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Shortage of skilled workers in New Zealand continues
Deputy secretary for work directions Monique Dawson said: "Skill shortages are an inevitable consequence of strong economic growth."
The Skills in the Labour Market report shows the working-age population grew by only 0.2 per cent in the June 2007 quarter. This is the lowest quarterly result for nearly two years.
Net migration is also falling (from 14,800 in the year to November 2006 to 10,100 in the year to June 2007). That means employers have a smaller pool of people available to recruit from.
One clear way to address this problem is attracting skilled people to apply for a New Zealand visa. Immigration Minister David Cunliffe recently said that "with the economy strong and New Zealand competing in a global market for skilled migrants, our top priority at present is ensuring we get high quality migrants while not adding to inflationary pressures".
The report is based on information in the Quarterly Survey of Business Opinion from the Institute of Economic Research and the Department of Labour's Job Vacancy Monitoring Programme.
New Zealand needs skilled immigrants: anyone interested in New Zealand immigration should complete the New Zealand Visa Bureau's online New Zealand visa assessment to see if they qualify for a New Zealand visa.


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High Country Snowmobile Club- Update
Hello High Country Snowmobilers, Happy Valentine's Day! I hope you are all planning to attend our monthly meeting and very romantic dinner tonight at Q4U in Frisco t 6pm.
Thanks to everyone that participated in our first few rides and events of the year.
The White River Rumble in Meeker was a great event, I raced the 71 mile route and Dave and Julie raced the Coed 30 mile circuit. Unfortunately none of the High Country crew won their event, but we did have more fun than most participants.
The CSA convention was this past weekend in Silverton, we had several members in attendance. The highlight of the event for me, (beyond riding the epic steepness of Silverton) was seeing High Country Snowmobile Club members, the Lewark family, win CSA's Snowmobile Family of the Year award.
Ron, Donna, Jeff, Scarlett, Larry, Laura and Casey Lewark were all on hand to accept the award. There were given the award by CSA as a formal recognition for all their assistance over the years to our club. Thanks again to the Lewarks and to Ski Country Shell and Towing for all their support, congratulations again!
We still have several rides and events on the schedule:
This Saturday February 18th is the Leadville High Altitude Drags. Event info can be found at: https://www.facebook.com/events/189196234877860/ This event is presented by the High Riders Snowmobile Club and kicks off at 9am in front of the 10,200 sign across from Safeway. Get there early to register and sign the required forms. There will be head to head drag racing at its finest!
We will have a club ride February 19th, the location is tentatively set for Spring Creek at 10am. We will be confirming the location and time this evening at the club meeting.
We will also have an overnight ride March 24-26. The location is still TBD, but we will confirm the destination this evening and will send the information out to all members after the meeting.
Club Meetings:
As a reminder for the new folks, our club meetings are held the second Tuesday of each month, 6 pm. At Q4U in Frisco.
In addition to tonight's romantic meeting, we will also meet March 14th and April 11th. We will be talking about grooming, whatever Max broke on his last downhill in Silverton, planning our next few rides locations and covering all things snowmobile related.
Thanks and I hope to see you on the snow!
Rich Holcroft,
High Country Snowmobile Club

subset: commoncrawl


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Sunday, February 28, 2010
A Visit To Asheville
It was a good day. We had lunch together, and afterwards drove through Biltmore to the Norfolk Southern railyard so Sam and John could see the trains. Then, on a whim, we drove on to downtown Asheville to see what sort of changes had been made since our last trip there.
It really made me sad. Asheville is no longer the Asheville of my childhood--the Asheville I long for--the Asheville of wide swaths of trees and green and craggy coolness. The trees are being cut down for impersonal cookie cutter neighborhoods, the hillsides are being clear cut for condo developments, and the green and craggy coolness is being taken up bit by bit to create sprawling strip malls and big box stores. It makes me sick. I hate to visit anymore.
I tried to explain it to Tom, who never saw Asheville when it was so sleepy it was practically narcoleptic. What made Asheville special was its small town quirkiness--the indelible stamp of its residents on its personality--not the indelible stamp of big city developers trying to recreate a facade resembling old Asheville. This month's copy of Southern Living had a glowing review of the new Grand Bohemian Hotel that sits across from the entrace of the Biltmore Estate. It's a hideous fortress of a monstrosity that does not, as the article claims, capture "the essence of a Victorian lodge, with contemporary touches befitting Asheville's character." The old gas station and Hardees that once stood there with a view of the original cottages built for Vanderbilt's employees and All Soul's church in the distance, captured the essence of Asheville. As metaphor's go, the Grand Bohemian Hotel is a metaphor for all that is wrong with Asheville.
Once upon a time, Asheville was home to true hard working Appalachians, craftsmen and artisans, who didn't put on ridiculous airs for tourists. Visit the silversmiths at Stuart Nye Gallery in Asheville or Brown's Pottery in Arden, and tell me if they seem like bohemians to you--producing generation after generation of beautiful, traditional craftsmanship in the same place, for the same people, for a hundred years or more.
It makes me seethe with anger to see my home town stripped of its personality, littered with little cafes and shops and hotels that are clearly designed for tourists and not the local residents. Asheville used to be Asheville, but now it looks just like any other over-built, strip mall saturated New South city. It could be Charlotte or Atlanta or Greenville... who would know the difference? One big box store is the same as the next.
I know I'm starting to sound like an old woman, blubbering about the good 'ol days--but Thomas Wolfe was right. When it comes to Asheville, you can't go home again.
3 comments:
Exactly. I am secretly praying that hotel floods horribly soon, so all us natives can sit back and laugh at anyone who doesn't realize Biltmore floods every 20 years or so.ReplyDelete
And Biltmore is a place. Enka Lake is NOT Biltmore Lake. Anyone who falls for that and pays more because of it deserves what they get.
unfortunately the same thing is happening everywhere. you should see the 2 mcmansions that got squeezed in next to my parents' house...the same house i grew up in, in a neighborhood where the kids were all called home for dinner by a different whistle per family. and if the kid of the family didn't hear it, someone or several of us did and all yelled for the kid being whistled for, "----! you gotta go hoooome!" and the kid ran home.ReplyDelete
i visit there now, and know there are other kids in the neighborhood, but we just don't see them outside like when i was a kid. then drive out to the main roads and everything is big box stores of natioanl branding now. no more of the little mom & pop places where everyone knew each other going in the door.


