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CASH CRISIS FOR LOCAL NHS TRUST
25/4/06: BBC News reports that Morecambe Bay Health Trust, responsible for North Lancashire and Cumbria is facing £6m cash crisis and is in a "very severe" financial position.
The warning from the trust's Finance Director Tim Bennett will be put before its board in a public meeting in Kendal on Wednesday.
In his report, Mr Bennett reveals the the University Hospitals of the Trust ended the financial year nearly £6.4m in debt despite making £6.5m savings. (Click here for the BBC news story).
Earlier this week, the Royal College of Nurses reported that, despite government assurances that the NHS had just enjoyed its best year ever, a number of sources have contributed to painting a picture of the NHS which shows well over a quarter of NHS organisations in England (including a third of Acute Trusts) have failed to break even at the end of the financial year 04/05.  The RCN says it does not believe that this is improving and estimates 27% of all NHS Trusts (and approximately half of Foundation Trusts) will report an end of year deficit.
Nearly a half (45%) of all hospital-based senior nurses nationwide say that there have been redundancies or a reduction in nursing posts where they work in the last 12 months.
Nearly 60% said that they did not have enough staff to give their patients the standards of care they would like.

DIGI-DELUXE!
24/4/06: Lancaster's folly media arts organisation has announced the launch of digi-deluxe, a new annual showcase for digitally created work by those aged 25 or under who live, work or study in Cumbria or Lancashire.
digi-deluxe – an online exhibition – will celebrate excellence in architecture, art, blogs, creative writing, design, fashion, moving image, illustration, music, new media, photography, podcasting and others.
digi-deluxe forms part of the national NOISE festival. All entries should be submitted directly to NOISE via their web site http://www.noisefestival.com.
The deadline for submissions to NOISE is May 31st, 2006.
Following this date, key pieces of work from Cumbria and Lancashire will be selected to feature in a specially curated space on the web site.
Mark Daniels, folly Programme Manager indicates, “digi-deluxe is targeted at encouraging the very best in digitally created work from young artists in Cumbria and Lancashire.
He continues, “digi-deluxe is a unique platform, showcasing the work of emerging talent who work with technology, helping them to flourish within the region’s creative industries. We are very happy to be partners in the NOISE festival.”
• folly has free NOISE posters which promote the national festival and include all submission details. These posters can be obtained by emailing enquiries@folly.co.uk or calling folly on 01524 388550.

COUN HORNER DIES
24/4/06: Councillor Janet Horner, regarded as the "Mother" of Lancaster City Council, died yesterday, Sunday 23 April 2006, in hospital.
A press statement from the Council notes Janet was first elected to represent the people of Skerton in 1957 and remained loyal to that area until her death, representing the Skerton East ward alongside Jean Jones and Roger Sherlock. Aside from a two year break in the early 1960s, she represented Skerton at a local level and worked tirelessly for them, undertaking not only her Council work but voluntary work as well.
In her seventies she was often heard to exclaim that "someone must look out for the old folk", even though she was older than a lot of those for whom she cared so much.
Janet lost her husband some years ago -- she married Jack and returned to Lancaster from London soon after the end of the Second World War -- but had the continuing love of her children Christopher and Catherine, her grandchildren and great grandchildren, who all remained close to her and whom she adored.
In her five decades as a Councillor Janet served on most committees, covering all aspects of Council services, but she remained keen on issues concerning housing, personnel and more recently licensing. She will be much missed.
"During her long career as a councillor, Janet consistently championed two causes, the welfare of elderly people and people with disabilities as well as decent housing conditions," commented Councillor Ian Barker, Leader of the Council. "With other colleagues, she ran the Skerton Evergreen Luncheon Club well into her late seventies.
"During the 1970s and early 1980s she pressed the Council to introduce more sheltered accommodation and the telephone lifeline equipment which is now standard. A consistent campaign of hers, concluded successfully only a few years ago, was to turn unsuitable duplex flats in Skerton back into decent family housing.
"My favourite memories of her are with her friend and colleague, the late Councillor Doris Henderson. They frequently disagreed with each other, but each would defend the other against all comers. Together they were a formidable duo and achieved much for Skerton and the wider community."
Funeral arrangements have not yet been finalised.

DAFT PRACTICE
24/4/06: Which Isle of Man-based landlord must now be feeling pretty stupid about upping the rent on a cafe property by £10,000, only for it to close almost immediately in the face of such naked greed?

