Welcome to Broxtowe Enews, brought to you by the Liberal Democrats and edited by David Watts, the leader of the Lib-Dems on Broxtowe Borough Council. May I give a special welcome to the new readers that we have this week. We now have a record number of readers, having just passed another significant milestone in the volume of subscribers we have.
1. Chilwell and Toton By Election
Thank you to everyone for the reception that you have given Barbara Carr, myself and our team as we have been campaigning for the County and Borough Council by elections on 15th March. We’re delighted with the reception that we have received. I’m not sure how the Tories are finding things as I see that they have decided to attack me personally in their latest leaflet, questioning my integrity and judgement. What a shame that their campaign has leapt straight into the gutter.
2. Dog Mess
One thing that struck Barbara and I as we’ve been campaigning is the sheer amount of dog mess that we’ve seen on some streets. We therefore raised this with the borough council and I’m delighted that they have agreed to take urgent action. A visual inspection has been carried out to identify the worst streets and new signage has been erected encouraging people to clear up any mess that their dogs make. An intensive clean up of the roads will be carried out in the next few weeks. The worst streets appear to be Inham Road, Valley Road and Wheatgrass Road in Chilwell, and Seaburn Road, Bispham Drive and Whitburn Road in Toton, but please let me know if you think that there are other roads that need adding to that list.
3. Mayors Charity Ball
The Mayors charity ball will take place on 21st April from 7pm, and Funds raised will go towards the Mayors chosen charities, the Rainbows Hospice and the Link Youth Café. Tickets cost £32 and are available from the Borough Council on 0115 917 3210 or on this link: http://www.broxtowe.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=9892. The Mayor this year is my Lib-Dem colleague Jacky Williams who represents Stapleford South East. Incidentally, I saw an appeal this week from the Link café that they were looking for new volunteers. If you are interested please visit linkyouthcafe@live.co.uk .
4. Beeston Seed Swap
I have been asked to publicise the Beeston Seed Swap, organised by ABC LETS. It takes place on Saturday 3rd March, at Wollaton Rd Methodist Church, Wollaton Road, Beeston, from 9.30-12.30. Entrance is free, with seeds, gardening books and sundries also free. Donations of the same are welcome. The Church coffee shop will be open throughout. For more information contact Mary Venning (0115) 854 2994 or Richard Eddleston: riedd@btopenworld.com or see www.abclets.org.uk.
5. Council Budgets
The County Council set their budget on Thursday last week, following a mammoth 11 hour meeting. They have decided not to raise council tax this year, and a proposal by Labour to increase council tax by 3% was defeated. The budget does include cuts of £37 million to services. This Wednesday the Borough Council will meet to discuss our proposals for next year, and the joint Lib-Dem/Labour administration are proposing no increase in council tax for the second year running. In contrast to the County Council, the Borough Council proposals protect front line services throughout.
6. Toton Housing Proposals
Somewhere between 450 and 600 people attended a display at the Japanese Water Gardens on Tuesday this week when Peverill Securities displayed their proposals for building in Toton. I spoke to one of the PR people there who said that they had received some positive responses, but the overwhelming view of people when I was there was extremely negative. Anna Soubry failed to attend, although she had said that she would be there, but one Tory councillor was there telling people I was personally wholly in favour of the scheme, which is simply not the truth.
7. Beeston Library
Beeston Library has now reopened after a major refit. The children’s library is now downstairs and there is new lighting throughout the building.
8. Basil Russell Park, Nuthall
The Basil Russell Park in Nuthall has reopened after a £60,000 facelift. A significant amount of new play equipment has been installed for children, funded by the county council.
That’s it for this week. It must be the shortest edition of the newsletter for months, but there just doesn’t seem to be much to report this week. As ever thank you for your support for this newsletter, and any feedback is gratefully received. You can send feedback via emails, the web, or Facebook. All the details are below.
Best wishes
David
www.broxtoweliberaldemocrats.org.uk
Follow me on Twitter at @DavidWatts12.
Visit our Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Broxtowe-Liberal-Democrats/78471665107
Email me at davidwatts@broxtoweliberaldemocrats.org.uk
