Nottinghamshire County Council will request designated pick-up and drop-off areas be installed at all new schools in the future to stop parking chaos at peak times.
The Conservative-led authority has supported a motion aimed at reducing congestion in housing areas close to schools.
It follows councillors raising stories from their communities of cars blocking drives near schools and children’s safety being put “at risk”.
They say one of the biggest complaints in their inboxes relates to parking problems outside schools and concerns about issues getting out of hand.
PICTURED: Cllr Sam Smith, who proposed the motionParents could soon have to park their cars in designated areas outside newly-built schools
And they say the county council regularly has to “foot the bill” to install traffic calming methods like double yellow lines when new schools are built.
But now the council will request any new schools built in the county have designated drop-off and pick-up areas on their land to reduce the risk of parking problems.
This includes all sites built by the authority as an education authority, as well as schools promised by housing developers as part of large developments.
It followed a motion proposed by Cllr Sam Smith (Con), who represents Newark East and said at least two schools in his area experience parking issues.
He described cars blocking driveways, causing congested roads and queues during peak hours and leading to complaints from his community.
Proposing the motion, he told the chamber issues put children’s safety at risk across the county and said steps need to be taken to stop it from happening at new schools.
“We can change that,” he said.
“When a planning application is made for a new school on any land in Nottinghamshire, this council should respond to planning authorities to request land is available for drop-off and pick-up points.
“Doing so will improve road safety, prevent queues of traffic outside new schools reduce the expense of this council in having to install parking restriction methods at a later date, mitigate congestion on residential streets and lower the CO2 emissions outside schools.
“New schools should be the heartbeat of new communities, not the headache of them.
“That’s why having a designated pick-up and drop-off point inside the boundary of new schools across our county is not just a convenience but a necessity.”
The motion was supported by all Conservative councillors as well as the Independent Alliance, although Labour abstained from the vote.
It meant the motion was passed with 41 votes in favour and eight abstentions.
Cllr Steve Carr (Ind), of the Independent Alliance, said his group was supportive of the motion but did have questions about some elements of its proposals.
He said: “We’re happy with the motion itself but we have questions about specific things not covered in it.”
However, there was no debate on the plans because the meeting ran out of time.
New constitutional rules meant the motion had to be taken directly to the vote after 5.15pm to prevent the meeting from exceeding its 5.30pm deadline.
This led to Labour abstaining from the vote as it prevented the group from tabling what it described as a “sensible” amendment.
Explaining the constitutional rules, Adrian Smith, the authority’s chief executive, told the chamber: “I’m afraid, given we’ve ticked beyond 5.15pm, we need to move this item to a vote.”
He added: “We haven’t got time for the debate, so it needs to be moved to the vote.”
Cllr Penny Gowland (Lab), who represents West Bridgford South, said: “We need an amendment to the constitution so we don’t start a debate at 5.05pm.”
More than 25 food establishments across Gedling borough have been given a five-star hygiene rating this week.
In total, 26 premises were rewarded the top food hygiene rating by inspectors. Ratings range from zero to five stars, with zero meaning urgent improvement is required, one-star meaning major improvement is necessary, two-stars indicating some improvement is necessary, three meaning hygiene standards are generally satisfactory while four means hygiene standards are good and five means standards are very good.
The fact these food establishments have been granted the top rating means the premises are of exceptional standards.
BJs Fish Bar, 48 Main Street, Burton Joyce NG14 5DZ (rated on September 20, 2023).
