Highland Council Pension Fund currently holds £5.4 million of shares in US arms company, General Dynamics, manufacturer and supplier of the MK-82 1000-lb and MK-84 2000-lb bombs that were used with such devastating effect by Israel against the people of Gaza during ‘Operation Protective Edge’ in 2014. Because of their ‘wide area effect’, the use of these weapons was condemned by the UN Human Rights Council as violating ‘the prohibition of indiscriminate attacks’; more thn 2,000 people, including at least 500 children, were killed as a consequence of the bombing of one of the world’s most densely populated areas. Highland Council Pensions Fund acquisitions are subject to explicit 'social, environmental and ethical considerations'. It is the duty of public institutions to uphold international law and human rights norms, and it is completely unacceptable that, through its pension fund, Highland Council should finance their ongoing violation! It’s time for Highland Council to examine its conscience, put its principles into practice and follow its own guidelines on ethical investment by divesting itself of its shares in General Dynamics.

The Ely Valley is a very important SSSI serving the Vale and Cardiff. There is a wealth of protected plants, animals and birds here. There are many ancient woodlands on the route of the proposed new road. All of these could be lost for ever if the road is approved. It is crucial that our Council works with adjoining councils to reduce traffic travelling around the Vale and Cardiff. There is already a parallel road serving this route just two miles away which should be improved to resolve traffic issues. We can’t just keep building roads at the expense of our green fields. 72,000 cars drive in to Cardiff daily and a new road will attract even more cars to this area, creating even more congestion where the new road joins the M4 and A48. We believe that sustainable alternatives should be sought to reduce car dependency. The levels of air pollution in Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan are now causing more deaths than alcohol or obesity with a rising figure of over 225 deaths a year. Please join us in valuing our countryside and all that it offers for future generations.

School Librarians are a critical part of any school’s professional staff. Their skills are needed now more than ever. With vast online resources there is no shortage of sources of information. However, the more important skill is now understanding and evaluating these sources. Pupils need to learn how to sort out fact from fake. This decision will prevent pupils from reaching their full potential. Librarians have professional skills that support children of all abilities to learn. Replacing essential staff with the unpaid labour of pupils is an absolute disgrace. Scottish Borders Council should hang their heads in shame. Follow the story: Pressure grows on education officials over school library plans http://www.bordertelegraph.com/news/16272089.Pressure_grows_on_education_officials_over_school_library_plans/ Scottish Borders Council slammed for using pupils as library staff says it will teach them leadership http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/16271266.Scots_council_slammed_for_using_pupils_as_library_staff_says_it_will_teach_them_leadership/ Playground pressure mounts on council to reverse school library cuts https://www.peeblesshirenews.com/news/17233450.playground-pressure-mounts-on-council-to-reverse-school-library-cuts/

Be Free Young Carers has for many years offered a desperately needed service for the hundreds of Young Carers in our community. A study in 2017 estimated there were over 700,000 young carers across the UK, providing 1 to 1 care for sick family members, mostly unpaid and unsupported. Be Free Young Carers has offered a support and guidance service for the hundreds of carers in Didcot and South Oxfordshire for many years, offering mentoring, much needed respite, learning support and guidance. There are currently over 500 young carers this charity supports in our county alone ! My own daughter Courtney Hughes BCAv was a registered young carer for me after I had a stroke. Be Free Young Carers offered her a shoulder to cry on, guidance and support whilst undertaking her exams and many day trips out, to allow her to have some time for her. Sadly due to the increase in young carers and a decline in funding with great sadness they have announced they simply cannot continue to run, due to huge drop in donations. The charity relies on donations alone and is not funded by the Government or local authorities. PLEASE SIGN AND MAKE SOME NOISE TO KEEP THIS VITAL CHARITY GOING.... Please write to your MP, Councillors, local parties anyone with any stature to keep the charity going... Thank you

Reducing this service has changed our way of life due to only one ferry running and limited spaces, leaving residents left feeling trapped and isolated at the weekend. The only time most people can get off the island is at the weekend due to working, bairns at school, etc so it’s the busiest time of the week, yet this is when ferries are reduced. It’s taken away the freedom to take family to events out of the isle with so many residents involved in sports, music, etc, going shopping and visiting friends and family.

Currently there is no pedestrian crossing at this fast and busy junction and people are putting themselves in danger by dashing across the road. Many of these pedestrians are school pupils of The Compton School and Wren Academy and users of Finchley Memorial Hospital as well as many mothers with young children. The lack of crossing also means people are standing in a highly polluted area for long periods of time. Barnet Council and TFL are prioritising 'traffic flow' over the safety of people.

There is growing Concern by a lot of Salfordians that this iconic cast-iron structures that many generations have grown up with will no longer be there!. There are many great examples around the UK of how they have been redeveloped into housing, public and community usage. In a sympathetic and artistic eye pleasing manner. Like the one in the photograph. In alot of Salfordians eyes they should be saved and redeveloped instead of just being demolished so the land can be built on for another high rised apartment block, in Salford So come on SALFORD, too many of our historic landmarks have been demolished to build high rise unaffordable apartment blocks , we need to join together and hopefully stop this from happening before its too late as this is a historic sites. This great historic landmark need to be saved for all of Salford to admire for generations to come.

Disabled people are being discriminated against and are unable to travel when they want. https://www.theguardian.com/society/2018/jun/03/unions-criticise-lack-of-wheelchair-access-on-major-train-route

After a recent spate of crimes on Castle Vale it is clear that the loss of a viable police presence due to national funding cuts is making our community an unsafe place to live.

East Sussex County Council currently runs some high quality after school and holiday play schemes for 5-19 year old children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND). The clubs are due to have their funding reduced and then completely removed over the next 2 years, leaving these children without the support they need. I am working with Jane, a mum of three autistic children, that has Cancer. She has had a breakdown and also lost the use of her left arm. She needs this support to continue caring for her children. She has tried to request foster care for her children out of desperation, but there are no foster carers available. Like many of the children who use the after school clubs service, her children have been refused a social care assessment by the Local Authority - and have been offered these clubs as an alternative. If Jane loses this respite she does not know how she will cope. These cuts will put these families in crisis. The schools are unable to finance these clubs, so it is likely the services will be restricted and many will be closed. There is no "wider market to be explored", there is no other place these children will be safe, or that has space to take them. We believe that in making this cut the Local Authority is breaching its duty of care to vulnerable families. We want to ensure these clubs continue to support these vulnerable families and the local authority upholds its duty of care to disabled children under The Children’s Act 1989 and S2 of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970.

The reduction in opening hours has led to very long queues and waiting times. It is punishing those people who are trying to recycle and dispose of household waste responsibly. Making it more difficult to use the recycling centre will undoubtedly worsen the existing problem of fly tipping in the area.

Crow Lane Post Office provides invaluable services to residents, particularly the elderly and disadvantaged. The next nearest Post Office will be a bus journey away which is unacceptable for elderly, disabled and vulnerable people. As well as the cost of the bus ticket, the time and inconvenience, some will not be able to make bus journeys due to ill health and this will place a heavy burden on our community. There is a large population of elderly people living close to Crow Lane specifically for the convenience of the shops and particularly the Post Office. This area should not be deprived of a vital service such as a Post Office. If you agree and would like to show your support please sign our petition on the right.