Gedling Borough Council has been recognised for its actions to tackle the climate emergency.

All councils across the country were graded on their climate action plans last year, with organisation Climate Emergency UK assessing authorities across nine key sectors.

Councils were then given a percentage on how well they are meeting their targets and addressing each individual area.

Rushcliffe and Gedling were graded the highest of the seven councils with 46 per cent each, while Mansfield District Council was graded 42 per cent and Newark and Sherwood was given 41 per cent.

Two Nottinghamshire councils were been given a zero per cent rating.

Both Bassetlaw and Ashfield district councils given the lowest-possible zero per cent mark.

But both authorities have issued statements outlining measures they are taking to address the crisis, with one authority saying it was given the rating because it was updating policies at the time it was assessed.

Nottingham City Council ranked within the top 15 single-tier councils nationwide, with a 76 per cent grading, including full marks on both its target setting and measuring element and the education and skills bracket.

This was well above the 50 per cent average for single-tier councils across the country.

Nottinghamshire County Council was graded 20 per cent for its current climate action, half the 40 per cent average for county authorities nationwide.

And most Nottinghamshire district and borough councils were broadly in line with the 43 per cent national average for this time of authority.

Broxtowe Borough Council’s ranking was lower at 28 per cent.

But both Bassetlaw and Ashfield were among 37 authorities nationwide to be given the zero per cent grading.

Ashfield District Council has responded to the ranking by saying Climate Emergency UK “didn’t score our plan” as it was “in the process of updating” it.

A council spokesperson said the authority is currently working on three new climate documents which will commit the authority to becoming net-zero “in line with Central Government targets” of 2050.

These documents, the council states, will be “available in the near future” once they have been approved by both the cabinet and full council.

The spokesperson added: “The council has made considerable progress in reducing its emissions through multiple different projects.

“This includes installing solar PV on many council-owned buildings, switching to a Green Energy tariff, operating smarter working practices in its offices and launching a Climate Change Officer Working Group to drive reductions in emissions.”

They added council emissions have already reduced by 25 per cent since 2015/16.

Bassetlaw District Council said its zero grading is “disappointing” but stated it declared a ‘climate emergency’ in December, around three months after Climate Emergency UK conducted its assessments.

The council was the last of the nine authorities in Nottinghamshire to declare the emergency.

David Arminger, interim chief executive of the council, said: “Whilst it is disappointing to receive a zero per cent rating from Climate Emergency Action, we do not consider it is an accurate reflection of the actions we have undertaken.

“We are committed, as a council, to working towards net-zero and to play our part in tackling climate change.”

NHS staff in Gedling borough have today criticised the Government’s decision to make Covid vaccines compulsory for their colleagues.

Current plans state that if staff have not received all doses of a Covid-19 vaccination byApril 1, 2022, they will lose their job.

The rule includes front-line workers, non-clinical workers, and ancillary staff, such as porters, cleaners or receptionists.

If staff have not received their first dose by February 3, it will be too late to receive their three doses.

Between 70,000 to 80,000 NHS staff in Notts remain unvaccinated.

The Royal College of GPs has called for the policy to be delayed as the number of NHS staff overall is already insufficient.

Health Secretary, Sajid Javid, said on Wednesday that the Government was “reflecting” on the plans.

Dee Evans, 41, a nurse from Gedling, said: “It’s very short sighted of the government.

“Doctors and nurses don’t force patients to have treatments they don’t want so why should they be forced to have a treatment to keep their job.

The NHS has been short staffed and underfunded for decades, this is just going to further compound the issue the NHS has.

A woman from Gedling, who has worked in the NHS for 35 years, opposes compulsory vaccination as she says they do not stop the spread of Covid completely.

The PA to surgeons said: “I am totally against mandatory vaccination.

“I have had mine happily but don’t agree with mandating it.

“Most people I work with have had all their vaccinations but we have all still had Covid and spread Covid.

“It’s good that we weren’t too unwell BUT as the vaccine doesn’t stop you getting it or spreading it I think that is the reason it shouldn’t be mandatory.

“If it stopped it then I would agree that when working with vulnerable people it would be necessary.

“A lot of unvaccinated people now have a degree of natural immunity anyway.

“Education rather than force I think.”

Some Gedling borough residents in other roles also disapprove of the decision.

Hayley Long, 37, a training manager, said: “Can’t be that much of a pandemic if they are willing to sack all the NHS workers that we were clapping for not that long ago!!”

A man from Gedling, who wished to remain anonymous, raised religious possible reasons for individuals not wanting to take the vaccine.

He said: “Covid & NHS, so what takes precedence covid legislation or equality & diversity legislation.

“If a nurse won’t have a vaccine because of their religious persuasions you sack them?”

Darryl Paul, 55, who works in the building trade, said: “I have family and friends who work within the NHS and care industry.

“How [will] a mandate will work without one’s consent?

“How could someone be threatened into something or lose their job? I can’t see it happening.

“I may be completely wrong.”

Others, however, feel that prioritising safety over choice is the right thing to do.

Claire, 40, a production manager from Gedling, said: “NHS staff have to be vaccinated against other diseases.

“I can fully understand the frustration of people who feel if the laws/rules don’t seem to apply to those in Government then why should they to the rest of us.

“Them breaking the rules is not a good reason to throw cautionary measures out.

“But it is a very good reason to vote the rule breakers out.

“I am frustrated and angry.

“However my feelings don’t mitigate the need for protecting others and myself.”

Despite some concern’s from residents, MP for Gedling, Tom Randall, has told the Gedling Eye that he is supporting the move. 

He said: “Vaccination is the route out of the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Vaccines are safe, effective and significantly reduce one’s chance of suffering severe disease.

“I strongly encourage everyone to get vaccinated.

“The Victorians introduced compulsory vaccination, but this hasn’t been the modern approach.

“I believe in strong encouragement, not forcing people.

“But what about those in our hospitals and care settings, looking after the most vulnerable in society?

“In the run up to the vote on this measure, I personally faced a dilemma: on the one hand the liberty of the individual – the right not to receive a vaccination, no matter how wrong I think that decision is – and on the other ensuring those admitted to hospital need to be in as safe an environment as possible.

“I spoke to a range of doctors, nurses and others to canvass their views and before the vote and ultimately, while the arguments were finally balanced, I decided to support them.

“I am of course, following the practical implementation of this measure very closely.”