Today's announcement by the Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg, that local authorities will be given back control of business rates has been warmly welcomed by Cllr Richard Kemp, Leader of the Liberal Democrats in Local Government.
A while ago my Cabinet colleagues and I introduced a new scheme for all restaurants and food outlets in the Borough whereby their food hygiene inspection rating is published online, along with full details of their inspection. The restaurants themselves can also display a poster they are presented with, advertising their hygiene rating. It's not compulsory that they do so, but I've been pleased to notice around town the first few restaruants to start displaying the posters in their window. It shows that they regard high standards of hygiene as a badge of honour, and know that potential customers will appreciate the peace of mind that comes with it. I was only at the launch event a few weeks ago, and it's great to see it already becoming a feature of the local restaurant trade. There's more information about the scheme, together with links through to all the food hygiene information about restaurants that you will need, here on the Council's website: http://www.bedford.gov.uk/environment_and_planning/env_healt
The government has announced that councils in England, such as South Lakeland District Council, will be allowed to keep the business rates they collect rather than paying them into Treasury coffers. This is a plan that was born in South Lakeland which now becomes government policy.
Last week MPs debated the FoE campaign for councils to go green.
According to profiles published by the Department of Health Wiltshire residents generally have better health than the average Englishman and woman. Life expectancy is above average, and the number of people dying early from heart disease, cancer and stokes is diminishing.
According to profiles published by the Department of Health Wiltshire residents generally have better health than the average Englishman and woman. Life expectancy is above average, and the number of people dying early from heart disease, cancer and stokes is diminishing.