December

Derbyshire County Council has today been named the most improved authority in England for its commitment to improving its road and public transport network.

Spending its transport budget efficiently, completing work quickly and working towards Government targets have earned Derbyshire the national recognition.

From a performance position of "average" last year the authority has jumped two rankings to "well above average" - the highest possible - making it the most improved highways authority in the UK and one of the best performing in the East Midlands.

Consolidating its success, the council today also welcomed more good news - a £20.9m Government funding package to improve its road and public transport network still further. Local Transport Minister Tony McNulty confirmed the council is to receive the cash over the 2004/2005 financial year as part of a £1.9bn national allocation.

The news signals the green light for the authority to continue its ongoing programme of improvements and repairs as well as develop new initiatives.

In Derbyshire, the money will go towards funding maintenance, new public transport initiatives and town centre schemes. The £20.9m grant, compared to £17.6m awarded for the current financial year, will be split as follows:

• Road repair and maintenance - (£12.9m): To maintain roads and pavements, carry out major bridge improvements and continue repairs to minor roads and pavements in rural areas.
• Small schemes - (£8m): Including improvements to the public transport network, cycle and road networks, road safety schemes, speed reduction measures and improvements for cyclists and pedestrians.  

County council cabinet member for environment and highways Councillor Brian Lucas said: "We`re delighted and proud to be acknowledged as the most improved highways authority in the country which is a credit to our dedicated workforce. 

"We know we`re on track with our transport spending and the way we deliver projects but it is extremely gratifying to have that achievement officially recognised by the Government. 

"Thanks to our excellent funding settlements over the past few years we`ve been able to carry out a lot of the ground work which has now allowed us to get up to full speed in delivering schemes.

"And following another terrific settlement announced today, we can once again plan ahead confidently to build on the good work we`ve already done in line with our commitment to delivering an efficient and high quality service to the people of Derbyshire." 

The Government is holding a further £6m in reserve for a number of East Midlands schemes awaiting full approval subject to the completion of statutory procedures. 

This includes Derbyshire County Council`s Ilkeston-Awsworth Link Road which has planning permission and initial funding but is waiting for legal orders to be confirmed by the Secretary of State for Transport before work can start. 

Commenting on today`s funding announcement Mr McNulty said: "This settlement is excellent news for passengers, motorists and local authorities across the country and demonstrates the Government`s commitment to investing in improving public transport, local roads and road conditions. 

"The Government is putting right decades of under-investment and delivering on its transport agenda. We will recognise and reward strong delivery and this year we have rewarded the highest achieving and most improved authorities with extra money."

Ambitious proposals for Derbyshire biggest ever regeneration scheme took a big step forward this week when the Deputy Prime Minister announced he would not step in with a public inquiry after the local district councils said they wanted to approve the proposal. 

John Prescott`s decision was warmly welcomed by Derbyshire County Council, leaders of the Markham Employment Growth Zone project to bring a jobs, investment and environmental boost to land around the site of the former Markham Colliery. 

The £50 million project aims to regenerate the area alongside the M1 motorway with landscaping and environmental improvements and a commerce park with thousands of new jobs and 3 million square feet of commercial floor space. 

Already, improvements to the local road network have been started and plans for the site which could attract around £130 million of private investment are being considered by Chesterfield Borough Council, the District of Bolsover and North East Derbyshire District Council. All three councils have said they proposed to approve the plans, subject to the Secretary of State`s views. Today`s announcement in a letter to all three means they can now work with the county council to fine-tune the plans` detail before making their final decision. 

County Council Leader Councillor John Williams said: "The news that John Prescott is happy to leave the planning decision in the hands of the district councils gives our scheme a real boost. "The Government said it was serious about tackling the plight of former coalfield areas and, from the start, Westminster`s commitment to the MEGZ project has shown this is the case." 

He added: "While we still have a number of matters to resolve before the main work can begin on site, this is very encouraging news. 

"I know just how much work has gone on to get the MEGZ to this point and I`d like to record my special thanks to everyone involved, especially our local MPs Dennis Skinner and Harry Barnes who have worked tirelessly to support our efforts. 

"If the compulsory purchase orders relating to the land are approved next year, we will be able to make a start on work that will eventually change the face of this largely derelict area." 

A key feature of the MEGZ site will be a direct link to the M1 motorway created by the construction of a new junction 29A and an upgraded local road network. In December 2001 the Government announced approval of a £14.5 million county council bid for the cost of the work. 

Derbyshire County Council is the only "excellent" council in the East Midlands according to the latest performance ratings published by independent watchdogs - the Audit Commission. 

And the authority is one of the top ten councils for service improvements and one of only 26 councils across the country to achieve "excellent" status under the new comprehensive performance assessment (CPA) inspection regime. 

Despite securing the highest possible rating 12 months ago and an inspection "holiday", the council volunteered for further scrutiny to make sure it was continuing to improve. 

Announcing the results, the Audit Commission said: "Derbyshire County Council has been measured as excellent in the way it serves local people." And it believes the council is "well placed" to further improve. Top scores of four out of four were given for the way the council is run and for the overall performance of its services. 

Council leader John Williams said he was delighted with the new Audit Commission rating. "Although we thought we were going from strength to strength - it`s much better to hear it from independent inspectors. 

