January

Staff and pupils at three Derbyshire schools are celebrating after being awarded specialist schools status.

Young people are being given the chance to have their say on Derbyshire County Council’s youth service.

Book lovers in Woodville will notice a frenzy of activity over the next few weeks as their library gets a new roof.

A Derbyshire library is being redecorated as part of a £15,000 revamp by Derbyshire County Council.

More than one million pounds is being invested in road repairs and improvements across the county by Derbyshire County Council in February.

Youngsters were all smiles at the launch of the latest children’s centre to take support services into the community.

Community minded youngsters from Pinxton have been getting their hands dirty to improve a popular fishing spot.

Young people from Pinxton Youth Centre are working with youth workers and Derbyshire County Council countryside wardens to improve the area around the wharf ponds in Pinxton.

The wharf, at the end of the Cromford Canal, is a popular destination for young people who take part in fishing with the local angling club.

It was originally used to load canal barges with coal and has been in use since the 18th century.

The volunteers, aged between 13 and 19, have been putting up six new wooden fishing platforms as part of the Pinxton Wharf Conservation project.

The project is part of an ongoing programme of activities by Derbyshire County Council countryside wardens, Bolsover Countryside Partnership, Peg One fishing and Pinxton parish council.

This has included improving disabled access to the fishing ponds, resurfacing work and rubbish clearance.

Councillor Bob Janes, Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for cultural services, said: “This is just one example of how young people in Derbyshire are working together to improve the environment around them.

“The pond area is well used by all ages including young people and it is wonderful to see everyone pulling together to make sure it stays a great place to visit.

“Hopefully the improvement works will attract even more people to the area to take advantage of the extra facilities that are being put in place.”

February is Scams Awareness month and Derbyshire County Council’s trading standards team have plenty of good advice for people wanting to avoid being conned.

Trading standards warn that bogus letters, faxes and emails are becoming more and more convincing and look professionally produced.

They will often ask for financial details or personal information and can appear to come from well known companies or even high street banks.

Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for community safety services Councillor Clive Moesby said: “There are lots of scams circulating at any one time and they are getting more and more sophisticated.

“They may offer the chance to invest in an exciting new money-making investment scheme, an unexpected win on a prize draw or lottery, or ask for your bank account details and can be aimed at businesses as well as consumers.”

“Scams Awareness month is an ideal time to focus peoples’ attention on this growing problem and provide them with effective and easy ways to avoid falling victim to a scam.”

Trading standards staff are encouraging residents to consider the following questions when they receive an offer that seems too good to be true:

• Was the offer unsolicited?

• How can I have won a competition that I haven't entered?

• Did the offer come from overseas?

• Do I have to respond at once, so as not to "miss out" - what's the rush?

• Do I have to make a purchase or send money to win a prize?

• Do I have to give my bank or credit card details?

• Am I asked to keep it confidential?

Anyone who thinks they have been a victim of a scam can call Consumer Direct on 08454 040506 or visit www.consumerdirect.gov.uk (opens in a new window)

REF:CM:30:08

Health awareness is the name of the game when youngsters get together for a health and consultation day on February 10.

Derbyshire County Council is working in partnership with North East Derbyshire District council to hold the event at Sharley Park leisure centre.

Between 80 and 100 young people from all areas of the district will be attending.

Derbyshire County Council youth workers will be providing workshops including aromatherapy sessions, mental health and advice on smoking awareness.

Staff from Sharley Park will be putting on a range of activities from fitness sessions to lifesaving and first aid skills.

There will also be a ‘big sister’ diary room to consult with young people on future leisure activities they would like to see provided in the area.

Councillor Bob Janes, Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for cultural services said: “This is a great opportunity for young people to learn more about maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

“Making sure that people in Derbyshire are happy, healthy and well informed is very important to us.

“This is all about taking a holistic approach to health, looking not just at physical fitness and diet but mental wellbeing as well.

“There is a chance to get advice and information on a wide range of issues from smoking to healthy eating and tackling stress.”

The event will be held between 10am and 4pm and community transport will be used to bring young people to the event. 

REF:CM:29:08 
 

Young people from across the East Midlands are to be recognised for their hard work in promoting global issues to their peers.

Members of the Derbyshire County Council run Pinxton youth centre, along with Global Education Derby, will be hosting the East Midlands Youth Action Celebration Event on 23 February.

The event is to recognise the achievements of 50 young people from Bolsover, Derby City, Northampton, Loughborough and Mansfield.

Over the past year they have been involved in a variety of projects promoting awareness of a range of global issues to their peers.

One example is young people in Bolsover who have been working towards holding a Make a Difference day in February on the theme of climate change.

They will be raising awareness of the issue by offering bicycle rides to visitors, creating junk art from recycled materials and putting together quizzes and fact sheets all about global warming and its effects.

Councillor Bob Janes, Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for cultural services, said: “Young people in Derbyshire are actively working towards making the world a better place and it is nice to see them getting the recognition they deserve.

“Events like this show that the next generation is concerned with problems on a global scale not just the things that directly affect them.

“They are passing on positive messages to other young people.”

Each group had a budget of £500 with which to plan, organise and carry out a project of their choice.

They also had the chance to take part in a residential weekend and meet up with other youth groups across the East Midlands.

During the Youth Action Celebration event, each group will give a presentation on their project and receive a certificate of recognition for all their hard work.

REF:CM:28:08

Snake Pass has been closed by Derbyshire County Council following a major landslip due to heavy rainfall during the past two weeks.

The land is still slipping and we cannot assess the damage of the work that needs to be carried out until the land settles.

Snake Pass is closed between Glossop at Hurst Road and Ladybower but there is still access, including to the Snake Pass Inn.

We are monitoring the situation and will reassess the situation once the land settles.

Making good use of rubbish should be even easier for people living in and around Bolsover when Derbyshire County Council opens its new household waste recycling centre on Monday 28 January 2008.

Based on the former Coalite site off the A632, the new £600,000 centre will make life much easier for local people who want to recycle rubbish not covered by their doorstep collections.

The county already has six household waste recycling centres at Loscoe near Heanor, Ilkeston, Chesterfield, Glossop, Ashbourne and Newhall near Swadlincote.

These sites receive more than 55,000 visits from people who stop by to use the facilities every year.

The new centre, on Buttermilk Lane, will be able to handle more than 5,000 tonnes of rubbish a year from the Shirebrook and Bolsover area which will be separated and where possible reused, recycled or composted.

People will be able to take a range of different items to the site including furniture, electrical appliances, carpets fridges and freezers.

They also accept paper, cardboard, glass jars, engine oil, batteries, excess bin waste and up to 50kg of rubble and soil.

Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for environmental services councillor Brian Lucas said: “People asked us for more recycling facilities and we listened.

“This new recycling centre will give people in and around Bolsover a really useful facility on their doorsteps.

“At the moment we recycle and compost 32 per cent of our rubbish in Derbyshire. But we need to do more if we are to avoid landfill fines which would mean a rise in the council tax we all pay.

“This new centre is another step towards boosting our recycling rate further.”

H W Martins Ltd based in Alfreton will manage the centre on behalf of the county council. It will be open 8.30am until 6pm every day of the year except Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day.

