Alberta hospital support staff ratify collective agreement with province: union | Globalnews.ca


The union representing thousands of front-line hospital workers in Alberta says its new collective agreement with the province has been ratified.

Alberta hospital support staff ratify collective agreement with province: union  | Globalnews.ca

In a statement late Friday, the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees says the deal with Alberta Health Services and Lamont Health Care Centre ensures more than 27,000 hospital support staff earn living wages by April 2027.

Highlights include a 12 per cent pay increase retroactive to April 2024, and a two per cent long service wage increase for staff with more than 20 years of service.

“General Support Services workers in Alberta’s hospitals finally have the new contract they deserve,” said union president Sandra Azocar in the statement.

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“They won these significant wage increases because of their strength and solidarity.”

The deal covers people working in administrative support, addictions and social workers, as well as food, laundry and housekeeping.

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Azocar said the contract recognizes the vital work that members do.

“While this collective agreement takes a significant step for our members, we look forward to making further improvements when we begin bargaining again in 2028,” she said.

Finance Minister Nate Horner, in a statement, said he was pleased by the deal.

“This new collective agreement provides fair compensation increases in line with the other public sector deals and improved benefits for GSS members,” said Horner.

He also said the deal’s ratification means an end to collective bargaining with Alberta’s major health sectors for this round of negotiations.

In November, a deal reached one minute before more than 16,000 nursing care staff, which includes licensed practical nurses and health-care aides, were set to strike was approved.


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King Charles feels he has ‘no option’ but to provide for ‘unstable’ Andrew and wants to ‘contain’ his brother at Sandringham


King Charles feels he has ‘no option’ but to provide for his ‘unstable’ brother Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and wants to ‘contain’ him at Sandringham, palace sources say.

The former prince was booted out of the seven-bedroom Royal Lodge ‘under the cover of darkness’ after the latest release of the Epstein files uncovered yet more damning revelations of Andrew’s relationship with convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.

The King had felt he had to ‘remove him from the public gaze’ by ‘accelerating’ his eviction from his Windsor mansion, The Times said.

But his eviction will not push him far from the King’s sight, as his disgraced brother has temporarily moved to Wood Farm on the royal Sandringham estate in Norfolk.

Andrew, 65, is expected to move permanently to Marsh Farm, a quaint five-bedroom house nearby that is being renovated, before Easter.

A palace source told The Times: ‘The King feels he has no other option than to provide for his brother, who will be privately funded on a private estate.

‘Every time he’s tried to support himself by independent means, it has led to greater trouble. Containing him is the hope.’

After Andrew was stripped of his titles last October, the King has been subsidising him privately, covering his staff, living costs and security. Royal staff have been told they do not have to work for Andrew if they don’t feel comfortable, The Sun reported last week.

King Charles feels he has ‘no option’ but to provide for ‘unstable’ Andrew and wants to ‘contain’ his brother at Sandringham

King Charles feels as though he has to ‘contain’ his ‘unstable’ brother at Sandringham, palace sources say

King Charles after his expedited removal from Royal Lodge in Windsor following the Epstein files release

King Charles after his expedited removal from Royal Lodge in Windsor following the Epstein files release

Andrew will be moved into the five-bedroom house, Marsh Farm (pictured), on the Sandringham Estate permanently

Andrew will be moved into the five-bedroom house, Marsh Farm (pictured), on the Sandringham Estate permanently

He is struggling to support himself financially, sources say, despite speculation he’d be sitting pretty on his mother’s inheritance and the cash from the sale of his multi-million-pound former homes.

It is not known how he has managed to get through all this money since he stepped back from royal duties after his infamous BBC Newsnight interview in 2019.

He got £15million from the sale of Sunninghill Park in 2007 – a 12-bedroom luxury estate given to him by his mother for his 1986 marriage to Sarah Ferguson. This was £3million over the asking price, which Andrew and Kazakh billionaire buyer Timur Kulibayev claim was to secure from another bidder.