"Improving life for local people is our business and this report shows that we are delivering our promise." He continued: "We have worked extremely hard to target our resources where they are needed. This independent report on our performance not only shows we are continuing to improve but that we are currently providing an excellent service for local people." 

In its own assessment - checked out by the inspectors - of what it has achieved over the last 12 months, the council highlights: 

• Improvements to social services from two to the top three star rating 
• Above average results for the county`s school pupils 
• Free nursery places for all three year olds 
• A 50 per cent-plus increase in intensive home support for older 
• An annual £3 million saving from a new and improved buying system 
• Nearly 200,000 extra journeys on the county`s buses following the council`s "Freerider" weeks 
• Investors in People status secured across all services for the second year. 

In addition, the council has rolled out a locally developed performance monitoring system, increased its consultation with local people and is meeting the e-government challenge - each initiative attracting national interest. 

"We`re very clear about where we are going and what we need to do to improve even further," added Councillor Williams. 

"Our action plan for the coming months is very much people focused and promises even better services for our local communities. 

"But key to our success is a hard working and committed workforce. It`s also about good leadership, partnership working and a flexible and innovative approach to delivering services to meet local needs. It`s good news that we have all these things at Derbyshire County Council." 

Residents in Heanor are being asked for their views on plans to introduce measures to slow traffic down on residential streets. 

Derbyshire County Council has drawn up plans for road humps and yellow lining in the Newlands area of town. 

It comes in response to residents` concerns about speeding traffic and drivers using the estate roads as a rat run to avoid delays on the A6007 and A608. 

The proposals would see speed humps installed along Midland Road, Burton Street, Lower Gladstone Street, Gladstone Avenue, Saxton Avenue, Brooklands Avenue and Watson Avenue. Yellow lines are also proposed along the inside of bends on Fletcher Street and Gladstone Street to prevent parked cars causing an obstruction. 

The proposals also include provision to improve street lighting along the roads if the scheme gets the go-ahead.

Councillor Brian Lucas, the county council`s cabinet member for environment and highways, said: "The council has drawn up these plans in response to a request from residents, who presented the authority with a petition. 

"We are now asking residents for their comments and we would like to hear from as many people as possible." 

People living on the streets where traffic calming is proposed will receive a letter about the proposals. But residents are also encouraged to visit an exhibition being staged at Heanor Town Hall from Monday 22 December where a large scale plan of the proposals will be on display. The office is open from 9am to 4.30pm. 

The county council would like to receive comments from the public by 16 January 2004, which is also the date that the exhibition ends.

Schools in Derbyshire have been praised after national test results for 14-year-olds were published by the Government. 

Pupils achieved better results than their national counterparts in maths and science at Key Stage 3. The county`s schools also matched the national average for English. 

Derbyshire County Council has welcomed the good news which showed performance had improved on last year`s results in all three subject areas. 

But the authority is also urging parents to treat the performance tables with an element of caution as they do not take into account all the factors that determine a successful school. Councillor Alan Charles, Derbyshire County Council`s cabinet member for education, said: "Overall Derbyshire`s schools have done extremely well. They have out-performed national statistics and have delivered even better results than last year. I would like to congratulate all of the students, teachers and staff for such an excellent performance again in 2003." 

Councillor Charles also welcomed the use of the value-added measure which takes into account the progress that pupils make while at school compared to when they arrive. 

"We welcome the fact that the Government has introduced an indicator which measures the progress pupils make once in a school," he said. 

Derbyshire`s results (excluding Derby City) are as follows: Key Stage 3 - percentage of pupils reaching the benchmark level five standard (national figures are in brackets): 

• English: 68 per cent (68 per cent) 
• Maths: 74 per cent (70 per cent) 
• Science: 73 per cent (68 per cent) 
• Further details, including results for individual schools, are available on the Government`s education website at www.dfes.gov.uk

Top ingredients are being brought together to make the county`s premier food and drink event a mouth-watering success. 

Producers are already signing up to Derbyshire`s third annual Food and Drink Fair, which will be held at Bolsover Castle on 22 and 23 May 2004. 

Celebrity chef James Martin will be on the menu for both days, carrying out demonstrations, and there are expected to be more than 60 stalls and exhibitions by local caterers, shops and producers. Children`s entertainment will also feature among the weekend`s attractions. 

The popular event has grown in size and recognition since it launched in May 2002, with more than 14,000 people visiting last year. 

Producers can contact Derbyshire County Council`s tourism officers Kate Richardson on 01629 585724 or Paul Tinsley on 01629 585500 to find out how they can show off their goods at the fair. Early indicators are that more exhibitors and stallholders will be taking part. 

Derbyshire County Council`s cabinet member for regeneration Councillor Geoff Carlile said: "The Derbyshire Food and Drink Fair is something we can be proud of because it celebrates the best produce the county has to offer.

"Derbyshire can boast that it makes some of the most excellent cheeses, meats, pastries, and beers in the country.

"The fair will give the public a chance to feast their eyes and sample some of the county`s top dishes. Producers have the chance to market their wares and get feedback from their customers. 

"We`re hoping the 2004 event will attract more people and stallholders than ever and continue to fulfil the appetite of visitors looking for a fun time." 

Derbyshire County Council has earmarked £25,000 from the tourism budget towards the cost of the fair. The District of Bolsover, East Midlands Development Agency and the European Regional Development Fund have also promised funding.