NO TRUTH TO FARES SCARE
24/4/06, updated 1440: The leader of Lancaster City Council Ian Barker has dismissed claims by South Ribble Labour MP David Borrow about free travel for pensioners in Lancashire.
At Prime Minister's Questions last Wednesday Mr Borrow claimed that district councils throughout Lancashire had failed to agree on a scheme.
He also said that district councils were spending the money allocated by the Chancellor on other things.
"As far as Lancaster City Council is concerned there is not a scintilla of truth in either allegation," says Councillor Barker. "We expect to spend an additional £1.125 million on free travel in Lancaster. That's more than the Chancellor gave us. We got £1.055 million for all new duties so the council tax pay in Lancaster will have to find in excess of £70,000 to make the scheme work.
It's an excellent scheme and I am happy to support it, but we are putting money in, which makes Mr Borrow's claims particularly galling.
"Neither have we failed to agree with other districts," he continued. "We all intend to continue with the existing cross Lancashire half fare scheme and to provide free travel for pensioners within our own boundaries - which is exactly what the Chancellor provided money for."
Councillor Barker has written to Mr Borrow to ask him to explain the source of his mistaken claims and what he intends to do to put the record straight.
Introduced on 1 April this year, older and disabled people are entitled to free off-peak travel within their local authority area. The government is introducing a national scheme in April 2008 which will allow older and disabled people free off-peak bus travel anywhere in England.
Mr Borrow has been making claims about possible problems for the newly-introduced free travel scheme for some time: in March, he questioned Minister of State Stephen Ladyman in the Commons, stating 12 district councils and the county council had yetto reach agreement on the scheme. "There are real problems," he told the House, "iif those 13 councils do not reach agreement, about not having a scheme at all."
Mr Borrow's claims that council's might be spending the money intended for the scheme on other things do have some merit, however. This is Lancashire reports that Councillor Howard Gore, leader of South Ribble Borough Council, has said the Government had not specified an amount to be spent on the concessionary bus scheme.
"We asked the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister in February how much we had to spend on it," he said, "and we were told it was not specified in the grant settlement.
"We've not been told that the money was ring-fenced and I think saying councils are doing something untoward with their money is wholly wrong and a slur on local authorities."
"The money is not ring fenced," Coun Barker agrees, telling virtual-lancaster, "We haven't been given a figure that is for pensioners travel alone. What we do know is how much we have been given for new duties - my £1.055 million figure. This is standard practice with non ring fenced formula grant.
"The vast majority of this is for pensioners travel, but there are other new duties such as civil contingencies which now fall on districts as well as counties. I know Wyre is spending all their money too."

AIREY STEPS DOWN AS LOCAL TORY LEADER
20/4/06: Councillor James Airey has decided to step aside for a while from the front line of local politics. After more than seven years as Leader of the Conservative Group on Lancaster City Council, he has decided not to let his name go forward as a nomination for Group Leader for the coming year.
His seven years as Group Leader have been busy ones, embracing a period on the City's Cabinet and two general elections. He was the Conservative candidate in the Barrow constituency in the 2001 General Election (polling 11835 votes), and candidate in the Morecambe and Lunesdale constituency in 2005 (polling 15563 votes, or 37.4% of the vote and coming second to Geraldine Smith).
James is not leaving local politics, but will continue in his other roles in the City Council and in representing the residents of the Upper Lune Valley Ward.
"It's important to me to spend additional time on my business interests and with my family," says James. "There's much to be done in attracting candidates to the Conservative cause in preparation for the next local elections, and I shall be giving full support to Councillor Roger Mace as my successor."

BACK IN ACTION!
20/4/06: The Isle of Man Steam Packet Company flagship Ben My Chree has returned to service following her biennial overhaul and £1 million refit.
In addition to her engine overhaul, the work schedule included a refurbishment of the main passenger lounge, upgrading of the catering outlets and an extension and refurbishment of the popular Blue Riband lounge.
All 20 passenger cabins have also been refurbished and enhanced with a DVD facility.
Ben My Chree returned to service after just a fortnight with her scheduled sailing from Douglas to Heysham at 19.45 hrs on Sunday 2nd April and will now continue her twice daily year round sailings between the ports.
For up to date news on year round special offer fares and sailings, please visit the Company's web site at www.steam-packet.com

