Soaring prices of petrol, food and heating are hitting people hard across our area. It doesn’t matter how much you earn, almost everyone is feeling the pinch. Hardest hit are pensioners and others on fixed incomes.

People are fed up with Gordon Brown’s excuses for his economic mismanagement. We need action now to help people in our area.

Pensions went up by just a few pounds a week this year. That was quickly wiped out when the cost of basic foods like butter and cheese has risen by a third in a year.”It doesn’t stop there either. The cost of heating also went up by up to 40% too. Petrol prices remain much higher than theywere a year ago.

Lower taxes needed I am backing Lib Dem Shadow Chancellor Vince Cable MP to get action to tackle the crisis.Top priority is putting more money in the pockets of ordinary people. The Lib Dems are calling for a 4p in the pound cut in income tax and better pensions.Energy companies would be forced to cut prices for the less well off and pay to improve home insulation.It’s only right that people need to keep more of what they earn to help deal with rising prices.Energy companies have made massive profits from their customers. It’s time that they helped those on low incomes.No one should have to choose between putting food on the table or keeping their home warm.

The planning applications (below) for Dronfield were received at NEDDC in the last week. You can follow whats happening online and object etc. An up to date list is always available from NEDDC including the current status of applications. You will need the application number quoted below for the application you are interested in and click  http://planapps-online.ne-derbyshire.gov.uk/publicaccess/tdc/DcApplication/application_searchform.aspx  

Application to replace front door and relay part of driveway with reclaimed stone setts (Conservation Area) at 12 Holmesfield Road Dronfield Woodhouse Dronfield for Mr David Torr

Construction of a side extension with dormer windows front and rear, alterations to existing dormer windows and installation of an additional rear facing dormer at 1 Dalbury Road Dronfield Woodhouse Dronfield for Mr G Simpson

Derbyshire County Council gives all County Councillors (including me) £4000 each year to award as grants to help local organisations as part of its “community leadership” scheme. These grants are generally intended as one offs to help organisations which I wish to support. For example in the recent past I have been approached by the local Girl Quides and by the Dronfield Dolphins swimming club and arranged for them to receive a grant

Dont hesitate to contact me if you are a member of an organisation in Dronfield and have a project which you would like me to consider supporting.

The single planning application (below) for Dronfield was received at NEDDC in the last week. You can follow whats happening online and object etc. An up to date list is always available from NEDDC including the current status of applications. You will need the application number quoted below for the application you are interested in and click  http://planapps-online.ne-derbyshire.gov.uk/publicaccess/tdc/DcApplication/application_searchform.aspx 

Application to carry out works to various trees located within the Dronfield Conservation Area at The Rectory Church Street Dronfield for Mr A Smith - Derby Diocesan Board Of Finance

See update on 27th Novemeber 

Dronfield Town Council has been promising a skate board area for many years but taken no action.The new LIBDEM controlled Dronfield Town Council which took over from the Labour/Conservative coalition in May 2007 is now ready to go ahead -subject to consultation with residents and young people the Council hopes to invite tenders for the scheme and begin work within the next few months.

Please feel fee to comment  [click on comment above] or take part in the “straw poll” survey [to the left near top]

The planning applications (below) for Dronfield were received at NEDDC in the last week. You can follow whats happening online and object etc. An up to date list is always available from NEDDC including the current status of applications. You will need the application number quoted below for the application you are interested in and click  http://planapps-online.ne-derbyshire.gov.uk/publicaccess/tdc/DcApplication/application_searchform.aspx 

Construction of single storey rear extension to form study and w/c at 18 Solway Rise Dronfield Woodhouse Dronfield for Mr Charles Rice

Notification of intention to fell and prune trees at The Rectory Church Street Dronfield for Mr Allen Smith

Construction of a two storey front extension and a single storey extension to rear at 67 Pentland Road Dronfield Woodhouse Dronfield for Mr Alfred Wilton

Natascha Engel [Labour MP for North East Derbyshire] supports the current massive wave of post office closures (Derbyshire Times, August 28). She says that closing 3,000 more post offices nationally is necessary to help the network survive! The only reason so many are struggling is because the Labour Government have taken so much business away from them starting with their campaign a few years ago to force all pensioners to stop drawing their pension in cash.

