Get in touch.
ULEZ and The Impact on Charities.
ULEZ is adversely impacting our charities and hampering their work if you like me want to see charities gain the support they need to continue their activism read on…
Whilst the goal of the Ultra-Low Emission Zone or ULEZ zone was to reduce the level of harmful toxic air within a given area. There has been an unmistaken impact of ULEZ on families financially as well as charities which serve their communities. Now whilst clean air is something that we all want for our families, there are still times where the car is crucial whether it be for key works serving the community.
How Charities Support the Community:
Although the public transport system in London is highly effective it is still unable to meet all the needs of its community and is now spilling over into adverse effects on charities. Providing aid for the most vulnerable in society is something that should be a top priority for any local authority and ensuring that works can be taken with the fewest barriers is essential. Often due to the flexibility and innovation of charities and businesses many in our communities have these needs met not just by the public sector but by the private sector.
The Impact of ULEZ
This is where the ULEZ zone particularly impacts the vulnerable, now although some businesses in London and TFL will be able to update their vehicles to reflect the new policies and therefore reduce their emissions charities and small businesses will not be able to do this. This will effectively add greater costs to these organisations. Organisations like Dogs on the Street who are a small charity which serve the homeless residents of London and their pets are one such organisation offering tailored services that these citizens otherwise would not be able to afford. The charity has bespoke services and have specialist equipment on their vehicles to offer these services to the communities and modernising these vehicles will add significant costs to their operation. To adapt to this change that means the donation and fundraising efforts are going towards paying the ULEZ fees rather than into providing crucial support for the residents and their pets.
Scrappage Program Flaws
So, what about the scrappage scheme now whilst the scrappage program offered grant funding for charities or businesses in order to conform with the new charges before they came in the problem lies with purpose refitted vehicles. Specifically having mobile grooming, veterinary and general care vehicles have additional expenses and whilst the grant would go some way to meet these costs it would barely cover the cost of acquisition of a vehicle, and this would often be of an older used model where the battery will also have shown some wearing unlike traditional fuel vehicles which have a longer service life. This scheme has also been closed to new applicants which limits charities making claims for grant funding where the two-year window may have often not allowed the organisation to raise the necessary funds to replace the fleet of specialist vehicles. This two-year window also came at a time when many of the organisations were working flat out to deal with added pressures of Covid-19.
Actions that can be Taken
Now, myself and other activists are calling on the Mayor of London to look again at how his ULEZ zones are still impacting some of the most vulnerable in his community by increasing the financial burden on charities. That is why we are collectively calling on him to review his ULEZ policy for charities who may have been unable to refit or scrap vehicles under the previous scheme. Reopen the scheme to allow for further funding to support specialist sourcing of new efficient vehicles or to provide exemptions. The support for Dogs On The Street from Neil Garratt and Shaun Bailey has been hugely refreshing to see London Assembly members standing up for this charity and others.
Further Reading
https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/driving/scrappage-schemes?cid=scrappage-scheme
https://dogsonthestreets.org/london/
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/jan/05/londons-ultra-low-emission-zone-good-or-bad-idea
https://www.independent.co.uk/climate-change/news/ulez-checker-zone-map-charge-2021-b1944620.html
https://www.london.gov.uk/what-we-do/environment/pollution-and-air-quality/mayors-ultra-low-emission-zone-london
Remember contact your London Assembly members and add pressure onto the Mayor.
https://www.london.gov.uk/people/assembly
Protest are they for Change or just Unnecessary Disruption:
One of the core elements of a democracy is our right to free speech and a right to protest however, although we have these rights not all campaigns are treated equally. Not all causes are adopted by the public will and therefore just because a minority can does that mean they should.
The protests:
In the news we have seen an increase in protestors taking direct action on the M25 with the aim to disrupt drivers to garner media attention to influence change. With the aim to improve insulation of Britains instead of warming hearts the disruption caused has left protestors out in the cold.
Now I am not against protest or the power of the individual as many of our key moments have come from a small number but many methods are flawed. The 3.5% rule as an example is a principle that so long as 3.5% of the population agree with an action engaging this can influence government decisions. Now to put this into a context the insulate britain protests are headed by a small minority numbering at most a hundred from evidence. Extinction rebellion was in the 1000s and in Leicester BLM had 4000 individuals.
