Leader Cllr Chris Emmas-Williams
"I have sent to Boris Johnson PM last Friday 17th April 2020"
04/04/2020
Hi, This is Cllr Chris Emmas-Williams of Amber Valley Borough Council and I wanted to say how proud I am to be the Leader of such an amazing group of Staff Officers and Members who are continuing to provide the best service possible despite these unprecedented times that we are all experiencing.
The Waste Collection service are still collecting bins throughout the Borough as best as resources are allowing, but the decision not to collect Green Waste has had to be implemented from March 30th due to self isolating of some staff and we wish them all well.
We are trying to keep up to date with all the new legislation regarding Finance for businesses across the Borough and processing these claims along with all Housing and Council Tax benefits as well. Officers and Members have been involved in conferencing with the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government and the District Councillors Network discussing the lack of PPE for Social Workers and others on the front line who are doing an amazing job.
Some of our staff, where able, are working from home with only staff who have to use critical work information still coming into the offices but this is very fluent.
We recognise the difficulties, sacrifices and financial hardships that people in Amber Valley are suffering. Whilst we are administrating the Government Grant scheme for small businesses with premises, we know that there are many who fall in the gaps and the loopholes in support schemes, and we are lobbying Government to ask them to help everyone during these trying times. We extend our thanks to all shop workers, postal workers and delivery people, carers and helpers and every single person working hard to keep things going. It is heartening to see communities coming together to support each other, and may this long continue when these times are but a distant memory.
Lastly I want to thank all our partners the Police, Fire, Ambulance and all the NHS staff who on a daily basis are risking their own health for the benefit of all of us. We must all listen and carry out the instructions and Government advice that residents should not leave home unless it is for physical exercise, medical need, necessary travelling to work or shopping for basic necessities. If not stay at home and keep safe.
Thank you for all your support
The Waste Collection service are still collecting bins throughout the Borough as best as resources are allowing, but the decision not to collect Green Waste has had to be implemented from March 30th due to self isolating of some staff and we wish them all well.
We are trying to keep up to date with all the new legislation regarding Finance for businesses across the Borough and processing these claims along with all Housing and Council Tax benefits as well. Officers and Members have been involved in conferencing with the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government and the District Councillors Network discussing the lack of PPE for Social Workers and others on the front line who are doing an amazing job.
Some of our staff, where able, are working from home with only staff who have to use critical work information still coming into the offices but this is very fluent.
We recognise the difficulties, sacrifices and financial hardships that people in Amber Valley are suffering. Whilst we are administrating the Government Grant scheme for small businesses with premises, we know that there are many who fall in the gaps and the loopholes in support schemes, and we are lobbying Government to ask them to help everyone during these trying times. We extend our thanks to all shop workers, postal workers and delivery people, carers and helpers and every single person working hard to keep things going. It is heartening to see communities coming together to support each other, and may this long continue when these times are but a distant memory.
Lastly I want to thank all our partners the Police, Fire, Ambulance and all the NHS staff who on a daily basis are risking their own health for the benefit of all of us. We must all listen and carry out the instructions and Government advice that residents should not leave home unless it is for physical exercise, medical need, necessary travelling to work or shopping for basic necessities. If not stay at home and keep safe.
Thank you for all your support
09.12.2019
I have spent most of the last couple of weeks working with the clerk, Peveril Homes, AVBC and legal to progress the 106 agreement for the land between Waingroves and Codnor. If the council approves this agreement later on in the agenda the play area can be officially opened after months of wrangling.
Also later in the agenda at 12(c) Local Council leaders have had discussions with Blend to work with Town & Parish Councils to provide a service that will involve working with our young people after the loss of the popular youth bus service and then the Tory controlled County Council sacking the 31 Youth workers leaving Amber Valley with only 2 staff. We will need to try in a small way to fill this hole and give the young people some sense of purpose.
Members may not be aware that East Midlands Railway are consulting on the current service but also one of the key points in their document states 'They have no plans to continue direct services from London to Langley Mill and Alfreton' With members approval.
I would like to propose that this council writes and objects totally to this service reduction. Our residents would have to get to Derby or Nottingham to catch a train if this was implemented.
Also later in the agenda at 12(c) Local Council leaders have had discussions with Blend to work with Town & Parish Councils to provide a service that will involve working with our young people after the loss of the popular youth bus service and then the Tory controlled County Council sacking the 31 Youth workers leaving Amber Valley with only 2 staff. We will need to try in a small way to fill this hole and give the young people some sense of purpose.
Members may not be aware that East Midlands Railway are consulting on the current service but also one of the key points in their document states 'They have no plans to continue direct services from London to Langley Mill and Alfreton' With members approval.
I would like to propose that this council writes and objects totally to this service reduction. Our residents would have to get to Derby or Nottingham to catch a train if this was implemented.
18.06.2019
Now that the dust has settled following the local elections I think it important that I set out the direction that the new Labour controlled Borough Council is going.
We made specific pledges in our manifesto and despite what you may think of politicians and political parties we intend to deliver on them. Indeed at the first council meeting after the election we delivered on four of our manifesto commitments.
1 we rejected the previous council’s proposals to build houses on greenbelt and scrapped their proposals to build in areas which were not supported by local communities. We will now start a process of engaging the public in the decision making of where housing should be built. Because of the failure of the previous Tory administration to deliver such a plan over the last13 years it will not be easy and indeed there may well be proposals that not everyone finds acceptable but we have given a definite undertaking to avoid development within the greenbelt.
2 We have moved the meeting of the Council’s Executive (i.e. Cabinet) to the evening to allow members of the public to attend and make any observations they want and also rotating the meeting in the four town centres. We are committed to open and transparent decision making.
3 We have amended the constitution to allow members of the public to speak at full council on any issue which is important to them and which the Council has a responsibility. Previously members of the public were not allowed to do so and could only speak on items which were on the Council agenda.
4 We have declared that any developments, over a certain size, must provide as a MINIMUM 30% affordable housing. For far too long developers have built the wrong type of houses in the wrong place. We want developers to build houses which meet the demands of the local community not the developer’s pockets
But this is just the beginning we are committed to support our environment and recognise the impact of climate change on our communities and a Motion Declaring a Climate Change Emergency will be going to the July Full Council meeting. New plans targeting economy and health will be drafted which reflect your concerns and ensure that all our decisions we make. take these into consideration.
We will work with our local Parish and Town Council, as well as the police around reduction in anti-social behaviour and improvement to CCTV coverage.
We are consulting on the introduction of new laws on dog fouling which will penalise the irresponsible dog owners but try to ensure the streets are free of dog mess.
We are committed to the economic regeneration of our area especially along the A610 corridor which has been sadly ignored for so long .
These are just a few of our commitments we have made and with your help we will deliver much much more to make Amber Valley a proud place to live in.
I will continue to use the local media to keep you up to date on the progress we are making against our commitments
We made specific pledges in our manifesto and despite what you may think of politicians and political parties we intend to deliver on them. Indeed at the first council meeting after the election we delivered on four of our manifesto commitments.
1 we rejected the previous council’s proposals to build houses on greenbelt and scrapped their proposals to build in areas which were not supported by local communities. We will now start a process of engaging the public in the decision making of where housing should be built. Because of the failure of the previous Tory administration to deliver such a plan over the last13 years it will not be easy and indeed there may well be proposals that not everyone finds acceptable but we have given a definite undertaking to avoid development within the greenbelt.
2 We have moved the meeting of the Council’s Executive (i.e. Cabinet) to the evening to allow members of the public to attend and make any observations they want and also rotating the meeting in the four town centres. We are committed to open and transparent decision making.
3 We have amended the constitution to allow members of the public to speak at full council on any issue which is important to them and which the Council has a responsibility. Previously members of the public were not allowed to do so and could only speak on items which were on the Council agenda.
4 We have declared that any developments, over a certain size, must provide as a MINIMUM 30% affordable housing. For far too long developers have built the wrong type of houses in the wrong place. We want developers to build houses which meet the demands of the local community not the developer’s pockets
But this is just the beginning we are committed to support our environment and recognise the impact of climate change on our communities and a Motion Declaring a Climate Change Emergency will be going to the July Full Council meeting. New plans targeting economy and health will be drafted which reflect your concerns and ensure that all our decisions we make. take these into consideration.
We will work with our local Parish and Town Council, as well as the police around reduction in anti-social behaviour and improvement to CCTV coverage.
We are consulting on the introduction of new laws on dog fouling which will penalise the irresponsible dog owners but try to ensure the streets are free of dog mess.
We are committed to the economic regeneration of our area especially along the A610 corridor which has been sadly ignored for so long .
These are just a few of our commitments we have made and with your help we will deliver much much more to make Amber Valley a proud place to live in.
I will continue to use the local media to keep you up to date on the progress we are making against our commitments
At last nights Full Council meeting we delivered FOUR of our election manifesto promises, the biggest one to terminate the flawed Tory Local Plan. You will have seen in the local press that even mp Nigel Mills couldn’t support his own parties option of including land in the Green Belt. Last night there were only 2 legally binding options, to carry on and rely on the Inspector to dismiss the 14 sites for no exceptional circumstances ( which the Tories actually asked to carry out a Green Belt review and the inspector agreed to) or to withdraw the plan and start again. We asked the inspector if we could go back to the position before inclusion of the Green but could not get any assurance we could do that hence the decision we had to take. It was strange that the 2 Tories that voted against the plan before showed their true colours and didn't support our motion.
I would personally like to thank all the residents, groups and electorate of all the affected areas who fought an excellent campaign at their own expense and gave us your trust and support often on cold evenings outside the Town Hall.
