Building Lives

Fresh air news

Two air quality zones in the borough which have been managed for their pollution levels over the last 20 years are to be lifted.

The orders – that ran alongside the M1 corridor in Long Eaton and Sandiacre - can be revoked after a detailed assessment confirmed that nitrogen dioxide levels in both areas are now consistently and significantly below the national air quality objective.

Levels have been falling over recent years, mainly due to the many improvement measures carried out to the M1 stretch, particularly around Junction 25.

Councillor Garry Hickton, Lead Member for Environment, says: “This is welcome news, especially to those who have lived in the two zones. Regular monitoring and much hard work with our partners has ensured this outcome. I can also assure residents that monitoring will remain in place to keep a check on pollution levels.”

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has supported the lifting of the orders.

Across the borough, the council has a network of sites monitoring nitrogen dioxide emissions to ensure that they do not reach the national air quality objective levels. A total of 672 monitoring tubes are analysed each year as part of the council’s air quality monitoring programme. Erewash Borough Council’s ongoing work to tackle rough sleeping continues to hit the mark.

The council played a leading role to win funding for the Derbyshire and Staffordshire Moorlands Rough Sleeping Partnership in 2019.

One of the ways the council measures the level of rough sleeping is through an annual count, most recently carried out in November last year. There was nobody found to be sleeping rough in the borough during this count compared with 11 in 2019.

Moving times

Beauvale Drive/Church Steet, Ilkeston

A welcome 45 new affordable homes were completed in Ilkeston in 2021.

Housing associations Tuntum/ NCHA and Platform as well as their partners faced the challenges of shortages, adverse weather conditions and delays caused by the pandemic.

So it was cause for celebration when residents moved into their new homes at Beauvale Drive/ Church Street; Green Lane/ Concorde Close and Stratford Street North in the town. Local people had registered for an affordable home through the Home Options Choice Based Lettings scheme. The homes include two, three and four-bedroomed houses as well as bungalows for people with physical disabilities.

Fifteen new flats and houses are also due to be completed this Spring by Futures Housing at Bath Street, Ilkeston.

Erewash Borough Council has helped identify the type of homes most needed, suitable sites and provided additional funding where appropriate.

Support is vital

Councillor Paul Maginnis, Lead Member for Health and Well Being, says: “We are well aware this does not mean that rough sleeping has been ended in Erewash - but it is very welcome news.

“We are committed to continuing our work with all our partners to help those who find themselves sleeping on the streets or are at risk of doing so.”

Across the Partnership area, the number of people sleeping rough is now less than a third of what it was two years ago, showing that the countywide services that Erewash was instrumental in setting up are having a real and positive effect on the lives of some of the most vulnerable residents.

Anyone concerned about a rough sleeper can refer them into the P3 Derbyshire Outreach Team or call 0808 1968 199. Referrals can also be made through StreetLink.

It’s all for you

Thousands of residents have already registered for a My Erewash account, giving them access to a wide range of services online, at any time of day. The personal account gives secure online access and offers information about many Erewash Borough Council services via a ‘Get Answers Fast’ link.

It also allows you to apply for benefit or council tax support, set up or update direct debit payments, view your personal information, report issues to the council, apply and pay for services and check payments have been made.

It offers the convenience of being able to track many requests, upload evidence and respond to enquiries from the council 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Register now at erewash.gov.uk It’s quick and easy to register, all you need is your personal email address and a valid postcode. You will be asked to set a password and will receive an email with a link to activate your account.

Save time do it online

Register for a My Erewash account

A better understanding

An online Derbyshire antisocial behaviour (ASB) hub is available for all Erewash residents and features a wide range of information on ASB including how organisations tackle the issues and the support that is available to anyone experiencing ASB.

ASB is normally behaviour from another person, which impacts upon others. This can cover a wide variety of concerns and can include noise nuisance, vandalism or graffiti, intimidation and harassment, litter, dog fouling, fly tipping, drug or alcohol misuse or nuisance motorcycles.

There is a balance between tolerating behaviour that we personally may not agree with and ensuring that we tackle behaviour that is anti-social.

