charnwood

news
Spring
2008
edition

Charnwood Borough Council’s residents’ magazine

It’s time
to play! INSIDE. . .
Council’s Mobile Free Leisure Centre day
Play Rangers pass. . .latest weapon in
enviro-crime fight. . .Changes
are out and are afoot at Beehive Lane. . .
a b ou t . S e e spotlight on the Draft Regional
Plan. . . What’s on Guide. . .plus
Page 16 much more!
2 CHARNWOOD NEWS SPRING 2008
www.charnwood.gov.uk
information@charnwood.gov.uk

INSIDE
SAY CHEESE: Cllr
Changes afoot! Richard Shepherd (from
left) takes a photo of
three of the Picture
Your Neighbourhood

7
winners, Jamie Duncan
(second left), Beryl
McDowall and John
New pay system being Pilling after presenting
introduced at Beehive them with their prizes.
Lane Car Park To see their winning

W
A Wild offer
entries, turn to Pages

Stay informed
12 and 13.
ELCOME to the
Spring 2008

with the News!

edition of

17
Charnwood News, in which
we are aiming to provide
information about a number
Half-price Wild Card of subjects which will affect
our lives in Charnwood.
can save help save
There is a question and answer Council Design Awards.
you pounds! style article on the Draft East Have your say! I really enjoyed helping to judge
Fuelling demand Midlands Regional Plan, which I
mentioned in the last edition. The Address:
the Picture Your Neighbourhood
competition and having the
Non-native species of trees Plan will in due course require us Charnwood Borough Council, chance to meet some of the
help make to make some difficult decisions Southfield Road, Loughborough, winners. I’d like to take this
locally- about development in the LE11 2TR opportunity to thank everyone

20
Borough.
produced Charnwood Neighbourhood
charcoal Housing is now up and running
and should bring about a
noticeable improvement in the
operation of the Council’s
housing services and the
experience of tenants.
We have had some excellent
news - the Government has
accepted our application to be a
Round Six ALMO (Arms Length
Management Organisation). We
have been awarded £36 million to
spend on bringing our Council
housing up to the Decent Homes
Standard, provided we can
#ERTNO3'3
#/#

Telephone:
(01509) 263 151
Email
information@charnwood.gov.uk
Website:
www.charnwood.gov.uk
There’s an item about the new
parking arrangements in Beehive
Lane and the excellent result for
Sustrans in winning an award
from the Lottery.
I hope you’ll find the Students’
Union column and the University
articles interesting as well, and
who took part - there were some
wonderful photographs.
At the time I am writing this
introduction, the Council is about
to submit its response to the
Post Office closure programme,
taking into account comments
copied to us.
We are always interested in
receiving responses to our own
formal consultations, as well as
questions or views at any time on
Council services. If you would like
to contact us, please do so using
the details in the Have Your Say
panel.
Cllr Richard Shepherd

Charnwood News is edited, designed become a two star housing look out for the piece about the Leader, Charnwood
and published by the Communications
Team, Charnwood Borough Council,
authority. launch of the 2008 Borough Borough Council
Southfield Road, Loughborough,
Leicestershire, LE11 2TR, telephone
(01509) 634 989 and is printed by
Eclipse Colour Print Limited, Riley Road, This information is available in different formats. To access these please phone (01509) 634560.
Kettering, Northamptonshire, NN16
8NN, telephone (01536) 483 401.
Charnwood News is printed on H abÉ¡¢c AeÉ¡eÉ j¡dÉÑj f¡Ju¡ k¡uz Hph ÑfÑa qÑm cu¡LÑl (01509) 634560 H e¡ð¡Ñl ÑV¢mÑg¡e Ll¦ez
recycled Nine Lives Silk 55 paper.

Front Cover:
ຍᇷறࠠլ‫ٵ‬ऱ௑‫ڤ‬Πᓮીሽʳ(01509) 634560 ౉࠷Ζ
Charnwood’s +É ©ÉÉʾúlÉÒ WÖðqöÒ WÖðqöÒ ~ÉuöÊlÉ+Éà©ÉÉÅ A~ɱɥyÉ Uïà. lÉà ©Éà³´É´ÉÉ ©ÉÉ`àò HÞí~ÉÉ Híq÷Ò +É {ÉÅ¥Éq÷ ~Éq÷ £Éà{É Híq÷Éà (01509) 634560.
Mobile Play
Rangers Rachel
Forbes and
yh jankarI ;lg-;lg p/aFpoM meM iml skqI hE. énko pane ke ilye kòpya yh nMbr dayl kIijye (01509) 634560.
Peter Thorpe.
ieh jfxkfrI vK-vK ÈklF ivc imÜ skdI ey. ieh hfisl krn leI imhrbfnI krky ies nMbr ’qy Ìon kro (01509) 634560
The latest weapon in
CHARNWOOD NEWS SPRING 2008 3
www.charnwood.gov.uk
information@charnwood.gov.uk

the enviro-crime fight

S Wardens are using
TATE-of-the-art a key weapon in tackling
technology is being
body-worn CCTV
environmental crimes.
used by Charnwood “This is just another tool in
Borough Council’s Street our armour in ensuring that
Wardens in their fight when required. our Street Wardens can
against enviromental “They give the wardens tackle
crimes. increased self confidence as environmental
The Council is the first in they know that if anything was crimes head
the East Midlands to provide to happen, they can record it.” on and
its team of 18 wardens with Recorded images can be provide
body-worn CCTV cameras so viewed on a handheld monitor substantial
they can record footage of carried by the wardens or and
incidents taking place. downloaded onto a computer. supportive
Cameras are fixed to jackets The systems are similar to evidence for
and they will be used to help the ones worn by police court cases,”
gather evidence which can be officers across the country. he added.
used in court. It will also offer Scott, one of Charnwood’s “It sends out a
added protection to both the Street Wardens, said: “The strong, clear
public and wardens. cameras will help all aspects of message to those
Kevin Biddulph, Charnwood our job. that commit
Borough Council’s Head of “They will benefit the public enviromental crimes
Street Management, said the as well. The footage is very that we are serious in
simple-to-use CCTV was not clear.” catching the belligerent
another case of watching Cllr Mike Preston, minority.”
people in a ‘Big Brother’ style. Charnwood Borough To find out more, log
He added: “We would like Council’s Cabinet member for on to www.charnwood.
to reassure people that the Environment, said the gov.uk/
cameras will not be in cameras would environment
constant use but are designed be /cleanergreener.
to collect vital evidence html

CAUGHT ON CAMERA: Street Warden Manda wears the CCTV camera on

her jacket (right) and is captured on the hand-held monitor (above)
by a different camera.
P
4 CHARNWOOD NEWS SPRING 2008
ROPOSALS for future
development in
Charnwood will be in
the spotlight again during a
series of public consultations
later this year.
Here we look at the key issues
that will be discussed when the
Regional Plan is analysed.
Where should future
development go?
In the coming months,
Charnwood is going to be
launching the next round of
consultation on proposals for the
Borough’s future development.
The Council would like to hear
residents’ views on the preferred
options for where future
communities should be built in
Charnwood.
The consultation will be held
over six weeks and will be open
to anyone who lives, works or
has an interest in the Borough.
How many homes do we
need to build?
The number of homes that the
Borough Council has to make
provision for is set out at the
East Midlands Regional Spatial
Strategy, also known as the
Regional Plan.
The draft Regional Plan,
published in September 2006 by
the East Midlands Regional
Assembly, proposed that 19,000
homes be built in Charnwood
between 2001 and 2026.
This included homes that will
be provided by redeveloping sites
within urban areas and two
sustainable urban extensions.
These urban extensions were
proposed to be 4,875 homes
each, one at Loughborough and
one to extend the built up area
of Leicester, within Charnwood.
Why do we need more
homes?
These new homes are needed
to meet the needs of residents in
the region.
Changes in household patterns
are brought about as people
generally live longer, marry later,
leave the family home earlier and
divorce more than in previous
generations.
Even without population
growth, more homes are needed
to meet this increasing number
of households.
In addition, we need to plan for
t u re !
f u
P lan nin g f o r t h e
Everything you need to know
about the draft Regional Plan
people wishing to move to the
area for work, which is needed to
ensure continued economic
prosperity.
The Regional Debate
In November 2007, a Panel of
Inspectors reported on their
findings following a public
examination of a draft of the
Regional Plan.
At the examination, arguments
were made that Loughborough’s
allocation should be increased to
8,000 homes in order fund public
transport and road building
schemes in and around the town.
The Panel’s report, however,
did not favour this increased
www.charnwood.gov.uk
information@charnwood.gov.uk
In the coming months,
Charnwood will be publishing, for
consultation, the Council’s
preferred options for providing
the additional homes and jobs,
allocation at Loughborough. together with supporting
But the Panel did strongly facilities, that are needed over
support the principle of urban the next 20 years or so.
concentration as the most The various options that have
sustainable approach to providing been considered and discussed
for future development needs. with statutory organisations and
The report does recommend a range of other local
an increase across the region to stakeholders and how the
take account of more recent preferred options were reached
population projections and this will be explained.
will mean an additional 1,625 During the consultation period,
homes across the whole of the Council will be asking what
Leicestershire, which may result residents think of the preferred
in a modest increase over and options to help inform the
above the 19,000 homes already Council’s decisions about the
directed towards Charnwood. most sustainable approach to
Consultation on development, ahead of an
Charnwood’s Core Strategy examination in public in 2009.
www.charnwood.gov.uk
information@charnwood.gov.uk
How does this relate to
other consultations?
We undertook
consultation on the
Council’s preferred options
for the Core Strategy in
February 2006. All the
responses we had to this
consultation have been used
to inform our on-going
preparation of the Core
Strategy.
This next consultation will
only reconsider the issue of
the size and location of
major urban extensions to
take into account the
proposals in the draft
Regional Plan.
How to get involved
If you would like to find
out more or get involved in
the consultation being held
CHARNWOOD NEWS SPRING 2008 5
Difficult
HAVE YOUR SAY: Charnwood Borough Council’s
decisions
Director of Planning and Development Dave
Hankin (centre standing) gives a
to make
presentation during a consultation on the
regional plan, while two interested residents
look at proposals (below).
CHARNWOOD faces some difficult
decisions in deciding future directions
for growth - but everyone will be given
the chance to give their views on the
proposals put forward.
The Draft Regional Plan has been
described as a major challenge but also
a great opportunity for local people to
help shape the future vision of
Charnwood.
Dave Hankin, Charnwood Borough
Council’s Director of Planning and
Development, said: “The decisions we
make today will have a major impact
upon the quality of life enjoyed by
future generations.
“All of the easy options have long
since been taken up which means that
we face some difficult choices in
deciding future directions for growth.
“It is too much to expect that we
can please everyone but the
consultation on the preferred options
will ensure that everyone can have a
say before final decisions are made.”
Cllr Hilary Fryer (pictured below),
in the coming months Charnwood’s Cabinet member for
you can have a look on Planning and Development, added:
our website “Planning the future of the Borough is
www.charnwood.
a major challenge but also a great
gov.uk/charnwood
2021 and sign up for opportunity to shape new communities
email alerts or contact to provide decent homes for all, provide
the Planning Policy local jobs and create pleasant places in
Team on (01509) 63 which to make a home.
2524.
“We want local people to share in
Consultations
events and exhibitions the delivery of this vision and I look
will be advertised forward to
locally and a full list of listening to their
dates will be set out views and
on the website.
opinions
All consultation
documents and through the
supporting consultation
information will be process.”
on the website for
people to make
comments on.