Cabinet meetings are now in the evening, 30% minimum affordable housing and questions by the public can now be asked at Full Council on any council issue, it was restricted to agenda items only
I would personally like to thank all the residents, groups and electorate of all the affected areas who fought an excellent campaign at their own expense and gave us your trust and support often on cold evenings outside the Town Hall.
Cabinet meetings are now in the evening, 30% minimum affordable housing and questions by the public can now be asked at Full Council on any council issue, it was restricted to agenda items only
First of all, congratulations to all our newly elected Borough councilors and also Town and Parish Labour councilors. Labour now has control of the Borough along with Alfreton, Belper, Heanor and Ripley Town Councils I must congratulate and thank all the workers who delivered leaflets and knocked on doors to deliver this amazing result. After the disappointment of losing some key councilors last year it was a fantastic achievement to bounce back with a fairly healthy working majority and it could have been even better where an extra push in the Marehay and Ripley wards would have seen us take those seats as well.
Now the hard work starts, the electorate have seen what the Tories had to offer blaming Brexit also including lies in their leaflets and totally rejected these views for us to deliver our alternative manifesto. Austerity is still with us especially with cuts to Schools, Police, NHS and Local Government, the only area of growth is in the Homeless people and Food Banks.
The Tories have left us with a £1.7 million hole in the budget and a ‘jam tomorrow’ Capital Program which once again is falling apart before our eyes. In the next few weeks we will have made all our appointments to the Cabinet and Committees and start to deliver what we said in our manifesto.
Over the last few years it has been difficult for us to make any improvements to our vulnerable residents but this group of councilors are determined to show that we can make a difference.
Now the hard work starts, the electorate have seen what the Tories had to offer blaming Brexit also including lies in their leaflets and totally rejected these views for us to deliver our alternative manifesto. Austerity is still with us especially with cuts to Schools, Police, NHS and Local Government, the only area of growth is in the Homeless people and Food Banks.
The Tories have left us with a £1.7 million hole in the budget and a ‘jam tomorrow’ Capital Program which once again is falling apart before our eyes. In the next few weeks we will have made all our appointments to the Cabinet and Committees and start to deliver what we said in our manifesto.
Over the last few years it has been difficult for us to make any improvements to our vulnerable residents but this group of councilors are determined to show that we can make a difference.
TORY LIES AGAIN
Members of the public that attended the Full Council Meeting on March 4th and others who attended the Ripley Town Council Meeting heard Tory Councillors blaming the increase of houses required on the Labour controlled council and particularly me personally. This is a total LIE. The letter from the inspector dated May 12th states “ at the hearing session on May 1st I consider it necessary to suspend the examination”. On page 1 & 2 he stated “Derby’s increased unmet needs should be distributed between Amber Valley & South Derbyshire “ and on page 2 “Amber Valley Boroughs contribution to Derby’s needs as in the submitted plan is 1074 subject to DtC review” AVBC did not change to Labour control until after this date. So once and for all stop telling LIES and admit to your responsibilities.
Members of the public that attended the Full Council Meeting on March 4th and others who attended the Ripley Town Council Meeting heard Tory Councillors blaming the increase of houses required on the Labour controlled council and particularly me personally. This is a total LIE. The letter from the inspector dated May 12th states “ at the hearing session on May 1st I consider it necessary to suspend the examination”. On page 1 & 2 he stated “Derby’s increased unmet needs should be distributed between Amber Valley & South Derbyshire “ and on page 2 “Amber Valley Boroughs contribution to Derby’s needs as in the submitted plan is 1074 subject to DtC review” AVBC did not change to Labour control until after this date. So once and for all stop telling LIES and admit to your responsibilities.
AVBC heading for Bankruptcy
For the last 5 years the Labour Group has warned the Tories that due to austerity and cuts to Local Government the authority is heading for Bankruptcy the same as Northampton and other councils. Last nights report once again raised major concerns that by 2025 all the reserves will be gone and with a possibility of losing the £1million New Homes Bonus this could happen sooner than that. No financial generating schemes have yet to materialise and despite warnings from the Tory led LGA AVBC will not lobby the government for a better settlement. In the last nine years the authority has seen a £52.2 million reduction in the Rate Support Grant and that's why we have all seen the swingeing cuts to our services.
FIRSTLY I WOULD LIKE TO CONGRATULATE THE OFFICERS AND STAFF WHO HAVE HAD TO IMPLIMENT THE VISCIOUS CUTS AS PART OF THE AUSTERITY AND ANTI LOCAL GOVERNMENT POLICY OVER THE LAST 9 YEARS .
SINCE 2010 AVBC HAS SEEN A REDUCTION OF £52.5 MILLION IN REVENUE SUPPORT GRANT AND ITS NOT JUST THIS AUTHORITY, YOU ONLY HAVE TO LOOK AT NORTHAMPTON AS ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF WHAT THIS GOVERNMENT HAS DONE TO LOCAL COUNCILS. MORE SERVICES HAVE HAD TO BE EITHER CUT OR REDUCED TO A BARE MINIMUM.
AS THE REPORT SAYS THE FINAL RSG CUT FROM £2.3 MILLION PER YEAR TO £4,000 COMES INTO EFFECT THIS YEAR AND AS IN PREVIOUS YEARS THE £1 MILLION OF NEW HOMES BONUS WILL BE USED TO PROP UP THE REVENUE BUDGET AS CAN BE SEEN IN THE TABLE AT 6.2 ON PAGE 3. BY 2022 THE REVENUE BUDGET BALANCE WILL BE HALVED WHICH EFFECTIVELY MEANS THE AUTHORITY WILL BE BANKRUPT BY 2025.
LOOKING THROUGH THE DETAILED PAGES ONE OF THE MAJOR COSTS IS THE WASTE COLLECTION CONTRACT WHICH IS TO INCREASE BY £300,000 NEXT YEAR, BUT THE MINISTER HAS ALREADY STATED HE WANTS COUNCILS TO REVERT BACK TO A WEEKLY COLLECTION, WASTE FOOD COLLECTION AND A FREE GREEN WASTE COLLECTION WHICH WOULD ADD A FURTHER £1 MILLION TO THE CURRENT CONTRACT SUM.
THIS GOVERNMENT HAS ABDICATED RESPONSIBILITY FOR MOST SERVICES BY PUSHING THEM DOWN TO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND OTHER GROUPS WITHOUT THE FUNDING TO SUPPORT THE MOST VULNERABLE PEOPLE IN SOCIETY AND THE SAME HAS HAPPENED TO AMBER VALLEY AND SOMETHING HAS GOT TO CHANGE.
For the last 5 years the Labour Group has warned the Tories that due to austerity and cuts to Local Government the authority is heading for Bankruptcy the same as Northampton and other councils. Last nights report once again raised major concerns that by 2025 all the reserves will be gone and with a possibility of losing the £1million New Homes Bonus this could happen sooner than that. No financial generating schemes have yet to materialise and despite warnings from the Tory led LGA AVBC will not lobby the government for a better settlement. In the last nine years the authority has seen a £52.2 million reduction in the Rate Support Grant and that's why we have all seen the swingeing cuts to our services.
FIRSTLY I WOULD LIKE TO CONGRATULATE THE OFFICERS AND STAFF WHO HAVE HAD TO IMPLIMENT THE VISCIOUS CUTS AS PART OF THE AUSTERITY AND ANTI LOCAL GOVERNMENT POLICY OVER THE LAST 9 YEARS .
SINCE 2010 AVBC HAS SEEN A REDUCTION OF £52.5 MILLION IN REVENUE SUPPORT GRANT AND ITS NOT JUST THIS AUTHORITY, YOU ONLY HAVE TO LOOK AT NORTHAMPTON AS ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF WHAT THIS GOVERNMENT HAS DONE TO LOCAL COUNCILS. MORE SERVICES HAVE HAD TO BE EITHER CUT OR REDUCED TO A BARE MINIMUM.
AS THE REPORT SAYS THE FINAL RSG CUT FROM £2.3 MILLION PER YEAR TO £4,000 COMES INTO EFFECT THIS YEAR AND AS IN PREVIOUS YEARS THE £1 MILLION OF NEW HOMES BONUS WILL BE USED TO PROP UP THE REVENUE BUDGET AS CAN BE SEEN IN THE TABLE AT 6.2 ON PAGE 3. BY 2022 THE REVENUE BUDGET BALANCE WILL BE HALVED WHICH EFFECTIVELY MEANS THE AUTHORITY WILL BE BANKRUPT BY 2025.
LOOKING THROUGH THE DETAILED PAGES ONE OF THE MAJOR COSTS IS THE WASTE COLLECTION CONTRACT WHICH IS TO INCREASE BY £300,000 NEXT YEAR, BUT THE MINISTER HAS ALREADY STATED HE WANTS COUNCILS TO REVERT BACK TO A WEEKLY COLLECTION, WASTE FOOD COLLECTION AND A FREE GREEN WASTE COLLECTION WHICH WOULD ADD A FURTHER £1 MILLION TO THE CURRENT CONTRACT SUM.
THIS GOVERNMENT HAS ABDICATED RESPONSIBILITY FOR MOST SERVICES BY PUSHING THEM DOWN TO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND OTHER GROUPS WITHOUT THE FUNDING TO SUPPORT THE MOST VULNERABLE PEOPLE IN SOCIETY AND THE SAME HAS HAPPENED TO AMBER VALLEY AND SOMETHING HAS GOT TO CHANGE.