More than 12,600 tonnes of rubbish illegally dumped on the Armytage Industrial Estate in Chesterfield have been removed after a four-year battle to solve the problem. 

The six-week removal operation finished this week after Derbyshire County Council and Chesterfield Borough Council agreed to fund the majority of the £180,000 clearance bill. County council leader Councillor John Williams said: "We`re relieved that we`ve finally managed to put an end to the misery caused by this illegal tip.

"Unfortunately our efforts to go through legal channels to force the owners to take responsibility failed and we were faced with the difficult decision to meet the majority of the cost. 

"But I believe it was the right one because if we hadn`t this saga would have continued indefinitely causing not only an eyesore for everyone in the area but also concerns about water and air pollution and the risk of fire." 

Despite enforcement action taken by the county council and the Environment Agency earlier this year the owners of the site failed to remove the hazard and declared themselves insolvent. This left no one with a legal liability to clear the tip but the two councils pledged to find a solution to the problem after vandals continued to set it on fire.

Chesterfield Borough Council lead member for environmental services Councillor Keith Morgan said: "I cannot praise the officers at Chesterfield too highly for the work and the negotiation they have put in with the county council to get this outstanding job cleared. 

At best it has been an eyesore, at worst a serious hazard to public health and danger to all in the region for more than three years. 

"Co-operation between ourselves, the county council and the Environment Agency has produced the result we all wanted - the unconditional and thorough clearance of the site. "At the end of the day local residents must come first and it is now up to all local politicians to ensure that such a catastrophe is never repeated." 

The original cost of the clean-up was reduced by taking advantage of Landfill Tax exemptions and funding from the North Derbyshire and North Nottinghamshire Sub-regional Strategic Partnership. 

Leeds-based civil engineering firm VHE Construction started removing the material at the beginning of November and completed the job this week. To minimise impact on the environment and the amount going to landfill the rubbish was pre-screened and sorted before being taken to licensed waste disposal sites at Staveley and Sutton-in-Ashfield. 

The county council has now taken over the site and will lease or sell it as quickly as possible to prevent any further unauthorised tipping. 

Meanwhile, other owners and tenants on the Armytage Industrial Estate are being asked to help police the site and report illegal tipping by calling the borough council`s environmental health service on 01246 345740. 

The importance of serving the needs of local communities is the focus of the Christmas message from Derbyshire County Council. 

In his annual message the authority`s chair Councillor Charles Cutting said: "With good reason, most of us look forward to Christmas. Besides the traditional celebrations it offers a few days break from weekly routines and a welcome chance to get together with family and friends. 

"Recent world events have brought home to us the importance of peace and the value of stability and certainty in our lives. 

"Locally, events like school nativity plays and parties in our communities remind those of us serving local councils that we are not working in a vacuum. 

"Good local government is about responding to the needs of the communities we serve. It`s about bringing people the high quality services they want and need in the most efficient and cost effective way possible." 

Councillor Cutting said Derbyshire County Council can be proud of what it has achieved in the past year, including becoming the only authority in the East Midlands to secure an "excellent" rating from the Audit Commission. 

He added: "Of course, more can always be done to improve services for local people and as we strive towards that goal, I should like to take this opportunity to extend to you my best wishes for Christmas and the New Year."

Staff at Derbyshire Sports Development Unit are celebrating after receiving a prestigious quality award for the standard of sport and leisure services in the county. 

The Quest quality mark - the UK`s sports and leisure industry benchmark - was given in recognition of the unit`s impressive performance. 

A two-day assessment, which included interviews with the unit`s 19 staff, partnership agencies and customers, took place in October. 

The assessment report found there were particular strengths in: 

• People management and competence 
• Sports development planning
• Developing partnerships
• Advertising and promotions 

In the final report the unit scored an impressive 74 per cent overall. Staff plan to make further improvements to achieve an even higher score when they are reassessed in 12 months. 

Based at Lea Green in Lea, the unit forms part of the Derbyshire and Peak Park Sport and Recreation Forum and aims to help create and improve sport and leisure services county-wide. 

The forum is a partnership between Derbyshire County Council, the Peak District National Park Authority, Derby City Council, local education authorities, district councils, governing bodies of sport and the voluntary sector. 

Derbyshire County Council cabinet member for regeneration Councillor Geoff Carlile said: "The Quest quality scheme is aimed at helping organisations improve the quality of the sport and leisure services they offer the community, which is obviously something we constantly strive to do. 

"They measure services against nationally set standards of best practice so I am extremely happy it was found we are performing well and are worthy of this award." 

County Councillor Lionel Cannon, chair of the Derbyshire and Peak Park Sport and Recreation Forum, said: "This accolade is a reflection not only of Derbyshire County Council`s commitment to providing the best sport and leisure services possible but also to the hard work and dedication of staff."

