Mount Edgcumbe House and Country Park has been closed to all visitors today (Wednesday) following a fire at the Barrow Centre yesterday evening.
Two flats and two holiday lets at the Centre have been seriously damaged by the fire, which was put out by crews from Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service assisted by Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service, who are still on site this morning.
The Barrow Centre was evacuated as soon as the fire was discovered and fortunately no one was injured.
Other sections of the Barrow Centre housing businesses and flats are now being assessed. Mount Edgcumbe House itself has not been impacted.
Sadly, those living in the damaged flats have lost their personal belongings. They were provided with temporary accommodation elsewhere in the park last night.
The cause of the fire is being investigated.
The buildings will now be assessed by structural engineers and the area around the Barrow Centre made safe and cordoned off.
The park is expected to reopen tomorrow and an update on when businesses in the Barrow Centre can re-open will be provided once all the assessments have been completed.
The Mount Edgcumbe House and Country Park team is contacting anyone who have any upcoming events or bookings that may be affected by the fire.
Mount Edgcumbe House and Country Park is jointly owned and managed by Plymouth City Council and Cornwall Council.
Plymouth councillor Tom Briars-Delve, Joint chair of the Mount Edgcumbe Joint Committee, said: “Everyone here is obviously devastated by the damage caused to the properties on the estate and our sympathies are with the families who have lost their possessions and the affected business owners. We will be supporting those families and the affected businesses however we can.
“We are very thankful no one was injured by the fire and will leave it to the fire service to investigate its cause and how it spread. We are grateful for the efforts of the fire crews throughout the night.
“Our priority is to support the families affected and to make the area safe so we can reopen the park and help the businesses resume their operations as soon as possible.”
Cornwall councillor Kate Ewert, Joint chair of the Mount Edgcumbe Joint Committee, said: “The fire is devastating for everyone involved and I know there is a sense of shock amongst those who live and work here but we can be thankful that no one has been hurt. The fire service did an incredible job in getting to the site quickly and protecting the remainder of the property.
“Our thoughts are with those who have lost all their possessions and I know the community is keen to pull together and provide support in whatever way it can. We will all be working together to help those impacted by this to get the Barrow Centre back up and running as soon possible.”
The Notice of Election to community councils in Edinburgh has been published today (February 5).
Community councils are groups of elected local residents who care about their communities. These councils play an important role in the democratic process and act in the interests of their local areas.
The nomination period runs from tomorrow (6 February) until 27 February. This is when you can nominate yourself to stand for election as a community councillor.
An election will only be held in a community council area if there are more people nominated than places on the community council. Should this be necessary the election date will be 27 March.
The new community council term will start on 28 March and will last four years. The next community council elections are planned for 2029 though this may be subject to change.
Culture and Communities Convener, Councillor Val Walker said:
Community councils remain an integral part of the social and democratic fabric of our city. In my experience as a ward councillor, I truly value my relationship with community councils and the excellent work that they do.
From campaigning on key local issues, to organising meetings, chairing debates, liaising with local and national representatives and much more – the life of a community councillor in the Capital is never ordinary.
This is an excellent opportunity to take a lead in your local area and make your community a better place. I’d encourage all residents to consider standing as a community councillor. Edinburgh draws its strength from its citizens, and we need their views and ideas to move forward together.
Secretary of Edinburgh Association of Community Councils, Ken Robertson said:
You have a community council voice in city life, by right. Don’t step to the side and stay silent.
If you currently or have previously smoked tobacco products, we would love to hear from you!
We want to understand how we can best support people who want to quit smoking. Your feedback will help us develop better resources and support to help residents lead healthier, smokefree lives.
The survey will take approximately 10 minutes to complete. All responses will remain confidential and will only be used to improve services.
This survey is being carried out for Coventry City Council and Warwickshire County Council by independent researchers, Social Engine. Everyone who completes the survey can also enter our prize draw with the chance to win a £250 shopping voucher or one of five runners-up vouchers of £50. Winners will be drawn at random after the survey closes on Friday 21 February. Terms and conditions of the prize draw are here: T-Cs – Smoke Free Generation – Survey 2025.
Thank you for sharing your experiences.
Also, please share this with your friends and family, whether they may have successfully stopped smoking or still smoke now.
Biomedical engineering researchers at UConn Health believe there might be a way to use ultrasound to compel the body to regrow cranial tissue.
Yusuf Khan, an associate professor of orthopedic surgery, and Dr. David Hersh, associate professor of neurosurgery, have been studying whether some principles of bone development in children could apply to bone healing in adults who’ve had part of their skull removed and replaced.
A decompressive craniectomy (left) is performed to accommodate intracranial swelling by removing a large portion of the skull. When the swelling resolves, a cranioplasty (right) is performed to replace the missing bone, often with the original bone flap that had been removed during the first surgery. (Images provided by David Hersh)
They recently were awarded a two-year grant totaling $435,000 through the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program’s Peer Reviewed Medical Research Program, part of the Department of Defense.
A decompressive craniectomy, or the removal of a portion of the skull, is a potentially life-saving intervention for when a patient suffers from brain edema, or severe swelling, such as when there has been a traumatic brain injury. The procedure gives the swelling brain more space, relieving pressure and lowering the risk of herniation, which can be fatal.
Hersh, a pediatric neurosurgeon at Connecticut Children’s who performs craniectomies on select patients with certain conditions, notes that after the follow-up cranioplasty, which is when the portion of skull that had been removed is then reattached, that piece of bone can have problems reintegrating with the remainder of the skull. In some cases, the bone gets resorbed, meaning it instead starts to shrink and get absorbed by the body.
“You end up being left with big gaps in the bone, which can leave the underlying brain at risk,” Hersh says. “And then the patient needs even more surgeries to provide appropriate coverage, which might involve a synthetic replacement.”
Dr. David Hersh (left), UConn School of Medicine associate professor of neurosurgery and pediatric neurosurgeon at Connecticut Children’s, speaks with Yusuf Khan, associate program director of the UConn School of Medicine’s Skeletal Biology and Regeneration Graduate Program, in Khan’s lab at UConn Health. (Tina Encarnacion/UConn Health photo)
Original bone has many biological and other advantages over synthetic materials, such as metals or hard plastics, and trying to eliminate or reduce the need for synthetics is one of the tenets of regenerative engineering.
In 2019, Hersh started collaborating with Khan, who had been studying therapeutic ultrasound and how it facilitates fracture repair. Hersh had prior experience using therapeutic ultrasound for neurosurgical applications such as for blood brain barrier opening.
“David came to me with a very specific pediatric problem that he wanted to try to solve,” Khan says. “This grant really grew from the original pediatric application, but, through us working together over the years, we realized the potential for adults, too. And the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program is an ideal funder for a project like this because of the type of battlefield injuries that soldiers unfortunately experience.”
The focus is on the dura, the thin layer of tissue that encloses the brain, and whether low-intensity ultrasound can provide a physical force that the cells can sense, possibly stimulating cranial bone regeneration.
“We think that there’s something unique about those dural cells in that they respond to physical forces, just like bone cells do,” Khan says. “We’ve seen interesting responses by dural cells from young animals that are exposed to ultrasound, and we’re now going to explore whether skeletally mature cells act the same way. We plan to add stem cells to the defect site to study how they communicate with dural cells and whether this can stimulate new bone formation.”
Hannah Anderson is a 2025 Ph.D. candidate in The Cato T. Laurencin Institute for Regenerative Engineering. Yusuf Khan is her mentor. (Photo by Chris DeFrancesco)
Khan likens it to how certain fractures actually benefit from weight-bearing during the healing process.
Hersh says the body already provides an encouraging clue.
“Our hypothesis is based on what people have learned about normal development –the skull grows in response to the underlying dura releasing signals that then stimulate bone formation,” Hersh says. “We think that happens as a result of the brain itself growing when we’re young and applying mechanical strain to the dura, which then signals to the bone above it. So, our aim is to recreate that natural process to facilitate bone healing in a way that’s similar to the original bone development.”
While studying this issue may have utility for wounded warriors, its potential applications may extend far beyond that. Examples include patients undergoing a decompressive craniectomy and subsequent cranioplasty for reasons unrelated to combat, including in the setting of civilian traumatic brain injury and certain severe types of stroke.
