As I write my report this month it is hard to believe that the clocks have gone back, Halloween and Bonfire Night have been celebrated, and Diwali. Christmas is almost here and, before long, we shall be welcoming in 2022.
The last few months have started to feel more like we are back to what the new ‘normal’ will be. I have been in County Hall a lot more attending face to face meetings and attending many more events. There is always a downside, and even though I have been very careful and kept my distance from people, I have still been a close contact of a positive Covid case several times. I have taken all the necessary actions but seem to be having many Covid PCR tests.
This shows me that the Covid infection is still very much with us and as we enter the festive season, we must all do all that we can to protect our loved ones and to keep them safe. The up-to-date information is to try and limit your contact with other people, and get vaccinated (including your booster, if offered). Let fresh air in if you meet indoors (though meeting outdoors is safer), wear a face covering, and get tested and self-isolate if required.
Further information on Covid is here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/covid-19-coronavirus-restrictions-what-you-can-and-cannot-do and also on my website: https://www.bradgateconservatives.org.uk/
I have attended several meetings this month to discuss the Spending Review announced by the government. It will be a few weeks before we fully understand what the announcements will mean for Leicestershire, but I am continuing to lobby for fairer funding, to get more support for the residents of Leicestershire.
Over the past month, I have attended a coffee morning in Newtown Linford to be part of the presentation to the past Clerk, Pam McMorran, on her retirement. I have also had various site meetings with residents to discuss their concerns and to discuss action that I will take up on their behalf.
I have supported the Mayor of Charnwood at the presentation of the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Services by the Lord-Lieutenant of Leicestershire. The award was presented to Menphys and it was a great event to hear from some of the amazing volunteers who work there. I have held meetings with the Chairman of the County Council to discuss youth knife crime and have hosted a very positive meeting with Jane Hunt MP and Edward Argar MP at County Hall to discuss local issues.
I attended the Remembrance Service in Loughborough on Sunday 14th November to support the Mayor of Charnwood. It was great to see Queen’s Park full of families, paying their respects. A very moving service and on the way home, I laid my wreath on behalf of my residents at the church in Woodhouse, by the war memorial.
COP26
As COP26 has drawn to a close, Leicestershire County Council is urging residents to do all they can to help tackle climate change, so that we can work together to make Leicestershire a net zero county by 2045.
Through the Green Homes Grant, the authority is also offering eligible homeowners the chance to benefit from sustainable home improvements, such as the installation of double glazing and solar energy. The grant will help residents by improving the warmth and comfort of their homes, whilst also reducing energy bills, carbon emissions, and levels of fuel poverty across the county.
Another way residents can help tackle the climate emergency is by reading more about the subject. Creative Learning Services and Leicestershire Libraries have worked together to create climate change reading lists for both primary and secondary school children, and adults. To view the climate change reading lists, visit: www.leicestershire.gov.uk/leisure-and-community/libraries/books-and-reading/booklists
To find out more about the council’s environmental initiatives and strategy, visit: www.leicestershire.gov.uk/environment-and-planning
To find out more about energy efficient grants, visit: www.leicestershire.gov.uk/leisure-and-community/community-schemes-and-funding/energy-efficiency-grants
The council is also recruiting Environment Action Volunteers. These volunteers will support and encourage people in Leicestershire to take action to reduce their impact on the environment. If you would like any further information, please contact me.
Leicestershire Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) Programme
Leicestershire County Council, working with Active Together (formerly Leicestershire and Rutland Sport), are coordinating the Department for Education-funded HAF programme, across Leicestershire for the festive school holidays.
The Council is supporting Leicestershire schools, Voluntary and Community Sector organisations and other out-of-school/holiday activity organisations, to deliver holiday club provision to school-aged children (5 to 16 years) living in Leicestershire who are eligible for free school meals.
The Winter 2021 HAF programme will offer provision for four days (Monday 20th December 2021 to Thursday 23rd December 2021). The aim is that the children who attend the provision will be supported:
- to eat more healthily over the school holidays
- to be more active during the school holidays
- to take part in engaging and enriching activities
- to be safe and not to be socially isolated
- to have greater knowledge of health and nutrition
- to be more engaged with school and other local services.
Please contact the HAF team ([email protected]) for further advice and guidance.
Park and Ride
Leicester Park and Ride is running extra services throughout December from all their three sites. Shoppers and sightseers can catch a bus into the city centre every day in December, except Christmas Day.
That includes services running every Sunday in December (5th, 12th, 19th) and Boxing Day. They will run every 15 minutes between 10am and 5.30pm from the sites at Meynell’s Gorse, Enderby and Birstall. Services on Monday 27th and Tuesday 28th December will also be running from 10am to 5.30pm, with the 7am-7pm buses resuming on Wednesday 29th December.
Group tickets are just £3 for up to five people travelling together in the same car, with free travel for NHS staff and concessionary pass holders. This is far cheaper than paying car park costs.
Leicester Park and Ride is a joint operation between Leicestershire County Council and Leicester City Council. More details of the additional services, festive timetables and fares are available from the Leicester Park & Ride website www.choosehowyoumove.co.uk/park-ride
All three of the Park and Ride sites have free parking for service users, including disabled spaces, and parent and child parking.
I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a very Happy Christmas and a Peaceful New Year. I would also like to thank you all for your support over the past year and to thank ‘Your Local’ for their ongoing support throughout the year. This enables me to get information out to all residents very quickly.
