Former Gedling MP Vernon Coaker today warned that 5,487 jobs could be at risk in Gedling borough unless Chancellor Rishi Sunak delivers a “smart” furlough
Mr Coaker also called on the Chancellor to urgently fix the holes in its support schemes that he said have left millions of others excluded from support.
New analysis estimates that 5,847 people were still furloughed by their employer in late January in Gedling borough.
Coaker said: “We need urgent action to secure, recover and create jobs to help 3040 people claiming out of work benefits and 5,487 people still on furlough in Gedling.
“This must include a smarter furlough scheme, an overhaul of the failing Kickstart youth programme, and reform of the shambolic Green Homes Grant as part of wider action to ‘Build it in Britain’ and support the creation of 400,000 new jobs nationally.
“People can’t afford to wait for the Chancellor to get his act together. They need emergency action today, not more dither and delay until the Budget.”
Vernon Coaker
“I am also calling on the Chancellor to set the fourth grant of the Self-Employed Income Support Scheme (SEISS) at 80% of pre-crisis profits – and to do it now, not at the Budget.
PICTURED: Chancellor Rishi Sunak
“The Government must open-up the scheme to the 200,000 people who only have a 2019/20 tax return and urgently fix the holes in its support schemes that have left millions of others excluded from support.
“People can’t afford to wait for the Chancellor to get his act together. They need emergency action today, not more dither and delay until the Budget.”
Seven months after Sunak launched his ‘Plan for Jobs’ last July, figures shared by Mr Coaker today revealed 3040 people are claiming out of work benefits and 5,487 people are still on furlough in Gedling.
The current furlough scheme is set to expire at the end of April, but rumours suggest it might be extended.
Mr Coaker added: “With 4.6 million people still on furlough nationally, I am calling for the Chancellor not to repeat the mistakes of last year by winding down the scheme while public health restrictions are in place and demand is still severely impacted.
“Sunak should immediately announce an extension to the furlough scheme, to remove uncertainty for local businesses and workers.
“There must also be urgent reform to make furlough smarter, with new training to help furloughed workers improve their skills and tough conditions on employers to stop abuse.
“We need immediate action to recover jobs by overhauling the failing Kickstart scheme and to help create new jobs in the technologies of the future by reforming the shambolic Green Homes Grant.
Labour’s figures also show that 3040 people in Gedling had made claims under the Coronavirus Self-Employed Income Support Scheme (SEISS) by the end of July.
Mr Coaker added: “The Chancellor has left millions of self-employed people relying on the Self-Employed Income Support Scheme (SEISS) scheme in the dark about future support.
The family and friends of a frontline worker from Arnold have set up a crowdfunding site to help pay his bills as he battles Covid in hospital.
Christopher Brown works for a private ambulance service helping others across Nottinghamshire.
He is now on an ICU ward in a serious condition after being diagnosed with the virus at Nottingham City Hospital.
As Christopher is classed as self employed, it means he won’t be earning money to pay bills during his spell in hospital.
But friends and family have now come to the rescue and are planning to cycle over 1,000 miles until Chris comes out of hospital to raise the cash needed for him to meet bills and mortgage payments.
His sister Helen Brown, told Gedling Eye: “We are cycling 1,000 –or maybe more- miles throughout March 2021 until Chris comes home from hospital
“He is critical ill in ICU.
“He became ill on January 2, 2021 while on frontline.
“He was later rushed into hospital on January 7 needing full flow 100% oxygen.
“He is gravely ill with a 50/50% chance on survival. Later he caught pneumonia and a secondary infection.
“He is still in a coma and on a ventilator; this is his 31st day on a ventilator.
She added: “The money we raise will go towards, his bills, mortgage while he is in hospital and his recovery due to being self employed.”
You can donate money to the crowd-funder by visiting the dedicated JustGiving site HERE
Dog owners in Gedling borough are being warned to be careful when out walking with their pets.
The warning comes after a case of the condition known as Alabama Rot was reported in North Nottinghamshire.
The rare but serious flesh-eating bug develops after muddy walks.
