Like many other people who watched the news on Wednesday 5th November, I was shocked by the article on children and young adults with autism locked away by councils in institutions across the country, far away from their families, where they were bullied and mocked by staff and in one case attacked by a fellow inpatient with a history of committing murder. As a nation we should protect these doubly vulnerable young people: under age and with mental health issues. We need to increase spending in this area so that preventative care can be given in the community; so that care homes are radically improved, and made available locally where needed; so that the people working in them can be properly vetted (salaries in the care industry generally need to increase hugely - not just those of managers, but workers on the ground) and finally so that there are sufficient facilities that children can be housed according to their needs, e.g. children with records of violence (especially of murder) housed separately to those without histories of violence. If bullying does take place the staff involved should be sacked, not simply 'retrained', but this can only happen if staff are paid a higher wage, their working conditions improved and there isn't such a dearth of people in the sector. On a separate but related note: the law which prevents parents from visiting their own children in these institutions should be reconsidered.

On 5th November 2014, Falmouth University announced the closure of their Contemporary Crafts degree. This degree, with historic roots in pottery & ceramics, is vital to the Cornish economy & creative culture. Let's not lose something with such personal, regional and national importance. There has been a ceramics/crafts course attached to the Falmouth School of Art since 1976, when Tom Cross was appointed Principal and the School continued to develop its resources by improving its sculpture studios and creating a new studio for ceramic sculpture. Adding ceramics to Falmouth School of Art, founded in 1902. The links between ceramics and crafts at Falmouth School of art and the wider economy cannot be underestimated with ex graduates flourishing both county, country and internationally. As we, as a society, increasingly lose the skills to make things and forget that not everyone wants to pursue academic studies, this is a course which applauds creativity and talent and maintains the nation’s skill bases. How can it be appropriate to close down one of the countries few excellent facilities? Again, a price has been placed on a course without considering the long term future of the individuals and future generations. How disappointing! The Contemporary Craft course isn't just about learning and training in a skill, it is about pushing boundaries, discovering new processes, working with inspirational peers and lecturers, and most of all a chance to explore who you are as a maker. We demand Falmouth School of Art reconsider this closure for the betterment of the school and the wider community. The cultural enrichment of ceramics and craft courses to both Cornwall and the wider community and the contributions Falmouth School of Art graduates make to the cultural development of the county, cannot be measured by spreadsheet. Sometimes the right choice is not about money and we would hope that upon realising the support for these courses both county and country wide, the University and its Director, Vice-Chancellor & CEO, will reconsider severing the ties between the vibrant crafts community and the university. as 38degrees petitions require a UK post code, if you are outside the UK and want to sign please send your name and comment to [email protected]

For 46 years Stonebridge playground has served the community. It has supported 3 generations of children and young people with special events, camping trips, and opportunities for fun and learning. It’s well-used and well loved. The playground has been crucial in the integration of many different ethnic and cultural groups including children with special needs. The playground has a lot of support not just from the community. Former Olympic gold medalist, Audley Harrison MBE, who attended when he was a boy, has championed our cause. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=83x9Z61Edkk&feature=youtu.be And the local paper the Brent & Kilburn Times is behind the campaign: http://www.kilburntimes.co.uk/news/environment/stonebridge_adventure_playground_campaigners_reach_their_1_000_signature_petition_target_1_3826047 But we are a small charity fighting a large organisation, Brent Council. They want more homes and more school places for children. We say what happens after school, at weekends and in school holidays? Not just for the children of one school, but for many in this area; when there is nothing for them, nowhere to meet their friends, We need to save this sanctuary in the midst of a concrete jungle for children and young people!

Many patients are very anxious about the future of their local hospital, particularly after various media disclosures, including the announcement that 1,000 beds in hospitals across the city (of Birmingham) are due to be axed! Our campaign group, Save Good Hope’s Local Services, brings together local people who use and care very much about our local hospital, Good Hope, in Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands. We are independent of any political party and are campaigning to stop the closure of key departments at our hospital. Closures of key departments at Good Hope Hospital could be the start of a slippery slope: in many areas of England, hospitals have already either been downgraded or even closed. One of our main aims, as stated in an earlier petition, has recently been successfully achieved. A public meeting to discuss the Trust’s proposals finally having being held in October, after much campaigning! And now we are calling for people across Birmingham to say NO to the closure of key departments at the hospital. These were revealed in the Trust's document (before the consultations had even finished!) as the following: 1. The transfer of Trauma FROM Good Hope to Heartlands Hospital; 2. The transfer of Orthopaedics, Ophthalmology and Colorectal Surgery FROM Good Hope to Heartlands and Solihull, both great distances to travel for many people and particularly difficult for carers and those they care for, the elderly, very young and disabled. In response to concern already expressed by many people at the ongoing consultations regarding transport, the Trust have suggested the equivalent of `taxi’ ambulances so to speak. But who would pay for this? Even if it was to be the Trust, how long would they actually pay before saying they had run out of funds? Would patients then be expected to pay, including those from other areas even further out, such as Tamworth & Lichfield? The Heart Of England Trust has been reported in the media as being the highest earning Trust IN THE COUNTRY from car parking charges, netting an annual profit of nearly £4million! At the public meeting, one of our campaigners asked the Trust why and if that money could be used to help keep our hospital services local? At present, it is obvious that this Trust STILL lacks openness, transparency and empathy with patients. They need to really start to `think like a patient’, because at the moment, they don’t.

