Ofcom proposes ban on inflation-linked price rises in broadband and mobile contracts

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12/12/2023

Ofcom proposes ban on inflation-linked price rises in broadband and mobile contracts

The telecom regulator Ofcom is seeking a ban on inflation-linked price rises being imposed in the middle of customers’ mobile and broadband contracts.

The regulator said it was concerned contracts were not providing “sufficient certainty” to customers due to many firms including mid-contract price hikes linked to future inflation rates, a practice Ofcom believes lacks “sufficient clarity”. ‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‌

They now want to introduce a new rule to require any future price rises to be written into a contract in pounds and pence at the point of sale, giving customers more certainty over what they will pay during the course of a contract.

The rises were reviewed by Ofcom back in February.

Ofcom said its data revealed that as of April 2023, around four in 10 broadband customers and about 36 million mobile customers were on contracts subject to inflation-linked price rises.

Dame Melanie Dawes, Ofcom’s chief executive, said: “Most people are left confused by the sheer complexity and unpredictability of inflation-linked price rise terms written into their contract, which undermines customers’ ability to shop around.”

“At a time when household finances are under serious strain, customers need prices to be crystal clear,”

Virgin Media, which recently merged with O2, was the latest company to introduce inflation-linked price rises in May for its landline and broadband services, according to the regulator.

The company hiked prices in step with the Retail Prices Index (RPI) measure of inflation which was 11.3% at the time, as well as an additional 3.9%.

In March, Tesco increased its charges by 10.1%, the Consumer Prices Index (CPI) inflation measure back then, plus the 3.9% additional rise.

BT, Vodafone and EE have also carried out such practices since 2020.

Ofcom revealed it had received more than 800 complaints related to contract price increases between January and October – almost double the amount received during the same period in 2021.

The regulator said it would now consult on the new policy before publishing its final decision in spring 2024.

Gedling borough Christmas travel: Train times and bus schedules to be aware of this Christmas

Gedling Eye

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12/12/2023

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Gedling borough Christmas travel: Train times and bus schedules to be aware of this Christmas

As Christmas Day is less than two weeks away we’ve rounded up all of the Christmas travel info you might need to get to your festive celebrations this year.

Bus timetables in Gedling borough

NOTTINGHAM CITY TRANSPORT

Normal timetables up to and including Saturday, December 23.

Christmas Eve – Normal Sunday timetable until approx. 20:00. See last bus times below.

Christmas Day – no service.

Boxing Day – no service.

Wednesday, December 27 – Saturday timetables, except on Navy 49 which will operate to Monday to Friday times.

Thursday, December 28– Saturday timetables, except on Navy 49 which will operate to Monday to Friday times.

Friday, December 29 – Saturday timetables, except on Navy 49 which will operate to Monday to Friday times.

Saturday, December 30 – Normal Saturday timetable.

New Year’s Eve – Normal Sunday timetable until approx. 20:00.

New Year’s Day – no service.

Tuesday, January 2, 2024 – Normal timetables resume.

A normal Sunday timetable will operate on all routes on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve, with last buses by approx. 20:00. No NightBuses will operate on New Year’s Eve.

TRENT BARTON

Christmas Eve, Sunday, December 24 – Sunday service with last buses around 6pm.

Christmas Day – no service.

Boxing Day – no service.

Wednesday, December 27 – Saturday service until midnight (night buses will not run).

Thursday, December 28 – Saturday service until 12am midnight. Saturday night buses will not run.

Friday, December 29 – Saturday service will run including night Saturday night service.

Saturday, December 30 – Saturday service will run including the Saturday night service.

New Year’s Eve – A Sunday service with last departures around 8pm. Buses will then run at the following times: 1.00am, 2.00am, 3.00am between Nottingham and Calverton.

New Year’s Day – no service.

Tuesday, January 2 – Monday to Friday service will run.

Wednesday, January 3 – Monday to Friday service resumes.

Rail Christmas travel timetable

Christmas Eve – services will stop running earlier than normal. Please check the last trains before you travel.

Christmas Day – no services.

Boxing Day – no services.

Wednesday, December 27 – due to planned engineered works, an amended timetable will be in place, with longer journey times and earlier/later trains. Trains will not call at Market Harborough and rail replacement buses will run between Leicester, Corby, Kettering, Wellingborough and Market Harborough all day.

Thursday 28 – Saturday, December 30 – normal timetable.

