Stoke-on-Trent has the dubious distinction of being called the Monkey Dust capital of the U.K. A blite on the reputation and economy of Stoke-on-Trent. We the undersigned, are disgusted and ashamed that Stoke-on-Trent City Council and Staffordshire Police, rather than tackling the supply and use of drugs and other street crimes, are focusing on the homeless and fining them £100. This proposal is not only sadistic but increases the pressure on the police, courts, probation services as well as council resources, during a time of peak demand and will do nothing to reduce genuine homelesses. We demand that as the Councillor responsible for Communities, you take immediate action to stop the persecution of the most vulnerable people in our city and drop plans to fine the genuinely homeless. This is the second year in a row that Stoke-on-Trent City Council has attempted to victimise the homeless and profit from their misfortune In a move so disgusting that Scrooge himself would be ashamed by it. Homelessness will not end by hiding the problem nor profiting from their misery but by acting with compassion, decency and vision. To be clear, we have no objection to the prosecution of criminals, who feign homelessness to take advantage of the public or aggressively beg for money, however, we seek an acceptance and protection for the genuine homeless.

The news that cash machines are closing at a record rate is alarming. Over two million Britons rely on cash for their day-to-day shopping, including many of society’s most vulnerable, such as older people and those on low incomes. And cash is essential for many small businesses. Removing dozens of isolated machines will leave many communities entirely without access to their money. The banks claim this is just a reflection of changed consumer behaviour - with lots of people not using cash anymore. But a majority of people choose to use cash regularly, and the public’s demand for cash is greater than ever before - 77 percent of people consider access to a free-to-use cash machine as essential to their lives. This is about banks putting the cash machine network under pressure to cut costs, combined with card companies’ efforts to make cash machines unprofitable. The regulator needs to step in to make sure our voices as consumers are being represented.

Some Fair trade organisations are struggling to balance their books. I do not want to lose Fair trade organisations. They provide help in overseas countries in a way which matters. These organisations give assistance to producers so that they may work and provide for their families and community. This means that they can work their way out of poverty, and with dignity and pride. I am a fair trader in a church in S E London. The goods we sell are of a nice quality, and we are helping in a small way. I, for one, want to see the UK Fairtrade organisations continue with their vital work - bringing help to where it really matters. Help to the producers themselves. We need to bring this to the attention of the UK Government. The aim of the petition is for the Government to help Fairtrade providers to continue. Yes this will include financial help by grant or loan initially. More importantly, the government needs to work with Fairtrade organisations to craft long term trading deals and good practice. The organisations' wealth of experience and trading partnerships should be a model for the government to use in overseas aid.

Over the past 80 years, the pub has been a significant venue within the area and has been a place where many community members have socialised, built lasting friendships and relationships. It has been a place where live music chimed the ears of local people too.

When construction company Carillion went bust earlier this year, work on our new hospital stopped. Right now people in Liverpool are without the world-class healthcare they were promised. Now we need the government to step in and finish the job. We need some joined up working on this, not political posturing. We currently have a half completed state of the art hospital standing empty while patients are being treated and cared for in the old hospital. Witnessing how our existing facilities continue to be patched up to provide as decent a service as possible, it becomes more apparent that the make do and mend approach is no longer workable. A new 'almost complete' facility is only several hundred meters away. A conversation I had with members of staff this week highlights how frustrated they are at the lack of progress and how difficult it is to explain temporary change to many patients, particularly the elderly. All we want is what was promised, a clean, safe hospital fit for the 21st century. The Government have announced they will fund the completion of the failed Carillion build hospital in the Midlands, they should do the same for the people of Liverpool too. A coordinated approach to funding and completing the building needs to be a priority for the Government.

A lease agreement for our 4 acre woodland (named Ladybird woods by our toddler children) is vital for Ignite Unlocking Potential as a social enterprise to support schools, community & families with educational services including Wales's only Nature Kindergarten, Ladybirds Parent & Toddler group, Adventure camps and activity days for children with physical disabilities & additional learning needs. During the 4 years as a business tenant paying against a draft agreement of 21 years, we have transformed 4 acres of unused land into a centre for excellence in Nature based Pedagogy. To date, this learning & play space has enabled us to make a real difference to the lives of over 8000 children and provides leading edge education and training services to education & health professionals across Wales and the UK. Please read some of our reviews from parents & teachers that we have recently supported. Your signature will provide our children with the hope that we can continue to enrich their lives and provide a place that nurtures and unlocks their potential. "My little one went to the summer camp up the country park he has ADHD and struggles sometimes with friends and groups, to say he had an amazing time is a understatement he loved it the staff where amazing with him , come bk a very different child and much more confident, he can't wait to go again thank u all !!!!" Leanne Evans (Parent). "You don't know what a massive part your team has played this summer for my kids x so thank you all x" Caly Cross (Parent). "Had a wonderful time volunteering with the Ladybirds Parent and Toddler group today- very wet and soggy but a beautiful atmosphere, Thank you" Catrin Doyle (Volunteer). "This week I started my Forest School Leader training with you guys and I've loved every second. So many amazing ideas, people and open-ended resources! Just what I needed to get my mind back on track, can't wait for the next sessions!" Jordan Baxter (Teacher). “The community has nothing but wonderful things to say about the organisation and we’ve been waiting years to be able to attend!” “Ignite embody all of the goals and principals of the Well-being for future generations ACT. The adults love it.The Children love it.The community Need it.They promote health and wellbeing - both physical and mental, through a connection with the outdoors.They need the space!” Eve Harris (Parent).

