Summer Newsletter

Dear Constituent,

Welcome to my latest newsletter to keep you updated on my work in Parliament and around Amber Valley.

Below you’ll find a selection of what I’ve been up to over the summer recess and details of upcoming events. You’ll also find the usual information about my columns and surgeries, and how to get in touch.

Jobs Fair – 7th October 2016:

I’m delighted to announce that I will be holding another Jobs Fair on Friday 7th October 2016. The event will take place from 10am until 3pm at Ripley Leisure Centre on Derby Road (DE5 3HR).

The latest figures show that unemployment in Amber Valley has fallen by nearly 60% since 2010, even when considering the awful collapses over the last year of Leaderflush Laidlaw Shapland and Courtaulds. Nevertheless, to further build on these strong figures, I’m committed to helping even more constituents back into work so our local economy can grow even more, and we can keep progressing towards our target of full employment.

Many local employers, such as Filigree Holdings, HL Plastics, Deb, Owen Taylor, trentbarton and Manthorpe, have already confirmed their attendance, but there are still stands left. If you are a local employer or training provider interested in having a free stand at the event, you can register for a stand at the event here or get in touch for more information by emailing nigel.mills.mp@parliament.uk or ringing my office on 01773 744341.

Local Business Visits:

I’ve been using the opportunity of the summer recess to visit local businesses and groups to discuss the big political changes and events of the last few months, and talk about their priorities and plans for the future. Below are several of the groups I’ve recently visited, and I’ll include details of some of the others in my September newsletter.

EP Industries visit:

I was pleased to visit EP Industries Ltd recently, who specialise in selling, operating and repairing mobile plant equipment for coal mining and quarrying.

It was brilliant to look around their base, talk about their growth and expansion plans, and hear how they’re using their experience to diversify into new markets such as the rail industry.

You can find out more about EP Industries and what they do here.

Heage Windmill Celebration Day:

Following the successful completion of the repairs to the sails, Heage Windmill Society recently held a celebration event to thank some of the volunteers and donors who helped ensure the Mill’s survival.

It was fantastic to see the windmill turning again and get the opportunity to meet all the different groups and people who contributed to the fundraising and repair efforts.

The restored windmill is now open every weekend from 11am to 4pm until the end of October, and you can find more information on visiting here.

Supermarket Surgeries:

Over the summer recess, I’ve held several supermarket surgeries at Sainsburys and Tescos in Ripley, Alfreton and Heanor, to give constituents the opportunity to raise any concerns they have. It’s been great to speak to many residents about a wide range of issues, from overgrown hedgerows and pavement repairs to benefits problems and the regeneration plan for our town centres.

Many people also raised the issues of the garden waste collection scheme and the current consultation on the Council’s town centre offices, so I’m pleased to include an update on these issues below:

Town Hall Office Consultation:

Amber Valley Borough Council is currently carrying out a consultation into the future of its town centre payment offices in Alfreton, Heanor and Belper.

Currently, 90% of Council Tax payers use electronic means (including Direct Debit) to pay their tax and less people are using cash as a method of payment, which means that these offices are no longer cost-effective to run. However, I know that some people do still use the town centre offices, so the Council are carrying out a consultation into the future of this service, which you can complete here. The deadline for responses is the 30th September 2016; the Council will then consider all the replies and make a decision at a future council meeting.

Garden Waste Collection Expansion:

Many constituents have previously contacted me regarding the expansion of the garden waste collection scheme. As such, Amber Valley Borough Council are now proposing to make the scheme available to everyone in the Borough, but there will be an annual fee of £40 for all users. You can find the full details of the proposed changes to the scheme here.

To help the Council decide whether there is sufficient demand for the service to continue, any residents wishing to take part in the scheme can notify the Council of their interest here. The deadline for replies is the 31st August 2016.

Summer Residents’ Survey:

I recently launched my Summer Residents’ Survey for Amber Valley so that you can let me know the issues most important to you. I’ve been out delivering paper copies of the survey to many homes around the constituency but if you haven’t received one please take a few minutes to complete it here so that I can see your priorities for the coming year and help with any concerns you may have.

Street Watch:

If there are any specific street repairs in your area, such as potholes, pavement repairs or broken street lights, you can report these issues and concerns to me quickly and easily here so I can ask for the repairs to be investigated and addressed.

Latest Columns:

You can read my latest Derby Telegraph column, which focuses on events I’ll be holding over the next few months, here.

Surgeries: