what Jacksons have in mind for the big white building next to the Market. Our special correspondent can now reveal Jacksons’ plans for a high tech, eco-friendly Service Centre to match any in the country.

The Jackson family have a long history in motor racing. Grandfather Doug raced motorbikes in the early days of motorsport and today Matt is one of the leading drivers in the British Touring Car Championship. Until very recently the family managed their own motorsport team and set up their own race cars with spectacular results. Anyone who has anything to do with Formula 1 will recognise the incredibly high standards of care, precision and high technical skills required in competitive motor sport. It makes sense for Jacksons to want to bring these qualities to their facilities in Henley.

Jacksons expect new customers to come from far and wide because they know that owners expect their expensive, high quality vehicles to be treated with care, respect and expertise without having to pay the prices charged by some of the larger main dealers. Value for money, high technical standards, integrity, trust and care are the objectives they seek.

To reach these objectives, Jacksons needed suitable premises - they had the choice of moving to a new site outside Henley or developing their existing one. The decision to stay was based primarily on the site’s proximity to the Town Centre, enabling customers to do their business, shopping, see friends etc whilst their car is being serviced. They also wanted to support the Town’s economy and local employment.

What was needed was a brand new, purpose built facility crammed with the latest equipment to provide the very best in care and technical excellence to their customers. Hence the big white building – now well under construction and already partly used. Jacksons hope that it will be completed during the spring and the full list of facilities which will be available will appear in a future edition of Henley News Online.

In the meantime, Jacksons extend a warm welcome to anyone who would like to come and see the new facility. They are justifiably proud of it and believe you will be impressed by what you see.

Simon Maddox reporting

New Evening Service for X20

Johnsons Coach & Bus have announced that from Tuesday 6th April the operating times for the popular X20 route, which runs between Stratford-upon-Avon and Birmingham, has been extended to offer customers the facility of travelling between the two towns later into the evening.

The new extended service is operating Monday to Saturday, leaving Stratford-upon-Avon at 19:50, arriving in Birmingham at 20:55. Departing Birmingham at 21:05, arriving back in Stratford-upon-Avon at 22:10, with a final route from Stratford-upon-Avon at 23:25 to Henley-in-Arden only, arriving at 23:55.

In addition, a new afternoon service will operate Mondays to Fridays only, departing from Henley-in-Arden opposite The Three Tuns at 16:00, arriving in Birmingham at 17:00, returning at 17:10 for an 18:35 arrival in Stratford-upon -Avon. Sunday services continue to operate as normal.

A Johnsons spokesperson said “We have been delighted with the success and the popularity of this service and we have had customer feedback indicating that they would welcome these extended services, allowing them to make more of their time both in Stratford-upon-Avon and Birmingham."

Sad Day at the Youth Club.

Anna Stowe Youth Leader That Climbs The Extra Cliff Face!

On Monday 22nd February about 50 helpers, committee members and young people gathered at The Hub (the youth and community centre) to say farewell to Anna. She had been the full-time youth worker for nearly 5 years and was being transferred, against her will, to another post in the county.

During the evening we recalled her many innovations, her amazing capacity for persuading organisations to make grants to the club, her persistence in ensuring that standards of behaviour were raised while having a clear plan that participants would enjoy. She went way beyond what could be reasonably expected of the youth leader and always concentrated on the needs of many individuals who benefitted from the experiences and opportunities she created. At the same time she managed to keep Henley Youth Club at the top of the table for achievements in the County of Warwickshire.

The committee will miss her thoroughness and excellent organisation, the 12 or so part time staff will miss her support and enthusiasm for their progress in the job and the young people will miss her thoughtfulness and interest in everything they did. The evening concluded with presentations with Anna conveying her hopes that the club will continue to thrive and the club knowing that Anna will make a great success of any task she is given to do.

We now look forward to the return of Robert McCluskey who was leader in the late nineties, who knows the area well and is very experienced. The Management Committee are confident that the club will continue to progress, serving the community of Henley in the way it has always done.