More recently, he sold a seven-bedroom Swiss ski chalet in Verbier for a reported £17million which he had shared with Mrs Ferguson, by then his former wife. The couple had bought it for £16.6million in 2014 with a £13million mortgage, so it is unknown how much cash remained following the sale.

One large expenditure that could explain his dire straits is the multimillion-pound out-of-court settlement with the late Virginia Giuffre, who claimed she had been trafficked to Andrew by Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell when she was 17, which he denies.

The Queen and Charles had to step in with private funds to help him pay this settlement, it is understood. 

The King, 77, was prompted to speed up Andrew’s eviction from Royal Lodge after being appalled by his brazen brother’s daily horse rides around Windsor Great Park past waiting photographers and camera crews, a friend said.

His majesty was heckled about Andrew by a member of the public in Essex on Thursday this week.

King Charles and Andrew at the Duchess of Kent's funeral last September

King Charles and Andrew at the Duchess of Kent’s funeral last September

Removal vans seen outside Royal Lodge on Wednesday, where Andrew and Sarah Furgusson have lived for the past two decades

Removal vans seen outside Royal Lodge on Wednesday, where Andrew and Sarah Furgusson have lived for the past two decades

The friend told The Times: ‘The King is acutely aware of the public feeling. He doesn’t need to be heckled to understand the mood of the nation.

‘Accelerating him [Andrew] out of Royal Lodge last was another nod to show he gets it. A plan made is not the same as a plan enacted, and the King wanted that plan enacted asap.’

It was revealed last year that Andrew had not paid rent on Royal Lodge for more than two decades. He paid £1million to lease the property in 2003 and then spent £7.5million on renovations, but he has paid only ‘one peppercorn (if demanded)’ of rent a year since taking on the mansion, according to a copy of his agreement obtained by The Times.

Following the release of the Epstein files, Andrew has been under considerable pressure from The King and Keir Starmer to testify to the US Congress about his friendship with Epstein and Maxwell.

In this new tranche of files released, it was found that he had invited Epstein to Buckingham Palace in September 2010 following his stint under house arrest and probation after being convicted for procuring a girl under 18 for prostitution.

There are also new claims that a second woman was trafficked to Andrew, who he then took to tea at the Palace.

Other discoveries were a picture of him leering over a woman on the floor on all fours in what appears to be Epstein’s house in New York. Andrew has not commented publicly since the files’ release.

His former wife, Sarah Ferguson, is also under fire for her involvement with Epstein, with messages asking for money and even asking him to ‘marry me’.

Sarah Fergusson has also come under fire after her involvement with Epstein but has not commented publicly. The couple attended the Duchess of Kent's funeral together last September (pictured)

Sarah Fergusson has also come under fire after her involvement with Epstein but has not commented publicly. The couple attended the Duchess of Kent’s funeral together last September (pictured)

In one 2010 email, she spoke of her daughter Princess Eugenie, then 19, saying: ‘Just waiting for Eugenie to come back from a shagging weekend!!’. She visited Epstein with her daughters shortly after his release from prison in 2009.

Mrs Ferguson has lived with Andrew at Royal Lodge despite their divorce 30 years ago, but she will not be moving to Norfolk with him, finding a place to stay elsewhere in Windsor. 


Нова державна політика на ринку праці


Кабінет Міністрів затвердив Стратегію зайнятості населення на період до 2030 року, яку розробило Міністерство економіки, довкілля та сільського господарства. Документ закладає основи нової державної політики на ринку праці України, спрямованої на відновлення, довгострокову стійкість та зростання економіки, а також підготовку до членства в ЄС. 

Затвердження стратегії — відповідь на критичні демографічні та економічні виклики, зокрема різке скорочення чисельності населення та дисбаланс ринку праці; високий рівень безробіття та значна частка неформальної зайнятості; істотний дефіцит кадрів.