Green Belt
It was a very disappointing evening for all the local residents and councilors who turned out in an attempt to persuade the Tories that their flawed plan of removing sites from our sacrosanct Green Belt. Even an ex Tory Leader speaking against desecrating the Green Belt couldn't persuade his wife Cllr Jackie Cox to vote against the plan.
What was even more disappointing was the refusal of the leader to take a separate vote to include the Bullsmoor site in the Green Belt hence the vote by the Labour Group against both recommendations. There was some clever political voting by 2 Tories that are up for election in May and an abstention but they knew that the vote would still be won. Roll on May when the voters need to send them a real message.
A big thank you to all the residents who protested and gave excellent passionate speeches to defend the Green Belt, the battle might have been lost but we now need to win the war. Its time to write to the Inspector in the next 6 weeks.
THERE WERE 2 REPORTS MARKED 11 (A) AND I ASSUME THAT THE SECOND REPORT (APPENDIX 1) WILL HAVE TO BE VOTED ON FIRST.
JUST TO REMIND MEMBERS, THE INSPECTOR CLEARLY STATED THAT EXISTING GREEN BELT BOUNDARIES SHOULD ONLY BE ALTERED IN 'EXCEPTIONAL CIRCUMSTANCES'AND CLEARLY THE SITE AT CROSSHILL CODNOR ON PAGE 11 DOES NOT DEMONSTRATE THIS.
WHEN I ASKED SPECIFICALLY WHAT WAS EXCEPTIONAL ABOUT THIS SITE, THE ANSWER WAS THAT THE SITE WAS ACCESSIBLE TO LOCAL SERVICES, FACILITIES AND EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES. THE DETAIL TO THAT IS AN HOURLY BUS SERVICE WITHIN 400 METRES, A PUBLIC OPEN SPACE WITHIN 400 METRES AND THE SITE IS WITHIN 2 KILOMETRES OF AN EXISTING BUSINESS & INDUSTRIAL AREA. QUITE FRANKLY, THIS COULD REFLECT ANY SITES WITHIN MOST PARTS OF THE BOROUGH ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU LOOK AT SOME OF THE PREVIOUS SITES IDENTIFIED IN OTHER FAILED LOCAL PLAN SUBMISSIONS.
WHAT MEMBERS MUST FULLY UNDERSTAND IS THE MORE LOCAL ISSUES WHICH NEED TO BE CONSIDERED SUCH AS ALL THE LOCAL PRIMARY SCHOOLS IN THE AREA ARE FULL, THERE ARE NO DOCTORS, DENTISTS OR HOSPITALS WITHIN THE VILLAGE AND THE NEAREST SHOP OF ANY DESCRIPTION NOT WITHIN HALF A MILE OF THE SITE.
HOWEVER, THE MOST IMPORTANT CONSIDERATION HAS TO BE ROAD SAFETY AND TRANSPORT ISSUES. IN THIS REPORT TONIGHT THERE ARE A POTENTIAL 934 HOUSES BETWEEN RIPLEY AND HEANOR ON TOP OF THE 400 HOUSES ALREADY APPROVED AT WAINGROVES WHICH WOULD ALL BE TRYING TO NEGOTIATE ROADS WHICH ARE ALREADY HEAVING AND FULL TO CAPACITY.
THE PROPOSED SITE AT CROSSHILL, NO MATTER WHERE THE ACCESS/EGRESS IS WILL SEVERLY ADD TO THE CURRENT ISSUES.
ON THE BASIS OF THESE ISSUES I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT THIS SITE IS ABLE TO DEMONSTRATE THE REQUIRED EXCEPTIONAL CIRCUMSTANCES AND ALONG WITH REST OF THE PROPOSALS SHOULD BE VOTED DOWN.
It was a very disappointing evening for all the local residents and councilors who turned out in an attempt to persuade the Tories that their flawed plan of removing sites from our sacrosanct Green Belt. Even an ex Tory Leader speaking against desecrating the Green Belt couldn't persuade his wife Cllr Jackie Cox to vote against the plan.
What was even more disappointing was the refusal of the leader to take a separate vote to include the Bullsmoor site in the Green Belt hence the vote by the Labour Group against both recommendations. There was some clever political voting by 2 Tories that are up for election in May and an abstention but they knew that the vote would still be won. Roll on May when the voters need to send them a real message.
A big thank you to all the residents who protested and gave excellent passionate speeches to defend the Green Belt, the battle might have been lost but we now need to win the war. Its time to write to the Inspector in the next 6 weeks.
THERE WERE 2 REPORTS MARKED 11 (A) AND I ASSUME THAT THE SECOND REPORT (APPENDIX 1) WILL HAVE TO BE VOTED ON FIRST.
JUST TO REMIND MEMBERS, THE INSPECTOR CLEARLY STATED THAT EXISTING GREEN BELT BOUNDARIES SHOULD ONLY BE ALTERED IN 'EXCEPTIONAL CIRCUMSTANCES'AND CLEARLY THE SITE AT CROSSHILL CODNOR ON PAGE 11 DOES NOT DEMONSTRATE THIS.
WHEN I ASKED SPECIFICALLY WHAT WAS EXCEPTIONAL ABOUT THIS SITE, THE ANSWER WAS THAT THE SITE WAS ACCESSIBLE TO LOCAL SERVICES, FACILITIES AND EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES. THE DETAIL TO THAT IS AN HOURLY BUS SERVICE WITHIN 400 METRES, A PUBLIC OPEN SPACE WITHIN 400 METRES AND THE SITE IS WITHIN 2 KILOMETRES OF AN EXISTING BUSINESS & INDUSTRIAL AREA. QUITE FRANKLY, THIS COULD REFLECT ANY SITES WITHIN MOST PARTS OF THE BOROUGH ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU LOOK AT SOME OF THE PREVIOUS SITES IDENTIFIED IN OTHER FAILED LOCAL PLAN SUBMISSIONS.
WHAT MEMBERS MUST FULLY UNDERSTAND IS THE MORE LOCAL ISSUES WHICH NEED TO BE CONSIDERED SUCH AS ALL THE LOCAL PRIMARY SCHOOLS IN THE AREA ARE FULL, THERE ARE NO DOCTORS, DENTISTS OR HOSPITALS WITHIN THE VILLAGE AND THE NEAREST SHOP OF ANY DESCRIPTION NOT WITHIN HALF A MILE OF THE SITE.
HOWEVER, THE MOST IMPORTANT CONSIDERATION HAS TO BE ROAD SAFETY AND TRANSPORT ISSUES. IN THIS REPORT TONIGHT THERE ARE A POTENTIAL 934 HOUSES BETWEEN RIPLEY AND HEANOR ON TOP OF THE 400 HOUSES ALREADY APPROVED AT WAINGROVES WHICH WOULD ALL BE TRYING TO NEGOTIATE ROADS WHICH ARE ALREADY HEAVING AND FULL TO CAPACITY.
THE PROPOSED SITE AT CROSSHILL, NO MATTER WHERE THE ACCESS/EGRESS IS WILL SEVERLY ADD TO THE CURRENT ISSUES.
ON THE BASIS OF THESE ISSUES I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT THIS SITE IS ABLE TO DEMONSTRATE THE REQUIRED EXCEPTIONAL CIRCUMSTANCES AND ALONG WITH REST OF THE PROPOSALS SHOULD BE VOTED DOWN.
Despite passionate speeches by Ripley Town and AVBC Councillors who represent Codnor & Waingroves to defer the proposal for an extra 400 houses the Tory Derbyshire County Councillor Ron Ashton moved that the officers recommendation that they should be approved without any improvements to the current over stretched road systems, a reduction of £117,000 towards a new community building and only 15% affordable housing. Where will all the extra traffic go. Steam Mill Lane and Waingroves Road. If you think it’s bad now wait until this gets started.
My speech from last night (17/12/2018) Planning Board members meeting, which pushed through 451 hoses. Cllrs Isobel Harry, Steve Freeborn and David Williams also highlighted issues with traffic, flooding and a vast reduction in the 106 monies despite the developer getting an extra 51 houses.
I ALWAYS ASSUMED THAT SECTION 106 AGREEMENTS WHERE NEGOTIATION NOT ABDICATION.
WHAT THE PLANNING BOARD NEEDS TO BE AWARE OF IS THE HISTORY TO THIS SITE – THE PREVIOUS APPLIACTIONS IN 2012 & 2015 , DESPITE MAJOR OBJECTIONS AND CONCERNS OF LOCAL MEMEBERS AND RESIDENTS WHERE HOWEVER APPROVED, WITH THE FOLLOWING BENEFITS TO THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITY
– ON PAGE 5 OF THE AVA/2015/0535 REPORT MAKES REFERENCE TO THE LOSS OF SPORTS & TEENAGER PROVISION AND RECOMMENDED A MINIMUM OF £455.91 PER DWELLING OF OFF-SITE CONTIBUTION AND ON PAGE 16 THE AGENT AGREED A SUM OF £216,775 BE SECURED FOR ENHANCEMENT OF OPEN SPACE PROVISION. ON PAGES 21 & 22 THE 106 AGREEMENT INCLUDES 10% AFFORDABLE HOUSING, EDUCATION IMPROVEMENTS & HIGHWAYS IMPROVEMENTS TO THE JUNCTION AT STEAM MILL LANE/A610 AND THE COMMUTED SUM OF £217K.
