There are fears that Southampton’s homeless community could be left without vital support if the City Council slashes funding for one of the city’s most successful voluntary groups.
The Street Homeless Prevention Service has been helping vulnerable people find accommodation, employment, training and health care for over 12 years. It also helps them to access benefits and find ways of staying in privately rented housing.
Councillor Peter Baillie cabinet member for housing told a cabinet meeting yesterday that a saving of £15,000 would be made by pulling the funding for SHPS and taking the service directly under local authority control.
"We’ve got to find the best way forward for the service and in this case we’ve got a fantastic officer and a great team which already provides these functions in house. Whilst it is very clear that SHPS has done a good job, this move will provide greater synergy within the service and the best value for money," he said.
"In these times we need to think about what the essential services are and in this case SHPS is something of a luxury."
Jo Ash, Chief Executive of SVS told the meeting: "When SHPS was established 12 years ago it was unanimously agreed that it was the best way to meet the needs of vulnerable individuals. Since then we have been lauded by the government for our contribution to the community. Every homeless person helped by the service stays in their accommodation, and goes into training or employment.
"£15,000 seems a small price to pay for the damage caused to the people of Southampton and it seems totally contrary to the Big Society agenda which is supposed to be at the heart of council policy.
The decision was deferred for two weeks for cabinet members to consider the proposal but the final decision will be made by the Executive Director and Councillor Baillie in a fortnight’s time.
Friday, 18 February 2011
Top six to have salaries scrutinised
The six most highly paid officials at Southampton City Council could have their slaries vetoed if new government palns are implemented.
Communities Secretary Eric Pickles has introduced a measure which will mean councillors can vote to block salaries over £100,000.
The move comes amid fierce protests over pay cuts which rocked Caty Hall yesterday.
Pickles told the BBC Radio 4 Today programme: "This is just part of the checks and balances so that it allows every councillor to consciously make a decision with regard to senior pay. "It just seems to me to be a reasonable thing to do."
Councillors will also have the power to approve bonuses, pension payments and other perks along with basic salaries.
Six executive officials at Southampton City Council currently enjoy salaries over £100k. The highest of these is that of Chief executive Brad Roynon whose basic salary is £172, 618. He is closely followed by Executive Director of Resources, Carolyn Williamson who earns £130,714
All council employees will have to take a 5.3% pay cut but protestors at yesterday’s budget meeting vented their fury at huge wages.
Mark Humphreys, 55, who works in parking services said: "I’m sure they are doing a great job bless em’ but this is a twin track approach. Those people in there on six figure salaries could face job cuts but that will be over a two year period. All of us out here are facing the cuts straight away."
Council Leader Royston Smith said: "We already scrutinise top salaries very carefully. They have to be approved by our Chief Officers Employment Panel, and their decisions are reviewed by both the cabinet and the full council. We’ll also be cutting the number of chief executives to four this year. At the end of the day you can have as many people as you like planning how to empty the bins but it’s more important to have the bin men at the coal face actually doing the job."
Hampshire County Council currently has eight executives on salaries over £100,000 with Chief Executive Andrew Smith on a gigantic. £207,969
Council leader Ken Thornber, said: "This measure will further increase openness and enable all councillors to be involved and satisfied that the salary they agree is fitting for the role and responsibilities of the post. It would also allow the public to see what factors the council took into consideration when making the decision and hopefully help create a better understanding of what senior officers at the council do to help ensure the delivery of vital services to the people of Hampshire"
Communities Secretary Eric Pickles has introduced a measure which will mean councillors can vote to block salaries over £100,000.
The move comes amid fierce protests over pay cuts which rocked Caty Hall yesterday.
Pickles told the BBC Radio 4 Today programme: "This is just part of the checks and balances so that it allows every councillor to consciously make a decision with regard to senior pay. "It just seems to me to be a reasonable thing to do."
Councillors will also have the power to approve bonuses, pension payments and other perks along with basic salaries.
Six executive officials at Southampton City Council currently enjoy salaries over £100k. The highest of these is that of Chief executive Brad Roynon whose basic salary is £172, 618. He is closely followed by Executive Director of Resources, Carolyn Williamson who earns £130,714
All council employees will have to take a 5.3% pay cut but protestors at yesterday’s budget meeting vented their fury at huge wages.
Mark Humphreys, 55, who works in parking services said: "I’m sure they are doing a great job bless em’ but this is a twin track approach. Those people in there on six figure salaries could face job cuts but that will be over a two year period. All of us out here are facing the cuts straight away."
