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Trading Standards warning over rogue traders targeting elderly and vulnerable residents in Gedling borough

Gedling Eye Reporter
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Trading Standards warning over rogue traders targeting elderly and vulnerable residents in Gedling borough

Elderly and vulnerable residents in Gedling borough are being reminded to say ‘no’ to doorstop callers as work to tackle rogue traders ramps up.

Trading Standards officers from Nottinghamshire County Council have been offering advice and information on how to say no to doorstep callers, as part of the region’s Rogue Trader Week. 

Officers say rogue traders often target vulnerable residents with the sole intention of obtaining money through deception and fraud.

Rogue trading ranges from poor quality work and high-pressure sales, to organised crime groups targeting the elderly and vulnerable, often demanding large amounts of money. These traders do not just knock on people’s doors uninvited, they frequently have professional websites and pay for advertising in newspapers, magazines, and other publications.

Rogue traders often start with small jobs for which they charge a nominal fee. After this they then claim that further work is needed, going on to demand hundreds or thousands of pounds, often for very little or no work at all.

Nottinghamshire Trading Standards has been made aware of a number of rogue traders operating in the borough. These include a roofer who took a £5,000 deposit but didn’t return to complete the work, leaving holes in the customer’s roof along with leaking windows, and a landscaper that took £10,000 from a resident and left them without a garden.

Councillor John Cottee, Cabinet Member for Communities said: “Rogue doorstep trading remains a serious issue for vulnerable groups, particularly the elderly who live alone.

“We advise people not to be taken in by the sales patter of a doorstep trader as they risk being a victim of a scam or shoddy workmanship.

“Residents can deter unwanted doorstep traders by displaying a ‘no uninvited callers’ sign on their door or in their front window. These can be downloaded for free from the Nottinghamshire County Council website.

“When looking for a tradesperson, our advice is to ask for recommendations from family or friends and obtain at least three quotes from different tradespeople before making a decision. Don’t be tempted by ‘today only’ offers – this is pressure selling, and be wary of requests for cash payments and offers of ‘cash-in-hand’ to avoid VAT.

“Reputable tradespeople can also be found through the nationwide ‘Buy With Confidence’ Approved Trader Scheme.  Buy With Confidence covers all sorts of businesses, so whether residents need a reliable plumber, accountant, pest controller, landscaper, electrician or anything else, they can search for local Trading Standards Approved companies.”

If you suspect someone of being a rogue trader, or find yourself confronted by uninvited doorstep sellers, contact the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline on 0808 223 1133.

East Midlands Railway services in Gedling borough to be cancelled as fresh rail strikes announced

Gedling Eye Reporter
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East Midlands Railway services in Gedling borough to be cancelled as fresh rail strikes announced

East Midlands Railway has confirmed that all Gedling borough train services will be cancelled when strike action takes place on Saturday, October 1.

The Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) confirmed that 40,000 of its members at Network Rail and 15 train operators will walk out on October 1, impacting services across the UK, including Gedling borough.

For the strikes on October 1, East Midlands Railway has confirmed all services running from Burton Joyce, Carlton, Netherfield and Newstead stations will be cancelled.

East Midlands Railway has confirmed the following services will run during the strike between 7.30am and 6.30pm:

EMR train at Carlton Station
PICTURED: An EMR train at Carlton Station (PHOTO: Gedling Eye)

EMR Intercity

  • One Train Per Hour between Nottingham and London
  • One Train Per Hour between Sheffield and London
  • One Train Per Hour between Corby and London

EMR Regional

  • One Train Per Hour between Derby and Matlock
  • One Train Per Hour between Derby and Nottingham
  • One Train Per hour between Sheffield and Nottingham
  • One Train Per hour between Leicester and Nottingham

Although no strike action is planned for Sunday, October 2, EMR are warning that there will still be disruption.

A spokesman said: “There will be no strike action on EMR services on Sunday (October 2), however, there will be a slightly later start up first thing in the morning as a result of the strike action on Saturday. Please check your journey before setting off.”

RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said it was encouraging that the new Transport Secretary Anne-Marie Trevelyan had met the union.

He said: “We welcome this more positive approach from the government to engage with us as a first step to finding a suitable settlement. However, as no new offer has been tabled, our members have no choice but to continue this strike action.

“We will continue to negotiate in good faith, but the employers and government need to understand our industrial campaign will continue for as long as it takes,” he said.

EMR issued a statement after fresh strikes were announced.

A spokesman said: “If you are planning to travel during this week it is important to check your journey as services are likely to be significantly reduced. Timetables will also vary throughout the week as strike action will be taken by different parts of the railway on different days.

Dr Ian Campbell: The Government really IS out of touch with what’s happening in general practice if they think their two-week GP appointment plan is achievable

Dr Ian Campbell
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Dr Ian Campbell: The Government really IS out of touch with what’s happening in general practice if they think their two-week GP appointment plan is achievable

This week saw the first substantive policy announcement from the new health secretary, Thérèse Coffey.

On Thursday morning, she shared her ‘Plan for Patients’ that contained a number of initiatives designed to reform healthcare.

One of the measures included was a commitment to patients that they would see a GP within two-weeks if they had non-urgent needs.

Dr Ian Campbell is a GP at Jubilee Park Medical Practice in Carlton and shared his thoughts with Gedling Eye following the plan’s release…

I welcome the Government’s announcement that all patients should be able to have an appointment their GP within 2 weeks – who wouldn’t?

NHS staff used to be able to take pride in the quality of the care they could deliver and the speed within which we could respond to patient need.

It’s why we do the job.

GP
Patients will get to see a GP for appointments about non-essential needs within two weeks
The new promise was contained within health secretary Thérèse Coffey‘s new ‘Plan for Patients’ that was unveiled yesterday

But unfortunately the Government hasn’t the slightest chance of succeeding.

They either know that, in which case they are deceiving the public; or they don’t realise it, because they are completely out of touch with what’s really happening in general practice. 

General Practice is under greater pressure than ever before. Increased demand from patients with much more complex medical problems, with a grossly understaffed workforce and poor support from secondary care has created the perfect storm.

The problem pre-dates Covid, but Covid has certainly amplified and highlighted the crisis. We have 2,000 fewer full time GPs now than we had four years ago when the Government promised us 5,000 more.

It’s estimated that another 8,000 GPs will leave or retire in the next eight years.

We have 2,000 fewer full time GPs now than we had four years ago when the Government promised us 5,000 more.

It’s fine to claim we’re training more doctors, but medical student places at University have actually been decreased this academic year! And someone entering medical school now will take more than 10 years to become trained as a GP. And that’s if they wanted to be a GP. Young doctors are voting with their feet, avoiding general practice, preferring hospital roles or leaving for overseas work. 

To claim we can offer more appointments for patients by drafting in allied professionals, nurse, pharmacists, physios and so on, is fine, but each one that joins general practice leaves a void somewhere else.

READ MORE:

In short, we have too few health professionals available to meet demand and too little resources to deliver. It’s a bit like asking a builder to build you a smart new home, agree a completion date, and a price, and then tell them there are no windows available, not enough bricks and too few builders to do the work. But you’ll insist on it being built perfectly and on time in any case and blame the builder for not doing the job properly.

This is clearly a problem long in the making, and any solution will need long term and sincere Government commitment to the NHS, with realistic expectations and significant funding to break the cycle of decline we have witnessed.

The alternative is too daunting to consider.

If we don’t have a publicly funded NHS, free at the point of delivery, for everyone, we face a privately funded or insurance based alternative, in a world where only the wealthy can afford to be healthy.

Life expectancy in the UK has actually decreased in the last decade, people are dying younger because of a lack of funding in healthcare, social care and other public services.

It’s down to us to resist this change, to defend our NHS and demand real Government commitment to long term investment in our public services.

Only then do we have a hope of patients, all patients, being able to see their GP within two weeks!

