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DERBYSHIRE IN BRIEF

DERBYSHIRE IN BRIEF

- latest decisions from Derbyshire County Council

For more information about any of these decisions, visit http://www.derbyshire.gov.uk/council/meetings_decisions/meetings/cabinet_meetings/1112011_cabinet.asp

Preventing dehydration and malnutrition in older people: Nationally around three million elderly and vulnerable people are thought to be at risk of malnutrition. Most of them live at home in our communities with the problem only detected when they are admitted into a care home or hospital.

At its Cabinet meeting today (Tuesday 1 November), the county council approved plans for a £100,000 public information campaign to:

o Raise awareness among elderly people, their families, friends and neighbours and the general public about the seriousness of the issue, what to do and how to get help for yourself or someone you care for.

o Promote early intervention and detection by health and social care workers in recognising the problem, actively promoting good nutrition and hydration and helping prevent ill health, accidents, depression and hospital or care home admissions.

o Change behaviour of older people and those who care for them by getting them to shop for and cook food which is suitable for their needs.

The council expects the campaign will result in fewer people being admitted to hospital or residential care saving thousands of pounds in health care and support.

Changes to Off-Street Parking Order covering countryside sites: Earlier this year the county council introduced charges for some countryside car parks. As a result it needs to amend the legal order so it can exempt some vehicles and users from the charge such as official and staff vehicles and emergency services.

The council is also looking to include the access road to the church at Elvaston in the Order as it was left out of the original Order.

Cabinet members agreed to start the process for amending the Order.

New draft off-roading policy in Derbyshire: It’s eight years since Derbyshire County Council published its first Management of Motorised Vehicle Use in the Countryside policy in 2003. Since then, there have been key legislative changes and increased public awareness of the use of vehicles in the countryside.

The revised policy recognises recreational driving is a legitimate activity which should be supported and routes maintained to a suitable standard. It also commits the council to an annual inspection of routes with public motorised vehicular rights.

Now the council will start a 12 week consultation on its revised policy. A future meeting of the Cabinet will consider the outcome of the consultation before the revised policy is finally approved.

Pennine Bridleway National Trail - Natural England grant: Derbyshire County Council has accepted a £74,000 grant from Natural England for further design and survey work on the Pennine Bridleway in Glossop.

This is the second phase of work - by the county council on behalf of Natural England - to the trail to provide an off-road link in Glossop for horse riders, mountain bikers and walkers.

When fully open the 350 mile-long national trail will begin at Middleton Top and Hartington Station and end at Byrness in Northumberland.

Winter maintenance: Changes to the way the county council keeps Derbyshire’s roads clear of snow have been agreed by the county council. The move follows a 12-week public consultation which showed most people supported the changes. Just over 900 people responded with 76% in favour of the council’s plans with 125 people opposed to the changes.

It means the council will press ahead with plans to create primary, secondary and tertiary gritting networks allowing more roads to be gritted and cleared of snow. It will have a 24/7 service, still grit around 1500 miles - 47% - of roads and will be able to target roads at different times of the day and night - rather than mostly at night.

The council’s Cabinet members noted the public response to the plans and approved the new primary, secondary and tertiary networks. The revised winter maintenance arrangements will be reviewed in spring 2012 including consultation with elected members.

Budget monitoring: At the end of September the county council is showing an overall underspend of £3.6 million. A summary of departmental budgets forecasts overspending by adult care and corporate services. Children and younger adults, cultural and community services, corporate resources and chief executives expect to underspend. County council Cabinet members noted the budget position.

Derbyshire Sport and active recreation plan: More talented sports people will be able to compete at national and international levels thanks to a £150,000 grant from Derbyshire County Council. It’s part of a partnership project between Derbyshire County Council, Derby City Council and the University of Derby which aims to help young athletes fulfil their potential.

The three-year funding package is expected to benefit 10 different sports and around 100 individuals who do not receive national sports lottery funding.

Food and drink sector support programme: A three-year plan of events and awards has been agreed by the county council to support Derbyshire’s food and drink industry. As well strengthening links with local businesses, it is looking to reduce annual spending of £50,000 on the programme to £30,000 in 2012 and to zero by 2015 by attracting more commercial support.

But key events such as the Derbyshire Food and Drink Fair will still go ahead by securing increased sponsorship and external funding. Next year’s Food and Drink Fair will again be held at Hardwick Hall on 26 - 27 May and at Calke Abbey for 2013 and 2014.

This year’s Food and Drink Awards are on Wednesday 2 November at Thornbridge Hall.

“Working Families Everywhere” initiative: Five family champions will be appointed by Derbyshire County Council to help transform the lives of families with multiple problems. Part of the Government’s “Working Families Everywhere” campaign, the council successfully secured £185,000 grant to deliver the pilot project in Derbyshire.

Each family champion will work with up to 10 families to help them get into work. The council will target Amber Valley, Erewash, Bolsover and Chesterfield - all areas with high unemployment and higher than average non school attendance and exclusions.

Alfreton Vocational Academy: Rent and rates at the Alfreton Vocational Academy will continue to be subsidised by Derbyshire County Council until October 2013 at a cost of £253, 585.

Used by schools in Amber Valley, the Academy offers vocational courses and state-of-the-art provision in engineering and hairdressing. The subsidy which was agreed by the council’s Cabinet today will continue to be top-sliced from the Derbyshire Schools Grant.

New Adult Care Services: Cash transferred from NHS Derbyshire County will be used by the county council to provide a range of community care services. Around £1 million will be used by the council to secure projects aimed at supporting and improving local people’s health and well-being.

Now the council is set to contract suppliers to deliver:

· Autistic spectrum disorder services - up to £250,000

· Community-based dementia support - up to £350,000

· Mentoring and community support for people with learning disabilities - £300,000

· Footcare services - £50,000

· Local exercise classes for elderly people - £50,000.

Blue Badge scheme: From January, the county council will charge £10 to renew or issue a Blue Badge providing disabled people with priority parking.

Derbyshire has 52,000 Blue Badge holders - one of the highest numbers in the country. A further 5,000 new badges are approved each year. Income from the new charge will be used to offset the £180,000 cost of processing the applications.