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Regenda protects
residents from climate change
THE North West housing
provider Regenda is one of the first registered social landlords in
the UK to commission a climate change adaptation risk assessment, to
make sure that residents and properties are protected in the future.
Sarah Thomas, Environment Officer at Regenda explained that:-
"It is likely that as our climate changes we will begin to
experience more episodes of extreme weather including flooding, high
winds and heatwaves. By undertaking this risk assessment we have
been able to identify actions which we can take to protect our
residents and homes."
Andrew Eagles, Managing Director of Sustainable Homes, which
developed the SHIFT Index, a sustainability benchmark also added
that:- "Our climate is changing. This puts our homes at
increased risk of weather related events. Better understanding these
risks and preparing residents for them can reduce damage and costs.
This is why SHIFT members asked for adaptation to be a central part
of the SHIFT independent environmental assessment. Regenda has shown
significant foresight in considering these risks and preparing for
them."
Regenda’s property services team worked with the Environment Agency
to identify the flood risk to all of its properties across the North
West. A small proportion of homes in Lancashire are in the highest
flood risk area. Residents and staff in these areas are now being
given advice from the Environment Agency on how to minimise damage
in the event of flooding. Properties with high flood risk have been
highlighted, so that opportunities to fit flood resistance measures
during other scheduled work can be identified. The assessment
also highlighted the risk of damage from falling trees caused by
high winds during bad weather. A tree mapping survey has been
commissioned and a tree management policy is being developed which
will minimize this risk. Each tree will be categorised according to
risk and remediation work will be undertaken when necessary.
Increased temperatures and heatwaves are predicted to occur more
frequently as a result of climate change. This presents a
significant risk for vulnerable groups, such as those in sheltered
accommodation. Regenda is now raising awareness of the issue amongst
scheme managers to provide advice on actions which can be taken when
a heatwave is forecast, including making sure that cool drinks are
always available and ensuring that at least one room within the
scheme remains cool. So what are you views on Regenda works?
Do you think this is just a publicity stunt our are they trying to
make the North West a better place? Email your views to
news24@southportreporter.com. |
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Bikes needed to
get Southport pupils more active
CHARITY Sustrans are asking
people in Southport to donate their unwanted children’s bikes to
primary school pupils this Christmas. Sustrans has been
working in primary schools in Southport for three years encouraging
children to make the school journey by bike, but many of the
children don’t have access to their own bikes, which is stopping
them from cycling more often. Mary Kelland, Sustrans Bike It
Officer in Southport, said:- "I’ve been working with children
who desperately want to cycle more, but without their own bikes it’s
very difficult. I have a pool of bikes I take into schools and teach
children to ride on, but practice is vital and they’re unable to do
that without their own bikes. If those families that are buying new
bikes for their children for Christmas are willing to give their old
or outgrown bikes to us then we can make sure they are put to
excellent use by children who need them."
Children who cycle to school are much more likely to be physically
active than their peers, reducing their risk of obesity and
diabetes. An active journey to school can also mean pupils are more
receptive and ready to learn when they get there. To make a
difference and donate a bike, please contact Mary Kelland on:- 07780
006955 or
email them.
Sustrans is currently leading the ‘Free Range Kids’
campaign, aimed at encouraging children to be more active and
independent by walking and cycling more often for their daily
journeys. To support the campaign visit:-
sustrans.org.uk/freerangekids.
New EU rights to information on
arrest
LOCAL Euro MP, Arlene
McCarthy, who is Labour's spokesperson on legal affairs in the
European Parliament, said:- "I have seen only too clearly in
the case of my constituent Michael Shields how easily things can go
badly wrong when someone is arrested abroad. Clear information for
those arrested is essential to ensure innocent people aren't sent to
prison. We have seen cases of British citizens arrested in another
EU country encountering difficulties with the justice system,
wrongful arrests, flawed judgements and mistrials. It makes sense to
get it right at the start by providing clear and easy to understand
information on people’s rights at the point of arrest."
Under a law to be approved by the European Parliament on 13 December
2011, in Strasbourg, anyone suspected or accused of having committed
a crime in the EU would have to be promptly informed of his or her
procedural rights in easy-to-understand language. Any suspect who is
then arrested or detained would also have to be given a written
"letter of rights" to which Euro MPs have added the right
to remain silent, the right to urgent medical care and the right to
contact relatives. Arlene added:- "This new law is about
guaranteeing equal rights in access to information wherever you
travel in the EU. People want to travel, work and holiday in the EU,
safe in the knowledge that wherever they go their legal rights will
be upheld."
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