Lichfield city councillor Ian Jackson believes 56 councillors are not needed at district level to serve a population of 132,000.

Mr Jackson, who represents the Leomansley Ward believes the authority’s numbers should be cut by a third.

The Council voted to retain its current size back in July pending a review by the Local Government Boundary Commission.

Liberal Democrat Cllr Jackson said: “I would cut the number of councillors by a third.

“We have small wards across Lichfield. There are three councillors representing wards with 6,000 or 7,000 electors, which is quite unnecessary.

“Other Councils have one councillor representing a ward with 20,000 people.”

And Mr Jackson believes reducing the number of elected members would save the authority money.

He said: “Currently councillors allowances run at £3,000 pounds including expenses.

“If you cut the number of elected members by 20. You would roughly save up to £60,000 or £70,000.”

His Liberal Democrat colleague city councillor Marion Bland, who represents the Chadsmead ward agreed cutting councillor numbers would provide value for money to ratepayers.

However, councillor Jackson admits additional cuts across Lichfield by the district authority was always inevitable.

He said: “These cuts are not the fault of central government.

“Lichfield District Council has lived beyond it’s means for quite some time.

“Over the last 15 years money gained from the Council housing sell offs in the 1980’s was used to keep Council tax low.

“Everyone on the Council is in favour of keeping Council tax low, but the problem is all that money raised in the 1980s has been spent.”

However, District Council leader Mike Wilcox stressed no final decision has been made over Council numbers.

Conservative Cllr Wilcox said: “The decision to retain our 56 elected members was made by the full Council in July.

“The Local Government Boundary review is looking at how many elected councillors we need to run the Council, as part of our review on how to make savings in the services we provide.

“They said we should stay at the current level of 56 members. But they will hold a public consultation, before making their final decision to us in November.”

And Mr Wilcox insisted money raised through housing sell offs in the 1980’s was reinvested wisely into the Lichfield economy.

He said: “The Garrick was bought through capital raised from the 1980s housing sell offs, which has helped bring investment into the city.

“We used some of the capital money receipts to move forward as an authority.

“We now get a seven per cent return on buildings we own, which are used by traders. That is more than the 0.5 per cent we get from the banks.”

Ends

Word count: 450

Work placement module confirmation

Express and Star placement confirmation from Personal Officer Matthew Austin - Tele:  01902319323 email: matthew.austin@expressandstar.co.uk 

Email received: 31st July 2013.

Morning Lewis,

Further to our conversation yesterday I am writing to confirm that you completed work experience with the Express & Star Sports Desk on the dates listed below:

25^th – 28^th March

22^nd – 26^th April

9^th – 12^th July

I understand that you need this confirmed in writing for University, should you require any further information please do not hesitate to contact me.

Best Regards,

Matt

Sentinel placement confirmation from Port Vale reporter Michael Baggaley - Tele: 01782602548 - email: Michael.Baggaley@thesentinel.co.uk

Email received 5th August 2013

Hi Lewis.

The sports editor and his deputy are away from the office at the moment. However,  I can confirm you were with the Sentinel sports desk on work placement from April 29 until May 3.

All the best

Mike Baggaley

Reporter

Sports Desk

The Sentinel

01782 602548

If you need to contact me for any further information. My home tele: 01889576162 07966406487 or Personal email: lewisdeakin.LD@googlemail.com or University email: d018722a@student.staffs.ac.uk.

Finally, my home address is 12 St Chads Close, Hawksyard, Rugeley. Postcode: WS151GY.

Work placement module cover note

Hello,

I would like to make you aware before you read my submission that my first Express and Star placement assessment form was handed in directly to Peter Brookes after Easter break.

Both the Editor and his deputy were on holiday during my first placement, so the form was filled in by Wolves correspondent/Chief Reporter Tim Nash.

If more information is required please contact him on tim.nash@expressandstar.co.uk or 01902319398.

After a conversation with Ian Bayley - I then decided to include the rest of my assessment forms, which are contained in sealed envelopes in with my report submission.

My final point to make is I am not sure if the Employment Confirmation form is contained inside these envelopes. However, to remedy this please find enclosed email correspondence, which confirms my placement dates and attendance.

If more information is required in relation to the confirmation form please see the email correspondence, as they includes the numbers and emails of the persons, who I organised the placements with.

Finally I can assure you that everything else that is required is included inside my submission.

Many thanks.

Lewis

CURE the NHS founder Julie Bailey has vowed to carry on fighting for a better health service.

