Plans have been submitted to Gedling Borough Council to demolish a bungalow in Redhill that the application states attracts drug use and anti-social behaviour
The documents submitted by T Hammond Farms Ltd claim that the building, attached to Redhill Pavillion, on Thornton Avenue, has been vacant for some time and efforts to repurpose the building have failed.
Mr Hammond who submitted the application on behalf of T Hammond Farms Ltd states that anti-social behaviour and drug taking are occurring within the building despite repeated efforts to secure it.
Pictured: Graffiti on metal screens on bungalow (PHOTO: Gedling Eye)Pictured: Graffiti on rear of bungalow (PHOTO: Gedling Eye)
Pictured: Graffiti on rear of on bungalow (PHOTO: Gedling Eye)
The proposed plans suggest that Local Authority and police are aware of these ongoing issues.
The applicants indicate that their intention is to demolish the building during March.
The bungalow is attached to Redhill Pavillion however the demolition application only applies to the Groundsmans Bungalow, Thornton Avenue Redhill Nottinghamshire NG5 8PA.
Pictured: Building proposed for demolition highlighted in red (Courtesy of GBC)Pictured: Bungalow to left will be demolished – Pavilion to right will not (PHOTO: Gedling Eye)Pictured: The Pavilion will not be demolished (PHOTO: Gedling Eye)
The worsening cost of living crisis has brought on untold pressures unto households across Gedling borough, causing many to seek aid through foodbanks.
While the crisis has highlighted the value of local foodbanks, it has also placed these same charities under significant pressure as they seek to deliver services to meet the increasing demands of their community.
This increase in demand for aid is felt across the Borough, as local foodbanks continue to give out a record number of food parcels each week, often exceeding the number of parcels given out during the pandemic.
Pictured: Helen LLoyd, Manager of Arnold Foodbank (Courtesy of Arnold Foodbank)
The knock-on impact of the cost of living crisis on local charities was first highlighted last month by the Arnold Foodbank on Mansfield Road in Daybrook.
The charity revealed on social media that it had handed out a record number of emergency food parcels over the past 10 months.
The post stated that the foodbank broke a 10 year record of helping people in need of support during this crisis period.
This was the first time since the COVID-19 outbreak and subsequent pandemic, that the charity had broken its record.
A charity spokesperson revealed that during the last 10 months, a total of 6,200 food parcels were given away to local residents needing extra support.
A spokesman for the charity said: “A sad record was broken this week: Arnold Foodbank has supported more local people with emergency food parcels this financial year than at any time in our ten-year history, which includes beating the year of the pandemic. That’s over 6,200 people and still counting as there are another six weeks until our year end on March 31.
Another foodbank in Carlton shared a similar experience to that of Arnold, with the number of people they feed every week having gone up compared to the last five years.
The Carlton Foodbank run by the Main Street Methodist Church stated that for the current financial year (between April 1, 2022 and March 31, 2023), the charity has given away 1,264 parcels and fed 2,993 people; while still having another month to go.
This number far exceeds the foodbank’s previous financial years of 2021-2022 which saw 1,121 parcels feed 2,676 people, and 2020-2021 which saw 1,119 parcels feed 2,554 people in the Gedling Boroughs.
Claire Fenwick, the foodbank’s Area Support Co-ordinator believes that the increase in demand for food aid by residents began during the pandemic, which has been reflective of the last three financial years.
She said: “We are giving out on average 25 parcels a week. compared to an average of 6 parcels in 2018-2019.”
The foodbank’s data showcased that pre-pandemic, the foodbank gave out a collective 838 food parcels to feed around 2,010 people between the financial years of 2018 and 2020.
You can find more details about how you can support the two foodbank here (Arnold) and here (Carlton)
Police have made two arrests after hundreds of pounds worth of meat and laundry products were taken from two stores in Calverton during a series of thefts last month.
All but one of the thefts took place from the Co-op store in Collyer Road, with the store targeted twice in a couple of hours on February 19.
Another incident that same day also saw someone try to walk out of Sainsbury’s in St Wilfrids Square with a bag full of items, before fleeing empty-handed.