6 CHARNWOOD NEWS SPRING 2008
National
free travel
A NEW National Travel scheme
goes live on April 1, 2008 -
guaranteeing free off-peak bus
travel across England for
anyone aged 60 or over and
disabled people.
Charnwood Borough Council
is busy getting ready for the
new scheme, which has been
introduced by the Department
for Transport, by ensuring all
current Gold Card users
receive a new travel photo ID
in March.
Users will be entitled to
free travel within England
daily on all local buses after
9.30am.
If you do not have a Gold
Card and wish to apply for
the new scheme, please call
(01509) 634 561 for an
application form.
To find out more about the
new national scheme, log on
to www.charnwood.gov.uk/
streets/nationalschemeforbustra
vel.html
Library open
A NEW Library and Learning
Centre has opened in
Mountsorrel.
The state-of-the-art building
was developed on the site of
Church House, in The Green,
and provides a modern, well
equipped library plus purpose
built learning venue, exhibition
and meeting area.
Funding for the Centre,
which cost £800,000, came
from a partnership between
Leicestershire County Council,
Leicestershire Economic
Partnership, Charnwood
Borough Council and
Mountsorrel Parish Council.
A £36m boost!
www.charnwood.gov.uk
information@charnwood.gov.uk
T
ENANTS in
Charnwood have
moved a step closer
to benefiting from a £36m
pot of cash to improve their
homes.
The Government has accepted
Charnwood Borough Council’s
bid on to the Round 6 Almo
programme - and the Authority
will receive the £36m funding if
it receives two stars from an
Audit Commission inspection.
If successful, all of the cash will
be used to bring the Council’s
6,000 housing stock up to the
Decent Homes Standard.
Cllr David Slater, Charnwood
Borough Council’s Cabinet
member for Housing, welcomed
the announcement. TAKING OVER: (Back from left) Ian Saville, Charnwood Neighbourhood Housing
He said: “This is a real boost
Chief Executive, Brian Hayes, Charnwood Borough Council Chief Executive, and
for all our hard work so far and
it’s a great chance to improve Eileen Mallon, Charnwood Borough Council’s Director of Housing. Front (from
tenants’ homes. left): Cllr David Slater, Charnwood Borough Council’s Cabinet member for
“In order to access the Housing, and Sandie Gough, Charnwood Neighbourhood Housing’s vice-
additional funding, we still need chairperson, sign the management agreement.
to achieve a two-star inspection
Bid accepted by
standard for our housing service said: “Staff are all on board and
the Government
but this news gives us a huge motivated. We’re working hard
step towards better homes and to improve our performance and
a better service.” services to tenants.”
Eileen Mallon, Charnwood Charnwood Neighbourhood Ian Saville, the Chief Executive
Borough Council’s Director of Housing, the company of Charnwood Neighbourhood
Housing and Health, added: “We
are delighted that Charnwood
responsible for the management
of Charnwood Borough
Housing, added: “There is a long
road ahead to achieve a two star
tenants will see some real Council’s housing stock, is standard but we are all up for it
improvements as a result of our making the necessary and determined to achieve it.”
ALMO application. improvements so the two star To find out more about
“This additional funding means standard can be achieved. Charnwood Borough Council’s
Almo bid, log on to
that we will be spending around Zoe Wortley, the Chairperson
£55 million on improving our of the Charnwood www.charnwood.gov.uk/hous
homes over the next six years.” Neighbourhood Housing Board, ing/almoupdate.html
University wins prestigious awards
LOUGHBOROUGH University has won to Loughborough were the only two economic and cultural health of the
two prestigious 2007 Times Higher to be voted for by students. country.
Awards – for the Best Student Announced at a ceremony held at Professor Shirley Pearce, the
Experience and Outstanding Support the Grosvenor House Hotel in London, University’s Vice Chancellor, said:
for Overseas Students. the awards, organised by The Times “These awards are testimony to the
It is the second successive year Higher Education Supplement hard work and enthusiasm of all our
that the University has picked up the newspaper, aim to raise awareness of staff at Loughborough and the
hotly-contested Best Student and reward the huge contribution excellent working relationship we
Experience title. The awards presented British universities make to the enjoy with the Students’ Union.”
 CHARNWOOD NEWS SPRING 2008 7

Changes
www.charnwood.gov.uk
information@charnwood.gov.uk

are afoot!

C New pay system installed

HANGES are afoot while visiting Loughborough.

at Beehive Lane car park!

at Charnwood
Borough Council’s
Beehive Lane multi-storey
car park.
Motorists using the 600-
space facility will no longer be
paying and displaying - as a new
charging system will go live this
month if planned works go to
schedule.
Users will now pay on foot,
meaning drivers will be charged
for the length of time they have
been parked in Beehive Lane as
opposed to buying a ticket on
arrival.
The easy-to-use system
removes the possibility of
people receiving a Fixed
Penalty Notice for failing to
display a valid ticket or staying
longer than the allotted time.
New equipment, including
barriers at the two entrance
and exit points, have been
installed.
The pay machines will also
accept debit or credit card
payments for motorists who
have been parked there for
two hours or longer.
Cllr Mike Preston,
Charnwood Borough Council’s
Cabinet member for the
Environment, said the new
system was what the majority
of people wanted.
He added: “Pay on foot
parking means motorists will
not have to rush back to their
car for fear of getting a fixed
penalty notice, meaning they
can take their time and relax
“Although the new pay
system means Blue Badge
Holders will have to pay to
park at Beehive Lane, we are
increasing the number of free
disabled parking spaces
available at our other car parks.
“I’m sure this is something
that will be welcomed by all
the car park users as drivers
will no longer have to guess
when they arrive how long they
might need to stay.”
The pay on foot system at
Beehive Lane will be evaluated
and, if successful, could be
introduced at other car parks

A guide
in Loughborough.
1. Collect ticket from machine at entrance to car park and leave vehicle in a marked To find out more about

to pay
bay - do not leave your ticket in the vehicle. Charnwood Borough Council-
owned car parks, including
2. Pay for parking at pay machine before returning to your vehicle.

on foot!
locations and a list of tarriffs,
3. Drive to exit barrier and insert ticket into the machine - the barrier will then rise if then log on to
the correct payment has been made. No payments can be made at the exit barriers. www.charnwood.gov.uk/str
eets/parking.html
 CHARNWOOD NEWS SPRING 2008 7

Changes
www.charnwood.gov.uk
information@charnwood.gov.uk

are afoot!

