Parish News
Shropshire Council Community Governance Review
Shropshire Council are currently undertaking a Community Governance Review of parish councils and have invited proposals for changes to boundaries including the merger of parish councils. The parish councils of Eaton under Heywood and Hope Bowdler (EHBPC) and Rushbury (RPC) have considered the advantages of a merger of these two councils. The conclusions are
- a merged council would be more effective in representing those communities
- the communities represented by the two councils are geographically and social very similar
- a merged council should be more cost effective in delivery of responsibilities
- merger is no threat to local representation
- therefore both councils request Shropshire Council to facilitate a merger.
Both councils agreed to forward the proposal to Shropshire Council at their meetings on 17 October 2022. If Shropshire Council decide to go ahead when it is considered later in 2023 they will undertake formal consultation and will arrange for the consequential changes to be put in place at the election in 2025. The full text of the proposal is available on the attached pdf and there will be opportunity for discussion at our next parish meetings in 2023.
Colin Stevenson, Chairman Rushbury Parish Council
Graham Watts, Chairman Eaton under Heywood and Hope Bowdler Parish Council
Help Finding the Right Support
Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin Falls Emergency Service Pilot Project
STW ICB along with Shropshire and Telford and Wrekin Council have been working together to develop a pilot programme to support people across the county who are at risk of falls, or have fallen and need a response service. Every month around 850 people who have fallen are conveyed to hospital by ambulance but did not all need to be admitted.
This programme aims to prevent people who fall each month from attending the emergency department by providing a first response service to get them up from where they have fallen, ensure they are safe and well and support the person to remain at home if this is best for them. This service will commence at 7am on Monday 6th February and continue until the end of March 2023.
In addition, the programme aims to increase the number of people accessing postural stability (falls prevention) programmes by at least 10% by the end of March 2023, which will improve the health and wellbeing of individuals in our local communities, giving them confidence to live their best life.
The falls response service is connected with 999 and Rapid Response. The decision to divert a 999 “falls call” to the response service is taken through the triage process with 999 and ShropDoc Single Point of Access. It is not a service that can be accessed separately.
However, please see the information below and flyer attached for access to falls prevention and other support activity:
·Elevate Programme run by Energize STW - Elevate classes are designed to improve strength and balance for local people aged 60+, you can find more information and a referral form here: Elevate strength and balance classes | Energize Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin (energizestw.org.uk)
- Functional Fitness MOT’s from Community Resource - Functional Fitness MOTs are programmes to help to reduce the risk of falling for people aged 60 and over. Activities include one-to-one fitness tests measuring strength, balance, flexibility and stamina. There is also information on how to reduce the risk of falling - with a demonstration of how to get up from the floor after a fall – plus a free taster exercise class.
- The Winter Support Service: Residents and those who support people in the community can call the Winter Support Service helpline on 0345 678 9012 to find out more and be referred where appropriate. The phoneline will be open Mondays-Fridays, 9am to 5pm. The service will connect people to a range of support that will assist residents to remain well and independent within their own home, and will also ensure safe and effective discharges home from hospital. Please find more information here: Support service returns to help keep people well this winter - Shropshire Council Newsroom and read the useful leaflet Where to get Help this Winter attached to this email.