. February 2020 - Page 7 of 7 - Wilcop Media

February 2020

Nottingham News

“The feeling of being accepted and contributing means so much. I don’t want handouts, I want to work. I accept I have what is classed as a hidden disability and know I have limitations, but I want to be appreciated for what I can do rather than what I cannot.” Aimee Wrate*, from the County Council’s Occupational Therapy Children’s Service.

The Director of Public Health highlights opportunities to support people into work and improve the health and wellbeing of the workforce in Nottinghamshire in his latest Public Health Annual Report approved by the Council’s Policy Committee.

The environments in which we grow, live, and work exert the greatest influence on how many of us get to enjoy good health and for how long. Good health is a resource for people, and is essential for a thriving society and economy. Research shows that there is a strong association between good work and good health. This begins with children and young people by supporting the best start in life as one of the strongest influences on life chances, including employment. For people who have been out of work, securing employment is linked to improved physical and mental health and improved self-esteem.

Recent data shows that 77.4% of all working age adults in Nottinghamshire were employed. However, the reality for people with disabilities and long-term conditions is significantly different. Employment for those with a long-term condition is estimated at 66.5% and only 2.8% of adults with a learning disability who are in contact with social care were in employment.
Another big focus of the report is around improving the health and wellbeing of staff across the county.

Figures show that each year absenteeism due to smoking-related illness alone results in about 139,800 days of lost productivity in Nottinghamshire and smoking breaks cost businesses £44.5m. Mental health is also significant, with figures showing that around 16% of the adult population of Nottinghamshire have experienced a Common Mental Disorder.

Nottinghamshire County Council is relaunching its Wellbeing at Work Scheme this year. This free accreditation scheme supports organisations of any size to promote information and advice about healthy living, such as stop smoking services, healthy eating and mental health support. Not only are healthy workplaces good for employees but evidence also shows that companies are more productive as a result. Jonathan Gribbin, Director of Public Health at Nottinghamshire County Council, said: “We want to support businesses to promote health and wellbeing to their staff and one of the ways we are showing our commitment to this is through our free Wellbeing at Work Scheme which will be relaunched this year.

“We also want to work with partners to drive forward the changes we need to help employers to be more inclusive. This will build on the unanimous support for the recent Full Council motion to consider what more the County Council can do to transform employment prospects for people with disabilities and health conditions. “Being in work can have a strong positive influence on health.

People are less likely to be isolated and will also benefit from having an income, a core role, an identity and purpose. It can also lead to better productivity and economic growth which can benefit everyone in Nottinghamshire.” The Annual Report sets out a partnership approach to tackle issues around access to employment and maintaining a healthy workforce such as:

• Improving the work readiness, ambition and aspiration of young people by engaging with businesses and further and higher education via Enterprise Coordinators in schools.

• Working with employers to develop traineeships for care leavers.

• Re-launching the County Council’s Wellbeing at Work Scheme to improve the health and wellbeing and productivity of the local workforce.

• More analysis work to identify which groups face specific health-related barriers to employment and would benefit from support.

• Setting up a partnership group to prioritise future investment based on need amongst key groups, the evidence of what works and gaps in current delivery across the whole life course and for people who are furthest from the workforce.

• Nottinghamshire County Council, as part of their work towards Disability Confident Leader status, collating and sharing best practice on inclusive employment and health for Nottinghamshire employers.

Producing a report about the local population’s health is one of the Director of Public Health’s annual duties. It offers an opportunity to look at how organisations can work together to improve health in communities.

The report can be accessed on the Nottinghamshire County Council Website here at https://www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/care/health-and-wellbeing/health-and-wellbeing-board/report. *Aimee Wrate has a serious genetic condition called Galactoscemia which affects her speech and learning abilities.

Nottingham News

Knife crime has reduced by eight per cent across Nottinghamshire, according to the latest national statistics. Our continued success bucks the national and regional trend – with the national average increasing by seven per cent and the East Midlands average rising by 16 per cent in the year to September 2019.

The reduction in knife crime is also set to continue in Nottinghamshire, with the force’s own even more up-to-date figures revealing a 7.6% drop across the whole of 2019 compared to 2018.

