Proper Gander
Issue 91 | 12/10/07
Contents
Information evenings
Features for people working with Regulars
children and young
Taunton’s Tour of Britain Chief Exec’s weekly news
people Making your mind. This week
winners
written by David Taylor.
Jeans for genes
Waste Education Team
scale the heights to Further Information
Children and young
receive recycling award
people in Somerset
Feedback
Make sure you have your Your comments and questions.
Be an evacuee for the day
say about your Museum
of Somerset Singing workshop Photo of the Week 05
Barrington Hall.
Are your views going to The first live order
waste? processed through the e- About & Help
Marketplace! How to submit news, a story,
Somerset Heritage comments or questions and
Roadshow previous issues.
Donation for school in
Ghana
07
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“ ”
“If the title of this piece leaves you
with a slightly nauseous feeling...”
Making your mind up of this is at the heart of
effective leadership.
If the title of this piece leaves
you with a slightly nauseous As Alan outlined last week, we
feeling it is likely to be because have taken one of those key
it was the song title of the decisions in terms of developing
last British song to win the a serious partnership with
Eurovision Song Contest (a Southwest One, and we now
Mars bar to the person who can need to really focus and work
first give me the date of this). to derive the benefits from
this in order to deliver better
Bucks Fizz were the band services to our communities.
in question whose vapid
song was supported by a I would like to particularly
more memorable stage act mention the contribution of
subsequently emulated by my colleague Roger Kershaw
future contestants. set out and deliver his vision. in leading the negotiations on A key decision to be taken early
this deal and the hard work and next week is in regard to the
This week has been dominated Whatever your view is about dedication of the team working Waterlinks project.
by the controversy of whether this, in all walks of life and with him.
there should have been a organisations there comes a This scheme is a collection of
general election or not, and if time after all the consultation As I understand it, the final 51 projects located throughout
the Prime Minister ‘bottled it’ and analysis to make your mind agreement was signed at Somerset.
or was looking for more time to up; the timing and direction 3.00am in the morning!
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“The project theme is based around
connecting people to the rivers and
canals.”
visitor centres, bird hides, suppliers through @UK PLC
wetland reserves, events, marketplace.
outreach activities to promote
aspects of Somerset, new canal Through this site users can
locks, renovation of historic search for the items they want
canal facilities and a green bus and then compare prices to
service. help reach the right decision.
On Monday, the Chief Executive The system which is being
goes, together with Sarah piloted by the Environment
Diacono and Lord Cameron, to Directorate, allows for orders
present our £50m bid to the to be created and invoices
Big Lottery Board. received and paid electronically.
If successful, we will go By October 2009, we hope to
The project theme is based through to a public vote in community!) there is now a be trading with all our suppliers
around connecting people early December and will need speedier and more efficient way in this way.
to the rivers and canals that everyone’s support. of making your mind up what
form the green corridors you want to buy. I am always amazed by the
running through the County of For those of you in the wonderful things I see as I go
Somerset. organisation who are Somerset County Council around the county as a result
professional shoppers staff are now able, via CEDAR of our frontline staff making
The range of projects is diverse (otherwise described as part our current financial system, their minds up to do something
and includes multi-user routes, of the wider procurement to access a wide range of different.
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“ ”
“Working or otherwise,
enjoy the weekend.”
Something very dear to my extra money to be raised but with the confidence, creativity
heart is the Young Carer’s also individuals to give time to and conviction to take such
Scheme, which was started supporting trips and events for developments forward.
some years ago using some these children.
funding from the carers’ grant. Or in the words of Bucks Fizz.
There are whole rafts of similar
This has grown to a countywide developments out there (the ‘Don’t let your indecision take
organisation reaching hundreds Waste Education scheme you from behind. Trust your
of young people who have mentioned in Proper Gander inner vision don’t let others
caring responsibilities and often is another) where people have change your mind.’
lacking the opportunities others seen a possibility or a gap, then
take for granted. gone on to develop the service. Not great lyrics but you should
have seen the act!
I recently met with the group Such innovation at all levels
of staff involved in this work of the organisation will be Working or otherwise, enjoy the
and the County Lead Manager some of the key activities weekend.
