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New Legal Column by Ashton Graham Inside
ISSUE 11 - MAR 10
Read David Ruffley's Local Matters Column inside your Bury Flyer
Photo of the month!
Would you like to see your photos in the Bury Flyer? We are interested in photos of Bury and district to feature in the Flyer or on the front page! Email your photos to: monthlyeditorial@hotmail.co.uk
The Bury St Edmunds & District Flyer 2010. Views and opinions mentioned are not necessarily those of the editor or proprietor and no responsibility will be taken for the accuracy of information contained herein. For further information on advertising in the Flyer, please call 01394 211 461 email:adrian.bradshaw@flyeronline.co.uk Typesetting: Phil Grove & Jonathan Trotter, Proprietor: Adrian Bradshaw. All advert layouts & design are property of The Bury St Edmunds & District Flyer Typesetting, design & print The Flyer Press Ltd (01394) 283371. The standard charge for unauthorised reproduction is ÂŁ250
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The Flyer 01394 211 461 The Devil Within A true account of living with ADHD If you've looked at a child supposedly suffering from ADHD (Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder) and thought they just need a firm hand read on…. 'Can't you control your child?' tells the harrowing true story of Suffolk parents who've battled against the odds to keep their son from harming himself and those around him. From birth, Daniel Collins had a very severe form of ADHD coupled with Autism and learning and speech difficulties. This book tells what its like to be a parent of a child, with a mental illness which is still misunderstood. Richard and his wife Rosemary have two other children who've experienced first hand what its like to be shunned by friends and family because of their brother's extraordinary behaviour. This month Daniel turns 22, he's learnt to cope far better with his ADHD and he's accomplished so much more than was ever hoped and his father has written an account of the past 22 years since Daniels birth, not only to help to demystify this mental illness for which there are a great many prejudices but also to celebrate a life the family scarcely dared hope for in the very beginning. 'The teenage years were the worst times of all, there were many occasions he went missing and when I found him he would have blood pouring from open head wounds, due to his self harming and from assaults inflicted by others who disliked him because he was different'
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Richard Collins with his son Daniel (22) an ADHD sufferer who's overcome harrowing odds to pass his driving test ADHD sufferers still face stigma from a large section of the community, despite massive research and medical records of this illness dating back to the 1840's there are still those who bafflingly fail to recognise this as a real mental illness. ‘Can't you control your child?' is available in paperback £5.99 + £1.60 p&p ISBN 9780955483639. Available from PO Box 921, Ipswich, IP1 9QF. Call 01473 658564 or email rickbook1@aol.com.
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Local Matters Local Matters with David Ruffley MP Florists
Many of my constituents continue to be dissatisfied with the broadband connection speeds their exchange currently offers. Suffolk has lagged behind other parts of the country ever since broadband was introduced. Particularly in the rural areas, people complain of low speed connections and long waits for BT to deliver upgrades to their local exchange.
Wardrobe Fitters
David Ruffley MP
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I first campaigned on this issue almost a decade ago and lobbied BT to increase broadband speeds in our part of Suffolk.
I support the "Speed Up Suffolk" campaign Suffolk County Council is currently running to bring faster connections to the county. In support of this campaign I have launched a new survey at www.TellDavidRuffley.com to learn more about current broadband connection speeds in my constituency and to highlight which areas are most in need of attention from BT. All too often Suffolk lags behind other areas of the country in terms of investment. I have launched this new survey because I want to put pressure on BT to bring faster broadband connections to our county. I will use the information I uncover to lobby BT to deliver better connections to those areas.
Recruitment Other Services
A decent broadband connection is now essential for so many reasons - whether it is running a business or downloading the latest tracks to your iPod. I want Suffolk to be able to compete with the rest of the country on equal terms and to do that we need to be up to speed with our communications technology.