ONE OF THE CONDITIONS FOR THE 2012 APPROVAL STATED THAT A SCHEME SHALL BE AGREED BEFORE DEVELOPMENT OF A PROPOSED COMMUNITY CENTRE & SCHOOL CAR PARK. IT ALSO STATED THAT WORKS WOULD START AT THE END OF 2018, ALL REASONS TO PERSUADE THE PLANNING BOARD TO APPROVE THE APPLICATION.
MEMBERS MAY RECALL AT THE PLANNING BOARD MEETING I RAISED THE ISSUE THAT THIS APPLICATION IS ON AGRICULTURAL LAND AND A SITE 200 YARDS AWAY ON COAL MINED LAND WAS DELIVERING 30% OF 96 HOUSES AS AFFORDABLE
SO LETS EXAMINE TONIGHTS REPORT FOR AN EXTRA 51 HOUSES, I REFER TO PAGE 113 FOR THE LATEST 106 AGREEMENT WHICH BEGGERS BELIEF
LETTER b) PROVISION OF OPEN SPACE
* NEW OPEN SPACE FOR CHILDRENS PLAY AREA FACILITY AND TEENAGER/YOUNG PEOPLE PROVISION – NO VALUE ATTACHED BUT AN OFF-SITE CONTRIBUTION OF £76K, A REDUCTION OF £141K TO THE LAST SCHEME
CHAIRMAN, I WOULD LIKE TO REQUEST THAT THIS DECISION TONIGHT IS DEFERRED AND THAT THE PLANNING BOARD INSIST THAT A PROPER 106 AGREEMENT IS NEGOTIATED TO INCLUDE THE ROAD JUNCTION IMPROVEMENTS IS RE-INSTATED, THAT A MINIMUMOF £220K IS INCLUDED FOR A NEW COMMUNITY AND SPORTS FACILITY AND AN INCREASE IN AFFORDABLE HOUSING ON A SITE WHICH IS 4 TIMES THE SIZE OF THE EDEN SITE ACROSS THE ROAD.
IT IS ABOUT TIME THAT DEVELOPERS REALISED THAT THIS COUNCIL IS THE PLANNING AUTHORITY AND IF THEY CANNOT MEET OUR REQUIREMENTS THEY NEED TO GO ELSEWHERE FOR PLANNING PERMISSIONS.
My speech from last night (17/12/2018) Planning Board members meeting, which pushed through 451 hoses. Cllrs Isobel Harry, Steve Freeborn and David Williams also highlighted issues with traffic, flooding and a vast reduction in the 106 monies despite the developer getting an extra 51 houses.
I ALWAYS ASSUMED THAT SECTION 106 AGREEMENTS WHERE NEGOTIATION NOT ABDICATION.
WHAT THE PLANNING BOARD NEEDS TO BE AWARE OF IS THE HISTORY TO THIS SITE – THE PREVIOUS APPLIACTIONS IN 2012 & 2015 , DESPITE MAJOR OBJECTIONS AND CONCERNS OF LOCAL MEMEBERS AND RESIDENTS WHERE HOWEVER APPROVED, WITH THE FOLLOWING BENEFITS TO THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITY
– ON PAGE 5 OF THE AVA/2015/0535 REPORT MAKES REFERENCE TO THE LOSS OF SPORTS & TEENAGER PROVISION AND RECOMMENDED A MINIMUM OF £455.91 PER DWELLING OF OFF-SITE CONTIBUTION AND ON PAGE 16 THE AGENT AGREED A SUM OF £216,775 BE SECURED FOR ENHANCEMENT OF OPEN SPACE PROVISION. ON PAGES 21 & 22 THE 106 AGREEMENT INCLUDES 10% AFFORDABLE HOUSING, EDUCATION IMPROVEMENTS & HIGHWAYS IMPROVEMENTS TO THE JUNCTION AT STEAM MILL LANE/A610 AND THE COMMUTED SUM OF £217K.
ONE OF THE CONDITIONS FOR THE 2012 APPROVAL STATED THAT A SCHEME SHALL BE AGREED BEFORE DEVELOPMENT OF A PROPOSED COMMUNITY CENTRE & SCHOOL CAR PARK. IT ALSO STATED THAT WORKS WOULD START AT THE END OF 2018, ALL REASONS TO PERSUADE THE PLANNING BOARD TO APPROVE THE APPLICATION.
MEMBERS MAY RECALL AT THE PLANNING BOARD MEETING I RAISED THE ISSUE THAT THIS APPLICATION IS ON AGRICULTURAL LAND AND A SITE 200 YARDS AWAY ON COAL MINED LAND WAS DELIVERING 30% OF 96 HOUSES AS AFFORDABLE
SO LETS EXAMINE TONIGHTS REPORT FOR AN EXTRA 51 HOUSES, I REFER TO PAGE 113 FOR THE LATEST 106 AGREEMENT WHICH BEGGERS BELIEF
LETTER b) PROVISION OF OPEN SPACE
* NEW OPEN SPACE FOR CHILDRENS PLAY AREA FACILITY AND TEENAGER/YOUNG PEOPLE PROVISION – NO VALUE ATTACHED BUT AN OFF-SITE CONTRIBUTION OF £76K, A REDUCTION OF £141K TO THE LAST SCHEME
- AFFORDABLE HOUSING NOWHERE NEAR 30%
- NO HIGHWAYS IMPROVEMENTS AT THE ALREADY HAZARDOUS TRAFFIC JUNCTION & ASSOCIATED ROADS
CHAIRMAN, I WOULD LIKE TO REQUEST THAT THIS DECISION TONIGHT IS DEFERRED AND THAT THE PLANNING BOARD INSIST THAT A PROPER 106 AGREEMENT IS NEGOTIATED TO INCLUDE THE ROAD JUNCTION IMPROVEMENTS IS RE-INSTATED, THAT A MINIMUMOF £220K IS INCLUDED FOR A NEW COMMUNITY AND SPORTS FACILITY AND AN INCREASE IN AFFORDABLE HOUSING ON A SITE WHICH IS 4 TIMES THE SIZE OF THE EDEN SITE ACROSS THE ROAD.
IT IS ABOUT TIME THAT DEVELOPERS REALISED THAT THIS COUNCIL IS THE PLANNING AUTHORITY AND IF THEY CANNOT MEET OUR REQUIREMENTS THEY NEED TO GO ELSEWHERE FOR PLANNING PERMISSIONS.
FIRSTLY I WOULD LIKE TO CONGRATULATE THE OFFICERS AND STAFF WHO HAVE HAD TO IMPLEMENT VICIOUS CUTS AS PART OF THE AUSTERITY AND ANTI LOCAL GOVERNMENT POLICY OVER THE LAST 8 YEARS .
IN THAT PERIOD THE SPENDING POWER OF THIS AUTHORITY HAS REDUCED BY £4 MILLION AND SINCE 2016 £2.3 MILLION OF REVENUES SUPPORT GRANT HAS BEEN REMOVED FROM THIS COUNCIL.
I, LIKE I SUSPECT MOST COUNCILLORS,THOUGHT THAT ERIC PICKLES WAS A BUFFOON BUT IN HINDSIGHT HE STARTED THIS PROCESS BY THE BLACKMAILING LOCAL AUTHORITIES TO ACCEPT HIS FORMULA WHICH ERODED THE COUNCIL TAX BASE. IN TONIGHT'S REPORT REFERENCE IS MADE TO THE £18 MILLION PENSIONS DEFICIT INFLICTED ON US BY THE PENSIONS HOLIDAY AND THE VOLATILITY OF THE MARKETS FOR WHICH OUR RESIDENTS WILL HAVE TO CONTRIBUTE TO AT £1 MILLION PER YEAR.
THE NEXT DISASTER WAS THE ATTEMPTED ONE YEAR ELECTION BRIBE BY THE PREVIOUS TORY LEADER WHICH FURTHER REDUCED THE COUNCILS TAX BASE.
NEXT, ALONG CAME THE NEW HOMES BONUS WHICH IS NOW THE ONLY FUND WHICH WILL PROP UP THIS AUTHORITY FOR THE NEXT 2 YEARS WHICH HAS LED TO TONIGHT'S RECOMMENDATION TO INCREASE THE COUNCIL TAX FOR A BAND D PROPERTY BY £5 AT A TIME WHEN EVERY FAMILY IS VERY VULNERABLE AS FOOD BANK USAGE INCREASES BY THE DAY.
EVERY ONE OF THE ITEMS I HAVE JUST MENTIONED IS TOTALLY DOWN TO THE TORY INCOMPETENCE EITHER AT NATIONAL OR LOCAL GOVERNMENT LEVEL.
LASTLY, I WANT TO REFER TO POINT 6.0 OF THE REPORT AND IN THE FIRST PARAGRAPH IT STATES THAT “FOCUS FOR PHASE 3 SHOULD BE ON FURTHER OPTIONS FOR INCOME GENERATION” BUT THE CABINET REPORT AT 6.6 ON PAGE 3 STATES THAT THE £1 MILLION POUND OF FURTHER SAVINGS HAS TO BE SPREAD OVER 2018/19 & 19/20, SO, WHAT ARE THESE INCOME GENERATING PROJECTS AS THEY MUST BE IN PLACE NOW SO THAT THEY CAN DELIVER IN THOSE TIMESCALES.
FOLLOW UP QUESTION.
THE LOCAL PLAN WAS DUE TO BE SUBMITTED BY THE END OF FEBRUARY TO THE INSPECTOR ACCORDING TO THE LAST TIMETABLE ,SO WHY HASN'T THERE BEEN A MEETING OF THE OFFICER/MEMBER WORKING PARTY TO UPDATE THOSE MEMBERS AND ALSO THIS COUNCIL TONIGHT?