Mrs Bailey’s group was set up in response to the Mid Staffordshire scandal, where thousands of patients lost their lives.

And she believes the public must never forget those who lost their lives between 2005 and 2009 at the hospital.

She said: “Cure the NHS has asked those in charge to give the public the safe system we all need.

“I speak so that people do not forget what happened at the hospital.

“I talk about how we started the campaign and what I saw in those eight weeks.”

However, in what are challenging times for the health service - Mrs Bailey has called for an open debate about its future.

She said: “The problem with the NHS is there are many managers, but few leaders.

“We need to be honest with the public about what we can afford.We have to prioritise care for the most vulnerable in our society.”

Sir Bruce Keogh’s review has led to 11 hospital trusts being put into special measures.

And Mrs Bailey has urged the Government to implement the report’s recommendations.

She said: “The Government should fully implement the Keogh report.

“The executive has nothing to do with hospital staffing levels.

“Individual NHS Trusts decide their own staffing levels. What we want to see is safe staffing levels in every hospital.”

Two former Stafford nurses Sharon Turner and Tracey White have been struck off by the Nursing and Midwifery Council after being found guilty of misconduct.

However, Cure the NHS believe former Labour Health Secretaries Alan Johnson and Andy Burnham should face criminal prosecution over Stafford.

This is despite Sir Robert Francis QC ruling in February that no group or individual were to blame for the scandal.

Mrs Bailey said: “Andy Burnham and Alan Johnson need to be held to account.

“They knew what was happening at Stafford and they did nothing about it.

“We don’t know exactly how many people died. There are probably thousands and thousands.”

“We were disappointed when Robert Francis QC stood up in February and said no ministerial accountability.

“We informed the Secretary of State of a number of problems at Stafford.

“We have sat as a group for the last six years trying to raise awareness about the problems, but the Government did nothing about it.

“The last Labour Government rejected 81 requests for a public inquiry.We had to chase ministers across the country every weekend for two years.”

She believes a public inquiry would have highlighted problems within the NHS sooner.

She said: “We failed to get a public inquiry, which would have lead to these problems coming out two years earlier.”

Ends

Word count: 450

Theory and Practice Evaluation

My evaluation will focus upon my experiences during this module, and my development as a Journalist from news days. This evaluation will provide a critique of my performance and where improvements could have been made to improve my performance during this assessment.

News day were a fantastic opportunity to be a part of because it gave us all an insight into what a working day would be like inside a news room for a Journalist.

To begin with the experience was horrible due to the fact it was unclear how the day would go, and whether we would all our deadlines. However, as the day wore on and content began to take shape it became exciting to think we would be bringing fresh stories to the general public and perhaps shaping the agenda of their news diet.

After the day was complete your satisfaction would depend on whether your story had been published. 

However, when my stories weren’t published it became my goal to make sure the story would go up on the website the following week. My Andy Adams story is an example of this it went up on Staffs Live, after facts were clarified and changes to structure were made.

The experience became enjoyable, as by preparing all of my stories beforehand this allowed me to discover human interest stories. This ensured the pressure was lifted, as my stories were submitted before the one o’clock deadline.

My first news day role was as a page sub, which proved to be a difficult role to fulfill, as we had to fill three pages with content.

This role required planning and forward thinking. Our problem as a page team was that we were unaware of what stories the reporters had prepared, for us to include, which put anyone in an editorial role at a disadvantage because we couldn’t plan our pages without the content, which meant we had to guess.

When the reporters copy filtered through it caused problems, as either the words wouldn’t fit the boxes or they would go beyond the capacity of the box. If we had communicated better as a group some stories could have made page leads instead of late inclusions.

My performance as a page sub was good. All of my page was filled with content that had been checked for grammatical errors, and was compatible with the house style. Pictures and colours were used to attract the readers eye, and the conventions of a news page were met.

If the opportunity to improve presented itself then the main thing would be to ensure that a plan was kept of what stories reporters were doing, and that content was submitted in good time. My performance could have been improved with more communication with and from my peers, as they could have helped develop my page from a readers point of view.

The role of reporter was enjoyable as it gave me the chance to explore, build contacts and develop my writing style.

Every week a list of ideas was prepared for news day, and two stories were chased up. My weekends and Mondays were spent out talking to members of the public, interviewing by phone, or sending emails asking for comments.

This hard work payed off, as human interest stories were discovered on residents reactions to tax and benefit changes, and contacts were established at Staffordshire police, which can be used for future stories.

My performance could have been improved if more time had been spent seeking advice from my lecturer or peers on my stories that weren’t published, as this would have provided more content for my portfolio.

