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Council attempts to resolve special needs funding

by Riley April 21, 2025
written by Riley

A council has reaffirmed its commitment to resolve a growing hole in special needs funding ahead of a government-mandated deadline.

At a cabinet meeting on Tuesday, Wiltshire councillors were told that the deficit from the cost of supporting children with special educational needs (SEN) , which currently stands at £61m, is forecast to be around £96m by March next year.

The council has permission to run up a ring-fenced deficit – known as a 'statutory override' – to meet its statutory requirements around SEN funding until that time.

The Department for Education recently told the council that ministers are "not considering any extensions to agreements." according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

At the first meeting of Wiltshire Council's new Liberal Democrat-run cabinet, councillor Jon Hubbard, cabinet member for children's services, told colleagues that since 2018, the pressure on the council's SEN funding had increased dramatically, while contributions from the government had failed to keep pace.

The number of children supported by an Education, Health and Care Plan – EHCPs – increased by 51% between 2018-19 and 2022-23 and demands increased by 46% over the same period.

But the money supplied by the government over the same period increased by just 36%.

Safety valve

Promising "not to sugar coat" the situation, Councillor Hubbard said: "The critical issue facing us is the statutory override that expires in April 2026.

"Without clarity from the government about how the £96m deficit will be managed, this remains our single biggest financial risk.

"We simply cannot absorb this level of debt within our existing reserves."

In March 2024, the council signed a bailout agreement known as a 'safety valve' with the Department for Education (DfE).

The DfE committed to give the council an additional £67m over five years for SEN funding, on the condition that the council balanced its Dedicated Schools Grant budget.

However, with the number of EHCPs "continuing to exceed forecasted levels," the council is not on track to meet its targets.

Councillor Gavin Grant said: "The safety valve is one of the most serious threats to this council."

Council leader Ian Thorn agreed, saying it was "the one thing that keeps us all awake at night."

April 21, 2025 0 comments
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First new council housing in decades for town

by Stella April 18, 2025
written by Stella

The first new council homes are set to be built in Skipton for decades, councillors have agreed.

North Yorkshire Council is set to spend £840,000 buying 12 new houses that are part of a 53-home development on Airedale Avenue.

The properties will be allocated to families on the council's housing waiting list with priority given to those with a local connection to the market town, before being offered to those elsewhere in North Yorkshire.

The new housing is expected to be completed in phases between March 2026 and December 2026.

Council officials said there was a high level of housing need within the former Craven district, with almost 700 applicants on the register.

Of these, Skipton has the highest concentration of people on the waiting list, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

The new housing has been welcomed by councillor Simon Myers, who said: "I would think they're the first new council homes in Skipton for 40 years.

"It's only a drop in the ocean compared to the hundreds on the register, but it does mean that 12 families get on the waiting list and into a new, good home."

As well as the 12 houses bought for rent by the council, four other homes will be acquired by Bracewell Homes, the authority's separate shared ownership housing company.

The council approved its housing revenue account 30-year business plan last year.

The document includes the delivery of 500 new council homes over the next five years to 2029.

The majority of the funding to buy the properties will come from the authority's housing revenue account, with around £39,000 coming from right-to-buy receipts.

The housing development has full planning approval and work is due to start on site in early 2026.

April 18, 2025 0 comments
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Tech

Goodwill cash over three-year road closure

by Sarah April 17, 2025
written by Sarah

Businesses affected by the extended closure of a major route in Oxford will receive goodwill payments to "recognise the trouble the delays have caused", the rail minister has said.

Some small, local businesses impacted by the delayed works on Botley Road will be eligible to receive one-off payments from an £850,000 government fund.

The road has been closed since April 2023 as part of a £231m Network Rail project to upgrade Oxford Station and is expected to reopen in August 2026.

Rail minister Lord Hendy welcomed the additional support and said he was "glad the project is now on track".

When the rail operator first outlined its plans the road was expected to be shut over two six-month periods, with a six-month break in-between in April 2023.

But in September 2023 it announced there would be no break because works had run behind schedule following the discovery of a Victorian-era arch.

Then in July last year it said it would not reopen in October as planned due to issues with "highly complex" pipework.

A new timetable was adopted in January this year, with reopening set for August 2026.

