Community News 2024 09 16

Free trees for schools
Time is running out for primary and secondary schools in Derbyshire to register to receive a free tree in a mission to help plant at least a Million Trees across the county by 2030.

We're leading the Million Trees project to help tackle the effects of climate change and we're already over halfway towards achieving the total.

Local schools can register for a free tree to plant in their school grounds at www.derbyshire.gov.uk/treesforschools

The trees, which will be delivered in October, are being paid for by Vertas, the county council's cleaning and landscape maintenance contractor.

Anyone who has planted a tree in Derbyshire since June 2021 can record it on our interactive map on the Million Trees website.

Budget savings progress
A multimillion-pound budget savings plan we've put in place is progressing well, but high demand and cost pressures across social care continue to challenge our finances.

In January we announced a number of budget savings proposals to manage a funding gap of around £40 million for the current year, 2024 to 2025.

Plans to take forward the budget savings proposals were agreed in February, leading to us being able to set a balanced budget for 2024 to 2025.

Our Cabinet will consider a report on Wednesday (18 September) Agenda for Cabinet on Wednesday, 18 September 2024, 2pm which details the progress of the savings plans and our budget position for the first three months of this financial year.

Money for roads
We're set to receive £3.014 million to spend on road maintenance.

The money will be spent on resurfacing roads and works to prevent potholes. This £3 million of funding is in addition to the base capital funding we get from the Government each year for maintaining roads, pavements, structures and all other highways assets.

Parking charge scam
We're urging you to beware of a parking charge scam that's doing the rounds.

If you receive a text about a parking penalty charge notice, please do not click the link. It's a scam.

Our trading standards officers were contacted by the British Parking Association, which has had reports about these texts from across the country. And we've also received calls from worried drivers.

Councils would not be texting you about a penalty charge. They would write to you by post, not text.

Scam texts often try to make you panic and act urgently. Take time to look at the text properly. The signs are there that this is a scam:

It says 'a local council', not named.
It refers to a 'fine' as well as a penalty charge.
The capitalisation, phrasing and punctuation are poor.
The link does not look like a council link.

If you do get one of these text messages, forward it to 7726, the National Cyber Security Centre, before deleting it. You can also take a screenshot or screen recording of the text message and send it to report@phishing.gov.uk

PA recruitment event
Are you working in adult social care, or interested in a career in social care?

In partnership with Blue Sky Brokers, we're hosting an information event for residents to find out more about becoming a personal assistant and the opportunities to work with people in Derbyshire.

A personal assistant is someone who's employed to support an individual who needs extra help with any aspect of their daily life including travel, cooking, socialising, personal care and more.

Experience working within health and social care is an advantage but not essential.

The information event is being held on Wednesday 18 September, 10am until 2pm, at The Richard Shaw Centre, 20 Royal Scot Road, Pride Park, Derby, DE24 8AJ.

For more information about the event or becoming a personal assistant, please email info@blueskybrokers.org or call 01332 404 040 (option 3).

Flood report
In October 2023, Storm Babet caused flooding to around 1,600 properties in Derbyshire.

As the Lead Local Flood Authority, we have a duty to complete a flooding investigation.

The main aim of the report, which will be considered at a meeting of our Cabinet next week (Wednesday 18 September), is to provide a factual record of the flooding that took place during Storm Babet. It's not intended to provide options and actions to reduce the flood risk for all those who were affected, but it gives some high-level recommendations as to how future flood risk in Derbyshire could be managed.

Cabinet is being asked to approve a public consultation into the findings of the Storm Babet flooding report. If approved the consultation will start shortly and last for 12 weeks, with the findings reported back to Cabinet in early 2025.

Healthier Futures
If you're a parent or carer with children aged 0-12, then you might be interested in our FREE family health support service.

Healthier Futures offers a range of online and one-off courses covering topics such as fussy eating, healthy eating on a budget and how to make meals less stressful.

Sexual health
It's Sexual Health week and this year the theme is 'Are you feeling it?' looking at the links between mental health and sexual health.

Do you know which free services are on offer in Derbyshire if you need them? Your Sexual Health Matters offers free STI checks, contraception support and relationship help for Derbyshire residents.

If you, or someone you know, feels like they need a little help with their emotional health and wellbeing then there is support available online

Carer support
Do you give unpaid care to a family member or friend who couldn't cope without your help? If so, you could be a carer and entitled to a range of support services or a carer's assessment

Our Derbyshire All Age Carers Support Service (DAACSS) – which is delivered by Derbyshire Carers Association (DCA) on our behalf – includes:

carer's assessments
information about the condition or illness of the person you care for and signposting to support services
services to help you to have a break from your caring role
information about carer support groups
advice about how to get a balance between caring and your health & wellbeing
information and help to access any training courses available to you (for example, moving and handling)
help to make a plan in case of an emergency or crisis
information on how your GP can support you
advice on how to access services such as housing, employment support and education and more.

A carer's assessment can be carried out at your home, the home of the person you support or a local community venue. If there's more than one carer providing care in your household, you're both entitled to an assessment.

To find out more or request a carer's assessment, contact DAACSS by emailing info@derbyshirecarers.co.uk, call the team on 01773 833 833 or fill in their contact form.