Latest news with #DerbyCityCouncil
STV News
14 hours ago
- Business
- STV News
Council to consider using AI to cut costs and improve service
Renfrewshire Council will consider how artificial intelligence (AI) can cut costs and improve service delivery after the 'success' of its digital adviser, Millie. The local authority will embark upon an AI transformation assessment, including commissioning an AI partner, so it can gain a 'clearer understanding' of how the technology can make the organisation more efficient. This process aims to support the development of a business case that will outline 'the scale of opportunity' and priorities for building on Millie, which launched in November and has attracted mixed feedback. The state of play was set out in a report on the council's transformation and change programme, which also confirmed a 'working relationship' with Derby City Council to share best practice with the leadership board on Wednesday. It said: 'Based on Millie's success so far and the learning established from the AI innovation being progressed by Derby City Council (and other authorities across the UK), it is planned to progress an AI transformation assessment across the council over the coming months, which will involve, as a first step, commissioning an AI partner via an appropriate procurement route. 'Through a series of stakeholder engagement, workshops, data analysis, financial validation solution demonstrations and trials, this AI transformation assessment will give the council a clearer understanding of how AI solutions can enhance efficiency, reduce costs and improve service delivery. 'This critical initial assessment stage will support the development of a full business case that is intended to be brought back to a future board for detailed consideration later in the year. 'The business case will provide a clear understanding of the scale of opportunity and the key priorities for building on the success of Millie and progressing the council's sector-leading development of AI capability.' Councillor Graeme Clark, a Labour representative for Paisley Northeast and Ralston, said at the meeting: 'I'm glad that this council has committed to using AI as part of its services, as part of the transformation assessment. 'Do we have an estimate of the savings that AI may bring to the council through that commitment?' Council chief executive Alan Russell responded: 'That business case process will help us understand your question. 'I would be slightly uncomfortable committing to even an indication of that at the moment. 'It's a rapidly developing area, and I think the opportunities will continue to grow. 'The report does note that we are working closely with Derby City Council down south, who are a bit further ahead in the journey than us. 'I think that's very helpful. They've been very accommodating and open to working with us in partnership. 'They're maybe about a year or so ahead of us in that journey, they do have AI transformation as a key part of their transformation programme, which is looking to deliver several million pounds of efficiency savings, and they're well down the road on that. 'But no two organisations are the same, and we need to understand how it will work for Renfrewshire and, in terms of our circumstances, how we deliver services here. 'I've got no doubt it does provide the potential to deliver a step change in how we use that technology and how it supports the workforce to do all of our jobs better and support delivery of better outcomes.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
BBC News
a day ago
- 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
09-06-2025
- General
- BBC News
'More needs to be done' to protect Derby's heritage
Not enough is being done to protect Derby's historically-significant buildings, according to the Derby Civic former maternity hospital off Osmaston Road was involved in a fire on Friday morning, just weeks after a blaze badly damaged the former Hippodrome site in Waterhouse, chairman of the society, said Derby "is becoming a target for repeated and deliberate acts of destruction aimed at its architectural heritage" and owners need to be held City Council said it "actively engages" with the owners of the city's "most challenging sites" and it "shares the community's frustration". Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service said four crews were required to deal with the blaze at the Grade II listed Gothic-style Melbourne House on Friday, with nearby roads cordoned off by engineers had also been called in to assess the 18th Century building's safety, the fire service incident was the second at the former hospital in 18 months following a fire started by a person who broke in to seek shelter, which badly damaged the rear portion of the building in January May, the last in a series of deliberate fires inside Derby's Hippodrome building in Green Lane led to a decision to partially demolish the site as it had become unsafe. Mr Waterhouse said a "pattern" was emerging of "neglect, arson, and eventual demolition" at Derby's historic added: "It's an absolute disgrace to see yet another Grade II listed building on fire. I hope we don't see this building being demolished under safety measures."If a building is old, it's deemed easier and cheaper to pull it down than to protect or restore it."Sadly, this reflects a mindset that sees Derby less as a city of culture and history, and more as a playground for HMOs and property investment schemes."Derby City Council must act now."He said building owners need to be held accountable for making sites secure or be fined, and the council and emergency services should "adopt a proactive rather than reactive approach".He said: "Our city's history is not disposable. We cannot continue to mourn buildings lost."Derby City Council said it is working with Derbyshire Historic Buildings Trust and Historic England to draw up a local register of at-risk buildings. A Derby City Council spokesperson said: "Derby's heritage buildings are invaluable and we share the community's frustration when owners allow them to deteriorate."We actively engage with building owners to explore potential solutions to protect these sites and return them to sympathetic use."The authority said it has a proven track record with sites like the Silk Mill, the Market Hall, Darley Abbey Mills, Friar Gate Goods Yard, Wilderslowe House and St James's spokesperson added: "Ultimately, privately-owned buildings are the direct responsibility of their owners, who are legally obliged to maintain their safety and security."In urgent situations - for example when a building is severely damaged by fire - public safety must be our paramount concern, and we must take immediate action."
BBC News
03-06-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Derby's bus lane cameras raise £1.8m in 2024
Drivers paid out more than £1.8m after being flashed by bus lane cameras in Derby last year, new figures City Council handed out fines to 51,391 motorists who drove through lanes designated for buses in 2024, the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) figures, revealed by a Freedom of Information request to the council, show the authority raised £1,849,291 in highest earner was the bus lane in Traffic Street near the Derbion shopping centre, which saw fines total £711,840. The city council said issuing such penalty charge notices (PCNs) was designed to reduce congestion and pollution. 'Follow the rules' Another bus lane in Corporation Street - where millions has been raised since the enforcement began - saw £681,805 raised from 19,012 PCNs, the LDRS response to the figures released, a spokesperson for Derby City Council said: "We are committed to creating a greener, more accessible, and sustainable city for everyone."The enforcement of bus lanes forms part of our wider strategy to support the National Bus Strategy which aims to reduce congestion and pollution and offers people more reliable and sustainable transport."Ideally, we wouldn't generate income from PCNs, and people would follow the rules associated with bus lanes to make our city a better place for all."Other bus lanes where drivers were charged include Phoenix Street where £84,276 was raised, Siddals Road where the council received £79,018, while £56,068 was accumulated in Normanton authority said surplus funds generated from bus lane PCNS were "used to improve highways and transport within the city".
Yahoo
31-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Play area opened with 'fastest zip wire in Derby'
A new play area designed with the help of residents has thrown open its gates at a Derby park. An open day was held to celebrate the new facility for youngsters at Brunswood Park in Spondon on Saturday. Features include a climbing frame and slide, roundabout, swings, and "the fastest zip wire in Derby", according to Derby City Council. A spokesperson for the council thanked "everyone who shared ideas and helped shape" the new "wonderful space". More than £72,000 was given to Spondon from a developer to improve parks in the area, after homes were built on the former Technograv factory site in Nottingham Road, while Friends of Spondon Parks raised a further £20,000 to redevelop the park. Follow BBC Derby on Facebook, on X, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@ or via WhatsApp on 0808 100 2210. New play area for city park after consultation Derby City Council
