Children are spending thousands of pounds and being put at risk of developing gambling problems because of the widespread use of “loot boxes” in video games. Players can spend real money to get “loot boxes” containing mystery items which might help them win, while playing their favourite games. It’s a game of chance, and it’s gambling in all but name. Children have run up huge debts of thousands of pounds making in-game loot box purchases and studies have found links between loot boxes and problem gambling. But right now they’re not covered by gambling laws. Gaming companies make huge profits from loot boxes and simply aren’t doing enough to protect children. It’s time for Ministers to step in and regulate loot boxes as part of our gambling laws - and ban them entirely for those under 18.

The Bath to Bristol Railway Path is 40 years old this year. In that time BaNES has allowed the path to slowly degrade despite it becoming more and more popular for walking and, particularly, cycling. In parts it is extremely 'lumpy', uncomfortable, and dangerous. The recent resurfacing of the railway path at Bitton has shown how an inclusive smooth surface can make a big difference to the people that can enjoy it and the comfort levels when cycling on it. That section is a real joy to use. With the recent declaration of a Climate Emergency by BathNES, the council needs to do all it can to make active travel modes attractive. The path is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year and Sustrans has recently been awarded £1.1M by the Department of Transport to fix many of the overcrowding issues on the railway path at the Bristol end. This is an opportune time for BathNES Council Highways to co-ordinate with Sustrans and resurface the Bath end of the railway path. BaNES Highways Department is responsible for the state of the railway path. We are asking Highways to include the B2B section in its 2020-21 resurfacing program and make it good for another 20+ years. The work, coordinated with Sustrans, should include: - Siding out the path re-establishing the full width of the path. - Repairing root damage and subsidence. - Adding a 1m wide maintenance mow strip either side of the path for easy long-term maintenance. - Resurfacing the 40 year old surface to the standard done on the Bitton section of the B2B, providing an inclusive smooth surface that all people can use comfortably. The Bath to Bristol Railway path is probably the council's best walking and cycling traffic free route and has been neglected for decades. With the railway path celebrating its 40th birthday, it's time the council gave it a present that preserves it for the next 40 years.

The current badger cull policy is inhumane, ineffective, financially unsustainable and can't possibly succeed in its goal to reduce bovine TB in cattle. It's bad for badgers, cattle, farmers and the public.

Working cross party and with support from local grassroots groups, you have a unique and realistic opportunity to win all these constituencies from the Conservatives. If you do not work together, the remain vote will split between the pro-remain parties, the seats will be lost, and we will all have helped the Conservatives or a Conservative/Brexit Party alliance into government. The time to set aside differences and come together for the common good is now. United we stand, divided we fall. “We are far more united, and have far more in common with each other, than things that divide us.” (Jo Cox) This petition is promoted by Chilterns4EU, a cross-party, grass-roots campaigning group with over 400 supporters dedicated to promoting a further say on Brexit and to remaining within the EU.

Employers up and down the country are abusing current flexible working arrangements to make life impossible for hard-working people. Over 1.7 million people across the country are very anxious about their hours changing unexpectedly and without enough warning. Shifts are often cancelled at the last-minute leaving families short of cash for things like food or bills. And with hours changing week to week it can be impossible to budget and plan ahead. Right now flexibly working just isn't working. It's time the government stepped up and helped protect workers by ensuring flexible working practices work for workers, not just employers.

Please note comments at WBC planning need to be in by 18th Sep latest.. view plans and or comment at. http://planning.warrington.gov.uk/swiftlg/apas/run/wphappcriteria.display ... Planning and Building Control.. See or Comment.. Application number 2019/35678. or email WBC at: [email protected] So why save The Blackburne Arms ? Locally, the Pub is listed as an asset of significant local historic value (in particular the stonemasonry and original leaded window construction) The pub dates back to 1928, being named after Robert Ireland Blackburne, a local Great World War veteran and nobleman. The building forms part of an area of local historic significance forming part of the former Orford Estate which comprised of Orford Park, Orford Hall & Gardens, St. Margaret’s CE Church, St Margaret’s CE School, Orford House, Orford Farm and the surround farm estates that can be seen on maps from 1907 and then updated in 1937 to include the Pub. There is good access for disabled people at the pub. This provides an easily accessible and inclusive space to meet with other members of the local community and provides a safe and enjoyable environment to be in. This clearly furthers the person’s individual wellbeing. The Pub has been included in a tourist & local pub guide, which attracts more people to the pub from surrounding areas which helps boost the local economy. It also puts the pub on the map as a pub worthy of recognition from the Council. Local sport teams meet in this pub. There are good transport links available to/from the pub. This means that elderly members of the community can easily and safely get to/from the pub. There is free parking available which is accessed by the wider community. This allows people to get to/from the pub safely when transport systems may be down. Also the generous parking on offer is shared with the houses adjacent to the pub as per the agreement with the local council when land from the front of their houses was used to widen the now Orford Green. The spacious parking also means that families can access the pub easily. The pub hosts quiz nights which have most patrons laughing and enjoying the event, bring the community together. There are televisions screening sporting events enjoyed by regulars and very popular especially when featuring the local clubs from Liverpool and Manchester. There is a beer garden attached to the pub which is used extensively, enjoyed by the local community, especially families with the play equipment and bouncy castle available for use daily. The pub hosts advertising for local events and charity events raising approx. £5,000 a year for local and national charities. The pub also hosts very popular events surrounding calendar events throughout the year (Halloween, Christmas, etc.) In times of adversity, the patrons of pub are well known to provide specific help, support and financial assistance to any families who are in need or have lost a loved one. Live music events are often hosted at the pub, providing a platform for local artists and contributing to the culture of the community. The pub also holds local Craft Fairs where people can make, sell and buy goods from around the local area. Each June and July the pub hosts the annual Walking Day celebrations for Orford and Warrington alike. This dates back to before the Pub was built but the pub has now become such an iconic family location to congregate and celebrate the event. All family members are welcome with the children usually being smartly dressed in accordance to the church custom. There is also wildlife of specific interest which are located within the grounds. As well as the usual urban wildlife, there is also a profusion of newts which need to be researched to see if they are endangered and therefore protected. Also bats roost in the grounds too and can be seen at dusk flying across the field and car parks.

