Challenges with EHCPs

What are they?

EHCPs or Education Health Care Plans (EHCPs). While traditional Special Education Needs (SEN) funding is met through national funding provided to schools. EHCPs are legally binding provisions that outline additional funding for learners who need further or specific support to allow them the same opportunities to access the education system and to be able to succeed. 

My Experiences:

Having taught a variety of learners in my time as a lecturer over the last several years, I have recognised the challenges facing the student and their parents who are trying to provide the best opportunities for their child and the difficulties of these EHCPs. The premise of these documents is to increase aspirations and support the learners, but to achieve this, the parents often need a great deal of support and have the correct tools to raise their points in meetings. The problem is two factored here often the parent does not necessarily have all of this knowledge readily available to them. Although support is present and schools or relevant professionals can support them, there is a risk that families are falling through the cracks. I have seen learners who have had their EHCPs lapse who then struggle to get the support put in place midway through the year to allow them to succeed, which causes distress and disruption to the families after the best for their children. The other problem is that the young people, whilst the focus of the meeting may have different views from those supporting them. Hence, it is crucial their aspirations, and their parents are reviewed together but noted as distinctly separate to allow for better reflection. This has been done successfully by independent meetings with the young person with a relevant professional.

Challenges facing SEN families:

Whilst an EHCP is a guidance document for the school or college to provide further support for learners, there have been notable variations across different schools nationally, which will reflect the situation within the county. This variation often is one of the leading reasons parents are dissatisfied with the EHCP and, importantly, is where the conversations need to be open and transparent with what the schools can supply, compared to what the child and parents want (Sales and Vincent, 2018). Research by Sales and Vincent (2018) also pointed out that whilst there are certainly challenges facing learners due to the EHCP elements, further training needs in teaching staff as learners progress further through relevant courses and into work.

What a Good Plan does:

The vast majority of plans offer a tool for young people to engage with their peers and the educational system with the support needed to tackle the different barriers they face. That is why good plans are focused on the aspirations and views of both the family and young person. This gives the schools and providers goals to work towards to identify the strategies to help support the learners transitioning to different levels or goals they are striving towards. The long term focus should always be on allowing them to succeed and bringing career support and the local authority into the discussion. Conversations should be had around what all parties want to achieve. The learner can be supported by identifying barriers that may prevent them from reaching their goal and opportunities for alternative routes or solutions to these challenges. The other important step is the accountability facing the individuals involved in recognising what they are responsible for in the process, allowing them to succeed with the resources they need. In rural villages, whilst SEN, provisions can be provided at schools. Having family hubs where the resources come to the parents and families offering this contact point for the changing needs of the young person and offering the opportunity for consistency of a contact point as they grow into young adults.

What I am calling for:

A review of the process that allows for meetings between learning support, teaching staff and families. Whilst also providing an additional meeting with the individual learner to make the process more inclusive to their targets.

A goal setting plan for the learners is to ensure that the learner’s needs are met, and they are supported to achieve their goals and not just meet their provisions.

Better guidance for Academies, Families, Schools, and Trusts so that the process is easily referenced and supported. Although there is some fantastic support already out there, this must be uniformed and equitable. 

Final Remarks:

The EHCP process and challenges facing our young people were just one of the reasons that brought me into politics. As a teacher, more support is needed for families going through this process. It is my view that this also disproportionately affects those in rural villages, such as those in the Cosford division (Narayan and Patnaik, 2020). So whilst this is a problem I have seen whilst teaching in both urban and rural areas, it is a cause I want to continue to push for improvements in. That is why I am calling for your support on the 6th of May as your Conservative County Council Candidate.

https://www.tes.com/news/everything-you-need-know-about-ehcps

https://councilfordisabledchildren.org.uk/sites/default/files/field/attachemnt/EHCP%20Exemplar%20Guide%202017.pdf

Sales, N. and Vincent, K., 2018. Strengths and limitations of the Education, Health and Care plan process from a range of professional and family perspectives. British Journal of Special Education, [online] 45(1), pp.61-80. Available at: <https://nasenjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/1467-8578.12202> [Accessed 25 April 2021].

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/695100/Education_Health_and_Care_plans_-_a_qualitative_investigation.pdf

https://www.thecommunicationtrust.org.uk/media/362437/ctc-8-education_healthcareplans.pdf

Narayan, J. and Patnaik, N., 2020. Inclusive and Special Education Services in Rural Settings. Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Education,.

Resources for families needing support:

https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/topics/education/extra-help-at-school/england/ehc-assessment

https://www.ipsea.org.uk/pages/category/education-health-and-care-plans

https://www.valuingminds.com/education-health-care-plans-ehcp/

https://www.sen-help.org.uk/the-system/ehc-plans/

Fraud and Scams Continued

This article follows on from Mondays report and addresses five further types of fraud as well as some tips of how to safeguard yourself.

So what are they: Pension, Advance fee , Courier, Safe Account and Invoice Scams.

Pension scams:

Now starting with pension scams these will often begin targeting you after you have reached the age of 55 where scammers will be aiming to take advantage of your pension pot as you begin to think more about your retirement. Now as with other forms of fraud and scams they will try to make the offer too good to be true they will ask you to release either all of your pension or part of your pension to invest in a scheme that is a sure thing. These vary from projects which look good and paper and which may come with detailed research notes. Now alongside the financial information they may try to pass themselves as more legitimate by claiming to be regulated by the FCA or not needing to be. Now as with everything do your research see if the company is regulated and mentioned by other sites which are reputable and not simply promoted by a means that the scammer can use illegitimately such as bot reviews.

Advance Fee:

Advance fee scams can vary from finders fees for a particular product or service where there is a big reward or potential payout for the individual. Sometimes this will be for a competition that the individual has not entered. Or they can be opportunities where the individual can access a pot of money either from a bank account, lottery scheme or government organisation. This hasn’t however stopped criminals impersonating companies such as how you can make money from home with flexible hours or there is a new business opportunity which you can explore. Remember to consult other organisations to make sure that an opportunity which is either too good to be true is genuine or something you need to avoid. If it is a business opportunity make sure that they do not have the markers of being a scam such as they have a full street address not just a mail box. Any business decision outside of a start up which requires you to put money up front without mutual risk or sharing of accounts informations should raise a red flag and something which you should be hesitant of. If it is a high risk venture either in business or for a competition it would also be prudent to get someone with legal knowledge to look at the contract.

