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Trust responsible for Carlton le Willows Academy issues update after school was slapped with ‘Termination Warning’

Emily Sanchez
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Trust responsible for Carlton le Willows Academy issues update after school was slapped with ‘Termination Warning’

A Trust responsible for a school in Gedling has issued an update to parents following an ‘inadequate’ Ofsted report.

It has emerged that a Termination Warning Notice was issued to Carlton le Willows Academy on January 27, meaning the Government cash funding tap to the academy was at risk of being turned off by the Secretary of State.

The Department for Education noted that arrangements for safeguarding at the school are not effective, leaders do not accurately monitor the attendance of pupils who are educated off site or of students in the sixth form, and leaders are not assured of these pupils’ welfare.

It stated governors and trustees have not consistently met their statutory responsibilities nor provided a level of rigorous accountability for leaders.

It also said leaders have not ensured there is a well-planned and sequenced curriculum in place for all subjects.

Other concerns raised in the Ofsted document included that weak readers at the school are not supported enough, the curriculum is not designed for all pupils, especially those with special education needsa and disabilities, to ensure they can succeed, and that pupils are not as well equipped for life in modern Britain as they could be.

Following the issue of the notice, Jon Garibaldi, chairman of Greater Nottingham Education Trust, who run the school, issued a letter to parents, seen by Gedling Eye, updating them on the situation.

He wrote: “As has been reported, Carlton le Willows has now been issued with a Termination Warning Notice. This is usual after a negative Ofsted judgement and formally sets out the powers the Department for Education has to step in and withdraw funding if needed. However, no such withdrawal of funding takes place if the Department proceeds to transfer the Academy into a new trust.

“The DfE is now working to find a suitable sponsor for the Academy.

“Once identified (expected to be around the end of April), we at GNET will be tasked with finalising the transfer. This new trust will then provide enhanced support to ensure Carlton le Willows returns to being an excellent school at the earliest opportunity.

“In the meantime, trustees and governors are working together with Academy teachers to address the changes that need to be made following the Ofsted report.”

Mr Garibaldi said that although the Termination Warning Notice does not apply to Netherfield Primary School, he said trustees will be working with senior leaders and local governors to select the best destination trust for Netherfield Primary once the situation at Carlton le Willows is known.

HSBC will push ahead with plan to shut Arnold branch despite bumper profits

Emily Sanchez
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HSBC will push ahead with plan to shut Arnold branch despite bumper profits

Arnold’s HSBC branch will still close in May despite pre-tax profits rising at the banking giant.

HSBC previously announced that Arnold was one of 114 branches across the UK that would close from April after blaming the Covid pandemic for a decline in footfall.

Reports say that although pre-tax profits for the whole of last year were 17 per cent lower to £14.5billion, higher interest rates helped the bank’s pre-tax profits jump by more than 90 per cent to £4.3billion in the last three months of 2022. 

HSBC said that the selected branches were serving fewer than 250 people a week.

The Arnold branch, based on Front Street, will close its doors for good on May 9.

Branches in Mapperley and Netherfield have also been closed in recent years.

Jackie Uhi, HSBC UK’s managing director of distribution, said when the cloure was announced: “People are changing the way they bank and footfall in many branches is at an all-time low, with no signs of it returning. 

“Banking remotely is becoming the norm for the vast majority of us.

“The decision to close a branch is never easy or taken lightly, especially if we are the last branch in an area, so we’ve invested heavily in our ‘post-closure’ strategy, including providing free tablet devices to selected branch customers who do not already have a device to bank digitally, alongside one-to-one coaching to help them migrate to digital banking.”

When the closures were announced at the end of last year, Unite national officer Dominic Hook said: “Unite is appalled that there will be a further 114 bank branch closures by HSBC. This hugely profitable financial institution is walking away from the customers and communities who most need access to local banking services.

“Unite is calling on HSBC to reconsider these branch closures during the consultation process before they abandon the most vulnerable in our society and leave them without a neighbourhood bank served by experienced knowledgeable staff. Of the total 114 closures proposed today the vast majority (108) of the closures will result in no HSBC branch within 3 miles and it is disgraceful that 25 communities will be left to travel over 15 miles to the nearest branch.”

Train firm reassures Gedling borough commuters after penalty fare concerns

Emily Sanchez
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Train firm reassures Gedling borough commuters after penalty fare concerns

A train company has moved to reassure commuters using Gedling borough stations that penalty fares are not being introduced on the local route, despite the recent arrival of ticket machines.

Those using the trains had been concerned that the introduction of smart ticketing kiosks at Burton Joyce, Carlton and Netherfield station would mean that penalty fares would be handed out if they didn’t get a ticket on time. The machine at Carlton is on the lesser-used platform and is cut off by level crossing barriers when a train is due.