“This collaboration on regenerating cranial bone is so important for the future of our wounded warriors,” says Dr. Cato T. Laurencin, the founder and director of the Cato T. Laurencin Institute for Regenerative Engineering. “It is also beneficial to any mature patient with a traumatic brain injury. Congratulations to Dr. Khan and Dr. Hersh for securing funding to continue their life-altering research.”
The UConn School of Medicine’s Dr. David Hersh (left) and Yusuf Khan are studying how ultrasound may help the body regrow skull bone, funded through a grant from the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs. (Tina Encarnacion/UConn Health photo)
Khan is the associate program director of the UConn School of Medicine’s Skeletal Biology and Regeneration Graduate Program and a member of the Laurencin Institute.
“This is a great example of the power of academic interdisciplinary medicine, where a talented surgeon brought a clinical problem to an engaged and creative scientist-engineer to work towards the betterment of patient care,” says Dr. Isaac Moss, chair of UConn Health’s Department of Orthopaedic Surgery. “When I connected Drs. Hersh and Khan five years ago, it was clear that these two faculty members would form a great partnership and it’s great to see fruits from this collaboration.”
Dr. Ketan Bulsara, chair of UConn Health’s Department of Neurosurgery, agrees.
“The interdepartmental collaboration between Dr. Hersh from neurosurgery and Dr. Khan from orthopedic surgery is just another example of our symbiotic clinical and research excellence that has the potential to transform patient care through our tripartite mission,” Bulsara says. “I congratulate them both on receiving this prestigious grant, and congratulate Dr. Jonathan Martin also for leading our exemplary pediatric neurosurgery team at Connecticut Children’s.”
Martin, a professor of surgery and pediatrics, directs Connecticut Children’s Division of Neurosurgery and holds its Paul M. Kanev Chair of Pediatric Neurosurgery.
“We have been privileged to partner with the UConn Health Department of Neurosurgery through the neurosurgery residency program, which has also expanded our access to new clinical and research partners,” Martin says. “The collaboration between Connecticut Children’s and UConn Health has accelerated the ability of exceptional faculty like Dr. Hersh to pursue answers to difficult questions that will benefit patients well beyond Connecticut and Western New England.”
The grant starts Feb. 1. While the research is in its very early stages, Khan says when the time comes, the work in the lab will be easily translatable.
“To me, this represents the best version of a clinician-research collaboration, where there is a clinical need looking for a solution, and there is a research solution looking for the ideal clinical application,” he says. “This demonstrates the power of and the need for clinician-scientist collaborations.”
The work was supported by the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs endorsed by the Department of Defense, in the amount of $435,465.00, through the Peer Reviewed Medical Research Program under Award No. HT9425-25-1-0053. Opinions, interpretations, conclusions and recommendations are those of the author and are not necessarily endorsed by the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs or the Department of Defense.
Construction workers with Cllr Dr Kindy Sandhu and officers from Coventry City Council in front of the Woodlands development.
The development of a new facility at the former Woodlands School will provide specially designed and much-needed additional space for pupils at Woodfield School.
Contractor, Clegg Construction, known for their design and construction excellence, have commenced the redevelopment works.
As part of the £23 million project Clegg will creating outdoor play facilities, such as play areas and an outdoor forest school to enhance the specialist teaching spaces to support the needs of the pupils. They will also be carrying out the internal refurbishment of the seven original buildings and provision of a new carpark.
Councillor Dr Kindy Sandhu, Cabinet Member for Education and Skills said: “Every child in the city deserves to have the best education they possibly can, and this new facility is going to offer that. The new design will provide the best possible learning experiences moving forward.”
“It’s really exciting that Clegg will soon be making a start on the construction work at the site. It’s going to be a huge asset for the pupils once it’s all finished and I’m looking forward to seeing the development work progress”.
Michael Sims, managing director at Clegg Construction, said: “Clegg has wide experience of delivering new and refurbished educational facilities and we are extremely proud to have been appointed to redevelop, reconfigure, and repurpose this site. The team at Clegg Construction is looking forward to starting work on this project, alongside our delivery partners.”
Testing the River Gade in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire.Earthwatch Europe, CC BY-NC-ND
Citizen science is a powerful tool for involving more people in research. By influencing policy, it is transforming conservation at global, national and local levels.
Citizen science actively encourages non-scientists to be a part of the scientific research process. Sometimes the terminology gets confusing. We say “non-scientists” but through taking part in citizen science projects, people become scientists – they’re just not professionally involved in the research.
It’s also worth noting that the “citizen” in citizen science is completely unrelated to ideas of national citizenship. Put simply, it’s science by the people for the people.
Citizen scientists can take part in every stage of the research process. Depending on the project, participants can write the research questions, choose the methods, collect the data, analyse and interpret the results, and share the research as widely as possible. By broadening people’s understanding of scientific problems and solutions, citizen science can act as a powerful catalyst for change.
It is already making an impact across lots of disciplines, including conservation, by addressing barriers to policy change such as lack of evidence and low levels of public engagement and input. While it’s not yet common for citizen science to directly influence policy, in our research we’ve seen how citizen science can shape policy at every scale: through promoting policy, monitoring progress towards policy or advocating for policy enforcement.
At a local level, citizen science can influence policy and transform conservation science. The clean air coalition of western New York is a group of citizens concerned about smells and smoke, and their connection to chronic health problems in the community. The group collected samples in 2004 to determine what was in the air and presented this data to the New York Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and the US Environmental Protection Agency.
In response, the DEC monitored air pollutants in four locations in the city of Tonawanda for a year between 2007 and 2008 – an investigation which formed the basis for compliance monitoring and regulatory actions. As a direct result of citizen science, the Tonawanda Coke Corporation agreed to improve its operations, monitor for leaks and upgrade pollution controls. By December 2019, levels of carcinogenic benzene had dropped 92% since the end of DEC’s sampling in 2008.
Citizen science can also run at the national level. For example, the annual Big Butterfly Count, run by the Butterfly Conservation charity, encourages people in the UK to advocate for conservation policy by counting butterflies.
Over 25 days in July and August 2024, 85,000 volunteers recorded their sightings, with alarming results. Average butterfly numbers were at their lowest in the survey’s 14-year history.
The charity and its citizen scientists called on the UK government to ban pesticides that can harm butterflies and bees. And on January 23 2025, the government confirmed that, for the first time in five years, an emergency application for the use of a neonicotinoid pesticide on sugar beet in England will not be granted.
The government highlighted that the decision was “based on robust assessments of environmental, health and economic risks and benefits” and, although not explicitly stated, it is clear that citizen scientists contributed to those assessments.
Going global
Citizen science also contributes data to international conservation policies. For example, the UN incorporates citizen science data into two of its largest environmental policy frameworks: the sustainable development goals (SDGs) – a set of targets to end poverty, protect the environment, and promote prosperity for all people – and the Kunming-Montreal agreement, which aims to halt and reverse biodiversity decline.
As part of our work at the European branch of the Earthwatch Institute research organisation, we’re involved with a global water quality monitoring project called FreshWater Watch. This project has successfully engaged communities and governments in Sierra Leone and Zambia to collect data on the proportion of rivers and lakes with good water quality within a country. Over time, this indicator can be used to measure progress towards the SDG for clean water and sanitation.
A volunteer tests water quality at Faendre Reen near Cardiff. Earthwatch Europe, CC BY-NC-ND
Currently, only five of the 231 indicators used to measure progress for the SDGs include citizen science data. But recent research suggests such projects could contribute to up to 33% of these indicators and over half of the 365 indicators for the global biodiversity framework.
And even where citizen science data is not used in official monitoring towards policy, it can still transform conservation science by educating people and empowering them to advocate for change.
The Great UK WaterBlitz is a national example of this. WaterBlitzes are four-day campaigns in which volunteers assess the water quality of local rivers, ponds and lakes, using simple-but-reliable testing kits for nitrates and phosphates.
Nitrates and phosphates occur naturally in the environment and are essential for plant growth. But high concentrations found in sewage and agricultural runoff trigger a process called eutrophication: an overgrowth of algae which leads to increased levels of bacteria and, therefore, decreased oxygen concentrations, which harms aquatic plants and animals.