Council Leader Royston Smith said: "We already scrutinise top salaries very carefully. They have to be approved by our Chief Officers Employment Panel, and their decisions are reviewed by both the cabinet and the full council. We’ll also be cutting the number of chief executives to four this year. At the end of the day you can have as many people as you like planning how to empty the bins but it’s more important to have the bin men at the coal face actually doing the job."
Hampshire County Council currently has eight executives on salaries over £100,000 with Chief Executive Andrew Smith on a gigantic. £207,969
 |
| Eric Pickles |
Council leader Ken Thornber, said: "This measure will further increase openness and enable all councillors to be involved and satisfied that the salary they agree is fitting for the role and responsibilities of the post. It would also allow the public to see what factors the council took into consideration when making the decision and hopefully help create a better understanding of what senior officers at the council do to help ensure the delivery of vital services to the people of Hampshire"
Protestors hijack council meeting
Protestors caused chaos by hijacking the council’s budget meeting at Southampton Civic Hall today and had to be ejected by town sergeants.
Around 200 angry protestors gathered outside under Unite and Unison banners.
Demonstrators crowded inside Civic Hall but were turned away from the council chamber and the public gallery by security staff who told them it was full.
Inside the chamber there were loud boos and jeers from the public gallery as the councillors took their seats. Chants of "cut our pay, lose your seat in May,’ and ‘you should all hang your heads in shame,’ were shouted down at the councillors.
Mayor Carol Cunion attempted to begin the meeting amid shouts from a group of protestors still gathered in the lobby outside and loud bangs on the chamber door.
Councillor Lettes then requested that all councillors be allowed an unlimited amount of time to speak on proposals instead of the mandatory four minutes but the motion was overruled.
Councillor Moulton introduced the budget proposals saying: "This is about the services we provide in Southampton, not a debate about policy made at Westminster. I read a Unison leaflet recently which blamed the banks for the budget cuts but we should not forget that it was Gordon Brown’s spending spree that caused the deficit.
"These are Labour cuts, not Tory cuts."
This was greeted with cries of: ‘get your facts right councillor Moulton.’
Mayor Cunion callled the meeting to order on several occasions and threatened to throw out the public if they continued being disruptive, but after ten minutes she was forced to adjourn the meeting and the protestors were asked to leave.
Unite Representative Peter Watts, the most vocal of the protestors inside the meeting said: "It’s a disgrace that the public are not allowed to have their say. Our council tax pays for the councillors.
"The meeting should have been moved to the guildhall then we could have had a say. We could say we’re willing to take a pay cut but there won’t be any guarantee for our jobs in the future even if we do.
"The councillors are so smug, we just can’t sit there and take it. We see depravation around this city all the time.
"We’ll be holding a public ballot on this and if the union ballots in favour we’ll definitely be calling for industrial action."
Simon Cotton, shop Steward for Unite was one of a group of Unite demonstrators from the council’s Waste and Recycling team who were barrerd from entering the civic centre.
He said: "We’re sick and tired of being treated like scum, we’ve had enough. Morale amongst workers is really low and when that happens the quality of service suffers. We’ve had a pay freeze for the past four years and now they want us to take a pay cut. This is the 21st century not 1918 it’s time for a change."
Hampshire Trading Standards consider High Court appeal
Hampshire trading standards are considering appealing to the High Court over a cement-based product which can cause burns.
In a recent case at Southampton magistrates court, Hampshire Trading Standards attempted to prosecute B&Q over its sale of a floor-levelling compound which left a Southampton woman scarred for life.
Jane Dobson, 46, was left with extensive burns on both knees which required skin grafts after she knelt in the wet floor levelling compound manufactured for B&Q by Sika, to smooth it over with a trowel.
The prosecution argued that the warning label on the product was not sufficient to suggest that it could cause burns but District Judge Anthony Carroway ruled in favour of B&Q.
Martin Window, Principal Trading Standards Officer for Hampshire County Council said: "We are really shocked at the outcome of the case. We all felt today that this was an unfair ruling.
"We will have to consider our position very carefully. I would certainly like to appeal this decision if it is possible, but we will need to consider the fact that we have to pay for this out of the public purse."
Prosecuting barrister Miss Louise Bagley said: "This is a really bad day for us, certainly one of the worst in my legal career. It’s obvious that the defence have found a loophole and we were expecting that, but we will do whatever we can to challenge it."
