Wednesday, 19 June 2013

Hampshire residents are being invited to show their support for the Armed Forces by joining in the celebrations to mark the start of Armed Forces week.

Hampshire County Council and Winchester City Council will be marking Armed Forces Week with a flag raising ceremony in Winchester on Monday 24 June 2013. This is an annual event that helps raise public awareness of the military and gives the local community the opportunity to show their support for the Armed Forces. The ceremony will include a military band leading a Tri-Service march past through Winchester city centre.

The lunchtime celebrations begin on Monday at 11.45am with a Winchester Garrison Band, comprising musicians from The Band & Bugles of the Rifles and The Adjutant General's Corps, playing a selection of military music at the Buttercross in the centre of Winchester's High Street.

The band will then march down the High Street where it joins a contingent of 45 service personnel drawn from the Royal Navy, the Army and the Royal Air Force. At 12.35pm the band will then lead them up the full length of the High Street to The Great Hall, Castle Avenue, where the Armed Forces Flag will be raised at 1pm.

HM Lord-Lieutenant of Hampshire, Dame Mary Fagan, Leader of Hampshire County Council Councillor Roy Perry, and Mayor of Winchester, Councillor Ernest Jeffs have organised the flag raising ceremony.

The Lord-Lieutenant, who will inspect the Parade, said: "The annual Flag Raising Ceremony demonstrates Hampshire's strong commitment to our Armed Forces and the appreciation we have for all that they do. I am delighted that representatives from all three services will join us for this year's ceremony and I hope that members of the public will show their appreciation by turning out to support the contingent as they march through Winchester, and attending the short ceremony outside The Great Hall."

Councillor Roy Perry said: "Hampshire is home to the largest contingent of Armed Forces personnel in the country and we are immensely proud of our strong connection with the armed forces. Operational units of all three services are based here along with the headquarters of both the British Army and the Royal Navy. As a local authority, we want to show our debt of gratitude for the contributions and sacrifices of the armed forces community and all that they do to protect our country and serve the cause of freedom. I hope that people from around the county will join us in Winchester for these celebrations."

The Mayor of Winchester, the Right Worshipful, Councillor Ernest Jeffs, said: "Last month I signed a Community Covenant in recognition of Winchester's close connections with and support for the Armed Forces. I am looking forward to the flag-raising ceremony as a great opportunity to show that support and as a marvellous spectacle for the city."

Armed Forces week will see celebrations across the country leading up to Armed Forces Day on Saturday 29 June 2013 which is an annual opportunity for the nation to show its support.

• Armed Forces Day - Show your support

Tuesday, 18 June 2013

Hampshire County Council has signed a contract with the Argenti Telehealthcare Partnership, led by PA Consulting, to deliver telecare services to vulnerable adults across the county for up to five years.

Telecare uses wireless sensors to help people remain independent in their own homes by minimising risks, promoting a sense of security and giving peace of mind for their families and friends. Telecare systems, which are much less intrusive than traditional home care, range from devices mainly focused on preventing problems - such as a fall or forgetting to take medication - to intervention monitors which check sleep and activity. If the service user requires help, the 24-hour monitoring centre is alerted to respond appropriately.

Telecare provides a bespoke solution for individuals but is only one of many tools available to choose from when designing a care package. Telecare can be used to complement traditional care or be used to replace it. For example someone who requires help with tasks such as gardening will be visited by a carer but they may also have Telecare to remind them to take their medication and detect any falls. Through the contract Telecare will be free for all critical and substantial users making it a more viable choice for people who are looking into different care options.

The wider roll out of Telecare will also offer good value for money for the County Council at a time when funding from government is being dramatically decreased and demand for care is increasing due to an ageing and increasingly frail population with more complex needs. Mainstreaming Telecare is part of the Council's work to transform Adult Services to meet these challenges and sits alongside other new ways of delivering social care - such as Extra-Care schemes to ensure that Hampshire residents continue to receive quality services at the lowest cost.

