About Chesterfield

Meeting to consider devolution options for Chesterfield

22nd March 2016

A second meeting has been called by Chesterfield Borough Council to consider Chesterfield’s devolution options.

The decision to hold a new meeting at 5pm on Wednesday 6 April has been made after Derbyshire County Council announced it was considering bringing a legal challenge against Chesterfield Borough Council’s decision to apply to become a full member of the Sheffield City Region devolution deal and a non-constituent member of a potential North Midlands devolution deal.

Devolution sees powers and funding on issues like skills and training, housing and transport transferred from national Government decision makers to a local level. It doesn’t have any impact on the day-to-day services provided by Chesterfield Borough Council.
The county council is threatening a judicial review unless the decision is reconsidered as it believes the report which councillors originally considered should have included what is known as an Equality Impact Assessment, which looks at the impacts of certain decisions on groups protected by anti-discrimination legislation.

Despite Chesterfield Borough Council’s report following a similar format as every other district and borough council in Derbyshire who took devolution deal decisions Derbyshire County Council has only issued the legal challenge against Chesterfield Borough Council.
No other Derbyshire council has published a full Equality Impact Assessment, including Derbyshire County Council itself – which didn’t hold a meeting in public for its councillors to recommend the combined authority it intends to apply for membership of.

Councillor John Burrows, leader of Chesterfield Borough Council, said: “The only people who benefit from judicial reviews are the barristers presenting the cases.

“We could have opposed this legal challenge but that would have cost Derbyshire’s tax payers a lot of money and wasted a huge amount of time and effort.

“So we have decided to look afresh at our 3 March decision but this time taking into account the full Equality Impact Assessment that we have now developed and other developments that have happened since the original decision was taken, including the decisions taken by other councils across Derbyshire.

“The council will then make a fresh decision on what delivers the best outcomes for both Chesterfield and Derbyshire’s residents and businesses. This will then go to public consultation before the Government makes a final decision.”

Chesterfield is being asked to choose between:

• a devolution deal already agreed with the Government for the Sheffield City Region, which would include an additional £900 million of funding to the city region over 30 years or

• a potential North Midlands deal, yet to be agreed with the Government, seeking similar powers. This would involve Nottingham City Council; Nottinghamshire County Council; six of the seven Nottinghamshire district councils; Derby City Council; Derbyshire County Council and three of the eight Derbyshire district councils (as High Peak and Amber Valley borough councils and South Derbyshire and Erewash district councils have all decided not to be part of the potential North Midlands devolution deal).

The deals will be given to, and managed by combined authorities, which are groups of local councils in each local area. Under Government proposals these authorities would be led by an elected mayor but would only cover issues such as housing, skills and training, business support and transport.
Under the plans:

• Chesterfield will definitely remain part of Derbyshire, while getting the benefits of a devolution deal to help boost Chesterfield and Derbyshire’s economies

• All existing Chesterfield Borough Council services would not be affected in any way and no other council would have a say over the way they are run.

• Derbyshire County Council services for Chesterfield residents, including education, social care and libraries, would also be unchanged, with the exception of transport.

It is anticipated that under either option the county council’s transport powers would be put under the remit of an elected mayor and combined authority with a remit well beyond the administrative geographical boundaries of Derbyshire.

As required under the Government process, local councils are asked to make a decision on where to apply before the issue goes out to public consultation, with the Government making a final decision in the autumn.

A revised report by council officers will be published publicly five working days before the meeting giving officer recommendations for councillors to consider, taking into account any comments made on the Equality Impact Assessment or other matters that have changed since the original decision was made.

Further information about the devolution options available to the council can be seen at www.chesterfield.gov.uk/devolution, www.sheffieldcityregiondevolution.org.uk and www.northmidlands.org.uk

Posted in About Chesterfield

DIY SOS star opens Chesterfield College Construction Centre with gold medal winning joinery apprentice

18th March 2016

Celebrity carpenter Mark Millar from DIY SOS helped to celebrate the opening of the new construction workshops on Infirmary Road today, along with Chesterfield College’s Worldskills UK gold medal winning apprentice, Jack Chambers.