Attempts were made to arrest a man and a woman on Thursday morning (2 March) after they were linked to six separate shop thefts.
After identifying two suspects, officers from the Gedling Operation Reacher and Calverton beat teams carried out proactive arrest attempts at two nearby addresses.
As a direct result of the operation, a 35-year-old woman and a 49-year-old man were both arrested on suspicion of shop theft.
Sergeant James Carrington, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “Shop thefts like this are a blight on the community, cause real misery to local residents and can have a hugely negative impact on people’s livelihoods.
“This is clearly not okay, so we were pleased to be able to support our colleagues in the Arnold neighbourhood policing team in carrying out this arrest attempt.
“A lot of good work has been done by Calverton beat manager PC Abigail Green and her team to identify the suspects in this case and to try and crackdown on this type of offending in general in the Calverton area.
“The community has a huge role to play in helping us tackle crime near where they live, so I’d ask anyone to report any information relating to offending to the police by calling 101, so that we can act on it.”
Arnold’s Bonington Theatre is proud to announce a special film showing in celebration of International Women’s Day. The event aims to recognise and celebrate the achievements of women around the world, while raising awareness about gender equality.
International Women’s Day is a global observance that has been celebrated for over a century. It is a day to acknowledge the social, political, cultural, and economic contributions of women, as well as to call for greater gender equality.
The film screening is in joint partnership with Gedling Borough Council and We R Here, a local charity that supports survivors of domestic abuse and their families to rebuild their lives.
The film chosen for this special occasion is called Love? A powerful and inspiring portrayal of women’s struggles and triumphs dealing with domestic abuse. With captivating storytelling and stunning visuals, it is sure to move and inspire audiences. The film is written by, produced by and starring Samantha Beckinsale.
The Bonington Theatre is committed to promoting equality and diversity, and this event is a reflection of that commitment. As well as hosting the screening of Love? the theatre is also showing screenings of Women Talking on International Women’s Day, a powerful story of the women of an isolated religious community and their attempt to reconcile a brutal reality with their faith.
Portfolio Holder for Diverse Communities and Life Chances, Councillor Kathryn Fox said: “International Women’s Day is an opportunity to reflect on the progress made towards gender equality, and to continue to work towards a world where all people are treated with dignity and respect. We are honoured to be able to celebrate this important day with our community, and to bring attention to the incredible contributions of women everywhere.
It’s important that we recognise the strength of women who have survived domestic abuse and this film does a great job of telling this very difficult but, ultimately, rewarding story about how women can overcome abuse and inspire other women to do the same.”
The film showing will take place at 7pm on Friday 10 March, 2023 at The Bonington Theatre. Admission is free, but tickets must be requested in advance through the box office or online.
‘Little Peas Swap Shop’ is a brilliant new swap shop idea, that has been founded by two busy mums who are also great friends.
Georgina Hadjigeorgiou and Nicolette Bosworth, both work part-time for the local authority.
No different to most mothers, they were nattering about how quickly children grow out of clothes and the rising cost of children’s clothing. In the past they have used Facebook Marketplace, Ebay and Vinted to buy and sell clothing but found the process to very time-consuming (and painful).
As fans of hand-me-down clothes and clothing swaps, they are about reducing waste and saving money and all their children wear pre-loved clothing.
At the end of 2022, the duo attended a clothing swap for ladies and this gave them the idea for ‘Little Peas Swap Shop’.
The ladies told Gedling Eye that Little Peas organise local ‘pop-up’ events where grown-ups can swap outgrown children’s clothing for good quality, pre-loved items that they need/want.
The pair said “Little Peas Swap Shop aims to prolong the life cycle of children’s clothing, reducing the need to constantly buy new items that are often not made in an environmentally or ethically friendly way.
“We also want to reduce landfill waste because approximately 300,000 tonnes of used clothing go into landfill each year in the UK. The decomposition of landfill clothing is another issue of concern because the gases released contribute to the pollution of our little planet.
“We want to encourage folks to stop shopping new and take a chance on pre-loved good quality items.
Photo Courtesy of Facebook
“Additionally, we want to do our bit to break down barriers related to wearing second-hand clothing, limit the purchase of fast fashion and throw-away items; and highlight the massive benefit to our environment.”