It follows heavy investment in proactive enforcement and prevention work to stop people carrying weapons and has been augmented by the efforts of all local partners.

This includes an uplift in front line officers, over a 100% increase in stop and search activity and the continued work of the Force’s dedicated Knife Crime Team and Robbery Team, who are focussed on tackling weapon-enabled crimes.

Schools and Early Intervention Officers have also been working hard in secondary schools across Nottinghamshire to drive home the prevention message over the last two academic years and further PCC investment has gone into launching the Dare 25 programme in primary schools, which includes bespoke education on knife crime. Today’s figures, from the Office for National Statistics, showed there were a total of 810 offences in Nottinghamshire in the year to September 2019, compared to 882 in the same period the previous year. Nottinghamshire Police Chief Constable Craig Guildford said:

“These statistics continue to demonstrate just how much collective effort is being undertaken here in Nottinghamshire. “Both the Police and Crime Commissioner and I continue to invest heavily in prevention across our city and county which is fundamental. Our targeted and highly successful stop searches are up considerably, we are taking more weapons off the streets, we are charging more people than ever before and our recorded levels of knife crime have continued to reduce despite the increases we seen in our surrounding forces and nationally.

“We have a comprehensive strategy, a solid level of partnership participation and we are absolutely committed to driving down knife crime and serious violence wherever it presents. “The exceptional level of convictions is very pleasing and is testament to the hard investigative work undertaken by our Police Officers on a daily basis to help keep the public safe. “Despite our historic funding challenges we have continued to increase the number of Police Officers and we will achieve our national 107 ‘Uplift’ by March, well ahead of most other forces. I’ve already offered the Uplift Team that we can recruit even more than this number subject to them releasing further monies.

“We’ve successfully embedded Schools Officers, a knife crime team, a robbery team and we’ve got an ambitious violence reduction unit which all contribute to this early success. “We can’t do this on our own and I would like to thank and encourage the public to continue to provide ourselves or Crimestoppers with any information about people carrying knives.” Paddy Tipping, Nottinghamshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner, said:
“We are clearly making progress, but there is a way to go yet. I know that the police are working hard to tackle knife crime and the decrease in Nottinghamshire is welcome news.

We have invested in more officers, with more to come, we have our specialised teams tackling knife crime and robbery, and much more and it’s good to see such a positive result.

“But we must also change mindsets and habits, which is why the work with our partners is so important. The investment in early intervention officers in schools and working with parents is helping to turn younger people away from violence before they start. That will make our communities safer in the future.

“I’m also confident that we will start to feel the benefits of the Violence Reduction Unit’s innovative work in the coming months.”

Nottingham News

Rushcliffe Borough Council is appealing to residents who own wood burning stoves to know the law surrounding their use and play their part in reducing air pollution in their neighbourhoods. More than one million homes in Britain own a wood burning stove and while they are effective at heating your home they can, if used incorrectly impact local air quality.

Burning wood and other solid fuels can contribute to pollutants including ultra-fine particulate matter, also known as PM2.5, that is not visible to the naked eye, so even smokeless fuels and appliances can cause localised pollution. PM2.5 is widely acknowledged as being the pollutant which has the greatest impact on human health with increased impacts on levels of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases and increased hospital admissions.

The Council routinely monitors and reviews air quality under the Environment Act 1995 and operates a smoke control area in West Bridgford. This means it is an offence to emit smoke from a chimney of a building, furnace or from any fixed boiler or acquire any unauthorised fuel for use within unless it is used in an exempt appliance.

As winter wood burning can contribute up to 10 per cent of local emissions in larger cities and conurbations, the authority is advising owners to act now, particularly during the colder months to ensure they are doing all they can to eradicate or minimise pollution. Here’s some top tips to ensure owners do all they can to help their local environment:

• If using an open fireplace only burn smokeless fuels. Not all fuels sold in Nottinghamshire are smokeless but if in doubt ask your supplier. • Any stove or fireplace should properly maintained and its chimney swept regularly.

• If using a stove or other appliance use normal wood as well as smokeless fuels. Usually wood that has been kiln dried or seasoned to have a lower moisture content will be much less polluting, as much as 50 per cent less pollution than emitted from burning fresh logs.

