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PUBLISHED: 07:54 26 April 2018 | UPDATED: 08:02 26 April 2018 Andrew Hirst Hadleigh Guildhall, home of Hadleigh Town Hall. Picture: GREGG BROWN A Suffolk town’s former deputy mayor has proposed a vote of no confidence in the council he resigned from and which serving members have branded “broken and dysfunctional”. Former Hadleigh councillor Bill Wilson proposed the referendum. Picture: GREGG BROWN Hadleigh’s annual meeting on Tuesday saw Bill Wilson propose a referendum asking all town councillors to resign due to a lack of public confidence. Mr Wilson claimed the motion was passed by public vote, giving Hadleigh Town Council (HTC) 24 hours to inform Babergh District Council (BDC). BDC said it would decide whether the request was valid and if so, a poll would be held in 14-25 working days. The move follows a turbulent period for the council, which needed to bring in mediators after allegations of “bullying”. Mr Wilson, who resigned from … [Read more...] about Calls for resignations and ‘fresh blood’ at ‘dysfunctional’ Suffolk council

Video Garry Collins, head of prevention and protection at Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service Archant Do not try to be a hero - that was the message from emergency services after two people rushed to the aid of a woman who was rescued from the River Wensum in Norwich. The warning comes during Drowning Prevention and Water Safety week, where organisations look to educate people on staying safe around water. And Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service (NFRS) said an incident on Tuesday evening, when two people went to the aid of a woman in the water at the Lady Julian Bridge, highlighted the need for awareness and not putting yourself in danger. It happened at around 6.40pm, close to the Riverside Entertainment complex, when a woman went into the water. Grainne Buckley, who lives nearby, said an adult and a child went in with a life ring to try and help before firefighters pulled the trio to safety. Garry Collins, the head of fire prevention and protection at NFRS, said: “This has been a … [Read more...] about ‘A really near miss’

PUBLISHED: 07:00 26 April 2018 Eleanor Young Elfan Ap Rees has welcomed the introduction of the action area. Sub A plan which will see more than 20,000 homes built across North Somerset has been adopted. North Somerset Council’s Site Allocations Plan (SAP) has now completed the necessary examination process with the Government’s inspector. It was designed to meet the housing shortfall in the area between 2006-2026, with the Government demanding 20,985 homes are built across the 20-year period. The main aim of the plan, as well as to create more housing, is to support and encourage more economic growth in the area. The adoption of the plan will mean it is an official part of future development in the district. Cllr Elfan Ap Rees, whose executive portfolio includes housing, told the council: “It is important it locks in the criteria within North Somerset and it is important we accept it as it will stop people from just simply developing where they like within … [Read more...] about Sites for thousands of homes agreed by North Somerset Council

PUBLISHED: 06:00 26 April 2018 Steve Shaw Running the WHSmith store in Dereham are family members (from left) Chris, Maria, Phil and James Stow. Picture: Ian Burt Archant 2017 One of the newest businesses in the centre of Dereham could close its doors for good after staff revealed that they are struggling to connect with the community. The WH Smith Local on Dereham’s High Street has been open for less than a year but the Stow family, who work full time at the store, have warned that unless residents start using it they could be gone within six weeks. “It is heartbreaking for us,” said Phil Stow, who works alongside his wife Maria and their sons Chris and James. “We sold a house in Kent and chose to come here as we have family in Norfolk but every week our profit is less and less. I know that WH Smith is watching our performance and a number of other big retailers have also been watching Dereham closely. “If we have to close our doors due to lack of … [Read more...] about ‘It is heartbreaking for us’

PUBLISHED: 18:00 25 April 2018 Henry Woodsford The service will run between Weston town centre and Sand Bay. Archant A new bus service has started running between Weston town centre and Sand Bay. First Weston has created the number 1 route following the withdrawal of 100 and 106 services by Crosville Motor Services at the weekend. MORE: New town centre bus service to replace Crosville after firm axes routes. Service 1 will use double decker buses, and First Weston anticipates popular open toppers will be introduced in due course. Operations manager, Chris Hanson, said: “We are very excited to launch service one, continuing the vital link between Sand Bay and Weston and further adding to our expanding network in and around the town. “Sand Bay is an important tourist destination and our range of network tickets will provide much greater flexibility for our customers travelling further afield.” Buses will operate every 60 minutes from Monday to Saturday … [Read more...] about New bus service running in Weston after Crosville axes routes

