It is important that as many people as possible are included and are able to give their views, so if another member of your household wants to have their say the questionnaire is available for online completion at: www.ruralcc.org.uk/parishplanquestionnaire.html

Alternatively, you can pick up a copy at Barwell Parish Council Offices at 10 High Street. We are asking that only people aged over 16 years fill in this questionnaire. We ask that all responses are returned by the 1st May 2009.

By filling the questionnaire in online it will make it much easier for the results to be analysed and we are therefore offering an incentive of a £50 CASH PRIZE if you can fill it in this way. However if it isn’t possible to fill it in online please complete the questionnaire which was delivered to you and return it to Barwell Parish Council Office or send it in a stamped envelope to: ‘H&B Community Development Officer’, 133 Loughborough Rd, Leics, LE4 5LQ. A CASH PRIZE of £10 will be drawn from all entries who return their questionnaire as a paper copy. (The parish plan group will draw one winner from the hat from each category at a public parish plan meeting and will inform the two winners of their prize.)

If you have any questions about this questionnaire, need help in filling it in or need someone to collect it from your house on completion, please call local volunteer Tina on 01455 844229. (Evenings only) If you would like to be involved in the completion of the parish plan please contact Jessica at the Rural Community Council (0116 268 9708) who can advise you of the next meeting date.

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Notes for Editor
Include additional background information about the RCC

Additional information
The RCC ensures that those who work and live in rural communities are provided with access to a range of opportunities, services and facilities, which are sustainable and inclusive to all and are empowered to influence and manage their own future. We have been facilitating community consultations throughout Leicestershire and Rutland for nearly 15 years and are keen to ensure that local people can have their say about the area they live in.

For more information about the RCC visit www.ruralcc.org.uk « Less

The Borough Council worked in partnership with Leicestershire Constabulary LPU, the Local Strategic Partnership (LSP) and the Community Safety Partnership (CSP) to secure the award for managing the night-time economy in Hinckley. The partners demonstrated their work in making the town centre a safe, clean, welcoming and thriving place ‘after dark’.

Sadiq Khan, Communities Minister comments, "My congratulations go out to Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council and Leicestershire Police Hinckley LPU and other partners. The Beacons are about showcasing the very best in service delivery, and in this, their final year, we really have seen some exceptional examples of managing the night-time economy. Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council and Leicestershire police Hinckley LPU are among are the top performers in their field, setting the standard for innovation, service excellence and improvement. With the added emphasis on economic recovery in this year’s Beacons, the winners are ideally placed to share their knowledge and skills to improve the sector as a whole.

Marianne Hood, chair of the Beacons Panel continues, “Being awarded Beacon status means that Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council and Leicestershire Police Hinckley LPU and their partners will receive recognition, from national government and other authorities, for their expertise in managing the night-time economy. I will be closely following the work that the Beacon authorities carry out, and wish them the very best of luck, in their new role sharing knowledge and supporting improvement.”

Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council with Leicestershire Police Hinckley Local Policing Unit, the Local Strategic Partnership and the Community Safety Partnership and the other Beacon councils for this theme will now work together, with the support of the Improvement and Development Agency, using a range of learning activities to help improve standards in all authorities in this area.

Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council Leader, Councillor David Bill said: “ What is important is not just that the Borough Council and partner agencies have received yet another award, encouraging though that is, but that we have shown once again what can be achieved by everyone working together towards a common aim."

Inspector Martyn Ball, Commander of the Hinckley local policing unit, said: “Working closely with our partners at the council has helped us achieve this prestigious award and I am extremely proud of the success we have attained in recent years.

“By focusing on key problems and locations that impact on crime and disorder we have dramatically reduced crime in the town and across the Borough. We have launched a number of successful campaigns with the Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council and our wider partners, such as Street Pastors and Pub Watch, which has had a significant impact on community cohesion and reassurance. Making Hinckley and Bosworth a safer place to live, work and visit has been at the heart of our efforts and our Beacon Status recognises that.”

South area Commander, Chief Superintendent Garry Forsyth added: “This is a tremendous accolade to the hard work of the local policing unit and the Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council. Beacon Status has provided us with a wonderful opportunity to invest further in our commitment to managing the night-time economy in the area.”

The Beacon Scheme is funded by the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG), and the programme is managed at the Improvement and Development Agency for local government. This year, the independent Beacon panel received 125 applications (involving 159 authorities), and using an extensive judging process, they whittled this number down to a shortlist of 62. « Less

1st Barwell Methodist Rangers - £450 towards new standard

Barwell Scout Group - £450 towards a new roof

The Parish Council grants up to £4,000 per year to locals organisations and individuals. For more information please visit this page or contact Andy Ellis at Barwell Parish Council on 01455 844229. « Less