You’re more at risk than you think

Wychavon District Council have joined up with the Health and Safety Executive on a nationwide Asbestos Awareness campaign entitled ”You are more at risk than you think!’

Did you know:

• More people die from asbestos related disease per year than are killed on the roads.
• Every week 20 tradesmen die from asbestos related disease.
• Every week 6 electricians die from asbestos related disease.
• Every week 3 plumbers die from asbestos related disease.
• It can be present in any building built or refurbished before the year 2000.

Eamon Rodgers, Environmental Health Officer, said ”This is still a big issue as asbestos remains in many buildings. We want to raise people’s awareness again and information is available if people have concerns.”

The campaign is taking place throughout February and March 2008 and is aimed at those workers who may come into contact with asbestos on a day to day basis.

Asbestos was used extensively as a building material in Great Britain from the 1950’s through to the mid-1980’s. Any type of building built before 2000 (houses, factories, offices, schools, hospitals etc.) could contain asbestos. Asbestos materials in good condition are safe unless the asbestos fibres become airborne, which happens when the materials are damaged. Airborne asbestos fibres can be deadly if they are inhaled over a long period of time.

Throughout Wychavon promotional packs will be available at building suppliers, DIY outlets and plumbing suppliers to raise awareness of potential asbestos exposure. Further information is available from the Environmental Services Section at Wychavon District Council. On 01386 565015 or through environmentalhealth@wychavon.gov.uk

Local event supports food workers

Wychavon are working with Health and Safety Executive in Worcester on an original and informative event for local food and catering businesses.

The event takes place 9 – 1pm – 4th March at Evesham Town Hall and is open to all food and catering businesses.

The event will provide information on how food businesses can prevent dermatitis, avoid slips and trips, which are a major cause of accidents and ill-health, and will also touch on the best ways of informing migrant worker employees about health and safety issues.

Debbie Herbert, Commercial Services Manager said “We’re really pleased to be offering this event in partnership with the Health and Safety Executive and it will provide a really good opportunity for local businesses to get all this information in one place.”

Any businesses who wants to attend, please contact Karen Thompson on 01386 565340 and reserve your space.

New Leisure Centre a step closer

Wychavon District Council has signed the contract for a new £10.75 million leisure centre for Evesham.

The Council will be working with contractors Galliford Try to construct the new centre on Abbey Road, Evesham, which will replace the existing 30 year old centre in Davies Road.  The current centre will remain open until the new one is complete.

The new facility will include two swimming pools, a large sports hall, health suite with spa pools, sauna and steam room, a climbing wall and a café area. 

Leader of Wychavon District Council, Cllr Paul Middlebrough, said: “This marks an important stage in the development of a new leisure centre for Evesham.  We are delighted to be working with Galliford Try on this exciting project.”

Work is due to start on site in March 2008 and the new leisure centre is due to open in summer 2009.

Chips in bins turned down

Wychavon’s Executive Board has confirmed that microchips will not be installed when the district’s new waste and recycling services are introduced later in the year.

The decision was taken after considering the cost of installing microchips with public opinion and the likelihood of the Government requiring the Council to charge by weight.

Councillor Anna Mackison, Board member for Environment said “From the start this has been a tricky one for Wychavon. The microchips would have some advantages of helping to identify missed collections and link bins with individual properties plus support the monitoring of recycling participation levels.”

“However, we felt that the fitting of microchips did not provide value for money and would be unpopular with some of our residents, and so we will not be putting them in.”

Big promises – low cost

Responding to local needs and resident budget consultation Wychavon are making big commitments to 5 new priorities this year while limiting council tax increases to 2.5% for the 8th year running. There are 5 themes in the new council strategy with promises being made on each.

Big promises were announced at Wychavon’s Executive Board last night as part of the councils plans for the coming year and are around a first time buyers scheme on affordable housing. Delivery 4 flooding alleviation schemes in Harvington and North Littleton, Bishampton, Tobberton and Queenmead in Bredon. An extra £30k for the next 3 years in sport coaching for young people

Priority 1 Safer – new investments in community safety reassurance services and mobile CCTV have been agreed. Crime is down 11% on last year and Wychavon will continue to work with the Police to continue to make reductions.

Priority 2 Greener – street cleaning benefits from extra money, with daily patrols in town centres and more frequent cleaning in rural areas too. Introducing the new wheelie bin service, with trips for residents to the Hill and Moor Landfull site and community roadshows for residents to learn what happens to their waste and recycling.

Priority 3 Healthier – promises to increase users to the already popular leisure centres in the towns are included for the coming year – especially to attract people in who could benefit from exercise. There will also be close working with doctors to prescribe exercise too.

Priority 4 Stronger – as well as delivery of more affordable homes and the new first time buyers scheme to help address the high price of housing, the coming year will see new business unit development at Vale Park, Evesham. The Board are looking at ways to keep essential post offices in key locations too.

