We have approved plans for the retention of a riding school and trekking centre in Creswell.

The Planning Committee heard a proposal for the retention of an equestrian centre - providing rising lessons and trekking services - including the retention of a manege with floodlighting and the temporary use of a portacabin as a reception.

The manege measures 21.3m wide x 41m long and will be bounded by post and rail fencing for the safety of the horses and riders. The riding school attracts thousands of visitors each year, offering treks through local woodlands and tourist attractions for complete novices to experienced riders.

The facility employs seven people and helps boost the local tourist trade through the numbers of people visiting the site every year.

Located at a former farmstead at Bank House Farm, Mansfield Road, the Committee debated the application and approved it subject to a number of conditions including; the use be limited to 8am and 8pm, the floodlighting only be used between 8am and 8pm from October to April, a soakaway be provided within one month to take drainage away from the manege and the portacabin be removed after two years.

Date issued: 23rd May 2013

Notes to Editors:
1. The planning application can be viewed on our E-agenda's website - and was approved as recommended with the exception of condition 6, which has been removed.

Plans to knock down 49 tarran style bungalows and erect 95 dwellings in their place in New Houghton have received the go-ahead from the Council.

Our Planning Committee heard the application, which will see a complete redesign of the estate. The development will see the old, pre-fabricated tarran bungalows on Moorgate Avenue, Meden Avenue, Appleby Road and Occupation Road replaced with 95 properties, of which the Council will purchase 20 two-bedroom bungalows, 11 two-bedroom houses and 4 three-bedroom houses.
 
The remaining properties will be sold as market housing and affordable homes to help meet the villages local housing need but also meet the wider housing need for good affordable accommodation.

The redevelopment of the estate has been designed to a high standard, achieving Building for Life assessment of 12 greens (see notes to editors) and will see new footpaths installed to help create better links to the village, the recreation ground and the local amenities and new environmental improvements.

The development must now start within three years of the date of the permission being granted, but will be done in three phases to allow those still occupying properties in this area to move straight into their new homes.

Date issued: 23rd May 2013

Notes to Editors:
1. Building for Life 12 is the industry standard, endorsed by Government, for well-designed homes and neighbourhoods. Building for Life 12 stimulates a conversation between local communities, local authorities and developers about creating great places to live. 2. The planning application can be viewed on our E-Agenda pages.

A Langwith woman who wrongly claimed £3,800 in benefits has been successfully prosecuted and received a criminal record.

A joint investigation by Bolsover District Council and The Department for Work and Pensions, resulted in Tracey May (34) of East View, Langwith, appearing at North East Derbyshire and Dales Magistrates Court on 13th May 2013 to answer a case of wrongly claiming Income Support, Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit. 

She pleaded guilty to claiming over £3,800 in benefits between March and November of 2012. May, had been claiming benefits as a single parent but in actual fact, she had been living with a partner who was in employment and she knowingly failed to declare this, contrary to Section 112 of The Social Security Administration Act 1992. She was given a conditional discharge and ordered to pay £100 costs and also has to repay the benefits she wrongly claimed. 

Cabinet Member for Customer Services, Councillor Rose Bowler said, “We take benefit theft very seriously and no one should think they can get away with it. This is the latest in a line of recent court cases where it has shown that by working with our partners we can catch and will take action against those who blatantly flout the law and this person now has to live with the fact that she has a criminal record.”

If you know of anyone who you suspect is committing benefit fraud, then please contact the Council, on 01246 242444 or email fraud@bolsover.gov.uk

Date issued: 22nd May 2013

Thousands of residents across Bolsover District and Chesterfield Borough Council are being asked for their help to identify the future housing needs in the area.

Working with GL Hearn, the two Council’s will be sending out a Housing Needs Survey to a sample of 20,000 households across the area – designed to capture a current picture of the local housing market and the housing needs of its residents.

The questionnaire is anonymous and households have been selected using a random sample based on their electoral ward.

Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Councillor Alan Tomlinson said, “Housing needs across the area have changed quite a lot recently so this is a very important survey for us as the results will help us identify what type of housing we have and what type of housing we need in the future.”