New Year’s Eve – Liverpool to Norwich trains will start and terminate at Sheffield on New Year’s Eve. Rail replacement buses will run between Sheffield and Stockport.

New Year’s Day – Trains will start up later in the morning.

Match Report: Paviors RFC 26 – 27 Walsall

Nigel Youl

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12/12/2023

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Match Report: Paviors RFC 26 – 27 Walsall

Midlands North 2 Round 11 – December 10

This weekend Pavs welcomed Walsall RFC to The Stump in round eleven of The Midlands 2 North competition. With Pavs in third and Walsall in fourth place, this was always going to be a tight game that hinged on the small things as opposed to individual skill.

Unfortunately, Arnold‘s Pavs had to make a number of changes following the excellent victory over Lichfield due to work and family commitments, but were able to give opportunities to youngsters Dan Hodges and Rohan Cates and welcome back Dan Flint and Kieran Wells to the squad.

The weather on the day was as variable as we have come to expect of late and the playing surface just about playable.

Pavs received the kick off and set about moving the ball through the muck and mire. Unfortunately, on five minutes a wayward pass was snaffled by a Walsall centre who ran in under the posts to give the away side a 7-0 lead.

Pavs then upped their game to the sort of pace that they have been playing with in recent weeks. Scrum half Ben Taylor touched down after nineteen minutes and flanker Josh Alton-Smith finished off a fine forward drive on twenty eight minutes. George Billam converted both tries, one from the touch line to give Pavs a 14-7 lead.

Pavs then went into, what can only be called, ‘drift mode’. Walsall first added a penalty on twenty nine minutes, then two tries on thirty four and thirty seven minutes to give them a convincing lead of 22-14 at the break.

Pavs seemed to wake up after the break and spent several minutes in Walsall’s half. On fifty five minutes, Phil Eggleshaw powered his way to the line before offloading to tight head prop Theo Collier who touched down in the corner to narrow the score to 22-19 in Walsall’s favour. Unfortunately, for him this was his last action of the day due to injury and he was replaced by nineteen year old Rohan Cates on the front row.

More was to come on sixty three minutes when fly half George Billam ghosted in to score before adding the conversion to take Pavs in front at 26-22.

At this point, a storm of apocalyptic proportions swept down the pitch. Handling became impossible with torrential rain driving all but the hardiest of souls into the clubhouse. Alex Rimmington replaced Dan Flint and Harry Pritchard did the same for Tom Gladwin with seven minutes left.

On seventy three minutes, Pavs gave away a penalty. From the resulting lineout, Walsall’s skilful young fly half wisely kicked long. Given the conditions, it proved impossible to catch the ball and a scrum followed. Walsall worked their way forward, Pavs turned the ball over and likewise kicked to touch. Walsall were then able to secure the ball before piling over to give them the lead at 27-26. With minutes left Pavs tried their hardest, but with conditions proving impossible to overcome were unable to redress matters.

So a difficult afternoon for Pavs following six good wins on the bounce. One has to roll out the perennial ‘curate’s egg’ metaphor – a game good in parts, but nowhere near the standards they have set in recent weeks. Next weekend Pavs travel to Wolverhampton, hoping to restore matters before the Christmas break.

Squad- Dan Hodges, Kieran Wells, Theo Collier (1 try), Alastair Plant, Tom Gladwin, Josh Flanagan, Josh Alton-Smith (1 try), Josh Flanagan, Phil Eggleshaw, Ben Taylor (1 try), George Billam (1 try, 3c), Will Taylor, Doug Billam, Harry Kerr, Morgan Jones, Dan Flint.

Rep- Alex Rimmington (63 mins), Rohan Cates (55 mins), Harry Pritchard (75 mins)

Paviors Rugby Club play at Burntstump Hill, Arnold, NG5 8PQ and the club runs over twenty teams.

New players are always welcome – girls, boys, men & women, there is a team for all.

Further information about the club including contact details can be found on http://www.paviorsrfc.co.uk/ .

Annual Arnold Foodbank drive by Lorna Marie Fitness weighs in at half a tonne

Justin Doddy

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11/12/2023

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Annual Arnold Foodbank drive by Lorna Marie Fitness weighs in at half a tonne

Local fitness business owner Lorna, founder of Lorna Marie Fitness in Lowdham, has been busy this festive period with the team carrying out their annual foodbank drive for the Arnold Foodbank which culminated on December 9.

