WASTE NOT WANT NOT

Local residents are being urged to back the nationwide effort that encourages people to reduce waste in these challenging times when resources are stretched to the limit. In Erewash, the borough council is focusing its efforts on household waste and recycling collections – but has appealed to residents for their help in these unprecedented times by adapting to the changed circumstances that everyone is experiencing. The challenge facing everyone is to minimise the household waste and look at ways of packing or reducing recyclable waste. By doing this, residents can make a valuable contribution to the community-wide effort to help refuse collections continue as efficiently as possible. Here are some very simple key messages where you can help:

• Please don’t put recyclable waste in black bins. This takes up space in the collection vehicles needed for general household rubbish. Crush down all recycling items you are putting in blue bins/green bags. For example, flatten cardboard boxes and plastic bottles/cartons – don’t just throw them straight in the bin. This way you will create more space.
• The government has issued a plea for householders not to burn recyclable waste.
• As tempting as it is, avoid big clear-outs at this time unless you have somewhere to store all the items you could recycle or send to a charity shop once things return to normal.
• Make the most of the food you have. Be a champion of the ‘don’t waste food’ campaign.
• Do not be tempted to use ‘waste cowboys’ to get rid of your rubbish. The household recycling centres are currently closed, so the waste will almost certainly be fly-tipped. There has been an increase in fly-tipping across the country and this is not acceptable.

 Erewash Borough Council’s Lead Member for Environment, Councillor Garry Hickton, says:

“We do understand the challenges everyone is facing right now, day in and day out, when it comes to generating waste. It is especially difficult, we know, for family households. But I hope everybody understands why we are appealing for people to work with us and see that among their many challenges is one that requires them to reduce waste wherever they can. If we can all do our bit, it will reduce the strain on our waste collection services. We are all in this together.”

There is plenty of advice and ideas online to help meet the challenges and support the refuse collections:

www.erewash.gov.uk for an A-Z of waste and recycling.

www.derbyshire.gov.uk – under ‘environment’ you will find a range of advice, including on home composting and kitchen scraps.

www.lovefoodhatewaste.com – lots of ideas, including recipes with your leftover ingredients. 

COUNCIL TAX SUPPORT

Hundreds of people have been in touch with Erewash Borough Council asking to change their Council Tax payment method due to the difficulties faced with the coronavirus lockdown. Nearly 600 taxpayers have so far asked for help and want to take advantage of the flexible payment plans being offered by the council in these difficult times. Residents can ask to delay their payments until June, while it is also possible to apply to pay weekly, fortnightly or half-yearly. Instalments can also be stretched over 12 months rather than the usual 10. Councillor Wayne Major, Erewash Borough Council’s Deputy Leader and Lead Member for Resources, says:

“We are here to offer what support we can and we hope these payment options will help those residents who may be struggling. Our team is working hard to process all the applications so residents can have their requests in place as quickly as possible.”

In addition approximately 4,500 people registered on the Council Tax Support Scheme (CTS) in Erewash will each receive up to £150 towards their payments through government funding that was released to all local authorities to help those in need. People registered on CTS will be contacted direct by the council to confirm additional support. CTS helps households of working age with low income, whether in work, unemployed or retired. The council is urging residents to register for a My Erewash account via its website where they will find full information and relevant online forms – including one to apply for CTS and a form to delay payments called ‘Council Tax - Delay Recovery Request’.

EREWASH BUSINESS

JDP FURNITURE GO INTO ADMINISTRATION

Hundreds of jobs are at risk after Long Eaton-based furniture group JDP Furniture slumped into administration. The firm a holding company for Welbeck House, Wade Upholstery, JDP Furniture, JDP Frames, Ikon by Celebrity, Cintique, Celebrity and Arlo and Jacob brands, have appointed FRP Advisory as administrators. The company who make and import furniture has a showroom in Wellington Street, Long Eaton. Three years ago, after declining sales it made 32 people redundant and put a halt to sales to the independent retail sector. Following its latest set of accounts, JDP Furniture pointed to difficult trading conditions as a reason for revenue dropping.

The company said trading conditions had been “difficult” as it reported its revenue had dropped from £43.2m to £37.6m. The company have lost a total of £5.5m over the last two years, with revenues dropping by over £10m. JDP employed 540 people at its Long Eaton plant. 

