HU12 Online at www.hu12.net

SINCE 4th OCTOBER 2011 this website has been replaced by the new HU12 Online website at www.hu12.net.

The new website will be able to better serve our purpose of providing local news, views and opinions of relevance to the communities and area covered by the HU12 postal code.

Visit: HU12 Online at www.hu12.net

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Job seeking? Seeking staff?

WOULD YOU FIND JOB SEEKERS PAGE useful on the HU12 website?

This might be of interest to those residents locally who are seeking work, and also provide a low-cost service to local employers seeking staff?

For example the following local jobs have been notified in the area this week:

• Cook, Granville Court Hornsea, 5 x 7 hour shifts, £7.64 pw. Deadline 23rd August 2011.
• Data Administrator, Hedon Group Practice, 16 - 20 hours pw. Deadline 25th August 2011.
• Cleaner, Thorngumbald Primary School, 10 hours pw, £6.30 ph. Deadline 8th September 2011.
• Part time Office Administrator, Sirius, 18 hours pw. No other info provided.

This would cost employers £10 per advert. Contact hu12@gmx.com if you would like to advertise for staff.

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Hyperlocal - a shift from centralised control of the media

THE PHONE HACKING SCANDAL has exposed the risks involved in having one major conglomerate dominating a significant part of the media industry. The centralised control of the media by rich and powerful tycoons may have directly led to the unsavoury phone hacking practices becoming an acceptable means of gathering news in a competitive industry.

Whilst people have been quite rightly outraged by the invasions of privacy engendered by phone hacking, the whole debacle has highlighted a general - and growing - public cynicism with traditional media. One of the major drivers for this questioning of the current status quo is the availability of free and easily shareable quality news on the internet.

The internet has allowed people to do their own research and quiz what official media is saying. For a growing number of people the net has become their official media. This move towards the net has hit the big media corporations and their profits hard - and as they themselves have moved towards the internet, they have found that space already occupied by a host of bloggers, citizen journalists and hyperlocal activists.

In an article on its LGiU Blog, the Local Government Information Unit has commented on the fact that new technology is making the news a social and local medium. It points out that "hyperlocal websites, now numbering in their thousands, are increasingly becoming the places where people turn to find out, publish and share news about what’s happening in their community."

Whilst no one is writing off the media giants, the LGiU article does suggest that the "emergence of local news nonetheless represents a shift in the centre of gravity away from centralised control and towards a diversity and granularity that the big media companies inevitably struggle to provide."

HU12 is proud to be one of the thousands of unique hyperlocal websites that are acting as a counter-balance to the centrally driven and profit-hungry news organisations. Our focus is to bring news and issues - of a national, regional and local importance - to the attention of local community and business activists. We hope to get better at doing that - and will strive to add some real democratic value to the society and communities that we love and live in.

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Public Notice - Citizens right to view and copy East Riding Council accounts

A PUBLIC NOTICE has been issued by the East Riding of Yorkshire Council stating that anyone interested in viewing or copying the accounts of East Riding of Yorkshire Council, or East Riding Pension Fund for the year end 31st March 2011 can do so at County Hall, Beverley, between 18th July and 12th August 2011, Monday to Friday, 9am-4.30pm. All books, deeds, contracts, bills, vouchers and receipts relating to the accounts will also be available on request.

This public notice has been issued and appears on the East Riding Council's website following guidance from the Government issued in April 2011 reported on HU12 that required councils to publicise to the press and public their rights to inspect councils' detailed financial accounts, ledgers and records.

Under the guidance the Council should publish the following:

• the period during which the accounts and other documents will be available for inspection
• the place at which, and the hours during which, they will be so available
• the name and address of the auditor
• the right to make objections at audit; and
• the date appointed for the exercise of rights of electors.

See: The Accounts and Audit (England) Regulations 2011.

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Over 40 HU12 businesses listed in online directory

FORTY FOUR BUSINESSES are now listed on our Business Page creating a unique online HU12 directory.

Latest to be added are:

Lucy Beal Cakery in Preston
Hare & Hounds Public House in Burstwick
Songbirds Day Nursery also in Preston.

