Broxtowe Enews 21st July 2012

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.       Broxtowe Core Strategy

The six week consultation period for people to comment on Broxtowe’s draft core strategy closes on Monday at 5pm. If you haven’t commented yet then please take the opportunity to do so this weekend. Comments received after the deadline will still be put before the independent inspector who will assess the strategy, but he is not obliged to take them into account. I attended a meeting on Tuesday this week at Kimberley to look at the proposals there, and it’s clear that there is still a lot of confusion about what the core strategy is about. In a very brief nutshell the general position in this country is that people can build new developments unless there is a rule stopping them, and the local plan based on the core strategy imposes that sort of limitation. It sets a maximum for the total number of houses that can be built in the borough over the next 15 years, and aims to meet the housing need that we will have over that time. It also covers employment, infrastructure and other issues to provide a comprehensive plan for the future of the borough.

2.       Kimberley Brewery

Also in Kimberley comes news that the new owners of the brewery and their partners are mounting an exhibition on 7^th August from 1pm to 8pm at Kimberley Parish Hall setting out some very broad ideas that they have for how the site may be developed. I was given a sneak preview of them this week and they look quite exciting. The owners want to stress that this is still a very embryonic idea and they want to listen to what people think about them before finalising any planning application. They have been in regular contact with the Kimberley Save Our Brewery Site group (SOBS) and have said to me that they feel it is vital to have plans which local residents support. Please take the opportunity to call in on 7^th August if you are interested.

3.       Broxtowe Cycling Festival

The Broxtowe Cycling festival will be held at the Giltbrook Retail Park on 27^th July starting at 6.30pm. The festival is a fantastic opportunity for cyclists of all ages and abilities to get involved. Whether you are looking to try out cycling for the first time, get back into cycling or looking for some family fun, there will be a range of opportunities for you. The festival will offer a range of trick bikes to try, cycling tips and advice and the opportunity to watch some amazing demonstrations! Whether you are competing in a challenge or just attending the event for the atmosphere, there will be lots of things to see and do! It is completely free so just turn up and join in the fun.

4.       Holiday Playdays

There are a number of holiday clubs taking place over the summer holidays (my older daughter celebrated the start of these by completely flooding our bathroom which caused a significant amount of damage). The council is running sessions in Eastwood, Kimberley, Beeston and Stapleford, and details are on the council’s website at www.broxtowe.gov.uk. A series of holiday clubs are also being held at Attenborough Nature Reserve and details of these are on their website at http://www.attenboroughnaturecentre.co.uk/news-events/.

5.       Kimberley Pram Race

The annual Kimberley Pram race will take place tomorrow starting at 12.30pm. It kicks off from the Parish Hall and Trophy categories include: "Best Pram", "Best Fancy Dress", "Fastest Pram", "Best Overall" and "Best Mother & Baby.” There will be a variety of items of information taking place throughout the afternoon.

6.       Stapleford Carnival

This is an advance notice but this year’s Stapleford Carnival will take place on Saturday 1^st September at the Ilkeston Road Recreation Park starting at 12.30. This is always an excellent event and so I hope many people will turn out.

7.       Olympic Proms

An “Olympic Proms” will be held at Dovecote Lane Recreation Ground in Beeston on 18^th August 2012 featuring two live bands and a firework display to close. The event is totally free and many people bring a picnic along to help celebrate the evening.

8.       Midland Mainline Electrification

As I predicted last week the coalition Government on Monday announced a major investment in rail infrastructure which included the electrification of the Midland Mainline route to London. This should mean that we benefit from faster and greener trains, and the scheme should create thousands of jobs. Also on the trains, Network Rail will be relaying 6 miles of track into Nottingham Station next year, and so between 20^th July and 23^rd August next year there will be no direct services from Nottingham to London. The general view is that the disruption this will cause will be a small price to pay for the benefits that it will bring. I believe that, whilst commuters will be bussed from Nottingham to East Midlands Parkway, some service may continue running to Beeston during that period.

9.       Ambulance Changes

The East Midlands Ambulance Service has announced plans to close 12 of the 13 ambulance stations in Notts, including all those in Broxtowe. Instead ambulances will be based at Nottingham and Mansfield, and ambulances will deploy from there out to 22 separate stand by locations.

10.   Green Flag Parks

I’m delighted to announce that two parks in the borough, Bramcote Hills Park and Colliers Wood, have retained their green flag status, the national award for a quality park. Both are extremely popular attractions and we are always looking for further ways to improve them whilst maintaining their natural beauty and charm.