Peter Crathorne reporting

Henley-in-arden Property Gazette.co.uk

State-of-the-art, new life-saving helicopter launched

The team at local charity, Warwickshire & Northamptonshire Air Ambulance (WNAA) are celebrating the New Year in style with a fantastic new life saving helicopter. The state-of-the-art helicopter was unveiled at two special events in the regions it serves, at Althorpe House in Northamptonshire and the world famous The Belfry in Warwickshire, both on Friday 22nd January.

Andy Williamson, Chief Executive commented, “We are obviously very excited from an operational perspective to be getting a brand new aircraft. The WNAA team are continuously driven by providing the best possible care to our patients and this will help us to provide the best possible service and care.” The new helicopter is an Agusta 109 Power; with a cruise speed just short of 200mph, the fastest civilian helicopter available. This will enable WNAA to quickly provide vital medical care on the scene often meaning the difference between life and death. The aircraft has the capability for a rapid start and shut-down sequence and can be airborne in about 45 seconds where some services can take around two minutes to warm up and the same to shut down.

The new aircraft will increase reliability and host an all new patient monitoring system and enhanced Lifeport Stretcher System. This is a new generation stretcher structure which automatically rotates and glides out of the aircraft door, reducing lifting and handling and improving patient comfort. It will also be fitted with full all weather capability instruments to enable the crew to fly in bad weather.

Andy continued “After seven years of service the old helicopter has flown over 3,400 flying hours and like any machinery it gets tired, repairs increase and it needs renewing. The new helicopter will greatly improve reliability and reduce maintenance and downtime.”

“The helicopter is leased from Sloane Helicopters as part of an ongoing lease agreement. This enables WNAA to have the most up to date technology ultimately benefitting the patient, by carrying a bespoke state-of-the-art medical refit and all the latest radio equipment.”

Since launching the charity in 2003 over 8,200 missions have been attended by the well loved helicopter and crew are operational during daylight hours, seven days a week. They rapidly respond to emergency 999 calls saving people who live, work or travel through our regions and beyond when needed. It currently serves a population of 1.2 million people across 2,200 square miles of Warwickshire and Northamptonshire.

WNAA is one of the busiest air ambulances in the UK and attends 100 call outs per month, on average this equates to around 4 calls a day; however, in peak times such as the summer they can attend 150 call outs per month.

Don't forget to sign up your team for the Heroes 5Km Run/Walk/Jog at Stoneleigh on Sunday 23rd May. Sheila Dolman is the Henley-in-Arden team coordinator. Johnsons will be providing a bus from the Market Cross on the day. Passengers should call 01564 797000 to book and pledge their transport donation.

Message from the Rector

Dear Friends,

How good are you at telling a story? Are you able to describe things well? For example, supposing you need to say that something went on for a serious length of time – would you say it ‘went on and on’, or would you say ‘it went on for ages’. Sounds as though it could have been boring and annoying! But what if it went on for a long time and it was important? Well, the Bible uses the number 40 to describe such times; for example: it rained for forty days and forty nights; the Israelites were in the wilderness for forty years; and Jesus was in the wilderness being tested by the devil for forty days. This last event is from where we get our idea of Lent. We need to take the events of Good Friday and Easter seriously, and so we set aside ‘forty days’ for preparation and contemplation.

During Lent it is usual to be more generous than normal, and so as a church we support a charity project; this year we are supporting the provision of clean water for rural communities in Burundi. Find out more by popping into St. John’s and reading the information at the back of church. It is also customary during Lent to spend more time thinking about our relationship with God. To help us do this, I invite you to join me in a series of Lent Gatherings in St. John’s on Thursday evenings in March, 7.30 – 9pm, starting on 4th March. Don’t worry if you miss one; come to as many as you can! The theme, supported by all the churches in Henley, is ‘Getting to know Jesus better’. It couldn’t be more straightforward than that! Finally, during the Sunday morning services in March, the theme of the sermons will be ‘Prayer’. Come along and find out if anything I say on the subject makes sense!

