News from Suffolk Coastal

Work is underway to enhance the look of Adastral Close in Felixstowe to help maintain the area and improve the green spaces around homes closest to the Port of Felixstowe.

As part of improvements being made to Hamilton Road in Felixstowe, Suffolk Coastal has created 19 new free 30 minute car parking spaces to help residents and visitors shopping in the town and businesses get through the worst of the current harsh economic times.

The ongoing efforts to get the community fully involved in the campaign to refurbish Felixstowe’s Seafront Gardens has seen a consultancy team appointed to help ensure that local views are at the heart of any new designs.

With a list of over 20 conditions intended to control and mitigate the impact of the development on the neighbouring area, Suffolk Coastal gave a provisional go-ahead to plans to create 8,000 square metres of business units in Melton.

One of Suffolk Coastal’s latest Community Safety Partnership supported projects, the Felixstowe Town Pastors scheme, is set to benefit next week from additional help as part of a joint training event.

Suffolk Coastal has agreed a budget that will mean only an eight pence increase in the weekly cost of its services to an average Band D home while bringing its total of efficiencies made since 2001 to over £10 million.

The 2010 edition of Choose Suffolk Coastal, the district’s holiday guide, is set for its official launch promoting a picture of holiday perfection enticing visitors wanting a short break or longer vacation in fantastic surroundings.

Suffolk Coastal District Council and the Suffolk Biodiversity Partnership (SBP) are leading the way in protecting the future of the local green environment as part of a series of community projects funded by the Suffolk Coastal Local Strategic Partnership (LSP) promoting biodiversity in local green spaces.

Tesco Stores Limited was today (Monday) found guilty of a number of serious offences relating to its store in Anson Road, Martlesham after Suffolk Coastal’s food safety team reported a catalogue of problems there in 2007.

Children and young people in Suffolk Coastal can now get around to evening and weekend events as the Going Somewhere youth transport service is offering much needed transport across the district.

The Government’s announcement today (Wednesday) that no changes will be made to local councils in Suffolk until after a special countywide meeting is held to agree the way forward has been attacked as causing even more uncertainty.

As part of a heathland restoration project tree thinning will be taking place at Sutton Heath near Woodbridge this month.

Councillors have reiterated their calls on the Government to ensure that Suffolk Coastal’s communities have a chance to make their local voice heard on the possible building of a new nuclear power station at Sizewell.

Suffolk Coastal District Council is continuing to put hard cash to work to help sustain the local economy and support business projects in its market towns.

Following a successful pilot in Woodbridge town centre, the cashless parking service RingGo is being rolled out to Suffolk Coastal car parks in Felixstowe from Thursday, January 28, making it more convenient for motorists to pay for car parking.

A campaign to improve broadband speeds, launched by the East of England Development Agency (EEDA) has been backed by Suffolk Coastal. The council is urging local businesses and residents to voice their frustrations about the speed of the local information highway.

Repair work is to be carried out to a section of path used by wheel chair users and residents with prams and pushchairs connecting Hamilton Gardens and Felixstowe Seafront Gardens.

The Government’s John Denham has been told by Suffolk Coastal that he should throw out the recommendations given to him for the future shape of local councils in Suffolk because they are fatally flawed.

Starting today (Tuesday, January 19) minor works are being carried out to repair lanterns and lighting columns in the Felixstowe Seafront Gardens.

Licensees of pubs and clubs in Leiston are being given the opportunity to access training to help improve their knowledge of drugs and how to tackle problems of misuse in their establishments.

Leiston Lynx Basketball Club is holding its first Community Basketball Open Day on Sunday January 31 at Leiston Leisure Centre when youngsters and adults can come along, pick up some tips and play or watch some games.

Despite claims in the local and national media, there have still been no confirmed reports of anyone having taken sand off any of Felixstowe’s beaches during the recent wintery conditions.