Now 3.5% of UKs population is 2391190 so many of these protests are a long way off of the influential minority.
So how can you have an impact?
You must take the population with you or offer a sensible alternative. Many individuals of these groups often scoff when people question their actions or intentions telling people to do their own research but this does nothing but forces people away from their cause. Campaigners that share research provide resources and are able to work with other groups are often more anecdotally more successful with their campaigns. Looking at campaigns such as Anatonias Law for care home reform, the moves made my the Pet Theft Reform team, Finns law, Tuks Law as well as larger organisations to influence changes. These campaigns however have benefited from the benefit of research they then add in the emotional component which brings people with them.
Take some of Insulate Britains own points:
Their targets of getting central government to change insulation when planning is a district or unitary council issue. A points they are raising is about new homes being built to a standard, yet they do not focus on shoddy developers with documented evidence of cut corners on their builds. They have no strategy to inform house buyers of their rights so they can challenge developers or to work with communities to block inadequate development taking place. This however is also difficult to achieve when they have no firm targets to influence house building targets. So why are they not targeting councils to adopt a higher standard of housing or working with HORNET to influence changes to house building’s standards tackling property developers as they did with leaseholds and as they are still working on with Fleecehold properties.
Issues such as fleecehold properties are an issue that planners (civil servants) do not want to tackle pressure on elected officials in the right way would help to lobby for change. Or better yet get involved to influence the change on the doorstep. The second point they are campaigning for is for government to pay for insulation of old homes to be levelled up to a standard, but without a clear standard this will always be difficult. The green grant scheme had this option but wasn’t well adopted and if the government bring it back in as an incentive businesses or suppliers up the cost or it becomes another tax burden.
The other reason why many have little sympathy for this particular cause however is strategies are already in place to tackle it. There are green grants households can apply for on existing dwellings particularly for the less well off in society. However rather than promote this change and encourage people to take up the scheme by going to the following link: Simple Energy Advice check your eligibility and see if you can get help.
https://carrcenter.hks.harvard.edu/files/cchr/files/CCDP_005.pdf
https://www.ncvo.org.uk/policy-and-research/campaigning-policy
https://www.gov.uk/improve-energy-efficiency
https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/utilities/free-cavity-loft-insulation/
Mind Your Head
With the importance of Agriculture to both the economy and our ways of life, we need to ensure that we look after its workers. This article focuses on the Mind your Head Campaign bringing awareness to mental health in farming and links to resources to help.
Further to my earlier article about mental health today marks the start of the Mind Your Head campaign.
The Yellow Wellies group rightly has highlighted some key points about farmers mental health. Now some issues which they have isolated would be challenging to control or resolve. Now whilst there are specific agricultural loans to help with the business or equipment needs this, unfortunately, is often at a great interest rate as well as which when coupled with other stressors. Some of these stressors can be highly varied from the direct impacts such as the financial impacts on the business to the secondary elements such as one which livestock farmers face. Livestock farmers often face increased opposition to both the changing diets of the masses that has caused abuse and heated debates on both sides. However, whilst both sides of the debate have valid points and passionate views only one directly impacts their livelihoods. Now whilst this debate will likely be on going for a number of years as it one about ideology. Some positives have been drawn from it alternatives to different movements such as Reganuary which puts a focus on a more sustainable form of agriculture. Now rather then discuss this movement in this article the reason for highlighting it, is that this is a way for the industry to champion better practice by highlighting innovations as well as supporting the local businesses. This can also be seen with concerns between farmers and others who use the countryside or visit farmers lands. With an increased amount of walkers in the countryside farmers can be drawn into conflict when dogs are off lead distressing stock. If the stock animals are distressed or attacked by the dog the farmer has the right to shoot the dog but this can be deeply distressing either by seeing the damage a dog can do to the stock or through shooting the dog. Neither is an option that the farmer wants to pursue however it is something which does often happen with a lack of understanding of the environment.
Now when looking at stress in farmers it is important that all actions are taken to reduce stress. Finding people to talk with whether that be online or those in local support group by engaging in conversation and offloading some of the stress recognising they are not alone. Making sure that those that work on farms especially for those whose lives and work focus on the land need somewhere else to focus such as going off site, exploring a hobby or a trip. Making sure you also take the chance to regularly exercise and follow a suitable routine.
