The key issues raised included the following County Council related issues:
- Issues related to parking at the new Oakland Sheltered Housing complex .
- Issues relating to signage and lorry movements on Coppice Side.
- The general state of our pothole-ridden roads and the fact that these now have to be reported by the public as opposed to being checked by engineers.
- The issue with the design of the roundabout on Hearthcote road onto Swadlincote Lane and in particular its effect on access to Wyedale. This was raised by local member Trevor Southerd.
The Forum then had a short presentation from South Derbyshire District Council Chief Executive Frank McArdle which covered the following:
- New signage for access to Pipeworks shopping area
- Increased free parking for up to 6 hours at the above area following feedback that the 4 hour limit is not long enough.
- The old Market Hall can not be used at night due to Chamber of Trade issues with insurance.
The presentation was then finished with a summary of the budget for the coming year. This and subsequent questions asked provided the following information:
- Due to several factor including Government cuts and reduction in New Homes Bonuses, the council is facing a £300,000 shortfall.
- The council tax is set to be frozen due to an incentive from the government.
- In reality, this freeze means that the council is missing out on a £50000 based on a 1.95% increase (of which the government keep 1%).
- The above would be at a cost of an extra 3 pence per week per house.
It was highlighted that it is very difficult to ask taxpayers for more money at these difficult times, but in order to maintain services it is vital that the gap is bridged. The extra required for the 2% rise and even the extra required at 6% to resolve the shortfall completely would be far less than the effects of the rise on VAT and reduction in Family Tax credits brought in by the current Goverment.
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