The feedback received from the 29 residents who attended this event has been collated and looked at. Overall, the majority of those at the Forum found it to be very interesting and useful.
Following a brief introduction by Councillor Alan Tomlinson
, Deputy Leader of the Council, the audience was addressed by the Head of Customer Services and Performance at the Council, Jane Foley.
Jane explained that there were issues of concern to local residents that the Council and its partners were already aware of but would welcome further issues from residents.
The audience was then invited to talk with Elected Members, Senior Officers of the Council and representatives from the various Action Groups including Derbyshire Police and The Primary Care Trust around the 6 themes (Health, Education, Housing and the Environment, Employment and Training, Crime and Transport and Access).
They were then able to vote on the issues that were of most concern to them. The results of this vote will be compared to the outcomes of the Forums in the other three areas which will tell us what the next round will concentrate on.
The top three issues from each theme were:
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Health
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Improving access to health care and independence of older people
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Transport to health care
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Development of screening for male cancers
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Education and Training
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Encourage development of inter-school sports
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Ability to train in adult education as a result of changing jobs because of high cost
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Develop 'work application' for years 10 and 11 - local firms to go into schools to encourage children to learn the needs and skills of employers
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Housing and Environment
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Car Parking on pavements, footpaths, verges etc.
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Fly tipping and litter
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More investigation of tenants before letting.
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Employment and
Enterprise
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Increasing tourism and new business development
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Connecting people to jobs
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Boosting business support
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Crime
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Law enforcement / more discipline and the punishment to fit the crime
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Extra police officers patrolling the village
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Combating drug dealing and usage
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Transport and Access
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Robin Hood Line - introduce a Sunday service and later running trains
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HGV/Goods vehicles through the village
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More bus routes across the district - not radial from Chesterfield
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Other
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Supporting parents taking more responsibility for the actions of young people
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Improving activities for youngsters
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Involving citizens more in decision making
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Councillor Tomlinson said "I was delighted with the turnout and the positive ideas that the residents in the North of the District brought with them. We will be looking at all of the issues raised at each of the Forums very closely as the Council believes that listening to what our residents tell us and then acting on it, is very important in how we deliver services to them."
A spreadsheet giving full details on how those at the meeting voted and the feedback given can be downloaded by following this link
.
Alternatively, a leaflet summarising the Forum can be downloaded here
.
The next Forum in the North area of the District will be held at the Whitwell Community Centre on Wednesday 17th October. Look out for posters which will contain full details, nearer the time.