Under
Chemicals Hazard Information and Packaging for Supply Regulations 2009 (CHIP for short) cement products are labeled ‘irritant.’ They do not carry the label ‘harmful’ which is reserved for chemicals that ‘may cause damage to health.’
In a recent case at Southampton magistrates court, Hampshire Trading Standards attempted to prosecute B&Q over its sale of a floor-levelling compound which left a Southampton woman scarred for life.
Jane Dobson, 46, was left with extensive burns on both knees which required skin grafts after she knelt in the wet floor levelling compound manufactured for B&Q by Sika, to smooth it over with a trowel.
The prosecution argued that the warning label on the product was not sufficient to suggest that it could cause burns but District Judge Anthony Carroway ruled in favour of B&Q.
Martin Window, Principal Trading Standards Officer for Hampshire County Council said: "We are really shocked at the outcome of the case. We all felt today that this was an unfair ruling.
"We will have to consider our position very carefully. I would certainly like to appeal this decision if it is possible, but we will need to consider the fact that we have to pay for this out of the public purse."
Prosecuting barrister Miss Louise Bagley said: "This is a really bad day for us, certainly one of the worst in my legal career. It’s obvious that the defence have found a loophole and we were expecting that, but we will do whatever we can to challenge it."
Under
Chemicals Hazard Information and Packaging for Supply Regulations 2009 (CHIP for short) cement products are labeled ‘irritant.’ They do not carry the label ‘harmful’ which is reserved for chemicals that ‘may cause damage to health.’
Wednesday, 16 February 2011
Archaeology department secures prestigious grant
A prestigious grant of £799,000 has been secured by the University of Southampton’s Archaeology Department.
The grant which was awarded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) will be used to finish the excavations at Portus, the harbour for ancient Rome which supplied goods to the Etearnal City from around the Mediterranean.
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| Model re-construction of Portus showing the hexagonal anchorage built by the emperor Trajan |
Excavations in 2009 revealed an Imperial complex, an ancient theatre and one of the largest canals ever built by the Romans.
One of the most spectacular finds was a sculpted head which could be that of the mythical hero Odysseus.
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| Sculpted head which may be that of the mythical hero Odysseus |
Project Director Professor Simon Keay said: "This is a massive boost for the university, the department and archaeology in general. This is one of the few global archaeology projects that is still ongoing so we’re very excited to be taking part in in."
The Portus Project which was begun in 1998 .is a collaborative effort between Southampton University, the University of Cambridge, the British School at Rome and the Italian Ministry of Culture.
The excavations which will run from March to May 2011 will focus on a mystery building.
"This is a huge structure of 170m by 35m and so far we’re completely in the dark about. it," said Professor Keay. "We think it could be absolutely central to understanding how the port operated."
"The only reason the Roman Empire survived for 300 years was because it was supplied with grain, wine, olive oil and other goods through Portus. This was not unlike the way Southampton supplies modern Britain today , he said."
Cutting edge digital technology will be developed to show exacltly how the port worked: "We are lucky enough to have some fantastic specialists at the university such as Graeme Earl who will set up computerised models of the port to show the traffic passing through it. We plan to create a major new website so that the public can see it for themselves and we’ll be able to publish academic books and a popular guide to the site for people who want to visit it."
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| Re-construction of the theatre |
Professor Keay is hopeful that the site will be opened to the public in years to come to rival the great ancient parks such as Ostia, Heculaneum and Pompei: "This is a major site with a theatre, temples, warehouses and wharves. The will is certainly there in the Italian miinistry to open it up, " he said.
The grant comes as a welcome boost at a time when archaeology and the university is threatened by funding cuts: "We’ve got an excellent record of securing major sources of funding at Southampton and this just proves that we will continue to do so, " Professor Keay said.
Communications officer Peter Franklin said: "This will have a massive benefit to students at the university and will help us to continue to attract the very best academic candidates."
For details on the excavations and graphic re-constructions visit http://www.portusproject.org/
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| Excavations on the site of the theatre |
Tuesday, 15 February 2011
Music maestro hits the high note of his career
Role model, musician, composer, author: Year 6 teacher Mark Baxter is all of these and this Easter he’ll be hitting the high note of his musical career by leading a performance of his very own musical Rabboni at Wincehester Cathedral.
The 52-year-old music teacher is leading rehearsals for the prestigious Easter event with 250 pupils from Hook with Warsash and Brockenhust Primary schools.