Residents, visitors and workers in a Derbyshire town are being asked for their views on a proposed parking scheme. Following an initial consultation, Derbyshire County Council has drawn up detailed plans to introduce a residents` parking scheme and on-street charging in Buxton town centre. The residents` scheme aims to make it easier for householders to park close to their homes - although no car owner will be guaranteed a place outside their house. It is also hoped businesses will benefit from the introduction of pay and display machines on some streets to discourage long-stay parking. The controlled parking zone has been drawn up following concerns from residents and businesses over congestion and obstructions caused by the numbers of cars trying to park in the area. Exhibitions outlining the plans will be on display until 16 January and more than 2,000 residents and business people have been contacted about the proposals. Councillor Brian Lucas, cabinet member for environment and highways, said: "We have drawn up the scheme which tackles the concerns of residents highlighted during the initial consultation. "We would like as many people as possible to visit the exhibitions and we are particularly keen to hear the views of residents and businesses who are affected by the parking problems in the town centre. "The idea is to introduce the scheme on an experimental basis with a full review after six months." The proposed residents` parking scheme will operate from 8am to 8pm daily - including bank holidays - on all roads within the area of Burlington Road, St John`s Road, The Quadrant, Spring Gardens, Bakewell Road, Dale Road and West Road. The first permit would cost £26 a year, with any subsequent permits costing £50. Business permits will also cost £50 although disabled drivers can park for free. Residents can also buy all day visitors` permits for £3 each - up to a maximum of 100 a year - or for 40p an hour. Meanwhile, the short-stay pay and display machines would be in operation in commercial areas of town from 8am to 6pm. It is hoped the two schemes will free up spaces for visitors to attractions like Buxton Opera House, allow shoppers to park near businesses while also allowing residents to park closer to their homes. High Peak Borough Council will administer the scheme on behalf of the county council, including responsibility for enforcing the parking restrictions. Exhibitions are being staged at Buxton Tourist Information Office and Pavilion Gardens until 16 January. The tourist information office is open from 10am to 4pm each day, including weekends and Pavilion Gardens are open from 10am to 4pm on weekdays and until 5pm at weekends. A further exhibition will open at Buxton Town Hall from 5 January to 16 January between 9am and 4.30pm. It is hoped the scheme will be up and running by March 2004.

Final preparations are being made for an annual Derbyshire County Council event which recognises the achievements of young people. 

The Derbyshire Young Achievers event recognises outstanding: 

• Bravery, such as fighting an illness or living with a disability 
• Kindness in helping others 
• Commitment to improving their school, community or local environment 
• Sporting, musical, artistic or academic success 

This year there will be 101 individuals and one group receiving awards at the ceremony, which will be held at Highfields School on Lumsdale Road in Matlock on Friday 19 December. 

Councillor John Williams, Leader of Derbyshire County Council, said: "There have been a record number of applications this year and they contain many heart warming stories. 

"It will be nice to have an opportunity to recognise the achievements of young people because so often all we hear about is when children have done something wrong." 

The awards will be presented by Gareth Jones, presenter of ITV children`s programme How2 and the BBC`s Tomorrow`s World roadshows, and Councillor Charles Cutting, chair of Derbyshire County Council. The comperes for the evening will be Peak 107FM presenters Craig Pattison and Gavin Puszczalowskyi. 

The event is sponsored by Tarmac, KPMG, Scott Wilson, BT, Lexmark, Istead and Derbyshire County Council. 

Consumers wanting advice from Derbyshire County Council`s trading standards can now contact them on-line. 

The authority has launched an on-line query section on its website so members of the public can ask questions at any time of the day or night. 

The move is part of Derbyshire County Council`s drive to improve access to services through the Internet.

Councillor Walter Burrows, cabinet member for public protection and transport, said: "As a county council we are increasingly receiving requests for help through emails and our website. 

"By introducing this on-line form we are able to offer consumers who are having problems buying goods or services a way to seek assistance at a time to suit them. 

"Consumer advisers will then respond to their questions at the first available opportunity." 

The website can be visited at www.derbyshire.gov.uk/tradingstandards (opens in a new window)

In addition to the on-line complaints service the website also has a range of other information for consumers including: 

• warnings about dangerous food or products 
• printable leaflets on consumer rights when buying products or services
• advice for businesses on the measures they need to take to stay within the law 

Consumers can also continue to make enquiries to consumer advisers by ringing 01629 585858.

Plans for a new teaching block and sixth form suite at Mill Hill School in Ripley have been given the go-ahead by Derbyshire County Council. 

IT facilities, drama and the new sixth form base will all be housed in the much-needed £732,884 development. 

The authority has been working in close partnership with the school to address accommodation needs in a bid to resolve pressures on pupil places. 

A review of the school`s long-term accommodation requirements found many of the buildings were in a poor state of repair and the new building will form the first phase of a plan to redevelop the school on the existing site. 

Councillor Alan Charles, Derbyshire County Council cabinet member for education, said: "We promised that we would provide extra accommodation for Mill Hill School and we have kept that promise. 

"This is an excellent example of partnership working between the authority and the school." 

He added: "This is the first phase of a new school building for Mill Hill and is a much-needed investment to accommodate existing pupils on the site. Subject to further Government funding the whole school will be rebuilt, incorporating this first phase." 

Most of the funding for the initial scheme will be provided by the authority with a contribution from the school governors. 

Students and staff were consulted on the design of the new building, which will allow further developments to be added in the future. 

A construction firm has been appointed and building work is due to get underway on 12 January. The work is expected to be completed by 13 August 2004.

Controversial plans to mine 320,000 tonnes of coal on green belt land near Ilkeston have been refused by Derbyshire County Council. 

UK Coal Mining Ltd - formerly RJB Mining - applied to opencast on a 160-acre site at Shipley West between Mapperley and West Hallam. 

The company, who first applied to mine the site in 1999, planned to extract coal and restore the site over a period of 26 months. 

