The Grapevine is a brand new online message forum aimed at older and disabled adults, their family, friends and carers, but it can be used by anyone - from anywhere in the world!
Users can log-on to discuss topics including news, sport, the arts or share jokes, poetry and recipes.
Visitors to the site can also talk about what it's like to be getting older, to live with a disability and to care for others.
You can also send a message to David Sprason, our Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care You could give feedback about your care or make suggestions to help us continue to improve our service. Don't miss your chance to have your say!
Jackie Harman, who is disabled and deafened, is a regular user of The Grapevine. She said: "I found it hugely difficult to communicate and interact with people. The Grapevine has opened up a whole new world for me as I can now communicate with others safely through the internet."
The Grapevine is run by Leicestershire CareOnLine, which uses the internet to help reduce isolation and improve the quality of life for older and disabled people and carers.
CareOnLine recently won the Innovative Information and Communications Technology Award at East Midlands Health and Social Care Awards 2008.
For questions or help using the site, please e-mail: grapevine@leics.gov.uk or call 0116 305 7538... More » « Less

Doris is 94 and lives in Sheltered Accommodation. She has some friends there but her family are all abroad – one son lives in Australia and the other in Africa – so she may not see them for years at a time. When CareOnLine installed a computer in the lounge of her home she was interested but unsure what benefit it would bring. The manager said that Doris was having trouble with her hearing and telephone calls were getting increasingly difficult. E-mail was suggested as a solution and training was provided.
Four years later Doris is a regular user of the computer and sees pictures of grandchildren she has never met. She still needs the assurance that the Housing Manager is there to help out if needed but her family feel much nearer than before and she now also has a new hobby to stimulate her.
www.leicscareonline.org.uk.. More » « Less

Planning Application 20080844
1. Braunstone Town Council wishes to object to the application for the following reasons.
2. Policy T5 of the Leicester City Local Plan requires that the land be reserved for use as a car park to serve the proposed Ivanhoe railway line. We understand that the proposal to reopen the line for passenger services is still a positive feature of the Structure Plan. The proposed development could prejudice the future use of the site for this purpose.
3. The site is adjacent to an area designated as a ‘Primary Residential Area’ in the Blaby District Local Plan. Leicester City Council should therefore take into account Policy R1 and R2 when determining the application.
4. The proposed change of use would conflict with these Local Plan Policies and would result in residents being unable to enjoy a reasonable level of residential amenity due to considerations of emissions, hours of operation, vehicular activity, etc, privacy, noise and disturbance.
5. The proposal that sellers would arrive at 6.00am on Sunday is totally unacceptable in a residential area.
6. Only 158 car parking spaces have been allocated to the public which could result in overspill parking onto surrounding residential roads. It is considered that the proposal would likely to result in a concentrated intensification in vehicular traffic at certain peak times. This is an area that already has a high level of traffic and where there is a number of previously recorded road traffic accidents, particularly on the bend near the railway bridge.
7. There would undoubtedly be an element of preparing and cooking food on site for sale to customers. This would not be acceptable on amenity grounds and there would be implications such as cooking fumes for residents and possible contamination issues due to spillage of oils and liquids.
8. There are no proposals in the application to restrict noise form public announcements and amplified music, etc... More » « Less

Substations
Substations are secure and protected structures where high voltage electricity is distributed from the National Grid, or local supply networks, and transformed down into more manageable voltage levels for homes and businesses. The equipment contained inside the substation is regularly inspected and maintained. They can be found in both local and rural areas displaying yellow warning signs, and are locked and protected for everyone's safety. Only authorised employees and supervised emergency workers are allowed to enter substations. Please stay out of these substations.
Substations are 'Danger Zones' and every year, despite warnings, people are still killed, or seriously injured, after illegally accessing them.
If you see this or anything like it you need to call us on: 0800 587 3243.. More » « Less

Leicestershire Constabulary are urging people to be on their guard after a spate of copper wire thefts in June from ten electricity substations across the county.
Officers are checking the identification of any person that they reasonably consider it necessary to challenge in the vicinity of electricity cables, substations and metal dealers in the county.

Leicestershire Trading Standards website is getting a brand new look and you are invited to make suggestions for what you want to see on it. To take part in the consultation, please complete the online form by following the link from this page.
The consultation will run until Friday 25th July and the new website will be launched in the autumn.

Welcome to the Neighbourhood Watch Toolkit
This package has been produced by the Home Office and the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) in consultation with Neighbourhood Watch volunteers.
This toolkit can be used by individuals to find out about all aspects of Neighbourhood Watch.

