Press release: Learn from others how best to protect people in the Calder Valley

Sixty flood wardens who volunteer to help protect people and their properties throughout the Calder Valley are being invited to an event to help them learn from each other.

Anyone who wants to get involved in supporting residents during a flood event, either as a flood warden or by volunteering for one of the charities or organisations which reduce flood risk in the community, can also come along to the event during the evening to find out how they can help.

Owners and employees from Calderdale businesses will also be welcome to drop in to get advice on how best to protect their premises from flooding.

The networking event, supported by the Environment Agency and Calderdale Council, will be held in the Waterfront Hall, at Hebden Bridge Town Hall, on Wednesday 23 May. It will be open to flood wardens between 5 – 6.30pm and to members of the local community between 6.30 -8.30pm.

There will be information stalls run by many organisations at the event including Yorkshire Water, Treesponsibility, Slow the Flow, Watermark Flood Fund and Community Foundation for Calderdale.

A team from the Environment Agency will be signing people up for their free flood warning service, providing information about flood defence schemes in the area and discussing what is included in the Calderdale Flood Action Plan.

Representatives from the Council’s emergency planning, flood and housing teams will also be on hand to share information on Calderdale’s multiagency flood response protocol, flood risk management strategy and role in recovery following serious flooding.

Jonathan Follows, Calderdale flood resilience officer with the Environment Agency, said:

This is the second time we have had an event of this kind in Calderdale.

Our flood wardens are invaluable to us as our eyes and ears on the ground. This is a great opportunity for them to share best practice so they can support each other.

They will have the chance to meet new people and learn more about the training opportunities and information that the Environment Agency can provide to help them in their role.

Katie Kimber, chair of the Calderdale Community Resilience Board, said:

We have eight flood groups throughout the Calder Valley and if anyone is interested in joining one as a flood warden or simply as a volunteer they can come along to our event and find out everything they need to know.

There will also be representatives from a wide range of voluntary and community groups who are keen to recruit new volunteers and will be happy to explain more about their projects.

Mark Thompson, director of Regeneration and Strategy at Calderdale Council, said:

We’re extremely grateful for the work our flood wardens do in helping to keep our communities as safe and informed as possible.

If you or someone else you know has been affected by flooding, Calderdale’s flood groups are a valuable support network that can offer you help and information before, during and after a flood.

This is a great chance to meet wardens in your area, find out more about what they do and discover some of the many ways in which you can get involved should you wish to do so.

As part of the event there will be information about resources available to flood wardens including handbooks and personal protective equipment; training on how to use the radio network to communicate with other wardens and using social media during a flood event, demonstrations on using sandbags and a chance to ask questions and raise any concerns.

If anyone is interested in becoming a flood warden or volunteer they can email: yorkshirefloodresilience@environment-gov.uk



Press release: CCTV becomes mandatory in all abattoirs in England

In the latest move to cement the UK’s position as a global leader in animal welfare standards, legislation requiring CCTV in all abattoirs in England comes into force today.

This follows a consultation by the Secretary of State last August on plans to deliver the government’s manifesto commitment for cameras in every abattoir in England in all areas where live animals are present. Other recent reforms to improve animal welfare include:

  • increasing sentences for animal cruelty tenfold to 6 years
  • launching a call for evidence on the live export of animals
  • banning back street puppy breeders
  • ending the third party sales of puppies
  • publishing updated animal welfare codes

Official Veterinarians will have unrestricted access to footage to reassure consumers that high welfare standards are being effectively enforced.

All slaughterhouses will be required to comply in full by 5 November, following an adjustment period of 6 months to enable businesses to install a suitable CCTV system.

Animal Welfare Minister Lord Gardiner said:

The government shares the public’s high regard for animal welfare and we are proud to have some of the highest standards in the world. Today we welcome the new law which requires mandatory CCTV in all abattoirs in England.

We are a nation that cares about animals and these strong measures will ensure all animals are treated with the utmost respect at all stages of life allows us to continue to lead the way to raise the bar in high welfare standards.

We have published guidance for slaughterhouse operators.



News story: Future management of the Gatwick Immigration Removal Centres

The contract for the management of Brook House and Tinsley House, which was due to expire this month, was put out for tender in November 2016. However, after careful consideration of the bids, it was decided that G4S would continue with the contract for a further 2 years. This will allow for the review of 2 significant reports on immigration detention before a new procurement begins.

A Home Office spokesperson said:

All immigration detainees must be treated with dignity and respect, and we will accept nothing but the highest standards from those who have responsibility for their care.

The procurement process featured a heightened level of due diligence against the allegations from the Panorama programme on Brook House Immigration Removal Centre (IRC) last year, so we took the time we needed to consider all bids very carefully.

However, with 2 significant reviews by Stephen Shaw and Kate Lampard currently in train, we have concluded that it would be premature to enter into a new contract at this stage.

Stephen Shaw’s assessment of progress in responding to his 2016 review of vulnerability in detention is considering questions of staff culture, recruitment and training, complaints mechanisms, and the effectiveness of whistle-blowing procedures across the immigration detention estate.

The independent review of Brook House IRC that G4S commissioned from Kate Lampard last year is also looking at the factors affecting staff morale and behaviour, and attitudes to whistle-blowing. The government will publish Mr Shaw’s report in the coming months and we expect Ms Lampard’s findings later in the year.

Relaunching the procurement process later this year, when both have published their findings, will ensure that the conclusions can be considered as part of the new contract.

The decision was announced today to bidders and the Home Affairs Select Committee following the end of local election purdah.



News story: Make sure your charity is ready for GDPR

GDPR is a new Europe-wide data protection law to provide greater protection around personal data, and it effects every organisation that handles such data.

If your charity asks for, receives or holds personal information from others (for example the email addresses of its users or staff) then these regulations will apply.

The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) is the regulator for GDPR.

Understand the basics

Get the information that you need and share it throughout your charity. The ICO guidance about the legislation includes all the information you need to understand it.

The ICO have also produced a dedicated resource page specifically for charities and a helpline has been opened to help you. The page also includes guidance from the Institute of Fundraising and the Fundraising Regulator.

Assess the GDPR impact on your charity

GDPR will apply to all personal information you may acquire and hold about, amongst others, your beneficiaries and users, donors, staff and volunteers.

Make sure you know what data your charity has and how it’s managed. Take a look at the GDPR guide for charities from the Charity Finance Group (CFG).

Start planning

Get an action plan agreed with your trustees on how you plan to manage the data your charity holds or intends to get, in line with GDPR, and complete the ICO self-assessment to see how ready you are.

Think about whether you need to put processes in place to deal with requirements asked for by GDPR around accountability, transparency and security too.

Make sure your details with the Charity Commission are up to date

Check that we have the correct details for your charity, including the names of your current trustees and their contact details (including email addresses).

You can sign in to our change charity details service to do this.



Notice: DN15 0RA, Europa Oil & Gas Limited: environmental permit issued

The Environment Agency publish permits that they issue under the Industrial Emissions Directive (IED).

This decision includes the permit and decision document for:

  • Operator name: Europa Oil & Gas Limited
  • Installation name: Crosby Warren Wellsite
  • Permit number: EPR/GP3635MP/V003