But the proposals sparked a hail of objections from local people, borough and parish councils, MPs and local councillors including Abbotsford ward county councillor Brian Lucas. Among their concerns were the proposed 120 lorry movements a day, the destruction of important wildlife habitats, pollution caused by dust and noise and fears the land would not be restored properly after the project. 

Now, following an extensive consultation exercise, members of the county council`s regulatory planning and control committee have turned down the application. 

Committee chair Councillor Joyce Sanders said: "This has been an extremely long and complicated process but, having listened carefully to both sides of the argument, we agreed the application could not be justified. 

"The committee felt it would be harmful to the environment and have a serious impact on the lives of local people."

Although the plan was first submitted in 1999, it was put on hold in November 2000 after concerns were raised about access to and from the site. An amended application was resubmitted in January of this year. 

Members of the committee visited the site before making their final decision. The plan was rejected because it conflicts with the council`s planning policy on the grounds that it would have a detrimental impact on the environment, it is within the green belt, the site could be reclaimed without the need for opencasting and Mapperley Lane is unsuitable for the anticipated 120 lorry movements each day.

Recycling projects across Derbyshire have been given a major boost thanks to a £2.5m Government grant.

Derbyshire County Council welcomed the news which follows its successful bid for funding to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) last month. 

The grant will allow the authority to progress existing schemes and develop new projects in line with its ongoing commitment to reducing landfill waste. It will also help the council continue its ongoing success in achieving Government targets. 

The county council made a partnership bid with four district waste collection authorities - Chesterfield Borough, High Peak Borough, North East Derbyshire District and Bolsover District Councils - to provide green and kitchen waste composting facilities. 

Derbyshire County Council cabinet member for environment and highways Councillor Brian Lucas said: "It`s excellent news that our bid to allow us to continue and develop our sustainable waste management projects has been successful. 

"Working with our district council colleagues we will be setting our sights firmly on reducing our landfill still further and reaching those tough Government targets which should hopefully result in us attracting more funding in the future. 

"We are already making great progress with our recycling initiatives thanks to the efforts of many Derbyshire residents but there is still a long way to go. 

"Simple steps such as separating rubbish for recycling at home and using local recycling facilities may not seem like much, but every effort made, however small, will help us in our bid to reduce the damaging impact we have on our environment and make Derbyshire a better place to live."

People with disabilities across Derbyshire are to benefit from changes in the way they receive day services.

Derbyshire County Council`s social services department, in partnership with disability charity Leonard Cheshire, is proposing to introduce a wider range of community-based services. 

These will supplement the services that are currently provided by Leonard Cheshire in three day centres - Cressy Fields in Alfreton, Granville Resource Centre in Long Eaton and West Street Resource Centre in Chesterfield. 

The changes have been proposed following a review of the way services are delivered and by consulting with people in the county who have physical disabilities or a sensory impairment. 

The review of day services showed that while people using them were generally satisfied, many people where unable to access them because of their location and others felt they wanted more flexible services that were tailored to their individual needs and delivered at a local level. 

The new programme will see an expansion of community-based services tailored to meeting individuals needs and an increase in the opportunities for disabled people to take part in activities that are nearer to home. 

Derbyshire County Council`s cabinet member for social care and health Councillor Anne Western said: "The review of day services underpinned our commitment to provide services which fully reflect the needs and aspirations of disabled people. 

"An important part of the review was consultation with current service users and with those people with disabilities who are unable or unwilling to use the existing services. 

"They gave us a clear message as to the changes they would like to see and I am sure that the changes over the coming years will be of benefit." 

Case Study

Brian Gillibrand is looking forward to getting out and about and regaining some independence after contacting social services earlier this year. 

Brian (56), of Breadsall Village, was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1990 and retired from his job in accounts at British Rail in Derby in 1994. 

As his condition got worse, Brian was forced to give up driving which led to him having to give up playing bowls as he couldn`t get to the green and other places in the village. 

With the social services and Leonard Cheshire emphasis being to enable people to access the services they choose, Brian was assigned a key worker, Lynn Thorpe, to help him do just that. Lynn helped Brian to research the bowls clubs in the area that he could use in his wheelchair, but realised the main issue Brian had was his mobility. 

Initially assigned to Brian for six weeks, Lynne had weekly sessions with him for five months and the two have recently got together again for another six weeks of sessions. 

Brian said: "I really wanted to get out and at least watch bowls and I wanted to be more independent. 

"When I was with Lynn one day we saw a power scooter and I thought it would be a good idea to try one out. 

"She helped me to use it and gave me some lessons and now I use it to get out and about in the village. 

"It has given me some independence back and I can even go up to the pub and have a coffee and sometimes even have lunch." 

Lynn has also helped Brian, who lives with his wife Sheila, to claim Disability Living Allowance and he has also had some sessions on a computer. 

Lynne said: "I wanted to help Brian achieve a better quality of life and I felt the key to this was to try to restore some mobility. 

"The seasons changed which affected us accessing the bowling, but we are picking that up again now and will hopefully be successful. 

"I feel the work we have done has been beneficial and hopefully Brian will be able to get out and about a lot more." Case Study 

Gillian Ayre hasn`t looked back since signing up to a Community Arts programme. 

Gillian (59), who is disabled due to osteoporosis, loved the classes and wanted to get out and about more. She went along to a meeting organised by High Peak Community Arts and was introduced to Leonard Cheshire staff who sat down and asked her what she really wanted to do. 