Carers Group, has been set up,
Carol Patterson who is also a of local government in the
chaired by a member of the
Children’s Social Care Manager future, particularly those that David
Wells Rotary Club, and linking
in Bridgwater. work to mobilise or engage
with a variety of charities and
the local community and/or
groups across Somerset.
To further the scheme and cross existing organisational or
the range of activities and professional boundaries.
This link has been hugely
support available to such young
successful and enabled not only
people, a Friends of Young The trick will be to build people
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“
News
”
“Congratulations all-round at
Brendon Books.”
Taunton’s Tour of Britain and third place, but the overall
winners winner, taking home a trophy
donated and engraved by
It was smiles and Timpson of North Street, was
congratulations all-round Watkin Toys of East Reach.
at Brendon Books new café
in Bath Place, Taunton, on All three shops were also
Tuesday 2 October, when the presented with certificates
winners of the Tour of Britain and a bottle of champagne by
window display competition Somerset County Council.
were announced.
Submitted by Claire Cullen
St Margaret’s Hospice Furniture
Shop on East Reach was voted Waste Education Team
‘readers’ choice’ by Somerset scale the heights to
County Gazette readers. Eleven shops in Taunton The team received the award
receive recycling award
town centre took part in the from world-renowned explorer
Mrs Wendy Knapp of Taunton competition to celebrate the Sir Ranulph Fiennes OBE, after
Somerset’s waste education
was the lucky winner of the Tour of Britain’s first visit to being chosen as runners-up
team, the Somerset Waste
readers’ choice prize draw, Somerset and the South West. for the Best Waste Education
Action Programme (SWAP), has
winning a cycling voucher to category.
been honoured with a national
the value of £300, presented by Brendon Books of Bath Place, recycling award at this year’s
Somerset County Council and and Small Wonders of Middle Valpak is the UK’s leading
“Valpak Recycling Awards”.
Taunton Town Centre Company. Street, were awarded second provider of packaging
Somerset
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“
News
”
“This is your last chance to
have your say.”
compliance and recycling SWAP have now visited http://www.somerset.gov.uk/
solutions and run an annual over 300 schools and 600 somerset/culturecommunity/
award to recognise best community groups since its museums
practice on recycling and waste creation in 2002.
management. The survey there allows you
For further information on to tell the County Museums
Collecting the award, the SWAP visit http://www. Service what you want to see
Programme Manager for SWAP, recyclesomerset.info in the museum and how you
Rupert Farthing said: “It is would like to learn about the
fantastic to be recognised as a Submitted by Paul Chiplen county’s history.
leading waste education team
in the country, and it is great Make sure you have your The new website also provides
reflection of the hard work and say about your Museum information about how
dedication of the team.” of Somerset to donate to the Museum
of Somerset Fundraising
SWAP visit schools and Taunton Castle and rejuvenate campaign, which has already
Planning applications for the
community groups throughout the Somerset County Museum raised over £80,000 towards
new Museum of Somerset will
Somerset on behalf of contained within it. the £250,000 target, along
be submitted shortly so this is
Somerset Waste Partnership your last chance to have your with information about Taunton
(consisting of Somerset County People can find out about Castle and its part in England’s
say in how the county’s story
Council and the District / the progress of the project history.
will be told.
Borough Councils in the county) and influence the design
to promote recycling and of the new museum by The survey is only open until
The Museum of Somerset is
composting. visiting the new webpages at Friday 19 October, so make
a £6.5M project to restore
Somerset
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“
News
”
“This will be the last time to see
behind-the-scenes at the Castle.”
sure you have your say. Waste?” is a consultation that of household waste, as well
gives businesses, the public as industrial, commercial,
The Museum is having a special and community groups the construction and sewage
Open Day on Sunday 18 opportunity to air their views treatment waste.