Pizza Rozza, 4 Coppice Road, Arnold NG5 7GQ (rated on September 20)
The Nelson, Chestnut Grove, Burton Joyce NG14 5DN (rated on September 20)
Himalayan Inn, First Floor, 152 – 166 Front Street, Arnold NG5 7EG (rated on September 20)
The Lambley Village Kitchen, Main Street, Lambley NG4 4PN (rated on September 19)
Porchester Cafe, Porchester Wines, 200 Porchester Road, Mapperley NG3 6LH (rated on September 19)
Miller & Carter, Mansfield Road, Arnold, NG15 8FJ (rated on September 18)
The Sherwood Ranger, Chapel Lane, Ravenshead, NG15 9DH (rated on September 18)
The Village Square Fish Bar, 24 St Wilfrids Square, Calverton, NG14 6FP (rated on September 14)
Spice, 459 Westdale Lane West, Mapperley, NG3 6DH (rated on September 14)
Arnold Fish Bar, 97 High Street, Arnold NG5 7DQ (rated on September 14)
Indigo – Indian Food to Go, 459 Westdale Lane West, Mapperley, NG3 6DH (rated on September 14)
Cucina Pizza, 35C Nottingham Road, Daybrook, NG5 6JW (rated on September 14)
Sabzee, 459 Westdale Lane West, Mapperley, NG3 6DH (rated on September 14)
Karikana, 459 Westdale Lane West, Mapperley (rated on September 14)
Banyan Tree, 520 Mansfield Road, Redhill, NG5 8PG (rated on September 11)
Pizza Babylon, 139 Oxclose Lane, Arnold, NG5 6FN (rated on September 11)
Rhubarbs Cafe, 113 – 115 Church Road, Burton Joyce, NG14 5DJ (rated on September 11)
Sea & Earth, 778 Mansfield Road, Woodthorpe, NG5 3FH (rated on September 11)
Carlton Cafe, 20 Carlton Square, Carlton, NG4 3BP (rated on September 7)
Cross Keys, Main Street, Burton Joyce, NG14 5DX (rated on September 7)
Mapperley Golf Club, Central Avenue, Mapperley, NG3 5LD (rated on September 7)
Kavi char, 6 Beechwood Road, Arnold, NG5 8BA (rated on September 7)
Papas Grill, 14 Wollaton Avenue, Gedling, NG4 4HX (rated on September 7)
The Proper Kebab Burger Pizza, 6 Meadow Road, Netherfield, NG4 2FF (rated on September 4)
Papa Johns, 6 Croft Road, Arnold, NG5 7DX (rated on September 1)
Joe’s Cafe, 17A Chaworth Road, Colwick, NG4 2FZ, (rated on September 1)
Valerie Woodland proudly put on her Great Britain vest this week as she represented Great Britain on the world stage in three events at the European Masters Athletics Championships in Italy.
Valerie only started doing triathlons in 2019 and from that got into running as she neared fifty years of age.
This week, only a few years after taking up running and running in her first ever 5,000m over 50s (W50) track race in Pescara, Valerie came in an amazing seventh place and the second fastest GB & NI athlete in the field.
She followed this up with an even better sixth place in the 10,000m over 50s road race (W50) where she was the fastest GB & NI athlete in the field.
In her third event of the championships Valerie won silver in the 10km over 35s (W35) team event. This is an event where there are three athletes in a team and when you don’t have a whole team of the same age group the older athlete(s) goes into the younger age group so Valerie was competing against younger competitors.
Valerie said “Only two weeks ago I took part in an event called the Aeolian Running Tour, where you race over a week on five different islands. I won everyday and was crowned the overall women’s winner of the 21st edition. It was a huge achievement for me”.
Valerie lived on Westdale Lane in Gedling, went to school at Carlton le Willows and kept a pony on Wood Lane. She also attended Arnold & Carlton college and as a student worked part-time on customer service the year Tescos on Carlton Hill opened.
Now Valerie lives in Sicily, saying; “I first came to Sicily on holiday and fell in love with the place. I was offered a teaching job and then went on to manage two international language schools. I also work for Cambridge University as an examiner for their English exams.”
Valerie has been a showjumper all her life and had been looking for a new horse, when her husband jokingly offered to buy her a road bike and suggested trying a triathlon with him.
Valerie said “I couldn’t swim that well, I’d never ridden a road bike and my running skills dated back to secondary school, where I can’t exactly say I’d excelled.
“Anyway, I joined a local triathlon and running club here in Italy, where I now live, and it all started. I realised after a short time that I wasn’t only winning in my age group, but that I was also frequently on the overall women’s podium in Sicily. The club she runs for then asked if she’d like to go to the European Masters Championships last year.”
About a month before the event, Valerie got an email from the GB team co-ordinator/ manager who told her that she wouldn’t be able to compete for Italy as she was a British citizen however she was then asked if she’d like to compete for GB & NI and her international athletics career started.
Valerie said “At least once a year I race in the UK either running, cycling, triathlon or all 3. I do at least one charity event when I’m over to help with cancer research awareness. We lost my aunt to cancer, and shortly after also her husband, my uncle.
“My cousins, who are also local, asked if I’d join them on the Leeds to Manchester charity bike ride to raise money for MacMillan. My husband and I agreed and I found it really humbling that 2 people (my cousins Kay and Denise)who had never done sport were so driven to raise awareness, that they were prepared to take on this epic ride.
