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INNOVATIVE COASTAL PROJECT HAS HELPED THOSE AT MOST RISK

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Feb 012012

More than 35 households in the East Riding most at risk to coastal erosion have benefited from funding secured by the council to help them adapt to the impact of coastal change.

In December 2009, the council was awarded £1.2 million by Defra (Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) to undertake a Coastal Change Pathfinder project. The funding was not intended as a ‘compensation’ scheme but rather to provide practical support and guidance to those most at risk.

The funding has now been allocated in full to households in or near Aldbrough, Cowden, Hornsea, Skipsea, Tunstall and Ulrome.

Support has been used to help with the cost of property demolitions and site restorations, which previously fell in full to the residents. In addition, financial support has been provided to cover practical relocation costs and for establishing residents in their new homes in safe locations. People have also received money towards removals and the purchase of essential white goods and furnishings for their new properties. The support offered to each resident has been based on an assessment of individual circumstances and the criteria set by the Council.

There is also a small grants fund to enable individuals, groups and businesses in the East Riding to develop unique approaches to coastal erosion and coastal flood risk management.

Councillor Jane Evison, portfolioholder for rural issues and cultural services, said: “The council cannot turn back the forces of nature but what we have for the first time been able to do through Coastal Pathfinder is to provide real practical support and assistance to people most at risk to coastal erosion .

“As the project comes to an end in March, I want to stress that we will not be resting on our laurels but will continue to lobby hard for additional funding, recognising the strong case for supporting people living on undefended East Riding coastline that does not meet the Government criteria for sea defences and highlighting how much can be achieved with relatively small amounts of money.”

A feedback report on Coastal Pathfinder was presented to the council’s cabinet on 31 January 2012 and is available on the council’s website.

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BUILDING REGULATIONS PROSECUTION

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Jan 262012

On Tuesday 17th Jan 2012, Mark Adams from Hull was prosecuted by East Riding of Yorkshire Council and was found guilty by Beverley Magistrates Court of three breaches of the Building Regulations relating to electrical work. He was fined a total of £1000 and ordered to pay £600 costs.

During a routine inspection by an East Riding building control officer, it was discovered that the work carried out by Adams was dangerous and required immediate action to make it safe for the occupant of the domestic property in Willerby.

Mr Adams, trading as A+M Electrical, was found guilty of failing to comply with the Building Regulations by not providing an earth to the electrical system which made it unsafe and failing to notify the Authority of the commencement and completion of the work.

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RECOMMENDATIONS MADE FOLLOWING INVESTIGATION INTO GOOLE FLOODING

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Jan 102012

Following an extensive investigation into the flooding which took place in Goole on 3 August 2011, East Riding of Yorkshire Council has made a number of recommendations to mitigate future rainfall events in the town.

As the lead local flood authority (LLFA), the council used powers under the Flood & Water Management Act 2010 to investigate the circumstances of the flooding, which included data gathering from numerous agencies, interviewing residents and relevant staff to establish a timeline, inspection of facilities in the area and analysis of the information received.

From the available data, the council concluded that in excess of 32mm and probably in excess of 64mm of rain fell between 4.30-5.30pm on 3 August. Even the lower estimate is in excess of the design standards applied to drainage systems and therefore it is likely that even if the drainage system was ‘as new’ and operated to full capacity, there would’ve been significant areas of flooding.

Nigel Leighton, director of environment and neighbourhood services at East Riding of Yorkshire Council, said: “The rainfall that caused the August flooding was without doubt very exceptional.

“As a result of the resident survey, the council has become aware of areas where, even during significantly less intense storms, localised flooding occurs on a regular basis. While these in the normal course of events do not affect properties internally, they are an inconvenience to some residents and the council will investigate these and ensure appropriate remedial action is taken by the relevant body concerned.

“The town of Goole is situated on the edge of the Humberhead Level flood plain in an identified flood zone and is bordered by three major rivers, The Ouse to the east, The Aire to the north and The Don to the south.

“Given the complexity of the Goole sewer system, the degree of interaction between systems and the limited and unverified rainfall data available, it is not possible to definitively state a single cause of the flooding.

“The investigation has recommended a series of proposed actions for the consideration of a number of agencies and for approval by cabinet, including an overhaul of communication and incident response procedures, remedial and improvement works and further investigations with other flood risk management agencies in order to mitigate and reduce the affects of future incidents in the area.