The Flyer March 2010 Page 2 The Devil Within Page 3 Local Matters Page 4 Guys and Dolls Page 5 Ashton Graham Page 6 Local Advice Page 8 Local News Page 9 Local News Page 10 Your Garden Page 11 Suffolk Wildlife Trust Page 12 West Suffolk Angling Page 13 Traders Guide Page 15 Motoring
Olympic Stars Visit Rougham Primary
Landscaping
Motoring Services
Children at Rougham Primary School in Suffolk had two very special visitors in February Tankers Town, a beautiful 15 year old chestnut gelding with his owner, Suffolk Olympian Sharon Hunt.
Stone Memorials
Sharon aboard Tankers Town, was part of an incredibly talented team that secured a bronze medal in the 2008 Beijing Olympics and is currently ranked among the top 50 eventers in the world competing at events such as the World Equestrian Games and the Burghley and Badminton Horse Trials.
Tiling
The visit by Sharon and Tankers Town on Monday 8 February, was the prize won by Rougham Primary, for being one of over 100 Suffolk schools to register for Get Set the official London 2012 education programme, which aims to inspire a generation of young people to make a positive change in their own lives, their schools and their communities.
Book your advert today in the Traders Guide for just ÂŁ37.50 a month!
The programme is based on the Olympic and Paralympic Values of excellence, friendship, respect, courage, determination, inspiration and equality.
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Guys and Dolls Guys and Dolls coming soon! Audiences will be tapping their feet when the Irving Stage Company takes to the stage with its latest production. Rehearsals are well under way for Guys and Dolls, which opens at the Theatre Royal, in Bury St Edmunds, in March. The popular musical, set in 1950s New York, tells the story of crapshooter Nathan Detroit, who bets high stakes gambler Sky Masterson he cannot take missionary Sarah Brown to Havana, Cuba.
Longman, who both live on the Moreton Hall estate, and play the parts of Nathan Detroit and Sky Masterson respectively.
Meet the Trader!
Neither are strangers to the stage - both had roles in last year's Chess - but they are looking forward to the more upbeat Guys and Dolls.
Cue exhilarating song and dance routines, the glamorous Hot Guys and Dolls from the 9th Box nightclub - complete with sassy dancers - and throw in And fellow estate March in Bury two touching love stories and the stage is set for a fun night at residents Kathryn Smith the theatre. and Camille Berriman, two of the Hot Box dancers, are busily brushing up their dance routines ready for opening night. Audiences will be familiar with show-stopping numbers including sit Down You're Rocking the Boat and If I Were a Bell. Guys and Dolls is on at the Theatre Royal, in Bury, from March The show is being directed and choreographed by Sian Couture, who has previously put her stamp on the musicals Chess, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street and A Chorus Line, which also played at Bury's Theatre Royal. Sian is working with musical director Mark Jefferson to bring to life their vision of the musical comedy in an attempt to wow theatre audiences. Among those to take principal roles are Marc Kerr and Chris
9-13, at 7.30pm, with a matinĂŠe on March 13, at 2.30pm. To buy tickets, contact the box office on 01284 769505 or go to www.theatreroyal.org
Need a plumber? Traders guide on page 13
James Boughton
Specialising in the construction of gardens and garden maintenance James has 15 years experience working with private and commercial clients both locally and in the Midlands where he has also operated. He prides himself on providing a local, friendly service, tailored to the customers own requirements and has extensive experience in both managing and implementing soft and hard landscaping solutions including:
Patios, Decking, Fencing, Turfing, Block Paving & General Garden Maintenance Accountants
This is the time of year when hopefully winter begins to ebb away and we start to think about utilising the garden again, so now is the time to get that long overdue patio or decking installed and James is the man to contact and discus it with. To view more photographs visit James' web site at: www.jamesboughtonlandscaping.org And to contact James you can email him at jamesboughton@live.co.uk or call him on
07789 835397 or
01284 830864
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Carpet Cleaning
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West Suffolk Angling
Ashton Graham
Bury St Edmunds Angling Association Veterans
Ashton Graham
It's your life. It's unique. And it's our main concern.
By Chris Boughton
At some point in your life you will need to consult a solicitor. It could be about your employment rights. It might be about an injury you've sustained. Or perhaps you need to talk to someone about managing your affairs, as you get older.
