Monthly Archives: October 2018

New Chief Officer for Healthwatch Shropshire annoucement

Healthwatch Shropshire has announced the appointment of Lynn Cawley as its new Chief Officer. Ms Cawley has worked as the Enter & View Officer for the organisation for the past 3 years following a career in social work and the education sector.

Vanessa Barrett, Chair of Healthwatch Shropshire, said: “We are delighted that we have been able to appoint internally, which allows us not only to continue to build on the knowledge within the team but which serves to demonstrate the strength and quality of our staff. Lynn brings a wealth of experience and insights about the health and care sector in Shropshire to her new role. The staff and Trustees are looking forward to working alongside her to support the people of Shropshire.”

Lynn Cawley takes over as Chief Officer from Rachael Allen who wants to return to her first love of providing direct care to patients with complex needs.

Ms Barrett thanked Ms Allen for all that she had done for Healthwatch Shropshire. “We are very grateful for Rachael’s work in leading Healthwatch Shropshire during the time she has been with us and we wish her every success as she moves on to take up new opportunities.”

Healthwatch Shropshire is the independent champion for health and social care in Shropshire. It gathers people’s views and experiences of services including hospitals, GPs, mental health services, and residential care. It also has statutory powers that it can use to influence service provision by encouraging improvements.

Shropshire Disability Network wishes Rachael Allen all the best in her future career. We congratulate Lynn Cawley on her recent appointment and look forward to continuing the work we do together.

Consultation on proposals to ban plastic straws

Start Date:
25th October 2018

End Date:
3rd December 2018

Start Time:
00.01

End Time:
2359

News from Disability Rights UK. A consultation is now “live” on the proposals to ban the distribution and/or sale of plastic straws, stemmed cotton buds and plastic drink stirrers in England.

The purpose of this consultation is to seek views on banning the distribution and/or sale of plastic straws, plastic-stemmed cotton buds and plastic drink stirrers.

However, in relation to plastic straws, it wants your views on how best to provide for exemptions to maintain access to their supply for any groups of people that might need them (such as those with specific medical or other accessibility needs).

Plastic medical- enabling straws are used to administer (durably and safely) pre-dosed granular medicines in hospitals and homes for example, whilst flexible plastic straws are used to assist/enable drinks and liquid food consumption in older adults and people with specific accessibility needs.

You can read more at this link: https://www.disabilityrightsuk.org/news/2018/october/consultation-proposals-ban-plastic-straws or go straight to the consultation here  where you will find documents on impact assessments on each item: https://consult.defra.gov.uk/waste-and-recycling/plastic-straws-stirrers-and-buds/

The consultation runs for 6 weeks and closes 3 December 2018.

Right Home, Right Place

Right Home Right Place is here to help identify housing need in Shropshire and to provide information about affordable housing, community housing and housing in general. 

Affordable Housing in planning terms has a very clear and defined meaning and is set out in the Government’s 2012 National Policy Planning Framework (NPPF) prepared by the Department for Communities and Local Government.

Right Home, Right Place are asking people to tell them about your housing needs, so that they can plan.

Click here for survey on Housing Needs in Shropshire -parish survey: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/shropshire-housing-needs

Click here for survey on Housing Needs in Shropshire-Shropshire Council Employees: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/Housing-needs-survey-for-Shropshire-Council-employees

Right Home Right Place October Newsletter
RHRP header banner

Affordable Housing and Section 106 Agreements

Affordable Housing is provided in many ways in Shropshire, one of the more common is through a legal agreement which places an obligation on the developer to provide a percentage of the homes built as affordable dwellings. This is called a Section 106 agreement and it may also contain other obligations for example to provide some public open space.

Currently in Shropshire we have 3 set percentages for the provision of on-site affordables 10%, 15% and 20% The areas for each percentage target rate can be seen on the plan below.

Affordable Housing AreaS

The percentages were set based on the viability of the developments in each of the areas. These percentages will be reviewed in the next viability report early in 2019.

