Community News 2024 10 07

Recycle and win?
Do you have unwanted, broken cables sitting idle or clogging up your drawers? And perhaps other old electricals you could get rid of? Here's a challenge to de-clutter and you could win a holiday!

It's International E-Waste Day on Monday 14 October and we're all being encouraged to dig out electrical items and cables and recycle them.

And you could win a train ticket to travel around Europe courtesy of not-for-profit organisation WEEE Forum and travel in an eco-friendly way around Europe for up to one month. Send a picture of your hoarded electronics drawer and show where you handed them over. But hurry – the competition closes on 15 October.

Our household waste recycling centres have dedicated skips for electricals – please take any batteries out first and these can be disposed of in the special container alongside the electricals skip. And don't forget that Vapes can now be recycled too.

Your decluttering will help recycle valuable resources. The cables contain copper which is one of the earth's most precious materials and is essential to our everyday lives. It's used in phones, transport, clean energy and lifesaving equipment. And electrical waste is the fastest growing source of waste in the world containing many more valuable minerals.

You can recycle all year around. Our recycling centres are open daily from 9.30am-5pm, apart from Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day.

Storm Babet flood consultation
Were you affected by floods caused by Storm Babet?

In October 2023 Storm Babet caused flooding to around 1,600 properties in Derbyshire. We are the Lead Local Flood Authority and have a duty to complete a Section 19 Flooding Investigation, which is a requirement under the Floods and Water Management Act 2010.

And it is this report that we are asking for feedback from residents and anyone else affected by the floods.

The report provides 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.

The consultation is open until 19 December 2024.

Be Bright, Be Seen, Be Safe,
Parents of pupils who cycle to school are being reminded to make sure their children stay safe as the darker mornings and afternoons draw in.

With October's Travel Smart Week being supported by the Derby and Derbyshire Road Safety Partnership this year, we're raising awareness of the importance of children wearing cycle helmets, bright clothing and putting on their bike lights.

The advice comes as 10 Derbyshire primary schools received national accreditation in the Modeshift STARS scheme for encouraging more walking, cycling and scooting to school.

Dallimore Primary and Nursery School in Ilkeston has reached the 'Outstanding' level – the highest possible level of award and is the first school in Derbyshire to do so.

Other schools doing great work to get their awards are:

* Riddings Infant and Nursery School
* Ladywood Primary School, Kirk Hallam
* William Gilbert Primary School, Duffield
* Harpur Hill Primary School, Buxton
* Firfield Primary School, Breaston
* Tibshelf Community School
* Leys Junior School, Alfreton
* Barlborough Primary School
* South Normanton Nursery School.

Derbyshire Discretionary Fund Changes
If you're in need of financial support due to a crisis or disaster, Derbyshire Discretionary Fund could help you.

The DDF provides grants or emergency cash payments to help people live independently or cope with exceptional pressure when they have no other source of funding.

The way the fund works is changing following a public consultation to ensure it stays within budget. The fund allocation has remained the same since 2013 but the number of applications has increased, particularly in the last two years.

You can now apply for:

* Crisis payments for when you are not able to buy food and energy if there is a sudden event or change of circumstances.
* Re-settlement grants for those who are setting up home or establishing a settled way of life.
* Essential items grants to help if you are experiencing pressure and are unable to provide essential items for your home.

Supporting unpaid carers
Calling all Derbyshire employers – did you know that there are more than two million employees across the UK who are juggling both work and caring responsibilities?

If you employ an unpaid carer, our Derbyshire Healthy Workplaces team has lots of help and advice on how you can support them. You can also find out how you can support carers in your workplace at a series of FREE webinars hosted by Derbyshire Carers Association on:

* 10 October 2024 from midday to 1pm. Find out more and book tickets
* 18 November 2024 from 10.30am to 11.30am. Find out more and book tickets
* 9 December 2024 from 11.30am to 12.30pm. Find out more and book tickets

A carer is a person of any age who provides unpaid care and support to a family member, friend or neighbour who is disabled, has an illness or long-term health condition or who needs extra help as they grow older.

Derbyshire Carers Association – which provides a range of carer services on our behalf – also offers free training for organisations to become carer friendly employers.