Gillian said: "It was amazing. They asked me what I wanted to do and how they could help me to achieve it. 

"As I loved Community Arts so much I wanted to do other creative activities and I suggested to them that I would like to have a go at writing. 

"Other people obviously said the same thing and four weeks ago a writers group was set up. "There are five of us at the moment and we have had interest from other people who want to join which is great." 

At the sessions, which are once a week in Glossop, a member of Leonard Cheshire comes along and there is also a tutor to guide the group. Group members are also helped with transport if they can`t get to the sessions. 

Gillian said: "The group is really creative and we all have a huge say in what goes on. We bounce ideas off each other and there is even the opportunity for us to have our work exhibited. 

"It really feels like our own group, not like being part of something that is institutionalised. We can choose what direction we take and are encouraged in our writing as well as illustration too. We are looking to do a book of verse and one of our members is also planning to write a play. 

"I always wanted to do something like this and it is really fantastic. The social side is really good and there are a lot of opportunities to meet new people and get out of the house." 

She added: "Everyone who has been involved in setting up the group is very respectful of disabled people and very knowledgeable too. Being in the group makes you feel like everyone else, you are doing something you enjoy, not because you are disabled."

Two schemes aimed at preventing burglaries in communities across Derbyshire are to receive grants of more than £39,000 from Derbyshire County Council. 

The authority is giving High Peak Community Safety Partnership £36,284 so that a partnership led by the Buxton Volunteer Bureau can set up a home security and safety scheme. 

The partnership will employ a handyman to assess the security of vulnerable people in their homes and then fit security and safety equipment to reduce the risks they face. This will include the fitting of door and window locks, wireless alarms, security lighting and spy holes. 

Derbyshire Police will receive a grant of £3,048 for Operation Liberal, a countywide initiative to investigate and reduce distraction burglaries. 

The money will be used to buy a video recorder, colour monitor and a printer so the police can view CCTV footage which has been installed in the homes of elderly residents who have been, or are at risk of, being the victim of a distraction burglary. 

Evidence gained using CCTV footage helps the police secure convictions in distraction burglary cases and gives occupants peace of mind. 

Councillor Walter Burrows, Derbyshire County Council`s cabinet member for public protection and transport, said: "The fear of crime is one of the biggest concerns for all Derbyshire residents but this is particularly the case among the elderly. 

"Distraction burglaries are among the most despicable crimes because the perpetrators con people in their own homes, often taking advantage of the occupants generosity. 

"By assisting these two community projects we hope that the chances of Derbyshire people becoming the victims of distraction burglaries will drop significantly." 

Both schemes will be monitored to ensure that they are helping to reduce crime levels.

What will it take to stop you drink driving? A 12-month ban, a £5,000 fine - six months in prison? 

Derbyshire County Council has this week launched its seasonal anti-drink drive campaign to highlight the message that drink driving not only wrecks lives in terms of causing death and injury but can also have a major impact on your lifestyle - even if you don`t cause an accident. 

The penalty for testing positive can range from a ban to a prison sentence - with the main offenders in Derbyshire being 17 to 25-year-old men. 

The county council ties in with the national Government campaign and works in partnership with Derbyshire police to cut drink driving every year. 

And this Christmas and New Year it is focusing on the young male drivers who are over-represented in drink driving accidents. Almost 40 per cent of the 146 drivers who tested positive across the county between December 19 last year and January 2 were aged 17 to 25. 

The council is running a 30-second advertisement on RAM FM and Peak 107 radio stations until January 4 to highlight the practical implications a drink-drive conviction can have and has distributed beer mats around the county`s pubs featuring four anti-drink drive messages. They also carry the police drink drive hotline which members of the public can call if they suspect a driver has been drinking or taking drugs. 

Throughout its month-long campaign the council will also supply one office party a week with free soft drink. 

County council cabinet member for public protection and transport Councillor Walter Burrows said: "Thanks to previous awareness-raising campaigns drink driving is now socially unacceptable to most people. 

"But it is worrying the police still reported there was an increase in the number of motorists providing positive breath tests following accidents last year and we are committed to helping reduce that number with this year`s campaign.

"The message is clear - there is no excuse for drink driving. The consequences for drivers who insist on flouting the law and risking not only their own lives but those of all other road users as well are potentially devastating and the penalties are severe." 

The campaign is one of the many road safety initiatives the county council has in place to achieve its casualty reduction targets to cut the number of child casualties by 60 per cent and adult casualties by 45 per cent by 2010.

• Derbyshire police are appealing for members of the public to contact them with information about people they know are driving while under the influence of drink or drugs on the drink drive hotline 01773 573737.

Art enthusiasts can enjoy a new exhibition of pastel drawings at Buxton Museum and Art Gallery from Saturday 6 December and even try the technique themselves at a free workshop. 

Award winning Cheshire artist Theresa Evans is displaying her pastel works of flowers, trees and landscapes that capture the Peak District throughout the four seasons. 

The exhibition, Four Seasons in the Peak, takes place at the Derbyshire County Council-run Buxton Museum and Art Gallery in Terrace Road until Saturday 31 January. 

Anyone wishing to find out more about the artwork can chat to Theresa who will be at the museum on Friday 12 December between 11am and 1pm. Theresa is also running a free pastel drawing workshop for adults and students at the museum on Saturday 10 January between 11am and 1pm. People are advised to book early as numbers are limited. 

