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Yahoo
6 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Derby councillor 'strongly disagrees knife crime is running rampant'
A leading Derby councillor faced an angry exchange after saying he 'strongly disagrees knife crime is running rampant and unchecked' in the city. The remark from Labour councillor Ndukwe Onuoha, the Derby City Council cabinet member for public safety, led to an angry response from a Conservative councillor during a heated meeting on Wednesday (July 16). Earlier this year it was reported there had been five stabbings in Derby within 12 days. The alarming spree of incidents prompted Derbyshire police to issue a statement to reassure residents and stated that the help of the public was needed to tackle knife crime. But Councillor Onuoha said at the meeting his disagreement was not to deny there had been violence in the city. He said he disagreed with letting violent offenders 'determine the brand of our city'. READ MORE: Travellers evicted from Chellaston park while others settle on Normanton Park READ MORE: Delight over Market Hall comeback but council told its 'not set good example' Join us on WhatsApp to get the latest news straight to your phone Prior to the meeting, Councillor Jamie Mulhall asked the Labour councillor in writing: 'With knife crime running rampant and unchecked across our city, can the cabinet member inform me what proactive measures they are taking to whip the scourge of knife crime from our city?' The opening line of Councillor Onuoha's written response said: 'We strongly disagree that knife crime is running rampant and unchecked across our city.' Councillor Mulhall reacted angrily to the opening part of the answer given. In a shouty response he said: 'Knife crime is personal to me. The cabinet member in his answer said 'we strongly disagree that knife crime is running rampant and unchecked in our city'. 'Earlier this year we had five stabbings in 12 days. Five stabbings in 12 days. So I ask you, councillor, who is to blame for failing to protect the citizens of our city? Is it you? Is it the Labour police and crime commissioner? Is it the chief Constable or is all of the above?' Read more - Concerns that new Derby special needs school is 'not suitable' for pupils Councillor Onuoha responded by saying: 'We've had five stabbings in 12 days, that is horrendous. But I don't think we should then make that into a campaign of 'oh look here's who to blame'. 'The first issue we should address is people for whatever reason feel they can go out into the city and express their emotions through violence. My disagreement is not to deny that there's been violence in the city. My disagreement is that we let five/six people determine the brand of our city. We should not do that and we will never do that.' At the start of the meeting council leader Nadine Peatfield said she was working with the police to introduce a knife amnesty bin in the Council House reception. She said this would be 'a safe space with security, where hopefully, people wishing to hand over a weapon, won't be intimidated out of doing so by having to enter a police station'. We send out the biggest stories in an email every day. Sign up for the main Derbyshire Live newsletter here.
BBC News
05-07-2025
- General
- BBC News
Trees planted in Derby parks to mark King Charles III's coronation
More than 2,000 trees have been planted across Derby as part of a project to mark the coronation of King Charles City Council said "micro woods" had been planted at Allestree Park, Markeaton Park, Chaddesden Park, Vicarage Road Recreation Ground and Normanton project, which was unveiled in 2023, was paid for by a government fund launched to support tree planting initiatives in commemoration of the King's council said the trees would "improve the wellbeing of residents for generations". Councillor Ndukwe Onuoha, cabinet member for street pride, public safety and leisure, said: "These new micro woods will not only bring joy and improve the wellbeing of residents for generations, but they'll also significantly boost our local natural environment."We're incredibly proud of what's been created, and I want to extend a huge thank you and congratulations to everyone who has contributed."The authority's Derby Parks worked in partnership with Trees 4 Derby and local "Friends of" groups during the project. Micro woods, also known as Miyawaki Forests, are planted using a method developed by Japanese botanist Dr Akira Miyawaki, the council technique involves densely planting a variety of native tree species to mimic the rapid regeneration seen in natural forests.A key advantage of Miyawaki Forests is their accelerated growth rate, which can be up to 10 times faster than conventionally planted woodlands, the council added.