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Second-generation Motorola Moto G found with Android 5.1 on board
The other day, we told you that Google had 'launched' Android 5.1 in Indonesia as the latest Android build was spotted running on a new Android One handset. Now, a second generation Motorola Moto G has been spotted with Android 5.1 running the show. Motorola has been quick with the Lollipop stick, and we have to wonder if a broader rollout will be coming soon.
Back in December, we told you to expect Android 5.1 to debut in February, which was a great call. At the time, we told you that the new build would add Silent mode which was missing on Android 5.0. Other changes include a general improvement in system stability, improved RAM management, fixes for sudden app closures, improved battery management, issues with wireless connections fixed, problems with 'Okay Google' function solved, notifications problems solved, some sound problems experienced by certain devices fixed and other improvements and changes also fixed.
So where will Android 5.1 show up next? Motorola Moto E users have received an invitation for a soak test as we told you the other day. While the speculation is that the soak test is for Android 5.0.2, there is no reason why it couldn't be for Android 5.1 instead.
source: TechDroider via STJSGadgets


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The baby shower is a family's first opportunity to gather people together to help play a part in their child's life.
The new parents may wish to call on people to assist in the upbringing of their child, and help educate the child over time.
People around the family, who care for them, want to be involved in the child's life, and a baby shower presents an opportunity for them to give gifts and be of help, showing their love for the family.
If it happens before the birth, it allows the new family to thank everyone before the stress of a new baby and lack of sleep begins.


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Billions now have the power to hit publish. The internet is bulging at the seams with content.
Does that mean we should?
Will what we say have an impact?
Would we be missed if we didn't publish?
What responsibility do we have to make the post something of value?
Given there are over 250 million blog sites, what difference will ours make?
How big does the impact have to be?
For me, if it makes a difference to one person, then it is worth it. However, often we do not manage our expectations and we think everything needs to be big and that will lead to disappointment.
That does not mean we can not publish and do even better next time.
Before hitting publish though, we need to ask some questions, as just being able to do something does not mean you should. It needs a purpose. Even if that purpose is to help ourselves get better or to make a difference to a small group of followers.


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Wilson and Frenchy - Slouch Pocket Shorts - Powder Stone
About Wilson and Frenchy
Made from the softest cotton blend with prints as unique and special as your little one, Wilson and Frenchy pieces are designed to spark joy. They're designed to bring a smile to your face everyday (even if you don't leave the house!)
Because they've made sure that they'll stand up to the demands of your busy life, all Wilson and Frenchy range is machine washable.
Wilson and Frenchy is a proud Australian brand with a sustainable approach. Their cut and sew range is made certified Fairtrade by women in India, so you know your purchase is an ethical one.
Fabric Composition: 60% Cotton / 37% Bamboo / 3% Elastane


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In director Baz Luhrmann's very contemporary and highly stylized take on William Shakespeare's classic romantic tragedy, the Montagues and Capulets have moved their ongoing feud to the sweltering, yet very hip, suburb of Verona Beach, where Romeo and Juliet fall in love and secretly wed. Though the film is visually modern, the bard's dialogue remains. Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes lead a stellar ensemble cast that includes John Leguizamo, Harold Perrineau, Paul Rudd, Pete Postlethwaite, Paul Sorvino, Brian Dennehy, Vondie Curtis-Hall, Miriam Margolyes.
"Luhrmann's gleefully cinematic version of the play is so relentlessly inventive and innovative, it takes 20 minutes to get a grasp on how appropriate is his approach to the material." (Time Out)
Monday, February 10
Doors 8:30 pm | Movie 9:00 pm
Single Film Tickets $13 advance HERE | $13 at the door
*Minors welcome in the balcony! Must be 19+ W/ID for bar service and main floor seating.
**Rio Theatre Groupons and passes OK for any single film.
ROMEO + JULIET (Baz Luhrmann, 1996 / 120 mins / PG) A hyper-kinetic take on the classic Shakespearean romantic tragedy for the screen, updating the setting to a post-modern city named Verona Beach. In this version, the Capulets and the Montagues are two rival gangs. Young Juliet Capulet is attending a costume ball thrown by her parents when she meets and falls in love with the son of her family's nemesis, Romeo Montague, when he crashes her family's masked ball.


