kbrouse_banner_example
 
 

"A Wonderful Place To Be!"

Thursday 24th March 2011

Cllr Ray Russell, Leader of Chesterfield Borough Council is a quietly spoken man, but one who is very vocal about Chesterfield and what he believes it should be.

Cllr Ray RussellHe began life a councillor in 1987 as a back bencher after 'retiring' from his previous job as Headteacher.

Leader of the Council since 2003, he says it's a humbling position and a title of which he is very proud.

Originally from down south he came to Chesterfield 40 years ago, only intending to stay a short while. Jokingly he adds, "I'm still here!"

His council role is important to him and one he relishes as, "I love Chesterfield and want to do things for the town and the local area. I was interested in local issues, and this way I can influence things in the town. It's also a challenging job and one I have to be elected for. I never take that for granted."

He told us why he's proud of what he does, "In 2003, our vision was that Chesterfield had a lot of potential that wasn’t being realised - lots of facilities but many in poor condition and needing investment, parts of the infrastructure needed investment. For instance, the coach station was dilapidated and there were lots of derelict areas around.

"The previous council had done lots of good works, but there were things that weren't getting done. We had inherited a budget that had solid capital reserves but the yearly budget was out of kilter, so we had to make it work as a priority."

His philosophy is simple, "Town is not the councils, it's a big player in the town but so are lots of other groups, so we all need to work together as much as possible and that's a good way of making progress. I have tried to forge links and relationships between businesses and other partners and find money to improve facilities and services, along with reducing the amount that residents have to pay."

We asked Ray what were his proudest achievements. He didn't think twice before answering, "Over the last 8 years, we've built a new coach station, the new healthy living centre and we've tried to improve the cleanliness in the town. Protecting the Market has also been a priority, it's very important in the town. It's about finding the balance between tourists and the people who live here.

"Regeneration is a huge issue for us and another source of pride. It's not been an easy ride though. We've had to work hard, there were 61 derelict areas in the town. We've been fortunate to attract grants to get old buildings restored - 15 buildings so far have now been given grants to restore themselves to the old style. There is still lots to do though.

"We've seen a new football stadium and a rugby one being built now, the CASA hotel too. When the private sector developers have confidence in the council they put money in.

"There are some huge developments coming up - The Waterside is a huge asset to town, it's been slowred down by the recession, but we're hopeful that the bid for £12m from the Regional Development Fund will be successful and that will mean the next stage can get going, the linking of the canal basin to the first block, shops and offices. Chatsworth Road is a huge success story too; it's fast becoming the buzz place to go."

With the elections looming, Ray has taken time to think about what needs to come next in the town, Green issues are personally important to him. After hearing the council described as a 'flagship' by Minister Chris Huhne, he is keen to continue to drive the environmental agenda further.

He explains, "We have set a good example in our own buildings and that's now transferring to private sector. We now need to get public to do their bit so we have a greener town. We have a good reputation for being a council for setting the pace on this. Developers like Barratts have come on board. Their development on Derby Road was the first in the country to have solar panels.

"We require developers to generate a degree of energy by renewable means, we can now point to other developers and say, 'they've done it, how about you?'

"The big thing to focus on is getting the budget to balance. We've taken some big hits, the £3.2m concessionary fares debacle, and we needed to find savings every year for the last 8 years. We have to balance it and find investment which means looking at new ways of delivering services.

"We also need to modernise service delivery, work with the private sector, and make savings; the practice of including the private sector in waste collection service saved us £200,000 a year, the golf course was losing around £100,000 a year, working with the private sector has meant that tax payers now get paid £130,000 from it.

"Private Public Partnership is a new thing for us too. We've teamed up with Kier and Avata to save 200 jobs and get £400,000 for the taxpayer. Jobs will stay in Chesterfield."

Ray is also emphatic that retail and cultural development is important to the town and has firm ideas on how that could develop, "We need to attract shops like Debenhams to the town, we've had research done and we know that shops like that will come if the conditions are right. They'll come with the development of Holywell Cross and the Northern Gateway Development.

