Latest news with #councils
RNZ News
21 hours ago
- General
- RNZ News
From council tree to dinner table - chairbler calls for change
A chair maker in Amberley is calling on councils around the country to make better use of public trees when they're removed. Most councils cut trees down and arborists often take the wood to be mulched or used for firewood. Chairbler David Laird says that is a waste of wood that can be from trees more than 100-years-old and that have so much history in them. He says there are examples in Australia and the United States where there are protocols for publicly owned trees so they can be turned into useful furniture for a local council or school. David wants councils to copy those ideas. To embed this content on your own webpage, cut and paste the following: See terms of use.
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
For every disabled parking bay there are 52 Blue Badge holders as scheme is exploited and oversubscribed
There are increasing concerns the Blue Badge scheme for people with disabilities is both oversubscribed and 'shockingly' exploited as cases of misuse spiral in recent years. For every disabled parking bay in the UK, there are currently 52 permit holders, according to estimations in a new report published by This is based on almost 3.3million Blue Badge holders and just 63,000 parking spaces across the country. And demand for permits continues to rise with the rate of new applications increasing by 31 per cent between 2022 and 2024. In total, 1.3million new applications were made over the three-year period - and that's on top of the 1.5million renewal applications requested by existing holders. Of these 2.8million applications in total, just 245,566 - around 9 per cent - were rejected as the scheme continues to be overwhelmed. The report follows the release of figures that revealed that reported misuse cases relating to Blue Badge misuse have increased by over 1,000 per cent in less than a decade, highlighting a 'serious and growing problem of fraud and abuse'. The comparison site said the oversubscription issue is also being exacerbated by other drivers wrongly using disabled parking spaces when they shouldn't. According to a Freedom of Information request to 207 UK councils (of which 182 responded with data), 705,310 penalty charge notices were issued for misuse of disabled parking bays between 2022 and 2024. In a poll of 2,000 UK drivers, a third (36 per cent) of those who have a blue badge (11 per cent) said they've turned up somewhere needing to park, only to find someone without a permit using designated spaces. A similar volume said there aren't enough accessible disabled spaces where they live. Two thirds said they are often left with no other option but to park in a standard-sized bay, which do not provide access for wheelchairs or to those with mobility issues, while two in five have been forced to drive elsewhere to find suitable parking provisions. Last month, the nation's parking trade association vowed to crackdown Blue Badge fraud having seen instances of misuse spiral. Instances of reported abuse of the scheme have grown from hundreds per year in 2016 to over 3,500 cases by 2023 in what the British Parking Association (BPA) called a blatant 'undermining of the integrity' of the scheme. Permit thefts are also becoming a bigger issue, with the number of Blue Badges stolen in London alone spiralling by 400 per cent between 2014 and 2023. Blue Badge misuse is deemed a criminal offence that could lead to a £1,000 fine and confiscation of the badge. It can also result in court prosecution, and legal action may also be taken in circumstances where false information has been provided to acquire a Blue Badge. Rhydian Jones, commercial director at said the study highlights that the 'system is struggling' due to an imbalance of permits versus parking spaces - and other drivers abusing the rules. 'It's clear that more needs to be done - both to increase the number of accessible bays and to prevent misuse,' he said. The British Parking Association has warned there is a 'serious and growing problem of fraud and abuse of the Blue Badge scheme' Borrowing Granny's badge... The range of permit abuse identified by National Blue Badge - an enforcement agency working on behalf of local authorities to identify misuse - between 2016 and 2023 included a range of issues, from intentional theft, organised fraud, producing and selling counterfeit badges online, and using deceased people's badges. However, the most common type of abuse is the often presumed 'innocent' act of 'borrowing Granny's badge' just for free and convenient parking. 'For every badge being misused, a space has been denied to a genuine badge holder, potentially preventing them from attending appointments, socialising and being able to get around independently,' the BPA said in its May report. It went on to call for local authorities and councils to be given greater ability and mechanisms to effectively tackle the issue and put a stop to this ongoing abuse. 'Perpetrators are currently not deterred by the limited consequences for their action,' the trade body said. The most common type of scheme abuse is the often presumed 'innocent' act of 'borrowing Granny's badge' just for free and convenient parking, the BPA said Alison Tooze, policy officer at the BPA, said: 'The statistics around the level of Blue Badge misuse and fraud are shocking. 'We cannot continue to ignore this issue, especially when the victims are some of the most vulnerable in our society. 'Badge holders rely on accessible parking to carry out their day-to-day activities and for many it is a vital part of living an independent life. 'Perpetrators of blue badge misuse and fraud deprive genuine badge holders of this right to freedom, whilst costing ordinary taxpayers millions every year. This must stop.' This is Money raised the statistics with the Department for Transport. A DfT spokesperson said: 'Exploitation of the Blue Badge scheme is completely unacceptable – it is a vital resource helping many people travel with confidence. 'We are supporting the police to tackle this issue by working closely with local authorities and have strengthened their powers to help them tackle fraud and misuse.'
