The number of recorded coronavirus cases in Gedling borough increased by 83 over the last 24 hours, official figures show.
Public Health England figures show that 1085 people had been confirmed as testing positive for Covid-19 by 11pm on Wednesday (October 14) in the borough.
The rate of infection in Gedling borough now stands at 282.5 cases per 100,000, up from 131.5 per 100,000 the previous week.
Across the UK, the number of recorded cases increased by 19,724 over the period, to 654,644.
Health chiefs across Nottinghamshire are urging the public to follow the new Tier 2 lockdown measures across Notts to help lower the rate of infection.
Leader of Gedling Borough Council, John Clarke also asked residents to follow the new regulations.
He said: “Following the government’s announcement yesterday, Gedling borough now falls under new COVID restrictions under the Tier 2 High COVID alert levels. This means that new restrictions will come into force from Wednesday.
“We are asking that you all follow the rules and help us to reduce the number of cases in Gedling, which have seen a rapid increase over the last two weeks.
“We realise that, once again, you are being asked to take a step back from your normal lives and, once again, you are being asked to make more sacrifices to stop this pandemic from tipping over and we appreciate how complicated this can be for many of you, however, we really need you to do this to save lives.
Leaders fear that if the numbers continue to rise, the Nottingham could be put into Tier 3, which would result in the closure of pubs, gyms and restaurants.
Gedling Borough Council has launched a consultation to see if a selective licensing scheme for private landlords is needed in wider areas after a successful trial in Netherfield
The scheme will make it mandatory for landlords to have licences for each of their private rented properties.
It was successfully piloted in Netherfield and the consultation is asking for views to expand it to Colwick, Carlton Hill, Daybrook and Newstead Village.
The licence requires that landlords meet a minimum standard of accommodation for residents.
The council will work with landlords and residents to improve the area but where necessary use the licensing conditions and enforcement powers to bring about improvements.
Selective Licensing can be applied in areas where there is deprivation, high levels of antisocial behaviour, high levels of crime, high levels of migration and poor housing conditions.
The licensing will give the council’s Environmental Health team powers to do more when landlords are not taking steps to deal with issues relating to property standards.
The pilot scheme in Netherfield was a success with 662 landlords applying for a licence. Over 86% of properties inspected by the council were found to contain hazards that required work to protect the health and safety of the tenant. 32 properties inspected had imminent hazards around areas such as fire safety and inadequate fire protection or detection, which all required immediate action.
The scheme also improved partnership working with Gedling Borough Council and Nottinghamshire Police to reduce anti-social behaviour and make residents feel safer where they live. Two landlords received civil penalty notices for failing to apply for a licence.
Consultation on the new scheme will take place between October and January 2021 and, if approved, would not be implemented until mid 2021 and could be affected by the situation regarding the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
Leader of Gedling Borough Council, Councillor John Clarke said: “We are opening up a 12-week consultation on plans to expand on the success of the selective licencing scheme in Netherfield.
“The scheme has been very successful so far and has raised the living standards of many residents living in privately rented accommodation. We want residents’ views on expanding this scheme to other areas that have similar issues with poor property conditions.
We want to create safer communities for our residents and reduce hardship and inequality and this scheme will help contribute towards that ambition. We also want to reduce anti-social behaviour and fear of crime and we have seen this happen during the pilot scheme in Netherfield.”
People in Gedling borough are being urged to contact a new Covid fraud hotline if they fall victim to scams linked to the virus.
The new fraud hotline, which has been launched by the government and Crimestoppers is now live.
You can call anonymously on 0800 587 5030 or report activity online at covidfraudhotline.org.
The line is open every day for 24 hours.
It will enable the public to anonymously report fraud against the 150 more schemes which have been launched to support the individuals, communities and businesses in the Covid Pandemic.
You should contact the new fraud hotline if you have been targeted by scammers
These schemes include grants schemes and loans schemes, including Bounce Back Loans, Business Support Grants and the newly launched Green Homes Grants.
Every report to the line will all be reviewed to help the government better find and stop fraud.
Where possible the government will take action through disrupting fraud, looking to get money back and, in some cases, prosecuting.
The information from the hotline will also help the government to improve safeguards to stop fraud in the future.
Nottinghamshire Police’s Detective Inspector Ed Cook said: “Covid scams have naturally been taking advantage of people whilst the country is at its most vulnerable.
“Whilst we still encourage all reports of Cyber Crime and Fraud to Action Fraud, this is a great additional reporting tool to help directly respond to these fast moving trends as efficiently as possible to help further protect against them.”
