Chinley Community Association newly resurfaced multi sports court is set to host a wide range of sports after the Netball Club, villagers and the Association secured £8,000 needed for the work.

Fund raising events were held and support provided by the Old Hall, Whitehough, Derbyshire County Council Youth Capital Fund, Chinley, Buxworth and Brownside Parish Council and Derbyshire Community Leadership fund via Councillor Barrie Taylor.

Today the coalition government has announced a budget that will return the UK to sustainable and balanced economic growth and which puts helping Alarm Clock Britain at its heart.

We are increasing the income tax threshold by £630 to £8105; lifting hundreds of thousands of low income earners out of paying income tax and putting £126 back in the pockets of low and middle income earners. This is in addition to the last budget that took nearly a million of the lowest income earners out of tax and made millions of hard working individuals £200 better off. We are making a real difference in people's lives - from the front page of our manifesto to people's back pockets.

Whaley Memorial Park is on track to return to its former glory with a big lottery grant, and also the prospect of a major improvement to the skateboard area with a separate successful grant bid by Whaley Bridge Association. Congratulations to all involved and in particular the Friends of the Park.

We heard speeches from Floella Benjamin, Simon Hughes MP, John Leech MP and Gordon Birtwistle MP on how incredibly important it is that we win the Fairer Votes referendum.

As Nick Clegg has already argued, this is "a battle between reformers and conservatives" and this is our chance, our one opportunity for genuine electoral reform. By winning this referendum we can end the nonsense of safe seats for life and ensure that MPs work harder to win your votes. We can ensure that there will be no more wasted votes and that your vote will count no matter where in the country you live.

So what can you do?

The planning application for apartment blocks on the derelict garage site on Hayfield Road, Lowleighton, was causing a number of concerns and Councillor Beth Atkins sent in an objection to the Planning Office and then joined residents to speak against it at the planning meeting.

Beth says: "This site cannot adequately support 18 apartments. Its mining background and the stream running under the site give concerns. The volume of cars and the inevitable parking problems, the visibility for vehicles on the bend and the proximity of heavy traffic from High Hill are all worries.

High Peak Council first withdrew funding from Whaley Bridge Regeneration Partnership last year, and has now pulled out completely.

Councillor Kemp, Borough Executive Member wrote "the Council must withdraw from partnerships that focus on small scale local projects".

Our Partnership projects have included:

A longer parking time on Market Street and changes on High Street were requested by County Councillor Beth Atkins and she welcomed their implemention.

Beth acted after the previous Labour administration at County Hall had privatised parking enforcement and over-zealous wardens had caused problems for shops and residents alike. Beth then called for an hour's free parking in the town centre - to enable people to carry out basic business.

Call for vacationing voters to make sure they can still vote on 5 May

The Electoral Commission, the independent elections watchdog, is reminding people looking to take advantage of spring's bank holiday bonanza to make sure their right to vote doesn't fly away this year.

The Commission is calling on people to act now and apply for a postal or proxy vote if they're going to be away on Thursday 5 May for the referendum on the voting system for the UK parliament. Voters will also elect local councillors in some areas in the High Peak.

Bowden Road

Following access problems for the Refuse/Recycling vehicle and Community Transport bus the County Council have proposed new parking restrictions at the top of Bowden Lane. Whilst improvements are welcome these may go too far and affect some local residents unnecessarily. A meeting has been held with the DCC traffic officer to discuss other ways of solving the problem.

"Marriages at Town Hall boost town's economy" - says Councillor Ray Atkins.

New Mills Town Hall is now an official Marriage Venue and this was recently featured on BBC TV's North West News.

Councillor Ray Atkins has welcomed the progress made to smarten up the Council Chamber. The new chairs have made a big difference (no creaks and squeaks!). It has been decorated and now Ray has suggested seeking a grant to refurbish the stairs up to the second floor.