IN THAT PERIOD THE SPENDING POWER OF THIS AUTHORITY HAS REDUCED BY £4 MILLION AND SINCE 2016 £2.3 MILLION OF REVENUES SUPPORT GRANT HAS BEEN REMOVED FROM THIS COUNCIL.
I, LIKE I SUSPECT MOST COUNCILLORS,THOUGHT THAT ERIC PICKLES WAS A BUFFOON BUT IN HINDSIGHT HE STARTED THIS PROCESS BY THE BLACKMAILING LOCAL AUTHORITIES TO ACCEPT HIS FORMULA WHICH ERODED THE COUNCIL TAX BASE. IN TONIGHT'S REPORT REFERENCE IS MADE TO THE £18 MILLION PENSIONS DEFICIT INFLICTED ON US BY THE PENSIONS HOLIDAY AND THE VOLATILITY OF THE MARKETS FOR WHICH OUR RESIDENTS WILL HAVE TO CONTRIBUTE TO AT £1 MILLION PER YEAR.
THE NEXT DISASTER WAS THE ATTEMPTED ONE YEAR ELECTION BRIBE BY THE PREVIOUS TORY LEADER WHICH FURTHER REDUCED THE COUNCILS TAX BASE.
NEXT, ALONG CAME THE NEW HOMES BONUS WHICH IS NOW THE ONLY FUND WHICH WILL PROP UP THIS AUTHORITY FOR THE NEXT 2 YEARS WHICH HAS LED TO TONIGHT'S RECOMMENDATION TO INCREASE THE COUNCIL TAX FOR A BAND D PROPERTY BY £5 AT A TIME WHEN EVERY FAMILY IS VERY VULNERABLE AS FOOD BANK USAGE INCREASES BY THE DAY.
EVERY ONE OF THE ITEMS I HAVE JUST MENTIONED IS TOTALLY DOWN TO THE TORY INCOMPETENCE EITHER AT NATIONAL OR LOCAL GOVERNMENT LEVEL.
LASTLY, I WANT TO REFER TO POINT 6.0 OF THE REPORT AND IN THE FIRST PARAGRAPH IT STATES THAT “FOCUS FOR PHASE 3 SHOULD BE ON FURTHER OPTIONS FOR INCOME GENERATION” BUT THE CABINET REPORT AT 6.6 ON PAGE 3 STATES THAT THE £1 MILLION POUND OF FURTHER SAVINGS HAS TO BE SPREAD OVER 2018/19 & 19/20, SO, WHAT ARE THESE INCOME GENERATING PROJECTS AS THEY MUST BE IN PLACE NOW SO THAT THEY CAN DELIVER IN THOSE TIMESCALES.
FOLLOW UP QUESTION.
THE LOCAL PLAN WAS DUE TO BE SUBMITTED BY THE END OF FEBRUARY TO THE INSPECTOR ACCORDING TO THE LAST TIMETABLE ,SO WHY HASN'T THERE BEEN A MEETING OF THE OFFICER/MEMBER WORKING PARTY TO UPDATE THOSE MEMBERS AND ALSO THIS COUNCIL TONIGHT?
This manifesto is a progressive move to ensuring that we give the public the services they need not like the Tories who just cut services at the behest of their government.
No Mention of Tory Cuts
I was interested to read the letter from the Conservative Group leader Barry Lewis referring to his DCC Manifesto promises . The first thing that he has failed to mention is the massive cuts by the Government to all levels of Shire and Borough Councils the affect of which has seen even Tory Surrey wanting to call a referendum to pay for their Social Budget until they got a “Sweetheart deal”.He talks of setting up 'Quangos' to review Council contracts and decisions, so what do we pay councillors for!
Broken promises have also happened at Amber Valley Borough Council under the leadership of Cllr Kevin Buttery , who is also a DERBYSHIRE County Councillor. He stood on a platform of low Council Tax in May 2016 and indeed was part of an election bribe of a Council Tax refund last year, knowing there would be a £2.4 million black hole. Yet within a month of being elected as leader of the Council he broke this promise by hiking the Council tax up 9.6% over the next 3 years. They have also closed 3 Town Centre Bureaux compelling the vulnerable to extra bus or taxi rides to the Ripley office and reduced CCTV cameras in our four towns by 80% both service cuts where omitted from their manifesto. The residents will be faced with even more service cuts despite having to pay more and if the black hole does not get fixed then this council will be bankrupt by 2020.
So we get broken promises at all levels by Tory controlled government .Just two national examples, The Conservative Party stood in 2015 General Election on a platform of no tax increases yet the recent budget has seen those promises broken( see examples below)
NATIONAL INSURANCE
What the manifesto said: “A Conservative Government will not increase the rates of VAT, Income Tax or National Insurance in the next Parliament.”
What happened: Philip Hammond decided to increase national insurance for 2.5m self-employed people in a move to bring rates closer in line with all employees.
Mr Hammond’s spokeswoman insisted the national insurance policy had been fleshed out in a taxation Bill published two months after the election. “The manifesto is not the place you should be looking for it. You should be looking for it in the legislation,” she told reporters.
RUNNING A SURPLUS
What the manifesto said: “We will control spending, eliminate the deficit, and start to run a surplus. We will go from stuck in the red, to back in the black.”
What happened: A commitment to balance the nation’s books by 2020 was a key plank in George Osborne’s economic platform. When Mr Hammond took over in the Treasury, he swiftly ditched the promise. The latest projection by the Office for Budget Responsibility is that the surplus might not be achieved until 2025-6.
On top of this there have been nine broken promises since May 2015 ranging from Child Tax Credits, Child Benefit, Affordable Housing and the Social Care Gap.
So when a Tory says you need to read our Manifesto, my advice is don't waste your time because it is not worth the paper it is written on especially in this part of the country.
Cllr Chris Emmas-Williams
Leader of the Labour Group - AVBC
I was interested to read the letter from the Conservative Group leader Barry Lewis referring to his DCC Manifesto promises . The first thing that he has failed to mention is the massive cuts by the Government to all levels of Shire and Borough Councils the affect of which has seen even Tory Surrey wanting to call a referendum to pay for their Social Budget until they got a “Sweetheart deal”.He talks of setting up 'Quangos' to review Council contracts and decisions, so what do we pay councillors for!
Broken promises have also happened at Amber Valley Borough Council under the leadership of Cllr Kevin Buttery , who is also a DERBYSHIRE County Councillor. He stood on a platform of low Council Tax in May 2016 and indeed was part of an election bribe of a Council Tax refund last year, knowing there would be a £2.4 million black hole. Yet within a month of being elected as leader of the Council he broke this promise by hiking the Council tax up 9.6% over the next 3 years. They have also closed 3 Town Centre Bureaux compelling the vulnerable to extra bus or taxi rides to the Ripley office and reduced CCTV cameras in our four towns by 80% both service cuts where omitted from their manifesto. The residents will be faced with even more service cuts despite having to pay more and if the black hole does not get fixed then this council will be bankrupt by 2020.
So we get broken promises at all levels by Tory controlled government .Just two national examples, The Conservative Party stood in 2015 General Election on a platform of no tax increases yet the recent budget has seen those promises broken( see examples below)
NATIONAL INSURANCE
What the manifesto said: “A Conservative Government will not increase the rates of VAT, Income Tax or National Insurance in the next Parliament.”
What happened: Philip Hammond decided to increase national insurance for 2.5m self-employed people in a move to bring rates closer in line with all employees.
Mr Hammond’s spokeswoman insisted the national insurance policy had been fleshed out in a taxation Bill published two months after the election. “The manifesto is not the place you should be looking for it. You should be looking for it in the legislation,” she told reporters.
RUNNING A SURPLUS
What the manifesto said: “We will control spending, eliminate the deficit, and start to run a surplus. We will go from stuck in the red, to back in the black.”
What happened: A commitment to balance the nation’s books by 2020 was a key plank in George Osborne’s economic platform. When Mr Hammond took over in the Treasury, he swiftly ditched the promise. The latest projection by the Office for Budget Responsibility is that the surplus might not be achieved until 2025-6.
On top of this there have been nine broken promises since May 2015 ranging from Child Tax Credits, Child Benefit, Affordable Housing and the Social Care Gap.
So when a Tory says you need to read our Manifesto, my advice is don't waste your time because it is not worth the paper it is written on especially in this part of the country.
Cllr Chris Emmas-Williams
Leader of the Labour Group - AVBC
NO PROSECUTIONS FOR DOG FOULING BY AMBER VALLEY BOROUGH COUNCIL IN THE LAST 2 YEARS
The residents of Amber Valley may be surprised by the following information sent to the Leader of the Labour Group
The following is the response to my follow up question which I asked at Full Council.
“In response to the question you asked at the Full Council meeting on 1 March 2017 I can advise that the Council has not prosecuted for dog fouling within the last two years. It has, however, issued three fixed penalty notices (FPNs) and is processing a further two.”
When other Councils across England & Wales are prosecuting irresponsible dog owners it is unbelievable that not one person has been prosecuted when residents are complaining on a regular basis to all the Councillors Cllr Chris Emmas-Williams – Leader of the Labour Group asked the Tory Cabinet member Cllr Chris Short “Can the Cabinet member outline any initiatives that this Council is considering to try and improve the dog fouling issues in the Borough. Other Councils are giving dog owners a fine if they are not in possession of a dog bag and one Mayor is sanctioning non-payment of Council Tax if residents give evidence against perpetrators as examples?”
The residents of Amber Valley may be surprised by the following information sent to the Leader of the Labour Group
The following is the response to my follow up question which I asked at Full Council.
