Questions to next council

 To ask what progress the Council has made in changing forever the patching of road failures, pothole and poor surfaces and moving to a scheme of fixed first time and long lasting road re-surfacing capable of facing the wet and wild weather we experience each year?

Can I welcome the opening of the Spire Lodge for children with significant disabilities and complex learning needs. Such a facility is needed. But to ask how the public can trust the County Council over the opening of new facilities when we are in process of closing down superb facilities and care homes such as Ada Belfield Centre. Aren’t we being seen as quite literally giving with one hand whilst taking away with the other? 

The Derbyshire Makes Festival runs from 28th March to 27th April 2025, and is a three year programme of cultural activity across 6 distinct hubs. How confident is the Council that it has truly harnessed the creative and artistic traditions of Derbyshire and what lessons have been documented and learnt thus far that might enhance future years of a festival such as this?

I have repeatedly raised the issue of suicide and attempted suicide in this chamber on a number of occasions over the last four years. This is the last meeting of this full Council of this elected quadrennium. What progress has been made to make pedestrian bridges in Chesterfield safer and less open as black spots for such terrible occasions and locations of trauma?

Questions asked at Council

“Can the Cabinet Member update members on the flood schemes and whether the Council is content that the Environment Agency are progressing schemes fast enough and will the Council changes its stance to remove the pedestrian bridges from Spital towards town.  Too often due to flooding Spital has been cut off from Chesterfield Town creating serious issues for accessing residents, for those seeking to get home from the rail and coach stations and indeed to access the hospital atop Hady Hill. Is it not the case that the Council should be pushing for greater urgency on flooding measures, on improving all road and pedestrian bridges over the rivers and waterways and that the Council should not be going along with the proposal to remove pedestrian bridges, thereby risking residents being isolated and trapped in the inevitable situation of a flood in the near future?” 

 

Response:

 

“Thank you to Cllr Fordham for his questions. To start with the specific point around Spital and the footbridges, as you note, it is proposed to remove these as it is considered that both bridges can trap debris from the river during high flow conditions, which can cause a backing up effect upstream and so increase the flood risk. Given the benefit removing these is therefore professionally assessed to have to reducing upstream flood risk, and as during high flows and storm conditions both footbridges become overwhelmed by floodwater (and the bridges can be around 0.5m under water), it is therefore also of concern about these rights of way being impassable, unsafe and isolated in themselves during flooding too – not just the bridges, but the footpath up to them. 

 

In terms of the wider point around flood schemes and progressing these, to focus on the Chesterfield area, I understand there is an EA scheme bring progressed in relation to the River Hipper and Holymoorside. Whilst I of course share what I think would be all members’ views around progressing flood mitigation schemes as quickly as possible, this is likely to be a major scheme, and so takes time to both develop and confirm the significant funding in turn needed. But,we will continue to work with the EA, as well as pushing government, to provide support for this and other schemes (and other challenging areas such as Hornsbridge) both at an officer and political level.”

 

“As I’m sure many councillors are aware, there is a parliamentary inquiry underway into flood resilience led by the Environment Audit Committee.  What submission has been made by Derbyshire County Council by the deadline of 13th January?” 

 

Response:

 

“Having discussed this with officers, I understand we weren’t aware of a formal request or invite to respond to this inquiry, so it isn’t one that has been focused on – officers prioritise replying to requests where we’ve been invited to reply or have a duty to. We have also been in direct discussions with Government, as part of the DEFRA flood resilience grant scheme administration and analysis but also as part of various other official visits and conversations, around flood resilience and mitigation in the county, which we will continue to do. If we are asked to feed into the select committee inquiry though, we would of course be happy to do so.”

  

January Report Back from DCC

 DCC January Report from your Lib Dem Group 

UNITARY STATUS

There has been much noise about the Labour Governments declared plan to have unitaries with directly elected mayors across all of England. And they have invited Councils to step forwards with their plans and submissions.

The Conservatives at Derbyshire County Council have, with no meaningful consultation, with no consensus, and with no mandate, asked the Labour Government to imposed a Unitary Council for Derbyshire excluding the City of Derby.

This will have the effect of removing all District Councils, all Borough Council and chesterfield instead of having 48 Borough councillors and 8 County Councillors would, under these plans have just 7 Unitary Councillors and nothing else.

It would entirely sweep away all notion of local democracy.

You will be unsurprised to hear that we are opposing the way this is being done, the proposals itself and also lobbying for more time to work out what might be a better way forward.

Despite all of this, we expect the elections in May to go ahead.

As the Group Leader at the County Council I wrote to the appropriate Minister. Here is my letter in full.

Minister of State

(Local Government and Devolution)

Ministry of Housing, Communities,

and Local Government

2 Marsham Street

Westminster

London, SW1P 4DF

Cc. Emma Alexander, Chief Executive, Derbyshire County Council

Dear Minister,

I write regarding the policy paper English Devolution White Paper published 16th December 2024, which invites expressions of interest from local authorities by 10th January 2025.