Councillor Anna McNair Scott, Executive Member for Adult Social Care at Hampshire County Council said:

"People want to stay in a home of their own for as long as possible and Telecare can provide the confidence to enable them to do this. Telecare can significantly improve people's sense of dignity and quality of life, and complements traditional care. For example, someone who remains in a home of their own, but has help with washing or dressing, may also use Telecare to remind them to take their medication or detect any falls. Telecare can also offer people with a learning disability much greater independence as it enables them to travel safely on their own.

"As the average age in the UK rises, due to better health care and nutrition, it will become increasingly important to find more effective ways to care for older people and help them enjoy their lives in the way they choose. Telecare, as part of an overall package of care, is sure to play a more prominent role in future care plans."

Steve Carefull of PA Consulting and the Argenti Programme Director, comments:

"It is tremendously exciting to be partnering with Hampshire County Council on this journey to deploy Telecare at scale. We have brought together a world-beating consortium consisting of PA Consulting Group; Tunstall; O2; CareCalls; Medvivo and Magna Careline. Between us, we have unmatched industry experience and expertise, operating to Telecare Service Association Platinum Standards. As importantly, we all share a passion for assistive technology, believing it to have been long under-exploited as a way to deliver significant benefits to vulnerable people and their carers."

• Telecare wireless alarms and sensors for people in Hampshire

Friday, 14 June 2013

Hampshire County Council's street lighting replacement programme will be arriving in Stockbridge in August, improving local streetlights with the latest energy efficient equipment.

Much of the county's lighting stock is over 30 years old and needs replacing. As part of the improvement programme, 150,000 street lights, illuminated signs and bollards across Hampshire are being replaced or upgraded with the latest technology in energy saving lamps and dimming controls. Hampshire's new street lighting will also comply with Government targets for carbon reduction.

The new lighting in Stockbridge will see the replacement of approximately 27 lanterns and a further 75 lanterns and posts.

This long term investment will help improve the county's energy efficiency, reduce energy costs and cut carbon emissions. As well as replacing older lighting columns which are coming to the end of their life, the new lamps will improve lighting levels on the ground, reduce light pollution at night and help make people feel safer in town centres and residential streets.

The preparation and planning for the Street Lighting programme aims to keep disruption to a minimum by coordinating work with other schemes and ensuring that work on key roads is planned to take place outside of rush hour periods.

• Street Lighting and the Private Finance Initiative (PFI) contract

Thursday, 13 June 2013

Recycle for Hampshire, a campaign that raises awareness and encourages people to recycle more, is urging Hampshire residents during Recycle Week to recycle their small, portable electrical items such as kettles, mobile phones, irons and toasters. With the chance of winning an iPad Mini or Kindle Fire there's no reason not to recycle your unwanted or burnt out electricals this Recycle Week (17-21 June).

Collection events are being held in Eastleigh, the New Forest, Havant and Portsmouth where you can drop off your small electrical goods and enter a prize draw to win an iPad or a Kindle. Details of all events and accepted items are available from the participating local councils themselves or from the Recycle for Hampshire twitter feed @RecycleHants.

Chair of the Project Integra waste partnership's Strategic Board, Councillor Leslie Keeble, said:

"Most people actively recycle a lot of things like paper and metals, but don't realise how easy it is to recycle electrical items too. You can take old and broken electricals to any of our 26 Household Waste Recycling Centres in Hampshire all year round as they all have special collection containers for them. Plenty of local charities will also accept them if they're reusable.

"It's vital that we recycle as many of our broken electrical goods as possible. Each year in the UK we go through 1.2 million tonnes of electrical waste the equivalent of 150,000 double-decker buses which would fill Wembley Stadium to the brim six times and a typical domestic iron contains enough steel to make as many as 13 food cans.

