Crick Parish Council News

Friends of St Margaret's Church, Crick, are facing an additional £15,000 bill for the  completion of the final stages of the restoration work. There are two reasons for this additional cost.  The builders who started and completed most of the work went into administration and employing new specialist builders at this stage has cost more money. A further blow has been that the rules for grant giving by English Heritage have changed, meaning that the VAT element of the building work will now have to be found by The Friends.

As part of the fund raising programme to meet these additional costs, The Friends of St Margaret's are celebrating the Queen's Diamond Jubilee on Monday 4th June from 2 pm to 5 pm at the Church.  There will be stalls, children's activities and a tearoom.

After 8 years of fencing round the tower and 3 years of the windows being boarded up, these extra funds have to be raised so that this ancient church can once again stand proud in the centre of the village.      

An essential resource for anyone going to the games or trying to avoid the congestion and road changes that will take place

http://www.getaheadofthegames.com/

Planning Applications

1. DA/2012/0158 - Construction of a porch and single storey rear extension at 
   18 Marsons   Drive, Crick - application granted

2. DA/2012/0200 - Sub-division of dwelling to form 2 dwellings at 58, Main Road, Crick
    - application granted
 

The Community Right to Build gives communities new powers to build local housing, shops and community facilities.

It allows communities to create the buildings they want to see without going through the normal planning application process.

It came into effect in April 2012.

http://communityrights.communities.gov.uk/what-are-community-rights/community-right-to-build/

or the short link

http://t.co/Q2funyzz

A public ballot has opened today for UK residents to apply to be at the heart of the Diamond Jubilee celebrations on Tuesday 5 June.

Ten thousand members of the public will get the opportunity to enjoy the day’s events from free seats facing Buckingham Palace.

The day will be the culmination of the Diamond Jubilee weekend and will include a lunch at Westminster Hall, a carriage procession to Buckingham Palace and a balcony appearance and flypast.

Details of how to apply and other information about the ballot is available online.

The ballot will close at 23:59 BST on Friday 20 April 2012.

More information

Back in May last year, work started on the first phase of the major restoration needed by St Margaret's Church, Crick.  This had been made possible by grants and donations large and small, plus 5 years of fund raising by the Friends of St Margaret's.

The work was due to be completed in mid-November and, although progress was slow and was clearly far from finished by then, there was no reason to be concerned. The contract was for a fixed price and was paid as work was completed and signed off. Bowmans, the firm awarded the contract was well-regarded, having been established in 1866 and completed many prestigious projects. It was, therefore, an unwelcome shock to hear in early February that the company had serious financial problems. On 14th February it entered into administration and early in March the contract was terminated.

Fortunately, Boden & Ward from Flore, one of the firms that tendered originally, are in a position to take on the work,although, of course, this has necessitated negotiating a new contract and inevitably extra expense. At the time of writing they have been checking the site and investigating the position regarding, for example, quality of dressed stone believed still to be in Bowmans' yard. Hopefully work will will resume shortly.

Report by Sue Milne, Friends of St Margaret's Church, Crick 

Annual General Meetings are often regarded as boring events, but in reality it is the best time to have your say and make a contribution. So why not go along and make your voice heard, make a positive contribution and ask a difficult question?

Coming up in April/May

• 11 April  History Society AGM  6.45pm in URC Schoolrooms, The Marsh, followed by Chris Holland talking about "Joseph Elkington - Agricultural pioneer"
• 25 April Millennium Wood AGM at 8.00pm in URC Schoolrooms, The Marsh.
• 25 May Annual Parish Meeting 7.30pm at the Old School. This is an opportunity for every village club or organisation to tell us what they have done over the past year and be questioned about their activities. 

Can you afford to miss any of these?

After two years of very low winter rainfall, parts of England are officially in drought. As a result, a number of water companies have announced temporary restrictions in water use from 5 April 2012.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Nl1/Newsroom/DG_201641?cid=rss

Crick Parish Council has been asked if the village pond on Burye Dyke is for sale. The response is a resounding NO! The enquiry was because a FOR SALE sign for a nearby house had been positioned on public land by the pond. The sign has been removed by Crick Parish Council as will any other unauthorised notices placed on public land. Crick Parish Council requests that signs are displayed responsibly and removed after the event.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Nl1/Newsroom/Budget/Budget2012/DG_WP201339

Crick Parish Council is reviewing the use of this website. We know there are important and necessary elements of Council business that should be available such as Agendas, Meetings, Contacts,Planning,Roads and Footpaths. The website can also be the means of providing the latest information, events and news.