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Oilgear flow meters in Chino Hills CA are ideal for accurate measurement of problem fluids
Depending on the application, the ability to accurately measure flow can be crucial. When you're working with dangerous chemicals, errors could cause safety risks to your staff, your equipment, and the environment. If you want to keep an eagle eye on your process fluids at all times, you need to install Oilgear flow meters in Chino Hills CA.
The Toughest Flow Meters on the Market
Oilgear's main focus is on designing equipment that can not only survive, but thrive in tough environments. Oilgear flow meters in Chino Hills CA are no different. They are designed for:
- Diverse fluid compatibility: Virtually any process fluid imaginable can be run through Oilgear flow meters in Chino Hills CA, provided that steps are taken to exclude entrained gases from measurement. Oilgear equipment has been used with great success on everything from anhydrous ammonia to brine, condensate, and crude oil. These fluids are just the tip of the iceberg.
- Large particle clearance: Oilgear flow meters can pass sand, stones, bits of wood and rubber, and various other contaminants with ease. On the smallest flow meter, the clearance is 0.25 inches and larger meters have higher clearances.
- Accurate measurements: Oilgear flow meters in Chino Hills CA can take a lot of abuse without having their accuracy suffer. For example, you can run up to 130 percent of maximum flow without altering the reliability of readings.
Choose Your Readout Option
With easy-to read mechanical or LCD displays based on quality mechanisms (including explosion-proof sensors if needed), it's easy to get accurate data from your Oilgear flow meters in Chino Hills CA. The meters can be rigged up for remote reading with either active or passive transducer technology.
Need Help Choosing Your Oilgear Flow Meters in Chino Hills CA?
If you're reordering your Oilgear flow meter, it's a piece of cake. But if you are buying for the first time, you may need some help. Our knowledgeable staff can help you understand your options and make sure you end up with a meter that can deliver the reliable data you need to keep your equipment running safely and efficiently.
We do have many standard Oilgear flow meters in stock, but if you need to request a special modification or if you happen to need a model we don't have on hand, we will be happy to place an order for you. With 3 convenient delivery options (in store pick up, local delivery, or nationwide shipping) you will have your new part ASAP.
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Hi ladies :) Here is a quick and pretty layering I did while I was in the mood for a neutral look. I used two coats of OPI My vampire is buff and then layered over it Savvy Razzle and dazzle.
I just love how the golden shimmer still looks so amazing over the cleaner and lighter base shade. And the hex glitters...♥ Mmmm, I love this layering! :D
Thanks for reading.
Tuesday, February 25, 2014
- In: China Glaze, nails, OPI
- Posted By: Sharon
- Comments: 3 comments
3 comments:
- Kristina KnipserFebruary 25, 2014 at 8:30 PM
What a lovely combination. Definitely one to copy! :-)ReplyDelete
- sharonnnnFebruary 25, 2014 at 8:42 PM
Thanks Kristina! I would love to see you wearing this combination too! ^^ReplyDelete
Love this combo! it somehow reminds me of champagne, too, haha :DReplyDelete


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October 31, 2013
To My Readers: Book Buying Suggestions
This is the first in a series of posts of gift-giving suggestions, as we are close to (American) Thanksgiving, (and therefore, Black Friday) as well as Christmas and other holidays in December. This post will look at books. I've suggested some ISBNs of ideal editions (cost, quality)
October 29, 2013
Chapters Weekend (Online) Sale
Chapters will be having an online sale. You save 15% off weekends. The sale applies Saturdays and Sundays only, and ends March 30th, 2014. The promo code is 15offweekends . you enter this at the online checkout. Starts Saturdays (12:01 EST) and ends Sundays (11:59 PM EST). There is no minimum spend, and on regular priced items.
Can't be used on giftcards, ebooks, doantions etc.....
I'll be doing a Book Shopping Guide post, which I'm sure will help you buy books as gifts...either for yourself or others.
October 28, 2013
Benefits of The Book Depository
Because I live in Canada, certain some things come from the United States, and others come from the UK. This post will examine books.
Struggling Sens
Lately the Ottawa Senators have been struggling. We haven't been winning a lot of games. We played the West Coast a lot, and had a late home opener. I'm not sure what it is, but we've got to start winning some more games. It's still early in the season, so the gang has still room to catch up and improve....though hopefully with more wins than losses. The next game will be tomorrow night vs Chicago.
October 27, 2013
The Hobbit (Part 2) Soundtrack Artwork
Once again, the soundtrack will be offered be in regular CD format, 'Special Edition' (2 discs with more tracks), as well as vinyl, which is basically a vinyl version of the standard CD. The itunes editions will most likely mirror the CD releases.
Stand by for tracklisting and ordering info. I'm glad that the music for Part 2 is being released in a similar fashion to Part 1. And, Most likely, Part 3 as well.
October 21, 2013
Gift Idea [Not for Me] : "The Hobbit" and "The Lord of the Rings" set
With renewed interest in Tolkien due to the Hobbit films, here is a gift option for shoppers come Thanksgiving / Christmas [I will do a Christmas idea post in November or December sometime. This ideas are not for myself.]
October 19, 2013
Why the Wheel of Time is Ideal for ereaders
I am about half-done the Wheel of Times book series by Robert Jordan, and completed by Brandon Sanderson.
October 17, 2013
"Winds of Winter" Sample Chapter *Update*
It's going to be a Barristan Selmy chapter. Don't know details beyond that at this point. It may be 'titled' ("The Queensguard" or something) rather than 'named' ('Barristan')
If you want to get into the series, read past the jump for more.
Stomping Grounds
Tonight the Ottawa Senators will tackle the New Jersey Devils at their home of CT Center. This is the Sens' home opener of the regular season, and we are looking for a big win. Get ready, cus here it comes!
October 16, 2013
"Unfinished Tales" Gets Deluxe Edition
October 14, 2013
My Hockey Pool
Team: St Louis
(Daniel) Sedin
1 Goalie - 2 pts by win - 4 pts by shutouts
1 Team - 2 pts by win - 1 pts by lost in OT
8 Forward - 1 pts by goal - 1 pts by assist
2 Defence - 1 pts by goal - 1 pts by assist
Posted by insurrbution @ 15:18 No comments:
October 13, 2013
Fall Beer Season (and the End of Oktoberfest)
Some of my friends and family know that I like to drink. I wouldn't consider myself a drunkard or an alcoholic, but I like the taste of beer, and usually have it with food and / or in a social setting. That being said, I do have preferences of what I do like to drink.
October 9, 2013
Book Review: "Crown of Swords" (Wheel of Time book 7)
I've finished the seventh (of fourteen...getting there!) Wheel of Time novel. If you want to know what I have to say, read more....
October 8, 2013
The Spirit of St Louis
Ahh the St Louis Blues....
Make no mistake, I am first and foremost an Ottawa Senators fan..but that's in the East. After seeing St Louis' sports highlights during last season, especially during the playoffs, they are now my favorite team in the West.
They are the only team from the expansion yet to win a Stanley Cup. And this may be their year.
Before I go further, I should add that at work I entered a hockey pool (separate, next post). I chose the Blues as my team (basically, 'what if Ottawa doesn't go all the way?' I'd love them bu they aren't really a 'playoff team'. And besides, they are in the East, Blues in the West so I don't feel guilty following another team too) and Brian Elliott as my goalie.
Now, back to my post.
About *2-3* days after my post, I saw this little dandy:
"NHL 14 picks Blues to win Stanley Cup"
"NHL 14 picks Blues to win Stanley Cup"
EA games ran a simulator that had the Blues beat the Penguins in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Finals, winning the Cup. Here is a rundown by EA games [this is the end of the note by me, click the jump to see the stats EA came up with].
October 6, 2013
I'm pretty sure most of the NHL teams have had their first game, at lest. Hockey season has now begun!
The Ottawa Senators beat the Buffalo Sabres 1-0 in their opener, but lost to the Toronto Maple Leafs 5-4. Very close, very tense game. Toronto's lineup is improving.
Should be a good season; as well as hopefully goo standings in my hockey pool [more on that later].
October 1, 2013
New Editions of 'The Wheel of Time' - Update
Another addition this post:
Book 10 info has now been added.
Book 10 info has now been added.
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Ask Question
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Cnr Hill St & Eden Ave, Coolangatta
Greenmount Beach Resort Coolangatta is paradise found. It is right on the famous headland at Greenmount Beach and close to Coolangatta airport and the wonderful shopping center and heart of the local holiday action.
The beautiful Tweed River, with it's vast array of water activities is a mere stone's throw...Surfers Paradise is but a short drive...and the lush tropical rainforests of the Gold Coast Hinterland and Tweed Valley are only a little further.
Located just within the Queensland border, the fabulous Greenmount Beach Resort epitomises what "the Sunshine State" is all about...fun, surf and relaxation.
Greenmount Beach Resort is more than just a fabulous sunny location. It's a great place to unwind.
The Greenmount Beach Resorthas a great bar and restaurnat situated beside the pool.
They have recently introduced a new international menu with traditional favourites to entice your tastebuds.
Greenmount Beach Resort offers a range of rooms to suit the individual guest's needs, whether it be a Standard or Superior room, a Family room, their 1 bedroom Apartment or the Spa Suite for the discerning guest, most with spectacular Ocean or Hinterland/Tweed River views.
Studio available with 1 Queen bed & 1 Single bed, mini fridge, tea & coffee making facilities, air conditioned, TV with free in-house movies, balcony with views.
These larger air conditioned rooms consist of 1 Queen & 2 Single beds, mini fridge, tea & coffee making facilities, TV with free in-house movies, balcony with views
These rooms are located on the top 2 floors of the Resort boasting spectacular Ocean or Hinterland views from your balcony.These air conditioned Studio rooms include a queen bed, mini fridge, tea & coffee making facilities, TV with free in-house movies. Some of these rooms have interconnecting doors.
Their 1 bed room self contained Apartment offers 1 Queen & 2 Single beds, 2 bathrooms, 2 balconies with ocean views, air conditioned, TV with free movies.
Spa Suite
This recently refurbished, self contained suite offers a King bed, double balcony over looking the Pacific ocean. The marble bathroom is complete with a full size Spa bath.The separate sitting area offers a comfortable lounge with modern fittings, 2 TVs & Sound System.