People are watching with increasing frustration not to mention growing horror as climate emergency resolutions are adopted by councils without any clause or caveat at all that new nuclear should not be an option. The reasons why new nuclear should not be on the table or anywhere near it are outlined in a new report by the Edinburgh Energy and Environment Consultancy. The development of a third nuclear power station at Heysham would not be an appropriate response to the City Council’s climate emergency declaration. Firstly a new station would take too long to build; secondly a new station would not be low carbon; thirdly a new station would be more expensive than alternatives and would detract from the real solutions to the climate emergency, namely a comprehensive energy efficiency programme and the development of renewable energy. Finally, all nuclear power stations are uniquely dangerous, so dangerous to all life on planet earth that no insurance company will underwrite them - the public pays time and again. This danger is exacerbated by climate change. Nuclear power stations are not resilient to climate change. Nuclear power plants function inefficiently or are forced to close during droughts and heatwaves. And many nuclear plants are located along coastlines. As seas rise, coastal nuclear power plants are at-risk from being flooded making them inoperable. Their radioactive waste inventories, if not moved in time, could be in danger of leaking into the oceans. Nuclear power involves major risks, including: a higher probability of serious accidents; a mounting and unsolved radioactive waste problem; and increased nuclear proliferation. Renewable energy risks none of these. Why replace one risk – climate change – with another? Namely nuclear accidents and radioactive wastes. We ask Lancaster City Council to resist the vested interests pushing for new nuclear to be 'part of the mix' . This push is nonsensical and dangerous. The energy revolution must not include nuclear if Lancaster City Council is truly serious about its commitment to protect the climate and the planet. The full report from Edinburgh Energy and Environment Consultancy includes detailed analysis of why nuclear is not 'needed' and can be read here: https://issuu.com/wildart/docs/lancaster_embrace_energy_revolution

NHS Foundation Trusts are democratic. The principles behind NHS Foundation Trusts build on the sense of ownership many local people and staff feel for their hospital. NHS Foundation Trusts have unique governance arrangements and are accountable to local people, who can become members and governors. NHS Foundation Trusts strengthen local ownership of – and responsibility for – hospital and other health services. Major decisions are informed by active participation from members based in local communities. This NHS Foundation Trust is accountable to its members though the Council of Governors. It has a duty to consult and involve the Council of Governors (comprising patients, staff, members of the public and partner organisations) in the strategic planning of the organisation, and major decisions are informed by active participation from members based in local communities. All 8500 members of staff are automatically members of the Trust. Members of the local community, patients and carers can apply to become members. There are currently nearly 5000 public and patient members. There has been no consultation with the Council of Governors. Members have been unaware of what has been happening until now – when the plan is about to be implemented. They have not had the opportunity to actively participate. I don’t want this Trust to set up a private company so that it can indirectly employ staff on non-NHS terms and conditions. I see this move as damaging to the NHS. It is a step towards privatisation which I do not want the Trust to take. Please sign this petition to support the call for the Trust to reverse its decision; and to not use a wholly-owned subsidiary company to employ staff as non-NHS.

The 'Interface Cafe' is just that - it brings together the MIB's interdisciplinary researchers, academics, PhD students and PS staff and helps foster the building's sense of community. Whether it is quick catch-ups whilst waiting for coffee, or scientific discussions over lunch, these impromptu meetings will simply not happen without the Cafe. It also plays a key role as a social, yet confidential, meeting venue with industrial partners. 'Industrial Biotechnology' is one of the University's Research Beacons. To focus exclusively on the short-term financials is to understate the Cafe's importance to the MIB, and its position as one of the World's leading biotechnology institutes.

The Homebase building at Gillette Corner, an innovative and award-winning building, is one of several iconic structures in Sir Nicholas Grimshaw's portfolio. Along with the grade-II listed Gillette building opposite, it forms a landmark gateway to the Brentford Golden Mile.

Without a nearby college that runs A-Levels, students living in Saint Austell may have to pay up to £500 to travel to further education institutions in Bodmin (30 minutes by bus) or Truro (almost 1 hour), adding a financial barrier to studying A-Levels in Cornwall. This will add another impediment to the social mobility of St Austell, a Widening Participation neighbourhood that has a low percentage of students entering higher education.

Owing to recent council decisions, the people and communities of the Yapton ward are concerned about the future of their home. Environmental damage, noise and air pollution, and the increased risk of fatal or serious traffic incidents are all at risk of increasing due to the operation of various industrial sites within the parishes. Many of these sites are subject to legal agreements to ensure the impact of their operation is as small as possible. Many in the area are not satisfied that these obligations are being fulfilled. In addition, some industrial sites are to expand in the near future, meanwhile West Sussex County Council have not commissioned full environmental impact assessments to determine how these will affect the local area. We are therefore petitioning West Sussex County Council to undertake these investigations