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Hundreds sign ‘Hands off Gedling’ petition

David Bratton
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Hundreds sign ‘Hands off Gedling’ petition

More than 400 people have signed a petition calling for an end to plans that could lead to the scrapping of Gedling Borough Council.

The petition called ‘Hands Off Gedling’ has been started by deputy leader of Gedling Borough Council, Cllr Michael Payne, and urges people to sign the petition if they wish to see the council’s future secured.

As part of an introduction to the petition, Mr Payne wrote: “Residents of Gedling were not consulted before these proposals were announced.

“This ill-thought-through plan risks council tax from Gedling taxpayers being sent elsewhere to prop up other areas and will remove local democracy and decision-making.

“Our message to the Leader of Nottinghamshire County Council is clear: Keep your hands off our local assets, services and communities.

“Keep your hands off Gedling. We are opposed to the scrapping of Gedling Borough or any takeover of its boundaries.”

Last week councillors voted to create a business case for plans to form a ‘super council’ that could spell the end for Gedling Borough Council and other smaller authorities across the county.

We at Gedling Eye had our say on the plans last week HERE

You can see the petition at https://www.change.org/p/leader-of-nottinghamshire-county-council-hands-off-gedling-we-say-no-to-scrapping-gedling-borough

Owner of Gedling Homes makes top landlord list

Gedling Eye
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Owner of Gedling Homes makes top landlord list

The new owner of Gedling Homes has been voted one of the country’s top landlords.

The Jigsaw Homes Group is a new group of housing associations with more than 34,000 properties across the North West and East Midlands

Just months after its launch, Jigsaw Group, which owns around 3,300 homes in Nottinghamshire as part of Gedling Homes, reached number 32 in 24 Housing’s Top 50 Landlords 2018 survey.

The new organisation formed in April this year following the merger of Greater Manchester-based New Charter Group and Adactus Housing Group, based in Leigh.

Jigsaw’s entry into the top 50 list highlights the company’s new-star rated neighbourhood plans to help build resilient, vibrant and connected communities as well as Jigsaw Rewards, a new initiative where tenants can collect rent credits or points towards high street vouchers in exchange for feedback on services.

Over the next few years, Jigsaw is set to build around 2,100 new homes across Greater Manchester, Merseyside, Cheshire, Lancashire and Nottinghamshire with properties available for affordable rent, shared ownership, Rent to Buy, for sale and private rent.

Jigsaw Group chief executive, Hilary Roberts said: “This is a fantastic achievement for especially as we’re so early into our journey as Jigsaw.

“It’s reassurance that we’re on the right track and we have ambitious plans to improve services for tenants and help solve the housing crisis by building more new homes for local people.”

For more information, visit www.jigsawhomes.org.uk or Twitter @JigsawHG.

Tommy tribute unveiled at Gedling Country Park

Gedling Eye Reporter
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Tommy tribute unveiled at Gedling Country Park

Four Remembrance Tommy soldiers figures were today (July 17) unveiled at Gedling Country Park as a tribute to the men and women who died during WWI.

The unveiling is part of Gedling Borough Council’s plans to commemorate the 100 year anniversary of the end of the war.

The metal silhouette figures of WWI soldiers, known as Tommies, will be installed at four points around the park including at the main entrance on Tuesday 17 July at 2.15pm.

The six-foot aluminium Tommies are believed to be the first to be installed in Nottinghamshire and will be a permanent fixture at the park. The Tommies were the brainchild of the There But Not There Campaign, an organisation who are supporting a number of armed forces charities by making the Soldiers to raise money. The soldiers have been made by army veterans, employed by Royal British Legion Industries.

The council has also announced plans that on Saturday, November 10 at Arnot Hill Park from 11am, it will host a WWI commemorative event that will include choirs, brass bands, memorabilia displays, poetry readings and a poppy making activity hosted by Gedling Play Forum.