Courier Fraud:

Now courier fraud is where a fraudster will impersonate the police or other official. The main aim which they are trying to convince the victim of is that they have evidence of a fraud and they need the victims money to effectively ensure they can secure evidence against a criminal. This can also be capitalised on if it was a well known case that the criminals are going to use and reference and encourage peoples trust because of how the case being documented in the press. Be aware they can do this in person and over the phone. Now be aware that a bank will never ask for your key information such as personal details or pin if this is the case hang up and call your bank back. They can potentially still be on the line and therefore you should either call from an alternative phone or wait for around ten minutes to call your bank. If someone is at your door never give up your debit card the only place this is ever suitable is at the bank.

Safe Account Scam:

Now this can start with a fraudster telling a victim they have won a reward and that they need to confirm their eligibility with full name, address, and bank details. What then can happen is the person is called again and advised they were part of a scam and that they have had money taken from their account. They will do this by falsely acting as a crime agency or the police. They will then ask the victim to transfer money into a safe account so that her savings are not all in one place. Now banks have protocols in place to try to prevent this but this is often only when this is out of character for the individual. Now it is likely fraudsters will reduce the amounts that they try to defraud out of victims to avoid these protocols. Now the protocols may also not kick in before a crime has been committed and the banks although under pressure to change systems to protect victims are still not regulated sufficiently to facilitate this. Therefore it still falls on the victim to place safeguard measures in place over the organisations.

Invoice Fraud:

Now invoice scams involve customer details being obtained following a phishing scam targeted against an employee. Once they gain access to the system they are then able to send emails to the clients with a falsified invoice. Now companies are often quick to both notice these breaches and to act accordingly however this does not mean that the clients data will not have already been used. Regrettably this points to the fact that emails are quickly becoming the effective medium for fraud and any sudden changes need to be treated cautiously and it is always best to contact the organisation directly.

https://www.fca.org.uk/scamsmart/how-avoid-pension-scams

https://www.thepensionsregulator.gov.uk/en/pension-scams

https://www.stpaulschambers.com/types-of-advance-fee-scams/

https://www.actionfraud.police.uk/a-z-of-fraud/courier-fraud

https://www.saga.co.uk/magazine/money/spending/consumer-rights/scams/what-is-the-courier-fraud-scam

https://www.which.co.uk/news/2020/06/scammers-pose-as-the-national-crime-agency-to-steal-30000-from-lloyds-customer/

https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/email-invoice-scam-is-conning-thousands-in-the-uk_uk_571884d7e4b06e37a847722f

Care homes and Social Services

An Introduction:

Care homes and social services are a lifeline for many families and vulnerable residents. The care system is facing its fair share of challenges and with an ageing population, this is unlikely to be resolved. The industry like any other has obstacles to overcome and the question I aim to seek the answers to are what these obstacles are and how do we overcome them.

The Challenges:

So first of all what are the challenges facing the care sector; finding staff to fill its vacancies, financial penalties, changes to regulation and increasing care needs.

Antonia’s Law:

What can be done to resolve some of these issues and where are the changes needed most we need to recognise the barriers creating by these challenges and think of workable solutions. On top of this, we do not just have to be made aware of the challenges facing the care system but its residents as well. It is crucial that we take the approach to but resident care and well being at the forefront of any improvements or changes made. It is at this point that I want to address the campaign by Tony Stowell “Antonia’s Law” his campaign has gained so much traction not only because of the abuse it is attempting to curtail. This campaign does not place an additional burden on the institutions with the cost it merely allows families to be able to place additional measures into care home facilities to offer protection for their family this can be nanny cams, additional CCTV provisions or the likes of smart home devices such as google home or Alexa units. This is the least we can do and the nature of the campaign has no consequences for staff unless they are committing abuse of residents as with other areas of the public sector where this could be applied should make the environment safer for staff and residents. It will allow the families to know the challenges befalling the staff looking after their relative which would then allow staff to highlight challenges for them. So why is it necessary we have seen a rise in care home abuse over the past number of years Tony’s own accounts ranged from neglect where residents leave the facility which put them at a greater risk of harm befalling them whether through lack of resources, staff or time. He has also highlighted deliberate abuse in care homes by staff which do not convey the hard work and effort put in by so many staff members they do their sector a disservice. So what signs can you look out for in your relative’s sudden changes or gains in weight, your relative may become reclusive or avoiding social interaction, and is unable to do activities that are related to what they enjoy. Some other clear signs may be a generally unhygienic environment, malnutrition or dehydration and recognisable lack of independent aids provided such as sensory needs, that do not relate to their needs. This is also reflective outside of the care sector in other areas such as education.

The Challenge:

So what factors have added to pressures for the sector now although councils have increased funding for the sector, the level of need for residents is continuing to increase and although the ambition is to allow residents to stay at home for as long as possible this is not always an option. We must ensure that all organisations public or private that are receiving contracts to care for residents or generally serving the community are providing the needed care. Now whilst social care is funded by a council precept the challenge here for residents of care homes and their families is that cost for care homes are also likely to increase as staffing costs grow. Now care homes should not use loopholes in current systems to avoid paying staff full wages for their complete shifts. In the news recently we have seen the employer gain in favour of staff for workers that work overnight shifts. Now in this particular example, it will lend to staff either arguably working a full shift for no pay or to cut the quality of care they provide. This could likely lead to staff leaving the sector to seek better pay conditions. Now the employers are then faced with the challenge to increase bills for relatives or increase the cost for the taxpayer. Now we can ensure that staff are deployed to the areas of greatest need and investing in keeping residents at home for as long as possible to provide them with the comfort of their household will ensure resources can be more sustainably spent. One particular area is technology wearable sensors, activity trackers with features that trigger an alert if activated this is something that is already being invested in and likely will support the sector. With this investment in technology, we can consolidate our resources to work to prevent the level of care needs being necessary at an early stage.

Conclusion:

The issues facing care home staff and residents are an area that we all must safeguard, support and scrutinise. To ensure staff have suitable resources and facilities as well residents get quality care and independence. A follow up piece will be issued with proposed solutions and opportunities for the sector.

https://www.caitlin-morgan.com/the-current-challenges-facing-nursing-homes/

https://www.nice.org.uk/news/article/be-aware-of-the-signs-of-abuse-and-neglect-in-adult-care-homes-says-nice

https://www.suffolk.gov.uk/assets/council-and-democracy/our-aims-and-transformation-programmes/suffolk-county-council-business-plan-2021-2022.pdf

https://www.accessandmobilityprofessional.com/tech-to-revolutionise-new-normal-of-social-care/

http://www.iproscube.com/images/pdf/Tackling_the_Challenges_Facing_Care_Homes_Release.pdf

https://www.dlapiper.com/en/uk/insights/publications/2017/02/an-age-old-problem-the-collapse-of-care-homes/

https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2020/08/care-sector-challenges-covid-19-oecd-report/

https://pureadmin.qub.ac.uk/ws/portalfiles/portal/141504509/NOP_Care_Home_Challenges_Context_Accepted_Manuscipt.pdf

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IgNDNg-0iZg video following conversations with Tony Stowell.