November 2007 as part of the on waste management in
Taunton Christmas Lights-On Somerset. As the Planning Authority for
Festivities. this issue, Somerset County
Over the next two months, Council Must set out clear
This will be the last time to see Somerset County Council’s policies, which will identify
behind-the-scenes at the Castle Minerals and Waste team will where waste will be managed in
in its present condition before be holding roadshows across the future.
development works start next the county to raise the profile
year. of the issues with the general Somerset County Council will
public as well as setting up use the feedback from this
Watch this space for more local parish meetings to discuss consultation, alongside regional
details of the Open Day in the Are your views going to the issues from a community and government guidance,
next few weeks! waste? standpoint. to help to select “Preferred
Options” for site locations and
Submitted by Carrie Blogg Somerset County Council is Landfill space is running out waste management types.
seeking views on how and and, although household
where Somerset will manage its recycling rates are amongst The Preferred Options are
waste for the next 20 years. the highest in the country, expected to be published for
Somerset still needs to find public consultation in April/May
“Are Your Views Going to ways to deal with the rest 2008.
Somerset
County Council
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“
News
”
“Museums across Somerset will be
joining forces to host a one-day
heritage extravaganza.”
The consultation will be Somerset Heritage Find out about the county’s
launched on Monday 15 Roadshow railways from a railwayman,
October 2007 and runs until 15 watch 17th century military
December 2007. On Saturday 13 October personnel on an arms drill or
museums across Somerset chat to a Roman legionary.
To find out more and to register will be joining forces to host a
your views as part of the formal one-day heritage extravaganza Artwork created by local school
consultation, please contact in the Fleet Air Arm Museum’s children will also be on display
Somerset County Council Swordfish Centre. as well as reminiscences
on 0845 345 9188 or text a of days gone by from local
request for the consultation This free event will include residents. Live music will be
document by sending a plenty to see and do, with played throughout the day and
message starting with “waste” activities for all the family there is even a chance to get
followed by your address to running throughout the day. up close to vintage cars, boats
07781 482 858. and helicopters.
The Somerset Heritage toothpaste with Glastonbury
Alternatively, you can visit Roadshow is an opportunity monks or weave your own Entry to the Heritage Show
the website at http://www. for locals and visitors alike rope as used on the traditional in the Museum’s Swordfish
somerset.gov.uk/environment. to discover more about the Somerset boats. Centre will be free and visitors
All responses must be received county’s history and the will enjoy 50 per cent off the
before Monday 15 December museums that preserve it. A veritable horde of historical normal entry prices into the
2007. figures from throughout Fleet Air Arm Museum!
Why not create fire with Somerset’s history will be on
Submitted by Abi Lyddon Cheddar Man, make medieval hand to answer your questions. Submitted by Natalie Watson
Somerset
County Council
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“
News
”
“Huntspill Projects have decided to
donate £150 of their lottery funding
to PASCO.”
Donation for school in Projects said: “We are delighted
from modern apprenticeships,
Ghana to give this money to the school
National Vocational
and are very proud of the work Qualifications (NVQs), Higher
Somerset County Council’s done by Peter and Anne.” Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA)
Adults with Learning status, Early Years Professional
Disabilities’ staff at Huntspill Submitted by Elizabeth Kulh Status (EYPS), undertaking a
Projects have decided to donate foundation degree locally, here
£150 of their lottery funding to Information evenings in Somerset and how to set
PASCO, a volunteer-run school for people working with about qualifying to teach in
in Ghana, West Africa. children and young people either the primary or secondary
sector.
PASCO has over 200 pupils A series of Information
aged 3-13 and expanding. evenings for anyone The organisers were delighted
At present there are two considering a career working that the meetings were so well
kindergarten and five primary with children and young people supported with well over 300
classes. Teaching is in English. partner Anne Dixon have been have recently been held in the people attending at the three
working in Ghana for the last county. venues.
The low school fees and a two years as teachers at the
number of sponsored places school. The three meetings, in Yeovil, Vicky Thomas, Project Manager,
means that PASCO is able to Bridgwater and Taunton were Extended School Services &
support children from poorer Peter will be presented with a intended to answer questions Workforce Development, whose
families. Peter Hinchliffe, who cheque for £150 to go towards which members of the public team planned and staffed the
is on a five year career break supporting the school. Simon might have about qualifications events, said: “It was good to
from Huntspill projects and Payne, Team Leader at Huntspill and requirements ranging see so many people interested
Somerset
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News
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“Thank you to everyone who
supported ‘Jeans for Genes’ day.”
