Deadline For Census Completion last Friday

We are now entering the last phases of the census operation. Most of the households in th country have sent their questionnaires back, and our field staff have been knocking on doors, offering assistance and collecting questionnaires from those who have fallen behind. 

If we don’t  have people’s questionnaires back by now, householders’ details will be passed to our noncompliance team to investigate, who may instigate prosecution proceedings.

 

There is still a small window of opportunity to remind people that there is a legal obligation to complete a census questionnaire and if they refuse, they may face prosecution, a criminal record and a fine of up to £1,000.

Private Landlords Forum With City Revenues & Benefits Office

The latest Landlords’ Forum, which is organised and hosted by Leicester City Council’s Revenues and Benefit officers, is taking place on Tuesday, May 17, at Wellington House, Wellington Street, from 1pm to 4pm.

Those attending will get the chance to meet with representatives from Leicester City Council’s Housing Options, Revenues and Benefits sections and other people working in housing in an informal environment.

The forum is an opportunity to exchange ideas and information, network with local landlords and find out about important changes that will affect the private rented sector.

Issues being discussed include big Housing Benefit changes, the new Green Deal, new planning permission rules and how to get involved in a new social landlord scheme.

Where Will People Live After New Housing Benefits Cuts

Last June, the government announced cuts to housing benefits that are expected to hit about a million households. There was major coverage at the time, including controversy over Boris Johnson’s use of the phrase “social cleansing”. But another change, included in November’s comprehensive spending review, has barely received any attention even though it will force tens of thousands to leave their homes.

First Postal Votes Arrive Ahead Of City Elections

LEICESTER is already voting ahead of the city’s historic election day on Thursday, 5th May, with the first deliveries of postal votes being received by the city council’s electoral services team.

Around 14,000 postal votes arrived on Wednesday (27th Apr) alone, bringing the total received so far to over 27,500. This could top 80,000 if all those requesting a postal vote submit them by election day.

The postal votes will be verified ahead of the count which will take place at Leicester Tigers on Friday, 6th May.

Victims Of Anti-Social Behaviour Scheme Extended

A SCHEME aimed at helping victims and witnesses of antisocial behaviour in Leicester is being extended for another 12 months.

Leicester Anti-Social Behaviour Unit (LASBU) has been working with Victim Support in Leicester to run the service, which offers emotional support and advocacy to victims and witnesses of anti-social behaviour, for over a year already, during which time it has helped over 400 people.

The service is designed to provide people who are involved in taking a stand against antisocial behaviour with emotional support and advocacy, as well as specialist support for people who are required to give evidence in court.

Previously such help was only available to victims of crime.

Honoured Cititzen Of Year Award For Leicester Lifesaver

A MAN who dived into a canal to save a drowning child is being given a top city honour in recognition of his bravery.

David Hamer, of Anstey Heights, is being crowned Honoured Citizen of the Year in recognition of his actions last July which saved the life of the two-year-old boy who had fallen into the canal in Belgrave.

Leicester Central Library is now open

LEICESTER Central Library in Bishop Street has opened it’s doors to the public.

Central library services were previously split between the Bishop Street site (formally the Reference & Information Library) and the Central Lending Library in Belvoir Street.

Now, all central library services will be located under one roof in the 1905 Carnegie library building, off the Town Hall Square.

One Leicester Day In September

The RSA Leicestershire is organising One Leicester Day on Sunday 11 September 2011.  This project has been supported by RSA catalyst and we are looking for local volunteers to help create and run this unique event.

Leicester, as you know, has one of the most diverse populations in the country. Many separate, self-contained communities live alongside each other but have little social contact.

One Leicester Day will be a gathering in Leicester Market and is for all clubs, societies and voluntary groups, to showcase what they do, enabling them to promote their organisations, recruit volunteers and sign up new members.  At the same time it will give Leicester people a chance to meet, talk and engage with the wider community in which they live, find out what’s going on and, we hope, join in.

Spark Festival Celebrates National Family Week

The Spark Children’s Arts Festival will be celebrating National Family Week this summer, a national initiative championing family life.  The Spark presents a fantastic feast of children’s arts events in Leicester during National Family Week (30 May – 5 June), bringing families together to enjoy live performances and share the fun with hands-on activities.  The average family spends just 49 minutes a day together according to a poll commissioned by National Family Week in 2010 so it’s time to shine the spotlight on spending time together as a family.

Communities Against Guns Gangs & Knives

Applications are being sought for the new Communities Against Guns, Gangs and Knives (CAGGK) Fund. The fund will provide £4 million for the voluntary and community sector over the next two years.

This fund is part of £18m of funding for 2011-2013 the Home Office has committed to support the police, local agencies and the voluntary sector to tackle knife, gun and gang-related violence and prevent young people entering a cycle of crime.