The centre is a split-level site which means the public are separated from the skips and working area.

(Ref: JM.27.08)

Over-indulged on turkey and Christmas pudding? Why not work off some of the Christmas excess by taking a stroll, run or even bike ride along the latest greenway to be built by Derbyshire County Council.

The first phase of Trent Valley Greenway built in partnership with Nottinghamshire County Council was completed in December 2006.

It links Cranfleet Lock in Long Eaton with the Attenborough Nature Reserve in Nottinghamshire.

Now a new section measuring almost a mile and a half has been added making the entire route almost four miles long.

The new multi-user path loops off the existing greenway past Trent Meadows and the Attenborough Nature Reserve.

Councillor Brian Lucas, Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for environmental services, said: “We’re making it easier for people to get from A to B by extending our network of greenways.

“And they also give Derbyshire residents and visitors a chance to get out and enjoy the countryside as well as getting some exercise too.”

The multi-user route cost £300,000 and was funded by both county councils Natural England and the Aggregates Levy Sustainability Fund.

Building work has started on a new £1.4million sports hall to improve life for pupils in Buxton.

The new facility at St Thomas More Catholic School is needed because the existing hall is small and has to be used as a gym, assembly hall, dining room and exam base.

It is not suitable to host sports matches and does not have enough room to assemble the whole school in an emergency.

Cllr Barbara Wilson, Derbyshire County Council cabinet support member for schools, joined pupils and staff at a sod cutting ceremony to mark the start of building work.

Cllr Wilson said: “We’re committed to promoting healthy and active lifestyles for youngsters in Derbyshire schools.

“Pupils at St Thomas Catholic School deserve the type of facility enjoyed by other students and we’re delighted that work has begun.”

It is expected the new sports hall will take 30 weeks to build, meaning it should be ready for the start of the 2008/09 academic year.

The project had been delayed when a residents’ association submitted a village green application for land at Brown Edge Road which the county council wants to sell to cover the cost of the building.

The land cannot be sold until the application has been considered. Derbyshire County Council has loaned the cash required, with the Nottingham Roman Catholic Diocese agreeing to underwrite the amount.

If the village green application is unsuccessful, the county council will revert to its original plan to use money from the sale of the land to pay for the sports hall.

DIG IN: (from left) Josh Delight (14), Councillor Barbara Wilson, Derbyshire County Council cabinet support member for schools, and Sean Rooney (15).

(REF:SB.24.08)

Derbyshire County Council is closing Apperknowle Primary School to reduce surplus school places.

The decision to close the school, near Dronfield, was taken by the county council’s cabinet as part of its plans to tackle falling pupil numbers.

There are currently 8,979 empty primary school places in Derbyshire. In the next four years the number is predicted to increase by another 6,600 places.

The school receives £5,784 to educate each pupil at Apperknowle Primary School, compared to the Derbyshire average of £2,648 for primary schools.

Significant factors for the closure decision were:

• In January 2007 there were only 24 pupils at the school compared to 41 in 2002 – meaning 55 per cent of places are not being used.

• Only four of Apperknowle’s pupils live in the school’s catchment area. Alternative schools will mean shorter journeys to school.

• By 2011 pupil numbers are expected to drop to 19, meaning 64 per cent of places will be empty.

Councillor Alan Charles, Derbyshire County Council cabinet member for schools, said: “Closing a school is always an exceptionally difficult decision to take and this was no different.

“We appreciate that many people will be unhappy with the closure because they have a strong attachment to their school, but we have a duty to provide the best possible education for all of our pupils and value for money for the taxpayer.

“Surplus places cost a lot of money and mean that there is less funding available for pupils at other schools, which has an impact on the quality of education they can be offered.”

Apperknowle Primary School will close on 31 August 2008. The normal catchment areas of Unstone Junior School and Unstone St Mary’s Infant School will include the existing catchment area for Apperknowle.

County council choice advisors will help parents if they decide to seek places for their children at other schools. Derby and Derbyshire Parent Partnership will also be available to offer support and advice.

A review looked at the problem of surplus places in different areas of Derbyshire by assessing the:

• Projected pupil numbers and surplus places

• Condition and suitability of school buildings

• Distance to the nearest alternative schools

• Balance of faith and non-faith schools in an area

• Impact on community facilities, early years education, extended school provision and social deprivation

• Impact on the environment

Cabinet members also confirmed recommendations to close Castle Gresley Infant School and Highfield Primary School, Long Eaton, as part of the council’s plans to reduce surplus places.

(SB.21.08)

Derbyshire County Council is closing Castle Gresley Infant School to reduce surplus school places.

The decision to close the school was taken by the county council’s cabinet as part of its plans to tackle falling pupil numbers.

There are currently 8,979 empty primary school places in Derbyshire. In the next four years the number is predicted to increase by 6,600 places.

The school receives £5,467 to educate each pupil at Castle Gresley Infant School, compared to the Derbyshire average of £2,635 for infant schools.

Much of the school site is in very poor condition and would need significant investment to bring it up to modern standards.

The existing Castle Gresley catchment area will become part of the Linton Primary School catchment area.

Significant factors for the closure decision were:

• In January 2007 the number of pupils in the school was 25, compared to 41 in 2002 – meaning 66 per cent of places are empty.

• By 2011 it is expected that pupil numbers will fall to 23.

• Pupils already move from Castle Gresley Infant School to Linton Primary School at the end of Year 3.

• Moving pupils will help address a 15% shortfall in the number of pupils at Linton Primary School.

Councillor Alan Charles, Derbyshire County Council cabinet member for schools, said: “It is an exceptionally difficult decision to close a school and not one we take lightly.

“We appreciate that many people will be unhappy with the closure because they have a strong attachment to their school, but we have a duty to provide the best possible education for all of our pupils and value for money for the taxpayer.

“Surplus places cost a lot of money and mean that there is less funding available for pupils at other schools, which has an impact on the quality of education they can be offered.

“The buildings at Castle Gresley Infant School are not suitable for modern education purposes and would cost a lot of money to upgrade - meaning further unfair expenditure which we could not justify.”

Castle Gresley Infant School will close on 31 August 2008, with pupils offered a place at Linton Primary School for the 2008/2009 academic year.

County council choice advisors will help parents if they decide to seek places for their children at other schools. Derby and Derbyshire Parent Partnership will also be available to offer support and advice.

A review looked at the problem of surplus places in different areas of Derbyshire by assessing the:

• Projected pupil numbers and surplus places.

• Condition and suitability of school buildings.

• Distance to the nearest alternative schools.

• Balance of faith and non-faith schools in an area.

• Impact on community facilities, early years education, extended school provision and social deprivation.

• Impact on the environment.

Cabinet also confirmed the closure of Apperknowle Primary School, near Dronfield, and Highfield Primary School, Long Eaton, as part of the county council’s plans to reduce surplus places.

(SB.22.08)

Derbyshire County Council is closing Highfield Primary School to reduce surplus school places.

The decision to close the school, at Long Eaton, was taken by the county council’s cabinet as part of its plans to tackle falling pupil numbers.

