Community Archives -

01Jan 2020 by David Hancock No Comments

End of year report from the Lib Dem Chair of Tupton Parish Council

Community

Firstly, a Happy New Year to everyone. As we move into 2020, I’m just over halfway through my year as Chair of Tupton Parish Council, so this is something of a half-term report for me. One of our key objectives has been to make the Parish Council more accessible and more open to public scrutiny. It has been a pleasure to welcome an increasing number of residents, community groups and other visitors to the Parish Council meetings; and the feedback we’ve received has been positive. Following a visit from North East Derbyshire’s Community Partnership Team and Rykneld Homes residents are more aware of the support that can be given to all residents – not just Rykneld tenants – regarding issues of anti-social behaviour affecting Tupton. We will be inviting both…

15Sep 2019 by David Hancock No Comments

Conference 2019: Liberal Democrats set out plans to help young carers

Community, Equality, Health

The Liberal Democrats have today passed new plans to address the pressure faced by young carers, including giving young carers a free bus pass. The party's new Shadow Chancellor, Ed Davey, was himself a young carer for his mother before she passed away when he was 15. Reflecting, he said: "You have to grow up early as a young carer. As we saw today, without adequate support, being a young carer can hurt your life chances. We must demand better." The raft of new policies include reforming the Carers Allowance so young people who undertake more than 21 hours a week of education can qualify for the allowance, and treating being a carer by learning institutes and employers as a diversity issue. Liberal Democrat MP Ed Davey said: "Carers devote much of…

15Jul 2019 by Ross Shipman No Comments

Lib Dems reveal extent of ‘criminal’ Tory police cuts

Community, Home Office, Police

Liberal Democrat analysis of new Home Office figures, has revealed that the Conservative Government cut funding to Derbyshire Police by 6% in real terms between 2015-16 and 2019-20. According to Liberal Democrat analysis, total government funding to all 43 forces (in 2019-20 prices) fell from £8.48 billion in 2015-16 to £7.99 billion in 2019-20. 32 of the 43 forces across the country experienced cuts of 6% or more. Liberal Democrat Home Affairs Spokesperson Ed Davey said:“Across the country, we are seeing rising crime and falling police. Far too many people now feel unsafe walking down their own streets.“Taking 5,000 police off our streets in the last four years and cutting funding in real-terms by £490 million from 2015-16 to 2019-20 are big Tory crimes." Liberal Democrat Group Leader for North East Derbyshire, Cllr Ross…

16Jun 2019 by David Hancock No Comments

Loneliness Awareness Week

Community

North Derbyshire Liberal Democrats are proud to pledge their support to the Marmalade Trust's Loneliness Awareness Week, commencing 17 June 2019. Loneliness is a significant contributory factor in terms of mental health problems; and, for too long, society has stigmatised people for being alone. Our media portrays the "norm" as being part of a couple and, all too often, we only see couples interacting with other couples. There's nothing wrong with a couple (or more) going somewhere with single friends or relations and having a good time - but we're brainwashed into thinking that single people are a spare wheel or a burden - which, of course, simply isn't true. And so Marmalade Trust started Loneliness Awareness Week (LAW) just three years ago. It was really apparent to them that raising awareness is…

02Apr 2019 by David Hancock No Comments

Supporting Families and Communities

2019 Manifesto, Community

A fair society is one in which everyone has the means to get by and the chance to get on. It means being able to provide for your family, afford somewhere to live and work within your community. That’s why we will be focusing on helping more people while saving money. It’s why we will work to build more houses and make them affordable. Moreover, it’s why we will empower communities to run their services – free from the interference. Other local authorities have looked at new ways to support community groups and projects that provide a vital service, and by learning from the success stories and working with our neighbours, we can build a brighter North Derbyshire. One person on the streets is one too many, that’s why a…

06Mar 2019 by David Hancock No Comments

Proposed Development of 67 Houses will effectively merge Tupton and Wingerworth

Community, Housing

Cllr David Hancock has again slammed Labour's lack of a local plan and the Conservatives' aggressive planning policies as Tupton and Wingerworth face yet another proposed development, which would effectively merge the two villages. Speaking with Wings magazine's John Winter, Cllr Hancock said: "I have raised concerns on numerous occasions that the continuing development of Wingerworth and Tupton will lead to the whole area becoming a suburb of Chesterfield city. This proposal is the final step towards merging Tupton and Wingerworth - even the initial application letter announces the developer's intention that the Wingerworth based site be considered an extension of Tupton. This is simply not acceptable. "I have the good fortune to represent sizable areas of both villages and they have their own unique identities and that needs to…

10Jan 2019 by Ross Shipman No Comments

LETTER: Lib Dem’s slam inappropriate location for travellers site in Wingerworth

Community, Consultation

Dear Neighbour You may be aware that the piece of land on the corner of Greenway is currently being considered for use, by the Labour-run District Council, as a traveller site. Presently; the District Council is trying to rush through its local plan because of pressure from the Conservatives’ overly aggressive planning policies; which is leading to inappropriate over development of our area and poorly considered planning decisions like this. While I’m sure you will agree that there is a need for proper travellers’ sites; these sites need to be in the right locations to accommodate the needs of both travellers and existing residents. The site is expected to hold 4 caravan plots; which will require access off the A61. The Lib Dems don’t believe that Greenway is an appropriate…

11Nov 2018 by David Hancock No Comments

Remembrance Day 2018

Community

"Nearly every family in this country has a relative who was killed or injured in the Great War." Vince Cable said, "My maternal grandfather was badly wounded, taken prisoner and his health was permanently damaged. Today we remember them and we honour their sacrifice." Around North Derbyshire our teams have been involved in the centenary Remembrance Day services. Here are ust a few of the pictures we've been sent by our members.

26Oct 2018 by Ross Shipman No Comments

Second Labour Council condemned for ‘pathetic’ local plan consultation

Business, Community, Consultation, Economics, Education, Environment, Housing, Traffic

Research by the Liberal Democrats reveal that less than 1% of the North East Derbyshire District responded to the consultation on the local plan, which the authority has recently submitted to the planning inspectorate for approval at the inquiry in November.1034 individuals and organisations submitted 2263 representations, 57% (1034) were objections to the Labour authorities local plan with only 14% (298) expressing support for Labour's local plan. 43% of the respondents were submitted by Dronfield Residents.During the consultation, North East Derbyshire District Council held events around the District, the Freedom of Information request shows that only 231 out of over 100,000 population attended those events across North East Derbyshire. Lib Dem Spokesperson for North East Derbyshire and Bolsover, Ross Shipman said: "This is the second local Labour Council to have clearly…

23Dec 2017 by David Hancock No Comments

A Seasonal Message

Community, Housing

North Derbyshire Liberal Democrats would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. A week ago, our part leader, Vince Cable, sent out his Christmas message to all Lib Dem members. It is a powerful message and one we believed worth sharing with the wider public - whether you're a Lib Dem or not I'm sure it will have meaning to you. Homelessness is an increasing problem in the UK. Many of us in North Derbyshire work and or shop in Chesterfield. Whilst that comes under the remit of Chesterfield Borough Council, none of us can fail to be moved by the number of people living, and sleeping, on the streets. Whatever your political beliefs, I'm sure this is one issue where we can, hopefully, unite and…