Since your announcement there has been no formal discussion within the elected councillors in Derbyshire on the Governments proposals. However, I understand that the Leader of the Conservative Group may have written to you on this matter.

As councillors we felt it was important to make you aware that there has been no consultation within the Council. Previously when we created Vision Derbyshire (joint working with Boroughs and Districts) there was active dialogue with all Districts and Boroughs, when this progressed to a request for an East Midlands Mayoral Devolution Deal and to create EMMCCA (East Midlands Mayoral Combined County Authority) we had a sustained debate and discussion within Council and a resolution was agreed. This time? Nothing.

Further, the Mayor was only elected last year and with that devolution deal came a pledge from your own Department that it would not be followed by a local government re-organisation. This is not the time for you to renege on that pledge and to cancel our scheduled elections this May.

If a submission has been sent in that asks, calls or intimates that elections should be cancelled, that submission has not been agreed or authorised by Derbyshire County Council

In short, no consensus has been achieved by the Leader - he has acted alone and without support or agreement from the Council.

Please allow the Mayoral Devolution Deal to settle and achieve its goals and do not cancel the 2025 elections in Derbyshire.  Cancellation is a cheap attempt by a failing and unpopular Conservative Administration at County Hall to undermine and subvert the role of the newly elected Labour Mayor of the East Midlands. Indeed when the Conservative Leader was not elected to a role in the Mayoral accountability structures, he immediately withdrew Derbyshire’s funding. At every stage the Conservative Leader of Derbyshire has sought to undermine and stymie the Mayoral Devolution Deal after he failed to secure his party’s nomination for the very role of Mayor.

Please, if Unitary status is to happen then enable Derbyshire to go through the due process and not be propelled into a fast track which it does not need. That fast track approach has not agreed and is only sought by a Conservative Leader wanting to cling onto power for another year by cancelling the elections.

I ask that you allow Derbyshire to vote in May 2025. Democracy delayed is democracy denied.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours sincerely

Cllr Ed Fordham

County Council, Smedley Street, Matlock, Derbyshire

MEETINGS OF THE COUNCIL

There are few meetings now as the elections approach. The forthcoming dates are:

12th February (2 meetings due to Freeman Ceremony)

26th March

If anyone wishes to attend to get a further insight to the workings of the Council please do feel able to do so.

BUDGETARY DILEMMA

Somewhat stung by our criticisms amongst others the Leader of the Council announced the creation of a Budget Commission. This would be a deep dive into the issues facing the Council.

Accordingly a meeting was arranged - most of the senior officers attended - a presentation on adult care and care homes in particular. 

The problem however, was that I was the only opposition councillor and Labour refused to attend or it suited them to be absent.

No further meetings of the Budget Commission have been scheduled and it would seem it has been revealed to be a stunt with no purpose.

The budget crisis facing the County Council under the Conservatives continues.

Democracy delayed is democracy denied

 Jim McMahon OBE MP

Minister of State (Local Government and Devolution)

Ministry of Housing, Communities, and Local Government

2 Marsham Street, Westminster, London, SW1P 4DF

Cc. Emma Alexander, Chief Executive, Derbyshire County Council

Dear Minister,

I write regarding the policy paper English Devolution White Paper published 16th December 2024, which invites expressions of interest from local authorities by 10th January 2025.

Since your announcement there has been no formal discussion within the elected councillors in Derbyshire on the Governments proposals. However, I understand that the Leader of the Conservative Group may have written to you on this matter.

As councillors we felt it was important to make you aware that there has been no consultation within the Council. Previously when we created Vision Derbyshire (joint working with Boroughs and Districts) there was active dialogue with all Districts and Boroughs, when this progressed to a request for an East Midlands Mayoral Devolution Deal and to create EMMCCA (East Midlands Mayoral Combined County Authority) we had a sustained debate and discussion within Council and a resolution was agreed. This time? Nothing. 

Further, the Mayor was only elected last year and with that devolution deal came a pledge from your own Department that it would not be followed by a local government re-organisation. This is not the time for you to renege on that pledge and to cancel our scheduled elections this May.

If a submission has been sent in that asks, calls or intimates that elections should be cancelled, that submission has not been agreed or authorised by Derbyshire County Council. 

In short, no consensus has been achieved by the Leader - he has acted alone and without support or agreement from the Council.

Please allow the Mayoral Devolution Deal to settle and achieve its goals and do not cancel the 2025 elections in Derbyshire.  Cancellation is a cheap attempt by a failing and unpopular Conservative Administration at County Hall to undermine and subvert the role of the newly elected Labour Mayor of the East Midlands. Indeed when the Conservative Leader was not elected to a role in the Mayoral accountability structures, he immediately withdrew Derbyshire’s funding. At every stage the Conservative Leader of Derbyshire has sought to undermine and stymie the Mayoral Devolution Deal after he failed to secure his party’s nomination for the very role of Mayor. 

