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HARPUR HILL

I've been asked to go to Harpur Hill Residents Assn. to discuss the proces for the spending on the Big Lottery Grant that we have secured through HPBC to be spent on the play area. They are a really well run Association who I have met with previously. As ever I was impressed by them as a group. We had discussions around several other issues to as well as the play area. I need to find out a few things for them about the situation regarding the old college site that is concerning local residents

BUXTON FESTIVAL & BUXTON OPERA HOUSE

I and other Council colleagues went to an informal get together with representatives from the two organisations. We are keen to help both of them in whatever way we can. Whilst they obviously focus on Buxton, their presence in the High Peak does bring benefits across the area as people come from across the country, both to the festival and to the Opera House itself. 

BANK BAILOUT 2

Gordon Brown claimed he had saved the world, then claimed he had saved the banks. yesterday it became very clear that he had not even managed this. The second bailout seems to be an open cheque with little or no indications of the possible costs. Maybe he hasn't a clue how much it will cost. It would be better if he told us all, after all, it is us who will have to foot the bill !

SHADOW CABINET RESHUFFLE

So Ken Clarke is back. I do not share his views on Europe, but it cannot be denied that he is a political heavyweight, and his knowledge and experience will be invaluable in his new role. Businesses are struggling - Ken will understand this and be a good ally to David as part of the Shadow Cabinet. I am very pleased to see Chris Grayling moved to Shadow Home Secretary. I have met Chris several times and he is a first class MP and will do a great job  

GLOSSOP & SHIREBROOK

Following calls by residents, I have visitd two sites in Glossop today. Firstly to look at a litter problem around the KFC on Glossop Brook Road. I will look at ways of dealing with the problem, but it would be so much easier if we could get people to take their litter home. I remember the 'Keep Britain Tidy' campaign of the 1970's - we perhaps need a Keep High Peak Tidy campaign - I will get on to that.

My next appointment was to discuss developments on Shirebrook, things that have happened and any possible future ideas for the area. I have a meeitng with two local residents with particular concerns which I will try to deal with. They alerted me to a litter pick on March 7th which I have agreed to take part in

NEWSHAW LANE - IMPROVED PLAY FACILITIES

As part of the improvements of play areas across the High Peak, the playground at Newshaw Lane has undergone improvements. The main opening took place at the end of 2008, howvere tonight was an opening for the young people who use it. There was hot chocolate being served and various other things available for young people. I attended as the Executive Councillor for Social Inclusion to look at the new equipment and see it all in action. There was a good turnout of young people and I was accompanied by Cllr. Foote and her husband Steve who is our DCC spokesperson for the area

PENSION PROTECTION FUND

Following earlier contacts, I have ttended a meeting with some local business people to discuss the Pension Protection Fund (PPF). The PPF was set up by the Government as a safety net for failed pension schemes, indeed it is the PPF that should hopefully be the body that guarantees the victims of the failed T&N scheme something like what they were entitled to. The PPF is a long way short of being perfect though. The issues for discussion today was the fact that the PPF is paid for via a levy placed on existing surviving funds. The discussions have highlighted to me that their levy (ie. contribution to the PPF) is increasing all the time and by unreasonable amounts. This is having a detrimental effect on businesses as they try valiantly to keep their final salary schemes going in very difficult circumstances. How long before a company has to implement redundancies to pay the PPF levy ? This is more consequences of the raid on pensions orchestrated by Gordon Brown in 1997 ! ! ! 

NORTH PEAK HEALTHCARE

Responding to an invitation I today attended a meeting with doctors in Whaley Bridge. The doctors from Whaley Bridge, Chapel-en-le-Frith, New Mills & Hayfield are working on some exciting proposals for healthcare in the North High Peak area that these practices cover. It's early days yet, but I like what is proposed and I think they would benefit the residents of the towns that these doctors serve, so its watch this space ! 

POLICE BUDGET CONSULTATION

It was my intention to attend this meeting anyway, but following representations made at the full Council meeting in December, I reinforced my resolve to go and listen to the budget challenges facing the Derbyshire Police. It was a salutory experience when you realise the different types of crime that the Police are trying to fight. As technology and the world changes, so does the types of crime that the Police have to combat. eg. the internet alone has spawned a whole new raft of criminal offences that the Police have to try to combat. I will continue to work on behalf of residents who I know are always concerned about policing levels in the High Peak.

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