This year the team collected over half a tonne / 470kg of non-perishable goods and essential items for those finding themselves in difficulty this winter beating last year’s total by 20kg.

Lorna said on social media that “The Arnold Foodbank drive was a MASSIVE success thanks to our incredible local community. It really was a team effort.”

Lorna thanked everyone involved adding “A huge shout out to the @centralnottsscouts for your help packing it and organising it all – you’re amazing! Massive shout out to Gary and Jo from @johannascafebistro for their incredibly generous donation.

“Big big thank you to our local squaddies and to everyone who popped in and donated. It truly was a team and community effort. What an amazing local community we have taking care of our own this Christmas and doing our part to give back”.

IMAGE: Arnold Food Bank express their gratitude on social media (FACEBOOK)

PLANNING: Flats proposed for former ‘Bandook Restaurant’ car park in Calverton

Justin Doddy

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11/12/2023

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PLANNING: Flats proposed for former ‘Bandook Restaurant’ car park in Calverton

An application has been received by Gedling Borough Council from Mr Nick Grace of Grace Machin Planning & Property, The Lace Market, Nottingham acting as agent on behalf of Mr D Hayer for the proposed construction of a residential development consisting of 4no. flats on a former car parking site currently occupied by a private car washing business.

IMAGE: Proposed site location (Courtesy of GBC Planning)

A Design, Access & Heritage statement provided by Reform Architecture and Interior Design Ltd. in support of the full planning application states that the site is located within the centre of the large village of Calverton and is bordered on the south side by what was previously ‘The Bandook’ restaurant and its parking allocation, to the west by The Nook Road with associated properties; and to the north and east by Mansfield Lane. On the opposite side (east) of Mansfield Lane is St Wilfred’s square which supports a small shopping precinct with convenience stores, shops, medical centre, library and other communal facilities.

IMAGE: Proposed aerial view of rear (Courtesy of GBC Planning)

Planning documents further advise that there are two flats at ground floor and two above proposed. In total this provides 1no. 1-bedroom flat and 3no. 2-bedroom flats. The proposal includes a shared amenity garden to the rear for the two first floor flats with the two ground floor units having their own dedicated amenity space directly adjacent with their own private access.

IMAGE: Proposed site layout (Courtesy of GBC Planning)

Four parking spaces are proposed via an undercroft to a concealed parking court at the rear
of the site which will help conceal vehicles and refuse storage from the public realm. Secure cycle storage is also proposed.

It is believed that the Bandook restaurant was closed in early 2022 and has remained vacant. Planning documents suggest that the property and associated grounds have been marketed for let ever since, with no signs of interest.

Further details regarding Planning Application 2023/0843 can be accessed HERE.

Inaugural East Midlands Mayor vote given the green light

Justin Doddy

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11/12/2023

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Inaugural East Midlands Mayor vote given the green light

Gedling borough residents will join residents from across Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Derby and Nottingham when they get the chance to vote for the first-ever East Midlands Mayor next May (2024), after councils gave the go-ahead to devolution for the region according to a statement published by Nottinghamshire County Council.

On Thursday December 7, 2023, Derbyshire County Council, Nottinghamshire County Council, Derby City Council and Nottingham City Council each approved plans to create the East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA), which will come into existence next Spring.

Plans for East Midlands devolution are similar to those already in place in other mayoral regions, like the West Midlands and Greater Manchester.

EMCCA is set to bring in around £4 billion of funding for the region, alongside devolved powers for transport, skills and adult education, housing, the environment and economic development.

A public consultation on East Midlands devolution, carried out between November 2022 and January 2023, showed strong support for the plans among local residents, businesses and community groups.

Thanks to devolution plans, the East Midlands has also been invited to establish an ‘Investment Zone’, which will attract £160 million of support over ten years, with tax incentives for businesses that will help boost economic growth right across the region.

In October 23, the Government announced approx. £1.5 billion in transport funding for the East Midlands Mayor.

Barry Lewis, Leader of Derbyshire County Council Leader, said: “Our shared vision is for the 2.2 million people who live and work in the heart of the country to be better connected and more prosperous – addressing years of historically low investment in our region.

“Devolution brings much more control over our own area. Rather than many major decisions being made for us in London, local people would have a say in the region’s priorities. This is just the start and more benefits and funding are already starting to flow – such as the Government’s recent announcement of £1.5 billion local transport funding for the new East Midlands Mayor.

