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Covid blamed for surge in fly-tipping incidents across Gedling borough

Irene Bisoni
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Covid blamed for surge in fly-tipping incidents across Gedling borough

Newly-released figures from Defra show that fly tipping across Gedling borough surged during the pandemic.

Between 2020/21, a total of 2003 incidents were reported, a significant increase from 2019/20, when 1359 were recorded.  

Incidents involving debris dumped by roads surged, with 1686 cases in 2020/21 – a surge of 38% if compared with 1359 incidents in 2019/20. 

In Gedling, construction/demolition and excavation waste incidents skyrocketed by 88% with 61 cases in 2020/21 from 7 cases in 2019/2020. 

Incidents involving black bags and other household waste were the most common instances, with 1,435 cases. 

The most common size category for fly-tipping in Gedling in 2020/2021 was equivalent to a small van load, with 900 incidents reported.  

This data is in line with national statistics. 

For the 2020/21-year, local authorities in England dealt with 1.13 million fly-tipping incidents, an increase of 16% from the 980,000 reported in 2019/20. 

In terms of enforcement actions, national data shows a decrease of 4% from 474,000 in 20219/20 to 456,000 while the number of court fines issued decreased by 51% from 2,672 to 1,313 in 2020/21. 

In Gedling borough, actions taken by the council were also down. Only 30 actions in 2020/21 compared to 53 in 2019/20. 

Total fines mirror the national data. 998 in 2020/21, a drastic decrease from 2720 fines issued in 2019/20. 

fly_tip

The 2020/21 reporting period covers the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic where many local authorities were unable to maintain waste collection, with some suspending garden and bulky waste collection.  

Many household waste recycling centres (HWRCs) were also closed.  

Moreover, staff shortages, staff being furloughed, and redeployment of existing staff may have exacerbated the issue and hinder the number of enforcement actions carried out during 2020/21.  

Leader of Gedling Borough Council, Councillor John Clarke said the surge in fly-tipping is down to a mix of different factors including COVID and lockdowns.  

He said: “Unfortunately, over the past year, many councils have seen an increase in fly-tipping incidents, caused by a number of factors including lockdowns, COVID measures as well as closures and reduced hours at recycling centres.” 

He also added that residents have a responsibility over their waste and how waste is disposed of. 

He said: “Fly-tipping causes serious harm to local communities; the environment and wildlife and residents have a duty of care to be responsible for removing household waste appropriately and using licenced removal companies. 

“Residents should be aware that if fly tipped waste is found and can be traced back to the household, they will be responsible, even if they didn’t dump it.  

“It costs the council to clean up fly tips and takes money away from elsewhere at a time when budgets are tight due to government cuts.  

“We take all reports of fly-tips very seriously and will do everything we can to prosecute those involved wherever possible. 

 “If anyone witnesses or has information regarding fly-tipping in the borough, please contact us on 0115 901 3901 or email enquiries@gedling.gov.uk.” 

‘The offer is there’: Gedling leader calls on NHS to use Richard Herrod Centre for booster jab rollout

Gedling Eye Reporter
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‘The offer is there’: Gedling leader calls on NHS to use Richard Herrod Centre for booster jab rollout

The leader of Gedling Borough Council wants NHS bosses to reopen the Richard Herrod Centre in Carlton as a vaccine centre to help increase the uptake of Covid boosters in the borough.

The site on Foxhill Road stopped delivering jabs in October after serving the borough as a vaccination centre throughout the pandemic.

Councillor John Clarke yesterday made the call after health bosses outlined the scale of the challenge facing local services to rollout the NHS Covid-19 booster vaccination announced by Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

The PM said everyone over the age of 18 will be offered a Covid booster jab by the end of December, provided three months have passed since their last jab, to help protect people from a fresh wave of infections.

He promised extra vaccine and mobile sites would be set up and opening hours extended. He said more volunteers would be trained to deliver the vaccines.

But concerns have now been raised by local health chiefs about people not being able to book an appointment close by.

In Gedling borough, 41 per cent of the population aged 12 and over have had their third booster jab.

Cllr John Clarke told local democracy reporter Matt Jarram that the logistics of doing what is planned will be very difficult.

He said: “The Richard Herrod site was closed by the CCG and I am happy for it to be used in some form.

“I would call on them open up part of it again. The offer is there. With the booster jab now high on the agenda we need to open as many places as possible.