War derails plan to shut down Ratcliffe power station and it will now remain in operation over the winter to boost UK power supply

Gedling Eye Reporter
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War derails plan to shut down Ratcliffe power station and it will now remain in operation over the winter to boost UK power supply

Ratcliffe-on-Soar power station is to remain open longer than planned after the war in Ukraine derailed plans to shut the site in September.

Owners Uniper says it will carry on running the coal-fired facility at Ratcliffe-on-Soar to boost the UK’s power supply, having been approached by the government in April following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine

In a statement the Uniper said it would “help maintain energy supply security in this unprecedented situation”.

Part of the existing power station is set to be replaced by a waste incinerator while the site was previously shortlisted as a possible location for a government-backed fusion reactor once it is decommissioned in October 2024.

Uniper said the site would “continue to be available” to the National Grid until 31 March 2023 and is “also reviewing the potential for operation after this time”.

Mike Lockett, its UK chairman, thanked staff at the power station”for their contribution in ensuring that we can continue to operate the unit”.

Six schools across Gedling borough receive a share of £9.5m upgrade fund

Gedling Eye Reporter
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Six schools across Gedling borough receive a share of £9.5m upgrade fund

Schools across Gedling borough are to receive a share of £9.5m in funding to make infrastructure improvements.

Six borough schools will receive the cash during the next two years – with all works scheduled for completion by the start of the 2024/2025 academic year.

Money from the programme will be used to cover for projects like replace ceilings, installing air source heat pumps and upgrading lighting and electrics.

In total, 20 schools across the county will benefit from the cash.

Cabinet member for Children and Young People, Councillor Tracey Taylor, said: “This council is committed to having fit-for-purpose schools, and the £9.5m school building improvement programme for the next two years will deliver them.

County Hall Nottingham
PICTURED: County Hall

“I’m delighted we’ve now set out our plans to enhance the buildings of more than 20 schools across Nottinghamshire – every borough or district will receive a slice of investment from the programme.

“We pledged in our ten-year council plan to provide sufficient school places and to give parents a greater choice and getting our schools’ infrastructure up to speed will help towards this ambition.”

Borough schools receiving cash…

Arnold View Primary School (Gedling) – £98,800 – replace the failing outdated gas boilers with high efficiency Gas boiler equivalent. The current pipework and heat distribution system is in good working order, so a full decarbonisation (gas replacement) project is not economically viable at this time.

Phoenix Infant School (Gedling) – £1,222,000 – replace flat roof coverings, replace roof lights and improve insulation. Replace cement cladding to elevations. Replace windows, external doors, facias and soffits. Replace hall ceiling and install new insulation. Replace remaining old emitters and carry out legionella works.

Pinewood Infant School (Gedling) – £85,340 – conversion and renovation of the kitchen from gas to modern electric, eliminating the ventilation issues associated with the gas installation.

Stanhope Primary School (Gedling) – £237,510 – replace Upper School roof covering and upgrade insulation. Replace existing roof lights with triple skin polycarbonate glazed domes. 

Woodborough Woods Primary School (Gedling) – £375,190 – replace gas boilers with high efficiency modern equivalent. Replace all heat emitters and pipework. 

Woodthorpe Infant School (Gedling) – £228,100 – conversion and renovation of the kitchen from gas to modern electric, eliminating the ventilation issues associated with the gas installation.

The multi-million-pound investment has come from Nottinghamshire County Council’s School Building Improvement Programme (SBIP), designed and delivered by Arc Partnership, a joint venture between the council and SCAPE.

The Vibe – your cultural guide to what’s going on in Gedling borough (23-29 September)

Gedling Eye Reporter
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The Vibe – your cultural guide to what’s going on in Gedling borough (23-29 September)

Friday, September 23

Sensation- ABBA Tribute Band, The Bonington, 7.30pm

PICTURED: Sensational

Sensation will transport you back to the golden days of ABBA, with stunning harmonies, costumes, choreography and a sprinkling of light-hearted humour.

