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Anger as Gedling borough misses out on £20m Levelling Up bid

Andrew Topping (Local Democracy Reporter)
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Anger as Gedling borough misses out on £20m Levelling Up bid

A leading Gedling borough councillor and the borough’s MP have aired their disappointment after the area was left out in the Government’s ‘Levelling Up Fund’ announcement.

Gedling Borough Council had submitted the bid to Government to fund projects in Arnold, Netherfield and to support the borough’s leisure facilities.

Had it been successful, the council would have received as much as £20 million to invest in Netherfield’s connectivity, repurposing Gedling’s vacant and underused shops, and invested into a leisure and culture hub in Arnold.

But the council was hit with a hammer blow during Rishi Sunak’s Budget on Wednesday (October 27) when it was left out of the £1.7 billion pot.

It comes after the council also missed out on both the Future High Streets funding and the Towns Fund which, when put with the Levelling Up fund, could have seen tens of millions pumped into the borough.

Councillor Michael Payne (Lab), deputy leader of the council, described it as a “triple whammy” for Gedling.

Gedling Borough Council Civic Centre
PICTURED: Civic Centre (PHOTO: Gedling Eye)

“It’s just disgusting and absolutely shocking,” he told the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

“If [the Government] is going to be serious about levelling up, then all we’re really asking for in Gedling is to be treated fairly, for a fair crack at the whip. ‘

“We’ve got communities in other parts of the country where money has been shovelled at them, and Gedling has been overlooked again.

“I think there are serious questions here about Gedling’s MP Tom Randall.

“In the last two years he hasn’t spoken up on the Towns Fund or the Future High Streets fund, now on the Levelling Up fund, and we’ve been overlooked on all three.”

Tom Randall MP (Con), who was elected in December 2019 after unseating Labour’s Vernon Coaker, now Lord Coaker, called on the Prime Minister to back Gedling’s bid when speaking in parliament in July.

He told the Local Democracy Reporting Service he’s planning a meeting with ministers to find out why the bid was unsuccessful, and whether it means Gedling can re-apply for future rounds of the fund.

“I’m waiting for the detail at the moment but we’ve not been successful this time,” he added.

“It’s obviously disappointing from my perspective. The previous funding rounds were decided before I was an MP.

“I’ve had meetings with ministers and the council to understand why previous funding bids were unsuccessful, and to help the council with its bids.

“When this bid was put together I tried to do my bit to champion it, I even raised it in the Commons, and I’m naturally disappointed it hasn’t been successful this time.”

Councillor Payne called out Mr Randall over Twitter asking for a response following the budget announcement.

Payne posted: “It’s time for Tom Randall MP to start being Gedling’s voice in Westminster, not Westminster’s apologist in Gedling.

“Speak up Tom. Gedling at the back of the queue yet again as a result of your silence!”

Drugs seized and arrest made during police crackdown on anti-social behaviour in Arnold town centre

Gedling Eye Reporter
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Drugs seized and arrest made during police crackdown on anti-social behaviour in Arnold town centre

Police have made an arrest and seized drugs during the first 48 hours of a crackdown on anti-social behaviour in Arnold town centre.

A dedicated operation was been put into place over the weekend to combat the rise.

The Gedling neighbourhood policing team joined forces with special constables and CCTV operators at Gedling Borough Council to combat a rise in criminal activity following concerns raised by the local community and businesses. 

The ongoing proactive operation, which will be running all the way up to Christmas, was launched on Friday (October 22) and Saturday (23) and involved officers carrying out a mix of high-visibility and plain clothes patrols. 

Dispersal powers were also used to deal with people causing issues, enabling police to order those people to leave the area and not return for up to 24 hours. 

The operation resulted in the following action being taken: 

  • One man arrested and subsequently charged with failing to leave as directed and criminal damage.
  • Five people being directed by police to leave the area.
  • Three people being stopped and searched by officers – with Class B drugs being recovered on one of these occasions.
  • Two vehicles seized by police after being driven in an antisocial manner around the town. 

Neighbourhood Inspector Chris Pearson, of Nottinghamshire Police, was among those taking part in the crime-fighting action on Friday night. 

He said: “This dedicated operation shows how we are listening to concerns raised by our local residents and businesses and taking robust action to tackle antisocial behaviour which causes so much misery to people’s lives. 

“It is in response to a rise in antisocial behaviour and alcohol-related violence in Arnold which has included reports received of youths causing issues such as throwing items from a supermarket roof. 

