News archive July to September 2007

More people are thinking of becoming landlords as an investment opportunity and Suffolk Coastal is keen to help them by providing as much information as possible about the legal obligations that face them and their tenants.

Thousands of the 58,000 forms that have been sent out to homes across the district to help update the electoral register have already been returned but Suffolk Coastal is urging all residents to either send them back or go online.

Young people of high school age in Felixstowe, interested in fashion, style, culture, identity and creativity have an amazing opportunity to join Re-generate, a project that will build better understanding in relationships between the generations in Felixstowe through the creative process of putting on a fashion show from scratch.

One of the easiest ways to start saving money and cutting your carbon emissions is to switch to energy saving light bulbs, which not only last longer than normal ones but can each save up to £10 worth of electricity a year.

Suffolk Coastal is asking for views on proposed changes to the licensing rules which control not just the sale of alcohol in shops, pubs or clubs, but also entertainment events including plays, films, indoor sporting events, indoor or outdoor boxing and wrestling, live and recorded music, dance, plus the provision of late night food or drink.

A new DVD filmed by young people and putting the spotlight on what the different generations of Suffolk Coastal think about each other is being shown for the first time tonight.

As part of its commitment to helping reduce the district’s carbon footprint, Suffolk Coastal has had a free energy audit carried out on its main buildings by the Carbon Trust.

Suffolk Coastal’s residents are being urged to take part in a national consultation exercise that will help the creation of future strategies to deal with and prevent drug abuse.

Work has now begun to tap into the rich history and heritage of life along the rivers Alde and Ore with an innovative new project asking for people to come forward and play their part.

Owning a beach hut is becoming more desirable than ever so Suffolk Coastal has set up a new service to help would-be sellers and would-be buyers to get in touch with each other.

Visitors to Felixstowe who took advantage of the good weather on Bank Holiday Monday were able to watch or participate in the three extreme sports that made up the resort’s first “Xtremefest”.

Three exciting projects are set to be included in a bid for funding from the National Lottery, following work by Suffolk Coastal to draw up the district’s first Play Strategy.

It will be easier than ever to spot a taxi or private hire vehicle in Suffolk Coastal as over the next few weeks all of them will be getting new identification plates from the Council.

Alcohol designation orders in four areas of Suffolk Coastal are in place for the first time today (Friday) after they were officially authorised by the Council last week in order to help the police control anti-social behaviour.

There is a great chance next week for people who are interested in renewable energy to attend a special “Power to the People” event aimed at local residents who want to find out how they can plug into their own energy supply at home.

Following a special inspection by a new partnership, The Cross public house in Woodbridge has been ordered to take action to control the number of people in its pub and was warned that any further breaches could see requests for the loss of its licence.

A beach hut along the Pier North end of Felixstowe has recently been judged the winner of Suffolk Coastal’s competition to find the beach hut with the best “home from home” feeling.

Next Friday (August 24) sees Suffolk Coastal’s music project Soundwaves join forces with Sk8 Aid for a special fundraising gig with a whole host of bands playing to raise money for the Woodbridge Skate Park.

People who like their sport to be skillful, edgy, outdoor and extreme, will find plenty to watch and take part in at Felixstowe’s very own “Xtremefest” sports day.

This week a film crew with a difference are out and about across the district canvassing the views of young and old about their district and the things that matter to them.

The continuing improvements to its planning service has seen Suffolk Coastal gain a good two star rating from the independent local government watchdog, the Audit Commission.

The latest edition of the Yellow Pages will shortly be landing on door mats across the district and Suffolk Coastal is urging all its residents to recycle their old edition.

Thanks to a partnership between Suffolk Coastal, Woodbridge Town Council, and Woodbridge police another new tool in the campaign against anti-social behaviour is from yesterday (Thursday) now in place.

Suffolk Coastal’s food safety team carry out over 500 inspections a year and for the first time these results could be available for all to see, both at the premises that has been visited and also on the Council’s website.

A Woodbridge woman was left counting the cost of her dishonesty this week (Monday, August 6) after being given a 12 week suspended prison sentence after appearing at Ipswich Magistrates’ Court.

Suffolk Coastal is asking its customers what tune they think should be played on its telephone system while the caller is waiting to be connected.

A survey of satisfaction among its local residents has put Suffolk Coastal top in Suffolk for both its council and as an area in which to live.

Suffolk Coastal is next week taking the first available opportunity to officially authorise alcohol designation orders that help the police to control anti-social behaviour in parts of the district.

The continuing improvements to its planning services have seen Suffolk Coastal provisionally gain a planning development grant (PDG) from the Government.

Otley Primary School has recently been declared the winner of this year’s “Schools Recycling Sports Day” organised by the County Council and the recycling teams from each of the district councils.

Budding young footballers have the chance over the summer holidays to learn how some of the world’s most skilful football players developed their ability to beat opponents at will.

The licensed opening hours for regulated enterainment at Leiston’s White Horse Hotel public house are being cut with immediate effect after a series of complaints about noise prompted a review of its conditions by Suffolk Coastal.

Suffolk Coastal is making its residents an offer they really cannot refuse – the chance to get their cavity walls insulated at substantially reduced prices and get a £50 credit to their Council Tax account at the same time.

A special event was recently held that gave people in Felixstowe a chance to share their thoughts and views on how to create a brighter future for Felixstowe’s resort.

A Kesgrave woman is counting the cost of her benefit fraud after appearing at the Magistrates Court in Ipswich last Monday (July 23).

The latest improvement to Suffolk Coastal’s planning services means that anyone submitting a planning application can now pay online via the Council’s website.

The results of the Government’s planning inspector’s inquiry into the Orwell Crossing has lifted some of the confusion on what are the rules about using the A14 facility.

The Government has today announced the results of its long awaited consideration of the bid by seven Suffolk councils to create a Pathfinder Partnership.

Grants from Suffolk Coastal totalling over £45,000 are set to be shared among 17 local voluntary organisations that are providing social, artistic or sporting facilities and services to local residents.

Two local schools have taken part in a special initiative to encourage recycling and to make sure that the right items are being put out for collection.

The closing date is approaching fast for those local businesses who want to advertise in Food and Drink on the Suffolk Coast, which is Suffolk Coastal’s new improved version of the popular, free booklet Where to Eat.

Last weekend, 30 Suffolk Coastal Community Conservation Volunteers and Parish Tree Wardens met in Wenhaston to share their experiences and views on managing their local environment.

Local residents are this week receiving a new-look version of Suffolk Coastal’s quarterly magazine, Coastline, which is packed with news and information about the district.

At a special event this weekend, people in Felixstowe can share their thoughts and views on how to create a brighter future for Felixstowe’s resort and town centre.