Passengers in Gedling borough have always been able to buy tickets on the train due to the fact ticket machines were unavailable.

PICTURED: AN EMR ticket kiosks

An elderly passenger, who didn’t want to be named, had contacted Gedling Eye claiming they had been informed by a train staff member that they could be fined for not having a ticket now machines had been installed.

But East Midlands Railway contacted Gedling Eye wanting to reassure commuters that this wasn’t the case.

A spokesman said: “Some of the people in the comments section of your site and on social media are getting the wrong idea about penalty fares.

“The stations in Gedling borough haven’t been changed to penalty fare ones – so people can still board and pay for a ticket on the train if needed.”

Newstead Station in the borough’s only penalty fare station as it is based on the Robin Hood Line, with ticket machines at every station.

Asda and Morrisons ration some fruit and veg as bad harvest impacts supplies

Gedling Eye Reporter
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Asda and Morrisons ration some fruit and veg as bad harvest impacts supplies

Asda and Morrisons are to begin rationing the sales of some fruit and vegetables following shortages caused by a bad harvest.

The supermarket giants have stores in Arnold and Netherfield.

Grocery Gazette is reporting that Asda is now temporarily limiting the number of tomato packs, peppers, cucumber lettuce, salad bags, broccoli, cauliflower and raspberries to three of each item per customer, while Morrisons said it would be imposing a limit of two on affected products.

Morrisons Netherfield
PICTURED: Morrisons in Netherfield (PHOTO: Neil Slack Photography)
PICTURED: An empty fruit and veg section in Morrisons, Netherfield (PHOTO: Twitter @Blonco)

Shoppers at local supermarkets have been reporting empty shelves and gaps in supply over the past week, describing the lack of fresh produce as “unacceptable”.

The shortages have been caused by ‘difficult weather conditions’ in southern Spain and north Africa leading to a bad harvest.

“Like other supermarkets, we are experiencing sourcing challenges on some products that are grown in southern Spain and north Africa,” an Asda spokesman said.

“We have introduced a temporary limit of three of each product on a very small number of fruit and vegetable lines, so customers can pick up the products they are looking for.”

Morrisons also said that its supply of cucumbers, tomatoes, lettuce and peppers has been affected.

The move comes on the back of a warning from the National Farmers Union that vegetables being produced in the UK also risk being rationed as farmers continue to struggle with high energy costs.

NFU president Minette Batters revealed that production of fruits and vegetables such as tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers – which are often grown in heated greenhouses across the UK – was already falling.

“Everybody wants to avoid rationing, effectively, which is what we saw with eggs in December,” she told Sky News earlier today, adding that she believes there will be “challenges on availability” of some food items,” particularly salad vegetables which are typically grown indoors.

Farming minister Mark Spencer has acknowledged that there are “huge pressures” on the farming sector, but while he did not expect to see rationing, he also did not rule out the possibility.

“I’m not saying that we’re going to see rationing. What I’m saying is we want to try and work with UK producers to try and produce as much food domestically as possible.”

It is believe that other supermarkets are also considering imposing similar limits.

Still time to call for improvements to play area on Lambley Lane Recreation Ground in Gedling

Gedling Eye Reporter
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Still time to call for improvements to play area on Lambley Lane Recreation Ground in Gedling

Hundreds of people have issued a call to have a playground in Gedling renovated.

A petition has been started and so far signed by nearly 500 people calling for the playground at Lambley Lane Recreational Ground to be revamped.

Gedling Eye caught up with with Zanda Dibbo-Pajączkowski, who is a member of the Gedling Parks Community Group as well as being the group’s Media Manager.

Zanda told Gedling Eye that “Gedling Parks Community Group are a local committee organised to begin with by Jane Richardson, who works for the parks department in Gedling Borough Council and that the group takes action to improve a number of the borough’s parks and green spaces.

“Jane Richardson asked Councillor Jenny Hollingsworth (LAB) to help create a local group to support improvements on the local parks where Jenny Hollingsworth is the acting Chairperson, Lynda Pearson Treasurer & Helen Auld is secretary.

“Basically if we want improvement in an area, the charities, and funding bodies, need to see that there is an active enthusiasm within the local community and this is why the Parks Group was organized, to gather up local support, and get more people making our local parks better between us.

“The group arranges regular meetings with regular litter picks in the area; These community litter picks on the parks are arranged for Saturday mornings (10:30).

“The group is currently finalising a submission to the council to have the Lambley Lane Recreation Ground Play-Area refurbished, where it will be handed in by the February 24.