11.   Crime Figures

The latest crime figures released this week show that recorded crime in Nottinghamshire fell by 8% last year and is now at it’s lowest since 1977. This is extremely good news and whilst there is always a difference between recorded crime and actual crime levels it is clear that the trend in both is continuing downwards.

12.   School Meals

The school meals team at Notts County Council last week won the top prize at the Catering Business of the Year awards. My children both have school meals and they are a far cry from the spam and lumpy custard that we had when I was at school. (We didn’t actually have the lumpy custard with the spam but they are the two things that stuck in my mind.)

13.   Nuthall Vandals

I mentioned recently that basil Russell Park in Nuthall was benefitting from £60,000 of improvements. Sadly now though vandals have attacked the toilet block causing significant amounts of damage, so that these have had to be shut whilst repairs are carried out. This is extremely disappointing news and if anyone knows who is involved will they please pass that information on to the police.

14.   Radio Appearance

I will be on Radio Five Live tomorrow (Sunday) morning at 10am in a discussion show about the Olympics. I have tickets for some of the athletics with my family and will be speaking tomorrow on behalf of the excited spectators who are looking forward to the event (and hopefully countering some of the negativity that the BBC seem to have delighted in broadcasting about the event).

As ever thank you for your support for this newsletter, and any feedback is gratefully received. Next Saturday will be the last newsletter until 1^st September and so if you have any events that need to be publicised during August please let me know by then.

Best wishes

David

www.broxtoweliberaldemocrats.org.uk

www.davidwatts.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

Broxtowe Enews 15th July 2012

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. There isn’t as much news to report as usual, which I suspect is because we are getting close to the summer break. I’ll carry on doing the newsletter until the end of July but, as usual, there won’t be any during August unless something important occurs. If anyone gets withdrawal symptom’s you will hopefully be able to hear me on Radio Nottingham in August as part of their Olympic Coverage when I take my family down to London to see some of the athletics.

1.       Midland Mainline

There are strong rumours circulating that the coalition government is to announce tomorrow that they will be funding the electrification of the Midland Mainline. This will be extremely good news if it is true. It will mean that we have faster and cleaner trains, and the investment will generate significant job opportunities as well.

2.       Weeds on Paths and Verges

In April this year responsibility for looking after the footpaths and verges passed from the borough council to the county council. They have informed us this week that they are now five weeks behind with their programme of cutting paths and verges. This is why so many areas look overgrown. I am one of a number of councillors who have complained about this, but the county council have told us that they will not make any alterations to their order for doing things to address the worst areas.

3.       Housing Numbers in Broxtowe

As many people will know Broxtowe Borough Council is currently putting together a new local plan, which identifies that 6,150 houses will be needed over the next 15 years to cope with the growth in population in Broxtowe. This is currently out for consultation. However I was able to announce at the council meeting on Tuesday that some new research has been published which suggests that the level of demand across Greater Nottingham may have been over-estimated by about 5,000 homes, and if this is confirmed then I will be arguing strongly that Broxtowe should take the largest share of this reduction, given that we have the highest density and the lowest amount of available land.

If you live in or around Kimberley there is a public meeting on Tuesday evening for residents to discuss the councils plans. It takes place at Kimberley Parish Hall at 7.00pm.

Finally on this topic there was a debate in parliament about Broxtowe’s housing strategy on Friday, organised by Anna Soubry. Needless to say this was not something that interested many other MP’s and there were only about three people in the chamber, and poor Anna was rather sent away with a flea in her ear by the Minister of State.

4.       Planning Application in Toton

Following on from the last item Peverill Homes have announced that they are submitting a planning application to build 775 houses on green belt land, between the top of Toton and the bottom of Stapleford. The council have previously indicated that we would not support development here and so it is unlikely that planning permission would be granted. The developers are aware of this and must be hoping that the Secretary of State will override local wishes and grant planning permission.

5.       Temporary Police Station

The police have created a temporary police station based at Inham Nook Community Centre during July and August. This is in response to a problem with burglaries in thhe area aand will mean that the police will be based nearer to enable them to respond more quickly and to increase the number of patrols that they have in the area.

6.       Sainsbury’s Charity Vote

Sainsbury’s in Beeston have recently run a vote amongst customers to select the charity they were to fund next year. The winner is the cancer suffers hospice at City Hospital.

