Happy Christmas to all of our readers

As Christmas Day is fast upon us we wish all of our readers and the residents of the ward a very Happy Christmas and a Prosperous New Year.

Best Wishes from Trevor, Gordon and Ben.

There are no events planned this week.

Review of Full Council and look ahead to w/c 17th December

Full Council - Thursday 13th December

Key points from last full council were:

1:  Presentation to the Chairman's' secretary Dawn Bircher who will be sadly missed and also to the outgoing members of the Standards Committee.

2:  A debate was held on the motion proposed by our Labour group leader Cllr Kevin Richards to ask the Council to look into becoming a Living Wage employer.  After some resistance, a slight amendment was requested and the motion was accepted.

3:  During a review of previous minutes, the issue of lack of broadband on Castleton park was brought to the attention of full council.  Further news on this item will follow in due course.

The meeting was held without the Chairman and Vice-Chair due to illness of the Chairman and the Vice-Chairs' husband.  We wish them all a speedy recovery.

W/C 17th December

With Christmas fast approaching, there are just a few meetings planned for this week:

Wednesday 19th December - Audit Sub-committee

Thursday 20th December - Special Environment & Development Services Committee and Special Finance & Management Committee.

Archived Newsletters

As we are not always able to deliver our newsletters to all houses within the ward, we will copy information from them onto the blog.

These can be found in the archived newsletter page on the right hand side.

The latest newsletter was mainly aimed at households potentially directly affected by proposed developments or recently approved ones.  It was distributed to Thorpe Downs Estate, Church Street and the Swadlincote Lane end of Castleton Park.

Big thanks to Mick and Lloyd who helped with the delivering - it was much appreciated.

Weekly Update w/c 10th December 2012

After another fairly quiet surgery on Saturday in which we did have residents expressing concerns over proposed developments, events for this week are as follows:

Tuesday 11th December

Tree Planting in Maurice Lea Park by local School Children.

Planning Committee - 6pm.  

No items within Church Gresley Ward.

Wednesday 12th December

Overview and Scrutiny Committee - Civic Offices 6 pm

Thursday 13th December

Full Council - Civic Offices 6 pm

Forthcoming Events: w/c 3rd December

Thursday 6th December

Finance & Management Committee - 6pm.

Friday 7th December

Derbyshire Young Achievers Award Ceremony - Matlock

This is not a South Derbyshire District Council event but will be attended by the Chairman.  We mention this event as there will be local youngsters collecting awards.  Among them will be Nikita Robinson, 17, from Church Gresley who has shown great motivation and initiative and provided our community with a fantastic outlet for youngsters aged 3-9 by setting up Nikita's Mini Stars and Choir.

This is a truly wonderful event with many inspirational children and stories to match.  The prizes will be given out this year by Robbie Savage.

Saturday 8th December

Our Surgery at York Road Methodist Church - 10am.  All Welcome.

Housing & Community Services 29th November

Several items on the agenda were discussed including a solution to reduce homelessness costs, a report to update how the council will improve understanding of the government Green Deal, a pilot scheme on the use of Sprinkler systems in partnership with the fire authority in 8 properties with vulnerable occupants, a review of the Strategic Tenancy Strategy, approval to make vital repairs to Netherseal village Hall and some small amendments to housing allocations policy with respect to armed forces personnel.

The Corporate and Work Plan were also reviewed.

All items on the agenda were approved, with agreement being made on all except the Strategic Tenancy Strategy.  The Labour Group had several reservations on certain points.

Forthcoming Events w/c 26/11/12

Thursday 29th December

Housing and Community Services Committee

Agenda on link below:

http://cmis.south-derbys.gov.uk/CmisWebPublic/Binary.ashx?Document=14277

Friday 30th December

Christmas Lights Switch-on, Swadlincote (The Delph)

http://www.south-derbys.gov.uk/council_and_democracy/council_news/november/news_items/swadlincote_set_to_mark_christmas_in_style.asp

Environment & Development Services Committee 22/11/12

Nothing affecting Gresley directly tonight.  A couple of footpath route amendments were approved in Hatton and Hartshorne and there was a review of the Corporate Plan and Work Programme.  An update will be given soon on the new recycling contract which is currently under review.

Church Gresley Councillors in the Local Media

With the decision on Planning Committee to allow 215 homes off Burton Road as mentioned in the blog on Tuesday night, it is an ideal time to show some of your recent articles in the Burton Mail.

The first article is from the planning meeting and generally sums up the events fairly well:

http://www.burtonmail.co.uk/News/One-vote-in-it-as-huge-housing-plan-gets-OK-21112012.htm

The other 2 articles are recent articles printed in relation to the current issues with School Places and also the  effect that this is having on road safety due to catchment areas being far and wide due to lack of Primary School places.  Despite the magnitude of these issues, this was not taken into consideration.

http://www.burtonmail.co.uk/News/Reception-classes-are-now-at-bursting-point-01112012.htm

http://www.burtonmail.co.uk/News/Leg-power-solution-to-school-parking-issues-30102012.htm

Planning Committee Decision on homes off A444

Tonight at the planning committee, outline plans for business use and 215 homes (most of which are in Church Gresley ward) was granted by a vote of 7-6.