TURNOVER DOWN AT GILLS

The turnover at Gill Marine Holdings, dropped and its pre-tax losses widened during the latest financial year. The Long Eaton based firm has reported a turnover of £15.8m for the 12 months to 30th September 2019, down from £17.2m. Over the same period its pre-tax losses went from £251,401 to £1.6m. Gill producers a wide range of accessories and clothing which is exported to more than 40 countries. The figures follow YFM Equity Partners departure having sold its stake in the company at the end of 2018. The accounts were filed with Companies House on 5th April after being signed off on 13th March, while the Covid-19 pandemic was starting to hit the UK economy. A statement by the board said: "In 2019 the company has faced turbulent economic conditions including the ongoing Brexit situation. Despite this difficult environment the company has continued to invest in order to increase brand awareness. The directors are happy with the strength of the group's balance sheet and expectations are that we will see improvements and growth in 2020."

NURSERY GROUP KEEP DOORS OPEN

Children 1st Day Nurseries, which is based in Long Eaton is managing to keep its doors open for children of key workers thanks to a £1.6 million funding boost. The group has 24 sites across the Midlands and South Yorkshire and is managing to keep its sites open throughout the coronavirus crisis after securing a loan from Lloyds Bank. The family-owned business employs 600 people and has continued to provide care for children whose parents are key workers, since the Government’s shutdown of schools and nurseries. Never the less the group has faced a significant fall in revenue since the lockdown, with just 15% of around 4,000 children it usually provides care for currently attending its nurseries. Children 1st has also suspended nursery fees for parents facing financial hardship during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The popular Orchid Wood site between Breaston and Wilne has been granted Local Nature Reserve (LNR) status. On the 7th April members of Erewash Borough Council’s Executive  agreed that the area is a valuable open space for the local community and nature conservation. Orchid Wood is in a rural setting next to Church Wilne Reservoir and close to St Chad’s Water, the River Derwent and several local wildlife sites. It is a popular site with walkers, dog walkers and those who enjoy woodland settings and birdlife. Councillor Mike Wallis, Erewash Borough Council’s Lead Member for Culture and Leisure, says:

“Orchid Wood is at the heart of lovely rural and scenic landscapes and is incredibly popular with walkers. We firmly believe the site deserves to be a Local Nature Reserve to give it the protection it deserves.”

The decision, taken at a meeting of Council Executive today, follows a consultation last year with the public and key partners including Derbyshire Wildlife Trust and Natural England. The wood, which is off Sawley Road in Breaston, was formerly a gravel and sand pit which was filled in during 1997-98 and nearly 10,500 trees and shrubs planted. The site takes its name from an orchid glade within the woodland. It was decided that Council Executive should go ahead today at Ilkeston Town Hall so council business can continue, but with sensible precautions in place. A quorum of three Lead Members were able to meet safely along with the chief executive and one council officer.

FLY TIPPERS WILL BE PROSECUTED

In a plea to local residents, the council is asking people to think carefully about creating excess rubbish until a time when it can be disposed of properly. This is following recent fly-tipping incidents at Ilkeston Town Football Club and West Park in Long Eaton. Erewash Borough Council is warning people that they will face prosecution if they fly-tip and are reminded not to post on social media for ‘a man with a van’ to dispose of household waste. Only licensed waste carriers can dispose of household waste, however, given the current situation and in sticking with the Government’s Stay at Home guidelines, it is advised that people keep waste to a minimum and hold any excess until household recycling centres are reopened. If the items are instead dumped, the person who the waste belongs to and the person who dumped the waste could face prosecution. Fines are up to £50,000 - unlimited if it goes to the Crown Court, or an offender can be sent to prison. If fly-tipped waste is traced back to a particular household, the householders could be fined up to £5,000. Councillor Garry Hickton, Lead Member for Environment at Erewash Borough Council, says:

“It is disappointing to see that some people would choose to blight the borough at a time like this. We understand that people want to get rid of their waste but we would like to gently remind residents of the laws around fly-tipping. It is a serious offence which can result in substantial fines for those who are prosecuted. We would urge people to refrain from advertising for someone to dispose of their waste – if the waste is then dumped you could be the one left out of pocket.”

More information on fly-tipping can be found at erewash.gov.uk. You can report incidents of Fly-tipping via My Erewash. Garden waste collections are currently suspended to ensure that black and blue bin collections can continue at a time when resources are limited.