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TRIBUTE: Deputy leader of Gedling Borough Council, Cllr Michael Payne with one of the “Tommies” (PICTURE: GBC)

On Remembrance Sunday, as well as the annual memorial services, at 7pm across the nation, beacons will be lit to remember those who died during the war. The council will be lighting beacons at Arnot Hill Park and Gedling Country Park and bells will be rung across the borough at 7.05pm.


The plans follow the decision made by the council last year to increase the funding for remembrance services taking place this year. Extra money will be used to support the logistics such as traffic management, sound systems and bugler services at the key events across the borough. The council also recently supported the installation of a new war memorial at Carlton Cemetery to remember local soldiers who died after WWI.

Deputy Leader of Gedling Borough Council, Councillor Michael Payne said: “I’m very proud to be unveiling these tributes to mark the centenary of the end of WWI and to those who lost their lives.

“The Tommy Soldiers figures remind us of the great sacrifices our armed forces gave and are giving for our country. They will act as focal points of remembrance and give visitors to the country park an opportunity to pay their respects.

Alongside the plans for events in November, the increase in funding for remembrance services and the unveiling of a permanent war memorial at Carlton Cemetery, we are making sure that these brave men and women are not forgotten but are commemorated appropriately.”



Flying the flag: Parks in Gedling borough recognised as best green spaces

Gedling Eye Reporter
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Flying the flag: Parks in Gedling borough recognised as best green spaces

Two of our parks in the borough have been recognised as being among the best green spaces in the UK.

Gedling Country Park and Arnot Hill Park are among a record-breaking 1,883 UK parks and green spaces that will today receive a prestigious Green Flag Award, the mark of a quality park or green space.

This international award, now into its third decade, is a sign to the public that the space boasts the highest possible environmental standards, is beautifully maintained and has excellent visitor facilities.

Arnot Hill Park has retained the flag for the 12th year running and Gedling Country Park for the 3rd year in a row.

Councillor Peter Barnes, Portfolio Holder for Environment said: “We are absolutely delighted to receive a Green Flag Award for these fantastic parks.”

“We know how much quality green spaces matter to residents and visitors, and this award celebrates the dedication that goes into maintaining our parks to such a high standard.”

International Green Flag Award scheme manager Paul Todd said: “We are delighted to be celebrating another record-breaking year for the Green Flag Award scheme, with more Green Flags awarded this year than last year.”

“Each flag honours the thousands of staff and volunteers who work tirelessly to maintain the high standards demanded by the Green Flag Award. We are proud to have so many wonderful green spaces in the UK for people to enjoy, and hope that next year, we award even more flags.”

City spirits to be lifted on day of kindness later this month

Gedling Eye
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City spirits to be lifted on day of kindness later this month

People in Gedling borough are being urged to get involved in a day dedicated to compassion and kindness

Volunteers from across the borough have helped formed InKind, a community group that believes being kind is something anyone can do, and it makes a positive impact on you too.

InKind is now planning to host a special day in Nottingham’s city centre on Sunday, July 22. It will be filled with activities to help Notts residents and visitors feel the love, and to promote kindness and compassion “just because”.

InKind member Jeff Buck said: “Nottingham is the best city in the UK. It’s full of energy and packed with good people who look out for each other. But many of us are struggling to deal with loss, stress, ill health, and there can be so much pressure to be seen to be happy and successful.

“We all need to feel cared for, and accepted for who we are. Being offered some time, or just a smile, from a stranger can be unusual in today’s impersonal world but it’s been clear that many people really need that connection, however briefly.”

InKind Notts set up in 2011.  Since then, the group has hosted four Random Acts of Kindness days based in St Peter’s Gate.  At first there has been surprise and some people have been a little wary of accepting compliments or freebies.

old_person
pensioner, old person

Group member Kaye Brennan, who lives in Gedling, recalls: “It started silin’ dahn – as we say in Notts [very heavy rain] – so I took a big golf umbrella out and walked with shoppers to keep them dry. It was quite a strange feeling for both of us! But when they hear more about what we’re doing, people really get behind the idea.

“I spotted one older gentleman who had taken refuge in a shop doorway, when I approached him he told me he had mobility problems and very rarely left his house but he had to pay in a cheque to cover some bills – it had taken him ages to get to town and he was getting really wet and was becoming distressed.

