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‘Ignoring democracy’: Gedling Conservatives slam decision to award honour to former MP Vernon Coaker in social media post

David Bratton
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‘Ignoring democracy’: Gedling Conservatives slam decision to award honour to former MP Vernon Coaker in social media post

Gedling Conservatives have accused Labour councillors of ‘ignoring democracy’ by handing the borough’s highest honour to former MP Vernon Coaker.

The group posted on social media in reaction to the news that Gedling Borough Council plan to make Mr Coaker an Honorary Freeman of the Borough.

In a post they said: “Gedling’s former MP spent four years ignoring the views of Gedling residents by blocking Brexit.

“Now Gedling Labour councillors want to ignore your vote to remove Coaker at the General Election by rewarding him the highest honour.

“Gedling Labour’s policy is to ignore democracy.”

Vernon Coaker general election
PICTURED: Vernon Coaker

The resolution to hand the honour to Mr Coaker was passed last night at full council meeting held at the Civic Centre in Arnold.

Labour councillor Meredith Lawrence reacted to the post on Twitter and Facebook and also the decision by Conservative members of Gedling Borough Council to approve the decision.

He wrote: “On Tuesday @GedlingTories put this mean-spirited post on their Facebook page. On Wednesday their leader seconded the @Gedling_Labour resolution to make @Vernon_Coaker an Honorary Alderman. The resolution was passed unanimously. What caused the about face?”

https://twitter.com/Cllr_Meredith_L/status/1222677296215097352

Vernon Coaker is to receive the highest honour the borough can bestow in recognition of his years of dedicated service to the area.

He served the borough for 22 years.

A civic ceremony will now be held to present Mr Coaker with the award.

Gedling Eye has contacted the Gedling Conservatives for a comment.

50 new litter bins are being rolled out to sites across Gedling borough

David Bratton
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50 new litter bins are being rolled out to sites across Gedling borough

50 new bins are to be installed by Gedling Borough Council in a bid to improve the appearance of the area and cut down on street litter.

The bins are being rolled out after the council committed to funding the scheme as part of its 2019 budget.

Following the announcement, councillors were asked to provide a list of areas where bins would be best placed in their wards and, based on their responses, new bins have been installed in over 30 locations so far with more being installed in the coming days. 

As well as delivering on the promise to install 50 new bins across the borough, the council has also seen a surge in popularity for its free bulky waste collection service, which was introduced in 2014.

Figures dating back from 2016, show the scheme, which runs from November until February, has benefited over 10,000 residents and 20,000 items have been collected in that period.

A new litter bin pictured in Colwick
PICTURED: One of the new bins on Chaworth Road in Colwick (PHOTO: Gedling Eye)
Cllr_Michael_Payne
FUNDS: Cllr Michael Payne has said more could be done if the council budget was increased

Over 5,000 households have used the service this year and more than 7,000 items have been collected. There are still nearly 1,000 slots available for residents to make use of between now and the end of February. 

The new bins and free bulky waste collections are just some of the actions being prioritised by the council as part of its plans to reduce waste and pollution.

But the council has said it could do much more to boost sustainability if their funding was increased by the government.

Figures recently released by the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government revealed that Gedling’s Core Spending Power has been reduced by 21.3% since 2015. Earlier this month, the Deputy Leader wrote to the Prime Minister, Boris Johnson and local MP, Tom Randall, to ask them to review this decision.

Deputy Leader of Gedling Borough Council, Councillor Michael Payne said: “Local residents continue to tell us that keeping their streets clean and tidy is a top priority for them. It’s a top priority for the council too which is why we’ve delivered on our promise to provide over 50 new litter bins, maintain our popular yearly free bulky waste collection service and continue to clamp down on fly tippers.

He added: “We could do much, much more for our local communities if the rug hadn’t been pulled from underneath our feet when it comes to the sharing out of Government funding for local councils.”

New police teams get to work after being tasked with tackling organised crime across Gedling borough

Gedling Eye Reporter
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New police teams get to work after being tasked with tackling organised crime across Gedling borough

A new police operation tasked with tackling organised crime and drugs launched across Gedling borough yesterday (Jan 29).

Nottinghamshire Police officers yesterday searched properties and made arrests as part of Operation Reacher

Teams searched two properties in Mapperley having received intelligence from the community.  During the warrants, officers arrested a man after finding a quantity of Class B drugs.     

Operation Reacher originated in the Bestwood estate, where Nottinghamshire Police set up dedicated team to combat gangs and criminals who made some people’s lives a real misery. Their remit was to tackle local issues and crime, breaking up organised crime while also maintaining and enhancing community and partner relationships.

 In less than two years the team has worked with the community to turn around the area, eradicating organised crime and dealing with the criminals intent on causing misery.        

