NO MONEY FOR FIREWORKS DISPLAY plus:COMPANY FINED AFTER BURNING ROOF TIMBERS IN GARDEN…. NEW WEBSITE FOR RESIDENTS TO GET INVOLVED IN LOCAL ISSUES…VIEWS SOUGHT ON COUNCIL TAX REDUCTION SCHEME
NO MONEY FOR FIREWORKS DISPLAY
Lambeth council say they have no money to stage their annual fireworks display this year – but they will carry on staging the Lambeth country show.
Cllr Jane Edbrooke, Lambeth council’s cabinet member for neighbourhoods, said: “The Government have cut our budget by more than 50 per cent – forcing us to make more than £200 million worth of cuts.
“Last year we had to charge people to attend the fireworks in Brockwell park and still the event cost the council a significant amount of money. “We feel that the resources we do have should be directed to providing a free event in the summer, open to everyone.”
The Country Show, held every summer in Brockwell park, attracted 160,000 people last month and included live music, a fun fair, main arena shows such as horse jousting and dog display teams, bars, food stalls, flower displays, a farmers’ market and animals of all shapes and sizes. It is free to attend.
“We simply can’t afford to fund everything in the way we once did and so we have to prioritise the things our residents care about most.
“In terms of events, that is undoubtedly the Lambeth Country Show – one of the most popular events in the whole capital and a fixture in Lambeth’s calendar for over 40 years. “The Country Show will remain; it will be free and will continue to offer the very best in family entertainment.
“Our commitment to the Country Show and the pressure on our budget means that we simply cannot afford to stage a fireworks event this year.!”
COMPANY FINED AFTER BURNING ROOF TIMBERS IN GARDEN
Businesses are being warned to dispose of their waste legally and responsibly or risk prosecution.
The warning comes after a construction company was fined for burning roof timbers in the garden of a property in Nightingale Lane, Bromley.
The company pleaded guilty to burning controlled waste at Bromley Magistrates Court last week and was ordered to pay a fine and costs of over £1,000.
Bromley’s executive councillor for environment Cllr Colin Smith said: “Businesses and residents have a duty of care and responsibility to dispose of their waste legally, without harming the environment and without causing nuisance to other people.
“Whether it is building, garden or household waste being disposed of, waste disposal costs are being illegally evaded at the tax payers expense and I would strongly encourage anyone witnessing such behaviour to please report it to the authorities to enable action to be taken.” .
The court heard that in August 2014, an environmental health officer witnessed old timbers being burnt in the front garden of a property in Nightingale Lane Bromley. The workers on site were advised that they were illegally burning controlled waste, given an informal warning and asked to put the fire out.
A few days later, the council received a complaint that commercial waste was being burnt at the same address.
An environmental health officer returned to the property and found the company was again burning waste. When questioned, the worker on site explained that they were burning roof timbers “as it was cheaper than getting a skip”.
The company was asked once more to put out the fire and warned that if it happened again, they would risk prosecution.
Several months later, in February 2015, the council received another complaint that a bonfire was in progress at the Nightingale Lane address.
Two environmental health officers visited the property and found a small fire burning controlled waste in the back garden.
A council spokesperson said: “Having ignored all warnings on previous occasions, court proceedings followed. The company was prosecuted under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 Section 33 (1) (b) receiving a fine of £220, costs of £848.62 and a victim surcharge of £22.
“Businesses and residents must deal with their waste responsibly or they could face a substantial fine or court action under the Environmental Protection Act 1990.
“Trade waste must be disposed of either through the council’s business waste disposal service or a commercial licensed waste carrier. Licensed waste carriers must, by law, only dispose of waste at a waste transfer station.
“Other methods, such as burning, are illegal. “Businesses wishing to arrange regular trade waste collections should visitwww.bromley.gov.uk/wastenews or call 0300 303 8658.
“Residents are advised to be wary of cold callers offering cheap deals to remove building waste and garden rubbish for instance.
“Householders should always ensure they are a legitimate business by asking to see their waste carriers licence or check online at www.gov.uk/find-registered-waste-carrier before handing over any waste.
“Anyone choosing to use an unauthorised waste carrier risks the waste being dumped and a fine of up £5,000.”
More information and advice on how to dispose of all types of waste is available atwww.bromley.gov.uk/wastenews
NEW WEBSITE FOR RESIDENTS TO GET INVOLVED IN LOCAL ISSUES
A new website has been launched for residents in Croydon to get involved in what’s happening in their community.
The Get Involved site at https://getinvolved.croydon.gov.uk is a chance for people in Croydon to share their views and help decision-making in their local area, say Croydon
“The new digital consultation and engagement platform is a user-friendly website that can be easily accessed via PC, tablet and smartphone” said a council spokesperson.
“The site allows residents to search for any consultations, surveys and events taking place in their area.
“Residents can log in using their My Account details and create a personalised profile based on their interests and where they live. “Those who haven’t registered for My Account can do so at www.croydon.gov.uk/myaccount) ”
VIEWS SOUGHT ON COUNCIL TAX REDUCTION SCHEME
Lewisham council want to know what people think about the council tax reduction scheme it will offer in 2016–17.
“The scheme started in April 2013 when the Government abolished council tax benefit for people with no or low income” says a Lewisham council statement. “At the same time it cut the council’s funding for council tax reduction by £3.2million and has continued to reduce the funding every year since.
“Lewisham put in place a council tax reduction scheme based on the old council tax benefit, but which required those of working age to make a minimum contribution towards their council tax to cover the government cut.
“This year working-age residents have to pay a minimum of 52p each week. “Pensioners have been protected from the changes.”
The council say they are proposing to continue this approach in 2016-17. The minimum payment will depend on Government funding for the scheme next year and could be much more than 52p a week, the statement adds.
The council wants to know what you think before it confirms next year’s scheme. Online survey at
https://lewisham-consult.objective.co.uk/public/customer_services/ps/ctrs201617
The survey closes on 27 September 2015.
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