One way or another, I hope you can mark this season of Lent, and that the cross and resurrection of Jesus become more understood and meaningful to you.

John Ganjavi

The Churches in Henley will be combining for a series of meetings on Thursdays 4th 11th 18th & 25th at 7.30pm hosted by St John’s with refreshments. They will be considering the topic WOULD YOU LIKE TO GET TO KNOW JESUS BETTER?. Come and join us for a stimulating and informative evening on all or any one of these dates.

SPECIAL APPEAL FOR WATER DURING LENT.
This year it will be for CORD (Christian Outreach Relief and Development), a charity based in Leamington Spa. St John’s congregation are supporting a water scheme for a village in Burundi, bringing much needed clean drinking water and so preventing disease and unnecessary death and hours spent everyday fetching water, especially by children who then miss school.

Anyone in the town wishing to contribute to this appeal can put their donation in an envelope marked CORD Lent Appeal and deliver to the Rectory or put through the door at 142/144 High Street. (Cheques payable to Henley-in-Arden PCC Group Please mark envelope Cord Appeal).

West Highland Way – Paul Kershaw and Robin Rumbles are planning to walk the 96 mile West Highland way at Easter in aid of this year’s CORD Lent Appeal. Sponsorship forms at back of church. Further information from Robin on 794424.

HENLEY METHODIST CHURCH
Sunday Services all at 10.30 am are: 7th – Mr John Parkes; 14th – Revd Robert J Powell (Sacrament); 21st – Mr. Michael Sergeant; 28th – Revd Caroline Homan. The Baby and Toddler Group meet every Monday morning from 10.30 am.

Services at St Johns

SERVICES OVER EASTER

HENLEY METHODIST CHURCH
Maunday Thursday 4 pm Communion.
Good Friday UNITED SERVICE Market Cross 10 am. UNITED SERVICE at Baptist Church at 10.30.
Easter Sunday . 10.30 am service.

ST JOHN’S
Maunday Thursday. 8-9 pm Communion. 9-10 pm Vigil.
Good Friday. UNITED SERVICE Market Cross Service. 10 am  UNITED SERVICE at Baptist Church at 10.30.
Good Friday Meditation. 2-3 pm
Easter Eve Saturday. Lighting of Easter Candle and short service. 8 pm.
Easter Sunday As normal.

CATHOLIC
Tuesday 7.30 pm. Stations of the Cross at Wootton Wawen
Good Friday UNITED SERVICE Market Cross . 10 am
UNITED SERVICE 10.30 at Baptist Church.
Service of the Passion St Nicholas Henley 3.pm.

BAPTIST
Maundy Thursday. Service in Baptist Hall with Communion 7.30 pm.
Good Friday. Breakfast in Church Hall 9 am  (Names in advance to Gordon Trinder.)
UNITED SERVICE at Market Cross at 10 am.  UNITED SERVICE for all Churches. 10.30.
Easter day. Service on The Mount 8am. Weather permitting!

ST MARY'S ULLENHALL
Good Friday: 7pm. Reflection on the Crucifixion.
Easter Day: 9am Holy Communion.

John Pudney - Religious Affairs Correspondent

'I nearly died' says Claverdon RFC President

Basil Sayer, the ever popular President of the Claverdon Rugby Football Club, hosted a French Gastronomic evening on Friday, 26th Feb, at the Claverdon clubhouse to celebrate his return to full health. He had been suddenly struck down with GBS, which is short for ‘Guillain-Barré syndrome, an acute disease of the peripheral nervous system in which the nerves in the arms and legs become inflamed and stop working. Basil was on a life support machine for many days and he nearly died. Hence, all the waiting staff had tea shirts with the slogan “I nearly died”.

Last Friday he was able to demonstrate he was back in charge and in excellent health. He welcomed Andy Leitch, the current chairman of the GBS Support Group and the High Bailiff, Roger Sutton and over 100 guest to a Fundraising Dinner. The five course French style was provided by Sue Dalby and Brian Westmacott as their donation to the fund raising.

