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Gedling MP Tom Randall expects commitment to Notts ‘levelling up’ plans from new PM Liz Truss

Andrew Topping (Local Democracy Reporter)
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Gedling MP Tom Randall expects commitment to Notts ‘levelling up’ plans from new PM Liz Truss

Gedling MP Tom Randall has said today he believes incoming Prime Minister Liz Truss will remain committed to Nottinghamshire’s ‘levelling up’ plans.

Ms Truss was confirmed as the new Conservative Party leader on Monday (September 5), beating former Chancellor Rishi Sunak by winning 57.4 per cent of votes cast by Conservative Party members.

She will officially become Prime Minister on Tuesday after visiting The Queen at Balmoral Castle.

The current Foreign Secretary takes on the role following the resignation of Boris Johnson in July. Ms Truss will also become the country’s fourth Prime Minister in six years.

She arrives in the midst of surging household bills and with inflation hitting 10.1 per cent, with further rises expected.

But locally, she also takes on the job at a time when local leaders are on the brink of receiving more devolved powers from Whitehall and when Nottinghamshire councils seek more than £250m in ‘levelling up’ cash.

Liz Truss
PICTURED: New Prime Minister Liz Truss
Rishi Sunak and Tom Randall
BACKING: Mr Randall had been a supporter for Rishi Sunak, pictured, left

The new Prime Minister is expected to set out her agenda and reveal her cabinet on Tuesday when she will also make her first official speech in the top job.

Mr Randall, who had been a Rishi Sunak supporter, said: “It’s a very convincing result for her, she’s won hands down and is a good candidate and I congratulate her on her victory.

“It’s a tough in-tray, we’ve got the war in Ukraine, this unprecedented energy crisis causing serious issues and the Government will have to take action on that.

“There are some big issues here that will be difficult to tackle. But now this contest is over, it’s important politicians face these issues head-on.

“The message I’ve had is that we need to implement the 2019 manifesto, for which ‘levelling up’ was a key part of that. I do expect this agenda will carry forwards under the new leader.”

Councillor Ben Bradley (Con), Mansfield’s MP and the leader of Nottinghamshire County Council, believes Tory Party members have picked the “right person” to deliver change in Nottinghamshire.

He told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “I’m really pleased Liz has won, she stood on a ‘small c’ conservative tax-cutting agenda and it’s something I’ve been looking for in recent years.

“She will have huge challenges to face, in the first weeks in particular, because there’s a huge expectation around what she can do with the cost of living and people are expecting big announcements.

“I would expect that to be cutting costs upfront, with tax cuts and green levies on energy bills that would be hugely beneficial. I think she’s the right person for the job for that reason.

“From a local perspective, clearly the biggest conversation we’ve got is devolution and we’re waiting for the legislation.

“She’s been very supportive of that, she was notified as the deal went through and was quite happy about it, otherwise it wouldn’t have happened.

“I’m fully expecting that legislation to happen and for us to work towards the combined authority, the mayoral election and the cash that comes with it.”

However, Nottinghamshire Labour has raised concerns over the appointment and called on Ms Truss to call a general election.

Cllr Kate Foale, leader of the Labour Group on the county council, said: “I’m pleased the Conservatives in Government are no longer distracting themselves with an internal squabble.

“But I fear another Conservative Prime Minister will not change things quickly enough to help those in most need.   

“Listening to people on the doorstep I know that many are scared for themselves and their families about what this winter will bring. 

“Liz Truss appears to have no empathy or concern for people on lower incomes, some of whom are key workers who are working hard to keep us safe and well.

“We expect the new Prime Minister to call a general election at the earliest opportunity so the country can elect a Labour Government to sort out the mess that 12 years of successive Conservative Governments have left us in.”

Food box scheme supporting borough’s poorest families could leave children’s centres in Arnold and Netherfield

Andrew Topping (Local Democracy Reporter)
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Food box scheme supporting borough’s poorest families could leave children’s centres in Arnold and Netherfield

A food scheme supporting some of Gedling borough’s poorest families could be moved from children’s centres and instead run through community groups under new council plans.