Now campaigns such as Fit to Farm also highlight characteristics about the various roles which are often not explored. The working hours which farmers often do can be up to 65 hours per week this is comparable to the 56 hours per week doctors do. Now not all farmers have this type of working environment but for those who do it should be rightly recognised the pressures they face. Especially at busy periods like harvest where they are flat out for days and hours at end. Now because of working and living on site taking leave from your family farm can be a far flung fantasy for some it is not as simple as leaving your home for holiday for those who business needs require careful monitoring but are tied to a fixed location. Many entrepreneurs or professionals can take their work with them and therefore find some release this is arguably the same for large companies but a challenge for the small family farms. Now respondents to the survey by the Fit to Farm campaign have outlined areas they need help in would it not be the best time for the communities to rely around them and support their efforts.
We also need to remember what great resources we have available to support us and those within our community. YANA specifically targets mental health in farming whilst the Yellow Wellies looks at farm safety follow the links below to find out more about their work and how to support them. Together we Can.
http://yellowwellies.org/StressManagementBooklet_0319/StressManagementBooklet_0319/?page=23
Mental Health Week
This week marks the wider discussion on Mental Health addressing areas in which we all collectively can be affected. Today’s article looks at the wider effects mental health has had on young people as well as what to look out for with the possible solutions.
Part and parcel of my role as a teacher are making sure that students mental health is front and centre of what colleagues and I strive to achieve. The step to finding a solution has to be normalising the problem. In my previous blog piece, I looked at some ways that I believe we can use to solve the problem.
In terms of highlighting the problem, I was pleased with the announcement that a public figure like Love Islands Dr Alex has been announced as a youth mental health ambassador. Now whilst he has tragically lost his brother to mental health he is focusing what would often make people shy away from the world and sharing his brother's memory and his own experience of dealing with this tragedy. Now whilst present circumstances has put some of our best steps to prevent adverse impacts on mental health. Being in good physical health whilst difficult without gyms and sports can still be done with communities or activities shared online. We need to promote positive images and content meal preparation, cooking, and fitness plans. Body positivity needs to be encouraged, as does physical fitness. Setting a regular routine for our young people can be removing stressors from the environment like that of some smartphones taking time away from social media. Family makes up many of the structure we all need and those increasingly isolated from this core social group or our self-made groups, friends, peers, and colleagues. Not having access to their workplace or schools can limit their routine and engagement in the broader social setting, so a goal rightly being sought is getting students back into school. As I spoke about earlier this week, volunteering opportunities are few and far between at present, but that does have to be the case opening our doors to new types of activity.
Many parents and young people feel that they miss the most enjoyable parts of the school and university, particularly the social elements. The learners can develop academically the opportunities to discover who they are and the experiences and skills available. Societies and events, even in its best format, struggle to transition electronically. This is why the events economy is still, in my view, the future for the high street but delayed by Covid. Now the anxiety that young people are likely to present because of this lack of experience can lead to mental health problems. The question should be why is there a stigma. Firstly many individuals associate mental health with violence, often because of a link poor mental health support has had with violent offences. This link can be taken from how this is stigmatised in the media and used in ways that often skew a story's narrative. There is also evidence that this same impact can compound a families' wealth and ability to succeed. This can be further affecting social mobility so again, what can we do to build back together. Once we tackle these initial stigmas, we can begin to focus on the harsh reality of the endemic problems in mental health.