The duo gave expert advice on how to carve a career in construction as well as judging a ‘We Built That’ competition for Year 8 & 9 school pupils from across Derbyshire.

School teams were given a brief to build the best rocket before spending the day working in the joinery, plumbing and painting and decorating workshops of the new construction workshops under the watchful eye of Chesterfield College students and tutors.

The competition finished with a rocket launch for VIP guests, prize giving ceremony for the winning team from Chapel-en-le-Frith High School and the official opening of the new building by Mark Millar, Jack Chambers and the Chair of the College Corporation Frank Smith.

Mark Millar said:

“It is a fantastic honour to be part of the opening of the new workshops and to be able to spend time with the next generation of construction experts. I can see already that the college is training people with the ability to shine. Who knows, they might be the construction stars of the future.

“When I started my career as a carpentry apprentice, learning at work and in a college, I never thought that I would be doing what I do. Not many carpenters end up on TV, but it is amazing where construction skills can lead to. It‘s fantastic to see young people being inspired and learning important construction skills in modern facilities like this because I know skilled employees are in demand.”

The new building was part funded by the Skills Funding Agency and houses several workshops and classrooms designed to give students the skills they need to succeed in a range of construction disciplines from plumbing and joinery to painting and decorating. The facility provides internal and external space for students to gain practical experience in areas that replicate real construction sites.

Joinery apprentice, 18 year old, Jack Chambers is one of the students benefitting from the facilities at Chesterfield College. He recently beat the best of the best to bring home the gold medal in joinery from the Worldskills UK competition. He says that mixing college study and his apprenticeship at Pennine Woodworking in Bradwell gave him the skills he needed to succeed and could help him compete internationally in Abu Dhabi in 2017.

Jack spent some time explaining to the school teams where apprenticeships and studying at college can lead to. He said:

“When I left school I knew I would end up doing a hands-on job but I had no idea that learning a trade through studying at college and doing an apprenticeship would give me the chance to compete at an international level. It has given me a brilliant opportunity to prove what I can do and it has helped me to be better at the job I do every day too.”

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Development

New parking rate to attract shoppers to Chesterfield

18th March 2016

Shoppers will be able to park at a reduced rate of £3 for three hours – equivalent to £1 an hour – in all Chesterfield Borough Council-run car parks from 1 April.

The rate is part of a move to standardise charges across different car parks with the aim of attracting drivers to stay in the town for longer to go shopping or do business.

It previously cost between £3.30 and £3.90 to park for three hours, depending on the car park used. Most car parks will also see reductions in the cost of parking for four hours with a new standard rate of £4.30 replacing charges that varied between £4.30 and £5.20.

Parking for up to two hours will remain the same in the most popular car parks – Soresby Street, Rose Hill and Holywell Cross – but increase in others to a consistent rate across the town.

Councillor Amanda Serjeant, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for town centre and visitor economy, said:

“Shoppers have told us that they want to spend longer in town at a reasonable rate and the introduction of the new £3 for three hours rate in all council run car parks enables us to deliver that.

“In addition we offer a range of permits that enable commuters or daily shoppers to park for less. Depending on the permit chosen these can work out at an average of £2.30 for a whole day’s parking.

“In the past we had different charges for car parks depending on how far away from the town centre they were. To simplify things for customers we have now designated car parks as either short stay or long stay and standardised charges across them.

“This is on top of the residents’ free parking scheme that lets people who live in the borough of Chesterfield to park without charge before 10am or after 3pm Mondays to Saturdays and all day on Sundays and bank holidays at the car parks named on the back of their free parking permit.”

From 1 April all Chesterfield Borough Council-run car parks will charge:

• 70p – for up to 30 minutes
• £1.30 – for up to an hour
• £2.60 – for up to two hours
• £3 – for up to three hours
• £4.30 – for up to four hours

Above four hours it will cost a flat rate of £5 in long stay car parks and an extra £1.30 per hour in short stay car parks.
The following car parks will be short stay car parks: Holywell Cross, Rose Hill, Soresby Street, and St Mary’s Gate.