The passionate pair know from first hand experience that swapping is far more cost effective and allows family finances to be used in other ways like family holidays or family days out.
Little Peas Swap Shop have two events coming up:
Thursday 30th March @ 7pm at Burton Joyce & Bulcote Village Hall, Burton Joyce
AND
Wednesday 26th April @ 7pm at Lady Bay Church, West Bridgford
Tickets are £12 per person and offer the chance to de-stress with a welcome glass of sparkles (or a brew if you prefer), nibble sweet treats (homemade by the best baker Georgie & Nic know) and a catch up with friends before swapping commences.
Revamp plans at Ravenshead Leisure Centre will move forward in the coming months, a councillor has confirmed.
Councillor Martin Smith (Con) of Ravenshead Parish Council said the proposed improvement works have been planned for many years and hopes work will now begin in late spring or early summer.
Planned works include converting the small sports hall into a dance/exercise room, refurbishment of the changing rooms, creating a changing space for match officials and improvements and redecoration to all communal areas, including toilets.
The facilities are enjoyed by residents in Ravenshead
Ravenshead Parish Council say they receive no funding from Gedling Borough Council similar to the other eleven parish councils in the borough. Instead, the running and upkeep of the Leisure Centre is completely funded by the Parish Council, from the annual precept.
The annual precept is the parish council’s share of council tax that is added onto the Council Tax bill. This precept can be spent on items such as parks and open spaces, cemeteries, environment, economic development, other projects and administration.
Ravenshead Parish Council will now work with various groups, including the Football Association and Nottinghamshire County Council and are pleased to announce that the major refurbishment of Ravenshead Leisure Centre will take place in the Spring and Summer of 2023.
Councillor Stuart Bestwick (Con), Chair of the Leisure Centre Refurbishment Committee said “The refurbishment of our Leisure Centre is a relatively large and expensive project to be financed by a small Parish Council, so we are delighted to have been able to work with other institutions and find a way to greatly improve the facilities, without placing the full burden on the taxpayer”
Ravenshead Leisure Centre was originally established for the benefit of the community in the 1980s. Since then, it has been owned and managed by Ravenshead Parish Council. During the past 40 years, they have grown and improved the facilities that now boast three tennis courts, five football pitches, an all-weather football pitch, petanque courts and two separate sports halls.
Ravenshead Leisure Centre has meeting rooms available for hire at very competitive rates. There is free WI-FI, whiteboards and tea/coffee-making facilities along with a choice of rooms to suit all needs.
You can contact the Booking Office for more information on 01623 491522 or Bookings@ravensheadpc.org.uk.
Gedling cops have arrested a teenager after a drugs haul was discovered during a raid on a property in Carlton.
A 16-year-old suspect was stopped and detained by police – 24 hours after the police raid.
A shopping bag packed full of dried cannabis was found during a planned raid in Coningswath Road, Carlton, following reports of drug activity.
Police made the arrest 24 hours after a raid
Bundles of cash, deal bags and multiple phones were also seized from the property, as were various weapons – including a set of nunchucks and two swords.
Following the warrant on Tuesday (28 February), which was led by the Gedling Operation Reacher team, an investigation was launched to identify suspects.
A proactive operation was then carried out by the same team on Wednesday morning (1 March), which led to a taxi being stopped in Main Road, Gedling.
The teenage boy was discovered inside and was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply Class B drugs.
Sergeant James Carrington, of Nottinghamshire Police’s Gedling Operation Reacher team, said: “We are pleased to have now arrested a suspect in connection with a cannabis haul we found during a warrant a day earlier.
“Not content with making this discovery, my team then carried out some fantastic police work to identify a suspect and plotted out a proactive operation to set up a successful arrest attempt.
“This is a great example of the positive impact Operation Reacher can have when provided with the intelligence needed to tackle ongoing issues, such as drug activity.
“I’d encourage anyone who knows anything about this incident to contact the police on 101, quoting incident 78 of 28 February 2023.
“Information about any other crime in the Gedling area can also be reported to us by dialling 101.”
A popular Colwick play area has reopened after six weeks of renovation work.
