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.
1. Beeston Multi-Storey Car Park
The multi-storey car park in Beeston closes tonight for the last time, prior to being demolished over the next few weeks to make way for the tram. Even if the tram hadn’t been coming the car park would have needed substantial work on it to bring it up to modern standards. Alternative parking can be found at the following locations:
Short Stay Car Parks
Foster Avenue
City Road (North)
City Road (South)
Regent Street
Long Stay Car Parks
Albion Street
Middle Street and Middle Central
Derby Street (Middle)
Derby Street (South)
Pre-paid season tickets will only be accepted at long stay car parks. Beeston Shopmobility will be moving to 17, The Square, Beeston on 31st March. For full details of all the parking in Broxtowe Borough visit www.broxtowe.gov.uk or contact Broxtowe Borough Council on 0115 917 7777.
2. National Planning Policy Framework
The Government this week published the national planning policy framework, the new set of rules for planning in the UK. They published a draft last year which, whilst it had a lot of good things in it, also had some flaws. It was criticised by numerous organisations about the way it threatened the green belt, and I was one of many people who has lobbied the government over this. I’m pleased to say that much of this lobbying has paid off and the new rules are far better. That will have a significant impact here in Broxtowe where the previous government had left our green belt very exposed to development. I was extremely surprised to read in Anna Soubry’s newsletter this week a claim that the council wanted to develop the land north of Toton, when she is fully aware that the council voted unanimously to support a motion that I proposed last year to delete this site from the list of preferred sites.
3. Calling All Retailers
The borough council’s “Calling All Retailers” event which was cancelled earlier this month has now been rescheduled for 25th April. This is a training event for independent retailers aimed at helping them to improve sales and performance. It takes place at the Belfrey hotel in Nuthall and costs £10. Details are available from the council’s economic development team on (0115) 917 3446.
4. Changes to Recycling Services
The council is currently in the process of changing contractors for plastic bottles, cardboard cartons and paper at 4 of the following recycling sites:
· Sainsbury's, Stoney Street, Beeston NG9 2LA
· Sainsbury's, Green Street, Kimberley NG16 2LY
· Morrison's, Kelham Way, Eastwood NG16 3NT
· Co-op, Victoria Street, Stapleford NG9 7AN
There has been a short break in services at some of the sites but new facilities should be in place at all of them early next week.
5. Easter Football
There is an opportunity for children, both boys and girls, aged 7-10 years old to get involved and play football during the school holidays. The holiday sessions will take place at Manor Farm Recreation Ground in Toton, NG9 6EL on 4th April from 9.00am for 7 hours.
6. Nuthall Craft Fair
A craft and plant sale will take place at Nuthall Temple Centre, Nottingham Road, Nuthall, in aid of local friendship and luncheon clubs. Stalls cost from £6, and entry is only 50p. Refreshments are available, plenty of parking and all in a good cause. Details are available from sue@nuthallparishcouncil.co.uk
7. Broxtowe 5K and Fun Run
The Broxtowe 5k and fun run will take place at Bramcote Park on 13th April, starting at 6.30pm. It is billed as an ideal introduction to running for both the young and old. The race is suitable for those who are new to running or those who are looking for an additional race to take part in. Entry for the 5K is £5.50 per person and entry for the1K is £3.00 per person. Enter online for this discounted price (Normal costs are £8.50 for the 5K and £4.00 for the 1K). Minimum age for the 5K is 14yrs. Minimum age for 1K Fun Run is 5yrs. All children must be supervised by an adult. Children under the age of 8yrs must have an adult running with them. Details are available on the councils web site at www.broxtowe.gov.uk or by ringing (0115) 917 3572.
8. Children’s Arts and Crafts Workshops
Spring is in the air this Easter with the council’s have-a-go arts and crafts workshops. Make something special to take home with follow our themed trail around the exhibition area to win a small prize! All children must be accompanied by a responsible adult. These run on Tues 3rd, Weds 4th Thurs 5th, Tues 10th and Weds 11th April 2012, from 10.30am -1.00pm and 1.30pm - 4.00pm at D.H. Lawrence Heritage Centre, Mansfield Road, Eastwood, Nottingham. Admission is £3.00 per child, Broxtowe Leisure Card holders get in for £2.50, D.H. Lawrence Annual Members Free. The first accompanying adult gets in free with a £1.00 charge for additional adults. For more information, please contact or email the D.H. Lawrence Heritage Centre on culture@broxtowe.gov.uk or by ringing 01773 717 353
9. Neville Sadler Court
The owners of Neville Sadler Court in Beeston, part of which was due to be demolished to make way for the tram, have now announced that they intend to close the home altogether. They will need to make arrangements to rehouse all of the residents, some of whom have lived there for a number of years.
10. Herons
I was delighted to read that a record number of heron nests have been identified at Attenborough Nature Reserve. As herons rely on a sufficient supply of food this is an indication that the water quality is also of extremely good quality at the moment.
11. Beeston Maltings
Heineken, who own the building, have applied for planning permission to demolish the Maltings in Beeston. This application will need to be looked at by the Development Control Committee rather than dealt with administratively. I will keep people informed about how this application progresses.
12. Planning Application in Nuthall
A planning application has been submitted to build 139 houses in Nuthall next to the A610 near Nuthall Island. This will also be looked at by the Development Control Committee.
13. The Budget
For some reason the national media seemed to miss reporting on how the vote went on the budget (probably because they were too busy reporting on the complete mishandling of the non-existent fuel crisis) so just in case you missed it when it came to the vote labour voted against raising tax allowances, which will give more than 40,000 people in Broxtowe a cut in tax, but they abstained on the vote to cut the 50p top rate of tax to 45p. In blunt terms, they opposed cutting tax for the poor but not for the rich.
14. Open Cast Mining
Anna Soubry has reported this week that an application is likely to be submitted by UK Coal to carry out open cast mining between Cossall and Trowell. This is something that all local political parties are opposed to and I hope we will work together to oppose it. Anna Soubry and I have already raised it with Eric Pickles when we met him last year and notified him of the strength of feeling locally in case the decision ends up with him. This application does not come to the borough council but instead is dealt with by the County Council. As soon as an application is submitted I will let people know.
15. Highways
All responsibility for dealing with highways matters passes tonight from the borough council to the county council. However all your Lib-Dem borough councillors will continue to raise highway concern on your behalf should you wish.
Given that next weekend is the Easter weekend there will be no newsletter then, and the next edition will come out on 13th April.
As ever thank you for your support for this newsletter, and any feedback is gratefully received.
Best wishes
David
www.broxtoweliberaldemocrats.org.uk
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