CONSULTATIONS OF SCHOOL EXPANSIONS

CONSULTATIONS on plans to expand 17 primary schools in Coventry got underway this week.

The proposals have been drawn up in response to a rising birth rate over recent years.

As the Times reported in December last year, an influx of families moving into the area and the city’s booming birth rate has caused education bosses to look at expanding several primary schools to cater for extra children.

Figures released by Coventry’s Primary Care Trust showed that in 2000 there were 3,600 babies born – this increased by nearly 30 per cent in 2008 to 4,500 births a year.

Now the PCT and information from GP surgeries have indicated there could be a deficit of 411 reception year places in September 2012.

Work has already gone into addressing this issue with 15 primary schools due to be expanded by September 2010.

During the consultations officials will also be looking at 17 schools, which have been identified as having the potential to expand either by September 2011 or 2012.

These range from utilising existing accommodation, installing modular classrooms and partial and complete new builds.

The consultations, which last until January 25, 2010, will include a public meeting at each of the 17 schools, where people can see an outline of proposals and have a chance to give views and opinions.

Councillor John Blundell, cabinet member for children, learning and young people, said: “The consultation is very important as it gives us the opportunity to get a variety of different views on how our primary schools should evolve in the future and I would encourage people to find the time to take part and let us know what they think.”

For more information on the proposals and to take part in the consultation, visit www.coventry.gov.uk/schoolconsultation.

The primary schools involved in the consultation are:

September 2011

*Allesley

*Hearsall

*Henley Green

*Holbrook

*John Gulson

*Moseley

*Southfields

*Spon Gate

*Stoke Heath

September 2012

*Alderman’s Green

*Grange Farm

*Howes

*Moat House

*Sacred Heart

*St Augustine’s

*St Bartholomew’s

*St Osburg’s.

TRUST HITS BACK AT HEALTH REPORT

THE HEALTH trust running Coventry’s super hospital has been named as the country’s third worst performing in the country.

The Hospital Guide, published by the Dr Foster organisation, lists University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire Trust (UHCW), as one of the worst for patient safety standards.

It put Coventry joint third based on 13 separate criteria which includes a range of mortality figures, the overall death rate and that for heart attack and stroke patients, the death rate for people admitted with hip fractures and those who were taken to hospital for low-risk procedures or diagnoses.

But Coventry’s University Hospital has challenged the findings of the report.

It has been rated “good” by the official health regulator, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and a spokesman for the hospital trust said various inspections over the last year prove it is not failing patients.

Kerry Beadling, communications officer for UHCW, said: “Dr Foster uses the results of a questionnaire survey, as well as other submitted data. However, the methodology used for overall assessment has not been shared and the Trust believes the data on which the analysis was run was incomplete in relation to UHCW Trust.

“We would like to reassure our patients and public that UHCW prioritises patient safety at all times and the Dr Foster rating does not accurately reflect this, as evidenced by a number of in-depth, onsite, independent reviews.”

She added that in 2008/9 there have been 40 per cent fewer cases
of C.Difficile than in the previous
year while mortality rates have decreased for three years in a row.

Paul Jennings, chief executive of NHS Warwickshire, also defended UHCW.

He said. “We know UHCW very well and we have a much more complete picture than that given just by statistics. The new data from Dr Foster only adds a tiny fraction to that. UHCW is a good hospital trust and patients can be confident of high-quality NHS care when they go there.”

But Roger Taylor, the director of Dr Foster, defended his guide and said more information about trusts should be made public.

He said: “No hospital in the world would claim to be free of these kinds of errors but what has been learned is that recording what is happening and making that information public is the best way to start tackling the issues.”

What do you think of Coventry’s University Hospital? Write to us or email timesletters@mrn.co.uk.

LOWEST COUNCIL TAX RISE IN 10 YEARS

BUDGET plans have revealed next year’s council tax rise of 2.4 per cent will be the lowest in over 10 years.

Band A households – 41 per cent of all Coventry homes – will pay around £20 extra on top of this year’s £923.89 bill.

Council leaders say it amounts to 40p a week more and Band B households – a third of Coventry homes – will pay about 46p a week more.

It will be the lowest rise since 1997 and is down on last year’s 3.8 per cent increase.

Final council tax bills will be calculated after the emergency services set their portion of the rates – a small percentage of overall bills.

But under the same plans, around 80 more jobs will be lost at the council as part of a £10 million cuts programme to balance recession-hit books.

This includes “streamlining management structures” by cutting 10 senior management posts and 69 other jobs.

This follows 190 job cuts from this year that included 33 vacant posts.

Council services and outside bodies asked to make cuts or savings include adult social care, community centres and youth services, libraries, the performing arts service, neighbourhood services, grounds maintenance and the trusts running museums and sports centres.

The budget will also help fund multi-million pound borrowing and preparations for private finance initiatives, including the £1billion plan for a new waste incinerator, a £300million schools rebuilding programme, and replacing the city’s street lights.

Charities will take another cut of three per cent in council funding.

Councillor Kevin Foster, cabinet member of finance, procurement and value for money, said: “I’m delighted we’ve managed to protect frontline services and keep the rise in council tax below the rate of increase in state pensions, despite immense pressure on public spending expected over the next few years.

“Our priority has been to support our residents as much as possible during these difficult economic times.”

The budget plans are expected to be approved by the Conservative cabinet on Tuesday December 8.

CHRISTMAS DRINK/DRIVE CRACKDOWN LAUNCHED

WEST Midlands Police launched their Christmas crackdown campaign to stop drink and drug drivers this week.

Since Tuesday Coventry officers have been on high-visibility patrols and they will also be setting up a number of static checkpoints at various locations to carry out roadside spot checks throughout the Christmas and New Year period.

Those arrested for drink driving may also find themselves drug tested as part of the Drug Interventions Programme.