There are currently 8,979 empty primary school places in Derbyshire. In the next four years the number is predicted to increase by 6,600 places.

Surplus school places in the Long Eaton area total 23 per cent or 235 empty places. This would rise to 329 empty places, or 32 per cent in 2011.

It would cost £500,000 to bring Highfield up to a reasonable state of repair and the school would need even more money to make it suit a modern curriculum.

Listed status means it is hard to re-develop the building and the school has no playing fields.

Significant factors for the closure decision were:

• In January 2007 an annual school census found there were 171 pupils at the school compared to 254 in 2002 - meaning 39% of places were unfilled.

• During a consultation process the school notified that it had removed two classrooms from general use and asked for the removal of two temporary classrooms. This left a 19 per cent surplus of 39 places.

• By 2011 it is expected that there will be 149 pupils - a 29 per cent surplus if the amended net capacity figure is taken into account.

Councillor Alan Charles, Derbyshire County Council cabinet member for schools, said: “It is an exceptionally difficult decision to close a school and not one we take lightly.

“We appreciate that many people will be unhappy with the closure because they have a strong attachment to their school, but we have a duty to provide the best possible education for all of our pupils and value for money for the taxpayer.

“Surplus places cost a lot of money and mean that there is less funding available for pupils at other schools, which has an impact on the quality of education they can be offered.

“The buildings at Highfield Primary School are not suitable for modern education purposes and are difficult to upgrade – meaning further unfair expenditure which we could not justify.”

Highfield Primary School will close on 31 August 2008, with pupils offered a place at Parklands Infant School, Harrington Junior School or Longmoor Primary School.

County council choice advisors will help parents if they decide to seek places for their children at other schools. Derby and Derbyshire Parent Partnership will also be available to offer support and advice.

A review looked at the problem of surplus places in different areas of Derbyshire by assessing the:

• Projected pupil numbers and surplus places

• Condition and suitability of school buildings

• Distance to the nearest alternative schools

• Balance of faith and non-faith schools in an area

• Impact on community facilities, early years education, extended school provision and social deprivation

• Impact on the environment

Cabinet members also confirmed the closure of Apperknowle Primary School, near Dronfield, and Castle Gresley Infant School, as part of the county council’s plans to reduce surplus places.

(SB.23.08)

A river bank in Chesterfield hit by flooding last summer is being given a face-lift as part of Derbyshire County Council’s Big Derbyshire Clean Up campaign – and local people can help.

The River Rother was affected by severe flooding in June last year leaving rubbish strewn along its banks once the water levels died down.

Now a team of volunteers are planning to clean up the public footpath which runs alongside the river between Holbeck Close and Tapton Lock. 

Derbyshire County Council’s Cabinet member for environmental services, Councillor Brian Lucas said:  “The large amounts of rubbish left along the bank after the floods are a real problem.  Apart from the visual impact there is an impact on local wildlife. “

“The Big Derbyshire Clean Up is all about improving life for local people and we are sure that by all working together we can make a real difference to this attractive riverside.”

The Chesterfield Canal is an important wildlife habitat, especially for the rare water vole.  The clean up is being held during the winter so the local wildlife are not disturbed.

If local companies or organisations would like to send a team please contact  Tapton Lock Visitors Centre on 01246 551035. 

Volunteers should meet at Tapton Lock Visitors Centre on Sunday 3 February at 9.30am.  Tools, protective gloves and safety instructions will be provided at the registration.

(REF:JH.25.08)
 

Library users will find it even easier to surf the web thanks to a new project which will see wireless internet technology fitted in libraries across the county.

Derbyshire County Council has approved a plan to give their main libraries a free wireless internet connection. This means visitors can walk in with their own laptops and access the World Wide Web as well as other online resources which are unique to library users.

The new wireless technology will also mean users will not have to work at only certain work areas meaning a more flexible use of space in the libraries and as a result more wired computers will be freed up for users without their own laptops.

The £140,000 project was given the go-ahead at the council’s latest cabinet meeting on Tuesday (22) and work will begin on fitting the new technology next month.

It is predicted work will be finished by early summer.

The following libraries will be fitted with the wireless technology:

• Chesterfield, New Beetwell Street

• Dronfield, Manor House High Street

• Bolsover, Church Street

• Buxton, Kents Bank Road

• Bakewell, Granby Road

• Ashbourne, Cokayne Avenue

• Swadlincote, Civic Way

• Long Eaton, Tamworth Road

• Ilkeston, Market Street

• Alfreton, Severn Square

Councillor Bob Janes, the county council’s cabinet member for cultural services, said: “We are always looking at ways to improve our library service and this new scheme provides an excellent resource for people.

“The wireless technology will give the users more flexibility over when and where they can use the internet and I’m sure the scheme will prove very popular.”

A free programme which aims to help people successfully market their businesses has been launched.

The business support programme is being held on a number of dates during the year at the Derbyshire County Council-run Markham Vale Environment Centre at Markham Vale near Chesterfield.

The programme, which is being run by Derbyshire County Council and the European Regional Development Fund, consists of two workshops and people signing up are asked to attend both sessions to fully benefit.

The first workshop helps people identify markets and potential customers for their business and then set out a strategy to help them gain more sales.

The second workshop helps people to evaluate the image of their business, looking at their marketing materials and websites, and then giving advice to make them more effective.

Using a mix of communications, with an emphasis on IT, experts running the programme will show how people can use the marketing materials available to them to make them work more successfully.

The programme also gives those taking part the opportunity for a one-to-one business advice session with a specialist adviser and on-going networking opportunities.

The first sessions are being planned for late January, early February and exact dates will be set up when it is clear what the demand is for the programme.

Each programme will be limited to 15 people so places will be allocated on a first-come first-served basis.

After each session people will be able to look around the Markham Vale Environment Centre – the county council’s flagship building for the £65 million Markham Vale regeneration scheme.

Derbyshire County Council cabinet member for regeneration Councillor Geoff Carlile said: “These free courses will be incredibly useful for people running their own businesses and I’m sure they will prove very popular.

“The right marketing of a business can greatly enhance it, leading to increased sales and more secure jobs, which is why we are right behind this programme.”

He added: “The Markham Vale Environment Centre is the perfect setting for a course like this and I hope after the sessions people will take the chance to have a look around the state-of-the-art facilities.”

To ensure your place on the first programme contact Markham Vale Environment Centre manager Trudi Novakovic on 01246 826000. 

(MC:19.08)  

Never get stuck on a difficult crossword clue or flummoxed by a tough homework question again thanks to Derbyshire County Council’s latest innovation.

The authority has invested in some of the most reliable reference websites available including the Encyclopaedia Britannica, Oxford Reference Online, Grove Art and Music online and Infotrac Newspapers and Journals.

You’d normally pay a subscription to use these info-packed websites. But Derbyshire library members can now use them free of charge from a home or office computer by logging on to the council’s website 24-hours a day.

Simply enter your borrower number from your library card when asked, with the letters DCC in front, and then access a world of information at your fingertips.

Previously, you had to go into the library to access the reference sites. Now you can log on at any time of day or night.

