Where Does Speed Camera Money Go in Leicestershire and Rutland?

Where Does Speed Camera Money Go in Leicestershire and Rutland?

The question of where money collected from speed cameras ends up is a common one, and in Leicestershire and Rutland, as in the rest of the UK, the answer is often misunderstood. While local authorities and police forces contribute to and benefit from road safety initiatives, the vast majority of money generated from speeding fines themselves does not directly go back to them.

The Treasury's Share:

By law, all income generated from speeding fines and other motoring offences, including those issued by speed cameras, is remitted directly to His Majesty's Treasury (HM Treasury). This means that Leicestershire Police, Leicestershire County Council, or Rutland County Council do not directly profit from drivers being caught speeding. The primary purpose of speed cameras is road safety and casualty reduction, not revenue generation.

Local Investment in Road Safety:

Despite fines going to the Treasury, there are avenues through which local efforts in road safety are supported. The Leicester, Leicestershire & Rutland Road Safety Partnership plays a crucial role in managing speed camera programmes and other road safety initiatives across the region. This partnership involves Leicester City Council, Leicestershire County Council, Rutland County Council, National Highways, and Leicestershire Police.

While they don't receive the fine money directly, these local bodies do incur costs for the operation and maintenance of speed cameras. For example, Leicestershire County Council has historically spent significant amounts on maintaining its network of fixed and average speed cameras.

Speed Awareness Courses: A Different Story:

An exception to the direct Treasury payment is the revenue generated from speed awareness courses. When drivers are offered and choose to attend a speed awareness course instead of receiving penalty points and a fine, a fee is paid for the course. A portion of this fee is retained by the police force or the managing body of the course to cover administration costs and to fund further road safety education and initiatives. This provides a direct, albeit smaller, financial contribution to local road safety efforts.

Funding Challenges and Advocacy:

Local authorities in Leicestershire and Rutland have previously advocated for a greater share of speeding fine revenue to be retained locally. For instance, Leicestershire County Council has made direct approaches to the government, requesting that they be allowed to retain money from fines to cover the installation and running costs of average speed cameras, with the remainder reverting to the government once costs are met. This highlights the ongoing challenge for local bodies to secure sustainable funding for road safety infrastructure and enforcement.

In summary, while the fines from speed camera offences in Leicestershire and Rutland ultimately go to the central government's Treasury, local partnerships and police forces do benefit indirectly through the funding of speed awareness courses and through their ongoing investment in maintaining and operating the camera infrastructure, which is aimed at making the roads safer for everyone.

Fighting Food Waste in Rutland: Ed's Olio Efforts in Uppingham, Rutland.

Fighting Food Waste in Rutland: Ed's Olio Efforts in Uppingham, Rutland.

Fighting Food Waste in Rutland: Ed's Olio Efforts in Uppingham

In the heart of Rutland, a quiet revolution against food waste is taking place, spearheaded by dedicated volunteers like Ed in Uppingham. Each week, Ed diligently collects surplus food from local Co-op and Tesco supermarkets in Oakham, ensuring good, edible items find new homes instead of heading to landfill. This vital work is facilitated by the Olio app, a pioneering platform connecting neighbours and businesses to share unwanted food and household items.

Typically, Ed's main collection day is Wednesday. Residents in Uppingham and surrounding areas will have an opportunity to benefit from his efforts, Wednesday evening. This allows for distribution of fresh produce, baked goods, and other items that would otherwise be discarded, all accessible via the convenient Olio app.

What is Olio and How Does it Work?

Olio is a free, user-friendly mobile app with a powerful mission: to dramatically reduce waste by enabling local sharing. Across the UK, Olio connects individuals and businesses with surplus food to those in their community who can use it. The process is simple:

• For Givers: If you have edible food nearing its sell-by date, extra garden produce, or even unwanted household items, you simply snap a picture, add a brief description, and list it on the app. You then arrange a convenient pick-up time and location with the recipient.

• For Requesters: Users can browse listings in their local area, request items they need, and then arrange to collect them from the giver.

This innovative model extends beyond individual sharing to a crucial partnership with businesses through Olio's "Food Waste Heroes" programme. Volunteers, like Ed, are at the forefront of this initiative. They are matched with local businesses such as supermarkets, bakeries, and cafes, collecting unsold food that is still perfectly good to eat at the end of the day. This food is then brought home and immediately listed on the Olio app for local community members to request

The Impact of Olio and its Volunteers

The impact of Olio across the UK is substantial. Since its inception, Olio has facilitated the sharing of millions of portions of food, significantly diverting waste from landfills. This not only has a positive environmental impact by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and conserving resources, but it also fosters stronger community ties and helps individuals and families access free food, especially pertinent in a time of rising living costs.

