As you may be aware, Dv8 Sussex was recently inspected by Ofsted, and received a final grading of Inadequate, despite our best ever year of results in 17/18. We published a statement detailing our response to the inspection on 18th January (see link below). The Ofsted inspection report can be downloaded at https://bit.ly/2WyzeBa. Our response statement can be downloaded at https://bit.ly/2Sle3mU The Inadequate grading has now however triggered a process within the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) that has led to an immediate suspension of student recruitment within this year and our 2019/20 contract being placed on hold, pending review. There are currently around 25 students planned to join Dv8 programmes in February and March this year that will now not be able to do so and over 100 current applicants to date for September’s courses. We urgently need the support of parents, students, stakeholders and partner agencies to help us make our case that we are a unique provision locally that cannot easily be replaced and that our contract should be reinstated as soon as possible. If Dv8 were not to deliver in Sussex next year, there would be around 200 students having to find an alternative college in September to meet their needs. Around 100 students would be in the middle of two-year courses, around 20 High-Needs students who are settled and supported at Dv8 would need to find an alternative college. There is a real risk that a number of our students would not find suitable provision and may become disengaged from education completely. There is an excellent range of provision on offer locally through larger colleges, however our students are often looking for something different. Our students join Dv8 due to the unique kind of provision we offer; not just a creative college, but with small class sizes, a highly supportive and inclusive environment, where young people are nurtured to develop confidence, achieve and progress. Young people and parents tell us that Dv8 was the only place that they have ever felt comfortable and able to achieve. The majority of our young people progress back into further education at the end of their course, ready to move on and to have successful lives. Many of our students simply do not thrive in larger educational environments and may not have achieved previously in school, or in the larger main colleges. We do not feel that there is any like for like provision locally that offers something similar. Our learner numbers have grown by 20% each year over the last four years. For the last two years the ESFA have approved contract growth at Dv8 to meet local need, based partly on the closure of other local independent providers such as Access to Music and Nacro in Brighton. There is a real need and demand for the sort of provision that Dv8 offers and the positive impact we have on young people’s lives. We want to hear your stories so that we can provide this evidence to the ESFA to help them make the right decision to enable Dv8 to bounce back from this most challenging period and become the Good or Outstanding provider that we have always strived to become. If you are a parent of a young person who has succeeded at Dv8, if you studied with us and went on to a successful career or just that we made a positive impact on your life, please get in touch and leave your story. If you have worked with us and were inspired by the work that we do, please leave a message of support. If you just know of us and want to support us in our mission to “enable creative thinkers to be successful in work and life”, then please sign this petition. If you are a current student or parent / carer of a current student or someone that has applied to join us in September please leave a message of support highlighting why you chose / are choosing Dv8. It would be helpful if you could leave your name, if happy for us to use this, and also if you could state if you are an ex or current student, parent or other interested party. We aim to send hundreds of responses to the ESFA by next Wednesday so please leave messages this week if you can. Please show your support not only for our current and future students who could be left extremely disappointed but for the future of Dv8 and to protect one of the last truly independent providers in the region. Your help and support is very much appreciated. Some supportive messages we have already received: “Dv8 has changed me so much! They have built up my confidence and improved my skills and all of my family and friends have noticed the positive changes in me.” Ex Dv8 Student “Since doing the Level 1 course at Dv8 I have progressed to a Level 3 Music Production course. Learning in a small class was brilliant and really allowed me to find the things I was best at” Ex Dv8 student “I was moved to email you following the release of Ofsted's report and express my solidarity with you as educators, and gratitude for all the work you put in. You have made an enormous difference to my daughter who has struggled to engage with formal education throughout her school career. It might not look like it but her engagement with your staff and your course is the single most positive learning experience she has had.” Current Dv8 Parent “This ofsted decision is so so wrong. My son was at Dv8 for 2 years and came out with a distinction. He is autistic. And found when we were looking for a college it was his favourite. The staff are amazing and very supportive not just to my son but to me too. How can a college be classed as inadequate when they believed in my son and his dream. They could see his ability and worked with him to develop it and improve it. Giving him confidence and belief in himself. Which his school didn't, if anything they stripped it away. My son wouldn't of been able to move onto a bigger college if it hadn't been for DV8” Dv8 parent of Ex student

