Latest news with #MichaelHayles
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Yahoo
Toronto police to be out in force this weekend at east end beach ahead of Canada Day
Toronto residents should expect to see an increased police presence at Ashbridges Bay Park and Woodbine Beach Park all weekend ahead of Canada Day, police said on Friday. Insp. Michael Hayles, spokesperson for the Toronto Police Service, said officers will be patrolling on horseback, on foot and all terrain vehicles for the official city fireworks display, which will be at the Ashbridges Bay Park starting at 10 p.m. Tuesday. City bylaw officers will also be there. "Please leave your fireworks at home and please remember that personal alcohol is not permitted at the beach," Hayles said. "If there is a threat to public safety, obstruction of our officers or other emergency services, officers will use their discretion in dispersing the crowd or laying charges." Simply possessing fireworks and bringing them to the beach can result in a fine, he added. Hayles said bonfires are also not allowed within Toronto parks without a permit. If residents obtain permits for a bonfire, there are only certain areas where they are permitted. Some road closures in and around Lakeshore Boulevard East will be in effect before and after the fireworks display. The city is planning fireworks displays at five other locations in Toronto: Centennial Park, Amesbury Park, Milliken Park, Stan Wadlow Park and Mel Lastman Square. There will be no fireworks display at Nathan Phillips Square. Fireworks allowed only on residents' own private property: city In a news release, the city said: "Residents are allowed to set off fireworks on their own private property without a permit before 11 p.m. on Canada Day and Victoria Day. A permit is needed to set off fireworks on all other days. "Fireworks are not permitted in City parks or on beaches, balconies, streets, parking lots or property that is not owned by the person setting off the fireworks." The misuse or illegal sale of fireworks can be reported to 311 by phone or by submitting a service request. Laura McQuillan, spokesperson for the city, said on Friday that the city is advising people to take public transit for the celebrations. "Be cognizant that there may be more traffic out there. Take transit if you can," McQuillan said. On its website, the TTC says it will provide extra service on Canada Day "to help customers travelling around the city to various events and fireworks displays."
CBC
10 hours ago
- CBC
Toronto police to be out in force this weekend at east end beach ahead of Canada Day
Toronto residents should expect to see an increased police presence at Ashbridges Bay Park and Woodbine Beach Park all weekend ahead of Canada Day, police said on Friday. Insp. Michael Hayles, spokesperson for the Toronto Police Service, said officers will be patrolling on horseback, on foot and all terrain vehicles for the official city fireworks display, which will be at the Ashbridges Bay Park starting at 10 p.m. Tuesday. City bylaw officers will also be there. "Please leave your fireworks at home and please remember that personal alcohol is not permitted at the beach," Hayles said. "If there is a threat to public safety, obstruction of our officers or other emergency services, officers will use their discretion in dispersing the crowd or laying charges." Simply possessing fireworks and bringing them to the beach can result in a fine, he added. Hayles said bonfires are also not allowed within Toronto parks without a permit. If residents obtain permits for a bonfire, there are only certain areas where they are permitted. Some road closures in and around Lakeshore Boulevard East will be in effect before and after the fireworks display. The city is planning fireworks displays at five other locations in Toronto: Centennial Park, Amesbury Park, Milliken Park, Stan Wadlow Park and Mel Lastman Square. There will be no fireworks display at Nathan Phillips Square. Fireworks allowed only on residents' own private property: city In a news release, the city said: "Residents are allowed to set off fireworks on their own private property without a permit before 11 p.m. on Canada Day and Victoria Day. A permit is needed to set off fireworks on all other days. "Fireworks are not permitted in City parks or on beaches, balconies, streets, parking lots or property that is not owned by the person setting off the fireworks." The misuse or illegal sale of fireworks can be reported to 311 by phone or by submitting a service request. Laura McQuillan, spokesperson for the city, said on Friday that the city is advising people to take public transit for the celebrations. "Be cognizant that there may be more traffic out there. Take transit if you can," McQuillan said. On its website, the TTC says it will provide extra service on Canada Day "to help customers travelling around the city to various events and fireworks displays."
