PARWICH.ORG

The District Council’s next round of the Southern Area Community Forum will take place in on Monday 5th March at Parwich Memorial Hall at 7pm.  Everyone Welcome.

The Forums provide an opportunity for members of the public and representatives from community & interest groups to meet with District Council representatives to air views and ask questions.

As well as councillors and senior officers from the District Council, the sessions are attended by representatives from Derbyshire Constabulary, Derbyshire County Council, the Peak District National Park Authority and Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service.

Anyone who can’t attend in person can participate via a live Twitter link.

For more information or to be added to our mailing list ring 01629 761302 or email communityforum@derbyshiredales.gov.uk

The District Council wants to make the forums as accessible as possible – and has made a short web video explaining how they work.

Details of November 2011 Forum

The last round of Forums took place in Ashbourne, Bakewell and Darley Dale in November 2011, where residents had an opportunity to hear about and comment on the District Council’s spending plans and priorities for 2012/2013.

Head of Finance Phil Colledge explained that the District Council continues to receive cuts in its government grant settlement. This year, the Council addressed a grant reduction of 16.2% by achieving savings of £1.3 million and a further 13.4% reduction in grant was to follow in 2012/13. The additional savings target for the next three years is between £1.2 million and £1.4 million and the District Council is working harder than ever to deliver value for money services for the people of the Dales.

It is hoped to achieve savings through a number of actions including a review in tourism of Visitor Services Delivery and through savings of £375,000 per annum on a new waste collection contract.

Phil also outlined the Corporate Plan 2011 – 2015 which is based on budget constraints, the public’s wishes, Members’ aims and evidence of need.

The three priorities for 2011-15 are:

• Housing which meets local needs
• Increase the availability of affordable housing
• Improve housing for vulnerable people
• A clean, green and prosperous Dales
• Minimise waste & increase recycling
• Enable development sites & business growth
• Safe and healthy communities
• Keep alcohol related crime low
• Encourage active & healthy lifestyles

The Forums provide an opportunity for residents to meet representatives of the District Council and other organisations, to ask questions and air views. Anyone who couldn’t attend in person was able to participate via a live Twitter link.

Other topics for discussion were Derbyshire County Council’s Winter Service Arrangements and, at Ashbourne, future emergency cover provision at the fire station.

The Forums included the customary Question Time session and issues raised included, at Ashbourne, regulations around the use of red diesel for snow clearing and gritting, recycling, public conveniences, public & community transport and children’s play facilities.

At Bakewell, attendees asked about support for local businesses, car parking and development of the cycle trails. Questions about mineral extraction were posed to Jim Dixon, the Peak National Park Authority’s Chief Executive. Derbyshire Constabulary’s Inspector Bryan Hall was pleased to report an almost 10% reduction in overall crime rates in the Dales compared to last year.

At Darley Dale, comments were made on the new civic amenity site at Harrison Way which was described as “a brilliant facility”. Other topics high on the agenda were effective procurement, car parking provision & charges and affordable housing.

A member of the public at the Darley Dale Forum commented:
“It was good to see representatives from Town, District and County Councils at the Forum” and an attendee at the Bakewell Forum described the event as “very worthwhile”.