All 3 Church Gresley Councillors spoke against the application due it being an unnecessary development contrary to the Local Plan.  It will put more pressure on local schools (which are likely to be reached by car), be an isolated development with few facilities and leave us with less open land.

More comment will follow on this in due course..............

Update on Preferred Growth Strategy

Thanks to all those who attended the Preferred Growth Strategy at the Church Hall Rooms last night.  The staff were kept very busy by around 100 interested residents.  Thanks to Ian, Sarah and Richard for their work in explaining the Strategy and answering questions and also thanks to the communications team for their coverage of the event.

The key theme that was picked up by us was the concern from residents of Thorpe Downs Road area, specifically over the size of development, access, drainage and potential effect on schooling.

Remember that the deadline on the consultation is Friday 21st December.  Whether in support or objection, your opinion is vital.

Forthcoming events:

Monday 19th November:

Preferred Growth Strategy Drop in Event (St George & Mary Church Rooms - Church Street)

This event relates to the growth plan for South Derbyshire.  This is a very important consultation as the plans involve more homes in Gresley as part of the plans.  There are 400 homes on the preferred plan to be built behind Church Street and near Thorpe Downs Road.

This session was not on the original list of events, but was requested at the Environment & Development Services Committee that one should take place in Gresley during an evening.  We are grateful that thsi request has been granted and encourage people to attend.

Due to the quasi-judicial nature of planning, we will often refrain from making any comments relating to actual planning applications but we will always encourage our residents to attend consultation events and give feedback and thoughts either direct to the Council or to us.

The council staff at the events are very knowledgeable and approachable and should be able to answer all questions.  For more information on the Preferred Growth Strategy and a subsequent link to the very useful blog, please follow the following link:

http://www.south-derbys.gov.uk/planning_and_building_control/planning_policy/local_development_framework/the_core_strategy/preferred_growth_strategy/default.asp

Tuesday 20th November:

Planning Committee

One item on the agenda is related to Church Gresley (Planning application 9/2012/0743) .  This is the plan to build Industrial Units and around 200 houses on a site off A444 Burton Road and Swadlincote lane.

As a major application with more than 2 objections, this has been called in front of the Planning Committee, on which Councillor Southerd sits and Councillor Rhind is a substitute.

Link to the planning application is:

http://www.planning.south-derbys.gov.uk/ApplicationDetail.aspx?Ref=9/2012/0743

Thursday 22nd November

Environment and Development Services Committee

Councillor Stuart sits on EDS committee.  The link to the agenda for this meeting can be found here:

http://cmis.south-derbys.gov.uk/CmisWebPublic/Meeting.aspx?meetingID=1709

Police Commissioner Elections

Congratulations to Alan Charles on becoming the first Police Commissioner for Derbyshire.

The media coverage has focussed mainly on the low turn-out of this election which many people have struggled to engage with.  Typical turn-out rates have been around 15%.  The electoral commission is currently investigating.

We are pleased to say that we did manage to distribute over 1000 newspapers around the ward and in other areas in the district.  Alan Charles also attended a street stall in Swadlincote several weeks ago.

Well done and good luck to Alan in his new challenge and thanks to all colleagues who helped to distribute the newspapers.

Previous Newsletter - Recent Activity

One of the advantages of the blog is that we will be able to communicate information as below in a more timely and effective manner.  With a newsletter, the content may be a little out of date as we have to collate several items over a period of time.

Whilst some of the items below are not current, they are very much worth putting on the blog.

CANVASSING SESSION on THORPE DOWNS ROAD

A recent canvassing session on Thorpe Downs Road brought up several issues reported by residents.  Your local councillors, with help from Colleagues have taken the following action:

•On review of littering in the area (particularly at the bottom), it was requested that the clean team look into bin provision.  Thorpe Downs road now has 2 waste bins for litter and dog mess.

•We alerted the Safer Neighbourhood team and local PCSO to some anti-social behaviour concerns.

•We have liaised with the council to monitor the appearance at the end of Thorpe Downs Road

•

NEW SHOPS ON CASTLETON PARK

We welcome new businesses to the area opposite Gresleydale Health Centre and wish them success.  Hopefully, this will reduce the need for residents in the lower part of Church Gresley to travel further for groceries and takeaways and persuade more people to walk or cycle to do so.

•We have been concerned by the amount of littering that has been noted in the area and have contacted the council to ensure that these issues are dealt with in these early days before a problem starts.

•As part of this, it has been requested that wardens will patrol the area at key times.

•The council is also looking to work with the businesses to ensure that the area is kept tidy.

•It is good to see that the council have provided more bins and that the fish & chip shop staff have been making a good effort to keep the area tidy.

COUNTY COUNCIL RELATED ISSUES

We have limited effect over County Council matters.  This does not stop us getting involved and communicating any issues via direct contact with the County Council or at the Area Forums. Some examples of this are:

•Ensuring the upgrading and creation of a new pedestrian crossing on Wilmot Road.

