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. 

LONG EATON DAD TO RUN LOCKDOWN HALF MARATHON

A Long Eaton dad plans to run a half marathon for charity after the London Marathon was postponed. Sales manager Pete Collins, 35, of Charlton Avenue has got the whole neighbourhood involved and hopes to raise more than £1,500.

The run will take place at 9am on Saturday April 11th on Charlton Avenue, Long Eaton. Pete said: I should have been running the London Marathon on April 26th but with its postponement due to the current Corona Virus situation and the subsequent lockdown we have all been placed in, this will now not happen.

I have come up with the idea of running a minimum of a half marathon (13.1 Miles) up and down my street (Charlton Avenue, Long Eaton, Derbyshire) on Saturday 11th April. This equates to running the length of my street approximately 110 times to complete the minimum distance.

I am fundraising for two charities, the first being the Motor Neurone Disease Association, for whom I should have been running the London Marathon for and to which I lost my Father and Aunty too. The second charity is Cancer Research UK. Since the lockdown, our street has become closer as a community and as such, we have a number of residents who have been affected by cancer, some of whom are currently directly affected and undergoing treatment.

To help Pete raise the money click here