Nottinghamshire County Council has stressed the scheme will continue as before despite the moves, but one opposition councillor said changing locations could disrupt families’ ability to access the help.

The national Food On Our Doorstep (FOOD) initiative is run out of 23 locations in Nottinghamshire having initially piloted in two children’s hubs in late 2020.

Two initiatives have been established in Killisick and Netherfield and operate from children’s centres in the areas.

The service, initially set up as a public health obesity initiative, was extended to support families through the cost of living crisis.

The scheme is organised by national charity Family Action and offers food boxes to more than 1,700 Nottinghamshire families.

The boxes include fresh fruit, vegetables, meat and dried and tinned food.

In shops, the food would normally cost about £15. However, boxes are available to families for just £3.50 with an annual £1 membership required to access the scheme.

County council papers confirm the boxes save families roughly £300 over six months and, between November 2020 and March this year, 20,000 bags of food were sold in Nottinghamshire.

This helped to save £230,000 for local families and prevented 183 tonnes of food – provided by charity FairShare – from going to landfill.

It has been funded through the council’s Covid emergency grants up until last month, with an extra £50,000 provided in August to keep the service running in children’s centres until March next year.

A further commitment was made in May to provide funding to the FOOD initiative until 2026.

But now a forward plan published by the authority has revealed the children’s centre clubs could be transferred over to the community and voluntary sector once the £50,000 fund ends in March.

The council says this will not lead to the end of the clubs but could see them relocated to new venues in the “best suitable” locations.

A decision will be taken by cabinet members in October over whether to make the change.

The forward plan says the decision will: “Agree [to] the transfer of the FOOD Clubs in children’s centres to voluntary and community sector providers by March 31, 2023.”

It comes just weeks after the authority provided the extra cash to keep the services running for seven more months.

The move, made during a delegated decision in August, highlighted the importance of the scheme but added a longer-term model is needed to keep it running.

And Councillor Matt Barney (Con), said in a statement: “Council public health officers are committed to ensuring FOOD Clubs continue.

“In May 2022, the cabinet approved continued investment in the clubs until March 2026.

“We will be working with Family Action and volunteers to ensure that clubs are based in the best location for the people who need them.”

However, the plan has led to concern from a senior borough councillor who says it could risk further hardship to already-struggling families.

Cllr Steve Carr (Lib Dem), the deputy leader of Broxtowe Borough Council, said: “These eviction plans beggar belief.

“We are living in the worst cost of living crisis for generations and these clubs offer affordable food to families.

“Children’s centres are ideal locations for clubs like this. Moving them could impact the most vulnerable in the worst possible way.”

Affected children’s centres could include Bingham, Chilwell, Eastwood, Harworth and Bircotes, Killisick, Mansfield Woodhouse, Manton, Netherfield, Oak Tree, Ravensdale and Summit (Kirkby-in-Ashfield).

Ray Hames and his family have used the FOOD Club at Harworth and Bircotes Children’s Centre.

In a statement issued alongside the county council earlier this year, he said: “It’s saving us a lot of money.

“It’s very handy to have when money is tight, at least we know that we will always be able to make meals such as lasagne with the mince provided.

“There are times that we can’t always afford items such as yoghurts. It’s definitely value for money.”

Cllr Dr John Doddy (Con), chair of the council’s health and wellbeing board, also previously said the scheme helps families at a time where “things are difficult”.

The road closures in place as the Tour of Britain comes to Gedling borough

Gedling Eye Reporter
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The road closures in place as the Tour of Britain comes to Gedling borough

THE list of road closures in place when the Tour of Britain comes to town has been announced by Gedling Borough Council.

The 116-mile long fifth stage of the Tour of Britain event returns to the borough on Thursday (September 8) after a four-year absence, bringing with it a host of road closures.