•Supporting and encouraging our electorate on weight limit issues in the ward and ensuring priority status at Safer Neighbourhood meetings.

•Expressing our concerns to Highways over speeding on Castle Road, the junction of Princess Street on Castle Road, the narrow pavement near St Georges School and advice requested on the parking within the ward.  Updates will be given in due course.

•Expressing concerns over the current Primary and Junior School provision for Church Gresley.

•

MOBILE PHONE MASTS

•We have successfully prevented the installation of a mobile phone mast in New Street with the help of the local residents.

•

SOUTH DERBYSHIRE PREFERRED GROWTH STRATEGY

•In a recent council meeting, concern was raised on the effect that further development could have on the infrastructure of the ward with particular concerns with education and highways issues.  Whilst growth is necessary and mainly beneficial it has to be right for Gresley.  At the heart of this strategy is a public consultation exercise which we have requested an extra event to take place in Gresley.  It is vital that the views of the people of Gresley are heard and we encourage you to attend.  See front page.

•

CYCLE PATH THROUGH CASTLETON PARK

•It has been requested that the increasingly popular Cycle Path running from Castle Road through to Hearthcote Road is completed and marked fully.  Discussions are taking place with the Developers

Previous Newsletter - About Us

This section is a little introduction to us and our contact details (we will soon be putting pictures onto the blog):

TREVOR SOUTHERD

Lived in Gresley for 40 years.

Been a District Councillor since: 1995

Other roles held currently:  School Governor.  Deputy-leader of Labour Group.

Other roles held previously:  County Councillor, Chairman of School Governors at 2 schools, Vice President of NACODS Union, JP.

Current Council Committees: Planning, Finance & Management, Heritage, Licensing & Appeals.  

More about me:  My County Council roles included Chair of the Planning Board.  I was also a member of the Derbyshire Police Authority.

(01283 221628    Email : trevor.southerd@south-derbys.gov.uk

GORDON RHIND

Lived in Gresley for 40 years.

Been a District Councillor since: 2007

Other roles held currently:  Chair of Governors at Pingle School, Chair of Labour Group

Current Council Committees: Housing & Community Services (Shadow Portfolio Holder), Finance & Management, Licensing & Appeals.

More about me:  Like several of my colleagues, I worked as a miner for many years and have also been a school governor for many years.

(07866 780686    Email : gordon.rhind@south-derbys.gov.uk

BEN STUART

Lived in Gresley for 11 years.

Been a District Councillor since: 2011

Other roles held currently:  Volunteer Ranger for Sustrans, Vice Chair of Constituency Labour South Branch.

Current Council Committees: Housing & Community Services, Environmental & Development Services.

More about me:   I am married with 2 young daughters.  My wife is a school governor within the ward. And has lived in Gresley for most of her life.  I am a keen cyclist and work as Food Process Technologist in Burton.

(01283 210885    Email: ben.stuart@south-derbys.gov.uk

Previous Newsletter - introduction

For those who did not receive the recent newsletter, we will be retrospectively adding the content to the blog.  Around 1000 copies were printed and distributed throughout various areas of the ward.  Thanks to those who have given feedback already.

The blog will give us a chance to expand on the items in the newsletter as we are not as restricted for space. The blog is also a lot easier to deliver!!

Anyway, here's the content:

Thank you for reading our blog.  We would like to let you know that we are here to listen to you and help where possible.  This is the same for all those who have lived in Gresley for many years and those who have moved recently. If you are new to the area, we would like to welcome you to Gresley and hope you have settled in well.

We were all elected in May 2011, Trevor for the 5th time, Gordon for the 2nd time and Ben for the 1st time.  We bring 3 different approaches, have different levels and types of experience, and work well as a team to bring this together to serve Gresley.

Between us we cover all of the committees in council to ensure that Church Gresley and part of Castle Gresley within the ward are well represented.

If you have any questions or issues, then please  contact us (contact details are elsewhere on the blog).  Alternatively, we operate a Surgery on  a monthly basis at the Methodist Church on York Road.

Advice Surgeries

2012

   

     Saturday 8th December

2013

     Saturday 12th January

     Saturday 9th February

Saturday 9th March

Church Gresley Methodist Church, York Road at 10am

Aims of our blog

Welcome to the Gresley Labour Councillors blog.  We have set up the blog for the following reasons:

• To give us another way of communicating with the residents within our ward to encourage input and feedback.
• To compliment our newsletter by providing information online that is up to date.
• To publish useful community related links.
• To inform readers what is happening in council.
• To help promote any community related events within the ward or locally.
• To focus on issues that affect our community.
• To occasionally submit content that relates to national level politics.

The blog will not be used for advertising of businesses and any content considered offensive will not be allowed.

The blog will not replace the more traditional methods of communication, but will compliment surgery's, leaflets, canvassing sessions etc.  Please still contact us by phone or in person if preferred.

Please note that the views in the blog do not necessarily represent the views of South Derbyshire District Council.

Welcome to the blog for the Church Gresley Labour Councillors.  This is a new departure for us, but hopefully will provide another link between ourselves and our community.  Ben, Trevor & Gordon.