1. We owe it to the members of the thousands of genuine co-operatives in the United Kingdom, to make sure that the integrity of the word "co-operative” is maintained. 2. The exists a deperate need for a real 'challenger bank', which needs to be cutomer led and co-operatively ownwed.

Case Study: Event Day at Wembley National Stadium where Tottenham Hotspur Football Club played. There was proven irregularities towards the implementation of effective control of traffic leaving the stadium by appointed CSP personnel causing heavier flows of vehicles within the vicinity, causing increased pollution and lessening quality of life. Observed drinking, urinating and defecating on residential streets, not only within Wembley but broader location. http://wembleychampions.blogspot.co.uk/

A Guardian article, published in June last year, estimated that sites for a further 500 free schools are required and that most will be playing fields. Recent National Audit Office criticism of the Education Funding Authority (EFA) for overpaying for free school sites, will make playing fields an even more attractive cheap option. Although playing fields are usually protected from development by local authority planning policies, the EFA are exempt from these. Mapledurham Playing Fields, a charitable trust bequeathed exclusively for recreation (Recreation Ground Charity #304328), is a case in point. This has been targeted by the EFA as the site of a free school. The trustee, Reading Borough Council (RBC), which is also the Local Education Authority responsible for meeting demand for school places, has given conditional approval to the plan. The EFA has submitted planning application. This contravenes national and local planning policy and is opposed by Sport England, Fields in Trust, the Campaign for Protection of Rural England, RBC's own Parks Department as well as hundreds of local residents and Playing Fields users. Nevertheless we believe that planning permission may very well be granted. If you believe parks and playing fields should be protected and would like to add your voice in support of this test case please sign our petition. Further information about the campaign to protect Mapledurham Playing Fields is available at www.ProtectMPF.uk or email [email protected]. The planning application, which is case 171023, can be viewed in the planning applications on RBC's website at planning.reading.gov.uk

They claim to use a "Random Number Generator" for every single spin. I personally believe these machines follow a program, though I'm sure there is a "random" element I think there's a specific piece of code imbedded deep within the program to ensure the game reaches it's revenue targets. Most fruit machines will follow a program and pay out the Jackpot when the revenue target is reached, once this Jackpot is paid the machine will then ensure customer's lose to reach the revenue target. I feel the FOBT's follow the same program and the software ensures that whatever number the customer choses they will inevitably lose. I genuinely don't think is a conspiracy theory as I don' think those involved understand the software. If they were tested by a professional independent body, some-one who understands mathematics and probability, I honestly think they'll find piece of code that contradicts the machine is completely random. I have 20 years of experience playing these machines, I'm not a disgruntled customer trying to recoup losses. There should be no time a customer should detect a pattern, no time when they know the terminal isn't being random This is hugely important in my eyes as the public are being told the machines are random and the unassuming punter will just think they're unlucky. Each spin should be independent from the last. The terminals could stay in the shops but they shouldn't be marketed as Random.

Too many pubs are either being closed down or restricted so much, that they lose business and ultimately fail. Pubs that have been the hub of the community now face closure because of houses being built next to them. If you move next to a pub, you should have to accept that there will be noise. If you can't accept it then don't buy a home near a public house or anything similar. These places have been here long before you and will be here long after you have moved on, lets keep it that way. I play in a band and I’ve seen countless amazing venues close due to complaints from greedy developers. Pubs are the heart and soul of our communities and we should be doing everything we can to save them. When you move next to a church, you don’t complain about the bells, if you move next to a big road you expect noise from cars, it should be the same for people who move next to pubs. Leave our pubs alone!

Last year Huntingdon's Shopmobility's scheme like many others lost the majority of its funding. Since that time we have survived on reserves, a small grant, membership, fundraising at local events and donations. If we cannot obtain further funding this fantastic service will end at the beginning of 2018. This service assists everyone with mobility problems either permanent or temporary to hire scooters or wheelchairs enabling them to access the pedestrianised town of Huntingdon and access all it has to offer. For many of our users the scheme is their only link to the world outside of their homes. We are happy to meet customers from the bus station, book their transport home and make appointments for them. Some need advice whilst others need a little chat and our time. If we haven't seen a customer when expected we will contact to see if they are ok. Most importantly it gives a persons independence back. Please show us your support by signing this petition. Not everyone who needs a scooter or wheelchair can afford one, get to other schemes or live in a place with accessibility.

Libraries Unlimited Management need to protect jobs, show good practice, protect the terms and conditions of employees.they need to stick to what they promised a year ago.