“The council would like to thank members of the Goole community, Yorkshire Water Services Limited, The Environment Agency and the Goole and Airmyn Internal Drainage Board for their assistance in this investigation.”

Councillor Chris Matthews, cabinet portfolio holder for highways and emergency planning at East Riding of Yorkshire Council, who also represents the authority on the Yorkshire Regional Flood Defence Committee, said: “As a result of the changes in legislation, this is the first time the council has had the authority to investigate and make recommendations to other flood risk management agencies about mitigating flooding in specific localities.

“The council takes flood prevention very seriously and, where necessary, will use these powers again in the future to help tackle flooding in the East Riding.”

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Company Make Renewable Heat Incentive History With Ground Source Energy In Beverley Holiday Homes

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Jan 062012

Umbrella company and holiday cottages are first two successful applicants to low carbon heating incentive

Umbrella supplier Booth Brothers in Sheffield entered the history books today by becoming one of the first places in the UK to get the government’s Renewable Heat Incentive.

Its offices, housed in an 18th century former corn mill in Penistone, will be kept warm through an underfloor heating system powered by a renewable energy heat pump.

The second installation to be accredited is at a set of holiday cottages in East Yorkshire. A ground source heat pump will provide heat and hot water to five holiday lets at Broadgate Farm Cottages in Beverley.

The £860m Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) was launched last year to make it more financially attractive for industry and businesses to install low carbon heating systems like heat pumps, biomass boilers or solar thermal panels.

The RHI is expected to increase the number of installations in industry, the commercial and public sector by seven times to around 126,000 and support the thousands of existing jobs in the heating sector.

Climate Change Minister Greg Barker said:

“It’s fantastic news that the Renewable Heat Incentive has received its first two successful applicants, and this is just the start.

“Renewable heat is a largely untapped resource and an important new green industry of the future. It’ll help the UK shift away from fossil fuel, reducing carbon emissions and encouraging innovation, jobs and growth in new advanced technologies.”

Chief Executive of Booth Brothers, Charles Booth said:

“Being amongst the first installations to be accredited under the Renewable Heat Incentive is very satisfying for Booth Brothers in terms of developing our strategic target of carbon neutral for our Bullhouse Mill site and eco-umbrella factory. Last year our Old Corn Mill offices were commended for their eco rating and we generate electricity from two wind turbines, solar panels and hydro generation so making the heat we use low carbon was naturally the next step.”

Owner of Broadgate Farm Cottages, Elaine Robinson said:

“We don’t have mains gas and the price of oil and LPG is very expensive so when we decided to develop the holiday cottages a ground source heat pump was the most economically attractive in the long term, especially with the Renewable Heat Incentive. This is the first of our applications to be approved.”

Currently around half of the UK’s carbon emissions come from the energy used to produce heat – more than from generating electricity. The RHI will reduce emissions by 44 million tonnes of carbon to 2020, equivalent to the annual carbon emitted by 20 typical new gas power stations.

Over 95% of heat in the UK is currently produced by burning fossil fuel but with North Sea supplies now in decline leading to an increase in imports, low carbon alternatives are needed.

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House Prices Set To Fall In 2012

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Jan 062012

The number of properties listed for sale in Beverley fell by 10% in December 2011 compared to November 2011.

Of the 625 listings registered with the UK’s leading property web site, Rightmove for property sales within the HU17 postal code 571 were houses with flats making up the remaining 54.

The figures dod show an increase in properties listed for sale in Beverley on December 2010 when just 589 homes were listed for sale.

The cost of housing continues to rise in the Uk despite the squeeze. In figures released by Nationwide for December 2011 the Building Society prices have increase by on average 1%.

Natiowide are predicting the prices to go sideways or down slightly in 2012 though other property pudits are predicting prices will go donw by upto 10% as sellers continue to push for unrealistic prices.

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BT Ready To Roll Out Fibre Optic In Nearby Towns

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Jan 032012

Tens of thousands of homes in East Yorkshire are to benefit from new super-fast broadband.

According to consumer website www.uswitch.com, BT are ready to roll out its fibre optic broadband to Driffield, Hornsea and Withernsea, among other more rural locations.

Householders and businesses will soon be able to access download speeds of up to 20Mb – way faster than they currently can.

It’s a challenge to the region’s main communications provider – Kingston Communications – as BT are aggressively moving into their area in search of new business.

