A Derbyshire-based charity is marking National Old Stuff Day by encouraging the public to be out with the old by sorting through their unwanted items and donating them to the cause.

Ashgate Hospicecare, which has 16 charity shops across the Derbyshire county, relies on donations of various items to sell in their shops. National Old Stuff Day is on Wednesday 2^nd March and challenges people to do something different and out of the norm or routine. Ashgate Hospicecare is encouraging people to have a seasonal sort through items including clothing, shoes, bags and bric-a-brac.

Laura Stevens, the Hospice’s Area Retail Manager, said, “Every year our shops contribute £500,000 to supporting patients through hospice care.

“Our shops always need items to sell and it is only through the generosity of our supporters donating their good quality unwanted items that we are able to generate funds for the Hospice.

“National Old Stuff Day provides everyone with the chance to sort through any items they maybe don’t need anymore or create some space for something else. What’s old to you can then be made new for someone else!”

The profits raised through Ashgate Hospicecare’s charity shops goes directly to the care provided to local people with life-limiting illnesses and their families. The shops generate 23% of the Hospice’s voluntary income.

Kim Trickett was diagnosed with cancer four times in her life. At the age of just 20, she was told the devastating news that she was terminally ill. She was eventually admitted to Ashgate Hospicecare and died a few weeks later. Her mother, Tracie Holocuk, has since been grateful to the Hospice for the care provided to her daughter.

“Clearing out your wardrobe will mean care can be provided to people just like my daughter and myself. I have seen first hand how every bag of donated items gets turned into things like pain relief, medication, equipment and one to one care from specialist consultants to name but a few. It gives the Hospice time to care for its local people. That time is so important and it enabled me to spend the last moments of Kimberley’s life with her which were priceless”

Donations of items can be made to any of the Ashgate Hospicecare shops across the county. Donors can find their nearest shop by visiting the Hospice’s website.  Alternatively for more information on donating items, call the Hospice’s Donation Centre on 01246 203727 or visit the centre on the Storforth Lane Trading Estate in Hasland.

Chesterfield residents have a chance to share their views with Chesterfield Borough Council and discuss issues that matter to them at the next round of Community Assembly meetings. Held four times each year, the meetings allow people to receive information and ask questions about projects led by the council and other partners that will affect them and their families.

The east meeting in Staveley will contain a briefing about the proposals for the HS2 rail link.

Residents attending the south meeting in Hasland will hear an update from Healthwatch Derbyshire and a consultation on a skate park for Eastwood Park, Hasland.

Derbyshire Fire and Rescue service will also speak at the north and west meetings at Littlemoor and Brampton respectively.

Residents at the east, south and west meetings can vote on which projects in their areas will receive funding from the council’s minor grants scheme.
All meetings will receive updates from Derbyshire Constabulary and a presentation on digital inclusion from Derbyshire Libraries.

Councillor Sharon Blank, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for governance said: “We invite our residents to come along and attend our Community Assembly meetings.

“They will be able to hear a variety of updates from the council and our partner organisations on issues that affect them in their communities.”

• Chesterfield east: Wednesday 2 March at Staveley Methodist Church, Chesterfield Road, Staveley
• Chesterfield south: Wednesday 9 March at Hasland Village Hall, Eastwood Park
• Chesterfield north: Thursday 10 March at St Hugh’s RC Church, Littlemoor
• Chesterfield west: Wednesday 16 March at St Thomas’ Centre, St Thomas’ Church, Brampton.

The meetings are held at 6.30pm and will finish at around 8pm.

Chesterfield Borough Council will meet next week to decide which of two devolution deals would bring the most benefits for the town’s residents and businesses.

The council has played an active part in helping to negotiate two deals, which would devolve powers and responsibilities currently held by the Government in London to a more local level. These include powers and funding to deal with issues such as housing, skills and training, business support and transport.

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, which is in the late stages of discussions ahead of an anticipated agreement from the Government. This deal would see a similar range of powers brought to Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire.

The deals will be given to, and be 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.

Five councils, including Chesterfield Borough Council, cover areas that could benefit from either devolution deal due to the current overlap between the Sheffield City Region and North Midlands areas. These include Bolsover District Council, Derbyshire Dales District Council and North East Derbyshire District Council in Derbyshire and Bassetlaw District Council in Nottinghamshire.

Any choice made by councillors when they meet at the Town Hall in Chesterfield at 5pm on Thursday 3 March will then be subject to public consultation before the Government makes the final decision.

Councillor John Burrows, leader of Chesterfield Borough Council, said: “It is important to be clear on what this debate is and isn’t about.

“It is not a debate about whether Chesterfield remains in the geographical boundaries of Derbyshire. We are proud to be in Derbyshire and will stay in Derbyshire irrespective of the outcome of these discussions.

“It is also not a debate about losing any of our council’s current powers and responsibilities or about the role of Chesterfield’s civic mayor.

“What this debate is about is what is best for our economy, for the jobs and training prospects of our residents, for the future sustainability and growth of our businesses, as well as access to millions of pounds worth of investment.

“At the moment many of the powers that we need are held by the Government. We are therefore being asked how best these powers and the accompanying money can be devolved down to a more local level that is in the own self-interest of the people of Chesterfield.”

A report by council officers says that both options have advantages and disadvantages for Chesterfield but, on balance, is recommending that councillors apply to become a full member of the Sheffield City Region devolution deal – known as a constituent member – and also apply to have non-constituent membership of any North Midlands devolution deal that is agreed.

The report says this is because:

• the Sheffield City Region deal is already agreed with the Government and has the necessary administrative team in place to take advantage of the opportunities quickly
• it offers the potential to bring more money to Chesterfield and Derbyshire’s economy
• it provides Chesterfield with a more equal say when funding is being allocated as there are fewer councils sat around the table making decisions
• the town’s economy, including business, commuter and leisure links, is much more closely linked to Sheffield and surrounding cities than to Derby, Nottingham and other southern areas of both counties.

Councillor Burrows added: “Although there is a recommendation from officers it is up to councillors – as the elected representatives of the public – to decide on the night which partnership and deal offers the best prospects for our town after hearing all the arguments during the debate.

“To get a devolution deal in either area the Government has insisted that an elected mayor is created. This mayor would not impact in any way on Chesterfield’s civic mayor but would have oversight of the new powers devolved from the Government and would campaign on behalf of the area for greater devolution in the future.

“Whichever deal we chose to be part of we know that we will need to accept an elected mayor that covers a wider area than just Chesterfield or indeed Derbyshire.

“The choice councillors make on the night will be the beginning rather than the end of a process. A public consultation will give all residents and businesses their say on the devolution options that best fit the needs of Chesterfield. Only when that process is complete will the Government make a final decision.”

A copy of the report assessing the options open to councillors can be seen at www.chesterfield.gov.uk by clicking on the Devolution Deal button at the bottom of the page.

Further information about both the devolution deals can be seen at www.sheffieldcityregiondevolution.org.uk and www.northmidlands.gov.uk