COUNCIL COUNTS COST OF GRAFITTI ATTACK
20/4/06: A graffiti attack on Salt Ayre Sports Centre has left the Council with a whopping clean up bill.
Vandals made an extensive graffiti attack sometime over the night of Easter Monday and the council says the costs for cleaning the damage is estimated in the range of £2,000 to £3,000.
The clean-up will involve a specialist cleaning company and the likely use of a crane to gain access.
"As well as the obvious annoyance and expenditure associated with such mindless actions, what also concerns the council is the dangers that the perpetrators have exposed themselves to," commented David Owen, Head of Cultural Services. " Some parts of the buildings that have suffered from the graffiti attack are quite high up and it is clear that those involved have scaled part of the roof to gain access - which in itself is very risky, as not all the roof is designed to be weight-bearing. What may appear to some as a prank, could in fact have resulted in a serious injury.
"The matter is currently being investigated and footage from the CCTV is being studied. The police have been informed and it may be that they are able to identify the perpetrators from evidence gathered, which also includes some 'tagging' (a form of signature used by some involved in graffiti attacks). The city council will take actions, including legal, against those identified as being involved."
Lancaster City Council are also looking to review security measures to discourage and deter anyone from unauthorised access onto the roofs of any of its public buildings, particularly as elsewhere there have been cases of injuries and fatalities resulting from falls from or through roof systems. Graffiti costs the UK over £1bn a year. The British Transport Police estimates there are a small number of serious graffiti vandals in the country -- probably no more than 200 -- but they do a lot of damage, often travelling long distances to strike, and because of its addictive nature, there is a high rate of re-offending amongst graffiti vandals (75%).
In late 2003, the government announced a raft of measures to help councils tackle graffiti and graffiti offenders, building on previous laws but despite public concern about such vandalism, the Council has, so far, never issued any fines. (People caught causing graffiti can be arrested and prosecuted under the Criminal Damage Act 1971, and can be fined up to £5,000 if the damage caused amounts to less than £5,000. Young offenders may be given a community service order).
Various places in Lancaster and Morecambe -- and some further afield -- are the subject of regular graffiti attack, and the clean up rate is often slow, even though plenty of research suggests that the faster graffiti is cleared, the less likely it is to recur (see www.denvervictims.org/graffititips, for example).
Areas covered with graffiti can also look rundown and neglected, and surveys have shown that residents feel unsafe in graffiti-heavy neighbourhoods. In parts of the United States, graffiti problems are so bad police departments have dedicated phone lines for people to report such attacks.
Christchurch New Zealand, where graffiti costs some $300,000 a year to clean up, has instituted a creative solution to try to tackle its graffiti problem, introducing a Legal Arts Programme which provides young people with mentors who are competent artists and appropriate role models. Locations are also sought where graffitists can direct their energy without causing problems for property owners.
The council says the programme acts as an avenue for graffitists to utilise their artistic talent to gain recognition in an acceptable and legal way. It is also hoped that some will eventually graduate to paid work that utilises their artistic ability.
Links:
• Wikpedia Graffiti article: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graffiti
• Legal Graffiti: www.flickr.com/groups/24024646@N00
• UK Government Brifing on dealing with graffiti: www.together.gov.uk
• BBC Action Network graffiti page: dna/actionnetwork
• Dealing with grafitti in New South Wales, Australia (PDF): Click Here

NUCLEAR POWER DEBATE
17/4/06: Marking the 20th Anniversary of the Chernobyl Nuclear Disaster, Lancaster & District Green Party are holding a public meeting next week (Tuesday 25 April) titled "Why Nuclear is not the answer to Climate Change" (As if that anniversary wasn't enough...)
The event comes just as MPs voiced their concerns that nuclear power stations cannot be built in time to make up for a possible energy shortfall when older nuclear reators such as those at Heysham are shut down and decommissioned.
The Guardian reported yesterday that Prime Minister Tony Blair has given his strongest indication yet that he will press ahead with a new generation of nuclear power stations despite the highly critical report from MPs claiming that Britain's coming energy gap can best be filled by new carbon efficient gas stations and more emphasis on renewables such as solar power and wind farms.
Some 20 per cent of Britain's energy is currently supplied by nuclear power, but the environment audit committee urged the government to start investing heavily in alternative power sources to meet increasing demand and global warming objectives.
A study released today, conducted by KPMG International and YouGov Plc, suggests public support for nuclear power has increased as energy prices rise, with 39 per cent of Britons saying they're not prepared to pay a premium for electricity from renewable sources, up from 29 percent last year.
Speakers at the meeting are Professor John Whitelegg (Green Party); Dr Stuart Parkinson (Scientists for Global Responsibility); and County Cllr Chris Coates (Green Party).
The event takes place at Lancaster Town Hall, starting at 7.30pm.