“I think they are going to struggle personally. It has been rushed through without having the extra centres set up in advance.

Vaccination Gedling
People were being vaccinated at the Richard Herrod Centre in Carlton up until October

“We, in Gedling, will help as much as we can but without the cash and direction then we will struggle.”

Amanda Sullivan, Accountable Officer at NHS Nottingham and Nottinghamshire CCG, said: “The NHS is working exceptionally hard to accelerate the booster programme to offer protection to as many people as quickly as possible.

“Locally, we are establishing a number of ways we can quickly step up the volumes of jabs given to the public.

“These will include increasing capacity at our sites, offering extended opening hours, standing up more vaccination sites, working to increase our vaccinator workforce, accepting the national support on offer which includes the military and supporting our GPs and community pharmacies to be able to offer the lifesaving jabs to as many people as possible.

“I want to be clear that our NHS workforce will be working very hard to vaccinate as many people as possible and I am grateful for the support across the local system in helping us to achieve this.

“The local NHS is prioritising bookings for boosters and I would urge eligible people to book a slot to guarantee their jab.

“If you are over 30 you can book on the NHS website or by calling 119. We appreciate the booking systems are very busy at the moment, but we would ask that you keep checking for more availability as it comes online.”

Mr Johnson said in his briefing to the nation on December 12: “I am afraid we are now facing an emergency in our battle with the new variant, Omicron, and we must urgently reinforce our wall of vaccine protection to keep our friends and loved ones safe.

“I’m afraid it is now clear that two doses of vaccine are simply not enough to give the level of protection we all need.

“But the good news is that our scientists are confident that with a third dose – a booster dose –we can all bring our level of protection back up.

“At this point our scientists cannot say that Omicron is less severe, and even if that proved to be true, we already know it is so much more transmissible, that a wave of Omicron through a population that was not boosted would risk a level of hospitalisation that could overwhelm our NHS and lead sadly to very many deaths.”

Third booster jab take up aged 12 and over so far across the city and county:

Gedling – 43,811 – which equates to 41.2 per cent

Nottinghamshire – 326,338 – which equates to 43.1 per cent

Nottingham – 65,559 people – which equates to 20.3 per cent

Rushcliffe – 48,658 – which equates to 45 per cent

Broxtowe – 44,736 – which equates to 42.3 per cent

Bassetlaw – 51,962 – which equates to 47.7 per cent

Newark and Sherwood – 48,283 – which equates to 42.5 per cent

Mansfield – 41,592 – which equates to 41.1 per cent

Ashfield – 47,296 – which equates to 42 per cent

How did Gedling borough MPs vote on No 10’s Covid pass plan approved by Commons?

Gedling Eye Reporter
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How did Gedling borough MPs vote on No 10’s Covid pass plan approved by Commons?

MPs last night approved the government’s plan to reintroduce some COVID-19 restrictions following the emergence of the Omicron coronavirus variant.

Parliament passed the Plan B rules, which involve regulations on face masks, isolation rules, COVID passes and compulsory vaccinations for healthcare workers.

MPs voted 369 to 126, a majority of 243, to approve the mandatory use of Covid passes for entry to nightclubs and large venues in England, but 96 Conservative MPs have voted against Boris Johnson’s proposals in a huge blow to the government.

Gedling MP Tom Randall was one of the MPs to vote against the passes plan.

Following the Commons vote, he spoke out on social media about his decision not to back Number 10.

He said: “I believe that the Government is well-intentioned in introducing this measure and colleagues of mine might understandably take a different view. However, as I am personally unconvinced that Covid certification will work, I reluctantly voted against the Government on this measure.”

Tom Randall and Mark Spencer
PICTURED: Gedling MP Tom Randall, left, and Sherwood MP Mark Spencer, right

Mr Randall had said that an earlier study carried out by the Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Select Committee (PACAC), of which he was a member, failed to produce evidence Covid passports were necessary.

He said: “Our inquiry found that the Government has so far failed to make the scientific case in favour of the system. The Committee found little evidence that the introduction a Covid-status certification regime would actually increase public confidence. I still hold this view.”

He did say he backed the rest of measures being introduced as part of Plan B.

Sherwood MP Mark Spencer voted in favour of checking vaccine passports, which will come into force from today (Wednesday, 15).

Covid-19 NHS passes be required in nightclubs and other large busy venues, to show proof of a vaccination.

