Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year
from Councillors and Officers of Unstone Parish Council
Parish Council Magazine Winter 2014
News and events from your Parish Council
Brookview Care Home
Brookview Care Home in Dronfield is set with in its own landscaped gardens in this bustling town on the edge of the glorious Peak District. Brookview caters for both Nursing and Residential clients and has been carefully designed with the specific needs of the older person in mind. Residents may live at Brookview permanently or if required short term care can be provided for respite care or convalescence. For further information please contact Andrea Fletcher, Registered Manager or Hayley Hall, Administrator on 01246 414618 or email brookviewmanager@ heathcotes.net or alternatively brookview@heathcotes.net
Meadow Grange Residential Home
Meadow Grange is a beautiful natural stone built residential home, set in three acres of grounds that overlook glorious Derbyshire countryside. Meadow Grange has recently been extended and refurbished to provide first class accommodation for residents. Residents may live at Meadow Grange permanently or for periods of respite to cover holidays or for convalescence. For further information please contact Hazel Jones, Registered Manager on 0114 2891110 or email meadowgrange@ heathcotes.net
Unstone Parish Council Magazine
Your Parish Councillors Councillor Sandra Hopkinson Chair 01246 416008
Councillor Richard Smith Vice Chair
Councillor Katie Fisher
Councillor Matthew Lilleyman
Councillor David Hill Councillor Ken Perkins
Councillor Jonathan Elliott Councillor Janet Hill also District & County Councillor
Councillor Caroline Smith
Councillor Rosie Smith
For any enquiries re Parish Council matters, please contact the Clerk: Allyson Jones, The Old Surgery, 39, Valley Road, Barlow S18 7SL 0114 2891854, 07443 508357, email: clerk@unstone.org.uk Responsible Financial Officer Patricia Mosley District Council North East Derbyshire District Council Council House Saltergate Chesterfield Derbyshire S40 1LF 01246 231111
Fred Hopkinson Memorial Hall Caretaker/Cleaner Martyn Brown County Council Derbyshire County Council County Hall Matlock Derbyshire DE4 3AG 01629 580000
Parish Warden Paul Addy District and County Councillor Janet Hill 88 Cecil Road Dronfield S18 2X 01246 418066 01246 217753
Carolyn Moroz M.Inst.Ch.P Mobile Foot Care 01246 411643 Abigail’s Guest House 62 Brockwell Lane, Chesterfield, Derbyshire S40 4EE 01246 279391 www.abigailsguesthouse.co.uk 3
Unstone Parish Council Magazine
PLEASE SUPPORT
LOCAL BUSINESSES A big thank you goes out to all the local businesses that have advertised and supported the Unstone Parish Council Magazine. Please support local businesses and mention Unstone Parish Council Magazine when responding to advertisers Published by Community Ad Web Ltd 01843 834160 email info@communityad.co.uk web www.communityad.co.uk The views expressed in any published content are solely those of the contributors. The Publishers and Unstone Parish Council accept no responsibility for the accuracy of any information contained in the publication. The contents of this magazine including images may not be copied, reproduced, distributed, downloaded or displayed in any form or by any means without the prior written permission of Unstone Parish Council and/or Community Ad Web Ltd. Unless otherwise specified, the authors of the literary and artistic works in the pages in this magazine have asserted their moral right pursuant to Section 77 of the Copyright Designs and Patents Act 1988 to be identified as the author of those works. The Publishers reserve the right not to publish a submission or part of a submission that they consider defamatory or otherwise inappropriate for publication.
To advertise please call Community Ad 01843 834160 4
Welcome‌
to the fourth issue of the Unstone Parish Council Magazine. Councillors and Officers have had a busy year.