BBC News
19-06-2025
- General
- BBC News
Safety works set for 'dangerous' road near Derby's biggest park
Safety improvements are set to be made to a busy and "dangerous" road next to a large park in Derby. Derby City Council said work to create a new pedestrian toucan crossing in Ashbourne Road, between Prince Charles Avenue and Markeaton Park, is due to start later this year. It is hoped the crossing will make it safer for pedestrians to cross and visit the park, the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) city council said final costs and a timescale had not been confirmed yet. The section of Ashbourne Road where the crossing will be installed is one of Derby's busiest traffic routes and has a 40mph speed limit, which can make it difficult for pedestrians to cross both sides of the road, the LDRS said. 'Super happy residents' City councillor for Mackworth and New Zealand Ndukwe Onuoha said road safety improvements were needed on the stretch of road."If you have been there - and I have crossed it - you will know it is a mad rush to cross."Imagine someone with a buggy or a mobility scooter – it is very hard for them to cross. Parents tell me it is dangerous. We need a crossing so they can cross safely," he said. Conservative councillor for the area Gaurav Pandey welcomed the changes, adding there had been previous requests to get the work said: "We have been campaigning for this for a long time. Residents are going to be super happy about this."A spokesperson for Derby City Council said: "A new toucan crossing has been designed to improve access for pedestrians and cyclists between Prince Charles Avenue and Markeaton Park."While the final costs and installation timescale are yet to be confirmed, the project is planned for this year and will be funded by contributions from housing developments in the area."Work to improve road and pedestrian safety on the other side of Ashbourne Road – between Markeaton Island and Friar Gate – started last year after the council was awarded £475,000 from the section of road was identified as "high risk" and requiring improvement by the Road Safety Foundation. Work so far has included improvements to existing pedestrian crossings, upgrades to existing crossings on side roads leading to Ashbourne Road and new infrastructure to reduce speed of vehicles.
BBC News
28-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Households which leave bins on streets in Derby to be fined
About 100 fines are set to be issued to people in Derby for leaving their wheelie bins on the streets. Derby City Council has been running a pilot programme to clampdown on bins being left out on nine streets, with a view to taking the initiative city-wide. It is now set to issue its first fixed penalty notices under section 46a of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, which allows the authority to issue fines for bins which cause an obstruction on the street, or may attract vermin. In a post on Facebook, councillor Ndukwe Onuoha, Derby City Council's cabinet member for Streetpride, wrote: "When I said I'd take action to get bins off our streets, I meant it." The Local Democracy Reporting Service has said wheelie bins being left on the streets has been an issue in a number of areas of Derby in recent years, including the Mackworth and New Zealand has hailed the pilot scheme a success. He said: "The number of bins being left out on these streets has reduced significantly since the start of the pilot, with enforcement action being taken against those who have continued to leave their bins out."The streets involved in the pilot have seen a reduction of up to 80% in the number of bins being left out." 'Needed on more streets' But Mackworth and New Zealand councillor Gaurav Pandey has questioned whether the threat of fines was proving an effective deterrent after he visited streets involved in the pilot scheme and said he saw a number of bins left out. He added: "There are bins everywhere."The law has been in existence for some time so why has there been a pilot of streets involved so far? This needs rolling out across more streets in the city so more people get the message."I don't think people's behaviour will change unless enforcement is issued – that's why it is needed on more streets."
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Council announces park paddling pool will reopen
A "much-loved" paddling pool at a park in Derby will reopen for the bank holiday weekend. The popular feature at Markeaton Park began to deteriorate at the end of 2023 and has since been closed to allow for "essential" resurfacing work and repairs to take place. Speaking in April, Councillor Ndukwe Onuoha, cabinet member for leisure, said the essential resurfacing work had been a "much more complex task than anticipated". On Thursday, Derby City Council confirmed the pool will reopen on Saturday. The repair work was hampered by wet weather, and the pool, which traditionally is up and running for children each May, was shut for the entire 2024 season. Onuoha said he "shared everyone's disappointment" that the pool could not open last year. After the council announced the pool was reopening, he said: "We know how incredibly popular the paddling pool is, and we're absolutely delighted that it will be open for its usual season this year. "Our teams have worked diligently with the contractor to ensure the pool is safe and ready for everyone to enjoy this year." Tree House Trek, which is based in the park, said: "We're absolutely delighted to see progress being made on the reopening of the paddling pool. "It's a much-loved part of the park that brings families, laughter, and life to the area, and we know how much local visitors have missed it. "We appreciate the efforts being made to get everything just right and can't wait to welcome even more families back this summer." Follow BBC Derby on Facebook, on X, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@ or via WhatsApp on 0808 100 2210. 'Complex' paddling pool repairs delay reopening No reopening date for park paddling pool Derby City Council
