Top posts on HU12 for 2010...

Top post 2010

TACKLING 'COLD CALLERS' and mis-selling on the doorstep was the issue that provoked the most visits to HU12 during 2010.

News that people had been left worse off after switching energy suppliers following visits from doorstep sales people, had prompted a new Hotline Number to be set up for consumers to provide any evidence of mis-selling. The article about this has proved to be popular and read regularly since first published in September.

The Accident Blackspot on Hedon Road has been the scene of five serious road traffic accidents in 2010, and the problems there were reflected in this article also written in September. 

The shocking news that the Leader of the East Riding Council was to be barred from standing for his party in the local elections saw the biggest spike in viewing figures for any article published in 2010. The Council Leader did successfully appeal against this decision.

The publication of a report from DONG ENERGY presented to Hull City Council proved popular following the later announcement that the energy giant would not be investing into a new biomass energy power station at Queen Elizabeth Dock. The report to Hull Council in October seemed to indicate that it was 'all systems go' for the development - only for DONG to scrap its plans 5 days later. 

The announcement by East Riding Council of its severe weather grant assistance scheme was of enormous interest towards the end of the year because of the problems caused by the Big Freeze of November and December 2010.

See also: Popular and Best Bits on the Hedon Blog.

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East Riding Council hails its Weather Grant Assistance Scheme

THE RECENT SEVERE WEATHER prompted East Riding Council to introduce an innovative Grants Scheme to help Town and Parish Councils clear snow and ice. The Council is now hailing the success of the scheme, although there has been some constructive criticism locally.

Over 80 town and parish councils, including Hedon Town Council and Preston Parish Council applied for the special funding to tackle the affects of the adverse weather. 

Hedon Town Council received £1,000 which was used to purchase 120 bags of rock salt/grit and a manual spreader. Holme on Spalding Moor Parish Council received £2,000, which was used to buy salt and sand, a small gritter and to hire a JCB to help clear the village of snow and ice. Preston Parish Council also received a grant.

Chris Worrall, chairman of Holme on Spalding Moor Parish Council, highlighted how well the scheme has worked. He said: “The application process was very quick, from completing the paperwork to receiving the funds. We purchased salt and grit and hired a JCB to help clear footpaths and keep the roads around the village clear. We also bought a small gritter for future use. Thanks to the funding, and with the help of volunteers from the community and local business who supplied free hot drinks and meals, we have cleared a footpath all the way around the village, connecting up the shops and the surgery and have also cleared the sheltered accommodation.”

However, in Hedon some residents have queried whether the town should have applied for and received a larger amount considering its size and the population numbers, compared to other places. Also in Hedon due to the lack of council staff being available at the time, it was left up to an individual town councillor who volunteered to take out the manual spreader as soon as possible!

Councillor Stephen Parnaby, OBE, leader of East Riding of Yorkshire Council, said: “This scheme was the first of its kind in the country and was introduced to support town and parish councils to undertake work in their localities and has helped ensure that more is done as soon as possible which is what everyone wants to see.”

£175,000 allocated to the scheme by the East Riding Council. This was funded through a 'performance reward grant' obtained by the Council and its Local Strategic Partnership partners earlier this year.

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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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Severe weather grant assistance scheme to be piloted by Council

THE EAST RIDING COUNCIL has introduced a new pilot scheme to support town and parish councils across the East Riding to undertake snow clearing, gritting and other works and activities on roads and in public places to help local communities cope with the current extreme weather conditions. 

This will be welcome news to those areas in South West Holderness that have been left almost completely isolated by frozen roads and compacted ice. Residents in Inmans Estate in Hedon have been without buses, milk and mail deliveries for over a week (see Packed snow and ice on the Hedon Blog).

The grant assistance scheme is funded by a grant of £175,000 provided by the council through the Local Strategic Partnership and is available to all town and parish councils in the East Riding. 

Funding can be approved quickly through a simple and straight forward application process administered by the council’s streetscene services team. 

Councillor Stephen Parnaby, leader of the Council, said in a press statement: “This council must prioritise its resources on the main road network and other key locations to keep the East Riding moving and enable people as far as possible to go about their normal daily lives. 

The workforce is at full stretch with the gritting service working around the clock and with every effort being made to protect vulnerable people who are a priority. 

The new scheme has been introduced to support town and parish councils to undertake work in their localities which we do not have the capacity to do ourselves at the present time. This fund will help ensure that more is done as soon as possible which is what everyone wants to see.” 

It is hoped that Hedon Town Council, Preston and Paull Parish Councils are able to take advantage of the new grant assistance - and quickly!

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