C New pay system installed

HANGES are afoot while visiting Loughborough.

at Beehive Lane car park!

at Charnwood
Borough Council’s
Beehive Lane multi-storey
car park.
Motorists using the 600-
space facility will no longer be
paying and displaying - as a new
charging system will go live this
month if planned works go to
schedule.
Users will now pay on foot,
meaning drivers will be charged
for the length of time they have
been parked in Beehive Lane as
opposed to buying a ticket on
arrival.
The easy-to-use system
removes the possibility of
people receiving a Fixed
Penalty Notice for failing to
display a valid ticket or staying
longer than the allotted time.
New equipment, including
barriers at the two entrance
and exit points, have been
installed.
The pay machines will also
accept debit or credit card
payments for motorists who
have been parked there for
two hours or longer.
Cllr Mike Preston,
Charnwood Borough Council’s
Cabinet member for the
Environment, said the new
system was what the majority
of people wanted.
He added: “Pay on foot
parking means motorists will
not have to rush back to their
car for fear of getting a fixed
penalty notice, meaning they
can take their time and relax
“Although the new pay
system means Blue Badge
Holders will have to pay to
park at Beehive Lane, we are
increasing the number of free
disabled parking spaces
available at our other car parks.
“I’m sure this is something
that will be welcomed by all
the car park users as drivers
will no longer have to guess
when they arrive how long they
might need to stay.”
The pay on foot system at
Beehive Lane will be evaluated
and, if successful, could be
introduced at other car parks

A guide
in Loughborough.
1. Collect ticket from machine at entrance to car park and leave vehicle in a marked To find out more about

to pay
bay - do not leave your ticket in the vehicle. Charnwood Borough Council-
owned car parks, including
2. Pay for parking at pay machine before returning to your vehicle.

on foot!
locations and a list of tarriffs,
3. Drive to exit barrier and insert ticket into the machine - the barrier will then rise if then log on to
the correct payment has been made. No payments can be made at the exit barriers. www.charnwood.gov.uk/str
eets/parking.html
8 CHARNWOOD NEWS SPRING 2008
www.charnwood.gov.uk
information@charnwood.gov.uk

Young people make voices heard

YOUNG people in Charnwood will be highlighting
concerns that affect their lives to officers and
members from Leicestershire County Council next
month.
The newly-reformed Charnwood Youth Forum will
discuss issues raised at last October’s Charnwood
Youth Conference when they meet representatives
from the County for Vox Pop on March 1.
Items on the agenda will include transport issues -
which will cover the times and costs of buses - drug
and alcohol abuse, environmental issues arising from
concerns over safety due to a lack of street lighting in
parks and open spaces as well as discarded needles.
During the Youth Conference, held at the Ramada
Jarvis Hotel in Loughborough, local community group
Asian Voice gave a presentation to the delegates.
Cllr Jane Hunt, Charnwood Borough Council’s
Champion for Children and Young People said “The
young people want a forum where their voices can be
heard collectively as well as making individual
ON THE AGENDA: Young contributions.
people discuss the key “The Charnwood Youth Forum is how we can
issues they will raise when make this happen.”
Forum meetings with the Borough Council take
they meet Leicestershire
place monthly with additional working group
County Council during the meetings in between.
Charnwood Youth Conference To find out more, call Trevor Wise from
at the Ramada Jar vis Hotel Leicestershire County Council on (0116) 267 0840 or

W Fifty million reasons

in Loughborough. email twise@leics.gov.uk

ORK is expected

to get on your bike

to begin this
summer on
improving footpaths and
cycleways in Watermead
Country Park after
Sustrans’ Connect2 struck
the Lottery jackpot!
The sustainable transport
charity beat off the challenge of
three other projects in a
national televised vote to win
the People’s 50 Million Lottery
Giveaway in December.
Sustrans will spend the £50m
prize ensuring that pedestrian
and cycle links are improved,
making it easier for more people
to get fit and active in parks and
the countryside.
Around £700,000 has been
earmarked for Watermead Park
- with additional funding from
other local organisations taking
the total being spent to £1.4m.
Cllr Richard Shepherd, the
leader of Charnwood Borough
Council, was delighted Sustrans’
Connect 2 had come out on
top.
He said: “We are thrilled with
this legacy for the Park’s future.
“Locally, the project had the
backing of hundreds of residents
and was up against stiff
opposition from three other
projects including Sherwood
Forest, the Black Country
Urban Park and the Eden
Project.
“Without the public vote, this
could not have happened. The
real winners will be those
thousands of people.”
Cllr Peter Lewis, Charnwood’s
Cabinet Lead for Leisure, said:
“43,000 people live within one
mile of the park and countless
visitors come from further
afield, so winning the money is
good news for a lot of people.”
John Grimshaw, Sustrans’
CEO, thanked everyone who
had backed the project and
those who voted.
He added: “We are delighted
that Sustrans’ Connect2 has
proved itself the peoples’
favourite in the public vote and
won the £50m from the Big
Lottery Fund.
“We are immensely grateful
to everyone who got behind
Watermead Country Park to
make their votes count. It has
confirmed our belief that people
want to walk and cycle more
when in the right surroundings.
“But the hard work starts
now and there will be a huge
amount to be done to make
sure we fulfil all our obligations
to the Big Lottery Fund.”
For updates about the
scheme, visit
www.leics.gov.uk/connect2.
 CHARNWOOD NEWS SPRING 2008 9
www.charnwood.gov.uk
information@charnwood.gov.uk

Looking to
hit targets
LIKE local Authorities across the country, the
Government sets Charnwood Borough Council
a number of targets across its services.
The Best Value Performance Indicators
(BVPIs) show tax-payers whether a Local
Authority is hitting these goals and
performing to expected standards.
In a regular feature, the details below
summarises Charnwood’s performance on a
selection of results up to September 2007.
HITTING THE RIGHT NOTE: Hathern Brass Band celebrate their success at the National Championships in If you would like any further information,

Help to improve
Harrogate. They have received a £1,250 grant from Charnwood Borough Council in the past to repair the log on to www.charnwood.gov.uk/democracy/
roof of their headquarters in Pasture Lane, Hathern. performance12053.html or call (01509) 634
573.
Recycling and composting of household waste

your community
Target: 41%
Quar ter 2 Result: 39.9%
This is an improvement on the Quarter 1 result of
38.8% and moves us closer to our target for the
year. We have recycled and composted more than

A
11,000 tonnes so far this year.
Clean streets

Grants
Target: 86%
SCHEME which offers funding  Arts Development Grants: July 2007 to November 2007 period: 87%
to help improve local

scheme
This scheme supports We have improved significantly since last year
communities has been hailed a proposals that seek to
when the result was 79.5%.
success. promote involvement in arts,

hailed a
Speed of processing new Housing Benefit claims
Charnwood Grants, which was launched by crafts and creative activities.
Charnwood Borough Council in October
Target: 29 days
 Sports and Leisure
Quar ter 2 Result: 27 days

2007, brought together a number of existing
financial support schemes under one umbrella.
More than 50 different applications from
village halls, sports clubs,
community arts projects, play
groups and individual athletes
are currently being dealt with.
Cllr Richard Shepherd, the
Leader of Charnwood
Borough Council, said:
“Charnwood Grants has been
a real success and I’m
delighted there has been such
a positive response.
“At Charnwood Borough
Council we are always seeking
to improve the ways in which
we work with residents.”
The grants available are:
 Community Development
Grants - This scheme provides
revenue funding at a range of
levels for organisations and
projects including one-off
contributions to projects with
success
community benefit.
 Community Facilities
Grants: This scheme provides
capital funding for one-off
items of expenditure on
community buildings, small
environmental improvements
and IT equipment to support
access to public authority
internet information.
 Historic Building Grants:
This scheme supports the
preservation or enhancement
of listed buildings and other
buildings of historical and
architectural importance.
Grants: There are four grants
available to support sports
clubs’ development, educating
coaches, helping talented
individuals and boosting club’s
facilities.
 Social Enterprise Grants:
This scheme supports social
enterprises such as community
businesses, Local Exchange
Trading Schemes, co-
operatives and credit unions.
 Festive Street Lighting:
This scheme helps provide and
maintain festive street lighting
displays
If you want to find out more
about any of the grant schemes,
or request an application form,
log on to www.charnwood.
gov.uk/community/charnwo
odgrants.html, call the
Grants Administration Team on
(01509) 634556 or email
grants@charnwood.gov.uk
It’s important claims are processed quickly to help
people on low incomes. The result for the first
quarter was 29 days so our performance has
improved
Council Tax collected so far this year
Target: 57.2%
Quar ter 2 Result: 56.9%
We are slightly behind our target for this stage in
the year but are still aiming to collect 98.2% of
the total Council Tax due by the end of this year.
Burglaries per 1,000 households
Target: 2.4
Quar ter 2 Result: 3.1
We work in partnership with a number of other
organisations, including the Police, with the aim of
reducing crime and the fear of crime. The quarter
1 result was 2.8
Planning applications processed within 8 weeks
Target: 80%
Quar ter 2 Result: 85.6%
Our performance has improved since Quarter 1
when we processed 83.6% of the applications
within the Government target of eight weeks.
10 CHARNWOOD NEWS SPRING 2008

C Improving
www.charnwood.gov.uk
information@charnwood.gov.uk

USTOMERS visiting
Charnwood Borough Council

customers’
say they are very satisfied with
the service they receive - but officers
are working hard to make sure they
get an even better experience!
In the last 12 months, more than 55,000

experience
enquiries have been handled by the
Council’s Customer Service Centre at
Southfields.
Around 18,000 of these were dealt with
immediately at reception, with the
remaining 37,000 meeting with the trained
Customer Advisors to discuss face-to-face a
wide range of issues ranging from Housing,
Council Tax and Benefits through to
Planning and Residents’ Preferential Parking.
But despite the sheer weight of visitors,
the majority of people say they are more
than happy with the level of service
received.
As well as receiving ongoing customer
feeback via the GovMetric Panel, Customer
Services undertake a regular six-month
user survey.
A total of 96 per cent said they were
either very satisfied or fairly satisfied with
the overall quality of their Customer
Service Centre experience - up one per
cent from the previous questionnaire.
Adrian Le Cras, Charnwood Borough
Council’s Customer Services Centre
Manager, said: “While 96% is an excellent
result, we are not getting carried away.
“There is always room for improvement
and we are constantly evolving. We always
welcome any constructive feedback and
suggestions on how we can make the
experience even better for our customers.
“By better understanding what we do
well and where we can improve, we can
demonstrate our achievements and plan for
even better peformance in the future.”
Waiting times to see Advisors have been
slightly higher than hoped for at peak times