Long stay car parks will be: Albion Road, Derbyshire Times, Devonshire Street, Durrant Road, Hollis Lane, New Beetwell Street multi-storey car park, Saltergate multi-storey car park, Spa Lane, Station Road, Queen’s Park Annexe, Queen’s Park North, Queen’s Park South, Theatre Lane and West Street.

The price of parking permits have also been standardised across council long stay car parks, except for multi-storey car parks.

They are now:
• £60 a month – which works out at approximately £2.50 a day if used 25 times in a month or
• £600 a year – which works out at approximately £2.30 a day if used on weekdays throughout the year.

Scratch card prices have also been standardised. They can be bought in blocks of five and cost a flat rate of £3.50 a day in all long stay car parks, except for multi-storey car parks, which require a separate pass.

Anyone wanting to buy a parking permit or scratch card can ring 01246 345593 or email parking.services@chesterfield.gov.uk Scratch cards are also available from the Chesterfield Visitor Information Centre in Rykneld Square.

Chesterfield Borough Council is not responsible for running all car park areas in the town. Some car parks are privately owned, while on-street car parking charges are set by Derbyshire County Council. These organisations set the charges for these parking areas.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Leisure, Visiting

Post Office to grow operations in Chesterfield

17th March 2016

Business leaders in Chesterfield have welcomed news from the Post Office that it is to grow operations at its town centre base. A total of 160 jobs are to be brought to the Future Walk offices on West Bars in Chesterfield.

Huw Bowen, Chief Executive of Chesterfield Borough Council made the announcement at the annual Celebrate Chesterfield event organised by Destination Chesterfield, in association with The University of Derby.

The jobs have arisen following the centralisation of the majority of the Post Office’s internal contact centre/helpline work for employees and agents (franchisees) which will complement its Finance Service Centre which is already based at Future Walk. So far 45 roles of the 160 have been centralised with additional jobs expected in the near future.

Councillor John Burrows, Chesterfield Borough Council’s leader and cabinet member for regeneration said: “Since opening at Future Walk in the 1960s, the Post Office has been a major employer in Chesterfield and these moves which will bring up to 160 jobs to the town underlines that.
“The centralisation will bring more people into the town centre, using our shops and businesses and will help grow our town centre economy.”

250 of the town’s business leaders gathered at the town’s sell-out Celebrate event on 17 March at The Winding Wheel. Organised by Destination Chesterfield in association with The University of Derby, the event update the business community on the progress made with developments, including the £320million Chesterfield Waterside scheme, at the event which was sponsored by Central Technology and Markham Vale, also included representatives from University of Derby, Meter Provida and Central Technology.

The breakfast event also looked back on the success of Destination Chesterfield, the town’s inward investment campaign, during the last 12 months.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Destination Chesterfield, Development

Chesterfield Waterside scheme moves into planning phase following £2.7m grant

16th March 2016

Chesterfield’s £320million Waterside scheme is set to take a major step forward following the award of a £2.7million Sheffield City Region Infrastructure Fund (SCRIF) grant.

The grant, which was secured by Chesterfield Borough Council in partnership with developers Chesterfield Waterside Limited, has enabled the first phase of the development’s £75 million Basin Square scheme to be brought forward by the site’s developers.

A Planning Application for the Basin Square Site Enabling and Infrastructure Works, and Phase 1 Layout, has been submitted, comprising:

Clearance of the former Trebor factory site, preparation of building platforms and delivery of site infrastructure.
Relocation of the existing temporary carpark to the north of the site
Creation of an acoustic noise bund along the A61 on the former Arnold Laver site
Illustrative proposals indicating the proposed height and massing for the buildings to be constructed in Phase 1.

If approved, the planning applications will facilitate delivery of the development of Phase 1 at Basin Square, on the site of the former Trebor factory. The exciting mixed-use first phase of Basin Square is of a scale and quality not previously seen before in Chesterfield and will elevate the town’s profile, delivering office accommodation, apartments, a hotel and a multi-storey car park.