Almost £100k has been spent on Colwick Rectory Play Area to improve the site and add new and inclusive facilities.
The refurbishment includes a wheelchair-accessible roundabout, zip wire, trampoline, a multi-play unit with 17 different features, new swings and more.
PICTURED: Children put the new play equipment through its paces
Funding for the facilities are thanks to FCC Communities Foundation, a not-for-profit business that awards grants for community, conservation and heritage projects from funds donated by waste and resource management company FCC Environment through the Landfill Communities Fund. In total, FCC Communities Foundation provided a grant of £99,466 for the development.
The design and features of the new play area were chosen thanks to help from children from Netherfield Primary School and St John the Baptist Primary School in Colwick, who took part in a consultation with the council to have their say and give suggestions for what they wanted to see at the site.
The funding bid to FCC was made jointly by Gedling Borough Council and Colwick Parish Council.
Leader of Gedling Borough Council, Councillor John Clarke MBE said: “I’m really pleased to see these improvements completed, the site has undergone an incredible transformation.
The new facilities here, which were inspired by the creative ideas of local children, are an outstanding addition for our communities, providing an inclusive and accessible space for children to play and learn.
I’d like to thank FCC Communities Foundation, Colwick Parish Council, and all those involved in making this project a success, I’m sure that local families and children will enjoy using these new facilities for many years to come.”
Alison Nunn, Chair of Colwick Parish Council said:”Colwick Parish Council is really pleased that with the funding from FCC Communities Foundation and the backing from Gedling Borough Council, that we have an incredible updated play facility.
“The children we worked with gave us some brilliant ideas, and they kept reminding us that the play area must be inclusive, we hope we have gone some way to achieving this. Play and imagination are a very large part of a child’s development, and it is important that modern and engaging play areas are freely available for the local community, who also helped us in the bid process, to enjoy all year round.”
Cheryl Raynor, Grant Manager at FCC Communities Foundation said: “We are delighted to have supported the Council in bringing this project to fruition. This is an important facility for the local children, and we are pleased to see it open and available to use”.
Gedling Borough Council has declared war on boy racers after proposing new measures to fine those driving in an anti-social way.
New plans would see cops given more powers to fine offending drivers across parts of the borough and is being put to the public in a consultation which closes on March 24
It comes after complaints from residents in parts of the borough about speeding cars, excessive noise and car cruise events in Colwick.
The Public Space Protection Orders (PSPO) would see aggressive acceleration, racing, stunts, excessive noise and congregating with other vehicles banned and punishable with a fine.
There was a PSPO in place between January 2018 and January 2021 which addressed problems caused by organised car cruises in and around Colwick Industrial Estate and along the Colwick Loop Road.
The area had been the focus of these type of activities for an extended period of time attracting up to 100 vehicles and spectators at its peak.
Since the expiration of the previous PSPO Nottinghamshire Police and Gedling Borough Council say they have seen an increase in calls and activity regarding this behaviour. They now want to extend the previous boundary and include the new Gedling Access Road.
He told the BBC’s Local Democracy Reporting Service: “It’s long overdue, we’ve been raising issues with the police and they’ve been doing operations at night.
“The noise these drivers have been making, such as screeching their tyres at night or mopeds driving through villages, has been a frustration.
“This should make an improvement to security for businesses and for residents.
“It’s reared its head a lot more recently in evenings and the police have done all they can. This is an extra support mechanism to try and solve it once and for all.”
You can comment or comment on, or object to the proposal in writing to: Kevin Nealon, Community Protection Manager Public Protection Civic Centre, Arnot Hill Park, Nottingham Road, Arnold, Nottingham, NG5 6LU Or by e-mailing ASB@Gedling.gov.uk
A council tax hike in Gedling has been approved by the ruling Labour group following a row over Conservative proposals to pay for a freeze by cutting councillors’ allowances.
Gedling Borough Council approved a three per cent rise in council tax during a budget meeting on March 2.
The decision followed a heated debate between Labour and Conservative members.
Plans were approved at a meeting at the civic centre on Thursday
The decision will hit Band D homes with a £5.34 annual rise for the borough council’s portion of household council tax bills.