«Розвиток ринку праці — один з головних чинників економічного відновлення України. Стратегія зайнятості до 2030 року створює умови, в яких люди зможуть працювати, підвищувати кваліфікацію та опановувати нові професії саме в Україні, а бізнес — знаходити необхідні кадри. Це важливий крок до сучасної стійкої економіки та наближення країни до стандартів Європейського Союзу», — зазначив міністр економіки, довкілля та сільського господарства Олексій Соболев. 

Стратегія зайнятості визначає цільові індикатори до 2030 року, серед яких зростання кількості зайнятих на 2 млн осіб, а також зниження безробіття до 9,9%. Для досягнення визначених індикаторів у документі окреслено шість ключових цілей державної політики у сфері зайнятості: забезпечення своєчасного задоволення попиту роботодавців на робочу силу та цифрова трансформація ринку праці; узгодження результатів системи освіти і професійного навчання з актуальним та прогнозованим попитом роботодавців; забезпечення соціально­економічної інклюзії та усунення бар’єрів для зайнятості населення; стимулювання формальної зайнятості та забезпечення гідної оплати праці; зміцнення інституційної спроможності ринку праці; гармонізація системи зайнятості та охорони праці з acquis ЄС для інтеграції України до ринку праці Європейського Союзу.

Практичне втілення стратегії відбуватиметься через операційний план заходів на 2026—2028 роки як перелік основних кроків для поетапного впровадження ініціатив та масштабування змін на ринку праці. Він передбачає поєднання цифрових рішень, інструментів навчання та перекваліфікації, заходів з інклюзії та формалізації зайнятості, повідомляє Мінекономіки.


Cricket Tables – Cricket League Tables & Standings | Sky Sports



Cricket Tables – Cricket League Tables & Standings | Sky Sports

ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Group A

Last updated: 7 February, 1:12pm


Team

Played

Wins

Losses

Draws

Tie

No Result

Batting Points

Bowling Points

Net Run Rate

Points

1



Pakistan

1

1

0

0

0

0

0

0

0.24

2

2



India

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

3



Namibia


0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

4



United States of America


0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

5



Netherlands


1

0

1

0

0

0

0

0

-0.24

0


Beauty queen, 21, died when her own car pinned her to wall and crushed her to death


A beauty queen was crushed to death by her own car while she was unloading her belongings outside her university accommodation.

Eleisha Skinner, 21, who was crowned Miss Faversham in 2022, was studying at Buckinghamshire New University in High Wycombe when the tragedy unfolded.

She was moving her belongings from her car when it rolled backwards and pinned her against the wall of the university accommodation building. 

Her family said Eleisha was able to dial 999 while trapped and the emergency services were there within minutes. 

However, despite desperate efforts by her housemates and medical staff, she died in hospital days later on January 8.

It has been confirmed that the Buckinghamshire New University student will be posthumously awarded a BSc with honours in social work.

The 21-year-old was hugely popular in her hometown, and on Friday her family and scores of well-wishers gathered for a celebration of her life at St Mary of Charity Church. 

More than 200 people turned out to pay their respects at the funeral of the ‘beautiful, kind and selfless’ former carnival queen.

Beauty queen, 21, died when her own car pinned her to wall and crushed her to death

Eleisha Skinner, 21, who was crowned Miss Faversham in 2022, was studying at Buckinghamshire New University in High Wycombe when the tragedy unfolded

She was moving her belongings from her car when it rolled backwards and pinned her against the wall of the university accommodation building

She was moving her belongings from her car when it rolled backwards and pinned her against the wall of the university accommodation building

Her family said Eleisha was able to dial 999 while trapped and the emergency services were there within minutes. Despite desperate efforts by her housemates and medical staff, she died in hospital days later on January 8. Pictured: Eleisha Skinner with her father Nigel Skinner

Her family said Eleisha was able to dial 999 while trapped and the emergency services were there within minutes. Despite desperate efforts by her housemates and medical staff, she died in hospital days later on January 8. Pictured: Eleisha Skinner with her father Nigel Skinner

Her coffin was carried by horse and carriage past her old school, The Abbey, before making its way along East Street and up to the church.