"I am proud of our recycling record in Hampshire and with the efforts of local residents we have reduced landfill by almost 90% in the period from 2001/02 to 2011/12. During last year's Recycle Week we collected 4,200 items, or seven and a half tonnes, across the county and it would be fantastic if we could dig out all our old small electricals and beat that record this year."

• Recycle for Hampshire

Wednesday, 12 June 2013

Hampshire County Council is highlighting safer sex and screening advice to help reduce further the rate of sexually transmitted infections.

Data released by Public Health England indicates a small decrease in the number of new cases of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) diagnosed in local sexual health clinics across the Wessex area which includes Hampshire, Dorset and the Isle of Wight.

However rates of STIs remain high and Public Health England says this suggests that too many people are continuing to put themselves at risk through unsafe sex especially young adults and men who have sex with men.

Chlamydia is the most commonly diagnosed in Hampshire followed by genital warts and herpes. Those aged under 25 experience the highest STI rates contributing to almost 74 per cent of Chlamydia diagnoses in the area.

Councillor Liz Fairhurst, Hampshire County Council's Executive Lead Member for Health and Wellbeing said: "Left untreated, sexually transmitted infections can lead to a range of complications including ectopic pregnancy, infertility, disability, cancer and premature death. As part of our new public health responsibilities, Hampshire County Council already commissions a range of programmes and services delivered in a variety of community settings that support people to develop and maintain good sexual health.

"Getting screened for HIV and STIs can lead to early diagnosis and treatment, as often these infections have no symptoms. In addition, reducing the number of sexual partners and avoiding overlapping sexual relationships can reduce the risk of being infected with an STI."

Individuals can also significantly reduce their risk of catching or passing on an STI by:

• Always using a condom when having sex with casual and new partners.
• Getting tested regularly if in one of the highest risk groups:
• Sexually active under 25 year olds should be screened for chlamydia every year, and on change of sexual partner
• Men who have sex with men having unprotected sex with casual or new partners should have an HIV/STI screen at least annually, and every three months if changing partners regularly.

• Further information on local sexual health services in Hampshire

Wednesday, 05 June 2013

Hampshire County Council is backing a new campaign that aims to raise awareness of the dangers of Secondhand Smoke to children and to encourage smokers to stop smoking in their home and car.

Secondhand Smoke is emitted every time someone smokes and is a mix of 4,000 chemical compounds, irritants and toxins, and contains 50 known carcinogens. Children are particularly vulnerable to Secondhand Smoke. Nationally each year, smoking causes an extra 300,000 GP visits and 9,500 hospital admissions for children - and an additional cost to the NHS of £26 million.

The 'Smokefree Homes and Cars' campaign has been launched this week by Public Health England and highlights the fact that Secondhand Smoke, at home or in the car, puts children at increased risk of lung disease, meningitis and cot death. It aims to help people learn more about the dangers of Secondhand Smoke and protect others from the effects.

In Hampshire estimated smoking rates vary from 13.6 per cent in Test Valley to 24.3 per cent in Rushmoor. To help motivate smokers to quit, the campaign offers a free Smokefree Kit, which includes information, guidance and tools to help people stop smoking.

Councillor Liz Fairhurst's name, Executive Lead Member for Health and Wellbeing at Hampshire County Council said:

"Over eighty percent of Secondhand Smoke is invisible and has no smell, so even if the air looks clean and clear your children could still be exposed to harmful cancer-causing toxins and poisons.

"Children are at an increased risk from second hand smoke because not only do they breath faster and so take in more toxins than adults, but also their immune systems are not as developed and so protect them less.

"No level of Secondhand Smoke is safe for children and this is a great time and an excellent reason, for the two thirds of smokers who want to quit, to take the first steps to a smoke-free life. Not only will this have a positive impact on your children's health but it will mean that they will be less likely to smoke themselves - children of smokers are ninety per cent more likely to smoke themselves."