The role of an online editor was an interesting opportunity to see how the digital age has enhanced news and content.

Our flow of content on the day was steady, and most reporters by this point had established they needed to get their copy in early.

Working in a team was a challenge, but by talking to one another we were able to get through the articles and help each other ensure the articles were fit for purpose on Staffs Live.

Where an improvement could have been made is if we  had questioned reporters about their use of pictures, as one reporter had taken their picture straight of the internet, which is legally dangerous.

In conclusion this module helped me to understand a Journalistic environment, it helped me develop my contacts book, and emphasised the importance of hard work and preparation.

Word count: 750

Furious residents have accused Cannock Chase District Council of failing to protect the poor over benefit changes.

From next month 6,630 households are set to lose 20% of their Council Tax benefit and 25% of their housing benefit.

Cannock Chase Council will continue to provide help for the most vulnerable, but will have to collect extra revenue to make up for the shortfall in income.

Louise Thompson, 49 of Newmans Grove, Rugeley said the poor will suffer most as a result.

She said: “The unemployed, sick and families will all suffer due to the announced benefit changes.

“I am a carer who suffers from depression and other aliments, and because I live in a three bed room house on my own with my dog, I shall have to pay not only Council Tax, but 25% of my money for the bedroom tax.

“This policy is unfair, we are only given enough to live on in benefits, so how is it right that we must pay Council Tax as well? This lowers our income to below what the law states, it can mean the difference between eating or heating your home.

Miss Thompson believes Cannock Council should have absorbed the cuts and taken a stand for the most vulnerable.

She said: “The Council should have swallowed the cuts to their funding while the Government sorts their policy out.

“Councillors should have taken a stand to protect us they should be on our side.

“This Tory led Government needs to realise it’s made a mess up of these reforms, and they need to be told that this is unacceptable. It is the year 2013, and they are taking us back to the 1800’s.

“Everyone should have the right to a good quality of life.”

However, Cannock Chase Council Leader George Adamson said that the Council’s hands have been tied by the Westminster Government.

He said: “This policy has been forced upon us by the Government at the same they are giving huge tax cuts to millionaires.”

Helen Carr, 32 of Kelly Avenue, Rugeley admits she is concerned for her future and her daughter’s welfare.

She said: “Cannock Council are not doing anything to try and help pay these extra taxes being forced upon us.

“They are expecting me to pay 14% for one bedroom and up to 25% for two or more bedrooms, then on top they are expecting 20% from me in Council Tax, so I now have to find £40 to pay both of these taxes when I am already in minus figures.

“I am on income provided by the Government which has changed from Job Seekers Allowance to Employment Seekers Allowance-my total income is £71 a week and out of that I pay my electric bill of £25, my shopping bill of £25 and the rest goes on my debts.

“I either have to move into a one bedroom home or find the extra money or end up on the streets.

“Where is my daughter supposed to sleep when she stays with me three times a week? My daughter is 13 years old and by law is required to have her own space. So where does she fit into all of these changes? 

Cannock Council Taxation and Benefits manager Rob Wolfe said the authorities scheme seeks to protect the most vulnerable.

Mr Wolfe said: “Our scheme seeks to protect those in need within Cannock Chase. Claimants with very young children or those who are severely disabled may still qualify for a full reduction in their bills.

“No one below the age of 18 would be liable for Council tax and those of pensionable age are protected from the changes. No one of working age is affected more than anyone else. The reduction scheme is based on income and the composition of the household. The age of the person does not affect their entitlement.”

Ends

Word Count: 650

News day story- Cannock Chase DC

Angry taxpayers have criticised Cannock Chase District Council’s decision to increase Council Tax by two per cent.

Cannock Chase Council faces a funding cut of 20% per cent in the next two years, which is equivalent to £1.2 million pounds.

Councillors triggered the rise when they voted to reject Government funding to freeze Council Tax for a third year back in January.

Colin Groves, 47, of John Till Close, Rugeley, claims the Council’s actions will hit the poorest families hardest.

He said: “I think it is a bad decision. Especially for those families struggling, we in Rugeley will not benefit from any Council Tax rise, as the Council has never done anything for this town in the 47 years I have lived here.

“This used to be a thriving town back in the 70’s and 80’s, I can remember there being many fantastic shops, but since the demise of the pit and other firms Rugeley has died a very slow death.

“The town is now full of charity shops and food establishments with just a few businesses left struggling to survive, and I have not seen any help from Cannock Council in all the years I have been here.