For this issue the Parish Council report has been presented as a list summarising key business dealt with. Of course anyone who would like the full minutes of meetings can request a copy from the Clerk. They are also posted on our website www.unstone.org.uk after approval by the Council. One of the main features of 2014 has been the ongoing round of budget cuts from Derbyshire County Council and North East Derbyshire District Council. These have affected many aspects of life in Unstone, including street lighting, bus services, mobile library services, the threats to Dronfield Fire Station and we have also been aware of our Police service being ever more stretched. Unstone Parish Council has given feedback on these service reductions, trying to secure the best possible outcomes for the people in our Parish. However, it has to be acknowledged that there is only a very limited amount of influence that a Parish Council can have in the face of a national financial crisis. Unstone strives to give the community very good value for money in the services it provides. During the year our Caretaker and
Unstone Parish Council Magazine
Parish Warden have been able to take on more of our maintenance and repair work which then saves us the costs of going to external services and contractors. The Parish Council are planning to extend this further in the future and reduce costs in every area possible. The intention is to keep next year’s Parish Council element of the Council Tax as low as possible whilst continuing to provide the services which our community relies on. As we go into the winter we have increased the number of grit bins in the Parish and these are now being filled ready for the expected winter conditions. We are also looking ahead to May 2015 when we will be having elections for Parish Councillors as well as the national political parties. This is an expensive exercise and the Parish Council would urge residents to use their vote and make the election as democratic and effective as possible. In the meantime, we would like to wish all our electorate a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Distribution of the Unstone Parish Magazine The Unstone Parish Magazine is produced at no cost to the Parish Council or to Unstone Parish residents. The cost of producing and printing it is covered by the advertisements placed by local businesses who know that it will be distributed throughout the Parish to around 1,500 residents. Delivering the magazine through every letterbox is a significant part of the cost to Community Ad, the company that produces the magazine. To make sure the magazine remains viable Unstone Parish Council has decided not to have the magazine delivered to individual households from this issue forward, but to arrange for supplies of the magazine to be held at various locations and by community groups throughout the Parish, including the Post Office, Community Hall, pubs, schools, churches, Moorland View Meeting Room and Neighbourhood Watch.
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Unstone Parish Council Magazine
The 2014 Remembrance Ceremony was held on Sunday 9 November where wreaths were laid at our War Memorial. 6
Unstone Parish Council Magazine Getting ready for the cold weather means that you’re more likely to keep warm and well. Here are some things you can do to stay safe and ward off the winter chills.
Be prepared for
Dress in plenty of layers and make sure that you have some warm shoes or boots with non-slip soles. Check your heating system
Eat healthily and keep as active as possible.
Keep simple cold, flu and sore throat remedies in the house.
Keep basic food items in the cupboard or freezer in case it’s too cold to go shopping.
Follow up your GP’s invitation to have a flu jab.
Keep a mixture of salt and sand handy to put on steps or paths in icy weather.
Order repeat prescriptions in plenty of time, particularly if bad weather is forecast.
Consider fitting a grab rail if you have steps at your front or back door.
Ask your local pharmacy if they offer a prescription pick-up and delivery service.
To advertise please call Community Ad 01843 834160
Ask your family, neighbours or friends if they could call or visit you more often if a period of cold weather stops you getting out and about.
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Unstone Parish Council Magazine
Applying for your child’s infant/
a summary from Derb If your child lives in Derbyshire and was born between 1 September 2010 and 31 August 2011 you need to apply to Derbyshire County Council for an infant or primary school place for them. Even if you have already approached a school, or feel you have put your child’s name down at a school, you need to make an application. Attendance at a particular nursery gives no priority for a place at an infant or primary school. You must apply by 15 January for a place at infant/primary school You will be notified of your child’s school place on 16 April
How do I apply? You fill in an application form - either online, by phone or on paper- and name three schools. This can include schools outside Derbyshire. You list the schools in order of preference, with your most preferred school listed first. You can apply from 10 November 2014. We prefer you to apply online at www.derbyshire.gov.ukladmissions and this is quick and easy to do. If you apply online you will immediately receive an email to confirm your application has been received. Internet access is available at all Derbyshire libraries, children’s centres and some schools may allow you to use their computers to apply. Your on line application is secure and confidential and can be updated by you right up to the closing date. If you cannot access the internet you can Call Derbyshire on 01629 533190 for staff to take your application details. This takes about 15 minutes.
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Please note call charges may vary and calls from mobiles may cost considerably more. If for some reason you are unable to make an application either online or by telephone ring the admissions and appeals team on 01628 537479. If your application is for a place at an aided, foundation or academy school you may be required to complete a supplementary form or supply additional information. You can get these forms from the school or at www.derbyshire.gov.ukladmissions If you apply on line or by phone make a note of your username, password and unique identification numbers. You will need these to log on to change your application or to get your decision.
Unstone Parish Council Magazine
/primary school place 2015/16
byshire County Council The closing date for applications is midnight on Thursday 15 January 2015. Applying after the deadline may reduce your chances of getting a place at your preferred school - particularly if it is popular. This leaflet will help you apply for your child’s place but it is only a summary. Full information is available in ‘How to apply for a place at primary school - a guide for parents 2015/2016’. You can read the guide for parents at www.derbyshire.gov.uk/admissions or find reference copies in schools and children’s centres. For your own copy email admissions@derbyshire.gov.uk or ring 01629 537499. If your child has a statement of special educational needs contact the county council’s special needs section on 01629 536539.
