It is important because woman of this age that have been denied their pensions are living in poverty even the ones who have a job.

Public libraries are currently under attack as never before. Quite apart from the imperatives of cutting council spending, some people question the point of public libraries. With the advent of the internet and the ebook, public libraries are described as out-dated and of being a luxury we cannot afford when other services are facing financial pressure. However, “The National Literacy Trust says that children who go to a library are twice as likely as those who don’t to read well. It is not just picking up a book. It is the social experience of reading, talking about the books, browsing, comparing what you have read with family and friends. Librarians open doors to new worlds, new possibilities. Children and adults do not just need information to thrive as thinking beings, but stories. Libraries are not in decline because of some natural, historic progression, but because of the monstrous cultural vandalism of savage cost-cutting." (Alan Gibbons) The community aspect of libraries, including storytimes/rhymetimes and free picture books is especially important for new mothers and their children. For many children the library is the only place they will ever be physically engaged with all the possibilities there are on the shelves. “That is why many small children’s activities are based in library buildings, a resource not to be found or replicated anywhere else. Having a space where the sole purpose is to engage with words and pictures, to create memories that last a lifetime, is a delight and not to be given away lightly.” (Ann Chambers) Even leaving aside books, the lack of access to the internet can reduce exam results by a grade. Public libraries can provide that access to children who do not have it at home. Borrowing of children’s books is increasing. Education is for adults and senior citizens too – senior citizens use libraries for education (notably, the U3A), students for quiet study, those new to computers for computer training. Libraries offer everyone a safe place to meet others, to use resources they could not otherwise afford and to strengthen the local community. The long-term effect of closing our libraries for a short-term monetary gain would be catastrophic for our towns and villages.

The Hove Station Bridge is continuing to deteriorate. It is unsightly and not effectively cleaned. The absence of lifts makes access to the station from the north side of the railway extremely difficult for people with disabilities and makes using the bridge difficult for people with young children and people carrying heavy luggage or shopping We. the undersigned members/supporters of Hove Station Neighbourhood Forum and local residents urge the Brighton and Hove Council to • improve the standard of cleanliness of the footbridge • identify and implement any short term measures which will improve the appearance of the footbridge • establish the most appropriate longer term action needed - either major refurbishment or replacement with lift provision • secure funding from a combination public sector sources and the developer contributions generated by successive major redevelopment projects which will be starting in the vicinity of the bridge next year.

TTIP is a threat to our NHS, jobs, environment and hard fought for rights that we enjoy as workers and citizens. It is a secretive deal that will allow for the interests of wealthy corporations to be put before those of citizens and the elected governments that represent them. It will allow multi national companies to sue elected governments in secret courts for policies that they deem to be harmful to their profit making ability. These courts have been used to sue governments for bringing in a minimum wage, placing health warnings on cigarette packages and halting fracking due to environmental concerns to name but a few. TTIP is an undemocratic corporate power grab that will displace jobs and open up our public services to increased privatisation. We want no part of this deal, make North Lincolnshire a TTIP-Free zone! Join the Facebook group here - https://www.facebook.com/groups/northlincsagainstttip/ More information on the TTIP-free zone campaign can be found here - http://action.globaljustice.org.uk/ea-campaign/action.retrievestaticpage.do?ea_static_page_id=4189

1. Scotland's largest urban area without a rail link. Even Beeching's Report recommended this stretch remain open 2. Strong business case for both passenger and freight use (Diageo, Fife Energy Park, Methil Docks etc) 3. Address high levels of deprivation following closure of traditional industries 4. Road links to Levenmouth are poor so rail services would cut road congestion and carbon 5. Existing Fife Circle services offering hourly connections to Edinburgh and the wider network are easily extended, while the track is fully intact. The investment cost is modest. 6. Justice demands this area should receive similar transport services to other, much smaller communities across the country

