The following planning applications for Dronfield were received at NEDDC

in the last two weeks. You can follow whats happening online -see the “side panel” and Planning Applications Online where an up to date list is always available from NEDDC including the current status of applications  

I have received complaints about the lack of availability of Toilets for use by the public in the Civic Centre since the Sports Centre closed for refurbishment. The District Council’s attitude seems to be “tough” - they say that their consultation with a citizens group shows that such facilities are low priority. However people, some of who have to wait in this area for buses find this very difficult. The fact that such people may be in a minority is not an excuse for ignoring their needs

Congratulations to Nick Clegg MP for Hallam our nearest neighbouring constituency and our MEP here in Dronfield until 2005 upon his becoming the new Leader of the Liberal Democrats.

Nick said following his election “ It is a privilege to follow in the footsteps of Paddy Ashdown, Charles Kennedy and Ming Campbell, who have all contributed so much to our party. I look forward to working with them all during my leadership.

I would also like to pay tribute to both Vince Cable and Chris Huhne. Vince has been an inspiration as stand-in leader with both his forensic questioning and his memorable put downs. Chris and I saw a lot of each other during the leadership contest. Now we will be working together as close colleagues to ensure that our party goes on to further electoral success. I am delighted that both Vince and Chris are going to be part of my top team over the coming years.

We have a golden opportunity for our party. Gordon Brown presides over an increasingly stale, incompetent, and desperate government. David Cameron and the Tories don’t know what they stand for anymore.

We know what we stand for – a more Liberal Britain. I am confident that with hard work and dedication we can turn our beliefs into reality and change our country for the better. “

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 gave £2000 to help pump prime the newly formed charity -the Gosforth Fields Sports Association which have taken over the management of the former school fields and will maintain them for recreational use. I have also given grants to the Air Training Core, Scout and Guide Groups, the Cardio Club etc.

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

Many walkers have expressed concerns with respect to the consequences for the rights of way accross the site from the proposal to build the ECODOME near Chesterfield. These are used by many walkers from and around Dronfield.

 In response to the detailed Planning Application that has now been made to Chesterfield Borough Council, Derbyshire County Council has made the following comments.

“The County Council has serious concerns regarding the stopping and re-routing of the public rights of way which cross the site. The Borough Council is therefore requested to ensure that the applicant, in consultation with the County Council, submits revised proposals for the rights of way network through and around the site and that these proposals are agreed prior to the determination of the application.”

I was elected Chair of the Committee which oversees the management of Dronfield Cemetery at the end of May 2007. I received numerous complaints during the summer about the state of the cemetery in Dronfield. More complaints in fact that on any other single issue. We are trying to produce improvements in as sensitive a way as soon as possible. However to bring the Cemetery up to a standard of maintenance that I should like to see, will take many months but I hope those who visit the cemetery will already have noticed some of the improvements. 

Traffic Calming for Leabrook Road, Pentland Road & Gosforth Drive.

November 21st, 2007 by izzy pryce

“I have received complaints about speeding on Lea brook Road, Pentland Road and Gosforth Drive and I have been pushing for action for several years” says LIBDEM County Councillor Izzy Pryce. 

”I have been reluctant to see more road humps in the area because these are inconvenient and damaging for everyone including those who behave responsibly.

I was therefore delighted that Derbyshire County Council are investing over £100,000 on improved road markings, signing, refuges and vehicle activated signs to help reduce speeds on these residential roads. This work is now well underway. It will be useful to see how effective it proves in reducing speeds which currently average(median) over 46mph”

At Dronfield Town Council meetings during the ‘Public Forum’ we often get complaints about alcohol related problems particularly late at night in the area around the Town Centre.  Only 13 alcohol licencees had their licences suspended and just 11 were revoked in 2006-7, in the whole of England and Wales,.according to new figures.  In the latest available figures, only four licensees were convicted of selling liquor to a drunk person.  The government’s own figures show a complete failure to tackle Britain’s growing drink problem. When the new Licensing Act was introduced, we were promised a continental drinking culture, but in reality we’ve seen a  surge in alcohol related antisocial behaviour and drunken violence. We have laws in place to guard against these incidents, but they just aren’t being enforced - when laws are flouted, licences must be revoked or suspended.  

Since winning a majority of seats on the Dronfield Town Council in May LIBDEMs councillors have set up the Road Safety Group which had not met for several years.  Chaired by Cllr Doug Oxspring this group will assess where the most dangerous spots are and try and prioritise these in terms of the need for action. At its first meeting the Group decided that they would invite local groups and residents to put their views to the committee. It is hoped that the police and officers of the County Council will also attend from time to time to help take the recommendations forward. 

 I have been concerned for some time about the amount of surface water on local and rural roads due to blocked drains (”gulleys). In some cases the gulleys seem to have been blocked for so long that they have vanished completely. I have recently been successful in getting a review by an Improvement and Scrutiny Panel of this topic at Derbyshire County Council. Improvement and Scrutiny Panels consist of a group of councillors of all parties, supported by officers who can seek evidence from a wide range of sources and look for themselves at problems.What do you think? Contact me if you have a view

www.dronfieldonline.co.uk is a useful website that has been in existance for some time and gives information about local events and clubs, organisations and businesses. Why not give it a try if you wish to publicise your organisations events

The local magazine, Dronfield Eye, published a number of letters expressing concern at the ludicrous train “service” currently provided at Dronfield Rail Station in 2006.  The  instigator of the debate, Dr Peter Hayward has enlisted  the support of the local MP, Natasha Engel, local councillorsand officers of the Public Transport Unit at Derbyshire County Council.

 Anyone who travels regularly into Sheffield and Chesterfield will know just how much congestion on the roads has relentlessly increased year by year.  Driving on the motorways is frequently a nightmare. Its good to see that a lot of local people are supporting this attempt to improve our rail service

The “Friends of Dronfield Station” the local Action Group set up as a result is holding its inaugural General meeting on Friday 28th September at 7.30 in the Dronfield Civic Hall.

I have recently become Dronfield Town Council’s representative on the Action Group