We walked slowly together to the bank, and when he had finished me and my umbrella accompanied him back into the dry of the Broadmarsh Centre. He was so grateful for the shelter and the company even for that short period of time. It made his day – and mine.

“I love being involved in random acts of kindness – it’s a lot of fun and even better, everyone can join in or benefit from what’s on offer.”

The day has attracted hundreds of people each year, with volunteers sharing out sweets donated from local retailers and other freebies, as well as offering conversation, and even hugs. The group set up a mural for children and adults to write messages and draw pictures describing what kindness means to them, and a ‘kindness conga’ weaved through St Peter’s Gate to the Market Square.

The group promises similar activities and more this year, including ‘Get to Know a Stranger’ (two chairs, people sit down and chat to each other) and Kindness Challenges.  Volunteers are welcome to help before and during the event, and InKind hopes to see hundreds of locals drop by on the day.

Nottingham based Robin Hood Energy, the city’s not-for-profit energy supplier, is also getting behind the ‘be kind, just because’ message with their ‘Nottingham Is Kind’ campaign, and will be joining in on the kindness message alongside InKind on July 22.

Gedling MP Vernon Coaker hits out at lack of school funding at crisis conference

Gedling Eye Reporter
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Gedling MP Vernon Coaker hits out at lack of school funding at crisis conference

A Gedling MP has called government funding of schools ‘an absolute disgrace’ at a conference in Nottingham yesterday.

Vernon Coaker was one of the speakers at a ‘crisis’ conference held at Meadow Lane football stadium yesterday to discuss how city and county schools are facing significant funding shortfalls.

Attendees heard that pupils in the county will lose an average of £296 per pupil between 2015 and 2020.

The group Save Our Schools, which campaigns for increased funding, says 82 out of 84 schools in the city will face cuts before 2020.

However the Government says funding is at record levels, and that education outcomes are improving.

At the conference yesterday which was made up of teachers and head teachers from across the East Midlands, several spoke up to say that the reality at their school was that severe savings were having to be made.

The conference heard from one head teacher from a school in Lincolnshire, who said she had been in tears because of the cuts she had been forced to make, which had left her with a stress-related illness.

Speaking at the conference, the Gedling MP for Labour, and former deputy head teacher Vernon Coaker, said: “Head teachers are having to make decisions not about how to improve education at their schools, but about which teaching assistants to get rid of, which teachers to get rid of.

“It is a disgrace for one of the richest countries in the world to be in this position.”

Speaking about the Government’s claim that spending had increased, Mr Coaker said: “The Government’s response is to rubbish our figures, but the figures we use are the Government’s own figures.”

He said issues such as an increase in the number of pupils, the introduction of the living wage, increased pension contributions and unfunded pay rises were all contributing to the financial pinch being felt in schools.

He also said the education area facing the biggest shortfall was the provision of care and education for young people with disabilities.

He said: “It is an absolute disgrace and scandal what’s happening to some people with special needs in our country.

“This is not only a political challenge but a moral challenge for us as a country, to say we are not prepared to see this situation in our schools.”

Bus firm step in to get city orchestra out of treble

Gedling Eye
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Bus firm step in to get city orchestra out of treble

Members of a Nottingham orchestra looked set to miss out on a trip to a major concert in Southwell yesterday (July 13) after a coach firm let them down at the last minute – until another firm stepped in to save the day.

Nottingham’s biggest transport operator stepped in to quickly arranging a second bus to run alongside the 09:40 Pathfinder 100 bus from Nottingham – which serves part of the borough, including Carlton and Burton Joyce.

The 72 strong members of the Robin Hood Youth Orchestra were able to perform their outdoor concert in Southwell and enjoy their day of planned activities.

NCT’s Service Delivery Manager, Bob Clarke commented, “When we heard the treble the Youth Orchestra were in, we were only too pleased to help by arranging an additional bus at the last minuet, to ensure they could travel to Southwell for their performance”.