On the 1st of July 2017, Angus Council plan to commence the implementation of proposals which will see social care provision changed, services cut and privatised. ‎The number of staff responding to Community Alarm calls will be cut during the day, working hours will be cut, some staff will be forced to provide a car to undertake their duties and there will be approximately 170 job losses. All of this will impact on the most vulnerable members of our community. We believe that the evidence does not exist to support these plans or to implement them safely. We believe that private sector interest to provide social care in rural Angus just isn't there. Care for profit is wrong. We call on Angus Council and the Integrated Joint Board to halt these plans and to reassess this strategy. Cuts to vital care services will impact on the most vulnerable members of our community.

I’m calling for a change in the rules so that people with dementia are specifically eligible to apply for a Blue Badge, which means easier trips to the shop, the doctor’s or the hospital for dementia patients if they choose to apply. “I hope the Government will consider this change.” The final decision on who is eligible is up to local councils. But Government provides guidance can prove crucial in earmarking badges - and dementia is not on the list of criteria. Charities say some local authorities give blue badges to people with dementia while others enforce much tighter rules. Although the person with dementia may be able to walk the required distance that exempts them from being issued a Blue Badge the person has to be helped in and out of their vehicle, and guided, they can be unsteady on their feet and suffer dizziness/confusion as to where they are because of their dementia. This means that, e.g. they cannot be dropped off while a driver goes to park, because they are in danger from wandering off or walking into the road. Campaigners say the disease can be as mentally and often physically debilitating as other illnesses. The number of people with dementia is set to rise from 850,000 this year to over two million by 2051. Alzheimer’s Society national campaigns manager Sam Gould said: “Many people with dementia gradually lose their ability to walk and perform simple tasks as their condition progresses. “This means activities that many of us take for granted, like visiting the shops or attending GP appointments, can become physically challenging and make some journeys daunting. “We support the call for people with dementia to be able to access the Blue Badge scheme, as this could mean that more people with dementia are able to continue doing the things they enjoy and maintain their independence for longer.”

A David Bowie Monolith at Tunstall road Brixton, would be a wonderful addition to the Bowie Mural already there and would complete the story of David's phenomenal career .It's intended to be More of a piece of street art inspired by bowie's work and his influences than a memorial , and something anyone can enjoy. A Monolith I feel will look powerful and have a sense of awe about it and add an enigmatic, meaningful and symbolic representation of his life and work .It would fit so well opposite the Mural It would also compliment the mural and in no way over shadow it . Many other David Bowie fans that I have proposed this idea to on Bowie fan sites have also said how much they love the idea and support it and would like to see it happen . The Monolith would sit in the centre of the path facing the Mural so it would not block the view of the mural .You could then walk around to the other side Monolith and look through the blackstar cut out on the Monolith at the Mural as shown in the picture .I'm sure that when bowie fans come to see the Mural and pay respect to him , they would also like to see "The Bowie Monolith" too. It would make a wonderful photo too if fan's and tourists wanted to have their picture taken with their face in the blackstar cut out if they wished. It would look elegant and stylish and be fitting as it would represent his whole career . From the start of his success " space oddity " through to "Blackstar". After Bowie saw the Stanley Kubrick film "2001 A space odyssey" Bowie wrote " Space oddity" and created the "Major Tom" character who followed a thread of songs throughout his career from "space oddity" .."Ashes to Ashes" to "Blackstar" . Additional threads that have run through his work will also be included. F A Q's Q: Why do we need a Bowie monument ? there is already a Mural at the site . A: Instead of asking " do we need one? " .I ask "wouldn't it be great to have one " ?... Did we "need" the mural there in the first place ?.. No . but now we have it ,it's been loved by fans and visitors and been very popular so why not a monument too ?. Q: Why have it at the Mural site ? A: Since David passing ,fans naturally congregated to the site to pay respect to their Hero and has become a memorial site now already .Brixton was his birthplace so seems right that if there is to be a monument it should be there. Q: The Mural is fine on it's own though right? A: Yes the Mural is wonderful as it is but I think The Monolith addition will add a new dimension to the site and not only represent his whole career but will be a lasting monument to him that he truly deserves . He was / is a cultural Icon and legend not only for the uk for all over the world and one we all should be very proud of . Q: Won't it just distract from the mural? A: No , the idea was very much designed to not take away any focus on the Mural but to compliment it ,and complete the story of his work and life. Q: Why a Monolith? why not a statue? Why not something colourful to represent the colour of Bowie like a lightning bolt ? A: The Monolith idea came about with me wanting to try to combine a complete symbol that would represent his whole career from start to finish . David Bowie's "space oddity" was his first success and came about after David seeing Stanley Kubrick's "2001 A space odyssey" and we wouldn't have had the " Major Tom" character if it wasn't for the film, so the Monolith from the film instantly came to mind to represent the beginning .I wanted to use the blackstar symbol to represent his final work .A vision of me looking through the cut-out at the Mural sprang in my mind and the idea seemed so simple yet so perfect . A Monolith I feel will look powerful and have a sense of awe about it and would fit so well opposite the Mural and add an enigmatic, meaningful and symbolic representation of his life and work. The Mural provides all the colour and vibrancy at the site and already has "the lightning bolt" in the Mural so I feel something else like that "would" distract from the Mural. A statue is already in progress elsewhere so I didn't feel a second one would be right . Q: Isn't his music and life's work his real monument to the world? A: Yes it is , but people from all over the country and the world want to pay their respect to him at this site ,so why not make it extra special and have a monument there too ?

