We have drafted our new Equality Plan and Objectives for 2023-27 which builds on our previous equality plans.

Under the Public Sector Equality Duty (Equality Act 2010) we are required to set equality objectives every four-years. These objectives are in addition to our general duty obligations to eliminate unlawful discrimination, advance equality of opportunity and foster good relations between people who share a protected characteristic* and those who do not. These are age, disability, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity.

We have launched two grant schemes aimed at supporting existing businesses whilst also giving new businesses that all-important helping hand as they start.

The Business Growth Grant Scheme provides funds from £1,000 to £10,000 and is aimed at existing businesses (trading for more than 18-months) to help them grow, create jobs, become more carbon efficient or diversify into new markets.

The funding could be used for new equipment and machinery, computer hardware/software or specialist consultancy/training. Up to 80% of the total project cost can be applied for (up to a maximum of £10,000) and businesses must be located in Bolsover District and have up to 249 employees. Businesses will also need to be paying business rates to us or be receiving small business rates relief. Once an application has been approved the business will be required to purchase eligible items and then submit a claim to receive their grant.

A resident has paid a £100 fixed penalty notice (FPN) for leaving household waste next to a commercial bin at Shirebrook Marketplace.

Local businesses had made several reports of waste being fly-tipped next to their bins. Details of the incident including the offender's car registration were provided to us resulting in an investigation and the subsequent fixed penalty notice being issued.

The Derbyshire unemployed Workers Centre (DUWC) have launched a campaign to ensure that former mineworkers, their partners and widows across Derbyshire, who have reached state pension age, are in receipt of all of the benefits they are entitled to.

With funding from CISWO North Derbyshire Miner’s Welfare Trust, the focus is on Attendance Allowance as it is not means tested, something which tends to put people off claiming benefits. We spoke to Matt Hunt from DUWC about the help people can receive.