Nottinghamshire Police Chief Constable Craig Guildford said: “The success of Reacher in Bestwood is phenomenal and we’re very pleased to see the new teams carrying out this proactive work to Gedling today.       

PICTURED: Police prepare to search a property as part of Operation Reacher (IMAGE: Nottinghamshire Police)

“While there may not be the same gang or drug issues in other areas, we will use the dedicated teams to crack down on any criminal element which is causing local people misery.  

“No one should have to tolerate this. We are building our neighbourhood policing, enhancing what we are already delivering and growing it by placing more police in each area.”       

Nottinghamshire Police and Crime Commissioner Paddy Tipping said: “People tell me they want to see a more proactive and visible presence on our streets which is why we are dedicating our uplift resource to this. We are committed to working with communities and keeping them safe.”      

Insp. Marcus Oldroyd, who has been the driver behind the action in Bestwood, will be coordinating the teams and said: “We’re very pleased to see the first Reacher teams outside of Bestwood coming into force.       

“Having a dedicated resource like this gives us more chance to arrest people and place people before the courts, and the results/interactions we’ve had in Gedling today just show the positive impact these teams will be able to have throughout Nottinghamshire.”   

“Having the resource to be able to carry this out across other neighbourhoods I know will be a huge boost to local people living in these areas.”         

Neighbourhood Policing Inspector for Gedling, Insp. Chris Pearson, added: “It’s fantastic to be able to have these teams in the area and we look forward to working with them to tackle the issues that matter to people in Gedling.”       

“The work that has taken place today is very much a positive move for us in neighbourhood policing, and we’d take this opportunity to reassure people that any issues reported in the area will be taken seriously and looked into.” 

Man arrested after bank card stolen from pensioner’s home in Woodthorpe

Gedling Eye Reporter
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Man arrested after bank card stolen from pensioner’s home in Woodthorpe

Police have arrested a 29-year-old man on suspicion of stealing a bank card from a pensioner’s home in Woodthorpe.

Nottinghamshire Police said they were called to Plains Road at around 10am on October 16, 2019 after a the 88-year-old woman helped a man believed to be a delivery driver, deliver a parcel.

Police-notepad
Police have arrested a 29-year-old male

While she delivered the parcel for him, it was reported that he went into her house and stole her bank card.

Detective Sergeant Lauren Morgan, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “The fact that the trust of an elderly member of our community was abused in this way is an outrage.

“We have been investigating this incident since October and good police work has led to an arrest as part of the case.

BIG MAC AND FINES: Gedling cops take away takeaway driver’s uninsured car and deliver McDonalds meal on his behalf

David Bratton
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BIG MAC AND FINES: Gedling cops take away takeaway driver’s uninsured car and deliver McDonalds meal on his behalf

A Big Mac and fines is what one takeaway delivery driver was left with after being caught driving an uninsured vehicle by cops on patrol in Gedling

The team of Special Constables were patrolling Gedling earlier this evening (January 28) and pulled over the vehicle after discovering the driver didn’t have the correct level of insurance cover.

The car was then seized under section 165 of the Road Traffic Act.

The would-be courier will now face a hefty fine, six points on his licence and have to pay an additional recovery fee to reclaim his wheels, or risk it being crushed.

Police seized the uninsured vehicle earlier tonight
McDonalds in car seized
This Big Mac and Fries was later delivered by police (IMAGE: Notts Police)

The customer still received their Big Mac and fries in time thanks to kind-hearted officers who safely dropped off the takeaway Maccies to the door.

A spokesman for Nottinghamshire Police said: “It’s an offence to drive a motor vehicle on a public road without adequate cover. It’s important to remember that there are different categories of insurances, permitting different level of usage, and as the driver of the vehicle, it is your responsibility to check that your sufficiently insured prior to making any journey.

“Failure to ensure that you are adequately insured could render you liable to prosecution. Your vehicle can also be seized at the roadside if officers reasonably suspect your vehicle to be uninsured.”

Those found to not have insurance at the point of being stopped by the police face six penalty points and a fine of up to £5,000.

The spokesman added: “If you find yourself conducting business trips for whatever reason, we would always advise you to check with your insurance company prior to commencing the journey.”

MATCH REPORT: Gedling Miners Welfare 3 – 0 Clifton All Whites

Marc Williams
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MATCH REPORT: Gedling Miners Welfare 3 – 0 Clifton All Whites

Gedling Miners Welfare moved up to sixth in the East Midlands Counties League with a comfortable victory over Clifton All Whites at Plains Road.

The visitors may have had the chance to make a perfect start, however, with only three minutes gone when Jevin Seaton went over after feeling pressure from Dean Gent, but early claims of a penalty were comprehensively waved away by referee Kevin Guise.

With both sides scoping one another out, the opening stages offered very little and chances on goal were limited.

