Civic News
Safe play for kids is key message of the month
SUNDERLAND CHILDREN'S CENTRES are backing the ‘safe play for children’ themes of National Playday (1 August).
Not only has it become increasingly important for children to have safe places to
visit, but 'Our streets too!' - the focus of this national celebration – focuses on the need to reclaim the streets for safe play.
Many parents worry about increased traffic and crime in streets that were once safe havens. Sunderland Children's Centres are helping to address these anxieties.
In times gone by playing outside, in the street, was a natural way for children to
make neighbourhood friends. Now parents and children can visit their local Children's Centre and meet and socialise with others who visit the centre.
Alongside providing families with safe areas to meet, Children's Centres
also offer a range of play and learning activities including excellent toy
libraries, soft play facilities and summer holiday activities.
Additionally, Children's Centres have helped to fund a number of public play
areas across the city, where children can play safely in the fresh air, away from busy roads.
Phil Hayden, Integrated Local Services Manager for Sunderland Children's
Centres, explained: "Providing children with areas for safe play is vital.
It not only allows children to socialise with each other and improve their
communication skills, but it also encourages children to be more active."
The primary aim of the city's Children's Centres is to provide each child
with the best start in life by bringing together early education and play
with childcare and health and family support.
Councillor Pat Smith, Cabinet Member for Children's Services within
Sunderland City Council, added: "It is more important than ever for children
to have safe places to play and Sunderland Children's Centres are helping to
provide parents with these invaluable facilities."
YOUR CITY’S FUTURE … NOW YOU CAN DECIDE!
FANCY HAVING YOUR say at this year's annual State of the City Debate?
Sunderland people are being encouraged to ask questions on anything that engages them. Be it … what's the city doing to tackle global warming … how health issues in the city are being addressed … what's being done to create more jobs for local people?
Key decision makers from across the city will answer points raised.
The debate takes place at Crowtree Leisure Centre on Wednesday, July 11.
There will also be presentations from the Leader of the Council, Cllr Bob Symonds; Paul Callaghan from the Leighton Group; and Canon Stephen Taylor, Chair of the Sunderland Partnership. They will outline the achievements of the city over the last year, the challenges ahead and future developments.
The event begins at 5pm followed by presentations at 5.30pm and question time at 6pm.
Chief Executive of Sunderland City Council Ged Fitzgerald said: "The aim of the event is to encourage more audience involvement, so this year we are giving the public the opportunity to submit their questions prior to the event.
"For the first time, people have to submit questions in advance - either in writing* or online on the council website - www.sunderland.gov.uk
"In previous years not everyone had the opportunity to have their questions answered due to lack of time. This year any questions which the panel do not have time to answer on the night will receive a response in writing."
The panel will include:
· Ged Fitzgerald, Chief Executive of Sunderland City Council
· Alan Patchett, Director of Age Concern Sunderland
· Nonnie Crawford, Locality Director of Public Health, Sunderland TPCT
· Superintendent Kay Blyth, Sunderland Area Command, Northumbria Police
Richard Moss, Political Editor for BBC NE and Cumbria will be the compere for the evening.
* Questions should be addressed to: Sunderland City Council, City Debate, Chief Executive's Directorate, Civic Centre, Burdon Road, Sunderland SR2 7DN.
SPECIALIST SCHOOL GETS £360,000 FUNDING BOOST
YOUNG SUNDERLAND PEOPLE WITH SEVERE learning difficulties have received a welcome boost.
The Government has announced that Portland School is to become the first Specialist College for Cognition and Learning in the North East. The college will further enable the youngsters to develop their skills and talents.
This new accreditation provides the school with £360,000 funding over the next four years to help develop its resources and continuing work. Some 150 secondary age students with severe to profound and complex learning difficulties will benefit.
Schools Minister Andrew Adonis said: "I offer my congratulations to Portland School who have been granted specialist status. They are now part of an ever growing network of schools driving up standards across the system.
"More and more special schools are participating in the programme and this is proving very successful … today I have announced funding of £23 million to expand the number of SEN [special educational needs] specialist schools in the programme over the next three years. It will mean around 50 new SEN specialist schools established each year. More than 2.6 million students are now being taught in a specialist school. We know they work and are popular."
Portland school - opened in 2001 by Tony Blair on a purpose built site in Doxford Park - provides a vital link within the Special Educational Needs network working with mainstream and special schools.
The new accreditation and funding will allow the school to further develop its expertise in cognition and learning and enable Portland to provide additional support for the local community and partner schools.
