Archive for June, 2014
Saturday, June 28th, 2014
A project, which tackles domestic violence at an early stage and a young people’s substance abuse service, has received £50,000 in funding from Conservative elected Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Ellis.
A total of £85,525 has been awarded to the Tamworth Community Safety Partnership for 2014/15, to fund projects, which help to make Tamworth a better and safer place to live. The funding comes from the office of the PCC, which is now responsible for the funding of community safety projects across Staffordshire.
From a total grant of £85,525 for the Tamworth Community Safety Partnership, £50,000 will be allocated between the Pathway Project and T3.
The Pathway Project provides an early intervention service to tackle domestic abuse before it escalates, while T3 provides an outreach service to young people who may be using drugs and alcohol, leading to anti-social behaviour. Both of the projects will be based at the Community Safety Hub at Tamworth police station.
The remaining £35,000 will be used to fund an ongoing project to tackle anti-social behaviour caused by the misuse of motorbikes, mopeds and cycles on footpaths and public open spaces.
The PCC has also undertaken to retain the same level of grant funding for the Tamworth Community Safety Partnership for a further two years, up to March 2017.
Cllr Stephen Doyle, Cabinet member for Community Development, said, “I am very pleased to see extra resources being made available to combat domestic violence and substance abuse, as well as tackling the anti-social behaviour that can blight lives in Tamworth. It is vital that these issues are addressed at an early stage, before they begin to escalate into further criminal and anti-social behaviour.”
Tuesday, June 24th, 2014
Monday, June 23rd, 2014
Family, friends and politicians from across the political divide came together today, Monday 23 June, to say a sad goodbye to former Mayor of Tamworth Gerald Pinner.
The funeral service for former Cllr Pinner, who passed away on 3rd June aged 66, took place at St Editha’s church in the centre of Tamworth this morning and was tinged by both sadness and humour. Gerald’s coffin entered the church to the organist playing the theme to Match of the Day and two of his grandson’s paid moving tributes to him, telling stories of Gerald’s sense of humour and how he liked to embarrass his family with his varied musical tastes.
Tamworth’s current Mayor, Cllr Richard Kingstone, was in the congregation along with the Deputy Mayor, Cllr Maureen Gant, and several former Mayors, current and former Borough Councillors and Tamworth Borough Council staff including the Chief Executive Dr Anthony Goodwin.
After the service, Gerald was laid to rest in Wilnecote cemetery at a private ceremony just for his family.
Sunday, June 22nd, 2014
Over 2,000 vehicles have been seized by Staffordshire Police officers in the first year of a landmark crackdown on car insurance dodgers.
Cars Behind Bars was instigated by Staffordshire’s Conservative elected Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Ellis and has proved popular with people across the county.
The campaign carried out by Staffordshire Police has seen 2,004 cars, vans, motorcycles, mopeds, lorries and even a tractor seized, with 665 vehicles scrapped, since it was launched in May 2013. A total of 60 higher value uninsured vehicles have been sold off at auction raising over £35,000 in the last 12 months – with the proceeds going back into local communities in Staffordshire.
Mr Ellis said, “Since its launch a year ago, the crackdown on insurance dodgers has been far and away the most popular thing raised with me by people I’ve spoken to across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent.
“Over 2,000 people have now had to learn their lesson the hard way thanks to tremendous work by officers from Staffordshire Police. Those who drive without insurance can’t hide in Staffordshire. They are being caught and dealt with by having their vehicles seized and, in many cases, scrapped.
“It’s definitely struck a chord with law-abiding motorists who are hit by rising premiums because of these law-breakers. Why should all pay more because some people don’t pay at all?
“It’s clear that the message is hitting home as the number of insured motorists on Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent roads has risen significantly during the crackdown.”
Some of the vehicles seized since the campaign launched can be viewed at www.staffordshire.police.uk/carsbehindbars.
Thursday, June 19th, 2014
Tamworth’s MP Christopher Pincher, together Burton MP Andrew Griffiths met Health Minister Dr Daniel Poulter earlier this month to discuss issues at the Burton NHS Hospitals Foundation Trust, which runs the Sir Robert Peel hospital in Fazeley.