The high spot of the evening was an auction conducted by Lindsay Shaw with all proceeds going to the GBS Support Group. The lots included a signed print of Johnny Wilkinson ‘drop kicking us to glory’, a 7 course meal for six at Stockton House provided by Sue Dalby, 4 member's badges for Newmarket Races, 2 tickets for Coventry City, etc. The auction raised over £1,325 which enabled Basil to present a cheque for all his fundraising of £5,500 to Andy Leitch for the GBS Support Group.

Photos by Will Barnes

Johnsons Models

Recently Johnsons Coaches have added a new vehicle to their fleet. It is a Corgi/Hornby model of their latest coaches - 'Scania Irizar PB' of Johnsons Quality Coach and Bus Travel of Henley-in-Arden Warwickshire'. This model is a limited Edition of 1100, available at all good model shops.

John Love reporting

New Book Club

Two people from Henley are looking for others to join a book club. Based in Henley, the format will be the usual one for book clubs, ie meet once per month to discuss a book which everyone has read during that month. Books to be read during following month will be chosen at the discussion group.

Initially we thought we would meet in a pub but this could change to members' homes later if that is preferred.

We expect that the club will be eclectic in its choices of books to read so there will be something for everyone’s taste plus the occasional book that you may never have chosen to read yourself – you may be surprised! Reading a book knowing that you will be discussing it later is a different experience to reading purely for private pleasure. Why not give it a go?

We also hope that the club will have a social element – maybe a bottle of wine and the chance to make new friends.

If you think you may be interested please either:

email Lesley on Lesley-hammond@hotmail.co.uk or
call Lesley on 07979 913163 or
call Rosemary on 01564 795141

Sport Relief Returns to Stratford

The Recreation Ground in Stratford-upon-Avon is set to host one of Sainsbury’s Sport Relief Miles on Sunday 21st March at 11am, and needs local people to show their support by entering now at www.sportrelief.com.

The Sport Relief Weekend is taking place from Friday 19th to Sunday 21st March and it’ll be three whole days of energy, entertainment and events to help the nation rise to the challenge!

Organiser Paula Watson from Stratford District Council said: “The Sainsbury’s Sport Relief Mile in Stratford is here and it’s your time to shine. From teeny-tots with their mums and dads, to super sprinters up against the clock there’s something for everyone on the big day – whether you do 1, 3 or 6 miles. Best of all, the money you raise by getting sponsored will be used to transform lives forever. So come on Stratford, rise to the challenge!”

Hundreds of thousands of people across the country will rise to the challenge at the Sainsbury’s Sport Relief Mile - and have a great time too – whether they do 1, 3 or 6 miles. Comic Relief will spend the money raised through sponsorship helping poor and vulnerable people both here in the UK and across the world’s poorest countries.

Sport Relief has a unique history of dedicated people doing extraordinary things to rise to the challenge. In 2006 David Walliams completed his astonishing swim across the English Channel and in 2008 Adrian Chiles and Alan Shearer cycled 335 miles from Newcastle to London. This summer Eddie Izzard set an incredible standard by running an amazing 43 marathons in 51 days around the UK and there’ll be even more amazing celebrity challenges to get the whole nation geared up for the Sport Relief Weekend.

The whole thing kicks off on Friday 19th March when everyone gets active, raises cash and has a ball at home, at work or at school before they settle down to watch a night of top Sport Relief telly on BBC One. Then there’ll be even more BBC radio, online and TV coverage throughout the weekend to keep everyone entertained. Then it’s the big one, the chance for the nation to come together and take part in the Sainsbury’s Sport Relief Mile on Sunday 21st March.