Citizen scientists used these simple testing kits to assess water quality. Sasha Woods/Earthwatch Europe, CC BY-NC-ND
Our team has used such testing kits in river catchments for over 10 years, but recently expanded to a UK-wide campaign. In September 2024, we ran our largest event to date, with 4,500 participants investigating 2,300 locations. This created a national snapshot of freshwater health at a granular scale, which we have used to highlight pollution hotspots to the Environment Agency (EA).
Although this data is not yet used for official monitoring or the development of conservation policy, its contribution to improving water ecosystems is increasingly acknowledged. As the EA’s deputy director for monitoring, insight and innovation told the Guardian: “The Environment Agency values the contribution of England’s growing network of citizen scientists and welcomes the Great UK WaterBlitz and other initiatives that complement our own research, monitoring and assessment work.”
Despite demonstrating valuable contributions to research – particularly by providing robust datasets – citizen science still faces multiple challenges. The engagement, motivation and retention of volunteers is resource-intensive, and citizen science is not particularly well funded.
And even though citizen science methods are frequently validated by laboratory scientists, policymakers can still be hesitant to integrate this into their monitoring frameworks, due to often unfounded concerns about the data’s quality and reliability.
But citizen science is already influencing conservation. This will only increase as policymakers recognise it as a legitimate and valuable scientific approach. And because there are citizen science projects all over the world, anyone can be a part of this positive change.
Don’t have time to read about climate change as much as you’d like?
Below average temperatures in the eastern United States during the week of January 19, 2025, resulted in high demand for electricity. On January 21 at 6:00 p.m. eastern time, ISO-New England (ISO-NE), the organization operating an integrated grid in Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut, recorded peak hourly demand of 19,600 megawatts (MW). Although demand was elevated, it was lower than the 20,308 MW that ISO-NE forecast peak demand would be in its 2024/2025 winter assessment published on November 7, 2024. Temperatures were more moderate in New England than in the Midwest, which tempered electricity demand somewhat in New England.
Although the grid had sufficient generating capacity to satisfy demand, a significant share of that supply came from sources that rarely operate. The grid required running older thermal generating plants that burn oil and coal. Between the hours of 11:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. eastern time on January 20, 2025, and between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. on January 21, 2025, thermal plants that burn oil provided more electricity to the ISO-NE electricity grid than plants that burn natural gas, which is relatively uncommon. On January 21, 2025, the same group of thermal plants in ISO-NE provided more than 4,000 MW of electricity per hour to the grid between 7:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m. At the same time, one of the two remaining coal-fired plants that burns coal in the region, the Merrimack facility in New Hampshire, supplied close to 300 MW to the grid from the evening of January 19 to the morning of January 25.
Oil and coal offset curtailed generation from natural gas-fired power plants from January 18 to January 22. Prices for natural gas were high, and supplies were short during this period because of more demand for natural gas from other consumers, such as homes and businesses. Later in the week, more natural gas was made available, including supply received from a liquefied natural gas (LNG) import terminal in Everett, Massachusetts. This supply helped boost generation from natural gas-fired power plants beginning on January 22.
Two other major sources of electricity in New England were steady suppliers during the cold snap. The region’s three nuclear reactors steadily provided 3,350 MW of power throughout the period, joined by consistent imports of power from Canada. At 11:00 p.m. on January 18, imports of electricity from Canada surpassed 4,200 MW and averaged 2,886 MW per hour between midnight on January 18 and midnight on January 26.
Principal contributors: Kimberly Peterson, Sue Smith
More than £60 million for pilot projects focusing on essential services and eradicating child poverty.
A new Fairer Funding pilot to deliver on the Scottish Government’s top priority of eradicating child poverty will provide additional multi-year funding in the form of 45 grants to organisations across Scotland.
The funding, subject to budget approval, will support projects in areas including health, education, poverty and culture and have a total value of £61.7 million in 2025-26 and £63.2 million in 2026- 27.
Speaking on her visit today to the Gathering, the largest third sector event in the UK, Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said:
“I know many charities, faced with rising costs and falling donations, need more security and stability to enable them to plan and develop. Child poverty, in particular, requires longer-term interventions to help achieve the solutions we want to see. For that, the third sector needs financial stability and certainty. That’s why I have prioritised delivering on our commitment to provide more multi-year funding where we can to support the vital work of the third sector in Scotland, as part of our fairer funding approach.
“The pilot is the first step in mainstreaming multi-year funding agreements more widely across the third sector. It will give organisations the ability to plan for the future and make the most of their resources. The pilot’s focus on grants connected to tackling child poverty and the delivery of frontline services to our communities will maximise the impact of longer term funding and support the delivery of our number one priority, eradicating child poverty.”
Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO) Chief Executive Anna Fowlie said:
“The voluntary sector has a crucial role to play in delivering essential services across Scotland that people and communities rely on. Multi-year funding models are vital, providing security to voluntary organisations and, crucially, allowing them to get on and deliver for people and communities.
“We welcome the Scottish Government’s commitment to piloting multi-year funding for a range of voluntary organisations across Scotland – a first step, we hope, towards rolling out Fair Funding principles to voluntary sector funding.”
Background
Organisations to receive multi-year funding for 2025/26 and 2026/27
Social Justice
Scottish Refugee Council
Scottish Empty Homes Partnership
Homeless Network Scotland
Housing Options Scotland
Poverty Alliance
CentreStage – Social Innovation Partnership
COVEY – Social Innovation Partnership
Flexibility Works – Social Innovation Partnership
Heavy Sound – Social Innovation Partnership
MsMissMrs – Social Innovation Partnership
Street Soccer – Social Innovation Partnership
WorkingRite – Social Innovation Partnership
MCR Pathways
Economy and Gaelic
Scottish Mountain Rescue
Constitution, External Affairs and Culture
Youth Music Initiative
Sistema Scotland
Health and Social Care
Cruse Scotland Bereavement Helpline
Penumbra Self-harm support pilots
BASICS Funding PHEC BASICS Scotland
The Listening Service Samaritans
Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund for adults
Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund Management
Autism Advice Line Scottish Autism
Young Scot Carer support funding
Active Play Development Programme Inspiring Scotland
Active Play Development Programme Actify
Community Food Networks Edinburgh Community Food
Community Food Networks Lanarkshire Community Food and Health Partnership
Community Food Networks Community Food Initiative North East
Community Food Networks Glasgow Community Food Network
Drugs Policy: Core Funding Scottish Families Affected by Alcohol and Drugs
Drugs Policy: Family Recovery Initiative Fund Scottish Families Affected by Alcohol and Drugs
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder FASD Hub Scotland Service
Finance and Local Government
Planning Aid Scotland
Education and Skills
Dyslexia Scotland
Children’s Advocacy for Children’s Hearings
Who Cares Scotland
Inspiring Scotland
Children in Scotland Enquire National Advice and Information Service on Additional Support for Learning
Scottish Book Trust Bookbug
Access to Childcare Fund
Scottish Association of Minority Ethnic Educators
Justice and Home Affairs
Victim Centred Approach Fund
Apex Scotland
Medics Against Violence
These pilots are in addition to the multi-year funding announced last week by Creative Scotland, which has been funded as part of a record £34 million uplift for culture in the draft 2025-26 Scottish Budget.
Reinforcing the Council’s commitment to supporting Armed Forces serving members and veterans.
Yesterday, Tuesday 4 February, Major Steve Tickle, Lord Lieutenant Amanda Parker, Preston City Council Chief Executive Adrian Phillips and members of the Armed Forces and Preston City Council gathered to re-sign The Armed Forces Covenant.
Preston City Council first signed the Armed Forces Community Covenant in 2012, and yesterday’s event reinforced the Council’s commitment to supporting Armed Forces serving members and veterans.
The Armed Forces Covenant is a promise by local authorities that ‘together we acknowledge and understand that those who serve or have served in the Armed Forces, and their families, including the bereaved, should be treated with fairness and respect in the communities, economy, and society.’