So for example a development of 25 new homes in a 10% area would provide 2 affordable homes on site and a financial contribution for the fraction. (25 x 0.10 = 2.5) and a scheme of 30 homes in a 20% area would provide 6 affordable homes on site (30 x 0.2 = 6)

However national policy has sought to restrict the amount of contributions we can request on smaller sites by adopting the Ministerial Statement November 2014, (following the court of appeal in May 2016) and now reflected in the recent revisions to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF 2018). These restriction now mean we can no longer apply our policy to sites under a certain size. This is 5 dwellings in the rural area and 10 dwellings in the urban areas. Since the majority of developments in Shropshire are for less than 5 or 10 dwellings we are seeing a sharp decrease in the number of affordable units provided in this way. We are therefore looking at different ways to increase the number of affordable units we provide each year and these will be discussed in later newsletters.

As the majority of households on the Housing Register require a rented home we ask for a split of the S106 affordable units in favour of affordable rented tenure at 70% and 30% for low cost home ownership. This may differ in certain areas where we know there is a need for a different mix of housing (for example where we have undertaken a Housing Needs Survey)

Usually the affordable rent and shared ownership units on a development site are transferred to a Housing Association, who will then let/sell and manage the properties. It should be noted that S106 sites do not normally have a local connection attached to the properties so can be let to anyone in housing need with a connection to Shropshire. The developer may sell the low cost homes as Discounted Market Sale dwellings and these will be discussed in January 2019’s Newsletter.

Last year we had 459 affordable homes completed and approx. 50% of these were through S106 sites and all have either been sold or let to people in housing need.

The Beeches in Whitchurch.

The Beeches, Whitchurch

This is a small scheme of only 15 units in a 10% area, so there was only 1 affordable on site, this is currently being marketed for Shared Ownership by one of our Housing Associations.

Sweetlake Shrewsbury.

This is a large scheme of 173 homes in a 20% area so provided 34 affordable homes on site, these were a mix of flats and 2 and 3 bed homes. All of them were transferred to a Housing Association 23 for affordable rent and 11 to be sold as shared ownership units.

Sweetlake, Shrewsbury

In order to be eligible to apply for any of our affordable homes applicants need to be registered on Shropshire Homepoint. https://www.shropshirehomepoint.co.uk/Data/ASPPages/1/30.aspx and keep checking to see when the properties become available.

Next month’s newsletter will be our quarterly Self-Build edition

 

 

Headway Shropshire Winter Fair

Start Date:
17th November 2018

End Date:
17th November 2018

Start Time:
1000

End Time:
1200

Event title: Headway Shropshire Winter Fair
Venue: Headway Shropshire, Holsworth Park, Oxon Business Park, Shrewsbury SY3 5HJ
Weblink: http://www.headwayshropshire.org.uk/
Name: Headway Shropshire
Email: admin@headwayshropshire.org.uk
Telephone: 01743 365565
Event description: We hope you will join us for our Winter Fair taking place today between 10 am and 12 noon.

We will have a selection of items on offer, many that would makes ideal Christmas presents. Our cards will also be on sale. Mincepies. Refreshments.

Inclusive Carol Service

Start Date:
8th December 2018

End Date:
8th December 2018

Start Time:
1300

End Time:
1400

Event title: Inclusive Carol Service
Venue: Shrewsbury United Reformed Church, Coleham Head, Shrewsbury, Shropshire SY3 7BJ
Name: Phil Ramsbotham
Email: pramsbotham.t21@btinternet.com
Telephone: 01743 240465
Event description: You are invited to this inclusive Carol Service. Shrewsbury United Reformed Church will be hosting “Disability and Jesus” a group from the North East who will lead an inclusive and accessible service.

The church is accessible for anyone who needs to use a wheelchair.
We will have BSL (British Sign Language), Makaton, Large Print, Braille, clear print and a quiet space.

