December 2011 - Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council

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2 The Shuttle DECEMBER2011 4Resident Richard Morgan with Councillor Hollern Fiction There is not enough information on benefit changes. Fact There are many changes to benefi ts happening now and in the future. Rightly, residents are concerned and want to know what is happening with welfare reform. That is why in this Shuttle, we have created a new column which will keep you up to date with everything that is happening. There have been lots of changes to housing benefi ts already. However, there will be some more changes coming into effect in January which some citizens need to be urgently informed about. These are outlined on page six in Money Matters. Briefl y though, from January 1 the age threshold for Housing Benefi t shared accommodation rate (SAR) will increase from 25 to 35. The SAR restricts claimants to the rate for a single room in a shared house, rather than the rate for a self-contained one bedroom property. The rate in Blackburn is now £50.50. The change will affect up to 400 people. Also, the nine month protection from the changes in April 2011 comes to an end from January. We have written to people affected but if you are worried about any of the changes happening in January or coming up in the future, contact (01254) 583350 for general advice or 0845 070 1066 for specifi c enquiries about housing benefi t or email: advice@ blackburn.gov.uk or visit the Citizens Advice Bureau. IT’S YOUR CALL But it is not all doom and gloom. I urge everyone to stand up and take pride in this wonderful place. COUNCIL LEADER Together, we can make it better. Everyone can do their bit even in small ways. KATE HOLLERN Thinking twice about throwing litter on the fl oor which costs money to clean up or making a commitment to support our businesses in our In my last column, I urged people to start fighting for the borough. As you will see in these pages, many residents already have. On a windy day in November, I met with several volunteers. Each one is passionate about their area. They put themselves forward to make their neighbourhoods better places. support their community. Whether it is picking up litter to make the area greener or running a centre that provides much needed space for people to come together, these residents are playing their part in improving Blackburn with Darwen. The borough needs the energy and spirit shown by these residents. Blackburn with Darwen has been towns by shopping local all helps. The cuts mean that Council services have changed forever. But what matters to you matters to us. Residents have told us that they want to play their part. We have answered their call by providing opportunities to get involved. Now it is time for you to answer our call. Play your part and fi ght for I was amazed, despite the through a diffi cult year. It’s been Blackburn with Darwen. It's your weather, how many people came to tough and will continue to be tough. community, your call. CENTRE A NO GO I was interested in an article in the Lancashire Telegraph which said that Blackburn town centre was a no-go zone at night. This was based on the troubles of one bar, the Cheers bar. The reality is that here in Blackburn we have worked hard in partnership with the police and other key partners to rid the town of this single “bad apple” establishment, quickly and effectively. The licence was revoked at the fi rst hearing of the Council’s Licensing Committee due to the strong evidence obtained - this is virtually unheard of. However, we need everyone to come together to talk up this town and make it a place where people want to live, work and spend their leisure time. We are working hard to attract more business to the town centre. Discussions are currently taking place with building owners and potential investors to reinvigorate the night time economy whilst helping potential investors to understand that Blackburn is a safe place. According to the latest police statistics violent crime across Blackburn with Darwen is amongst the lowest of any large town in the North West. This town has a lot to offer. We should all try and get behind this town to make it a thriving one. MORE YOUR CALL - PAGES 3, 6, 10, 11, 12
20 The Shuttle DECEMBER2011 Rovers in the Shuttle HIGH FOR LOWE! The latest local starlet off the Blackburn Rovers ‘production line’ already has on eye on England. And Jason Lowe has cited the you go the more pleasing it is. “I was captain of the under- 20s in the World Cup and that was great. Then to come back and play for the England under-21s, you fi nd side. “Hopefully there will be much more to come from me. “I’m really looking forward to what rise-and-rise of his former Ewood yourself slowly creeping up the ladder. the future Park colleague Phil Jones as proof of just what can be achieved. The 20-year-old midfi elder, from Leigh, is already being tipped to follow Jones into the national team, but, in spite of winning a fi rst team place in the Rovers’ senior side in recent weeks, he refuses to get carried away. Jason remains just a ‘regular guy’ looking to hold down a regular place with Rovers before thinking about England. Having travelled to Colombia to represent England in the Under-20 World Cup during the summer, Jason has progressed to the under- 21 squad and has ambitions to go as far as he possibly can. “Of course I have seen what Phil (Jones) has done with England and think how I would love to do that one day,” he said. “I am close with him and always have been. “He has made a great impact with Manchester United and has shown what is out there for you if you work hard and give your all. “However, fi rst and foremost it is all about Blackburn Rovers and what I am doing here. “International recognition is just a bonus and obviously the higher “It is a good feeling, but I just want to keep it going and hopefully long may it continue. “All I say to myself and all my family say to me is that as long as you come off the fi eld after every game able to say that you have given everything, what will be will be. “My focus is Rovers and helping get us up the table.” Jason’s dramatic rise through the Ewood ranks – he has even kept former Real Madrid legend Michel Salgado on the sidelines after moving to play at right back, initially to cover injuries – has been rewarded with a new fi ve-year contract, which will keep him at Ewood Park until the summer of 2016. “I’ve been here a good while now and I’m delighted to have been asked to stay long term. “I am a local lad and I have a great affi nity and affection for Rovers. “I have been in and around the place since I was 11 years old and now I just want to work as hard as I can to stay in the holds.” Reece is a class act A local primary school found itself in safe ‘hands’ when a Rovers Academy player took charge of a morning lesson. Midfi elder Reece Hands was the special guest at St Michael with St John CE Primary School, where he took part in a Q&A with a Year 2 class, before showcasing his skills out on the playground. Reece was grilled about his life on and off the pitch – and was keen to deliver the message that ‘practice makes perfect’. Sarah Murphy, headteacher at the school, said: “Our Year 2 pupils and staff were really excited to meet Reece. He gave them lots of information to use in their topic work and some great advice. “Everybody at SMSJ would like to thank the organisers and Reece for visiting us. We wish him every success in achieving his dream.” The visit was organised by Blackburn Rovers Community Trust. Rovers’ coaches make a major impact in India The two men charged with producing the next batch of young stars for Rovers have just returned from a trip to India. Academy manager Phil Cannon and head of youth coaching David Lowe fl ew out to Pune, where the club’s owners are busy working on the launch of the inaugural Blackburn Rovers Junior Football League. Eventually, there will be a total of 20 leagues across the country, all linked to BRFC, the fi rst one being in Pune and the next in Delhi. “It is a great concept,” said Phil. “There will be 20 teams in 20 leagues, all wearing Rovers kits. We met with the 40 coaches and managers who are going to run the teams in Pune. David and I did a presentation on our Academy, explaining our philosophy and shared our knowledge. “We talked about talent identifi cation, technical coaching programmes, some educational welfare and the games programme. We then had a very good and enjoyable question and answer session. They were all very eager to learn. “We also visited St. Vincent’s School in central Pune – a school with 2,500 boys and a great reputation for athletics and sport. They were grateful for us sharing our knowledge, which can only bode well for the future of Indian football. “At that young age it isn’t about results. It is about player development, but they wanted to win and were all shouting and screaming. They train from 7am, before the start of school. It is amazing – 60 pupils training with one ball. “I hope our input will prove of benefi t. Football has really taken off there and it was also good to see again how committed the owners are across all areas of the club.” DECEMBER2011
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December 2011 - Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council

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