This unique combination has turned them into one of the most sought-after ABBA Tribute Bands in the world. In fact – they even speak a little Swedish on stage, to add to the whole experience!

It’s an all ticket event so book here: https://www.boningtontheatre.co.uk/booking/?event-id=67435&instances-id=4553

Saturday, September 24

Women and girls skateboarding sessions – Arnot Hill Park, Arnold – 2-5pm

Get down to Arnot Hill Park (a.k.a. Arnold Bowls) for an afternoon of FREE women and girls focused skateboarding sessions, with both female and male coaches.

Skate Nottingham will  be at the skatepark from 14:00 to 17:00, and will be bringing some curbs to add to the skatepark.

The sessions are for anyone ages 7+, starting with a beginner session for kids of all genders followed by a women and girls jam.

To find out more about the event, go to the Skate Nottingham Facebook page.

Giant – Richard Herrod Centre, Carlton –

Giant are a top personality pop duo with a vast amount of experience and vocal talent.

With all your favourite songs ranging from the 1970s to current chart hits, you’ll want to grab your dancing shoes and come along. Free entry. For more information call the Richard Herrod Centre on 0115 9612949

Paul Stapleton – The Crossing Club, Carlton – 7.30pm

The excellent vocal entertainer comes to the Crossing Club in Carlton performing some of the biggest chart hits from the last six decades.

Find out more on their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/crossingsocialclub

Mapperley Plains Dance Night – Mapperley Plains Social Club, Mapperley – 7.30pm

Listen or Dance to the sounds of The Tony Farrell Big Band

Numbers are limited to 100 to allow for a decent sized dance floor.

Tickets are priced at £10 + booking fee £1 in advance or £15 on the door if there are any tickets remaining.

Doors open at 7pm with Dancing from 7:30pm

You can buy tickets online here: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/tonyfarrellbigband/586407/#

Sunday, September 25

Rich Hallam and Christian Smith – The Pit, Newstead -3.30pm start

A belting afternoon of acoustic rock going off for you this Sunday at The Pit with not one, but two artists – both have appeared here before. Christian Smith will be coming to perform all the way from Cambridge and Rich ‘Stan’ Hallam is from ‘just around the corner’!
It will be an indoor or outdoor gig depending on the weather.

More details here: https://www.thepitatnewstead.co.uk/

Summer Tapas Event – The Woodlark Inn, Lambley – 1pm-7pm

Enjoy authentic Tapas while listening to the sounds of live acoustic music.

Find out more details on the pub’s website here: http://www.woodlarkinn.co.uk/events-festivals/

The Brace – The Nags Head, Carlton – 4pm start

Enjoy a relaxing Sunday afternoon with local acoustic duo The Brace, who are appearing at The Nag’s Head.

Find out more here: https://www.facebook.com/events/271004095182464

Monday, September 26

Quiz Night – Bread and Bitter, Mapperley

Here’s your chance to test your general knowledge and win beer and cash prizes.

Entry to the quiz is only £1 per team

Quiz is followed by Sticky 13s

More details here: https://www.facebook.com/breadandbitter

Tuesday, September 27

ROH Live- Madama Butterfly (12A) – The Bonington, Arnold – 7.15pm

Madame Butterfly

A live screening of Puccini’s heart-rending opera about a young geisha who falls in love with an American naval officer.

With a score that includes Butterfly’s aria, ‘Un bel dì, vedremo’ (‘One fine day’) and the ‘Humming Chorus’, Giacomo Puccini’s opera is entrancing and ultimately heart-breaking. Moshe Leiser and Patrice Caurier’s exquisite production takes inspiration from 19th-century European images of Japan.

OPERA
Company – The Royal Opera
Music – Giacomo Puccini

Tickets are available to buy here: https://www.boningtontheatre.co.uk/booking/?event-id=67709&instances-id=4556

Man vs Woman – It’s Inn The Bank, Netherfield – 7.30pm

For this month’s competition the pair are cooking up Stroganoff. Customers are then given to the chance to sample both culinary efforts for free and then vote for their favourite.

