A Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinator has praised the survey system on crime that “went far beyond anything of this sort attempted locally before”.
The system encourages residents to swiftly report suspicious activities, to look out for one another and to protect their properties from crime.
Gerald Parkins, chairman of the Lupsham Estate Community Association, Yeltham, said: “As a Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinator as well as association chairman, I welcomed this survey, which went far beyond anything of this sort attempted locally before.”
The Federation links 474 Neighbourhood Watches in the most residential areas of Yeltham.
Every co-ordinator has responsibility for a watch covering about 20 homes on average, which means about 9,500 householders are members.
In conjunction with Yeltham Crime Prevention Panel, the Federation undertook a survey in which co-ordinators distributed a questionnaire to their Watch members, almost all of whom agreed to take part.
Jeffrey Steele, Chairman of Yeltham Crime Prevention Panel, said: “The Neighbourhood Watch Federation had our full support for this survey, which was the most thorough of its sort ever undertaken in Yeltham.”
Both of the Federation and Crime Prevention Panel are very concerned about the number of pensioners, who said they were worried about answering the door to strangers for fear of being robbed at home or perhaps being conned or browbeaten into buying something they did not want.
As a result, the two organisations have decided to organise a bulk purchase of 1,000 door safety chains, which will be fitted free to the front doors of pensioners who want them.
Gerald Parkins said: “Pensioners on this estate are very fearful and there are two members of our committee who are skilled workmen and would be willing to provide their time free of change to fit door chains.”
(291 words)
Monday, 16 November 2009
Saturday, 7 November 2009
Supermarket expansion as a "monstrosity"
NCTJ News Writing Exam
By Yixiang Zeng
Question 1
A councillor has condemned a plan for supermarket expansion as a “monstrosity”.
Two weeks ago, Andersons Supermarkets applied for planning permission to move the petrol station from its present position about 55 metres from Bridge Road to the junction of the site’s access road and Bridge Road itself.
Councillor Norman Patricks said: “This plan would be an aesthetic disaster. To stick the filling station and a monstrosity of a car wash opposite Bridge Road Methodist Church is ridiculous.”
Andersons claims the new plans are designed to reconfigure the car park for the benefit of customers.
However, they have now added a huge automated car wash - the vast barn-like building, which would be wide enough to take two cars going through each of two washers at the same time.
Bill Raybould, of 12 Bridge Road, West Newtown, said: “I look out of my front window and can see the supermarket. I am very suspicious that Andersons are trying to pave the way for further expansion. If they get permission for this, I feel sure it won’t be long before the old application for a superstore resurfaces.”
Andersons wants to move the filling station to a corner, where the trees and bushes have now grown to an extent, which originally intended to mask the site from the view of residents and passing vehicles.
Now the greenery would be removed to the detriment of the visual amenity, which combines with the car wash, would finally ruin the appearance of the area, according to West Newtown Community Association.
A spokesman for Andersons said: “We dispute suggestions that this proposal would create traffic hazards. Indeed, we believe it would make the complex safer and easier for customers to use. It would help reduce the congestion created on the site by motorists who at present have to drive into it even when they want only petrol.”
(311 words)
By Yixiang Zeng
Question 1
A councillor has condemned a plan for supermarket expansion as a “monstrosity”.
Two weeks ago, Andersons Supermarkets applied for planning permission to move the petrol station from its present position about 55 metres from Bridge Road to the junction of the site’s access road and Bridge Road itself.
Councillor Norman Patricks said: “This plan would be an aesthetic disaster. To stick the filling station and a monstrosity of a car wash opposite Bridge Road Methodist Church is ridiculous.”
Andersons claims the new plans are designed to reconfigure the car park for the benefit of customers.
However, they have now added a huge automated car wash - the vast barn-like building, which would be wide enough to take two cars going through each of two washers at the same time.
Bill Raybould, of 12 Bridge Road, West Newtown, said: “I look out of my front window and can see the supermarket. I am very suspicious that Andersons are trying to pave the way for further expansion. If they get permission for this, I feel sure it won’t be long before the old application for a superstore resurfaces.”
Andersons wants to move the filling station to a corner, where the trees and bushes have now grown to an extent, which originally intended to mask the site from the view of residents and passing vehicles.
Now the greenery would be removed to the detriment of the visual amenity, which combines with the car wash, would finally ruin the appearance of the area, according to West Newtown Community Association.
A spokesman for Andersons said: “We dispute suggestions that this proposal would create traffic hazards. Indeed, we believe it would make the complex safer and easier for customers to use. It would help reduce the congestion created on the site by motorists who at present have to drive into it even when they want only petrol.”
(311 words)
Thursday, 5 November 2009
Julius Baer separated its entities for better serving their clients
by Yixiang Zeng
Julius Baer decided to separate its Private Banking and Asset Management businesses into two fully independent entities, both individually listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange.
