A consultation into proposed changes to the Integrated Disability Service started on 14 May and will run until 6 August. People can find out about the proposals and take part in the consultation online or at meetings around the county (dates follow).

The local authority will be remodelling the Integrated Disability Service (IDS) short breaks and social care services to meet recommendations set out in the Children and Families Bill 2013 and to make essential savings from the service budget. The consultation is a chance for people to have a say on proposals to meet the savings target of £1.7m.

A significant proportion of the savings will be internal with no impact on frontline services, but the council is also seeking views on a modernisation and redesign programme for short breaks and social care.

Consultation proposals focus on targeting support to those in greatest need by redefining eligibility criteria and aim to offer much more choice and control to families about how they access services.

People can share their views on the proposals during this period online at www.warwickshire.gov.uk/consultation or they can attend one of the following public meetings:

• Tuesday 25 June at 1pm – 2.30pm, Oak Wood School, Morris Drive, Nuneaton, CV11 4QH
• Thursday 27 June 2.00pm – 3.30pm, Welcombe Hills School, Blue Cap Road, Stratford upon Avon CV37 6TQ
• Tuesday 2 July at 10.30am – 12.00noon at Lillington Youth Centre, Mason Avenue, Lillington, Leamington Spa, CV32 7QE
• Thursday 18 July, 9.45-11.45am, Hillmorton Manor, High Street, Hillmorton, Rugby, CV21 4EE.
• Monday 22 July at 10.30am – 12.00noon at Camp Hill Education Sports and Social, Cedar Road, Camp Hill, Nuneaton, Warwickshire, CV10 9DN

Sarah Callaghan Head of Learning and Achievement at Warwickshire County Council said: “New guidance and a requirement to make unprecedented savings have resulted in a radical rethink of the way we work; how we can integrate services to provide value for money and provide a more holistic approach.

“We have no choice about making these savings, but in doing so we will seek to protect our most vulnerable families and ensure support is directed where it is needed most.

“We see this as an opportunity to reshape services to offer more choice and control to families in line with a national shift toward personalisation of social care support packages.”

The consultation is running for twelve weeks from 15 May to 31 July and depending on the outcomes of this process, recommendations will be presented to the county council’s Cabinet in September 2013.

The consultation applies to IDS short breaks and social care services only. IDS Teaching and Learning, which supports children in education settings and services delivered with health, are not part of this process.

To request the consultation in another format, contact Warwickshire County Council Customer Services on 01926 410410.

Trading Standards Animal Health Officers discovered the rabbit on a routine visit to the market. The rabbit had such long teeth that they were preventing the animal from eating to satisfy its dietary requirements.

On discovery of the rabbit, Animal Health Officers immediately contacted one of the market vets to tend to the animal. The vet observed that the animal was thin and she was able to feel its ribs.

At Leamington Justice Centre on 13^th June 2013, Mr David Shipton (Dob: 29/09/1947) of Henhurst Hill Burton upon Trent Staffordshire DE13 9SY pleaded guilty to three offences under animal health legislation.

He was fined £130 for the most serious offence, that of causing unnecessary suffering to an animal. Mr Shipton was also ordered to pay a further £70 toward the Prosecution’s costs and a £15 victim surcharge.

The rabbit was returned to Mr Shipton and Animal Health Officers understand that it has now been returned to health. Mr Shipton said he acknowledged he should not have entered the rabbit, with long teeth, for sale but he did not believe that he had been cruel

Janet Faulkner, Head of Warwickshire Trading Standards Service said:

“Our Animal Health Officers work with livestock owners and sellers to ensure that their animal’s welfare is properly attended to.”

“In most cases we can deal with problems with guidance and advice but where traders consistently fail to take their responsibilities seriously, we have the option to take legal action.”

Warwickshire Trading Standards had been involved with Mr Shipton on previous occasions to advise him how he should be caring for his animals.

• Lara Macnab represented Warwickshire County Council
• Mr Shipton represented himself.
• Mr Shipton pleaded guilty to three offences brought under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, the Welfare of Animals at Markets Order 1990 and the Animal Health Act 1981.
• Mr Shipton caused unnecessary suffering to a rabbit by failing to provide suitable attention to its teeth which were overgrown and restricted its ability to eat. He also failed to take such steps as are reasonable in all circumstances to ensure that the needs of the rabbit were met to the extent required by good practice including its need to be able to exhibit normal behaviour. Further he did permit an unfit rabbit to be exposed for sale at S M Auctions Stratford Livestock Market on 27/11/12.

The group from Warwickshire County Council’s Community Safety Team will be planting flowers, fence painting and laying a path at the rear of the sexual assault referral centre, on the site of the George Elliot Hospital, on Wednesday (19 June).