What happens next? We process all the applications, dealing with those received by the deadline first. If a school is oversubscribed places are offered according to the criteria given in the guide for parents. Most schools in Derbyshire have a normal (catchment) area criteria and children living in the area are given a higher priority when places are offered. When you apply on line you will be told the normal (catchment) area school(s) for your home address. You may want to consider how popular a school is when you apply and how likely your child is to get a place. The guide for parents includes the number of places available at each school and a breakdown of the categories of children offered places last year, which you may find helpful. Schools hold open evenings for parents to look around and speak to teachers and these can be useful.
Find out about these from the schools you are interested in. When you make your application consider how your child will get to school as you are responsible for getting them there. Information on school transport is available at www.derbyshire.gov.uklget2school or in the guide for parents. Where we cannot offer a place at any of your chosen schools your child will be allocated a place at the normal (catchment) area school - if places are still available- or the next nearest school with places available. If you applied on line you can log on to get the result or you will receive an email about your place on 16 April 2015. If you don’t have an email address your offer will be posted second class on this day. You can choose to take up your child’s place full-time in the September immediately following their fourth birthday.
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Unstone Parish Council Magazine School places (continued)…
What happens if I am not offered the school I want? Your child will automatically go on a waiting list for any Derbyshire school you listed as a higher preference than the one you were offered. You can appeal against the decision. The decision notification you receive will advise you how to appeal.
Accuracy of applications We want the application process to go as smoothly as possible for you so please keep us updated about any changes to your details which may affect your application. Parents may be required to provide proof to confirm their child’s home address. If we have reason to believe that an application has been made using intentionally misleading or fraudulent information we will investigate. If a place is offered on the basis of false information it may be withdrawn and offered to a child who has higher priority under the admissions criteria.
Further information If you have any questions call the admission and appeals team on 01629 537479 or email admissions@derbyshire.gov.uk For independent advice or information on school admissions or the appeals process contact the Children’s Legal Centre at www.childrenslegalcentre.com or ring the advice line on 08088 020 008.
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Tips for winter m
a Now that the winter has arrived, g the central heating and diggin have you prepared your car for Tyres Now more than at any other time of the year, it’s important to make sure you have enough tread left on and the correct air pressure in your tyres. Dirty, wet roads will give way to slippery, icy roads and your tyres will need to be in tip top condition to keep you safe. If you live in a remote area that suffers from heavy snowfall, you might want to think about getting a set of winter tyres - their deep tread accompanies a special rubber that’s resistant to degradation from icy temperatures.
Oil change Motor oil thickens in colder temperatures and is less efficient as a lubricator. To protect your engine, change your oil for one with a lower viscosity - look for the number preceding the ‘W’ on the bottle: 5W has a lower viscosity, for example, than 10W. Your vehicle’s manufacturer’s handbook should contain more information.
Wax finish Wetter winter air teams up with salty road grit to make a corrosive assailant on your car’s paintwork. Allowing the paint to corrode too much exposes the aluminium underneath, which can also be damaged. Treat your car to a regular waxing over the winter months to repel the corrosive mixture.
Unstone Parish Council Magazine
motoring
along with turning up out the winter jumpers, r further cold days ahead?
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Windscreen wipers and fluid Old or poor quality wiper blades may not be up to the winter snow and ice. Consider fitting a set of winter wiper blades to improve your visibility when the weather is bad. Make sure you also use a windscreen washing fluid that is compatible with low temperatures, as otherwise, the washer fluid could freeze solid in its reservoir.
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Belt and braces Rubber components such as belts and hoses can become brittle at low temperatures. Have yours checked and change any showing signs of damage.
Anti-freeze Coolant liquid prevents overheating to the engine system. Water alone used as coolant is susceptible to freezing once the mercury drops, so make sure you avoid this and the attendant engine damage by using a coolant mixture that is one part water to one part anti-freeze.
Keep the tank topped up Try not to let your fuel level drop below half a tank as low temperatures can allow moisture to accumulate in your fuel tank, causing corrosion or further damage, should the moisture freeze. A half full tank contains enough gas to absorb condensation.