Luckily, organisations who work to tackle ASB can help and advise. They consider a lot of factors when dealing with reports of ASB such as: - Whether it is or isn’t ASB; - The level of seriousness and frequency of the behaviour; - The impact that the behaviour is having on others; and, - Why someone is experiencing the ASB, and whether we need to take additional steps to support them. Initially, the advice is that if the problem is not too serious, try talking to the person. They may not realise they are causing a nuisance. Be calm and friendly, explain what the problem is and how it affects you. Listen to the other person and try to reach an agreement. If the discussion is getting unreasonable, leave and report the anti-social behaviour. The organisation that can help you will differ depending on what the issues are, so visit the ASB Hub at https://view.pagetiger.com/asb/ derbyshire to find out. Find more information at erewash.gov.uk/ASB or check out @SaferErewash on Facebook.

f Helping hand

Erewash Borough Council runs a Council Tax Support (CTS) scheme which offers payment help for those most in need.

Anyone who has to pay Council Tax and who is on a low income can apply to see if they are eligible for support, regardless of whether they are retired, unemployed or in full or part-time work.

The CTS scheme was due to be confirmed again at this month’s full council meeting. A report to councillors said the take-up of the scheme has increased significantly during the pandemic.

Residents can only apply online for CTS and will need to register for a My Erewash account via erewash.gov.uk

Erewash

Safer Communities

Support the young

A borough-wide project to help vulnerable young people who were facing further struggles during the pandemic and lockdowns has shown the success of partnership working.

Community sports charity StreetGames secured nearly £38,000 from the Youth Endowment Fund for an intensive programme of support for 30 targeted young people.

The charity worked in partnership with Erewash Borough Council, Parkside High Youth Project, Derby County Community Trust and Derbyshire County Council’s Early Help Team.

They delivered a one-to-one sports mentoring programme to young people over 12 sessions. The one-to-ones were focused on fun activities to increase the confidence and wellbeing of the young person, preparing them for exiting lockdown and phasing back into school and everyday life.

Councillor Paul Maginnis, Lead Member for Health and Wellbeing, says: “It became clear during the pandemic that young people, especially vulnerable young people, were suffering greatly. This programme was a powerful way to reach those most in need and give them a new belief in themselves.”

Derbyshire County Council’s Early Help Team and Erewash Community Safety Partnership identified the most vulnerable and at-risk young people for the programme.

Fancy walking this way?

Walk Derbyshire has weekly volunteer-led walks leaving from Long Eaton Town Hall, Ilkeston’s Victoria Park Leisure Centre, Stanley Post Office and Sandiacre Library. The free outings vary from week to week and are a great way to meet new people, enjoy the outdoors and increase health and wellbeing, providing low intensity exercise for people of all abilities.

Organised by Erewash Borough Council’s Sport and Health Development service, there are opportunities to become a walk leader by taking part in the team’s free training day which will equip you with everything you need to set up walks, and become part of the Walk Derbyshire Scheme.

Live life better

Exercise by Referral is a free 12 week exercise programme supported by qualified exercise referral staff at Rutland Sports Park in Ilkeston and Long Eaton’s West Park Leisure Centre.

The programme aims to increase the activity levels of people who want to improve their health and wellbeing.

Activities include bookable swimming, aqua aerobics, supervised gym sessions and group exercise classes. To be eligible for the programme you must meet certain health criteria and be referred by your GP or other healthcare professional to the Live Life Better Derbyshire Admin team.

Once you have been referred to the appropriate leisure centre you will be contacted by a qualified instructor to arrange a one-to-one consultation.

For more information visit livelifebetterderbyshire.org.uk or email paula.hall@erewash.gov.uk or philippa.knaw@erewash.gov.uk

Family trails are also held and plans for an Erewash Easter Walking Week between 11-17 April are currently being finalised.

If you’re interested in leading a walk for the Easter trails or in the volunteering opportunities email kathleen.taylor@erewash.gov.uk or call 07929 731 026

Visit the Health and Wellbeing page at erewash.gov.uk