The Covenant focuses on helping members of the Armed Forces community have the same access to Government and commercial services and products as any other citizen. This support is provided in a number of areas including healthcare, education and childcare, housing and accommodation, employment, and financial services.
Preston City Council’s Armed Forces Champion, Councillor Melanie Close said:
“I am delighted that Preston City Council is committing to signing the Armed Forces Covenant. We are proud to reinforce our commitment to supporting our existing service personnel and their families, reservists and veterans who have all made a significant contribution to our communities.”
Preston City Council is an Armed Forces Friendly Employer and is proud to hold the Armed Forces Silver Award for those who proudly protect our nation, with honour, courage, and commitment and is now working towards achieving the Armed Forces Gold Award.
This February marks the 20th anniversary of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender plus (LGBT+) History Month, with Council Leader, Jane Meagher, showing her support.
Following the repeal of Section 28, LGBT+ History Month was created to recognise and honour the contributions of the LGBT+ community.
The Council will mark the annual celebration by flying the rainbow flag above the City Chambers for the entire month of February.
Council Leader Jane Meagher said:
LGBT+ History Month is an opportunity to reflect on the history of the LGBT+ rights movement and campaign for equal rights. On the twentieth anniversary of this vital awareness month, we must recognise those individuals who have pushed the boundaries and advocated for social progress, creating a more inclusive world for all of us.
We are proud of Edinburgh’s diversity and that anyone is welcome to make the city their home, regardless of their gender identity or sexual orientation. It’s important that we demonstrate our support by proudly flying the rainbow flag above the City Chambers for the month of February. The flag is an international symbol of LGBT+ pride, showing all who live in and visit our city that we not only value but champion respect, tolerance, and inclusivity for all.
Accra (Agenzia Fides) – Since the end of January, various statements have been made by bodies of the Catholic Church in Ghana, aimed at reaffirming the incompatibility between the Catholic faith and membership in Freemasonry. The issue arose during the parliamentary hearings for the appointment of the Minister of Youth Development and Emancipation, George Opare Addo. During the debate, minority leader, Afenyo-Markin, asked if Opare Addo was a Freemason, to which he responded by openly acknowledging his membership in Freemasonry.The admission generated mixed reactions, and the Archdiocese of Accra reiterated, in a note issued on January 26, that Catholics cannot associate with Freemasonry. In response, Afenyo-Markin, who professes the Catholic faith, indicated that he had not received official communication from the Church regarding his membership in Masonic organizations.”My Archbishop Palmer-Buckle (Archbishop of Cape Coast) has not written any letter to me,” Afenyo-Markin said in an interview on January 29. “I have been seeing letters flying around, but nobody has written to me personally,” the leader of the parliamentary opposition said. The Ghana Bishops’ Conference intervened in the matter through a statement released to the press on January 31, in which it reaffirmed the official position of the Church on the incompatibility between the Catholic faith and Freemasonry. Referring to the teachings of various pontiffs – since the Bull of Clement XII, dated April 28, 1738 – to the provisions of the Code of Canon Law and to the declarations of the then Congregation (later Dicastery) for the Doctrine of the Faith, the note reminds “the faithful that, according to the doctrine of the Church, membership in Masonic organizations is a grave matter that can lead to spiritual harm. Those who may be involved in such associations are strongly encouraged to reconsider their membership to live fully in the light of the Gospel.”“The position of the Catholic Church with regard to Freemasonry is that it is a religion in its own right, with doctrines that are irreconcilable with Christian doctrines.Freemasonry also promotes a form of universalism that ignores the unique role of Jesus in the salvation of mankind. In many cases also, it offers a syncretistic view of religion that undermines the exclusive claims of the Christian faith.”In reaction to these statements, a senior Masonic dignitary, John Edusei, Assistant Provincial Grand Master of the North of the Grand Lodge of Ghana, responded to these latest statements. Edusei, who also professes to be a Catholic, recalls the official statements of the United Grand Lodge of England (UGLE), which read: “Freemasonry is not a religion, nor is it a substitute for religion. There is no separate Masonic god, and there is no separate proper name for a deity in Freemasonry.” To avoid confusion between Freemasonry and Catholic orders of chivalry, the Knights of St. John International and Ladies’ Auxiliary of Ghana have issued a clarifying note. In it, they emphasize that it is “a renowned Catholic association that operates under the auspices of the under the auspices of the Catholic Church worldwide and that firmly maintains the position of the Church against Catholics’ membership of the Freemasonry.” (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides, 5/2/2025)
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“How can the Government claim an electoral mandate for these major changes if those most impacted see their elections cancelled?
“The Green Party is urging the Government to protect democracy, allow these long-planned elections to take place and get around the table with elected representatives of all parties to discuss how to make devolution work for people in local areas across the country.
“We want decisions closest to where they have the greatest impact with significant devolution of powers and funding from Westminster. That is the way to keep the vital connection between the politicians making decisions and those affected by them and avoid further alienation from the political process. The imposition of huge, remote councils against the will of local people would fly in the face of local democracy.”
Individual parts from retired Tornado aircraft have been ground down and 3D printed into new components suitable for next generation Tempest fighter jets.
A Tempest Jet flying over London.
First-of-its-kind initiative shows how defence is an engine for growth and supports the government’s Plan for Change.
Development could save money, support the UK defence industry and producer higher quality components.
Individual parts from retired fighter jets have been ground down and 3D printed into new components suitable for the UK’s next generation of military aircraft – a first of its kind initiative for the Royal Air Force.
The innovative recycling project has seen parts from old Tornado aircraft turned into powered metal and used to 3D print new components suitable for Tempest jets. This is a great example of UK-developed technology of the future, and demonstrates UK defence industry as an engine for growth and a key part of the Government’s Plan for Change.
The development could save taxpayer money, reduce the UK’s reliance on global supply chains of critical and high value metals and produce components that are lighter, stronger, and longer lasting than those made through traditional forging techniques.
Many of the Ministry of Defence’s surplus assets contain strategic metals, including high quality steel, aluminum, and titanium, and the Tornado 2 Tempest project team have been identifying whether some of these components could be atomised into powders – known as “feedstock” – for additive manufacturing to make new parts.
Tornado parts containing titanium, including jet engine compressor blades from a low-pressure air compressor, were selected. They were cleaned, successfully atomised and recycled into a 3D printed nose cone and compressor blades by Additive Manufacturing Solutions Limited (AMS) for Orpheus – Rolls-Royce’s small engine concept that is part of the MOD’s Future Combat Air System (FCAS) programme delivering Tempest.
The nose cone was fitted onto an Orpheus test engine and passed suitability and safety checks – demonstrating the technique has potential use in the sixth-generation jet.
Minister for Defence Procurement and Industry, Maria Eagle said:
The Tornado 2 Tempest project highlights the creativity, ingenuity and innovation defence employs in our approach to national security.
By working with key industry partners, we can deliver savings, reduce reliance on global supply chains and ensure our Armed Forces have the very best kit to keep our country safe.
Not only does this initiative have a positive impact on the environment and national security, it supports the domestic defence industry acting as an engine for growth, which is at the heart of Plan for Change.
The project was led by Defence Equipment and Support’s (DE&S) Defence Recycling & Disposals Team (DRDT) in partnership with the MOD FCAS team, Rolls-Royce and AMS based in Burscough, Lancashire.
The initiative also led to the creation of three jobs and sustained two at Small Medium-Sized Enterprise (SME), AMS. The business now expects to create 25 new jobs by offering the innovation to other suppliers.
A team of more than 80 people participated in the project, including DRDT’s commercial graduates and Rolls-Royce graduate apprentices, combining current skills and innovative technologies to deliver and maintain future capabilities.
Funded by UK Strategic Command’s Defence Support Organisation in relation to its Circular Economics for Defence Concept Note, the feat shows that turning old parts into new is viable and could bring huge benefits to the MOD and wider Defence, especially through increasing the accessibility of strategic metals to the UK Defence industry and suppliers.
The MOD’s Chief of Defence Logistics and Support (CDLS) recently awarded the Tornado 2 Tempest Rolls-Royce Team a CDLS Commendation in recognition of their commitment and dedication to the delivery and improvement of support to the front line.