TELL YOUR COMMUNITY about your events, groups and clubs info@communityad.co.uk
To advertise please call Community Ad 01843 834160 11
Unstone Parish Council Magazine
A summary of key issues for Unstone Pa Street Lights
Spring Bulbs
UNSTONE PARISH COUNCIL took part in Derbyshire County Council’s consultation on street lights. Unstone recommended that new LCD bulbs be fitted. This involves an initial investment but will be money and energy saving in the longer term. DCC have now decided to go ahead with this project.
Unstone Parish Council has made a donation to Dronfield Civic Society towards the planting of crocus bulbs throughout the parish.
Budget Cuts There is ongoing consultation about proposed mobile library service cuts and cuts to the transport budget. Unstone Parish Council opposes these cuts.
Vandalism There have been several instances of vandalism in the parish. Play equipment at Brierley Park was damaged and it will cost £800 for repairs. A bench was damaged at the Whittington Play Area, but fortunately this can be repaired by the Parish Warden at a reasonable cost. Someone has been removing the notices from Parish Council Notice Boards. Some of these notices are legally required notices for the community. This type of vandalism constitutes criminal damage for which you can be liable to an on-thespot fine. The Police have been kept informed and are investigating to identify the perpetrators.
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Grit Bins Several new grit bins have been installed, and all grit bins will be topped up ready for the winter.
Fred Hopkinson Memorial Hall Maintenance work and redecoration of the hall is underway and will be ongoing through the next month or so. Unstone Parish Council is in consultation with Derbyshire County Council and North East Derbyshire District Council about flooding and damp damage in the area at the back of the hall, to establish if some remedial work could help alleviate the problem.
Bank Account The Parish Council has changed bank account in order to be able to carry out on-line banking. The change will result in an easier, quicker and more efficient service, with overall lower costs to the council, and far fewer cheques having to be written and posted – thus also saving on postage.
Tree Survey We are looking into carrying out a survey of all trees on Parish Council land to ensure that they are kept healthy and safe.
Unstone Parish Council Magazine
arish Council over the last two months Routine Maintenance
Seniors Christmas Party
As usual, all the Play Areas are regularly inspected, the Parish Council provide and maintain other facilities including notice boards, seats, dog waste bins and grit bins. The Parish Council grit bins are being labelled so residents will know which ones are the responsibility of the Parish Council and which ones are Derbyshire County Council’s. The Clerk has responded to various reports from residents concerning maintenance work required regarding the highways, railings, trees, hedges and so forth, in liaison with Rykneld, North East Derbyshire District Council and Derbyshire County Council.
The Parish Council invites all senior residents to a Christmas Dinner with entertainment. This will be on Sunday 14th December at the Fred Hopkinson Memorial Hall. Details are on the Notice Boards throughout the Parish. Contact the Chair Councillor Sandra Hopkinson to reserve your place. All contact details are at the front of the magazine.
Littering and Fly Tipping Over the past few months a lot of work has been done to try to improve the appearance and cleanliness of the Parish. We have worked with the Environment Agency to increase the number of bins in problems areas, and also reported fly tipping to get these areas cleared.
Planning Unstone Parish Council is consulted on all Planning Applications submitted to NEDDC and has been able to give support to several proposed developments for residents of the parish.
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Unstone Parish Council Magazine
Snow & Ice clearance this winter Winter weather is a concern every year, and the Parish Council is very aware that many residents are situated on or near a hill, so keeping access during bad weather can be a major problem. The responsibility for highways lies with Derbyshire County Council (DCC), but their gritting and snow-clearing focus is on the county’s most important roads. Neither the District Council nor Parish Council has resources to help with gritting and snow-clearance. Therefore, we depend appreciably on the independent contributions of residents in clearing snow and ice in Unstone, Apperknowle, Hundall and the Handleys. Many residents have done this in the past; we are very grateful for the sterling work which they do. To help this work continue this winter, the Parish Council asks all residents to heed the following advice. We recommend you retain this newsletter, to enable you to refer to it again as necessary
DCC have supplied this practical advice… Step 1 You’ll need a suitable shovel, and a supply of salt to help melt the ice. The best type to use on roads and pavements is grit-salt; don’t use hot water or a heating device, or you risk creating a new hazard of melted water - which may turn to black ice, which is difficult to see. The next best thing to salt is sprinkling sand/ash to improve grip, although this won’t help melt the snow.
keep away from these if you can.) Make sure you create a safe walkway for yourself to stand on as you go, perhaps by salting this first before clearing the wider area - if any areas are steep or include steps, you will most likely need to apply more salt.
Step 2 Wear suitable warm clothing, gloves and safe footwear - and consider wearing a high-visibility tabard or jacket. Whilst not essential if clearing a footway, it is a sensible precaution to ensure that you are seen and safe in all circumstances.