Derbyshire County Council cabinet member for community services Councillor Bob Janes said: "We are delighted to put on show these creative and inspiring works of art which reveal our surroundings in a different light. 

"Students, local artists and anyone who enjoys Derbyshire scenery will find the exhibition interesting. 

"People can visit any of the exhibitions for free and learn about art and in this case try the technique themselves."

Visitors to the gallery can also see Artwork 2003, a stunning exhibition of art by the pupils of St Thomas More and Buxton Community Schools, which runs until 24 January. Also on show is Creative Expression, a new exhibition by the Art Through Textiles Group which can be seen until 3 January. 

Entry to all exhibitions at Buxton Museum and Art Gallery is free as part of Derbyshire County Council`s commitment to increase public access to the arts. 

For information about all the exhibitions or to book a place at the workshop call Ros Westwood or Sue Palmer at the museum and art gallery on 01298 24658.

Hundreds of pounds of cash prizes can be won by Derbyshire schools in a new competition by Derbyshire County Council to encourage recycling. 

Staff and pupils at schools across the county are being encouraged to `Rethink Rubbish` by recycling everything from mobile phones to Christmas trees and as a bonus the school could win up to £500. 

The county council has produced a recycling guide to help schools recycle their rubbish and is holding a competition to encourage them to take part. 

To win a prize the school must demonstrate the following: 

• That the school has recycled a wide variety of materials 
• That the school has kept a record of the quantity of rubbish recycled 
• That a variety of people at the school have been involved in the recycling projects, especially the pupils
• That the school has been innovative in its approach to recycling 

The guide encourages schools to take part in recycling projects, develop new ways to reduce waste and be more environmentally friendly with the help of local organisations. 

Teachers can put the poster guide on the wall to remind pupils of the many different kinds of rubbish that can be recycled. 

Councillor Brian Lucas, cabinet member for environment and highways, said: "With the new guide and competition we aim to encourage more schools to take up recycling schemes involving the pupils. 

"Our environment`s future is in their hands so we hope that by encouraging young people to take part in recycling projects it will become a part of their everyday routine. 

"Although an individual`s efforts to reduce waste might not seem that significant when considered on their own they have a big impact on the amount of waste when combined together." 

For more information on the school recycling guide or the school recycling awards call Helen Amoako on 01629 580000 extension 7568.

The success and achievements of Derbyshire pupils are highlighted in national test results for 11-year-olds published by the Government today (Thursday). 

Derbyshire County Council has welcomed the good news, which shows that pupils in the county achieved better results than their national counterparts in all subject areas at Key Stage 2. Derbyshire is also improving at a faster rate than other authorities nationally. 

This success was demonstrated by the fact four Derbyshire schools appear in the top 100 table of schools showing a sustained improvement. They are Overseal Primary School, Dunstan Primary School in Chesterfield, Barlborough Primary School and Taxal and Fernilee Primary CE School in Whaley Bridge. 

Little Eaton Primary School also appears in the top 100 of a new list, which ranks schools based on the value-added measures they provide. This table takes into account the progress that pupils make while at a school compared to their standards when they arrive. 

While delighted with the results, Derbyshire County Council is urging parents to treat the performance tables with an element of caution as they do not take into account all factors that determine whether a school is helping pupils to achieve their full potential. 

Councillor Alan Charles, Derbyshire County Council`s cabinet member for education, said: "These outstanding results recognise the hard work taking place in Derbyshire schools by pupils, teachers, parents and governors to raise standards in education. 

"In the past four years Derbyshire has made strong progress and our schools have achieved above the national average in all subject areas. 

"We welcome the fact that the Government has this year introduced a new indicator which measures the progress pupils make once in a school." 

Derbyshire`s results (excluding Derby City) are as follows: Key Stage 2 - percentage of pupils reaching the benchmark level four standard (national figures are in brackets): 

• English: 77 per cent (75 per cent) 
• Maths: 75 per cent (73 per cent) 
• Science: 88 per cent (87 per cent) 

Further details about the national picture, including results for individual schools, are available from the Government by visiting their education website at www.dfes.gov.uk

Working together to provide passengers with an even better service - that`s what Derbyshire County Council has pledged to deliver in a new Bus Quality Partnership launched next week. 

The authority and colleagues from Chesterfield Borough Council, North East Derbyshire District Council and Bolsover District Council have teamed up with Stagecoach East Midlands and TM Travel to improve a bus route along a seven-mile stretch of the A619 between Chesterfield and Barlborough. 

The BQP route, to be launched on Monday (December 8), will start at Brewery Street in Chesterfield and run along the A619 as far as Barlborough. Stagecoach East Midlands` service 77 and TM Travel`s service 46 will operate along the route. 

Improvements include: 

• New traffic signals to give buses priority over other traffic to give passengers a faster journey and more reliable services. 
• Raised kerbs at bus stops making it easier for passengers to get on and off. 
• Cleaner buses and new or upgraded shelters. 
• Better bus stop information. 

Derbyshire County Council cabinet member for public protection and transport Councillor Walter Burrows said: "We`re delighted to launch this BQP to improve the quality of bus travel for local people. This is just the first of many developments the partners will continue to work on in an effort to encourage more people to use public transport."