The team also demonstrated a Digital Product Passport (DPP) by capturing and recording material provenance and lifecycle data. This can potentially enable more informed decisions around material allocation and protect against the use of counterfeit materials.
Andrew Eady, Rolls-Royce VP FCAS Sustainability, said:
The Tornado 2 Tempest project exemplifies the forward-thinking sustainability principles embedded in the FCAS Sustainability Strategy and MoD Defence Support Strategy.
This project is bold, exciting and innovative, and a demonstration of exemplary collaboration between the MoD, industry and SME, furthering the drive for circular economy practices and innovative digital enablers in Defence.
Robert Higham, AMS Director, said:
At AMS our tagline is ‘Innovative Solutions for a Sustainable Future’ and we were confident our innovations and ideas would have a great bearing on the future of a resilient supply.
This project turned our proposed solutions into a reality, and we have been very humbled and grateful to the MOD and Rolls Royce, for allowing us to showcase our capability to deliver game-changing circular economy processes and parts in Defence.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
Latest information and actions from the Education and Skills Funding Agency for academies, schools, colleges, local authorities and further education providers.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
The Environment Agency has opened a second consultation into a permit variation application from Drax Power Limited in Yorkshire.
The operator first applied for the variation in May 2023 to request permission to incorporate carbon capture at its bioenergy plant near Selby.
At the time, the Environment Agency held a public consultation to offer people the opportunity to comment on the application.
During the Environment Agency’s review of this 2023 application, it considered the applicant had not included sufficient information, so it requested a more detailed assessment.
Drax has now provided the potential substances that could be formed in the carbon capture plant and with a more detailed justification for the substances it considers could be emitted to air.
A second consultation for the application has now been opened and will run from Tuesday 4 February to Tuesday 4 March, 2025.
Tim Shaw, Installations Team Leader, said:
We have now received updated information from the applicant and this can be found in a revised air emissions risk assessment.
It’s important to hold a second consultation so the public have the opportunity to view the new documents and provide their views on environmental factors they feel are important.
We are committed to carrying out a detailed and rigorous assessment of this permit variation application.
Carbon capture
Carbon capture is the removal of carbon dioxide from waste gases (usually by absorbing the carbon dioxide in a special solvent) and either using it or storing it underground, reducing the amount of emissions into the atmosphere.
Drax Power Ltd wants to capture the carbon dioxide emitted during electricity generation, to prevent the majority of it from entering the atmosphere.
The carbon dioxide captured will be transported via a pipeline for permanent storage under the North Sea.
To capture carbon dioxide from the combustion process, Drax will need to vary its existing environmental permit.
The Environment Agency assesses applications for environmental permits, or to vary existing environmental permits, under the Environmental Permitting Regulations (EPR).
Its role is to assess the application and decide if it meets all requirements under relevant environmental legislation and provides a high level of protection to the environment and human health.
It will only vary the environmental permit if it is satisfied this would be the case.
After the consultation has closed, the Environment Agency will review the comments received from the consultation process and take them into account in the determination of the application.
More information about Drax’s permit application can be found on the application pages on Citizen Space.
Responses to the consultation can be made electronically.
Information on the website explains how people can view the consultation documents and how they can provide comments. It also explains what the EA can and can’t take into account when deciding on the application.
Anyone wishing to comment on the proposals is urged to read the documentation online before responding directly on the website or by email
Those unable to view the documents or make representation via the consultation website or by email should contact the Environment Agency on 03708 506 506.
Pictured are L to R – General Manager Gayle McEwan, former owner and Managing Director Donald Mathieson, Council Leader Cllr Raymond Bremner and Chair of the Economy and Infrastructure Committee, Cllr Ken Gowans.
Yesterday (Tuesday 4 February) the Leader of The Highland Council Cllr Raymond Bremner along with the Chair of the Economy and Infrastructure Committee Cllr Ken Gowans visited the depot of D&E Coaches following the completion of the deal for the council to acquire the business.
There to meet them was the former owner Donald Mathieson, who started the business nearly 30 years ago with one minibus. Speaking to the media who were invited along to the depot yesterday afternoon he said:
“We’ve taken the company as far as we can and I’m now ready to retire from the business. Moving forward, we feel that the Council taking on ownership is the best move for the company, and everyone concerned, including our staff and customers.”
There will however still be a family connection to the business as Donald’s daughter Gayle McEwan is taking on the role of General Manager.
The Council spends around £25m on school and public transport throughout the region, with well over 300 separate contracts. The last tendering round saw an increase of £8m in one financial year, which led to the Council setting up an in-house bus team.
Council Leader Raymond Bremner said: “I see this deal very much as a positive move forward. D&E operate a significant number of school contracts for the Council, so we now can take ownership and look for opportunities in future tendering rounds to compete more effectively. However, I want to stress that we intend to operate D&E very much as a going concern so it’s business as usual. I wish Gayle all the very best in her role and we look forward to maintaining the legacy and service standards set by Donald and the whole team over the course of many years.”
Chair of the Economy and Infrastructure Committee, Councillor Ken Gowans said: “Purchasing D&E Coaches on behalf of Highland Council is a fantastic opportunity and offers us more flexibility moving forward. D&E is a well-established company, and we’re delighted to have reached a deal. We’re looking forward to working with the same team who have a wealth of experience which will be of great benefit to Highland Council.”
Earlier in the day the Council launched its new shopper service – the “108 Shopper Bus”, which will run every Tuesday and Thursday starting at Torvean Park and Ride. The route will be going through all the housing areas along Sir Walter Scott Drive (Distributor Road) to include Holm Dell, Culduthel Mains, Slackbuie, Miller Street, Boswell Road. It will then pass through the back of Inshes Retail Park and then go through the UHI Campus to the Inverness Shopping Park.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Sydney (Sydney ETO) hosted a reception in Sydney, Australia, yesterday (February 4) to celebrate Chinese New Year.
Over 300 guests from various sectors including political and business circles, media, academic and community groups as well as government representatives attended the Sydney reception. Among them was the Consul General of the People’s Republic of China in Sydney, Mr Wang Yu. The Chairman of the M+ Board, Chairman of the Tai Kwun Culture and Arts Company Limited and Vice Chairman of the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority Board, Mr Bernard Chan, was invited as the keynote speaker to share with the guests the vibrant arts and cultural scenes in Hong Kong.
The Director of the Sydney ETO, Mr Ricky Chong, said in his welcoming remarks that both Hong Kong and Australia embrace free trade, rule of law, and multiculturalism as core values, under which Hong Kong and Australia’s bilateral trade, investment situation and people-to-people ties flourish. New South Wales, in particular, has long been a significant partner for Hong Kong in the finance, trade, tourism, and education sectors.
“As we celebrate Chinese New Year, let us also reflect on how our collaboration can grow even stronger. With Hong Kong serving as the ‘super connector’ with the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and Mainland China, the opportunities for Australian businesses are unprecedented. Together, we can explore new horizons and ensure our partnership continues to thrive,” Mr Chong added.
In his keynote speech, Mr Chan introduced to guests the various world class venues in the West Kowloon Cultural District, including M+ museum, the Hong Kong Palace Museum and Xiqu Centre, as well as their partnerships with over 20 of the top arts and cultural institutions in the world. He also shared about the vibrant activations and inspiring exhibitions in Tai Kwun – a centre for arts, culture and heritage. Mr Chan will also speak at the Chinese New Year reception to be hosted by the Sydney ETO in Melbourne tomorrow (February 6).
In addition to the Sydney and Melbourne receptions, the Sydney ETO will also host Chinese New Year receptions in Brisbane (February 13), Perth (February 18) and Adelaide (February 20) in Australia, and Auckland (February 25) in New Zealand, to celebrate the Year of the Snake with local communities.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
Four Committee on Radioactive Waste Management (CoRWM) members travelled to Andalucia to visit the El Cabril low and intermediate level nuclear waste disposal facility.
The true extent of the 29 October floods on the Spanish regions of Valencia and Andalucia did not become immediately apparent, but the flood waters caused the death of over 230 people and was one of the deadliest natural disasters in Spanish history. On what became one of the most devastating weeks in history for Valencia and Andalucia, 4 CoRWM members travelled to Andalucia to visit the El Cabril low and intermediate level nuclear waste disposal facility. These sobering statistics added a pertinence to our visit.