“The creation of a new mayoral combined county authority will unlock the benefits of the East Midlands devolution deal and bring improved public services and a brighter future for our residents.”

Ben Bradley MP, Leader of Nottinghamshire County Council said: “I am proud we have taken this final and definitive step to bring the necessary powers and funds needed to improve the lives of the people of Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire. Devolved powers will result in better life outcomes for everyone; more investment in skills and jobs, and more control to deliver improved public transport.

“It will give the East Midlands a platform and powers to bring lasting benefits and change lives for generations.”

Baggy Shanker, Leader of Derby City Council, said: “I welcome this milestone moment for the city of Derby and the wider region. The East Midlands Combined County Authority is set to bring much-needed investment into our area and is the only way to get any additional funding, after years of austerity.

“The ambition is for our region to – rightfully – be on an equal footing with the likes of Greater Manchester and the West Midlands, so I am encouraging the residents of Derby to have their say on how the devolved powers and funding should be used next May.”

David Mellen, Leader of Nottingham City Council, said: “Nottingham has today taken a significant step towards an East Midlands Combined Authority. The extra funding this deal will bring will make a huge difference to the region. People in Nottingham will see real benefits with more investment in jobs, training and housing. It is vital that we continue to work closely with our neighbouring councils on this.

“For too long, Nottingham has not had the investment it needs and deserves, and this deal will start to address this. It also brings significant powers from the Government into the region, giving us more control and allowing us to make better, more local decisions.”

The East Midlands devolution deal, agreed with Government ministers last summer, would see Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Derby and Nottingham benefit from a £1.14 billion investment fund. Other areas with devolution deals have been able to make their funding go even further and have greater impact by leveraging significant private sector investment.

Government will continue to work with the proposed East Midlands Mayoral County Combined Authority (EMCCA) and other partners to co-develop the plans for the East Midlands Investment Zone, including priority development sites and specific interventions to drive cluster growth, ahead of final confirmation of the plans.

£18 million has already been awarded to the area during devolution negotiations, which is being spent on improving local housing, transport and skills provision.

Further investment for the region would also be provided through annual Whitehall budgets and spending reviews.

All four councils have now agreed to the creation of East Midlands Combined County Authority and the legal regulations around creating this new authority.

The Government will now need take the deal before Parliament, as this is first of a new type of combined authority and it requires new legislation.

If the legislation is passed in the coming weeks it would come into force by March 2024, meaning the EMCCA will officially come into existence.

The inaugural election for East Midlands Mayor will take place on 2 May 2024.

The full statement released by Nottinghamshire County Council is available HERE.

Bin collection days in Gedling borough over Christmas this year

Gedling Eye Reporter

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11/12/2023

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Bin collection days in Gedling borough over Christmas this year

Gedling Borough Council has announced the revised collection days for refuse and recycling over the Christmas Period.

If your bin is due to be collected on any of these days, please put it out before 6am on the revised date.

Usual collection day	Revised collection day
Monday, December 18	Saturday, December 16
Tuesday, December 19	Monday, December 18
Wednesday, December 20	Tuesday, December 19
Thursday, December 21	Wednesday, December 20
Friday, December 22	Thursday, December 21
Monday, December 25	Friday, December 22
Tuesday, December 26	Saturday, December 23
Monday, January 1	Saturday, December 30

The council has also said it will take a maximum of two extra bags of black bin waste over the festive period between Dec 16, 2023 – Jan 5, 2024.

If you have extra recycling, residents are being asked to leave it in cardboard boxes next to their bin.

Nottinghamshire’s only kettlebell sport coach and world champion continues to deliver in Gedling

Justin Doddy

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10/12/2023

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Nottinghamshire’s only kettlebell sport coach and world champion continues to deliver in Gedling

Jude Freeman has the highest rank that can be achieved in Kettlebell Sport – ‘Master of Sport World Class’ and has been lifting for England since 2017.

This year Jude competed in two World Championships where she won bronze medal in the Double Bell Pentathlon and became a World Champion winning gold in the single bell Half Marathon (30 mins continuous lifting One Arm Long Cycle).

Jude runs small group training and kettlebells and circuits training at her studio every week and on a Sunday morning World Champion Jude can be found running her outdoor bootcamp nearby at Onchan Park on Oakdale Road.