Gymnastics, Ballet and Tap Lessons at the Ardencote

I am a dance teacher in Warwickshire and Northamptonshire and I'm going to offer Gymnastics, Ballet and Tap Lessons, including Adult Tap, at the Ardencote Manor Leisure Club, Shrewley, Warwickshire. It is open to both members and non members and I wondered if you wanted to feature a good news article on this

In recession based times it's good to hear of clubs expanding and offering new exciting classes in areas where there currently aren't any offered so the local children have chance to dance and take part in shows and also take examinations.  I first started LoveBallet Dance Company in Southam and since then have opened in Daventry, Upper Boddington and now at the Ardencote. With programmes such as "So you think you can Dance" and Britain's Got Talent" - dance is so popular now and a key talking point in the playgrounds as to the latest moves.

The classes will start on Sunday 7th March at the Dance Studio and Adult Tap will also be offered too - no experienced required.

The times are below for your interest and if you need any further information please call me on 07711 010404 or visit www.loveballet.co.uk

10.00am - 10.30am Prima Ballerinas (3-5yrs)

10.30am - 11.00am Little Tappers (3-5yrs)

11.00am - 11.30am Gymnastics (all ages)

11.30am - 12.00 noon - Pre-Syllabus Ballet (5-7yrs)

12.00pm - 12.30pm - Pre-Primary Tap (5-7yrs)

12.30pm - 1.15pm - Adult Tap (no exp required)

First lesson free as a trial!

Lorraine
LoveBallet Dance Company

Alcester North Safer Neighbourhood Team
Community Newsletter

Incident Overview
Below are the incidents recorded for the Alcester North Safer Neighbourhood Team for February 2010:

Crime in Your Area
The Stratford District has experienced a number of burglary incidents where offices of Nursing and Care Homes have been targeted. As a result officers have been carrying out extra high visibility patrols in these areas, particularly in the evenings. If you see anyone acting suspiciously please report it to the police as soon as possible, including any descriptions you may have.

The Studley area has suffered the most in terms of anti social behaviour and criminal damage, this was reflected in concerns being voiced by members of the public who attended the Community Forum. Officers will be providing eight additional duties in the area until 2am in order to provide a high visibility presence and identify offenders. Officers request that the community continue to report incidents asap so appropriate action can be taken.

Reports have been made regarding a black hatchback car (possibly a Ford Focus or similar) seen in the Ullenhall area with two males on board. The vehicle has been seen to act suspiciously and leave the area at speed towards Redditch. Currently no registration is known other than it is believed to be an ‘04’ plated vehicle. If anyone sees a vehicle similar to the above acting suspiciously please contact the police asap

Information & Advice
For your own and others’ safety, the law requires you to use a seat belt if one is fitted, a child can use an adult belt when they reach 135cm or their 12th birthday, whichever comes first. Children up to 135cms tall must use the appropriate child restraint for their weight (not age) when travelling in the front or back seat of a vehicle. The driver is liable to prosecution if a child under 14 years does not wear a seat belt or child restraint as required.

Seat belt wearing saves over 2,000 lives every year. Everyone knows they should wear a seat belt in the front seat, but many people still don’t realise how dangerous it is not to wear a seat belt in the back. In a crash at 30MPH, if you are unrestrained you will hit the front seat, and anyone in it, with a force of between 30 – 60 times your own body weight. This could result in death or serious injury to you and people sitting in the front seat and any compensation for injury following an accident may be reduced if you are not wearing a seat belt.

There are some exemptions for not wearing a seat belt, for example on medical grounds where your doctor will issue you with a formal “Certificate of Exemption from Compulsory Seat Belt Wearing”. For further information about seat belts, child restraints and the law please visit: www.dtf.gov.uk/think www.thinkroadsafety.gov.uk/advice www.childcarseat.org.uk or contact a member of your Safer Neighbourhood Team on 01789 762207 or E-Mail: alcesternorth.snt@warwickshire.pnn.police.uk

Please note it is an offence to let off fireworks after 11pm except on Bonfire Night when the deadline is midnight and New Year’s Eve at 1am.

