Latest news with #communityconsultation
CBC
7 hours ago
- Health
- CBC
Nova Scotia's first provincial autism action plan to be released in 2026
Nova Scotia's first autism action plan, which aims to improve services and supports for people on the autism spectrum, is expected to be released within the first few months of 2026 following about a year of community consultation. The plan, which has been touted as the first of its kind in Canada, was first announced in May 2024. The goal was for it to be ready in 2025, but Autism Nova Scotia and the provincial government agreed to spend more time to ensure the plan will be properly implemented upon its release. "We really wanted to make sure that we were not leaving any stones unturned," said Amanda Alexander, Autism Nova Scotia's CEO, in a recent interview. Alexander said the organization has been working to identify what supports are now available to people of all ages with autism spectrum disorder, and make recommendations to fill any gaps in services. They've been gathering information through virtual consultations, surveys and a number of working groups made up of caregivers, service providers, experts and people on the spectrum. Amanda Alexander is the chief executive officer of Autism Nova Scotia. (Autism Nova Scotia/Facebook) "One of the most important things that we heard repeatedly … was that in order to best serve the autistic community, autistic voices and their lived experience have to be central to the work and really be the driving force behind decisions," Alexander said. Brian Comer, minister of addictions and mental health, told CBC in a recent interview that the prevalence of autism, particularly among youth in Nova Scotia, is concerning. He said significant work on the action plan has been done so far, with even more to be completed. The Nova Scotia government gave Autism Nova Scotia $200,000 to develop the plan, and about 10 provincial departments are involved — including Addictions and Mental Health, Health and Wellness, and Education. Comer said one of the most prominent gaps that's been identified through the development of the plan to date is the need for more programming across the province, particularly in rural areas. "I think ultimately it's really about accessing services in your community, right? Closer to home, quicker access to services and really supporting families and their children," he said. He was reluctant to say exactly what would be in the final action plan, but he said he hopes it will include strategies to help families navigate the resources that are available. Brian Comer is the minister responsible for Nova Scotia's Department of Addictions and Mental Health. (CBC) Alexander said the two pieces of feedback Autism Nova Scotia has heard most "loudly and boisterously" have been the need for more autistic individuals to be involved in creating the policies that impact them, as well as the need for more education about neurodiversity. "Those are demands of the community that the community is waiting to have met," she said. MORE TOP STORIES
BBC News
09-07-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Views wanted on future of Haslemere Hospital
An NHS Trust has invited residents to help shape the future of Haslemere Hospital with a consultation exercise. The Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust said it was holding an event to share "current proposals" on what will happen to services at the site, and to bring "more voices" into the face-to-face meeting will take place on 17 July from 15:00 to 17:00 BST at Haslewey Community Centre, Lion Green, Hospital recently temporarily closed two inpatient wards after a nearby GP surgery announced it could no longer provide doctors to staff them. The trust reassured patients in May it was not "turfing anyone out" after the announcement. "We know how important Haslemere Hospital is to the community," said Chris Attoe, director of strategy at Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust. The event is a chance for people to hear about "potential developments, ask questions, and give their views," he continued.
BBC News
07-07-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Durham outdoor gym row after 'show and tell' consultation
Council plans for outdoor gym equipment have caused outrage as a consultation event has been branded a "farce".The proposals are part of the redevelopment of the former Elvet bowling green near Durham city centre and designs were displayed during a drop-in session at the site on residents and parish councillors said the event was a "show and tell" and people wanted a play area for young children County Council said current plans included a children's obstacle course and Tuesday's session was "just the start of the engagement process". According to the plans, the equipment would be suitable for cardio, strength exercises and cross-training. The local authority said designs featured wheelchair-accessible surfaces, low-resistance machines and equipment suitable for seated use."We want your views on what type of equipment we should install from a variety of options," the project's website added. Resident Steve Lindsay said gym equipment was not what the community wanted and there were enough sporting facilities in the city already."It wasn't a consultation," he said of Tuesday's event."It was a show and tell where the councillors show you a plan and tell you to approve it."The only changes you could possibly have is what colour is the gym equipment."But Mark Bell, manager of Durham Amateur Rowing Club, said the club supported the plans."The type of equipment they're proposing to install would be beneficial to our members," Mr Bell said. "The site has long been overdue [to have] something done with it." 'Not what residents want' Durham Parish councillor Rory Handy said he was not "totally against" the gym equipment, but it was not what people wanted and there had been a "huge lack" of consultation."There are loads of residents around there who are really, really angry about it," he drop-in session on Tuesday faced technical difficulties, raising concerns that objections were not properly Parish councillor Victoria Ashfield said officers were "scribbling a few things" on paper."The process on Tuesday was ridiculous," she said. "It isn't a consultation, it's a done deal. "They come in with a ready-made programme, which is not what the residents want." 