Plans move ahead on first bridge over the River Trent in more than 50 years

Gedling Eye Reporter
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Plans move ahead on first bridge over the River Trent in more than 50 years

Nottingham City Council is due to approve plans to create a brand new £9m bridge – the first over the River Trent in more than 50 years.

The new pedestrian and cycle bridge at Trent Basin will create better links between West Bridgford and Nottingham city centre.

It will also make it easier for walkers and cyclists to access places such as Colwick Park from the south side of the river as well as Nottingham Forest games.

The project is being funded by the Government with a Spring 2023 opening date. The structure will be the first new bridge over the River Trent since Clifton Bridge opened in 1958.

The boundary between the city council and Rushcliffe borough runs along the centre of the river, so a joint planning application will be needed.

Nottingham City Council is due to approve Trent Basin as the preferred location for the bridge and take forward the arch steel bridge design at an Executive Board meeting on Tuesday, December 21.

It is also expected to approve the submission of duplicate planning applications for the bridge with connecting ramps and secure land and highway agreements with third party landowners, to deliver the scheme to a value of £9.2m.

A report prepared for the meeting said: “A new bridge for cyclists and pedestrians located at Trent Basin will add to the route choices available to both pedestrians and cyclists for both commuting and leisure journeys and support the redevelopment of the Waterside regeneration area.”

In October, it was recommended Trent Basin was the preferred location for the new bridge.

Other options such as Trent Lane were discounted due to complex engineering concerns, potential impacts on existing residents and the need to remove sensitive trees on the south bank.

Building a bridge at Poulton Drive was deemed achievable, but did not offer the same connectivity benefits that the Trent Basin location will provide.

Discussions have been held with water users regarding the height of the new bridge.

The current design allows for the Nottingham Princess and Trent Lady cruise boats to pass underneath and also allows for the single-handed sailing boats from the nearby sailing club.

The bridge would not, however, allow the less frequently used double-handed sailing boats to pass underneath.

This was considered during the feasibility design options, however, raising the height of the bridge requires much longer ramps, which impacts on the building of the structure.

Following a consultation, it is proposed that approval is granted to take the bridge scheme at Trent Basin forward and a planning application submitted.

Currently, it is not thought the council will need to actually buy land to deliver the scheme.

Subject to planning determination, and securing the necessary land approvals, the construction work on the bridge will start towards the end of 2022 and complete in 2023.

However,, the council is aware of some risks attached to the project. This includes the potential for cost escalation due to the rising price of materials, particularly steel.

To mitigate this, an uplift to cost contingencies has been applied at this stage. A further risk includes delays to project delivery due to materials shortages and long lead times for steel.

Man sentenced following fire safety failings at hotel in Mapperley Park

Gedling Eye Reporter
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Man sentenced following fire safety failings at hotel in Mapperley Park

The owner of a hotel in Mapperley Park has received a suspended prison sentence after pleading guilty to six offences which could have had ‘catastrophic consequences’ in the event of a fire.

Chate Singh (33) of Manthorpe Road, Grantham, the sole director of CP Nottingham Ltd, appeared at Nottingham Crown Court on Friday 10 December and was handed a 12 month custodial sentence, reduced to 8 months for early guilty pleas, for fire safety offences relating to the Ebers Hotel in Mansfield Road, Nottingham. 

Mr Singh was responsible for this property and the sentence is suspended for 18 months.

In addition to this, Mr Singh was ordered to complete 150 hours of unpaid work and to pay prosecution costs of £12,000.

CP Nottingham Ltd received fines totalling £18,000 and it was also ordered to pay prosecution costs of £12,000.

His Honour Judge Watson, sentencing, described Mr Singh’s conduct as “a wholesale failure to ensure the safety of (their) staff and guests,” which could have had “catastrophic consequences” in the event of a fire.

He went on to say that there is no room for inadequacy of this extent in respect of protecting people from the dangers of fire.  He concluded that these were very serious offences and warned Mr Singh that he had only just avoided immediate imprisonment.

Fire Protection Station Manager Tom Clark, of Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service, said:

“It is particularly encouraging that the courts have shown that fire safety within Nottingham and Nottinghamshire is taken very seriously, and we welcome the comments made by His Honour Judge Watson when passing sentence.

“Whilst we are saddened that this case has had to brought before the courts, fire safety deficiencies must be taken seriously, and the appropriate action taken when required.

“Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service does and will always seek to work with and support business owners, particularly during the current economic climate.

“However, staff, members of the public and visitors using premises within Nottingham and Nottinghamshire need to feel reassured that they can do so safely.

“Furthermore, business owners who do comply with their fire safety obligations also need to know that those who don’t will be challenged.

“We hope that this sentence sends out a message that we take fire safety matters very seriously, and that we are committed to keeping people safe.”

Pleas to bring more rail services to Burton Joyce

Gedling Eye Reporter
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Pleas to bring more rail services to Burton Joyce

Burton Joyce residents and local councillors gathered at the rail station this morning as part of a campaign calling for more services.

The villagers were on the platform to welcome the return of the vital 7.59am service – which was axed in May of this year when an emergency timetable was introduced on the Nottingham to Lincoln line, which serves Burton Joyce.

They are now calling for a much-improved level of services throughout the day for Burton Joyce which has been neglected and marginalised over the last decade. With major road, residential and retail development taking place nearby there is an imperative to mitigate consequent transport and community pressures.

Laurence King, chair of Burton Joyce Parish Council said “ There is an urgent need to to provide regular train services throughout the day for our community.

“Villages such as ours need a timetable that provides connectivity for people and promotes use of public transport to assist the environment, reduce vehicle use and congestion.

Burton_Joyce
Villagers want more trains to call at Burton Joyce

“Consideration of any new timetable must include more of the trains that are actually passing through our station stopping here, for the social, leisure and economic wellbeing that brings”.  

Chris Helmore, of The Friends of Lowdham and Burton Joyce Stations, sayid “ The recent discovery that there has been a strategy board in existence for over a decade that discusses and influences services on the line without any reference to Burton Joyce residents has left many feeling deeply concerned”

He adds “Lowdham, the next village on the line has over twice as many stopping services and yet has a slightly smaller population, there is no reason for such a disparity”.

The campaign is fully supported by local MP Tom Randall and the village’s Borough and County councillors Sam Smith and Mike Adams. 

They said “We’re delighted that the 07:59 train from Burton Joyce to Nottingham is back on the track from Monday 13 December, helping residents travel to work and into the city in an environmentally friendly way.

They continue “More must be done, however, to improve the train service in Burton Joyce and to match these to the needs of residents. Working together, we have met with East Midlands Rail and will continue to lobby them and the Department for Transport for an improved timetable which can be delivered simply by increasing the number of trains that stop at our station based on those services that are currently passing through.”

Parish council chairman Mr King added: “Local stations are crucial infrastructure that must utilised. This will be an ongoing campaign to obtain a useable and attractive timetable, which by definition will then attract people to use trains.

“Improved services will have a hugely positive impact, not just for Burton Joyce but for the wider city of Nottingham.”

Record numbers take the plunge at Gedling borough leisure centres

Gedling Eye Reporter
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Record numbers take the plunge at Gedling borough leisure centres

Over 3,000 people have signed up to take part in swimming lessons across Gedling Borough Council leisure centres, the highest number of participants since the centres opened. 

Over half of the swimmers are using Arnold Leisure Centre for lessons, which is seeing its highest membership in its 40 year history. More than 1,500 babies, young children and adults are taking part in lessons ranging from basic water safety awareness to competitive swimming.

Swimming lessons are an essential part of a child’s development as it teaches them important skills around water safety and drowning prevention, while also keeping them active. 

A wide range of lessons for all ages and abilities are being offered at the three leisure sites, Arnold, Carlton Forum and Calverton. The lessons start at the earliest stages with baby and toddler sessions, junior and programmes for people with disabilities right up to adult lessons and private lessons.

The Gedling Swim Stars programme helps children aged 4 and above to progress with their swimming skills through various stages while achieving Swim England badges at each stage. Children who take part in the Gedling Swim Stars programme from stage 3 upwards will be celebrated at a special swimming gala at Arnold Leisure Centre this month.

Leader of Gedling Borough Council, Councillor John Clarke said: “We’re thrilled to have so many people currently signed up to swimming lessons within the borough, and we are seeing the highest number of participants we have ever had taking to the pools at our three centres.

“As a council, we are very proud to be able to provide affordable swimming lessons that will help keep people healthy as well as providing a vital survival skill. One of our main priorities is to provide opportunities for people to have healthier lifestyles and to support physical activities and, despite us working through a pandemic, we are meeting those priorities with these schemes.” 