Community Activism: My Thoughts and Perspectives

We have arguably never seen a greater call for volunteer support of community initiatives during this pandemic. We have seen countless people from a range of walks of life help their community out. They have contributed to the efforts against the coronavirus by helping man the test and trace centres and answering the call to jab back to normal. With the added pressure that these projects would have had on the front line national health service, we likely would not have seen such a successful role out. Now the altruism shown by these individuals is both something that should be hugely admired and appreciated. This has also shown us the strength of our communities. These volunteers underwent training programs and joined the front line alongside other key workers, our health care staff, teachers, police, firefighters, and the various other professions that have worked through the pandemic. Over the weekend, I was reminded again of the importance of activism within our local community. In this article, I want to highlight why we must celebrate the communities we build, whether online social networks, local groups and projects, or acts of individual activism.

Now, litter picks have been able to continue due to the ability to socially distance yet still achieve the group’s goals. We, as volunteers, were suitably guided through the event we arrived at Hitcham Village Hall car park. We then selected our routes around the village and were given our equipment so that the small group of around a dozen volunteers could cover the village itself and then return to the Village Hall following the hours’ activity. My route paralleled other volunteers alongside the community play area and finishing at the parish church. Many of us easily fill a bag load of rubbish with discarded items that had drifted into hedgerows off the footpath and roads. When I met up with fellow volunteers, the largest item we encountered was parts left over from a damaged car and discarded traffic cones. The general openness and pride that these volunteers had in their local area were echoed in new and established residents I was happy to do my small bit to contribute.

This wants to contribute lead to my reason to get into the educational sector prompting me to help the next generation of young people in the land-based field to not only grow but to develop within their local areas. I noticed through my years of teaching that whilst in my day job I was helping the next generation take their next steps in their careers the current processes that were in place were the same ones that I had dealt with when I was moving into higher education. Being the first member of my household to go to university my parents did not have all the answers and the schools had more general advice and this started me thinking about what more could be done. I set up a small group to support graduates and offer advice to college students sharing jobs in the local economy as well as informing them about internships and scholarships. This was because in my experience the reason many applicants are not aware of these resources is because of a lack of information whether that is about additional opportunities or more general knowledge about the next steps after their compulsory education ends. Now, whilst this group could solve some of the problems I became aware of other impacts such as learners leaving Suffolk to pursue careers and study away from the county as well as making sure that the strong support systems which were in place for learners were actually getting to those that were needed. This I could not resolve solely as a teacher as it involved working with various stakeholders from across different industries and specialisms now it has always been my view that you build progress through hard work and opportunity. This drew me to stand for the County Council so I could not only work to continue to improve our educational sector but also ensure that our communities grow with the next generation and are not left behind. I was proud to be selected to stand as the Conservative Candidate for Cosford as the rural communities that have such a significant heritage and sense of belonging deserve a candidate who will make sure that our community has the tools to succeed at whatever stage of life they are. My commitment to you is to build on the strong community spirit and pride in Cosford’s heritage. This is something at the heart of the Conservative Manifesto which is our promise to you to build back, stronger, better, and greener. So on the 6th of May, I ask that you vote to elect me, Jordon Millward as your County Councillor.

Locally Tackling Pet Theft What Can We Do?

We all recognize that Pet Theft is sweeping across our United Kingdom and in Suffolk, we are equally as afflicted by this rise in crime as other counties. This report will be following on from my conversation with Suffolks Police and Crime Commissioner Tim Passmore.

Tim as an avid dog owner and lover was very open about the impacts on Pet Owners across the county. Now in Suffolk, we have eighteen reported cases of Dog Thefts. This is a clear distinction which we need to make as cases are reported as Thefts not as specific crimes. Now as I spoke to Tim he expressed his views candidly about how “Adhorrent the crime is and how it affects owners like a child being taken from them”.

The importance to remember here was that local constabularies are obligated to record the crime as a possession theft as they are recorded as an object first. Tim makes the clear point that the animal is a living being and it is my view that we should rightly view them as such this links back to Animal Welfare Sentencing reform which would recognize a greater severity for sentencing guidelines. We still have work to do in this area as we need to apply this sentence in my view to a specific act of UK law. Now whilst Suffolk Constabulary records these thefts as both traditional item theft and pet thefts is certainly useful in tackling this crime. It is also where we must recognize not only the distress that this has caused on owners but also on how wider implications of sentencing could be applied against those that commit these offenses.

Presently the UK like other countries applies sentences in a discounted way where the crimes will have been recorded but the time they have served will be served concurrently or at the same time as the first sentence. Rather than a cumulative approach where if the offender commits a series of offenses the sentences do not sequentially add on to each other. Now in the UK, we have three specific types of sentencing Suspended sentences where the duration is less than a year this is often how Pet Theft is dealt with nationally which also highlights the need for reform. The aim would be to push for a Determinate sentence were unlike the suspended sentence where the sentence is held unless the guilty party reoffends a determinate sentence sees half of the offender’s sentence in prison and half in the community. This is where the probationary sentence comes into account and ensures that the guilty party does not re-offend. Indeterminate sentences are used to identify where the courts can use their powers to determine a minimum imposed sentence which could be used where you have a repeat offender or when the individual is linked to organized crime.

Now Tim highlights that the maximum sentence for theft is up to seven years but this does not mean that the judiciary has to sentence up to this amount and the guidance for the courts may be tied from using tougher sentences. Now why is this the case, one area is culpability is an area that should be reflected on in a specific act because although this relates to the planning and coordination of the theft. Guidelines then have to further examine the level of harm to an individual now this form of measurement is a subjective matter and should not necessarily be applied in this way. If the animal itself was recognized as having harm applied to it by recognizing the conditions or impact on it and the distress to owner or keeper in a way that is more referencable to the courts this could likely lead to tougher sentences. We went on to discuss the importance of the Animal Welfare Sentencing Bill both its importance and significance as a way to develop specific and tougher sentences but also as a way to build on changes brought in at a later stage.