Lord Hendy visited the site on Friday

During a visit to the site on Friday, Lord Hendy said: "I'm pleased that Network Rail can now offer payments to those eligible small, local businesses affected, and while it can't undo all the hardship businesses have faced, it recognises the trouble the delays have caused."

"That wont make up for the long-term disruption that this has caused – but it will be financial goodwill payments that will help them survive and prosper after this job is finished.

"The scale of the disruption here, and the evident distress that this has caused local businesses is something that we have been mindful of, and we've argued our way through government to get a decent sum of money that can be applied for by those businesses and distributors in a fair and equitable way."

Businesses can apply for the one-off government payments through Network Rail, although a time scale has not yet been provided for when the funding would be handed out.

Amanda Suliman Bell, who owns the Rainbow and Spoon boutique in Frideswide Square, said the payments were "excellent news".

"The fact that there is an offer on the table and we are going to get a slice of the pie is really good news for everyone involved," she told the BBC.

She said, however, that it was "too little to late" for some businesses that had already been forced to close.

"Footfall has been an issue and no business can survive without footfall," she added.

Local MP Layla Moran said the payment announcement was a "relief"

Layla Moran, Lib Dem MP for Oxford West and Abingdon, said the payments would go "some way towards repairing the damage caused by the chaos and disruption of this project".

"Our vibrant local businesses now have a better chance to come out of the other side of this difficult period and thrive," she said.

The scheme follows the closure of Courtney Pianos after more than three decades – with the owner pinpointing the long delays to the Botley Road works as the main cause.

Owner David Hogben told the BBC the effect the disruption had on the shop was "like falling off the edge of a cliff", adding there had been a 40% drop in sales since the closure.

In April, five separate businesses affected by the works stopped paying their business rates and said they would not pay them until they received further financial support.

At the time, Network Rail said it was supporting local firms with "independent, tailored advice" to apply for a reduction in their business rates.

For some businesses, like Courtney Pianos, the funds are "too little, too late"

During Lord Hendy's visit to Oxford it was also revealed that costs for the scheme had risen to £231m – about £70m more than initially suggested.

A new walkway and cycleway is also set to be completed this summer.

Marcus Jones, Network Rail's western route director, said: "We know the delays to this project have been frustrating, and we're sorry for the disruption they've caused.

"The good news is that the project is now firmly back on track, and we're making strong progress.

"We're committed to keeping the community informed as we deliver a safer, more accessible Oxford station for everyone."

April 17, 2025 0 comments
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Tech

A 'joyful' pre-schooler and her parents among victims of Vancouver attack

by Amanda April 10, 2025
written by Amanda

Victims of the car attack that left 11 people dead at a festival in Vancouver, Canada, on Saturday have not yet been named by police, but they are now being identified online by family and colleagues.

The victims, nine females and two males, range in age from a five-year-old girl to a 65-year-old man. More than two dozen other people were injured, according to police.

Up to 100,000 revellers were celebrating the Lapu-Lapu festival in Canada's largest west coast city when the attack occurred.

A 30-year-old man has been arrested and is facing multiple murder charges. Officials have not yet released a motive, but say the case is not being treated as terrorism.

Seven victims in hospital were in a critical condition, according to Vancouver police spokesman Sgt Steve Addison. Three others were in a serious condition.

Here's what we know about some of those who have been identified in social media posts and on fundraising pages by family and colleagues.

The Le family – ages 5, 30 and 47

Katie Le, five, was the youngest person to die in the attack. She was killed along with her father, Richard Le, 47, and mother Linh Hoang, 30.

Her 16-year-old brother, who stayed home from the festival to do homework, is the family's sole survivor, a relative wrote on a GoFundMe page.

"This event was meant to be a joyful community gathering, celebrating unity and the strength of a connected people," wrote Richard Le's brother, Toan Le.

Katie was about to graduate from kindergarten, and was "vibrant, joyful, and full of life".

Toan Le remembered his brother Richard Le as "a dedicated father, badminton and tennis coach, and real estate professional".

"He devoted his life to teaching young people the values of sportsmanship and team spirit. He served his community and clients with pride and always went out of his way to help others," he wrote.

Linh Hoang "was known for her kindness and gentle spirit", and had recently been planning a trip to visit family in Vietnam.

Toan Le told CTV News the 16-year-old survivor was still in shock.

"He's still trying to absorb the situation, and I don't think he is fully comprehending what has happened," he said, adding that the boy was in the care of family.