For schoolchildren there’s extra homework help on the Britannica website that only library members can access. Students will find the wide range of websites we subscribe to essential for research.

Those fond of the written word can use Infotrac Newspapers and Journals databases, which give access to 10 national newspapers and 50 journals and magazines going back to 1985. They also feature The Times from 1785. This website is only available to library members.

Officially launching the new service, Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for cultural services, Councillor Bob Janes, said he was delighted the authority was investing in such good quality sites.

“These are great sites which are an excellent addition to our online service,” he said.

“Library members can already browse our massive library catalogue, find and choose a book, CD or DVD and reserve it online. Now you can access some superb information websites as well, free of charge.”

A Derbyshire family who are already taking advantage of free, 24-hour access to the websites are the Rodgers from Palterton, near Bolsover.

Mum Alison Rodger regularly logs on with her children to the sites to help them with their homework. She says the sites are good quality, providing reputable and accurate information.

Son Matthew, 17, and daughter Hannah, 12, are both at St Mary’s Catholic High School in Chesterfield. Matthew is studying for A Levels and Hannah is a keen musician, playing both piano and harp.

“We use the library a lot and now it’s even better because we can access lots of good resources from home,” explained Alison, 47.  
                                  
“It’s an absolutely amazing facility and the sites are reliable, unlike some of the sites that get thrown up during searches.”      
   
Matthew is a keen public speaker and needs to do a lot of research for his speeches. By logging on to Oxford Reference, he saves a lot of time previously spent flicking through reference books.

Hannah is studying music and says the Grove Music site, which gives details on all aspects of music, its history and performance, is great.

Alison teaches English to adults part time and finds the new sites a brilliant help for her own work.

“These are good sites and you know they are reliable,” added Alison. “I am recommending them to all my students.”

Alison and her family already use the county council’s website to choose and reserve books, CDs and DVDs. They also regularly visit libraries in Chesterfield and Shirebrook.

Any library members who would like to access the new sites can go to www.derbyshire.gov.uk/24hrlibrary (opens in a new window) If you are not a member already, you can join online on the same site or go into your nearest library. To find your nearest library ring Call Derbyshire on 08 456 058 058 or go online to search.

ONLINE: Councillor Bob Janes, Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for cultural services, launches the new service with Alison Rodger, son Matthew, 17, and daughter, Hannah, 12, from Palterton.                          

Support for parents and carers of disabled youngsters will be even better after Derbyshire County Council won £5million funding to lead the way in a scheme to increase short breaks.

The authority, working alongside Derbyshire County Primary Care Trust, has been chosen as one of just 21 across England to act as a pathfinder in the first wave of the Government’s Aiming High for Disabled Children project.

It means more disabled youngsters will be able to spend time enjoying breaks away from home – enabling parents and carers to have a break too.

Councillor Anne Western, Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for children’s services, said: “We were delighted to hear that we had been successful in our application to be a pathfinder in this project.

“We want all families to have the support they need to bring up their children.

“Disabled children and young people deserve to have the same opportunities as other children and young people to experience a broad range of activities and grow to their full potential.

“Families and carers do a tremendous job caring for their children but it is often a round the clock task and short breaks mean that they get a well earned time for themselves and other members of the family.”

Government research found that short breaks were seen as the highest priority service for families with disabled children.

Short breaks can vary from just a few hours to a weekend or longer break, with disabled children cared for in their own home or given access to activities in the wider community.

The county council was awarded £734,800 for 2008-09 to allow preparation for the two year project to be carried out. It will receive £2,370,200 in each of the following two years.

Almost £1.2million will also be available for building projects to adapt premises for use by disabled children.

A survey of all users of services for disabled children will now be launched to determine where the money should be targeted. The county council will also work closely with Primary Care Trusts to ensure a coordinated approach.

(REF: SB.13.08)
                                                                                                                                            

Grants totalling more than £5,400 designed to help boost community arts in Derbyshire have been handed out by Derbyshire County Council.

A school, craft group and projects working with young people are among six projects to benefit from the authority’s latest round of small arts grants.

Derbyshire County Council awards the grants three times a year to organisations developing the arts in the county. Worth up to a maximum of £1,000, they are designed to help:

• Develop new audiences and participants in arts activity

• Support arts work with disabled people

• Support arts work in rural areas

• Support the creative economy

Beneficiaries in the latest round of grants are:

• Ilkeston School and Specialist Arts College (£1,000) – To cover the costs of staging a fashion show with students designing, making and modelling clothes outside of school time
• Barlborough Community Craft Group (£868) – To put on a series of craft workshops
• The Athenaeum Project (£665) – Working with young people to create a graffiti mural in Melbourne. The project is a charity dedicated to helping young people help themselves
• First Steps (£1,000) – This is a project to help young people in Coton-in-the-Elms in South Derbyshire. The money will be used to create a website to help young people aged 15 to 25 to start successful creative businesses.
• Toddlers’ Talking Together (£1,000) – Music, dance and puppet workshops for toddlers and their families in Kirk Hallam, near Ilkeston.
• Ilkeston Festival (£939) – Towards the cost of commissioning artists and workshops for the Ilkeston Festival 2008

Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for cultural services Councillor Bob Janes said: “These projects are playing a vital part in promoting the arts in Derbyshire and help bring the arts into the community.

“The county has a thriving arts scene and the county council is happy to be able to support the good work being done by groups and organisations across the area.”

Groups can apply for a small arts grant if they satisfy the criteria of opening up opportunities for new audiences in Derbyshire; support work with disabled people, or in rural areas, or encourage creativity in local communities.

An application form can be downloaded from the county council website from the arts grants page or ring the authority’s arts team on 01773 831385.

Media enquiries only to Catriona Cummings on 01629 585271

Do you know how much salt is in the food you eat? Do you regularly check the labels of your packaged meals?

Derbyshire County Council’s trading standards are stepping up their efforts to inform and educate people about the contents of what they eat.

The team recently conducted a salt content survey on a range of breakfast foods across the county.

They tested 30 wheat based products, known as morning goods, including leading brands of crumpets, muffins, croissants and scotch pancakes.

The Food Standards Agency has set a target to reduce salt in these types of products to no more than 1.3g per 100g.

However half of the products sampled had salt levels in excess of the FSA’s voluntary guidelines.

One leading brand of crumpet was found to have 2.11grams of salt per 100grams. Nearly double the recommended amount.

Out of the 30 products tested, only 18 had the salt content indicated. Trading standards want to see more products clearly labelled to help people make informed choices.

Cllr Clive Moesby, cabinet member for community safety, said: “One of trading standards’ aims is to make sure people are correctly informed about the content of their food.

 “This is done by carrying out sampling exercises and ensuring that food labels are accurate and the results of this survey show there is still a long way to go.

“We want to work alongside local traders and producers to ensure that the levels of salt in food are clearly indicated on labels and to try and get them in line with FSA guidelines.

“Many people are not aware of the high levels of salt in particular food products and too much can lead to high blood pressure, strokes and heart disease.

 “We will be keeping our eye on this area as it is important for people to be accurately informed about what goes into their food.”