A local dog training club in Felixstowe is taking to the streets cleaning up other owners’ dog mess as well as their own in an attempt to help keep the town mess free.

Local young people have been refreshing their knowledge about alcohol awareness this week as the Suffolk Coastal Community Safety Partnership (CSP) raises awareness.

The sterling efforts of the district’s refuse and recycling teams will mean that from tomorrow (Thursday, January 14) all collections should be back to normal, with people once again able to put out their brown wheelie bins as well.

Voluntary groups that are resolving to get even better in 2010 can get a helping hand at a free advice session in Felixstowe.

Another chance to see local musical talent is on offer as a new event, Bands in the Bar, showcases local bands in a series of evening gigs.

The final phase of Suffolk Coastal’s greener waste collection services is set to be rolled out to remaining homes in Suffolk Coastal this March, seeing every household in the district benefitting from improved recycling and waste collection services.

Following a successful run of taster sessions organised by Suffolk Coastal a new athletics club, Coastal AC, has been formed to give youngsters interested in athletics the chance to develop their skills.

Following the busy Christmas period residents are being asked to cut down on their waste and go greener for the New Year.

The efforts of local campaigners hoping to preserve a historical landmark have been successful and a decision on the future of Trimley St Mary railway station building has been postponed.

Suffolk Coastal residents can continue as normal this Christmas with the council offices at Melton Hill being open for two days during the Christmas period and more services than ever available online.

Suffolk Coastal’s Community Safety Partnership (CSP) in collaboration with the Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT) will be out in the community this Christmas reminding residents to act responsibly while enjoying themselves during the festive season.

Even more residents are now able to ensure a cosy New Year thanks to a new pilot scheme to help ensure eligible residents can take advantage of free loft insulation.

As National Tree Week draws to a close Suffolk Coastal’s Parish Tree Scheme celebrates continuing to make a green difference across the district.

Thanks to local support for one of Suffolk Coastal’s oldest train stations its future is starting to look a little brighter as it receives backing from the community and high profile organisations.

Local people are being encouraged to get involved with the protection and preservation of the district’s green spaces, helping them to stay at their best for many years to come.

The third and final heat of this year’s Soundwaves Ultimate Bands contest saw the last group of bands and artists performing for a sought after place in the final.

Senior schools across the district are being urged to take part in a special emergency planning exercise being held next month which will be based around a major coastal flooding incident at Felixstowe.

Because over 1,100 individual comments were received on the recent consultation on the distribution of housing across the district, Suffolk Coastal has decided that it needs more time to fully assess them and has postponed its scheduled meetings about the Core Strategy.

Suffolk's residents who want to see three unitary councils in the county will not have their case heard by the organisation parachuted in to carve up local government following today's Appeal Court judgment which has set aside an earlier ruling.

Following a typical increase for this time of year in reports of winter vomiting disease caused by Norovirus Suffolk Coastal’s food and safety team are advising food businesses in the district to take extra precautions and maintain high levels of food hygiene to help prevent its spread.

Residents and visitors looking for a local Christmas shopping experience this year can take again advantage of free parking at Suffolk Coastal’s Melton Hill car park.

An ambitious investment programme targeted at improving all aspects of life across the whole of the district which has been agreed by the Suffolk Coastal Local Strategic Partnership (LSP) was outlined recently at its annual forum.

Residents in Suffolk Coastal are using their green-fingered skills to take part in a Guinness World Record attempt during the special Tree O’Clock event designed to help the environment and increase the number of trees in the UK.

Major improvements to Deben Swimming Pool in Woodbridge, means that the pool will be closed to swimmers for four weeks from next Monday.

In celebration of the first European Week for Waste Reduction (EWWR) the Suffolk Waste Partnership is promoting the Love Food Hate Waste campaign and will be visiting Suffolk Coastal to help residents cut down on waste.

The district’s newest play area, the final local project to be funded by the BIG Lottery Fund is now complete and ready for action.

