BOROUGH COUNCILLOR TED HOLLICK

A big ‘Thank You’ to the local Community - from Leicester Animal Aid, Huncote

LEICESTER Animal Aid (LAA), Huncote, would like to take this opportunity to say a big thank you to all the wonderful people in our surrounding communities who have been supporting us throughout the Covid crisis.

It has been, and still is, a challenging time for all of us and we are touched by the messages of support that we have received.

As at the time of writing (21st July), LAA Huncote is still able to both take in, and to re-home, cats and dogs. For more details on our new procedures, please go to: https://www.leicesteranimalaid.org. uk/news/news/post/256-update-rescue-and-rehoming

Telephone: 01455 888 257 Email: info@leicesteranimalaid.org.uk

Attached are photos of two of our current residents, Buttons and Percy. If you are interested in adopting any of the animals on our website, or on our Facebook page, please visit our website: www.leicesteranimalaid.org.uk and complete an Interested Parties Form or, alternatively, telephone our Centre on 01455 888 257.

Many members of our local community have contacted us to ask if they can help with dog walking. Unfortunately, due to social distancing, we are unable to accept these kind offers at this time. However, the support of our local community has made a real difference (and will continue to do so) in the following ways: • Coming forward to become Members of Leicester Animal Aid • Using our Amazon ‘Wish-List’ when you shop online • Individual donations of money and pet food • Corporate donations of food • Participation in our Pawsome Online Pet Show • Face-mask making (by children and adults) and selling hand-made craft items to raise funds • Using our charity shop onsite in Huncote (open from 10am until 2pm

Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays, and 11am until 2pm on Thursdays)

We would like to say a special thank you to the local children who have been raising funds for our animals. There have been some really inspiring efforts, from socially-distanced yard sales to mask making, and even using money earned through good behaviour and helping with chores to buy treats for our animals. For any young people who enjoy helping and learning about animals, we do have a special Club that meets four times a year called the Huncote Hound Club. If you know any children under 14 who love animals and would like to support LAA by becoming a member of the ‘Huncote Hound Club’, please read about it at: https://www. leicesteranimalaid.org.uk/huncote-hound-club/huncote-hound-club We look forward to welcoming them when circumstances permit.

Adopting a Pet

If you are considering adopting a pet, and you could offer a home for life to a cat or dog from Leicester Animal Aid, please do get in touch by phone or email. We’ll talk you through the process.

Visitors

We are not yet able to accommodate visitors who wish to walk around our Centre and view the dogs and cats. Our kennels and cattery can only be accessed by our staff, but please do keep looking at our Website and Facebook page for regular updates). Helen Wilber and Jane Walters

Leicester and Leicestershire Animal Aid Association, Elmwood Farm, Forest Road,Huncote, Leicestershire LE9 3LE

Note! Motorway users please exit the M69 at Junction 3, or the M1 at Junction 21, and then follow the signs for Narborough and Huncote (Pavilion).

HINCKLEY & BOSWORTH BOROUGH COUNCIL NEWS Councillor Ted Hollick reports Low income households offered extra help

A SCHEME providing additional council tax help during the Covid-19 pandemic is benefitting working age households who are living on a low income.

The initiative, supported by £531,000 of government funding, provides a reduction of up to £150 off the council tax bill for low income households who currently receive working age Council Tax Support.

The reduction is being applied automatically to the council tax bills of people who are eligible and revised bills showing how much is left to pay are starting to be sent out this week. The reduction will also be applied to the bills of any new working age council tax support recipients.

Many people have been affected financially by issues such as redundancy, furlough or reduced hours in the last few months. These sorts of changes make it difficult to pay the normal monthly bills. Although the government has put in place measures to help, for instance payment holidays, it can build up debt arrears.

Council Leader Cllr Stuart Bray said: “Unfortunately, a growing number of people are experiencing financial difficulties as a direct result of the Covid-19 pandemic, which is why we have committed to providing as much support as possible to the people that most need our help. The government funding has enabled us to provide Council Tax reductions for those who already claim Council Tax Support and we would urge anyone on a low income to check to see if they are eligible to claim additional support”.

Anyone who would like advice about managing with less money, or help in dealing with arrears or other debts, is urged to please get some advice now - do not wait. Visit www.hinckley-bosworth.gov.uk/benefits and use the benefit calculator or by call the Benefits Team for advice on Tel. 01455 238141.

A recipe for disaster?

WHILST NORMALLY I would avoid being political, I have to say I am utterly appalled at the latest proposal from the Conservative government attempting to ride roughshod over the current planning regulations, which would give builders and developers greater freedom.

Councillors like myself were elected to serve the community and represent and protect its interests against inappropriate and unwanted development by using our local knowledge to allow acceptable growth which would not have an adverse impact on the village. This is why we the residents of Groby need to support the re-introduction of a Groby Neighbourhood

Development Plan.

The plan when ratified would give you the villagers a greater say in protecting the village its identity and heritage assets, open spaces etc. as well as saying where any development could go if needed.

(Further details can be found on page 16).

The LGA (Local Government Association) has stated that there are currently thousands of homes that have been granted Planning Permission which the developers have still not built.

With the current housing need being so dire should those developers be prevented from submitting further schemes until these are built and completed?

I would suggest any new application that is granted permission must start to build within 2 years or lose that permission.

I hope everyone is keeping well KEEP SAFE Ted

Councillor Ted Hollick Call: 0116 287 5955 Mobile: 07962 373983 E-mail: ted.hollick@outlook.com Write: 7 Shaw Wood Close, Groby, LE6 0FY