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Flexibility and Style Rule the Day
Today's office tenants are looking beyond trendy climbing walls and foosball tables to comfy furniture, sit-stand workstations and vibrant colors to help attract top talent. The goal is to make the office environment inviting, adaptable and efficient.
"Employers realize that the office environment has to be just right in order to attract top talent," said Alesia Atwood, corporate account manager with SEAATS, which is a division of Earles Architects and Associates. "The layout of the office, the flow of work space, and the furniture arrangements all fit together to create an appealing work environment. The goal is to help nurture employee relationships, improve productivity, and develop a strong collaborative culture."
Among the Top 5 Office Design Trends to watch are:


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August Monthly Meeting (Schools Special!)- Victoria
Come along to this special version of our Monthly Meeting, driven by our awesome Schools team. You'll get the chance to learn more about the Repower Our Schools campaign and Climate Justice Summit, and how you can get involved to help high school students take action on climate change.
We'll also be working together on our current Meet Your Member campaign. This ensures all MPs and Senators in our new government know about the AYCC, how powerful we are, and the need to transition to 100% renewable energy now! Come be a part of this exciting campaign.
All are welcome, whether you've been involved in AYCC for a while, have recently gotten involved, or haven't volunteered yet but want to learn more. Snacks provided (yay!)
See you in August!
August 09, 2016 at 6pm - 8pm
60L Green Building
60 Leicester St
Carlton, Victoria 3053
Google map and directions
60 Leicester St
Carlton, Victoria 3053
Google map and directions
Phoebe Rountree · · 401166263