Alcester North Safer Neighbourhood Priorities
Priority Outcomes:

• Burglaries in the Earlswood, Tanworth and Henley area – Safer Neighbourhood Officers conducted a total of 30 x 2 hour targeted patrols in the area to combat burglaries. It was agreed by members attending the Community Forum on the 11th February 2010 that this priority had been fulfilled.
• Parking issues during school drop off and collection times, Arden Road, Henley in Arden – Safer Neighbourhood Officers conducted 27 x high visibility patrols at peak times and delivered advice to parents  regarding parking safely. A meeting was also arranged and attended by members of the local Parish Council, County Council, head teachers from the local primary schools and members of your Safer Neighbourhood Team to discuss the problem. It was agreed that advice would be included in school newsletters, Johnsons Coaches would where possible operate a minibus service to and from the schools instead of a full sized coach and consideration is to be given to extending the zigzag road markings to the junction of Mount Road. It was agreed by members attending the Community Forum on the 11th February 2010 that this priority had been fulfilled.
• Speeding, Kemps Green, Henley in Arden – Safer Neighbourhood Officers conducted 10 x speed checks in the area at various times and found no vehicles above the speed limit. It was agreed by members attending the Community Forum on the 11th February 2010 that this priority had been fulfilled.
  

Current priorities as chosen by members of the public at the last Community Forum held on the 11th February 2010:

• Anti Social Behaviour, Millennium Park and Surrounding area, Studley – Safer Neighbourhood Officers have pledged to conduct high visibility patrols in the area including 8 x extra duties until 2am.
• Parking issues outside Tesco Express, Studley – Safer Neighbourhood Officers will liaise with Stratford District Council regarding enforcement and have pledged to conduct 20 x high visibility patrols in the area to deliver advice or enforcement where appropriate.
• Inappropriate use of Juggins Lane by HGVs and Speeding Vehicles, Forshaw Heath, Earlswood – Safer Neighbourhood Officers will liase with the Council and Highways regarding a review of signage and the speed limit. Officers have pledged to carry out 20 high visibility patrols in the area to monitor HGVs confusing Juggins Lane with the M42 slip road and to carry out speed checks.

Feedback on the above priorities will be given at the next Community Forum (see below for details); feedback will also be given in the next newsletter together with details of the new priorities. For further information please visit www.safer-neighbourhoods.co.uk/an or www.stratford.gov.uk

Good News/Events
PCSO 6176 Dave Martin attended Tanworth Primary School as part of the schools "People who help us Initiative”. He was involved in an hour long question and answer session with children about local Policing and Policing in general. The children were a credit to the school and as a treat for the good behaviour a further visit is to be arranged showing the children the Police vehicles we use.

Following enquiries by Safer Neighbourhood Officers two people have been arrested in connection with a burglary at Earlswood Nurseries, which was highlighted in the January Newsletter. One person is from the Birmingham area and the other from Wales. Enquiries are ongoing.

Following quick thinking by a member of Henley Shop Watch local officers were alerted to a male acting suspiciously on Henley High Street. The male was believed to be from Iran and was arrested by officers in Henley on suspicion of illegally entering the country. The male has now been handed over to immigration officials.

Following enquiries by Safer Neighbourhood Officers and assistance from West Mercia Police, a vehicle stolen in February has been successfully recovered and returned to its owner. Enquiries are ongoing.

Safer Neighbourhood Officers detained two suspicious males in Studley, both were found to be in the possession of cannabis and were given Street Warnings.

Warwickshire Special Constables have been linking up with those from neighbouring Forces, particularly those from West Mercia Police and West Midlands Police under Operation HARRISMITH. The Operation was designed to help raise public confidence and promote inter-force co-operation with bordering Forces. The operation was a success and similar operations are planned for the future.

Meetings/Events
The next Community Forum will be held 1st July 2010, 7pm, Henley Memorial Hall - If you have a specific concern then come along to the local surgery, where you will be able to speak to your local Safer Neighbourhood Policing Team, Warwickshire County Council or Stratford District Council Officer.