Wednesday, September 28

RSC Live- Richard III (15) – Bonington Cinema, Arnold – 7pm (prompt)

Enjoy this live screening of the RSC production.

Young Richard of Gloucester uses the chaos of the Wars of the Roses to begin his unscrupulous climb to power in this classic Shakespearean history of a king in the throes of jealousy and murder.

Despite being manifestly unfit to govern, he seizes the crown, as King Richard III. But how does he do it?

Tickets are available here: https://www.boningtontheatre.co.uk/booking/?event-id=67711&instances-id=4557

All listings correct at time of going to press

Councillors reject proposals to create ‘warm rooms’ in public buildings and libraries during winter months

Andrew Topping (Local Democracy Reporter)
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Councillors reject proposals to create ‘warm rooms’ in public buildings and libraries during winter months

Councillors have voted down a motion calling for the idea of ‘warm rooms’ to be investigated in public buildings and libraries across Nottinghamshire.

The scheme has been brought in by several other councils across the country in a bid to help people struggling to heat their homes amid surging energy costs.

Under the proposals, put forward by the Labour Group on Nottinghamshire County Council, public buildings like libraries would be open for longer during winter months to offer struggling residents warm places to go.

But the ruling Conservative Group voted the proposals down at the full council meeting on Thursday (September 22).

Councillor Ben Bradley MP (Con), the council’s leader, said the policy would “not be the best use of limited funds”, and said different forms of support would be provided instead.

Ben Bradley
NOT IN FAVOUR:Nottinghamshire County Council leader Ben Bradley said the warm rooms police wouldn’t be ‘the best use of public funds’

However, Labour and Independent Alliance councillors voted in favour of the proposal and spoke of the hardship some residents across Nottinghamshire are experiencing.

Cllr Paul Henshaw (Lab), who represents Mansfield West and who proposed the motion, said: “When we look at the number of people who are going to be affected by fuel poverty and the cost of living emergency, the figures are stark and frightening.

“Why haven’t we, at least, asked the council officers to look at this and report on whether a similar proposal might work here?

“That’s all we’re asking, let’s look at it and see whether we can do something.

“It’s effective action to support people. We need to accept there is a cost of living emergency and that we have – and I don’t use this word lightly – a moral responsibility to act.”

Cllr Jason Zadrozny (Ash Ind), leader of the Independent Alliance group, added: “Members of the public are pretty scared and I speak to people who are in work and are scared about the bills they’ve got to pay.

“They are completely in the dark about what may come to help them. They want to know, literally, what they can do to pay their bills.

“This motion comes from a good place, where people want to show that government of all levels are on their side.”

However, the Conservatives did not support the idea of ‘warm rooms’ and believed funding would be better spent on helping people with “direct action”.

They pointed to the Household Support Fund – a funding pot specifically for those struggling most with their bills – which will come forward for its third round of funding next month.

Within this, the authority is expecting £5.6m that it can use to offer vouchers and support for families – including low-income households and those with children on free school meals.

And Cllr John Cottee (Con), portfolio holder for communities, also believed the ‘warm rooms’ scheme was not required because it’s “already provided” through the county’s network of 60 libraries.

He said: “We already have these, but we don’t happen to call them ‘warm rooms’ because this would imply it’s their only purpose.

“Rather, we have open, free-to-use public buildings such as our libraries and we still have 60 libraries located in communities across the whole of Nottinghamshire.

READ MORE:

“We realised many years ago the future of our libraries was far more than just lending books.

“[They are] spaces where people can read, meet and socialise, and enjoy a wide range of activities while in a warm, well-lit and comfortable environment.

“We don’t need to rename facilities as ‘warm rooms’ for a few months, but if people want to use them as warm rooms then that’s what they can be.”

Councillors voted the motion down by 32 votes to 23.

Cllr Bradley added: “I have a huge amount of sympathy with the premise of the motion. Of course, we’re very concerned about the impact of rising prices but we’ve been doing everything in our power to support those residents.

