Nominations closed at noon today (January 13) and three candidates have put their names forward for the district council seat of Kesgrave East. They are:-

Derrick Peter Fairbrother (Liberal Democrats) 8 Bull Drive, Kesgrave
David John Isaacs (Labour) 15 Knights Lane, Kesgrave
Geoff Lynch (Conservative) 59 Cambridge Road, Kesgrave.

The Suffolk Coastal District Council seat was contested in May 2011 and the result in Kesgrave East was:-

•Sally Ogden – Conservative – 1,405 – elected
•Angela Mary Neale – Conservative – 1,390 – elected
•John Thomas Klaschka – Conservative – 1,343 – elected
•David John Isaacs – Labour -704
•Barbara Dockerill – Labour – 606
•Derrick Peter Fairbrother – Liberal Democrat – 561
•Manooch Azmoodeh – Liberal Democrat – 443
•James Martin Howard – Green Party – 542
The turnout was 36.9% from the electorate of 7,345.

Three candidates are also contesting the Suffolk County Council division of Kesgrave and Rushmere St Andrew. They are:-

Kevin Eric Archer (Labour) 26 Orchard Grove, Kesgrave
Derrick Peter Fairbrother (Liberal Democrats) 8 Bull Drive, Kesgrave
Christopher Gerard Hudson (Conservative) 69 Fore Street, Framlingham.

The Suffolk County Council seat was contested in June 2009 and the result was

•John Thomas Klaschka – Conservative – 2,821 – elected
•Steven Courtenay Hudson – Conservative – 2,799 – elected
•Margaret Alders – Liberal Democrat – 1,426
•Adrian Peter Taylor – Liberal Democrat – 1,378
•Stan Robinson – Labour – 689
•Stephen John Connelly – Labour – 546.
Polling stations will be open between 7am and 10pm. The closing date for people wanting to register for a postal vote or change their postal voting details is 5pm on Wednesday, January 25. For full information about local elections, voting and applying for postal votes visit www.suffolkcoastal.gov.uk/yourdistrict/elections/ or call the elections team on 01394 444685.

A vacancy was also filled today on Framlingham Town Council following the resignation of Nick Corke. Only one candidate put their name forward, Peter King, and he has been elected unopposed.

The tree lights will be switched on at 6.00pm on Friday 25th November.

Inside the Scout Hall light refreshments will be available, at a nominal cost, before and after the event.

There is no restriction on who may attend and we hope many of you will be able to join us for this community celebration.

The police will again be running a countywide seasonal drink-driving campaign. Apart from being caught by the police, losing your licence and being named and shamed in the local press, if you are responsible for a road collision resulting in serious harm and injury you would never forgive yourself. So don’t take the risk.

Remember as the nights draw in that there is some very common sense crime reduction advice you can adopt. It is a good idea to leave a low energy light on in your house using a timer switch so it looks as if your home is occupied. Please ensure that your Christmas presents are not in view from windows and when putting your rubbish out after Christmas try not to leave boxes and packaging on view which could advertise your new belongings to a potential intruder. If you are fortunate enough to receive a TV, computer equipment or a bike, it is beneficial to have them post-coded using a security marker pen, which can be purchased at the Kesgrave SNT office for the reduced price of £1. Other security devices are available from the office, so please come and see us. Some would make good stocking fillers if you’re struggling for ideas!

If you know of any vulnerable neighbours that may need help as the weather deteriorates don’t forget to check their welfare. A visit from a friendly familiar face can provide a great deal of reassurance.

Do you know about 101? There is now an easy number to remember if you need to contact the police for a non-urgent reason. No matter where you are in the UK the number is 101 and this can be used to report crime, to get in touch with your local Safer Neighbourhood Team or for any non-emergency enquiries. If your call is an emergency – if you think a crime is in progress or a life is in danger – the number is still 999.

The next Public Community meeting is on Tuesday 6th December at The Village Hall in Westerfield Lane, Tuddenham IP6 9BH from 6.30pm-7.15pm

The Kesgrave Safer Neighbourhood Team would like to extend their festive wishes to you hoping you have a Happy Christmas and New Year. Stay safe in 2012.