Councillors are still waiting for an explanation as to why the Environment Agency has laid paths used by dog walkers and cyclists in Freeman's Wood, Lancaster, with glass. "The surface is made up of 30-40% loose broken glass which is in some crushed recycled hardcore that has been used to resurface the temporary path," says Councillor Chris Coates, "and to patch up the existing path in places.
"I would warn cyclists and dogwalkers to avoid using the path."

GOVERNMENT AGENCY SABOTAGES BIKE-FRIENDLY CITY PATHS
18/4/06, updated 24/4/06: Temporary paths laid by the Environment Agency in a local beauty spot could prove dangerous to the public -- and make a mockery of Lancaster's bike-friendly status, say local Greens.
Green Party councillors have savaged a decision by the Environment Agency to use crushed glass in surface material for temporary paths in the Freeman's Wood area of Lancaster, laid as alternatives to the footpath through the wood and the cyclepath at the end of St George's Quay.
The usual routes have been closed because of flood defence work being carried out by the Environment Agency.
Councillor Jon Barry complained to the Environment Agency, sending them samples of the glass used.
"I'm very happy that the Environment Agency is doing the flood defence work and also that they have put in alternative paths," he says, "but I really don't understand why they have used a surface material that includes crushed and broken glass.
"The glass is very dangerous - particularly for cyclists and for dogs. A number of people in the area are upset that they have been denied their usual routes because of this bizarre decision. If they had used conventional path material then everyone would be happy."
The problem lies with Glasphalt, intended as a ‘base and binder’ mix which should never actually see the surface - but something has clearly gone wrong with these paths were laid. It's a new material, first used during surfacing work on the M6 in 2003 and now used widely on road and path surfaces throughout the country. It uses 30 per cent recycled glass, in particular the green and brown glass that has, until now, had limited usage. Usually, the glass is sifted, graded and when used is so rounded that it’s like a bead and is incredibly safe. Its makers, Surrey-based RMC, also jointly won the prestigious Business Commitment to the Environment award with Glasphalt.But the material on the local paths "Is not rounded," says Barry. "It is very jagged."
"The surface is made up of 30-40% loose broken glass which is in some crushed recycled hardcore that has been used to resurface the temporary path," says Councillor Chris Coates, "and to patch up the existing path in places.
"I find it hard to believe that this isn't a mistake."
"The usual paths will be out of action for six months whilst the work is going on," added fellow Green councillor Anne Chapman. "I would very much like the Environment Agency to resurface the replacement paths with safe material.
"Lancaster has been awarded the status of cycling demonstration town," she points out, "and it's important that routes such as the one to Glasson Dock remain open throughout the summer."

MUSIC PREMIERE AT ST. MARTINS
14/4/06: A musical member of Lancaster City Council's events staff is to have a piece of music he composed performed for the first time next week. Scottish composer and Cultural Programming Officer, Euan Smith, is to have his piece 'the Message' premiered by local performer Áine Lambert at St Martin's College Chapel on Friday 21 April.
Euan, who also performs regularly with funk band Mainway, has been working with Áine on a thematic musical exploration of a true story about a message that was put in a bottle by a young girl, and launched from Heysham in Lancashire, and found its way to Australia.
"The piece identifies themes of innocence," says Euan, " set against the backdrop of a turbulent world and reinforces the positive message that in a world often conceived as dark and tragic, there shines a beacon of hope."
The Message adds to Euan's live performance composition repertoire, having written a variety of pieces for mixed ensemble, and solo musicians. He has been performing music since he learnt to play 'by ear' at the age of two.
Euan's ultimate goal, is to devise a performance ensemble that blends Eastern and Western classical forms of music and Folk traditions with electronica, DJ's and VJ'ing.
The premiere of 'The Message' takes place on Friday April 21 at 7.30pm, St Martins' College Chapel, Bowerham Road, Lancaster. There will be a small ticket charge to cover the venue and piano hire. Tickets cost £5 full price and £3 concessions (Students, Disabled people, the Elderly and Unwaged).

