News from Suffolk Coastal

Nearly 60,000 forms have been sent out to homes across the district to help update the electoral register and Suffolk Coastal is urging all residents to either send them back, or go online and do it all at a push of a button.

Four candidates have put themselves forward for election on Thursday, September 23 to fill two vacant seats at Orford Parish Council after nominations closed yesterday (Thursday).

More details about Suffolk Coastal’s first festival celebrating the outdoors are emerging and looks set to meet the goal of helping people enjoy the district’s countryside and landscape.

The swimming pool at Leiston Leisure Centre will be closed to residents while minor repair works and improvements are made.

Even more residents could enjoy a cosy winter thanks to a scheme that is helping older and more vulnerable people take up the opportunity of having free loft insulation.

Nominations have been received and the final preparations are being made ahead of the fourth annual Suffolk Coastal Sports Awards celebrating sporting success and achievement across the district.

A by-election to fill two vacant seats at Orford Parish Council is set for Thursday, September 23 if more than two candidates put themselves forward before noon on Thursday, August 26.

Thanks to the success of the Stepping out in Suffolk health walks scheme there are more opportunities for keen walkers to attend a training course to become a walk leader.

As plans for the regeneration of the Felixstowe Seafront Gardens continue local residents have shown their enthusiasm by having their say on potential designs for the gardens.

The Seven Hills Crematorium in Nacton is set to open this autumn and the team behind what has been called ‘the most environmentally friendly crematorium in the country’ has taken one of the final steps towards its official go-ahead.

Local groups and organisations that can offer advice, funding or support to voluntary and community sector groups will be showcasing their services at a special networking lunch organised by the Suffolk Coastal Resource Network (SCRN).

Residents in the district are being encouraged to recycle even more waste paper in their blue-lidded recycling bins helping to prevent any unnecessary waste being sent to landfill.

The crowds were out in force at the first of the summer’s Skate Jams with young skate boarders and BMX riders showcasing their talent alongside impressive performances by Soundwaves artists and bands.

Thanks to a grant from Suffolk Coastal, funding has been awarded to Level2 to provide additional support and advice for young people.

Seven more local community groups are set for help from Suffolk Coastal so that they can continue their hard work across the district offering services for residents that have a positive impact on the community.

Food businesses in Suffolk Coastal and Waveney can now benefit from the latest partnership working between the two district councils through the launch of a successful food training programme in Lowestoft.

Young people from across the district will be donning kit bags and camo-gear ready to battle boredom next week with the help of soldiers from the 23rd Engineer Regiment (Air Assault).

The spotlight was put last night (Thursday) on the efforts being made by people across Suffolk Coastal to add to the district’s quality through new projects that have helped conserve historic buildings, create new top-notch designs, or helped benefit the local landscape or nature.

Starting this month, older people across the district will be able to receive a one-off £80 rebate from their electricity bill as a result of a deal between the Government and energy suppliers.

As part of the Open Weekend, celebrating the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, over 3,000 people enjoyed the Xtremefest experience last Sunday (July 25) the fourth annual one-day free event promoting and celebrating alternative sports, beach activities and healthy living.

Residents have their last chance to nominate local sports people for the fourth annual Suffolk Coastal Sports Alliance Awards this week, celebrating sporting success, dedication and improvement across the district.

Since reopening over the May Bank Holiday weekend the Cliff Top Café in Felixstowe has been working hard to prepare for the summer holidays.

A new outdoor festival for Suffolk Coastal is being introduced this October to help people experience the great range of activities on offer in the great outdoors.

Skilled musicians from this year’s Soundwaves project are carrying out their final sound checks ahead of the Soundwaves Summer Tour.

Cllr Marianne Fellowes has been appointed as Suffolk Coastal’s new Cabinet Member for Community Health, replacing the outgoing Cllr Sherrie Green.

Young people in years 5 to 9 from across the district put on an impressive performance at this year’s Suffolk Youth Games competing in sports ranging from athletics to skatepark skills.

A further chance to get involved with the future plans of Felixstowe’s Seafront Gardens is on offer to residents and visitors next week giving them the chance to shape what the improved gardens will look like.

Residents in Easton have the chance to elect two new parish councillors on Thursday, July 22 after four people put themselves forward for the vacant seats.

Suffolk Coastal residents receiving a reduction in their Council Tax bill because they are a single occupant are being given the chance to check and update their details before a data matching service is carried out later this month.

With the summer holidays fast approaching there are still opportunities to keep children and young people entertained thanks to the many holiday activities planned by Suffolk Coastal.

The town pastor scheme in Suffolk Coastal has received a further boost as the latest group of volunteers prepare to take to the streets.

As part of a series of new attractions being introduced to Felixstowe this summer, special falconry displays are taking place to entertain visitors.

Local licensees of pubs, clubs and bars are being given the opportunity to brush up on their drug knowledge to ensure that their establishments remain a safe and enjoyable place this summer.

With the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics fast approaching local businesses are being given the chance to find out more about how they can get involved.

Wickham Market has become Suffolk Coastal’s Village of the Year, 2010 beating off tough competition from other villages across the district.

As the weather heats up and World Cup parties get underway residents are encouraged to freshen up their barbecue skills and consider their neighbours this summer so everyone can enjoy the warmer weather safely.

For the past two years, during one week in the school summer holidays, the area around Rock Barracks in Sutton has echoed with the sounds of 60 young people having great fun during Operation Camouflage.

Families can keep their youngsters safe on the beach this summer thanks to the Kidzsafe wristband scheme.