The applications are the result of months of planning and design work, which has included a full review of the proposals by Opun, the regional design panel.

Work on site infrastructure and preparation is expected to commence this summer and be completed by the end of 2016. Delivery of the works will pave the way for the development of the first phase of Basin Square in 2017, which is expected to create more than 300 new jobs.

Material excavated from the site as part of the site clearance will be used to construct the acoustic noise bund ahead of The Park residential development on the site of the former Arnold Laver Timber Yard, which also forms part of the Chesterfield Waterside development.

Chesterfield Waterside is recognised as being one of the UK’s largest regeneration projects, and is being developed by Chesterfield-based Bolsterstone Plc working in conjunction with Arnold Laver Group and Chesterfield Borough Council.

Peter Swallow, Managing Director of Bolsterstone Plc said: “The submission of planning applications for the first phase of Basin Square is a significant step forward for the Chesterfield Waterside development. Once preparation works are complete and the infrastructure is in place, it will facilitate delivery of development on both Basin Square and The Park, enabling us to progress with the second phase of detailed planning applications for the buildings themselves shortly afterwards.”

Councillor John Burrows, Chesterfield Borough Council’s leader and cabinet member for regeneration said: “By getting this funding from the Sheffield City Region we can kick-start development on this important and high profile site in the town.

“We will continue to seek grant and loan funding from every possible source to help grow businesses, build homes and secure and create jobs for Chesterfield people.”

Additional progress with the Chesterfield Waterside scheme includes the recent granting of planning permission to replace the road bridge over the river Rother on the former Laver timber yard site which will serve The Park residential development. The completion of the bridge and the acoustic bund will pave the way for approximately 300 family homes to be delivered in The Park area.

The first phase of residential housing at Chesterfield Waterside, comprising 19 new homes on part of the former Arnold Laver DIY site on Brimington Road, was completed in 2015 on behalf of Great Places Housing Association, and the properties are now fully occupied.

Read about all the regeneration sites in Chesterfield.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Development

Custom Solar to Sponsor Chesterfield Festival of Cricket

16th March 2016

The Chesterfield-based renewable energy company, who recently installed over 500 solar panels at The 3aaa County Ground, has thrown its support behind the six-day festival, which starts on Sunday 3 July.

The action-packed festival features two NatWest T20 Blast fixtures, against Northants Steelbacks and local rivals Yorkshire Vikings – which sold out in advance in 2015 – on consecutive Sundays, and a Specsavers County Championship fixture versus Northamptonshire which begins on Monday 4 July.

The Custom Solar Chesterfield Festival of Cricket, held in association with Chesterfield Borough Council, will represent the fourth successive year that title sponsorship has been attributed to a commercial partner for the annual event.

Custom Solar Director, Matthew Brailsford said: “To sponsor the Chesterfield Festival of Cricket is an exciting prospect. As a local Chesterfield business we remain active across the region and where possible support events that raise the profile of the town and county. To do this in partnership with one of our flagship clients is ideal for us.

“We will utilise the event to continue spreading the word of renewable energy and to show our continued support for local sport, both of which make us incredibly proud.”

Derbyshire County Cricket Club Chief Executive, Simon Storey added: “We’re delighted to extend our partnership and to have Custom Solar as our principal festival sponsors for the next three years.

“The Chesterfield Festival is always one of the highlights of the summer and we are looking forward to another fantastic week of cricket.”

Custom Solar Chesterfield Festival of Cricket 2016
NatWest T20 Blast
Derbyshire Falcons vs Northants Steelbacks
Sunday 3 July; 2.30pm
Specsavers County Championship
Derbyshire vs Northamptonshire
Monday 6 July to Thursday 9 July; 11am

NatWest T20 Blast
Derbyshire Falcons vs Yorkshire Vikings
Sunday 10 July; 2.30pm

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Leisure, Summer

Campaign launched to attract more visitors to Peak District & Derbyshire

16th March 2016

Young, hard-working professionals are being encouraged to escape to the beautiful Peak District to recharge their batteries and experience new adventures in a new campaign launched by Marketing Peak District & Derbyshire.