“This is just as we did with Covid, through the recovery period and now with the cost of living.

“We are doing everything we can to try and support local people. Over recent years, £20m has been shared from here to fund residents, community groups and charities in direct support of the most vulnerable people.

“That continues this winter and, just this week, we’ve been finalising the next phase of the Household Support Fund.”

Carlton Foodbank makes plea for donations after stocks run low

Gedling Eye Reporter
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Carlton Foodbank makes plea for donations after stocks run low

Carlton Foodbank has this week issued a plea for donations with stocks of certain items now running low.

The charity issued the plea on Facebook and appealed to the public for donations of certain items.

They are running low on toilet rolls, coffee, sugar and multipack crisps and are hoping the generous public can help them out.

They are also struggling with a shortage of carrier bags so donations would be gratefully received.

A spokesman for the charity said: “If you’re able to add one or two of these items to your shopping this week we’d be really grateful. 

Stacked toilet rolls
NEEDED: Toilet rolls are one of the items wanted by the foodbank

“Maybe you’ve bought a crisp multipack recently and there’s a flavour that nobody eats at home; we’ll happily take them off your hands so long as they have a use-by-date on the packet.

“For coffee and sugar, the smaller jars and packets are better as we are able to put them in the one-to-two person food parcels and save the bigger packs for the families.

“Toilet roll gets given out in individual rolls so we will be grateful to get a four-pack or equally a 24-pack if you’re feeling generous!”

Those wishing to make donations can drop off items at the following places:

  • Carlton Tesco (bottom of Carlton Hill),
  • Second Chance charity shop (top of Carlton Hill)
  • Co-op on Westdale Lane

    …and of course directly to the foodbank when it’s open – which is on Tuesdays and Fridays 11am to 2.45pm.

The charity added: “If you have some items lurking at the back of your cupboards that you’re not going to use, we will be able to pass them on.

“Please just make sure that the items are not open or partially used and that they’re still in date. We hate having to throw away donations because they’re out of date but we can’t put out of date items in our food parcels.”

Gedling Borough Council issues update as serious concerns are raised over delays to opening of new £4m AMP market development in Arnold

Gedling Eye Reporter
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Gedling Borough Council issues update as serious concerns are raised over delays to opening of new £4m AMP market development in Arnold

Gedling Borough Council has issued an update after serious concerns were raised on social media around the delayed opening of the much-anticipated £4m AMP market redevelopment in Arnold.

The owners of Arnold Post Office were expecting to open their doors to customers yesterday (21) after taking up residence in the new centre but said they are still waiting for the site to be opened to the public.

Their previous branch on Worrall Avenue closed several months ago following the owner’s decision to move into one of the seven new units in the new centre based in the town’s market place.

But following this latest delay, the post office owners issued an update on their Facebook page.

PICTURED: Arnold Post Office has moved into the AMP and is waiting to begin trading (PHOTO: Gedling Eye)
Michael Payne
‘FRUSTRATION”: Councillor Michael Payne, pictured, said he hopes the site will be opened in the coming days

It read: “Well, as you can probably tell we have not opened today. I am so sorry to inform you that we have no end in sight. As soon as I have a date I will let you all know.

“I’m so sorry. Our shop is ready but the building still hasn’t been handed over. As soon as I hear anything I will be posting information.

They added: “We all miss our customers and can’t wait to be back.”

Gedling Borough Council have responded, with deputy leader Cllr Michael Payne calling the ongoing situation ‘frustrating’

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“This is the biggest local high street investment for the borough in recent years and will soon become the home for several new business start-ups, as well as the new location for Arnold Post Office,” he said.

“As with any build on this scale there can be issues along the way and unfortunately a number of factors outside of the council’s control, including the need for Western Power to construct a new electricity sub-station on-site, have held up the development and had a knock-on impact on the planned completion date.

“We completely understand and share the frustration these delays have caused to businesses, including Arnold Post Office, and the residents who rely on them. As a gesture of goodwill, we will be offering financial support to Arnold Post Office to help compensate for the inconvenience and disruption caused.

