Decisions from Derbyshire County Council
Decisions taken today, 3 July 2012, by Derbyshire County Council's Cabinet.
Leadership and Culture
Derbyshire Health and Wellbeing Strategy
Cabinet was updated on the development of the draft strategy and plans to consult for a second time with residents. Derbyshire's Health and Wellbeing Board developed five high-level priorities upon which the plan will be based − and around 400 residents who took part in the first round of consultation generally agreed with them.
Actions have now been proposed for each of the priority areas, including healthy lifestyles, mental health, wellbeing in early years and people with long-term conditions, and residents are once again being invited to have their say.
Their comments will be used to draw up the final Derby Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2012-2015 which will be published in the autumn.
Education
Free nursery education for disadvantaged two year olds
The hourly rate we pay nursery education providers as part of the Government's programme for disadvantaged two year old has been agreed. Some families of two year olds are eligible to receive up to 15 hours of free education and care for their child. Cabinet has agreed to an hourly rate of £4.85.
School meal price to remain the same
Derbyshire is keeping the price of school meals the same − despite facing rising costs. Healthy, nutritional meals will still be available for £1.90 for primary and nursery schools, £2 for secondary and special schools, and £2.66 for adults. In the last year there has been a two per cent increase in the take-up of both paid and free schools meals, which has helped improve cost efficiencies in the service.
Funding for school improvements
£2.5 million has been set aside to help schools joint-fund improvement schemes. The authority will put 50 per cent into the cost of projects, with schools contributing the rest, to undertake refurbishments including roofing, windows and toilets.
Land bought for school
Pupils at Crich Carr CE Primary School are to benefit from an extended play area − thanks to the purchase of land adjoining the school.
The school currently has a limited outdoor play area as it is on a severely sloping site. The council will pay £10,000 − with a further £10,000 paid by the school − for the 432 square metres of land.
Highways and Transport
Junction improvements
We're improving the B5035 and Manystones Lane junction and site access on Manystones Lane, Brassington, to allow turbine blades to be delivered safely to the wind farm site. Carsington Wind Energy Ltd will pay for the total cost of the £21,700 scheme. Work is expected to start in July. The blades will be delivered in September.
Technology and Recycling
Carbon reduction
We've set aside £500,000 for projects to help meet our target of reducing carbon emissions by 25 per cent based on 2010/11 figures by 31 March 2015. We estimate projects to improve lighting upgrades, insulation and windows to reduce draughts in some of our properties will help reduce our energy costs by £1m after 10 years and save around 5,000 tonnes of CO2.
Improvement and Scrutiny Committee
The potential for water generated power in Derbyshire: The council's Improvement and Scrutiny Committee reported back to Cabinet on their review on water generated power projects. Cabinet considered the review and gave their backing to advice and information on water generated power being provided by the council and its partners.