PC Steve Rogers, from the force’s traffic unit, said: “Drink driving is an issue all year, but with the more relaxed atmosphere during the Christmas and New Year period, the temptation to offend becomes greater.

“We urge people not to put their friends, families or members of the public at risk by drink or drug driving.

“Passengers can also help by refusing to be driven by someone who has been drinking or taking drugs, and by appointing a designated driver.

“Remember that by drinking alcohol the night before you could still be over the drink drive limit well into the following day. There is no such thing as a ‘safe’ limit and the answer is not to drink at all if you are driving.

“If you are caught drink driving or driving while under the influence of drugs, the consequences could be wide-ranging, including the loss of your driving licence, which will in turn affect your career and family life. Ultimately you could go to prison. It’s not worth the risk.

“Driving while unfit through drugs is just as dangerous; this includes driving under the influence of prescribed medication and over-the-counter products as well as illegal substances. These can affect perception, concentration and reaction times.”

In last year’s campaign more than 20,000 drivers were stopped, of which 4,155 were breathalysed, compared to 3,420 tests carried out in 2007.

Of those, 12.7 per cent tested positive, a drop on the previous year’s percentage of 12.8 per cent.

Nationally, almost one in seven of all road deaths involve drivers who are over the legal limit.

Research shows men in their 20s and 50s are most likely to offend.

ENVIRONMENT GROUP UP FOR NATIONAL AWARD

AN ENVIRONMENTAL group set up in the Wood End area of Coventry is up for a prestigious national award.

Eco - Way To Go, which started up 18 months ago in the New Deals for Community area, is up for the Phillips Lawrence Award.

It celebrates outstanding contributions made by young people in their community and who also challenge negative stereotypes and perceptions.

Eco - Way To Go consists of 14 members aged seven to 18. They meet once a month and tackle environmental issues such as making the area look clean and green and encouraging wildlife.

Roles such as chairman and secretary are undertaken by younger people to provide them with an opportunity to learn new skills, gain confidence and have trust placed on them.

Nicole Heaney, a youth support officer, who started the group, said: “I am really proud of the members and this nomination is completely about them and their hard work.

“It would be so great to win just because of the sheer hard work everyone puts in.

“It’s really helped to build their confidence and would be good if they were recognised for it.”

Some of the activities the young people have taken part in include, four litter picking days where they collected around 100 bags of rubbish and meeting with two government ministers to talk about local issues.

Group member Luke Bates, nine, said: “I like doing the cleaning things because I want to look after the environment. I have lots of fun working with the group, like when we’re litter picking in Henley Green.

“I would like to stay a member for a long time.”

The award ceremony, which takes place on December 8, was set up in 2007 in memory of head teacher Philip Lawrence who was murdered outside his school, in December 1995.

Frances Lawrence, widow of Philip Lawrence and founder of the awards, said: “It is always inspiring for judges to read nominations from across the country which describe how young people are working to improve their communities.

“In remote rural areas and in the midst of large cities they create projects which imaginatively tackle problems of crime, discrimination, and anti-social behaviour.”

Winners of the award, hosted by Sir Trevor McDonald, receive £1,000.

DEFIBRILLATORS FOR CITY

COUNCIL venues across the city will stock defibrillators to provide vital life-saving help to people suffering heart attacks.

Coventry City Council is to spend £15,000 on 15 automated external defibrillators (AED) that can be used if someone suffers from a cardiac arrest.

West Midlands Ambulance Service will be training staff members to use the AED, which is a computerised device that check heart rhythm and recognise if it needs a shock.

A decision to buy the equipment was made at a council meeting last week.

Councillor Kevin Foster, cabinet member for finance, procurement and value for money, said: “If the victim of a heart attack gets the right kind of help as soon as possible, then their chances of survival are vastly improved.

“Many people either work in, or visit council buildings everyday, so it makes sense for us to invest in buying the AEDs.

“The cost of this equipment is £15,000, but the value of one life saved cannot be estimated.”

The 15 locations, which are given below, have been selected based on factors, including the number of staff and visitors and the ambulance response times to different areas.

*Council House

*Civic Centre One

*Broadgate House

*Faseman House

*Registrar’s Office

*Central Library

*Maurice Edelman House

*Harry Caplan House

*George Rowley House

*Cottage farm Lodge

*Canley Community Centre

*Bell Green Community Centre

*Coombe Country Park

*Allesley Hall Park/Golf Course

*War Memorial Park

RATE QUALITY OF LIFE IN COVENTRY

THOUSANDS of Coventry people are being interviewed as part of one of the biggest surveys looking at the quality of life in Coventry.

Around 3,500 people will have face-to-face household interviews during December, with an opportunity for residents to complete the survey online too.

The poll will collect views on community involvement, housing, environment, health and wellbeing, community safety and transport, with results being announced in February 2010.

The research, being carried out by the Coventry Household Survey, will also gather information to assess physical and mental well-being, as well as any potential health or lifestyle inequalities.

Councillor Ken Taylor, leader of Coventry City Council said that local services should be tailored to meet the needs of a changing population and the survey will help improve the quality public services.

He added: “People know what their priorities are and it’s important to provide the right services at the right times. Public services must improve and become even more effective and efficient. This survey will help us deliver them in the best way possible.

“For the first time the community can reply online and we really do value their opinions.”

The survey, in its sixth year, is funded by Coventry’s Primary Care Trust, the council and has been commissioned by the Coventry Partnership.

Stephen Banbury, chair of Coventry Partnership, said: “This survey gives Coventry people the opportunity to let us know their views of local services and it is important that as many households as possible complete the survey, so that partners know where to improve services.”

The online survey is for people aged 16 and over until December 24.

Visit www.coventry.gov.uk/householdsurvey.