E-Newsletter (May 2011)
Fife Gingerbread E-Newsletter (May 2011)
Good morning [FIRSTNAME]!
Hope you had a good Easter. With that out the way there’s not long to go until summer now. Can’t wait!
Last month a number of email issues meant that there wasn’t an e-newsletter for April. We’re back up and running now though and ready to bring you all the news for the month ahead.
It’s set to be a busy month with a couple of Bank Holidays, our big election as well as hopefully lots more of the lovely sun that we’ve been having recently!
So read on to see what’s happening in the month of May...
Take care,
The FifeGingerbread Team
NEWS
STRENGTHENING FAMILIES - THE FUTURE OF CHILD MAINTENANCE
Fife Gingerbread have expressed their dismay at recent government proposals to overhaul the Child Maintenance system. The ‘Strengthening Families and Promoting Parental Responsibility’ green paper, which has recently undergone consultation, includes proposals to charge parents who use the child maintenance service an £100 application fee as well as reducing any money paid through the collection service by up to 12%.
The radical reshaping speaks of both parents taking responsibility for the welfare of their children yet fundamentally it’s still about one parent having care of the child while the other flatly refuses to pay. Under new proposals the parent with care will now have to pay to pursue contribution from the absent parent and then have surcharges and collection fees imposed on both parties. It is difficult to see how these changes strengthen families or have the interests of children at their core.
WHAT WORKS IN TACKLING POVERTY?
The Scottish Government learning network has worked with the Poverty Alliance and Glasgow Caledonian University to publish a collection of case studies demonstrating effective practice in tackling poverty.
Fife Gingerbread have been chosen as an example of good practice for tackling poverty and a case study prepared featuring the great work we do in the community.
SPEAK UP FOR SCOTLAND!
On Thursday 5th May (that's this Thursday!) voters in Fife will be asked to say who they want to represent their views in the Scottish Parliament for the next four years. On the same day, there will be a referendum on the voting system for the UK Parliament. It's really important that you get out there and get your views across. This is your chance to make your opinion heard on things that will affect you so be sure to get out there and vote!
If you need more information visit www.aboutmyvote.co.uk.
SPRING NEWSLETTER OUT!
The Spring edition of our Newsletter came out at the beginning of April. Did you get your copy?
Issue number 34 is packed full of all the things you have come to expect from Fife Gingerbread and contains all the information that's relevant to you.
Our newsletter is sent out free of charge to members and friends of Fife Gingerbread. If you're not already a member then join us for free by emailing your details to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , calling us on 01333 303124 or filling in our online membership form.
COUNCIL TAX REMINDERS
From April 2011, in order to reduce costs, Fife Council are changing the way they recover Council Tax payments that have not been made on time.
Council Tax payments are due on the 1st of each month, unless you pay by Direct Debit when payments are due on either 1st or 15th of each month. If you don’t make your payment on time they will send you an Overdue Notice. You must read this carefully as it advises you of the action you must take and what happens if you don’t.
Fife Council also advise you not to ignore any notices you receive as this may result in you losing your right to pay by instalments and costs being added to your account.
If you have difficulty paying your Council Tax you are advised to phone Fife Council on 08451 55 11 55 or by visiting www.fifedirect.org.uk.
DATABASE OF TRUSTED LOCAL TRADERS
A new trader approval scheme to help consumers choose services such as property maintenance and vehicle sales and maintenance is coming to Fife. As well as benefiting consumers it will also help business who are seeking to provide services in an honest and fair fashion.
Trading Standards staff are currently promoting the scheme to businesses to create a database of firms so that consumers throughout Fife will be able to make informed choices.
They will check that details of ownership, trading names, premises, staffing levels and trade activities of businesses, as detailed in the scheme, are correct. Fife Council does not guarantee that work will be of a high standard, but the standard of work will be judged by customers and fed back to the scheme to be listed on the website.
All businesses must abide by scheme rules and comply with a complaints procedure. Trading Standards will advice businesses on how to join and what they need to do to comply with the scheme. They can be contacted on 01592 583141.
FIFEGINGERBREAD EVENTS IN MAY
· There are no Fife Gingerbread events in May
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
· 2ND May - May Day School Holiday / Early May Spring Bank Holiday
· 5TH May - Scottish Elections (some schools may be shut if they are local polling places)
· 18TH May - Deadline for Summer Edition of Fife Gingerbread's Newsletter
· 30 TH May - Spring Bank Holiday