Volunteers like Ed are the backbone of this system. They dedicate their time and effort to collect, transport, and list food, effectively bridging the gap between surplus and need. Their commitment ensures that items, from bread and pastries to fresh fruit and vegetables, reach people who will genuinely appreciate and use them. Those who request the food also play a vital role, actively participating in the waste reduction cycle by giving these items a second chance.

Ed's consistent collections from Oakham's Co-op and Tesco supermarkets demonstrate the tangible difference local action can make. His efforts in Uppingham highlight how a simple app, combined with dedicated community spirit, can transform the way we think about and manage food, proving that good food should always be eaten, not wasted. So, if you're in Uppingham or nearby, keep an eye on the Olio app next Wednesday evening – you might just find some delicious free food waiting for you!

Get the Olio app here: https://olioapp.com/en/ 

Oakham Town Council Cancelled This Afternoon's Cutts Close Band Concert Due to poor Weather; Idle Hands will perform Next Sunday

Oakham Town Council Cancelled This Afternoon's Cutts Close Band Concert Due to poor Weather; Idle Hands will perform Next Sunday

Disappointing news for music lovers in Oakham today as the Oakham Town Council announced the cancellation of this afternoon's scheduled band concert in Cutts Close. The decision was made due to the prevailing poor weather conditions, ensuring the safety and comfort of both performers and attendees.

However, the good news is that the band Idle Hands has been confirmed to perform next week, offering a fantastic line-up of hits. They will be taking to the stage in Cutts Close on Sunday, July 27th, from 2:30 pm till 4:30 pm.

Idle Hands is known for their energetic renditions of songs by iconic artists. Their upcoming set promises a diverse range of genres, featuring tracks by:

Stereophonics

Bowie

Amy Winehouse

Coldplay

Oasis

Bruce Springsteen

Tina Turner

Florence + The Machine

A Magical Evening Awaits: Open Air Theatre Presents Shakespeare's 'The Tempest' at Whitwell Point

 

A Magical Evening Awaits: Open Air Theatre Presents Shakespeare's 'The Tempest' at Whitwell Point

A Magical Evening Awaits: Open Air Theatre Presents Shakespeare's 'The Tempest' at Whitwell Point

Rutland Water, LE15 8BL – Prepare for an evening of enchantment as Shakespeare's captivating tale of magic, romance, comedy, and revenge, 'The Tempest', comes alive at Whitwell Point on Saturday, July 19th, 2025. This open-air performance, presented by the critically acclaimed Immersion Theatre, promises to be an unforgettable experience for all.

Having garnered a strong reputation for their first-rate and highly accessible adaptations of Shakespeare's timeless works – following last year's triumphant 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' – Immersion Theatre is set to mesmerise audiences once again. Their unique approach ensures that both seasoned Shakespeare enthusiasts and newcomers to his plays will be thoroughly entertained.

'The Tempest' is a play brimming with fantastical elements, mischievous spirits, shipwrecked nobles, and ultimately, a journey towards forgiveness and reconciliation. Immersion Theatre's production is known for its heaps of audience participation, adding an extra layer of engagement and fun to the performance.

Event Details:

• What: Open Air Theatre - 'The Tempest'

• When: Saturday, July 19th, 2025

• Performance Starts: 6:00 PM (arrivals from 5:00 PM)

• Run Time: 110 minutes (Act 1: 45mins, Interval: 20mins, Act 2: 45mins)

• Where: Whitwell Point, Whitwell Car Park, Bull Brigg Lane, Rutland, LE15 8BL

• Suitable For: Ages 8+

• Genre: Play

Attendees are advised to arrive from 5:00 PM to settle in and enjoy the beautiful surroundings of Whitwell Point before the performance begins promptly at 6:00 PM.

Important Information Regarding Tickets:

• Please note that tickets are non-refundable and cannot be exchanged.

• In the event of a cancellation by the Event Organiser (due to circumstances beyond their control), Anglian Water will issue a refund for the purchase price of your tickets.

• If the event's venue is moved or the date is changed, tickets already purchased may remain valid for the revised event. If you are unable to attend the revised event, Anglian Water will refund the purchase price of your tickets.

• Immersion Theatre's detailed Bad Weather Policy can be found on their website: https://www.immersiontheatre.co.uk/the-tempest/

Don't miss this opportunity to experience Shakespeare's 'The Tempest' brought to vibrant life in the stunning open-air setting of Whitwell Point. It promises to be a truly magical evening of theatre.