In terms of trends, Tim says that present data does not trend to any particular breed but as always high demand or popular breeds can be easier targets as the criminals are aware they can move them on easier. Now from this, I draw the conclusion that they are also aware of how much these popular breeds fetch online and as a result the value of the breed specifically. Whereas we could draw from this less well-known breeds may not be as identifiable and whilst we certainly should not let our guard down as dogs are stolen for a variety of reasons where we must be vigilant to protect our precious pets. There is no evidence as of yet to suggest that breeds are stolen to order and therefore business owners should remain vigilant of their risk to theft but they are at no greater risk of opportunistic thieves than the general public. Now building on my previous article Tim points out that whilst these thieves are stealing pets from gardens as well as kennels they have a variety of methods and are not deterred from entering a house to steal a litter of puppies. Now, this highlights ways you can reduce the risk of break-ins by methods such as alarm systems which must be armed, CCTV, robust locks, and not advertising any litters of puppies or kittens which may attract opportunistic thieves. One area which Tim points out that we have not spoken about is how something which may not be outrightly suspicious may be a tool for criminal groups using distraction theft to talk to the owner and cause someone to let their guard down and allow someone to abduct their pet.

https://www.law.ox.ac.uk/centres-institutes/centre-criminology/blog/2016/01/more-one-crime-sentencing-multiple-offences

https://www.lawtonslaw.co.uk/resources/sentencing/

https://www.sentencingcouncil.org.uk/offences/crown-court/item/theft-general/

https://www.sentencingcouncil.org.uk/offences/magistrates-court/item/theft-general/

Aspirations for Animal Welfare Reform a Summary

In this article, I want to touch on what elements of Animal Welfare reform that we should be advocating for, covering farm, and companion animals.

So when we look at Welfare Reform we need to recognise a suitable comparison between our laws and other countries which arguably have a better welfare standard then we do. Looking at the Swiss and Austrian systems. In the UK with our five animal welfare needs are the standards that we must hold people to account for the abuse of animals.

So what are these needs: Need for a suitable environment, Need for a suitable diet, Need to be able to exhibit normal behaviour patterns. Need to be housed with, or apart, from other animals and the Need to be protected from pain, suffering, injury and disease. These needs allow us to recognise the basic rights of the animal and what they require to be able to exist. This is furthered by are they able to meet the basic requirement of life as well as limiting suffering on the animal to ensure that they can behave in a normal way preventing abnormal behaviours which cause acute and prolonged suffering.

Now in terms of points where we can go further with Swiss and Austrian law provisions about freedom of an animals movement which could be arguably a move to prevent intensive farming in particular pigs who are kept in farrowing crates. This freedom of movement would protect them from a number of points that cause behaviour concerns and problems due to confinement. Now in intensive farming, it is arguable that whilst some farmers would argue confinement is necessary for the production of the animal associated products. Yet whilst Austria does still have clauses for this to allow farmers to use a form of confinement for safety reasons such as farrowing (when the sow has piglets) but generally speaking these limitations are vastly limited. Now carrying on with the farming point poultry are still getting the beaks trimmed which is a known area of suffering. The same arguably in areas that look at keeping calves with the heifer this is still recognisable as a form of suffering for the calf but it is something that can still be practiced. Both the Swiss and Austrian laws also mandate that they must see and be exposed to human interaction if it is deemed necessary. The three countries also recognise the need for animals to have suitable light exposure now all three make particular points for livestock with regards to light and this is something which is rightly protected. The other contentious issue is the exemption around religious slaughter many argue that any form of unnecessary suffering is overtly wrong. However, they specify that stunning is then done immediately following the ceremonious slaughter. This is something that is not required in other laws but does offer a way to protect the animal from prolonged suffering and although limiting the suffering further should be a goal this is a step in the right direction and easier to achieve than an outright ban. Laws around suffering looking particularly at pain and pain-causing circumstances as well as offering protection to selective invertebrates such as crustaceans and squid species. Now one area which certainly ranks lower across the board is animals used for draught and recreation which I will revisit in a later article.

In terms of the companion animal point, all three countries roughly meet the same standard of companion animal welfare. The main criticisms of all the items of legislation are as follows; Austria requires breeders to have a license to breed animals this would be something that if regulated correctly would reduce the advertising, of mass-produced litters and regulate the sale of young animals and banning on sales of animals. All of these limit the distribution of animals and would make criminal exploitation of these animals more difficult. This is something the Swiss and UK laws do not yet facilitate. UK provisions against mutilations for animals used in breeding is far more safeguarded in the UK which is a benefit to the animals as a whole. All countries arguably need to review how we control stray animal populations whether that be in the UK looking at how we rehouse animals that have been abandoned or in mitigating cat populations impact on wildlife. In the UK we arguably need to address the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 which is disputed globally as a poor method for protecting public safety and not euthanising animals unnecessary. All countries were also suggested to encourage a more sustainable pet ownership mechanism.

Now, this is only an introduction which is something which I aim to look at each point more specifically to revise a more apt system to protect our animals. We certainly should do more and elements of these laws can protect are animals from abuse which should then coincide with animal welfare legislation. Now this works is likely to make a series rather than a sole article which I will look at over the latter weeks. Please do look at https://api.worldanimalprotection.org to investigate which countries have stronger laws.

https://www.blv.admin.ch/blv/en/home/tiere/tierschutz.html

https://www.rspca.org.uk/whatwedo/endcruelty/changingthelaw/whatwechanged/animalwelfareact

https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/animal-welfare_how-well-are-swiss-animals-protected-/45489148

https://www.loc.gov/law/help/religious-slaughter/europe.php#switzerland

https://thehumaneleague.org.uk/article/why-welfare

https://www.alaw.org.uk/the-law-as-a-driving-force-for-animal-welfare-reform/

https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/228468611.pdf

https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/animals-and-livestock/animal-welfare/issues-paper

Higher Education during Lockdown

From the start of the UK lockdowns, we have seen the impact that the changes to our everyday lives have on our younger generation. Now we have a light at the end of the tunnel with our vaccination program, giving us a sense of light at the end of the tunnel. Before we get to this point, we need to recognise the impacts this unprecedented time has had. Like other sectors, universities have tried to adapt to this different world, but, in the process, have had a terrible impact on a generation. Now, whilst calls for partial refunds of tuition fees have been made mainly because of the change to the delivery of taught content, most of these are tied in with the experience.

During the pandemic, a university cannot replicate the feel and broader experience of physical campus life. However, whilst I empathise with learners on this point and when I think back to my own experiences at university and how different this would be in a virtual sense. I agree that reducing the fees to that of the Open University would be a suitable adjustment. Some universities are likely to argue that their name is expected to carry more weight than online universities' comparable course. Yet whilst for physical universities and online universities share different ranks in the league table. The only university that could argue for higher fees is the likes of UCL ranking in the top 10 nationally and online. This is also why universities' long-term ranking needs to be reflected in their costs, needs to be differentiated not remaining as they currently are. This is not likely to change in time to correct this problem though

Now I am calling for changes to be made as there is undoubtedly a justification. However, if the learners are being provided with the same standard of lesson delivery or as close as reasonably practical, the tuition fees may not be the place to target. Now, why do I say this?