For more information on stopping smoking ask your GP or go to Quit4Life, or order your free Smokefree Kit.

• Advice to help you stop smoking - NHS SmokeFree

Tuesday, 04 June 2013

Hampshire County Council and Southern Health NHS are working together to help older people put their 'Best Foot Forward' during Age UK's National Falls Awareness Week.

During Falls Awareness week (17-21 June), which is themed 'Best Foot Forward' there will be information events happening around Hampshire including workshops on keeping steady, looking after your feet, and tips on exercise, diet and much more.

Maintaining healthy feet is vital for older people to maintain their mobility and independence and help prevent falls, the consequences of which can be serious such as osteoporosis and fractures.

Cllr Anna McNair-Scott, Executive Member for Adult Social Care, said:

"Hampshire County Council is dedicated to helping older people maintain their independence. Having a fall can be a major set back for an older person; limiting their mobility and affecting their self-confidence.

"The events during Falls Awareness Week aim to provide people with the information they need to help themselves or a loved one avoid having a trip or fall. Small things like undertaking regular exercise, routine eye tests, and removing any potential trip hazards at home, such as small rugs and trailing wires, can all help."

To find out more contact Sophie Jevons 01962 846605 or email sophie.jevons@hants.gov.uk.

Partner organisations are also being encouraged to run their own information stands or events in their areas.

• A supporting pack is available via the Age UK website

Friday, 31 May 2013

Hampshire is well underway to meeting the Government's targets for the provision of 15 hours per week free nursery places for disadvantaged two year olds.

By 2014, it is anticipated that around 4,000 additional places will be needed across the county to meet the potential demand from eligible two year olds. Children qualifying for the places include those who are in the care of the Local Authority, as well as those whose parents are on low incomes and those who are unemployed or in receipt of benefits.

The County Council is supporting childcare providers to enable them to create additional places as well as providing training to help them meet the specific needs of children under three years old who will be eligible for the offer.

More than 1,000 two year olds eligible for the free provision have already taken up places and a total of 2,000 new places are expected to be ready for September. More than £1.6 million has been put aside to create the additional places through a targeted programme of capital funding, enabling new schemes to be developed in areas of highest need.

Currently, more than 70% of Hampshire's early years education providers offer places for funded two year olds. In addition, there are childminders in Hampshire who deliver early years education provision. The scheme to offer free childcare provision is part of a national, Government-led initiative to improve outcomes for children. The County Council is launching a leaflet campaign to raise awareness of the offer to families who may be eligible. In the meantime information is also available on the county councils website.

Alternatively parents can contact their local Children's Centre for details or telephone Services for Young Children Information Support Team on 01962 847070 or email childcare@hants.gov.uk.

Cllr Peter Edgar, Executive Member for Education, said: "Hampshire County Council is committed to ensuring that children have the best possible start to learning. Evidence shows that good early years education from a young age can help to boost child development and lead to better achievement in school. That is why we are offering families, who might not otherwise be able to access childcare, a chance to get a good start for their children. All two year old places will be offered in provision that is well equipped to meet the need to young children. Parents who take up the places for their children can also access a range of children's centre activities which can help them with parenting, including how to understand and support their child's healthy development, as well as gaining advice about training and employment. We are also supporting childcare providers so they can ensure they have additional places and skills to meet the needs of these young children."

Providers wanting more information about grants to help them develop their provision should visit Services for Young Children.  They will need to meet the criteria and be planning to provide additional places in the priority areas listed.

• Services for Young Children

Friday, 31 May 2013

Children with disabilities and their families are set to benefit from just under £1m of funding allocated by Hampshire County Council to improve accessibility to services as well as help them in their homes and respite care.

A total of £500,000 will pay for specialist equipment needed to aid the youngsters, either in their own homes, or in their family-based short breaks placements. The remaining £325,000 will be spent on enhancements to help children and young people with disabilities access a range of leisure and recreational opportunities around the county.