Through increased training and resources Portland aims to help increase understanding of special needs and ensure those with special educational needs have greater access to community activities.
Staff in partner schools will get support to help better meet the needs of students who are failing to make progress at the expected rate for their age.
Partner schools are:
- New Silksworth Junior
- Farringdon Community Sports College
- St. Aidan's Catholic School and Language College
- Southmoor Community School
- Venerable Bede C of E Voluntary Aided Secondary School.
Portland deputy head Martin Wright said: "The new Specialist status for our school will mean so much to youngsters in our city facing their own particular challenges, and help us to raise both their educational attainment and personal achievement.
"It will also give us the chance to raise the profile of special educational needs within the community through training and education partnerships with the public and private sectors. Grundfos Manufacturers are key private sector partners whose staff will work with Portland staff and students to help increase their understanding about Special Needs and enable greater access to the workplace.
"Our aims support the view of SEN within the city, where each child is seen as an individual and we look to help develop, support and nurture progress and ensure that through school and the curriculum they have the opportunity to develop their skills and level of independence as much as possible."
Portland School was designed with input from pupils’ parents, staff and governors; facilities include:
- light and sensory suite and hydrotherapy pool
- conference and training rooms
- IT suite/6th form centre with focus on nutrition, developing independence and skills for life beyond school
- Multi-purpose hall area that supports outstanding drama and PE provision.
- all weather enclosed sports area and an external amphitheatre
- student garden, raised planting outside the classrooms and carefully
screened car parking
Cabinet Member for Children's Services Cllr Pat Smith said: "This announcement from the Department for Children, Schools and Families is not only great news for Portland School and special education across our city, but is also a testament to the hard work going on in Sunderland.
"We are committed to providing the facilities, the teaching and the opportunities that will encourage and maintain a youngster's personal development and prepare them … to take their place within our community, prepared for any challenges ..."
Music and hats contest colour Mayoral tea party
THE ‘MAYORESS AT HOME’ party promises to be one of the social events of the year, with musical entertainment accompanying the familiar afternoon tea.
Traditionally the ‘At Home’ is an annual event where people and community organisations in Sunderland meet their new Mayoress supported by the Mayor. This year there’s an open invitation to join her for afternoon tea at the Civic Centre on Thursday June 21.
New Mayoress Ann Scott has also taken the opportunity to invite ladies from the Women's Institute and Federation of Townswomen's Guild to attend along with community groups from her home ward of St Chads. Mayors from other local authorities are also expected to join in Sunderland's civic festivities.
There’s afternoon tea in Café Refresh, and from 3 - 5pm; and people are also invited to visit the Council Chamber to be entertained by children from East Herrington Primary school choir, dancers from New Silksworth Infant school, the ‘Farra-cappella’group from Farringdon Community Sports College, and the EastEnd Singalong chorus led by Sunderland Symphony Orchestra's Rupert Hanson.
Mayoress Scott said: “I'm delighted to be hosting this year's event, my first official function in my own right. I've tried to make the event something of a ‘ladies day’ by asking my friends and colleagues from the Women's Institutes and Townswomen's Guilds to really dress-up for the occasion with a prize for the nicest hat. And everyone has the chance, throughout the afternoon, to donate to this year's Mayoral Charities.”
The Mayoral Charities this year are The Salvation Army in Sunderland and the SAFC Foundation which works with young people and children in the community.
Entertainment Programme of events : Mayoress ‘At Home’
2.45 - Farringdon Community Sports College, Civic Suite Entrance ‘Farra-capella’
3.00 - First sitting for refreshments - Café Refresh
3.30 - New Silksworth Infant School, Civic Suite ‘Music and dancing’
4.00 - Second sitting for refreshments, Café Refresh
4.00 - East End Singalong Chorus, Council Chamber
4.25 - Announcement of the Most Attractive Hat competition winners, Civic Suite
4.30 - Herrington Primary School Choir, Council Chamber
GOVERNMENT PRAISE FOR SUNDERLAND COMMUNITY RELATIONS
RUTH KELLY, Secretary of State for Communities, has launched an important Government report on Integration and Cohesion. The report speaks well of Sunderland projects promoting good community relations.
The Government publication comes at a time when there is increased public concern about extremism and community problems due to lack of understanding and mistrust of other cultures. A 2006 national MORI poll found that people named immigration and race relations as the main issues facing Britain today.
This report - prepared by the Government's special Commission for Integration and Cohesion - describes how local areas can best benefit from an increasingly diverse society, and how citizens should respond to problems it can bring.
Sunderland features in the report as a city that is working well to promote equality of opportunity and respect for and between all residents and visitors.