The Independent
5 days ago
- Health
- The Independent
Why you shouldn't stockpile disposable vapes
Councils have urged vapers to think twice before hoarding disposable vapes, warning that stockpiling them could pose life-threatening risks. Disposable vapes will be banned from the shelves of all shops from Sunday in a bid to cut their use among young people – as well as the 'avalanche' of litter they create. The crackdown on the devices, also known as single-use vapes, makes it illegal for any retailer – ranging from corner shops to supermarkets – to sell them. However, there are concerns some people are stocking up on single-use vapes, with research by online nicotine retailer Haypp finding 82 per cent of disposable vape users are planning to stockpile. The Local Government Authority (LGA), which represents councils and fire and rescue authorities, has warned that the lithium batteries contained inside disposable vapes could cause fires and pose a risk to life if not stored correctly. Lithium batteries present a serious risk of fire, as there is the potential for it to enter into thermal runaway. Thermal runaway occurs when a battery reaches up to 600C, releasing toxic gases and creating a fire, according to charity Electrical Safety First. Disposable vapes are non-refillable, unable to be recharged, and are typically thrown away with general waste in black bins or littered rather than recycled. The vapes are extremely hazardous during the waste disposal process and can cause fires in bin lorries. The vapes are designed as one unit so batteries cannot be separated from the plastic. Even when they are recycled, they need to be taken apart by hand, while their batteries are a fire risk to recycling facilities and can leak harmful chemicals into the environment. Council taxpayers often bear the costs of the fire damage to equipment and the specialist treatment needed to deal with hazardous waste, the LGA said. Cllr David Fothergill, Chairman of the LGA's Community Wellbeing Board, said: 'With 8.2 million vapes now thrown away, or recycled incorrectly, every week, single use vapes blight our streets as litter, are a hazard in our bin lorries, and are expensive and difficult to deal with in our recycling centres. 'We would also urge caution to anyone stockpiling disposable vapes. Failing to store disposable vapes correctly could cost lives, given the significant fire risk they pose.' The ban applies to both online and in-store sales across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, and all disposable vapes whether or not they contain nicotine. Retailers are still allowed to sell reusable vapes. Rogue traders who continue to sell them risk a fine of £200 in the first instance, followed by an unlimited fine or jail time for repeat offending. The department for environment, food and rural affairs (Defra) said usage among young vapers remained too high, and the ban would 'put an end to their alarming rise in school playgrounds and the avalanche of rubbish flooding the nation's streets'. The separate Tobacco and Vapes Bill, which is currently working its way through Parliament, also includes powers to potentially restrict the packaging, marketing and flavours of e-cigarettes.