A proactive operation across Burton Joyce and Ravenshead targeting those who flout road safety laws has seen a driver arrested and others reported after being caught for traffic offences.
The road safety crackdown involved Gedling’s dedicated Operation Reacher Team and Special Constables and was held in response to community concerns.
The operation, which took place on the A612 running through Burton Joyce and Main Road, Ravenshead, was the latest in a series of initiatives carried out across key areas of the Gedling borough.
A total of 10 vehicles were stopped during Saturday’s operation and the drivers were issued with traffic offence reports (TOR) meaning they could be asked to attend an educational programme, face a fine or be summoned to court.
Nine reports were issued in Burton Joyce, with three given for speeding offences, three for not wearing a seat belt, two for using a mobile phone while driving and a further report was issued for using a vehicle without the correct insurance.
A report was issued on Main Road in Ravenshead for using a vehicle without insurance. The driver was also arrested on suspicion of drug driving offences and their vehicle was seized. The driver has since been released under investigation.
Other recent operations conducted by Gedling Special Constables, resulting in action being taken against offending motorists, have taken place on the A60 Mansfield Road at Redhill, Carlton Hill at Carlton and Longdale Lane at Ravenshead.
Inspector Chris Pearson, Neighbourhood Policing Inspector responsible for local policing in the Gedling borough area, said: “The Special Constables will continue to work together with the Neighbourhood Policing Team, Operation Reacher and our partners in order to respond to community concerns about road safety and speeding.
“Speeding is one of the local policing priorities we are tackling, based on feedback from members of the public, and more operations are planned as we continue to address their concerns.
“Excessive speed is identified as one of the ‘Fatal Four’ main causes of collisions resulting in fatal or serious injury.
“The careless and dangerous actions of one motorist can have devastating effects on the lives of others.
“We’re urging motorists to travel within the speed limit, pay attention and take care at all times and to ensure their vehicles are in good condition and winter-ready before heading out on to the roads.
”Saturday’s activity is just another example of how the force’s Operation Reacher team is responding to priority issues raised by the public.
“The new officers, in a team of seven, are being used to react quickly to community concerns, increase the pressure on local criminal networks and build confidence in local communities.
“They will continue to react dynamically to community concerns and build trust and confidence that the police will stand shoulder-to-shoulder with residents to make our communities safer.”
The leader of the Gedling Borough Council has responded to the announcement that Tier 2 lockdown measures are to be introduced tomorrow (October 14) across the borough in an effort to curb rises in the number of covid-19 cases.
The Prime Minister on Monday (October 12) announced a new three-tier system for lockdowns across England to “simplify and standardise local rules”.
Nottinghamshire was placed into the ‘High’ coronavirus alert level – escaping the tougher restrictions set out in Tier 3.
This means that as well as abiding by national rules such as the ‘rule of six’ and the 10pm curfew for the hospitality industry, households will not be allowed to mix indoors, unless they are part of a support bubble.
Following the government’s announcement about the tiered approach, Councillor John Clarke,Gedling Borough Council’s leader called on the people of Gedling to help bring down the number of cases in the borough.
He said: “Following the government’s announcement yesterday, Gedling borough now falls under new COVID restrictions under the Tier 2 High COVID alert levels. This means that new restrictions will come into force from Wednesday.
“We are asking that you all follow the rules and help us to reduce the number of cases in Gedling, which have seen a rapid increase over the last two weeks.
“We realise that, once again, you are being asked to take a step back from your normal lives and, once again, you are being asked to make more sacrifices to stop this pandemic from tipping over and we appreciate how complicated this can be for many of you, however, we really need you to do this to save lives.
He added: “We will continue to provide support to our most vulnerable residents affected by the pandemic. Our Giving for Gedling webpage has information about what support we can offer people who need help. We are also administering more support to businesses who are affected by the local restrictions.
“We are waiting for more information from Nottinghamshire County Council and Central Government about how the new restrictions will be enforced, should they need to be.
“So please follow the rules, wash your hands, wear a mask and stay two metres apart.”
Nottingham East MP Nadia Whittome is calling on the government to offer better support for residents affected by the further local lockdown measures.
Ms Whittome represents the people in Mapperley, which falls under the Nottingham East constituency.
She made the calls during a speech in Parliament which was was part of a debate on Covid-19 and was linked to votes on various Covid-19 Regulations.