Mark has written several musicals which have been performed by schools across the UK but he has never seen them sung on such a grand stage: "This will be such a great opportunity for the children. Winchester is a wonderful venue and the children are hugely excited about it, he said."
Rabboni which loosely translates as Great Master in Ancient Aramaic, is a re-telling of the last week of Jesus’ life in song.
Dr Trevor Reader, Archdeacon of Portsdown said: "This is a very moving production which deals passionately with real life issues such as love, hate, life and death, and which culminates in a vibrant expression of Easter joy."
Mark doesn’t just reserve his musical talents for the classroom though: "We have a heavy metal band outside school and I record quite a bit of rock music in my own studio," he said, "It’s a great hobby of mine."
The musical maestro has also turned his talents to writing. This year he published his first musical entitled ‘Emmanuel.’ It’s a series of assemblies with music about the Christmas story and has already sold over 600 copies. "It’s really great to know that people in schools all over the country and even the world will be singing my songs, he said."
Chris Hines, Head Teacher at the school said: "Mark has inspired generations of children here. Other schools have always used his work. He is a real role model, especially to male pupils and he has helped to create a unique musical ethos here."
The special Easter service is being held to raise money for the El-Shaddai charity which raises money for Indian street children, a cause dear to the heart of the school’s headmaster who was inspired to raise money for the charity whilst travelling in India.
The 52-year-old music teacher is leading rehearsals for the prestigious Easter event with 250 pupils from Hook with Warsash and Brockenhust Primary schools.
Mark has written several musicals which have been performed by schools across the UK but he has never seen them sung on such a grand stage: "This will be such a great opportunity for the children. Winchester is a wonderful venue and the children are hugely excited about it, he said."
Rabboni which loosely translates as Great Master in Ancient Aramaic, is a re-telling of the last week of Jesus’ life in song.
Dr Trevor Reader, Archdeacon of Portsdown said: "This is a very moving production which deals passionately with real life issues such as love, hate, life and death, and which culminates in a vibrant expression of Easter joy."
Mark doesn’t just reserve his musical talents for the classroom though: "We have a heavy metal band outside school and I record quite a bit of rock music in my own studio," he said, "It’s a great hobby of mine."
The musical maestro has also turned his talents to writing. This year he published his first musical entitled ‘Emmanuel.’ It’s a series of assemblies with music about the Christmas story and has already sold over 600 copies. "It’s really great to know that people in schools all over the country and even the world will be singing my songs, he said."
Chris Hines, Head Teacher at the school said: "Mark has inspired generations of children here. Other schools have always used his work. He is a real role model, especially to male pupils and he has helped to create a unique musical ethos here."
The special Easter service is being held to raise money for the El-Shaddai charity which raises money for Indian street children, a cause dear to the heart of the school’s headmaster who was inspired to raise money for the charity whilst travelling in India.
Award for Community minded mum
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| Holly Milner receiving her award |
Holly Milner,20, won the Raglan Housing Association’s Community Spirit Award
for her exceptional enthusiasm and commitment to her neighbourhood.
She helped to keep old folks on Barton Court Road going through the snowy weather by checking on them and doing their shopping and she put on a valentine’s day get-together for residents.
"It was a chance for us all to get to know each other," she said. "It was a really good day with face painting and biscuit making for the children and tea and cofee for the adults."
Despite being mum to a three year-old, Holly is now organising a scheme to raise money for a play park: "There’s nothing for the children do round here," she said. "There are a lot of different age ranges so we need to give them something to do."
Holly has also planned community day called the ‘big clean up,’ which will take place on March 26. Residents. "Lots of people can’t get to the tip so we will bring in big skips and charge them 50p so that they can get rid of their rubbish, " she said. "We’re also planning BBQs and car boot sales to raise money."
Holly received her trophy and high street shopping vouchers, at the awards ceremony in Oxford, from Kevin Murch of sponsor C G Fry & Son Ltd.
"I was shocked to get the warad, I felt over the mooon and it made me feel as if some of the work I’ve done is paying off."
Tracy Nicholls from Eastleigh, was also chosen as runner up of the Green Award for investigating the viability of free insulation for some residents at her scheme which helped residents make big savings on their heating bills.
All Raglan households across the South and East Midlands had the opportunity to nominate residents in four Community Spirit Award categories.
Raglan’s chief executive, Nicholas Harris, summed up the spirit of the awards at the ceremony, saying: "Raglan’s properties are just bricks and mortar and it is you, the residents, whose energy and commitment turn them into a welcoming community – thank you for turning our bricks and mortar into homes".
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