Phil Barrett, the Council's lead officer on community cohesion, said: "The City Council was pleased to contribute to this important national report, and we welcome many of its recommendations. They reflect much of what we are already doing in Sunderland, and it is encouraging that the report recognises some of our excellent projects as good practice."
Thornhill School's 'The Word' rap group is included as an example of good practice in increasing understanding of other cultures and raising awareness of the problems caused by racism. Amer Sheikh, chemistry teacher at Thornhill School and leader of 'The Word' project, said, "We are delighted to have been featured in the Commission's report. Our message is simple and powerful, and the kids have great fun being part of it.
"Thanks to support from the City Council and other partners, we're going from strength to strength. Already this year we've performed to over 7,000 young people in the North East and on June 26 we're putting on two special concerts at The Empire Theatre, with several thousand pupils from Sunderland schools taking part."
The report focuses on the important role that local councils need to play in improving the quality of people's lives by making sure that people feel safe, respected and included wherever they live, work and spend their leisure time. Integration is its main message.
Cllr Bryan Charlton, the City Council's Portfolio Holder for Regeneration and Community Cohesion said: "Making our communities safer and stronger is a responsibility we take very seriously in Sunderland. We want to ensure that Sunderland increasingly develops into a vibrant modern city. We are building on our strong community spirit, for which Sunderland people are well known, to welcome and include new people from all backgrounds.
"We have witnessed the scourge of both Islamic and far right extremism in other towns and cities in the UK and abroad. We are determined that Sunderland will continue to be a city that resoundingly rejects extremism of all kinds, and prides itself on its fairness, inclusion and a friendly welcome."
Calm cancer fears as new Cancer Awareness Roadshow visits a town near you
Ronan Keating Supporting Breast Cancer Awareness  |
Worried about cancer? Feel you may be at risk? Like to talk to an expert and have a health check on the spot?
The good news is that a new Cancer Awareness Roadshow is coming to a town near you soon.
Following a successful pilot in 2006 the Cancer Awareness Roadshow is touring the UK for a year.
In the coming weeks the Roadshow will be visiting Carlisle, Stockton-on-Tees, Gateshead and Darlington.
Cancer Awareness
Roadshow
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Cancer Research UK’s Cancer Awareness Roadshow - in partnership with the Marie Keating Foundation - was launched in April to tell people about the importance of early detection and show how to reduce the risk of cancer.
The service is free of charge and anyone is welcome on board. Visitors can talk to a nurse in a private consultation room … pick up one of a range of leaflets highlighting how to lead a healthier life … put their lungs to the test with the ‘smokelisers’ … and find out about local health promotion services. Ronan Keating Supporting Breast Cancer Awareness  |
Roadshow Nurse Patricia Robertson comments: “I am delighted to be able to provide local communities with information about cancer prevention, early detection, screening and generally how to lead a healthier life.”
The Cancer Awareness Roadshow will be coming to a town centre near you soon. To find out more and view a full list of planned destinations visit:
Cancer Research UK: Cancer Awareness Roadshow
Big ‘thank you’ as Mayoral charity money is presented
MONEY RAISED this year by Sunderland citizens for Mayoral charities has been presented.
In one of their last official functions, the outgoing Mayor and Mayoress of Sunderland - Councillor Tom Foster and his wife Brenda - invited representatives from the Grace House Children's Hospice Appeal and the Samaritans into the Mayor's Parlour to each receive cheques for £9,184 from fundraising civic events.
The Mayor, Councillor Tom Foster said: “I'd like to thank everyone who supported our Mayoral Charities this year, those who donated money and those who organised all the events, everybody was willing to go that 'extra yard' to help.
“What makes this presentation so special is the fact I've recently met some of the families involved with both the charities. They all told me what the money will mean to those helping and supporting their loved ones.”
Jane Dennison, fundraising manager for the Grace House North East Children's Hospice Appeal commented: “We are delighted with this donation and very grateful to the Mayor and the people of Sunderland, it will make such a huge difference. It’s another big step in achieving our building plans which are on target to begin next year.” More information: (0191) 516 6302 / www.gracehouse.co.uk.
SUNDERLAND DECLARES CLOSE TO MIDNIGHT on May 3 Sunderland City Council announced its election results. All results were out by 12.10 am.
Sunderland was the only council in Tyne and Wear to opt for the traditional election night count. Other councils were all due to hold their counts on Friday.
Said Sunderland Returning Officer Ged Fitzgerald, "We're committed to bringing people the result as soon as we possibly can after the polls close.