Councillor Jim McManus, Chesterfield Borough Council's Executive Member for Housing said  ''The best way for us to identify what type of housing will be needed in the future and where it should be built is to ask our residents.  If you do receive a survey please complete and return it, as this information will ensure that we build the right homes for the future''.

The results will provide an insight into the kinds of housing that local people want and need, and will be used to help shape the Council’s services over the coming years and provide detailed information on issues such as price, tenure and property size.

Residents who receive the survey are being urged to complete it in full and return it by the deadline in the pre-paid envelope so they can be entered into a prize draw to win £100.

For more information, please contact Sarah Clow, Housing Strategy and Enabling Manager at Bolsover District Council on  or 01246 242582 or James Crouch, Strategy & Policy Officer at Chesterfield Borough Council or 01246 345150.

Date issued: 20th May 2013

Our Oxcroft Lane housing redevelopment has been named in the top 50 UK housing developments completed in 2012 by national industry magazine, Inside Housing.

With social landlords playing an increasingly important role in supplying the UK’s homes, the list was compiled by a panel of judges who scrutinised a stack of entries to find affordable and social housing projects that really stand out.

The £3.8 million development saw 20 defective bungalows demolished and replaced with 15 bungalows and 20 general needs homes, 29 of which are affordable homes.

The developer, (Kier Partnerships) had to be innovative when funding, which had been secured, was revoked due to the change of government and thinking. A quick redesign and resubmission of a new project to the Homes and Communities Agency secured £2.2 million national affordable housing programme funding.

The report also highlighted the consultation as an excellent element of the scheme, stating that ‘Knocking down people’s homes is never easy but, thanks to good consultation with existing residents’, judges felt the developers handled this scheme sensitively.’

Cabinet Member for Housing Management, Councillor Karl Reid said, “We are obviously delighted to have been named in the top fifty schemes and to be one of only four Councils to have been recognised is a great achievement for us. We have always been committed to providing affordable accommodation for our local communities and to create twenty-nine brand new affordable homes from this scheme is a prime example of this.

“One of our biggest concerns was keeping the tenants informed, so together with the developers, we spent a lot of time and effort in talking to our tenants and developing the scheme to meet their needs and by being named in this list proves we achieved this.”

“We are an ambitious Council and have already approved a new scheme at New Houghton that will see new council owned houses and bungalows built and are nearing completion of a development at Langwith for new council bungalows.”

Date issued: 20th May 2013

Please note that the minutes for each committee are not available until the following committee agenda is published below.

Council Leader, Eion Watts has named his new Cabinet for the forthcoming year with two new members taking up positions on it.

Councillor Eion Watts remains as Leader, a position he has held since 2003, and has overall responsibility for finance and policy. Councillors Karl Reid and Rose Bowler are the new members on the Cabinet and replace Councillors Duncan McGregor and Keith Bowman who have both stepped down from the Cabinet.

The Cabinet (Executive) – the ruling group responsible for guiding the Council in agreeing policy and making sure it achieves its aims and objectives – has seven councillors on it.

Councillor Eion Watts is responsible for choosing his Cabinet and allocating them with a portfolio. These are as follows:

• Councillor Eion Watts – Council Leader, Finance and Policy
• Councillor Alan Tomlinson – Council Deputy Leader and Regeneration
• Councillor Rose Bowler – Customer Service
• Councillor Karl Reid – Housing Management
• Councillor Brian Murray-Carr – Community Safety
• Councillor Dennis Kelly – Environment
• Councillor Ann Syrett – Social Inclusion

Councillor Eion Watts said, “We have two new Cabinet Members who will bring with them a new approach and fresh ideas, so we are really looking forward to working with them and getting stuck into our work over the next year. Growth and investment in the District is one of our top priorities this year and I feel we have the right blend of knowledge, skill and experience in our Cabinet to achieve our aims.

“However, we know it won’t be easy as we have to save over one-million pounds again in the next few years, so we have some tough decisions to make. But we are ambassadors for the people we represent and we must make sure these decisions are taken in the best interests of the Council, the District as a whole and more importantly for the residents we represent.”