“In response to the question you asked at the Full Council meeting on 1 March 2017 I can advise that the Council has not prosecuted for dog fouling within the last two years. It has, however, issued three fixed penalty notices (FPNs) and is processing a further two.”
When other Councils across England & Wales are prosecuting irresponsible dog owners it is unbelievable that not one person has been prosecuted when residents are complaining on a regular basis to all the Councillors Cllr Chris Emmas-Williams – Leader of the Labour Group asked the Tory Cabinet member Cllr Chris Short “Can the Cabinet member outline any initiatives that this Council is considering to try and improve the dog fouling issues in the Borough. Other Councils are giving dog owners a fine if they are not in possession of a dog bag and one Mayor is sanctioning non-payment of Council Tax if residents give evidence against perpetrators as examples?”
Chaos is coming to Ripley & Codnor in March. After a meeting arranged with the AVBC Labour Leader & Deputy Leader with Virgin Media, every pavement in the area will be dug up to allow super fast cable to be inserted. Tony Holmes & myself where offered an opportunity to discuss the proposals, our opposition, despite invitations could not be bothered to get involved. Whilst this will cause major disruption it is something that the only control that we can try to influence is to ensure the works do not follow newly surfaced footpaths in these areas.
Tories back to their same old ‘Nasty Party’ image
At the Full Council meeting held on Wednesday January 25 2017, the Tories despite public representations, one of their own Councillors expressing concerns & reservations and unanimous Labour objections the Tories are set to close the Town Centre offices in Alfreton, Belper & Heanor.
The report contained 3 options but the difference between the complete closures and keeping the 3 offices open for two days per week was £54,310 yet the Election ‘Gimmick’ that the previous leader ex Cllr Alan Cox pushed through last year cost AVBC £201,670 in revenue.
Retaining a presence in all Town Centres should be seen as a commitment to the Borough on trying to keep the ‘footfall’ of residents into our towns to use other shops and facilities but the only view put forward by the leader of the council was the financial difficulties, which was self inflicted by his Conservative Government and ridiculous decisions taken last year by himself and colleagues had created.
The report stated that 4,300 residents paid cash into the 3 offices and a further 9,300 inquiries where fielded by the Council’s staff but the worst admission is that there are still 572 of the Borough’s most vulnerable residents not knowing how they will make a cash payment.
The Labour Group had a free vote but lost the motion to keep the 3 Bureaus open by one vote which will see more redundancies due to the Tories incompetence.
Councillor C J M Short replied “It is always interesting to hear of new initiatives for an issue faced by every council in the country and I will ensure that the progress of such pilots is monitored to see whether they could be applied here. At this time, however I am not convinced by either. Do we really want to stop dog walkers and insist that they show a bag and, even if they did, could we be sure that they intended to use it? Also, being rewarded for providing evidence against offenders could result in an influx of complaints and witness statements that are fabricated in order to benefit from the Council Tax rebate and this could result in an increased number of non-payments of Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs), resulting in prosecution costs for the Council (the only evidence would be the witness statement).
The years 2015 and 2016 saw a marked reduction in dog fouling complaints of 27% but that has not made us complacent. We have three wardens who carry out reactive responses to dog fouling complaints and structure patrols where specific details are provided. The wardens regularly patrol fouling hotspots and will issue FPNs where fouling is witnessed.
We put up signage and have this new bolder version that can be used in specific areas. We also have these flyers that we can post through letter boxes in areas where we suspect there may be an offender.
As always, our Landscape Services Operatives will carry out clean ups as and when requested.”
3. Councillor C Emmas-Williams proposed the following supplementary question to Councillor C J M Short:
“Can you provide a list of prosecutions that Amber Valley Borough Council has carried out on dog fouling within the last two years?”
Councillor C J M Short replied “We will provide that information, though can I remind you of the difficulty this Council has had in securing successful prosecutions when asking individuals.
At the Full Council meeting held on Wednesday January 25 2017, the Tories despite public representations, one of their own Councillors expressing concerns & reservations and unanimous Labour objections the Tories are set to close the Town Centre offices in Alfreton, Belper & Heanor.
The report contained 3 options but the difference between the complete closures and keeping the 3 offices open for two days per week was £54,310 yet the Election ‘Gimmick’ that the previous leader ex Cllr Alan Cox pushed through last year cost AVBC £201,670 in revenue.
Retaining a presence in all Town Centres should be seen as a commitment to the Borough on trying to keep the ‘footfall’ of residents into our towns to use other shops and facilities but the only view put forward by the leader of the council was the financial difficulties, which was self inflicted by his Conservative Government and ridiculous decisions taken last year by himself and colleagues had created.
The report stated that 4,300 residents paid cash into the 3 offices and a further 9,300 inquiries where fielded by the Council’s staff but the worst admission is that there are still 572 of the Borough’s most vulnerable residents not knowing how they will make a cash payment.
The Labour Group had a free vote but lost the motion to keep the 3 Bureaus open by one vote which will see more redundancies due to the Tories incompetence.
Councillor C J M Short replied “It is always interesting to hear of new initiatives for an issue faced by every council in the country and I will ensure that the progress of such pilots is monitored to see whether they could be applied here. At this time, however I am not convinced by either. Do we really want to stop dog walkers and insist that they show a bag and, even if they did, could we be sure that they intended to use it? Also, being rewarded for providing evidence against offenders could result in an influx of complaints and witness statements that are fabricated in order to benefit from the Council Tax rebate and this could result in an increased number of non-payments of Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs), resulting in prosecution costs for the Council (the only evidence would be the witness statement).
The years 2015 and 2016 saw a marked reduction in dog fouling complaints of 27% but that has not made us complacent. We have three wardens who carry out reactive responses to dog fouling complaints and structure patrols where specific details are provided. The wardens regularly patrol fouling hotspots and will issue FPNs where fouling is witnessed.
We put up signage and have this new bolder version that can be used in specific areas. We also have these flyers that we can post through letter boxes in areas where we suspect there may be an offender.
As always, our Landscape Services Operatives will carry out clean ups as and when requested.”
3. Councillor C Emmas-Williams proposed the following supplementary question to Councillor C J M Short:
“Can you provide a list of prosecutions that Amber Valley Borough Council has carried out on dog fouling within the last two years?”
Councillor C J M Short replied “We will provide that information, though can I remind you of the difficulty this Council has had in securing successful prosecutions when asking individuals.
BELPER CONSERVATIVE COUNCILLORS ABANDON THE NHS IN ITS HOUR OF NEED
At the Amber Valley Borough Council meeting tonight 25th January a motion was put by Labour that the council should write to all Derbyshire MPs urging them to press the Government for more funding for Heath and Social Care in order to meet the NHS and Council crisis, especially for the elderly.
Every single Conservative Councillor present, including four from Belper, voted against the motion. They refused to support the NHS in the worst financial crisis in its history and refused to support Social Services, which are also in dire straits.
This what Belper Conservative Councillors refused to support:
“This Council is disappointed that the Autumn statement by the Chancellor identified no additional funding for the NHS or Social Care. Given the current crisis within both these sectors, this Council calls upon ALL our local M.P.s to lobby the government to provide the necessary changes outlined in the Sustainability and Transformation Plan, to ensure that the Derbyshire Health Community (Trusts, Acute Trusts) achieve financial balance by 2021 and that Social Care is able to manage the demands of a growing frail, elderly population”.
At the Amber Valley Borough Council meeting tonight 25th January a motion was put by Labour that the council should write to all Derbyshire MPs urging them to press the Government for more funding for Heath and Social Care in order to meet the NHS and Council crisis, especially for the elderly.
Every single Conservative Councillor present, including four from Belper, voted against the motion. They refused to support the NHS in the worst financial crisis in its history and refused to support Social Services, which are also in dire straits.
This what Belper Conservative Councillors refused to support:
“This Council is disappointed that the Autumn statement by the Chancellor identified no additional funding for the NHS or Social Care. Given the current crisis within both these sectors, this Council calls upon ALL our local M.P.s to lobby the government to provide the necessary changes outlined in the Sustainability and Transformation Plan, to ensure that the Derbyshire Health Community (Trusts, Acute Trusts) achieve financial balance by 2021 and that Social Care is able to manage the demands of a growing frail, elderly population”.
Part of the Labour election team out in Codnor this morning collecting
Save our NHS signatures for the petition
Save our NHS signatures for the petition
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At a time when the threat of terrorism in this country is at the second highest level, Germany is pushing through legislation to increase their CCTV surveillance, the incompetent Tory controlled AVBC decide to reduce the number of cameras to 14 from 65 across the towns of Alfreton,Belper, Heanor & Ripley. The report said they had consulted with the 4 Town Councils who all objected to these reductions but ignored their views anyway. Is that really consultation, we then had the bizarre situation of all the Tory elected Town Councillors voting against the views expressed by their Councils and the residents who put them there!
Kimberley Tram Group welcomes HS2 announcement.
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/hs2-route-to-the-east-midlands-leeds-and-manchester-set-out-by-the-government
Kimberley, Eastwood and Nuthall Tram Action Group (KENTAG) cautiously welcomed today's announcement of the route that the northern section of HS2 will follow, including confirmation of the location for a station at Toton to serve Derby and Nottingham. This is seen as the seed which will deliver a network of light rail routes throughout the region.
http://richardsrobinson.org.uk/2015/02/tram-extension-line-4-phase-iii-to-kimberley-eastwood-into-amber-valley/
Cllr Richard Robinson said; "Whilst today's news is very good news for the prosperity of the East Midlands, we must ensure that construction is planned carefully and allows for other projects. We are particularly concerned that provision is made for the Kimberley and Eastwood tramline. I have received assurances that this will be allowed for at the design stage, and I want that set in stone."