The move will increase the two companies' strategic flexibility and enhance their market visibility. The transaction is expected to be completed during the third quarter 2009, subject to shareholder and regulatory approvals.
Julius Baer Group Ltd, as a leading pure-play private banking group, will stand to benefit from private clients' increasing level of demand for its services. This group will maintain the expansion of its international network and complete the shift of its services and product model towards an 'open architecture' philosophy.
GAM Holding Ltd, will be offering a broad, well diversified range of equity and fixed income investment funds, discretionary portfolios management services and alternative investments. As a stand-alone entity, the business will be able to accelerate the development of its international institutional and US distribution franchise.
The planned separation will conclude the gradual operational independence. It has been afforded to the two business segments since the implementation of the pure financial holding company principle in 2007.
Raymond J. Baer, Chairman of Julius Baer Holding Ltd, commented: “We are very pleased with our new strategic direction. In light of the challenges that many financial services business models are confronted with currently, we are convinced that both entities will benefit from their sharpened focus and the absence of competing interests, thus acting pro-actively in the best interest of all of our stakeholders.”
Julius Baer decided to separate its Private Banking and Asset Management businesses into two fully independent entities, both individually listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange.
The move will increase the two companies' strategic flexibility and enhance their market visibility. The transaction is expected to be completed during the third quarter 2009, subject to shareholder and regulatory approvals.
Julius Baer Group Ltd, as a leading pure-play private banking group, will stand to benefit from private clients' increasing level of demand for its services. This group will maintain the expansion of its international network and complete the shift of its services and product model towards an 'open architecture' philosophy.
GAM Holding Ltd, will be offering a broad, well diversified range of equity and fixed income investment funds, discretionary portfolios management services and alternative investments. As a stand-alone entity, the business will be able to accelerate the development of its international institutional and US distribution franchise.
The planned separation will conclude the gradual operational independence. It has been afforded to the two business segments since the implementation of the pure financial holding company principle in 2007.
Raymond J. Baer, Chairman of Julius Baer Holding Ltd, commented: “We are very pleased with our new strategic direction. In light of the challenges that many financial services business models are confronted with currently, we are convinced that both entities will benefit from their sharpened focus and the absence of competing interests, thus acting pro-actively in the best interest of all of our stakeholders.”
Barings Multi-Asset Portfolios win clients' favour during the economic downturn
by Yixiang Zeng
Barings Multi-Asset Portfolios strategies meet the investment needs of private clients during the recession by beating its target over five years.
Recent figures show their Private Client and Charity multi-asset targeted return portfolios have hit a 10.6 annualised total return within the last five years up to 30th September 2009. The achievement beats the target of PRI +4.5%, which has returned 7.5% over the same time period.
Barings has one of the industry's longest running track records regarding multi-asset investing, offering diversification with a targeted return for over six years. The multi-asset portfolio strategies include the institutional Baring Dynamic Asset Allocation fund. In addition, the portfolio includes segregated mandates for Barings' Private Clients and Charities.
“The success of this investment style is the result of dynamic asset allocation coupled with skilful stock-picking by the Multi-Asset team,” said Quintin Ings-Chambers, director, Private Clients at Barings, “Our multi-asset approach aims to deliver equity-like returns with less risk than holding an equity-only portfolio.”
According to Percival Stanion, head of asset allocation at Barings, he commented that their asset allocation strategy has proved successful over the past few months with a high weighting in UK and European equities.
They have benefited from the European equity rally, and they are also apprehensive about Europe's prospects for growth while the currency is so strong. He then concludes that excellent portfolios performance are also due to the surge in gold prices.
Barings Multi-Asset Portfolios strategies meet the investment needs of private clients during the recession by beating its target over five years.
Recent figures show their Private Client and Charity multi-asset targeted return portfolios have hit a 10.6 annualised total return within the last five years up to 30th September 2009. The achievement beats the target of PRI +4.5%, which has returned 7.5% over the same time period.
Barings has one of the industry's longest running track records regarding multi-asset investing, offering diversification with a targeted return for over six years. The multi-asset portfolio strategies include the institutional Baring Dynamic Asset Allocation fund. In addition, the portfolio includes segregated mandates for Barings' Private Clients and Charities.
“The success of this investment style is the result of dynamic asset allocation coupled with skilful stock-picking by the Multi-Asset team,” said Quintin Ings-Chambers, director, Private Clients at Barings, “Our multi-asset approach aims to deliver equity-like returns with less risk than holding an equity-only portfolio.”
According to Percival Stanion, head of asset allocation at Barings, he commented that their asset allocation strategy has proved successful over the past few months with a high weighting in UK and European equities.
They have benefited from the European equity rally, and they are also apprehensive about Europe's prospects for growth while the currency is so strong. He then concludes that excellent portfolios performance are also due to the surge in gold prices.
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