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News from Crich Parish Council

Winter 2011

A Winter Service Working Group of parish councillors has been working very hard to try and ensure we are as prepared as possible for winter weather. They have been liaising with Derbyshire County Council, Amber Valley Borough Council and adjoining parishes so that we can attempt to ensure a “joined-up” service is provided, rather than the ad hoc system which has existed in the past. Having said that, it is important for parishioners to appreciate that Crich Parish Council is not a gritting authority; the primary responsibility for providing a winter service lies with Derbyshire County Council. They are now trying to improve their service so that rural roads where people are sometimes cut off for long periods do at least get some attention. They have also enlisted the help of districts and parishes to share the responsibility of snow clearance, particularly from footways. Crich Parish Council has appointed Cllr. Neil Slaney as our Snow Warden, and he will be organising snow-clearing and gritting of footways. In order to do this effectively, he will need the assistance of other volunteers. If you are willing to volunteer for this, please contact the Clerk, Clive Ludlam. (See above for contact details.) More grit bins have been ordered, including one for Crich Market Place, and a refill of existing bins has been requested. To avoid misunderstandings, I should point out that some grit bins in the parish belong to Amber Valley Housing and it is their responsibility to refill those.
The Parish Council has formed an action group with other representatives of the community to deal with issues arising out of the proposal to replace and refurbish Ambergate Reservoir. The group is in correspondence with Severn Trent Water, their consulting engineers and various individuals and bodies who will, it is hoped, help us to achieve the least unsatisfactory outcome for our community, i.e. one which minimises mess, inconvenience and danger from traffic.
The open evening has now taken place concerning the Amber Valley Housing proposed affordable housing scheme on land behind Coast Hill, Crich. The session was well attended and Amber Valley Housing is now assessing the level of public support for the scheme.
The diseased beech trees at the recreation ground have been felled and there are diverse views as to whether or not they should be replaced, with some residents enjoying the increased light and space. It will not be physically possible to plant replacements in exactly the same locations, and the whole issue will need very careful thought.
Margaret Lane
Chair of Crich Parish Council

 

Crich: Cllrs Brierton, Bateman, Baugh, Broom, Harwood, Steppings, Wells
Fritchley: Cllrs Lane (chair), Bown and Thorpe
Whatstandwell Ward: Cllrs Clark, Slaney