The first sign of the disease is often a sore on the skin. This is usually found under a dog’s elbow or knee. The skin can become red and the sore makes it look like an open ulcer.
Other symptoms can include fatigue, bloody diarrhoea, vomiting, loss of appetite and drooling.
After a few days, the dog will start showing signs of kidney failure.
According to Vets4Pets, which is tracking the spread of the disease, only around 30 per cent of dogs survive once diagnosed with the condition.
Vets4Pets are tracking where cases have been reported.
There were fears on social media that cases had been reports of the condition after walks at Gedling Borough Park, but the site isn’t included on the map produced by the veterinary group.
The exact cause of contracting the disease is unknown, although many vets believe that dogs can get infected from mud on their paws and legs.
There is no known cure for Alabama Rot, but the best chance for survival is if the condition is diagnosed early. Vets will first treat skin sores and kidney failure, but could refer your pet to a specialist hospital.
The Met Office has issued an ‘amber’ alert as snow continues to fall across the borough.
They have issued a warning for heavy snow on Monday February 8.
The snow warning is in place until 2 pm today
The Met Office said: “Snow showers will become frequent across the area through this morning with accumulations of 3-8 cm and possibly as much as 10-15 cm.
“Strong northeasterly winds will cause the snow drift.’
“Strong easterly winds will make it feel bitterly cold across much of the UK, with further snow showers feeding westwards. These showers merging into some longer spells of snow over some eastern areas, whilst always drier and brighter further west.
Tonight, there will be some clear intervals, but often a good deal of cloud giving a few light snow showers in the west, but more frequent and heavier in eastern areas.
Tomorrow, the Met Office predicted there could be further snow showers but many western parts will remain dry with some sunshine, but very cold again.
Some bus services are being diverted due to the road conditions.
Nottingham City Transport earlier announced a change to the Blue 39 route.
They tweeted: “Due to road conditions along Gordon Road and Thorneywood Mount, Blue 39 are diverting via Carlton Road and Porchester Road in both directions.”
Water giant Severn Trent Water has issued advice to help protect your pipes during freezing weather as people in the borough brace themselves for a cold snap forecast for next week.
Very cold temperatures can lead to pipes freezing if not in a part of your home that’s heated –and if they freeze, they can burst!
Severn Trent has now launched a campaign designed to help residents avoid a ‘water meltdown’ this winter with a pipe-freeze warning.
They’ve offered some tips on how to protect your pipes from freezing temperatures and what to do in the event of a burst.
Insulate your pipes
Pipes can be exposed to freezing temperatures if they’re in a part of your home that isn’t heated. And when pipes freeze, it can lead to bursts – so it’s really worthwhile protecting them to prevent them from freezing in the first place. To do this, we recommend that any water pipes which are exposed to cold temperatures – such as those in the loft or in outside buildings like garages and out-houses – should be protected with lagging. This helps to keep your pipes cosy and warm, reducing the risk of them freezing.
Cover your outside tap
Don’t forget to protect your outdoor tap too! Get prepared now and don’t let the cold catch you out – as soon as Jack Frost makes an unannounced visit – it could leave you with a frozen tap, increasing the risk of a burst pipe. Covering it up from the cold can massively reduce this risk. Also, covering with the pipe (with lagging) that leads up to the tap helps increase the level of protection too.
Find your stop tap
If there’s a burst pipe at home, the fastest way to stop the flow is to turn your stop tap off. But do you know where yours is? If not, take a few minutes to try and find it. Normally they’re under the kitchen sink or in the downstairs toilet – but may also be in a utility room or garage.
If your home has a water storage tank – the sort normally found in the loft or airing cupboard – it may have an additional stop tap or valve near to the tank itself. This will shut off the water supply to your hot water system.
If you still can’t find your stop tap or shut off the water, try asking a neighbour who has a similar property to see if they can point you to the right place.
Once your stop tap has been located, it’s worth checking it works, as sometimes they can seize up if not used often. The last thing you want in a burst pipe situation is a stiff stop tap!