Visitors are very satisfied but

- although the daily average
waiting time across all services Council’s commitment to put
customers at the heart of

officers striving to get better!

in the last 12 months has been
just under 11 minutes, with
91% of customers very or
fairly satisfied with the time
spent waiting to see an Advisor.
The layout and accessibility of like to see to improve their
the Customer Service Centre
has impressed visitors to
Southfields, with 99% very or
fairly satisfied. Customers were
also impressed with the friendly
and welcoming atmosphere
(99%), time allowed for enquiry
(98%) and courteousy and
helpfulness of staff (96%).
The surveys also give
customers the opportunity to
tell officers what they would
visit to the Council.
As a result of such feedback,
a number of changes have been
introduced including:
 continuing to multi-skill
staff across a range of services
to help reduce waiting times;
 increasing staff training to
provide a greater depth of
knowledge;
 improving waiting facilities
with television screens showing
a range of information, giving a
focal point of interest while
waiting to see an Advisor;
 introducing new magazine
and leaflet racks;
 and putting in additional
litter bins to help keep the
Customer Service Centre clean
and tidy.
Adrian added: “Further
enhancements are planned for
the future, re-inforcing the
everything we do.
“To help with this, we intend
to establish a Customer
Service Centre User Group to
meet twice a year to provide a
forum for customers to discuss
their experiences and
suggestions with us.
“I would encourage anyone
who is interested in joining the
group to get in touch.”
To find out more about the
Customer Service Centre User
Group, call (01509) 634595 or
email customer.services
@charnwood. gov.uk
 CHARNWOOD NEWS SPRING 2008 11
www.charnwood.gov.uk
information@charnwood.gov.uk

Olympic date Businesses

for sculptor
LOUGHBOROUGH University sculptor
John Atkin has been selected from a
worldwide field of 2,600 applicants to
create a sculpture for Olympic Park –
the heart of the Beijing 2008 Olympic
Games.
John is the only British artist to
have been chosen.
Twenty five artists, selected by a
panel of eminent judges, have been
commissioned by the Beijing Municipal
Government to produce artworks that
reflect the 2008 Olympic theme of
‘One World, One Dream’.
The sculptures will form a major,
public exhibition as part of the
Olympic Games celebrations, sited
alongside some of the most celebrated
architectural achievements in the
world.
The sculpture exhibition will be
claim a
Fair prize
CHARNWOOD firms Complete
Wasters and Edmundson
Electricals have been named
Businesses of the Month.
The companies registered
their details on www.charnwood
business.com and were
automatically entered into a
monthly draw to win prizes
donated by the Fairtrade group,
Charnwood Action For Fairtrade
(CAFF).
Around 2,700 businesses that
are now registered on the
website, which was set up by
Charnwood Borough Council to
assist new firms and to support
local companies in developing
OLYMPIC DREAM: John Aitkin’s sculpture will form part of a major public and expanding their existing

Useful information
open to the public in May 2008.
exhibition as part of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. business.
To find out more, and register
your company, log on to
www.charnwoodbusiness.com
Holiday

is just a click away! activities

W
A BUMPER programme of fun
sport and leisure events to keep
ANT to find out more it is more colourful and kids entertained during the
about the area you live easier to use. schoool holidays has been
in? Well Charnwood “We’d love to know arranged by Charnwood Borough
Borough Council’s website has all what people think of it
Council.
the answers. and let us know if there
The Authority has relaunched its My is anything we have The Council will again be
Charnwood site, which is a one-stop missed that they think delivering a full programme of
shop for everything you need to know. should be included. activities during February half-
From refuse collection dates, to “Please send us your term and the Easter holiday.
finding out who your local Councillor is, comments by filling in

My Charnwood site is
Activities will be run across
average property prices the feedback form on
in the neighbourhood the site.” the borough for children aged

given a fresh new look

and local planning Further improvements five to 16-years-old and include
applications submitted, are also planned during popular events such as horse
My Charnwood has got the coming months to riding, golf, ice skating and
it all. And it has been given Council’s Director of make it even easier to
trampolining.
School information, a facelift with full colour Partnerships and get Council information.
details of listed buildings, maps and new sections Customer Services, said: To view My To find out more information,
local news plus useful added. “My Charnwood was Charnwood, log on to log on to
links to NHS websites Steve Phipps, beginning to look a bit http://mycharnwood. www.charnwood.gov.uk/leisure
are all available. Charnwood Borough tired and dated but now gov.uk
12 CHARNWOOD NEWS SPRING 2008 CHARNWOOD NEWS SPRING 2008 13
www.charnwood.gov.uk
information@charnwood.gov.uk www.charnwood.gov.uk
information@charnwood.gov.uk

UNDER-18S WINNER
MARYUM JALAL: - BEST OVERALL
WHAT THE JUDGES PICTURE
SAID: The design is WINNER
new but nothing JOHN
changes - children PILLING -
seem to have WHAT THE JUDGES
vandalised their own SAID: A vivid, dramatic,
UNDER-18s JOINT SECOND JAMIE back door very arresting and eye-
DUNCAN - WHAT THE JUDGES SAID: playgrounds forever. catching image as a
We wonder why someone has It is wonderfully result of the angle,
added graffiti to something ambiguous: should we composition and
already decorated. The graffiti is be angry and upset exploitation of colour in
in marked contrast to the nicely about spoiling a this controversial
clipped greenery behind. climbing wall or development. The
merely a bit fed up photographer has chosen
with kids who will just the right day, time
make their mark on and sky to show off the

Putting action in the frame!

everything - but does colours. The bold angle
it matter because it’s is clever and adds to
in their playground? the drama.

BEST OVERALL PICTURE

SECOND PLACE BERYL

S
McDOWALL - WHAT THE
JUDGES SAID: Quite
UNDER-18s JOINT SECOND CHARLIE judging panel an incredibly difficult beautiful and wonderfully

And the winners are. . .

CHARLESWORTH - WHAT THE
JUDGES SAID: A great angle as
seen from a child’s perspective
perhaps.
NAP happy people putting interesting to see that these
Charnwood in the frame have helped decision to make. pictures reflect an interest in shot. It is a delicate,
make a real difference to local Iain Kirtley, one of Charnwood’s geometrical shapes and the haunting composition. The
communities.
BEST OVERALL PICTURE: 1st: John Pilling; 2nd: Beryl
Community Strategy Support patterns they make collectively. low-key colours, evocative
Officers, added: “All the pictures Bright colours seem to also be a
Charnwood Together launched the Picture Your of dawn, contrast
Neighbourhood competition last year so residents McDowall; 3rd: Bethney Lee-Smith received were of an exceptionally priority.”
between the heavy, dark
could focus in on the good and bad parts of key BEST PICTURE BY A YOUNG PERSON: 1st: Maryum Jalal; Joint high standard. If you live in Loughborough,
“They have helped give us a Mountsorrel, Syston or solids and the delicacy of
areas in the Borough. 2nd: Jamie Duncan, Charlie Charlesworth; 3rd: Charlie
The idea was to get people of all ages to take really good idea of what it means Thurmaston and would like to the cobweb.
Pearson to people to live where they do. find out more information about
pictures of five priority neighbourhoods in
JUDGING PANEL: Cllr Richard Shepherd, Cllr Peter Lewis, Cllr “We can also take action to Priority Neighbourhoods, please
Loughborough, Mountsorrel, Thurmaston and BEST OVERALL PICTURE
Syston showing what it means to them. Jill Vincent and Andy Rush, Editor of the Loughborough improve these areas where contact Hiron Miah on (01509)
THIRD PLACE BETHNEY
And while the winners have now been presented Echo. possible if a problem has been 632517 or Iain Kirtley on (01509)
with their prizes, all the pictures identified.” 632518. LEE-SMITH - WHAT THE

Photo contest
submitted have helped One of the judges, Charnwood Alternatively, send an email to JUDGES SAID: An example
the relevant departments.
Charnwood Borough Council staff Borough Councillor Peter Lewis, community.strategy@ of how to create a

focuses in on
“We will be visiting all the areas added: “I find it incredibly charnwood.gov.uk.
identify problems, such as graffiti
where problems have been beautiful image from
and vandalism, where action needs
highlighted to check if they have something apparently ugly.

