Thursday, April 08, 2004
Railway Walk Safety Moves Completed
Moves to improve the safety of the Railway Walk have been completed. Last Summer councillor Gerry Kiernan joined local beat officer PC Rupert Beynon on his patrols. PC Beynon raised two problems along the Railway Walk, firstly that a barrier was needed to make it more difficult for motorbikes to use the path and secondly that the trees around the streetlights were obscuring the lights causing extra shadows after dark. A barrier has now been installed by St Edmundsbury Council and the trees have been cut back. Councillor Gerry Kiernan said, “This action shows how councils and police working together can help make the town a better and safer place to live. PC Beynon and myself have worked on several local issues and the good communication between us has helped both the police and the council to work better. I would also like to thank the wheelchair and electric scooter users who helped advise me on the design of the barriers”.
Moves to improve the safety of the Railway Walk have been completed. Last Summer councillor Gerry Kiernan joined local beat officer PC Rupert Beynon on his patrols. PC Beynon raised two problems along the Railway Walk, firstly that a barrier was needed to make it more difficult for motorbikes to use the path and secondly that the trees around the streetlights were obscuring the lights causing extra shadows after dark. A barrier has now been installed by St Edmundsbury Council and the trees have been cut back. Councillor Gerry Kiernan said, “This action shows how councils and police working together can help make the town a better and safer place to live. PC Beynon and myself have worked on several local issues and the good communication between us has helped both the police and the council to work better. I would also like to thank the wheelchair and electric scooter users who helped advise me on the design of the barriers”.
Freeview Is Widely Available In Haverhill
My investigation into the availability of Freeview, the free multi channel television receiver, has shown that the Freeview service is widely available in Haverhill even though postcode checks often say that it can’t be received.
After the Echo published my appeals for information I have had calls from the Eastern Avenue and Cambridge Way areas saying that they were told they were outside of the Freeview reception area but can receive a clear picture. There may be some areas where tall trees interfere with the signal, such as near the cemetery, but elsewhere the reception seems good but may occasionally need a new aerial. I would recommend to anyone who is interested, to talk to Chapmans or Hughes as they both have experience in fitting many Freeview systems in the town.
I would like to thank all the Echo readers who replied with information on Freeview reception.”
My investigation into the availability of Freeview, the free multi channel television receiver, has shown that the Freeview service is widely available in Haverhill even though postcode checks often say that it can’t be received.
After the Echo published my appeals for information I have had calls from the Eastern Avenue and Cambridge Way areas saying that they were told they were outside of the Freeview reception area but can receive a clear picture. There may be some areas where tall trees interfere with the signal, such as near the cemetery, but elsewhere the reception seems good but may occasionally need a new aerial. I would recommend to anyone who is interested, to talk to Chapmans or Hughes as they both have experience in fitting many Freeview systems in the town.
I would like to thank all the Echo readers who replied with information on Freeview reception.”
Lookout for Library Improvements
Haverhill library has a new children’s area and a new teen zone. The teen zone was designed with the help of Sam Ward Upper School’s Young people’s Panel. I have been pleased to support these improvements.
The library really looks good now, access to the library is much easier especially for people with push chairs, the children’s area is proving popular already and having a new area for teenagers should help to attract more people to the library. I have helped the library with grant for two games consoles, it is important to remember that libraries are not just about books, there is much more including; internet access, video’s, newspapers and local information. And don’t forget that the library is now open on Sundays
Haverhill library has a new children’s area and a new teen zone. The teen zone was designed with the help of Sam Ward Upper School’s Young people’s Panel. I have been pleased to support these improvements.
The library really looks good now, access to the library is much easier especially for people with push chairs, the children’s area is proving popular already and having a new area for teenagers should help to attract more people to the library. I have helped the library with grant for two games consoles, it is important to remember that libraries are not just about books, there is much more including; internet access, video’s, newspapers and local information. And don’t forget that the library is now open on Sundays
Labour Amendment On St Edmundsbury Council Tax
At St Edmundsbury Borough Council’s tax setting meeting on Thursday the Labour group putforward an amendment to the administrations proposals on next years council tax.
Labour will be suggesting that the council tax increase for next year should be reduced from 6.5% to 5%. This is to be achieved by taking an extra £77,500 from the council’s reserves.
The reasons for this are;
We realise that this is a difficult time for councils. Costs are rising faster than inflation
The Government has said that they will be prepared to cap council tax increases and that they expect increases to be in low single figures. If St Edmundsbury were to be capped and had to reduce its precept, it could cost the council over £200,000.
Other authorities have worked hard to keep the council tax at low levels.
It is clear that the public put a high priority on keeping the council tax down, we must do our best to meet their expectations.
Councillor Gerry Kiernan said at the meeting, “We know we need to keep the council tax as low as possible, I feel that any increase over 5% will be taking a gamble on being capped by the government and being capped will cost the council much more than taking £77,5000 out of reserves. I think that 5% will be acceptable to the Government and will hopefully be within the bounds of public acceptance.”
At St Edmundsbury Borough Council’s tax setting meeting on Thursday the Labour group putforward an amendment to the administrations proposals on next years council tax.
Labour will be suggesting that the council tax increase for next year should be reduced from 6.5% to 5%. This is to be achieved by taking an extra £77,500 from the council’s reserves.
The reasons for this are;
We realise that this is a difficult time for councils. Costs are rising faster than inflation
The Government has said that they will be prepared to cap council tax increases and that they expect increases to be in low single figures. If St Edmundsbury were to be capped and had to reduce its precept, it could cost the council over £200,000.
Other authorities have worked hard to keep the council tax at low levels.
It is clear that the public put a high priority on keeping the council tax down, we must do our best to meet their expectations.
Councillor Gerry Kiernan said at the meeting, “We know we need to keep the council tax as low as possible, I feel that any increase over 5% will be taking a gamble on being capped by the government and being capped will cost the council much more than taking £77,5000 out of reserves. I think that 5% will be acceptable to the Government and will hopefully be within the bounds of public acceptance.”
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