DCC Community News 3rd November 2025

Celebrate safely
Are you planning on celebrating with fireworks for Bonfire Night? Have fun – but don't forget to stay safe.

It's the time of year when the night sky is lit up by spectacular fireworks. But if they're not used safely, people and animals could be injured or distressed.

If you plan to have your own fireworks at home, remember:

* read the instructions
* let neighbours know in advance
* keep pets indoors, away from noise
* if you have farms or stables near you let them know
* use lower noise fireworks
* check the safety distance for use on the firework box
* only buy from reputable retailers
* store fireworks away from children and animals
* make sure fireworks are out, soak them in water, bag and bin the next day.

Or you could leave it to the professionals and make life easier by going to an organised public display. All the fun, none of the hassle.

Fake Toys, Real Harms
As the gift-buying season begins in the run up to Christmas, our Trading Standards team is urging families to look twice before they buy.

Counterfeit toys may look genuine, but testing shows they often contain toxic paint, unsafe stuffing, and choking hazards.

We're supporting the Fake Toys, Real Harms campaign to help parents and shoppers stay safe this season.

From playground crazes to birthday wishlists, keeping up with toy trends is part of modern childhood.

Add in the pressure of saving money and the convenience of one-click shopping, it's no surprise counterfeit toys find their way into homes.

See what inspectors have uncovered and find advice at www.faketoys.co.uk

New bird flu measures
Do you keep chickens or other birds?

New housing measures to protect birds from avian flu came into force last Thursday across the whole of Derbyshire.

The new measures apply to keepers who have more than 50 birds, and those that sell or give away eggs or poultry products. The measures don't apply to hobby bird keepers.

The Animal and Plant Health Agency (part of DEFRA) had already put an Avian Influenza Prevention Zone in place that instructed bird keepers to use strict biosecurity measures. The new housing measures are in addition to that, and are a legal requirement, in response to increased cases of avian influenza (known as bird flu) in wild birds, poultry and kept birds.

There are currently no confirmed cases in Derbyshire, but suspected cases are being investigated among wild waterfowl at our Elvaston Castle Country Park.

Get set for Carers' Rights Day
Carers in Derbyshire can find out more about what their rights are during a programme of events in November for Carers' Rights Day 2025.

This year's theme is Know Your Rights. Sessions being held by our Derbyshire All Age Carers Support Service, which is delivered by Derbyshire Carers Association on our behalf, include:

* Monday 17 November: cuppa & chat, 11am-12.30pm, Chesterfield Royal Hospital, NGS Macmillan Unit; community drop-in, 9am-1pm, Baslow Health Centre.
* Tuesday 18 November: community engagement drop-ins, the Arc leisure centre, Matlock, 9am-12.30pm and Ripley Leisure Centre, 1pm-3.30pm
* Thursday 20 November: carers information stand, Florence Nightingale Hospital, Derby, 10am-2pm.
* Friday 21 November: community engagement drop-in, Ashbourne leisure centre, 10.30am-12.30pm.
This year, Carers' Rights Day takes place on Thursday 20 November.

Extra school places
Pupils with special educational needs and disabilities will be supported back into education thanks to an overall investment of £2.2 million.

Specialist places for up to 100 students aged from 11 to 16 who've been out of school will be created by Esteem Multi-Academy Trust in Chesterfield.

We've allocated £1.8 million to Esteem to refurbish and change the use of a council building in Birdholme that we're no longer using.

It's hoped it will be open from September 2026, offering high-quality education and providing specialist support for pupils to resume their learning.

Let's Talk Money
We're supporting Talk Money Week, which takes place between 3-7 November. It aims to break down barriers and make it easier for people to share their thoughts and feelings about money.

It can be difficult to start the conversation about money. That's why Talk Money Week is a great opportunity to kickstart a conversation with friends, family or colleagues.

In fact, building money conversations into our everyday lives can help us build the financial confidence and resilience needed to face whatever the future has in store for us.

If you're not sure where to start, why not #StartTheConversation to improve financial wellbeing using the guidance available on MoneyHelper.

Did you know that small savings can quickly add up? There are so many ways to start your savings journey including banks, building societies, ISAs and Credit Union accounts.