If Labour also go ahead with removing the Post Office Card account as threatened, then ANOTHER 2,500 will have to close. Doubtless the loyal New Labour MP’s like Natsacha will say that is necessary too. Meanwhile urban suburbs as well as rural villages are losing what is often their only easily accessible shop when the post office is taken away.

On March 19 a Parliamentary proposal to stop the current round of closures was debated and voted on. Natascha Engell, Dennis Skinner and every other Derbyshire Labour MP (except one who abstained) voted to continue the closures.

Paul Holmes, Chesterfield’s Liberal Democrat MP, voted to end the closures.

Labour MP’s seem to have forgotten why they were elected and who they are supposed to represent.

The planning applications (below) for Dronfield were received at NEDDC in the last week. You can follow whats happening online and object etc. An up to date list is always available from NEDDC including the current status of applications. You will need the application number quoted below for the application you are interested in and click  http://planapps-online.ne-derbyshire.gov.uk/publicaccess/tdc/DcApplication/application_searchform.aspx 

Erection of a detached garage on Plot 14 at Garage Site Smithy Croft Dronfield Woodhouse for Mr Harry Newton

Construction of a side extension and raising of the roof height to provide living accommodation at first floor level (Revised Scheme) at 19 Holmley Bank Dronfield Derbyshire for Mr Keith Allen

Insertion of one first floor window in front elevation of previously approved dwelling at land to the rear (Conservation Area) (Affecting Setting of a Listed

Construction of a conservatory to the rear at 16 Westfield Road Dronfield Derbyshire for Mr And Mrs Skelton

Construction of a conservatory to the rear at 8 Draycott Place Dronfield Woodhouse Dronfield for Mr Downs

Listed Building Consent for internal ground floor alterations to provide new toilet facilities, cafe servery and reception (Listed

The planning applications (below) for Dronfield were received at NEDDC in the last week. You can follow whats happening online and object etc. An up to date list is always available from NEDDC including the current status of applications. You will need the application number quoted below for the application you are interested in and click  http://planapps-online.ne-derbyshire.gov.uk/publicaccess/tdc/DcApplication/application_searchform.aspx 

Retention of two air conditioning units to gable elevation at 18 Cross Lane Dronfield Derbyshire for Mr David Myers

Construction of patio to previously approved extension (07/00641/FL) at 1 Reynolds Close Dronfield Derbyshire for Mrs Catherine Madden

Proposed raising of ridge height to create rooms in roofspace with a rear facing Juliette balcony and construction of a side extension at 87 Firthwood Road Coal Aston Dronfield for Mr A Rinaudo

Retention of minor alterations to car park and extend and reposition disabled parking spaces and create additional parking space at The Bowshaw Inn Sheffield Road Dronfield for Mr C Nettleton

Construction of a two storey side and single storey rear extension (Revised scheme of 08/00354/FL) at 9 Stubley Croft Dronfield Woodhouse Dronfield for Ms D Taylor

Application to prune one Swedish Whitebeam tree protected by Tree Preservation Order No 103 (Part 5) at 16 Gainsborough Road Dronfield Derbyshire for Mrs Barbara Hodd

Application to prune two silver birch, one oak tree and one sycamore tree protected by Tree Preservation Order No. 103 (Part 3 G1) at Land Adjacent 1, 3 And 5 Gainsborough Road Dronfield for Parks

Construction of a two storey rear extension at 12 Marston Close Dronfield Woodhouse Dronfield for Mr John Young

Installation of 1 no automated teller machine (ATM) at Stubley Garage Stubley Lane Dronfield Woodhouse for HSBC Bank Plc