"This year has seen even more opportunities to vote, with people being able to choose between postal voting and three advanced voting stations across the city alongside the traditional polling stations.
“Having a choice of ways to vote is proving increasingly popular with electors: almost 60,000 Sunderland voters – 27 per cent of the electorate – chose to vote by post and more than 1100 used the advance polling stations ahead of polling day."
Sunderland safer for vulnerable adults
NEW GUIDELINES to help protect vulnerable Sunderland adults received a recent airing at the Stadium of Light.
Community safety partners from across Sunderland - including Sunderland City Council, Northumbria Police and the voluntary sector - gathered at the event. Speakers Gary Fitzgerald from the national charity Elder Abuse and John Fisher from Sunderland City Council's Adult Services described the adult protection measures in place as part of zero tolerance to the neglect or abuse of vulnerable adults.
John Fisher, Head of Adult Services said: "Sunderland City Council has always taken the issue of abuse very seriously and has worked hard to ensure that Sunderland has been at the leading edge in Adult Protection."
The Multi-Agency Panel for the Protection of Vulnerable Adults (MAPPVA) was set up in 1997, later replaced by the 'Sunderland Safeguarding Adults Partnership Board'. It involves partners from the statutory, voluntary and independent sectors working together for the benefit of those who can potentially be at risk of harm and abuse.
The guidelines included in the strategy document, 'Safeguarding Adults: a National Framework of Standards' recognises the need to shift from the reactionary approach to abuse to focus on a more preventative approach in which the adult concerned is central to determining what process is followed. The individual works closely with the health and care professionals concerned with their case to assess remedial measures.
This working framework has already been fully implemented in Sunderland with the need to constantly raise standards a recognised part of that process. As a result there has been a review of current procedures and a new procedural framework will be implemented in May 2007.
POLLING DAY COMES EARLY FOR SUNDERLAND VOTERS
SUNDERLAND voters will be able to cast their votes from this Monday - 10 days ahead of official polling day on Thursday May 3.
Following on from the success of a smaller scheme last year, the city has once again been chosen to pilot advance voting, making it easier than ever to vote in this year's local elections.
Last year more than 1,430 Sunderland voters took advantage of the opportunity to vote ahead of the official polling day at an advance voting station at the City Library and Arts Centre in Sunderland city centre.
This year to make it even easier for people to vote and save them from having to travel into the city centre from the Washington and Houghton areas, voters will be able to vote at one of three advance voting stations conveniently located near to where they live:
- The City Library and Arts Centre, Sunderland (for the 16 Sunderland wards)
- Washington Town Centre Library (for the five Washington wards)
- Houghton Library and Customer Service Centre (for the four Houghton wards)
The three advance voting stations, which will be open on weekdays between 9am and 5pm Monday April 23 until 12 noon on Wednesday May 2, will also act as drop off points for postal votes.
Said Returning Officer Ged Fitzgerald: "The fact that we've been chosen to pilot advanced voting for a second year means it's easier then ever for Sunderland electors to cast their vote.
"Last year's pilot certainly proved popular with voters and this year we have three advance voting stations spread across the city rather than just the one that we had last year making it even more convenient for people to vote."
Voters who wish to take advantage of early voting need to attend their designated advance voting station.
- For voters in the Copt Hill, Hetton, Houghton and Shiney Row wards, the designated advance voting station is Houghton Library and Customer Service Centre in Newbottle Street Houghton
- For voters in the Washington Central, East, North, South and West wards, the designated advance voting station is Washington Town Centre Library in Independence Square, Washington
- For voters in Barnes, Castle, Doxford, Fulwell, Hendon, Millfield, Pallion, Redhill, Ryhope, St Anne's, St Chad's, St Michael's, St Peter's, Sandhill, Silksworth and Southwick wards, the designated Advance Voting station is the City Library and Arts Centre, Fawcett Street, Sunderland
Voters will also be able to cast their votes in the traditonal way at their local polling station on election day May 3, while those who have applied for postal votes should find their postal ballot packs landing on their doormats from today onwards.
Sunderland is one of 13 local authorities which have been chosen by the Government to pilot a range of different schemes designed to make voting easier and more convenient for electors.
19/04/2007
Photo opportunity
11.45 am City Library and Arts Centre, Fawcett Street, Sunderland - Fulwell A'level student Margery Cowburn who will be celebrating her 18th birthday on polling day, Thursday May 3, will be casting her vote at the advance polling station at the City Library and Arts Centre. Returning Officer Ged Fitzerald will also be available for interview.
