Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page. Savings proposals announcedNext steps for County HallAre you a carer?Library of thingsThink which service – winter campaignElvaston Castle temporary closureMend, donate, sell or recycleViolence against women surveySavings proposals announcedWe’ve announced a number of proposals which, if agreed, could save the council millions of pounds and support the setting of a balanced budget. In common with authorities across the country, we are facing budgetary pressures far greater than experienced before, due to factors beyond our control. These include dealing with higher than anticipated inflation and higher prices for fuel, energy and materials, meeting the cost of the national pay award set nationally but met locally, and the continued unprecedented increase in demand for vital adults’ and children’s social care services.As well as a current forecast overspend for 2023-24 of £33m, there’s a predicted shortfall of £39.5m in our budget for the year ahead (2024-25) which has resulted in the savings proposals being put forward.The announcement earlier this week and accompanying report which will be considered by our Cabinet on 11 January, sets out how we intend to make savings and set a balanced budget for 2024-25. The report includes proposals that will be subject to our Scrutiny process, and the proposals will be considered by the Improvement and Scrutiny Committee – Resources, later this month (22 Jan 2024) before being considered further by Cabinet.Announcing the report, County Council Leader Councillor Barry Lewis and Deputy Leader Councillor Simon Spencer said they had been left with no choice but to put forward the raft of multi-million-pound savings proposals which, if agreed, would affect many services used by thousands of Derbyshire residents.All the proposals will be subject to close scrutiny and no decisions have yet been made. Any proposal which could potentially affect residents will be subject to public engagement and or full public consultation where appropriate.Next steps for County HallWe’re considering redeveloping our headquarters at County Hall in Matlock. After successfully engaging with developers and hotel operators, and working with specialist architects HLM Architects and Realestateworks over the past year, a preferred option for the whole County Hall complex has been developed, which includes:turning the south block of County Hall and the Winter Gardens into a hotel and events venuecreating new homes in the north block and the south west car parkbuilding a new, low carbon office on the site to accommodate up to 500 council employees.During the summer of 2023 expressions of interest were sought from developers, hotel operators and others for their ideas on options for the future of the historic complex of buildings, and the information gained has been used to develop an outline business case, which our Cabinet is set to consider on 11 January.Our overriding objective is to deliver the best outcome for the long-term use of the complex so that it contributes to the vitality of the town of Matlock and makes a significant ongoing contribution to the economy of the area. If the proposals are approved work will continue over the coming months and years to develop the project.Are you a carer?Do you care for someone who couldn’t cope without your help? If so, we have a range of carer support services to help you with your caring role. A carer is anyone including children and adults who provide unpaid support with day to day living tasks or personal care to a family member, partner or friend.The person they care for could be ill, frail, suffers from a physical or mental health condition or impairment, is autistic, living with dementia, drug, or alcohol dependent.Our carers support service – which is delivered by Derbyshire Carers Association (DCA) on our behalf – includes:information, advice, and guidanceindividual support, including face to face, home visits and telephone supportcarers’ assessments and support planning, which may include a carers’ personal budgetsupport with emergency planningtraining and learningcarers’ support groups and events around the countyadvice on taking a break from caringfree legal advice for carers in association with Ashton Bond Giggvolunteering opportunities.Click ‘find out more’ below for help, advice, and support or call DCA on 01773 833 833. Follow DCA on Facebook and X for news, updates, and events. Library of things Ever needed a tool or piece of equipment to do a job around the house or garden but don’t want to buy something you’ll never use again?Our library in Buxton is lending a helping hand to Transition Buxton by hosting a ‘Library of Things’ which will be officially launched at 11am on Tuesday 30 January.There are more than 70 Library of Things across the country and the idea is that you borrow things that you only need occasionally rather than buying them. Items like carpet cleaners, hedge trimmers, drills, tents, pressure washers etc. It’s a great way to save money and resources. Transition Buxton has been busy gathering items and recruiting volunteers. Items so far collected include electric jigsaws and drills, garden equipment, a projector, cat carrying box and a work bench. Maybe you have something to donate, you want to volunteer to help or you’d like to come along to the launch and see what’s on offer? You’d be welcome to get involved.There will be a charge of £5 for membership to the Library of Things, £2.50 for the unwaged. Donations to borrow items will be welcomeThink which service – winter campaignOur colleagues in health are encouraging everyone to “think which service” is right for their needs as the winter season starts to bite.Winter puts extra pressure on the health and care system as seasonal illnesses and ailments circulate and the cold weather worsens some health conditions.By launching the ‘Think’ campaign, NHS Derby and Derbyshire is reminding residents there are lots of places where you can get help with health problems, including:Pharmacies – for coughs, colds, flu, aches, pains, rashes, ear and eye care, stomach ache and urinary tract infections among other ailments.NHS 111 Online – if you or someone you’re with has a medical problem that isn’t life-threatening but requires immediate help. Or call NHS 111.GPs – if you have persistent, recurring problems that are not improving with self care.Urgent Treatment Centres (UTC) – for urgent, but not life-threatening conditions such as sprains and strains, suspected broken bones, high temperatures in children and adults and mental health concerns. There are five across Derbyshire and DerbyHospital Emergency Dept – for serious or life-threatening injuries and illnesses such as signs of a heart attack or stroke, severe difficulty breathing, heavy bleeding, seizure or sudden confusionElvaston Castle temporary closureIf you were planning on visiting Elvaston Castle, we’re sorry but it remains closed until further notice, including the café, shop and car park, due to the risk of falling trees and branches following recent high winds. Flooding after heavy rain, including Storm Henk, continues to affect the park and surrounding villages.Our specialist tree teams are working as quickly as possible in difficult weather conditions to deal with the damage and clear debris and we’re asking people to avoid the area for their own safety.We’d like to thank everyone for staying away while this crucial work is carried out to make the country park safe for visitors and apologise for any inconvenience.You can follow Elvaston Castle Country Park on Facebook for updates.Mend, donate, sell or recycle Decluttering after Christmas and new year? Here are some good homes for your stuff!If broken, can it be mended free of charge at one of the 18 Repair Cafes in Derbyshire?do you have local What’s App and Facebook groups where items can be sold, exchanged or given away? These are often good for rehoming toys, which can also be donated to charity shops, or put in a toy bank at one of our Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRCs) (all sites except Waterswallows in Buxton).Recycle at one of our HWRCs or in your kerbside collectionPlease pre-sort your waste before visiting any of the sites.Broken electricals. Remove any batteries as these can be a fire hazard and there’s a special container for them onsite, next to the skip for the electricals. Large retailers like supermarkets who sell batteries, will also have containers for recycling used batteriesand other places local to you that recycle electricals and take used batteries can be found herepesky polystyrene – it can’t be recycled yet. Please remove it from cardboard boxes before recycling themonly put paper and card that is clean and dry in your recycling bin. Anything containing food residue or food stains can’t be recycled.Violence against women surveyDerbyshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner is asking for your help to shape and develop the Derbyshire Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy by filling in and sharing its latest survey.The Violence Against Women and Girls Survey is open until February 2024 and is designed to help assess the progress made so far and to realign the strategy which was launched last year. |