“We’re sending a strong message that if you are coming into Arnold town centre to commit a crime you are not welcome and you will be swiftly caught and dealt with. 

Police patrols in Arnold
Extra police patrols will be taking place in Arnold

“I want to reassure law-abiding people our officers are fully committed to preventing crime and keeping them safe and we will continue to relentlessly target those suspected of wrongdoing.

“This ongoing joint operation, which is also being bolstered by the force’s dedicated Operation Reacher team, demonstrates this commitment and our determination to make Arnold a hostile place for criminals.

“The Gedling Operation Reacher team also carried out an afternoon of engagement in Arnold on Friday where they gave advice and listened to the concerns of local residents and businesses.

“I hope our positive action shows people how seriously we treat antisocial behaviour and violence in our communities. We understand how these sort of crimes can have a lasting impact on neighbourhoods and communities and we remain determined to preventing this kind of disorder before it happens. 

“We will continue to act on feedback and intelligence we receive from members of the community as well as working closely with our partners during this operation to reduce criminality even further. 

“Regular policing patrols will carry on in the Arnold town centre are in the run up to Christmas as we work together to crack down even harder on antisocial behaviour and ensure people are kept safe.” 

Gedling Borough Council wardens have also recently installed new high-visibility CCTV in operation signs in Arnold, as well as in other shopping areas in Gedling, as an added deterrent to criminals as well as providing additional reassurance to local residents and businesses. 

Councillor John Clarke, leader of Gedling Borough Council, said: “I would like to thank Nottinghamshire Police for their ongoing work to reduce antisocial behaviour in our town centres and this operation has already been very successful and will reassure our residents that we are doing everything we can to make our streets safer. 

We have invested in CCTV cameras, increased neighbourhood warden patrols and we will continue to work with our partners at the police on these operations to do everything we can to bring about a reduction in crime and promote safer communities.”

Nottinghamshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner Caroline Henry, added: “Preventing crime is one of my three main priorities and I am doing exactly that in Gedling.

“By funding the CCTV signs, I am working with both Gedling Borough Council and  neighbourhood inspector Chris Pearson so together we can design out crime and deter criminals.”

Budget 2021: Deputy council leader calls on government to ‘level up’ Gedling borough in budget

David Bratton
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Budget 2021: Deputy council leader calls on government to ‘level up’ Gedling borough in budget

The deputy leader of Gedling Borough Council has called on the government to ‘level up’ the borough in today’s budget.

Councillor Michael Payne took to Twitter to remind the government of the council’s £20m bid recently made to their Levelling Up Fund.

The bid, submitted back in July, would see millions spent on helping improve parts of the borough.

The council said they would use the cash to create ‘A Sneinton Market vibe’ in Netherfield.

They would also create a new 3.5 kilometre greenway from Netherfield to Gedling Country Park on the former railway mineral line.

The council also want to create ‘a new leisure and culture hub’ near Arnold High Street which could include building a new leisure centre or refurbishing existing ones.

The Carlton Square redevelopment would also receive further investment.

Labour councillor Payne tweeted: “If the Conservative Government is serious about ‘levelling up’, in today’s Budget they’ll back Gedling Borough Council’s £20m bid to invest in our town centres & high streets across Gedling.

Rishi Sunak
PICTURED: Chancellor Rishi Sunak

“The Conservative Government turned its back on Gedling’s communities when dishing out the Towns Fund to a swathe of Conservative-held & marginal constituencies. We didn’t get a penny from Future High Streets Fund either.

“Don’t make today a triple whammy on overlooking Gedling!”

“Year upon year of cuts by successive Conservative Govt’s has left Gedling as the worst affected council in the country in terms of reduction in Core Spending Power – the government’s own measure on funds available for local services.

“Nothing short of full backing in today’s Budget for our £20m bid to improve Gedling’s town centres and high streets would be yet another slap in the face for hardworking Gedling residents.

He added: “To be treated fairly is all we’re asking!”

Chancellor Rishi Sunak will unveil his budget later today (October 27).

He is expected to announce plans to spend an extra £14bn on healthcare and £6bn on schools and international aid, leaving around £36bn still up for grabs.

Trading Standards issue WhatsApp scam message warning to Gedling borough residents

Gedling Eye Reporter
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Trading Standards issue WhatsApp scam message warning to Gedling borough residents

WhatsApp users across Gedling borough are being warned about a new scam doing the rounds which could lead to you losing money to fraudsters.