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Archive for the 'CQC' Category
Data protection: Does a £100,000 fine sharpen our view?
Data protection is big business and maintaining compliance critical to avoid some very heavy fines.
Sensitive material included in DBS checks means that we are always diligent and the office kept secure. It may appear at times antisocial, but we don't make the rules for this particular service we offer.
I must admit , however, I was surprised to see how steep fines can get, having read a piece in the Guardian about a county council being fined £100,000 after files containing highly sensitive personal details of more than 100 people were discovered in a disused building.
These social care files were found along with 45 bags of confidential waste at Town End House in Havant, Hampshire, by the new owners of the building after it was bought in August 2014.
The article stated the forgotten documents were found to contain "highly sensitive" information about adults and children in vulnerable circumstances, according to the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO).
Officials at the ICO, which levied the fine on Hampshire county council, said there could have been "distressing consequences" if the data had ended up in the wrong hands.
The case appears complex and Hampshire county council is full of apologies. But the bottom line is that the council failed to look after the information for which it was responsible.
It serves as a timely reminder for all social care operators to be diligent over client files.
A single look at the local social care contracts and it is blatantly apparent the local authorities are twitchy about the Data Protection Act.
Data Protection is mentioned about 20 times and care just once or twice. . . it says it all.
The Information Commissioner's Office is an independent official body whose role is to oversee all information legislation, including promoting access to official information and protecting personal information. All public and private organisations are legally obliged to protect any personal information they hold. Public bodies are also obliged to provide public access to official information.
Information legislation protects the human rights of people using services by ensuring information about individuals is:
- Held only with consent
- Held securely
- Shared only on a 'need to know' basis
- Accessible to them.
Confidentiality of information is a key part of maintaining dignity for those using health and social care services. The Data Protection Act (DPA) 1998 requires public bodies and their data controllers to comply with a range of data protection principles. There are some limits on confidentiality and these apply where there is a risk of harm to other people.
How should data protection affect the way we work?
It is even more important these days that documents, including emails, which contain personal data are:
- Kept in an orderly fashion
- Filed on registered electronic devices or in paper files as soon as practicable if they are to be retained;
- Erased or destroyed when they are no longer required
- You should not keep random collections of odd papers or old emails. If they need to be retained, they should be properly filed, as mentioned above
- You should observe a clear desk policy
- You should satisfy yourself that, if required, you could retrieve personal data for which you are responsible, to answer an enquiry from a data subject
All very legal, I know, but being sorry after the event doesn't recover fines incurred.
Let us work together to secure the future of care
Like countless others in the care sector I have joined the chorus in the West Midlands calling on councils to pay a viable rate for care beds purchased from the private, charity and voluntary sectors.
The care landscape is bleak and my WMCA has warned closures are imminent and there is little regional capacity to take up those frail and needy residents who may be displaced. To this end we are desperate to work with local authorities to find mechanisms that will secure the future care of the most vulnerable and the survival of local businesses.
At an emergency meeting of the association, members heard George Osborne's living wage directives could "be the final nail in the coffin for care as we know it."
In an attempt to secure a funding lifeline to the industry, we are calling on MPs, councillors, local authority officers and Clinical Commissioning Groups to meet with us to discuss future ring-fenced funding for social care.
The vast majority of Black Country care businesses rely on placements paid for by councils as a primary income generator and more than 26,300 people across the region receive residential care. A similar number have care at home.
In recent weeks, five care home corporates with 1,200 properties between them have written to the Chancellor warning of impending disaster following his Budget reforms on the living wage.
The big five – Four Seasons Health Care, Bupa UK, HC-One, Care UK and Barchester – look after 75,000 frail, old people. They claim a major provider is likely to close within a year to 24 months unless the Government releases its purse strings. The response: Silence.
The national picture is indeed gloomy, but in our region it's much, much worse and Osborne's announcement has caused shockwaves across the region. So many are already in crisis . . . and now this.
The legislation impacts massively on all streams of care as indeed it must doe with many other businesses.
A WMCA impact analysis suggests the Osborne wages regulation will add £23 per week to the care cost of every Midlands person in a residential care setting. But we need to add to that figure a further £50, the current average weekly operational deficit on council-funded places.
If the corporates – HC-One is one of our members – are predicting at best only a two-year survival rate under current economies, what chance have my other members, who have much smaller homes and much-depleted resources?"
As for thepromised autumn Government Spending Review . . . I fear too little, too late.
Residential care occupancy levels throughout the Midlands are averaging 97 per cent and there's not not a member in the association who is not anxious about the future wellbeing of those requiring care.
For those who think we do not want to pay the living wage, think again, please. All of my members would happily apply the living wage, but there is no financial sleeve left in their business models to do so. Care home companies are not just crying wolf. Care is a minimum wage industry and profit margins are extremely tight, especially where council referrals are the main income.
Do you know that for the last nine years fees have fallen below the viable cost of running a care home?
Over the last five years, for example, Dudley Social services has given rises totalling 8.9 per cent while the Consumer Prices Index is at 11.6 per cent, the Retail Price Index at 15 per cent and wage rises are hitting 12.3 per cent. The rises don't track cost and we clearly need some Government benevolence to help both councils and care providers.
Recently Sandwell Council's cabinet met to respond to a WMCA call for a fees increase of 16 per cent – residential care from £378 per week to £438.46; dementia care from £428 per week to 496.48; and residential nursing care from £490 per week to £568.00.
What do we get? A 1.5 per cent rise for residential care and a 2.5 per cent rise for nursing.
Latest figures from Industry analysts LaingBuisson reveal English councils pay £91 a week less than what is needed for fully compliant care.
In 2013 Birmingham City Council commissioned accountants and analysts KPMG LLP to establish the true cost of care through the Open Book initiative where care providers were asked to submit their accounts.
Some 380 homes were targeted and the results showed to meet escalating costs commissioners would need to pay £460 per week.
Two years on, and not including the implications of the living wage, It would take an l increase of six per cent to bring homes to the minimum figures used by the Association of Directors of Adult Social Care (ADASS) as the threshold for safe care announced this spring. An extra three per cent would allow homes to cover increases in operational costs.
Sadly, if a major employer were to make this kind of warning there would be huge interest over the potential loss to the economy. What we have here is a bunch of businesses across the region that create about 125,00 carer jobs for adult social care (figures from Skills for Care).
"That dwarfs the employment stats of say Jaguar LandRover and it's deeply worrying that few of these jobs are secure under present funding models.
Listen, councils do have choices what to do with funds and government austerity can no longer be an excuse for not addressing the finances of care.
I would call upon our local councilors to make decisions of conscience on funding that will directly impact on the most vulnerable people in the electorate they serve.
It is a fact that a dog walker can earn more than we can pay our carers. There is something radically wrong.
Dudley and Walsall lead in response to Living Wage bombshell
There is a deep concern among care providers that the introductions of George Osborne's Living Wage will sink many independent businesses.
Surveys have offered a whole array of gloomy forecasts with one stating the following:
- 9% of respondents are deeply 'concerned' about their businesses
- 3% of them felt that the increase would have a 'significant' impact on their businesses
- 72% were very concerned about their ability to continue in business
- The majority of people responding to the survey did not feel able to pay their staff the Living Wage of £9.00 per hour by 2020 in the timescales without a 'substantial' increase from commissioners
And what is more worrying, a press release from the National Care Association claims 24 per cent of respondents indicated that they would consider exiting the marketplace if their local authorities did not make a significant move to increase the fees they pay over the next five years.
The strategy we adopt from hereon is critical, as it will determine the fate of so many providers and their clients.
It is a heavy burden that has not lifted from my shoulders since the Osborne bombshell. I am convinced the care sector was invisible to him when he set in stone his plans.
Let me add at this point, I applaud any move to upgrade the status and salaries of carers, but there must be an impact analysis and a cohesive strategy – funding – to make it work.
Sadly, we're floundering and again lacking in leadership from Government. The local authorities with which we work are clearly in the same position.
Following the Living Wage announcement, West Midlands Care Association contacted councilors and directors in all the membership authorities and outlined the real impact of the legislation. There has been a deafening silence in response, except for Walsall and Dudley.
Walsall has indicated that unless extra funds are released the thresholds of care funding will have to change. A pragmatic approach, I know, but at least our overtures have been acknowledged and there have been strong indications that they understand our dilemma.
Dudley has been exemplary in its reply. Both councillors and officers recognise the position of our members and the pivotal role of West Midlands Care Association plays in working though the difficulties.
The authority has agreed to meet with us as soon as its own impact analysis is complete. The authority also recognises that it is essential the Government provide "appropriate funding."
We have enjoyed a creative e working relationship with Dudley for many years and I am heartened at its realisation we need to talk and pool knowledge if we have any chance of delivering a sustainable lifeline to care providers and those who are currently receiving care.
The most basic and powerful way to connect is to listen to each other. If there was ever a time in the care sector when dialogue between WMCA . . . and local authorities was needed, it's now. Silence is not an option, as the funding issue has become a complication for cash-strapped authorities, as they are obliged to navigate their legal care market management responsibilities outlined in the Care Act.
What can I add? We will do all we can to help and for those who perhaps have nothing to say: Please don't shut the door on us.
It is true that only those who harm the care industry really make the headlines, Essentially, all the providers I daily meet are good, honourable people. So good, in fact, I worry that for the very best intentions they will carry on to dispense care even without sufficient resources. Cutting corners . . . giving something out of nothing . . . need I say more?
Government spending review may offer hope to social care
A critical spending review to determine medium term plans for Governments department will provide a platform for ADASS to air its concerns over funding for social care.
The review has to take place this summer because there are no detailed spending plans in place for the next financial year. Already private discussions are taking place and ADDAS is feeding the key issues into the agenda.
Quoting John Jackson, co-chair of Resources Network, the outcomes of the review could be:
- Health and social care will be seen as a single entity
- This will provide some protection for adult social care (but remember that health is not being funded to meet increased demands)
- It will be accompanied by a requirement to pool budgets (probably under the control of Health and Wellbeing Boards)
So what are the implications for local government? Here are Mr Jackson's thoughts:
Any new government or ministers will want to pursue eye catching ideas – some of them will be good (e.g. Health and Wellbeing Boards) but others not and will lead to considerable change at a time when systems are under huge pressures
Sadly, he predicts that some local authorities (and some local health and care systems) are under significant risk of falling apart in the next two years. Oh, yes!
Change is paramount if adequate social care is to continue
Local authorities are assuming significant reductions in social care budgets. They're also assuming the cuts will be "ongoing". Just what I want to hear (not).
The recent ADASS Budget Survey 2015 report shows that this year, as last, 35 per cent of council budgets relate to adult social care. Councils, ADASS notes, have tried to protect social care spending at the cost of other services but are running out of ability to do this in the future. I believe this to be true in many instances.
The report goes on to says that In the context of the NHS, health funding has increased from £97.5billion in 201-11 to £116.4billion in 2015-16, an increase of 19.3per cent. Over the same period, social care funding has decreased from £14.9billion to £13.3billion, a reduction of 10.7 per cent and "more in real terms when demography is taken into account."
Significantly, "the money being transferred from the NHS is not enough to mitigate these spending reductions."
This surely must be in the ears of David Cameron.
Senior NHS leaders have already publically shared concerns about the funding for social care services to support people in greatest need. They have added their voices to a growing chorus of concerns over the much-heralded £8 billion NHS funding gap figure that's being forecast.
In an open letter to the Prime Minister, the NHS Confederation said in May 2015:
"Our deep concern over social care funding must be addressed if we are to meet people's needs, never mind the impact that social care has on the ability of the NHS to provide safe, quality and timely treatment to those who need it."
I applaud the fact that ADASS wants to see a social care system that is protected, aligned and re-designed.
To achieve this, ADASS is calling upon the Government to urgently ensure that social care funding is protected and aligned with the NHS, including making provision for the social care funding gap alongside the funding gap for the NHS.
This is brave, campaigning talk and I wish every success on those who are left to do the hand-to-hand fighting in Parliament.
ADASS concludes by saying: "This is paramount to securing adequate health and wellbeing outcomes for individuals and their carers and to ensuring that councils do not run out of money."
The truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth . . . I really do hope that this latest document, which shows a falling barometer on the state of the nation's care, will impact the decision makers to reassess the austerity course we are on – and particularly how it impacts our most vulnerable people.
Should social care survive this ordeal by fire, should the good times ever roll again for care providers, should there ever be a season of plenty, perhaps local authorities could not be so eager to financially squeeze care businesses, thus allowing reserves to build for such a time that we might just have to navigate this way once again.