‘The Land to Forget Time’ was revealed to unsuspecting shoppers at Birmingham’s Bullring on Saturday as a young, innocent bystander hit a flashing escape button before entering an Escape Pod and, just minutes later, re-appeared carrying a mountain bike over his shoulder looking blown away by a recent adrenaline-fuelled experience of bombing down some of the best mountain biking trails in the country. The audience watched in awe as TV and video screens suddenly flashed on, revealing a short captured moment of a mountain biking experience viewed from the riders’ handle bars!

This was just one of three fun social media flash events designed to gather audiences, connecting them together and encouraging them to participate by sharing the experience with others through social media.

The pace slowed down on Sunday when the adrenaline-charged Escape Pod was re-introduced as the ‘Recharge Pod’. Shoppers were invited to inhale the fresh air offered by the Peak District and Derbyshire and even getting a taste of it from the oxygen bar, whilst enjoying a complimentary head and shoulder massage, before being handed a goody bag full of exclusive offers and a few extra surprises.

Following on from this event, both Manchester and Birmingham commuters will be wowed by billboards and mega bus rears portraying some of the iconic attractions and things to do in the Peak District and Derbyshire. Online and printed coverage delivered by the Guardian and a well-planned social media strategy will make sure this campaign drives up a successful return on investment.

“This campaign is very exciting and has really captured the imagination of our partners with many helping to fund it. We have every confidence this campaign will capture the imagination of our target audience, and successfully influence their ideas for a short break. We want to encourage people to help us breathe real life into the campaign by taking their own short videos and GoPro films that capture ‘moments’ in time”, said Jo Dilley, Managing Director, Marketing Peak District & Derbyshire.

“Historically the area has always performed well in attracting families and over 50s – but this campaign has been carefully crafted to widen that reach by appealing to a young ‘hip’ urban audience, the results being twofold with the campaign attracting new additional visitors, increasing spend and boosting both the local and regional economy.”

‘The Land to Forget Time’ graphic is based on a photograph taken by Dronfield-based Mark Henson, one of Experience Peak District & Derbyshire’s Destination Partner Photographers.

To have your opportunity to get involved with this campaign simply take your own short video or GoPro film of your ‘moment’ in the Peak District and Derbyshire and upload it at www.thelandtoforgettime.co.uk for the chance to win a prize worth in excess of £2,000!

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Leisure, Visiting

Digital marketing apprentice joins In the Works PR

16th March 2016

Ben Leach has joined leading Chesterfield PR firm In the Works PR, as Digital Marketing Apprentice.

Former A Level business studies student, Ben (17) from Edwinstowe near Mansfield, has joined the four-strong team as a Level 3 apprentice. He is the company’s first apprentice appointment and is an integral part of its plans to expand the digital communications side of the business in 2016.

As part of his role Ben will be developing his writing skills for website content, social media and the press, looking to progress to a level 4 apprenticeship with the business once he has successfully completed his 15 month Level 3 apprenticeship.

Commenting on his new role Ben said: “There’s a wide variety of clients at In the Works PR with very different requirements which will give me a broad range of experience and skills. It’s a face-paced, challenging and exciting environment to work. It’s great to be part of the growing, but tight-knit team at In the Works PR and I’m really looking forward to developing my career here.”

Anna Melton, Director of In the Works PR, added: “It’s great to have some young talent in the team. We’re all really looking forward to developing Ben and ensuring he has a long and rewarding career with the business. We know our clients will love him as much as we do.”

Outside work, Ben enjoys writing and is a published ‘contributing author’ to a writing anthology.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield

Fun and games at Chatsworth this Easter

15th March 2016

Huge Easter egg hunts, Eggspress Trailer rides, and hands-on spring activities are just some of the treats in store for those who visit Chatsworth this Easter as the estate opens up this weekend for the new season.

Spread across the house, garden and farmyard, there’s something for visitors of all ages to enjoy. Golden egg hunts take place in the garden every day during the school holidays and there will be animal sessions in the farmyard where visitors can see new-born lambs and chicks, and there’s a chance to get involved in the guinea pig village during animal handling sessions.