Martyn Stephens, Community Safety Project Officer at WCC, who organised the event said: “This project has taken a number months to pull together but this week sees the garden come to life. Many different partners have assisted us and we are very grateful for their time and contribution”

It is hoped that developing a colourful open space will help victims of rape and sexual assault feel as comfortable as possible while they receive care at the centre, which has been developed to make it easier for them to come forward and seek support.

Tony Mumford, manager of the Blue Sky Centre and a former Warwickshire Police detective inspector, said: “We are really pleased that we continue to receive fantastic backing from the local community and that volunteers are keen to help us provide a great service to survivors of sexual assault.

“Our facility has been designed to make those who visit us feel at ease. Having a pleasant outdoor environment can help us ensure people have the most comfortable experience they can while they are here, which is very important to us.”

The Blue Sky Centre offers support, access to emergency medical treatment and referrals to other agencies to those who have been raped or sexually assaulted. The facility is open to anyone from Coventry and Warwickshire, regardless of age, gender or ethnicity. Anyone who has been raped or sexually assaulted can visit the centre directly, without needing to report to the police if they do not want to.

For more information about the Blue Sky Centre, visit www.blueskycentre.org.uk or call 02476 865 505.

Cllr Peter Butlin, Warwickshire County Council’s Cabinet member for Transport, confirmed that the crossing will be installed following a recent meeting with Warwick MP Chris White.

There have been calls to reinstate a crossing on High Street and Jury Street after the introduction of informal crossing points when improvement works were carried out last year.

Cllr Peter Butlin said: “Safety is our primary concern and I am pleased to confirm that county council officers are now in the final stages of designing a pedestrian crossing facility for High Street and Jury Street to complement the retained informal crossing points.”

“We have always said we would allow the scheme to evolve and have listened to various local groups and held discussions with the local MP Chris White, and now we are working towards delivering a sensible solution which we are confident will suit everybody.

“It is clear that this is an issue which has triggered huge debate in the town and Mr White has championed this cause on behalf of his constituents. It is right that we listen to any concerns and ultimately ensure that we have safe highways for residents and visitors alike.”

Further details of the crossing will be announced in July together with intended timescales for the implementation of the crossing.

Ken Simons, County Forestry Officer, said the cold weather has delayed the spring flush of many of the street trees in Warwickshire towns. But he moved to allay fears about lasting damage to trees, although False Acacia and Ash trees have suffered badly from the prolonged winter.

Mr Simons said: “Most trees can be affected by an aphid attack which results in sap being exuded. However, Lime and Maple trees are extremely susceptible. The insects puncture the leaves which results in sap droplets forming. These droplets commonly referred to as ‘Honeydew’ fall to the ground covering anything that is positioned beneath the tree.”

The ‘Honeydew’ is sticky due to presence of sugars and readily turns black as moulds feed off these sugars. Washing with a mild detergent will usually remove the ‘Honeydew’ from cars and paved areas.

Cllr Jeff Clarke, Warwickshire County Council’s Portfolio Holder for Rural Services, added: “The county council does not normally prune or remove trees from affected areas. It is an entirely a natural occurrence and rarely causes lasting damage if treated in the right way.”

The Forestry Section provides a complete tree management service to all departments of the county council along with district, borough and town councils, Coventry City Council, and all Parish councils in the county.

It has recently conducted a survey in which 96 per cent of householders who used its Home Wood Chipping Service were satisfied that it represented good value for money for both the county and householder, and 60 per cent said they would definitely use the service again.

A total of 64 per cent of respondents had not used the service before with over a third of customers having found out about the service on the web.

The service processes green garden waste from shrubs and trees up to 13cm diameter, chipping it into bags that are left for use by the householder as a garden mulch or compost.

Cllr Jeff Clarke said: “The recent survey shows that people recognise that our Home Woodchipping provides good value for money and is a valued service.”

Home Woodchipping is charged at £25 per hour and can be booked by phoning 01926 738827. Customers are advised to make a booking before carrying out work especially during holiday periods.

As part of National Crime Writing Month, Stephen will be talking about his best-selling new book ‘Already Dead’, a crime thriller set in the Peak District one rainy summer which has been described as ‘a masterclass in British writing’.

A former journalist, Stephen gave that up to write crime thrillers and has produced a novel each year since 2000 and has created the Cooper and Fry series, featuring the two detectives, Ben Cooper and Diane Fry.

The books have won various awards including the Gold Dagger for Crime Writing and has twice been shortlisted for the Theakstons Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year.