“Our Council Tax seems to only be spent on Cannock, and it’s neighbor Hednesford.”

Rugeley resident Paul Fisher agreed adding: “I am totally opposed to the tax rise, as there was an alternative. The Government were dangling a £60,000 pound carrot if Cannock Council had voted for a Council Tax freeze.”

However, Cannock Chase District Council in an official statement insisted the rise was necessary due to Government cuts.

Cannock Chase District Council leader Cllr George Adamson said: “Cannock Chase Council is facing a shortfall or saving requirement of £800,000 in the next two years rising to well over £1 million in 2016/2017.

“The Government has offered us a Council Tax Freeze Grant for this year of 1%. This equates to £60,000 for Cannock Chase Council, however this is only payable for a two year period meaning the Council would lose out by a further £110,000.

The Council leader insisted the impact would be minimal on family budgets he said: “The 2% increase is an average of £3.32 a year or just over 6p a week per household-on Cannock Chase Council’s portion of the Council Tax bill.”

Businesses attacked the move saying they already pay enough to the Council.

Rugeley Reptiles Owner Lisa Greatrix, 44 said: “We pay £181 pounds per month in Business Rates and another £100 in Council Tax. This means we pay the Council £300 per month before we even start breathing. It’s disgusting!

“We do not use Council bins at work, the roads are hardly up to scratch around here and we rarely see a road sweeper! How can they justify all this money?”

Coles Bar Rugeley Owner Gavin Houston, 32 said: “Business rates and Council Tax are very much preventing me from taking on full time staff. The bill per year is more than my wage bill for all of my staff.

“I run two businesses in Rugeley and the one premises costs £500 per week in Business Rates it is a rip off. We live in Rugeley Town not a major city!”

Leader of the Council Opposition Conservative Group Cllr Paul Snape believes the decision has been taken for ‘political reasons’ by the Labour run Council.

Mr Snape said: “I believe the wrong decision was made to increase Council Tax. South Staffordshire Council residents pay almost 50% less across all bands, they supply excellent services and are freezing Council Tax next year.

“As well as increasing Council Tax by 2% Labour are increasing Council House Rents by 3.1% and all fee’s except car parking charges by 3.5%.

“This is a political decision taken by Labour in Cannock to punish residents.”

Ends

Word Count: 650

News Day story

Hednesford Traders Association Chairman David Wisehall admits confidence amongst his members is ‘very low.’

Mr Wisehall believes recent adverse weather has had a negative effect upon trade.

This is despite the opening of the brand new £50 million pound Tesco store.

He said: “One business has closed down since Christmas and one is on the verge of shutting it’s doors.

“Confidence amongst my members is very low at the moment.

“As I am sure it is in most high street stores up and down the country.

“There is no sign of an upturn in fortunes, so it’s just a case of toughing it out and hoping to survive.

“An indication of this is that the new Tesco store does not seem to be very busy.”

A new £5 million pound out of town shopping park is expected to be opened by 2014.

Trebor Developments and Harton Estate says the park will be expected to create up to 60 jobs.

The park will be built beside the M6 toll near to the Orbital retail park.

Mr Wisehall has confessed that this new development could have an ‘negative effect’ upon trade in Hednesford.

However, he believes that the British high street still has a future.

He said: “Out of town shopping does impact upon the high streets.

“I believe that high streets still have a future, but they need to adapt drastically to attract customers.

“I am currently exploring ways to achieve this in Hednesford, which is in an enviable position that out of town shopping is in our town.

“Surely it is not beyond me and my members to exploit this fact.”

Business rates across Cannock Chase has risen by 12.6% in just eleven years.

Cannock Chase District Council’s business rates scheme offers traders free rates for a year or a £10,000 contribution to costs.

Mr Wisehall criticized the scheme saying it has hardly helped his members.

He said: “The Cannock Chase District Council business rates scheme has had a negligible affect on most new and existing businesses in Hednesford.

“Most businesses in the town qualify for the Government’s small business rate relief scheme, which has been extended until April 2014, so they do not pay any business rates at all.

“The Council’s scheme would benefit new businesses, which have a rateable of over £6,000 per year.”

The Hednesford Traders Association expects no businesses in town to expand this year.

Mr Wisehall said: “None of the independent businesses in the town are doing well enough to contemplate an expansion on that scale.”

Ends

Word Count: 425

I competition piece

To stay in Europe or to leave Europe that is the question, but what is the answer?

David Cameron last Wednesday promised to give the British people a referendum in 2017 on our membership of the EU.