7.       More Cyclists

An interesting statistic this week was that there has been a 10% increase on cyclists using cycling paths on the county over the past twelve months.  There will no doubt me many reasons for this but I hope that the investment that the borough council has put into cycle paths and facilities will be a part of it.

8.       Police Priorities

Police officers coving Toton, Chilwell and Attenborough are holding an open meeting to set their priorities for the next three months. The meeting takes place at Banks Road School on Wednesday at 7pm.

9.       Kimberley Blood Donors

People are being urged to give blood in Kimberley on July 26. Donor sessions will take place 1pm to 3.15pm and 4.45pm to 7.30pm at Kimbrley Leisure Centre and anyone aged between 17 - 65, weighing more than 50 kg, or seven stone 12lbs and in general good health can become a blood donor. To book an appointment call the Donor Line on 0300 123 23 23 or visit www.blood.co.uk.

As ever thank you for your support for this newsletter, and any feedback is gratefully received.

Best wishes

David

www.broxtoweliberaldemocrats.org.uk

www.davidwatts.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

Broxtowe Enews 7th July 2012

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.       Police Stop and Search

One very worrying statistic that was announced this week is that in Nottinghamshire black people are nine times as likely to be the subject of a stop and search by the police as white people are. Asian people are twice as likely to be searched as white people. The police have admitted that this is a cause for concern and have called in help from the National Police Improvement Agency to tackle diversity training.

2.       Bus Changes

I’ve mentioned a few times that there is a strong will in the borough council to improve bus services in Broxtowe, but the County Council are not keen. Now the County have announced that they want to cut £2million a year from their public transport budget, which will make the job even harder. They  are running a consultation which is open now and runs through to September 4^th. You can have your say at www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk

3.       Girls Football

The borough council is running new football workshops for girls aged between 5 and 11. These take place each Thursday from 4.15 to 5.15 at the Manor Recreation Ground in Toton. Further details are available by ringing 0115 917 3572.

4.       Help For Troubled Families

192 families in Broxtowe will be amongst those across Nottinghamshire who receive help from the County Council under a scheme aimed at helping troubled families. Support will be offered to households that are either involved in crime and anti-social behaviour, have children out of school, have an adult on out of work benefits or those who cause high costs to the public purse. The Government have made £2.3 million available to the county council to help them address the issues around these families, on a payments by results basis.

5.       Disco Dancer

Congratulations to Toton resident Cordelia Mills who won both the single and pairs titles at the World Freestyle Disco Dancing championships in Blackpool this week.

6.       Forthcoming Community Action Team Meetings

We had a very lively discussion at the Bramcote CAT meeting this week. There are a number of others coming up in the next few days. The Beeston Rylands CAT is on 17^th July at the Rylands Community Centre from 7.30pm, the Trowell meeting is on 18^th July at Trowell Parish Hall, starting at 7.45pm, Chilwell West’s meeting will take place on 19^th July at Inham Nook Methodist Church, starting at 7pm, and the Nuthall meeting in the same night at the Spinney, Nuthall Crescent, starting at 7.30pm. Local residents are welcome to each of these to raise any concerns or discuss any issues that they have.

7.       Police Neighbourhood Alerts

The police have a new email service alerting people about crime and community safety issues in local areas. You can sign up to these at www.nottinghamshirealert.co.uk

8.       Patient Participation Groups

Each local GP’s surgery either now has or is creating a patient participation group. These aim to give patients more involvement in how services are offered locally. If you would like to be involved with your group please contact the Practice Manager at your surgery.

9.       Kimberley Farmers Market

Kimberley Farmers Market will have extended opening hours from now on. Today’s market is the first one with the new hours, and it is now open from 9am to 2pm. The market takes place on the first Saturday of every month.

10.   Beeston Maltings

Unfortunately efforts to save Beeston Maltings have so far failed, but the council have agreed to fund a project by the Beeston and District Civic Society to obtain a pictorial record of the building. This way at least an extensive record of the building will be retained.

11.   Waterways

 A new charity has now taken over the running of Britain’s waterways, including the River Trent and the Nottingham Canal. British Waterways has ceased to exist and the Canals and Rivers Trust has taken over their activities. No doubt we will begin to see their name appear from now on.