Please, if Unitary status is to happen then enable Derbyshire to go through the due process and not be propelled into a fast track which it does not need. That fast track approach has not agreed and is only sought by a Conservative Leader wanting to cling onto power for another year by cancelling the elections.

I ask that you allow Derbyshire to vote in May 2025. Democracy delayed is democracy denied. 

I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours sincerely 

Cllr Ed Fordham 

Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group on Derbyshire County Council

Derbyshire County Council, Smedley Street, Matlock, Derbyshire.

Let Derbyshire vote in 2025

Statement from Cllr Ed Fordham and the Liberal Democrats: Let Derbyshire Vote in 2025

I am both angry and disappointed in equal measure at the actions of Cllr Lewis.

By calling for a cancellation of the elections his action are entirely self serving. The people of Derbyshire deserve the right to vote on the last 8 years of Tory cuts.  For the elections to be cancelled would be a disgrace and I would say illegitimate.

I can confirm that I will also be submitting a letter to the Secretary of State urging that  the elections go ahead. Cllr Lewis has no mandate from the Council, no public support. His request is ‘not in our name’.

Knowing he will be ejected by the voters he is seeking to cling to office for another year. Cllr Lewis is running scared.

He claimed Vision Derbyshire was all of us working together, it was Council that voted for a Mayoral Devolution Deal. That consensus is now being smashed.

Cllr Lewis lacks courage and can no longer be trusted. I am utterly appalled at this high handed action. We will oppose his actions even if the Labour Government are giving him a free pass - the people of Derbyshire deserve better.

My message to the Government is quite simple: Let Derbyshire Vote in 2025.

Democracy delayed is democracy denied.

Cllr Ed Fordham

Leader of the Liberal Democrats

Derbyshire County Council

Former Cllr and Leader of Richmond, Serge Lourie

 Farewell Serge Lourie, Liberal Democrat, friend, councillor, leader, work colleague, runner, walker, housing champion, fundraiser, community champion, terrible humorist, but a model of how each and every one of us can strive to be a force for good. 

It was 1994 I think, I was President of the Students Union at the University of Nottingham and the new president elect was Madeleine Durie. I was in London and we met up at her house and she said I should meet the neighbour: Liberal Democrat Cllr Serge Lourie.

And so started a long acquaintance with Serge. He was probably most excited when he found I had been born at Kingston Hospital and birthday after birthday I would get greeting along with appeals for donations to the Hospital.

When I found myself on the Management Committee of ALDC (The campaigning local government arm of the Lib Dems) Serge was a significant voice for devolution, for fair votes in local elections, for land value taxation - determined, but always very good humoured. 

When I found myself at the Liberal Democrat office at the LGA Serge was a wise and friendly voice for advice on issues facing Boroughs and in particular in the battle to have realistic and achievable plans that built more affordable housing.

As my parents moved back to South West London after 50 years in Lincolnshire, Serge was one of the folks with whom I was able to touch base on news and moral amongst the Lib Dem’s as we sought to recover from the terrible national elections of 2014.

No longer a councillor, he had stepped back from front line politics, but his judgement, his instinct and his counsel, if sought, was offered freely, thoughtfully and with good humour. He was, I think, a little bemused when I sought his advice: “surely there are others more in touch” he would say.

He was gently put out and also amused when I described him as a equivalent & polar opposite of the professional grumpiness of Lord Tony Greaves, but he also appreciated that I respected his experience and accordingly his judgement.

He has gone too soon, but today, Madeleine’s father, Serge’s neighbour rose to pay tribute to his friend. It was emotional, funny, wide ranging and heartfelt - Sir David reflected our own sorrow for the hundreds of us there when his voice broke as he spoke of the energy and the love that Serge brought to the causes he championed.

As I sat in the sun at the reception afterwards chatting to runners, walkers, Liberal Democrat councillors, MPs, Lords, charity volunteers, people from Bushy Park, Kingston Hospital, from local housing associations and from friendships spanning decades - I gave thanks that I knew him, that I had the good fortune to sit alongside him in a work context, and grateful for his interest in me.  

Enjoy the next race, you have run your personal best in this world, and I was pleased that I came down from Derbyshire to Kew to be there and to see you over the finishing line. Thank you, Ed

ANIMALS AND REMEMBRANCE

LAUNCHING CHESTERFIELD’s ARMISTICE AND REMEMBRANCE OF THE SERVICE OF ANIMALS IN WAR and ARMED CONFLICT

Two dates:

Friday 1st November 11am at Shentall Gardebs, at the front of Chesterfield Town Hall (set up will be from 10am).

Sunday 3rd November 5pm at Dog Lead-Free Area, Holmebrook Valley Park (set up from 4pm).

All welcome, including dogs, horses etc… dress up warm.