It was a traditional ceremony, though mourners were invited to wear pink ties as a nod to Eleisha’s favourite colour.

The funeral heard tributes from her family, best friends and former teachers.

Reading on behalf of the Skinners, Rev Corcoran reflected on her love for Christmas, fashion and her family.

‘Stunning, confident and always beautifully herself,’ he said. 

‘Eleisha was the kind of person who made the world greater, just by being in it. Her impact was immense.

‘We will carry with us always our beautiful Eleisha, forever loved.’

Her older brother Kian reminisced about the last time the siblings spent one-on-one time together and their special bond, which went back to their childhoods.

‘I stand here today as a proud brother, who witnessed Eleisha develop into a brilliant woman,’ he said.

‘There will never be a person who can replace my little sister. God bless her, I will always love you, little sis.’

Eleisha’s grandfather, George, said: ‘We had the privilege of knowing you as a child, watching you grow up, supporting you, celebrating who you’ve become, and loving you unconditionally.

‘Eleisha cared fiercely, fiercely about the people she loved, family matters, friends matter, and love matters.

‘We will always be there for your mum and dad. Family was everything to you, and you mean everything to us.

‘Full of energy and mischief and joy. A presence that made everything brighter.’

More than 200 people turned out to pay their respects at the funeral of the 'beautiful, kind and selfless' former carnival queen

More than 200 people turned out to pay their respects at the funeral of the ‘beautiful, kind and selfless’ former carnival queen 

Mother Clare Skinner has expressed her gratitude ‘for all the support, kind words and donations from people that knew and did not know Eleisha’.

A GoFundMe has been launched in Eleisha’s name for the Thames Valley Air Ambulance team, which the family say was ‘fantastic’. 

The helicopter emergency medical service paramedic attended in a critical care car and escorted her to the hospital.

In a tribute published after her death, her heartbroken parents, Nigel and Clare Skinner, said: ‘We are utterly devastated by the sudden loss of our precious girl. 

‘Writing these words feels unimaginable, yet we want the world to know who she truly was: a kind, selfless, passionate young woman who always put others before herself.

‘Nothing was ever too much for Eleisha. She had a heart of gold and a smile that could light up any room.’

A star pupil with a passion for learning, Eleisha thrived at school in Faversham, attending St Mary’s Primary School and later The Abbey.

She flourished academically and socially and was always eager to get involved – whether organising the school prom or fundraising for the Faversham Fire Brigade.

Despite her outgoing nature, her family were surprised when she decided to put herself forward for Miss Faversham in 2022.

Demonstrating her beauty both inside and out, Eleisha was crowned and went on to represent the town at events across the county.

She embraced the role with pride, raising money for local charities and Faversham Carnival Club, and loved attending dances and events where she formed lifelong friendships. 

She was later voted Miss Congeniality by the courts at the Miss Kent Dinner, which her family described as a ‘true reflection of her kind spirit’.

‘Eleisha was so proud of her court, and they placed at many events. The carnival community became like a second family to us,’ they said.

‘Her love for her town and her genuine personality shone through,’ said the Skinners.

An inquest into her death was opened this week at Beaconsfield Coroners Court and heard how the parked car had pushed her up against the university accommodation building.

A full inquest into Eleisha’s death will be held at the same venue on June 23.


Reform accused of ‘cheating’ to win over votes in Gorton and Denton by-election


Reform accused of ‘cheating’ to win over votes in Gorton and Denton by-election
Nigel Farage’s party is facing a police probe after voters were sent a letter by a ‘concerned neighbour’ in Gorton and Denton without indication it was campaign literature (Picture: Getty Images)

Reform UK is facing an investigation after distributing a leaflet from a ‘concerned neighbour’ to households in Gorton and Denton.

