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. Today is Remembrance Sunday and tomorrow is Remembrance Day. I
would encourage everyone to join me and the vast majority of the population in
a two minute silence tomorrow to mark the exact time that the First World War
finished. My Great Grandfather served in that war, surviving the Somme, and he
lived to a grand old age. My Grandfather then served in the RAF for many years
both before and during the second world war. He’s now 92 and still going
strong. My family have been very fortunate that they both survived the
conflicts they served in, but many thousands lost their lives and I believe
that it is vitally important that their sacrifice (and that of those who died
in all the conflicts since) is remembered.
1.
Broxtowe Core Strategy
The public enquiry into the Broxtowe Core Strategy continued
this week. Thursday was the day set aside for issues concerning Broxtowe as
opposed to any of the other authorities involved. In particular the enquiry
focused on whether the 6,150 houses that the council is planning to allow to be
built over the next 15 years is the appropriate figure and where the general
areas for distributing them should be. Whether the council was right to allow
building on part of Field Farm in Stapleford was also discussed.
The enquiry is extremely important and many local groups
took part. Contributions ranged from the very good to the very bad, but the inspector
heard them all. The enquiry is expected to finish on Wednesday and the report
should be received early in the new year, if not before. It is possible that
the inspector may give us her preliminary conclusions on Wednesday. If so I
will report them in the next newsletter.
On Monday of this week the council published a consultation
on which specific sites should be allowed to be developed. This is now
available on the council website at www.broxtowe.gov.uk
or a CD containing the data can be sent to you. Ring the council on 0115 917
777 if you would like one. This consultation identifies every possible site and
it does not for one moment mean that the council is proposing to allow building
on all of them.
2.
County Council Budget
This week the new administration at the County Council
unveiled their budget proposals. It has been well known for a number of years
(certainly well before May’s elections) that the council was facing a budget
crisis this year, and the Labour administration have decided to tackle it by
combining big tax rises and massive cuts in the budgets. We will all feel the
effects of this over the next year. One very disappointing aspect of the
proposals is that the council have opted to turn down a grant from the
Government which is offered to avoid the need for council tax rises. I’ll leave
readers to draw their own conclusions about why Labour didn’t tell voters prior
to the elections that this was their intention.
3.
New Affordable Housing
Providing more affordable housing for Broxtowe residents is
one of the biggest challenges that the council faces. I’m therefore pleased to
report that we have reached agreement with housing associations to build new
affordable houses at Midland Avenue in Stapleford and Linwood Crescent in
Eastwood. We are also looking at the possibility of adding new housing on the
old disused car park on Hickings Lane in Stapleford (not on the park itself).
4.
Beeston Travel Centre
The borough and county councils have agreed to co-fund a
travel information centre in Beeston close to the proposed bus/tram
interchange. The running costs will be met from the county council but the set
up costs will be shared between the two authorities. Hopefully this will help
travellers complete their journeys with ease.
5.
Chinese New Year Celebrations
The Borough Council have agreed to donate £3,000 towards the
costs of the Chinese new year celebrations in February next year. Over the last
few years this has become a major event in Beeston and the councils continued
financial support will help it to go forward.
6.
Stapleford Takeaway
A planning application has been submitted to the borough
council to convert an empty shop on Nottingham Road in Stapleford to a
takeaway. This application will be considered by the borough council in due
course. The major concern is likely to be the number of takeaways already
present and the question that the council will have to determine is whether it
is better to have yet another one or to allow the shop to potentially remain
empty.
7.
Missing Woman
Elizabeth Kinston, aged 37, has been missing from home for
just over a week and the police are appealing for any information that people
have about where she may be. If anyone
has any information on her whereabouts they are asked to contact Notts Police
by ringing 101.
8.
Kimberley Brewery
A new set of proposals have now been submitted for
development at Kimberley Brewery. These include 91 houses and 31 apartments. A
decision on these will be made in the new year.
9.
Grove Farm Wind Turbine
As regular readers may recall an application by Nottingham
University to install a wind turbine in Beeston Rylands next to the Trent. This
was rejected by the council because of the impact on local residents and the
enterprise zone. The university appealed against this refusal but last week
that appeal was dismissed.
10.
Stapleford Library
Stapleford Library, which has been closed for refurbishment,
will reopen on 30th November. There will be a programme of special
events that day including children’s craft activities from 10am and the official
opening at 10.30. Everyone is welcome to attend.
11.
Broxtowe CAB
Broxtowe Citizens Advice Bureaux has received a Big
Lottery Award of £350,000. This will mean that they can recruit more workers
and put more resources into the Broxtowe Women's Project which supports victims
of domestic violence, and the Hope charity.
12.
Budget Consultation
This is just a quick reminder to readers that the borough
council’s consultation on residents priorities for the budget closes on Friday.
If you haven’t yet had your say please do so at https://youchoose.yougov.com/BroxtoweBC.
13.
St James The Great Church, Brinsley
St James The Great Church in Brinsley has obtained a grant
of £45,000 to enable it to be refurbished. The church wishes to make itself
more user friendly for local residents. I wish them every success.
14.
County Council Adopters
Notts County Council has recruited 60 new adopters this
year, double the number who came forward last year. This is excellent news but
as ever demand exceeds supply. There are currently 100 children in the County
with adoption plans. If you are interested in adopting the County Council
website at www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk
has some useful information.
15.
Cancer Research Fashion Show
The Victory Club in Eastwood is holding a charity fashion
show on 1st December in aid of Cancer Research UK. Doors open at 7pm
and tickets cost £5. Tickets can be purchased from 01773 715330.
16.
Deputy Prime Minister
Nick Clegg, the Deputy Prime Minister, was in Nottingham on
Friday. I didn’t get the chance to see him when he was here but I have been
invited to London on Wednesday to discuss planning reforms with him. I’ll
report back on the meeting as far as I’m able next week.
As ever thank you for your support for this newsletter. Any
feedback is gratefully received.
Best wishes
David
Follow me on Twitter @davidwatts12.