PICTURED: Colliery Way

They are:

Spring Lane (Estimated time of arrival 12.18pm) 11.58am – 12.38pm

Lambley Lane (Estimated time of arrival 12.20pm) 12.00pm – 12.40pm

Colliery Way (Estimated time of arrival 12.21pm) 12.01pm – 12.41pm

Plains Road B684 (Estimated time of arrival 12.25pm) 12.05pm – 12.45pm

Nottingham Road (Estimated time of arrival 12.28pm) 12.08pm – 12.48pm

Foxwood Lane (Estimated time of arrival 12.32pm) 12.12pm – 12.52pm

Main Street, Calverton (Estimated time of arrival 12.34pm) 12.14pm – 12.54pm

Mansfield Lane (Estimated time of arrival 12.34pm) 12.14pm – 12.54pm

Whinbush Lane (Estimated time of arrival 12.37pm) 12.17pm – 12.57pm

Longdale Lane (Estimated time of arrival 12.40pm) 12.20pm – 13.00pm

Chapel Lane (Estimated time of arrival 12.45pm) 12.25pm – 13.05pm

Nottinghamshire Police will be offering support as the race makes its way through the borough.

Chief Inspector Jon Foy, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “While the plan is to keep traffic delays to a minimum there is likely to be some disruption as the riders pass through Nottinghamshire.

“Our trained officers will be out supporting the race and will be on hand to assist where needed.

“We are recommending for drivers to leave themselves plenty of time for their journeys on Thursday and to set off earlier to minimise disruption.

“Anyone driving to and from spectating points should also allow plenty of travel time if they are moving to different locations and, where possible, spectators should park well away from the route.”

Police name 90-year-old man who died after tragic Mapperley shop car park incident

Gedling Eye Reporter
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Police name 90-year-old man who died after tragic Mapperley shop car park incident

A 90-year-old man who has sadly died after an incident in a Mapperley shop car park has been named by police.

George Williams, who was also known to his friends and family as ‘Tony’, was walking towards his vehicle at the Co-op car park, in Westdale Lane, when another driver started to reverse.

It resulted in George falling over and hitting his head on the floor.

The incident happened around 10.20am on Monday, August 15, 2022.

George, from the Carlton area of Nottingham, sadly died several days later in hospital.

The driver of the vehicle involved, a 58-year-old woman, has been voluntarily interviewed and is assisting police with their enquiries.

Investigating officer Georgina Luke, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “This is a very sad set of circumstances for George’s family and our thoughts remain with them at this very difficult time.

“Specialist family liaison officers are working alongside the family and we would like to take this opportunity in thanking those members of the public that assisted with George and took care of him at the time of the incident.

“We are also appealing for anyone who has any information in relation to this incident, and who hasn’t yet come forward, to please contact Nottinghamshire Police on 101, quoting incident 306 of 25 August 2022.”

Work continues at pace on £8.5m project which will help salmon swim up the River Trent at Colwick.

Gedling Eye Reporter
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Work continues at pace on £8.5m project which will help salmon swim up the River Trent at Colwick.

Work continues at pace on an £8.5m ‘fish pass’ that will allow salmon to swim freely up the River Trent at Colwick.

Once complete, the structure at Holme Sluices will be the largest of its kind in the country and will serve as an ‘elevator’ to allow fish to hop up and downstream.

The Environment Agency said there were presently a number of barriers to fish migration within the River Trent catchment.

These include the Holme Sluices, a major flood management structure that was built in the 1950s.

The agency says the direct environmental benefits of the fish pass will be £18.6m.

Trent Gateway, who are also involved in the project, posted an update via Twitter on how work on the scheme was progressing.

They said: “All the sheet piling works are complete. We are on with the excavation for the fish pass and also the concrete capping beam works continue.

The project is due to be completed in 2023.

Linby lands county council cash to fix broken pavements

Gedling Eye Reporter
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Linby lands county council cash to fix broken pavements

Linby Parish Council is one of fourteen organisations set to benefit from a cash windfall from a pot of £79,919 from Nottinghamshire County Council’s Local Communities Fund (LCF).