The next Henley Community Surgery will be held, 31st March 11:30am, Henley Baptist Church Hall - The surgery gives you the opportunity to speak to members of the Parish Council & Safer Neighbourhood Policing Team about the issues that concern you, while giving you feedback regarding what is happening in the community.

The next Henley Police Surgery will be 10th March, between 11 am – 1pm, Henley Police Station - a drop in facility to discuss issues/problems within the community with your local policing team.

The next Henley Neighbourhood Watch Meeting will be held 11th March, 7pm, Henley Police Station

The next Studley Neighbourhood Watch/Community Surgery will be held 19th May, 7:30 pm, Studley Village Hall

Officers from your Safer Neighbourhood Team will be attending the Warwickshire College Careers Fair, 10:00am, 4th March, Henley Campus.

BE AWARE
If you have any information or have witnessed the above incidents,
please can you contact Alcester Police on 01789 762207. 
E-Mail: alcesternorth.snt@warwickshire.pnn.police.uk

John Garner's Business Column

The Bonus culture

I’m not against employees receiving bonuses – far from it, they can be a useful way of rewarding people for effort and success.

It’s the bankers’ bonuses that have been making the news, largely due to their enormity. I’m not trying to tell bank bosses how to run their businesses, even where I’m a shareholder, but I do object to bonuses being paid for failure.

RBS would seem to be the main culprit; they’ve failed miserably and yet they’re still spending our money on themselves. Why? Well they say it’s essential to retain the most talented people. Are these the same talented people who sent them down the pan in the first place? Surely, any good people they had will have moved to pastures new long ago.

Of course several bank bosses, having been awarded huge bonuses, have refused to accept them. I should think so too, but they are too rich to need the money anyway and it’s a gesture that might help lead to a knighthood. Cynical? Me?

The organisation which really incenses me is the Met Office; they forecast a “barbecue summer” and a mild winter – and still they get a bonus! Nothing succeeds like failure it seems.

We also hear of civil servants and local government officials being paid bonuses for “exceptional performance”; measured against what I ask? Civil servants shared £130 million in bonuses this year and nearly as much in previous years. Peanuts compared with bank bonuses I know but chopping them would make a useful saving as we struggle to repay the Government’s huge borrowings.

When I had my own business we used to pay a bonus to our staff when times were good. It was a very simple formula that each employee understood and was essentially a percentage of our profit each year; it wasn’t huge. If we had a bad year we didn’t pay it. I never took a bonus of course, not because I was after a knighthood but because I never felt we could afford it!

John Garner

Make Henley Greener
Save Money - Help Save the Planet

Eco Cars

There’s no such thing as an environmentally friendly car but some are less environmentally damaging than others. Car makers are making an ever expanding range of models that use new technology to improve fuel efficiency. Volkswagen market their eco model under the name BlueMotion and Ford use ECOnetic. ‘Which?’ magazine has tested some eco versions and compared them with their sister models.

Some of the many techniques used to improve efficiency in these eco cars are listed below:-

• Start-stop systems cut the engine in stationary traffic and restart it as you depress the clutch. This system is good if you do a lot of town or city driving. (However, you can mimic this in any car by turning off and being quick with the restart just before the car in front starts to move.)
• Intelligent alternators delay battery charging until the car is decelerating. This reduces the amount of energy that is wasted in the brakes as heat.
• Higher gear ratios are used. This benefits economy but usually with some loss of acceleration. Low friction oils are sometimes used.
• Lower suspension can reduce air drag and its associated energy consumption but can reduce ride quality.
• Narrow wheels also have less air drag as do smooth wheel covers.
• A shift light indicates the best time to change gear.
• Special low rolling resistance tyres cut fuel use but can have slightly poorer grip and increased noise.
• Electric power steering is more efficient than mechanical.