Flooding events and ‘extreme’ weather – the torrential rain in Spain on 29 October brought a years’ worth of precipitation in a single day– are increasing in frequency and highlight the pressing need for robust, zero carbon energy systems that can sustain our energy needs without causing environmental and human disaster. This contextual framing of our visit to the nuclear waste disposal site at El Cabril is important. We need to securely dispose of our nuclear waste without leaving a burden for future generations. Disposal must be safe in the short and long term from environmental change. This becomes increasingly pertinent if we are to use nuclear in a portfolio of energy choices to meet out net zero targets.
CoRWM were welcomed to Spain and the El Cabril site by Nuria Prieto Serrano from ENRESA (Empresa Nacional de Residuos Radiactivos S.A.). Nuria is Senior Technician working in the department of International Co-operation and Research and Development at ENRESA. She is a philologist and lawyer with over 20 years’ experience in radioactive waste management and was an excellent guide and source of knowledge. We started our visit by sharing information on the countries respective nuclear waste disposal strategies and current progress.
Spain is currently decommissioning all their nuclear energy plants in the wake of a decision to discontinue nuclear energy production. Wastes described as very low, low and intermediate level wastes, in the Spanish categorisation of radioactive waste as described on the ENRESA website, can be disposed of at El Cabril. These wastes are similar to low and intermediate level wastes in the UK, but high-level wastes and some special wastes will need to be disposed of in a geological facility. Therefore, the process of designing and delivering a geological disposal facility is now starting in Spain.
Penny Harvey (CoRWM Deputy Chair) spoke about the work of CoRWM, and CoRWM’s role in the management and disposal of nuclear wastes in the UK. The role of a body such as CoRWM was of interest to ENRESA, as Spain progresses towards developing its strategy for and delivery of a deep geological disposal facility.
Visitors centre displays showing the site layout (left) and canister types (right)
El Cabril is on a former uranium mine and it is this legacy that led to the first wastes being stored here. The old mining cottages are still on site. Now empty, they appear like a row of little white teeth in the landscape evidence of the complex nature of human involvement on the site and the ties between geology, energy, people and landscape. Nuria describes how a future siting of a deep geological disposal facility would be open and transparent with community engagement in the process. We reflect on the importance of the community engagement process in the UK and the time and effort it takes to do it well and to gain trust and respect. Aspects of heritage, place, peoples, combined with the geology and other logistics all need to come together to create the right environment for a geological disposal facility.
As ever, with such visits, time was short and there was much to discuss and see. We had a quick tour of the visitor’s centre, which receives a staggering c.3,000 visitors/year; despite being many hours’ drive from any centre of major population. The visitor’s centre is a simple, clear and informative space with great views out onto the site. Our next stop was the watch tower, which affords fabulous views across the rolling Spanish countryside in which the El Cabril site is embedded. The watch tower is, as its name suggests, a security post; but not focused on risks such as terrorism threats that might first come to mind as a UK citizen. The watch tower’s main function is fire watch, as forest fire is deemed the biggest risk to site safety, and there are helicopter pads and reservoirs built into the landscape ready for firefighting. This simple fact provokes thoughts of climate change, shifting weather patterns and the increased frequency of extreme events. Much of Spain had temperatures over 40 degrees in the summer of 2024. Risks to infrastructure are changing as weather patterns destabilise. In a region where fire is the highest risk to a nuclear waste disposal site, but has also just seen the worst floods in its history, managing waste carefully and predicting future scenarios is a must.
The view from the Watch Tower across the El Cabril site (left), and the Handling and Operations area (right).
The central operations room provided an insight into the control systems and monitoring. Viewed through a one-way window that cleverly can be come two-way if the operators allow, we glimpsed the complexities of the monitoring and evaluation systems. Here we also learnt the operational workflow from delivery of waste at the site through to disposal, with graphics and text combined with real site photography. Then Nuria walked us through the loading, handling, testing and monitoring areas. We also saw the transportation truck systems that bring waste to the site from different nuclear operators. Despite being only 4 members from CoRWM we brought expertise in siting and engagement, in geology, regulation, risk management, transport and disposal logistics, so there was much to discuss and see.
The fluid draining and sampling pipes beneath the El Cabril low and intermediate level waste vaults (left), and Nuria Prieto Serrano explaining the fluid sampling system (right)
The highlight was the disposal vaults themselves. Firstly, we were taken into the passageways below the completed low and intermediate level waste vaults to see the water sampling and analysis system. Although dry the system and monitoring is designed so that any fluid collected in the base of the silos can be drained and tested. The system allows testing of fluid from individual silos so that any issues can be isolated. Above ground large tents cover the operational very low-level waste disposal sites and layers of waste and barriers are stacked up to create the stores within each concrete silo. It is possible to walk out on top of these very low-level wastes and to see the waste and back-fill up close. Eventually the disposal areas will be landscaped. The tops of the rolling hills were removed to create the disposal areas, and these will be recreated when the vaults are full, returning the landscape to its past form. Or at least how it was most recently.
These aspects of time, change and expectation are interesting, always framed in the human timescale and often within a single generation or two, rather than anything close to geological (millions and billions of years) or even timescales of some radioactive decay (tens of thousands of years). The Valencia floods and the environmental and human disaster that ensued signal potentially rapid change on relatively short (human) timescales. We will need to learn to adapt and be resilient, and act collectively for the common good. Sharing best practice and understanding internationally is key, learning from each other’s challenges and solutions. The timescales are both long and short and change is inevitable as we navigate our way to optimal nuclear waste disposal solutions.
With special thanks to Nuria Prieto Serrano, and ENRESA for hosting CoRWM’s visit.
Cllr Adam Hug, Leader of Westminster City Council, said:
Today’s funding commitment allows Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust to accelerate planning and design work for the redevelopment of St Mary’s Hospital.
This will really boost efforts to explore and secure additional funding sources to cover the main construction costs, unlocking economic potential and speeding up delivery.
The council is proud to be working with the Trust on a joint taskforce, to include our MPs and a range of other stakeholders and experts, to make this redevelopment a reality as soon as possible.
This is a huge step towards replacing the current Victorian era buildings and great news for Westminster where residents will benefit from new, improved facilities at London’s busiest major trauma centre, which treats over a million patients each year.
We’re looking forward to working with Imperial College Healthcare to deliver a new 850 bed hospital and world leading research centre – securing the best care and new jobs for our city.
Tributes to footballing giant Denis Law CBE – Scotland’s only winner of Ballon d’Or – were made today (Wednesday 5 February 2025) at Aberdeen City Council’s Full Council meeting.
The Lord Provost of Aberdeen, Dr David Cameron, who chairs the meeting, made special mention at the start of the session to the city’s greatest footballing son who died aged 84, on 17 January 2025.
The Lord Provost said: ““Denis Law was truly an iconic footballer, hero, and inspiration to many people, here in Aberdeen, and further afield in Manchester, Huddersfield and Italy.
“Denis was and continues to be an inspiring role model to so many people and he never forgot his roots. “He especially demonstrated his strong and caring commitment to younger generations through his legacy trust. The positive support and opportunities that Denis Law has given through the trust is an enduring way to celebrate our much-loved and much-respected local football hero.”
“It is fitting he is recognised in Council today for all his achievements, not just those on the football pitch.”
The Lord Provost’s comments and sentiments were shared by councillors across the chamber including the Co-leaders Councillors Christian Allard and Martin Greig, deputising for Councillor Ian Yuill.
Denis was born and raised in the Printfield area of Aberdeen went to the former Powis Academy before moving to England to play for Huddersfield when he was 16. He went on to play for Manchester United, Torino, and Manchester City. Known as The Lawman, he scored 30 goals for Scotland.
He was European footballer of the year and Scotland’s only winner of Ballon d’Or, football’s most prestigious award for individuals.
Denis frequently returned home to Aberdeen to his roots with several accolades in his honour. These include the Freedom of the City, featuring in the Sporting Champions section of Provost Skene’s House, and a 4.7m high bronze statue was unveiled in his honour in 2021.