The fund provides a platform for groups to access much-needed money to deliver local projects.

LCF is a four-year initiative – the successor to the Local Improvement Scheme (LIS), which ended in 2021/22 – and gives organisations an opportunity to apply for capital grants of up to £20,000 to make improvements to facilities that support community access and boost health and wellbeing.

County Hall Nottingham
PICTURED: County Hall

Linby Parish Council has been granted £8,309 to go towards the lifting and relaying of old slabs, purchasing new slabs and installing safety bollards as part of the restoration of broken stone footpaths in the village.

Caribbean Elders’ Luncheon Club in Gedling has also won funding from the scheme.

£2,000 was awarded to cover the costs of food and refreshments, outings, events and rent.

The club provides wellbeing events to older people, which helps to reduce loneliness and isolation by improving social interaction;

Coun John Cottee, Cabinet member for communities, said: “We hope the latest round of funding will provide a welcome boost to the organisations and volunteers who go above and beyond to support so many people in their communities.

“We have had a fantastic response to the LCF since its launch last autumn and I am delighted the latest allocation of money is going to groups that have demonstrated they are helping people to live healthier and more independent lives – as well as keeping children, vulnerable people and communities safe and protecting the environment.

“I would encourage any group, charity or sports clubs to get in touch with us at the earliest opportunity.”

To apply for funding or for more information about LCF, go to The Local Communities Fund (LCF) 

TONY CAVE: Early morning train passenger numbers return to pre-pandemic levels at Carlton

Tony Cave
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TONY CAVE: Early morning train passenger numbers return to pre-pandemic levels at Carlton

GOOD NUMBERS

We still seem to have a good number of people using the trains, especially at Carlton when I am there on a Friday morning.

June 26 saw six on and five off the 08.41 to Grimsby, including two for Edinburgh via Newark. The 09.03 to Crewe had 17 join and one alight, back up to numbers we had pre-covid on this service, although many people say to me that they miss the direct trains to Matlock, so don’t go as often because it now means a change with quite a long wait for a connecting train. In the same way the loss of an early morning train to Lincoln has also caused problems. Lowdham and Fiskerton still have early trains. One regular traveller tells me he now has to go into Nottingham to catch a Lincoln train.

TICKETS PLEASE

You will have seen that bases with electrical connections have appeared at both stations. These are for ticket machines to enable people to collect pre-booked tickets or obtain a ticket before travelling, rather than having to obtain one from the conductor guard. However, you will still be able to buy tickets on the train as the machines will not accept cash. Also, the one at Carlton is on platform 2. It would have been better on the Nottingham side, but it had to go where there were suitable electrical points.

When there was a fire at Nottingham station a few years ago, people kept turning up to see if there was a ticket machine where they could obtain their pre-booked tickets, which shows to me that many people do not start their rail journeys at Carlton or Netherfield, but rather Nottingham because we have such a poor train service – not even a direct train to London. Several times I have been on the station and a train has either been cancelled, or is running very late, and those with connections at Nottingham sometimes must resort to ‘phoning for a taxi. Next time they won’t risk it. Nowadays you can check before leaving home how a train is running.

Train_tickets

PLANTING PROBLEMS

It has been a struggle to keep the flowers surviving at Carlton and been necessary to water every other day. Flowers in the planters have held up, but those in the flower garden haven’t done so well, even the well-established ones. I might have to rethink what is grown in summer. Any suggestions? (No, not cacti yet).

EXTREME WEATHER

One extreme weather event we no longer must contend with is the ‘pea-souper’ fog which could last for 2 or 3 days. Trains still ran, but there was disruption. I was reminded of this when I recently obtained some railway accident reports from the late 1950s early 1960s and a couple involved dense fog with visibility around 20 yards. One of these (East Ham, London 12/11/59) was of a driver who missed a signal and ran at low speed into the back of another train, fortunately only a few of the passengers were slightly injured. Lessons were learned and since those days most lines are equipped with colour light signals which can penetrate the fogs and mists, we still sometimes have. Also, there is an automatic warning system for drivers, which means that rail is the safest form of transport.

