As we start another year I would just like to wish you all a happy and prosperous 2015.
A new Project due to start in the New Year at Grange Library is the Computer tablet programme. This will enable all ages to access more information and work interactively with the new portable computer tablets that will be available for use at the Library. I was able to find County funding to facilitate this so that everyone will benefit from this new service.
The County Council budget consultation for 2015/16 is still ongoing and will end on the 20th January. I know people are saying we cannot affect these decisions. In 2014 with relentless pressure from the public and the Conservative Group on the County Council the decision to implement on-street car parking charges was withdrawn by the Lib-Dem Labour Coalition at Carlisle. This is a victory for common sense and makes sure our small rural Towns are not over burdened with charges.
The Cumbria Fire Service has recently put out an appeal to residents to check their premises as follows:
Five Minutes Fire Check Could Save Lives
Cumbria’s residents are being urged to carry out an online five-minute home fire safety check.
Cumbria County Council’s Fire and Rescue Service (CFRS) offers the online assessment to help people understand the risk of fire in their homes.
The free assessment is then used by CFRS to determine whether a personal Home Accident Reduction (HART) visit is required or if relevant precautions are already being taken which can be supplemented by advice available online.
But HART, which sees the Fire Service work closely with partner agencies such as the NHS and Age UK to share information and resources, has expanded the scope of the home safety visits to cover home safety aspects such as preventing falls and addressing mobility problems.
The online assessment can be found at www.cumbriafire.gov.uk
All the best for the New Year
Bill Wearing
Conservative County Councillor for Grange Division.