The latest works by a mystery crochet artist in Netherfield have appeared on the town’s high street and are already helping put a spring in the step of local residents.
The new creations have taken over the top of the post box and railings in Victoria Road and replace the mystery artist’s Christmas-themed decoration starring an elf and Grinch.
Spring is the theme of the latest decorations, with a smiling flower as the centrepiece.
More crochet work decorates nearby railings (PHOTO: Gedling Eye)
PHOTO: The latest crochet creation outside the post office on Victoria Road
It was eventually recovered after being discarded in the car park at the new Costa drive-in on Victoria Retail Park. It was cleaned by residents and then returned to its place on top of the postbox.
Pam Field, a customer at the nearby Post Office, called the new display ‘uplifting.’
“It’s great and makes you smile as you remember that spring is nearly here,” she said.
“We need it as this winter lockdown has been awful.
“I’m not sure who does these but they have all been lovely. My friend calls who ever is responsible ‘Cranksy’ as they appear out of nowhere!”
The local artist has been likened to Bansky as their work also mysteriously appears overnight.
People in Gedling borough are being asked to take part in an annual Star Count from this weekend to record our view of the night sky.
CPRE, the countryside charity, has teamed up with the British Astronomical Association’s Commission for Dark Skies to find indications of light pollution levels across the country.
From February 6 to 14, the public are asked to look heavenwards during a clear night and count how many stars within Orion they can spot.
The counting of the number of stars people see in the Orion constellation will help scientists map the best and worst places in England to enjoy a star-filled night sky.
The results will be compared with 2020’s findings, gathered before coronavirus restrictions took hold, which revealed that 61% of participants live with severe light pollution.
Many studies found changes in other types of pollution during lockdown compared to before, but until now, few have focused on the often overlooked, but hugely important, problem of light pollution.
Light pollution means many people only experience a limited view of the night sky, and it also disrupts wildlife’s natural patterns.
By showing where views are most affected by light pollution, CPRE can use this evidence in crucial lobbying efforts to protect and enhance the nation’s dark skies, improving our health, wellbeing, wildlife and the environment.
Crispin Truman, chief executive of CPRE, the countryside charity, said: ‘A starry night sky is one of the most magical sights the countryside can offer, connecting us to the nature we all love and the wonders of the wider universe.
“Dark skies are also crucial for our health and for that of wildlife. Lockdown and the coronavirus have reminded us about how good for us the countryside can be.
“But many places suffer from light pollution, bleaching out the night sky. We want to change this. By taking part in Star Count, people will be helping us to lobby the government for more protection of this too often overlooked, but vital, part of our countryside.”
How to spot Orion
Those taking part can spot Orion by looking due south and finding a diagonal line of three bright stars. These stars are know as Orion’s Belt. Looking for Orion’s Belt in the night sky is the easiest way to locate Orion in the sky.
Here’s how to spot Orion
The trio of stars will be surrounded by a larger rectangle of four stars.
Participants should count the number of stars they can see within the rectangle. That includes three stars in the middle – the belt – but not the corner stars.
The manager of Carlton Town FC hopes his end of season tournament idea will provide a boost for Nottingham football clubs.
Tommy Brookbanks believes that the event can offer a financial and mental lift to lower league teams who need it now more than ever.
His tournament plan would see a number of Notts teams form two competitive leagues and play each other during the spring.
The competition will look to go ahead only if the season is null and voided, which now looks increasingly likely.
Sixteen clubs have confirmed they are in favour of the tournament so long as fans can attend.
The national lockdown has meant that sides like Carlton Town FC have struggled without competitive football.
Brookbanks, 55, spoke about the effect that the pandemic has had on lower league football; he said: “Financially Nottingham clubs have suffered badly, and this would help the clubs massively.
“It’s looking highly likely that this season is gone, and I think we then just have to focus on a proper restart in August.
BOOST: The tournament could help clubs like Carlton Town by bringing in fans over the spring months (PHOTO: Neil Slack)
“We need to wait on the tiered system to see where we are because we can’t play a tournament again without crowds, we need the crowds to help the club.