Disabled Blue Badge holders rely on their cars to visit the doctor, go shopping or take part in leisure activities. They can't use public transport. Charging Disabled Blue Badge holders to park is punishing them for being disabled. It sends out a message that disabled people aren't welcome in Newcastle. Blue Badge holders may choose to go elsewhere, impacting on the city's economy or park on double yellow lines causing congestion. How is this Creating Decent Neighbourhoods? How is this tackling inequalities? How is this showing that Newcastle is open for business? Charging disabled residents and visitors to the city to park is detrimental to both the disabled person and Newcastle.

Private tongue tie practitioners are highly specialised service providers, taking burden off the NHS and ensuring choice for parents seeking frenotomy in the UK without having to wait sometimes in excess of 8 weeks for an NHS referal. Tongue tie can lead to damaged nipples, mastitis, breast abscess, slow weight gain, Failure to Thrive, and fussy behaviour. To essentially remove the choice of speedy access to frenotomy is outrageous. In addition to the harm caused to families private practitioners have been unable to work for over a month now causing stress, anxiety, and heavily reduced income.

We have already written to you to raise this subject but this is a brief summary of why this issue is important. Autism is no worse or more complex than any other condition. It’s just different. Families need advice that is specific to autism as many of the usual ways of communicating, teaching and managing behaviour is different to the norm. Every autistic person is different so you need a specialist who can tailor advice to your individual needs. Autism is the only disability to have its own act of parliament to focus upon and direct the services that should be available to autistic people. Having the wrong advice can make the situation worse. To support their children parents need to understand their child and how they can help them. When carers are better supported the cared for has better outcomes.

There has been NO consultation on this plan, which is significantly different from the original Plan. There are many major changes, including most of the housing sites being proposed now. • The “exceptional circumstances” that allow for development on the Green Belt have not been satisfactorily established. The harm caused by removing the Grenoble Road site from the Green Belt is greater than any benefits obtained. • The proposed development will have a major impact on the nature of the local environment and people’s enjoyment of it. • The proposed development will reduce access to the countryside as an amenity for many residents, of Oxford, Blackbird Leys and Greater Leys - paths, dog walking routes, etc. • The figures used to estimate the number of houses needed are questionable and out of date. • The proposed estate of 3,000 homes would inevitably increase noise, air and light pollution. • The proposed density of 70 dwellings/hectare is out of keeping with the area and inappropriate in a semi-rural location. It is higher than most new developments except in city centres. • The Grade I listed Nuneham Courtenay Park has views over much of the surrounding countryside and views from the Park will be very adversely affected by a large housing estate south of Grenoble Road. • There are inadequate plans to improve the infrastructure (roads, public transport, shops, doctors and other amenities) to support this development. • The proposed Park & Ride will attract more traffic up the A4074 through Nuneham Courtenay—especially if the Redbridge P&R is closed as has been proposed elsewhere. • The proposed Cowley branch line passenger rail service would be too far from the Grenoble Road site to be useful. Therefore, those working in Oxford or commuting from further away would add traffic to already congested roads. • The Plan is not coordinated with other plans like the expressway.

TDC need to take action and restore these old Victorian Street Lamps and look at prioritising certain tourism assets in Clacton

This is important so that my son, Murray, and Cole, Lisa’s son, plus other children can reach the best medication to treat their epileptic syndromes / severe drug resistant epilepsy. Murray, Cole and other children are taking Whole plant cannabis oils, such as Bedrolite and Bedica, a pharmaceutical grade cannabis oil made in Holland by Bedrocan, a GMP Approved medicinal cannabis pharmaceutical company. The children who are being given whole plant cannabis oil with thc have successfully reduced or stopped dangerous life-threatening seizures.