Famous President’s Will showcased in Washington Old Hall
As Washington Old Hall reopens for the season there’s a stunning attraction that bears testimony to the powerful links between the USA and the region.
The official Friendship Agreement between Washington DC and Sunderland has gone on display, together with a facsimile of George Washington's Will of 1799.
Washington Old Hall is a fitting home for these historic documents as it is, of course, the ancestral home of George Washington.
In his Will Washington granted his slaves freedom on the death of his wife and ensured they would be looked after – particularly poignant as we mark the 200th anniversary of the UK Act to abolish the slave trade in Britain.
Children from local John F. Kennedy Primary School were among the first to see the historic documents when they visited Washington Old Hall in late March.
The pupils met the city's Mayor, Cllr Tom Foster, to tell him about the work they've been doing as part of the American link and the special connections they're developing with their partner school in Washington DC.
Members of the History and International after-school clubs have been researching the historic links between their community and America's first President and forging links with Garfield Elementary School in Washington DC.
The children gave their own presentation of George Washington's life to the Mayor and Mayoress at the event, together with interesting facts they’ve uncovered.
The pupils also spent time with a storyteller in traditional dress, finding out about the period when George Washington was alive and thinking about slavery throughout the years.
Through its Friendship Agreement, Sunderland is the only non-capital city to share this special link with Washington DC. The two cities have been working together since June last to develop links of benefit to residents of both cities.
In particular plans are in train to share ideas and experience in job creation, economic development and tourism.
The cities are exploring how information technology can support community involvement and service delivery, as well as developing educational and cultural initiatives and programmes to raise awareness of the unique historical connection.
Mayor Foster said, "It’s fitting that these historic documents should be housed at Washington Old Hall which is a permanent reminder of the close relationship between our two cities and countries."
Kate Gardner, House Manager at Washington Old Hall added: "We are delighted to be able to add a copy of the Will and Friendship Agreement to the Hall's collection of Washington memorabilia."
The children have also been using Sunderland's e-connectivity with the global community to establish their own links with their peers across the Atlantic at Garfield Elementary School in Washington DC.
International co-ordinator at JFK Primary Gil Hanley said: "This is a superb opportunity for the children to see history in the making, and to have a better understanding of our national and international heritage."
City will test schemes to make voting easier
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Chief Executive
Ged Fitzgerald |
SUNDERLAND City Council is one of 13 local authorities chosen by the Government to pilot a range of different schemes designed to make voting easier and more convenient for electors.
Sunderland will feature advanced voting at three city libraries, enabling any voter registered on the city's electoral register to cast their vote before the official May 3 local government elections polling day.
Between Monday April 23 and noon on Wednesday May 2 voters will be able to vote at:
- City Library & Arts Centre, Sunderland
- Washington Town Centre Library
- Houghton Library & Customer Service Centre
These stations will also double up as postal vote drop off points.
This is the second time the city has been chosen to pilot early voting. Last year Sunderland successfully trialled advanced voting with an early voting station at the City Library in Fawcett Street, Sunderland.
Returning Officer and Sunderland Council Chief Executive Ged Fitzgerald told Sunderland Life, "This is all about making it easier for people to vote and giving them more choice. Last year's pilot was certainly popular with voters, with more than 1,430 people taking advantage of the opportunity to cast their votes in a traditional polling station more than a week ahead of polling day.
"We hope this year will be even more successful as we'll have three early voting stations spread across the city making it even more convenient for people to vote."
Voters whose names aren't on the register of electors are urged to act now to make sure of their vote in May - only those whose names are included on the register of electors will be able to vote.
If you want to register or if you are unsure whether you are already registered contact the Elections Office on 553 1141.
The closing date to register is Wednesday April 18.
Top marks for financial management
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Council Leader
Bob Symonds |
SUNDERLAND COUNCIL is top in finance management - achieving full marks in the Audit Commission's annual assessment of how 150 single tier and county councils use their resources.
Sunderland Council's overall score is based on:
- - financial reporting
- - financial management
- - financial standing
- - internal control
- - value for money
Council Leader Cllr Bob Symonds commented: "We're especially pleased to be one of only 15 councils in the country to gain top ranking."
Cllr Dave Allan, Cabinet Member for Resources said: "Staff are to be congratulated on this excellent achievement."
City Treasurer Keith Beardmore added, "This rating is testament to the teamwork, drive and commitment of staff across the council."
Announcing this year's use of resources Steve Bundred, Chief Executive of the Audit Commission said: "The performance of local councils has improved considerably over recent years. These scores for use of resources are a sign that this positive trend is set to continue.”
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