• Drier wood is more efficient, producing more heat per log.

• Wood that has the Woodsure Ready to Burn label is certified to have a low moisture content

• Never burn old pallets, furniture or scrap wood as it may contain contaminants that can be harmful to your health and the environment.

• Store fuels correctly to make sure wood does not get damp from the rain or damp in the ground.

• Open fireplaces are the most polluting way to burn solid fuels.

Using a well-designed, properly installed stove or appliance can make a big difference and The Stove Industry Alliance has introduced the Ecodesign Ready label which can emit up to 80 per cent less pollution than a normal approved appliance by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). An up to date list of these stoves can be found at Hetas.
Rushcliffe Borough Council’s Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Environment and Safety Councillor Rob Inglis said: “We know wood burning stoves are popular ways to heat your home and that many residents take their responsibilities of minimising any pollution from their use very seriously.
“We’re appealing to all owners to take time to assess where they can make improvements to ensure they do not put themselves and their neighbours at risk of harmful pollutants.

“Burning garden waste on a bonfire can also be unnecessary and unpleasant for your neighbours so why not use our garden waste or bulk waste collection services, available on our website to always ensure you’re disposing of waste correctly.”

Nottingham News

Ashfield District Council Leader, Cllr Jason Zadrozny will be leading a workshop on creating tomorrow’s communities, towns and cities at this year’s District Council’s Network (DCN) Conference. As Vice Chair of the DCN, Cllr Zadrozny will lead council chiefs and officers in discussions on the future of town centres and communities, following the announcement last year of the governments Future High Street and Towns funding.

Cllr Zadrozny will be joined by John Parmiter, Director, Future High Streets and Rachel Fisher, Deputy Director for Regeneration and Infrastructure, MHCLG to deliver the workshop at the conference on 6th & 7th February.

Kirby and Sutton are set to receive up to £25million each as part of the Towns Fund. Initial funding of £324k (£162k per town) has been granted to put structures and a vision in place in order to move to the next stage of agreeing a deal. As part of this, the Council will be working with the Discover Ashfield board, as well as local businesses and community groups.

The objective of the Towns Fund is to drive the economic regeneration of towns to deliver long term economic and productivity growth through Skills and Enterprise Infrastructure, Urban Regeneration and Connectivity. The District Council Conference will also see speeches from Sajid Javid MP, Chancellor of the Exchequer and Rt Hon Robert Jenrick, Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government. Leader of Ashfield District Council, Councillor Jason Zadrozny said “As Vice Chair of the DCN I am pleased to be able to lead this workshop on the future of town centres and communities.

To have the opportunity to share ideas with other Councils will really benefit to our application to the Towns Fund. To have this huge amount in uncompetitive funding coming to two Ashfield towns is a once in a lifetime opportunity for the area.” Ashfield District Council has also been awarded £95k in the next step of the Future High Streets Fund.

The fund announced earlier this year could see Sutton receive further funding of up to £25million if its bid is successful.

Nottingham News

Businesses across Rushcliffe have transformed their appearance on the high street and made essential improvements to their shop fronts thanks to funding available from Rushcliffe Borough Council.

Business owners across the Borough have received support from the Shop Front Improvement Grant, which assists businesses to match contributions to improvements, up to the value of £5,000. Recipients of the grant include Cut N Curl in East Leake who installed a new door and double-glazing and White Rabbit Tea House in West Bridgford who used artificial flowers to create a floral frontage for their Tudor Square property. Any high street businesses based anywhere in Rushcliffe can now apply for the grant. Find out more about eligibility on the authority’s business support webpage.
Instep Podiatry and Footwear on Melton Road in West Bridgford is also among those who have benefitted from the grant, installing new shop signage to the front and side of their building.

Owner and Podiatrist at Instep Claire Dul said: “The Shop Front Improvement Grant contribution has enabled us to reinvigorate our shop front signage following our recent rebrand. “We have been able to transform the area at the front of the business, clearly showcasing our specialist services on Melton Road.