Many Barnet Parks are currently locked at night. This is undertaken to reduce anti-social behaviour and vandalism. Locked parks are often surrounded by residential properties which back onto them. Locking parks increases safety to residents and their property. Previous experience of not locking parks at nights suggests that there will be an increase in anti-social behaviour and vandalism which will increase rather than save the Council and police service money in the long run. No cost benefit analysis has been undertaken by the Council to demonstrate that real savings will be made. The Council proposed this measure to keep parks unlocked overnight in a report in November 2018. There has been no public consultation on the matter and it is purely seen by the Council as a short term money saving measure. A final decision will be taken on 14th March at the next Environment Committee. We call upon the Council to reject this measure and keep Barnet Parks locked and safe overnight. March Decision Update Barnet Council's Environment Committee met last night (14th March) and decided by 6 votes to 4 to unlock all parks in Phase 1 (see below) with effect from 1st April; to consult on ceasing to lock the parks in Phase 2 and once the impact of reviewing the position on phase 1 and phase 2 had been assessed to consult about unlocking the parks in phase 3. The savings being sought are £75000. The Council will only achieve the £75,000 saving once all 26 parks are left unlocked. A strong case was put that these proposals were counterproductive and in the long run will cost the council more from the costs of dealing with anti social behaviour, fly tipping, vandalism etc. A long debate took place about the car park at Oak Hill Park with a lot of specific opposition to this proposal being expressed. The decision is still to unlock the car park but residents there will continue to oppose this. There is still along way to go before the Council achieves its objective and I think we should continue to fight them all the way and park by park. With this in mind I aim to organise a meeting of all those intersted in forming a borough wide grouping of interested individuals, Friends of Parks groups, residents associations etc to debate the best way to combat these proposals and to think about how we can work together to protect and enhance our green open spaces in the Borough. if you are intersted in being involved, or just want to receive information about the activities we develop please email: [email protected] I also intend to leave the petition on line to increase the number of signatures as much as possible so that we can use it as a basis for taking the issue back to the Council on a regular basis. So please do share it on social media, ask friends and family to sign it. Thank you. Roger Chapman Chair, Friends of Cherry Tree Wood , East Finchley. 26 parks across the Borough are currently locked. The report places them in 3 phases. Phase 1 West Hendon pavilion, Lyttleton Playing Fields Toilets, Tudor Sports ground, Dame Alice Sports Ground, Friary Park Toilets Oak Hill Park. Phase 2 Fairway Playground, Mill Hill; Stonegrove Park; Rushgrove Park; Greenhill Gardens; Highland Gardens; Brunswick Playground. Phase 3 Edgwarebury Park; Stonyfields Park; Deanbrook Play Ground; Malcolm Park; Kara Way Play Area; Childs Hill Park; Basing Hill Park; Princess Park; Old Court House Rec; Ravenscroft Gardens; Barfield Avenue Play area; Swan Lane Open Space; Cherry Tree Woods; Victoria Park

Helium is running out on this planet. There is approximately six years' supply of helium left on Earth. After that it has gone, and there will be no more. Helium is vital to hospitals as it is needed by MRI Scanners, and without it they do not work. It is also vital to divers to dilute oxygen, so that they don't get the "bends". When helium is used in balloons, or as a narcotic, it escapes to the outer edges of the Earth's atmosphere and then escapes from the planet's gravity. This means there is a small and fast-diminishing supply of helium. Would you rather have a squeaky voice for a minute or two, or the ability to have a life-saving MRI Scan? Or fly a child's balloon rather than fix a leak under an oil rig, or to rescue 12 young Thai footballers? Helium balloons need to be banned worldwide immediately. Several countries have already banned its use apart from medical and diving use. The U.K. needs to do the same. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/helium-supply-world-shortage-run-out-recycle-mri-scanners-deep-sea-diving-balloons-a8741081.html

Local residents from Liden, Eldene and closeby ward neighbours use the post office for personnel and business post and the elderly for pensions. It is inside Tesco so more shoppers. It is a community hub and a place of business. There are many other public services there. Parents collect their children from Liden Primary school and meet near there.