Sergeant 733 Peter Street
Kesgrave and District Safer Neighbourhood Team
Tel: (01473) 613500
Kesgrave.snt@suffolk.pnn.police.uk

The Suffolk Coastal Resource Network (SCRN) is urging local community, voluntary and faith groups to give their details to their local Volunteer Centre to be placed on the site, which aims to pull together all the volunteering opportunities on offer in the district. Members of the public interested in volunteering can then see what opportunities are available in their area.

“This is an attempt to get both an accurate picture of all the activities underway in our district and it also matches potential volunteers to the needs of local voluntary and community groups, using online technology,” said Jonathan Moore of the Suffolk Coastal Local Strategic Partnership Board.

“Volunteer Ipswich and Volunteer Centre Framlingham & District are running this important initiative for us within the SCRN and I hope that as many organisations as possible will register their details. Those groups on the west side of the A12 should register with Volunteer Centre Framlingham and the east side with Volunteer Ipswich, while groups in the Woodbridge area can register with either body.

“We would also like existing volunteers themselves to come forward and register with their local volunteer centre, and say with which organisations they are currently working.

“So that their contribution to their local community can be widely acknowledged, we would also like to know what role they have and how much of their time and skills it takes to fulfill that role. Volunteer Ipswich and Framlingham Volunteer Centre are able to support these existing volunteers, and people interested in volunteering, to find the right opportunities for themselves, either in person, or by going onto www.do-it.org and seeing what is available,” added Mr Moore.

The registration forms for volunteers and also for local groups can be obtained by calling Kirk Jackson, Volunteer Support and Development Officer at Volunteer Ipswich on 01473 261116 or emailing volunteer@ipswich-cvs.org.uk . Volunteer Centre Framlingham & District’s contact is Jan Wright, available on 01728 621210 or by emailing framlingham@volunteercentressuffolk.co.uk

The SCRN is a Suffolk Coastal LSP backed project that has been playing an important role in helping Voluntary and Community Sector groups in the district, and has so far offered support and advice that has gained over 400 groups over £500,000 of funding from national, local and regional sources.

The nights are drawing in and therefore the advice for this month is to take a few precautions so you do not become a victim of crime or anti social behaviour.

Leaving your home unlocked, all in darkness and with valuables on view could mean that you end up
giving burglars a gift.
Don’t make it easy for them.
Burglars watch for houses with no signs of life. Leave a light on or better still put your lights on a timer and leave a radio on if you go out during the hours of darkness.

Think about the security of your home.
Lock up doors, windows and gates. Remember to lock your garden shed and store tools and ladders securely inside; it stops burglars using your tools to break into your house.
Close it, Lock it, Check it.

Don’t forget that we offer many security items at reduced prices at the Kesgrave and District SNT Office located amongst the shop units in Ropes Drive, Kesgrave.

At the end of October we have Halloween where we see a growing number of young people dressing up in various costumes and then calling on neighbours and other residents who are greeted with the term ‘Trick or Treat.’ In the main the younger children are well supervised and their visits are generally well received by the residents armed with a well-stocked supply of sweets from the local shops.

However unfortunately some of the activities by older age groups can cause distress to vulnerable people.

Banging on doors and windows late at night can be very frightening for some people so please think about your actions and activities on the night.

Also with the darker evenings, please do not get caught out without lights for your cycles. It is extremely dangerous to cycle on the highway without lights as other road users can’t see you. You should also consider wearing reflective clothing as this can make you more visible and therefore increase your safety. If you are the parent or guardian of a child on a cycle, please make sure they have lights for their own safety. You will never forgive yourselves if an accident happens as a result of not having lights or bright clothing.

Our next Community Engagement Meetings are at:

Thursday 5th October 2011 6.30pm-7.15pm at the Parish Rooms, Felixstowe Road, Martlesham IP12 4PD

Tuesday 15th November 2011 7.00pm- 7.45pm at the Village Hall, The Street, Little Bealings IP13 6LJ.
Details and further information is available by visiting our web site www.safersuffolk.org.uk

Regards

PS 733 Peter Street
Kesgrave and District SNT.