Christmas Message

A Christmas message

It is my absolute honour, as the Mayor of Erewash, to share a Christmas message with everyone, in all corners of our wonderful borough.

I am acutely aware that we have faced such difficult times, particularly at the height of the pandemic – times we could never have imagined. My heart goes out to all those who suffered and are still suffering from the effects of COVID-19.

But I would like to focus on the positives that this year has brought and the hope and light that Christmas can bring.

The festive period is a special time of year and it is my dearest wish that this year families and friends can be together to celebrate and enjoy a safe and peaceful time. We have seen a gradual return to being able to live our lives again and I have seen first hand the rich community spirit we have in our communities. I have met many people and attended events that have created memories I will remember forever.

I would like to thank all those who are working for us throughout the festive period - the NHS, the emergency services, our armed forces and all who keep us safe and secure. My gratitude as well goes to the volunteers and carers who give their time all year round to make such a positive difference to the lives of so many of our residents.

I hope you will join me at our Civic Christmas Eve Carol Service at Ilkeston Market Place at 7pm - I look forward to meeting you all. On behalf of the officers and members of the Borough Council, I should like to wish you all a very happy Christmas and send our very best wishes to you all. Stay safe.

Councillor Donna Briggs Mayor of Erewash 2021-22

Museum’s garden plans

A project to develop historic parts of Erewash Museum’s gardens could provide a new outdoor events platform for creative arts, health and wellbeing and educational activities.

Members of Erewash Borough Council’s Executive were due to meet at the end of last month and were expected to confirm their support for £67,712 of project funding from Arts Council England and a further £20,000 match funding from the Friends of Erewash Museum.

The grant money covers Phase 1 of a proposed two-stage development at the Grade II listed museum. The whole project follows the discovery that a vaulted ha-ha in the grounds was collapsing and in need of extensive work. Phase 1 - called “Erewash Valley, Past, Present and Future” - features activities to help the museum rebuild audience levels following the impact of COVID-19 and also includes the recruitment of a part-time Community Curator officer.

The council also plans to submit a funding bid this month to the National Lottery Heritage Fund (HLF) to complete the development through Phase 2

It is hoped that work on Phase 1 and 2 could begin in the spring providing the HLF funding bid is successful and is then approved by the council. Phase 2 would continue the redevelopment of the gardens.

A vaulted ha-ha is a type of sunken store that was commonly used in landscaped gardens and parks in the 18th century.

Parking present

Erewash Borough Council will once again be providing a festive gift to local residents through its Christmas free parking scheme in all of its car parks from 18 December to 3 January inclusive.

The free parking will start at 10am daily and is aimed at helping traders by encouraging residents to do all their seasonal shopping at local shops and markets. The free parking is not available at Long Eaton Railway Station commuter car park.

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Let’s hear your voice

Community-minded residents are being invited to join Erewash Borough Council’s online consultation panel to share their views on a wide range of topics. Residents who register to join the panel receive links to EBC’s secure online surveys. So join our panel community now by registering at erewash.gov.uk/joinourpanel

The council has its third of four Tracker Surveys – available to all residents - online now until 20 December.

Quarterly surveys are held every year and ask questions to enable the council to track its performance and assess the impact of any changes to services. Visit erewash.gov.uk and search for ‘consultations’

Any Erewash resident aged 16 or over can sign up to the panel, which is a valuable resource for the council in getting important feedback and helping shape projects, policies and initiatives across the borough. Online panel members can request their data to be deleted at any time by emailing colin.handley@erewash.gov.uk

Stanton - next step expected

A planning application on the development of New Stanton Park is expected to be submitted to Erewash Borough Council by the end of this year.

The application will follow an online public consultation carried out by landowners Verdant Regeneration, who bought part of the former Stanton Ironworks site at the end of last year.

Verdant drafted proposals for a regeneration ‘Masterplan’ of the brownfield site off Lows Lane in Ilkeston and asked the public for their views during the consultation, which ended on 5 November.

The survey for the site included plans to provide around 260,000 square metres of employment space, with hopes of creating a significant number of new jobs.

In the consultation, Verdant also included the proposed use of the existing rail line and a new rail spur; retention of approximately 50 acres of woodland and waterways; creation of a new pond for drainage and the re-routing of National Cycle Route 67 to make it safer and more pleasant for cyclists and pedestrians.

The site – which Verdant says will be called New Stanton Park - has been identified by the council as a key regeneration site in its Core Strategy.

Councillor Michael Powell, Lead Member for Regeneration and Planning, said: “The development of this site would help meet our ambitions for job creation and we remain positive that things are moving on. However, there are planning processes to go through which must be met.”

verdantregeneration.co.uk Christmas is a special time of year when we need to be as eco-friendly as possible.

So here’s some seasonal pointers: Flatten clean cardboard to put in the recycling bin. Polystyrene goes in general waste.

Avoid glitter and foil at all costs! Use wrapping paper that is recyclable. Tear off any tape, glitter, ribbon etc. Also consider switching to sending festive greetings via email and social media.

Choose decorations that you can reuse. Tinsel, glass and plastic baubles can’t be recycled.

There are battery recycling bins at many supermarkets.

Green Christmas

The council has recycling drop off points for real trees after Christmas. Check erewash.gov.uk

See page 22 and visit erewash.gov.uk for an A-Z of recycling all year round.

Tree-mendous

Three hundred bush apple and pear trees were given away to Erewash residents during the annual free giveaway in Ilkeston and Long Eaton town centres this month.

Organised by the council’s Pride in Erewash team, residents received one bush tree per household.