The accessibility projects selected for capital funding were chosen in partnership with parents and carer representatives from Hampshire Parent / Carer Network and from Parent Voice, using the results of a survey undertaken by Parent Voice. Parent Voice is an information and participation service hosted by the Rose Road Association and funded by Hampshire County Council. The service supports families enabling them to access information about activities and support available with the aim of increasing participation of families with disabled children. The aim of the survey was to identify how access to leisure opportunities in the community for their children could be improved.

Commenting Hampshire County Council's Executive member for Children's Services, Councillor Keith Mans, said: "The County Council wants all children to be able to participate as fully as possible in recreational and leisure activities. This is why we have listened to parents and carers views on how accessibility to some of these services can be improved for children with disabilities and targeted capital funding accordingly to help leisure providers make enhancements to their facilities. In doing this we are enabling providers to meet the needs of children with disabilities and their families so that even more will be encouraged to take part in the leisure opportunities available around the county."

Parents involved in the selection of projects to be funded know how important making activities more inclusive is. Al Crabtree, from Netley whose son Dylan, 14 has cerebral palsy said: "As a parent there is nothing more sad than seeing your child as a wheelchair spectator watching while other children have fun. It breaks your heart. When leisure facilities are truly inclusive my son has the opportunity to play and take part like any other child. Accessible changing facilities at swimming pools mean the difference between us being able to go swimming as a family and enjoy it or go and be stressed by the lack of facilities - in the past I have had to try and change Dylan on a wet floor in view of other people which is undignified for him and unhygienic. More often than not we would not go at all than face that. This investment in making activities accessible makes a real difference to children and their families."

Ray Daniel from Medstead whose son Matthew, 18, has cerebral palsy and complex physical disabilities agrees with Al. A member of Hampshire Parent/Carer Network he said accessibility to services had improved considerably since Matthew was a young child: "As a result of this investment there are more places in Hampshire which are accessible compared to many other areas. Parent and carer involvement is very important as it will help us and the County Council build on this work so that children with disabilities have the same opportunities as non disabled children."

Funded projects include:

• The creation of a redesigned inclusive play area at Royal Victoria Country Park, Eastleigh. Parents / carers and children and young people will be involved in fun consultation sessions to say what they want from their new play area. (£100,000)
• Improved access and changing facilities including changing bench and hoist at The Rapids fun pools, Romsey (£52,200)
• Improved accessible changing area including hoist and changing bench at Horizon Leisure Centre, Havant (£34,000)
• Extension to accessible changing facilities and improvement to facilities including a changing bench and hoist at Hamble Sports Complex pool (£34,000)
• Accessible play equipment at Alice Holt Forest (£20,300); part of wider improvements undertaken by the Forestry Commission including a more accessible cafe and a Changing Places toilet
• Sensory4All - a multi-use sensory space available for families or groups to hire, based at Pavilion on the Park, Eastleigh. A later phase of building by Eastleigh Youth Trust will see other improvements including a Changing Places toilet and a café. (£16,500)

In addition to these projects there are a range of smaller enhancements which will be undertaken at the following venues: improved changing facilities including hoist and changing bench at Farnborough Leisure Centre, Farnborough, Ringwood Leisure Centre, Ringwood, West End Arts Centre, Aldershot, part of Hampshire County Council’s wider improvements to the access at the centre, a hoist at Taro Leisure Centre, Petersfield, improved changing facilities including a changing bench at Basingstoke Sports Centre, Basingstoke; and improved access via a hoist to the swimming pool at Bishops Waltham school pool.

Changing Places toilets have a height-adjustable changing bench, a hoist and plenty of space - and can make all the difference to someone with profound and multiple learning disabilities. For more information see the MENCAP website.

• Parent Voice and Hampshire Parent / Carer Network

Thursday, 30 May 2013

An ambitious programme that replaces Hampshire's streetlights with the latest energy efficient equipment to reduce energy consumption and cut carbon emissions has marked its third anniversary of a five-year programme.