The Bury St Edmunds Angling Association has a Veterans section that fishes matches on the club's lakes every Thursday throughout the year, apart from a six week break from mid December. Chris These friendly matches alternate between Boughton Barrow Lake, Water Lane Reservoir (Little Whelnetham) and Middle Reservoir (Bradfield St George). Their summer series of matches run from the beginning of April to the end of September when they fish for the Ron Hubbard Cup over the 26 week period. The winter series is from early October to the end of March for the Malcolm Pryke Shield over a 20 week period. All the matches are fished from 9am to 2pm with the draw at 8am. Barrow Lake - This picturesque lake is about 1 acre and has depths of up to 10 feet. The lake contains a good head of crucian carp, plus perch, tench, roach, bream and carp. Fishing is from platforms only with some suitable for disabled anglers. Water Lane Reservoir - About 4 miles southeast of Bury St Edmunds in the village of Little Whelnetham, this lake is approximately 3 acres in size with a large central island and
When the time comes, one thing is for certain: you'll need someone you can rely on, who understands your needs and who can give you great value for money. That's where we come in. depths to around 10ft. The lake contains a good head of carp to 20lb plus bream, perch, roach, tench and the occasional chub. Middle Reservoir - About 5 miles southeast of Bury St Edmunds on the edge of the village of Bradfield Combust, this lake is approximately 4 acres in size with depths up to 14ft and holds carp to 33lb, roach to 1lb, bream to 6lb and pike to 20lb. For more information about the Veterans' section contact Match Secretary Keith Smith on 07804 101067, log onto their web site at www.burystedmundsangling.org or email buryaa@live.co.uk Bury AA club membership can be obtained from Tackle Up in St Johns Street, Bury St Edmunds.
As one of the region's biggest legal firms, we can help and advise you with all your legal needs relating to your health, your wealth and your welfare. We are delighted that in each month of the Flyer we will be bringing you some information on the law that may relate to you or others you know who may be experiencing similar situations.
Firm facts With just under 150 members of staff including 19 Partners and offices in Ipswich, Bury St Edmunds and Felixstowe we have the resources to help you exactly when and where you need it. Our overriding principle is that our clients come first. As a firm we are constantly looking at ways of improving our service. And we actively seek client feedback. Our approach is simple and straightforward. We will work with you to make sure that all your legal needs are met as quickly, smoothly and effectively as possible, with minimum fuss.
The firm is accredited by ISO 9004, Investors in People and the Legal Services Commission. We have also gained LEXCEL accreditation, the Law Society's quality practice management mark, which certifies that standards have been met following independent assessment.
Working with and for the community We believe it's important to contribute to life beyond work. After all, we are part of the local community - we live here, we play here - and it's where our children go to school. For many years we have worked in a variety of ways to support charities and arts organisations. We have given pro bono assistance to a variety of local charity groups where funding has been an issue. We are longstanding sponsors of the BALE and FWAG Awards, which support new developments of the land and preservation of the countryside. We are also champions of the Arts, sponsoring the Theatre Royal in Bury and the Red Rose Chain for their productions in Rendlesham Forest and more importantly for the work they do for underprivileged groups and organisations working to make a difference in the community. Our efforts have recently been recognised by Arts and Business who have nominated Ashton Graham for the A&B Cultural Branding award and for the A&B Sustained Partnerships award.
Ashton Graham - here for you If you need to see a solicitor and you want undivided personal attention and great value for money, we'd love to hear from you: Call 0800 5870091 or email: lawyers@ashtongraham.co.uk www.ashtongraham.co.uk
We are especially good at dealing with your: family matters conveyancing and other property matters including buying and selling property in France Probate, inheritance tax and estate planning resolving disputes personal injury claims employment rights. And, if you're in business, we can help with that too.
Quality: at the heart of what we do At Ashton Graham we know we provide a quality service and we've been externally assessed to confirm it.
