Our readers from across the borough give their weekly take on the biggest issues impacting Gedling and beyond.
You can write a letter of your own to us by filling in the simple form below, and it may appear online.
Some letters refer to past correspondence which can be found by clicking HERE. Join the debate by email. Send your letter to letters@gedlingeye.co.uk and put ‘Letters’ in the subject line.
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Saddened by borough homeless figures
I was saddened to read your article which cited research conducted by the charity Shelter which conservatively estimated 266 people – including 65 children – would be homeless this Christmas across Gedling borough. This is a deeply troubling statistic which should shame us all.
What was underplayed in the story was the impact of the spiralling costs of providing temporary accommodation on the already straining budget of the local authority.
Nationally, analysis by the Local Government Association (LGA) has shown that the number of households living in temporary accommodation has risen by 89 per cent over the past decade. Moreover, the severe shortage of social housing means councils are forced to pay to house people in private temporary accommodation, including hotels and B&Bs while they wait for a permanent home.
Dwindling supply is further compounded by the cost of living crisis, and frozen Local Housing Allowance (LHA) rates which are driving increases in homelessness and reducing councils’ ability to source suitable accommodation.
These problems have been exacerbated by a change in Home Office change which means that newly-recognised refugees and survivors of trafficking have just seven days to find accommodation when they were previously given 28 days to arrange benefits and find alternative accommodation. Attempts to clear the asylum backlog also means increasing risks around destitution and rough sleeping numbers.
I look forward to hearing from our elected MP Mr Tom Randall as to what he’ll be doing to ensure strong representation in parliament and for our local community in supporting these vulnerable people.
Dr David Hindley,
Woodthorpe
All I want for Christmas is – an NHS dentist
At last weeks, final meeting of the Nottinghamshire Health and Wellbeing Board of 2023. A Report on Water Fluoridation in Nottinghamshire was presented.
On this, I raised a point and asked a pertinent question about the lack of access to NHS dentistry. Particularly as a lot was mentioned in the Report about poor oral health in children.
The point I was making was that whilst prevention is better than cure, there is a distinct lack of care for children’s oral health. It is impossible for a lot of families to register with an NHS dentist.
So, whilst fluoridation may help reduce issues around tooth decay, it should not be seen as a panacea for the problems created by a lack of access to NHS dental care.
The lack of dentistry for children as they go through the growth stages of losing baby teeth and growing adult teeth is an absolute disgrace.
The Report also made a point about hospital admissions because of issues related to poor oral health. So, I said that perhaps some of the hospital visits could have been avoided if children and families had adequate access to an NHS Dentist as many people are now resorting to DIY procedures.
I asked the ICB Integrated Care Board who have taken on responsibility for NHS dentistry, what they were going to do to try and address this issue with the Conservative government!
The song All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth, could quite easily be changed to All I want for Christmas is an NHS Dentist!
Councillor Henry Wheeler,
Arnold
Congestion charges would tackle hotspots in Gedling borough
There are way too many congestion hotspots in Gedling borough
I always wonder about Netherfield town centre. For example, pupils from Netherfield Primary School are often walking home through town and end up breathing in the fumes from the cars just sat at the traffic for ages. It’s worse when the train level crossing is down!
One wonders what these children are breathing in. Does anyone actually check?
We should talk about congestion charges as I think I’m persuaded by it if I’m honest. I am worried about future generations and the harm we are doing to them.
Anything we can do to get more environmentally-friendly transport in Netherfield and beyond has to be good.
While ULEZ is an annoyance, that’s what it is doing in London – making sure people have cars which consider the environment. This is a good thing.
Val Griffin,
via email
Square green space idea is pure fantasy
Now that Doctor Who is back on our televisions, I wonder lf there will be an episode where he visits the planet Teresa Walker is on? (Turn Carlton Square into Green Space – Letters 14/12/23)
Just where is the money coming from to buy the site, demolish it, clear it and create a new water feature and plant foliage? Our councils can barely afford to keep essential services going let alone find money to create some kind of paradise for Teresa Walker to exercise her dog in. Maybe she has a money tree in her back garden and is hoping the council also has access to one.
The arrival of a larger Farmfoods is good news for Carlton Square and will help increase footfall again.
If I was Teresa I’d keep a look out for a blue police box visiting the planet she’s on as it might be able to bring her back down to earth.
Lewis Bradley,
Carlton