Kira Salim

Kira Salim, a teacher and counsellor at Fraser River Middle School and New Westminster Secondary School, was among those killed.

"Kira was a valued member of our community whose wisdom and care for our middle and secondary school students had a powerful impact," school officials Maya Russell and Mark Davidson wrote in a statement.

"The loss of our friend and colleague has left us all shocked and heartbroken," they added.

"We recognize Kira's passing may be difficult to process," the school district's statement said.

"We are a small but mighty community. This is one of the qualities of New Westminster that Kira loved the most," they wrote.

Salim is described in a LinkedIn page as a mental health provider and educator.

"My personal mission is facilitating and guiding youth and marginalized communities to thrive in their lives while creating a diverse and equitable environment that uplifts different strengths and personalities while providing customized and innovative solutions to support patients," Salim wrote.

Salim wrote in a post that it "is a dream come true" after taking a job at Frazer River Middle School nine months ago.

New West Pride, an LGBT advocacy group, memorialised Salim with a photo.

"They were an epic drag king, a wonderful exuberant contributer [sic] to our local community, volunteer, activist, local educator, mental health worker," the group wrote.

"Kira will be deeply missed."

April 10, 2025 0 comments
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Tech

Family teashop reopens in a pub

by Linda April 5, 2025
written by Linda

A teashop, which was located in a shopping centre for more than 50 years, has reopened in a pub.

Robby's Tea Shop launched in 1972 in The Arndale – now called Luton Point – in Luton town centre, Bedfordshire, but closed down last month following discussions about "rent".

Owner Denise Clayburn, 46, said people were upset "as everyone had such fond memories, their children and grandchildren had all grown up with it and it was sad to see".

After she announced the closure on social media, the new owner of the George II pub in Bute Street offered her a space in the pub.

Holly Nichols/BBC
Ms Clayburn said the pub is looking at having a refurb and "it is going to be amazing when it is done, it will be so cosy"

The teashop was set up by Ms Clayburn's father-in-law, who named it after his son, her late husband, who was called Rob.

She said: "It is more than just a teashop, people have grown up with it, people who have lost their partners, it is somewhere where people feel comfortable."

Ruth Carvell Doyle
Before closing down in Luton Point, Ms Clayburn said people "were coming in from miles away for their last pot of tea or their last French stick just for the memories of the place from when they were growing up"

Ms Clayburn said the only thing that would be majorly different at the new location was food choice and added: "We don't have the cakes we had in the teashop."

"The staff are all still here – it is just a different environment."

Holly Nichols/BBC
Customer Stephen King, 49, said he used to go to Robby's as a child and it was a "soft, homely atmosphere"

Ms Clayburn thanked the community, which had supported them for 53 years.

"The teashop would never have lasted this long without our loyal customers – they are the ones who make it."

April 5, 2025 0 comments
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Tech

Parking plea as 999 crews unable to reach person

by Michelle April 1, 2025
written by Michelle

Police have asked people visiting a moorland nature reserve to park carefully after 999 crews were unable to reach a member of the public who had called for help

Staffordshire Moorlands Police issued an appeal on Facebook urging the public to park appropriately after an incident at the Roaches in Upper Hulme, Staffordshire.

The force did not share what the nature of the incident was.

A police spokesperson said: "The Roaches is a lovely place to visit and to enjoy its beautiful scenery. However, we are asking people to park in accordance with the parking regulations and to park in appropriate areas.

"This is because emergency services were unable to reach a member of the public who had called for assistance due to the amount of poorly parked cars.

"We want people to enjoy the Moorlands but to do so respectfully and responsibly."

Similar issues were reported earlier this year in the Peak District, when "selfish parking" blocked gritting lorries and emergency services trying to respond to an injured walker.

April 1, 2025 0 comments
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Students build gates to stop anti-social behaviour

by Adam April 1, 2025
written by Adam

Joinery students have been building wooden gates for homes on a town's housing estate as part of a police project to tackle anti-social behaviour.

White wooden fences built by those learning the trade at Burnley College have been put up on the front porches of properties to deter people from gathering outside.

PC Chris McKee of Lancashire Police said older homeowners on the estate, the location of which has not been revealed, had been concerned about young people "gathering, drinking and smoking" outside their homes and making them feel unsafe.

