Week Commencing 28th January 2013

Well here we are and it's already February at the end of this week.

We are glad to see the back of the snow, though slightly concerned at the level of water in certain areas.  We have been aware of several issues regarding the collection of bins, particularly on Thursday.  Several residents have stated that they felt bins could have been collected and have expressed concern about how long they have to wait before the next collection.

We have contacted the council with these concerns and hope to feedback if there is any change to the below advice along with details of all collections missed:

http://www.south-derbys.gov.uk/environment/emergencies/winter_weather/latest_updates/default.asp

Events planned this week:

Monday 28th January

Finance & Management Committee - Council Chamber 6pm

Special Budget Meeting: agenda on link:

http://south-derbys.cmis.uk.com/south-derbys/Meetings/tabid/70/ctl/ViewMeetingPublic/mid/397/Meeting/1534/Committee/278/SelectedTab/Documents/Default.aspx

Tuesday 29th / Wednesday 30th January

Safer Neighbourhood Meetings / Area Forums for Area 5 (Newhall & Midway) & Area 1 (North West & Etwall) respectively.

The Area 4 (Swadlincote/Gresley/Woodlville) meeting is next week - Tuesday 5th February at St George & Mary Church Hall Rooms at 6.15pm.

Reminder will follow next week but here is agenda in advance:

http://south-derbys.cmis.uk.com/south-derbys/Meetings/tabid/70/ctl/ViewMeetingPublic/mid/397/Meeting/1559/Committee/290/SelectedTab/Documents/Default.aspx

Thursday 31st January

Environment & Development Services Committee - Council Chamber 6pm

Agenda as on below link:

http://south-derbys.cmis.uk.com/south-derbys/Meetings/tabid/70/ctl/ViewMeetingPublic/mid/397/Meeting/1535/Committee/276/SelectedTab/Documents/Default.aspx

Early Reminder: Next Church Gresley Councillors surgery is Saturday 9th February

Look ahead to week commencing 21st January

Whilst the weather outlook is fairly poor for the week ahead, there are still several events planned.

We have noticed that grit has been taken from the grit bin in Princess Street next to the sheltered bungalows. If the grit is to be used for a beneficial use to the community then this is ok, but if people are using it for own personal use at the cost of safety to the elderly then this is not acceptable.  We are trying to ensure grit is replaced where necessary.

Latest update information is available on SDDC website:
http://www.south-derbys.gov.uk/environment/emergencies/winter_weather/latest_updates/default.asp

We also have a new newsletter printed and ready to distribute, though we'll wait until the weather is bit more settled before we deliver it.

Council Meetings for w/c 21st January 2013

An overview of the meeting calendar can be found on the below link.  Click on the meetings to see agendas:

http://south-derbys.cmis.uk.com/south-derbys/Meetings.aspx

Tuesday 22nd January - Planning Committee 6pm - Council Chamber

Wednesday 23rd January - Overview & Scrutiny Committee 6pm - Council Chamber

Thursday 24th January - Full Council 6pm - Council Chamber

Healthier South Derbyshire Day Postponed

Due to the bad weather, the event at Green Bank Leisure Centre has been postponed.  Updated information will be on the blog when it is reorganized.

Hope everyone is taking care getting around.

http://www.south-derbys.gov.uk/council_and_democracy/council_news/january/news_items/healthier_south_derbyshire_day_postponed.asp

Look ahead to next week (w/c 14th January)

Following last week's Environment and Development Services Budget meeting, which was approved by all, the following 2 meetings are taking place this week:

Tuesday 15th 

Housing & Community Services (Special- Budget) - 6pm Council Chamber

Thursday 17th

Finance & Management (Special - Budget) - Council Chamber

HEALTHIER SOUTH DERBYSHIRE DAY - SATURDAY 19th

The annual Healthier South Derbyshire event is taking place at Green Bank Leisure Centre in Swadlincote on Saturday 19th between 10am and 2 pm.  Entry is free.  Sports and Leisure staff will be on hand to demonstrate over 40 sports and answer questions.  There are also several stalls with useful information.

Suitable for all ages and families, this event is well worth a visit.  Please see poster below:

Our new sub-page - Community Links and Information

The blog was set up initially to give us another method of communication with the residents of Gresley and once set up , there were another couple of aims we intended to fulfil.  They are:

• To publish useful community related links.
• To help promote any community related events within the ward or locally.

We are pleased to now open a new page on the right hand side called Community Links and Information.  Within this section we will be putting links to all of the groups featured.

We have some fantastic community groups in the local area and in Gresley itself.  With so many it is not possible to list all but these include many sessions for toddlers, the very well subscribed Rainbows, Beavers, Brownies, Guides and Scouts, Sporting Activities, Luncheon Clubs and of course the many different groups run by the different churches.  

Most of these would not function without the help of volunteers and it is a very important organisation we mention first:

South Derbyshire CVS

The CVS operates from Swadlincote for the whole of South Derbyshire.  A link to the website and key information is in the Community Links section.

The CVS aims to improve the quality of life in South Derbyshire working with volunteers in groups or individually.  They do this by offering advice, courses and seminars from their base in Grove Street.  The wealth of knowledge is truly remarkable as are the number of courses run and grants followed.  The website is very much worth visiting.

One very useful forthcoming item that has been brought to our attention is the item below:

COULD YOUR GROUP SAVE MONEY ON YOUR ENERGY AND UTILITY COSTS?

FREE environmental training seminar for South Derbyshire community groups at South Derbyshire CVS.

Do you want to help your local community or community group to save energy?

Tom Veitch, Community Programme Manager at Derbyshire County Council supported environmental charity Global action Plan will be running an interactive educational training workshop on 23^rd January at South Derbyshire CVS ,Grove St. In Swadlincote.

9 for a 9.30 start, through to lunchtime; lunch will be provided.

This is a fun and educational way to explore ways to save energy and water at home and in schools and community buildings.

It will also touch on recycling and greener travel.

Copies of the EcoTeam activities will be issued, for further use.

This event is FREE but booking is necessary.

To book contact Eric Clayton at South Derbyshire CVS.

01283 817415  ericc@sdcvs.org.uk

For more information go to http://www.globalactionplan.org.uk 

Happy New Year and a look at the week ahead.

Firstly, we would like to wish you all a Happy New Year.  We hope the Christmas period was enjoyed by all and wish everyone well on their returns to the normal routine, especially anyone with children starting new schools or nurseries.

Whilst 2012 was a fantastic year in many ways, we hope 2013 brings prosperity to all.  With County Council elections forthcoming this year is extremely important to us as a Labour Group.

The District Council committees have had a break over the last couple of weeks but now start again.  Please see below a summary of forthcoming events:

W/C 7th January 2013

Thursday 10th January -  Environment & Development Services (Special)

This meeting takes place in the Council Chamber

Saturday 12th January - Church Gresley Councillors Surgery

As always this takes place from 10am to 11am at the Methodist Church on York Road.