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Gedling councillor’s anger after borough parks miss out on fresh ‘levelling up’ funding

Gedling Borough Council‘s deputy leader Michael Payne has slammed the government for ‘again overlooking the area’ after local green spaces missed out on fresh funding designed to ‘level up’ Britain’s parks.

Cash is being given to councils to create or significantly revamp existing parks in 85 neighbourhoods they say are most deprived of outdoor space.

Funds have been given to Bassetlaw, Derby, East Lindsey, Leicester, Lincoln, Nottingham and West Lindsey councils in the East Midlands.

Councillor Payne has revealed the council weren’t eligible to apply for funding.

He said “A 100 areas have been picked by the Conservative government as eligible for a share of a £9 million fund to create or refurbish urban parks and green spaces.

Bestwood_Country_Park
Bestwood Country Park was named as one green space that could have benefitted from funding

“Once again Gedling is not included on the list.

“Our parks and green spaces won’t receive a single penny from this fund. The Conservative government doesn’t think they’re worth it.

Mr Payne listed Lambley Lane Recreation Ground & Play Park, Valley Road Playing Grounds & Play Park, Church Lane & St. Mary’s Play Park, Arno Vale Play Park and Bestwood Country Park as places that could have benefitted from the levelling up funding.

Payne added: “Remember, we’ve already been overlooked when the government was allocating funding from the overall £4.8 billion Levelling Up Fund. They didn’t allocate Gedling borough a single penny from the Towns Fund, Future High Streets Fund or Levelling Up Fund.”

The council is set to submit a new bid which could see £50m heading to Arnold for creation of a new leisure centre and theatre if successful.

The recent bid was criticised by Conservative members of the party who said other parts of the borough were now missing out.

Councillor Payne revealed he had now written a letter to the Government asking for a share of the £9m fund to go towards improving the borough’s parks.

Gedling MP Tom Randall has responded to the claims from Councillor Payne.

He said: “The 85 Councils eligible for funding from the Government’s £9 million Levelling Up Parks Fund have been determined using evidence from Natural England’s Green Infrastructure Mapping Tool, which combines Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) and access to green space data. In Gedling, we are lucky enough to be surrounded by beautiful public and country parks, local nature reserves, playing fields and access to land. This has meant that Gedling Borough does not meet the criteria for the Levelling Up Parks Fund, which has been created to provide urban areas with access to green spaces.

Gedling Borough Council received over £200,000 of ‘Welcome Back’ funding from the Government. This funding could have been spent on maintaining our parks, removing graffiti and improving green spaces and outdoor provision. I am disappointed that Gedling Borough Council did not spend its full allocation of this and funding had to be returned to the Government. Rather than taking potshots at the government, Cllr Payne, who is responsible for Gedling Borough Council’s finances, should account for his failure to spend this money that means our parks have missed out. 

“I am, however, pleased to have helped Gedling be allocated over £2,000,000 of the Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund. Securing this investment is reliant on the Council submitting a detailed plan. The Council could choose to spend money from this on improving its parks and I will continue to support local ‘Friends of’ groups in securing grants towards new play equipment, like I have recently at Breck Hill Park and am currently doing with Valley Road in Carlton.”

NOTE: Gedling Eye did contact a representative of Tom Randall on an incorrect email address and apologise that this caused a delay in a response to the article

Direct trains from Nottingham to Matlock will return this December

Direct trains will run once again between Matlock and Nottingham after the planned resumption of the service was confirmed.

East Midlands Railway (EMR) suspended the direct Matlock to Nottingham trains as part of cutbacks to 43 services in 2021.

But BBC News is reporting that the service is planned to return after the next timetable change, which takes place in December.

In a statement, a spokesperson for EMR said: “We are intending to reintroduce direct services between Matlock and Nottingham as part of the next timetable change.”

A petition was organised calling for the return of the service and attracted thousands of signatures.

Gary Parsons, who organised the petition, thanked the public for backing calls.

He said: “Everyone’s voice really mattered and [we] got it back on line just with sheer determination.”

“They did listen to us, and realised how much of an effect it was having on people.”

The service did run from Carlton Station but was replaced back in 2021 with a service to Crewe.

MPs and local councillors have called on EMR to reinstate the service but the train operator told Gedling Eye there were ‘no plans’ to bring back direct trains from Carlton to Matlock.

We have contacted the operator to see if plans are now in place for a return of the service from Carlton.

Should it come back? Let us know in the comments below.

Aldi named as UK’s cheapest supermarket for third month in row

Aldi has been named the cheapest supermarket for a basket of groceries for the third month in a row.

It cost £76.24 for 49 popular items such as Heinz baked beans, milk and tea bags, according to consumer watchdog Which?

Aldi has borough stores in Daybrook, Mapperley and Netherfield.

Lidl was close behind at £1.66.

Asda’s basket came in as the cheapest of the Big 4 grocer‘s at £85.99 and Waitrose took top spot as the most pricey retailer with the same amount of groceries costing £102.20.

Testing a larger shop of an additional 104 items, of Asda, Sainsbury’s, Tesco, Morrisons, Ocado and Waitrose, Asda was named the cheapest supermarket at £337.50.

Of the remaining retailers, Sainsbury’s had the second cheapest trolley costing £360.93, while others ranged between £362.84 and £386.98. Waitrose was again found to be the most expensive of the supermarkets surveyed, however cost just 13p more than Ocado.