Lancashire County Council (LCC) are proposing to scrap the Lancashire Wellbeing Service. This service helps thousands of people with mental health, emotional wellbeing and long term health conditions. In its own report, LCC said that scrapping Lancashire Wellbeing Service is likely to result in increased pressure on already overstretched NHS, social care, emergency and voluntary sector services and the likelihood that there will be a lower life expectancy particularly, for people living in areas of disadvantage across the county. The government has just said that in 2019 it aims to target prevention of ill-health, community health care and improving mental health, all of which are have been key focuses for LWS. And an independent review concluded that LWS has provided excellent social return on the investment by the local authority, The council are having a budget meeting on the 14th of February, and there are rumours that the Lancashire Wellbeing Service will be discussed. We need to show them that the service is worth the money and vital to our community. Please sign the petition to say that you strongly oppose the proposal to scrap the Lancashire Wellbeing Service. Let's make public health a priority in Lancashire by saving Lancashire Wellbeing Service!

CoGen wants to build an incinerator in Cardiff which would burn 150,000 tonnes of waste a year. Such a plant undermines recycling and composting, worsens climate change, emits toxic gases harmful to health. It would import waste from outside Wales contrary to the Proximity Principle of minimising transport-miles. This type of plant is known for not working properly, breaking down and many have been closed. They also produce potentially lethal explosive gases endangering the surrounding location. This plant is not going to be near any potential heat users the efficiency of the plant is poor with some 60-70% of the heat it would generate being wasted. This flies in the face of Welsh Government policy for combined heat and power. As is also the case with the Splott incinerator. The so called guardians of our environment the NRW (Natural Resources Wales) have absolutely no expertise in these incinerators and therefore impossible to police. Indeed they are utterly failing in policing the existing Splott one. The waste they want to burn can easily be recycled without polluting anything. Burning mixed waste is highly dangerous in that it releases lethal toxins to all life forms, such as PM2.5, PM10, C02 carbon dioxide, which further adds to the already poor environment of south wales, therefore flying in the face of the global environmental accords such as Paris and Poland. In operation this incinerator fumes are extremely dangerous due to the fact that the filter system has to be turned off for up to 4 hours during startup that's when the very high harmful pollutants are emitted. NRW does not even require measurements of it! These fumes do not disperse harmlessly, similar to the Splott one but circulate around the immediate urban area of Cardiff and have been known to be carried by wind over 100 miles. The toxins get released when burnt and rise into the air, and what goes up must come down, these poisons land in the earth and in the air you breath and the water that is around. The very life of everything on the planet is contaminated by it. Under an easterly wind, the emission plumes get trapped in the Cardiff environment exactly as the current Splott incinerator does today. NRW to please its political masters in the assembly assume a measurement of strong winds from the west and are measured in Rhoose airport not in Splott or St.Mellons or the Cardiff Bay. CoGen’s plant would emit huge quantities of NOx and NO2 (toxic gas) which are uncontrolled by NRW yet are proven to be the most dangerous to health.  NRW and the Health authorities have ignored the Senedd report on incineration that stressed dangers from nano-particles such as PM2.5 which are so small as to penetrate through the lungs into body organs, including even the brain and an unborn child. Past studies of urban areas around an incinerator of twenty miles have shown significant increases in child stillbirths and malformation, asthma, brain disease such as dementia, and heart disease. These big business such as Co-gen and Viridor are very happy to put their profits before your health. CoGen is being pushed forward by Dr Liam Fox MP in England through the Department of Trade and Industry with no interest in what you want or worse still what's important for the environment. This is not about efficient methods of recycling waste it is all about speculative profit making by big business on the backs of the tax payers. Cardiff’s Viridor incinerator came because of Welsh government encouragement and subsidy, though contrary to policy for local, efficient CHP plants. Cardiff officers encouraged the plant too – a big mistake.  No way should we have another mega-incinerator!  There is no calorific value in burning metal, glass, food or cardboard. They really only want the plastic which is a complex oil based product which release deadly poisons. Cardiff is now the Incinerator happy hunting ground and unless you act and stop it more will come.