"We want to encourage independent shops too. Many of the facilities in the town need an upgrade, The Queens Park Leisure Centre, Pomegranate and Winding Wheel are all in need of massive subsidies.

"We're trying to get a company interested in managing Queen's Park to offer expertise and invest money to give it buying power. However the centre will stay in council ownership, just be leased out for 10 years to be invested in. Ratepayers currently subsidise this by £1m a year - we need to reduce that."

Other facilities are safe too, "The Musuem is in council ownership, but investment through arts council grants will facilitate phase 2 developments. We want to continue to manage the Pomegranate and Winding Wheel ourselves.

Although the political climate is uncertain Ray is hopeful for the future. "Elections are so important because it's a chance for different visions of how town should be debated, we want to get on with it. It's really important to vote, people need to express the view and go for the choice. It's equally important that people vote on local issues, look what's happened to the town in the last 8 years, if you think we're going the wrong way, then tell us.

"However support us if you look at what we've done and think it's right. Express your view. If you don't, you may not get what you want."



RECENT STORIES

EASTER HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES -
It's day one of the Easter holidays and if you've already heard "I'm borrreeeedddd!" a few times then help may be at hand. More...

BREATHE DEEPLY -
A study carried out to assess air pollution in Chesterfield has found that no locations pollution levels exceed the safety limit values set by the EU. More...

NEW RECYCLING SERVICE COMING -
NE Derbys and Bolsover residents are being urged to look out for important information about their new-look recycling service, being delivered to their homes over the next few weeks. More...

PROSECUTIONS FOR CIGARETTE LITTER -
Chesterfield Borough Council has said that it has successfully prosecuted six people for dropping cigarettes in the Borough. More...

CANDIDATES ANNOUNCED FOR LOCAL ELECTIONS -
It's the final countdown to the local elections - now just a month away on May 5th and final nominations have been published... More...

WILL YOUR VOTE COUNT? -
Residents are being reminded to make sure they have registered to vote for the forthcoming local elections and referendum. More...

NEW REGULATIONS FOR SUNBED OPERATORS -
Sunbed operators are today being warned that new rules are about to come into force from 8th April. More...

SHAPE YOUR FUTURE -
Cllr Graeme Baxter MBE has been a passionate voice in North East Derbyshire for over 20 years. Now Leader, he remains true to the principles he carried when he began. More...

COUNCILS WORK TOGETHER ON ECONOMIC GROWTH -
The 3 Councils across the region have announced that their joint Economic Development Strategy has been successful. More...

NEW CASH FOR NEW HOMES -
Chesterfield Borough Council has today laid the foundations for £56 million of investment in its Council housing stock over the next four years. More...

VITAL FUNDS CONTINUE FOR SEPARATED FAMILIES IN CHESTERFIELD -
A help centre for families affected by separation is celebrating after learning that funding is to continue enabling them to remain open. More...

FIRST NEW COUNCIL HOMES BUILT FOR A GENERATION -
A local family will soon become the first in a generation to move into a newly built Council property in Chesterfield. More...

NEWLY MERGED COUNCILS APPOINT CHIEF EXECUTIVE -
Wes Lumley has been appointed joint Chief Executive of Bolsover District Council and North East Derbyshire District Council. More...

LOCAL GOVERNMENT MINISTER'S PRAISE FOR CHESTERFIELD -
Chesterfield today welcomed the town's third Government Minister in two weeks, Andrew Stunell OBE MP. More...

LOCAL MP CALLS FOR FAIRER SHARE OF PORK CASH -
Rising costs of wheat, used as feed for pigs, has meant that local farmers are suffering huge losses as supermarkets refuse to pay more for pork More...

WANT YOUR SAY? REGISTER TO VOTE -
Residents across North East Derbyshire are being reminded that they have just over a month to register to vote in the upcoming local and parish elections. More...