Former Radford striker Ryan Smith had Clifton’s best chance with 17 minutes gone when he found himself on the end of Danny Johnson’s cross, though his acrobatic efforts did little to trouble Keaton Sharpe in the home goal.

Their only other chance of a poor first half came ten minutes later when Chad Timson skipped around Paolo Piliero and delivered a tempting cross from the right for Ryan Smith who couldn’t adjust his body in time and his shot was hooked well wide.

Seconds later, Gedling had a fine chance to go ahead when Josh Thornton’s dangerous free kick was flicked on at the near post by Luke Smith and an unmarked Liam Corrigan was inches away from sliding home the opener at the back post.

With both sets of rearguards dominating their respective battles, chances that may have ignited a rather dull first half were few and far between.

Ryan Smith found himself in behind with 25 minutes played but lacked the typical composure that has seen him tally 17 goals for the Pheasants this season and his skewed shot was rash as he sought a first in Clifton’s all white.

Gedling, for the most part, offered little going forward but were stoic in their defensive approach as the visitors found their stubborn resistance difficult to break down. However, as the interval approached, they did have a few good opportunities of their own to take the lead.

Firstly, breaking well at speed from Johnson’s loose corner, Corrigan found himself one-on-one with Warren George but couldn’t stab past the onrushing ‘keeper who reacted well off his line.

Six minutes later and Courtney Hastings’ thought he had put Welfare one up when he slammed the ball home, though nearside linesman Peter Craggs had adjudged the use of a hand in the build-up and Guise chalked off the attempt much to the dismay of the home side.

Buoyed by a strong ending the first half, Gedling came out for the second in a much livelier manner and made the perfect restart when they took only two minutes to go in front.

Patient play through the middle saw Ross McCaughey find Felix Hogg who, after neat interplay between him and Hastings, fired emphatically past a questionable George.

Shortly afterwards, Thornton’s exquisite cross from the right fell marginally out of reach of Hastings’ outstretched boot as Miners took the ascendency seeking a quick-fire second.

Clifton were disappointing, and the usually dangerous Ryan Smith, alongside former-Gedling striker Alex Haughton, could do very little against Corrigan, Gent, Luke Smith and Charlie Roberts who were outstanding all afternoon and with 64 played, Gedling doubled their lead.

Piliero’s stooped header allowed Hogg time and space to pick his spot and Hastings became the beneficiary of a sumptuous cross as he fired home past George for his second in as many games.

The striker may have contributed to the game’s third goal only eight minutes later when he turned provider, this time sliding in Piliero who couldn’t find space between George and his near post before the danger was cleared.

Without creating endless clear-cut chances, Welfare deserved the hard-fought win against a well-beaten Clifton and just after Matt Newton flicked over McCaughey’s dangerous corner late on, they added a third.

Thornton’s set piece from the right eventually fell to substitute Curtis Millward whose first-time strike whistled past a flailing George before referee Guise called time and confirm the hosts’ second successive league victory.

They re-visit Hucknall Town on Wednesday (29 January) in the fourth round of the Nottinghamshire Senior Cup after their recent tie was abandoned due to heavy fog at Watnall Road, kick off 19:45.

Gedling Miners Welfare Man of the Match – Dean Gent

Match Attendance – 85

Referee – Kevin Guise
Assistant Referees – Peter Craggs & Jude Brough

Gedling Miners Welfare – Keaton Sharpe, Charlie Roberts, Luke Smith, Dean Gent, Liam Corrigan, Ross McCaughey (c), Joe Meakin (Jack Jepson 65’), Josh Thornton, Courtney Hastings, Felix Hogg (Matt Newton 71’), Paolo Piliero (Curtis Millward 78’)
Unused Substitutes – Kieran Harrison, Tony Law

Clifton All Whites – Warren George, Chad Timson, David Chapman, Thomas Unwin, Alex Horobin (Nathan Amaning 77’), Jack Reid (c), Jevin Seaton, Sam Leggitt, Alex Haughton (Issac Hayes 60’), Ryan Smith, Danny Johnson (Kamani Wilson 54’)
Unused Substitutes – Ahsraf Masumbuko, Toby Davies
Cautions – Horobin (foul 44’)

Match report compiled and written by Marc Williams
Email: marcusa.williams5@hotmail.co.uk; Twitter: @ichbinmarc_

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Woman sustains head injury as man is arrested for on suspicion of robbery and false imprisonment

Gedling Eye Reporter
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0
Woman sustains head injury as man is arrested for on suspicion of robbery and false imprisonment

A 23-year-old has been arrested on suspicion of robbery, false imprisonment  and cannabis cultivation following an incident in Gedling last night (January 27).

Officers attended Phoenix Avenue at around 10.30pm following reports of a car attempting to be stolen and a woman being held against her will at an address.

Police car siren
Police made an arrest last night

A woman suffered a head injury and was taken to hospital for treatment.