When Denis received the Freedom of the City in November 2017, more than 15,000 people lined the streets of Aberdeen as he led the annual Christmas lights switch-on parade, following an earlier conferral ceremony at the Beach Ballroom. He said at the time that receiving the Freedom of the City as one of his life’s highlights.
Denis and his friend Sir Alex Ferguson feature in Provost Skene’s House, which showcases people with links to Aberdeen and the North-east who have transformed the wider world.
As well as having a presence in the Hall of Heroes on the ground floor, Denis is celebrated in the Sporting Champions section, where memorabilia from his career is on display. In the View of Aberdeen exhibition at Aberdeen Art Gallery you can see one of the #Yes Ball Games signs made famous by Denis’ involvement in Cruyff Courts.
The bronze statue of Denis was unveiled by The King himself in the heart of his home city in Marischal Square, beside Provost Skene’s House. Sir Alex Ferguson was at the ceremony to watch the unveiling.
Denis was known as ‘The King’ for his achievements in football and the statue was sited to be in close proximity to the statue of King Robert the Bruce outside Marischal College – two kings of the city facing each other.
Many floral tributes have been laid at the foot of the statue since Denis’s passing.
The legacy of Denis Law continues to be represented within Aberdeen through Denis Law Legacy Trust and its successful Streetsport initiative with Robert Gordon University, as well as the Trust’s thriving Cruyff Courts in partnership with Aberdeen City Council.
Coventry City Council has partnered with the West Midlands Combined Authority to bring a new artificial intelligence (AI) technology to the city, detecting near misses between drivers and pedestrians.
It’s part of a region-wide pilot scheme to improve safety and save lives with Grange Road in Longford being one of 40 existing sensors across the West Midlands that has been upgraded with the Smart Road Safety and Near Miss technology.
VivaCity’s AI-powered vision sensors detect and record near misses, such as when a vehicle passes within inches of a slower-moving pedestrian or cyclist. By using object speed and path data to estimate collision risks between road users it means potential collision hot spots can be identified before someone is hurt.
The technology has been impactful in guiding Coventry’s road safety work so far, influencing work to install a pedestrian refuge on Grange Road, following several near misses being recorded by the AI technology.
Until now, highway planners have had to use data from collisions that have already happened when deciding where to install safe crossings or speed reduction measures.
The analysis provided by the award-winning technology is being used by Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) and VivaCity to determine where safety measures are needed across the region.
Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands, said: “One life lost on our roads is one too many. That’s why I’m committed to Vision Zero – no more deaths on our roads.
“We need to use every tool available to make journeys safer for everyone in the West Midlands. This new AI technology is helping us prevent collisions before they happen, protecting pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers. And Coventry is leading the way as the first place to roll out measures that have been guided by high-tech AI.”
Cllr Patricia Hetherton, Cabinet Member for City Services, said: “I’m pleased that we could partner with the combined authority and VivaCity on this road safety initiative. Anything that helps us prevent accidents or reduce their severity is welcomed by me. And as a result of this new clever technology and some cash from Transport for West Midlands, we will be narrowing the junction at Grange Road and adding a refuge in the middle so pedestrians can cross in two parts.
“Of course, we still need a focus on dealing with areas where accidents have happened – but this new technology will be really helpful as part of a co-ordinated approach to improving the safety of all road users in Coventry.”
Latest provisional figures show that while road deaths in the West Midlands have fallen by 12% over the last two years, 43% of all fatalities were pedestrians, highlighting the need for further measures to protect vulnerable road users.
The AI near-miss sensors build on the Regional Road Safety Action Plan’s broader crackdown on dangerous driving, complementing other actions such as additional funding for extra staff to review speed cameras and dashcam footage.
Following a nine-week public consultation, Cabinet members will be asked to approve plans to introduce Council Tax for empty, unoccupied and second homes at the next Cabinet meeting.
The consultation, which took place between 11 October – 13 December 2024, found that members of the public were in favour of the move, with 47% of respondents strongly agreeing and 18% agreeing to the changes.
If approved by Cabinet, the proposed changes will include a 100% Council Tax premium (twice the normal rate) on properties that have been unoccupied and substantially unfurnished for at least one year, effective from April 2025. The changes will also include the introduction of a 100% Council Tax premium on second homes, effective from April 2026.
These changes are in line with the new guidance rules introduced by the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2023 where councils can now apply the Council Tax premium for long-term empty homes after one year instead of the previous two-year requirement. The Act also allows councils to introduce a Council Tax premium of up to 100% on second homes.
The measures aim to bring empty properties back into use, encouraging property owners to live in or sell their empty homes. This will help to add more homes into the local housing market and reduce the number of underused properties, ensuring that housing is available for residents who need them. The measures will also generate significant revenue with an estimated £1.6m of additional Council Tax.
Councillor Shiraz Khan, Cabinet Member for Housing, Strategic Planning and Regulatory Services said:
I am delighted to see that the public have supported this move. By introducing Council Tax charges on empty, unoccupied and second homes, we are aiming to encourage property owners to live in or sell their empty homes. In doing so, we will see significant benefits and more housing on the market for those who need homes.
These proposals will bring great benefit to residents in Derby by maximising the potential of vacant housing stock within the city. It will also bring significant benefits to the city by generating an estimated £1.6m of additional Council Tax which will help us towards delivering and improving our services.
The Cabinet meeting will take place on Wednesday 12 February and can be viewed on Derby City Council’s YouTube channel.
There will be plenty of opportunity for family activities at two Island museums during February half-term.
Visitors to the Museum of Island History will be invited to create and curate their own paper pop-up museum, featuring some of the museum’s collection of fascinating local artefacts, or something else of their choosing.
There will also be an opportunity to complete a trail exploring some of the treasures currently on display at the museum including objects from prehistory to the modern day.
Half-term will also be one of the last chances to see a temporary exhibition which reveals the rich history of Newport’s people and places.
The activities at Museum of Island History are scheduled for Tuesday, 18 February and Thursday, 20 February, from 10am until 1pm (last entry).
Meanwhile, visitors to Newport Roman Villa will be able to explore the fantastic hands-on activity room and complete a Roman picture hunt around the villa ruins.
Activities include making a mosaic, reconstructing a pot, building a block tower and dressing up as a Roman, there will also be opportunities for imaginative play in our replica Roman kitchen.
The whole site will be open throughout the event so visitors can explore the historic ruins, museum displays and garden.
The Family Activity Days at Newport Roman Villa are on Wednesday, 19 February and Friday, 21 February, 10am until 2pm (last entry).
On these special days there’s no need to book — all activities and museum entry costs just £1 per person at each museum site.
The events are organised by Isle of Wight Council’s Heritage Service.
Newport Roman Villa, Cypress Road, Newport, PO30 1HA
Museum of Island History, Guildhall, High Street, Newport, PO30 1TY
Two officers ready to undertake a inspection of a home in the private rented sector.
Published: Wednesday, 5th February 2025
A routine inspection saved the lives of a family of four who were suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning.
Birmingham City Council is reminding landlords of the importance of carbon monoxide detectors following an inspection that found a family of four in a life-threatening situation.
An officer was conducting a routine compliance inspection of a privately rented property when they found a family who believed they had food poisoning.
An alarm had been going off for weeks, but the tenants didn’t realise it was the carbon monoxide detector.
The officer quickly called emergency services. Three ambulances arrived, and the family was taken to the hospital and kept overnight.
Had the family stayed in the property for much longer, they would have almost certainly died.
Initial investigations revealed that a newly installed gas boiler was not vented properly, allowing carbon monoxide to enter the home.
Jayne Francis, Cabinet Member for Housing and Homelessness, said:
“This property was inspected as part of the council’s selective licensing scheme, which requires private landlords to have a licence.
“This shows how the scheme can be life-saving as well as improve standards in the rented sector.
“Currently, around 25% of compliance inspections require landlords to take action.
“We also want to remind private landlords of the importance of carbon monoxide detectors and their gas safety responsibilities.
“I urge landlords to make sure their tenants understand what the carbon monoxide detector does and what to do if it sounds.
“Landlords should also ensure their gas boilers are installed by qualified professionals registered with ‘Gas Safe.’