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Stories on this page:
Chaos – Encounter– Lightning – Happy Now? – Expectation
The presence permeated the void, like early morning mist among gravestones. It studied the mass spreading before it, for, in the beginning, there was … well, everything, really. It it just lacked organisation.
Everything that ever was or that ever will be, was there. This Everything was not recognisable as anything in particular. The planets hadn't formed a suite, dinosaurs hadn't evolved to extinction, mountains hadn't risen above seas not yet formed and homosapien wasn't himself. All the atoms that ever would be were floating around loose.
The presence coalesced and stood before the Everything. The random circulations and vibrations calmed and became still. The presence folded its arms and surveyed the atomic masses. There was a universal, yet metaphorical, sucking of air through clenched teeth.
"Complete and utter chaos!" she said. She spread her arms wide, encompassing Everything, and scooped it into a seething bundle. She squeezed the Everything into a ball, brought it to her lips and blew.
Everything in her hands exploded. It was quite a big bang, and Everything spread outwards. The presence watched. The colours were beautiful and the patterns fascinating.
"I wonder …" she said. This was going to take some time.
I like nothing more than a long hot shower to make me feel good. I close my eyes and let the water flood over my face and neck. Shampoo; I feel the soft foam run down my back. Rinse once. Hair's still not squeaky. Rinse again; that's better.
I squeeze shower gel into my hands and work up a good lather. Smooth over my shoulders, down my arms. Back up and across my chest; that's nice, lower. Far enough! I twist to reach my back, then down over those smooth buns. Carry on down, down those long legs. I bend over to reach my calves and ankles. The spray pounds on my back and splashes around the cubicle.
Now for the bits I missed. Where's the shower gel gone? Fumble on the shelf. Damn! Where is it? Rinse the bubbles from my face. Open my eyes, blink, focus.
Aarrrgh! Huge spider! Angry, red legs thrashing to stay alive, running for the dry. So do I; grab a towel. The droplets turn icy cold as the breeze from the open window hits my back. Outside the shower I'm safe. So is he, scuttling back outside to the cool dry garden.
A formula to remember (for electricians everywhere)
'I've gotta get the fire going under this cauldron before I run out of full moon!' Ivy Watts wasn't an efficient witch, but she was persistent. Beyond the woods, in the next valley a storm rumbled. She rubbed her warty chin and gave the cold brew another stir.
'Ha! I know!' she hoiked up her long black dress, leapt on her bicycle and pedalled back to her cottage. Ivy had left the brolly in a bucket behind the door. She stuffed it into her belt and rode back to the woods and the dormant cauldron.
The storm was close, there wasn't long. She took a length of bailing wire from her knicker leg and wrapped it round a some kindling. The other end she wrapped around the handle of the umbrella. Now the storm was over head and the rain started. A quick splash of whisky, for her and the fire, and she raised the umbrella to the sky. Immediately there was an explosion as lightning ripped down, through the umbrella, along the bailing wire and into the puddle of whisky.
She staggered out from the smoke, raised her hand in triumph and shouted, 'Power IS Ivy Watts!'
Happy Now?
He cupped her cheek in his hand and wiped away the tear with his thumb; the blood from his hand smudged it across her face like war paint. She was quiet now. 'I'm going. I won't be home tonight so don't wait up for me.' He stood next to her, the knife in his right hand dripped onto her once white blouse. The press would describe it as a frenzied attack, multiple stab wounds. 'They don't know the half of it!'
"I've put up with you for five years." his voice wavered. "I'm sorry, I just don't know what else I can do to make you happy." Tears flowed down his face turning the spattered blood into a grotesque mask. He stepped back from her body. He loved her more than any other, but she was never satisfied. Jewellery, clothes, cars, the best restaurants; she took everything but gave nothing. Just that awful sneer.He turned to leave, but as he did there was the faintest sound.
"You're still alive! You bitch! Even that wasn't enough for you!" He grabbed her hair and twisted back her head, exposing the smooth flesh of her neck, and raised the knife again.
The two hundred yard exclusion zone was already in place when Sergeant George Taylor arrived at the scene. After fifteen years in the army, many in Northern Ireland, he was familiar with the procedures for suspect packages; now that he was a police officer, the routine was the same.
This package was a cheap, plastic briefcase. No markings, no protruding electrical wires, no black sticky tape. But there, just under the handle, was a loop of fine wire. It was just big enough to get a finger through and was poking out of a small hole drilled in the body of the briefcase. He settled back and rested on one knee.
Was the bomber hanging around to see the results of his handy work? George scanned the crowd standing behind the security tape. A man wearing sunglasses brought his left arm up in an exaggerated arc to look at his wristwatch. George's attention zeroed in on him. The man grinned and tapped his finger on the watch.
George stood, raised his arm to point at the man and, as he drew a breath to shout to his colleagues, he heard, from the briefcase, a gentle whirr, then a click …
All articles/stories (c) K Patrick Moody