For residents in Band A homes, this equates to £3.56 more per year, with £4.15 and £4.75 increases for Bands B and C homes respectively.
Soaring inflation and rising energy prices have contributed to a gap of £1.8m in the council’s general fund, which needs to be filled in 2023/24.
This has been compounded by a national £1,925 pay award for all employees, hitting budgets by nearly £1m in the current financial year.
A further five per cent pay increase is expected in the 2023/24 financial year, affecting budgets by a further £774,900 from April.
Leader of the council, Cllr John Clarke (Lab), says the Government “decided not to fund” the pay rise, leaving it to the council.
The council expects to raise £221,200 through the council tax hike.
Cllr Clarke said: “This year’s budget continues to be set against a backdrop of historic cuts to central government grant funding from 2010/11, and declining income levels, not only that we have rising inflation and rising demand placing Gedling and many other public services under incredible pressure.”
Gedling also received the fifth-lowest settlement from the Government in England, meaning its core spending power has seen an eight per cent cut since 2015 to 2016, falling from £12.7m to £11.6m in 2023.
Cllr Clarke said “regrettably” it is left with no choice but to raise council tax levels by 2.98 per cent.
“I am sure we all agree in this chamber that local authorities have been disproportionally hit by the cuts but such is the magnitude of funding reductions that maintaining business as usual has been a mammoth task to achieve and yet this administration has achieved it for another year,” Cllr Clarke added.
The council has already had to come up with six different savings programmes totalling £7m since 2014/15
Included in the cuts is £25,000 from the Environment department.
During the three-hour meeting Gedling’s Conservative Group proposed what they described as a “Robin Hood” amendment.
Conservative councillors said the need to make savings was down to “financial incompetence” from the council, including the need to refund taxi operators to the tune of £150,000 due to overcharging.
Detailing the amendment Cllr Mike Adams (Con), the leader of the Conservative Group, said: “The amendment before you reduces the members’ allowances, removes the special responsibility allowances for senior Labour councillors who chair committees and removes the allowances for policy advisers.
“You did read that correctly, it will remove £26,000 that committee chairs get and advisers.
“Then there is the two-thirds reduction for all councillors, equating to a £189,000 saving.
“This will lead to a zero per cent increase in council tax this year.”
Cllr Adams added: “The amendment is people over politicians. It is dynamism over narcissism and truly takes the failed establishment that stands before us today and says who do you really care about?
“It puts you in a position to either vote for yourselves, line your own pockets, or instead it gives you an opportunity.
“If you do vote against this you are drawing your line in the sand.
“You are putting yourselves directly on the side of yourselves. It is an opportunity to, for once, not do that, for once to take in the whole of Gedling borough and in fact do something and help your residents out by freezing their council tax at arguably one of the most difficult times.”
Cllr Sam Smith (Con), the deputy leader of the Conservative Group, asked senior Labour councillors to “sacrifice” their special responsibility allowances and the amendment was put to a vote.
In response the Labour administration argued its allowances are not as high as people may perceive.
The leader, Cllr Clarke, for example, receives £15,000 a year, while policy advisers get over £1,800 per year.
The basic allowance for councillors is £4,380.60.
Deputy leader of the council, Cllr Michael Payne (Lab), responded by saying: “The Tories want to cut special responsibilities allowance for the person responsible for administering licenses for our licensed premises across Gedling, a really important job that liaises with the police and keeps people safe going in and out of drinking establishments.
“It is a legal requirement. They want to cut the allowances for the person who presides over planning committee, a legal requirement to deal with planning applications that deal with extensions to people’s houses and advancement of businesses.
“And they also make a grand-standing point about reducing members’ allowances. Nowhere does it say about removing your own allowance, does it, of the leader of the Conservative Group?”
And Cllr Clarke added: “I think you’ve got a neck to come in here and say what you’ve said. Difficult times? Who the hell put us in that position? Who did it? 13 years of Tory rule have put us in that position.
“Reduced services? Tell me where we have reduced services? We’ve stretched the services. The people here that work for Gedling Borough Council are like pieces of gold the majority of them.”
The amendment was voted down and the budget, including the tax hike, was approved.
