News | Page 29

Utility firm Centrica is understood to be planning to shut down a Norfolk power plant with the potential loss of 35 jobs. The BBC was tipped off to the news that the energy giant is consulting staff over redundancies at the King’s Lynn depot next month.

A Network Rail manager hit out at “mindless” thieves who caused delays for thousands of commuters around the capital. Thefts emanating from the Hertfordshire area disrupted many people trying to get to Stansted for flights.

An official praised a decision by Epping Forest District Council to withhold £5000 towards funding a scheme for restaurants to provide public convenience facilities.

Among the NHS trusts that are believed to be at risk because they are struggling to keep up with their ‘mortgage’ payments are: South London Healthcare; Barking, Havering and Redbridge; Barts and the London; Dartford and Gra

Essex police stations are set to be shut down as part of £41 million budget cuts. Some stations are set to be sold off, but Essex Police could not confirm which stations will be axed, and they will be revealed before the end of the year.

Thames Valley Police is considering proposals to reduce its front desk hours. Under the plans no front desks will close completely but the force admits redundancies remain a possibility. The force explained it is expecting to need fewer people if it is delivering fewer hours.

A fuel depot fire at Coneyhurst required a main road to be closed and a cordon established around the area affected at the weekend. West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service said it expected the cordon to remain in place for the rest of the day and into Sunday.

Prime Minister David Cameron this week singled out London schools as examples of those who are improving standards of pupil education and behaviour.

Two police officers were hit by a car as they chased looters in Waltham Forest, which has resulted in an arrest being made. Officers released surveillance footage of the incident in Royston Avenue in the early hours of August 8.

London Underground (LU) said its new deal offered to staff is fair and affordable. LU is offering a pay rise this year which is 0.25 per cent more than its previous offer. Tube and other workers would then receive retail price index (RPI) inflation plus 0.25% in the following three years, and RPI plus 0.5% in the final year.

A pile of rotting domestic waste was dumped overnight in Watford Business Park. The mound was placed in the driveway of City and Borough Waste in Caxton Way. Peter Nelson from Watford Borough Council said the waste was soon reported to the council.

Essex Police’s Chief Constable Jim Barker-McCardle confirmed that the county will lose 388 police officers due to cuts over the next three years. The figures had already been rumoured, but Mr Barker-McCardle gave official notice at a meeting of the force’s police authority.