“An alternative to Party Politics”; Alex Dann and Phil Ingall as Independent candidates in Derby City Council elections.
The political system is not conducive to Independent candidates winning elections. The party “machines”, together with the a widespread tradition of consistently voting for the same political colour, makes it an uphill […]
Local election Party manifestos – more in common than divides them!
On 2nd May there will be local elections for each of the 17 wards in the City; this represents just one-third of the total number of Councillors in the Council chamber. All […]
Will the lure of money over-rule heritage value in the development of Derby’s historic Middleton House?
In the heart of Derby, near to the Cathedral, on St Mary’s Gate, is a Grade II listed building – MIddleton House. It is situated within the City Conservation Area and is […]
Special Needs Education Funding shortfall: Creative solutions required not careless communications.
Funding for the education of children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) is a very sensitive issue but rarely attracts much popular attention. When it does, it is often misunderstood. Support […]
Derby’s new Landmark building: Questions to be asked about the Property Developer, Godwin “group”
At 17 floors high, and 201 residential apartments, the “Landmark” is set to be the tallest building in Derby City Centre. Sited on the car park on Phoenix Street, adjacent to St […]
After 7 month hiatus, new, improved Library implementation plan fails at first hurdle.
The Council’s Library strategy is a mirage – an illusion! An unreachable position; but one that is still affecting the lives of dozens of library staff still left dangling in limbo. Thus […]
A slur made about Cllr Amo Raju’s disability leads to a positive outcome for the Council
Cllr Amo Raju was elected to the Council just under 4 years ago. As the Chief Executive of Disability Direct, for over two decades, he has been instrumental in promoting support for […]
Sinfin Incinerator : Council should be decisive on termination and unlock the contractual check-mate.
It has been well documented that, from 1 October 2018 the Councils ( Derby City and Derbyshire County) have had the right to terminate the Sinfin Incinerator Project Agreement with the main […]
Quick Guide to the Council’s 2019/20 Budget ; next stage, develop community integration
Next week the Full Council agrees the 209 page Budget statement for 2019/20. This is a weighty document for the busy reader. Below is a quick guide through the main highlights. What’s […]
Where did the money go? Police and Crime Commissioner withholds funds from Joe Russo’s Enthusiasm charity.
Last November I reported on the questionable status of Joe Russo’s Enthusiasm Trust and the antipathy towards the organisation despite recently receiving a Queen’s Award for Volunteering. Joe Russo’s Enthusiasm Trust bouyed […]
A52 Project : “comprehensive failings and weaknesses over a long period of time”
Today, the Council issued the Independent Reviewer’s 136 page report on the A52 project. As highlighted in previous Derby News articles, the root cause of the cost overruns and delays was poor […]
Assembly Rooms: Is the Council’s ‘Refurbished’ option really Value for Money?
In December 2018 the Conservative administration announced their plans to refurbish and enhance the Assembly Rooms for £24m. This was in contrast to the previous Labour administration’s plans to build a new […]
Allenton’s St Martin’s Church “makeover”; made possible by many acts of community kindness.
On 1st February 2019 the St Martin’s Church in Allenton will be putting on an 18 hour re-launch extravaganza to celebrate its 18 month long transformation. A limited amount of money achieved […]
Ruth Barnett : Key note speaker at Derby’s Holocaust Memorial Day event 28th January 2019
Ruth Barnett will be giving the keynote speech at this year’s Holocaust Memorial Day event at QUAD on 28th January 7:30pm. This will possibly be the last chance to hear, first-hand, from […]
Promoting social justice : Derby Law Centre providing free legal advice on Housing and Debt
In 2018, the Derby Law Centre’s team of solicitors, ensured that 10 people per week, every week, avoided homelessness as a result of legal proceedings; this was a 93% success rate. And […]
Derby News Review of 2018 and thoughts on what might happen in 2019!
A brief review of article highlights for this year…and some predictions for this coming year. Banwait loses his seat, and Labour lose control of the Council By May 2018, when the local […]
The community comes together to bring the Christmas spirit to 70 Sinfin/Osmaston residents
Back in June I attended the Sinfin Ward “Royal Wedding” lunch for the elderly residents. Many people mentioned about the Christmas lunch from the previous year and suggested I should come along […]
New Assembly Rooms funding plan signals 1 Year slip to New Moorways swimming pool.
Yesterday, the Council’s Cross-Party Executive Scrutiny Board examined and challenged the Cabinet paper on the new, refurbished, Assembly Rooms plan. This proposal was part of the Conservative Group’s 2018 manifesto; the commitment […]
Sinfin Incinerator: Everything you need to know on the contract…and it’s already in the public domain!
The pressure to terminate the Sinfin Incinerator contract is unceasing. Many locals just want it to close down and for the noise, odour and airborne pollutants to stop. They are calling for […]
Derbyshire Community Bank; helping people to avoid loan sharks and pay day lenders.
High street banks these days seem to have lost that personal touch with nearly everything being on-line, on the phone, or automated. This may work well for some people , but for […]
