Mar102017
Scientists from the British Geological Survey and NRM Laboratories have found a novel way of using soil data to assess soil fertility. Maps show that the pattern of more acidic soils – which can reduce soil fertility – increasingly reflect geology and typical rainfall patterns across England and Wales. In recent years, less agricultural lime has been added to farmers’ fields to neutralise soil acidity.
Mar102017
Cornwall FLAG will hold their launch event at Looe on 10 March 2017, closely followed by Dorset and East Devon on 13 March 2017 at Weymouth. North of Tyne will then launch at North Shields on 16 March 2017 and finally on 17 March 2017 North Thames will hold their event in Leigh on Sea.
The launches mark a significant step in the progression of the FLAG community led local development strategies after six FLAGs were awarded £800,000 under the EMFF scheme, and the four FLAGs follow Holderness and Hastings FLAGs who launched in January.
Commenting on the FLAG launches Michelle Willis (MMO Director of Finance and EU) said:
“Senior MMO staff will attend all of the FLAG launches to show our support for the critical work of the FLAGs. The strategies being pursued by all of the FLAGs will make a significant contribution to fisheries, industry and the wider community.
I personally find it very rewarding to follow the progress of the FLAGs and to see the difference EMFF funding is making to individuals and business. Both the journey of the FLAGs and a focus on projects funded by EMFF is available on our Marine Developments Blog.”
Mar102017
Electric devices are replacing coal stoves as the major heating source among Beijing’s rural families.
This year, about 700 villages in Beijing are going to be installed with electric heating systems, which can eradicate the pollution caused by the burning of charcoal.
“We had to carry coal home several times throughout the winter in the past and the courtyard was usually spotted with clusters of cinder,” said Liu Yuming, a rural villager who recently received the service to upgrade the family heating system with electric facilities.
According to the Beijing Municipal Agricultural Commission, the electric heating devices come in diversified designs for the different decorations of each household. By using the Internet of Things, the families installed with the new instruments can check the quantity of water flow and the internal and external temperatures on the platform of WeChat.
According to Liu, after being revamped with electric heating devices, the entire house looks much cleaner.
For those whose families have not been equipped with the electric heating system, the municipality is providing a number of processed clean coals.
Mar102017
Beijing plans to build two streetcar lines, to be named T1 and T2, in Fengtai District and link two streetcar lines with the Fangshan subway line and Subway Line 14.
Streetcar Line T1 will run from Beijing Garden Expo Park North to the Daotian subway station, while streetcar Line T2 will run from T1 to Qinglong Lake.
It is uncertain when the two streetcar lines will be open, but the government will ensure the start of the construction this year.
The energy consumption of a streetcar is about one third of the energy consumption of a traditional bus.
Moreover, Subway Line 16 and Subway Line 14, while being partially operational already, will be completed by 2018 and 2019, respectively. The capacity of Subway Line 16 is the largest of all subway lines in Beijing. It has 12 transfer stops among its 29 stops
Also, the third phase of Subway Line 8 is under construction, going from Olympic Park to the South Fifth Ring Road. The Fangshan Subway Line will be extended to the north in Fengtai district, linking with Subway Line 10 at Fengyi Bridge.
The New Airport Subway Line is also under construction and will be in service by 2019. It takes only 20 minutes to complete the whole 41.36 kilometer line, meaning it will become the fastest subway line in China.
Mar102017
I along with MPs with similarly placed constituencies urged the Coalition government to narrow the large gap between the money going to schools in some parts of the country and the much smaller sums going to schools in places like West Berkshire and Wokingham. Conservatives were not able to get agreement in coalition, but did put a commitment to fairer funding in the Conservative 2015 Manifesto.
Ministers have since been working on a scheme. This is currently out to consultation. The request for people to write in on the “National Funding Formula” was first issued on 14 December. The closing date is 22 March. I am writing to remind those interested as they might like to send in their thoughts.
I have put the case to Ministers along with other MPs on several occasions. I will be having another meeting with the Secretary of State shortly about it again. The case is very simple. The main cost of education for each pupil is similar around the country, as it is based on teacher pay and other staff wages paid at national rates. Of course there should be extra money for pupils that require more support, and to recognise problems in deprived areas. There also needs to be some recognition of higher property and support costs in expensive parts of the country. The current gap between the highest and lowest funding, at more than 100% of the lowest level, is too great.
I have asked for the introduction of a new system as soon as possible, and for further transitional increases in money whilst we are awaiting a fair funding answer. The total support per pupil needs to be sufficient for decent provision. Individual schools may have other budget problems. If a school is unable to recruit sufficient pupils then its total funding will drop, and that may force it to reduce the number of subject options as it adjusts its teaching numbers to the lesser number of pupils.
In 2014-15 the per pupil funding of English schools ranged from £8595 per head in the City of London to just £3950 in the lowest funded authority. The average was £4550. Wokingham received £4125 and West Berkshire £4367.
The contact is SchoolsNationalFundingFormula.CONSULTATION@education.gov.uk