Car park facelift solves rowdy behaviour

A Clowne car park which was renowned for attracting ‘boy racers’ and anti-social behaviour has seen an £8,000 facelift to help tackle the problems.

Local residents had complained about the problems in the car park adjacent to the Nags Head public house on North Road and local councillor Jim Smith took up their plight.

He managed to secure the funding to install security barriers around the site and a gate which is now locked from 7pm to 7am every night. Also included was the provision that the CCTV camera located in the car park monitors the car park area.

Councillor Jim Smith said, “The car park was becoming a magnet for youngsters to congregate and cause a nuisance of themselves to passers-by and local residents. Youngsters from surrounding areas used to come into Clowne, park up in the car park and cause unruly behaviour, often until the early hours of the morning and it was just becoming ridiculous.

“Since we have installed the new security measures, we have had no problems and not only can local residents enjoy their peaceful nights but it also provides a more secure area for people to park their cars.”

In addition to the security measures, it is also hoped that new paving will be installed at the front of the car park to make the street an even more pleasant environment.

The funding for the scheme came from Bolsover District Council and the Bolsover Community Safety Partnership, in partnership with Clowne Parish Council.

Date issued: 18th December 2009

Are you burning the correct fuel?

Residents across Bolsover district are being reminded to check the fuel they are burning is legal or they could face a fine of up to £1,000.

Under the Clean Air Act local authorities may declare certain areas of their district to be a smoke control area, which helps to reduce pollution in particular concentrations of smoke and associated sulphur dioxide levels which can be harmful to health.

Within a smoke control area only authorised smokeless fuels can be burnt on fireplaces and it is an offence to emit smoke from a chimney and to acquire an unauthorised fuel for use in a smoke control area.

However, some fireplaces are ‘exempt’. This means they have passed tests to confirm that they are capable of burning an unauthorised solid fuel with little or no smoke emission. If you have an ‘exempt’ appliance you can burn unauthorised solid fuels such as coal and wood.

The entire area covered by Bolsover District Council has been declared a smoke control area and details of authorised smokeless fuels and exempt appliances can be found at Smoke Control Areas or by contacting us on 01246 242424 or submit an enquiry form

Date issued: 14th December 2009

Last Updated on Tuesday, 21 December 2010 11:34

Abbie becomes a 'Little Explorer'

Abbie Johnson (11) from Common Lane, Shirebrook is pictured launching the new ’Little Explorers’ soft play centre at Kissingate Leisure Centre.

A competition was held to rename the soft play area at the centre based on a jungle theme. And out of over forty entries Abbie nomination was picked out by the Council Chairman, Councillor Rita Turner.

Councillor Turner said, “There where so many good entries but this one just stood out to me straight away. This is a community facility and we want them to be involved as much as possible, so we decided to let a local youngster name the new soft play centre and we are delighted with the result – well done Abbie.”

For winning the competition, Abbie received a free session at the Little Explorers and invited 10 guests. The ‘Little Explorers’ is a multi-level adventure centre where children can play in a soft, safe play environment which includes a ball pool, slide, jungle ropes and soft play equipment.

For further information or to make a booking at Kissingate Leisure Centre please telephone 01623 748313 or submit an enquiry form

Date issued: 9th December 2009

Last Updated on Tuesday, 21 December 2010 11:33

Town centre investment welcomed by community

A £70,000 investment in Shirebrook town centre has been welcomed by the local community.

Over the past 18-months we have been working with Derbyshire Police, under the umbrella of the Derbyshire Safeguard Scheme, and local businesses to help improve the town centre environment and security in an effort to tackle the ongoing problems of vandalism and anti-social behaviour.

Projects have included clean-ups - which saw an amazing one-hundred tonne of rubbish and fly tipping removed - established an annual flower scheme with hanging baskets and floral displays, and removed graffiti and other unsightly mess.

Also included was the provision of fencing, alley-gating, CCTV and lighting schemes which target the main problem hotspots in the town centre and help protect local businesses.

Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Councillor Alan Tomlinson said, “Local businesses were experiencing problems with vandals and anti-social behaviour in and around their properties and something needed to be done.

“We have already had several businesses thank us for the work done, which just goes to show that with a little investment and by working together many of the problems can be tackled and dealt with. The new schemes have not only provided reassurance and a sense of security to businesses, but they have also created a more pleasant environment for shoppers and the local community to enjoy.”

Richard Burgess Business Crime Prevention Officer at Derbyshire Police said, “Contact was made with all the businesses and full crime prevention surveys were undertaken to reduce the effects of crime to the premises. All the businesses now feel safer and can grow. This has been a well worthwhile project completed in partnership with the district council.”

The funding for the improvements included £50,000 from the Local Enterprise Growth Initiative (LEGI) and £20,000 from Derbyshire Police.

Date issued: 8th December 2009

Council flying flag for energy reductions

With the Copenhagen climate change talk’s just days away, there has never been a more important time to focus on cutting emissions and we are leading the way.

Recently dubbed a best practice council by the Energy Saving Trust, the Council has been working hard to cut its and that of its residents energy costs.

Over the past few months we have:
• built a grass roof on its new Riverside Depot to help save energy by recycling rainwater
• issued 646 energy monitors to its tenants to help cut their fuel bills
• used thermal imaging technology to identify which homes in the district could benefit from insulation work
• installed 96 photovoltaic cells on the roof of its offices to convert light directly into electricity which is then used to provide lighting and power other appliances in the offices
• offered discounted loft and cavity wall insulation to its residents
• started a green fleet review to look at reducing fuel consumption
 
The Energy Saving Trust are so impressed with the excellent work the Council has done on increasing energy efficiency in the area that a case study can now be found on their website.

Denise Marson, Centre Manager for the Energy Saving Trust advice centre for the East Midlands, said, “Bolsover District Council is moving through the Energy Saving Trust’s One-to-One Programme with unique speed, demonstrating dedication to tackling sustainable energy issues.”
 
Cabinet Member for the Environment, Councillor Dennis Kelly said, “We are committed to doing as much as we can to help combat climate change, which includes cutting back on our own as well as our residents’ energy and fuel consumption. The advice and assistance from the Energy Saving Trust has been brilliant, without which we would not have achieved half as much as we have. 

“There are also exciting times ahead as over the coming months we are looking to introduce a lot more energy saving measures and producing information educating people on what simple measures they can do to help reduce their bills and contribute to tackling climate change.”

For further information please telephone 01246 242424 or visit www.est.org.uk

Date issued: 7th December 2009