Letters were sent to voters in the Manchester seat from local pensioner Patricia Clegg endorsing the party’s candidate Matt Goodwin in the upcoming by-election.

Mrs Clegg’s note says she ‘did not want Keir Starmer to be prime minister anymore’ citing tax rises among reasons for her dismay at the current government.

The letter concludes: ‘After a lifetime of voting loyally, I feel I have no choice but to vote for Reform UK on Thursday, 26th February. Please think about doing the same.’

However the letter contained no indication as to who had funded it or arranged it to be printed.

Under election rules, campaign literature does not have to be branded, but an imprint indicating the party behind it is required to be included on all papers.

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DENTON, MANCHESTER, UNITED KINGDOM - 2026/02/05: (From L-R) Nigel Farage, Reform UK candidate Matt Goodwin and Sarah Pochin Reform UK MP seen during the campaign. Nigel Farage's visited to Gorton and Denton where he opened Reform's HQ there, with Reform UK candidate Matt Goodwin. They were joined by Reform MP, for Runcorn and Helsby, Sarah Pochin who had to step over the ribbon before the cutting. Reform UK supporters held signs and waited in the cold. After the official opening Nigel Farrage and Matt Goodwin answered questions from the press together. (Photo by Gary Roberts/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
The letter, sent to voters in the Manchester seat, endorsed Reform’s candidate, GB News presenter Matt Goodwin in the upcoming contest (Picture: Getty Images)

While many so-called ‘newsletters’ and pamphlets often contain only a small line indicating their allegiance, there was no such notice on the neighbour’s letter.

Mrs Clegg, 74, told the Guardian she was a Reform member and had been asked by the party to put her name to the letter.

However the letter’s printer, Hardings, said in a statement that the legally required imprint had been taken off due to a production error.

The Electoral Commission said that enforcement of campaigning rules was a matter for police.

Greater Manchester Police has since confirmed it will be investigating the case.

A spokesperson for Reform said: ‘The campaign commissioned a letter from a local constituent which was supplied to our print contractor with the full and correct legal imprint, fully compliant with election law.

‘Print ready proofs were provided by the supplier and approved by the campaign.

‘Those proofs clearly included the legal imprint in the correct form.

‘It has since become clear that an error occurred during the printing process. Due to a production failure by a third party print supplier outside of Reform’s control, the legal imprint was inadvertently removed at the point of printing without our knowledge.

‘At no stage did the campaign know about, authorise or intend the distribution of material without a legal imprint. The omission arose solely from a supplier error after compliant materials had been submitted and approved.’

A spokesman for Hardings Print Solutions Ltd said: ‘Hardings Printers has identified an error in the production of election leaflets printed and distributed on behalf of Reform UK for the Gorton & Denton by-election. We take our responsibilities in relation to election material very seriously and take full responsibility for this error occurring.

‘Reform UK did not request or authorise the removal of the imprint. The omission arose from Hardings Printers’ production process.

‘The party supplied artwork which correctly included the legally required imprint, and a compliant proof was produced and approved.

‘During the final trimming stage of production, the imprint was inadvertently removed due to an internal error at Hardings Printers, which was not identified before distribution.

‘We apologise to Reform UK and the voters of Gorton & Denton for this error.’

The contest in Gorton and Denton was triggered after Labour MP Andrew Gwynne stepped down due to ill health.

Labour is facing competition from both the Greens and Reform in the seat, with the by-election seen as an early indicator of the party’s support ahead of local elections in May.

Andy Burnham, the mayor of Greater Manchester, had indicated his interest in standing in the seat, but his bid to return to Westminster was blocked by the party’s National Executive Committee.

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

For more stories like this, check our news page.


Calls for one of the creepiest Epstein emails to be unredacted


Social media users are calling for the author of one particularly egregious email to be unredacted from the Jeffrey Epstein files.