The Independent
6 days ago
- Business
- The Independent
Stockpiling disposable vapes could cause your house to go up in flames, Britons warned ahead of ban
Councils have urged vapers to think twice before hoarding disposable vapes, warning that stockpiling them could pose life-threatening risks. Disposable vapes will be banned from the shelves of all shops from Sunday in a bid to cut their use among young people – as well as the 'avalanche' of litter they create. The crackdown on the devices, also known as single-use vapes, makes it illegal for any retailer – ranging from corner shops to supermarkets – to sell them. However, there are concerns some people are stocking up on single-use vapes, with research by online nicotine retailer Haypp finding 82 per cent of disposable vape users are planning to stockpile. The Local Government Authority (LGA), which represents councils and fire and rescue authorities, has warned that the lithium batteries contained inside disposable vapes could cause fires and pose a risk to life if not stored correctly. Lithium batteries present a serious risk of fire, as there is the potential for it to enter into thermal runaway. Thermal runaway occurs when a battery reaches up to 600C, releasing toxic gases and creating a fire, according to charity Electrical Safety First. Disposable vapes are non-refillable, unable to be recharged, and are typically thrown away with general waste in black bins or littered rather than recycled. The vapes are extremely hazardous during the waste disposal process and can cause fires in bin lorries. The vapes are designed as one unit so batteries cannot be separated from the plastic. Even when they are recycled, they need to be taken apart by hand, while their batteries are a fire risk to recycling facilities and can leak harmful chemicals into the environment. Council taxpayers often bear the costs of the fire damage to equipment and the specialist treatment needed to deal with hazardous waste, the LGA said. Cllr David Fothergill, Chairman of the LGA's Community Wellbeing Board, said: 'With 8.2 million vapes now thrown away, or recycled incorrectly, every week, single use vapes blight our streets as litter, are a hazard in our bin lorries, and are expensive and difficult to deal with in our recycling centres. 'We would also urge caution to anyone stockpiling disposable vapes. Failing to store disposable vapes correctly could cost lives, given the significant fire risk they pose.' The ban applies to both online and in-store sales across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, and all disposable vapes whether or not they contain nicotine. Retailers are still allowed to sell reusable vapes. Rogue traders who continue to sell them risk a fine of £200 in the first instance, followed by an unlimited fine or jail time for repeat offending. The department for environment, food and rural affairs (Defra) said usage among young vapers remained too high, and the ban would 'put an end to their alarming rise in school playgrounds and the avalanche of rubbish flooding the nation's streets'. The separate Tobacco and Vapes Bill, which is currently working its way through Parliament, also includes powers to potentially restrict the packaging, marketing and flavours of e-cigarettes.
Daily Mail
25-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Angela Rayner wages war on developers who fail to deliver on promised homes under 'radical' housing overhaul
Angela Rayner is cracking down on developers who fail to deliver on promised homes under her 'radical' housing overhaul. The Deputy Prime Minister plans to give councils powers to seize land from unsatisfactory housebuilders who leave vital development sites unfinished. The new proposals would mean for the first time developers will have to commit to delivery time frames before they get planning permission. They will also have to submit annual reports showing their progress to councils to keep them on track. Housebuilders who secure planning permissions 'simply to trade land speculatively' could face penalties worth thousands per unbuilt home, the Government said. The Government hopes the proposals will see promised new homes delivered faster. Deputy Prime Minister and Housing Secretary Angela Rayner said: 'This government has taken radical steps to overhaul the planning system to get Britain building again after years of inaction. 'In the name of delivering security for working people, we are backing the builders not the blockers. 'Now it's time for developers to roll up their sleeves and play their part. 'We're going even further to get the homes we need. No more sites with planning permission gathering dust for decades while a generation struggle to get on the housing ladder.' Large housing sites can take more than 10 years to build, but those with more affordable home can be built twice as fast, the Government said. On Sunday, the Government is publishing a Planning Reform Working Paper setting out the proposals. Housing charity Shelter welcomed the proposals. Alicia Walker, assistant director of advocacy and activism at the charity, said: 'It's good to see the Government getting tougher on private developers. 'With 1.3 million households waiting for a social home and homelessness continuing to climb, we urgently need new homes built at speed. 'Developers drag their heels when building new homes to keep prices high and make bigger profits - often dodging their responsibility to build social housing altogether. 'Meanwhile, thousands of families who are bearing the brunt of the housing emergency, homeless in temporary accommodation or crushed by skyrocketing rents, cannot afford to wait. 'Getting private developers to build new homes faster is crucial, but the only way to end the housing emergency for good is to get councils and housing associations building social housing as well. 'To do this, the Government must invest in building 90,000 social rent homes a year for 10 years in the upcoming Spending Review.' Kevin Hollinrake, the shadow housing secretary, said: 'We need more houses for people in Britain and we support measures to ensure developers speed up housebuilding. 'But they are adding so many burdens on builders, their targets already seem like a distant memory. And as Rayner has admitted live on air, many of these houses will end up going to migrants.' The senior Conservative added: 'With Labour's open-door border policy, this problem is only going to get worse, not better. And many hardworking Brits will be shut out of the housing market forever. 'In the same week that Angela Rayner has been caught red-handed plotting to raise everyone's taxes, it's clear she doesn't have the interests of working people at heart.'