BT’s regional director for Yorkshire and Humber John Anderson said it will be a huge boost for everyone in East Yorkshire.

He continued: “We want to go even further by working with the public sector to find ways of bringing faster broadband to areas which are geographically and commercially more challenging.”

The news is of great interest to people in East Yorkshire, who have only had one viable option in KC for their communications needs.

However, KC themselves are trying to innovate and have recently connected residents of Woodmansey to fibre optics which has given them access to 100Mb downloads speeds.

And they believe they can fight off outside competition by giving 15,000 more people in the area access to the super-fast broadband in the coming months.

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OFFICE OPPORTUNITIES AT BRIDLINGTON BUSINESS CENTRE

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Dec 292011

Bridlington Business Centre, run by East Riding of Yorkshire Council, is offering a range of office units, workshops and advice from qualified business advisers for start-up and existing businesses.

The centre, which is situated in Bessingby Industrial Estate, offers lets on easy-in, easy-out terms as well as administrative support, business support, shared managed resources, such as reception, kitchens, toilets, accessible loading bay and modern conference facilities, available for tenants and non-tenants. The site has ample on-site car parking and is DDA compliant.

Over the past 10 years the centre has offered business advice and support to over 2000 clients in the local area and 240 clients in the last year.

Since opening in 1998, the business centre has assisted 28 new business start-ups to take office space and provided further office accommodation for 44 established businesses. The business centre initiative in Bridlington has aided the creation of 53 new jobs and allowed the safeguard of another 82. The centre has also overseen the expansion of 41 businesses who have secured larger self-contained premises in the local area.

The result of a business premises study in 2006 identified the need for units ranging from 800–1500sqft and East Riding of Yorkshire Council subsequently developed the Enterprise Units, adjacent to the business centre, to bridge a much needed gap in the area. These facilities have seen three new business start-ups take space and accommodated six established local businesses, which in turn has created 21 new jobs and safeguarded a further 41.

Councillor Andy Burton, cabinet portfolio holder for economic development and regeneration, said: “East Riding of Yorkshire Council is determined to support businesses across the East Riding and help grow the local economy.

“The council’s business centres are providing start-up and existing businesses with affordable premises as well as support and guidance to help them through these uncertain economic times and allow them to flourish in the future.”

The venue also has a conference room, for up to 18 delegates, for hire at a cost of £100 per day, £60 for a half day or £18 per hour. A smaller meeting room which can accommodate up to six people is also available.
For further information, contact Bridlington Business Centre on (01262) 401399

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SHOT IN ARM FOR COUNCIL’S AFFORDABLE WARMTH WORK

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Dec 222011

East Riding of Yorkshire Council has been successful in securing Government funding for further initiatives to help reduce the health impacts on people who are struggling to keep their homes warm during the cold winter months.

The council has been awarded £46,000, the full amount it bid for under the Department of Health’s Warm Homes Healthy People Fund, and will be using the funding over the next few months in partnership with organisations like the NHS.

Plans include using some of the money for emergency oil funding for up to 30 vulnerable households who cannot afford to buy heat during the winter months. A further 1,000 households are set to benefit from cold weather alarms which will inform people when they need to turn up their heating to maintain a healthy warmth.

The funding will also be used to support the council’s existing Health through Warmth project, leading to an increase in the number of front-line NHS staff able to provide fuel poverty and energy efficiency advice, and it is planned to hold additional events in rural communities to recruit and train energy champions for a project run by the Humber and Wolds Rural Community Council.

Councillor Symon Fraser, portfolio holder for the environment, housing and planning, said: “I am delighted we have been successful in obtaining this funding which can be used immediately to help people in the East Riding.

“Each winter there is a spike in the number of people suffering from cold related illnesses and it is a priority for us to continue to seek out available funding opportunities to try and help them stay healthy in their own home.

“In November, the council confirmed that we would be continuing to invest in measures to make homes in the East Riding more energy efficient despite the reduced amount of national funding now available. These include a discount scheme run in partnership with Npower to provide cavity wall and loft insulation and additional funding to continue our award-winning scheme to install air source heat pumps to properties in rural areas which are off the main gas network.”

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HOUSING BENEFIT CHANGES

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Dec 202011

Housing Benefit is changing from1 January 2012 for single people in privately rented accommodation

If you are single, aged under 35 and living in self contained privately rented accommodation your housing benefit will change to the shared accommodation rate (exceptions apply). This means that the amount of housing benefit you receive will go down.