Priority 5 Successful – Wychavon will to continue to provide excellent services at a low cost with a promise to keep council tax increase to just 2.5% for 8th year running and customer care improvements too.

Paul Middlebrough, Leader of Wychavon said “Every year we set ambitious but affordable promises to meet the needs of residents. This year is no exception and it’s set to be another great year for people living in Wychavon.”

Promises and the budget were agreed at Executive Board on Tuesday, 5th February going to Full Council for approval on Tuesday, 26th February.

Pershore remains popular

Pershore remains popular with shoppers and visitors with the help of a low cost car parking initiative.

That’s the conclusion from recent statistics which show that the level of car parking in the town’s central car park during January remained at a similar level compared with the previous year despite the start to the Pershore High Street Improvement works.

Nearly 5,000 motorists have already taken advantage of a car parking concession which provides up to 3 hours parking on Tuesdays, Wednesday and Thursdays for only 10 pence at the central High Street car park.

Cllr Tom McDonald, Wychavon’s spokesperson for Regeneration, said: “I am delighted that the combination of a wide range of quality independent shops, Number 8, plus the competitive car parking price has proved to be a success. It has so far helped to overcome some of the short-term inconvenience created by the roadworks. I hope more people will take advantage of the offer over the coming weeks.”

The car parking concession has been funded by a partnership including Pershore market Town Partnership, Pershore Town Council and Wychavon District Council and will remain in place during High Street roadworks.

Brown bin – greener future

Residents interested in the NEW chargeable garden waste collection service being asked to tell Wychavon District Council as quickly as possible if they’re interested.

Over 2,000 spots have been taken already by early bird residents and this number will increase quickly so get in touch.

Councillor Anna Makison, Executive Board Member for the Environment and Contracted Services said “Places are going quickly and we’re really pleased with the response we’ve had so far. It is first come first served though, so get in touch quickly to reserve your compostable garden waste collection service”

Leaflets on the service have gone through doors and in newspapers giving details on what the service entails but more information is available at the council’s website.

Brown wheelie bins will take excess garden waste away for those who can’t compost or have too much for a composter to handle.

7,500 bins are available on a first come, first served basis with some geographical limitations. They cost £27.50 a year if you pay before 15th February or the normal rate £30 a year. You can even sign up for 2 or 3 years and save even more! To see if the service is offered in your area and that there are places available go to www.wychavon.gov.uk/gardenwaste or call 01386 565005 9am to 5p Monday to Friday.

Polish website

Wychavon have developed a version of their website in Polish.

The website aimed at serving the needs of migrant workers and Polish residents, new to the area, is set to launch on 28th January.

Polish residents on the last electoral roll made up 737 residents and this increases in the summer months when migrant workers come over for seasonal work.

The website that has been translated by Wychavon’s Natalia Zak, originally from Poland, hopes to provide important information to Polish residents in their own language.

Amanda de Warr, Customer Services Manager said “We want to make Polish residents and migrant workers feel as welcome as possible to the area and know that English isn’t always their first language. It’s really important that Polish residents have access to information in Polish, to help them integrate and be aware of any cultural differences. It also encourages Polish residents to learn to speak English and provides signposts to local colleges.”

Natalia Zak, Customer Service Advisor said “It’s been great working on this innovative and new project to help Polish residents get important information easily. It will also reduce the time spent dealing with enquiries at the contact centres as so much information is now readily available on the website. We will continue to develop the website and welcome any input from the Polish community.”

The site will be accessible at www.wychavon.gov.uk/polska

Action taken on puppy farm

On 11th January, Wychavon visited premises near Evesham and found an unlicensed dog breeding site.

The visit followed a complaint from a member of the public and was carried out in conjunction with the RSPCA with police support.

Debbie Herbert, Commercial Services Manager said “When we visited the premises we found a large number of breeding dogs and puppies. The investigation is continuing and a decision on prosecuting the owner for breach of licensing laws will be made shortly.”

“We take animal welfare very seriously and a vet was called in to check all of the dogs and puppies. The owner of the premises was co-operative and agreed to the re-homing of a large number of dogs.”

Pip Singleton, Wychavon’s Dog Warden commented “We managed to persuade the owner that some of the dogs would probably be better off if he gave them up for re-homing – even though the vet and RSPCA were satisfied that they were under no immediate danger.”

Ms Herbert continued: “We’ve had calls from the public about dogs that have been released for re-homing. Lost dog sites have been checked and all the dogs have been scanned for microchips and there is no reason to believe that any of them are strays or stolen dogs.”

Wychavon encourage people to consider choosing a rescue dog as a pet. National and local rescue centres have the welfare of the animals as their primary concern and offer extensive support and advice to potential new owners to ensure that dogs are offered a long term and loving home.

Anyone considering buying a puppy from a breeder or pet shop is advised to check that they are licensed by contacting Wychavon District Council’s Licensing team on 01386 565016.