Amber Valley Greens

21/08/2026

Alan Graves, Reform leader of Derbyshire County Council, admitted on BBC Radio Derby that he does not believe in “man-made climate change”.

Green Councillor Gez Kinsella was invited onto the programme to challenge Cllr Graves over Reform’s new Environmental and Sustainability Strategy — a strategy that fails to acknowledge climate change as a result of human activity.

Gez pointed out that by failing to recognise the causes of climate change, the strategy focuses only on the symptoms.

He called for the strategy to be reviewed and for Derbyshire County Council to meaningful action to reduce carbon emissions.

🌍 🔥The recent heatwaves and forest fires are a stark reminder that climate change, driven by human activity, is happening.

The question is whether our council is prepared to show leadership and take action to tackle the causes of climate change.

👇You can hear the discussion by clicking on the link below. 26 minutes in. 👇

19/08/2026

19/08/2026

📣Deadline today 5pm !!!!

*PUBLIC CONSULTATION - WHAT TYPES OF DEVELOPMENT SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO BE BUILT IN YOUR AREA*

Whilst Amber Valley Borough Council is being abolished, this consultation will gather evidence that will inform the new unitary authorities’ Local Plan.

Because we felt this consultation hasn’t been sufficiently publicised (for example, Councillors were not directly informed), Amber Valley Green Party have managed to get the council to extend the consultation deadline to 5pm on Wednesday 19 Aug.

Our area will be under a lot of pressure because this government has increased housing numbers & greenbelt/greybelt threat will impact our planning control in the next couple of years.

There's a greenbelt review taking place now and Local Government Reorganisation will split Amber Valley Borough Council with our area merging into a unitary with Derby City and its housing needs.

Add to that the need to cope with climate change and make it easier for people to live in a more sustainable way, it's really important to get residents views into this consultation.

We’ve already asked for less car dependent, remote housing estates, distant from jobs and services. We’ve also asked that homes be built with climate change in mind - low emissions, cool in summer, warm in winter and designed to preserve water. Critically, we argue, protect the Green Belt. Help regenerate Derby’s retail, leisure, public transport and services by building on brown field sites in/near the city, regenerating the city.

DEADLINE IS 5PM, WEDNESDAY 19 AUGUST.

📣The developers will have their voices heard. Make sure you do the same. Link below

https://www.ambervalley.gov.uk/planning/planning-policy/new-local-plan-2026-2044/amber-valley-local-plan-2026-2044-scoping-consultation/

16/08/2026

Anyone else get this earlier?

National Emergency Briefing. Now.

Sign at petition.parliament.uk/petitions/767687

13/08/2026

*PUBLIC CONSULTATION - WHAT TYPES OF DEVELOPMENT SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO BE BUILT IN YOUR AREA*

Whilst Amber Valley Borough Council is being abolished, this consultation will gather evidence that will inform the new unitary authorities’ Local Plan.

Because we felt this consultation hasn’t been sufficiently publicised (for example, Councillors were not directly informed), Amber Valley Green Party have managed to get the council to extend the consultation deadline to 5pm on Wednesday 19 Aug.

Our area will be under a lot of pressure because this government has increased housing numbers & greenbelt/greybelt threat will impact our planning control in the next couple of years.

There's a greenbelt review taking place now and Local Government Reorganisation will split Amber Valley Borough Council with our area merging into a unitary with Derby City and its housing needs.

Add to that the need to cope with climate change and make it easier for people to live in a more sustainable way, it's really important to get residents views into this consultation.

We’ve already asked for less car dependent, remote housing estates, distant from jobs and services. We’ve also asked that homes be built with climate change in mind - low emissions, cool in summer, warm in winter and designed to preserve water. Critically, we argue, protect the Green Belt. Help regenerate Derby’s retail, leisure, public transport and services by building on brown field sites in/near the city, regenerating the city.

DEADLINE IS 5PM, WEDNESDAY 19 AUGUST.

📣The developers will have their voices heard. Make sure you do the same. Link below

https://www.ambervalley.gov.uk/planning/planning-policy/new-local-plan-2026-2044/amber-valley-local-plan-2026-2044-scoping-consultation/

13/08/2026

13/08/2026

Very pleased today to see that work has started to install dropped kerbs on Broadway, Duffield. The aim is to make it easier for pedestrians to cross this road at a point where it is complicated by the junctions with Cumberhills Road and Wirksworth Road.

I've first asked Derbyshire County Council to do this work last autumn so it's great to see it underway.

22/07/2026

📣 Full Council Update

⭐️ Green motion passed to help tackle speeding and save lives ⭐️

Councillor Rachael Hatchett shares her regular update on the key discussions and decisions from this month’s Full Council meeting at Derbyshire County Council.

This month, she highlights the successful Green motion aimed at reducing speeding, improving road safety, and helping to save lives.

Watch the update below and let us know your thoughts. 👇

15/07/2026

Congratulations to Belper Town Council 👏👏

🏆🌷 Belper Town Council - Green Stewardship Award Winners 🌷🏆

This year the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire partnered with Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire Associations of Local Councils for their 2026 Living Countryside Awards to celebrate the people and groups protecting and enhancing our local green spaces and countryside.
The judges were extremely impressed with the Council’s commitment to protecting local green spaces, increasing biodiversity through our detailed plan and policy and our engagement with the local community.

The CPRE said that competition this year was incredibly strong, with many leading the way on environmental issues in their local areas. After much deliberation, the panel of judges made their decision and announced that Belper Town Council has been selected as the winner.

The Green Stewardship Award is really pleasing for Belper Town Council as it demonstrates how Councillors, Officers and the Outdoor Team have all worked together to bring positive change to the town.

We are continuing to develop our Wildlife Friendly and Peat Free Plan across the Parish by increasing the use of pollinator-friendly Perennials. This not only ensures that our flower beds are full all year round but also means that they are better equipped to cope with the increasing temperatures and require much less supplementary watering, while still ensuring that the town looks fantastic.