However, improvements continue and the latest is the Digital System which will see 100 miles of the East Coast Main Line from just south of Grantham to London King’s Cross equipped with the European Train Control System which uses in-cab signalling which will eventually do away with lineside signalling. Train drivers will be provided with continuous real time information via the Global System for Mobile Communications-Railway infrastructure. It will also reduce costs over the current S’Y5tem. Of course, trains which use this route will have to have the new system fitted, so it will be around late 2029 before the full system is in operation.

A far cry from the days of semaphore signals and signal boxes when it wasn’t un­known in foggy weather for a driver to send his fireman up a signal ladder to see if the arm was on (danger) or off (line clear ahead).

NEWS FROM OTHER LOCAL STATIONS

Already mentioned that Sleaford and Netherfield have been shortlisted for the  Community Rail awards, and on the Nottingham to Lincoln line Burton Joyce and

Lowdham Adopters have also been shortlisted in the Community Engagement category for their work on 175 years of the Castle Line.

Heritage Open Days are being held on 5 days in September at Lowdham signal box

(now in the grounds of the Station House), with a photographic exhibition of scenes along the line in the 1960s before modernisation came along. The event takes place on the 10th/11th/17th/18th and 27th of September, with slots available between 2-4pm.Go to eventbrite.com and look for Lowdham Signal Box.

BRANCH LINES

Very few of our trains to Crewe now call at Longport. Instead, it is served by an hourly Birmingham to Crewe service via Stoke.

When new Aurora trains take over on the Midland MainLine, the current class 180 units will remain for a while, so they can still be used on summer trains to Skegness.

EMR have released a documentary showcasing the ongoing project to build the new Aurora Intercity fleet. View the video ‘Building the Aurora fleet’.

The Boston and Skegness Towns Deal Funds have been accepted which included plans to develop both stations. It is still in its early stages.

Applications has been made to turn the old car showroom adjoining Carlton station into a gym.

It is hoped the 50th anniversary of the closure of Colwick Marshalling Yard, which should have been held in 2020, but postponed owing to covid, will take place in Spring 2023  

Trio charged after Lego sets and kids toys worth almost £3,000 are stolen from B&M store in Netherfield

Gedling Eye Reporter
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Trio charged after Lego sets and kids toys worth almost £3,000 are stolen from B&M store in Netherfield

Police have charged three men after Lego sets and toys worth thousands of pounds were stolen from three stores – including a B&M outlet in Netherfield.

Lego products worth approximately £650 were stolen from B&M in Bridge Place, Worksop, at around 5pm on Monday (29)

More Lego sets worth around £1,000 were stolen from another B&M store in Baums Lane, Mansfield, at around 8pm the same evening.

The following day, Lego sets and children’s toys worth almost £3,000 were stolen from a third B&M store, at Victoria Retail Park in Netherfield.

Victoria Retail Park
THEFTS: The items were allegedly stolen from B&M on Victoria Retail Park in Netherfield

Following inquiries, three men were arrested in the Newark area on Wednesday (31).

READ MORE: TV debate after Hooters sponsor Under-10s team in Burton Joyce

Conlon McDonagh, 22, of Gregory Road, Southall, Ealing; Tom McDonagh, 22, of Greenwood Avenue, Enfield; and Patrick Ward, 22, of Gregory Road, Southall have since been charged with three counts of theft.

The trio were due to appear at Nottingham Magistrates’ Court today (September 2).

Sergeant Antony Coleman, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “We continue to treat shop thefts seriously and our proactive work to combat this issue is ongoing.

“This includes targeted operations in hot-spot areas, increased patrols and working closely with businesses and local authorities to reduce retail crime.”