good and bad! All the pictures were of an exceptionally

UNDER-18s THIRD PLACE CHARLIE
PEARSON - WHAT THE JUDGES SAID:
A good, bold picture. It shows the
intricate design of the metal
supports. The background gives a
sense of our everyday lives.
to be taken.
More than 120 free disposable
cameras with free processing
were handed out by the Council
during September and October
and all the entries received were
of an exceptionally high standard.
Hiron Miah, one of Charnwood
Borough Council’s Community
Strategy Support Officers, said:
“The pictures that have identified
problems like graffiti and
vandalism have been reported to
been addressed. The old, worn out surfaces
“The difficulty is some problems carry so much history.
have been reported on private high standard and they have helped give They are like our favourite
us a really good idea of what it means to
land and we have no authority to
make them address the problem.” Dinky Toys - colourful,
While the pictures have drawn people to live where they do scratched and rusty - but
attention to issues that need part of our childhood
addressing, they also gave the - Charnwood’s Community Strategy Support Officer Iain Kirtley nonetheless.
 Grand
14 CHARNWOOD NEWS SPRING 2008
designs!
N
EW buildings,
restoration projects
and areas which
contribute to the
outstanding quality and
appearance of Charnwood
could be in line for a
prestigious award.
The search is on to find
nominations for the popular
Charnwood Borough Council
Design Awards, which are held
every two years.
They are intended to
appreciate new buildings,
restoration and conservation
work to historic buildings,
landscaping plus areas of new
paving and street furniture.
Anyone can put forward a
scheme to be considered for an
award but it must have been
completed between June 2006
and the closing date of Monday,
30th June, 2008.
The categories are:
 New Building: This is open
to any new building, part of a
building or collection of buildings
both private and public;
 Conservation: This is
aimed at work to a historic
building or environment, including
restoration schemes;
 Landscape: This focuses on
Submit
NOMINATIONS can be made by an owner, client, architect, contractor or member of the public -
but all schemes must have been completed within the last two years and need to be submitted
an entry
by Monday, 30th June, 2008.
The entries will then be shortlisted before a panel of judges assess them. The award winners
to the
will receive a plaque and certificate, while highly commended schemes will receive a certificate.
Nominating a scheme is simple - all we need to know is the address or location of the
Awards
scheme. You can call in or write to Charnwood Borough Council’s Southfields offices, phone the
Conservation and Design Team on (01509) 634 971 or log on to www.charnwood.gov.uk/
environment/designawards.html
The search is on for 2008
Design Award nominations
the natural setting to a building
or group;
 Streetscape: Looking at
improvement schemes to streets,
squares and parks that create
safer and more attractive places.
 Special Awards: These
aim to recognise community-
www.charnwood.gov.uk
information@charnwood.gov.uk
IN CONTENTION? Will the new Loughborough Magistrates
Court (above) or the Wharf building (left) be in line for
a Design Award? Inset right: 2006 winners Limehurst
House (top) and Welbeck Defence Sixth Form College.
based projects such as
publications or signs.
Martin Tincknell, Charnwood
Borough Council’s Head of
Conservation and Landscape, said
the awards were aimed at
recognising schemes that had
raised public awareness of local
Appraisals aim
CHARNWOOD NEWS SPRING 2008 15
www.charnwood.gov.uk
information@charnwood.gov.uk
to protect the
area’s heritage
H
ISTORIC centres of Charnwood’s towns and villages
are being analysed and recorded to help protect the
Borough’s wonderful heritage.
Officers at Charnwood Borough Council are working on detailed
appraisals of the 36 Conservation Areas so they can preserve and
enhance the character and appearance of places.
And local residents can also play a part by giving their views on the
Appraisals and making sure nothing is missed.
So far, Character Appraisals have
been written and consulted about
Anstey, Beeby, Hathern,
Mountsorrel, Shepshed, Sileby,
South Croxton and Syston plus
Church Gate, Leicester Road,
Shelthorpe,Victoria Street, Ashby
Road, the Cemetery and Queen’s
Park in Loughborough.
An appraisal of Barrow is
currently underway, while Rothley HISTORIC: Part of the Beeby Conservation
in 6
w 200
and Quorn will be looked at later
r
Area.
ne
in the year.
Reviews of the other “The appraisals also note
conservation areas - which are features that detract from the
classed as an area of special area which indicate opportunities
design and conservation issues.
architectural or historic interest - for change.They are key to help
“We received more than 70
will be completed by 2010 and the safeguard the Borough’s heritage.
entries for the 2006 Design
appraisals will be looked at again “The public meetings gives
Awards,” he added,“and we hope
every five years. residents the chance to
to top that this time around.
Anthony Gimpel, Charnwood contribute their knowledge of the
“It’s important we appreciate
Borough Council’s Conservation area and to make them more
good design around the Borough
and Design Technician, said: aware of the value of the place
and these awards aim to highlight
“Conservation area status does where they live.”
excellent examples of new build,
restoration projects and not mean that everything should During the next two-and-a-half
environmental improvements.” be preserved - it’s the character of years, character appraisals will be
Cllr Stephen Hampson, the area that matters. written about Barkby & Barkby
“Any development, including Thorpe, Birstall, Cossington,
in 6
Charnwood Borough Council’s
w 200
r
ne
Heritage and Design Champion, new buildings and extensions or Cropston, Hoton, Newtown
added: “If someone wants to other alterations, should be Linford, Queniborough, Ratcliffe
nominate a scheme, all we need carried out in a way that enhance on the Wreake, Seagrave,
and do not harm the area’s special Swithland,Thrussington,
is an address. It’s that easy and I
Thurcaston,Walton on the Wolds,
would encourage people to think character.
about the areas they live in and if “Appraisals describe what is Woodhouse,Woodhouse Eaves
buildings or projects are eligible special about the area.They cover and Wymeswold.
for a Design Award.” the history and form of To view all the Character
To find out more about the development, the townscape and Appraisals written so far, and find
Design Awards, log on to www. important buildings, prevalent out more about Conservation
charnwood.gov.uk/environm features and materials used in the Areas, log on to www.
ent/ designawards.html or call buildings plus the contribution of charnwood.gov.uk/environme
(01509) 634 971. open spaces and trees. nt/conservation areas.html.
16 CHARNWOOD NEWS SPRING 2008

It’s play time!

www.charnwood.gov.uk
information@charnwood.gov.uk

READY FOR ACTION: Charnwood Borough

Council’s Mobile Play Rangers
Rachel Forbes and Peter

Y
Thorpe.

OUNG people in Charnwood
will soon be able to benefit from
an exciting new mobile play
project.
The Charnwood Mobile Play Project,
funded by the Big Lottery Children’s Play
Initiative Programme, will deliver free open
access play activities for youngsters up to the
age of 16 and their families throughout the
borough.
To deliver the mobile play project,
Charnwood Borough Council have
successfully appointed two play rangers -
Peter Thorpe and Rachel Forbes.
Peter and Rachel will be responsible for
providing a wide range of play opportunities
in a variety of settings including parks and
open spaces, village halls, community centres
and street settings.
They have already been out and about
exploring the borough for potential mobile
play locations and have been analysing the
results of the play consultation
questionnaires completed last summer.
Over the next few months, Peter and
Rachel will also be visiting local community
groups and schools to consult with
Charnwood youngsters.
The mobile play project will deliver a
range of exciting open access drop in play
sessions both structured and informal.
Sessions will include both passive and
physical play activities such as dance to
music, sports, physical activity, arts and crafts,
drama, nature-based play, play days, nature
trails, story telling, soft play activities, team
games and much more.
Peter, who is a full-time Play Ranger, said: “I
am really excited about this opportunity.
“Play is so important to children and can
help them develop in all areas of their life
including, increasing intelligence, motor skills,
confidence, and much more. Having fun and
expressing yourself is the most important
thing in a child’s life.
“What excites me is reaching
children of all ages and listening to
them in order to put on play
opportunities for all age groups.
We are really committed to
listening to what children want
and helping them to play the
ways they want to, not how they
are told to.”
Cllr Hilary Fryer,
Charnwood’s Champion for Play,
welcomed the appointment of
Peter and Rachel and added:
“The Big Lottery Children’s Play
Initiative Funding will enable us
to offer some really exciting and
innovative play opportunities
for young people across the
Borough.
“I hope the mobile play
rangers will make a real
difference to the lives of
Charnwood’s children and young
people.”
A webpage dedicated to play
in Charnwood will be launched
shortly and Leisure Services
would love to hear from anyone
who can help to create positive
opportunities for children.
If you are part of a group or agency
that could help the Council to deliver the
kinds of opportunities discussed above,
please contact Peter or Rachel on (01509)
634836 or email leisure@charnwood.gov.uk

Take great strides with walks brochure

A NEW booklet containing an exciting
programme of guided walks which explores
some of Charnwood’s beauty spots will be
available from next month.
Guided Walks in and Around Charnwood
2008 has been produced by Charnwood
Borough Council and, for the first time,
includes wheelchair friendly walks.
Copies will be available from March,
with walks of various lengths taking place
between April and December.
Cllr Peter Lewis, Charnwood Borough
Council’s Cabinet member for Leisure, said:
“Having spent six months in 2007 learning
to walk again after a serious accident to
both legs, I found out the hard way about
having all my movement restricted.
“So I’m greatly encouraged by the
attention paid here, not only to the fit
and able but those who need assistance to
equally rejoice in the delights of our
fantastic and very special landscape.
“It’s a privilege we can all enjoy, rich
and poor, young and old. Long may it be
so!”
To receive a copy of the brochure, call
(01509) 634 836 or email
leisure@charnwood.gov.uk. Alternatively, it
can also be viewed online by logging on
to www.charnwood.gov.uk/leisure.

