DOG TO BE DESTROYED

The dog that bit a 78year old woman in her garden on Breedon Street, Long Eaton is to be destroyed. The woman was bitten on the hand and knee and she was treated for shock as well as the injuries at Derby Royals A&E department. The incident occurred at 10.30am on Saturday February 1st. Southern Derbyshire Magistrates' Court heard that the dog, named Lola, was already subject to a voluntary control order following a previous incident. The bench imposed a destruction order on the dog. The dog owner was fined and ordered to pay compensation.

REGISTER TO VOTE

The Police and Crime Commissioner elections for Derbyshire will take place on Thursday 7th May, and Erewash Borough Council is encouraging as many residents as possible to register to vote by the deadline of midnight on 21st April 2020. 

If you are not already registered to vote, the easiest way to register is online at www.gov.uk/registertovote.  You will need your National Insurance number when you register. Alternatively, contact the Erewash elections team on 0115 907 1190 or email electreg@erewash.gov.uk to obtain the relevant application form, complete it and return to the Elections Office at Ilkeston Town Hall.  The last date for postal applications at the election is 5pm on Wednesday 22nd April. For residents wishing to vote by proxy at the election, applications must be received by 5pm Wednesday 29th April. To find out more about this important election please visit https://www.derby.gov.uk/council-and-democracy/councillors-democracy-elections/local-elections/

IN HONOUR OF VE DAY

Erewash residents planning to mark the 75th anniversary of VE Day with a street party on Friday 8th May have the chance to apply for funding to help with their commemorations.

Erewash Borough Council has confirmed that grants of between £50 and £200 are available to support street parties in the borough have until 5pm on Friday 27th March to apply. The anniversary day has been declared as a Bank Holiday for the nation to salute and remember the historic Victory in Europe – and it is expected that some residents and groups will want to honour the occasion by holding street parties. Grants are only on offer for events taking place on Friday 8th May and can be used to help with things like bunting, entertainment, table and chair hire and food and drink (non-alcoholic). Councillor Val Clare, Erewash Borough Council’s Lead Member for Community Engagement, says:

“We are delighted to be able to offer this support, which will give some extra sparkle to what will be a poignant occasion. Street parties bring communities together and this anniversary will enable residents to experience the celebration the nation felt 75 years ago at Victory in Europe and peace at last – while also, of course, remembering all those who gave their lives and never returned.”

Full details of how to apply and what the grants may be used for are on the council’s website www.erewash.gov.uk/vedaygrants and party planners are urged to put in their applications for funding as soon as possible. Where events are to be held on a street an application for a Road Closure Order must be submitted and this information is also available on the council’s website.

• Residents will also be able to pay their VE Day tributes at wreath-laying commemorations at Ilkeston Cenotaph and Long Eaton War Memorial on Friday 8 May. Ilkeston Brass and Long Eaton Silver Prize Band will entertain from 2.30pm-3pm before pausing for the laying of remembrance wreaths at 3pm The bands will then play again from 3.15pm to 3.45pm.

COUNCIL TAX 2020-21

A recommendation that Erewash Borough Council raises its share of council tax for 2020/21 by £5 per annum for a Band D property is expected to be sent to the council’s budget setting meeting on Thursday 5th March. Councillors at a meeting of Council Executive next week (18th February) look set to support the proposal which, if agreed, will mean an increase of 9p per week on the council’s charge for a Band D property.

The council has worked hard to keep the proposed increase in its share of the Council Tax bill to a minimum despite local authorities across the country continuing to face financially challenging times. The budget proposals include savings of approximately £1m in staff costs and work continues to achieve further significant savings. Councillor Wayne Major, Erewash Borough Council’s Deputy Leader and Lead Member for Resources, says:

“The latest savings show our commitment to do whatever we can to find effective and efficient ways of meeting the continuing financial pressures. We have worked very hard over the last few years to balance our budgets and we are well aware of the very tough challenges ahead – but we assure residents that we remain committed to providing the best service we can for them.”

The proposed £5 increase would mean that the council’s charge for a Band D property would increase from £186.59 to £191.59 per annum. Only 11% of the total council tax bill goes towards paying for the Borough Council services. Council tax payers also have to pay an amount for services provided by Derbyshire County Council, the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, Derbyshire Fire and Rescue and Parish Councils – Erewash has no control over the charges set by these organisations.

The meeting of Council Executive is at Long Eaton Town Hall on Tuesday 18th February at 10.30am. The budget-setting Full Council meeting is at Ilkeston Town Hall on Thursday 5th March at 7pm.

CHARGING AHEAD

Electric vehicle charging points have now been installed in three Erewash Borough Council car parks.  Charging points - where one electric vehicle can be charged at one time – are now available at Long Eaton Train Station and the town’s Gibb Street car park.  In Ilkeston, one charging unit is available, along with two dedicated electric vehicle parking bays, at the Pimlico town centre car park. The units are all rapid chargers and the bays are clearly marked. Drivers will need to get a pay and display ticket for their vehicle while they use the bay to charge their car.

PHOTO: Councillor Michael Powell, Lead Member for Regeneration and Planning, at the new electric vehicle charging bay in the Gibb Street car park in Long Eaton.

Erewash was allocated £107,000 to install the charge points – funding that came from Nottingham City Council, following its successful bid for £6.12m of government money to become one of four Go Ultra Low Cities. The City Council is managing the project with BP Chargemaster as the delivery partner. More information about where electric vehicles can be charged can be found at www.chargeyourcar.org.uk/d2n2

The move follows the installation of contactless payment machines in Erewash Borough Council car parks to make life easier for drivers. In Ilkeston town centre, contactless payment is now available at two of the three pay machines in the Albion Centre car park; both machines at Pimlico; and the pay machines at Queen Street and South Street car parks. Rail commuters have also had a boost at Long Eaton Train Station, where they can pay contactless at both machines. Erewash Borough Council’s Lead Member for Regeneration and Planning, Councillor Michael Powell, said:

  

  “This is an encouraging step forward for both vehicle users in the borough and the environment. The money allocated from Nottingham City Council should go a long way in helping make lives easier for drivers. Providing charging points will also send a positive message that electric vehicles are becoming more commonplace and having access to charging points locally will be of great benefit.”