PICTURED: Pathfinder 100 (PICTURE: NCT)

Council Leader Jon Collins said: “I’m pleased that NCT has been able to step in and support the youth orchestra at such short notice. We’ve also arranged with Community Transport for Nottingham, which provides our Link Bus services, to provide buses for several performances around the city tomorrow (Saturday).”

He continued, “The orchestra provides fantastic opportunities for children, and we are happy to have been able to use our connections to make sure they are able to perform – this is one of the great things about having a municipal bus company.

“We’re immensely proud of NCT and CT4N for organising transport at the eleventh hour. This is just another example of our world class local bus operators supporting our city and our communities.”

Gedling Borough Council to vote on opposing plans for unitary council

Gedling Eye
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Gedling Borough Council to vote on opposing plans for unitary council

Members of Gedling Borough Council will next week vote on a motion opposing plans to scrap borough and district councils, it has been announced.

The motion, proposed by the Deputy Leader of the Council, Cllr. Michael Payne and seconded by the leader of the council, Cllr. John Clarke, which was submitted before the County Council’s decision was made on Thursday, can be read in full on the council’s website.

The motion will be presented to Gedling Borough Councillors at Wednesday evening’s Full Council meeting and will call for Gedling Borough Councillors to oppose the County Council’s decision to abolish Gedling borough and the other districts in order to form a single unitary council for Nottinghamshire.

The motion will also condemn the fact that local residents have not been consulted on their views about the future shape of local government in the area.

The motion calls on Leader of Nottinghamshire County Council, Councillor Kay Cutts, to re-engage with leaders of all councils, working transparently and with a manner of mutual respect and to lobby central Government for fairer funding in the region instead of attempting to redraw council boundaries.

This follows a joint letter sent to the Leader of Nottinghamshire County Council, Councillor Cutts, signed by five district and borough councils, that questions her decision to bring her motion for a single unitary council for Nottinghamshire to County Councillors calling it ‘flawed and inappropriate at such a significant time for the region’.

The letter signed by the Leaders of Ashfield District Council, Bassetlaw District Council, Gedling Borough Council, Mansfield District Council and Rushcliffe Borough Council was sent to Cllr Cutts on July 9 asking her to withdraw the motion presented at Nottinghamshire County Council on Thursday, July 12.

The leader of Gedling Borough Council, Cllr John Clarke has also personally written to Councillor Cutts in June, stating that she should’ve have consulted with borough and district leaders and local residents first.

Deputy Leader of Gedling Borough Council, Councillor Michael Payne said: “I am proposing this motion to make it crystal clear that we are opposed to the Leader of the County Council’s plans to abolish Gedling and create one super council for the whole of Nottinghamshire.

“This is an unwelcome and disappointing distraction at a time when councils are tirelessly working to make sure local residents are getting their local services delivered to them at a high standard.

“The Leader of the County Council, Councillor Cutts has failed to ask local residents for their views and has herself accepted that there’s currently no business case for it.

He added: “We strongly oppose this ill-timed, half-cooked and sloppy proposal and we call on all Gedling Borough Councillors to do the same at Full Council on Wednesday.

“Our residents don’t want the risk of their council tax being sent out of Gedling and spent elsewhere. They want a local council that puts Gedling first – we will defend Gedling from this ridiculous, ill-thought-through attempt at a takeover.

“We will not allow the Leader of Nottinghamshire County Council to use the residents of Gedling as pawns on a chess board. If she truly believes that the people want to scrap their local councils and replace them with one super council for Nottinghamshire she should give them a vote and let them have their say on the issue.”

Business case for new authority which will replace Gedling Borough Council being prepared

Gedling Eye
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Business case for new authority which will replace Gedling Borough Council being prepared

A business case for a new Authority which would see the scraping of Gedling Borough Council is to now be prepared.

Nottinghamshire County Council will now prepare a formal case to replace the current two-tier system of local government in Nottinghamshire with a new unitary authority, it was agreed yesterday (Thursday, July 12).