Mr Pincher also organized representatives of the Burton Hospital Trust and the GPs Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) to join the minister to highlight the help they need. Dr Poulter agreed to put Department for Health expertise at the disposal of the Burton Trust to help them organize their funds. He also promised to write to NHS funding agencies encouraging them to look at the funding formula for Burton. Funding is decided on a two-year basis and determined by a formula operated by arms length agencies, so ministers are not able to simply order further funding.
After the meeting Mr Pincher said, “I am very pleased we were able to secure this meeting so we could impress on the minister the importance to the hospital and the CCG of getting the right funding to provide the services. We also discussed the importance of proper community engagement.
“So I am pleased that the Burton Hospitals Trust has now agreed to set up a much wider Advisory Board to reconsider any changes to services, such as day surgery and endoscopy services, at the Sir Robert Peel. Local CCGs, who commission services from local hospitals, will also be involved.”
The Advisory Board will meet four times between June and September and will consider all services around the Trust. The Board will consist of a wide variety of interested parties its proceedings will be fully transparent. It is hoped that this approach will provide much more local input about what kind of services can and should be operated from the Sir Robert Peel which, as Burton Trust executives have been at pains to point out, is not going to close.
Mr Pincher has asked that the Friends of Sir Robert Peel, or an equivalent local volunteers group, is included on the Board to ensure the widest representation of views.
Burton Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust also runs the Samuel Johnson hospital in Lichfield.
Thursday, June 19th, 2014
Ten new apartments for rent are to be built in Halford Street, Tamworth after Conservative controlled Tamworth Borough Council passed the plan.
The apartments will be built and run by Midland Heart, a Registered Social Landlord, and will be made up of eight one-bedroom flats and two flats with two bedrooms. The site in Halford Street, next to the Progressive Club, is currently occupied by a 1970s office building, which will be demolished to make way for a new three-storey building to house the apartments.
The new apartments will go some way towards meeting the recognised need for affordable housing for rent in the borough, particularly in the town centre and was passed by a unanimous vote.
The Planning Committee, which has a majority of Conservative party councillors, resolved to grant planning permission subject to the developer making a financial contribution towards open space in the town centre, for example, the Castle Grounds.
Cllr Steve Claymore, Cabinet member for Economy and Vice-Chairman of the Planning Committee, said, “This is an excellent proposal, which will create exactly what is needed, one and two-bedroom rented housing in the town centre.”
Thursday, June 19th, 2014
Christopher Pincher, MP for Tamworth, has welcomed the news of 450 new apprentice placements in Tamworth, up from 390 in the previous year.
Mr Pincher said, “We know that University is not for everyone and pupils leaving school should have real choice in their next education steps. Apprenticeships are a big part of education and making sure they meet high standards, driven by business needs and meet industry demands will ensure that our engineers of the future are some of the best in the world.
“I remember visiting Lovell’s training centre on Bonehill Road and what struck me was the enthusiasm and commitment of the apprentices. We need to keep encouraging that. Apprenticeships allow people to earn and learn at the same time, while significantly increasing their potential future earnings. But the benefits go wider than that – every £1 spent on an apprenticeship returns an estimated benefit of £18 to the economy.
“I urge people of all ages to consider becoming an apprentice and seize the opportunities that the government has opened up for them.”
For more information on apprenticeships can be found at www.apprenticeships.org.uk or to see what positions are available in Tamworth and surrounding area please visit www.southstaffs.ac.uk/apprentice-vacancies with currently over 20 positions being advertised.
Tuesday, June 10th, 2014
The Conservative Party is seeking people interested in becoming local council candidates for the May 2015 Local Council elections.
Local Councillors are responsible for the delivery of local services, such as bin collections, street cleaning, planning decisions, open spaces, play areas, setting council tax, licensing, outdoor events, social housing, plus many other important local services. Councillors also have a role helping to resolve community issues and provide community leadership.
Being a councillor is also a hugely rewarding experience. You get the opportunity to put something back into your community. You get to shape and change your area for the better.
The election campaign itself is also a rollercoaster of excitement; something many consider to be a memorable and unique experience.