Nottinghamshire Trading Standards have issued the warning following reports of a scam message that appears to come from the potential victim’s son or daughter via WhatsApp. 

The message asks for an urgent transfer of money because their phone is broken or they have changed number.

Trading Standards officers said the the message ‘is very convincing and plausible’. 

Whats_App_Stock

A spokesman said: “If you receive a message like this, Trading Standards suggests speaking with your relative in person or over the telephone on their usual phone number to verify the story. 

“We also advise that you don’t reply to the scam text message.”

One reader from Carlton contacted Gedling Eye after receiving the scam message.

She said: “It is very convincing. I decided to ring my daughter on her so-called old number to check if it was true. She answered and had no knowledge of the messages whatsoever.

“If you get a message like this then you should check it out first before sending any money.”

For consumer advice, please call the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline on 0808 223 1133.

The public is encouraged to join Friends Against Scams, a National Trading Standards initiative that protects and prevents people from becoming scam victims by empowering them to take a stand against scams.

20% increase in Notts children needing free school meals during the pandemic

Gedling Eye
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20% increase in Notts children needing free school meals during the pandemic

The number of children in Nottinghamshire claiming free school meals has increased by 20 per cent during the pandemic.

Council figures show the number of children claiming free school meals in the county alone was 23,649 in April 2021.

In April 2020 it was 19,783, meaning the figure has risen by 19.5 per cent.

A total of 111,817 children across primary and secondary schools (excluding independent schools) were registered by the council this year.

Richard Ward, of Chilwell, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service he was not surprised by the figures.

Mr Ward is Chairman of the Phoenix Foundation, which set up a food bank during the pandemic, and is currently handing out around 120 parcels a week.

He said: “There was going to be an increase in the need for free school meals because they have taken away the £20 a week universal credit.

“It is taking food off people’s tables, people can’t feed their families.

“The issue is that now we are coming out of the pandemic and we are starting to live life again, people can’t afford what they could before.

“Prices are skyrocketing, it’s ridiculous.

School meals

“It puts more strain on food banks, there is more demand again for food parcels when there shouldn’t be.

“As a country, we are going backwards. We’ve got to take a big look at ourselves because we are ruining our children’s future.”

There was widespread criticism of the Government earlier this month after the Universal Credit uplift of £20 was stopped – but the Government responded by saying the uplift was always a temporary measure.

On Wednesday, Chancellor Rishi Sunak is due to raise wages for millions of public sector workers in an attempt to counteract increasing pressure on household budgets.

“The economic impact and uncertainty of the virus meant we had to take the difficult decision to pause public sector pay,” he said.

“And now, with the economy firmly back on track, it’s right that nurses, teachers and all the other public sector workers who played their part during the pandemic see their wages rise.”

Overall around 19.8 per cent of primary and 18.2 per cent of secondary children are currently claiming free school meals in the county.

Five years previously the rate was 12.4 per cent for both primary and secondary children.

Children qualify for free school meals during term time if their household earns less than £7,400 per year.

The free school meals figures will be discussed during the Nottinghamshire County Council’s Children and Young People’s Committee on November 1.

Papers for the meeting state: “It is unclear however if these families were eligible for [free school meals] prior to the pandemic and chose not to claim previously.

“We cannot conclude from this data that levels of child poverty have increased in Nottinghamshire since the latest published data of 2018/19, or since the Covid-19 pandemic began; but we can say that more families are claiming entitlements such as free school meals.”

It comes as the number of Universal Credit claimants in the county has doubled since 2020 from 12,985 to 24,795.

During the meeting on Monday, councillors will vote on setting aside £2.3 million to provide free school meals for October half term, the Christmas holidays and February half term which will reach up to 27,500 children.

The Government extended free meals for eligible children into the holidays last year using a voucher system, and later extended this at Christmas following a campaign by footballer Marcus Rashford.

Instead some councils including Nottinghamshire are planning to use their own budgets to fund meals for eligible children during school holidays.

Police renew appeal for information after man found with stab wounds in Gedling

Gedling Eye
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Police renew appeal for information after man found with stab wounds in Gedling

Detectives are seeking the public’s help after two men were found with stab wounds after reports of a fight in Gedling.

Officers were called to Main Road after it was reported men were fighting with weapons outside the Gedling Inn pub at around 10pm on Friday (October 22, 2021). 