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
London council to spend £100m from gold-plated pensions on homelessness
A London council is facing criticism over plans to use its gold-plated pension scheme to fund accommodation for homeless people. The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea will invest £100m from its pension fund to buy 250 homes in an effort to save taxpayer money. It comes amid mounting scrutiny of councils' gold-plated pensions after The Telegraph revealed some authorities were spending more than half of taxpayers' money on staff schemes. But experts questioned whether it was appropriate for Kensington and Chelsea to use its pension fund to 'indulge political objectives'. Neil Record, a former Bank of England economist, said: 'Local Government Pension Funds benefit from a de facto government guarantee which allows local councils to indulge their political objectives at the expense of prudent investment management. This is a particularly egregious example.' The Conservative-led council's pension scheme is worth £2bn, twice the amount needed to fully meet obligations to its members, meaning it is in rude health financially. The vast savings pot has become a target for councillors seeking to raise money for more spending without significantly increasing council tax bills. In February it was announced payments into Kensington and Chelsea's defined benefit scheme would be halted temporarily to save £9m earmarked for survivors of the 2017 Grenfell Tower fire. This went against the advice of the fund's actuaries who said it would be 'inappropriate' to lower contributions before next spring but agreed the move would 'not have a detrimental effect' on the council's ability to pay out pension benefits. Michael Hayles, of law firm Burges Salmon, said: 'The Kensington and Chelsea fund has a well-publicised strong funding level. 'However, as things stand, this investment will still need to stand up as an appropriate investment, with appropriate returns, bearing in mind the fiduciary duties of the pension fund when making investment decisions, notwithstanding the funding surplus.' There is no blanket legal guarantee that would compel the Government to meet the costs of all funds within the LGPS or make good their deficits. More than a quarter of schemes within the LGPS were in deficit in 2022, according to an official review published last year. Cllr Emma Will, who oversees property at the town hall, said more local authorities could follow Kensington and Chelsea's example, as many struggle to fund the costs of meeting their statutory obligations. She added: 'We are fortunate to have an extremely well-managed pension fund, it's been the best performing for 30 years [and] it's very over-funded, which is terrific.' Ms Will said that the unusual move was 'completely above board' and should not be discredited simply because 'it hasn't been done before'. She said that investing £100m was 'very low risk' because the council plans to pay its pension fund for use of the new properties with government grants it receives to tackle homelessness. 'It is innovative and we are quite excited. If we get this right it's like the holy grail. We believe it does work, and it's nil cost to the council and it's low risk and win-win for everyone.' Last year bills in Kensington and Chelsea for the average Band D property were £1,569.46 a year, up from £1,508.98 the previous year. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Telegraph
09-06-2025
- Business
- Telegraph
London council to spend £100m from gold-plated pensions on homelessness
But experts questioned whether it was appropriate for Kensington and Chelsea to use its pension fund to 'indulge political objectives'. Neil Record, a former Bank of England economist, said: 'Local Government Pension Funds benefit from a de facto government guarantee which allows local councils to indulge their political objectives at the expense of prudent investment management. This is a particularly egregious example.' The Conservative-led council's pension scheme is worth £2bn, twice the amount needed to fully meet obligations to its members, meaning it is in rude health financially. The vast savings pot has become a target for councillors seeking to raise money for more spending without significantly increasing council tax bills. In February it was announced payments into Kensington and Chelsea's defined benefit scheme would be halted temporarily to save £9m earmarked for survivors of the 2017 Grenfell Tower fire. This went against the advice of the fund's actuaries who said it would be 'inappropriate' to lower contributions before next spring but agreed the move would 'not have a detrimental effect' on the council's ability to pay out pension benefits. Michael Hayles, of law firm Burges Salmon, said: 'The Kensington and Chelsea fund has a well-publicised strong funding level. 'However, as things stand, this investment will still need to stand up as an appropriate investment, with appropriate returns, bearing in mind the fiduciary duties of the pension fund when making investment decisions, notwithstanding the funding surplus.' There is no blanket legal guarantee that would compel the Government to meet the costs of all funds within the LGPS or make good their deficits. More than a quarter of schemes within the LGPS were in deficit in 2022, according to an official review published last year. Drawing down £100m is 'very low risk' Cllr Emma Will, who oversees property at the town hall, said more local authorities could follow Kensington and Chelsea's example, as many struggle to fund the costs of meeting their statutory obligations. She added: 'We are fortunate to have an extremely well-managed pension fund, it's been the best performing for 30 years [and] it's very over-funded, which is terrific.' Ms Will said that the unusual move was 'completely above board' and should not be discredited simply because 'it hasn't been done before'. She said that investing £100m was 'very low risk' because the council plans to pay its pension fund for use of the new properties with government grants it receives to tackle homelessness. 'It is innovative and we are quite excited. If we get this right it's like the holy grail. We believe it does work, and it's nil cost to the council and it's low risk and win-win for everyone.' Last year bills in Kensington and Chelsea for the average Band D property were £1,569.46 a year, up from £1,508.98 the previous year.