What do you think and want from Crick Parish Council website? Please contact the Clerk with any constructive thoughts or ideas on how we can improve this site.

Vandals have destroyed the May tree planted by the three attendants to the May Queen at Bury Dyke to commemorate the re-establishment of the Crick Feast in October 2011. The tree had just burst into blossom and local residents were anticipating a fine display.  The police have been informed and are investigating. The destruction was reported at the Parish Council meeting on 19th March. The vandalism was unanimously condemed. The Parish Council agreed that the tree should be replaced.

Here is a list of frauds claiming to be linked with London 2012

http://www.london2012.com/about-this-website/stay-safe-online.php

Protect yourself against online fraud:

http://www.actionfraud.police.uk/TDIYD-your-personal-information-is-valuable-so-protect-it-Mar12

http://t.co/WS3w1OpW
 

Driving licence rules will be changing from 19 January 2013. There will be many new rules for motorcycles, cars towing trailers, buses and lorries. Find out more about these changes and how they could affect you as an existing or new driver.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/DriverLicensing/DG_201187

Everyone has a story. So what’s yours?

Last year more than 8,000 young people took their story in a new direction with National Citizen Service. This year, you can too.

http://nationalcitizenservice.direct.gov.uk/

http://t.co/CXHQGMju

Consumers have been warned to steer clear of pension offers that claim to be able to provide loans or release tax-free cash from people’s pension pots before they reach age 55.

http://www.thepensionsregulator.gov.uk/press/pn12-05.aspx

What you can earn & the taxes you pay

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/HomeAndCommunity/Privaterenting/RentingOutYourProperty/index.htm

or the short link:

http://t.co/Bs1wFewP

Tuesday 5 June 2012

more details at

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Nl1/Newsroom/Features/DG_WP200687

Are you paying too much for your broadband, phone or TV? Find out on Ofcom-approved price comparison sites

http://t.co/zYpQiudP

Find out about benefits and tax credits

https://www.dwpe-services.direct.gov.uk/portal/page/portal/ba/lp

or the short link

http://t.co/Obj9FM81

If you’ve got a good idea of where you want to go with your career and like the idea of earning while you learn, an Apprenticeship could be for you. You’ll get top quality training, developing skills and gaining qualifications on the job.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/EducationAndLearning/14To19/OptionsAt16/DG_4001327

or the short link:

http://t.co/IMsjMXYB

Water regulator Ofwat publishes details of estimated rises in water & sewerage charges by region in Eng. & Wales

http://www.ofwat.gov.uk/mediacentre/pressnotices2008/prs_pn0112bills

See what's planned for June 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Nl1/Newsroom/Features/DG_WP200687

If you have an emergency situation; crime in progress, car accident with injured parties etc please ring 999, otherwise, call 101

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Nl1/Newsroom/DG_200712

http://www.defra.gov.uk/news/2011/12/30/new-rules-will-make-it-easier-to-travel-with-pets/

Become a digital champion!

http://champions.go-on.co.uk/ways-to-be-a-digital-champion/inspire

A forced marriage is a marriage in which one or both spouses do not (or, in the case of some vulnerable adults, cannot) consent to the marriage, but are coerced into it. The coercion can include physical, psychological, financial, sexual and emotional pressure.

The Home Office are seeking views on whether making forcing someone to marry should be a criminal offence or whether current arrangements provide adequate protection. We are also interested in views on what more could be done to prevent forced marriage from happening. There are clear arguments both for and against making forced marriage a criminal offence. These arguments are presented in the consultation document.

http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/about-us/consultations/forced-marriage/

or the short link

http://t.co/DLguwnGj

http://www.london2012.com/games/ceremonies/get-involved/casting-information.php

Only 8% of women aged 26 to 35 have up-to-date anti-virus software on their computers, putting them at higher risk of fraud and computer crimes this festive shopping season.