In your response to the Taylor Review of Modern Working Practices, ‘Good Work’, you rightly stated that it is important that everyone “has the ability to … earn a living to support them and their family”. We therefore hope that you will agree with us that it is outrageous that staff within your Department who keep it safe every day, clean the office, deliver the post and serve food are on poverty wages. For example, it is neither safe nor acceptable that to feed their families, security staff must work a minimum of 60 hours a week. This is at the same time as being on the front line of keeping a Whitehall Department safe. You will know that the Prime Minister has promised the “greatest extension of rights and protections for employees by any Conservative government in history”. We hope that you agree with the PM that this should extend to those working for the government and in government buildings, including your own. As you will be aware, many Departments already pay a proper liveable wage, including HM Treasury, the Department for Work and Pensions, Department for International Trade and Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. In fact, this is something your staff (from the former Department of Energy and Climate Change) fought for, won, and are rightly proud of. In addition, the Houses of Parliament, where you have a Parliamentary office, is also a Living Wage Foundation employer and so those staff that clean one of your offices are paid a liveable wage, while those that help run your Department are not. I am sure you agree this cannot be right or just. Back in 2016 the Trade Unions sought to engage positively with your Permanent Secretary, Alex Chisholm. Despite initial early indications of a positive approach, including confirmation that increases in pay were both affordable and within the Department’s gift, the Unions have at best been met with intransigence and indifference since then. We hope that given your commitment in the Industrial Strategy to be personally responsible for “improving the quality of work”, you will agree with us that when it comes to people’s livelihoods and ability to look after their families this attitude is not acceptable. We, the undersigned, are now calling on you to intervene and commit to paying at least the London Living Wage to all your support staff, and to holding proper discussions with the Trade Unions on their terms and conditions.

The secruity of Britain relies on both a strong navy capability and a strong economy. To achieve a strong economy in Northern Devon we need to protect the jobs at Appledore Shipbuilders and continue to develop the high skills economy that is required for modern shipbuilding. The opening up of the competition to build the Type 31e to include overseas shipbuilders could lead to the diminishing of Britain's capability to provide for her own security needs. As a naval warship it is vital that we retain the skills needed to build and maintain the vessels within Britain, both during peace time and at times of conflict.

To keep a balance for all who live or use the environment. Also to protect more those species that are on the endanger list from extinction and full information has to be giving to justify why species that are protected have to killed. So that we in the future are not asking questions why species that are still depleting partly due to licenses being issues and also toughen up the laws on those who kill protected species illegally.

It's one thing to deny funding towards building the Tidal Bay Lagoon, in Swansea (A green and 100% renewable energy source). Further more, to announce the establishment are funding over 100 MILLION in to nuclear power plants in UK is frankly, below the belt. BUT, to dump the nuclear waste in wales, on the belly's of our shores is audacious, to the point of beyond belief. The British Government, YOUR GOVERNMENT, are planning to dump 300,000 tonnes of toxic waste surrounding Cardiff bay. This waste will the be carried through the strong Severn River currents outwards, towards the natural, beautiful, award winning beaches of the Gower peninsular, Swansea. Towards the Irish east coastal areas. The current will also take the nuclear infected water up stream to the heart of the river, where river banks, vegetation and marine life will also be affected. This NEEDS to be prevented. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FOOD FOR THOUGHT: During the the massive media speculation around the re-naming of the Severn bridge, Prince Charles was quoted: "Why weren't the welsh people notified and asked about this" To which he followed - "No wonder they are not happy". Naming a bridge is one thing, This is another level.

The signal box was opened in 1875 it is one of very few remaining historical sites to the everchanging and growing town of Bingham. It’s history is what makes Bingham the town it is and whilst it is important the area expands and moves with the modern times it is drastically more important Bingham as a community are allowed to hold onto its history or before we know it, we will just be another town and the history is left in the past for good. Whilst the functionality of the signal box is now dormant, it’s building and features still tells a story. We appreciate the time consuming expense and upkeep to a none functioning signal box is a hinderance but demolition should be the last resort. I have therefore personally approached all parties with a proposition which will not only preserve its history for the town and surrounding areas but will also showcase it for all to see. Therefore if you would like Bingham’s Signal Box to be saved, please sign & share my petition. Thanks.

Many of you would have seen the story in today's Argus about the notice at Brighton Station asking commuters not to help beggars. Here's the Argus article: http://www.theargus.co.uk/…/16412688.commuters-are-asked-n…/ I must confess I never saw that sign, mainly because I seldom use the trains. I mostly cycle. But reading about it in the Argus this morning got my blood boiling. It deeply offended me that in austerity-ravaged Britain, where more and more families are forced to resort to food-banks, and where people are increasingly going into debt just to provide their kids with the basics, that anybody or company could be so heartless as to advice against Brightonians helping each other. I've lived here for one year, and I have never lived in a more welcoming, generous and kind city. The people here look out for each other and are happy to help people worse off than themselves. This notice is a blot on our city. It reflects badly on us. When people visiting us from all over Britain and the world arrive at the station, that is one of the first things they see. IT MUST BE REMOVED by GOVIA, the company that runs the station. I am trying to put together an effort to force them to remove it and replace it with a notice that reflects our city for the kind and generous city it is. PLEASE sign this petition.