A message sent to Epstein’s ‘vacation’ email account in 2014 featured the vulgar note about the ‘littlest girl.’ When put in the context of Epstein’s child sex trafficking crimes, the email is even more heinous.

‘Thank you for a fun night,’ the email reads, followed by the second line: ‘Your littlest girl was a little naughty.’

It was sent March 11, 2014 from an iPhone to Epstein’s account jeevacation@gmail.com, which is the email repeatedly featured in the files.

Everything in the email is included except for the name of the sender, which, like many other names in the files, is covered with two black bars concealing their identity.

The message was just one of the 3.5 million documents, images and correspondences included in the Justice Department’s drop of Epstein files last week.

Americans are furious, however, over the selective redaction of the emails.

Calls for one of the creepiest Epstein emails to be unredacted

Social media is demanding that the DOJ un-redact the name of someone who sent an email to Jeffrey Epstein saying: ‘Your littlest girl was a little naiughty’

The latest Epstein files drop shows several egregious emails between the convicted child sex offender and other rich, powerful and influential people – though many names remain redacted

The latest Epstein files drop shows several egregious emails between the convicted child sex offender and other rich, powerful and influential people – though many names remain redacted

Critics claim the black bars and blocks throughout the files do little to protect victims like the Justice Department promised. Instead, they complain, it many times conceals the identities of those who were in contact with Epstein and allegedly potentially involved with his parties and sex trafficking ring.

The DOJ did not respond to the Daily Mail’s request for comment on whether there will be consideration to reveal portions that were previously redacted and black-barred.  

The email to Epstein about his ‘littlest girl’ was sent six years after the offender was sentenced to 18 months in a Florida jail for charges of solicitation of prostitution from a minor.

‘America deserves to know who the f**k this person is,’ a furious X user wrote with an image of the redacted email.

Another said: ‘I second this.’

Following negotiations conducted in 2007, Epstein pleaded guilty in 2008 to state charges in Florida as part of a plea deal to avoid federal charges that could result in life in prison. At the time of the ‘secret arrangement,’ the Florida US Attorney’s office was headed by Alexander Acosta.

Epstein served 13 months of the 18-month sentence in a private wing of the Palm Beach County jail. He got a cushy deal and was allowed to leave jail six days every week for a ‘work release’ that spanned 12 hours every day.

He began the sentence the summer of 2008 and was released on probation in July 2009.

There are several nefarious messages sent between Epstein and other rich, powerful and famous men after his release from jail.


David Cameron wins six-year battle for £50,000 swimming pool at his £1.8million Cotswolds home after neighbour accused him of turning garden into ‘tacky Benidorm resort’


Former PM David Cameron has won a six-year battle for a swimming pool after neighbours accused him of creating a ‘tacky Benidorm’ resort in his garden.

The Tory politician, now a member of the House of Lords, first submitted plans back in 2020 so he could take a dip in the garden of his sprawling Cotswolds home.

Lord Cameron withdrew the original scheme after neighbours feared the posh village could be turned into a holiday resort ‘like Benidorm’, but revived the bid in December last year.

Despite one neighbour again complaining of the potential for ‘rowdy’ pool parties, planners approved the scheme yesterday.

Council officials said they considered the neighbour’s concerns but could not ‘assume unreasonable behaviour’ under planning laws.

Lord and Lady Cameron are part of what was once known as the ‘Chipping Norton set’, featuring the likes of Jeremy Clarkson, Elisabeth Murdoch, and Rebekah Brooks, who all live in or around the town.

They originally bought the detached family home in 2001 for £788,000. According to Rightmove, the home is currently worth up to £1.8million.

Locals feared the addition of a pool to his cottage in the Oxfordshire village, could mean more extravagant parties being hosted there.

