Latest news with #ClaireKidman
BBC News
a day ago
- Politics
- BBC News
Compulsory CCTV cameras for Norwich's taxis ruled out
A city's taxi drivers will not be made to have CCTV in their cars despite a majority of people backing the idea in a City Council consulted on changes to regulation for taxis and private hire vehicles following the introduction of new laws to improve passenger have agreed to tighten rules, including more regular background checks and safeguarding training for while 58% of 230 people responding to a survey supported mandatory cameras in cabs, a regulatory committee meeting agreed they should be optional instead. A report warned cabbies would face costs of up to £1,000 each for cameras, while the council would face extra costs for administering a scheme. At the meeting, Green councillor Liam Calvert argued cameras should become standard, given levels of support from the trade and public."It keeps drivers safe from false allegations, it makes our job as a licensing authority very considerably easier because when allegations come and we can very quickly check if an incident occurred or not," he said"There's nothing not to like."But Labour's Claire Kidman warned CCTV was not "the safety panacea we think it is"."There was a recent incident in Norwich that happened wholly outside the taxi. The CCTV wouldn't have really made a difference," she fellow Labour councillor Richard Lawes agreed cameras could "give a false sense of security"."The sensible position is to allow it to be optional, see how it works in practice with those who do adopt it, and base further consideration on that," he committee unanimously agreed that CCTV should be optional, with drivers responsible for complying with laws including data authority's Labour-run cabinet will have final say on the changes. Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Yahoo
07-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Repair bill for 14th Century Halls hits £7.8m
Plans to spend a further £920,000 on a multi-million pound project to repair and refurbish a Grade I listed building have been backed by councillors. The Halls in Norwich – comprising St Andrews and Blackfriars Halls – closed at the beginning of 2023 to allow £6.9m of work to take place. The hall needed structural repairs to its roof and windows, with other work taking place to improve the site as an arts venue – including new audio visual equipment and lighting. But a survey of the 14th Century building found that more would need to be spent by Norwich City Council for further repairs on the roof and to carry out electrical upgrades. It showed that moisture had built up in the roof's timber structure after plastic sheeting was installed approximately 80 to 100 years ago. A report for the Labour-run council's cabinet warned that if the work did not take place, deterioration of the timbers would "only get worse over time". The Halls, a former Dominican priory and convent, date back to the 14th Century and are among the so-called Norwich 12, a list of buildings of historical importance in the city spanning 1,000 years, created by the Norwich Heritage Economic & Regeneration Trust. Cabinet members voted in favour of spending £920,000 on the work, and if their decision is supported by the full council, the total bill for The Halls will be more than £7.8m. Just under half of the cost is being covered by the authority, which received £3.6m of Town Deal funding from the government and £500,000 from Arts Council England to pay for work on the building. The council-owned venue – which can hold about 1,000 people - was due to reopen in April. But councillor Claire Kidman said the additional repairs meant that it was now likely to reopen later in the year. "Once open, the newly refurbished Halls will be one of the most iconic venues in East England and further bolster the city's status as one of Europe's most go-to historic and cultural destinations," she added. Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. University staff back strike action over cuts 'Struggling' cat rescue centre pays £7k vet bill Councillors call for 25% rise in 'pitiful' income Norwich City Council
Yahoo
07-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Repair bill for 14th Century Halls hits £7.8m
Plans to spend a further £920,000 on a multi-million pound project to repair and refurbish a Grade I listed building have been backed by councillors. The Halls in Norwich – comprising St Andrews and Blackfriars Halls – closed at the beginning of 2023 to allow £6.9m of work to take place. The hall needed structural repairs to its roof and windows, with other work taking place to improve the site as an arts venue – including new audio visual equipment and lighting. But a survey of the 14th Century building found that more would need to be spent by Norwich City Council for further repairs on the roof and to carry out electrical upgrades. It showed that moisture had built up in the roof's timber structure after plastic sheeting was installed approximately 80 to 100 years ago. A report for the Labour-run council's cabinet warned that if the work did not take place, deterioration of the timbers would "only get worse over time". The Halls, a former Dominican priory and convent, date back to the 14th Century and are among the so-called Norwich 12, a list of buildings of historical importance in the city spanning 1,000 years, created by the Norwich Heritage Economic & Regeneration Trust. Cabinet members voted in favour of spending £920,000 on the work, and if their decision is supported by the full council, the total bill for The Halls will be more than £7.8m. Just under half of the cost is being covered by the authority, which received £3.6m of Town Deal funding from the government and £500,000 from Arts Council England to pay for work on the building. The council-owned venue – which can hold about 1,000 people - was due to reopen in April. But councillor Claire Kidman said the additional repairs meant that it was now likely to reopen later in the year. "Once open, the newly refurbished Halls will be one of the most iconic venues in East England and further bolster the city's status as one of Europe's most go-to historic and cultural destinations," she added. Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. University staff back strike action over cuts 'Struggling' cat rescue centre pays £7k vet bill Councillors call for 25% rise in 'pitiful' income Norwich City Council
BBC News
07-02-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Repair bill for Norwich Halls now almost £8m
Plans to spend a further £920,000 on a multi-million pound project to repair and refurbish a Grade I listed building have been backed by Halls in Norwich – comprising St Andrews and Blackfriars Halls – closed at the beginning of 2023 to allow £6.9m of work to take hall needed structural repairs to its roof and windows, with other work taking place to improve the site as an arts venue – including new audio visual equipment and a survey of the 14th Century building found that more would need to be spent by Norwich City Council for further repairs on the roof and to carry out electrical upgrades. It showed that moisture had built up in the roof's timber structure after plastic sheeting was installed approximately 80 to 100 years ago.A report for the Labour-run council's cabinet warned that if the work did not take place, deterioration of the timbers would "only get worse over time". The Halls, a former Dominican priory and convent, date back to the 14th Century and are among the so-called Norwich 12, a list of buildings of historical importance in the city spanning 1,000 years, created by the Norwich Heritage Economic & Regeneration Trust. Cabinet members voted in favour of spending £920,000 on the work, and if their decision is supported by the full council, the total bill for The Halls will be more than £ under half of the cost is being covered by the authority, which received £3.6m of Town Deal funding from the government and £500,000 from Arts Council England to pay for work on the council-owned venue – which can hold about 1,000 people - was due to reopen in councillor Claire Kidman said the additional repairs meant that it was now likely to reopen later in the year."Once open, the newly refurbished Halls will be one of the most iconic venues in East England and further bolster the city's status as one of Europe's most go-to historic and cultural destinations," she added. Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