Updated PUBLISHED: 17:44 25 April 2018 | UPDATED: 22:37 25 April 2018 Emma Knights Hinks Meadow in Taverham. Photo: Google Streetview Google Streetview Travellers who parked up on land in the Taverham area have now left. About 11 caravans moved onto land at Hinks Meadow, off Kingswood Avenue, on Tuesday night and they are believed to be the Travellers that had previously parked up at the site of the former David Rice Hospital, in Drayton High Road, Drayton, on Monday night. A notice on the website of Taverham Parish Council, which oversees Hinks Meadow, said: “The parish council is adhering to protocol to move the travellers from Hinks Meadow as soon as possible.” Norfolk Police said on Wednesday night that the travellers have since moved off the land. Samantha Salmons, clerk of Taverham Parish Council, which oversees Hinks Meadow, said: “The Travellers appear to have come from the former David Rice Hospital site. “They are on the dog walking areas and … [Read more...] about Travellers move on from Hinks Meadow in Taverham

PUBLISHED: 15:37 25 April 2018 | UPDATED: 18:25 25 April 2018 Amy Gibbons Police are appealing for information after a man attempted to abduct two young girls in Black Notley. Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWN Archant Police are calling for witnesses after a man driving a red van attempted to accost two young girls in Black Notley. Police received reports that a van disguised as a Royal Mail vehicle pulled up alongside two girls, both aged under 10, in Mary Ruck Way at around 6.15pm yesterday, Tuesday, April 24. The driver asked the girls to get inside and attempted to drag one of them into the vehicle before the pair managed to run away and raise the alarm. Police conducted a search of the town but were unable to locate the vehicle. The van is described as red with what the victims suggested was an unofficial Royal Mail logo displayed on the side. The man in question is believed to be in his 30s or 40s, with a distinctive tattoo of a skull and crossbones with a red slash across it on … [Read more...] about Man driving fake Royal Mail van attempts to abduct two children in north Essex

One of 20 electrified vehicles that will be introduced by 2025 Free Price Quote From a Local Dealer View Special Offers No Obligation, Fast & Simple Free New Car Quote Change Car Honda may have been one of the first automakers to offer a gasoline-electric hybrid, introducing the original Insight for the 2000 model year, but it hasn’t been as quick to add battery-electric vehicles to its lineup. Even Honda’s lease-only Clarity EV is only available in certain regions of the U.S. But at Auto China 2018, Honda revealed the small crossover that will be its first mass-production EV. Called the Everus EV, the CUV you see here is essentially a concept in name only. Honda says it’s already been approved for production. It won’t, however, be available in the U.S. No, the Everus EV will only be sold in China. It will also be the first vehicle sold under the Everus sub-brand created by Honda and its Chinese partner GAC. Details … [Read more...] about Honda’s First Mass-Production EV Will Be This Chinese-Market Crossover

Volvo said Wednesday that it wants half of its cars to be fully electric by 2025, the next step in its plans for a fully electrified future. The Swedish automaker made its dedication clear at the Beijing auto show this week, where every single car on display was a plug-in hybrid model. Volvo said it plans to position itself as a major player in China to meet its ambitious 2025 goal. Chinese regulations should also help the strategy; the country will mandate that "new-energy vehicles" account for 20 percent of the country’s annual car sales by 2025. That's 7 million vehicles based on current market data. We know the brand has plans to introduce its first battery-electric car in 2019, likely a compact model with at least 250 miles of range. We also know future Volvo electric cars will offer at least two battery-size options. Pricing for the electric car should hover around the $35,000 and $40,000 mark and production is expected to take place in China. From there, two … [Read more...] about Charging ahead: Volvo wants 50 percent of its cars sold to be electric by 2025