For more information about food labelling contact trading standards via Call Derbyshire on 08456 058 058 or visit the FSA website www.food.gov.uk (opens in a new window)

REF:CM:16:08

Members of Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet will be recommended to close two primary schools and an infant school as part of plans to reduce surplus school places.

Public consultations have been held about plans to close Highfield Primary School in Long Eaton, Apperknowle Primary School, near Dronfield and Castle Gresley Infant School.

The proposals were made as part of the county council’s plans to reorganise primary schools to tackle the problem of falling pupil numbers and reduce surplus places throughout the county.

Councillors will be asked to make the decision to close the schools at the cabinet meeting on Tuesday 22 January.

There are currently 8,979 empty primary school places in Derbyshire. In the next four years it is predicted to increase by another 6,600 extra spaces.

The council is working to find the best way of dealing with the impact on schools to make sure:

• all pupils get a high standard of education no matter where they live in Derbyshire
• it doesn’t cost a lot more to educate pupils at some schools than others
• tax payers are getting the best value for money
• money is spent on pupils and not on maintaining buildings that aren’t being fully used.

If the cabinet decides to follow the recommendations the authority will support parents in finding alternative schools for their children.

County council choice advisors will help parents make informed decisions about their children’s school places and the Derby and Derbyshire Parent Partnership will also be available to offer support and advice.

Councillor Alan Charles, Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for schools, said: “We have carried out a thorough public consultation and considered the responses we received very carefully.

“But after giving the matter serious consideration we believe our best course of action is to recommend closure to help us tackle the problem of surplus places and make sure we’re providing all pupils in Derbyshire with the education they deserve.

“We have looked closely at all the options available to us and reduced surplus places by turning spare rooms into IT suites, staff rooms and other specialist learning areas wherever possible.

“But there are no easy answers to this problem – which is something councils across the country are working on.

“We do appreciate that some people will be unhappy with this recommendation as they have an attachment to their school but we are making it because we have to be fair to all Derbyshire pupils.

“Schools with a lot of surplus places cost much more and mean there is less money available for pupils at other schools, which has an impact on the quality of education they can be offered.”

The review of primary schools has looked at the problem of surplus places in different areas of Derbyshire by assessing the:

• Projected pupil numbers and surplus places
• Condition and suitability of existing school buildings
• Distance to the nearest alternative schools
• Balance of faith and non-faith schools in an area
• Impact on community facilities, early years education, extended school provision and social deprivation
• Impact on the environment.

(REF:FW.15.08)

Groups working with children and young people are being invited to find out how to improve their services at roadshows throughout the county.

Derbyshire County Council is staging the series of events, entitled ‘Moving Forward Together’ during February.

The events are specifically for voluntary, community and independent groups working with children and young people sector.

One of the subjects the roadshows will focus on is how groups can apply for the Youth Opportunity Fund.

The fund offers grants to groups whose work involves young people, especially those who are hard to reach.

The grants must be used to hold activities for young people and to support their role as decision makers and project leaders. 

A group which has greatly benefitted from the fund is Belper’s Drop Inn.

The voluntary organisation was formed in March 2000 to give the young people of Belper somewhere to meet off the streets.

Through the money it got from the Youth Opportunity Fund it was able to train staff in basic sign language and also enabled them to run taster sessions of street dancing which proved very popular.

Laura Taylor, general manager of the Drop Inn, has urged other voluntary, community and independent groups to visit the road show events to see what options are available to them.

She said: “The Youth Opportunity Fund has been great for us and helped us put on events and classes which have really helped us engage with our users.

“Road shows such as the ones happening next month are a great way to understand what help is out there for groups like us and is a great opportunity to meet with other groups and share ideas.”

As well as the Youth Opportunity Fund the events will also focus on the Common Assessment Framework and Quality Assurance.

The road shows will take place at:

• Langwith Basset Community Centre, Bolsover, February 5, at  2pm until 5pm

• Genesis Centre, King Street, Alfreton, February 19, at 9.30am until 12.30pm

• Saints Parish Centre, St Mary’s Gate, Chesterfield, February 19, from 2pm until 5pm

• Buxton Methodist Church Hall, Chapel Street, Buxton, February 20, 9.30am until 12.30pm

• The Outlook Centre, Briar Gate, Long Eaton, February 25, 9.30am until 12.30pm.

• Woodville Youth Centre, Moira Road, Woodville, Swadlincote, February 25,  2pm unitl 5pm.

For more details call Matt Ford, VCI Co-ordinator, Children and Younger Adults Department on 01773 744741.

(REF:JC.14.08)

Expert archivists working for Derbyshire County Council have succeeded in bringing ancient lead trading documents back to the county following a decision to ban their export.

Culture minister Margaret Hodge placed a temporary export bar on the 17th century lead trading ledger after the county council objected to its sale abroad.

But she made her ban permanent this week which means the important documents will now come to the Derbyshire Record Office in Matlock where they will be available for researchers and local historians.

Learning of the authority’s success in keeping the Derbyshire lead merchant’s trade accounts in the country – and bringing them back to Derbyshire - Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for cultural services, Councillor Bob Janes, said: “This is brilliant news as the document is of great interest to a lot of people, not only specialist researchers and historians but to anyone with an interest in Derbyshire’s history as a whole.

“It sheds light on an important time in Derbyshire’s history when the rapid expansion of the lead industry affected social and political as well as economic developments.

“It would have been a shame to see the document leave the country and I’m delighted the Minister was persuaded to make the temporary ban permanent.

“We will give the accounts a good home in our record office and we will ensure they are preserved for the future and fully available to everyone.”

Back in June, the 400-page ledger was sold at Bonham’s auctioneers in London to Yale University Library in the USA. Derbyshire County Council also bid for it, coming second in the bidding.

Following the sale, we objected to it going abroad on the grounds of its outstanding local and national significance.
After hearing from an expert advisor, a reviewing committee on the Export of Works of Art and Objects of Cultural Interest advised the minister to defer the export licence. Derbyshire County Council than had until Monday, January 14 to secure the £3,800 needed to buy it.

The ledger, dating back to 1668-1700, was kept by a local lead trader and records transactions over a 30-year period.          
 
It mentions a number of places in Derbyshire central to the lead trade, such as Cromford, and gives names of local families, particularly around Wirksworth, involved in lead mining and smelting from the mid 16th century. Among these were the Gells of Hopton, the Wigleys of Middleton-by-Wirksworth and the Fearns/Ferrnes of Wirksworth.       

The trade accounts are thought to be the earliest surviving extensive record of the lead trade in Derbyshire during a time when it played an important role in the country’s development as the first industrialised nation.

At this time, more then half the nationwide production of lead, used for everything from domestic utensils to lead shot, was mined in the Peak District.

(AJ.12.08)

PIC CAPTION

COMING HOME: Derbyshire County Councillor Bob Janes, centre, and county archivist Dr Margaret O’Sullivan with the 17th century lead trading accounts secured for Derbyshire. They are pictured with churchwarden Peter Smith in front of the famous T’owd Man of Bonsall – an early medieval carving of a Derbyshire lead miner now in St Mary’s Church, Wirksworth.