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Food Related Illness and Disease
Wild Salmon Caravan 2017 - Honouring our Matriarchs
The Working Group of Indigenous Food Sovereignty would like to publicly acknowledge and express our deepest gratitude and appreciation for the communities of support that gave, so freely, countless hours of time, energy and a wealth of ideas for planning of programs and logistical coordination for the Wild Salmon Caravan 2017.
- Food Sovereignty
- Generations and Youth
- Elders
- Adults
- Youth
- Infants and Children
- Health
- Nutrition
- Environment
- Lifestyle
- Food Related Illness and Disease
- Sustainability
- Conservation Ecology
- Protection and Direct Action
- Responsibility and Relationships
- Eco-cultural Restoration
- Economics
- Community Economics
- Bioregional Economics
- Economic Values
- Household Economics
BC Food Systems Network Working Group on Indigenous Food Sovereignty 9th Annual Meeting Report Part 1
Cultural and spiritual protocols
Background and history
Key concepts
Project updates
Sustainability and Scale
Updates from community and regional networks
The following file is a 599 KB pdf document you many need to download Adobe Reader to open the file.
Decolonizing the Mind: A Talk by Dr. Michael Yellowbird
Published on Feb 11, 2014
Decolonizing the Mind: Healing Through Neurodecolonization and Mindfulness -
Author, educator, medical social worker and citizen of the Arikara (Sahnish) and Hidatsa Nations in North Dakota, Michael Yellow Bird, MSW, Ph.D. works with indigenous communities, teaching about healing the trauma of colonialism. On January 24, 2014 he spoke about his experiences at Portland State University in Portland, Oregon, sharing his ideas about how to do go about doing this through techniques of mindfulness, thought and behavior which he refers to as neurodecolonization.
- Food Sovereignty
- Land Access/Distribution
- Land Grab
- Land Management
- Land Title and Rights
- Generations and Youth
- Elders
- Adults
- Youth
- Infants and Children
- Health
- Environment
- Lifestyle
- Food Related Illness and Disease
- Sustainability
- Conservation Ecology
- Protection and Direct Action
- Responsibility and Relationships
- Eco-cultural Restoration
- Economic Values
A conversation with Vandana Shiva
Dr Vandana Shiva at Mount Allison University in 2012
We Are Not Being Heard: Aboriginal Perspectives on Traditional Foods Access and Food Security
Aboriginal peoples are among the most food insecure groups in Canada, yet their perspectives and knowledge are often sidelined
in mainstream food security debates. In order to create food security for all, Aboriginal perspectives must be included in food
security research and discourse. This project demonstrates a process in which Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal partners engaged in
a culturally appropriate and respectful collaboration, assessing the challenges and barriers to traditional foods access in the urban
The following file is a 1400 KB pdf document you many need to download Adobe Reader to open the file.
Tsleil-Waututh lead prayer ceremony and Kinder Morgan protest: photos
Members of the Tsleil-Waututh Nation, joined by prominent environmental advocates, went out to Burrard Inlet today to participate in a prayer ceremony for the earth and protest against oil sands development, as well pipeline expansions and tanker traffic along the coast. Participants rowed their boats near the terminal of American pipeline giant Kinder Morgan, which intends to triple the capacity of the existing Trans Mountain pipeline and potentially quadruple oil tanker traffic around Burrard Inlet.
The Name of the Grain
Wild rice is a traditional food that has virtually disappeared from the diets of Ontarian First Nations peoples and the waterways where it once flourished in the "rice bowl" of Turtle Island.
The following file is a 1684 KB pdf document you many need to download Adobe Reader to open the file.
New proposal threatens Fish Lake again!
Hi Flora
PicI am writing you today to ask that you send off a quick letter before November 7th to the federal government about a trout-filled lake on BC's Chilcotin Plateau west of Williams Lake. If the feds take the action we are asking them to take, they will be saving the lake and whole lot of time and money as well.
The lake I am talking about is Fish Lake. If that name sounds familiar it should.
Feasting for Change List of Food Books, resources and recipes books
See a complied list of some great food, land and culture books. Please contact Fiona Devereaux if you have others you would like to share.
Many thanks
The following file is a 555 KB pdf document you many need to download Adobe Reader to open the file.
Crack Down on Backyard and Farm Fresh Eggs
Over the past month, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has embarked on a concentrated effort in the West Kootenay region of British Columbia, threatening area businesses with fines unless they remove their ungraded farm-fresh eggs from store shelves. Close to a dozen businesses that Deconstructing Dinner is aware of have received such a visit. This episode hears from a number of those businesses including comments on the issue from the BC Egg Marketing Board, the CFIA and the regional health authority Interior Health.