Entry to the Directory is FREE. You just need to complete the online form on the front page. However, to boost the viewings of your listing then it helps to provide us with a flow of news and information about your business. Send your stories to hu12@gmx.com

Find out more on the Business Page.

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Design beautiful Pylons? - A Real Challenge!

Ugly pylon days numbered?

ARCHITECTS, DESIGNERS, ENGINEERS and students of these disciplines are being challenged to rethink one of the most crucial but controversial features of modern Britain: the electricity pylon!

A new competition has been launched, run by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) for the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) and National Grid, that calls for designs for a new generation of pylon.

There are more than 88,000 pylons in the UK, including 22,000 on National Grid’s main transmission network in England and Wales. These stand some 50 metres high, weigh around 30 tonnes and carry up to 400,000 volts of electricity over thousands of kilometres of some of the most exposed, weather-beaten parts of Britain. But the familiar steel lattice tower - long considered a blight on our natural landscape - has barely changed since the 1920s.

This new competition challenges designers to create a pylon that can help "preserve the beauty of the countryside".

With the equivalent of twenty new power stations needed by 2020, and the costs of underground connection being prohibitive, then pylons look like being part of our countryside landscape for generations - so congratulations to the National Grid and the Government for launching this competition!

Ruth Reed, President of RIBA, said: “Design has never been far from our energy network. The current pylon design was chosen by Sir Reginald Blomfield, a leading architect of his day back in 1927, but the familiar steel lattice tower design has barely changed since then. This is a technically challenging but exciting competition, with the potential to improve our landscapes for decades to come, and I expect it to generate widespread interest.”

The competition closes on 12 July 2011, with shortlisted candidates notified at the end of July.

A prize fund of £10,000 will be shared amongst the winning candidates and National Grid will give consideration to developing the winning design for use in future projects.

The competition is now live and open for registration at www.ribapylondesign.com.

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Updated: Ward Election News

HU12 HAS UPDATED ITS WARD ELECTION NEWS PAGE and will be writing to all the candidates in the East Riding Council's South West Holderness Ward, with an offer to write up to 500 words statement and answer questions from the local public.

You can begin to ask your questions of the candidates NOW!
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New "dynamic" views of the HU12 website

THERE ARE NEW DYNAMIC WAYS to view HU12.net from today. Have a look at the website from this point of view  http://hu12net.blogspot.com/view/. 

Each story can be viewed from the list on the left. Also, look for the button marked Sidebar and click it and you will see lots of different ways of viewing HU12, its content and photos.

These views require modern browsers such as Internet Explorer 8+, Firefox 3.5+, Chrome or Safari. Many elements of these views will not work should you have an older browser.

We like this! We hope you do!?

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Council Leader's clarification on 'Your East Riding' magazine

THE COUNCIL'S NEW MAGAZINE Your East Riding will include up to 12 pages specifically aimed at the Holderness states Council Leader Stephen Parnaby.

In a recent response to a question posed through the Council website's Ask the Leader page, Councillor Stephen Parnaby, OBE gave the following clarifications about the new publication:

"... we have just launched a new quarterly publication called Your East Riding. This 32-page magazine will be published in March, June, September and December each year. To ensure that messages are targeted to areas, the new magazine will include up to 12 'localised' pages for six areas: Market Weighton and Pocklington, Bridlington and Driffield, Holderness, Beverley, Haltemprice and Hunsley, and Goole and Howdenshire. Our press office will continue to work with other local media (TV, radio and newspapers) to provide information to residents, and ensure that the news page on our website is kept up-to-date."

This updates HU12's previous article on the new magazine.

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ADVERTISE on hu12.net

IMPROVED ADVERTISING OFFER!

Limited advertising opportunities available for local businesses on HU12!

Place your advert for 1 YEAR from as little as £100.

Want to advertise in the HU12 post code area ? It's easy:

See Advertising

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Councillors and local government - 'hyper about hyperlocal websites'

THE HEDON BLOG is an example of a 'hyperlocal' news-gathering website. Along with others in the area such as Beverley's HU17.net, hyperlocals try to bring together news and information about an area in one online place so that it can be found easily by local residents.

