Successful Campaigns

18 December update: Mr and Mrs Grant have this afternoon heard that they have now been granted a one year licence by Dorset Council, commencing 1 January 2024. This means that they can continue operating, and will now not be forced to close on 31 December as had previously been the case. Previously, Dorset Council had, at last, on Tuesday 12 December, carried out an inspection of the kennels. This should have occurred 2 months ago when Mr Grant originally applied for a new licence to commence 1 January. The inspection team on 12 December had stated that they were unaware of the challenge to Dorset Council's interpretation of the Regulations 2018 and associated DERFA statutory guidelines regarding the issue of a lack of integral exercise runs for each kennel and the statutory guidance that allows for multiple exercise opportunities in lieu of integral runs. It seems Dorset Council has now recognised its earlier erroneous interpretation of the DEFRA guidelines, and have accordingly dropped their previous intransigent position. Mr and Mrs Grant are now, with immediate effect, accepting further business throughout 2024. This petition relating to Dorset Council's previously declared intention to close the kennels on 1 January without an inspection was sent to the CEO Dorset Council on Tuesday 5 December; at that stage it had attracted 817 signatures since it was launched 3 days beforehand. It was accompanied by a report amplifying the detail contained in the petition, demonstrating exactly why the Council’s original position was in breach of the DEFRA guidance for boarding kennels, and thus unwarranted and unjust. The owners of Pets Haven kennels would again like to express their profound appreciation to all who supported the petition. As would all the dogs currently boarding there, and which can board there in 2024. Your involvement meant that Dorset Council was unable to ignore the issue.

09/01/24 - We did it! Ex-Post Office boss Paula Vennells has bowed to our 1.2 million strong petition and will hand back her CBE with immediate effect. She said she was “truly sorry for the devastation caused to the subpostmasters and their families” and that she as continuing to support and co-operate with the inquiry into the scandal. She added: “I am, however, aware of the calls from sub-postmasters and others to return my CBE. I have listened and I confirm that I return my CBE with immediate effect.” David Smith, who started this petition said: "Thank you to each and every person who has signed this petition. It has been a catalyst for action allowing us to have a voice and is hopefully a first historic step on the path to the victims of the Post Office scandal getting the justice they deserve." “To me, the removal of the CBE is just the start. The ultimate goal is for the subpostmasters to get the justice they deserve. In many ways, this is symbolic, but it is a massive symbol." “What I’m hoping is that as soon as somebody as senior as her is held accountable at this level, it will start a domino effect that will lead to the justice and compensation that everyone affected deserves.” You can read more about the story here https://home.38degrees.org.uk/2024/01/09/post-office-scandal-win-paula-vennells-hands-back-cbe-but-fight-for-justice-goes-on/ In other news a new petition has been started calling for Alan Bates to be honoured for his role in exposing the Post Office scandal. You can sign that here https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/give-alan-bates-a-cbe-for-exposing-post-office-scandal

With many thanks to everyone who signed the petition, we heard yesterday from Haringey Council that *they will not be progressing with the SUD scheme in the Chestnuts Park playing field*. This is fantastic news for the park, and shows that your voice makes a difference! We got over 1000 signatures in just 3 days, which is a fantastic response. Thank you to our Councillors (Tammy Hymas, Mike Hakata, and Emily Arkell) for fighting our corner; and thanks again to you for raising your voice and stopping this scheme.

The King is preparing to withdraw funding for Prince Andrew's Royal Lodge. Thank you to everyone who signed the petition. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/royal-family/2024/01/05/prince-andrew-millions-pay-for-royal-lodge-security/

We have sent this petition to the council

No parent should have to hold their children and comfort them as they die, or be told that their child has been harmed by someone who is supposed to love them. But that’s exactly what I had to experience 10 years ago when my sons Jack and Paul were killed by their father after a family court judge granted him unsupervised contact with them, despite my warnings. For the past nine years, I’ve been campaigning with Women’s Aid to ensure children are at the heart of every decision made in the family courts and their voices, wishes and feelings are heard. I’ve been to Downing Street and the Houses of Parliament to help get key changes through in the Domestic Abuse Act.  In 2017, we saw new guidance published for judges making decisions about child contact in cases of domestic abuse. And in 2020, the Government committed to make the family courts safer for adult and child survivors. But years later, we’re still waiting for true reform to keep children safe now and for generations to come.  That’s why I’m calling on the new Labour Government and family courts to ensure, once and for all, that decisions made about parental contact do not allow known abusers to have unsafe contact with children that puts their lives at risk.

Gary Lineker has been reinstated by the BBC https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/gary-lineker-reinstated-bbc-victory-29439792

On 4 November we handed in our petition to NSDC's Castle House, along with an envelope of the Sycamore trees' seeds and a letter from the trees asking for their legacy to continue. We had a huge crowd chanting 'FREE THE TREES' as local children handed in our total 6,081 signatures. It was a real magical community moment. Just twenty minutes after handing in the petition, NSDC formally voted to preserve the trees and Library Garden for good at an Extraordinary Council Meeting. Newark residents and visitors are in huge relief from the outcome. It's been such an emotional rollercoaster for our community, but team spirit, love and passion prevailed.

Dear friends, Thanks to YOU, last year the Government conceded on their dystopian plans to allow police to use GPS ankle tags on innocent campaigners and ban them from attending marches and demonstrations. We showed the Government that we would not allow extreme police powers in a democratic country like the UK, and thanks to thousands of us coming together they were forced to drop their plans. But we're still working to reclaim privacy and defend freedoms at this time of enormous technological change - you can find out about our other campaigns here https://you.38degrees.org.uk/partnerships/big-brother-watch Thank you for taking action. Silkie Carlo Big Brother Watch Director

Time to deliver it!!