You can find more information here: Christmas Service

For further information, please contact Phil Ramsbotham by email pramsbotham.t21@btinternet.com or call 01743 240465

Shropshire Focus on SEND

Last month SDN published an article called  Adult Social Care launched their new Preparing for Adulthood Team in Shropshire. https://shropshire-disability.net/adult-social-care-launched-their-new-preparing-for-adulthood-team-in-shropshire/?fbclid=IwAR0ZiOH4dv_hLOLmhkR7O2QgLM1D4Qm0fI1yiU3Df-48EGRx4QP1aebr37c

We were asked: Is this something that a child would automatically move into at 16 or do you have to apply and fight for it ?

This is the reply we received from Preparing for Adulthood Lead Adult Social Care:

The team offers support to a range of young people under the age of 25 years, although young people with learning disabilities are the majority of young people receiving support from the preparing for adulthood team. We work closely with our colleagues in adult social care mental health team to support young people accessing their support and also support young people with physical disabilities and autism.

SDN has received Issue Number 6 Autumn 2018 of Shropshire Focus on SEND. This newsletter includes a lot of useful information: Download it here: focus-on-send-newsletter-issue-6

NHS reviews Orthodontic Treatment

The NHS is reviewing the dental services in Shropshire – in particular orthodontics – and would like to hear your views or experiences of these services.

Orthodontic treatment (usually with braces) is the treatment most often used to improve the appearance and alignment of crooked, protruding or crowded teeth, and to correct problems with the bite of the teeth.

Shropshire Disability Network have reviewed the survey here:  https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/NHSE-NWOS-HWLAS There are 12 short questions, most are tick box or drop down menu. It includes questions about disability, so please if you can take part do. It is important that people with all types of disability can get the treatment they need, in accessible places.

If you live in Shropshire, Staffordshire, Derbyshire or Nottinghamshire we would like you to help us to shape future local services by spending five minutes to complete this short survey.

Shropshire Dyslexia Association

Start Date:
10th November 2018

End Date:
10th November 2018

Start Time:
1400

End Time:
1600

Event title: Shropshire Dyslexia Association
Venue: Belle Vue Methodist Church Bellevue Road, Shrewsbury SY3 7NL
Weblink: http://www.thesda.org.uk
Name: Shropshire Dyslexia Association
Email: info@thesda.org.uk
Telephone: N/A
Event description: Come along for an informal chat:

Information from:

  • Specialist Teachers
  • Specialist Assessors
  • Our workshop leaders who teach pupils with specific learning difficulties.

Demonstrations will include:

  • specialist computer programs and assistive technology available to support both children and adults.
  • APPS that are available.
  • Assessment materials for assessors and SENDCO’s.

Suitable for: Parents, pupils, students, adults with specific difficulties, teachers, anyone who works in or has an interest in Special Educational Needs.

Light Refreshments available.

Workshop by scanning pens at 3 pm.

Preparing for Adulthood Event – Book your places!

Start Date:
15th November 2018

End Date:
15th November 2018

Start Time:
0930-see content

End Time:
1800-see content

Event title: Preparing for Adulthood Event – Book your places!
Venue: Shrewsbury Football Ground, Greenhous Meadow, Oteley Road, Shrewsbury, Shropshire SY2 6ST
Weblink: http://shropshire.gov.uk/local-offer/
Name: Local Offer Shropshire
Email: senteam@shropshire.gov.uk
Telephone: 01743 254267
Event description: Shropshire Council, Severndale Academy and Partners are hosting a Preparing for Adulthood event for young people and their parents/carers in Shropshire who have an EHCP or are accessing higher level Special Educational Needs (SEN) support.

This event is aimed at pupils/students who are year 9 and above. There will be a range of service providers and organisations present on the day to offer information and advice on what is available in Shropshire for young people with an EHCP or accessing SEN support.

The event will be held on the 15th November at Shrewsbury Town Football Club, Oteley Road, Shrewsbury, SY2 6ST and there will be four sessions throughout the day:

  • 09.30 – 10.30 (Shorter sound/light sensitive session),
  • 10.30 – 12.30,
  • 13.00 – 15.00,
  • 16.00 – 18.00

Book your FREE places now:  https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/preparing-for-adulthoodtickets-51284558495
Video’s and all information from the event will be made available on the Local Offer.