“If anyone wants to sign it, it will still be visible after the submission, and the governing body who assess the local need, can see it is something required.”

You can view and sign the petition here: https://www.change.org/p/refurbishment-of-lambley-lane-recreation-ground-play-area

The group is very pro-active and welcomes new members.

People can keep up with what the group are doing on their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gedlingparkscommunitygroup

The Gedling Parks Community Group has been set up by councillors Jenny Hollingsworth and Lynda Pearson, with support from Jane Richardson who is based at Gedling Borough Council.

Over the last year the group has organised litter picks on the local parks inside the Gedling ward (Lambley Recreation Ground, Jubilee Park, Willow Park), to encourage people to get involved in making the area better.

Zanda Dibbo-Pajączkowski said: “We’re always looking for more volunteers to help with litter picks, organise events, and to join our group helping to improve our local area.”

You can find out more about the group by visiting their Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gedlingparkscommunitygroup/

Safety risks mean Colwick Country Park marina needs £550,000 in repairs

Joe Locker (LDR Reporter)
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Safety risks mean Colwick Country Park marina needs £550,000 in repairs

Nottingham City Council is spending £550,000 on repairs at Colwick Country Park marina due to “significant health and safety risks”.

The repairs are needed to the country park’s ageing pontoons, which are floating, watertight platforms immersed in the water.

They are typically used by open-water swimmers and other people taking part in watersport activities, as well as those with watercraft docked in any one of 224 moorings in the marina.

The pontoons at the park are in need of replacement due to health and safety risks, and the Labour-run authority said if repairs are not done it may lose significant income generated by the marina.

A large portion of income is generated from the marina through the leasing of secure moorings, which cost around £134 per metre in length.

The marina offers other facilities such as waste disposal for boaters, and is also used by Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service, including police search and rescue, for access to the River Trent for water-based emergencies and operations.

It generates roughly £121,000 in net income to the park.

The council says: “The location of the park sitting alongside the Trent river provided the opportunity to extend the leisure facilities to also include a marina, and soon after the opening of the country park the marina was developed.

“This marina has been under the management of the council for over 40 years and much of its infrastructure has not been replaced since its creation.”

In 2018 a condition survey of the marina took place and work began on a first phase of improvements in January 2020, replacing some pontoons with platforms made from modern material that is less prone to slippage when wet or frozen.

Lighting and fencing will also be replaced.

The council says the marina is only operating at approximately 80 per cent of its capacity and there is a “growing waiting list of mooring requests”.

“Once the pontoons have all be replaced the capacity could be increased,” the council says.

There are now two more phases of work which must be completed, after work stopped during the Covid pandemic.

Council documents add: “The design lifespan of the new pontoons is 25 years, although it is anticipated that due to the location and the water not being salt water this should exceed this lifespan.

“Cleaning of the pontoons are already incorporated into the Colwick Park expenditure costs; the only additional funding would be for annual inspections of £1,200, which can be covered using income from the marina.

“Once all of the pontoons have been replaced the number of boats moored on site can be increased, which will comfortably cover the additional costs for the
inspections.

“The new structures are modular so any damage and faults can be replaced and repaired by sections rather than effecting the integrity of the whole structure.”

The council’s budget will be impacted initially but the costs will be repaid over a 10 year and 15 year period, and eventually the council will start running the marina at a surplus.

This will result in a contribution to a fund to help pay for future repairs if they arise.

Pie’s the limit for Carlton Hill’s latest high street addition

Justin Doddy
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Pie’s the limit for Carlton Hill’s latest high street addition

Carlton Hill will be home to a new pie shop from this weekend when it opens its doors for the first time.

Project Pies has its grand opening on Saturday (25) at 10am – and we can’t wait.

The store replaces the well-loved Big Mike’s Fat Kitchen Cheesecake Shop that closed at the end of December, however, the two business owners are not strangers by any means.

Project Pie owner Danny Lione used to sell his pies in the cheesecake shop every Monday and is friends with Mike Jones, the previous store’s owner.

Mike revealed on his Facebook page that he couldn’t be happier that his friend is taking over the premises.

He posted: “We want to wish Dan all the luck in the world! It is very hard for small businesses at the moment so please give Dan all your support as you did us.”

Project Pie owner Danny, who used to work as a butcher, first set up the business during lockdown in 2020.

READ MORE: Candle shop replaced by new carpet and flooring business on Carlton Hill

He said: “During the lockdown, I decided to put all my skills into producing proper high-quality comfort food during the pandemic. Utilising only locally butchered and free-range meat I started creating pork pies and scotch eggs and sold around the NG4 area and quickly found I couldn’t make enough!”