Residents are being warned to be cautious of bogus telephone callers contacting residents and businesses in the district claiming that they are entitled to a Council Tax or national non-domestic rate (business rate) rebate.

The Suffolk Coastal Resource Network (SCRN) is continuing to take its services on tour with a special lunchtime networking event next week in Saxmundham.

Suffolk Coastal is trying to contact family members of anyone buried in its Aldeburgh, Leiston, Saxmundham or Woodbridge cemeteries between 1974 - 1984 where the plots have been purchased under an exclusive right of burial.

Local businesses can now improve their food hygiene credentials thanks to a one day training course that offers the chance to gain a level 2 award in cleaning in food premises.

Local youngsters can now start their journey to becoming the Olympic stars of tomorrow by trying their hand at track and field events at one of two upcoming athletics taster sessions.

Surprised and disappointed was the reaction of Suffolk Coastal to the decision last Friday (November 13) by Ipswich Crown Court that resulted in charges against three defendants for causing and executing unlawful works to Darsham House not being allowed to proceed.

The second edition of the Suffolk Coastal Arts Directory has just been published and promises to be another valuable boost to the local arts community.

Local communities are one step closer to living a sustainable life thanks to training sessions giving advice on how to reduce dependency on dwindling fossil fuels.

A Joint Cabinet Task Group is set to be created to help Suffolk Coastal and Waveney work closer together and make their services more efficient.

A joint project between local Councils and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has focussed on hand car washes in the district to ensure they comply with health and safety legislation.

The first step in the development control process has been taken for a major planning application in the Walton area near Felixstowe expected to be submitted by agents for landowners Trinity College.

Staff at Suffolk Coastal have helped raise over £1,200 thanks to a spooky charity event to help raise money for the Ipswich hospital Special Care Baby Unit.

Suffolk Coastal is reiterating its calls on the Government to ensure that there is a real local say to ensure local issues are fully taken into account in any future planning process for a new nuclear power station at Sizewell.

Suffolk Coastal is seeking an independent person to join its Standards Committee that helps to ensure that councillors and officers of the District Council, and the district’s Town and Parish Councils, continue to meet the high standards expected of them.

The decision for planning application C09/1119/FUL, submitted for the development of log cabins in Wenhaston, has been postponed to allow further consideration.

This year’s Soundwaves Ultimate Bands Contest is shaping up to be the best yet after the first heat set a high standard with young local bands taking to the stage at Felixstowe’s Spa Pavilion.

Older people in the district have proved their commitment to fitness by taking to the water, thanks to a nationally-backed free swim scheme.

A package of proposals have been agreed which could help Suffolk Coastal cut the amount of carbon dioxide produced as a result of its business travel and by its employees getting to work.

Local youngsters now have even more opportunities for play thanks to further funding for outdoor play projects from the outdoor play space fund (OPSF).

Suffolk Coastal’s steps to help aid local economic recovery are well under way, benefitting local market towns and organisations across the district.

The coastal scenery of Thorpeness was recreated recreated in an ambitious piece by piece project, as the district’s contribution to the national community arts project, the Big Draw.

New, state of the art thermal imaging equipment will soon be making its rounds in Suffolk Coastal to identify poor home insulation and save residents money.

Local youngsters are set to lead the way in preventing litter dropping and dog fouling in the district.

Residents still have until November 18 to comment on Suffolk Coastal’s proposals on where new homes should be shared out across the district between now and 2025.

Whether it is competitive Dance Mat battling, showing off some smooth moves, or simply having fun with friends, the Dance Mat Discos provide a great opportunity for young people over the age of 8 to get active and dance their way to fitness.

Not in My Neighbourhood week returns next month to the district to promote community safety and crime reduction and to help make Suffolk Coastal an even safer place to live.

The unique landscape of the skyline from Thorpeness is going to be recreated tomorrow (Saturday) as budding artists of all ages join together at Leiston Leisure Centre as part of the Big Draw campaign.