“You can lose money but when you start losing your health as well then it does become serious.
Carlton Town manager Tommy Brookbanks
“We just need to get over these next few months.”
As well as the financial aspect, Brookbanks spoke about the consequences that a lack of football has been having on his players mental health.
“The mental health aspect is more important than the financial aspect.
“You can lose money but when you start losing your health as well then it does become serious.
“Some lads are still living at home with their parents and football was an outlet for them, and now it’s no longer there.
“Some are coming to the end of their careers which is massive, some are just starting out and it’s hard for them.
The big thing has been keeping them positive – trying to get them something to look forward to.”
The tournament has been planned to take place in March, April and May.
We asked and you answered – so where, according to Gedling Eye readers are the worst roads in the borough for potholes?
Here’s how you responded…
Simon Ballham nominated the roads surrounding the Elwes Arms pub in Carlton
“Even the dustbin lorry avoids the area,” he said.
The council just fob you off when you bring it to their attention.”
Pictured below is a pothole on Oakdale Road just outside the Elwes Arms.
PICTURED: A pothole on Oakdale Road
Westdale Lane was nominated by many of you.
In a Facebook comment, Jeff Mardell wrote: “It’s Westdale Lane. They have sorted the posh area but they could at least do PART of NG4; I’ve even put a notice in my back window telling police I’m not drink-driving – I’m dodging potholes on Westdale Lane.”
Leanne Austin said it was ‘literally breaking apart when describing the state of Westdale Lane..
Lindsey Hemingway posted: “I spend my time driving looking out for potholes instead of watching for cars because it’s dangerous. My little MX5 feels every one of them and just had it’s MOT and the suspension spring near side front had snapped. Westdale Lane is the worst”
PICTURED: Westdale Lane has been described as ‘literally falling apart’
She said: “Arnold seems to be one big pothole. The bottom of St Albans is atrocious. I think they attempted to fill them in but soon as it rains or snows they appear again . Why don’t they do proper repairs? I’m sure that’s why we pay council tax and road tax.”
Colwick resident Angela Barker nominated Mile End Road in the village via our Facebook page.
She wrote: “I know the potholes to avoid by heart. They fix them every two years but then within six months they are back the same as before – it’s an assault course all the way.”
Phoenix Avenue in Gedling got several nominations.
Jim Baker emailed and likened Phoenix Avenue to a dirt track he’d used during his travels in Vietnam.
“I’m not sure which was the tougher to navigate,” he wrote.
“I’ve complained about Phoenix Avenue many times but it still remains more holey than a church on Sunday.”
Tracey Locke posted: “Phoenix Avenue. You should see the mess on there.”
PICTURED: Phoenix Avenue in Gedling is full of holes
Several readers named Parkdale Road as the borough’s worst.
Laura Nesbitt said: “I hate driving down there. It’s destroying my suspension and I end up driving all over the place trying to avoid the holes. The police will think I’m drunk!”
Lisa Mathieson agreed.
She emailed a picture (below) and said: “It’s like this all the way down Parkdale and Southdale Road!”
Mick Doyle told Gedling Eye: “I reported the potholes on Parkdale Road weeks ago. Nothing has been done as usual! We pay road tax, council tax, tax on petrol and workplace parking tax – it’s highway robbery!”
PICTURED: A pothole on Southdale Road (PHOTO: Lisa Mathieson)
Victoria Road was nominated several times by readers frustrated by the pothole problem.
Teresa Melia wrote: “It’s an absolute disgrace. They came and painted the road markings on Victoria Road and left the potholes – unbelievable!”
PICTURED: A pothole on Victoria Road in Netherfield
Digby Road managed to secure a few mentions.
Amy Garrod wrote on our Facebook page: “Digby Road is horrendous, especially outside Carlton Digby School – the potholes are more like craters.”
Arnold Lane secured a number of nominations.
“Thank God for the Gedling Access Road,” wrote Mark Greenwood.