Do these things really work? The Which? (and government official fuel consumption tests) show that they do. All the Eco cars have better fuel consumption and lower CO2 emissions than their non Eco versions but to varying degrees. In the ‘Which?’ results, the eco versions had better fuel economy by 2% to 24% depending on the car. Best on test was the Skoda Fabia 1.4 TDI Greenline estate with 61.4 mpg compared to 49.6mpg in the standard version. This 24% higher mpg saves £186 per 10,000 miles. The VW Passat Bluemotion 2 estate delivers 54.3 mpg compared to 47.1 mpg and saves £135 per 10,000 miles. The other cars tested gave :-

The small improvements in the Focus and the Corsa are not a good trade off for their slightly inferior performances. Notice also that the Colt, the only petrol car on test, has the worst mpg. This is a reminder that diesel versions always have better fuel economy than petrol. This means lower CO2 emissions as well as lower running costs.

As I said at the beginning, there is no such thing as an environmentally friendly car but when choosing a car the following features make for less environmemntal damage:-

The Tesla Roadster plug in electric. Faster acceleration than a Porsche, half the CO2 emissions of a Prius, costs next to nothing to run (1.5p/mile) but very expensive to buy (£90,000) at the moment !!

Watch this space for more info about plug in electric cars. When more practical versions than the Tesla arrive in the not too distant future, they will offer the lowest emissions of all.

John Stott - Make Henley Greener

Stratford District Council

	Planning Applications - Search on-line Stratford-on-Avon District Council Website	Laurence Marshall	Stephen Thirlwell
Councillor Laurence Marshall writes Developing a Digital District Stratford District and Solihull Metropolitan Borough Councils are co-hosting an exciting event to demonstrate the work that is being done with partners to improve services for residents and businesses. Both Councils were awarded Beacon Status in March last year in recognition for developing and carrying out best practice in local government in respect of work to increase digital inclusion. The free event takes place on 12th March 2010 at Gaydon Motor Heritage Centre from 10am to 4pm and visitors will be able to see stands showing all key projects, displays and demonstrations from partners and organisations involved in supporting plans to develop and shape services around the needs of individuals. Visitors will also get the chance to see plans for the future and be able to feedback comments on the services they receive and help to shape future plans. One of the stands ‘ask your councillor’ will enable visitors to speak to their local representatives and raise issues relevant to their local area. Another stand ‘your council, your views’ will enable visitors to give feedback on council and partner services to help improve services. There will be an opportunity for visitors to give their views on future budgets to help establish future priorities. Eligible residents will be able to apply for services such as concessionary travel passes. Original proof of residency, age and disability need to be provided. For further information please call the District Council on 01789 260909. Exhibitors include – Stratford-on-Avon District Council, Parish and Town Councils, Warwickshire County Council, Voluntary Action – Stratford District, Warwickshire Police, NHS and NHS Direct, BT, Coventry University and many others. There will be 60 stands divided across three zones: Community zone - showing the work of Stratford District Council, partners and associations that provide flexible services to all sectors of the community. Life zone - showing how independent living can be supported, what services are available to maintain a full and active life and how science is focusing on nurturing independence in an aging population. Digital zone- showing how technology simplifies service delivery, how customers can gain access to services at a time to suit them and our future plans. Included in this zone will be the launch of Stratford District Council’s new Digital TV channel bringing council services closer to hand for residents. Councillor Mike Weddell, Portfolio Holder for Change and Performance said: “I would encourage all residents, businesses, parish and town councils to come along to this free event and see how the District Council is improving and shaping services to meet the needs of residents whilst maintaining our beautiful district and yet still remaining one of the lowest charging council tax authorities nationally. To encourage and enable residents to attend the District Council is offering free transport from all across the District to and from the venue. Don’t worry if you live in a village, we will do our best to provide a pick up from a location near you.” This free event will allow visitors the opportunity to see what services are available, how they are changing to address customer needs and how technology and the latest research is shaping services for improved quality of life in years to come. If you would like to take advantage of the free transport on offer please call the District Council on 01789 260802 to make your reservation. The event is sponsored by NHS Direct West Midlands and Coventry University.