FREE COURSES FOR NORTHWEST FILM WRITERS
Budding screenwriters from the Northwest will be given the chance to develop their story ideas into film scripts, at three free one-day workshops later this month.
In a bid to find the next Frank Cottrell Boyce (Millions, 24 Hour Party People), North West Vision (the TV and film development agency for England's Northwest) has invited one of the industry's most respected film professionals to teach the foundations of writing short films to new talent.
Phil Parker (advisor to the UK Film Council and course director of the MA Screenwriting programme at the London College of Printing) will host the workshops, which are open to anybody who has an interesting idea and wants to write a short film script.
The workshops will be held in Cumbria, Salford and Liverpool. During the sessions, Phil Parker will look at the common problems with short films and explore possible solutions, including the different structures available to the short filmmaker. Phil will illustrate different approaches to short film narrative.
The doors at each venue will open at 9.00am and will be closed once the course is full. Places for the schemes will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis so applicants are advised to turn up early.
"Short film is an extremely effective way of developing emerging filmmaking talent, explains Alice Morrison, Chief Executive at North West Vision. "It can be a stepping-stone to making feature films and is increasingly becoming a respected medium in it's own right. With North West Vision's Digital Shorts Scheme being launched in the near future, we would strongly advise people to take advantage of these free courses."
Filmmaker Rick Mcleod went on a previous session with Phil Parker and enjoyed it so much that he is going again, he said:
"The workshop gave me a much better insight into how to create a short story and this year's course will act as a refresher for me. I currently have an idea for a feature film in mind and I intend to film a shorter version in order to market this to the industry."

Course Information
Monday 24th April 2006
Ullswater Room, Rheged Centre, Redhills, Penrith, Cumbria, CA11 0DQ 9.30am-5.30pm Availability: 40 places available

Tuesday 25th April 2006 Rayleigh Suite, Faraday House, University of Salford, The Crescent, Salford, M5 4WT 9.30am-5.30pm Availability: 80 places available

Wednesday 26th April 2006
The Main Hall, Blackburn House, Blackburn Place, Liverpool, L8 7PE 9.30am-5.30pm Availability: 80 places available

North West Vision is the film and TV development agency for England's Northwest. It works behind the scenes, supporting, funding and promoting film,TV and digital production in the Northwest. Find out more at: www.northwestvision.co.uk
Phil Parker has been involved in short film making for over 12 years and has worked on over 2000 short films; including the Palme D'Or winner Is it the design on the Wrapper? and the Oscar-nominated short film Holiday Romance. The author of The Art and Science of Screenwriting, Phil also designed the UK Film Council's Introduction to Screenwriting programme.

ARABIAN DELIGHT
11/4/06: Playing to a packed house, a stage version of Paulo Coelho's best-selling novel The Alchemist -- the story of a shepherd boy's quest for his dream -- proved a sheer delight from start to finish at The Dukes last night. Read a review...

GANGMASTER MEASURES BEGIN
7/4/04: The Gangmasters Licensing Authority finally started licensing Gangmasters this week, measures introduced following the cockling disaster in Morecambe Bay in 2004.
Those who supply workers to agriculture, horticulture and food/drink processing and packaging will face up to ten years in prison and a £5,000 fine if they do not have a licence by 1 October 2006.
Last week, the national Guardian reported that gangmaster Lin Liang Ren has taken most of the blame for the Morecambe Bay cockling disaster which saw the deaths of 21 Chinese cockle pickers, but the British government and other official bodies have also attracted criticism.

STUDENTS: STAY SAFE THIS SUMMER
7/4/06: A new web-based toolkit, devised by the Home Office and the National Union of Students, has been launched today, giving student welfare officers advice and tips on working in partnership with their institution, police and others to reduce crime against students.
Read more at: www.officeronline.co.uk/crime

DOUBLE VISION?
7/4/06: Virtual-Lancaster staff were delighted to see the Lancaster Guardian camapigning to keep three local libraries open -- there's a meeting next Thursday between some local and County councillors which could see a change of heart from the Labour Party, although since Chris "Libraries aren't important" Cheetham is at the meeting, we doubt it.
The Lancaster Guardian has been urging their readers to send them copies of the County Council's Vision newspaper, which they will return to the County Council. (One of the counter proposals to closing nine County libraries at the end of this month was to cancel or reduce the number of issues of Vision, which costs a small fortune to publish in comparison with the cost of running the threatened libraries).
This week, the Lancaster Guardian reported that 100 people had sent them copies of Vision... but imagine our surprise to find that one of the advertorial inserts in the same issue was -- a copy of Vision! So much for that campaign, then...

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