Many representations were received from local residents concerned that the sports area restriction would effectively ban dogs from some open spaces. Also concerns over enforceability.
We understand that Blaby District Council now intend to proceed with
* An order effectively banning dogs from all enclosed children's play areas within the District (MARKED SPORTS AREAS WILL BE REMOVED FROM THIS ORDER)
* Dogs on lead by Direction Order to be adopted.
Timetable :-
September/October 2008 - New signage to be erected around the District
November/December 2008 - Publish new orders and commencement dates in local newspaper. Place copy orders around the District in relevant locations.. More » « Less

Use this link to read Leicestershire Police Authority’s response to the Government’s capping announcement made earlier today.
Kind regards,
Alison Watson
Engagement & Communications Officer
Leicestershire Police Authority

Leicester City Council has submitted a planning application for a Car Boot Sale at the Meynells Gorse Park and Ride Site. It is proposed to operate each Sunday throughout the year.
It is proposed that the sellers would arrive at the site from 6am and would be parked for trade on the site immediately.
158 car park spaces would be allocated to the public while 332 spaces would be allocated to the trade area (each trader would require 2 spaces).
The car boot sale would close no later than 4pm and the litter would be swept and collected by the refuse team.
The deadline date for responses is 9th July 2008 and if you require further information, please contact the case officer, Mrs A Smith, on 2527231. Observations should be forwarded to Leicester City Council who will determine the application.
The Town Council's Plans & Environment Committee will however receive the application to make comment at its next meeting on 3rd July 2008 at 7pm at the Braunstone Civic Centre. There is an agenda item to allow members of the public to make representation and comment at that meeting.
A copy of the application is also available for inspection at the Town Council's offices between 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday. Alternatively the plans can be downloaded from the City Council's website by using the heading link above (search for planning application 20080844).. More » « Less

Up-to-date news for consumers

WE HAVE LIFT-OFF!
This week marks the dawn of a new age of Neighbourhood Watch communication.
The Neighbourhood and Home Watch network is launched across the nation with a brief to keep an eye on crime and crime fighting on our home front.
With the backing of the police and Home Office we will keep you up to speed on developments both locally and nationally via a constantly-updated website and regular newletters. Use this link to download your copy and to register to receive future editions .. More » « Less

Chair of NHWN Marion Lewis was at Downing Street yesterday, 17th June and met the Prime Minister and the Home Secretary to discuss the views of Neighbourhood Watch members from across the country who were invited to ‘have their say’ and to give their opinions on the criminal justice system and contribute towards a Cabinet Office review written by the government's crime and communities adviser Louise Casey.

If you would like to book a FREE fund raising stall for your Community Group or Charity please contact Pauline Hurd 0116 289 0045 for more information

Business Advice
Confidential, free advice on all trading standards matters including help for you to solve your consumer complaints.
We can also help you to access available Rural Business Grants
Contact Us: Telephone: (0116) 305 8000
Email: trading-standards@leics.gov.uk

Police are growing increasingly concerned for the welfare of a Leicester man who was last seen on Thursday June 12, 2008.
Kevin Wilson, 54, who was last seen at his home address on Humberstone Road, Thurmaston, was reported missing on Sunday, June 15, 2008.

Please find below a link for the latest details about Neighbourhood & Homewatch Week 2008 and the launch of the official NHWN website – www.mynhw.co.uk
Both commence on Monday 16th June 2008.
http://www.mynhw.co.uk/launch.html
Please circulate this to your colleagues, local Neighbourhood Watch groups and grassroots members.
Regards
Marion Lewis
Chair
Neighbourhood & Homewatch Network (England & Wales)

The police in Braunstone have set up a new Mini Moto Club which launches this week and will hope to reduce antisocial behaviour in the area.
The club, which is being launched at The Grove on Court Crescent on Saturday June 14, aims to provide local youngsters with a safe and supervised place to ride their mini motos - instead of illegally using them on the roads and park areas.
It has been set up by the Braunstone Joint Action Group which includes representatives from agencies such as the police the National Association for the Care and Resettlement of Offenders (NACRO) and the City Council... More » « Less

Motorists across Leicestershire are being warned following a spate of thefts of catalytic converters.
Since the beginning of April this year there have been 62 catalytic converters stolen in the Force area.
The problem is mainly affecting rural areas in the North and South of the Force, with 31 catalytic converters stolen from vehicles in the North area, 29 in the South area, and two in the Central area.
South area crime reduction officer Steve Day said: "Crime analysis shows that thieves have been mainly targeting 4x4 vehicles or people carriers that have been parked in public car parks... More » « Less

Braunstone in Bloom Nomination Forms available from the Civic Centre - 0116 2890045 - Closing date for completed forms 1st July 2008