Cllr Payne said he expected the site to open shortly.

He said: “Thank you to all our residents, new tenants, and local businesses for their patience whilst we work to cross the finish line and get this new addition to the borough open for the benefit of the local community.

“It’s hoped that the site will be officially completed and ready for opening in the coming days.”

Up to £4m has been allocated for the scheme, with funding for the project coming from the council’s capital programme budget and boosted by a successful bid for £1.25m from the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership.

New £15.7m Top Wighay offices near Linby ‘on track and on budget’ but there is ‘potential’ for inflation-related cost rises, says council

Andrew Topping (Local Democracy Reporter)
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New £15.7m Top Wighay offices near Linby ‘on track and on budget’ but there is ‘potential’ for inflation-related cost rises, says council

The new £15.7m council office building at Top Wighay Farm near Linby remains on track and on budget despite concerns over rising inflation.

However, Councillor Ben Bradley MP (Con), the leader of Nottinghamshire County Council, has conceded there is “potential into the future” for this sum to rise given nationwide difficulties in funding infrastructure projects.

The major new building, on the Hucknall-Linby border, was given planning consent in July and will be the Conservative-led authority’s first low-carbon office.

It came as part of the council’s ‘Investing in Nottinghamshire’ programme – a wide-reaching assessment of the authority’s property portfolio to assess whether it is getting value for money from its offices.

Initially, the project was expected to cost £14.7m but rose by £1m last year due to issues with rising construction fees and inflation.

Now concerns have been raised that the scheme could increase further as councils and businesses across the country battle with inflation and soaring infrastructure fees.

Many council projects have been impacted by inflation including the recently-completed Gedling Access Road, planned new outdoor facilities at King’s Mill Reservoir and the new primary school in East Leake.

It led to Cllr Dave Shaw (Ash Ind), who represents Hucknall West, questioning whether the Top Wighay development could see its costs soar further.

Speaking in the full council meeting on Thursday (September 22), he asked: “Is Nottinghamshire County Council on track to complete work on time and within the original budget?”.

In response, Cllr Bradley confirmed a latest estimated costs document is being drawn up and will be reviewed by Cllr Keith Girling (Con), portfolio holder for economic development and asset management, at a later date.

However, he said the project remains “on track” and within the budgeted £15.7m.

He said: “The next stage of the process is to issue the latest estimated costs report for approval, though the project is currently on track and in line with its original budget.

“Of course, we can all see the potential into the future through the current economic market for challenges but, as it stands, everything is on track.

“We’re committed to ensuring we are delivering services from appropriate, modern buildings, and improving residents’ access to the county council and our services.”

In response, Cllr Shaw then asked what contingency plans the authority has in place to mitigate rising construction costs and soaring inflation.

“The original cost for this development was £14.7m and it’s already at £15.7m,” he said.

“England’s largest councils have recently warned they could make in-year reductions to services and cancel or delay repairs to local roads and infrastructure as spiralling costs add more than £1.5bn to the cost of councils.

“What contingency plans are we putting in place to fund any overspend of this white elephant?”

Responding, Cllr Bradley said the authority has already saved between £1.2-£1.3m by reducing its countywide building portfolio from 17 to nine.

And he said any cash spent on the Top Wighay building would be “worth that investment” in the long-term as the authority looks to save further on its building costs.

He said: “Even if you add in inflation and additional costs – which we intend to mitigate and have reserves and plans to do so – it’s worth that investment to save several millions in our revenue budget to continue providing services.

“That’s what the wider Investing in Nottinghamshire programme is about, we’ve already come down from 17 buildings to nine saving, I think, about £1.2-£1.3m per year.

“That means when we go into those very difficult conversations this autumn about the budget and how we tackle these inflationary pressures – which are significant – we’ve got more wiggle room.”

The Top Wighay building is part of a wider development on the land, next to the A611 Annesley Bypass, which also has approval for more than 800 homes.

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