Coastal Access set to improve in Northwest as new Act receives Royal Assent

NATURAL England has heralded the Marine and Coastal Access Act as a landmark moment in the history of countryside access as well as a once in a lifetime opportunity to enhance and protect the marine environment.

The act provides a mechanism for safeguarding threatened marine ecosystems and for managing the multiple uses of our seas as well as improving access to the coast.

Liz Newton, Natural England’s Northwest Regional Director said:- “Our region has some of the most diverse and dramatic sections of coastline in the country. This new legislation represents a dramatic leap forward in the work to improve coastal access, allowing everyone to enjoy the region’s beautiful coastline.”

Natural England also announced that Cumbria is 1 of 6 areas across the country where work would be concentrated first, once the Secretary of State has approved the detailed approach. There will be close local consultation including ‘walking the course’ with existing occupiers.

Launching a 12-week public consultation on the “Scheme” that will guide Natural England’s work under the Act, Liz Newton continued:- “The approach proposed involves extensive consultation with individuals, communities, businesses and local authorities all around the coast to help map out and agree the route. This painstaking work may take years to complete, but the objective of achieving a continuous path around the coast is a worthwhile one”. 

Liz Newton, concluded:- “The new Act provides a unique opportunity to create a permanent and secure walking route around large parts of this region’s magnificent coast. This exciting programme will undoubtedly bring economic benefit to the area, and as provision will be made for coastal erosion, it will provide a solution to the age-old problem of paths being lost to the sea.”

Report of a suspicious device at a cash machine

MERSEYSIDE Police have had receive reports of a false device at a cash machine on Lord Street, Liverpool and is investigating.

The public are warned to always be vigilant at cash machines, to conceal their PIN number when entering it and to report anything that looks suspicious.

We have been told that it is thought the device may have been constructed to copy the details of the cards that were being used. It has yet to be confirmed. Remember to always check cash machine slots before using them.

 

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Calls to Parent helpline shows 84% of bullying is in schools

NATIONAL charity Parentline Plus is calling for a stronger partnership between parents, pupils and teachers to tackle bullying in UK schools.  The call comes following research carried out by Parentline Plus from calls to their free 0808 800 2222 Parentline which shows most bullying happens in schools.

Of 41,513 calls taken by Parentline Plus during the period October 2008 – September 2009; 1,847 calls (4.4 %) concerned bullying in its various forms.  Key findings from Parentline Plus:-

· 84% of bullying occurs in the school environment

· For 89% of the cases, the perpetrator was known to the victim

· 11% of cases, the callers child is the perpetrator

· 69% of the perpetrators come from either the same class or same social circle as the victim in school.

· 76% of calls about bullying were from parents concerned about the verbal abuse their children had received, where as 56% concerned physical abuse.

· 5.7% of calls were from parents concerned about their child being cyber bullied.

Jeremy Todd, Parentline Plus Chief Executive said:- “Bullying in schools is a real concern to families and parents of bullied children often find the situation traumatic and difficult to manage. Some families may find it difficult to report bullying to the school concerned and parents should contact Parentline Plus, or visit our “Be Someone to Tell” website if they need support. Fostering strong partnerships between parents and schools will ensure that if problems do arise there is already a trusting relationship between teachers and families.”

To address the problem of bullying and to encourage greater parental involvement in the schools; Parentline Plus runs a series of preventative programmes within schools. One example is the “Be Someone to Tell Project” in Hertfordshire, a three year Department for Children Schools and Families funded project that supports parents, pupils and schools in identifying and preventing bullying, improving the emotional and mental wellbeing of children, and enabling them to achieve their potential.

Parentline Plus today launches an anti-bullying i-professionals module called ‘Understanding and tackling bullying’ which contains activities and information to help schools, professionals and practitioners understand how when and where bullying takes place and the approaches that can be implemented to tackle it. For more information visit parentlineplusforprofessionals.org.uk.

For information on if your child is being bullied, is a bully, cyber bullying and bullying, prejudice and difference, can all be found on the Parentline Plus website website with further support available at online Parents concerned about verbal or physical abuse from their children can call the free Parentline Plus 24 hour helpline, Parentline, on 0800 800 2222, or email for a personalised reply within 3 days.