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Local Advice
Suffolk Wildlife Trust
Sign up for amazing moments in Suffolk at Race for Life 2010 Suffolk women are being urged to enter Cancer Research UK's Race for Life and share amazing moments as they become part of the biggest female-only team in the UK.
Health Matters With Dr Janet M. Massey
The bowel cancer prevention card is coming to Suffolk
One cancer can be prevented. Perhaps this is not one that we like to talk about, and those who have it don't Race for Life is the UK's largest discuss it as much as those who suffer women-only fundraising event from breast or prostate cancer. series where all the money raised However bowel cancer takes about 7 goes to fund Cancer Research UK's years to develop and we now have a life-saving work. way of finding and preventing it at an early stage. All women are welcome, regardless of whether they are taking part Dr Janet M. Massey Bowel cancer usually starts in a polyp in the rectum or colon. Polyps may on their own or as part of a group. slowly change into cancers which start to grow into the wall of This year the Suffolk Race for Life events take place at the bowel. As they grow, some of the polyps cause bleeding, Chantry Park, Ipswich, Sunday 13th June at 11am, Nowton traces of which can be picked up if faeces are put onto a Park, Bury St Edmunds, Sunday 27th June at 11am and special card, and this is sent to the laboratory. Although some 2.30pm and at Trinity Park, Ipswich, Sunday 7th July at polyps may not bleed, this is the safest and the most eco7.30pm. nomical screening method we have at the present, provided that the test is repeated every two years. Last year 8,403 women walked, jogged or ran the Suffolk For this reason, patients in Suffolk, first in the age range of 60Race For Life events and raised an incredible £486,622. 69 years, will be receiving a bowel screening kit. This includes In 2010, organisers are encouraging 8,200 women to put all the instructions about how to carry out the testing, and their best feet forward and smash the fundraising target of whom to ask if you have questions. Your GP surgery nurse can £473,226, just like last year! also answer your queries. ...cont’d on Page 10 If you are one of those with blood in the faeces, you will be sent an appointment for an investigation of the lower bowel with a flexible light source (endoscopy) which has replaced the previous rigid tool! You will also be asked to clear the bowel so that the surgeon can see the bowel wall clearly. S/he can also treat you, often by being able to remove even large polyps at the time of the endoscopy. Noit all traces of blood in the stool come from polyps or a cancer, and other illnesses such as ulcerative colitis may also be found and treatment started for this. Once again, most people will not have a problem, but unles we try to find the polyps as best we can, we will not know who will get bowel cancer. Do take this, perhaps not very nice but certainly effective way, to look after your future health. Do please return the 'completed' card to the Screening Hub.
Wild bird initiative gets results
For more information please contact Lackford's Joe Davis on 01284 728541 or SWT property manager Steve Aylward on 01473 890089. Due to agricultural intensification Due to agricultural intensification many of our farmland birds many of our farmland birds have suffered disastrous declines over the last three decades have suffered disastrous and the tree sparrow is no exception; numbers have crashed declines over the last three to only 3% of the 1970s population. decades and the tree sparrow Lack of food - grass and wildflower seed and some cereal is no exception; numbers have grains found in autumn and winter stubbles - together with a crashed to only 3% of the 1970s decrease in hedgerows are to blame. Other farmland birds population. such as turtle dove, grey partridge, yellow wagtail, corn Lack of food - grass and wildflower seed and some cereal bunting and lapwing have suffered similar declines. grains found in autumn and winter stubbles - together with a At Lackford two acres of seed strips are being established decrease in hedgerows are to blame. Other farmland birds with funding from Aggregates Levy Sustainability Fund (ASLF). such as turtle dove, grey partridge, yellow wagtail, corn West Suffolk sites manager Joe Davis explains: bunting and lapwing have suffered similar declines. "At the moment we are using supplementary feeders to At Lackford two acres of seed strips are being established attract tree sparrows and will be planting the seed strips this with funding from Aggregates Levy Sustainability Fund (ASLF). spring. So far things are going pretty well and we have had West Suffolk sites manager Joe Davis explains: far greater numbers of tree sparrow in than we usually get. A "At the moment we are using supplementary feeders to delicious mix of sunflower, millet, kale etc will be sown which attract tree sparrows and will be planting the seed strips this will provide nutritious seeds for the birds over the autumn and spring. So far things are going pretty well and we have had next winter. We hope the presence of permanent seed strips far greater numbers of tree sparrow in than we usually get. A will encourage increasing numbers of tree sparrow to stay delicious mix of sunflower, millet, kale etc will be sown which and breed at Lackford." will provide nutritious seeds for the birds over the autumn and The erection of woodcrete nest boxes and the creation of a next winter. We hope the presence of permanent seed strips bat roost in a former pill box is also important conservation will encourage increasing numbers of tree sparrow to stay work being funded under the scheme. and breed at Lackford." For more information please contact Lackford's Joe Davis on The erection of woodcrete nest boxes and the creation of a 01284 728541 or SWT property manager Steve Aylward on bat roost in a former pill box is also important conservation 01473 890089. work being funded under the scheme.