We need to end these negative stereotypes to reduce our association of mental health with a sense of weakness and criminality. Because, although criminality links to mental health are concerning by instilling fear in the public, it is also necessary to avoid links to other sides of the debate such as pity and shame. However, to link mental health to different conditions to associate solutions to individual struggles such as suicide, imposter syndrome and body dysmorphia. We can start by avoiding simple phrases like "they must be bipolar" or "nut job" similar to what we do for race. This should help people define their symptoms, fears, anxieties, and goals over their garnered label to recognise they are more than the condition. This can be significantly supported by the positive experience of peers. Finally, we should be mindful that our differences have also strengthened us. Personally, I have a learning difficulty which has had a minor impact on my life. Dyspraxia has impacted my hand-eye coordination elements, which affected my speech, which was primarily rectified by therapies that I am thankful for in my childhood. Now I look at the strengths I have because of how I look at a problem to think outside the box. Transfering this skill to my learners empathising with their challenges or difficulties solutions, I developed my memory, processing and vocabulary. I would not be the same person I am without Dyspraxia regardless of the initial anxieties and stresses this caused me in my early years. I am stronger because of the support I received and have the opportunity to share my experience.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-mental-health-and-wellbeing-surveillance-report/7-children-and-young-people
https://ideas.ted.com/how-should-we-talk-about-mental-health/
https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/a-to-z/c/children-and-young-people
https://mhfaengland.org/mhfa-centre/research-and-evaluation/mental-health-statistics/
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/dr-alex-george-from-love-island-to-mental-health-campaigner-nd8xfl2n9
Lockdowns Effect on our Community
How can we all stay connected with our communities during the ongoing lockdown. With the continued pressure that lockdown has on mental health particularly in young people what can, we do to help out those in our communities. This is also something that can benefit our businesses and each other.
Whilst listening to the Front Row yesterday, the discussion looked at how the next generation of learners is affected by the pandemic. Now part of the impact that the pandemic has had on them is exploring different opportunities available. Understanding how we can best promote knowledge sharing the skills we can encourage, techniques they can be taught, industries which they can see. Lockdown affords us the chance to use communities to support businesses and refine how our communities develop and grow this is an area that I believe we should investigate. Alongside the provisions that we can provide the next generation with we can use the same community to benefit businesses. We all intend to share products, craftsmanship, knowledge and talents.
This article addresses the concerns that affect businesses and our students with thoughts on building back better. With the researcher's main point being highlighted, the individuals at a disadvantage in the labour market. The general focus is lack of opportunities immediately available to young people in the present circumstances. With many people being furloughed or out of work, it is not just the lack of job prospect post-college or school. Still, it also allows us to learn or experience whilst again to grow academically with all but a small number of work experiences being offered by businesses able to field these rare opportunities. Learners need to work with various companies to understand how they work within the sector and establish their likes and dislikes. Employers also need to recognise the next generation's strengths and weaknesses, working with educators and tutors to fill these skill gaps (Johnston and Maddox, 2021).
This brings me to the point about lockdown sectors the first jobs for many the opportunities to develop soft skills. Those who go onto university can recover academically from this disruption, but those emerging into the job market are disadvantaged here (Dias et al., 2020). With other impacts being the effect on people's mental health, the implications of many in the community isolated coming together in new ways to share our experiences should be encouraged. Many have concerns about health, education, careers, and livelihoods having a sense of community where people can share their thoughts before returning to normalcy (Peter Madeley, 2021).
However, how this is delivered is equally as important as the messages discussed. Providing a sense of routine whether that be a discussion by business groups, talks about soft skills, mental health days or sharing a craft all need to be provided in a way that encourages positive habits to form (Mental Health, 2020).
This is where a community is needed rather than letting lockdown impact our lives. We have the chance to promote and showcase what communities can do. Allow people to find out about hidden talents within groups, allowing us to restore our link attachments. A pandemic which has forced us to be disconnected could bring us a greater sense of togetherness.
What we can do to build this sense of togetherness and community. Enabling businesses to share what they do and what they produce it gives individuals a sense of involvement in the process. By following the steps you take, we can learn from your experiences, collectively feel involved with your business and its place within our community. This can let people know what your offering, gives someone insight into your profession and build that link with your brand. Teachers, individuals and professionals can also share their content and experiences to best provide tips for working through lockdown, helping someone discover a new hobby or just helping someone get through the day. If there is something we can provide to wider communities in either core or fringe subjects that gives them a similar advantage to their peers, we should encourage them. There is no equivalent exchange for part-time jobs or being with our peers in terms of soft skills, yet what we can do is share our experiences and knowledge openly talking about mental health, finance, work-life balances (Nick Morrison, 2021).
Fleece hold: where one's castle becomes their burden
Now an Englishmen’s home is their castle but for me, on new build estates, these castles can turn into a burden. Now how does a fresh new property become a cumbersome burden “Fleecehold”.