“So from then on I’ve tried to plan my visits home around an event. It means a lot to my family…who I drag along to join me or support me. I did the Nottingham Race for Life 10km in June this year, where I came first overall, and where a good friend of mine, encouraged by my achievements, trained over 6 weeks and took part in the 5km and thoroughly enjoyed it.
“I love representing my country. When I sit down and think about what I’m doing, I even surprise myself, I could never have imagined at the age on 52 I’d be doing so well at something other than show jumping.
“So that’s really how I got started and I would encourage everyone to ignore their age – get out and give it a go, its never too late to start and you never know what you could achieve.”
Further details about European Masters Athletics can be accessed HERE.
Residents and businesses are being encouraged to take part in Nottinghamshire County Council’s Annual Budget Survey, which has been launched today (29).
The formal consultation process has opened in preparation for the next financial year and gives people an opportunity to have their say on how the County Council’s budget is spent
It is part of the council’s ongoing conversation with residents to find out what its priorities should be to provide a ‘healthier, more prosperous and greener’ Nottinghamshire – and ultimately help it ‘rise to the challenge’.
The consultation is open until Sunday November 12 and Councillor Richard Jackson, Cabinet Member for Finance, says residents who complete the survey will help the council shape how it maintains and delivers frontline services.
Pictured: Councillor Richard Jackson, Cabinet Member for Finance (Nottinghamshire County Council)
He said: “As a council we are acutely aware that households across Nottinghamshire continue to experience significant financial pressures, which means we must strike the right balance between easing the cost-of-living pressures our residents are facing and continuing vital services for vulnerable residents.
“I believe we have a proven track record in delivering savings while maintaining and delivering high-quality frontline services in Nottinghamshire over a significant period and this council continues to be in a relatively strong financial position.
“My colleagues and I are immensely proud of this – but we really need your honest views about what you see as our priorities and that we are in step with what our communities want from us.
“By engaging, you can help make Nottinghamshire a better place to live, work and visit – which is something we’re all striving to achieve.
“The short survey takes just minutes to complete, so please make sure you have your say to help us rise to the challenge. We look forward to receiving your responses.”
To take part in this year’s consultation, Gedling borough residents can complete the survey online or at one of the County Council’s libraries where printed copies are available.
A quiet week in the planning department with applications including extensions and external seating improvements at a pub being amongst the applications submitted to Gedling Borough Council and validated over the last week.
Here is a round-up of the latest plans that the council’s planning officers validated this week (w/e 29/9/23) and will now decide on.
Redevelopment of land and stables to create a single self-build dwelling
Park Lane Stables Park Lane Lambley Nottinghamshire NG4 4QA. Ref. No: 2023/0678
Double glaze exterior of stained glass windows with clear poly carbonate
Woodborough Hall Bank Hill Woodborough Nottinghamshire NG14 6EE. Ref. No: 2023/0680
New resin and astro turf ground finishes to replace external damaged tarmac to front of public house; new tall timber external tanalised timber posts and 2 new 4m wide jumbrellas.
Replace existing conservatory roof with flat roof; single storey front and side extension with storage in roof void and new acoustic fence to rear Increase the number of children allowed to be on the premises at one time from 58 to 79
16 Crookdole Lane Calverton Nottinghamshire NG14 6GF. Ref. No: 2023/0668
The proposal is to construct a new 3 storey flat on a currently empty site. The flat will include three car parking spaces on the ground floor and have an entrance located on the ground floor which features a stairway to take you up to the first floor. The flat will house three bedrooms and one kitchen/living space, as seen on the plans.
Land Adjacent To 50 Chesterfield Street Carlton Nottinghamshire NG4 1EF. Ref. No: 2023/0663
A councillor is hoping to resume talks with a local business owner over proposals to transform former quarried land near Arnold into a habitat for wildlife.
Gedling Borough councillor Henry Wheeler, who represents Coppice Ward, has been in contact with Ibstock Brick, who owns and operates the Dorket Head quarry site about allowing the land to be given back to nature – something that is wanted by the local community.
The fields adjoin the Hobbucks area and Killisick Fields and Cllr Wheeler says they are currently rejuvenating into a green space.
Some of the land is fenced off woodland and the rest forms part of the clay extraction sites.
Cllr Wheeler told Gedling Eye: “Ibstock Brick have said they are more than happy for a meeting to take place, as it provides a super link with the community.