Parent of two children enrolled in swimming lessons, Dan Surgey said: “My son first started coming to swimming lessons at Arnold Leisure Centre about 5 years ago in the disability sessions. He loves it and the instructors have all been great with him. My daughter also recently started swimming again and has progressed into stage two sessions.

Swimming is a life skill, you really need to know how to swim because you never know what might happen. They’re both happy and like coming to the lessons, plus it helps keeps them active”. 

To find out more about swimming lessons and how to take part in them, people can visit www.gedling.gov.uk/leisure or call one of the leisure centres.

Anyone who signs up for swimming lessons in December will also be entered into a prize draw for a chance to win a children’s party at one of the leisure centres.

Man arrested after multiple burglaries in Gedling

Gedling Eye Reporter
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Man arrested after multiple burglaries in Gedling

Police have arrested a suspect in connection with multiple burglaries in Gedling.

The arrest comes after a number of reported house burglaries which happened between November 18 and December 6.

Stolen items included bicycles, laptops and a wallet.

Following enquiries a 46-year-old man was arrested on Thursday (December 9) on suspicion of eight burglaries and 12 offences of fraud by false representation.

Police car in Arnold town centre

Detective Inspector Mike Ebbins, from Nottinghamshire Police, said: “Burglary is an awful invasive crime that can make people feel unsafe in their own homes. That’s why the force takes it so seriously and invests so much time into tracking down offenders and working hard to prevent these sort of upsetting crimes from happening in the first place.

Nottinghamshire Police has two proactive burglary teams which are committed to tackling this type of crime as well as supporting victims.

They say their ongoing work has contributed towards a 38-per-cent drop in house burglaries across Nottinghamshire compared to two years ago, with crime already going down before Covid.

Nottinghamshire Police also recently appointed a specialist burglary reduction officer to help prevent offences from happening.

For more advice on burglary prevention visit https://www.nottinghamshire.police.uk/document/advice-home

Fuming Gedling mum ‘feels ignored’ as council delays work to cut back tree that could pose threat to young son recovering from cancer

Irene Bisoni
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Fuming Gedling mum ‘feels ignored’ as council delays work to cut back tree that could pose threat to young son recovering from cancer

A woman from Gedling has shared her anger after being ignored by Nottinghamshire County Council (NCC) over work to trim back a tree overhanging her garden. 

Sally Thornhill, 42, first contacted NCC back in March 2021 as the tree could represent a hazard for her six-year-old son, who suffers from autism and at the time was undergoing cancer treatment. 

Sally also raised concerns with the County Council about the tree blocking the light, especially in summer, and the slippery leaves falling in her garden during autumn. 

Sally said: “My little boy was very poorly. 

“We specifically wanted to do up the garden once he finished his treatment and just make the most of it. 

“We were prepared to make that investment but then it would be nice to get use of the light, as well as not have all those slippery leaves everywhere.” 

She also said that she had to find out by herself about the ownership of the huge tree. 

She said: “It took us a while to find out first who owns the land because the council told me it was not theirs. 

“I had to pay the Land Registry 25 pounds and the Land Registry came back with guess what? Nottinghamshire County Council.” 

PICTURED: Sally Thornhill with her young son
The council have stalled on work to cut back this overhanging tree at the back of Sally’s property in Gedling

“They then apologised for the misleading information.” 

The Gedling mum said work was scheduled to start in late August/September, outside of the bird-nesting season. 

She was also told by her main contact, property inspector Vincent Chiverton, that a site visit was carried out on July 7, 2021, on the North boundary and that an arborist would have conducted a survey of the tree. 

But Sally said her contact has stopped answering her emails, which she sends almost daily, and that work has not been carried out yet. 

Sally said: “My son has finished treatment.  

“We’ve got a beautiful garden and the cancer charity bought him a lovely trampoline, which was a huge thing for my son, for the sensory elements. 

“We knew the tree would drop its leaves, but we thought going forward, it might just be better. 

“But being ignored, it is quite frustrating.  

“And the tree is huge. You know, I am not talking like just the middle branch protruding on my side. 

“The tree literally blocks out all of our light. 

“It would just make our life so much simpler if there was less maintenance coming from this huge tree. 

“We are realistic, we understand trees are important. 