Views are being sought on multi-million pound plans to build a new residential and community care centre for older people in Derbyshire.

The plans would see a new centre in Middlecroft, Staveley, combining a range of services for older people under one roof.

The council is also proposing to close two of its residential homes in the area, Brendon House and The Woodlands, after the new centre opens its doors in 2009.

Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet this week voted to launch a 12 week consultation into its plans and anyone affected by the proposals who would like to give their views is being urged to do so before Wednesday 2 April.

It is planned to build the new residential and community care centre on the Springwell Community School site in Middlecroft Road South, Staveley.

If it is successful it will act as a model for the future care of older people across the county.

The centre will provide:

• Long-term residential care for frail older people in a secure environment.

• Short term care to help more people return home or stay at home, including respite care and rehabilitation.

• Day services including support, care, information and advice.

As well as talking to older people about what services they would like to see and how they would like to be cared for, the council has also looked at how needs will change over the next few years and how it can best meet the future demands for services.

The centre marks a significant move by the county council to extend care, support and choice in the community, helping people to live independently in their own homes for as long as they wish.

It will form the focal point for delivering services, placing an emphasis on specialist residential care for frail older people, preventing unnecessary hospital stays, rehabilitation, respite care and support for carers.

The county council will be working in partnership with Derbyshire County Primary Care Trust which will provide health care at the centre.

There will also be a number of treatment rooms, a restaurant, physiotherapy and fitness rooms and a telecare suite, showcasing different equipment which can help people to live safely and independently in their own homes.

The decision to replace Brendon House was taken by the county council in 2003 after a review and consultation.

The home needs substantial structural work and refurbishment and would be unlikely to be viable or meet minimum national care standards in the future.

Long term residents will be able to stay living in Brendon House until the new residential and community care centre is built and will then have an opportunity to move to the new centre or be helped to find a suitable alternative if that is preferred.

It is also proposed to replace The Woodlands due to the amount of work that would be needed to be carried out on the building to bring it up to minimum national care standards.

Long term residents at The Woodlands will also be able to stay living there until the new building is finished and will be able to move to the new centre or helped to find a suitable alternative if that is what they want.

Councillor Dave Allen said: “In the next 20 years the number of older people with a variety of complex needs, including dementia, will rise considerably.

“We need to lay down solid plans to meet the changing and challenging demands on our services in the future and after carrying out a detailed review we feel these proposals will help to provide older people with the highest quality of care.”

He added: “The new centre will be the hub of services for older people, supporting them to live at home yet catering for the most complex needs and it will also serve a larger catchment area than a traditional residential home.”

Residents and staff at Brendon House and The Woodlands have been told of the plans and meetings are to be arranged to discuss the proposals in more depth.

To make your views known on any of the proposals write to:

Strategic Director for Adult Social Services
Derbyshire County Council
Adult Social Services
County Hall
Matlock
Derbyshire
DE4 3AG

Alternatively write to:

Glenys Clinton
Area Manager (Adult Social Services)
Staveley Area Office
19 High Street
Staveley
Chesterfield
Derbyshire
S43 3UU
Tel: 01629 537436

The consultation period will end on Wednesday 2 April and after this a report will be drawn up for consideration by cabinet.

(MC.10.08)

Inspirational art is the theme of a series of graffiti workshops being held in Bolsover.

Young people will be working with a graffiti artist to design and produce their own unique pieces of art.

The art events will take place at the Derbyshire County Council run Talking Hedz Youth Club, Moor Lane, Bolsover, on January 19 and 26, and February 2 and 9.

The young people’s art work will include spray painted mural boards which will be displayed in the club.

As well as the practical fun the project will be looking at the history of graffiti art.

The art project will also count as part of a youth training accreditation award in creative arts.

Councillor Bob Janes, the county council’s cabinet member for cultural and community services, said: “We are working hard to create plenty of opportunities for people of all ages to update and learn new skills.

“This event will be a lot of fun for the aspiring young artists in the area and I’m looking forward to seeing what they come up with.”

(Ref: JC.11.08)

The deadline is fast approaching for young people to get their nominations in for this year’s Derbyshire Youth Council elections – known as The Big Vote.

Anyone from Derbyshire aged 11 to 17 can stand for election to the forum which is made up of 16 young people from across the county.

The closing date for applications is Wednesday 23 January, and forms are available online so it couldn’t be easier to get involved.

Councillor Bob Janes, Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for cultural services, said: “The Big Vote is a brilliant opportunity for young people to get their voices heard on issues that matter to them.

“We had a tremendous response last time and I hope young people will stand up and be counted again.”

To take part visit the b_line website (opens in a new window) and register, Call Derbyshire on 08 456 058 058 for a nomination form or complete the one that was included in the last b_line magazine.

The youth council - formerly known as the youth forum - was set up by Derbyshire County Council in 2000 to give young people living in Derbyshire a greater voice in the democratic process. Derby City has its own separate youth forum.

Elections are held every two years with the last one in 2006 attracted more than 20,000 votes.

Councillor Janes added: “Nominations are already coming in but we’d like to see more.

“All you have to do to qualify is be aged 11 to 17, live in Derbyshire and have an interest in getting things done and taking part in the democratic process.”

Voting takes place between Friday 29 February and Wednesday 2 April with young people able to vote via the internet, mobile phone text messaging or by paper voting forms. Anyone aged 11 to 19 can vote.

Each district elects two representatives to the Derbyshire Youth Forum which feeds its views in to the county council.

Last year members of the forum undertook a number of activities, including:

• Meeting leading Derbyshire county councillors on a variety of issues.

• Launching the This is Me campaign to help promote positive images of young people.

• Finding out more about what decision-makers do by working alongside a variety of professional people as part of a national 11 Million Takeover Day.

• Attending a School Councils Conference at County Hall, Matlock.

Find out more about the Big Vote (opens in a new window) online or call 01629 580000 ext 6560.

(Ref: FW.08.08)

Cromford canal is set to get a makeover thanks to a grant from the East Midlands Development agency.

The 5.5 mile canal, owned by Derbyshire County Council, runs from Ambergate to Cromford and is used by thousands of people every year.

The council has secured a substantial award from EMDA designed to fund the improvement of waterways that in turn will encourage economic development.

The award is for £417,500. In total £800,500 will be invested from a variety of sources which includes Network Rail, council funds and the Derwent Valley Line Community Rail Partnership.

The money will fund a three year project which will include:

• The renovation of the railway footbridge at Whatstandwell.

• Engineering work including the design of new water controls and restoration of structural features.

• Environmental improvements to increase wildlife in the area.

• Improved access to the canal.

• Improving buildings at High Peak Junction to provide more usable work space.

• Renovating the boiler at Leawood Pump House and creating a video about the historic monument.

Councillor Geoff Carlile, cabinet member for regeneration, said: “The funding is great news for everyone who uses the canal.

“It is already designated a site of special scientific interest and this money will ensure that we can continue to make it attractive to wildlife.

“It will also help make the area accessible to all and preserve the special, historical value of the site.

“The canal is a marvellous place for everyone to enjoy, it is set in a beautiful part of Derbyshire and I hope people will make the most of it.”