Dr Janet M. Massey
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Your Garden
Local Advice
Your Garden with Ken Crowther
Plug plants are supplied growing individually in tiny cells of top quality compost and just need more room and vital nutrients for roots and stems to grow into large plants, ready to flower in pots I know I thought the and hanging baskets. snow had gone and To get these tiny treasures growing fast give them extra room how dare it return in abundance to this area and root space in a tip-top compost. For quickest growth and of Suffolk which, lets face biggest plants choose a real potting compost that is so rich in nutrients it advises you not to sow seeds in it. The Lions club will it, is rare. So goodbye winter welcome spring, be offering Begonias, yes perfumed ones, a bit later for charity, but more about that in the Future. WE HOPE!
February should also be a mixture of rain, frosts and milder spells. This all helps the soil prepare for sowing seeds and planting and will encourage early growth. Spring bulbs such as crocus, winter aconite and snowdrops should be emerging in protected areas of the garden. The pink propeller blooms of cyclamen coum will also be creating a delightful warm glow to areas that are sheltered from the cold. They like rich well drained soil and will easily self-seed if the conditions are just right. Millions of gardeners have realised that buying almost fully grown plantlets in early summer ready to plant out in patio pots, hanging baskets and garden borders is not the cheapest way of buying plants. The trend nowadays is to buy seedlings or plug plants early in the new year and grow these plants in pots indoors until they are ready to plant out in the garden. In this way you get a wider choice of colours and various varieties to choose from. Your garden centre will have plenty of these tiny plantlets to choose from in February and March, or you can order them from a catalogue or the internet to get an even broader selection.
Ken Crowther
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Sign up for amazing moments in Suffolk at Race for Life 2010 cont’d from page 6...
Race for Life 2010 is going to be full of amazing moments for everyone as women of all ages and fitness abilities join together to walk, jog or run 5k to help beat cancer. Suffolk participants will be part of a total of 700,000 women taking part in over 230 events across the UK between May and July. Cancer Research UK hopes that together they will raise a total of £60 million to fund the charity's life saving work. Women across Suffolk can enter Cancer Research UK's Race for Life at www.raceforlife.org or by calling 0871 641 1111.
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Mesothelioma Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that usually affects the lining of the lung. In the vast majority of cases it is caused by exposure to asbestos. Although the use of asbestos has been banned for some time, the symptoms of mesothelioma can take 50 years or more to develop after the exposure to asbestos. Unfortunately this means that there are now increasing amounts of cases of Richard Foyster mesothelioma being diagnosed, since the use of asbestos was commonplace in the work place back in the 1950s.
ITFC Community Update ITFC SCORE is a fun and exciting way to keep the kids occupied this Easter Holiday with courses kicking off at venues in: Bury St. Edmunds Framlingham Wisbech Thetford Elmswell Felixstowe Saxmundham, Woodbridge Ipswich.