The tuition fees are linked to the course content, course delivery and assessments. On the other hand, the maintenance loan pays for accommodation, which is related more to the learners' experience. If the learner was told whether they would be facing the possibility of online learning, they might have chosen the course. Still, they would of likely preferred different accommodation or facilities, choosing private rent or staying at home.

Now using the Office for Students guidelines: the universities are expected to provide access to resources and facilities for the learners, which is why university accommodation has the exception of having accommodation open and continuing to charge learners. As with my suggestion above for a tuition fee discount as the government has stated, unless the university has informed you about "that you should return for in-person teaching", you should stay at home. Therefore, the cost of this should be on the university as it would be unreasonable to expect students that should stay at home to pay for the use of multiple dwellings. Equally, additional restrictions within "flats" should not be further impeded. Although the government has issued further guidance, it does not state that households should also be limited, which is what the flat student bubble should be classified as.

In my view, to summarise the current situation suitably justifies a reduction in tuition fees to that of the Open University's likes at £6000. This money should go to the student as a rebate or grant. If it is refunded to student finance directly, it will both cause an increased cost due to adjusting the student finance system and have no practical benefit to the learner. It should be treated more similarly to the hardship funds which most universities have set up to help those in financial difficulties. In terms of their accommodation, it is my view for the lockdown duration, and their accommodation cost should be frozen. Until the "experience" can be returned to a sense of normalcy, a discount could also be offered not for a full reduction but to recognise the learners' change in circumstances.

https://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/league-tables/rankings

https://www.distancelearningportal.com/articles/294/10-top-uk-universities-ideal-for-distance-learning.html

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/education/education-news/coronavirus-university-tuition-fees-refund-b1724308.html

https://officeforstudents.org.uk/for-students/student-guide-to-coronavirus/returning-to-university-in-2021/

https://www.universityworldnews.com/post.php?story=2020081313184272

https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/coronavirus/student-mental-health-during-coronavirus/

Lockdown Rents for Students

The three lockdowns that the UK has faced have arguably had one of the more long-term impacts on today's youth. Many of them are going to not only be the ones who are facing challenges now but based on the average research timeline following a significant national challenge like the Financial crisis or the present Covid crisis. We will not likely see the real impact for approximately five to ten years.

While my previous articles have focused on farmers' mental health this week, I intend to look at how to support learners. Now yesterday, I was listening to a podcast, MoneyBox looking at significantly how students have been affected by lockdown rents. The investigation found that students are still largely paying excessive rent charges as they cannot live in their rental properties due to government guidance, which aims to reduce the spread of Covid. However, the government advises restricting none essential travel, particularly where individuals can still access their educational material from home. Whilst many argue closing universities was the correct course of action, it should not be at the learner's expense. Now universities and landlords have costs that need covering, and aspects of the maintenance grant would traditionally cover these costs. However, taking particular universities such as those in Cambridgeshire and London, the maintenance loan will not cover the accommodation expense without the injection of funds from part-time work. Now part-time jobs are few and far between due to a decrease in traditional work being available for students and young people. This impasse between the universities costs and the students being unable to use the service leads to increased stress. However, this should not be solely the burden of our youth. Yes, the cost needs to be covered, which is what business relief and support have been designed specifically for. Many initially display a lack of sympathy for students as the maintenance loan is generally seen as being for their accommodation, so some would argue why their accommodation providers should be subsided when that is what the loan is for? My view of this is that as with the MoneyBox guests who suggested using a common form of contract law to frustrate the contract, this is not possible in this case. The reason is although the government have strongly advised against travel to educational sites, they have not outright made it unlawful for students to use their accommodation. This makes the frustration of a contract challenging to argue. However, it still leaves the student paying the bill. Although the present student loan system is not a debt in the traditional sense, additional costs for the accommodation may come from the learner, which must not happen.

A possible solution would be to refund the student the cost of their accommodation which could either be designed to be returned to the student loan company or the student directly. Although some learners will still need support with their education, this solution may not be financially viable from a government perspective. If the money is refunded to the students, they would not be baring the accommodation cost they cannot reasonably use. One area that certainly can be followed is shoring up universities, and landlords should follow the same framework a particular discount plan or refund supported by the Office for Students in a way that covers essential costs for the university and reimburses the students. This week I will be looking at further impacts on learners during the lockdown and, like with this article focusing on particular points, which I will summarise in a Vlog on Thursday.

Covid-19 Vaccination

The Vaccine roll out:

Now the UK has had the most successful vaccine roll out in Europe we also rank the highest in the top three countries globally. With only Israel and the UAE ranking above us globally. Now both of these countries have taken advantage of their extensive logistical networks. These networks have enabled smooth delivery of vaccines sourcing and funding of these crucial items of medicine and streamlined delivery. Now the UK’s efforts have had several notable key players or factors which has contributed to its success. The part which our NHS has played in battling the virus as well as the vast amount of volunteers who have signed up to support the vaccine rollout allowing us to administer the vaccines. Now as with many articles which have given credit to the works that the government had done with the procurement of vaccines. The country took a risk by not joining the EU scheme and took steps to set up its own procurement scheme both funding and signing unto multiple companies programs. This could have been highly problematic we could have spent a lot of taxpayer money on failed schemes which may have yielded nothing. However, by doing this the government was able to ensure access to the vaccines by giving the companies a commitment to their product. Other schemes which did not provide the same guarantee fell into an issue with this. 

The Vaccine:

Now the vaccines themselves are an innovation in both their design and speed of development. Now truly this innovative process has the potential to be used in other areas of medicine but the fact that the sector has now created a new system which expands on traditional processes. Whereas vaccines traditionally used dead or weak viruses. Now, this innovation introduces a cultured antigen into a delivery system often yeast or bacteria. This takes advantage of the growth characteristics of these types of molecule. Once cultured they then go through a purifying process making them safe. With any scientific achievement, there are always steps to continue to innovate with the mRNA that is the processing time between different virus proteins. AI drug development could be one particular area which could possibly see us be able to innovate this process identifying discrepancies faster than what conventional science can.