Planning official Emile Baldauf-Clark said in the decision notice: ‘One third party objection comment has been received, raising concerns that the proposed swimming pool is unnecessary in a quiet rural village and would lead to unacceptable noise and disturbance from potential pool parties, impacting neighbours’ ability to enjoy their gardens peacefully.

David Cameron wins six-year battle for £50,000 swimming pool at his £1.8million Cotswolds home after neighbour accused him of turning garden into ‘tacky Benidorm resort’

Former PM David Cameron has won a six-year battle for a swimming pool after neighbours accused him of creating a ‘tacky Benidorm’ resort in his garden

Despite one neighbour complaining of the potential for 'rowdy' pool parties, planners approved the scheme at the Oxfordshire home

Despite one neighbour complaining of the potential for ‘rowdy’ pool parties, planners approved the scheme at the Oxfordshire home

A proposed drawing of the swimming pool which was submitted to the council for approval

A proposed drawing of the swimming pool which was submitted to the council for approval

‘The objector also expresses a general concern regarding neighbourliness and the potential for increased disruption arising from the development.’

But Ms Baldauf-Clark said the amended scheme was acceptable and added: ‘While the introduction of a swimming pool may lead to a marginal increase in activity within the garden, the pool is positioned a substantial distance from neighbouring dwellings and is contained within a large semi-rural/residential plot.

‘Given this level of separation, the presence of established landscaping, and the domestic nature of the proposal, any additional noise is expected to be low level, infrequent and typical of an established residential use. It would not be at a level that would materially harm the quiet enjoyment of neighbouring properties.

‘The concerns raised regarding potential noise from gatherings have been considered, however the planning system cannot assume unreasonable behaviour.

‘The proposal does not introduce an intensity of use that would be expected to cause demonstrable harm to residential amenity.’

Cameron’s new pool will measure 13.7 x 4 metres with a depth of 1.6 metres. The application also included two extensions to the home that were also passed.

In a previous complaint over Cameron’s pool plans to West Oxfordshire District Council back in 2020, one neighbour said: ‘As a local I feel I must object to this plan.

‘Swimming pools are totally out of keeping with the local area.

Locals feared the addition of a pool to his Oxfordshire cottage could mean more extravagant parties being hosted there

Locals feared the addition of a pool to his Oxfordshire cottage could mean more extravagant parties being hosted there

‘This plan will cause noise from machinery to heat and filter the pool, light pollution, and most importantly, noise pollution from rowdy pool parties going on into the night.

‘Why can’t people just enjoy the character and charm of the Cotswolds without trying to turn their gardens into some kind of tacky Benidorm resort?’

But in a design and access statement to support the latest plan, Cameron’s representatives wrote: ‘Reflecting on the 2020 proposal, the design and siting has been carefully considered so that the pool is part and parcel of the house and its gardens, thereby not encroaching into the wider landscape.

‘The swimming pool is a minimalist and functional design. It will have a small stone surround but otherwise the surrounding lawn will remain unchanged. 

‘The nature of a swimming pool is that it is embedded into the ground; therefore, there will be no physical or appreciable presence of the swimming pool from outside of the property curtilage.

‘The only minor visible change will be the provision of a small retaining wall and steps which would be wholly in keeping with the existing retaining wall closer to the dwelling.

‘Beyond the immediate surrounds of the pool, the garden is enclosed/screened by tree belts and existing hedgerows.

‘The premise behind the proposals is simply that the applicants wish to enhance the enjoyment of the dwelling of their home, undertaking the works in a sensitive and minimalist manner. 

‘The intention is to provide a provide a swimming pool whilst respecting the local area and character and also their neighbours’ privacy and amenity

‘For the reasons set out above we consider that the proposed extension and swimming pool have been carefully considered and designed to respect the constraints of the site.

‘They would provide owners of the property with the additional space and facilities they require whilst preserving the historic value of the site and not harming the National Landscape or amenity of neighbours.’

The council approved applications for a 1.5 storey extension and a single storey side extension.