People in the affected areas are suffering from increased crime and fear of crime, such as damage to cars and property. Taxis, the fire brigade and police can't see house numbers in the dark, delaying responses, which could threaten people's safety - the police apparently oppose KCC's action. People are worried if they have to go out in the dark streets because they could trip on uneven pavements and tree roots. This affects many people who return from work late at night or have to leave very early to get to work. I live in Thanet, and there have been many complaints about KCC's policy of turning off lights on social media such as Streetlife, and this affects most people except those who live on main roads.

As someone who has already suffered by government cuts to sickness benefit, I know this cut will make life even more difficult for people living with disabilities. My wife and I both live with disabilities and can't work. But both of our sickness benefits have been stopped and we have to survive off of our savings. I have worked all my life, they do not care. £30 a week is a huge amount to cut, and another example of the government treating disabled people as second class citizens.

The proposed savings of £2.85 million from the Library Services in Barnet threatens the existence of one of the last remaining community amenities we have left. Three options have been put forward by the Council to make these savings; all three will see a reduction in the quality and quantity of service provision. Option one will see the size of library cut in all but four libraries. This idea fails to understand that libraries are used for their space as well as their books; less places for pupils and students to study and read results in a reduction of the quality of service. Option two will see the closure of Burnt Oak, Childs Hill, Mill Hill, East Finchley, Osidge and South Friern Libraries and a significant reduction of staffing levels at the remaining libraries. This option does not consider how the remaining libraries will cope with increased footfall owning to the closure of the other libraries, particularly around peak library times. Option three is a mix of the two, with some libraries being handed over to community groups and reduced staffing elsewhere. Libraries are the embodiment of social provision and community spirit. They are more than just books; they offer children's activities during term and holidays which are used by parents and nurseries. They offer access to the internet to those that don't have access. They provide space for people to read and study in peace that is not always possible in their homes. They are places to host community events, training and education. I use the library for my daughter; renting books but mainly for their toddler activities. My nursery also go there regularly. Please sign this petition if you believe in the universal provision of literature, education and community services in Barnet. Say no to the erosion of this great social asset.

Take away libraries and condemn generations of children to poor literacy levels ,the unemployed to job sanctions and most of all to leave my disabled daughter heartbroken because libraries are what she loves the most . To see her face light up and see her clapping in old swan and dovecot library is a beautiful sight . Where will I take her ? 30 quid round trip to central library :( we ask you to sign this to help Layla and all the other kids , the disabled , the elderly , the unemployed to have access to libraries . Stand with us ,fight the cuts , get them to stop !!!! Thank you

Harrow Council has been told by the government that its budget is being cut by £75 million over four years. This is approximately 55% of their current budget; this is shocking. The council are looking to save this money in part by sacrificing local charities. The charities do an awful lot of work behind the scenes, stopping people from having to use the overburdened services at Northwick Park Hospital. These cuts are short sighted and will cost the council a lot more money than they save in the long term. They will also have disastrous effects on the demand for welfare in Harrow and compromise the service given to everyone. People will be left isolated and without support. David Cameron has even recently said on the radio that councils should not save money by getting rid of charities as he wants all services to be family orientated. Moreover, the people that use these charities could suffer from discrimination in the future as the charities concerned help people to stand up for their rights. They also help vulnerable people to function and integrate or re-integrate in society. To sum up, cutting the charities are the wrong thing for the council to do and could result in the closure of numerous vital facilities and support centres for people who need them.

The Council are close to entering into a contract to outsource the running of all of the borough’s leisure centres. We are very concerned about the secrecy surrounding this process and the lack of consultation which has taken place. Requests to Councillors for information have been met by statements that the information is “commercially sensitive’. This information is crucial so that residents and users can understand what is being planned. We challenge the refusal to answer our reasonable questions. We request that, if necessary, the Council seeks the agreement of the preferred bidder to waive any restrictions on the release of information which is stated to be “commercially sensitive”. it is impossible to know what the outcomes may be. I have therefore posted a petition on the RBWM website- please see link below- and would be most grateful for your support by signing it and encouraging any other residents you know to do the same. This matter is urgent. We understand that the Council may make a decision committing to sign the contract before the end of October 2014, so we welcome your support now. NB when you do sign up you’ll get an email and you need to click on the link they send so as to activate your signature!

Where are the hundreds of people who visit Broadwater Park going to go when they need to?

The London Borough of Barnet is fortunate to have four excellent nursery schools (Brookhill, Hampden Way, Moss Hall and St Margaret’s) all of which have been graded 'outstanding' by OFSTED. All four are under threat from the latest Barnet Council proposal. http://barnet.moderngov.co.uk/documents/s18692/Nursery%20School%20Review.pdf All four nursery schools put in place the essential building blocks of education in a safe, social and rated ‘outstanding’ environment. Barnet Council Officers are proposing changes to meet the planned cuts in funding which, we are concerned, could spell the end for the 'outstanding' level of education offered by our community nursery schools. Currently each school has its own head teacher, deputy head teacher and each class has a teacher to achieve its outstanding status. This level of staffing cannot remain with the proposed changes to funding. We believe it is wrong that providers delivering basic childcare are funded at the same rate as schools providing ‘outstanding education’. This funding formula will result in drastic cuts in staffing which will directly undermine the schools' ability to provide the same high standard of education and support to parents and the community. We also fear the schools are at risk of ending up being stripped back to providing only basic childcare in 'bare minimum Barnet'. If these draconian proposals are put in place the damage will be irreversible.