“The meeting will re-establish links with Ibstock Brick and the community by re-establishing the Dorket Head Liaison Committee. This committee stopped meeting during the Covid 19 pandemic
“The meetings will provide an excellent opportunity for the future by ensuring that fields owned by Ibstock Brick are returned to nature, adequate public access is provided and also we can look at how the fields that have been quarried can provide new opportunities for establishing important wildlife habitats and conservation. A potential future link to the Hobbucks Local Nature Reserve could also be established.”
Shutters will close for the final time next week at four more Wilko stores.
The stores in Bulwell and Nottingham city centre will shut on Thursday, October 5, with Arnold and Hucknall’s stores to close on Sunday, October 8.
The announcement comes as part of the final round of store closures by administrator PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) with other Nottinghamshire stores either closing this week or having already shut.
Some local jobs may be saved after rival retailer Poundland agreed to buy 71 Wilko retail units nationally – including the units in Beeston, Kimberley and Worksop.
All three stores will become Poundland units in the coming weeks and union GMB pledged to take steps to ensure affected staff at these stores are prioritised.
Retailer B&M has also agreed to buy 51 Wilko stores, though the locations of those units have not yet been confirmed.
Overall, local job losses caused by the retailer’s collapse are likely to total more than 2,000 roles amidst a loss of roles at Wilko’s headquarters in Worksop.
Bassetlaw District Council described the high street giant’s demise as “like a pit closure” with jobs already cut at the retailer’s support offices and distribution centre in the town.
The Labour-led council held a support event last week aimed at affected staff with skills, retraining and employment support on offer.
It has now confirmed its plans for a second event on Thursday (September 28) including more than 40 stalls promising education and skills, benefits and jobseek
A Little Life (Cert 18 TBC) – Bonington Cinema, Arnold
Thu 28 Sep – Sun 1 Oct, Various Times £12.50pp
James Norton (Happy Valley) stars in the theatrical event of 2023 as visionary director Ivo van Hove (A View from the Bridge) stages the English language premiere of A Little Life . Following a sell-out West End run, this record-breaking production of the million-copy bestseller by Hanya Yanagihara will be released in cinemas across the UK and selected European countries on September 28.
A Little Life follows four college friends in New York City: aspiring actor Willem, successful architect Malcolm, struggling artist JB, and prodigious lawyer Jude. As ambition, addiction, and pride threaten to pull the group apart, they always find themselves bound by their love for Jude and the mysteries of his past. But when those secrets come to light, they finally learn that to know Jude St Francis is to understand the limitless potential of love in the face of life.
3hrs 40 mins (Including Interval)
*Content Warning: This production includes strong language, nudity, sexual violence, physical and emotional abuse, self-harm and suicide. It is intended for mature audiences and viewer discretion is advised.
A Haunting in Venice (12A)– Bonington Cinema, Arnold
Fri 29 Sep – Thu 12 Oct, Various Times £6.80pp £5pp on Tuesdays
In post-World War II Venice, a retired Hercule Poirot lives alone in his own exile when he receives a visit from an old friend: the world’s number one mystery writer Ariadne Oliver. Enlisting his assistance in the debunking of famed clairvoyant Joyce Reynolds, they attend a séance at the faded and decaying palazzo of famed opera singer Rowena Drake. When one of the guests is suddenly found murdered, could there be more at play than Poirot’s logic can explain?
Based on Agatha Christie’s “Hallowe’en Party”, A Haunting in Venice is directed by and stars Kenneth Branagh and the stellar ensemble cast also includes Tina Fey, Michelle Yeoh, Kelly Reilly, Jamie Dornan, Camille Cottin, Kyle Allen, Riccardo Scamarcio, Ali Khan, Emma Laird, and Jude Hill.
The quiz is a Web based quiz so a phone tablet or laptop will be needed – don’t worry if not 100% with technology it’s really easy and our team are on hand to support if needed
Echo Beach – Richard Herrod Centre, Carlton, 9.00pm
Free Entry
Dynamic duo, Echo Beach, will take you back to the 80s in style with hits from Frankie Goes to Hollywood, Soft Cell, Pet Shop Boys, Tears for Fears, Gary Numan, Eurythmics and many more from the 80s era
Sci-fi Day – Papplewick Pumping Station, 11.00am – 4.00pm
Join by Colin Baker (the sixth Dr Who, 1984-86), Terry Malloy (Davros, leader of the Daleks) and Norman Lovett (Holly, from Red Dwarf) whom will be available for signed autographs and selfies throughout the day.* The world-renowned Theremin player, Lydia Kavina will also be appearing and performing this amazing instrument.