Landlord ordered to repay rent after being ‘misled’ about licensing Netherfield property

Gedling Eye Reporter
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Landlord ordered to repay rent after being ‘misled’ about licensing Netherfield property

A landlord has been instructed to hand back £537 in rent to a tenant after they failed to licence a Netherfield property properly.

Mortgage Solutions reported that Veronica Mwondela, the landlord, was told by her letting agent, Saint Property Services, in May 2018 that the property in Netherfield did not require a licence.

The letting agents suggested that the property was not in an area of selective licensing, and so no licence was required.

Mwondela lives in Essex and argued that she was not familiar with the different borough boundaries of Nottingham.

The Property Tribunal determined that she had nonetheless committed an offence against the Housing Act 2004, which would have meant a maximum repayment of a year’s rent, which would have been £5,370. 

This was the amount being claimed by the tenant, Tamara Henry, who had brought the case. She also alleged a host of other failings by the landlord, including taking too long to address necessary repairs and threatening behaviour over the non-payment of rent.

However, the Tribunal noted that Mwondela had been misled “albeit most probably through error” by her letting agent, and concluded that she was not the sort of ‘rogue landlord’ targeted by the legislation.

In its judgement, the Tribunal also dismissed the additional allegations, stating: “There is no evidence that, with the exception of the door entry system, the respondent failed to remedy any issues notified to her or that she delayed unreasonably in doing so. All properties require some attention or maintenance at some point.”

As a result, it decided to discount the rent repayment by 90%, meaning a repayment of £537.

Decisions due on new HMO in Netherfield and CCTV camera at Arnold park

Gedling Eye Reporter
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Decisions due on new HMO in Netherfield and CCTV camera at Arnold park

Plans for a new HMO in Netherfield and CCTV camera at a park in Arnold blighted by anti-social behaviour are set to be decided by Gedling Borough councillors next week.

At Gedling Borough Council’s planning committee meeting on Wednesday, September 7, plans for 32 new dwellings at the site of Nottinghamshire Fire & Rescue’s headquarters will also be discussed.

The proposed HMO in Netherfield would be located on Chandos Street.

The planning application reads: “Planning permission is sought for the change of use of the property from a Class C3 (dwelling) to a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) providing 7 bedrooms which falls within a sui generis use.

“Five of the proposed rooms would provide en-suite facilities, with bedrooms 6 and 7 having access to a shared bathroom. A communal area is proposed on the ground floor providing a kitchen and seating area. “

“Planning permission is sought for the change of use of the property from a Class C3 (dwelling) to a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) providing 7 bedrooms which falls within a sui generis use. Five of the proposed rooms would provide en-suite facilities, with bedrooms 6 and 7 having access to a shared bathroom. A communal area is proposed on the ground floor providing a kitchen and seating area.”

It is noted that as a result of a consultation around the plans 24 letters of objection have been received together with a petition which has been signed by 60 residents.

But despite the objections, it has been recommended to the committee that plans are approved.

The planning officer’s report said: “The proposal will result in no undue impact on the residential amenity of occupiers of neighbouring properties, there are no highway safety or parking issues arising and space standards within the development are considered to be acceptable. The development is also acceptable in respect to flood risk issues.”

Plans have also been submitted to install a 10m cabinet style galvanised column together with a 2m antennae extension and a concrete base for a CCTV camera on the Recreation Ground on Killisick Road in Arnold.

The applications states that the purpose of the camera is ‘to assist in the prevention and detection of antisocial behaviour at the site’.

It has been recommended that conditional planning

The planning officer said: “The proposal represents an acceptable form of development which seeks to reduce crime, the detection of crime and the fear of crime.

“The proposal is not considered to have an unacceptable impact on the visual amenity of the area. The proposal will not have an unacceptable impact on the residential amenity of the occupiers of neighbouring properties.”

You can watch the planning meeting online next Wednesday from 6pm here: https://democracy.gedling.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=138&MId=3028

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