In celebration of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games the Open Weekend is marked by two days of alternative sporting activities in Felixstowe encouraging people to try something new and enjoy an active lifestyle.

While recognising that there is scope for improvement, Suffolk Coastal’s Leader has robustly defended the work of the Council’s planning service after it was strongly criticised by three of the district’s parish councils.

While the final consultation on Suffolk Coastal’s recently agreed Core Strategy document has now been put on hold, planners and developers have been told that its policies should now be used to assess most new planning applications.

Keen walkers and champions of a healthy lifestyle are wanted to join the successful team of volunteer health walk leaders in Suffolk Coastal.

School pupils across the district have been keeping their schools litter free in order to compete for the title of cleanest school in the district.

As part of the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) bid to refurbish the Felixstowe Seafront Gardens a public exhibition is taking place to show residents and visitors the draft outline masterplan for the area.

As part of the Creating the Greenest Communities initiative, a free workshop is taking place on Saturday (June 12) to help communities find out more about the role community food enterprises can have in low cost, low impact food production.

Small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) in the district can take advantage of expert help to understand their carbon footprint and help reduce the cost of their energy bills.

Suffolk Coastal, Felixstowe Futures and the Friends of Trimley station are continuing their hard work to save one of the district’s historical landmarks and are now calling on the community to help develop plans.

The celebrated Suffolk Coastal Sports Alliance Awards are returning for their fourth year recognising sporting talent, dedication and achievement across the district.

Councillor Ray Herring was re-elected Leader of the Council last night (Thursday) for the 11th consecutive year at the Annual Full Council meeting and immediately pledged that the Council was ready to meet tough challenges over the coming year.

After being a district councillor for seven years Veronica Falconer is to become Suffolk Coastal Chairman for the next 12 months taking over from Cllr Stephen Burroughes.

The Leaders of Suffolk Coastal and Waveney have warmly welcomed yesterday’s (Wednesday) announcement by the Government that ‘wasteful and unnecessary restructuring plans’ for councils in Suffolk are to be stopped immediately.

To mark the start of food safety week Suffolk Coastal District Council is reminding residents about the importance of good food hygiene when having barbecues.

Another new attraction is due to open this Bank Holiday weekend helping to give a further boost to tourism at the seaside resort of Felixstowe.

A company that has been illegally using land in Thorington to store materials for much of the last decade was fined last week by Lowestoft magistrates for failing to comply with a Suffolk Coastal order to clear up the site.

Potential parish councillors have until Noon on Thursday (May 27) to submit a completed nomination form if they want to fill one of two vacancies on Walberswick Parish Council.

A survey of 100 local businesses in the Suffolk Coastal area has concluded that most are confident about the future but would be happier if issues regarding the internet and the skills of potential employees were addressed.

New bins installed across the district are making it even easier for residents to do their part for the local environment and recycle while on the go.

Over 20 local not-for-profit groups and organisations have been given a financial boost thanks to this years revenue grants fund.

The Suffolk Coastal Community Safety Partnership (CSP) and the Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT) were out in Felixstowe last week to promote awareness of car crime and give advice to residents.

The Suffolk Coastal Community Safety Partnership (CSP) along with the Suffolk Constabulary drug specialist is offering training to local licensees in the district to equip them with practical knowledge and skills to deal with drug misuse on their premises.

As part of a project to help parish councils and planning groups, the Suffolk Coastal Local Strategic Partnership (LSP) is hosting an information conference to help them implement their Parish Plan.

As part of the heathland restoration project at Sutton Heath near Woodbridge, a specialist contractor is taking action to safeguard a significant area of sweet chestnut trees using traditional coppicing techniques.

Work should get underway on Monday (May 17) to put in place some emergency measures to help safeguard homes in North End Avenue, Thorpeness which have seen their local beach levels drop by over five feet this month.

As part of the 2009 Big Draw event the dramatic skyline of Thorpeness was brought to life in a 70 piece patchwork collage and it has now found a new home for the community to admire it.

As part of a joint project with other councils in Suffolk, Suffolk Coastal has produced a guide for residents planning to extend or make alterations to their home.

Young people in the district are in for a fun filled summer holiday this year as Suffolk Coastal hosts even more summer activities to get involved in.

Local school children have been getting creative by designing posters to encourage people to be responsible and clear up after their pets.

Local residents are being encouraged to have their say on new plans drawn up by the Landguard Partnership designed to improve the Landguard Peninsula in Felixstowe.

Making Felixstowe an even better attraction for visitors is a top priority for Suffolk Coastal who despite its financial constraints is putting on even more activities this year to help attract more tourists.

Residents in the Kesgrave East division are being asked to return to their local polling station between 7am and 10pm on Thursday, June 3 to fill a vacant seat on Kesgrave Town Council with two candidates vying for their votes.

Young people in years 5 to 9 are being given the opportunity to get some expert training ahead of this year’s Suffolk Youth Games.

The voters of Suffolk Coastal made history when, with the election of Therese Coffey, they returned the first ever woman MP to represent a seat in Suffolk.

A new tourist attraction is preparing for a busy summer season allowing residents and visitors to try a new way of getting around.

There will be more help on hand for communities in Suffolk Coastal that want to take action that will help residents to save energy and water, prepare for extreme weather events and help protect the environment.

Land in Westerfield is now being tidied up after a resident admitted failing to comply with a planning enforcement notice from the Council and was fined £3,500, with £600 costs by magistrates at Ipswich.