The remaining thirty councillors will serve on the Scrutiny Committees and act as a 'watchdog' with powers to call in and challenge Cabinet decisions and service plans and have a major responsibility to hold Cabinet to account for its actions.
 
Date issued: 15th May 2013

Dog owners across Bolsover District are being given the chance to get their dog microchipped and receive pet health advice for free as a mobile pet checking unit is touring the area in June.

The PDSA Health Check Roadshow is once again rolling into Bolsover District to offer free dog check-ups which will cover their weight, eyes, teeth, ears, coat condition and general fitness, all undertaken by an experienced veterinary nurse.

In addition to the veterinary nurse, our Dog Warden will also be on hand to provide free microchipping to dogs, something which is going to become compulsory for all dogs in 2016!

We will also be offering responsible dog ownership advice, canine behavioural advice and giving out free poop scoop bags at each of the roadshows.

Cabinet Member for the Environment, Councillor Dennis Kelly said, “These roadshows are great. They give dog owners the chance to come and get their pet checked over and microchipped for free whilst also being able to talk to an expert about any problems or concerns they have with their dog.

“An added advantage this year is that we are also offering free microchipping, something which is being made law in 2016. This will give owners the assurance that should their dog become lost (or stolen) it is more likely to be returned to you safe and sound and it also helps us deal with stray dogs more effectively as we can trace the owner.”

The Pet Check unit will be available on the following days and locations:

• Tuesday, 4th June 2013, 9am – 4pm - Peter Fidler Nature Reserve Car Park, Riverside Way, Bolsover
• Wednesday, 5th June 2013, 9am – 4pm - Shirebrook Marketplace, Shirebrook
• Thursday, 6th June 2013, 9am – 4pm - Tesco car park, Mill Street, Clowne
• Friday, 7th June 2013, 9am – 4pm - The Hub Car Park, Shiners Way, South Normanton,

For more information please telephone 01246 242424 or complete our on-line form.

Date issued: 14th May 2013

A Glapwell man has been successfully prosecuted by Bolsover District Council for claiming over £2,000 in benefits he was not entitled too!

Following an investigation by Bolsover District Council, Adam Scorcese (44), of Rowthorne Lane, Glapwell, pleaded guilty at North East Derbyshire and Dales Magistrates Court to receiving Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit totalling over £2,300, whilst he was working. 

Scorcese was sentenced under Section 112 of the Social Security Administration Act 1992. He was ordered to pay a fine of £100, costs of £200 and a £15 Victim Surcharge. He must also repay the benefits he was not entitled to.

Cabinet Member for Corporate Resources, Councillor Duncan McGregor said, “This is another example of someone claiming money that is not rightfully theirs. Benefit cheats take money intended for the most vulnerable in our society and the public, quite rightly get angry about such behaviour and with their support we are closing in on and catching these individuals.”

If you know of anyone who you suspect is committing benefit fraud, then please contact the Council, on 01246 242444 or email fraud@bolsover.gov.uk

Date issued: 14th May 2013

We are urging residents in Bolsover to attend our latest sports session aimed at encouraging more people to take part in sport or physical activity.

On Wednesday 15th May 2013 Back to Rounders sessions will start at The Bolsover School. The sessions will take place every Wednesday from 6.30-7.30pm on the school field for males and females aged 14 and above for the next 10 weeks.

Individuals are able to attend their first session for free, with sessions costing £3 per session thereafter.

The aim of the new sessions is to encourage individuals to get back into the sport which they may have played at school, as well as providing an opportunity for people to try the sport for the first time. Rounders is a great social sport and people are invited to come along with their friends, work colleagues or family members.

Funding for the sessions has been obtained through Rounders England, with the aim of increasing the number of individuals 14+ participating in Rounders. 

Participants are asked to register their interest before the first session by calling 01246 242364 or completing our on-line form.

We also stage a number of other Return2sport sessions including basketball, badminton and hockey. For more information please telephone 01246 242364.

Date issued: 9th May 2013