Ms Whittome, the youngest MP in Parliament, described the recent surge of Covid-19 cases in Nottingham as “completely avoidable.”
In the speech she criticised the government for “confusion and delay” in responding to the rapidly increasing infection rate in the city, and for failing to speak to MPs and councillors before information about planned lockdown measures was briefed to the press.
PICTURED: Nottingham East MP Nadia Whittome
She sad: “The saddest thing about this is that it was avoidable.
The government has failed us time and time again during this crisis. It failed to protect elderly and vulnerable people who have died at an alarming rate in care homes and nursing homes. It failed to implement a test and trace system, and it failed to listen to the OECD’s advice that to protect the economy we must avoid a second wave, and told people one minute to go out to pubs, to eat out to help out, and then blamed them for doing so the next.”
She also called for a “serious economic package to protect jobs and businesses,” an increase in Statutory Sick Pay and an extension on the evictions ban which ended last month.
The Prime Minister announced the tiered approach to lockdown on Monday with a statement in Parliament followed by a national statement in the early evening. Nottingham is placed in the restriction bracket ‘Tier 2 – High’.
Earlier in the year, Ms Whittome returned to her previous job as a careworker to support colleagues at a retirement village complex. She has challenged the Government on their lack of PPE and the failings of the track and trace system.
Drivers are being warned to expect traffic and travel delays due to roadworks across Gedling Borough during the next few weeks.
This list contains only the roadworks considered to be most likely to cause delays on key routes as well as those involving road closures and temporary traffic lights.
It is not an exhaustive list and does not feature some minor or emergency repairs that come up after publication. Other roadworks may finish or start before schedule or be cancelled altogether.
All information from Highways England, local authorities and utility companies.
A boom in buying kittens during lockdown has prompted the RSPCA to issue a warning for prospective owners in Gedling borough to think carefully before committing.
The RSPCA is concerned the boom could lead to more cats coming into rescue centres and needing new homes, as the charity reports there were 910 cat incidents in Nottinghamshire this year.
This July saw Google searches for ‘Kittens near me’ increase sixfold compared to the same period last year (a 667% increase).
During the lockdown, there has also been an 188% increase in searches for kittens within just a few months.
Many people have found they now have more time on their hands during the lockdown, so it is unsurprising that many have sought a pet to keep them company. However, the RSPCA would always urge anyone thinking of getting a pet to consider whether they can care for them in the long-term – and not just for a pandemic.
Alice Potter, the RSPCA’s cat welfare expert, said: “It’s fantastic that so many people are interested in bringing a cat into their home this year. However, with such high increases in people searching for kittens online, it’s important that prospective owners are doing their research and not buying a kitten on impulse. This means making sure they have the time, money and resources to care for a cat for the rest of their lives, but also ensuring that if buying a kitten they are buying a healthy and happy kitten from a responsible breeder.
“It’s true that we see much higher cases of puppy farms than unscrupulous kitten breeders*** but it does happen which is why it’s so important to do your research and make sure you’re buying from a reputable seller.
“Sadly, we do see cases of cats coming into our care who have been bought without the correct vaccinations, care or attention and the results can not only be devastating for the cats themselves but also the new owners who have to provide the time and cost it takes to look after these very poorly kittens. This is why the RSPCA and other cat charities have come together to create The Kitten Checklist to provide vital information, such as ensuring you see the kitten with its mum and siblings in the place where they were bred, and peace of mind for anyone looking to bring a kitten into their home.”
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has today (October 12) announced a new three tier lockdown system and confirmed that Nottinghamshire as a whole will be put under Tier 2 – which means ‘high alert’.
The plans were confirmed earlier this afternoon and you can read the full story here
We look at what the impact will be for people in Gedling borough when the new rules come into force on Wednesday (14)…
So what are the rules under Tier 2 – and how will they affect people across Gedling borough?
Tier two refers to an area being on ‘high’ alert. Nottinghamshire will now face a ban on households mixing indoors, but pubs and restaurants will still remain open for business.
Those living in a Tier 2 area can still see others outside their household at an outdoor setting, such as a private garden or the park.
All outdoor meetings must also follow the existing Rule of Six limits.
Tier one restrictions, like the 10pm pub curfew, will also remain in place.
Residents in a Tier 2 areas will be advised not to undertake non-essential travel, but there will be no official travel ban. The designation of an area as being on very high alert will be reviewed every four weeks.
Places of worship will stay open even with the harshest restrictions and there are no plans to close schools in any of the tiers.