12.   Great Kimberley Book Read

A 12 week reading competition in Kimberley is being launched by Rev Barbara Holbrook next Saturday. The Great Kimberley Book Read will be declared open at the town library on Saturday July 14. It marks the start of a 12 week feast of reading, with 18 new titles that people can borrow from the library and read, before voting on their favourite. To find out more go to www.greatkimberleyread.com

13.   Tales From The Priory

Tales from the Priory will be held at Beauvale Priory on Saturday 22^nd June from 10am – 3.30pm. Each session lasts for  30 minutes and visitors will be escorted around the abbey by guides highlighting some of the history.

14.   Friends of Bramcote Tower

The Friends of Bramcote Tower are holding a strawberry tea at the tower tomorrow, Sunday 8^th July, from 1pm – 4pm. At the time they arranged this they did not know that Murray was going to be in the men’s singles final at Wimbledon, so if you’re not a tennis fan please come along and give them your support.

May I end by saying how delighted I was to see Jonny Marray win in the mens doubles at Wimbledon, and good luck to Andy Murray for tomorrow. If this run of British success has inspired you to play tennis the borough council have a number of courts across the borough.

As ever thank you for your support for this newsletter, and any feedback is gratefully received.

Best wishes

David

www.broxtoweliberaldemocrats.org.uk

www.davidwatts.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

Broxtowe Enews 1st July 2012

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. Many apologies that we are a day late with this but I’m afraid that I just couldn’t tear myself away from the Murray match last night. The roof at centre court has certainly helped to provide three successive nights of excitement.

1.       School Terms

Notts County Council have decided to alter the length of the Spring Term from next year, so that from now on the spring term will always be a set length, irrespective of where Easter falls. I think that there are pluses and minuses to this, but we will have to see how it goes.

2.       Beeston Carnival

This years Beeston Carnival will take place on 14^th July. It is always an excellent event and hopefully the rain might hold off.

3.       High Speed Internet

BT have announced that they will be rolling out high speed internet to houses in the Beeston area over the next twelve months. This is something that the borough and county council’s have both agreed to help fund so that our residents and businesses can enjoy the benefits of the technology. We see this as essential in helping the borough to remain an attractive place for businesses to set up.

4.       Roadwork’s

A new mini-roundabout is being constructed in Greasley at the moment and as a result there are temporary lights at the junction of Main Road and Narrow Lane. These should be finished on or about 23^rd July.

5.       Summer Reading Scheme

Notts County Council is launching a summer reading scheme over the long summer holiday period. They are inviting children from 4 – 11 to read six books from their library over the six weeks of the holidays. There will be celebration events for the successful children in both the north and south of the county.

6.       Police Mounted Section

Notts police have decided to scrap their mounted section is a move designed to save them £93,000 per year. The Police Authority voted at their annual meeting this week to support this move.

7.       Public Transport Improvements

The Government have allocated £10 million to Nottinghamshire to improve public transport here. No doubt there will be much negotiation and discussion over the next few weeks about how this will be spent, and when we know how much will come to Broxtowe I’ll report further.

8.       Football for Children With Disabilities

Trowell Football club and Broxtowe Borough Council are offering a new programme of football  coaching for children with disabilities at Bramcote Leisure Centre every Wednesday from 6-7pm, aimed at children from 5-14. Details are available from  07747 190341.

9.       Art Exhibitions

An art exhibition is being held this month at Beeston library, starting tomorrow and running through until 13^th June. It will display work by the New Beginnings Art Group, who meet at the Oasis Centre in Beeston. Another exhibition will be held at George Spencer School in Stapleford on 7^th July, and the school are inviting local artists to display their work. Details are available from Deborah Fry on 0115 917 0119.

10.   Carers Emergency Service

Notts County Council have set up a new Carers Crisis Prevention Scheme to provide support if an adult carer of another adult is involved in an accident. The scheme will cost £85,000 per year to run and it seems to me that this will be money very well spent. Details are available on 08449 808080.

11.   Award Winner

Congratulations to Beeston Photographer Philippa Double from Double Image Photography who won 12 awards, including three overall winners in different categories, at the East Midlands Master Photographers Association annual print competition.

12.   Chilwell School Events

On Friday 13th July Paradiso Cinema presents The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, Starring Judi Dench, at Chilwell Arts Theatre, Chilwell School, Queens Road West. Tickets cost on the door £5 (£4 conc). The film starts at 7.30pm but come at 7pm for refreshments.

On Sunday 8th July Chilwell School Partnership are holding an Outdoor Car Boot Sale (weather permitting), also at Chilwell School, Queen’s Road West, from 9am to 1pm. Entrance = donation to school funds. Sellers can set up 7.30am to 9am – cars £5, vans £7.50. There is no need to book, just turn up. If the weather is uncertain see http://www.chilwell.notts.sch.uk/.