ITFC SCORE are football courses Ashton Graham Solicitors understand that if you or a member designed for both boys and girls aged of your family is suffering from mesothelioma you will be expebetween four and 12 years, offering fun riencing a very difficult, upsetting and painful time. Whilst we football coaching to children of all understand that your main priority will be to seek medical abilities at a brand new lower price. attention to try to ease the pain of the symptoms, it may well be that you will wish to seek legal advice about a claim for Each player will get the chance to join a crew dependant on compensation. their age from MINIS (5/6 year olds) and ROOKIES (7/8 year olds) through to YOUTHS (9/10 year olds) and SKIPPERS (11/12 “A successful claim for mesothelioma will year olds). They will then be split into teams made up of result in a significant amount of compensation different crew members with players from a range of ages, skill and abilities, allowing them to learn from each other. being paid to you and your family...” We can assist you with the claims process. These types of legal claims have a number of unusual and complicated aspects to them, including trying to establish how and when the exposure to asbestos happened, and whether the proposed defendant company had any insurance in place (the company itself may no longer exist).
New to the holiday course is the Points Score System, which is designed to give each player the chance to win points for their team from the very start to the last minute of the course. Points will be rewarded for good sportsmanship, good behaviour and positive support and SKIPPERS will be encourage to support those in the younger age groups within their team and will be rewarded extra points for doing so.
A successful claim for mesothelioma will result in a significant amount of compensation being paid to you and your family to help pay for your care and nursing whilst you suffer from mesothelioma, and to help to provide for your family into the future.
The team with the most points will be crowned champions and receive trophies at an Awards Ceremony at the end of the two day course. Medals will be given out to all those who took part.
If you wish to discuss a mesothelioma claim with an expert legal adviser, please contact Richard Foyster, Partner, at Ashton Graham Solicitors on 0800 5870091
If you would like to book your child a place on one of our Easter Holiday ITFC SCORE courses between 6th and 16th April 2010 or would like more information please call 0845 1369 333 or visit www.itcommunitytrust.org.uk
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Local News
Local News Local Government Reform Councillor Paul Farmer In the February edition of Flyer I wrote that the future of local government at the time of writing was 'uncertain'. As I write this today, we have just been informed that the government will not decide on a unitary council solution for Suffolk, despite many months' deliberation by the Boundary Committee and a lot of debate by local people. Cllr Paul Farmer
Status quo Prevails
For now at least the status quo prevails, and no councils will be axed. There is however the suggestion that all Suffolk councils should, with their MPs and other stakeholders, form a 'county constitutional convention' to decide on the way forward. This is unlikely to be concluded or even held before the general election, which if won by the Conservatives (who are against unitaries) will surely mean that the long grass into which the unitary principle has now been kicked will grow even longer. A unitary council does everything that your district (or borough in the case of St Edmundsbury) and county council do. It means that one council deals with waste collection, environmental health, leisure, housing, voting, planning, benefits, schools, social care and so on. It has one chief executive and management team instead of several, and generally by avoiding duplication of staff and resources should save money - though some dispute that. You would think that this would make sense. But one of the problems with changing the system is that there are currently seven district/borough councils within the county of Suffolk, and (surprise, surprise) they have not all agreed with each other or the county council about what the form or size of a unitary or unitaries should be. Originally Ipswich wanted to be a unitary council, but the government thought it was too small and asked the Boundary Committee to look at possible unitary
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arrangements for all of Suffolk. The committee concluded that a Suffolk county unitary (locally known as the 'one-Suffolk' option) would have the mass to be able to function successfully. Not surprisingly Suffolk County Council was largely in favour of this idea, which would have meant it's taking over all the district councils' functions and those councils being abolished.
One-Suffolk Mid-Suffolk council was the only one to agree with its demise, whilst some districts at first buried their heads in the sand and hoped it would all go away, as indeed it partly has. Others thought that one-Suffolk was too unwieldy, and would lose the local touch that districts have. Some, including St Edmundsbury, considered that some kind of split between the east and west of the county would make sense, with unitaries that would be responsive to the distinct needs of the market towns in the west and the coastal concerns of the east. Sounds familiar? It will if you were around before 1973, when just such an east/west split existed. The trouble was that the Boundary Committee did not agree, and eventually would not even consult formerly on an east-west solution. The strength of local feeling subsequently expressed to the government was perhaps one reason why it drew back from any Suffolk proposal.