Under current arrangements for local government in Nottinghamshire, services like housing, waste collection, leisure and environmental health are provided by seven district and borough councils, with other services such as adult and children’s social care, schools, waste disposal, highways and libraries provided by the County Council.

A new unitary authority would bring all those functions together to deliver more effective services and an estimated £20-£30 million annual reduction in running costs and bureaucracy.

Councillor Kay Cutts, Leader of Nottinghamshire County Council, said: “The argument for a new, unitary council to deliver services in Nottinghamshire is a compelling one and I am pleased that the Council has sanctioned this important step forward to develop a comprehensive business case.

“A unitary authority would provide accountability and clarity about who provides what, giving us a single body responsible for all council services and joining-up functions like rubbish collection with waste disposal and housing with social care and benefits which are currently provided by different authorities. I hear a lot from residents who are fed-up with being passed from authority to authority, depending on the issue and frustrated by the lack of joined-up thinking which is an inevitable consequence of the current two-tier system, no matter how closely the two tiers of local government try to work together.

“A unitary authority would also give Nottinghamshire a much louder, more influential voice within national Government – giving us the best possible chance of attracting the investment and economic growth and improvements to infrastructure which we miss out on currently, increasing the chances of meaningful closer working with other East Midlands councils and, ultimately, the devolution of powers from central Government to the region to increase local decision-making.

“The whole future of local public services in Nottinghamshire is at a crossroads. With eight years of significant reductions in funding already behind us – and faced with the prospect of further reductions to come – the only option to fundamental change to the current two-tier system is significant cutbacks to the services we rely upon and cherish, coupled with punishing increases in council tax. I don’t think that is in the best interests of anyone.

“Under current arrangements, people are effectively paying for two sets of councillors, two senior management teams and two lots of back office functions. A unitary council for Nottinghamshire would enable us to pool our resources and make significant reductions in running costs.

“I have been involved in local government for many years as a parish, borough, and county councillor and am passionate about delivering good services to the people of Nottinghamshire.  I’m not seeking a unitary council for Nottinghamshire out of self-interest for power or control – in fact my own position and the county council as we know it would be dissolved under our proposals – but to reflect the difficult situation local government finds itself in, and to secure the many benefits this would bring.

“It is not a County Council takeover that’s being proposed, but a new Council built on the best practice of the existing District, Borough and County Councils. I want us to work together to secure a future local government that delivers great services – putting people and outcomes first, rather than party politics.”

The motion, agreed by a majority of 35 votes to 30 at Full Council, will now see a business case prepared which will be brought back to a future meeting of the Full Council. If the business case is subsequently approved, it will be passed to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government for consideration.

Any formal process of local government reorganisation would be subject to a comprehensive public consultation.

OPINION: We don’t want to be pawns is a power struggle between City and County councils

Gedling Eye
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OPINION: We don’t want to be pawns is a power struggle between City and County councils

Yesterday, councillors voted in favour of plans that could lead to the scrapping of Gedling Borough Council.

The unitary council plan being proposed could eventually lead to the abolishment of borough and district councils across the area.

At Gedling Eye we feel the removal of Gedling Borough Council and possibly the services they offer would be a huge blow to the area.

Yes, occasionally they may not get round to collecting your bin or cutting a grass verge, but we believe the services they provide for people across the borough are greatly valued – and would be sadly missed if removed.

They have put a cut-price cinema on our doorstep that allows families to see Hollywood blockbusters at a reduced rate is wonderful. This is something that might not be affordable for people when you look at city centre cinema prices.

The  councils Arts Festival will next week be enjoyed by many and events during their well-received Heritage Festival were very well attended.

They have given us a country park to be proud of that is the envy of people from other areas of Nottingham.

They are bringing investment into the areas with the creation of a ‘mini city’ being created near Netherfield.

But now our fear is that many of Gedling Borough Council’s services and initiatives could be scrapped just to keep the lights on in West Bridgford.

We want councillors to ensure that people in the borough have a say and are either given a proper vote or consultation before any plans are submitted to government.

The last thing the people of Gedling borough want is to be helpless pawns in a power game between Nottingham City and County Councils.

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