Films of Hong Kong: In the Mood for Love (PG) + Kei Po Exhibition – Bonington Cinema, Arnold, 2.30pm
A beautiful story from Hong Kong that looks both forward and back with a nostalgia for a romantic form of cinema. Wong Kar Wai’s In the Mood for Lovewas recently voted as the fifth greatest film of all time according to the BFI’s Critics Poll, a vote conducted every 10 years. The film is a “heart-breaking story of illicit love that pulses with the ache of repressed desire”. (BFI)
“A film that treats the theme of love and betrayal with a theological seriousness”
The exhibition will take place between 1 – 2.30pm and 4 – 6pm, including a speech on the history of Kei Po in relation to Hong Kong. In the Mood for Love will be shown at 2.30pm
Directed by Wong Kar Wai With Tony Leung, Maggie Cheung 1hr 38 mins // HK 2000
Jazz Steps: Brandon Allen’s Groove Band – The Bonington, Arnold, 7.30pm
£15pp
Grooves and then some more… Brandon Allen’s Groove Band does ‘what it says on the tin’! Expect funky baselines, otherworldly drum grooves, soaring synthesisers and intricate and intoxicating sax/guitar melodies. Musical influences include Weather Report, Herbie Hancock, Eddie Harris, John Scofield, Lalo Schifrin, Tom Scott, David Sanborn, The Brecker Brothers and Vangelis.
‘Brandon Allen is arguably the most exciting tenor player in Britain today. His phrasing is unashamedly emotional, soaked in the blues tradition.’ Jazzwise Magazine
‘Muscular and robust one moment, warm and soothing another, stretching out with an abrasive edge’ Jazz Journal
‘…a saxophone heavyweight, at the height of his powers…’. Blues and Soul Magazine
Brandon Allen – saxes Mike Outram – guitar Jim Watson – keys Dave Jones – electric bass Karl Paavola – drums
Please contact venue to confirm availability and details
A quick word from ‘This is Gedling’ Magazine who sponsor The Vibe
Covering the whole of Gedlng borough ‘This is Gedling’ magazine is being distributed now – you can pick up a FREE copy at your local pub, club, venue, theatre, takeaway.
This is Gedling is a Not for Profit (NfP) community initiative that depends on the support of advertisers, contributors, readers and donors to continue to bring FREE borough news and general interest content to the all 46 square miles and 120k residents of Gedling borough.
Businesses across Gedling borough are being reminded that from Sunday, October 1 they will not be allowed to supply, sell, or offer certain single-use plastic items.
The ban covers a wide range of single-use items including plastic cutlery, plates, bowls, balloon sticks and certain styles of polystyrene cup and food containers that are used to supply ready-to-eat food.
Nottinghamshire County Council Trading Standards is advising businesses, such as sandwich shops, takeaways and other retailers, to think about sourcing alternatives if they haven’t already done so, as they risk being fined if they use the banned items.
The ban has been introduced as part of an effort to tackle plastic pollution and avoidable littering.
In England approximately 2.7 billion items of single-use cutlery, and 721 million single-use plates are estimated to be used every year, and it is believed that only 10% of these are recycled.
There are some exemptions to the ban, depending on the item. If business owners in Nottinghamshire are unsure how the new rules will affect them, they can apply for up to ten hours of free bespoke advice and support from Trading Standards officers at Nottinghamshire County Council.
Councillor Tom Smith, Deputy Cabinet Member for Communities said: “We fully support the ban on single-use plastics, as it’s vital that we reduce the amount of plastic that ends up polluting rivers and seas and harming our wildlife.
“Our Trading Standards officers are here to support Nottinghamshire firms so we would encourage local businesses to get in touch and make use of the free specialist support that we are offering to help them meet the new rules around single-use plastics.”
A planning application has been received by Gedling Borough Council from DV8 Designs Limited of Warrington acting as agent on behalf of Greene King for the proposed construction of new fixed tall timber posts as well as the change some of the existing resin and tarmac for new resin and Astro turf at The Vale, Woodthorpe, 780 Mansfield Road, NG5 3GG .
The application describes the proposed works as ‘New resin and astro turf ground finishes to replace some of the external damaged tarmac to the external front as well as new tall timber external tanalised timber posts and 2 new 4m wide jumbrellas’
A design and access statement provided by DV8 as part of the application states that the proposal aims to revamp the external seating area to the front of the building.
Pictured: Proposed front and side elevations post work (Courtesy of Gedling Borough Council planning)
Full planning details can be accessed on Planning Application No.2023/0671 HERE.