COUNCIL TAX FROZEN FOR CHESTERFIELD RESIDENTS -
It's been announced by Chesterfield Borough Council tonight at its budget setting meeting, that there is to be no increase in its Council Tax for next year More...

SIGNED, SEALED, DELIVERED -
It's now official. The historic partnership between two local councils was signed this morning at Bolsover District Council HQ. More...

SERVICES PROTECTED AS BUDGET IS SET -
Despite a tough financial year, NE Derbyshire District Council, is on track to achieve a balanced budget which protects frontline services. More...

TOBY PERKINS MP SPEAKS ABOUT AUTO WINDSCREENS -
As news of the huge local job losses caused by the collapse of Auto Windscreens continues to sink in, and Chesterfield MP Toby Perkins today issued a statement More...

TRAINING DISCOUNTS FOR YOUNG DRIVERS -
Young drivers in Chesterfield have the chance to receive £60 off the cost of Pass Plus training in exchange for attending a 2-hour road safety workshop. More...

Rt Hon CHRIS HUHNE MP VISITS CHESTERFIELD -
"We mustn't underestimate the importance of tackling climate change" - Secretary Of State For Energy and Climate Change, the Rt Hon Chris Huhne MP visiting Chesterfield yesterday. More...

LEADING LIB DEM SIMON HUGHES VISITS CHESTERFIELD -
"Every young person out of work is a wasted talent." That's Lib Dem Deputy Leader Simon Hughes in Chesterfield earlier today. More...

THOUSANDS SET TO BENEFIT FROM HISTORIC MERGER -
An innovative partnership between 2 Derbyshire councils is to be signed on the 1st March and is set to benefit thousands of families immediately. More...

PITCOM MAKE IT HAPPEN FOR PRIMARY SCHOOLS -
MP Natascha Engel has written to all local primary schools urging them to enter the 'Make IT Happen' technology competition. More...

£52m CASH BOOST FOR NE DERBYSHIRE COUNCIL HOMES -
In the biggest allocation of cash in the East Midlands, council tenants in NE Derbys are set to benefit from a £52m spending programme to improve their homes. More...

MP FACES GRILLING FROM LOCAL YOUNGSTERS -
David Dimbleby may not have been present but that didn't stop local youngsters taking part in a Question Time style session with MP Natascha Engel. More...

LOCAL COUNCIL FREEZES COUNCIL TAX -
Good news for some residents in Chesterfield after NE Derbyshire District Council announced it's looking to freeze this year’s Council Tax bill. More...

CHESTERFIELD MP CALLS ON GOVT TO HELP SAVE AUTO WINDSCREENS JOBS -
Chesterfield MP Toby Perkins today issued a statement regarding the potential loss of 400 local jobs at Hasland based Auto Windscreens More...

'VISIONARY' COUNCILLOR WINS TOP AWARD -
He oversaw the transformation of a local Council in the fastest time in Local Government history and now receives the country's top councilor honour. More...

CAN YOU MAKE A DIFFERENCE? -
If you've ever listened to a Councillor and thought you'd do better, or you care about your community and think you could help to improve services in the area, then read on... More...

LOCAL MP SPEAKS OUT FOR SPORT -
MP For NE Derbys, Natascha Engel, yesterday challenged Education Secretary Michael Gove in Parliament over the money owed to School Sport Partnerships More...

COUNCILS MOOT PLANS FOR A MERGER TO SAVE £1.5M -
2 local Councils confirm that they're looking at combining some resources to provide a cost cutting service for residents. More...

A BUSY START TO THE YEAR FOR MP NATASCHA -
With the cuts in budgets and services really starting to bite, we are seeing a far greater number of people coming to surgery as well as dropping in. More...

COUNCIL APOLOGISES TO TENANTS OVER RENT ERROR -
Chesterfield Borough Council has today apologised after an administrative error was discovered in around 4% of it's rent payments. More...