Visitors can take a ride on the Easter Eggspress trailer ride through the park to try and spot the Easter bunny every day of the Easter weekend (25 – 28 March). Other activities on offer include face painting, which will take place at Flora’s temple, with entertainment coming from a vintage barrel organ.

There will also be a new outdoor family event on 31 March. Families will need to use teamwork and imagination to build a den using natural materials found in Stand wood. Children will also build a bug hotel to take home for the garden. The Family wildtime event takes place at the Stickyard outdoor education centre. Tickets are £14 per child and £15 per adult and include admission to the garden on the day.

Chatsworth re-opens after the winter break for the new 2016 season on 19 March 2016.

For more ideas for the Easter holidays click here.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Leisure, Visiting

eBusiness Works expands the team

15th March 2016

Joe Morton is the latest member to join the Chesterfield-based digital marketing company eBusiness Works.

Joe (16) from New Whittington, has joined eBusiness Works, based on Saltergate in Chesterfield, as a Digital Marketing Apprentice.

Prior to joining the company Joe was studying A-Levels at Dronfield Henry Fanshawe School. As part of his new role Joe will be working alongside eBusiness Works Director Emma Loughlin learning about all aspects of the business during his 15 month apprenticeship and being developed into a Digital Marketing Executive.

Commenting on his new role Joe said: “It’s great to be part of what was already an amazing team and I’m looking forward to really getting into the role. The company has a great variety of clients which means every day is new and exciting in the office. There is never a dull day!”

Emma Loughlin added: “We’re delighted to welcome Joe to the business. He has a strong passion for writing which is ideal as we place such a strong emphasis on good online content – that’s what makes us different.

“We’re looking to build on the success of our Derbyshire Times Award in 2015 for Best Business Idea and Joe’s appointment is key to driving forward our development and growth.”

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield

Primary Dance Festival wows sell-out crowds

15th March 2016

Local parents and families were treated to a variety of carefully choreographed routines from nearly 30 schools at the Chesterfield School Sport Partnership’s eighth annual Primary Dance Festival.

Due to the popularity of the event, the festival was held over two days for the first time with over 1000 people attending over the four sessions held on 8th and 9th March.

With the 2016 Olympics around the corner, this year’s theme was ‘Rio 2016 Carnival’ and each school embraced it by dressing up in masks and bright clothing, playing drums and getting into the carnival spirit. There were many highlights, including Spire Junior School’s use of a large Brazilian flag as part of their energetic dance. Poolsbrook Primary also involved the majority of their school by bringing a samba band to play before the dance.

Mark Tournier, Partnership Development Manager at the Chesterfield School Sport Partnership, said: “The primary dance platform provides an opportunity for every young person to perform and showcase their personal best. It takes a huge amount of courage and determination to take the steps onto the stage and perform, and to see the self-confidence, pride and smiles as they leave the stage is why we do it.

“Our dance festival is a long-standing annual event and to see it grow over the past few years, to run over two days with four performances is testament to the support of the primary schools across Chesterfield and to the hard work of teachers and parents.”

Zoe, a dancer from Hollingwood, said: “My favourite part was dancing on the stage.”

Her classmate Tilly added: “I enjoyed watching everyone else” and Abigail said: “We’ve practiced really hard every dinner time and after school too.”

Larissa and Abbie, pupils at Brimington Junior, were delighted after their performance. Abbie said: “It took about ten weeks of practice to get the performance ready and the lifts. Everyone was brilliant.”

Larissa added: “Everyone was so colourful and when all the schools were downstairs it looked like a carnival coming together. I liked everyone’s dances and couldn’t choose a favourite.”

Miss Bailey, of Cutthorpe Primary, whose solely boys group opened the final session, said: “It was a really nice event, always fantastic. It’s been so colourful as well. The boys have been coming up with their own ideas for the dance and really got into it – they were brilliant.”

Posted in About Chesterfield, Celebrate Chesterfield, Leisure