Travel and Passports:

With the good news, this will undoubtedly bring too many some will now start thinking about travel. Now one thing that has been discussed regularly is the feasibility or indeed likelihood of a vaccine passport as many people are thinking about how or even if countries have protocols in place for vaccination against diseases. Yellow Fever is one particular disease which is regularly vaccinated against as is hepatitis. Now whilst holidays will likely return there is a possibility that this will only be possible with covid passports of some description. We are already seeing that a mandatory isolation period is being brought into protecting citizens from 33 high-risk countries with variants of the covid virus. However, at this point whilst we are likely to see some form of testing for covid and a return of travel corridors until it is known if vaccines will prevent the spread of the virus. The reason testing may be the likely first step is to allow travel for those under 50 who have not been able to be vaccinated to travel and will likely be the result of lobbying by travel companies. For anyone who wants written proof of the vaccine, they can obtain this from GPs for a small fee. Although companies have not outright suggested a further restriction on those travelling it is too early to tell what this could look like but for those with existing bookings, I would ensure you have suitable travel insurance and re-read your holiday providers policies. The articles at the bottom of this article provide a reference for vaccines needed in each country as well as possible restrictions for travel.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/carolineseydel/2020/12/02/the-new-coronavirus-vaccine-is-changing-the-future-of-medicine/

https://www.forbes.com/sites/bernardmarr/2020/04/03/9-future-predictions-for-a-post-coronavirus-world/

https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2020/08/future-of-cities-covid-19/

https://www.msn.com/en-ae/news/other/covid-19-vaccine-uae-israel-top-2-countries-in-giving-jabs/ar-BB1cwt8v 

https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/1392795/Andrew-neil-nicola-sturgeon-coronavirus-vaccine-scotland-covid-boris-johnson-eu

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jul/10/uk-poised-to-shun-eu-coronavirus-vaccine-scheme

https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/cost-effectiveness-methodology-for-vaccination-programmes

https://www.information-age.com/hidden-procurement-hurdles-between-us-successful-vaccination-123493396/

https://www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/statistical-work-areas/covid-19-vaccinations/

https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/uknews/covid-news-live-hotel-quarantine-set-to-begin-as-pm-claims-england-has-hit-vaccine-target/ar-BB1dFwDP?MSCC=1604407396 

https://www.which.co.uk/news/2021/02/will-i-need-a-coronavirus-vaccine-to-fly-or-travel-in-2021/

https://travelvaccination.co.uk/recommended-vaccinations/

Mental Health in Farming

With my articles over the last week, I have played close attention to Mental Health and specifically the impacts on isolation. Now, something which I want to focus on is isolated sectors in rural Suffolk. The isolated primary industry is that of farming. Agriculture is both an industry which has given me a great deal of opportunity and experiences.

Still, I would be remised if I said that you did not notice the effects of being disconnected from many outside of your farm. Now my experience was only brief, often seeing and visiting many farms which Faccenda Foods had ownership of or were contracting out their growing of broiler chickens. Now, although many of my experiences was visiting a variety of farms from large industrial sites with bungalows or living areas for the manager as well as maybe an assistant on-site, this was not often the case for smaller farms where the need for a second staff member on-site was not as justified fiscally. Now the farmers often had family members on the site where their kids and spouse often worked or studied offsite. The farmer primarily stayed on-site for the crop's duration, taking the odd day off throughout the six to seven-week cycle. When off relief staff would work on-site by travelling from other areas to cover the staff member temporarily, and when the site was being prepared for the next crop they would often take the opportunity to holiday away from the site. This chance to leave the area is usually not possible on the traditional farming business. When the land is not working or being prepared for work, it still needs management or other maintenance. Therefore this leaves the farmers working tirelessly for our communities year-round which is both a service and calling which many would not trade.

Now farming is quoted as having one of the worst safety records, which is exaggerated by the number of time farmers spend working in isolation. The larger farms will often see collaboration between owner and employee or generally between generations. Smaller sites are may be unable to justify offering work outside the family and if there is no one within the household to assist then the work can be more isolating. The long hours in the fields tied with the many hats they have to wear; mechanic, accountant, weatherman, and engineer. Now when your livelihood and to an extent your history is deeply rooted in your land, the looming financial uncertainty is a deep concern. With the risks around changes to income and direct payments changes looming post-Brexit, the stress can be too much for those with no one to talk again. This is why the work that charities such as YANA do is so valuable and the results of educators like myself to highlight these groups to the next generation is critical. The Mind Your Head campaign, which I will discuss later this week, needs to be shared and continually championed. After all, although we see shifts in our habits or dietary preferences and sometimes are attitudes, we need to remember the differences in our communities highlight them and ensure that we all continue to move forward together. 

Your County Council Candidate

Working for Communities and the Environment

Jordon Millward has been selected to stand as the Conservative candidate for the Cosford Division in next May’s County Council elections. 

Jordon’s passion for animals and the environment led him to study for his undergraduate degree at Harper Adams University. He now teaches in colleges in Suffolk to pass on this knowledge and passion to the next generation.  

His experience has helped him understand what it means to live and work in the countryside and the needs of rural communities. His time studying and working has informed his understanding of the balance between nature and the needs of the agricultural and rural communities.  

Jordon is committed to ensuring that the next generation has a strong community connection to the land and the opportunity to thrive. As your County councillor, he will advocate on your behalf for strong educational provision, for an environment which is there for current and future generations, and for an economy which can support them.

Farming for the Future

Together we need to ensure that our rural landscape is fit for tomorrow and today.  As your councillor, Jordon will work with farmers, landowners and countryside groups to ensure that our countryside continues to prosper and provide a biodiverse haven for wildlife for future generations. With his experience in the sector, Jordon will champion the work of the farmers, and support young people entering the industry including through promoting opportunities in our valuable County Council farms and estates.

A Voice for the Next Generation

It is crucial that we continue to develop educational provision in our communities.  As your councillor, Jordon will be the voice for the next generation ensuring that young people of all abilities have the facilities and opportunities to thrive that they need. Jordon already works with schools and colleges on how to meet the needs of students with SEND.

SUFFOLK CONSERVATIVES HAVE DELIVERED

Suffolk County Council’s Conservative Administration has led the county’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic, protecting our most vulnerable residents during lockdown. 

We have balanced sound financial management with caring for our most vulnerable residents – an approach that is needed more than ever in these unprecedented times.

 Working with partners, we ran the successful Home But Not Alone phoneline and sourced and distributed PPE when it was in short supply.

 We set up the Suffolk Advice and Support Line helping families facing hardship with debt advice, as well as with food and fuel vouchers, paying utility bills, buying school uniform, covering rent arrears and more. Call: 0800 068 3131 (weekdays 9am – 5pm)

Suffolk Conservatives lead the campaign on Climate Change with our promise to make the Council’s carbon neutral by 2030. We will plant over 100,000 trees, including healing woods in memory of those who died from Covid19, and will fund and promote town and village projects supporting local wildlife and biodiversity.

Between 2017 and 2021 we will have spent over £1billion caring for our most vulnerable children and adults. We are spending £45m building 800 school places for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities, with 200 places opened this year and three new SEND schools opening in the next two years.

We will set up a network of Family Hubs for children and young people aged 0-19 and their families. 

Biodiversity is the World Now Waking Up

With the recent Biodiversity summit addressing the needs of wildlife are we finally waking up to Natures needs? Alternatively, is this another global initiative where we sign up to different arbitrary targets which the countries of the world will not meet?