A man received first aid inside the pub, aided by members of the public, before being taken to hospital. His injuries are not currently believed to be life-threatening. 

Another man was also taken to hospital for treatment. His injuries are also not currently believed to be life-threatening. 

Detectives are working hard to understand the circumstances of the incident and are appealing for anyone who saw what happened or who may have captured CCTV, dash-cam or mobile phone footage to please get in touch. 

A 30-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of affray in connection with the incident and has since been released on bail while detectives continue with their enquiries.

Detective Inspector Mike Ebbins, from Nottinghamshire Police, said: “We are treating this incident extremely seriously and reassurance patrols have been stepped up in the area while we continue to progress with our lines of enquiry which include checking CCTV footage.

“Whenever weapons and violence are used in incidents there is always the potential for serious consequences which is why the force treats all reports of fighting with weapons with the utmost seriousness.

“To help us with our investigation we are now appealing for anyone who was in the area at the time who may have witnessed this incident to get in touch with us as soon as possible.”

Anyone with any information should contact Nottinghamshire Police on 101, quoting incident number 780 of 22 October 2021, or alternatively call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Gedling man due in court over alleged drug and knife possession

Gedling Eye Reporter
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Gedling man due in court over alleged drug and knife possession

A man from Gedling is due in court after being charged with possession of a Class A drug and possession of a knife in a public place. 

Members of Nottinghamshire Police’s road crime team followed a car in Carlton and arrested a man after the vehicle came to a stop at around 1.45pm on Saturday (October 23). 

Andrew Bates, 54, of Coronation Walk has been charged with possession of a Class A drug, namely crack cocaine, and possession of a knife in a public place. 

He was released on bail and is due to appear at Nottingham Magistrates’ Court on November 24, 2021. 

Police noticepad

Neighbourhood Inspector Chris Pearson, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “I’d like to reassure the public that we take drug and knife crime extremely seriously and investigate all reports. 

“Our work is ongoing to tackle and reduce crime in response to community concerns and to keep our communities safe. This includes a dedicated operation which is continuing in the area to combat drug crime.”

If you have any information about drug dealing in the community then please report this to Nottinghamshire Police on 101 or alternatively call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. 

Sainsbury’s reveal November opening date for new store off Colwick Loop Road

Gedling Eye Reporter
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Sainsbury’s reveal November opening date for new store off Colwick Loop Road

Sainsbury’s has announced it will open its new highly anticipated Colwick supermarket will open its doors to customers at 09:00 am on Wednesday, November 10

The supermarket giant said construction of the 53,000 sq. ft supermarket is nearly complete and the finishing touches to the building, car park and interior that will give the store that familiar Sainsbury’s look and feel are currently being installed. In the final week before opening Sainsbury’s colleagues will stock and dress the shelves for the first time, ensuring the supermarket is fighting fit and ready for customers.

Sainsbury’s is looking forward to becoming a valued member of the local community and is finalising  plans for the opening day when customers will have the first chance to experience their new state-of-the-art store. The new supermarket will provide an impressive selection of food and non-food products for local people, including Sainsbury’s popular Tu Clothing range, Habitat home products, and an Argos store inside the store, enabling customers to collect Argos purchases whilst picking up their groceries. 

Sainsbury’s Colwick will also contain a Specsavers store and a Starbucks Cafe, both of which will open on the 10th November along with the supermarket, further adding to the range of convenience and choice the new store is set to provide customers in Colwick. The opening of the Specsavers store marks the 70th branch to open inside a Sainsbury’s since the two companies entered a partnership together in 2016.

Paul Wain, Sainsbury’s Colwick Store Manager, said: “The fantastic new team that will make up Sainsbury’s Colwick is now in place, and we can’t wait to welcome customers into the store on the 10th of November. This is a really exciting opportunity for us to showcase the brilliant customer service that Sainsbury’s that is known for from the get-go.”

Sainsbury’s Property Director Patrick Dunne said: “We’re thrilled to be able to confirm the opening date of Sainsbury’s Colwick for local people before it opens for business next month. I’m looking forward to personally welcoming the community through the door on the 10th and am sure customers will be delighted with their new store.”

Police say criminals ‘rocked to their core’ by introduction of Operation Reacher teams

Gedling Eye Reporter
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Police say criminals ‘rocked to their core’ by introduction of Operation Reacher teams

Police chiefs say that organised crime groups have been rocked to their core by a network of specialist uniformed neighbourhood police teams formed just one year ago.

