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.
1.
Future Building Plans
Thank you for all the comments that I have received following
my extra email during the week. We had a meeting of the Lib-Dem council group
last night and I was able to relay these comments on to everyone else. I do
believe that the decisions we take over the next couple of weeks will be the
most important that we ever take as councillors as they will fundamentally
affect the whole future of Broxtowe. I hope that next week I will be able to
attach a briefing sheet to the newsletter setting out the issues as I see them,
in a non-partisan way. May I also stress
that the report by the officers which I circulated during the week is the
starting point for discussion and this does not mean that their proposals are
those that the council will adopt. I’ve had a letter, as all councillors have,
this week from our MP asking us to reject the whole of the proposals.
Unfortunately not only I it misspelt but she gets the law wrong about the
consequences of us doing so. What I do promise everyone is that not one
councillor of any party will take the decision lightly. The issues have been
discussed at great length already and will be during the cabinet and council
meetings.
2.
Open Cast Mining proposal
I didn’t know whether this should be the first or second story
this week because it is probably almost equally important. UK Coal have now
applied for permission to create an open cast mine at Shortwood Farm, between
Trowell and Cossall. This is an issue which will unite all three parties as we
are all opposed to it. It will wreck an important part of the green belt and of
the DH Lawrence Heritage. I was surprised though to hear that a Labour
councillor thought a campaign group might spring up – it has already been in
existence for a while. Mining is an issue dealt with by the county council and
so it will be up to Notts CC to decide this. Broxtowe will have our say but we don’t
get to make the decision. I did meet the applicants last year, as many local
residents did, and I asked them if they could produce any residents from other
sites who had opposed schemes but were willing to say that they had then
changed their minds because of the good way that UK Coal dealt with the site.
They couldn’t produce anyone. That speaks volumes to me.
3.
Beeston Bus Stations
Changes will be made to the layout of Beeston Bus Station
next week in preparation for the demolition of the multi-storey car park next
week. All buses will use a one way system coming in via Styring Street and out
onto Station Road, with some of the stops being moved onto Styring Street. A
leaflet has been prepared about this and you can download it from our website
at www.broxtoweliberaldemocrats.org.uk.
4.
Mick Atherton
Some very sad news to report is that Mick Atherton, husband
of councillor Eileen Atherton and a long standing stalwart of the Beeston Civic
Society, sadly passed away this week. May I send my deepest condolences to
Eileen and her family. The funeral will take place next Friday at Bramcote
Crematorium at 11am.
5.
Toton Petition
Toton Environmental Protection Society have been collecting
signatures over the past few weeks from local residents opposed to the plans by Peverill builders to develop an
800 house estate at the edge of Toton. This is part of the housing proposals that will be discussed by the council on 16th
May. The petition now numbers well over 2,000 signatures and they have done me
the honour of asking me to present it on their behalf at the next full council
meeting, which I am delighted to do.
6.
White Hills Park School
White Hills Park School (which comprises Bramcote Park and
Alderman White schools) is currently considering whether or not to convert to
an academy. As part of the process they have organised two consultation
meetings with prospective parents, which will be at the Bramcote Park school on
17th May and at Alderman White school on 24th May. Both
will begin at 6.30pm. If you are a prospective parent who wishes to attend
please contact Karen Sims on 0115 907 8111 or ksims@whpfederation.org.
7.
Early Days Nursery
The Early Days nursery, currently based at Wadsworth Field
Primary School in Stapleford, have been told by the school that they will need
to find a new home by September. The school say that they now need to the rooms
for school children as they are taking children at an earlier age.
8.
Super Fast Broadband
The Government have announced that they will be providing a
grant of £4.25 million towards the costs of improving the speed of broadband in
Nottinghamshire. The various councils whose residents will benefit from this,
including Broxtowe, are providing a further £3.25 million. In a competitive
business market having access to super fast broadband will be essential for our
local businesses and will ensure that we have every advantage when trying to
attract new businesses to the area.
9.
Nottingham Mayor Referendum
As you may be aware there is a referendum taking place next
week in Nottingham about whether to have an elected mayor or not. This is only
for residents of Nottingham City and so as Broxtowe residents we don’t get a
vote. Equally the mayor, if appointed, would have no power here. However the
Nottingham Post have already started discussing whether or not the city
boundaries should be extended to include large parts of Broxtowe. I am totally
opposed to this. We’re not getting a say on whether or not to have a mayor and
so why should we then have to put up with having one? More generally, I don’t want
to be part of Nottingham City. I live in Broxtowe and am proud to do so.
As ever thank you for your support for this newsletter, and any
feedback is gratefully received.
Best wishes
David
Follow me on Twitter at @DavidWatts12.
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