News release 26 June 2008

In its Corporate Plan, South Derbyshire District Council is committed to being stronger in the region.

The Council has already set up a group which meets regularly to examine concerns about flooding and flood prevention with parish, district, county, regional, government and business representatives such as Severn Trent Water, the Environment Agency and Derbyshire County Council’s Emergency Planning team. Through the efforts of the Flooding Liaison Meeting, work has been carried out to improve land drainage to try to prevent flooding in areas such as Barrow, Willington, Egginton, Hatton and Scropton. Other projects include levelling streams and brooks to prevent a rise in water level, clearing blockages and removing silt.

On Thursday 26 June, 2008 the Council is holding its first Joint Highways Forum.

Says Cllr Heather Wheeler, Leader of South Derbyshire District Council, "We are lobbying on issues affecting South Derbyshire and representing the people, the parishes and the District Council. Highways are usually thought of as the sole responsibility of Derbyshire County Council working with government organisations that deal with trunk roads. It may be their responsibility but it affects people in our District on a daily basis.

"The Joint Highways Forum will increase the volume of people's voices, through their Parish and District Councillors. We can look at and have an input into the County Council’s approach to vital matters such as speed limit reviews, highway management and their footways and bridges programmes. With the County and the Parishes we will be working as one to tackle the issues that are important to local people."