He said the students efforts were a "great example of the local community coming together to tackle anti-social behaviour".

Lancashire Police
The fences have been built to stop people encroaching on properties

PC McKee said the force was also stepping up patrols and working with the housing provider on the estate to install extra security.

David Lord, head of construction and engineering at Burnley College, said the students were excited to be part of the project, which can be incorporated into the curriculum.

He said it had been an "ideal opportunity for them to put their skills and knowledge into action and create something which will really make a difference to the lives of others".

The project was funded by LANPAC, the Lancashire Partnership Against Crime.

April 1, 2025 0 comments
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Inspections find short measured drinks in 10 pubs

by Michelle March 31, 2025
written by Michelle

Over half of the drinks purchased in 10 pubs were short measures, a council's trading standards team has found.

Officers from Oxfordshire County Council posed as members of the public at a number of venues across the county in February and March.

The inspections aimed to ensure pubs were complying with laws on serving alcoholic beverages.

The team found that of the drinks ordered, 12 of 16 glasses of wine, no pints of beer, and one of two shots of whisky were less than the legally required amounts.

The Weights and Measures (Intoxicating Liquor) Order 1988 mandates that establishments selling alcoholic beverages must serve them in specified measurements.

These include half pint and pint for beer, 125ml, 175ml, or 250ml for wine, and 25ml for spirits.

The council said the average cost of a 175ml glass of wine purchased had been £7.05, and 2.2% short of a full glass, resulting in a potential loss to the consumer of up to 15p.

It added that one glass of wine purchased had been under by 13ml, meaning a potential loss of as much as 52p to the customer.

Jody Kerman, head of trading standards, said the inspection "showed that customers could be losing out if it's not served correctly".

"Ensuring that every pint of beer and glass of wine served in Oxfordshire pubs meets the required standards is crucial for maintaining customer trust and satisfaction," he said.

"Our trading standards team is committed to making sure residents get exactly what they pay for."

The council said businesses that had served short measures had been provided with guidance, and new measuring equipment had been obtained where necessary.

March 31, 2025 0 comments
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Injured climber rescued after fall on Skye mountain

by Nolan March 30, 2025
written by Nolan

A climber who fell 15m (50ft) on a mountain on the Isle of Skye has been rescued after suffering multiple injuries.

Skye Mountain Rescue said the incident happened on Tuesday on the north-west ridge of Sgùrr nan Eag, a 924m (3,000ft) munro in the Cuillin range.

A coastguard helicopter carried 10 team members part way up the hill before the rescuers continued on foot to reach the casualty.

The man was airlifted to Raigmore Hospital in Inverness and has since been discharged.

The rescue team said they had responded to almost 20 call-outs in May.

March 30, 2025 0 comments
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Woman sent letter to herself to show postal delays

by Jose March 25, 2025
written by Jose

A woman sent a letter to herself to highlight the postal delays that had affected her area.

Rachel Burns, from Wigmore in Luton, said she sent a first class letter on 4 April and received it on 15 April.

The 57-year-old said residents had one delivery in March and three deliveries so far in April.

A Royal Mail spokesperson responded: "Due to resourcing challenges, deliveries were impacted in March but have since improved. We apologise for any inconvenience caused."

Ms Burns said some people had missed hospital appointments due to delays.

"It's not good, especially when you pay all that money and it does not arrive."

Resident Jo Bottrill says postal deliveries have been sporadic

Fellow Wigmore resident Jo Bottrill, 54, said she and residents had experienced slower postal deliveries since last summer.

She said the £1.70 cost of first class stamps was "extortionate".

Kian Boyle/BBC
A Royal Mail spokesperson said mail was now being delivered to Tameton Close in Wigmore – where Ms Burns lives – "every other day"

Neil Kidwell from the Communication Workers Union said: "I have spoken to the local CWU representative who said they haven't got a designated postman and it is a case of managing a really poor situation."

He continued: "There are huge challenges nationally and locally.

"In general there is a massive shortfall in resourcing across the country."

In December, Royal Mail was fined £10.5m by the regulator Ofcom for failing to meet delivery targets for first and second class mail.

At the time, Royal Mail owner International Distribution Services said it had carried out "substantial" reforms to try to deliver improvements.

The company announced plans in 2022 to cut 10,000 jobs following ongoing strike action and financial losses.

March 25, 2025 0 comments
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