www.charnwood.gov.uk
information@charnwood.gov.uk
Helen aims to boost school links Guide to getting active
A NEW Community Physical Activity Development Officer is aiming to
improve links between local residents and two schools to help get families
active.
Charnwood Borough Council has appointed Helen Smith, who will be
working closely with the Head of Sport and staff at Cobden and Rendall
Primary Schools to:
• Co-ordinate the delivery of physical activity family learning programme
in the Hastings and Lemyngton wards.
• To ensure that the programme delivers high quality physical activity
opportunities that integrate into the National Curriculum and School
Improvement Plan.
• To work with community-based groups and community centres to
promote their involvement in the development of the physical activity
programme.
• To utilise the multi-use games area at Cobden School.
Helen has a wealth of experience working with five to 11-year-olds and
their families through the Community Sports Coaching Scheme delivering
activities in conjunction with the National Curriculum.
She will be setting up multi skills after school activity sessions at both
Cobden and Rendall Primary Schools and running physical activity
A Wild
programmes during February half term and Easter half term.
Helen said: “I am looking forward to working in the community and
developing and improving the links between local residents and schools.”
A
WILD offer launched by Charnwood
Borough Council will help youngsters
get active - without breaking the
bank!
The Council’s Wild Card Leisure
Pass can be purchased for only £1.50
- a saving of 50 per cent on the
normal price - until March 31.
And if that wasn’t enough of a
bargain, the Wild Card gives holders
money off Charnwood’s February half-term and
Easter Holiday Activity programmes as well as
special discounts at more than 50 tourist and
leisure attractions across the East Midlands.
The Wild Card is valid for one year and
normally costs £3 or is free if youngsters receive
free school meals.
Youngsters aged between five and 16-years-
old or people of any age with a disability can
apply for a Wild Card, which also gives
holders savings at Loughborough Leisure
GREAT DEAL:
Centre, Soar Valley Leisure Centre and
South Charnwood Swimming Pool. Charnwood’s
Will Blanche, Charnwood Borough Council’s Wild Card
Senior Active Recreation Officer, said:“The Wild Card mascot Charney.
CHARNWOOD NEWS SPRING 2008 17
A UNIQUE brochure listing a number of different leisure and exercise
activities has been welcomed by Charnwood Borough Council.
The quarterly Active Together Brochure has been launched by Active
Together Charnwood in conjunction with the Borough Council.
It details opportunities for people to
participate in activity and exercise ranging from
aerobics to Pilates, Bollywood dance to cycle
rides.
The aim of the booklet is to increase
participation and maximise knowledge of what’s
out and about, whilst providing as many varied
activity sessions for the public to get involved
in.
Ian Matthews, Charnwood’s Physical Activity
Development Officer, said: “This informative brochure is an
excellent way of promoting and advertising local sessions that people may
not be aware of.”
All the activities are led by qualified professionals, who are committed in
catering for your needs and ensuring you get the most out of your session.
To get your free brochure to see what’s on in your local area, contact
offer
Leisure services on (01509) 634 836 or email leisure@charnwood.gov.uk
Ian added: “We want to promote as many sessions as possible so if you
know of any opportunities which aren’t listed, get in touch.”
is the ticket to experiencing fantastic activities
at discounted rates all year round.
“We hope that the Wild Card encourages
youngsters and people with disabilities to
make positive use of their leisure time
and take part in a variety of different
sports, leisure and arts
activities.”
Cllr Peter Leewis,
Charnwood’s Cabinet
member for Leisure, added:
“I’m particularly pleased that
youngsters with disabilities should
have this opportunity. This Borough
is working hard to ensure nobody is
ever excluded.
“That all young people need to be active and
engaged is obvious – but that it can be all is
sometimes forgotten. So come on and get
moving!”
To purchase a Wild Card, or find out more about
the Half-Term Holiday Activity Programme, call
Charnwood’s Sport and Active Recreation Team on
(01509) 634 673, email leisure@charnwood.gov.uk
or log on to www.charnwood.gov.uk/leisure.
18 CHARNWOOD NEWS SPRING 2008

Get lean and

www.charnwood.gov.uk
information@charnwood.gov.uk

consultant to carry out a

detailed cabon

green at the
management study.
“The study has focused
on ways in which we can
reduce our carbon

leisure centre
footprint even further.”
Charnwood Borough
Council has also been

W
working with the Carbon
Trust as part of the Local
Authority Carbon
ANT to get fit and help the
Management programme
environment? Well Loughborough
and has challenging carbon
Leisure Centre is the place to make
you lean and green! GREEN WITH PRIDE: Serco, the firm which runs Loughborough reduction targets for its
operations.
Serco Leisure, which runs the Browns Lane centre on Leisure Centre, has won awards for cutting carbon emissions.
Recent work has

Serco wins
behalf of Charnwood
 Movement sensors in carbon emissions of the included light sensitive
Borough Council, has been
lighting and movement

awards as it
presented with the Big dryside changing rooms centre by eight per cent
and toilets; per year from 889 tonnes sensors for lighting in
Tick Award as part of the meeting rooms.

Business in the
Community (BiTC)
Awards for Environmental
Excellence.
And the firm has also
been voted the top Energy
Management Company for
Carbon Reduction in all
Leisure Businesses by the
Carbon Trust.
The accolades have
been presented following
the introduction of a
cuts emissions
number of initiatives to
help reduce Serco’s
carbon footprint.
Some of the initiatives
were introduced during
the refurbishment of the
leisure centre, carried out
by Charnwood Borough
Council, and energy saving
processes include:
 push button taps and
showers;
 pool covers used on
both pools;
 heat recovery system
on poolside;
 rainwater harvesting
system used in wetside
toilets;
 energy saving
lightbulbs used
The initiatives have
helped reduce the overall
in 2006 to 815 tonnes in
2007.
And ways to further
reduce that figure have
also been planned.
Paul Street, the
Contract Manager for
Serco based at
Loughborough Leisure
Centre, said: “We have
been working closely with
the Carbon Trust and a
specialist energy
To find out more about
Lougborough Leisure
Centre, log on to
www.charnwoodleisure.
com
Alternatively, to discover
more about Charnwood
Borough Council’s
commitment to the
environment, log on to
www.charnwood.gov.
uk/environment/atthe
council.html

'Something for Everyone'

LOUGHBOROUGH LEISURE CENTRE
Browns Lane, Loughborough, Leics. LE11 3HE
Tel: 01509 611080 FREE
SOAR VALLEY LEISURE CENTRE
ISOSPA
Off Kingfisher Road,
DAY PASS
Mountsorrel, Leics. This voucher entitles
LE12 7FG the bearer to use of the
Gym, Swimming Pools,
• 25m Swimming Pools Tel: 01162 375267
Workout Classes, Sauna
• Isospa 70 & 50 Station Gym & Steam Room at either
Loughborough or
• Workout Studios Soar Valley Leisure
• Sauna/Steam Rooms Centres.

• Badminton/Squash Sessions must be

pre - booked by
• Swimming Lessons calling a customer
• Childrens Pool & Splash Pool advisor on:
01509 230 698
• Crèche or
• Cafe/Bar 0116 237 5267
• Astro Turf Pitch FREE
To view our facilities and DAY PASS
serco make a booking visit our web site:
www.charnwoodleisure.com
*Facilities may vary at each Centre
Terms & Conditions
apply. Free pass offer
valid until 30/04/08
 CHARNWOOD NEWS SPRING 2008 19

Keeping it Fair!
www.charnwood.gov.uk
information@charnwood.gov.uk

WHERE TO BUY FAIRTRADE

PRODUCTS IN CHARNWOOD
ANSTEY: Co-op, Cropston Road.
BARROW: Somerfield, High Street;
BIRSTALL: Birstall Methodist Church
Cafe, Wanlip Lane; Health &
Wholefoods, Sibson Road; Somerfield,
Wanlip Lane. LOUGHBOROUGH:
Baker’s Oven, Market Place; Baobab,
Market Street; Blockbusters, Market
Street; Elf Store, Market Street;
George Hill, Wards End; Good News
Centre, Churchgate; Greens Deli,
Great Central Road; Greggs, Market
Street; John Storer House, Wards
End; Marks & Spencer, The Rushes;
Loughborough College, Epinal Way;
Midland Mainline, Loughborough
Station; Morrisons, Maxwell Drive;
Oxfam, Market Street; Party Pieces,
Market Street; Queen’s Park Cafe,
Queen’s Park; Reel Cinema, Cattle
LEADING THE WAY: Karl Letten from Charnwood Borough Council, Roy Kershaw from CAFF, Martin Shannon from Marsh Market; Sainsbury’s, Greenclose Lane;

H
and Moss Solicitors, Fairtrade producer Silver Atwoki-Kasoro, Steve Parkin from AstraZeneca and Jenny Drury from CAFF So Coffee, Church Gate; Somerfield,
celebrate Charnwood becoming the first Borough in the East Midlands to receive Fairtrade status in 2005. Market Street; Tesco, Park Road;

Fairtrade
APPY BIRTHDAY! Charnwood guarantee a fair price for producers Town Hall, Market Place; Wests Cafe-
Deli, Market Street. LOUGHBOROUGH

Borough’s
celebrates its second anniversary of across the world but we get
becoming the first Fairtrade Borough fantastic tasting product,” said Jenny UNIVERSITY: Burleigh Court Hotel &
in the East Midlands later this month. Drury, the Chairperson of CAFF. International Conference Centre; The

second
The prestigious title was achieved in 2005 through “We are very pleased to be Bradgate; Cafe 641; Cafe Ritazza;
the work of Charnwood Action For Fairtrade celebrating two years as a Fairtrade Coffee Corner; East Park Bar;

