Derby City Council

Derby City Council said it's looking to speak to Rolls-Royce about the future of thousands of workers in the city.

Concerns have been raised over potential job losses after it was reported the company may cut up to 8,000 members of its workforce over the weekend.

The authority said it and Derby's coronavirus economic recovery task force - made up of public and private business and chaired by city council chief executive Paul Simpson - are "seeking urgent talks" to establish what it can do to "support" Rolls-Royce.

A spokesman for Rolls-Royce said it is "working closely with our employee and trade union representatives and then we will consult with everyone affected".

BBC

A large part of Rolls-Royce's revenue depends upon the maintenance of aircraft engines, but with the number of flights being so low internationally, the work simply isn’t there. It is vital that Derby – and the UK as a whole – stands with Rolls-Royce, its workers and others in the sector at this challenging time."

Food waste and garden rubbish will not be collected in Derby after the city council announced it is suspending the services following the latest information on preventing the spread of coronavirus.

Collections for the black general waste and blue recycling bins will carry on as normal, but the authority said its plans are "being constantly monitored" in line with the latest government advice on protecting the public.

Derby City Council

We know that changes to refuse collections are frustrating at any time but we have to prioritise our services in what is an unprecedented situation."

Average speed cameras, the first permanent ones in Derbyshire, are being switched on in a stretch of roadworks on the A52 near Derby.

The current limit at the Wyvern is 40mph but will be raised to 50 - down from the original 70 - when the system is fully operational later this year.

BBC

The city council said lowering the speed limit would make the road safer and cut congestion.

Fines from the new cameras will not be handed out until the roadworks are lifted and the council said it did not receive any of the money.

The cost of erecting and dismantling the Christmas lights in Derby city centre has risen to £131,000, a Freedom of Information request to the city council has revealed.

This is £37,000 more than in 2018, which itself was up from a total of £55,000 in 2017.

In 2016 it cost £31,000, so this year's figure is a six-figure increase compared to three years ago.

Derby City Council said the higher costs are because of "additional and repaired festive lights".

Four 4m-tall presents will light up Derby's Market Place this year and there will be a new Christmas tree at The Spot.

The giant presents will put on a sound and light show every half an hour.

The plans replace the city's ice rink, which has been in the Market Place for the last eight years.

Derby City Council

Councillor Mick Barker, from Derby City Council, said: "I'm really excited to see the giant Christmas presents in place.

"They look like great fun and we believe it's the first time they have been seen like this anywhere in Europe.

"I'm also delighted we are using the new tree at The Spot. It certainly makes sense for us to spread the Christmas cheer a bit more widely across the city centre."

Mr Barker said the council is still negotiating the final price for the presents, but said it will be less than the ice rink, which he said cost the council £36,000 to rent annually.

A bridge in Derby has been closed for two weeks while flood gates are installed.

There is a diversion for motorists while the work on Exeter Bridge, in Derwent Street, is carried out but pedestrians will still be able to use it.

Derwent Street has been one-way since June to pave and realign the road, as well as create new flood defences behind the Riverside Chambers and Full Street. However, it will be fully shut while four new gates are built.

This £95m project is to help protect the city from flooding.

Councillor Matthew Holmes, deputy leader of Derby City Council, said: "This project is not just about ensuring the city is better equipped to avoid a significant future flooding event, it is about delivering regeneration to areas of the city."

Derby City Council