An English men's home is their castle but with the recent increase in the amount of Freehold homes which are found to be better befitting the name Fleecehold. Why is this? It is often because of covenants or agreements which have been placed on the property by the developer. The owner is contractually obligated to pay a fee to a management company often owned by the same company or with shared board members as the developer. The management company often then contracts out the maintenance to local firms to maintain the land and green spaces. Now whereas the current problem facing new build freehold properties are not new, they can often be compared to leasehold properties. These homes saw a great deal of scrutiny and improvements because of action taken by people directly affected by the leasehold scandal as well as by groups such as HorNet. This intervention by groups like HorNet has seen a lot of pressure on management companies to offer compromises to the existing problem of rising fees and to provide buying guidance for first-time buyers many of which are unaware of the issue before contractually agreeing to buy the property.
This document delves into some of the critical problems that householders face in Fleecehold homes and discusses why this is a scandal waiting to unfold. The document will also provide an outline of some solutions that local councils can do to address this problem without direct intervention by government legislation. Now part of the initial issue is that the very definition of Free Hold is up for debate with Fleece Hold properties. It goes against the very definition of freehold where the owner owns the "title absolute" as they often do not have complete ownership of the land as other parties can claim against the property. With the other parties being able to stake a claim on the property having this form of overarching power over the householder, they can interfere with several processes that homeowners would reasonably expect to do. These include examples such as; apply to alter their property, be free from regular charge for adjacent land, obstruct the sale of the property.
This moves onto the next step of the home buyers issues with the Fleecehold property, and the house may well have elements that, although not miss-sold, are not highlighted to the buyer. Now whilst the buyer of this build would rightly be made aware of these issues or concern when the recommended solicitor has not emphasised this to the buyer. They are often only made aware of the situation just before it becomes a problem which they are unable to resolve. The sales team of the various housing associations can then compound the problem by suggesting that the only way for an effective sale to take place is to follow the guidance of the developer. Using the recommended conveyancer, which is compounded when the individual is unaware of the procedure when buying a house. This is often as many are first-time buyers or the first in their family to buy a property.
Now, this becomes a problem for the owner when they notice the maintenance charge this charge is often downplayed as a small management fee and typically one which is minor for the upkeep of unadopted areas which the council does not operate. This lack of information contributes to the start of often deeply problematic situation for the buyer as the critical information is often shrouded from them which is a process that needs to be hastily removed so that the individuals are not trapped in a system they cannot get out of. Now the stream of problems increases once the buyer has exchanged the necessary paperwork and is often in the property once the developer's agent sends over the essential documentation outlining the charge once the estate has been finished. This can vary from an initial minuscule amount to a significant financial burden similar to council tax or mortgage rates they are already paying. These ECPs or external common parts are owned not by the council but by a management company these companies can have a variety of different levels of thoroughness some maintaining the spaces well and others often giving minimal service for the extensive charges. These charges can frequently accumulate and grow over the years, causing homeowners to be unable to afford to pay the amount Estate Rent Charge or ERC. This ERC under specific laws which treat the owner as a Tenant allows management companies to take income from the owner or repossess the home until such a time that the debt is cleared. If the owner then attempts to settle this dispute, they can often then be refused due to the property being under the management of a trustee to oversee the reclaimant of funds. This coupled with a lack of legal protection often available to leaseholders but not granted to freeholders compounds the issue. They are left in a situation with no recourse to live in their usually newly furnished and designed property which many homebuyers have slaved over the aesthetics of their home. Leaving the homeowner, the option to sell their home. However, they are often shackled to it as many lenders and surveyors who know about Fleecehold properties will advise clients against the purchasing of the property in question. This leaves the owner in the situation where they cannot continue owning the property but may be unable to sell it. This could culminate in a perfect storm of a scandal waiting to happen unless acted upon promptly.
Now whilst banning the sale of these properties outright is not a viable solution as the UK demand for homes increases. The removal of the management fees and the granting of legal protection to homeowners so they can dispute the charges is crucial. One way of removing the charge would not be possible within the existing structure, so therefore the often argued solution to the problem is for councils to adopt these communal spaces both in terms of its maintenance and overall management. This solution is not usually the one pursued many instead elect a board of residents to manage the ownership of the management company to maintain the resident's estates effectively.
Now in other blogs, we will look at other potential solutions as well as proposals to safeguard the future of homeowners and avert the potential scandal in the waiting.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-51413320
https://www.homeownersrights.net/welcome-to-hornet/
https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/you-need-know-fleecehold-charges-17006131