Step 5 For best effect, shake grit-salt onto the cleared area – 40 g/m2 is about right. A good technique is to put the grit-salt on your shovel and use a small trowel or spatula to “flick” it along the newly-cleared area. The action of people walking on it will then begin to help melt ice. If you can, cover the path with salt in the evening to stop it freezing overnight - but if you can only do this once, spread salt straight after your first clearing of snow.
Step 3 Decide in advance where you are going to put the snow you clear - so that it doesn’t cause an access problem for others or prevent melting snow reaching drains later. (Salt will also damage grass and plants, so
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Step 4 Newly-fallen loose snow is much easier to clear than compacted snow – so try to do your clearing work sooner rather than later.
Unstone Parish Council Magazine How to clear safely and effectively We want to ensure that anyone deciding to clear snow and ice in the Parish does so safely. •Don’t undertake any clearance activities unless you consider yourself physically fit enough to do so. •Remember to tell someone where you are going if you intend to clear snow and ice alone. •Check the weather forecast. •Take a mobile phone with you.
Grit-salt in grit bins
Legal liability
The grit-salt in the grit bins throughout the Parish is provided by DCC for some bins and by the Parish Council in others. The roadside grit bins are solely for use on public roads and footways and the grit is not to be used by residents to grit their own drives or for other uses. Please use this grit-salt sparingly; we try to ensure that the bins are refilled as necessary, but this can become difficult in sustained bad weather, and it cannot be guaranteed that grit-salt will always be available in the bins. We recommend that residents buy their own supply for their drives before the bad weather arrives - it is available in sacks from a number of local suppliers. Thank you for your understanding.
DCC’s Winter Service Plan gives the following advice: “Provided that members of the public who clear snow and ice from pavements or minor roads near their property take reasonable care and apply a common sense approach in doing so, they are unlikely to find themselves being held liable if someone has an accident and is injured on the area they have cleared.” It would be extremely unusual for a court to uphold such a claim against someone who has acted in good faith.
Empty grit bins - what to do If you find a grit bin is empty or vandalised, please tell the Parish Clerk or any of the Councillors (contact details on page 3). Or report it via www.derbyshire.gov.uk/gritbin.
Further information Further information can be found at www.derbyshire.gov.uk/snow including the latest gritting activity and road closure updates (published at 7am, 2pm & 9pm daily during snow/ice conditions), links to DCC Twitter and Facebook pages, and disruption information such as school closures.
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Unstone Parish Council Magazine
COOKING
1. Preheat the oven to 200C/400F/Gas 6. Lightly grease a baking tin, and line with non-stick paper, pushing it into the corners. 2. In a large bowl whisk the eggs and sugar using an electric hand whisk until the mixture is pale in colour, light and frothy. 3. Sift the flour and cocoa powder into the bowl and carefully cut and fold together, using a spatula, until all the cocoa and flour are incorporated into the egg mixture. (Be careful not to beat the air out of the mixture). 4. Pour the mixture into the lined tin and spread evenly out into the corners. Bake in the middle of the preheated oven for 8 -10 minutes, or until well risen and firm to the touch. 5. Place a large piece of baking paper on the work surface. Dust with icing sugar generously. Carefully turn the cake upside down onto the paper and remove the bottom lining paper. 6. Cut a score mark 2.5cm in along one of the longer edges. Starting with this edge, begin to tightly roll up the sponge using the paper. Roll with the paper inside and sit the roll on top of its outside edge to cool completely.
For the chocolate sponge • 4 large free-range eggs • 100g Caster sugar • 65g Self-raising flour • 40g Cocoa powder • Icing sugar (to dust) For the chocolate topping • ½ pint double cream • 300g dark chocolate broken into small pieces For the cream filling • ½ pint double cream, whipped
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7. While the cake is cooling down, make the topping. Warm the cream in a saucepan. Remove from the heat and add the chocolate, stirring until it is melted. Cool to room temperature, then put into the fridge to firm up. 8. Uncurl the cold Swiss roll and remove the paper. Spread the whipped cream on top, and re-roll tightly. Cut a quarter of the cake off from the end on the diagonal. Transfer the large piece of cake to a serving plate and angle the cut end in to the middle of the large cake to make a branch. 9. Put the chocolate icing into a piping bag fitted with a nozzle. Pipe long thick lines along the cake, covering the cake completely. Cover each end with icing. 10. Dust with icing sugar and decorate as you wish.