Regulations are being laid today by the Government and will be voted on tomorrow by MPs before coming into force on Wednesday.
PICTURED: Notts director of public health Jonathan Gribbin
The Government Covid 19 app will show what local alert level applies to each area along with a postcode checker on the gov.uk website. This will contain updated guidance what these levels mean, especially for those who are vulnerable.
The Government is expected to give further details over the coming days about what the new restrictions mean and any new laws which may need to be implemented as a result. The restrictions will come into force by Wednesday this week.
How are social bubbles affected by Tier 2 regulations?
In tier two areas, social mixing between households is prohibited indoors, but those in support bubbles can continue to mix in private homes and in indoor venues such as pubs and restaurants. Childcare bubbles can also continue.
However, the Rule of Six means that people can still meet in groups of up to six people outside such as in private gardens and public places.
Police and health chief comment on new restrictions
Jonathan Gribbin, Director of Public Health for Nottinghamshire County Council, said: “Positive Covid-19 cases are increasing across the entire county in some areas the increase is steep. To slow the spread and prevent the need for stricter measures, we must only mix indoors within our own household (or support bubble) and we all have to observe the rules on hands, face, and space.
“If you get symptoms you need to isolate and take a test. And people need to keep on following the guidance to stay safe and protect lives. Key to this is making sure you stay two metres apart, wear masks where applicable and wash hands regularly. Hands, face, space. It could not be any clearer.
“Only by doing this can we turn the tide on these escalating numbers, prevent the vulnerable becoming ill, and stop the numbers of hospital admissions rising. This is a responsibility for every one of us.”
Nottinghamshire Police Chief Constable Craig Guildford, Chair of the Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Local Resilience Forum, added: “As a partnership we have worked tirelessly across both the city and county to meet the challenges presented by Covid-19.
“We will continue to work together in ensuring people are heeding the advice, obeying the rules and helping each other. It is imperative that we all do this to keep this virus under control and to prevent unnecessary deaths. Where people continue to flout these rules we will not hesitate to fine people and take any other necessary action.
“As a police force we will be working with the Home Office and the National Police Chiefs’ Council to manage any further regulations should any be implemented.”
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has confirmed Nottingham and Nottinghamshire will be moved into the new Tier Two restrictions.
It means people in Gedling borough will not allowed to mix in each others’ households but hospitality businesses can remain open.
As of Wednesday, all social mixing between households indoors will be prohibited but the rule of six outdoors will still apply.
Labour MPs in the city have welcomed the news, but said new restrictions should have been brought in last week, when cases in Nottingham were spiking.
The news, which was first revealed in leaked documents last week, was confirmed by the Prime Minister this afternoon (Monday, October 12).
Nottingham’s three Labour MPs issued a joint statement after they were informed of the news in a briefing shortly before the Prime Minister took to his feet in the House of Commons.
Together, they said: “Last week Nottingham, for the first time, showed a significant increase in COVID-19 infection rate, reaching a rate amongst the highest in the country.
“We needed immediate action to protect our communities. Instead from the Government we received confusion and dithering.
“This meant we were left for a week. In this time the infection rate has doubled and Nottingham now has the highest rate in the country.
City MPs were informed about the new rules this afternoon
“Today we took part in a briefing with the Government about its decision to introduce Tier 2 restrictions in Nottingham. In this meeting we pressed the Minister for the reason for the delay. The reply was not credible.
“Similarly, we called for further financial support for residents, our local economy and universities.
“We welcome today’s decision to make Nottingham a Tier 2 area but this must be accompanied with providing people with the financial security they need to follow the rules.
“If we all play our part, this should drive down the infection rate. If we do not, then clearly we will be in line for further restrictions – something we all want to avoid.
“Whilst Nottingham gets to work on this, we need the Government to do its part by providing an economic package that supports jobs and businesses, fixing the failed Test and Trace system and putting in place regulations to protect those at risk of losing their home.”
Ben Bradley is the Conservative MP for Mansfield.
He said: “I’m frustrated that we’ve been unable to differentiate between North Notts and the city, not helped by local Labour Councils actively calling for more restrictions, but also in a way relieved that Nottingham’s figures could easily have seen them go in to Level Three with much tougher restrictions.
“I sought assurances in the briefing that we will be regularly reviewed and that we don’t all have to come out of it together, so if Mansfield’s figures level off or fall we can come out. We don’t have to wait for the city.
“Though its frustrating, we need now to be sensible, to comply with the rules and give ourselves the best chance of having restrictions lifted as soon as possible.”