Nottinghamshire Police deployed 11 new Operation Reacher teams in October 2020 – each with a responsibility to proactively target local criminals and build stronger community relationships.

Gedling borough has their own dedicated Operation Reacher team, which was introduced last year.

Building on the success of the original Bestwood Reacher team, the additional units have been carrying out early morning raids on suspected drug dealers, hunting wanted suspects, taking illegal vehicles off the streets and visibly patrolling in local neighbourhoods.

In their first full year the teams arrested or dealt with 2,026 suspects, seized £619,000 in suspected illicit cash, and made 874 different drug seizures.

They also took 423 weapons and 569 illegal cars off the streets, and also carried out 672 searches at the homes and hiding places of suspected offenders.

Importantly, they have also attended or host 958 different community engagement events, and developed 2,205 community intelligence reports.

Chief Constable Craig Guildford said: “When we secured funding for additional Reacher teams across each of our neighbourhood policing areas, we had a very clear vision in mind – to make life as uncomfortable as possible for criminals and to establish stronger, more trusting links with the public.

Operation Reacher
PICTURED: Operation Reacher officers carrying out a warrant at a property last year

“I am delighted to say that, 12 months on, we have been successful in achieving both of these objectives. We’ve seen many hundreds of warrants executed across the county as criminal suspects have come face to face with the police in the early hours of the morning. We have also taken a very considerable number of potentially lethal weapons off the streets and seized large amounts of cash we suspected to have come from the proceeds of crime.

“All in all there has rarely been a worse time to be a drug dealer or other kind of career criminal in Nottinghamshire. All of our neighbourhood public surveys saw drug dealing as a local priority. In response we listened, used local intelligence, planned and took sustained action against those who choose to undermine local communities by their criminality. With these additional teams of officers on duty, we have continued to target those who cause most harm by a relentless focus upon individuals and organised criminals groups who have been rocked to their core by this additional attention. And that is exactly what we want – drug dealers and criminals looking over their shoulders and sleeping unsoundly in their beds.

“However, one of the things that has pleased me most about the Operation Reacher initiative is the way these new teams have thrown themselves into community engagement activities – visiting schools, community groups and an array of public events to build stronger relationships and trust. We continue to grow our numbers, recruitment is strong and we are determined to deliver on behalf of the public.

“I look forward to another successful year of Operation Reacher activities and would like to thank every officer who has helped to make this initiative so successful.”

Each operation Reacher team consists of a Sergeant and seven full-time officers.

This map reveals how much raw sewage is being dumped into Gedling borough rivers and streams

Gedling Eye Reporter
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This map reveals how much raw sewage is being dumped into Gedling borough rivers and streams

A new interactive map reveals the places where raw sewage has been dumped into waterways across Gedling borough.

The map has been created by the Rivers Trust and is designed to show if your nearby waterway is ‘fit to play in’.

The map uses data from event duration monitors which show the length of time over which sewage was dumped into waterways across the country.

Sewage can sometimes be pumped out of the sewage system and into rivers, streams and the sea through safety release valves which are known as ‘combined sewer overflows’.

Sewage leaves these valves when there is heavy rainfall – to prevent waste from backing up into homes.

These so-called ‘storm overflows’ are only supposed to take place under ‘exceptional circumstances’.

The new map reveals one sewer storm overflow near Burton Joyce spilled 93 times into the River Trent for a total of 1107 hours.

A sewer storm overflow also spilled 88 times into Ouse Dyke for a total of 190 hours.

Sewer pipe

The map also reveals the activity of storm overflow pipes near Calverton, Woodborough and Bestwood Village.

There has been growing anger over recent days after 268 MPs voted not to include a proposed change to the Environment Bill which would have resulted in water companies being fined for dumping sewage into rivers and the sea.

Gedling MP Tom Randall took to social media to defend his vote and dismissed claims it was a vote to put sewage into the rivers and sea.

He said: “Section 141A in Amendment 45 would have placed a duty on sewerage undertakers in England and Wales to demonstrate progressive reductions in the harm caused by the discharges of untreated sewage.

“On the face of it, this is very attractive. But there were two problems with it: the amendment came with no plan on how it might be delivered and there was no impact assessment. Nor do we know the cost.

“The Government took the view that it would have been irresponsible to put this into the Bill without a detailed plan, signing a blank cheque on behalf of bill payers.

“The cost of eliminating storm overflows entirely would potentially be enormous,” said Mr Randall.

You can view the interactive map below.

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