Join experts from Climate East Midlands and the Joseph Rowntree Foundation at the Radmoor Centre, Loughborough College, on Monday 16th April from 1.30-4.30pm. They will explain leading research to understand social vulnerability to climate change, and then focus on what we can do in our various roles and organisations to help increase resilience now and in the future.

This event is free to attend, but booking is essential. To book your place, email Nathan.Alesbrook@leicester.gov.uk

If so, the Heart of the Forest Forum is consulting with people who live in this area over the next couple of weeks. They’ll be talking to people as they visit places like the new cycle centre and Conkers or you can have your say online by filling in a short questionnaire.

It should take no more than five minutes, and your input will help shape the next stages of development here in the heart of the Forest.

Please Ctrl + click on: http://www.nationalforest.org/involved/ open the new window and click on the red V or save, fill in, re-save and email back the questionnaire attached.

Thank you for your time.

• Businesses
• Children & Young People
• Partnerships & Community Groups
• Schools
• Sustainable Urban Design

The Don’t Muck Around campaign, a joint initiative between North West Leicestershire District Council and Charnwood Borough Council, won the Innovation and overall People’s Choice gongs at the annual Keep Britain Tidy awards.

It was Charnwood’s first-ever KBT Award and North West’s second having won the Cleaner, Safer, Greener - Efficiencies Through Partnerships Award and a special merit certificate in 2009.

Don’t Muck Around ran for three months in summer 2011 and led to significant reductions in litter thrown from cars, fly-tipping and dog fouling in both areas.

Councillor Alison Smith, Deputy Leader of North West Leicestershire District Council and Portfolio holder for Community Services, said: “We are particularly delighted to have our success recognised by Keep Britain Tidy.

“I’m thrilled that the campaign has been rewarded in this way, which is a wonderful thank you for all the hard work put into making the campaign a success.”

The aim of the grant scheme is to help community groups carry out simple but effective energy efficiency improvements in village halls and community buildings, after carrying out their own energy audits. The maximum award per group will be £1000.

As part of the scheme groups will be provided with free resources and guidance on carrying out an audit of their community building, from which they will be able to identify energy saving improvements that will reduce the building’s CO2 emissions.

Improvements could include things like low energy lighting, heating controls, draught proofing and insulation, which can have significant impacts on reducing energy use and fuel bills.

Applications will initially be accepted for three months from February 2012 until the end of April 2012, or until the grant pot is exhausted. Applications will be assessed on a rolling basis, and grants for successful applicants will be awarded on a ‘first come, first served’ basis.

• Businesses
• Children & Young People (aged under 25)
• Partnerships & Community Groups
• Schools
• Sustainable Urban Design

You can apply online or download an application form. Deadline for entries is 31st January 2012.

• Free cavity wall insulation for all properties up to 120m in size (with a normal 75mm cavity)
• Free loft insulation for all properties up to 80m in size (that have less than 60mm of insulation existing – ie. FREE 200mm and 250mm top ups).

Please note that this promotion closes on 31st December 2011. For further information please contact Rockwarm Insulation on 0800 132689.

This change will take place from Tuesday 1^st November. From this date the Waste Collection crews will be operating on a zonal basis with the district divided into four collection zones (North, South, East and West).

“Remember, Remember the first week in November"

New calendars will be delivered to all local residents by the end of October. So make sure you:

Read it, check it, keep it!

Approximately 4 million householders in the UK do not have mains gas and have to rely on more expensive, higher carbon forms of heating, such as heating oil and electric fires. The scheme will mainly focus on these households.

The following technologies will be available through the scheme:

• Ground Source Heat Pump - £1,250 grant (for homes without mains gas heating).
• Biomass boiler - £950 grant (for homes without mains gas heating).
• Air source heat pump - £850 grant (for homes without mains gas heating).
• Solar thermal hot water panels - £300 grant (available to all households regardless of the type of heating system used).

Grants will be available on a first come, first served basis and the scheme will close on 31 March 2012.