In partnership with SSE Contracting Lighting Services, Hampshire County Council is replacing 150,000 streetlights, illuminated signs and bollards with the latest in lighting technology. Started in April 2010, the project has so far seen almost 39,000 complete units (lamp posts and lanterns) and a further 36,000 lanterns replaced or updated.

As part of the project, 50,000 remote monitoring systems have also been fitted to the upgraded streetlamps, which give the ability to dim the lights remotely, report faults automatically and alter the switch-on/off times to reduce energy consumption.

This combination of energy-efficient lights and remote dimming has already reduced Hampshire's annual streetlight consumption by 8 million kWh (from a pre-project figure of 50m kWh per year to a current figure of 42m kWh per year). This saving is enough to power over 1,400 homes for a whole year. From 2015 the total annual energy saving is estimated to further increase from 8 million to 16 million kWh per year or the equivalent of 8,000 metric tonnes of emitted carbon: As all large public and private sector organisations are obliged to pay for their carbon emissions (currently £16 per metric tonne of emitted carbon) this represents further savings for Hampshire's residents.

The new streetlights produce a whiter and more focused light which makes it easier to see at night, as well as helping to reduce road accidents and prevent crime. LED lights are being installed in the two National Parks to minimise light pollution.

Cllr Seán Woodward, Executive Member for Economy, Transport and Environment at Hampshire County Council said:

"It's great news that we are on track with our programme to replace all of Hampshire's streetlights. At a time when fuel costs are rising, and our services need to be even more efficient, this project is lighting the way and ensuring that Hampshire's streetlamps stay on. This long-term programme is already delivering real benefits to Hampshire's residents such as helping to reduce road accidents and prevent crime, as well as saving money and reducing carbon emissions."

• Street Lighting and the Private Finance Initiative (PFI) contract

Wednesday, 29 May 2013

Following the extreme weather last winter and the promise of summer at last, highways teams across Hampshire are busy trimming spring growth on verges during the annual grass cutting season.

Good visibility is vital for motorists and other road users and so it is important to trim back verges to maintain clear lines of sight. Verge cutting is also timed to manage designated Road Verges of Ecological Importance which have identified rare flower species. These verges are cut either early in the season during April, to reduce invasive plants such as thistles or vigorous grasses that may have taken hold over the winter, or in late September so that rare species have had time to flower and set seed for the next year.

Verge cutting is undertaken in both rural and urban areas. In general rural grass verges are defined as areas with speed limits of 40mph and above and are cut by the county council's highways term contractor Amey who use local sub contractors. Urban grass verges tend to be on roads with a speed limit of 30mph or lower and are cut by the 11 district councils in Hampshire on behalf of the County Council.

Rural grass cutting is carried out twice a year, with the first cut normally taking place in May and June. The second cuts starts in early September and should be completed by the middle of October. Work on most of the rural road verges consists of a one metre wide cut but at junctions, bends and in front of traffic signs the grass is cut back further to ensure good visibility for motorists. In addition, the remaining areas of verge are cut once every three years in rotation, in order to prevent them from becoming overgrown.

Cllr Seán Woodward, Executive Member for Economy, Transport and Environment at Hampshire County Council said:

"Hampshire has almost 6,000 miles of road and over 2,000 miles of them are covered by the rural grass cutting programme and the same if not more in urban areas. Good visibility for all road users is critical and so it is important to make sure that our verges are trimmed. We balance this with the need to ensure that plant and wildlife habitats of special interest are protected and, with sensible timing, managed verge cutting can support wildflowers and rare species."

"This is a very busy time for our grass cutting contractors so please be patient if you get stuck behind a slow moving vehicle. We always try to keep any inconvenience to road users to a minimum but the work to keep our roads and verges in good condition is in everyone's interest."

• Maintenance of road verges