COUNCIL TAX SUPPORT ON ITS WAY

Erewash Borough Council is continuing to help local residents with Council Tax payments due to the challenges being faced during the coronavirus lockdown. Nearly 4,600 Erewash residents registered on the Council Tax Support Scheme (CTS) will shortly receive their new bills from Erewash Borough Council that will include up to £150 of further support towards their bill thanks to government funding. The support scheme helps households of working age with low income, whether in work, unemployed or retired. The news means that just over £460,000 has now been paid, meeting the government’s target to use the money to help those most in need. In addition, the council is also working through requests from over 1,000 residents for support with their Council Tax payments, be it through requests to delay the start of their payments until June or applications to pay weekly, fortnightly or half-yearly. Instalments can also be made over 12 months rather than the normal 10. Councillor Wayne Major, Deputy Leader of Erewash Borough Council and Lead Member for Resources, says:

 “Our message remains that we are here to help. We would urge anyone who is finding it difficult to make payments to get in touch with us. It is better to deal with this straight away rather than let problems build up. We understand the difficult times that many people are facing, so please talk to us.”

Residents wishing to register for a My Erewash account  can do so via the council’s 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’.

DRIVERS URGED TO WATCH THEIR SPEED

We are aware that there may be confusion as to what you're currently being asked to do, as hints of what the next phase of the coronavirus regulations may look like are discussed in the media. However, as it stands for this weekend no changes have been made and we are continuing to encourage you to carry on following the current guidelines, only leaving your home when absolutely necessary as you have been doing far. If you do need to leave your home, with roads quieter than normal across the county due to the government restrictions on movement drivers are being urged to respect the speed limit and be aware of other road users.

Over the past two weeks the county has seen an increase in vehicles – but still well below the usual numbers on the county’s roads. Chief Inspector Jim Thompson, who leads the force’s roads policing unit, said: “Over recent weeks there has been a significant drop in the number of vehicles using the roads across Derbyshire.

“However, there has been a corresponding increase in people walking and cycling in our villages, towns and city. Many of those out and about are families and speed limits, particularly those 30mph limits in built up areas, have never been more important to adhere to. With the roads being quieter it can be tempting to increase your speed – but while the numbers of vehicles may have changed your reaction time hasn’t and the probability of surviving a 30mph collision, opposed to a 40mph collision, has not. Dozens of families are left without mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, husbands and wives as a result of collisions – and the most heart-breaking part is that it is so often avoidable.”

Drivers are also being reminded of another vulnerable group that will become more prevalent with the increasingly fine weather. CI Thompson said:

“With better weather it is likely that many with motorcycles may turn to their two-wheeled machines for their essential journeys. I would first ask them to ensure their bikes are in good working order and that they are correctly taxed and insured before turning the ignition key. And to drivers out there it is absolutely crucial that you make doubly sure when you are making any manoeuvre that you think bike and take your time.”

While they may be able to use their machines for essential journeys bikers may fine they have extra time on their hands, making it a perfect time to learn about the Upright scheme.

CI Thompson said: “I would urge every biker out there to use any spare time to learn about our Upright project. The campaign was developed in direct response to the number of fatalities and serious accidents in Derbyshire involving bikers. It’s aim is to encourage bikers to spend time investing in themselves to become better educated riders, by focusing on skill, clothing and promoting advanced riding courses. While the courses and events are on hold there is a wealth of information available about how you can become a better, safer rider and you can register your interest in one of the courses and information will be sent out once these are re-booked on the website link below.”

To find out more about Upright visit: https://www.derbyshire.police.uk/upright

DOORSTEP DELIVERIES

PHOTO: Erewash Borough Council Neighbourhood Warden Olivia preparing to unload foodboxes and deliver them to local residents.