Gedling Eye caught up with Jude who said: “Between 2017 and present day I have competed in the UK and Ireland, and parts of Europe including France, Belgium, Sweden, and most recently in Hungary in Girevoy Sport (single and double bell events) Pentathlon (single and double bell events), Half Marathon (single and double bell events), World Games (double bell) and Full Marathon (single bell for 60 mins).

“Passionate to teach others these skills, I trained to be a Kettlebell Sport Coach and coach athletes to international level. I am the only Kettlebell Sport Coach in Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire and clients come to me for 121 training from as far away as Milton Keynes.

“I was looking set up a bootcamp locally and was pointed in the direction of the Friends of Onchan Park. These are a group of people committed to saving Onchan Park from being sold for housing and who have been working with the local community.

“One of the things they did was survey the community to see what people want from the park and one of the things that scored highly, was some kind of fitness activity.

“So I attended a committee meeting with the Friends of Onchan Park who were getting ready to submit bids for funding to have the MUGA (Multi Use Games Area) resurfaced, create an accessible entrance and pathway and update some of the children’s play equipment to name a few.

“They wrote Tonic Fitness into the bids as the fitness provider for the local community however things were delayed due to the arrival of Covid resulting in a delay in setting up the bootcamp.

“So in 2021, after the Covid delay I started my Sunday bootcamp class and I’m there every Sunday from 9.30am to 10.30am apart from when I’m away competing for my country.

Pictured: Jude Freeman (L) competing (Courtesy of Tonic Fitness)

“Bootcamp is a mix of bodyweight and weighted exercises including dumbbells, kettlebells, ropes, slam balls, skipping ropes and even space hoppers. Its suitable for all ages and all stages in your fitness journey, whether you’re new to exercising or want to add it to your current schedule.”

Judes amazing achievements include becoming Master of Sport World Class, two time World Champion, two time Master of Sport, four time Candidate for Master of Sport and British Record holder for the Half Marathon Two Arm Long Cycle.

Her kettlebell sport journey started in summer 2015 when she met some trainers in Nottingham who were into lifting Pentathlon and in December, 2015 she travelled to Aberdeenshire to compete in an open pentathlon competition, placing 4th in her category.

Jude said: “From that moment I was hooked on being on the platform and competing. The following year at another pentathlon competition, I met lots more people in the kettlebell community and discovered GS or Girevoy Sport lifting. As I became more confident, I entered several Grassroots competitions throughout 2016 and it was at one of these where I was spotted by a member of Team England. She asked me if I had considered attempting to qualify for a spot on the England squad. Flabbergasted and flattered, she also gave me the name and details of her coach.”

Jude competed in her first 10 minute GS competition in Harrogate in 2016 at the British Championships with a 12kg kettlebell and placed 2nd (silver) and after working with her coach for only 6 weeks qualified for a place on Team England at the English Championships in February 2017.

Jude added: “My first World Championships was October 2017 (just before my 47th birthday) in Loutraki, Greece. I became a World Champion at that event with Gold in Veteran Class (over 40) and also a Bronze in Open Class (age 18+).

“This really was a defining moment for me and the real beginning of an international career in kettlebell sport. In December 2017 I competed in the British Championships lifting a 16kg kettlebell for 30 mins – half marathon and achieved the rank of Candidate for Master of Sport.

“I am so proud to have been lifting for England since 2017”.

Further information including contact details for Jude Freeman @ Tonic Fitness can be found online at https://www.tonicfit.co.uk/ or on Tonic Fitness social media HERE .

DECISION MADE: See the latest Gedling borough planning applications to have been decided – w/e 8/12/23

Gedling Eye Reporter

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10/12/2023

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DECISION MADE: See the latest Gedling borough planning applications to have been decided – w/e 8/12/23

These are the latest applications to have been decided by Gedling Borough Council this week.

Extensions in Gedling, Carlton, Woodborough, Ravenshead, Mapperley, Calverton, Redhill are just some of the planning applications to have been given the green light by Gedling Borough Council planners in the last week.

Here is a roundup of the published decision notices on 21 applications this week (w/e 8/12/23) from around the borough by the council’s planning officers shows 19 applications granted permission, one application which did not require permission and one application which was refused (the felling of a tree).

More details can be found on the Gedling Borough Council planning site HERE.

Replace existing dormer on front elevation with larger dormer; construct balcony on front elevation (resubmission of applicaiton 2023/0564)

106 Bridle Road Burton Joyce Nottinghamshire NG14 5FP. Ref. No: 2023/0805