It has been another very sad month for me. I was very saddened and shocked to hear of the sudden passing of Joan Snartt, David Snartt’s wife, who died peacefully at home on 18th September. David was devoted to Joan over their long marriage. Joan was a huge support to David during his continuing years as a local councillor, as Chairman of Leicestershire County Council, and as Mayor of Charnwood. The wider councillor family have all been supporting David and we will pick up any work as needed over the coming months as David begins to recover from his very sad loss.
Two MPs have also lost their lives over the past month. James Brokenshire MP (old Bexley and Sidcup) died after his brave battle with cancer. Sir David Amess MP (Southend West) was fatally stabbed during a residents’ surgery. I will continue to take guidance from Conservative HQ as a review of MPs’ and councillors’ safety commences, whilst remaining available for residents to contact me.
My case work has been very busy with some complex cases to deal with. County Hall work is also very busy with many important meetings over the next few months. As Deputy Leader, alongside the Leader and senior team, we are planning ahead for the budget next year and awaiting the Comprehensive Spending Review from Government, as I write. It is a tough time for families as we head into winter and in the recovery phase from the pandemic. It is no different for the council, as social care pressures for both adults and children are stretching finances considerably. I will continue to press the Government for additional funding to enable the council to support their residents. In September I went to London for a meeting with all Leicestershire MPs to discuss various local issues. I used that meeting to again raise my concerns for central funding for Leicestershire.
Autumn is now here, and the temperature is dropping as we head towards the winter, with the evenings drawing in. I was very grateful for the support from my colleagues at County Hall who supported my request to offer food vouchers for eligible children during half term. Thousands of Leicestershire families are struggling with the current cost of living and these food vouchers will help in some way. School meal vouchers were made available for some 14,000 eligible children so their parents and carers could buy £15 worth of food for the week-long break half term break in October, at a total cost to Leicestershire County Council of £240,000.
This decision was made before we heard that Leicestershire was to receive £3.6 million of Government cash from the Department of Work and Pension’s Household Support Fund, to help support those most in need with their food, energy and water bills, as well as pressures caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. This will enable the council to support families over the winter with food, heating, and other essential support.
As well as the 14,000 mainstream school children who qualify, there will be support for eligible youngsters who are in their early years of education or have special educational needs.
At an extraordinary meeting of the County Council on Wednesday 29th September, I was delighted to congratulate three retired councillors who have been made Honorary Aldermen by Leicestershire County Council, in honour of their exceptional service to the authority.
After serving a total of 69 years on the county council between them, before retiring in this year’s election, Byron Rhodes, Ivan Ould, and Janice Richards, were given the title of Honorary Aldermen at the meeting.
Employment
Work & Skills Leicestershire
I thought now may be a good time to highlight available support for people looking to get back into employment.
‘Work & Skills Leicestershire’ has helped over 100 people since it was first launched in June, initially as an online service. Now the project is being rolled out to employment hubs at libraries across the county.
‘Work & Skills Leicestershire’ is open to everyone, from those who have never been employed to those who have lost their jobs due to the pandemic, been furloughed, or who are at risk of redundancy. It will also help college leavers, graduates, and agency staff on zero hour or temporary contracts.
Qualified personal advisers are on hand to offer impartial and professional advice to people from all backgrounds and to support people on a one-to-one basis. Everyone who signs up to the scheme has the opportunity to have a tailored work plan drawn up for them, including clear targets and steps to achieve their goal. Help is given with CV and letter writing skills, job searches, interview techniques and digital training, self-employment advice and business support.
‘Work & Skills Leicestershire’ currently runs at:
- Loughborough Library on Tuesdays 10am until 12 noon
- Hinckley Library on Fridays 10am until 12 noon
- Wigston Library on Wednesday 10am until 12 noon
- Coalville Library on Wednesday 2pm until 4pm.
Appointments are available both via telephone and face-to-face at the Employment Hubs. To find out more visit www.leicestershire.gov.uk/work-and-skills or call 0800 988 0308.
Kickstart Placements
Businesses across Leicestershire are being urged to take advantage of a new cash pot enabling them to extend paid work experience for young people. Leicestershire County Council is encouraging companies to increase placements offered under the Government’s Kickstart scheme from six to 12 months, after the Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership (LLEP) pledged £500,000 to bolster the scheme.
The Government’s Kickstart scheme offers six-month paid work placements for 16-24-year olds who receive Universal Credit. The county council has offered placements to 15 young people so far, with further opportunities available in areas including highways services, waste operations, surveying, business support and administration.
Successful organisations will need to offer a further six-month work placement for a minimum of 25 hours per week to existing Kickstart participants, paying at least the minimum wage. The scheme will cover salary costs for up to 30 hours per week, employer National Insurance contributions and employer minimum automatic enrolment contributions.
Leicester and Leicestershire’s population of 16 to 24-year-olds is above the national average, and data gathered by the LLEP shows that young workers are more likely to be disadvantaged by any economic downturn. The LLEP's 2019 Employer Skills Survey showed that 68% of employers cited having relevant work experience as critical to recruitment for young people.
Applicants and businesses wanting to find out more or get involved can do so at http://www.leicesteremploymenthub.co.uk
Safer Driving with Age (SAGE)
The Leicestershire County Council SAGE (Safer Driving with Age) scheme is a scheme available for over 60s, who would like a safer driving assessment. The assessment is carried out by an experienced instructor and takes about an hour to complete. There are no trick questions or unusual manoeuvres, it is not a driving test. The assessment takes place in the person’s own car and will start from a home address or a mutually convenient place.
The course costs £45 and includes the assessment, written feedback, and any necessary guidance and advice. If you wish to take advantage of the scheme and fit in this age bracket, you can book your assessment online at: https://www.leicestershire.gov.uk/roads-and-travel/road-safety/safer-driving-with-age-sessions
You can also book by calling 0116 305 7233 or by emailing [email protected].
Wildflower Verges
Roadside verges across Leicestershire are receiving a biodiversity boost thanks to a county council initiative to turn them into wildflower areas. This year the county saw its highest number of designated wildflower verges, over 54 verges, which is about the size of two standard football pitches.
Over 40 parishes have already signed up for the scheme which involves volunteers giving up their time to make a difference by weeding, sowing seeds and developing new wildflower verges in their communities. Leicestershire County Council is now looking for more villages and towns to join its green scheme which is a key part of its wider work to tackle climate change and its commitment to becoming a net zero county by 2045.
Expressions of interest are now open for local parishes and communities who would like to create additional wildflower verges in 2022. Residents interested in joining the scheme can contact the council’s environment team at: [email protected].
To be eligible, the verge must be owned and managed by the county council to qualify, and not obstruct any road markings. Full guidance will be provided throughout the application process.
Key statistics and findings from the 2021 wildflower verge survey include the following:
- 54 Leicestershire verges surveyed by NatureSpot volunteers
- 18 volunteers contributed 335 hours
- 339 species (across 26 different wildlife groups)
- 1937 wildlife records deposited
- 172 different wildflower species recorded