(CAFF) and Charnwood Borough Council.
And the occasion will be marked during Fairtrade
Fortnight, which takes place from
February 25th to March 9th.
Fairtrade status is awarded by the
Fairtrade Foundation, a national
charity set up to promote the
principle of Fairtrade and Fairtrade
products.
Since 2005, CAFF and the
Borough Council have been working
with local cafes, restaurants and
shops to encourage businesses to
stock Fairtrade products.
There are now more than 35
shops and 28 cafes and resturants
that sell Fairtrade products in
Charnwood.
Products can only be called
Fairtrade where internationally
agreed standards of trade are met.
These include paying a price to
birthday!
producers that cover the costs of
sustainable production and living,
paying a ‘social premium’ that
producers can invest in health and
education, making advance payments
when requested by producers plus
signing contracts that allow for long-
term planning and sustainable
production practices.
“Not only do Fairtrade products
Borough and this is thanks to the
people in Charnwood
demonstrating their support for the
principles of fair trade.”
Karl Letten, from Charnwood
Borough Council, added: “Buying
Fairtrade products is a great way to
demonstrate support for small
farmers and something that
individuals, schools, businesses and
cafes can all play a part in.
“We hope to build on our success
by encouraging more people to join
the campaign and support
Fairtrade.”
There are now more than 2000
certified Fairtrade products in the
UK from tea to fresh fruit.
To find out more, log on to
www.charnwood.gov.uk/
environment/fairtrade.html or
www.fairtrade.org.uk
Edward Herbert Bar; Food Box;
Fuel@EHB; The Hub Cafe; Linford
Restaurant; Paper 676; Purple
Onion; Student Union Shop; Theatre
Bistro; Westside Cafe. MOUNTSORREL:
Budgens, Granite Way; Co-op,
Rothley Road; NEWTOWN LINFORD:
Beth’s Kitchen, Seven Oaks Nursery,
Groby Road; QUORN: Bradleys,
Station Road. ROTHLEY: Bradleys,
Woodgate; Norths, Oakleigh Station
Road; Templers Coffee Shop,
Woodgate. SHEPSHED: Co-op, Hall
Croft. SILEBY: Complete Wasters,
Cossington Road; Costcutters, Barrow
Road; Tesco Express, High Street.
SYSTON: Co-op, Town Square;
Somerfield, Melton Road.
THURMASTON: Asda, Barkby Lane.
20 CHARNWOOD NEWS SPRING 2008

A Demand fuels revival

www.charnwood.gov.uk
information@charnwood.gov.uk

N ancient forestry craft

of ancient forestry art

has been revived at a local
woodland to help fuel the
growing demand for sustainable
produced charcoal.
Charcoal for industrial and medical
use has been produced from Britain’s
broad-leaved forests for thousands of

Outwoods
years – but demand fell during
the 20th century and the

produces
practise all but died out.
But the growing popularity

charcoal
of barbeques and chimneas
has fuelled a renewed demand
for charcoal, which is being
met largely through imports
from abroad.
There are concerns
however that imported
charcoal is produced using
environmentally unsustainable where the
methods – so charcoal is
being created at the
Outwoods.
Mark Graham, Charnwood
Borough Council’s Wildlife
Officer, said: “The timber
we’re using to produce
charcoal at the Outwoods
results from the sustainable
management of the woodland
and is a by-product of its
management.
“Non-native, invasive tree
species like sycamore are
being removed and replaced
with more wildlife friendly
species like oak and rowan. It
is these non-native species
that we’re using to produce
charcoal.”
The charcoal is produced
on site using portable kilns
provided by arboriculture and gov.uk/leisure/
woodland management
company D M Chainsaws.
Stuart Freeman, from D M
Chainsaws, said:
“Charcoal is
produced when
wood is heated
in conditions
supply oxygen
can be
controlled. This
is done in large
circular steel kilns
8 feet in diameter and
4 feet in height.
“The process takes 24
hours to produce about
a tonne of charcoal
from 5 tonnes of timber.
The charcoal produced
at the Outwoods isn’t
just better for the
planet though, it cooks
a better banger too.”
Further information
on the local charcoal
is available from
Charnwood’s website
– www.
charnwood.
outwoodsinformation.html
– or contact D M Chainsaws OUT OF THE OUTWOODS: Stuart Freeman, from D M Chainsaws with the charcoal
on (01509) 230 164. produced at the Outwoods. More will be made again in March.

Speedwatch celebrates birthday!

TAKING AIM: Volunteers record the
speed of motorists.
A PIONEERING scheme where local
volunteers log speeding drivers has
celebrated its first birthday!
Residents across Leicestershire have
already recorded more than 14,000
motorists speeding, 1,974 of which were
in the Charnwood.
‘Community Speed Watch’ (CSW)
enables volunteers to use hand-held
radar and laser guns so they can record
the speed of passing vehicles.
Being recorded by one of the devices
does not lead to prosecution – drivers
receive a warning letter from the police
instead.
Woodhouse and Woodhouse Eaves
were among nine villages around the
county which were initially involved in
the scheme and after proving so
successful there are now a total of 32
communities taking part, including
residents from the Cotes area of
Charnwood.
Community Speed Watch is run by
Leicestershire County Council and the
Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Road
Safety Partnership.
For further information, call Mike
Wilson on (0116) 305 7336, or e-mail
speedwatch@leics.gov.uk.

www.charnwood.gov.uk
information@charnwood.gov.uk
Meeting needs of
disabled people a
key consideration
D
of Council’s work
ID you know that
around 25,000 of
Charnwood’s residents
have a limiting illness or
disability?
Considering the needs of people
with disabilities is a key element
Charnwood Borough Council
takes into account when designing
its services and carrying out
recruitment.
The Council is constantly
looking to improve services to
esnure disabled people have free
and easy access to them.
This includes Loughborough
Shop Mobility, located at the Town
Hall, accessible public toilets
throughout the Borough, sheltered
housing provision, the Wild Card
Leisure Pass and the use of the
two ticks employment standard
which guarantees a job interview
for any disabled applicant that
meets the essential criteria.
Involving disabled people and
receiving their feedback increases
the likelihood of improving
Council services for the better.
The Authority currently works
with Charnwood Action Group
and Charnwood Disability Forum
to better understand the needs of
people with disabilities in the
Borough.
And the Council would also like
to hear from residents about how
it can improve services for
disabled people.
Cllr Peter Lewis, Charnwood’s
Cabinet member for Equalities,
said: “I’ve seen throughout
Charnwood a spirit which
recognises these things are not up
to ‘them’ – they are up to each of
‘us’.
“Together we can make a
difference.
“What we’re asking is that each
of us stops to think for a moment
about what it means to be cast
aside or placed outside because of
difference, because of incapacity.
“It can be terrifyingly frightening
and incredibly lonely. I’m asking
‘We can all
make a
difference’
that anyone who reads this does
not just say, ‘Yes’ , but considers
any way in which he or she can
show support.
“Look around. Where are the
hindrances, the barriers, the
dangers? Can you help us
overcome them by
working with us, or
contributing advice,
time and effort?
“In a practical and
personal way make life
worth living here
CHARNWOOD NEWS SPRING 2008
MAKING LIFE EASIER: Charnwood
Borough Council is constantly
looking at improving services for
disable people.
Below: Cllr Peter Lewis.
for those who sometimes are
driven to feel it isn’t.”
One area the Council will be
focusing on over the coming
months is hate crime.
A particular concern that
Charnwood Borough Council and
the police have is of hate crime
aimed at disabled people.
The council has a zero
tolerance approach to any form of
hate crime, which is defined as:
“Any incident which is perceived
to be based upon prejudice
21
towards or hatred of the victim
because of their disability or so
perceived by the victim or any
other person".
Hate crime is especially serious
as victims are chosen and selected
due to their personal
characteristics and are not just
random victims of crime.
“It’s so easy to compensate for
our own fears and frustrations,
our own being ‘put down’, by
taking it out on other people,”
added Cllr Lewis. “We all know
the bully, who seeks out a victim, a
weirdo, and puts the verbal boot
in.
“It makes people feel big, secure
and strong instead of puny and
inadequate. Yes, it’s human nature,
you say – but that does not
excuse it.
“A compassionate community is
what we aspire to in Charnwood,
where all are valued and none
excluded. But it’s up to everyone
of us to make it a reality”
Charnwood Borough Council is
a reporting centre for the
Leicestershire Hate Crime
Monitoring project.
This means people can come
into the council offices and report
hate crime to trained staff.
If you or anyone you know has
been a victim of a crime due to
their disability please come
forward and we will do everything
in our power to bring justice for
the victim.
Charnwood Borough Council
has developed a Disability Equality
Scheme to formalise its
commitment to promoting and
delivering disability equality for all.
The document can be requested
in a number of formats including
Braille, audio cassette/CD, large
print and electronic formats,
floppy disk/CD-ROM/e-mail/
word/portable document format
(PDF) and rich text format (RTF).
Please contact the
Communications Team on (01509)
634 603 or email communications
@charnwood. gov.uk.
If you want to be involved in
making Charnwood more
accessible to people with
disabilities, please contact Janki
Manek, Diversity Officer, on
(01509) 632 527 or email
equality@charnwood.gov.uk.