“They’re not just going to come and take the whole thing down.  

“We knew that would be unlikely, but you know, just trimming it back.” 

Gedling Eye has approached Nottinghamshire County Council for comment. 

Replace borough and district councils in Notts with single-tier mayoral-style system – leaked Whitehall document

Andrew Topping (Local Democracy Reporter)
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Replace borough and district councils in Notts with single-tier mayoral-style system – leaked Whitehall document

Fresh concerns Nottinghamshire’s district and borough councils could be scrapped have been voiced after a leaked Whitehall report suggested plans for a local government ‘levelling up’ overhaul.

A report by The Independent said the Government plans to “radically alter” the structure of local government in England, replacing it with a single-tier, mayoral style system.

At present, most counties like Nottinghamshire are governed under a two-tier system, with district or borough authorities and county councils sharing the provision of services.

If the plans went ahead, however, it could see Nottinghamshire county’s eight councils scrapped and replaced with one, single authority.

The reports come as part of an alleged leaked draft of the Government’s ‘Levelling Up White Paper’, due to come out in the new year, which was seen by the newspaper.

The Independent reports Whitehall plans for a “new devolution framework for England” that would strip back layers of local government and replace them with the single-tier system.

Unsuccessful attempts for similar changes have been made in Nottinghamshire in recent years, with former county council leader Kay Cutts (Con) keen on the plans.

Supporters of the changes say the current system “no longer serves the interests of residents and taxpayers”, with Ms Cutts previously describing having eight Nottinghamshire authorities as “wasteful and confusing”.

But the proposals, which could have led to what many described as a Nottinghamshire ‘super-council’, were unanimously opposed by district and borough leaders and described as “undemocratic”.

Objectors feared local decision-making could be taken away from communities under the plans and also lead to job losses across the eight Nottinghamshire authorities.

If the reported Government plans came to fruition, however, the overhaul could be enforced across England as Whitehall seeks “coherent local institutions”.

It comes as Nottingham and Nottinghamshire councils unite to seek a devolution deal from Whitehall, aimed at bringing more decision-making powers and funding from Government on major policy issues.

Cllr-John-Clarke
PICTURED: Gedling Borough Council leader John Clarke was opposed to plan

Numerous meetings have been held between council leaders and a vision for the devolution package has already been set.

Councillor Ben Bradley (Con), the county council leader and spearhead of the campaign, has repeatedly stressed local government reorganisation does not form part of the devolution bid.

But the reports have led to concern from Cllr Jason Zadrozny (Ash Ind), leader of Ashfield District Council, who has written to Cllr Bradley for assurances.

Cllr Zadrozny told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “Ben Bradley has put his reputation on the line and promised there are no Government plans to scrap councils like Ashfield, Broxtowe and Rushcliffe.

“It appears leaked plans from Government fly in the face of what he is telling people, including members of his own Conservative Party.

“This bad news could extend to multiple job losses and change our way of life forever.

“I have written to Ben asking for urgent clarification and sought an assurance he will keep his word and fight to save the local councils residents hold so dear.”

Responding to the concerns, Cllr Bradley told the Local Democracy Reporting Service the first he had heard of the proposal was in the media on Friday (December 10).

He stressed councils across Nottinghamshire are enjoying a “very positive relationship” working towards a devolution deal and said the public should wait for the publication of the upcoming white paper.

He said: “Councils across Nottinghamshire have enjoyed a very positive relationship over recent months, working on plans to collaborate on services and push for more powers from Whitehall.

“We’ve never raised reorganisation, and we’ve never requested it.

“There’s no reason that should change based on rumours. Like everyone else, we need to wait and see what is in the Levelling Up White Paper in the new year.”

He added the Nottinghamshire devolution plan has already been published and people can “see what’s in it”, with no suggestions of a local government overhaul.

And he said he has “no idea” whether the leaked reports are an actual part of Government plans and Nottinghamshire leaders will “carry on until someone tells us otherwise”.

The Independent’s report suggests the Government wants to have the changes underway by 2023 in order to coincide with new funding measures for regions.

It reports a new Local Growth Funding Roadmap – detailing how this will work – is due for release next year before being enforced in 2023.

The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities declined to comment when approached by The Independent.

But a spokesperson told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “We do not comment on leaks. Work is progressing well on the Levelling Up White Paper, which will be published in January.”Categories: Devolution

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