We are aware of our fundamental need to understand nature from an academic point of view preparing the next generation of scholars to conserve our natural world, helping us address how to live with it. When linking this to other academic disciplines such as agriculture and food production, we have to understand how we both produce the resources we need sustainably. However, what do we need from nature other than what we produce, such as; the living and non-living environment.

A leading issue, however, is although many of us are becoming increasingly aware of our impact on nature, we need to do more seventy-five percent of the Earth's surface has been directly affected by human needs and endeavours leaving nature only small pockets of unaffected areas left. Many scientists argue to this degree that we are in the next mass extinction of our planet. Once an exceedingly large number of the world's animals and plants have gone extinct in short succession, this has led to the classification of a Mass Extinction. The planet has already gone through five, and we are arguably in the sixth due to human impacts. The question then that the UN biodiversity report aims to prevent is the rapid extinction of many of these species within the next decade.

Now, why is this fundamentally we do not live sustainably within the environment you only have to look at recent events such as starting to move toward a low plastic world but then once face-masks became the norm an equally damaging incarnation replaced the old litter. Often the lack of care taken for our planet will vary well have far-reaching impacts if we do not have the care to act soon, and this varies from the individual citizen to the large corporations. Now alongside a duty of stewardship for our planet, we have to reflect on both trends which are impacting the Earth the loss of forests as well as valuable topsoil due to desertification and deforestation. This accompanied with 2020s most talked about crisis the coronavirus has highlighted how interconnected we are to the fragile ecosystems of the world, and we ignore the signs at our peril. By often trading in exotic animals and low standards of biosecurity and welfare, we increase the risk of zoonoses and disease emergence.

Now in the case of some animals, if they can adapt, they may well survive the impacts we have had on their populations such as the African Elephant which has displayed changes in the tusk length due to natural selection now favouring short tusked individuals due to increases in poaching of the long tusked individuals. Now whilst plants and animals that we use are abundant in terms of their number, we use relatively small varieties focusing on select families of plants and animals for given functions. This is because they fit our demands for them. However, we also do not know what other discoveries await us, and we must ensure that we leave ourselves the opportunity to do this as a move toward a more sustainable direction. To delve into more detail of how we can do this, we must address both sustainable measures, locally, nationally and internationally.

Covid, the Countryside and Cities a Changing Landscape.

With the start of the academic term with the impending return of learners to the classroom in a different environment to what they are familiar with. I am reminded of conversations I have had with friends and colleagues about the reluctance to return to the office. Now for many this likely started with the premise of being safer at home and then evolved into a growing realisation that working from home can offer its own benefits. For many it has saved time on the sufferable commute that many experience. It has provided its own flexibility around child care but this has been double edged for parents as well as care providers. In many areas the lack of travelling restored that sense of community and return of the neighbourhood as new tribes formed. Some people have also been far more productive at home the downside of which is those whose jobs rely on that fixed location have seen the backlash. 

In these changing times when industries begin to reflect and change with many recognising the cost benefit, mental health benefits and environmental positives we also need to remember that this is not completely beneficial. Some areas will face graver consequences from a changing working system then others as some businesses rely on the office for their survival. 

Some of the general benefits:

You are truly independent your work space is truly your own you can set it up to be at your most productive and could allow greater creativity. You can get more work done on the whole you spend less time commuting and engaging in the office drama. You’ll learn to excel in various forms of communication whether it be social media, zoom, or the forms of content delivery.

Some of the downsides:

Switching or rather lack their of it does your mental health no favours to not have an off switch it is better for your productivity and well being if you are able to effectively time manage you will ensure a greater success in your role. Sometimes you may feel you that you are not informed of the recent or ongoing developments. In some cases this could impact those seeking career growth maybe at a disadvantage if the talent market does not move with employee and work place demands. We also need to remember that our infrastructure is not ready for a profound shift utilities and other necessary provisions are not as robust in all areas of the country and this would have a consequence for productivity. Alongside the questions around productivity and the noticeable pros for the environment if we get used to this new environment we have to remember our own mental health. People need to switch off from their devices and the detachment of working elsewhere and taking a break when at home is more difficult when your office is your home. This is not mentioning how the housing market could be affected as city and commuter belt living see a decline will the rural countryside soar. 

Now the environmental benefits:

When you work from home, you are closer to your own amenities you can cook at home rather then rely on shops or restaurants locally. This can cut down on your own expense as well as your waste throughout the day. You can save energy the less energy wasted the less pollution your impact has regulating your house is far cheaper and more cost effective then making the office temperature uniform for a variety of needs of the individuals in your office. The same for energy usage as you can choose what rooms are being utilised and which rooms are not working. On top of this the commute by saving money, fuel and time on the commute you effectively can use this time elsewhere as well as reduce your impact on the planet. Whilst we are moving towards greener forms of travel electric vehicles still have harmful supply chains and combustion fuels are being moved away from. These types of vehicles are also likely to become more expensive as the demand for electric vehicles increase whilst the incentives also increase. Cycling for many is still not likely to be a viable alternative many of our roads are not designed to accommodate cyclist outside of the outskirts of the city.

Now what would this mean for our urban areas how would they survive and what changes can we expect. Now cities are still going to remain a centre for knowledge and cultural sharing but as with the changes in the high street they would need to evolve. With people spending less time in the working day in town centres and cities they would likely need to either change their working hours or what they offer. Now one solution to this would be flexible working where shops and convenience areas are open later in the day at particular times which can attract not the commuter but specific shoppers. Now whilst historically people often flocked to cities following periods of change like Covid this could be a different opportunity to change our way of working due to the benefits of the digital age. The question is could cities be made better by this opportunity could we see investments in the arts, theatres and museums where these centre of the arts return to centre stage of our society. Cities certainly will benefit from transport networks which favour cycling, walking and restrictions on the car could enable better opportunities to move around our cities making use of the roads whereas outside of peak times these roads can be returned to cars and vans to restock shops, bars and restaurants. We can also add in areas for wildlife and greater green spaces which take onboard innovations in the urban landscape such as planting more trees on our paths, wildflower verges and better use of brownfield sites as well as green spaces. Yet for cities to not only survive but thrive we should but our residents first focusing on social and environmental cohesion. Cities should take on board urban planning that takes a more inventive approach looking at the example of the Dutch in terms of wildlife corridors to continue to allow nature a home in the city environment. Make our towns and cities stand on their own highlighting the factors that makes them unique and distribute the relevant sectors to the correct areas to share the wealth across the country making the most of the unique characters of these places. The pandemic has demonstrated the importance of cities' capacity to overcome challenges but they need to embed this into the health of their city ensuring that public services are structurally at the heart of their communities but equally ensuring they have the capacity to cope with a crisis. Countries need to recognise the importance of various sectors voluntary, public and private noting where they fit together and what skills can be learnt from them. To enable a green and robust urban and rural link the roads and other transport links need to reflect this ensuring that cars are focused to areas where they park and get to the areas of the city they need to via park and rides. Cycle routes which are safe and effective for the public to use ensuring their safety and security. Look at other systems that can be employed which cities such as Manchester, London and Blackpool have utilised such as metro links, trams and trains combined with effective routes for walking and cycling. Showcase what is the best practice in your local area and share this with your community.

https://www.monster.com/career-advice/article/pros-cons-of-working-from-home

https://www.capital-ges.com/the-environmental-benefits-of-remote-working/ 

https://foreignpolicy.com/2020/05/01/future-of-cities-urban-life-after-coronavirus-pandemic/

Water Management Lessons Learnt from Day Zero

Water Management is critical for effective management both in our locality, nationally as well as on a global water. 