Andrew Button, senior reader development librarian, said:  “Stephen is a high quality writer with a growing profile whom we are delighted to bring to Rugby. The evening will be a great opportunity for people who enjoy reading, and those who are not avid readers yet, to meet like-minded people and enjoy the company of one of the country’s top crime writers.”

The event has been organised in partnership with the Crime Writers Association.  It starts at 7pm and is free.  Tickets should be booked in advance from Rugby Library on 0300 555 8171.

Warwickshire County Council is hosting a Travel Roadshow at Stratford-on-Avon District Council, Elizabeth House, Church Street (meeting room 2) with partners including liftshare.com. 

The free event, which runs from 11.30am to 2pm, has been organised to give people a taste of all the different transport options that are available in the local area.

The prize draw is free to enter, just fill in a form at the event to register for a free personal travel plan or sign up to liftshare.com – a social enterprise that helps people to travel more sustainably by sharing their journey. Their online network matches people with similar journeys so they can travel better together – saving money and cutting their carbon footprint.

Warwickshire County Council, which has been awarded a Local Sustainable Travel Fund grant from the Department of Transport, is encouraging people to find out more about sustainable travel such as cycling, bus and train services as part of its ‘Choose How You Move’ campaign.

There will be lots of free information to take away, including free Stratford travel guides and discounts for travel by bus and train. You can find out all about recent rail improvements in the area, including the opening of the new Stratford Parkway train station and the extra train services being provided by London Midland.

Nicola Small, Senior Transport Planner at Warwickshire County Council, said: “We hope lots of people come down to the Travel Roadshow at Stratford-on-Avon District Council. There’s going to be something for everyone, from commuters who want to find a better way to travel to work to families that are looking for information on how they can travel cheaply and easily – and the chance to win an iPad mini.”

Headteacher Gill Makin with staff and pupils and the TLO Gold Award

The methods which use strong habits to promote lifelong learning skills have really captured the imagination of pupils who refer to them as their super powers which they would ‘fight’ to protect.

In May 2013 Briar Hill Infant School on Coppice Road was assessed for an award produced by the Teaching and Learning Organisation called the Learning Quality Framework.  The assessor subsequently awarded the school with the framework’s gold level accreditation, making it the first infant, and second of all schools nationally, to achieve the accolade.

The school’s success in Building Learning Power (BLP), an approach to help children to become better learners and adopt ‘can do’ attitudes in and out of school, helped them to achieve the accreditation.

BLP is a model created by Professor Guy Claxton which helps people become confident independent learners. It was introduced to Briar Hill by Headteacher Gill Makin in 2009. BLP uses a common language of learning consisting of a collection of verbs clustered in four categories which are referred to as capacities.

These words, such as noticing, collaborating, imagining and persevering, are used by children and the whole school community in a range of scenarios to raise attainment through changing behaviour and the way everyone at Briar Hill thinks about teaching and learning.

Results were so positive that the school decided to apply for recognition through the Learning Quality Framework standard. The accreditation process began with the school submitting a report which evidenced how BLP had been embedded throughout the school and how pupil’s attainment had improved as a result.

This was followed by a two-day assessment where an  assessor spent time in school observing lessons, interviewing staff,pupils, parents and governors and finding out more about the school’s teaching and learning plans and practices.

The report written after the assessment highlighted the school’s BLP achievements and commented that ‘the school has a highly developed, innovative curriculum model that maps the development of learning habits’ and that ‘school routines are used purposefully to develop dimensions of learning habits that are more difficult to attain through classroom activities’.

It went on to say that, ‘the way in which both practitioners and students use their understanding of learning to underpin content development is both exemplary and unusual’ and they commended the school’s ‘star pattern’ approach to helping pupils’ understand learning predicting that, ‘it will be copied by many other schools in time’.

Mrs Makin said: “Achieving the gold standard in this accreditation is a great achievement for us and I am so proud of the ongoing efforts of everyone at the school. We are committed to building young people’s learning power; not just what they are learning, but more importantly learning how to learn and I am pleased the assessors recognised this.

“Just as people go to a gym to develop their physical fitness, pupils come toBriar Hill Infant School to develop their learning fitness. Bodies can become fitter, so too can minds. Building Learning Power is an integral part of lessons, assemblies and all we do at Briar Hill.

“Our children now have a greater understanding about attitudes to learning, how they learn and that learning is something that they can be actively involved in and is not a passive activity.”

BLP is popular with pupils at the school too. When asked about how they use their learning powers Harriet, aged 7, said: “Collaboration helps me on the playground, I think I would have more falls outs with my friends if I didn’t collaborate and empathy helps me too when I’m playing with my friends.” Ryan aged 7 added: “My best learning power is absorption because I really can get on with my work and not get distracted by anyone”.