Перерахунок проконтролює Держпродспоживслужба


Прем’єр­міністр Юлія Свириденко доручила Держпродспоживслужбі забезпечити нагляд та контроль за дотриманням надавачами послуг урядового рішення про перерахунок плати за комунальні послуги, а також реагувати на кожен випадок порушення прав споживачів. Про це йшлося під час зустрічі очільниці уряду з керівником Держпродспоживслужби Сергієм Ткачуком.

«Перерахунок мають здійснити самі надавачі послуг, комунальні підприємства. Це має відбутися автоматично за період з 1 січня, без додаткових заяв від людей, і відобразитися у платіжках у лютому. Рішення стосується теплопостачання, водопостачання та вивезення побутових відходів.

Люди мають платити лише за отримані послуги. Якщо через ворожі обстріли тепла і води не було, споживачі не повинні переплачувати», — наголосила Юлія Свириденко, повідомляє Департамент інформації та комунікацій з громадськістю Секретаріату КМУ.


Edmontonian buys neighbouring house to prevent infill development – Edmonton | Globalnews.ca


When Mike Thomas’ elderly neighbour got sick and needed to sell his small bungalow on a wide lot in east Edmonton, Thomas immediately became concerned about the home being torn down and replaced with something much bigger.

Alberta hospital support staff ratify collective agreement with province: union  | Globalnews.ca

Thomas said he has invested a lot into his own bungalow over the years: an addition, gardens, a back patio and solar panels on the roof.

He felt like he had no avenue to stop a developer if they purchased the home to the south and wanted to build a multi-family housing complex.

“I would be losing enjoyment of my entire property,” Thomas said.

“My property value would plummet for resale — even if the house is nice — because I’ve got a monster next to me that completely blocks all the light.”

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So, he made a life-changing decision — risking his financial future by buying his neighbour’s home in the Bergman neighbourhood.

Thomas had to come up with $75,000 in three months to make the purchase.

“I’m not special and I’m not wealthy — and that killed me.”

He now rents the bungalow next door, at a discount, to a family of Ukrainian refugees.


Click to play video: 'Infill, taxes & public safety dominate Edmonton politics in 2025'


Infill, taxes & public safety dominate Edmonton politics in 2025


In 2023, the City of Edmonton changed zoning bylaws to allow for more multi-unit buildings up to three storeys in all neighbourhoods.

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The aim was to encourage a variety of development to be built more easily in residential areas.

Since then, there’s been mixed reaction to the increase in multi-unit buildings replacing single-family homes.

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Infill ended up being a contentious topic during the 2025 fall municipal election campaign after residents of established communities expressed concerns with property values, not enough parking, predatory developers, quality of builds and housing affordability.


Click to play video: 'Mixed reaction to Edmonton city council zoning bylaw changes'


Mixed reaction to Edmonton city council zoning bylaw changes


Some Edmonton homeowners in established, upscale areas like Crestwood and Glenora have even gone so far as to explore placing restrictive covenants on their properties to prevent future development.

The legally binding agreement goes on a property title and limits how a property is used or developed, even after it is sold to a new owner.

Neighbourhoods United has volunteers from 50 mature neighbourhoods who are amplifying their concerns about infill together.

Treasurer Dallas Moravec said their group knows of other frustrated residents doing something similar.

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“I’ve heard a few different communities who have started some of these investor groups who put together some money,” Moravec said. “They’re looking to protect their neighbours’ houses that potentially they want to sell.”

“It speaks to the unpredictability of the zoning bylaws.”


Click to play video: 'More proposed infill changes headed to Edmonton city committee'


More proposed infill changes headed to Edmonton city committee


Edmonton’s urban planning committee will be reviewing the city’s controversial zoning and infill policies on Feb. 9.

Reports indicate city staff recommend dropping the maximum number of units on a single lot from eight to six mid-block.

For more information, watch the video at the top of this story.

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