Officers continued to search the property this morning (28 January 2020).

We are appealing for anyone who witnessed the incident or has any information to ring 101, quoting incident 935 of 27 January 2020.

Gedling borough to receive funding boost to tackle rough sleeping problem

Gedling Eye Reporter
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Gedling borough to receive funding boost to tackle rough sleeping problem

Gedling borough will receive a slice of a new fund to help tackle rough sleeping and help the most vulnerable people in our community.

Gedling will receive a share of an additional £836,961.60 in government cash to help tackle the problem.

The cash is part of an additional £112 million through the Rough Sleeping Initiative to help get people off the streets and in to safe and secure accommodation.

The Rough Sleeping Initiative has reduced the number of vulnerable people sleeping rough in the areas it has been operating by 32 per cent since its introduction in 2018, and is a central pillar of the government’s strategy to end rough sleeping completely by 2024.

Gedling MP Tom Randall today welcomed the news.

PICTURED: A homeless man on the streets (PICTURE: Deposit)

He said: “I am delighted that funding to tackle rough sleeping in will increase to £836,961.60 this year.

“This government has shown it is absolutely determined to end rough sleeping, and I was especially pleased to see the government bring forward its target of achieving this from 2027 to 2024 at the last election.

“There is still a lot more we can do, and I’ll be working with the council and local organisations to ensure the additional funds are spent locally in the most effective way, so that no one in Gedling has to sleep out in the cold this winter.”

Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick said: “No-one should have to face a night on the street and we have a moral duty to support those who need help the most. It is encouraging to see more people getting the support they need, but there is always more to do.

“We are focusing relentlessly on this issue and our efforts have already led to the first nationwide fall in rough sleeping in a decade – and the areas funded by our Rough Sleeping Initiative have seen rough sleeping numbers fall around a third more than they would be without this vital programme. 

“But we need to go further. That is why we are providing this funding so vital work can continue as we set out to end rough sleeping once and for all.”

Community takes control of Haywood Road Community Centre in Mapperley

Gedling Eye Reporter
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Community takes control of Haywood Road Community Centre in Mapperley

Residents in Mapperley are celebrating after the council handed them the keys to Haywood Road Community Centre after they successfully fought to save it from closure.

Local residents will now take over responsibility for managing the centre from Gedling Borough Council after councillors approved the plans.

Cabinet members agreed to transfer the lease of the centre to the Haywood Road Community Association (HRCA) subject to legal approval.

Residents lobbied the council to save the centre from closure back in January 2017. Residents voiced concerns about a lack of alternative community centres and the desire to retain the neighbouring green space.

Since then, the council has invested £20,000 into improving the centre and, most recently, made a successful joint funding bid with the HRCA from FCC Communities Foundation for a new £140,000 play area that opened in September.

Residents campaigned to save the centre, which was earmarked for closure

The centre has been transferred under the council’s ‘Community Asset Transfer Policy’, which gives organisations wishing to take on responsibility of their local community centres, opportunity to do so. They have to fulfil a number of stringent criteria before it can happen, which includes consultation with stakeholders, getting public liability insurances and providing the council with a robust business and financial plan to ensure they have the capacity to run the centre both physically and financially.

The HRCA is now a registered charity which means it can access certain funding unavailable to local authorities that could be used to improve the centre.

This is the second centre that has been transferred over to a local community organisation under the council’s Community Asset Transfer Policy. Arnold Hill Community Centre was transferred in 2017 and has become a success under the new name, Eagle’s Nest Community Centre.

A spokesman for HRCA said: “As Government funding is reduced more and more, Gedling Borough Council has had to look at ways to reduce spending on non-statutory services, which includes community centre. The asset transfer scheme allows proactive communities to take over and develop centres and it offers financial saving for the council on the upkeep of the centre.”

Council plans to honour former Gedling MP Vernon Coaker for 22 years of service to the borough

David Bratton
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1
Council plans to honour former Gedling MP Vernon Coaker for 22 years of service to the borough

Former Gedling MP Vernon Coaker is to receive the highest honour the borough can bestow in recognition of his years of dedicated service to the area.

Councillors will be asked to confirm the appointment of the new honorary freeman of the borough at Wednesday (January 29) night’s full council meeting in Arnold.

Vernon Coaker
PICTURED: Vernon Coaker MP outside Walton Court in Carlton

The Local Government Act of 1972 grants the council powers to award the accolade to someone who ‘has rendered eminent services to the borough’.

If agreed, a civic ceremony will then be held to hand the prestigious title to the former MP.

Mr Coaker became the first Labour MP to win the Gedling seat when he defeated Andrew Mitchell in the 1997 election.

He served the borough for 22 years.

Mr Coaker lost his seat back in December to Conservative candidate Tom Randall in December after a general election was called to help solve the Brexit crisis.

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