Ref: CM:09:08

Photographer Dave Butcher's latest exhibition is solely in black and white allowing the viewer to consider images in terms of shapes, pattern, brightness and tone.

The exhibition, called Peak Light, features many well-known Peak District sites including Chrome Hill, Nine Ladies stone circle, Ladybower Reservoir and Kinder Downfall.

The exhibition preview is on Saturday 12 January at 2pm and the exhibition continues until 23 March.

The artist will be available to talk to visitors and sign copies of his book featuring photographs in the exhibition on Saturday 16 February from 11am to 1pm and Saturday 22 March from 2 until 4pm.

Buxton Museum and Art Gallery is open to the public free of charge as part of Derbyshire County Council’s commitment to providing access to cultural activities.

As well as this exhibition, visitors can also see ‘An Ideal Garden’, paintings and drawings by Diana Syder until 23 February and ‘Shifting Sands’, photographs by Andrew Tebbs, from 19 January.

For more information please contact Martha Lawrence at the museum on 01298 24658 or email martha.lawrence@derbyshire.gov.uk

Get to know your teenager better with a series of free courses for parents and carers on offer this month.

Derbyshire County Council has organised four, eight week, ‘Understanding Your Teenager’ courses at venues in Swadlincote, Codnor and Long Eaton.

They are aimed at helping parents and carers of 11 to 19 year olds develop the confidence, understanding and skills they need to manage their own and their children’s behaviour in a positive way.

This includes help coping with difficult situations, practical ideas to improve family life, encouragement from others in a similar situation and support from the group.

Derbyshire County Council cabinet member for community safety services councillor Clive Moesby said:

“Everyone knows family life can be hard work. All families have difficulties and sometimes those difficulties can become real problems

“You may feel like you’re always shouting at your teenager or that you’re being ignored and nothing seems to work, or you may not understand their or your own behaviour.

“We hope these courses will provide valuable support for any parent or carer with general worries about family life or more serious concerns they need help with.”

All courses start this month and consist of eight free weekly two-hour sessions. They are open to any parent or carer of a 11 to 19 year old.

Help is available for those who need childcare or supervision while they attend sessions and/or travel costs.

Courses will run at:

• Pingle School, Coronation Street, Swadlincote - Starts Thursday 24 January 6.30pm - 8.30pm.

• The Long Eaton School, Thoresby Road, Long Eaton - Starts Thursday 24 January 6.30pm - 8.30pm.

• The Adult Community Education Centre, Peverel House, Mill Lane, Codnor - Starts Tuesday 22 January 6.30pm - 8.30pm.

For more information email michelle.mcglynn@derbyshire.gov.uk or kate.lacey@derbyshire.gov.uk or telephone 01629 531779. 

REF:CM.06.08

A host of popular events to promote Derbyshire’s finest food and drink are back on the menu for 2008 promising to put the county firmly on the culinary map.

Derbyshire County Council is dedicated to promoting the local food and drink industry as it not only supports local businesses and jobs but also attracts thousands of tourists to the area each year.

The county council will again be running its three popular food and drink events and is urging businesses and producers to sign up and boost the profiles of their top quality products, shops or eateries.

The first event on the food and drink calendar is the prestigious Derbyshire Food Fair held at Bolsover Castle, which this year takes place on Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 May.

More than 12,500 people flocked to the fair last year to sample food and drink from producers across the county and visit the array of stalls and attractions, which included crafts@thecastle.

Buffalo burgers, honey, homemade wines, cheese and chutney were just some of the wares on offer to tempt the hungry crowds over the weekend.

Now in its seventh year, the fair looks like being just as popular and more than 100 stalls will be on the site over the weekend.

Crowds will also be treated to demonstrations and be able to pick up tips and advice from celebrity chef James Tanner, who is back by popular demand.

Businesses, from producers to restaurant owners, are being urged to sign up for a stall at the fair now to secure a place.

They will also get an excellent chance to give their businesses a boost by signing up for this year’s county council-run Derbyshire Food Festival, which will be launched at the food fair on Saturday 17 May and is endorsed by celebrity chef Brian Turner.

The week-long festival runs until Monday 26 May, which is a Bank Holiday, and gives Derbyshire residents and tourists alike the chance to visit a range of establishments holding food and drink-related festival events which they might not otherwise go to.

Last year establishments ranging from hotels, pubs and restaurants to farms, cafes and shops put on festival events which included taste-testing sessions, cookery demonstrations, tours, Derbyshire-sourced menus, competitions and talks.

All venues taking part in the festival receive free advertising in a colour brochure which details their business and the event or events they are holding.

The year culminates in the prestigious county council-run Derbyshire Food and Drink Awards which are held every autumn.

Derbyshire County Council cabinet member for regeneration Councillor Geoff Carlile said: “There is a wealth of talent and variety when it comes to food and drink in Derbyshire and the county council is proud to be staging these events which boost local businesses and the economy as well as promoting tourism.

“We feel Derbyshire is now firmly on the culinary map and I’m sure the food and drink fair and festival will prove just as popular as ever.”

He added: “We are urging businesses to get involved in the events, sign up and promote their top quality establishments and produce.”

People interested in having a stall at the fair or hosting an event for the festival should contact Derbyshire County Council international/tourism officer Steph Walsh on 01629 585964 for more details.

(MC.05.08)  

Community minded youngsters from Pinxton are getting their hands dirty to improve a popular fishing spot.

Young people from Pinxton Youth Centre are working with youth workers and Derbyshire County Council countryside wardens to improve the area around the wharf ponds in Pinxton.

The wharf, at the end of the Cromford Canal, is a popular destination for young people who take part in fishing with the local angling club.

It was originally used to load canal barges with coal and has been in use since the 18th century.

Over two days in January and February the volunteers, aged between 13 and 19, will be putting up six new wooden fishing platforms as part of the Pinxton Wharf Conservation project.

The project is part of an ongoing programme of activities by Derbyshire County Council countryside wardens, Bolsover Countryside Partnership, Peg One fishing and Pinxton Parish Council.

This has included improving disabled access to the fishing ponds, resurfacing work and rubbish clearance.

Councillor Bob Janes, Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for cultural services, said: “This is just one example of how young people in Derbyshire are working together to improve the environment around them.

“The pond area is well used by all ages including young people and it is wonderful to see everyone pulling together to make sure it stays a great place to visit.

“Hopefully the improvement works will attract even more people to the area to take advantage of the extra facilities that are being put in place.”

REF:04:08

A centre used by disabled people is to close as part of a programme of changes and improvements to day services.

The decision to close Granville Resource Centre in Granville Avenue, Long Eaton, was made by Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet following an in-depth, three month consultation held last summer.

The county council’s adult social services carried out the consultation with the support of Leonard Cheshire Disability which runs day services for disabled people in Derbyshire under contract to the authority.

One-to-one informal meetings were held with people using Granville Resource Centre and their relatives were contacted through the county council’s contact centre Call Derbyshire to complete an individual questionnaire.

Voluntary groups and disability organisations with an interest in day services and disabled people were also able to send comments via the Derbyshire Disability Partnership Board and people were encouraged to write, phone and e-mail their comments about the proposed closure.