If you are interested in getting involved and learning how the services in your town are run, you want to put something back into your local community, or you are interested in public service, then this might be an opportunity for you. Most of the meetings Councillors attend are in the evening and many Councillors have full time jobs as well.
If you are interested in being considered for a candidacy, would like an application form or would like more information, please contact me on 01827 57156 or e-mail office@tamworthconservatives.co.uk.
Local councillors are ordinary people from every walk of life, so this is something anyone can do. We hope you will consider finding out more about becoming a council candidate.
Thank you for your time.
Alex Farrell
Deputy Chairman – Political
Saturday, June 7th, 2014
Cllr Daniel Cook
Cllr Daniel Cook will remain Leader of Tamworth Borough Council it was announced at last night’s Full Council meeting, making him one of the borough’s longest serving leaders.
Cllr Cook, who is a Conservative Party councillor representing Trinity ward, became leader of Tamworth Borough Council in December 2009 and has been a councillor since 2004. This is the sixth time he has been elected Leader of the Council and only the former Leader, the late Cllr Phil Dix, OBE, has served in the position longer.
At the annual council meeting, Cllr Richard Kingstone was sworn in as Mayor of Tamworth for the next 12 months and Cllr Maureen Gant will serve as the borough’s Deputy Mayor.
After accepting the position of Leader of the Council, Cllr Cook announced Cllr Robert Pritchard would remain in his current role as Deputy Leader of the Council.
Changes to Tamworth Borough Council’s Cabinet and portfolios were also announced at the meeting.
The full Cabinet and responsibilities is as follows:
- Cllr Daniel Cook. Leader. Portfolio: Performance, financial planning, strategy and reputation
- 23Cllr Robert Pritchard: Deputy Leader. Portfolio: Operations & Assets
- Cllr Steve Claymore: Portfolio: Economy & Education
- Cllr Stephen Doyle: Portfolio: Community Development & Voluntary Sector
- Cllr Michael Greatorex: Portfolio: Public Housing & Vulnerable People
- Cllr Michelle Thurgood: Portfolio: Environment & Waste Management
Cllr Cook also paid tribute to Cllr Jeremy Oates, a long serving Cabinet member and former Leader of the Council, who stepped away from Cabinet this year due to work and family commitments.
Saturday, June 7th, 2014
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Mayor & Mayoress – Cllr Richard Kingstone & Mrs Lisa Kingstone
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Tamworth’s Mayor & Deputy Mayor – Cllr Richard Kingstone & Cllr Maureen Gant
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Tamworth’s new Mayor – Cllr Richard Kingstone
Cllr Richard Kingstone, Conservative councillor for Mercian ward, is the new Mayor of Tamworth.
At Thursday night’s meeting of the Full Council held in Tamworth’s historic Town Hall, Cllr Kingstone was unanimously voted into the prestigious role. Cllr Kingstone was first voted onto the Borough Council in 2012.
Prior to the vote fellow Mercian ward councillor Andrew James said, “I am pleased to propose Cllr Kingstone for the prestigious role of Mayor of Tamworth. I have known Cllr Kingstone for several years and worked with him in Mercian ward prior to my own election to the council in 2011.
“Not only do we both represent Mercian ward, we also both grew up in Mercian ward as near neighbours at either ends of Riverside. I am sure that Cllr Kingstone’s years as both a teacher and magistrate will have proved to be the perfect training ground for his year ahead chairing Full Council meetings; I just hope he has no need to order detention for members or put on his black hat and send any of us down.”
After the vote Cllr Kingstone said, “It is a great honour to take on the role of Mayor and I promised the people of Tamworth that I will do my upmost to serve them well over the next year. Each Mayor always puts his or her own spin on the role and I intend to be no exception. Tamworth will see a very different Mayor to those that have gone before.
“I will be using the role to not only highlight and promote our amazing town but to help raise the aspirations of our young people and troubled families. I want them to be proud of themselves and their town and will use the role of Mayor to do just that.”
Cllr Kingstone will be joined by Cllr Maureen Gant, Conservative councillor for Spital ward, who was unanimously voted Deputy Mayor for the coming year.
A project, which tackles domestic violence at an early stage and a young people’s substance abuse service, has received £50,000 in funding from Conservative elected Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Ellis.