Self employed people generally work over 50 hours a week - many work considerably longer hours. They get no job security or holiday allowance. Their salary is not paid if they are sick and yet they contribute hugely to the nation's wealth. Many self employed people manage all aspects of their business from the PR, to office admin, to ensuring that they keep up to date with H&S, keeping accounts etc as well as delivering the core nature of their business. A three monthly submission process of tax return would create an unacceptably huge administrative burden on self employed people. It would stifle our collective ability to deliver our core business. It would discourage entrepreneurialism. In terms of the arts and third sector self-employment - it would add further administrative duress to an already ailing and underfunded landscape.

The library belongs to everybody and we do not consent to the Council selling it off or leasing it for use as a private hotel. Our library is more than books. It’s part of our community’s stories, connections, routines, traditions and heritage. Although the Council is suffering from funding cuts, dismantling our heritage and our community piece by piece for the sake of short-term gains is not the answer. We are concerned that the Council is giving undue priority to the potential developer, Sichaun Guodong Group, and failing to properly consider the people of Sheffield, who own the building, and make itself accountable to them. Furthermore, it is our view that the Council’s actions since November 2016, relating to the proposed sale or lease and redevelopment of the Central Library building, have not met the required standards of transparency and openness. We have seen no firm plans or funding propositions for an alternative central library if the purpose built Art Deco library building which was gifted to the city by JG Graves is turned into a hotel. If the council is as cash-strapped as it says, how can it fund a new fit-for-purpose building? And how will it protect and maintain the Graves Gallery and Library Theatre, currently housed in the library building? Our city deserves better than this. We ask Sheffield City Council to: 1. Refrain from signing the proposed 12-month exclusivity agreement with Sichaun Guodong Group (SG), which would block all other potential investment in the library for 12 months, or any other agreement for the sale or lease and redevelopment of the Central Library building 2. Properly consider the alternatives A feasibility study is essential to make sure any actions taken are transparently in the best interests of the people of Sheffield. The Council is in discussions with only one potential developer of the library building, which has not been put on the market. If a private development is truly in the best interests of Sheffield, SCLAG maintains that the building must be marketed openly to ensure best value for Sheffield. 3. Give us evidence of best practice due diligence. In June 2016, The Council agreed Heads of Terms with SG regarding investments in Sheffield, including the proposed hotel project. In November 2016, the Council took the decision to enter into a 12-month exclusivity agreement with the company, to enable project evaluation. We want guarantees from the Council that best practice due diligence has been undertaken, regarding both SG itself and the proposed hotel development, as a basis for entering into these agreements. 4. Allow enough time for proper evaluation and scrutiny The Council now hopes to develop the June 2016 Heads of Terms agreements with SG into full legal agreements, apparently before the expiration of the 12-month exclusivity agreement (which we believe has yet to be signed). Proper evaluation of alternatives and project scrutiny will require more time (18 months for a feasibility study, according to the Council). SCLAG maintains that a longer timeframe is essential to best serve the interests of the people of Sheffield, not just the developer. 5. Guarantee permanent fit-for-purpose Central Library services The Council has not made provision for a new, permanent Central Library building prior to closure of the existing building, and an ‘interim solution’ has been mooted. There is, therefore, the clear risk that a ‘temporary’ solution will become a permanent one. 6. Provide maximum project transparency The Council advises that a ‘formal approach’ was received by SG, leading to the Heads of Terms agreements of June 2016. Neither the content of the ‘formal approach’ nor the agreement has been made public. Already at this early stage, the Council has been unable to provide a consistent or definite answer to whether or not it has signed an exclusivity agreement with SG. To enable full public scrutiny, SCLAG seeks the maximum permissible transparency from the Council regarding the approach from, negotiations with and agreements with SG, as well as project plans, procedures and timeframes. Sheffield Central Library Action Group is a platform for concerned citizens who oppose the sale or lease and redevelopment of the JG Graves Library building in the city centre.