Changing places
Following the LGA voting to replace the Urban and Rural Commissions with a new Cities Board and People and Places Board, and to merge a few other boards and panels, the LGA Lib Dem Group have announced the members of these which will run until the Lib Dem Group runs new group elections in May 2015. All other LGA Board positions are unaffected.
Environment, Economy, Housing & Transport Board – 2 places
1. Keith House Eastleigh & Hants
2. Terry Stacy Islington
Resources Board – 2 places
1. Claire Hudson Mendip
2. Barbara Janke Bristol
Cities Board – 3 places
1. Abigail Bell Hull
2. Richard Kemp Liverpool
3. Roger Symonds BaNES
People and Places Board – 3 places
1. Heather Kidd Shropshire
2. Stan Collins S Lakeland & Cumbria
3. Sian Reid Cambridge
Councils call for an end to ‘Booze Street Britain’
The Independent on Sunday reported that councils are calling for the power to block new clubs, pubs and off-licences on public health grounds, as communities blighted by alcoholism become overrun by licensed premises. The LGA said “nonsensical” rules which force councillors to ignore advice from health experts when considering applications should be scrapped and have called on the Government to update the Licensing Act. Cllr Katie Hall, Lib Dem Chair of the LGA’s Community Wellbeing Board, said: “Local health experts have a vital role to play in advising councils on the potential impacts of an application to open new licensed premises.”
Independent on Sunday p21:
http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/health-news/councils-call-for-an-end-to-booze-street-britain-9146869.html
LGA release:
http://www.local.gov.uk/web/guest/media-releases/-/journal_content/56/10180/5933830/NEWS
Councils want social networks to introduce Neknominate warnings
LGA’s calls for social networks to introduce warnings over the drinking game Neknomination had extensive national media coverage. The LGA said social media companies have a responsibility to show health warnings and said some schools had asked for warning notices about Neknominate to be put on noticeboards and read out at assemblies. Cllr Katie Hall said: “This is an utterly reckless and totally irresponsible craze which has tragically claimed lives. More should be done to highlight the dangers and persuade people not to participate. We believe social media operators have a responsibility to provide health warnings to user groups and individuals.” An example of the story, which gained extensive national coverage, can be found here:
http://yellownews.tveyes.com/PlaybackPortal.aspx?SavedEditID=310e3508-31d5-4a78-b51d-6eea0c0e6d45