COUNCIL LEADER IN LINE FOR AWARD -
NEDDC Leader, Cllr Graham Baxter MBE will soon tread the red carpet after being short-listed for a prestigious national accolade for his work in leading the authority. More...

YOUR CHANCE TO BECOME A LOCAL COUNCILLOR -
Ahead of the local Elections in May, North East Derbyshire District Council is encouraging locals with an interest in becoming a Councillor to find out more. More...

LOCAL PHARMACIST WINS AWARD -
Toby Perkins MP presented an Award to a Chesterfield Pharmacist in recognition of her work in helping to combat blood clots. More...

COUNCIL TESTS LOCAL TAXI FIRMS -
Chesterfield Borough Council has conducted an undercover operation to try and catch private taxi firms plying for trade. More...

KIDS 1, GOVE 0 -
Local Schools benefit after Government U-turn on School Sport Partnership funding. More...

NATASCHA ENGELS YEAR IN PARLIAMENT REVIEW -
NOT WHAT WE VOTED FOR! Last year was dominated by one of the fiercest General Election battles this country has known. More...

VOLUNTEER SHINES AT AWARDS -
A Chesterfield Law Centre worker is celebrating after winning a prestigious award at a ceremony aimed at celebrating the work of volunteers at organisations in the town. More...

MP TAKES TO THE SHOP FLOOR... -
Visitors to Barnardo's charity shop in Chesterfield were served by a very familiar face last Saturday.Toby Perkins MP for Chesterfield, joined the shop's workforce for the day. More...

VICTORY FOR CHESTERFIELD! -
Chesterfield MP Toby Perkins celebrated with delighted residents, businesses and campaigners as DCC rejected plans for a waste incinerator plant on Dunston Road. More...

CHESTERFIELD MP SPEAKS OUT AGAINST SPENDING REVIEW -
Toby Perkins MP told the Chesterfield Post: "Chesterfield is going to be badly affected b the cuts, probably more so than anywhere else in Derbyshire" More...

NATASCHA ENGEL MP CHECKS ON NEW SERVICES AT LOCAL SURGERY -
North East Derbyshire MP, Natascha Engel, has seen first hand how the introduction of new initiatives has benefitted patients in Clay Cross. More...

CHESTERFIELD MP AWARDED A FRONT BENCH ROLE -
A few days after the Shadow Cabinet was announced by new Labour leader Ed Miliband, news comes that Chesterfield MP, Toby Perkins, has been awarded a post on the frontbench team.More...

TOBY PERKINS MP SPEAKS ABOUT NEW SHADOW CABINET -
Chesterfield Post Editor Karen Johnson spoke with Toby about his thoughts on the new Shadow Cabinet announced by Ed Miliband on friday. More...

CHESTERFIELD LABOUR PARTY NUMBERS RISE -
After Ed Miliband was elected Leader of the Labour Party at the party Conference last week, Chesterfield Labour Party is reporting a rise in it's membership, More...

LOCAL MP "DELIGHTED" BY ED MILIBAND WIN -
Natascha Engel, Labour MP for NE Derbyshire has declared she is "delighted" after Ed Miliband was elected Leader of the Labour Party. More...

SUPPORT FOR EDUCATION FOR
ALL CHILDREN WORLDWIDE -

Chesterfield MP Toby Perkins joined TV presenter Gary Lineker and his wife Danielle to support for the 1 GOAL campaign at the Houses of Parliament. More...

VANDALS 'HAVEN' IS UNSAFE SAYS MP -
Residents and businesses near to a Chesterfield skate park are claiming they're under siege from youths who congregate there. More...

WORLD'S BIGGEST COFFE MORNING HITS THE SPOT IN BRIMINGTON -
On Friday September 24th, Brimington Bowls Club was the venue for an World's Biggest Coffee Morning event ,raising money for Macmillan Support. More...


News   Community   Sport   Offers & Events   Leisure / Reviews   Public Services
Chesterfield Cranes