"Connectivity is vital for business and the creation of jobs. Now we know that the East Midlands will join the High Speed rail club we want to ensure that the prosperity it brings is shared out and doesn't stop at Phoenix Park and the Nottingham city boundary"
"The M1, although vital for north-south connectivity, is a barrier to east-west development. The Nuthall roundabout creates a serious disincentive for firms to locate westwards. Just to the north is an underused bridge under which could easily carry a light rail line with the capacity of at least a dual carriageway road."
(Andrew Braddock, Chairman of the Light Rail Transit Association (LRTA), said: "Now the HS2 route has been confirmed it is clear we need to address means of getting to its stations. Toton is in a very fortunate position, not only being just one kilometre away from the current terminus of NET but also in a place where various disused mineral railways converged. These lines are ideal for light rail use and can reconnect several former mining towns and villages to the new prosperity. The proposed Kimberley and Eastwood extension to NET would uses parts of these mineral lines."
Steve Barber (Vice President elect of the LRTA and chair of Beeston and Chilwell for Integrated Transport) added "There is no doubt that construction of NET phase 2 was a difficult process, but the extension to Kimberley would involves no street running and little disruption. Now Nottingham has the beginnings of a network the advantages are becoming clear. Beeston High Road has no retail units available for rent and the town has a shop vacancy rate of just 3%, against national and regional averages of around 10-12%. As happened in Manchester, now is the time for a big expansion to include lines to Kimberley, Eastwood, Gedling and possibly the airport."
Jim Harkins (from the secretariat of the All Party Parliamentary Light Rail Group on Light Rail) said: "Nottingham is to be commended for its work on air pollution. For a city of its size it is punching above its weight and showing the rest of the country how it should be done. Research in Oslo has shown that around 50% of the most dangerous PM10 and other particulates don't come just from engines but from the vehicle tyres and road surface wearing out and going into the low level atmosphere. Particles frombrake linings are a source of atmospheric pollution too.
Recent reports from the Universities of Oxford and Manchester amongst others, has indicated a significant link with Alzheimers Disease being caused by the Magnetite particles generated from the interface between wheels and road surfaces.
http://www.applrguk.co.uk/media/files/LR-Applrg-Air-Pollution-Alzheimers-Sept-2016pdf
The steel wheels of electric trams running on steel rails (electric trams) do not emit any of this pollution.
Satisfaction in Nottingham's trams is running at 98% and exceeds other networks. http://thetram.net/net-is-number-one-say-customers.aspx
Construction of NET phase alone benefited Nottingham's businesses by £100m; http://thetram.net/report-reveals-tram-projects-100m-economy-boost.aspx
The LRTA is a not-for-profit UK based organisation and has members throughout the world. Free of any trade or political affiliation; it is the world's leading organisation concerned with the achievement of better public transport through light rail, tramway and metro systems in towns and cities world-wide.
http://www.lrta.org/
Kimberley, Eastwood and Nuthall Tram Action Group (KENTAG) cautiously welcomed today's announcement of the route that the northern section of HS2 will follow, including confirmation of the location for a station at Toton to serve Derby and Nottingham. This is seen as the seed which will deliver a network of light rail routes throughout the region.
http://richardsrobinson.org.uk/2015/02/tram-extension-line-4-phase-iii-to-kimberley-eastwood-into-amber-valley/
Cllr Richard Robinson said; "Whilst today's news is very good news for the prosperity of the East Midlands, we must ensure that construction is planned carefully and allows for other projects. We are particularly concerned that provision is made for the Kimberley and Eastwood tramline. I have received assurances that this will be allowed for at the design stage, and I want that set in stone."
"Connectivity is vital for business and the creation of jobs. Now we know that the East Midlands will join the High Speed rail club we want to ensure that the prosperity it brings is shared out and doesn't stop at Phoenix Park and the Nottingham city boundary"
"The M1, although vital for north-south connectivity, is a barrier to east-west development. The Nuthall roundabout creates a serious disincentive for firms to locate westwards. Just to the north is an underused bridge under which could easily carry a light rail line with the capacity of at least a dual carriageway road."
(Andrew Braddock, Chairman of the Light Rail Transit Association (LRTA), said: "Now the HS2 route has been confirmed it is clear we need to address means of getting to its stations. Toton is in a very fortunate position, not only being just one kilometre away from the current terminus of NET but also in a place where various disused mineral railways converged. These lines are ideal for light rail use and can reconnect several former mining towns and villages to the new prosperity. The proposed Kimberley and Eastwood extension to NET would uses parts of these mineral lines."
Steve Barber (Vice President elect of the LRTA and chair of Beeston and Chilwell for Integrated Transport) added "There is no doubt that construction of NET phase 2 was a difficult process, but the extension to Kimberley would involves no street running and little disruption. Now Nottingham has the beginnings of a network the advantages are becoming clear. Beeston High Road has no retail units available for rent and the town has a shop vacancy rate of just 3%, against national and regional averages of around 10-12%. As happened in Manchester, now is the time for a big expansion to include lines to Kimberley, Eastwood, Gedling and possibly the airport."
Jim Harkins (from the secretariat of the All Party Parliamentary Light Rail Group on Light Rail) said: "Nottingham is to be commended for its work on air pollution. For a city of its size it is punching above its weight and showing the rest of the country how it should be done. Research in Oslo has shown that around 50% of the most dangerous PM10 and other particulates don't come just from engines but from the vehicle tyres and road surface wearing out and going into the low level atmosphere. Particles frombrake linings are a source of atmospheric pollution too.
Recent reports from the Universities of Oxford and Manchester amongst others, has indicated a significant link with Alzheimers Disease being caused by the Magnetite particles generated from the interface between wheels and road surfaces.
http://www.applrguk.co.uk/media/files/LR-Applrg-Air-Pollution-Alzheimers-Sept-2016pdf
The steel wheels of electric trams running on steel rails (electric trams) do not emit any of this pollution.
Satisfaction in Nottingham's trams is running at 98% and exceeds other networks. http://thetram.net/net-is-number-one-say-customers.aspx
Construction of NET phase alone benefited Nottingham's businesses by £100m; http://thetram.net/report-reveals-tram-projects-100m-economy-boost.aspx
The LRTA is a not-for-profit UK based organisation and has members throughout the world. Free of any trade or political affiliation; it is the world's leading organisation concerned with the achievement of better public transport through light rail, tramway and metro systems in towns and cities world-wide.
http://www.lrta.org/
Tories Risking Residents Safety in the Borough’s Town Centres
At the Full Council meeting held on November 16th the Tories totally ignored the results of the consultation exercise they undertook on reducing the CCTV cameras by 80% across the four Town centres. Derbyshire Police commented that they value the contribution CCTV cameras can make to detecting crime and anti-social behaviour despite this the report still recommended the reduction in cameras.
The Amber Valley Labour group totally opposed this move to reduce the safety of residents visiting all the town centres expressing their concerns in line with the comments by ALL four Towns including Tory controlled Belper Town Council
Labour Group Leader Councillor Chris Emmas-Williams, stated “The report highlighted that the Council never implemented the decision to upgrade the system both in 2014 & 2015 which would have given a saving of £36,500 per annum of revenue costs and now using the 1998 Human Rights Act and article 8 of the European Charter of Human Rights the current administration have cobbled an excuse together to put our residents at risk. They totally ignored the sound based views of the Town Councils and voted through these ill -advised proposals. Surely it is more important to protect the individuals and retain an exceptional tool to help the Police to trace incidents of crime, especially when the Police resources have been stretched to its limits. During the debate reference was made by members relating to crimes which had taken place in areas which had not been used when preparing the report, highlighting the flawed decision making of the controlling group. We even had the bizarre situation of Councillors who are members of Town Councils who had submitted their objections to the reduction of CCTV cameras, voting on the night the opposite way. This administration is putting people and property at risk purely to make savings due to their own financial incompetance ”
Further information is available from Cllr Chris Emmas-Williams on 01773 746041 or visit the Labour Group website at www.ambervalleylabour.org.uk
AMBER VALLEY LABOUR GROUP
CHAIR Cllr Isobel Harry – Codnor & Waingroves
SECRETARY Cllr Sheila Oakes – Heanor East
LEADER- Cllr Chris Emmas-Williams - Codnor & Waingroves
DEPUTY LEADER Cllr Tony Holmes - Ripley
This press release relates to the following agenda item at the Full Council meeting on November 16th
Agenda Item No 13(a) - CCTV Review - Needs Assessment: Covering report
Which made the following Recommendations 2.1 That the implementation of the recommendations contained within the 2016 CCTV Needs Assessment, as detailed in Appendix 1 to the Officer’s report, be approved.