This latest BQP initiative is Derbyshire`s fourth and is launched in line with a commitment in the county council`s Local Transport Plan to improve the public transport network. Derbyshire`s other BQPs are the A52 Derby to Long Eaton, the A610 Ripley to Somercotes and the A38 Burton to Swadlincote.

Lessons based around a cartoon character are being used by Derbyshire County Council to teach children the dangers of going on building sites. 

The cartoon character Digga has been developed by the Health and Safety Executive as part of a joint Stay Safe campaign being run with the county council to make youngsters, aged seven to 11, aware of the hazards that exist on building sites. 

Nationally 16 children have been killed and 802 injured in the past ten years while playing on construction sites. Whenever Derbyshire County Council` s construction services team is carrying out building work at a school it will join up with teachers to promote the Stay Safe message. 

Schools will be given a teaching pack to help develop lessons that highlight the dangers that exist on building sites and the fact that accidents could result in injuries or even death. 

The teaching packs include: 

• A pull-out poster with stickers 
• A ten-minute video highlighting the dangers of going on building sites 
• Fun games, a cartoon strip and a poster for children to colour in 

A quiz testing pupils on the safety lessons they have learnt Derbyshire County Council Leader, Councillor John Williams, said: 

"Children can see building sites as fun places to go but they are not playgrounds. 

"The county council has a lot of building sites and although we have not had any incidents where children have been injured it is a danger that we wish to avoid. 

"By using the cartoon character Digga we can talk about these issues in a way that children can relate to. As a result they are more likely to pay attention to the warnings being given." 

The first school to receive the Stay Safe teaching pack is Riddings Junior School in Riddings, near Alfreton. Headteacher Steve Booth said: 

"The teaching pack and the video are effective in getting the message over in a way that is not patronising to children but is relevant to their lives. 

"We have not had any children playing on the building site so the messages seem to have been remembered."

Parents and carers of children with special educational needs in the Glossop area have successfully set up their own support group. Derbyshire County Council`s Parent Partnership Service organised a meeting at the beginning of the month after demand from a local group of parents and carers. 

The parents have now set up a group called POsitive ParentS (POPS) and one of the parents, Lindsay Allott, will arrange the meetings. The group will meet monthly in the upstairs room at the Globe, High Street West, Glossop, which the owners have offered for free. 

The idea is for parents and carers to join forces to discuss their ideas and experiences and to make sure they get the best help and advice for their children`s future. 

The parent partnership service is an impartial service funded by Derbyshire County Council that offers advice to parents and carers of children with special educational needs. 

It aims to encourage partnership between parents and carers and all those involved with children with special educational needs in Derbyshire. Derbyshire County Council cabinet member for education Councillor Alan Charles said: 

"The special educational needs system is a very involved process and we encourage parents and carers to team together to support each other. 

"By getting together informally the group can discuss issues, offer advice to other parents and share new ideas in a relaxed environment with the support of a parent partnership support worker. 

"I am sure the group will be successful and establish a strong voice for the parents of children with special educational needs in this area." 

The county council`s parent partnership support worker Jane Dixon will continue to be involved and offer support to the group. The next meeting is Monday 15 December at 7.30pm in the upstairs room at the Globe. 

Anyone interested can turn up on the night or call Lindsay Allott for more information on 01457 862067.

A forum for older people is a step closer following a successful meeting held in Chesterfield. 

More than 60 older people went along to an open day held at the Assembly Rooms, Market Hall, to find out more about the setting up of a forum for older people in the town. 

The meeting was held to find out how many people would be interested in establishing an older people`s forum and more than 30 people expressed a strong interest. 

The open day was set up by a steering group of older people and was backed by Derbyshire County Council and Chesterfield Borough Council. 

Speaking at the event was county council leader Councillor John Williams, the Mayor of Chesterfield Councillor June Beckingham, Joan Taylor who chairs an older people`s forum in Nottinghamshire and deputy director of the county council`s social services, older people`s champion John Simmons. Mari Fowler, who chairs a forum at Langley Mill also addressed the meeting and afterwards there was a question and answer session. 

Both councils are supporting the setting up of the forum, which has the proposed name of `Chesterfield 50+ Inspired Group`. 

The forum, when developed, would give older people the opportunity to exchange ideas with each other and with decision-making organisations including councils and primary care trusts. 

Members would be able to inform organisations about the needs of older people through the forum, influencing the development of services and support and anything that might impact on their lives. 

The setting up of the forum is connected to the national `Better Government For Older People` programme. 

The programme is a national initiative launched in 1998 to give older people a voice to improve public services and is a partnership between central government, local government, older people and the voluntary sector. 

Derbyshire County Council`s cabinet member for social care and health Councillor Anne Western said: "The purpose of the meeting was to find out how many people were interested in setting up an older people`s forum and from those who went along it was clear there was an enthusiasm to develop one in the area. 

"By developing local forums the channels of communication between older people and organisations which affect their lives will be opened and it will be easier for ideas and views to be exchanged." 

The open meeting was also attended by various agencies which provided information stalls to inform older people of what services and support are available. 

Shopmobility, The Pensions Service, Age Concern Chesterfield, Chesterfield Borough Council, the county council`s social services and libraries service, Chesterfield Care and Repair, Chesterfield Walk This Way, Derbyshire Police community safety and Chesterfield Community Transport were all represented.