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|Jonathan Swift
Jonathan Swift (1667-1745)
Vol. 27, pp. 91-98 of The Harvard Classics
To harp on one's illnesses, giving all the symptoms and circumstances, has been a blemish on conversation for ages. Two hundred years ago Swift complained of persons who continually talked about themselves.
(Jonathan Swift born Nov. 30, 1667.)
Hints Towards an Essay on Conversation
I HAVE observed few obvious subjects to have been so seldom, or, at least, so slightly handled as this; and, indeed, I know few so difficult to be treated as it ought, nor yet upon which there seemeth so much to be said.
Most things, pursued by men for the happiness of public or private life, our wit or folly have so refined, that they seldom subsist but in idea; a true friend, a good marriage, a perfect form of government, with some others, require so many ingredients, so good in their several kinds, and so much niceness in mixing them, that for some thousands of years men have despaired of reducing their schemes to perfection. But, in conversation, it is, or might be otherwise; for here we are only to avoid a multitude of errors, which, although a matter of some difficulty, may be in every man's power, for want of which it remaineth as mere an idea as the other. Therefore it seemeth to me, that the truest way to understand conversation, is to know the faults and errors to which it is subject, and from thence every man to form maxims to himself whereby it may be regulated, because it requireth few talents to which most men are not born, or at least may not acquire without any great genius or study. For nature hath left every man a capacity of being agreeable, though not of shining in company; and there are an hundred men sufficiently qualified for both, who, by a very few faults, that they might correct in half an hour, are not so much as tolerable.