Community News 2024 08 24

Working to improve our roads
We're trialling a new pothole repairing material as a possible option to improve local roads. The trials started in Dronfield and Chesterfield, and will be rolled out to other areas over the coming months, so you might spot our teams out and about.

We're using Roadmender Asphalt, which is produced in Sheffield. The repair material has a high recycled rubber content (from old HGV tyres) and is more elastic than traditional asphalt. This means it can be applied directly onto roads in need of repair as a new protective road surface where potholes or cracking damage have previously occurred.

Using this method means there's no need to dig out the road or to seal the edges as it acts as a sealant and binds to the existing road surface, leaving a new waterproof top layer.

The Roadmender Asphalt is heated up on site as needed and then applied as a quick-setting molten liquid. We expect this will lead to less disruption for road users as the process can be done in less than half an hour on site, avoiding the need for longer traffic management or road closures.

It's also good for the environment and our carbon footprint as there's no waste from digging out the road (even the marking tape and product bags can be reused back into the boiler) and the recycled lorry tyres and asphalt used in the material means less landfill too.

Don't let garden waste go to waste
It's that time of year when weeds can be rampant and shrubs getting out of control. So, you get in there and sort them out, but then you're faced with a big pile of greenery to get rid of. What's a gardener to do?

If you have the room and the inclination, the best solution is to compost it. Create a compost heap or buy a great value bin . If you're able to shred the greenery it will compost more quickly

If your shears or secateurs need a bit of TLC you can get them sharpened free of charge (donations welcome) at one of Derbyshire's 20 Repair Cafes

Next best solution – if you subscribe to a green waste collection service in your area, fill the bin and you'll get it collected regularly by your local district or borough council

And finally, if you have more green waste than your green waste bin can handle or you don't subscribe, then please bring your garden waste to one of our Household Waste Recycling Centres From July 2023 to June 2024 we composted 11,966 tonnes of green waste. When you think that one tonne is around the weight of a small car, that's the equivalent weight of 11,966 small cars. It gets composted and some of it's turned into soil improver for local farmers.

Green waste problem sorted we hope? Please avoid putting green waste in your general waste bin if you can help it as it is costly and we would rather turn it into soil improver.

And remember, our recycling centres are open every day of the year except Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day – accepting all sorts of household waste and now offering free paint and bargains to buy

Have your say on health visiting
We want to hear your views on plans to transform health visiting services.

In Derbyshire, the service is commissioned by us as part of the 0-19 Public Health Nursing Service and is delivered by Derbyshire Community Health Services NHS Foundation Trust.

The consultation – which runs until 29 September 2024 – is the second phase of a review looking at how services could be delivered more effectively to ensure they remain sustainable, and finite resources are targeted at families who need the most support.

There are six proposals to change the way health visiting services are delivered. Have your say by filling in an online questionnaire.

Paper copies of the questionnaire are also available on request by emailing asch.publichealth.commissioning@derbyshire.gov.uk

A series of drop-in events is being held for anyone to go along and provide feedback on the proposals. And two online events will be held via Microsoft Teams.

Bus companion passes
Our innovative Gold Card companion pass is making great progress as 198 disabled gold card holders have successfully applied for and been issued with one.

Trent Barton bus in Bakewell
The Gold Card currently allows the card holder to travel free on local buses throughout England from 9.30am up to 11pm weekdays, and at any time during weekends and on bank holidays.

With a Gold Card companion pass, an eligible disabled person can be accompanied by someone to support them, who can travel with them for free.

Residents who already have a Gold Card and want to add a companion pass need to contact their borough or district council. Residents without a Gold Card who wish to apply for a Gold Card companion pass need to apply through the council website at derbyshire.gov.uk/gold.

Could you use some free paint?
Need a bit of paint or maybe a whole tin or two? Or maybe you have unused paint taking up space in your garage when someone else could use it? We want to link these two scenarios to help you save money, and to help cut waste. Drop off your unused paint, or collect some unused paint for free – a win-win situation.

Our household waste recycling centres are giving away full or part-used tins of water-based paint that have been brought to the centres for disposal.

In recent years the amount of paint brought to our recycling centres has more than doubled. While disposing of paint in the correct way is welcome, the doubling of quantity has been at a time when disposal costs have greatly increased. Last year 479 tonnes of paint were handed in, costing £450,000 to dispose of.

You can bring both water-based and solvent or oil-based paint for disposal to all nine of our recycling centres in household quantities and in full or part tins.

Free water-based paint will be available at eight of our recycling centres (not Waterswallows in Buxton, which is operated by a different contractor). Solvent or oil-based paint will not be given away and will continue to be disposed of safely.

You may also like to offer your unwanted paint on local WhatsApp groups or other channels, or donate it to an organisation such as Community Repaint.

Agreement on Waste Treatment Facility
Together with Derby City Council, we have announced a resolution to the dispute over plans for the Sinfin Waste Treatment Facility.

Both councils have successfully addressed the key issues that led to the dispute. Agreement on the terms of a new Inter Authority Agreement has been reached in full – which means we can move forward in partnership to successfully complete the project.

By completing a new Inter Authority Agreement, we have agreed to withdraw the invoice for £93.9m + VAT which we issued to the city council in January to recover our share of the costs of the project.

Both councils remain committed to the original decision, made in February 2023, to progress option one − fix and operate the existing plant. Soft market testing throughout 2023, with positive engagement from the waste industry, confirmed there was capability, capacity and appetite in the market to deliver the project. 

The councils will now move forward with the procurement exercise to rectify defects at the facility and bring it into use.

Creating a cycle-friendly workplace
Do you own a business and want to become a cycle friendly employer? Or perhaps you're an employee who wants to suggest this to the boss? Either way we have a toolkit of ideas to fit the bill.

Our cycle-friendly business toolkit is helping local workplaces to support their staff to cycle to and from work if possible. Chances are this will result in a healthier, happier and more productive workplace. There are cost savings to be had for both employers and employees.

The toolkit also has ideas for businesses that want to attract more cyclists – cafés, shops etc. Here are a few of the suggestions to whet your appetite...

More cyclists means fewer parking spaces needed, which could save costs.
Cycle parking – dos and don'ts.
The adoption of a cycle-to-work scheme saves both employers and employees on their National Insurance contributions.
A workplace cycle pool – would it work for you?
Ideas for getting discounts at local bike shops.
Boosts environmental credentials.
How to get help with bicycle maintenance for employees.
Encouragement to keep cycling.