in taking more qualifications Lucky prize winners at the The Plan sets out the priorities
and particularly pleasing to see Information evenings were of Somerset Children and Young
some who had not achieved Lorraine Gaylard (Yeovil), People’s Partnership, which
many qualifications at school Tracey Banfield (Taunton) and is chaired by Pauline Clarke,
themselves, returning to Sarah Bamsey (Bridgwater); Portfolio Holder for Strategic
studying and now working their each wins a £25 book token. Services for Children and Young
way through level 2 then GCSE People.
exams before setting forth on a Submitted by Diane Grabham
Foundation Degree. Its membership includes Chief
Jeans for genes Executives and Directors of key
That kind of commitment is partner agencies, who have
what we are all hoping to Thank you to everyone who overall responsibility for the
encourage and support.” supported ‘Jeans for Genes’ day production of the plan.
on Friday 5 October 2007.
Anyone who was unable to The revised version of the Plan
attend these evenings can find Money was collected throughout Children and young can be found at http://www.
out more about opportunities County Hall and here in the people in Somerset somerset.gov.uk/somerset/
currently available (many of Education Development Service childrenservices/cypp/
them free) by telephoning we collected a total of £88.40, The Activities Plan, which
Laura Twigger of Somerset with a further £24 raised supports the delivery of the Submitted by Caroline Fry
County Council’s, Children & through Gift Aid. Somerset Children and Young
Young People’s Directorate People’s Plan, has recently been
Workforce Development Submitted by Andrea Davis revised to cover the period April
Team on (01823) 349348. 2007 onwards.
Somerset
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“
News
”
“We are looking for people
to act as evacuees.”
It is during half-term so if therapeutic sing at lunchtime County Council’s first electronic
you’re at home with the kids between 1pm and 2pm in the purchase via the marketplace
and would like to do something Wyndham Room. at 9.15am on Tuesday 25
different, contact the Civil September 2007 - three days
Contingencies Unit on (01823) It costs £1.50 and is open to ahead of schedule!
364617 for more details. everyone!
A pilot is currently being carried
Children and pets will be Submitted by Dil Roworth out within the Environment
welcome and everyone who Directorate and further
takes part will be given a hot The first live order information on the roll out of
lunch. processed through the e- the marketplace will follow
soon.
Marketplace!
Submitted by Steve Howell
For further information please
Following a successful e-
Singing workshop view the latest edition of the
Marketplace deployment during
Be an evacuee for the day e-Procurement Newsletter
the last week of September, the
The inspirational Yvette by visiting http://enterprise.
e-Procurement Project Team
Somerset County Council is Staelens is coming to County somerset.gov.uk/media/472/
has pleasure in confirming that
holding a Rest Centre exercise Hall on Thursday 18 October to 9D/Issue_3_Sept_07.pdf
the Somerset County Council
on Thursday 25 October at deliver a singing workshop. Marketplace is now ‘live’.
Bridgwater Rugby Club. We Submitted by Kate Wiliams
are looking for people to act Whatever your ability (and Users within CYPD e-LIM group
as evacuees for the morning, don’t worry about reading successfully made Somerset
starting at about 9.30am. music) come along for a
Somerset
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Further Information
Awards and Accolades Job Opportunities
The County Council strives towards excellence in Want a new challenge or a new career? You can
everything we do. See how we are achieving this find out more with a few clicks here!
here. *Go to Awards & Accolades *Go to Job Opportunities
Corporate Diary Partnerships
Forward plan your diary with details of forthcom- Our partnerships are fundamental to delivering
ing corporate events here. excellent services.
Go to Corporate Diary Go to SSP Go to Somerset Waste Partnership
Corporate Projects Press Releases
Feel you’re in the dark? Switch on the light on Keep up to date with how the County Council is
the major projects the County Council is current- getting its ‘Good News’ into the media here.
ly undertaking here. Go to Press Releases
Go to ISiS Go to Local Area Agreement
Go to CPA Corporate Assessment Inspection
* Intranet link - only available via the SCC network
Go to Joint Area Review Inspection
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Photo of the Week
Barrington Hall.
This week’s photo was
submitted by Sarah Gray.
To submit your photo go to the
News & Events form.
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