“We would thoroughly recommend that any business making changes to their shop front consider applying for the support the grant can provide.” Rushcliffe Borough Council’s Portfolio Holder for Business and Transformation Councillor Andy Edyvean said: “It is great to see so many Rushcliffe businesses benefit from this brilliant scheme that can assist with the renovation, re-design or general improvement of their shop front.
“The funding not only allows businesses to make necessary changes, but also offers the potential to rejuvenate their shop front and improve experiences for their customers.”

Nottingham News

Rushcliffe and Charnwood Borough Council’s commitment to supporting serving and former Armed Forces personnel and their families has been given a golden endorsement for their work in communities across the areas.

The authorities were awarded the Gold Award from the Armed Forces Covenant Ministry of Defence Employer Recognition Scheme in November that acknowledged the Councils’ awareness of the variety of transferable skills reservists, veterans and current personnel can bring to the civilian workplace.

The Award is the highest accolade given to employers who demonstrate forces-friendly credentials through a rigorous application process, including adjusting HR policies to allow flexibility for reservists and supporting individuals transitioning out of the Armed Forces into a new career.

The accreditation also recognised that both Councils proactively demonstrate that service personnel or those in the Armed Forces community are not unfairly disadvantaged as a result of their service. Rushcliffe Borough Council’s Deputy Leader and Armed Forces Champion Councillor Debbie Mason joined fellow Champion Councillor Hilary Fryer from Charnwood Borough Council at a ceremony at the National Army Museum in London to collect the award.

Councillor Mason said: “We were thrilled to attend and very honoured the Armed Forces Employee Recognition Scheme saw it fit to recognise the strides both Councils have made in ensuring our valued members of the Armed Forces are further integrated into our communities.

“The gold award highlights what great work the respective teams have delivered with initiatives such as Veterans’ breakfast clubs and encouraging social enterprises and businesses to sign the covenant and events. “We also introduced a guaranteed job interview scheme for Veterans and Reservists at the Council and if appointed, a buddy support system helps them settle into their new work place.

“We will continue to do everything we can to support those with a military background and to explore further ways we can assist hard-to-reach veterans and families with the support they may require.” Chief of Defence Staff General Sir Nicholas Patrick Carter presented the Councils with the award in the Atrium.

Councillor Hilary Fryer, the Armed Forces Champion for Charnwood Borough Council said: “We were delighted to officially receive the gold award from the Armed Forces Recognition Scheme. “The award acknowledges our successful partnership with Rushcliffe Borough Council and our continued work to support the Armed Forces community.

“We recognise the sacrifices our Armed Forces men and women, and their families make and it’s important to give something back to those who serve their country. The Council is committed to supporting our Armed Forces personnel and the veteran’s community and will continue to do so through the covenant. “I’d like to once again congratulate everyone involved with this fantastic achievement.”

Nottingham News, Notts Health & Care

A range of intensive wrap-around services aimed at preventing rough sleeping and supporting those affected in Nottinghamshire have been awarded £837,000.

The funding, from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, will be complemented by an additional £90,000 investment from Nottinghamshire County Council and £70,000 by Framework. This will enable them to continue to work alongside the seven district and borough councils and housing providers to build on the services that ensure that people who are rough sleeping receive a range of support to improve their outcomes. Councillor Tony Harper, Chair of Adult Social Care and Health Committee, said: “This funding is great news for Nottinghamshire. It will allow us to develop services to tackle the underlying issues around homelessness, such as mental health or substance misuse. “These services aren’t just about providing the appropriate accommodation for homeless people. We are also giving people the support they need to take positive steps away from difficult situations and hopefully end the cycle of rough sleeping.”

Some key aspects of the provision include:

• Rough sleeping co-ordinator and housing navigators: these will work with organisations to ensure that people get the support that they need in the right place at the right time e.g. people released from prison will be supported to find suitable accommodation.

• A range of interventions to prevent homelessness through housing and employment initiatives.

• A street outreach team engaging directly with rough sleepers to assess their needs, link them to support and ultimately, to get them off the streets and into accommodation.

• Additional specialist posts to support the street outreach team to address the increasingly complex substance misuse, mental and physical health needs of the rough sleeping community.