Pictured: The Cheese Burger Pie (Courtesy of Facebook)

Danny prides himself on innovation and providing a wide range of pies, from traditional steak pies to his latest creation – the cheeseburger pie!

He said: “Every month we will have specials and the first month’s specials are Goose Fair Pie, Cheeseburger Pie and Chicken & Stuffing Pie.

Danny’s pies generally come in two sizes – smaller individual pies and larger family size pies that can feed 3/4 people.

Full details can be found on Project Pie’s facebook page HERE

Plans for 40 new homes near historic pepperpots in Mapperley

Gedling Eye Reporter
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Plans for 40 new homes near historic pepperpots in Mapperley

40 new homes could be built on land next to the historic Pepperpots in Mapperley

A planning application for the new properties has been submitted to Gedling Borough Council and is now being considered.

A planning statement document prepared by Geoffrey Prince Associates on behalf of Killarney Homes indicates that the 40 dwellings are proposed to be built either side of the new Gedling Access Road (GAR) on Mapperley Plains

Pictured: Location Plan for Residential development Plains Road (Courtesy of GBC Planning)

The planning statement advises that on the eastern site a dual-fronted, three-storey flat block consisting of six one-bed flats and three detached four-bed houses with associated landscaping, rear gardens and hardstanding, is proposed.

On the western site two apartment buildings with adjacent communal
parking and associated landscaping and bike stores and five detached dwellings are proposed. One apartment building will be a three-storey high structure consisting of 11 two-bed flats while another apartment building will be a four-storey building with a mix of 15 one and two-bed flats.

Full details can be found on Gedling Borough Council website under planning application no Ref. No: 2021/0934

The planned roadworks and road changes in Gedling borough

Gedling Eye Reporter
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The planned roadworks and road changes in Gedling borough

A number of roadworks, and changes to the roads, are set to take place on Gedling borough’s roads during the next few weeks.

The roadworks and road changes include things such as speed alterations, repair works and changing the layout of the roads. 

Most of the roadworks are being undertaken by Nottinghamshire County Council while a couple are being led by Severn Trent Water.

These are the roadworks and closures you need to know about…

Hills Road, Woodthorpe

21 February – 27 February

Road closure

Responsibility for event: Nottinghamshire County Council

Wensley Road, Woodthorpe

28 February – 09 March

Road closure

Responsibility for event: Nottinghamshire County Council

Coppice Road, Arnold

22 February

Responsibility for works: Nottinghamshire County Council

Hills Road, Woodthorpe

21 February – 27 February

Delays likely due to road closure for patching repairs at junction of Fairview Road & Maitland Road

Responsibility for works: Nottinghamshire County Council

Mansfield Road, Papplewick

27 February – 01 March

Responsibility for works: Severn Trent Water

Wensley Road, Woodthorpe

28 February – 09 March

Roadworks, Delays likely due to road closure for patching repairs at the junction of Coningsby Gardens

Responsibility for works: Nottinghamshire County Council

Blidworth Waye, Papplewick

27 February – 03 March

Responsibility for works: Nottinghamshire County Council

Burton Road, Gedling

01 March – 31 March

Roadworks, Delays possible

Works Installation of New Access for New School Entrance for Carlton Le Willows School including Zebra Crossing

Responsibility for works: Nottinghamshire County Council

Curzon Street, Netherfield

27 February – 03 March

Responsibility for works: Severn Trent Water

Longdale Lane, Ravenshead

28 February – 03 March

Responsibility for works: Mua Gas Limited

Ranmoor Road, Carlton

22 February – 24 February

Responsibility for works: Virgin Media

Carlton: Warning after suspected rat nest is spotted near bus stop

Graham Finch
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Carlton: Warning after suspected rat nest is spotted near bus stop

A warning has been issued after a suspected rat nest was spotted in Carlton.

Posts on social media alerted those fearful of encountering rodents that more than ten were spotted opposite the Tesco supermarket on Carlton Hill.

Local resident Craig Humphrey was the first to warn people that he’d spotted nearly a dozen of them by a bus stop in the area and urged those to be careful if they were worried about encountering rats.

He posted: “At least 10 of them. Made me jump when I saw them. Somebody is leaving seed for them too.”

One person posted on social media: “They are vile and there really are loads, right next to the bus stop. I really hope it gets sorted.”

Another posted: “I’ve seen lots rubbish dumped on that road and that’s what is probably attracting the rats.”

A reader who didn’t wish to be named, contacted Gedling Eye saying: “If anyone is worried about rats, be careful as there are loads by the bus stop opposite Tesco on Carlton Hill.

“Made me jump. Please be aware.”

Burrows were spotted by one of our reporters who went to check out the site – but didn’t spot any rats.

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