Failure to declare £20,000 lands former Clowne woman in court

A former Clowne woman who failed to declare she had £20,000 worth of capital whilst claiming benefits has been successfully prosecuted by Bolsover District Council and the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).

Marion Slaney (53), formerly of College View, Clowne, pleading guilty at Worksop Magistrates Court on 9th May 2012 to failing to declare capital of £20,000 when she made claims for benefit. 

She was fined £100 and in addition ordered to pay costs of £100 and a £15 victim surcharge and was convicted under Section 112(1A) of the Social Security Administration Act 1992. She was overpaid Income Support, Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit totalling £2,625 and repaid this amount prior to attending Court.

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

Date issued: 15th May 2012

Benefit investigation leads to Clowne woman being found guilty

A Clowne woman who claimed over £5,000 in benefits she was not entitled to has been successfully prosecuted by Bolsover District Council and the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).

Following the joint investigation, Helen Read (35) of Rhodes Cottages, Clowne, appeared at North East Derbyshire and Dales Magistrates Court on 3rd May 2012. She had earlier pleaded guilty to failing to declare she was working at a care home from May 2010 whilst claiming Income Support and Council Tax Benefit, in breach of Section 112 (1A) of The Social Security Administration Act 1992. 

The total amount of benefits overpaid to Helen Read between 28th May 2010 and 21st November 2011 amounted to just over £5,000. 

Cabinet Member for Corporate Resources, Councillor Duncan McGregor said, “Five thousand pounds is a lot of money, money that could actually go to help those who need it and not someone who is in work. I am still astounded that people think they can get away with this type of behaviour. But be warned - our investigators are working closely with the DWP and we will catch and take action against anyone found to be claiming money illegally.”

Helen Read received a Community Order requiring her to complete 140 hours unpaid work and was ordered to repay costs of £100 at £5 per week. She will also have to repay all the benefits she was not entitled to.

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: 10th May 2012

Spireites To Help With New Midnight League

Our coaches together with Chesterfield FC Community Trust are delivering free football sessions in Bolsover and Creswell two nights a week as part of a new Midnight League programme and local youngsters are invited to come along.

Funded by the Coalfields Regeneration Trust and supported by the Football League Trust the Midnight League scheme will see the coaches work with youngsters aged 12 - 19 years on a Thursday and Friday evening for next 12 months.

The free football sessions, which start this week, take place at the following locations in the Bolsover area:

• Friday: 8.00pm until 10.00pm - Creswell Model Village Recreation Ground
• Saturday: 8.00pm until 10.00pm - Castle Leisure Park (Carr Vale, Bolsover)

Midnight Leagues encourage some of the most at risk young people in coalfield areas to engage in a more positive activity in the evenings through organised football leagues at community facilities.

Although called Midnight Leagues, the football sessions actually take place at various times in the evenings. The main aim is to offer young people a positive and healthy option in their free time, where they can enjoy themselves in a safe and enjoyable environment. This has in turn resulted in a noticeable reduction in anti-social behaviour in communities where the Midnight Leagues are being delivered.

The activities are being provided in association with Chesterfield FC and are free for participants to access. It is also planned to provide some music related activities in the future

Spireites Head of Community John Croot  said: "We are very grateful to the support of the Coalfields Regeneration Trust and the Football League Trust to enable us to start these new sessions in Bolsover and Creswell.

"Our coaches are really looking forward to working with 100's of local young people in the Bolsover District area for at least the next 12 months. The strongest proof of the Midnight Leagues’ success has been the comments from the young people who have been involved in other former mining areas. 

“All have been extremely positive, saying that they would like the leagues to continue and many pointing out that, through the Leagues, not only have football skills improved but new friendships have been formed.”

 For more information about the CRT Midnight Leagues please telephone 01246 593067 or complete our general enquiry on-line form.

Date issued: 4th May 2012

Last Updated on Friday, 04 May 2012 13:48

Advice after catalytic converters are stolen from vehicles in Bolsover and North East Derbyshire 

Police in Bolsover and North East Derbyshire are advising motorists about security after eight catalytic converters have been stolen in the past two weeks.

The most recent incident took place overnight between Tuesday, April 24 and Wednesday, April 25. A catalytic converter was stolen from a Renault Master van which was parked on North Street in Langwith. Thieves also targeted a Iveco Daily van parked in a yard off Nethermoor Lane, Killamarsh in early hours of Tuesday, April 24.

A number of incidents have also happened in Duckmanton and Eckington. Police are currently investigating the thefts but are also advising motorists to take extra measures to avoid becoming a victim.

Community Safety Partnership Sgt. Paul Smith said: “We would ask people to be vigilant and to contact us if they see anyone acting suspiciously around vehicles, especially vans and 4x4s. Information including descriptions of people or the cars they are travelling in could be key and could help officers to investigate any reports or thefts.”

Owners should:

• Keep vehicles in a locked garage whenever possible
• Park in a well-lit area
• Consider installing a good quality CCTV system or security lighting to cover your driveway or garage which would make vehicles visible from the street but without creating glare
• Avoid parking near trees or bushes which could provide cover for a thief
• If your catalytic converter is bolted on then consider having the bolts welded shut
• A protective covering for your catalytic converter may be available and will make it more difficult for the part to be stolen
• Tell your neighbours and friends to make them aware so they can keep an eye out for suspicious activity or review their own security
• Etching your catalytic converter with a serial number will help police to track it back to you and could help officers to secure a prosecution.

Businesses should also consider:

• Defensive parking: If you own a fleet, block high clearance vehicles with low clearance vehicles. It may slow or make it more difficult for thieves to get underneath them
• Surveillance: Businesses may want to install video cameras or live surveillance specialists, who can alert police to any suspicious activity
• Fencing: Place fencing around your vehicles to help deter any opportunist thieves and will slow them down.

To report suspicious activity call Derbyshire police on 101, the non-emergency number. You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously with information about crime on 0800 555 111.

Date Issued: 26th April 2012

(Source - Derbyshire Police)

Last Updated on Wednesday, 02 May 2012 09:45

Two New Sportivate Sessions Launched 

Two new sporting sessions have been launched this week as part of our Sportivate project.

Sportivate Get into Volleyball and Bounce Back Trampoline sessions are now taking place and are aimed at getting young people back into sport or participating in a new sporting activity.

Sportivate Get into Volleyball sessions are held every Tuesday at Heritage High School in Clowne from 7-8pm for males and females aged 16+ for the next 7-weeks and cost just £2 to attend. 

The sessions are aimed at individuals who may never have tried Volleyball before and are looking for a new challenge, as well as those that may have participated previously, with the emphasis being on fun and meeting new people. To book onto the course please telephone Howard Tomlinson on 01246 593097.

The second session, Sportivate Bounce Back to Trampolining, have also started for girls and ladies at Shirebrook Academy.  Sessions run on a Wednesday from 6-7pm for 11-18 years olds and 7-8pm for 16+, cost is £3.  Places are limited so individuals are asked to phone to pre book by calling Laura Stephen on 01246 593098.

Cabinet Member for Social Inclusion, Councillor Ann Syrett said, “These new sessions are aimed at getting people back into sport and doing some sort of physical activity. The sports chosen are not usual mainstream ones as we want to give people something different to try and participate in. The sessions are led by qualified coaches who will ensure people have the opportunity to learn new skills – so what are you waiting for, register on a course today to start getting fit whilst having fun!”

If anyone requires further details of the Sportivate programmes which will be running throughout Bolsover District in 2012 telephone 01246 593066.

Date issued: 23rd April 2012