22 CHARNWOOD NEWS SPRING 2008
February
Thursday, 7th February
Big Knitting Workshops:
Experienced knitters or new
starters both young and old are
welcome to join in the fun at
Charnwood Museum. For further
details, call (01509) 233 754.This
event also takes place February
13th, February 21st and February
28th.
Friday, 8th February
Exploring Charnwood Forest’s
Geological Past: Dr John Carney,
from the British Geological Survey,
explains the diverse and unique
story of Charnwood Forest.
Admission to the lecture, which
begins at 7.30pm, is £1 and places
need to pre-booked by calling
(01509) 233 754.
Saturday, 9th February to
Sunday, 17th February
Crazy Cupid: Love is in the air
during half-term week and
Charnwood Museum has daily
activities for all the family. Call
(01509) 233 754 for more details.
Saturday, 9th February
Coffee morning: Taking place at
Mountsorrel Methodist Church
between 10am and 11.30am.
Sunday, 10th February
Italian music and song: Riccardo
Tesi and Maurizio Geri perform at
Quorn Village Hall (7.30pm).Tickets
can be obtained by calling (01509)
414 287.
Monday, 11th February
Zoolab Springtime Roadshow:
Zoolab return with a popular array
of exotic animals. Cost is £2 and
pre-booking is required. Call
(01509) 233 754 for more
information.
Tuesday, 12th February
Pop up puppets: Fun for all the
family as you create pop-up
puppets. Pre-book a place by calling
(01509) 233 754.
Wednesday, 13th February
Farmers Market: Held in
Devonshire Square, Loughborough,
between 9am and 3pm.
What’s on in Charnwood
A guide to events
t a king pla c e
throughout
Borough
Thursday, 14th February
Valentines Day Art and Craft
Workshop: Sessions held between
10.15am and 4pm at Charnwood
Museum. Cost £2.
Saturday, 16th February
Winter Arts Workshop: Try
various drawing methods with a
view to interpreting trees at winter
at Charnwood Museum between
10am and 3pm.Admission is free.
Sunday, 17th February
Organ Recital: Dr Simon Ainge
will be performing at Mountsorrel
Methodist Church at 8pm.
March
Saturday, 1st March
Lecture: Dr Julian Richards will be
giving a talk on Stonehenge - The
Story So Far to Loughborough
www.charnwood.gov.uk
information@charnwood.gov.uk
Archaeological and Historical
Society.The event takes place in the
Lecture Theatre, Brockington
Building, Loughborough University
at 7pm. Contact Mick Allen on
(01509) 214 879 for more details.
Tuesday, 4th March
Slate Industry lecture: David
Ramsey talks about recent slate
finds at Rothley at the Holly Hayes
Environmental Resources Centre,
Birstall Road, Birstall, at 7.30pm.
Places can be pre-booked by calling
(0116) 267 1377.
Thursday, 6th March
Big Knitting Workshops: Join in
the fun at Charnwood Museum. For
further details, call (01509) 233 754.
Also taking place on March 20th.
Friday, 7th March
Bric-a-Brac Market: The popular
Bric-a-Brac Market returns after
the winter break to Devonshire
Square between 9am and 3pm.
Wednesday, 12th March
Farmers Market: Held in
Devonshire Square, Loughborough,
between 9am and 3pm.
Thursday, 13th March to
Sunday,April 20th
Artspace in Minature: Artists
respond to the challenge of
presenting their works in minature
at Charnwood Museum.
Friday, 14th March
Fire, Steam and Gun Smoke:
Tony Jarram tells the story of one
of George Stephenson’s rivals, John
Braithwaite, at Charnwood
Museum (7.30pm). Entry free to
Friends of Charnwood Museum
members, £1 for guests. Places need
to be pre-booked by calling (01509)
233 754.
www.charnwood.gov.uk
information@charnwood.gov.uk
Saturday, 15th March
Spring Fayre: Taking place at
Mountsorrel Methodist Church
between 10am and noon.
Saturday, 15th March
Festival of Walks: A free walking
fair at Charnwood Museum taking
place between 10am and 4pm.
Saturday, 15th March
Classic concert: Charnwood
Orchestra will be performing at the
Parish of Emmanuel, Loughborough
and St-Mary-In-Charnwood,
Nanpantan. Call (01509) 412 063
for ticket prices and further details.
Sunday, 16th March
Organ Recital: Dr Simon Ainge
will be performing at Mountsorrel
Methodist Church at 8pm.
Monday, 17th March
Wildlife Sites: Learn how to
identify and propose a local wildlife
site at the Holly Hayes
Environmental Resources Centre,
Birstall Road, Birstall.Talk takes
place at 7.30pm and places can be
booked by calling (0116) 267 1377.
Tuesday, 20th March to
Sunday, 11th May
Exhibition: Charnwood Museum
is the venue for a free exhibition
titled Love My Liberty Bodice.
Friday, 21st March to
Suday, 6th April
Chicken & Egg Hunt: Easter fun
for all the family at Charnwood
Museum. Call (01509) 233 754 for
more details.
Ap r i l
Saturday, 5th April
Coffee morning: Mountsorrel
CHARNWOOD NEWS SPRING 2008
SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE:
Charnwood Museum, situated
in Queen’s Park,
Loughborough, has a number
of events for all the family.
Methodist Church is the venue for
a coffee morning and bring and buy
sale between 10am and 11.30am.
Saturday, 5th April
Meeting and lecture:
Loughborough Archaeological and
Historical Society’s annual general
meeting plus talk by Dr Wendy
Freer on the Technology of the
English Country House.The event
takes place in the Lecture Theatre,
Brockington Building,
Loughborough University at 7pm.
Contact Mick Allen on (01509) 214
879 for more details.
Saturday, 5th April
Piano recital: Amandine Savary
will be playing at Holy Trinity
Church, Barrow upon Soar at
7.30pm. Call (01455) 212 799 for
ticket details.
Wednesday, 9th April
23
Farmers Market: Held in
Devonshire Square, Loughborough,
between 9am and 3pm.
Thursday, 17th April
Big Knitting Workshops: Join in
the fun at Charnwood Museum. For
further details, call (01509) 233 754.
Also taking place April 24th.
Sunday, 20th April
Organ recital: Edward Capewell,
an Organ Scholar at Cambridge
University, will be performing at
Mountsorrel Methodist Church at
8pm.
May
Thursday, 1st May
Big Knitting Workshops: Join in
the fun at Charnwood Museum. For
further details, call (01509) 233 754.
Also taking place May 8th and May
15th.
Saturday, 3rd May to
Tuesday, 6th May
Concert: The Heath String
Quartet will perform daily at
7.30pm at the Holy Trinity Church
Street, Barrow upon Soar. Call
(01455) 212 799 for more details
and ticket prices.
Sunday, 4th May and
Monday, 5th May
Secret Gardens: Discover the
village gardens of Cossington
between 11.30am and 5pm. Cost
£3 for adults with all money raised
going towards church extension
and refurbishment Call (01509) 812
271 for more details.
Wednesday, 14th May
Farmers Market: Taking place in
Devonshire Square, Loughborough,
between 9am and 3pm.
Dates and time could alter. Please
check with organisers nearer the
time of the event.
If you would like your event
featured in the Summer edition of
Charnwood News, send the details
to Charnwood News What’s On,
Communications Team,
Charnwood Borough Council,
Southfield Road, Loughborough,
Leicestershire, LE11 2TR.
Alternatively, email charnwood.
news@charnwood.gov.uk
24 CHARNWOOD NEWS SPRING 2008

A hectic time
www.charnwood.gov.uk
information@charnwood.gov.uk

hardworking, dedicated

for the Union

committee in place.
Thankfully, our students
living away off-campus have
never enjoyed such support

H
and representation.
I would like to stress that
I want to continue to
ELLO once again! I hope you all had a strengthen relations with all
fantastic Christmas and you are enjoying a of Charnwood’s residents.
prosperous start to 2008! So please, if you have any
I would like to take this opportunity to give you an questions or queries, do
update into what has been occurring in an extremely busy not hesitate to ask.
few months at Loughborough Students Union. My email address is
The big news at the end of 2007 was that at the POP IN FOR A VISIT: David Gerty is inviting people to call in president@lborosu.org. uk
prestigious Times Higher Education Awards in London, at the Loughborough Students’ Union building. and my number in the office
Loughborough excelled and is (01509) 635 000.
was awarded both the Community Action has Day (pencilled in for the Also, if you are passing
award for the Best Support continued in earnest and 15th June) and hosted by please feel free to pop into
for International Students has benefited those in need the Students’ Union. We the Students Union, it
and the Best Student this winter with projects would absolutely love to would be a pleasure to
Experience award, RAG, the charity section such as the Shoe Box see you here. meet you.
impressively for the second of the Students Union, is Appeal, providing under The Community
year in a row!! doing fantastically and is on privileged children abroad Students’ Association is
This is fantastic news target to beat the with a vast array of gifts strengthening by the day
and representative of the £693,398 raised last year. and Project 5000, a food and a lot of credit must go
well rounded educational Compared to this time last collection for the homeless. to Jamie Morgado, our David Ger ty
and social experience that year, the total is up and a Please watch out for the Community Students’ President
our students receive. big figure looks ominous. annual Community Fun Officer, who now has a Loughborough Students’ Union

WEDDING FAIR
Sunday 30 March 10am - 4pm

Loughborough Town Hall is hosting a wedding

fair showcasing local wedding suppliers to give
you big ideas for your big day!

FREE ENTRY