The decision to close Granville Resource Centre is part of a move by the county council, working with Leonard Cheshire Disability, to extend the range of services and activities for disabled people and increase the opportunities available to them in the community.

More emphasis is being put on using mainstream services, for example adult education, sports and leisure facilities, and independent social groups, linking with the county council’s drive to increase the number of people using direct payments.

There are only 22 people currently using Granville Resource Centre on a weekly basis, with an average of only nine people attending the centre each day.

Last summer’s consultation showed that the majority of people using Granville Resource Centre were interested in using services and taking part in activities at alternative venues.

People using the centre have been given reassurances that transport will still be provided to the alternative venues which will replace Granville and that it won’t close until these are in place.

Leonard Cheshire Disability staff will now work closely with centre users and their relatives or carers to look at a range of alternative services they can use and activities they may be interested in.

Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for adult social services Councillor Dave Allen said: “There is an emphasis nationally and locally on developing services for disabled people which are not day centre-based and use a wide range of community facilities.

 “We feel the new emphasis on using community activities and mainstream services increases people’s choices and will benefit many people.”

He added: “The decision to close Granville Resource Centre has been taken after a long and very in-depth consultation with people who use the centre and their relatives.

“Staff will be working very hard over the next few months to ensure everyone is happy with the alternatives that are put in place.”

Leonard Cheshire Disability East Region general manager Shana Roe said: “Leonard Cheshire Disability is committed to providing the highest quality services that meet the needs of disabled people.

“It is of paramount importance to us to listen to the needs of disabled people right across the county who aired their views in this comprehensive consultation.

“We are delighted to be working with Derbyshire County Council to ensure these changes are implemented smoothly for the people who use them.”

(MC.03.08)

A trial scheme to give burglary victims free alarms to protect them from further crime is being extended across Derbyshire after it achieved a 100 per cent success rate.

Derbyshire County Council has approved plans to fit burglar alarms at homes in Chesterfield, Bolsover, North East Derbyshire, Amber Valley and Erewash in communities where police figures show the highest number of break-ins.

The project follows a successful pilot scheme launched by the council in Chesterfield in October 2005 to reduce domestic burglaries and repeat incidents.

Burglaries dropped from 493 to 455 during the first year – and none of the 81 previously burgled homes which had an alarm fitted became repeat targets. This is despite figures which show burgled homes have a higher than average chance of being targeted again within a short time.

County council cabinet member for community safety Councillor Clive Moesby said: “This project’s success has been hugely important for residents who’ve been emotionally and financially devastated by burglary.

“People who had an alarm fitted during the trial told us they also felt safer and less worried about crime which we know is a major consideration affecting their quality of life. This coupled with the project’s success at making savings for Derbyshire taxpayers means we’re delighted to be able to expand it to other parts of the county.

“Derbyshire’s already a safe place to live but we’re committed to continue working closely with the police and our other partners this year to reduce burglaries and other crime to make it even safer.”

Following the pilot’s successful completion phase one of the work to fit alarms at properties in Chesterfield, Bolsover and North East Derbyshire has now started and will continue until February. Work is scheduled to start in Amber Valley and Erewash in March and continue until May.

According to Home Office estimates, 38 fewer burglaries during the trial period in Chesterfield resulted in a £124,184 saving for Derbyshire taxpayers.

(Ref: LT.01.08)

More than two million pounds is being invested in road repairs and improvements across the county by Derbyshire County Council this month.

The money is part of a £12m package of Government transport funding to support a range of measures identified in the council’s local transport plan for 2006/2011.

Councillor Brian Lucas, cabinet member for environmental services, said: “Improving the road network is a priority for the council.

“We continue to work hard to improve and maintain the condition and safety of our roads and pavements for local people.”

During January work to improve roads will be carried out by the county council in the following districts:

Amber Valley - £232,109

• A6 Derby Road, Whatstandwell - £144,000 – Road resurfacing

• B6179 Chapel Street/Butterley Hill - £88,109 – Road resurfacing

Area wide - £20,000

• A619 Robin Hood to Baslow - £20,000 – Speed limit review

Bolsover - £310,543

• C61 Beaufit Lane, Town Street, West End and Wharf Lane, Pinxton - £77,000 – Dropped kerbs, road markings, signing, parking review, road space allocation, new pavement and priority giveway system to tackle casualties.

• Bolsover Road, Glapwell - £37,510 – Road resurfacing

• New Road, Barlborough - £21,975 – Road resurfacing

• Mill Lane, Bolsover - £41,553 – Road resurfacing

• Creswell Model Village, Elmton - £54,695 – Road resurfacing

• B6419 Hill Top/Shuttlewood Road, Bolsover - £31,810 – Pavement resurfacing

• Hilcote - £46,000 – Blackwell to Hucknall railway reclamation scheme

Chesterfield - £56,700

• Cemetery Lane, Staveley - £43,000 – Arkwright to Staveley railway reclamation scheme

• Westwood - £7,000 - Arkwright to Staveley railway reclamation scheme

• Rother Vale/Storforth Lane, Hasland - £6,700 – Junction improvement

Derbyshire Dales £306,601

• A6 Buxton Road, Bakewell - £83,000 – Road resurfacing

• A6 Derby road, Cromford - £223,601 – Road reconstruction

High Peak - £396,957

• Cottage Lane, Glossop - £70,000 – Pennine Bridleway Link

• B5059 Dale Road, Buxton - £96,443 – Road resurfacing

• Castleton Crescent area, Glossop - £84,699 – Replace slabbed footpaths

• A5004 Market Street/Buxton Road Whaley Bridge - £46,437 – Pavement reconstruction

• Scarsdale Place/Market Street/South Street, Buxton - £44,378 – Pavement reconstruction

• Market Place area, Buxton - £55,000 – Pavement enhancements

North East Derbyshire - £960,896

• A61 Dronfield Railway Bridge, Holmley Common, Dronfield - £80,000 – Repairs, repaint parapet

• A61 Gosforth viaduct. Gosforth Valley, Dronfield - £402,500 – Repaint parapets and replace britflex joint

• A61 Gosforth footbridge, Gosforth Valley, Dronfield - £47,750 – Repaint parapets

• A61 Monkwood Bridleway Bridge, Monkwood, Barlow - £91,500 – Repaint parapets

• A632/B5425 Deepsick Lane Junction, Calow - £139,146 – Traffic signal improvements

• B6057 Dronfield to Unstone to Sheepbridge - £200,000 – Route enhancement, road markings, crossing facilities and bus access to reduce casualties

North Western Area Wide - £23,000

• North Western Area - £23,000 – Safer routes to school

North Eastern Area Wide - £141,000

• B6038 North Wingfield to Hasland, Chesterfield - £90,000 – Road markings, signing, anti-skid surfacing, crossing points, road space allocations to tackle child, elderly and vulnerable road user casualties.

• A632 Chesterfield to Slack Hill - £51,000 – Speed limit review, gateways and route enhancement to reduce casualties

Details of any work likely to cause disruption to the county’s roads are also available in the roadworks section of our website.

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