If you are a private landlord and your tenant receives housing benefit and you receive direct payment for them then your payments will reduce.

If you claimed housing benefit before April 2011, changes have been made to Local Housing Allowance. Your claim has been protected for 9 months from the annual review date of your claim. This means that from January 2012 onwards your benefit may change. We previously wrote to customers to advise of this change.

For more information and details of when your benefit will reduce call 01482 394799 of call into your local customer service centre. Further information is available at www.direct.gov.uk or www.eastriding.gov.uk

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Insecure Burglary Warning Issued By Police

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Dec 202011

POLICE in East Yorkshire are reminding householders of the need to keep their homes secure and safe from intruders after a number of distraction burglaries across the area.

One of the incidents involves an address in Main Street, Skidby on Thursday 08 December.

The house is occupied by an elderly couple and the woman had got up at approximately 0615hrs to let her dogs out.

It would appear she left an external door open for a short time before closing it without locking it and returning to bed.

When the woman got up she found her handbag had been stolen from the kitchen.

The bag was later discovered by a member of the public in a wheelie bin in Northgate, Cottingham and handed into police.

All the contents remained in the bag with the exception of £30 in cash.

In a separate incident, a quantity of jewellery as well as a mobile telephone and three handbags, were stolen from an address in Manor Way, Anlaby between 0150hrs and 0730hrs on Saturday 10 December while the occupants were asleep in bed.

The semi-detached property was entered via an insecure kitchen window and items moved from the window ledge before a search of other rooms took place and the property was removed.

Detective Chief Inspector Matt Hutchinson said: “I oversee all burglary and vehicle crime investigations in the East Riding and know first hand how distressing it can be to think a person has been inside your home or car; quite often when you have been inside your house and taken your personal belongings.

“Not only is it horrible to think a burglar has been in your home or car, but has taken things that you just can’t live without, like your keys, mobile phones or bank cards and cash.

“Burglars and thieves are not master criminals, they are opportunistic. A burglar only needs to spot an open window, unlocked side gate or dodgy security alarm to make their move, think about it – if you know your home security looks poor, so will a thief. Statistics show that properties with little security are over five times more likely to be burgled than those with good security.

“With Christmas being less than a week away, I’d like to remind everyone to be more security aware, don’t leave Christmas present on show until the big day, don’t advertise your new gifts after Christmas by leaving the packing outside for a week before your bins get collected, all you are doing is advertising to thieves you have a new Wii or PSP etc.

“Detectives in the East Riding are very good at detecting burglaries and vehicle crime, but quite often the crime could have been prevented in the first place if the owners just locked their doors, removed sat navs from cars and put just a little effort into making their property more secure.

“I hope you do not need to see one of my detectives this Christmas, but if you do, please be reassured they will do their best to get your property back.”

With only a few days left before Christmas, a number of security warnings and advice have been issued;

• Insurance – get it or regret it! Getting insurance is cheaper than paying out a small fortune to replace stolen belongings.

• Mark your property – Mark important and expensive possessions (such as your computer/DVD player) with your postcode and house number using special security marker pens. Keep a record of the make, model and serial numbers of all electrical equipment. If the police recover them after a burglary, this will be proof that they are stolen good- and yours.

• When returning home lock your door immediately – Even if you are in the house or garden, keep doors and windows locked. Don’t help sneak thieves. They only take a few seconds to steal something. Look at your doors and windows. Make sure you have sufficient quality locks, restrictors and door chains. If you would like more specific advice please contact your local PCSO or Community Wardens, who will be happy to discus security with you.

• Keep valuables out of sight where possible – Net curtains and blinds restrict what can be seen from outside. Hide purses and handbags and don’t leave cash lying around.

• Be aware who is in your neighbourhood and contact the Police if you are concerned on 101 or 999 in an emergency.

To outwit the a thief:

Always keep your car locked, even if you only leave it for a few seconds. That’s all the time it takes for a criminal to steal your car or belongings.
Avoid leaving anything in your car, whether valuable or not, particularly when its parked overnight. Almost 63% of thefts of and from vehicles happen when they are parked outside the home.

If you need to leave anything in the car, put it in the boot, or out of sight. Be particularly careful about expensive stereo, mobile phone or satellite navigation equipment.
Park with care and never leave keys in the ignition.

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