'Concerns acknowledged' Graham Wood, Durham County Council's economic development manager, said all feedback had been recorded despite a "minor technical issue"."This event is just the start of the engagement process, and people can continue to provide their views by contacting us at ced@ he Carter from the Hemp Garden Community Association, which has been renovating the site since 2017, called for a proper consultation. "This has been farce. It is a failed consultation," he Wood said concerns were acknowledged and the local authority was "committed" to providing inclusive and accessible facilities."We have extended the deadline for comments and will be taking stock of all responses before finalising the proposals," he can comment on the plans until 15 July. Follow BBC North East on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
BBC News
16-06-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Hundreds in Reading oppose John Madejski Academy name change
Hundreds of people have signed a petition opposing plans to change the name of a school in Reading. The John Madejski Academy - named after the businessman and former Reading FC owner who donated £3m towards its opening in 2010 - is set to become Hartland High School from decision comes after it was rated inadequate by Ofsted in 2023 and served a termination warning notice by the Department for Learning Trust (GLT), which took over the secondary school on Hartland Road in January, said the renaming marked a "significant and symbolic step forward in the journey of ongoing school improvement". Former Conservative MP for Reading West Rob Wilson set up a petition calling for the change to be reversed."This is both expensive and unnecessary and will put the school at odds with the local community," Mr Wilson GLT said the new name reflected "a shared vision and ambition to build a brighter, bolder future" for staff, students and the wider community. It said the name change followed a community-wide consultation and vote, which involved staff, parents, carers, governors and residents. You can follow BBC Berkshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
Daily Mail
05-06-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Why this map of the flight paths for Western Sydney Airport has outraged locals: 'Over our house'
Locals have been left furious over the finalised plans for the flight paths for the new Western Sydney Airport with some complaining about the future noise pollution. Transport Minister Catherine King announced on Wednesday the locked in flight routes as construction was completed on the runway, with the facility set to open in 2026. Residents in the Blue Mountains and Wallacia regions have benefitted from the alterations to the early designs unveiled in 2023 and 2024 but many are still angry, saying they do not go far enough. Ms King said there are five changes made to reduce aircraft noise following community consultations, with four of those regarding night operations. 'Most notably, I'll be issuing a ministerial direction to Airservices Australia to make reciprocal runway operations (RRO) the default operating mode at night, including specific noise abatement procedure, when both are safe to do so,' she added. RRO involves planes taking off and landing in the same direction, which in this case will be the southwest utilising opposite ends of the single runway between 11pm and 5.30am. Outraged residents have flooded social media with many complaining they will be affected by the noise pollution. 'Good stuff, Springwood/Faulconbridge still getting overnight noise then. The arrivals practically goes over our house,' another said. 'Noise is NOT subjective it is actual noise, I don't believe I am in the corridor, but do sympathise with those who are,' another said. 'No curfews. Huge issue!' a third said. The Residents Against Western Sydney Airport (RAWSA) group agreed the changes were 'just window dressing' and said it was 'appalled' that there was no change to the '24/7 flight intrusion'. RAWSA wants a curfew and hourly flight caps. One local on a Blue Mountains Facebook group said that properties under the aircraft routes should be soundproofed at the government's expense. 'Soundproofing for homes under flight path needed so we can sleep of a night or better still give us a curfew like Mascot. Maybe the people off the West don't count.' Blue Mountains Mayor Mark Greenhill said that it was 'not good enough' that the area would still be impacted. 'We are a world heritage area. Flogging this place with aircraft noise is nothing short of a senseless disregard for the United Nations declaration,' he said. 'Moreover, this decision treats the people of the Blue Mountains and western Sydney as second-class citizens.' However, others argued the noise would be minimal. 'Almost every single major city in the world has a 24/7 airport. It's good for the economy if it annoys you that much f*** off and move somewhere else,' one said. 'Might be noisy at first, but you'll get used to the noise and it won't bother you anymore,' another added. 'Complaining about decently high altitude plane noise meanwhile overnight 30-40 coal trains barrel along with no issues.' One pilot, Captain Byron Bailey, said the RRO directive was 'almost farcical' as it would result in congestion due to pilots having to navigate the additional challenges of taking off into-wind and landing with the wind behind them. 'Nowhere in the world is (RRO) done like this. The resulting traffic confliction and holding would be ridiculous, possibly difficult for ATC to manage,' he told Sky News. However, Aviation consultant and CEO of Strategic Air, Tony Stanton, argued the RRO would only be used at night when air traffic was minimal. 'We've learnt lessons from other airports, which is why I have imposed a number of additional conditions that will reduce our aircraft noise,' Infrastructure and Transport Minister King said. 'Can I say that there will be no noise for anyone? I can't say that because that's the very nature of operating an airport is that you have planes, and planes do make noise.'