However, local councils are beginning to realise the benefits that hyperlocals might bring to them. A conference was held recently on the Government's localism agenda which prompted an article on Learning Pool by Breda Doherty that asked the question: Why local government should be hyper about hyperlocal websites.

The article comments on the rise of citizen-run websites and the role they could play in local democracy and suggests five key benefits for local government:

1. Elected members can more accurately shape their political promises by listening online to what residents actually see as important. They can use these websites to get to better know the people who make up their wards/districts.
2. Councils can use them as a free research tool to find out how the public rate their services, what their concerns are and better determine where restricted budgets should be spent.
3. Councils can also increase the distribution of their traditional communications such as press releases by providing hyperlocal websites with this information to publish.
4. Show that they are not scared of public criticism by taking part in open, online coversations.
5. Look to hyperlocal websites for ideas on how to improve their own websites. Hyperlocal websites are popular as their content is interactive rather than static and discussion is encouraged rather than directed to a minefield of contact us sections or FAQ’s pages only to find out a generic response to their individual community issues.

The Hedon Blog has welcome participation from Hedon Town Councillors and occasionally runs press releases for that body. The East Riding Council and local MP Graham Stuart regularly send news releases to hyperlocals (and in the MP's case actually includes links to three of them on his website). However, the East Riding Councillors for the South West Holderness area currently have no relationship with their constituent hyperlocals.

Both the Hedon Blog and HU12 have a desire to work more closely with the formal democratic process - whilst maintaining a healthy independence from that process - and is keen to hear from local councillors about their ideas on how hyperlocals just might be able to help them.

Respond to comments below or at e-mail hu12@gmx.com

Note: Image from wordle

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Rightmove Places - Househunters can share and discover the HU12 area!

Rightmove.co.uk is one of the most well known property websites and is free to use. Although not an estate agent Rightmove has created one of the most comprehensive property information databases in the country.

Rightmove is currently testing a version of its new web service Rightmoveplaces at www.rightmoveplaces.co.uk which will allow house-hunters to find out more about the place in which their property - or proposed property - is located. The new website acts like a cross between a review website and a social network. Users can post information and photos about a place, and write about their opinions of services in an area i.e. character and personality, neighbourliness, restaurants and eating, etc.

There are Rightmove Places pages already set up for Hedon, Preston, Paull and Saltend. It is currently available only in Beta which means it is being tested and subject to change until a version based on user experience is determined. However, it already seems a very useful service.

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Government supports community action during Big Freeze - but use common sense!

THE GOVERNMENT has issued a clear statement that 'red tape' and bureaucracy should not prevent people from helping themselves and others to tackle the disruption caused by the Big Freeze. If people used common sense to clear a pavement or grit a path, then they would not be subject to legal action under health and safety laws. 

The Government in new guidance on Community action during severe weather states clearly that:

• You do not need a Criminal Records Bureau check to call round and check on elderly friends and neighbours. 
• You can help clear paths and pavements to prevent slips and falls – don’t believe the myths about being sued.  

Communities and Local Government Secretary Eric Pickles has praised people's efforts and neighbourly support in the cold weather this week and applauded the Big Society spirit from local councils and communities.

In guidance issued on Monday 6th December, Eric Pickles also called on councils and other local organisations to avoid "icy bureaucracy" getting in the way of community action, and reminded people that they would not be subject to legal action under health and safety laws and that "Common sense is now the order of the day."

During the recent cold spell, major disruption has been caused and conditions have been tough but hundreds of people and organisations have swung into action to help others through kind support.

Eric Pickles, Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, said:

"In this cold snap, the values of the Big Society are more important than ever. Thousands of people have stepped up for their community. Parents swept the paths so that children could get to school safely. Volunteers in mountain rescue teams worked round the clock to help the stranded. People checked in on elderly neighbours, did their shopping or visited the library for them. We should celebrate that community spirit."