Firstly for those who have done their research you will have probably come across Day Zero which relates to a point in a cities management where it runs out of water which it can provide to its population. 

Now water is this fantastic resource that everything relies on a depends on but to much or to little can cause problematic situations to arise. In the UK last week we had some of the heaviest downpours of the recent year in quick succession leading to flooding in areas which have faced drought conditions for a prolonged period. Now the water courses and drainage basins receiving a much needed resupply was crucial for the flora and fauna of these areas. The question is how do we best manage these water courses in our local areas. 

Sarni, (2020) writes that Day Zero as a principle is flawed this concept is something that will be discussed further in the article. Initially the concept comes out of a situation in 2018 in Cape Town where after continual droughts for 3 years. The aim was to ration the water available to the community. Yet the warning of being wasteful with water was enough to change the consumers habits. Now whilst they did not have to restrict water, there was a lack of strategy with this action and more a lucky perfect storm of circumstances. Statistically as our climate changes and historic data is less reliable than it has been. This also highlights a problem that we need to address, is complacency until the challenge is staring us in the face we often do not adjust our habits until we have to a proactive approach is necessary to conserve the resource. Continued population growth is likely to increase demand not only abroad but in the UK as well as we see an increased demand for water both in agriculture and residential purposes. Other industries also need to reflect on water usage the fashion and textile sector is also seeing step changed to a more conservation focused to water management particularly some denim producers. Sarni (2020) particularly highlights that as demand for water increases the impact on those in our society will be more profound. 

Edmond, (2020) points out that part of the problem is rapid urbanisation. Urban areas can both displace water and if not correctly planned prevent water being conserved. Planning urban areas with water conservation tools such as water less sanitation where possible. Better habits for conserving water and recycling of grey water. Vancouver increases the cost of water at different times of the year to reduce excessive consumption this is a measurable increase not overtly affecting core needs for water. Levying this against excessive uses such as key businesses or even residential. Australia uses water efficiency management strategies on high use buildings similar to other forms of gradings to improve efficiency and effective use. Both Dubai and Ireland have looked at education to embed water conservation at the heart of education. 

By designing our urban and rural planning systems to collect and store water more effectively to both enable better drought reduction as well as safer by avoiding water build up on roads. By having roofs which collect excess water and slows the rate the water enters the water course as well as where feasible using water storage systems like boreholes or miniature reservoirs which store the excess water. This coupled with earlier points made about trees in earlier articles can better protect our urban areas and provide better access to the community to flood protection and water availability. 

https://www.eco-business.com/opinion/the-myth-of-day-zero-what-we-got-wrong-with-water/

https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2019/08/cape-town-was-90-days-away-from-running-out-of-water-heres-how-it-averted-the-crisis/

https://www.fromthegrapevine.com/innovation/rethinking-urban-planning-create-water-sensitive-cities

Reintroducing Apex Predators

With other projects and groups actively participating with the aim to reintroduce Apex predators of yesteryear to our countryside. One argument for reintroducing these species is that it offers a return to wildlife management of historic predator and prey relationships. The reason we are at this impasse is because the predators were often removed or hunted due to predation of livestock. Now whilst their os arguments for and against the reintroduction of these animals is that they could open this risk up again. 

Whilst proposing arguments for predators like the bear, wolf and lynx all of various issues in themselves as each comes with different risks the argument for the ecological benefit has been well established. Apex predators will keep prey animal populations to a manageable number as the rate of which prey animals reproduce unhindered by predators can impose other issues on local landscapes. The herds of deer left unchecked and without management can prevent trees and hedgerows regrowing by consuming or trampling on saplings. Whilst a more sustainable population has less of impact as their footfall is reduced. This can also have a benefit on arable crops as it prevents deer grazing on these valuable crops saving farmers cost either from lost crops or management systems to deter the deer. The benefit of keystone species that have a direct and indirect impact on the environment changing its ecological profiles. The question should the historic predators return or do our environments learn to cope with planned management of wildlife by humans which can be costly. 

Now looking at it from the opposite points of view these species are often a greater risk to pets and to livestock farms. In terms of pets some small dogs and cats are at a greater risk as they can pose an easier target for predation but these animals can be protected by responsible ownership in high risk areas. With livestock works undertaken with livestock guardian breeds of dog could prove the answer for protecting and deterring predators as most species of predator will not risk dogs encase of injury. The main issue for the UK however, is allowing the animals to establish a territory as when they are contained, both types of animals can be managed more readily when we look at larger geographic regions including towns and cities with various barriers this can cause a greater conflict with people. We need to also remember that they might not have the desired impact on deer number reduction as well as by proxy the restoration of the trees would not be a certainty.

The other added benefit of using livestock guardian breeds such as the kuvasz is that these breeds can also potentially protect stock from other dogs that enter the farmland. The benefit of the guardian breed is they can act as a strong deterrent for both the apex and would-be predators the breeds chase off and deter the animals whilst living with the stock viewing them as a pack. The dogs do this naturally and act as a stable addition to your stocks security. 

In Suffolk we are looking more at how we can reintroduce a natural predator the lynx as well as other former species like the bison and pelicans. The argument should be can we live with the animals, does it offer us a better alternative and lifestyle and does it offer a safeguard for our planet. Projects WildEast may see a greener landscape across the county and if we move towards plans with nature at its heart learning from the likes of dutch to provide wildlife corridors over roads like the A14 to prevent isolated populations. In the future I will be looking at wildlife corridors as well as rewilding initiatives to look at their feasibility.

https://www.conservationjobs.co.uk/articles/wolf-reintroduction-in-scotland/

https://www.wildeast.co.uk

https://www.morningagclips.com/the-benefits-of-livestock-guardian-dogs/

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-31813207