Unfortunately here’s the catch-David Cameron must be returned to Westminster in 2015 with a clear majority.

His negotiation strategy with other European leaders must fail.

Importantly Cameron hasn’t set out the rules of such a ‘referendum.’

Would a yes vote need to have 50%, 70%, 80% etc of the public’s suppourt to be acted upon?

The promise of a referendum is a red herring it won’t happen. 

Our Prime Minister is committed ‘heart and soul’ to keeping us in Europe.

Europe’s biggest economy is also devoted to keeping us in Brussels.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel is ready to talk about giving powers back to Britain.

She wants Britain to play an active role in the EU and she will not allow us to leave.

Therefore David Cameron will come back to Parliament and the people with an agreement from Europe.

British business will fight tooth and nail to keep us in Europe.

They fear their interests will be affected greatly by the people getting their say.

In a recent open letter to Cameron, they stressed that any threat to Britain’s EU membership, would create ‘damage’ and ‘uncertainty’ for British Business.

The prospects of Britain’s people getting a final say on Europe seems quite slim then?

What about Labour and the Lib Dems surely they support the people getting a say on Europe.

Well... No they don’t they have both said it is not the right time for such a vote.

We haven’t had a say on Europe since 1975, so when is the right time going to be? ED? Nick?

How about our biggest ally surely America will back us in what we decide.

No they wont. President Obama believes Britain is stronger in Europe and gives the United States a strong voice within the 27 strong block.

So to the 53% of British people according to the Times newspaper, who want to leave Europe and allow the laws of the land to be decided by our parliament.

What should we do?

If you want to leave Europe vote UKIP. Nigel Farage is the only political leader who wants Britain to leave Europe.

UKIP are doing well in the polls and are according to some now the third party in British politics.

Britain needs to answer this 40 year old question decisively.

If you want to have your say don’t vote Labour, Lib Dem or Tory vote for Nigel Farage in 2015.

Only then can Britain regain control over it’s domestic affairs.

Ends

Word count: 450

Independent Piece

Britain is still a nation of tea drinkers according to a recent survey conducted by Travel Lodge.

Although, tea drinking as a custom dates back to the third millennium, it did not become popular in Britain until the mid 17th century.

Over 78 million cups of tea is brewed everyday across the United Kingdom.

It was the Dutch, who first brought tea to Europe in 1610. But, it wasn’t until 1658 that the first tea advert appeared in a British newspaper.

Tea is a drink loved by every age group. A third of 18-24 year olds, said that tea helps them to unwind.

A fifth of adults carry their favourite tea bags around with them.

Fifty-three per cent of Brits need a cup tea to brighten up their mornings.

British tea is usually, brewed in a China tea pot, but the survey suggests this could become obsolete.

Only 16% of people prepare tea in a traditional tea pot. With eight out of 10 complaining they do not have the time or patience to make tea in a teapot.

40% of adults just dip their teabags into hot water for only a minute.

When tea became popular in Great Britain, there was an urgent need for good handles, to suit the nation’s needs.

This lead to a growth in the pottery and porcelain industry, and the prosperity of modern companies including Wedgwood, Spode and Royal Dalton.

The time old tradition of the-British tea break-is alive and well. Afternoon tea is said to have come from one person.

Anna 7th Duchess of Bedford.

She launched the idea, in the early 1800s’. It was designed to bridge the gap between lunch and dinner, which in some cases might not be served until 8pm.

Many British companies still observe the custom of the tea break, with the most popular times being between 10am to 3pm.

By 1700 over 500 coffee houses sold tea. The first coffee house merchant to offer tea, was Thomas Garway, who owned an establishment in Exchange Alley.

Tea became the favourite drink of all classes by 1750, and that continues to this day.

63 per cent of Brits enjoy a cup of tea, after a long day at work.

The upper classes have tried to control the growth of tea for centuries.

King Charles II introduced in 1676 an act, which taxed tea, and required coffee house operators to apply for a license.

By the middle of the 18th century, the duty on tea had reached a staggering 119%.

The heavy taxation lead to a new trade of tea smuggling.

Even smuggled tea was expensive, and therefore, very profitable. 

Many smugglers added other substances such as, Willow, Licorice and Sloe leaves.

Used tea leaves were also redried and added to fresh leaves.

A pound of the cheapest tea cost about one-third of a skilled workers wages.

In 1784 William Pitt junior introduced the Communication act, which lowered the tax on tea to 12.5%.

Which, ended the smuggling trade. 

Ends

Word Count: 503