NHS commissioners in Bristol plan to open up NHS contracts to tax avoiding companies and corporations. They are asking Bristol GPs to vote for a change to the constitution of Bristol Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG). This change would sweep away current restrictions on tax avoiding companies. It would allow private companies with tax avoiding strategies to secure contracts for NHS services. Then they will be able to rob the NHS twice over. First by siphoning off a profit from NHS funds and then by using strategies to avoid paying any tax. Our NHS is entirely funded by taxation: if less tax is collected, less funding is available for the NHS. Bristol CCG have been advised by their lawyers that if they do not make these changes, they may face legal challenges from tax-avoiding companies – although to date there no evidence that any CCGs have been challenged as described. Whichever way, our public services should not be threatened by corporate power and greed. The constitution of Bristol CCG is correct to exclude tax-avoiders from NHS contracts and this clause should be retained and supported. How will this make a difference? Protect our NHS, a Bristol campaign group, used this clause in the CCG constitution in 2015. It helped us to be successful in defending Bristol and South Gloucestershire Children’s Community Health services from privatisation. We argued that companies, such as Virgin Care, avoided paying tax in the UK and that Bristol CCG could not, therefore, award them the contract. Whilst we and the public are not allowed to know what went on behind the closed doors of procurement decision making, Virgin Care did not get the contract. This was in contrast to their successful bids in Devon and Wiltshire. Why oppose tax avoiders? Our NHS is almost entirely funded by general taxation. If tax is not paid, there will be no NHS. Only big companies can afford to set up tax avoidance structures and the rest of us – as individuals or smaller companies – pay our taxes or get fined. Bristol CCG, and its Bristol GP membership, should oppose tax avoidance because it is unjust, unethical and starves the NHS of money. Far from wanting to change its constitution, it should be proud of it. It was thanks to a campaign by 38 degrees in 2012 that the constitution included a clause about tax avoiders. We came together to make sure that ethical and moral considerations would be included into commissioning decisions, and this was accepted by the CCG at the time. To go back on this commitment now would be a step backwards. This petition provides the CCG with evidence that patients and the public wish them to stand by their constitution and drop their plan to amend it. What else can I do? 1) Tell Bristol CCG what you think. They have an on-line public consultation which is open until Wednesday 24th February. It is a simple box where you can write your views – short or long. This is the official consultation so will carry extra weight. To access click on the following link: https://www.bristolccg.nhs.uk/get-involved/proposed-change-our-constitution/ 2) Inform your MP about what is happening (made easy at www.writetothem.com) and urge them to put pressure on the CCG to drop their plan to change their constitution 3) Pass on this petition and information to your family, friends and neighbours 4) Join our campaign at https://www.facebook.com/ProtectOurNHS

Many of our Crown Post Offices are currently facing franchising or closure. There are currently 43 such Post Offices on a list for consideration, (many towns, up and down the country have already gone through this process, leaving them without a Crown Post Office). This franchising or closure of Crown Post Offices will reduce the quality and range of services to the public, destroy a valuable community asset, adversely affect commerce within our High Streets and the surrounding areas, and potentially lead to meaningful job losses within our communities. The downgrading of facilities that Crown Post Offices offer, is a move by Post Office Ltd to privatise the Post Office without Parliamentary discussion. Therefore, we demand that the Minister of State sanction an independent enquiry, that could include a judicial review.

The main shopping centres street pavements in and around Islington are in a terrible state of repair. This is potentially a dangerous situation for able and disabled alike. People falling and huritng themselves seriously is a frequent situation. The Pot Holes on the roads are causing damage to vehicles which in turn is expensive for repairs.Most of the estates in Islington pedestrian walkways are also in need of repair.

These children are our future but how are they meant to have a future with faulty equipment and lack of staff? You wouldn't make your child live in these conditions so why should the sit 6 hours 5 days a week in a building baly fit for wild animals? I say more funding! More awareness! Let's do it!

The Northern Ireland hospitality industry is a major employer, sustaining 60,000 jobs and contributing £1.1bm annually to the Northern Ireland economy. But its future growth is hampered by the lack of a modern legislative framework and especially modern licensing laws. Thanks for your support, please help us gain more supporters; • Like our Facebook page 'Hospitality Ulster' and share our petition with your friends • Follow us on Twitter '@HospUlster' and share our petition with your followers www.hospitalityulster.org

Recently, the Canal & River Trust (CRT) announced a proposal to change the mooring times in three locations on the southern Grand Union canal, at Berkhamsted, Braunston and Marsworth. These proposals will reduce 14 day moorings to 7 days, 48 and 24 hours. Reducing these time limits, as seen in prior changes in other areas, has had a detrimental effect on the local community, canal side businesses, canal traders and boaters with or without a home mooring. The proposals will further concentrate boaters to ever decreasing areas therefore causing more issues for CRT enforcement and those boaters who wish to stay in these areas for 14 days. There is an ongoing consultation and we encourage signatories to put in their objections before the end of February via the following link: https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/enjoy-the-waterways/boating/mooring-your-boat/south-east-visitor-moorings/south-east-visitor-mooring-consultation-january/february-2016 The reducing of mooring times at Batchworth, Braunston and Marsworth must be stopped.

The council county are under severe budget cuts and are having to look at all the services they provide. This includes adult services which covers the day centres Sadly day centres are not a statutory service so it is not something that councils have to provide Newtown day centre serves Newtown and surrounding area. It is essential to the people who use it. Providing care and company. Many users say they don’t know what they would do without it as it is their only life line and if they didn't have the day centre they wouldn’t see anyone all week This is a sad situation for our residents that need the support of a day centre and families and carers that use it for help with respite care We are calling on the Powys County Council to please consider the effect that losing the day centre in Newtown would have on both the service users, families and carers if it was to close. Newtown is the largest town in Powys so it has a large population of people who can benefit from the day centre, providing care, company, a meal, friendship, entertainment / activity and much, much more