Our Cabinet will be discussing proposed changes to our community care charging policy to make it sustainable and protect those who need it the most, at a meeting next week.

The proposed changes follow a public consultation where people gave their views on three available options, although alternative options could be suggested.

At the meeting on 7 December, councillors will be asked to agree a recommendation to approve a revised charging policy which is more in line with the limits allowed within national charging guidelines and those applied by many other local authorities across the country.

Cold weather can cause health issues for older and more vulnerable people.

Please look out for elderly neighbours by checking in on them to ensure they’ve got stocks of food and medicines to help keep them healthy and safe this winter.

There are many other things you can do to protect yourself, and the ones you love this winter.

It follows the success of a scheme we launched last year which helped to fund more than 150 spaces supporting Derbyshire residents during the colder months.

Between them, they provided 17,000 hours of warmth and company for almost 11,000 Derbyshire residents feeling lonely or struggling to heat their homes or feed themselves.

Organisations can apply for up to £1,000 towards the cost of opening up new community venues or to extend their opening hours as the weather gets colder.

Derbyshire’s new Heartwood Community Forest has officially set down roots with the first tree being planted at a former colliery in Glapwell.

It's part of a Government-funded initiative to improve access to nature by providing more green space in areas of the county with fewer woodlands.

An oak tree was planted on one of our countryside sites to mark the start of the forest’s creation along the eastern and southern fringes of the county. 

The community forest aims to boost people’s wellbeing as well as benefiting the environment, nature and helping to tackle the effects of climate change.

Pictured planting the tree is Councillor Carolyn Renwick, our Cabinet Member for Infrastructure and Environment, with, from left, our countryside officers Mark Hudson and Richard Bonner.

If you live or work in Buxton or Long Eaton you'll be interested to hear that our councillors are set to turn down 20mph speed limits for both towns at a meeting on 7 December.

A public consultation was held, with online questionnaires and exhibitions held in both towns. The consultation asked for views on introducing blanket 20mph speed limits. We also asked for views from other organisations, including Derbyshire Police.

In Buxton (pictured) a total of 205 responses were received in response to the consultation, with 104 in favour and 100 against (one response was blank). The local MP, Robert Largan, also carried out his own consultation into the proposals, with 70 people agreeing with them and 201 disagreeing.

In Long Eaton a total of 306 responses were received, with 63 in favour and 184 against, 59 blank responses were received.

There's still time to book tickets to see Shine A Light at Elvaston Castle on 8, 9 and 10 December.

See the history of Elvaston Castle come to brilliant life in a spectacular experience to remember, created by internationally-renowned Derbyshire-born video projection artists Illuminos.

You can watch the projection as many times as you like, and you'll notice something new each time.  

The castle shop and Wyatt's café will be open for hot drinks and there will be hot food vendors and a licensed bar in the castle courtyard. 

There'll be Christmas carols between each show, Christmas craft activities for children, a festive grotto, and craft and gift stalls.

Tickets cost £10 for adults and £6 per child (aged four to 12 inclusive, free for children aged three and under). Family tickets are £28 (two adults and up to three children). Booking fees apply.