The Holderness area has seen lots of unsung heroes helping others during the recent cold snap. But there will undoubtedly be those that are worried that if they clear a neighbour's path, and then someone slips on remaining ice that they will be liable to prosecution. The statement made by the Government goes some way towards calming those fears.

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Hedon Town Councillor: East Riding Standards Committee complaint

HEDON TOWN COUNCILLOR John Dennis has recently been investigated by the East Riding Council following a complaint made against him. The complaint was initiated by Councillor Dennis himself! 

The East Riding Council investigation examined the councillor's conduct, following his own concerns that he had "failed to declare a personal and prejudicial interest" before casting his vote at a Hedon Town Council Finance and General Purposes Committee held in April 2009.

Following the meeting, and having realised his mistake, Councillor Dennis notified his concerns to the East Riding Council's Standards Committee. This is the council body responsible for guiding councillors on achieving the very highest standards of conduct possible. Due process was followed, and the Standards Committee met to discuss the case last week. Yes! - that's 18 months later!

The hearing found that Councillor Dennis did not act in a way that would prejudice his judgement of the public interest, and that no sanction would be imposed. However, it was recommended that the Monitoring Officer writes to him to provide him with further information about personal and prejudicial interests.

Whilst this matter may seem quite trivial, even comical - complaining about yourself! - it does raise important issues for our local democracy. A look at any council minutes, whether locally or from the East Riding, will confirm that our public representatives are continuously reminded to declare any interests that might impact on their decision-making or council duties.

Councillors must act in the public interest - and not their own interests. And they must be seen to be doing so! Essential procedures and structures (i.e. the Standards Committee) exist to ensure that this is the case. However, the fact that this case took several months to be heard, and the complainant was also the one complained against, does suggest that the system does not seem to work as intended!

In this matter, Councillor Dennis appears to have acted honourably by referring himself to the Standards Committee because of his own concerns. It is a good sign that our town councillors not only hold others to account for their actions - but also hold themselves accountable! However, perhaps the standards system itself needs to be looked at again?

NOTE: The Government has announced that the existing standards system will be axed in the New Year and replaced by new measures to ensure that councillors do not misuse their positions of trust.

Additional information. See: Hedon Town Council - Minutes

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Meet the Buyers - and boost local trade!

MEET THE BUYERS EVENT:

The Federation of Small Businesses is staging a Meet the Buyers event on Tuesday 16th November from 4.00pm to 6.00pm at Costco Wholesale, Parkway Drive, Sheffield S9 4WU. The aim of the event is to encourage large public sector organisations to buy services and contracts from local firms.

It is estimated that the combined purchasing power of the organisations planning to attend Meet the Buyers event is in excess of £1.8 billion annually!

Let us hope that some local Holderness firms can have a slice of that pie!

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Find us at: www.hu12.net

www.hu12.net

The new easy-to-remember web address to find your local hyperlocal website - bringing you news, information and controversy!

www.hu12.net

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Blog Services available via HU12 and The Hedon Blog

SERVICES TO LOCAL GROUPS AND PEOPLE:

Advertising: In efforts to generate some income to improve what the Hedon Blog and HU12 websites can offer in the area, then some limited advertising opportunities are now available on HU12. Those who advertise on HU12 will get their sponsorship acknowledged on the Hedon Blog.

Website design: The Hedon Blog and HU12 both use free blogging software that is easy to set-up, design and use. If your group wants its own free-to-operate website, then we might be able to help you. We can help you set up your website and show you how to update it and share your content with others.

The websites are free, but a fee will be charged for a 2-hour session to get it up and running and to coach you in using your software. But in return for that fee, you will continue to get support for up to 6-months or until you don't need help anymore.

Consultancy: Founding and maintaining a hyperlocal website involves developing and honing particular skills. There are technical, community, 'audience' development and journalism skills to learn. But above all, it takes time!

It takes time - months, perhaps even years - to acquire the skills and experience necessary to manage a hyperlocal website. However, having the assistance of someone who has been through that process, just might speed things up!

So... If you have a project idea; for example, if you want to develop a company Blog or a website aimed at a particular community, then the Hedon Blogger just might be able to help through consultancy advice and support! 