Appendix 1 stated the following on page 4/5
Camera Rationalisation
All of the camera locations included in this system were originally determined in the 1990’s, based on crime pattern analysis and a perceived need for CCTV in each location at the time. Over the years the town centres have changed considerably, leading the Council to consider the use of CCTV moving forward. One thing to consider as part of this process is the introduction of private CCTV which has developed considerably over time, with many businesses and nighttime economy establishments investing in their own CCTV provisions and which are now capable of recording and maintaining images in high definition. In addition car parking wardens within the Borough now wear body cameras that are capable of recording witnessed incidents and this is an area increasingly being explored by the Police. …......... In adopting a standard to ensure compliance with the Code of Practice, it is considered that cameras that are located within 25m of at least 10 known incidents of ASB and or crime within the 12 month period is a proportionate measure. Using this as the basis, the information contained within Appendix A identifies that 12 of the current cameras currently meet this standard, these being
* Camera 53 - High St/Chapel St Street – Alfreton
* Camera 61 – Institute Lane – Alfreton
* Camera 42 – King Street – Belper
* Camera 47 – Bridge St opp Derwent St – Belper
* Camera 20 – Derby Rd o/s Memory Lane – Heanor
* Camera 22 – Church St/Market St – Heanor
* Camera 26 – Market St/Church St – Heanor
* Camera 04 – Wall St/church St – Ripley
* Camera 05 – Nottingham Rd/Church St – Ripley
* Camera 06 – Grosvenor Road – Ripley
* Camera 07 – Nottingham Road/Booth Street – Ripley
* Camera 11 – Oxford Street – Ripley
Given the need for the Council to demonstrate compliance with the Code of Practice, it is recommended that only the cameras detailed above are retained at the current time, and that the remaining cameras be decommissioned at the earliest opportunity, which will require the serving of notice on BT Redcare fibre optic circuits. It is estimated that reducing the number of cameras will also result in ongoing financial savings of approximately £50,000 per annum, which is is based on reduced data transmission and maintenance charges. However, it will also be necessary to commission the removal of the redundant CCTV hardware, which will reduce the first year saving.
The Amber Valley Labour group totally opposed this move to reduce the safety of residents visiting all the town centres expressing their concerns in line with the comments by ALL four Towns including Tory controlled Belper Town Council
Labour Group Leader Councillor Chris Emmas-Williams, stated “The report highlighted that the Council never implemented the decision to upgrade the system both in 2014 & 2015 which would have given a saving of £36,500 per annum of revenue costs and now using the 1998 Human Rights Act and article 8 of the European Charter of Human Rights the current administration have cobbled an excuse together to put our residents at risk. They totally ignored the sound based views of the Town Councils and voted through these ill -advised proposals. Surely it is more important to protect the individuals and retain an exceptional tool to help the Police to trace incidents of crime, especially when the Police resources have been stretched to its limits. During the debate reference was made by members relating to crimes which had taken place in areas which had not been used when preparing the report, highlighting the flawed decision making of the controlling group. We even had the bizarre situation of Councillors who are members of Town Councils who had submitted their objections to the reduction of CCTV cameras, voting on the night the opposite way. This administration is putting people and property at risk purely to make savings due to their own financial incompetance ”
Further information is available from Cllr Chris Emmas-Williams on 01773 746041 or visit the Labour Group website at www.ambervalleylabour.org.uk
AMBER VALLEY LABOUR GROUP
CHAIR Cllr Isobel Harry – Codnor & Waingroves
SECRETARY Cllr Sheila Oakes – Heanor East
LEADER- Cllr Chris Emmas-Williams - Codnor & Waingroves
DEPUTY LEADER Cllr Tony Holmes - Ripley
This press release relates to the following agenda item at the Full Council meeting on November 16th
Agenda Item No 13(a) - CCTV Review - Needs Assessment: Covering report
Which made the following Recommendations 2.1 That the implementation of the recommendations contained within the 2016 CCTV Needs Assessment, as detailed in Appendix 1 to the Officer’s report, be approved.
Appendix 1 stated the following on page 4/5
Camera Rationalisation
All of the camera locations included in this system were originally determined in the 1990’s, based on crime pattern analysis and a perceived need for CCTV in each location at the time. Over the years the town centres have changed considerably, leading the Council to consider the use of CCTV moving forward. One thing to consider as part of this process is the introduction of private CCTV which has developed considerably over time, with many businesses and nighttime economy establishments investing in their own CCTV provisions and which are now capable of recording and maintaining images in high definition. In addition car parking wardens within the Borough now wear body cameras that are capable of recording witnessed incidents and this is an area increasingly being explored by the Police. …......... In adopting a standard to ensure compliance with the Code of Practice, it is considered that cameras that are located within 25m of at least 10 known incidents of ASB and or crime within the 12 month period is a proportionate measure. Using this as the basis, the information contained within Appendix A identifies that 12 of the current cameras currently meet this standard, these being
* Camera 53 - High St/Chapel St Street – Alfreton
* Camera 61 – Institute Lane – Alfreton
* Camera 42 – King Street – Belper
* Camera 47 – Bridge St opp Derwent St – Belper
* Camera 20 – Derby Rd o/s Memory Lane – Heanor
* Camera 22 – Church St/Market St – Heanor
* Camera 26 – Market St/Church St – Heanor
* Camera 04 – Wall St/church St – Ripley
* Camera 05 – Nottingham Rd/Church St – Ripley
* Camera 06 – Grosvenor Road – Ripley
* Camera 07 – Nottingham Road/Booth Street – Ripley
* Camera 11 – Oxford Street – Ripley
Given the need for the Council to demonstrate compliance with the Code of Practice, it is recommended that only the cameras detailed above are retained at the current time, and that the remaining cameras be decommissioned at the earliest opportunity, which will require the serving of notice on BT Redcare fibre optic circuits. It is estimated that reducing the number of cameras will also result in ongoing financial savings of approximately £50,000 per annum, which is is based on reduced data transmission and maintenance charges. However, it will also be necessary to commission the removal of the redundant CCTV hardware, which will reduce the first year saving.
AMBER VALLEY LABOUR GROUP -PRESS RELEASE
LABOUR'S CORE STARTEGY DECISION VINDICATED BY PLANNING INSPECTOR.
The decision of the planning inspector to uphold the appeal in favour of Catesby Estates to allow the development to build 400 houses at Keddleston Road has totally vindicated the decision taken by the then Labour controlled Council in 2014 to include this proposal in the Core Strategy. It was removed purely on Political grounds and not on sound planning reasons.
The leader of the Amber Valley Labour group, Councillor Chris Emmas-Williams, stated, “At that time we were left with an ultimatum by the Core Strategy inspector to find more development sites not only surrounding the four town centres but also to try and help the Derby City issue of a lack of sites to meet their requirements. The Council selected this site as the most preferred site and also being close to the City boundary. We knew at the time that all sites selected would be controversial but this site would be a choice between sustainability and need against the percieved impact on the landscape character of this site. We believe that the inspector has got the decision completely correct in his overall conclusion when he says that the site does not lie within the setting of Keddleston Hall and also 'less than substantial' as part of the park and conservation area. Indeed the site already has housing on two and a half sides of the site which totally smacks of NIMBY ism by residents who 30 years ago would not have had their houses that they reside in today.
It seems strange that the Local Member has never sent a letter or statement of objection neither to the Core Strategy or inspector for this application but the then Leader of the Council did state that he would remove this site from the strategy before he had seen the relevant documents for the application.
This effectively led to the Tories withdrawing the to be re-convened Core Strategy hearing at the last minute costing the taxpayer £1 million which had been spent by officers and members of the public leaving the authority in an unenviable position of trying to defend the lack of a five year housing supply”
Further information is available from Cllr Chris Emmas-Williams on 01773 746041 or visit the Labour Group website at www.ambervalleylabour.org.uk
AMBER VALLEY LABOUR GROUP
CHAIR Cllr Isobel Harry–Codnor & Waingrove
SECRETARY Cllr Sheila Oakes–Heanor East
LEADER- Cllr Chris Emmas-Williams-Codnor & Waingroves
DEPUTY LEADER Cllr Tony Holmes -Ripley
LABOUR'S CORE STARTEGY DECISION VINDICATED BY PLANNING INSPECTOR.
The decision of the planning inspector to uphold the appeal in favour of Catesby Estates to allow the development to build 400 houses at Keddleston Road has totally vindicated the decision taken by the then Labour controlled Council in 2014 to include this proposal in the Core Strategy. It was removed purely on Political grounds and not on sound planning reasons.
The leader of the Amber Valley Labour group, Councillor Chris Emmas-Williams, stated, “At that time we were left with an ultimatum by the Core Strategy inspector to find more development sites not only surrounding the four town centres but also to try and help the Derby City issue of a lack of sites to meet their requirements. The Council selected this site as the most preferred site and also being close to the City boundary. We knew at the time that all sites selected would be controversial but this site would be a choice between sustainability and need against the percieved impact on the landscape character of this site. We believe that the inspector has got the decision completely correct in his overall conclusion when he says that the site does not lie within the setting of Keddleston Hall and also 'less than substantial' as part of the park and conservation area. Indeed the site already has housing on two and a half sides of the site which totally smacks of NIMBY ism by residents who 30 years ago would not have had their houses that they reside in today.
It seems strange that the Local Member has never sent a letter or statement of objection neither to the Core Strategy or inspector for this application but the then Leader of the Council did state that he would remove this site from the strategy before he had seen the relevant documents for the application.
This effectively led to the Tories withdrawing the to be re-convened Core Strategy hearing at the last minute costing the taxpayer £1 million which had been spent by officers and members of the public leaving the authority in an unenviable position of trying to defend the lack of a five year housing supply”
Further information is available from Cllr Chris Emmas-Williams on 01773 746041 or visit the Labour Group website at www.ambervalleylabour.org.uk
AMBER VALLEY LABOUR GROUP
CHAIR Cllr Isobel Harry–Codnor & Waingrove
SECRETARY Cllr Sheila Oakes–Heanor East
LEADER- Cllr Chris Emmas-Williams-Codnor & Waingroves
DEPUTY LEADER Cllr Tony Holmes -Ripley