Food parcels containing provisions for one week continue to be delivered to some of the most vulnerable people in Erewash. Just over 70 food boxes in total have now been taken to residents in the borough who are registered as being isolated and medically vulnerable, at the highest risk from coronavirus. Erewash Borough Council’s Neighbourhood Wardens Service is delivering the parcels every Monday, Wednesday and Friday and the number of people receiving the boxes on a weekly basis is expected to increase significantly over the coming weeks. Councillor Carol Hart, Leader of Erewash Borough Council, says:  “Our delivery of the food parcels has worked smoothly and efficiently from day one and we   know those receiving their weekly provisions are extremely grateful for this lifeline. Our team at the Merlin Way base in Ilkeston get the parcels out as soon as we receive them and the residents are called to reassure them and let them know we are on our way.”

The government scheme to provide weekly food parcels is being co-ordinated by Derbyshire County Council, which is distributing parcels to the borough and district councils to deliver to targeted residents. The parcels are for those who are shielding for medical reasons and who have registered with the DWP that they need help. Anyone who feels they need help can make a request via www.derbyshire.gov.uk/gethelp or Derbyshire County Council’s community response unit helpline 01629 535091 Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm and Saturdays 9am to 1pm. Phone lines may be busy so please be patient.

BOOZE THIEF JAILED

A shoplifter who stole over £1000 worth of alcohol has been jailed. Carl Green, 40, of  Ilam Square, Ilkeston, entered Asda in Midland Street, Long Eaton, on January 7th and stole £118 of alcohol, he returned to Asda on January 13th and stole a further £273 worth of booze. On March 19th Green carried out an assault on a shop worker when he took two bottles of rum from Lidl in Derby Road, Langley Mill. On 28th March he returned to Asda for a third time and stole £284 of alcohol. His final offence was again at Asda supermarket, this time on April 6th, when he left with another £316 of alcohol. Green pleaded guilty to five counts of theft and one count of common assault when he appeared at Southern Derbyshire Magistrates’ Court. Green, who had a previous criminal record for similar offences, was jailed for a total of 40 weeks and ordered him to pay a £122 victim surcharge.

15 YEAR OLD DIES AFTER COLLISION

A 15-year-old boy has died following a collision in Risley last night (Saturday 25th April).

Officers were called at 9.15pm to reports that a person had been struck by a vehicle and had been seriously hurt on Derby Road, Risley.

 Adam Barry, from Sandiacre, had been riding his bike at the time of the incident and was taken to Queen’s Medical Centre but sadly passed away. The family of the 15-year-old are being supported by specialist officers and our thoughts are with them, and Adam’s friends and loved ones, at this time.

The vehicle involved in the incident was travelling from Borrowash towards Risley when the collision occurred just outside the village. The vehicle did not stop at the scene and it is believed drove through Stanton, Ilkeston and Heanor following the incident.

The road was closed as officers investigated the scene and reopened at 5am.
Officers want to speak to anyone who was in the area, or in Stanton or Ilkeston, between 8.30pm and 9.45pm – in particular those drivers with dashcam footage or CCTV that may have captured a car with significant damage to the front nearside area of vehicle.

Detective Sergeant Darren Muggleton, from the force’s collision investigation unit, said: “My thoughts are with Adam’s family and friends and I would ask that their privacy is respected at this time.

“Officers are working on a number of significant lines of enquiry, however, we still require the public’s help to secure evidence vital to our investigation.

“I would urge anyone who was in the Risley area at the times above to please contact us if they witnessed anything that may be of help. In particular those with CCTV that shows Derby Road and any drivers who may have dashcam footage that shows a car with significant damage to the nearside front.

“We also believe that, following the collision, the car left the scene in the direction of Sandiacre and drove through Stanton, Ilkeston and Heanor. My same appeal goes to anyone with CCTV or dashcam footage in those areas that may help our enquiries into this incident.

“I would like to thank the members of the public who have already been in touch with us and have passed on vital information.”

Anyone with any information is asked to contact us immediately on the 101 number with reference 1422-250420.