If you want to find out more, then e-mail Ray Duff at the hedonblog@gmx.com.

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MyPolice - new online service to encourage collaboration between people and the police

IN A CLIMATE OF SPENDING CUTS then one of the 'soft' options to face budget reductions are monies spent on 'community development' - i.e. funding allocated to support the involvement of people and communities in shaping services.

Nowhere is this more the case than in crime prevention and policing. Humberside Police face the prospect of losing front-line police officer posts - so funding and officer time previously allocated to police community forums and other attempts at involving people in policing matters will almost certainly be reduced if not cut entirely.

However, a new online service to be launched soon just might help improve matters a little bit. MyPolice describes itself as is "an online feedback tool that enables the public and the police to have a conversation."

MyPolice will seek input, comments and stories from the public about their local police services. These will help identify weaknesses and strengths within local forces which in turn can help with ideas for improving them. The founders behind MyPolice, Sarah Drummond and Lauren Currie, explain:

"In providing analysis and data for the Police to act on, MyPolice challenges policy decisions that are made and ensuring that service users have an active part in changing the Police for the better. You can give your opinion at a time when you feel strongly about an encounter with the Police and feel that the service offered by the Police could be improved. It’s the place where you can see how your thoughts translate directly into action."   

MyPolice has yet to officially launch and the service is currently being developed with police forces to ensure that the final product is effective. However, one of the advisers behind the project is Doctor James Munro who founded the popular Patient Opinion service (also see right-hand sidebar on this website) which engages with almost every NHS Trust across the country to allow patients to give their feedback on hospital services.

MyPolice is coming - and the HU12 website will be looking forward to promoting the service here! It might never be able to replace face-to-face meetings with the police - but it will certainly offer an independent forum to give our compliments and criticisms of our local police services.

See Police Community Forums did not deliver value for money and  Community activists urged to join fight against crime for background reading.

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Twitter ye not? Why not?

TWITTER has some 145 million registered users worldwide. It was set up in 2006 by entrepreneur Jack Dorsey and named after the noise that excited communicative birds make and was further defined as "a short burst of inconsequential information".

But rather than just been a source of inconsequential information Twitter has become a key part of the communication methods of celebrities, companies, public services and even entire Governments.

The idea behind Twitter is rather simple - you set up an account and follow other users who in turn can choose to follow you. You can send your followers text messages which must be no more than 140 characters long. However, the real benefit of Twitter is that it allows you to follow the people, subjects and issues that matter to you. Trusted online communities are formed of people interested in collecting and sharing the information that interests them.

In practice what you get is a rich source of almost instant information about the subjects that concern you - or your business or group. So you get notice of press releases from government departments far sooner than waiting for official e-mail releases. You got information on events from people actually attending and Tweeting about them. Decision makers will contact their followers to let them know of the latest developments - or even to test the waters about new ideas and initiatives. Companies will do vital market research amongst their followers.

In short Twitter is a useful service; so why are there not more people from the HU12 post code area using the service?

If you wish to join Twitter then visit http://twitter.com

If you want help in signing up then have a look at the document produced by the Hedon Blogger on setting up the @HU12net Twitter account on Scribd: Setting Up a Twitter Account.

And after you have signed up then you might want to follow these Twitter folk:

@HedonBlog
@RayDuff
@GrahamStuart
@East_Riding
@Seaside_FM
and the account we have just set up @Hu12net

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Police - South West Holderness Ward Crime Figures

CRIME LEVELS and statistics for the HU12 post code area (South West Holderness ward) reveal that the average number of crimes in the area for May - July 2010 have decreased compared with the same period last year - from 64 recorded crimes to 51.

The figures released on the Humberside Police website show that the biggest fall in reported crime happened in June. There were 82 crimes in June 2009 compared with only 51 in 2010.

The 'crime rate' for the area is described as average.

Note: The 'crime rate' for a given area is the number of crimes per 1000 people in that area. For each area these are calculated by dividing the actual number of crimes by the population and then multiplying by 1,000.

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