Although Aldi was also named the cheapest supermarket In July, its average basket price rose by £2.01 in August.

For the UK’s leading retailer, Tesco its average price for a basket of groceries rose by £1.71 and for Waitrose, this jumped by £2.74.

‘As predicted, we’ve now hit a new peak in grocery price inflation, with products such as butter, milk and poultry, in particular, seeing some of the biggest jumps,” Kanter head of retail and consumer insight, Fraser McKevitt told Which?.

“This rise means that the average annual shop is set to rise by a staggering £533, or £10.25 every week, if consumers buy the same products as they did last year.”

CCTV appeal: Brazen burglar made off with car after stealing keys from house in Arnold

A ‘brazen’ burglar stole keys to a car from a house in Arnold before driving away in the vehicle.

Now as part of their ongoing inquiries Nottinghamshire Police has issued a CCTV image of man they would like to speak to in connection with the burglary.

It happened at an address in Furlong Street shortly after 8am on July 25, 2022.

Police have issued this image of a man they want to talk to (PHOTO: Notts Police)

Investigator Zak Truman, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “We understand the significant and long-lasting impact burglary has on victims, both financially and emotionally, and that is why we are working hard to track down whoever committed this crime and bring them to justice.

“People should be able to feel safe in their own homes, with minimal risk to their valuables, and we are continuing to work tirelessly to stop burglaries from happening in the first place, including sharing crime prevention advice.

We believe the man pictured can help us with our inquiries into this incident and we would encourage him to come forward as soon as possible.”

Anyone who recognises the man is urged to call Nottinghamshire Police on 101, quoting incident number 118 of 25 July 2022, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

The planned roadworks and road changes in Gedling borough over the next few weeks

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

Burton Road, Carlton

11 September – 11 September

Responsibility for works: Openreach

Carlton Hill, Carlton

08 September – 08 September

Responsibility for works: Nottinghamshire County Council

Kenrick Road, Mapperley

12 September – 16 September

Responsibility for works: Severn Trent Water

Manor Road, Carlton

11 September – 11 September

Responsibility for works: Openreach

Station Road, Carlton

08 September – 08 September

Responsibility for works: Nottinghamshire County Council

Westdale Lane West, Mapperley

10 September – 10 September

Responsibility for works: Severn Trent Water

Catfoot Lane, Lambley

09 September – 09 September

Responsibility for works: Openreach

Chedington Avenue, Mapperley

12 September – 26 September

Responsibility for works: Cadent

Gedling Road, Carlton

11 September – 11 September

Responsibility for works: Openreach

Huckerbys Field, Carlton

09 September – 12 September

Responsibility for works: Severn Trent Water

Killisick Road, Arnold

12 September – 13 September

Responsibility for works: Severn Trent Water

Longridge Road, Woodthorpe

12 September – 16 September

Responsibility for works: Nottinghamshire County Council

Mowbray Rise, Arnold

12 September – 26 September

Responsibility for works: Cadent

Nottingham Road, Burton Joyce

11 September – 11 September

Responsibility for works: Cadent

Pond Hills Lane, Arnold

12 September – 07 October

Responsibility for works: Cadent

Standhill Avenue, Carlton

08 September – 09 September

Responsibility for works: Severn Trent Water

Tilford Road, Newstead

06 September – 08 September

Responsibility for works: Network Rail Infrastructure Ltd

Trent Lane, Burton Joyce

06 September – 09 September

Responsibility for works: Severn Trent Water

Vernon Crescent, Ravenshead

07 September – 09 September

Responsibility for works: Western Power Distribution

Drivers still getting ‘raw deal’ at petrol pumps despite record fuel price drop

Drivers are continuing to get a “raw deal” at petrol pumps despite a record price drop last month, motoring services company the RAC has said.

They estimate motorists are overpaying by around 9p a litre.

According to new analysis, the RAC said average forecourt prices sank to 169.8p per litre at the end of August but should be around 161p, due to current wholesale costs.

The difference means that there is a “very strong case for the biggest sellers of fuel to cut their forecourt petrol prices further”, according to the motoring association – although it does acknowledge that some supermarkets have dropped their prices significantly.

August saw average petrol prices drop by 12.3p per litre, the largest monthly drop in records dating back 22 years.

However, there is an expectation that prices could fall even further.

“Twelve pence a litre is a lot to come off prices in a single month so there’s no doubt things could be worse, but in reality drivers of petrol vehicles are still invariably getting a raw deal at the pumps,” RAC spokesman Rob Dennis said.

“For whatever reason, major retailers are choosing not to pass on in full the reductions in the wholesale price of unleaded they’ve been benefiting from for some considerable time.”

He added: “Allowing for a generous 10p-a-litre margin, we should be seeing petrol sold for around 161p a litre.

“Some big supermarket sites aren’t too far off charging this – but there’s a real postcode lottery out there, with prices varying wildly depending on where a driver is in the country.

“Drivers must shop around for the best deal they can, and we applaud those independent retailers who are doing their best to charge a fairer price for fuel and support their local communities through this incredibly expensive time.”

A review by the Competition and Markets Authority found that growing oil refining margins were one of the main causes of soaring fuel prices earlier this year.

According to the competition regulator, the increase from the crude oil price when it enters refineries to the wholesale price had more than tripled in 12 months to nearly 35p per litre.

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

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

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

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.”