“I want also to thank the officer who conducted the visit for their quick thinking that saved this family.”
All governments must stand up against Donald Trump and his ethnic cleansing proposals for Gaza, says Scottish Green co-leader Lorna Slater.
The Scottish Greens have long-called for a full UK arms embargo against Israel and opposed friendly relations with Donald Trump.
Ms Slater said:
“Donald Trump’s proposals are horrific and would amount to the ethnic cleansing of Palestinians.
“The last 15 months have inflicted so much death and destruction which has been armed, supported and fuelled by governments around the world including the UK.
“Those arms sales should never have happened in the first place and must not continue for a day longer.
“It emphasises why we should never cozy-up to or support a man like Donald Trump, who has shown a total contempt for human rights and the lives of Palestinians, and who will only make a catastrophic situation even worse.
“There is a responsibility on all governments to condemn these awful plans, stand up to them and do all we can to halt them and to help in building a long-term and sustainable peace.”
“The forced movement of a people from their homeland is ethnic cleansing. These comments advocating for ethnic cleansing have to be understood in the context of the mounting evidence of genocide in Gaza occurring over the last year. The people of Gaza are not obstacles to be removed; they are human beings with the right to live with dignity, security, and self-determination. Britain, and our international allies must today respond in the strongest terms condemning Trump’s reckless remarks.”
She continued, “Britain must take the opportunity today to reiterate the Palestinian right to self-determination. And if we are serious about this, we should clearly state our support for Palestinian statehood. This is the bare minimum that is required at this stage.”
“Strategically now it is essential that none of these words fan the flames of conflict and jeopardise the precious ceasefire that is currently in place. The United States has an absolute legal obligation to follow international law, but it also has a moral obligation to ensure it works towards supporting the ongoing respect of the ceasefire.”
Funding increase announced on anniversary of The Promise.
Services providing local support for families will receive additional funding in the Scottish Budget, First Minister John Swinney has announced on the fifth anniversary of The Promise.
Following an agreement with COSLA, the share of Whole Family Wellbeing Funding (WFWF) provided to Children’s Services Planning Partnerships (CSPP) will increase by £6 million in the next financial year and remain at that level the following year.
The WFWF Programme aims to transform how families are supported so they can get the right help, at the right time, for as long as they need it. As part of the Programme, every CSPP receives funding for their local area and can use their share to improve support in a way that best meets the needs of the families in their communities, such as more holistic support for parents with mental health or substance abuse issues, providing welfare rights advice and delivering community-based family support hubs.
Transforming the way families are supported is part of the Scottish Government’s work to keep The Promise to children and young people with care experience by 2030. The First Minister made the announcement ahead of a visit to the University of Glasgow to meet students with care experience, hear about their views on The Promise and discuss their hopes for the future.
The First Minister said:
“It is now five years since Scotland made its Promise to children and young people with care experience, a landmark moment when we all committed to improving the support they receive and ensuring they have every opportunity to thrive. I am glad progress is being made across the country, with the latest statistics showing a 15.6% reduction in the number of looked after children since 2020.
“The work we have undertaken has meant that a number of changes have been made in justice, in education and in health to support those with experience of care and the people who work with them, but I am very aware we need to do much more to address the complex challenges that still exist. As part of that, we need to create the conditions for innovation and change that best meet the needs of our communities – change that ensures families receive the right support, at the right time, and for as long as they need that support.
“Whole Family Wellbeing Funding is making an important contribution to the work that will help us deliver on our commitment to keep The Promise by 2030. Children’s Services Planning Partnerships are receiving more of that money over the next two years because of their understanding of the services that will best support families in their local areas.
“Since becoming First Minister, and in my previous roles in the Scottish Government, I have spoken to so many wonderful people and visited a wide-range of projects supporting The Promise. I feel privileged to continue to do this and I look forward to hearing more from care-experienced young people about their hopes for the future.”
Background
Since 2022, the Scottish Government has invested more than £110m in activity that is transforming family support through the Whole Family Wellbeing Funding Programme.
The share of Whole Family Wellbeing Funding provided to Children’s Services Planning Partnerships will increase from £32 million to £38 million in the 2025 to 2026 and 2026 to 2027 financial years.
Knitters from across the ABC Borough are being encouraged to sign-up for a special charity initiative.
Age NI have launched their Big Knit fundraising campaign in conjunction with Innocent Smoothies, which involves knitters creating little hats for the smoothie bottles.
Every hat raises 30p to help Age NI provide vital information, support and friendship to older people who need their services most.
Participants are welcome to send their wonderful creations to Age NI at any time, but all hats must reach the charity no later than 30 June 2025, and the hatted bottles will be available in shops from October 2025.
Lord Mayor of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council, Cllr Sarah Duffy who is also an Age Friendly Champion for the Borough urged people to take part. She said: “Knitting is such a relaxing and creative hobby and by taking part in this initiative, you will be raising funds for a charity which delivers excellent services and advice here in our Borough and across the country.”
Mayor welcomes Miss Africa pageant’s pledge to raise funds for BUD Club
4 February 2025
Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Councillor Lilian Seenoi-Barr, has welcomed an announcement by the Miss/Mrs Africa Ireland pageant that they will donate funds raised from this year’s event to her chosen charity – the BUD Club.
The annual celebration of African Women living in Ireland will take place in August at The Johnstown Estate in County Meath and aims to promote confidence, leadership, and cultural pride among its participants.
Based in the Northside Centre in Derry, the BUD Club are a youth led educational and developmental youth provision for young people with disabilities and specific/complex needs.
Dr Dineo Moiloa, CEO of Miss/Mrs Africa Ireland, visited the BUD Club’s premises with the Mayor this week where she had the chance to experience first-hand the positive impact the service has had on local young people’s lives.
Mayor Barr welcomed the opportunity to showcase the charity’s worked and thanked Dr Moiloa for her generous gesture of support.
“I am absolutely thrilled and deeply grateful that Miss/Mrs Africa Ireland has joined my fundraising efforts for Bud Club, helping to raise the vital funds needed to support this life-changing initiative,” she said. “Disability and autism know no boundaries – they do not choose a religion, ethnicity, or background. “Every community has someone with complex needs however not all receive the support they deserve and that’s why organisations like BUD Club are so essential.
“They don’t just provide a safe and inclusive space for children and young people with learning disabilities – they educate communities, break down barriers, and promote social, economic, and educational inclusion for all.” The BUD Club was founded 10 years ago after a consultation with young people with disabilities from Ardnashee School and College highlighted a lack of safe and supportive youth provision to meet the needs of young people with disabilities in the City and District. They are the largest disability youth provision in the North-West and a key link for statutory agencies, engaging with a variety of stakeholders. The BUD Club currently has over 300 registered members aged 11-25 years old from all seven DEA’s across the Derry City and Strabane District Council Area. “I am truly honoured and humbled to partner with the BUD Club throughout my year as Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District,” added Mayor Barr. “Working together to ensure these young people receive the support they need. “The funds raised this year and the mutual benefits for all young people cannot be underestimated. “I want to express my sincere thanks to Dr Dineo Moiloa, CEO of Miss/Mrs Africa Ireland for joining me to witness first-hand the incredible work of the BUD Club and the entire team at Mrs/Miss Africa Ireland. “Your commitment and generosity in supporting this cause in 2025 mean the world to me.” “I want to keep the momentum going, I encourage everyone to get involved, fundraise, donate, and help make a real difference in the lives of these remarkable young people. “Together, we can create a more inclusive and supportive future for all.”
Dr Moiloa added: “We are genuinely excited to support the Mayor’s charity BUD Club.
“As an empowerment platform for young women in Ireland, MMAI is passionate about fostering empowerment through dedicated community engagement, advocacy and amplifying the voices of those who are often marginalised. “Our partnership with Mayor Barr and BUD Club presents a wonderful opportunity to raise awareness about children and adults with additional needs, as well as the importance of supporting these forums.
“We eagerly look forward to cultivating a rich and meaningful relationship with them as we strive to highlight this cause and work towards positive change together.”
Further information on the BUD Club is available on the Mayor’s webpage at derrystrabane.com/mayor and the public can donate at the following link: www.justgiving.com/campaign/budclub