“Once that is completed, no-one is going to use Arnold Lane again. It will probably have disintegrated by then anyway! It’s the worst road in the borough –no competition!”
“The whole of Arnold Lane needs redoing! They fill in small patches which last a week and then it’s back to square one.”
A MESS: Arnold Lane in Gedling
Tim Downey described Nottingham Road in Arnold as ‘a state’.
He emailed to say: “It’s a complete mess. They need to dig it up and start again. Traffic shouldn’t be using it.
Anne Martin shared a picture of an almighty pothole on Park Road East in Calverton.
Another Calverton reader who didn’t wish to be named said the same road had caused ‘substantial damage’ to his car over the past few weeks.
A pothole on Park Road East in Calverton
Tom Ford wanted Main Street in Burton Joyce to get a mention.
He wrote: “A nice area is being ruined by this pitiful road. I might as well buy an off-road vehicle if I am to continue living here as it’s the only way you can use Main Street.”
Councillor John Cottee, Chairman of Communities and Place Committee at Nottinghamshire County Council, said investment would continue to help combat the problem.
He said: “Heavy rainfall and freezing temperatures over the past couple of months have caused a number of potholes and they can appear very quickly in these conditions.
“We have invested an extra £24 million in road repairs over the past three years, and through December and January alone, we’ve repaired almost 3000 potholes in roads and pavements in Gedling.
“Our highways inspectors undertake routine inspections on all roads in the county, but they can’t be everywhere at once and we are also reliant on residents reporting defects to us.
“Our top priority is to keep the highways safe for all road users, so where potholes are found and meet our criteria for repair, our team will undertake a safety repair within 24 hours for the most urgent defects.
“These repairs are often sufficient and over time blend with the road surface, however where road surfaces have badly deteriorated, we may look to programme some more substantial works for a future date including structural patching or surfacing treatments such as micro-asphalt, surface dressing or in the worst cases full resurfacing.
“We also urge residents and road users to help us keep Nottinghamshire’s roads safe by reporting any potholes through the MyNotts app or online at nottscc.gov.uk.”
A rule forcing Gedling borough pubs to serve a “substantial meal” with alcohol is set to be scrapped when the lockdown is eased, it emerged today.
Hospitality newsletter Propel is reporting that Boris Johnson wants to ditch the rule when restrictions are eased, which proved virtually unenforceable and left punters and landlords in Gedling borough alike confused.
Last year, the rules around pubs caused chaos as ministers struggled to clearly define what constituted a substantial meal.
Michael Gove declared a Scotch egg would suffice, while some pubs got away with serving bowls of chips with a pint.
Mr Johnson will set out a date for when pubs and restaurants can reopen when he announces the plan for ending lockdown in a speech on Monday, February 22.
Under the blueprint, activities that can take place outdoors will be prioritised because that is where the virus spreads less easily. It is believed outside markets are set to return before high street shops, and alfresco drinking and dining will be allowed before eating indoors.
HOPE: Pubs could reopen without having to serve substantial meals
The rules will be applied nationwide after ministers decided not to return to the regional system of tiers when they lift restrictions.
Government sources warned the plans are still “tentative” and, so far, only the earliest date schools can return has been agreed.
Foreign office minister James Cleverly told The Sun : “It seems things are heading in the right direction” for pupils to return next month.
He said: “If that continues, it gets to the place where it’s safe to do so we’ll then give schools enough notice so they can organise themselves to reopen.”
But he refused to be drawn further on which sectors might open up next. He said: “It is totally understandable people crave this move back to normality but, ultimately, the decisions about how we ease restrictions have to be guided by the science.
They will take into consideration the needs of the economy, people’s mental health, the needs of our children – all these things are incredibly important.”
The news comes after Professor Chris Whitty, England’s chief medical officer, revealed the UK is now past the peak of its second wave.
But vaccines minister Nadhim Zahawi has said Downing Street favours a cautious rollback so we “never have to go back into another severe lockdown”.
He said: “You’ve got to make sure that your vaccination programme has protected the top nine categories in phase one – that is 99% of mortality.”