http://www.actionfraud.org.uk/women-face-higher-online-fraud-risk-this-christmas-nov11

or the short link

http://t.co/OIQGk3ru

http://customs.hmrc.gov.uk/channelsPortalWebApp/downloadFile?contentID=HMCE_PROD1_031736

With the clocks going back on 30 October everyone gets an extra hour. How you spend it is up to you, but that one hour could make a real difference to someone’s life. Why not spend it helping someone get online?

http://bit.ly/Give-an-hour

Firework safety and the law

Fireworks often play a big part in celebrations – like Bonfire Night, Diwali and Chinese New Year. However, fireworks are explosives and burn at high temperatures, so they need careful handling and storage. Find out about firework safety and the law about their use.

http://bit.ly/firework_safety

The independent Boundary Commission for England (BCE) today launches a 12-week consultation on its initial proposals for new Parliamentary constituency boundaries in England.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Nl1/Newsroom/DG_199450

or the short link

http://bit.ly/constituencies

Trustees are the people in charge of a charity. They play a vital role, volunteering their time and working together to make important decisions about the charity's work.

Trustees' Week is an annual event to showcase the great work that trustees do and highlight opportunities for people from all walks of life to get involved and make a difference.

Trustees’ Week 2011 is 31 October – 6 November and this website will be regularly updated with news and information in the run up to the week.

http://www.trusteesweek.org.uk/

You have a right under the Data Protection Act to see information about your results. Having access to information - such as a breakdown of their overall mark and examiners’ comments – may not lead to your grades being altered but it could help you make decisions that impact on your future, such as deciding to re-sit an exam or pursue a particular subject at college or university.

http://www.ico.gov.uk/news/latest_news/2011/students_can_request_examiners_comments_under_data_protection_laws_18082011.aspx

or the short link

http://bit.ly/nsObg1

Cooling your home without air conditioning and checking your risk of flooding are just two ways to get ready.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Environmentandgreenerliving/Thewiderenvironment/Climatechange/DG_179147

The government has revealed plans for a zerowaste economy which includes the scrapping of bin fines and tackling illegal fly-tippers

http://bit.ly/0-waste

The Food Standards Agency have issued advice on the E. Coli outbreak in Germany.

http://www.food.gov.uk/news/newsarchive/2011/june/outbreak

or the short link

http://bit.ly/lDCQ3H
 

Ofcom has published research into mobile broadband speeds.

Read the report and find out about 3G speeds across the UK

http://bit.ly/m-bb-s

The government, following an EU directive and through the Information Commissioners Office, has issued a new law governing the use of cookies.

All of the latest web browsers have the facility for the user to control cookies through the options menu but in a large number of cases refusing cookies can have a detrimental affect on the performance of the website.

You can read about the new law at http://bit.ly/law-cookie

You can read what our Webmaster and Statcounter (who manage the cookies on this website) have to say about this new legislation at http://www.mh-p.info/?p=274

The Adult Learning Free Taster Week runs from May 14th to 20th.

Why not see what's available in your area?

Visit http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Nl1/Newsroom/DG_187560

or use the short link

http://bit.ly/a-l-w

You're never too old to learn!

The Government has launched a new website which explains the new student finance system which takes effect from 2012

http://yourfuture.direct.gov.uk/

This month’s Royal Wedding is a great occasion for national celebration, and street parties are a traditional way of doing this. Over the last few months rules have been relaxed and red tape cut to make it easier for people to organise a street party or fete.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Nl1/Newsroom/Features/DG_WP196814

or the short link

http://bit.ly/rw-s-p

Census staff will carry an ID card

They will not ask for your bank or credit card details

You won’t be asked to leave your completed form on the doorstep

You can arrange a visit by calling the helpline number of the form

Census staff will only visit residents who have not returned their forms

Don’t let the caller in your house

If you’re not sure of the callers identity, keep the door closed and call the Census helpline (0300 0201 101)

For more information visit www.census.gov.uk  or call 0300 0201 101

For more information about getting started with your #2011census online questionnaire please visit

http://help.census.gov.uk/england/help/help-and-information/Gettingstarted/Completethequestionnaireonline/Topics/Gettingstartedwithyouronlinequestionnaire_S0004A.html

or http://bit.ly/fd4oas