Informal sharing of services Suffolk councils now have to try and sort out their own future, and some have already been talking to each other about informal sharing of services or more formal arrangements to do so. The need to make future savings in the light of possible draconian government cuts makes such co-operation essential, which is why St Edmundsbury and Forest Heath councils have formed a shared services committee which has already started looking at just what services could work together. As both a Borough and County councillor I was personally disappointed that the government stopped short of creating new unitary councils in Suffolk. Having seen the inevitable duplication of effort and resources I believe that unitaries make sense. But whether we will ever have one or any now is even less certain than when I last wrote.
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Cabinet recommends 1.9% Council Tax increase A Council Tax level of 1.9%, which will help to protect essential services and invest in the borough's future prosperity, will be considered by all councillors on 23 February. The recommendation was made at today's Cabinet meeting. Cllr Paul Farmer, Cabinet member responsible for Resources, said: "We need to balance the demand for our services with the ability of residents to pay for them. St Edmundsbury was one of a handful of councils nationally last year that acted promptly at the depth of the recession by freezing Council Tax. Now we need to raise £298,000 more than last year to ensure we protect important services while continuing to invest in areas that benefit many people." The rise would be the equivalent of a 6.3p a week rise for a band D property, and for a band B - the largest single group of households - it will be a rise of 4.9p a week. Cllr John Griffiths, Leader of the Council said: "We want to keep Council Tax rises as low as possible while making sure we have the funds to deliver the quality services our residents and businesses deserve. Having frozen Council Tax last year, we believe we will be able to deliver the lowest increase in the county again, thanks not least to the excellent way we have managed our resources." Cllr Farmer added: "The Audit Commission judges St Edmundsbury to be excellent for the way we manage our resources, putting us among the top ten best councils in the country for financial management. We work hard to maintain our reputation for excellence because that independent assessment confirms we are doing the very best for the borough's residents and businesses." St Edmundsbury has saved £1.9 million from its budget over the past two years and is set to shave a further £2.2 million in the next two years. It is also looking to cut costs by sharing some services with neighbouring Forest Heath District Council. Savings include not replacing a Corporate Director and some other staff when they leave, improved purchasing, additional efficiency savings from moving into West Suffolk House and increased income generation. Among the investments planned for the next financial year are:
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Nearly £9 million on a range of projects, such as Haverhill Community Football scheme, public realm works in Bury and Haverhill town centres, disabled facilities' grants and home improvement grants for residents on low incomes, and grants to help improve village halls and play areas; Opening of The Apex, providing a major boost to the area's cultural heritage; Implementing an Economic Action Plan to encourage and promote local prosperity; Developing masterplans to guide the future shape of our towns and rural areas.
Bury St Edmunds Town Council News Matters discussed at the Meeting of the Town Council on 27 January 2010 included: Presentation by Molly Brown and Tina Ross of the Bury St Edmunds Youth Council - A very interesting and lively talk was given by these two articulate young women on the work of the Youth Council which was set up in 2005 by and for young people to improve the provision of activities for those aged 13-19, and to enable them to have a say. Councillors were impressed by how much has been achieved. Jen Larner, the Town Clerk commented: "I am very pleased that this contact has been made with such a dynamic group of young people in the town and hope that this will provide an opportunity for greater understanding and partnership working between the two Councils". Grit bins - A list of requests for grit bins has been received and the process for determining suitable locations is being undertaken, by consulting residents and establishing ownership of the proposed site. It is hoped that new bins will soon supplement the existing grit bins around the town. New allotment site at Cotton Lane - It has been agreed to set up a working group to look into the practicalities of setting up this site once it has been cleared. Anyone who would be interested in joining such a group is asked to contact the Town Council. Draft Management Plan for the Abbey Gardens - Council was delighted to endorse this comprehensive plan, which aims to protect and enhance this unique area of the town.
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