13.   Olympic Torch

Finally may I say how great it was to see that a number of Broxtowe residents carried the Olympic Torch on it’s visit to Nottingham this year, and even the rain didn’t put people off. I was delighted that my friend Matthew Galtrass carried it over Trent Bridge. Well done to everyone involved.

As ever thank you for your support for this newsletter, and any feedback is gratefully received.

Best wishes

David

www.broxtoweliberaldemocrats.org.uk

www.davidwatts.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

Broxtowe Enews 16th June 2012

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.       Wind Turbine at Chilwell School

The Greening Beeston scheme have announced plans to install a community wind turbine at Chilwell School. They received a grant from the Notts Energy Partnership to fund this and have been seeking people’s views about which of a number of options was preferred. The wind turbine at the school was the clear winner. A planning application has been submitted to the council and will be decided on in due course.

2.       Notts Police

Nottinghamshire Police have announced that they have lifted a two year ban on new recruitment. This is good news, but does come very shortly after the end of a period where they have forced 100 experienced officers to retire, and it looks like they are replacing experienced officers with inexperienced (and cheaper) replacements. On the bright side though they intend to recruit 151 news officers this summer.

3.       Open Cast Mining

May I take this opportunity to remind everyone that the deadline for submitting comments on UK Coals proposals to build an open cast mine in Cossall and Trowell is fast approaching. You can submit comments on the County Council website at http://www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/planningsearch/plandisp.aspx?AppNo=ES/2569. I hope as many people as possible will submit objections to this scheme.

4.       Outstanding Young People

Nominations are open (and have been extended) for the County Council Outstanding Achievement 4Uth Awards. Nominations now close on the 6^th July, and the awards are for young people who have pushed their personal boundaries. Nomination forms can be obtained at www.Nottinghamshire.gov.uk/4Uth.

5.       Kimberley School

Teachers at Kimberley School staged a strike on Wednesday over the fact that Governors are considering converting to an academy. Whatever the rights and wrongs of academy status (and I’m personally not a huge fan of them) I believe that it is wholly wrong for teachers to strike at a time when many students are dealing with very important exams.

6.       Council Underspends

The County Council have announced that they underspent their budget by £34 million this year. They say that this is due to good housekeeping and that they will reinvest the savings in capital projects. At the same time the borough council have underspent by about £500,000. Again we will be looking at schemes that we had to shelve previously to see if some of them can now be taken forward.

7.       New Bench on Bramcote Ridge

To thank Bramcote resident Walter Grauberg for his untiring work on behalf of Bramcote Hills Community Association (BHCA), The Friends of Bramcote Ridge and the people of Bramcote a bench has been installed by the BHCA on the Ridge.   The Bench has a dedicated plaque and is sited at the top view point of the Bramcote Ridge. May I pass my congratulations on to Walter, who I have had the pleasure to know for many years.

8.       Get Involved in Local Democracy

Broxtowe Borough Council are currently running a survey on how it can encourage more people to be involved in local democracy. I’d encourage as many people as possible to participate in this. The survey can be found at www.broxtowe.gov.uk.

9.       Choosing Health Funding

The council is making grants of up to £2,500 available to groups running schemes to improve the health of local residents. The successful projects will be “fresh, creative and help to make a difference.” Groups wishing to apply can contact Jill Burn on jill.burn@nottspct.nhs.uk for details. Applications need to be received by 29^th June.

10.   Arsonist In Kimberley

A number of fires targeting trees have been deliberately started in Kimberley recently. The latest was earlier this week when Conifer Trees in Aintree Close were set alight. If anyone sees people acting suspiciously then please contact the police or Crimestoppers.

11.   Stapleford Storytelling Event

On 21st June 2012 there will be a “Storytelling, Poetry and Skittles” night at The Old Cross, Church Street, Stapleford, starting at 7pm. You can come as a team or as an individual. There is a £1 entrance fee and attendees may bring a poem or story or just come to listen and play. Drinks can be bought at the bar.  Details are available from Dave Wood on O77O9977684.

12.   Help With Fuel Debts

Real help is now available to those who haven’t been able to pay their heating bills. Advisors are available to help householders get grants to get their energy debts reduced or written off. The same advisors can also help with further advice on energy efficiency measures. There is information about the scheme and a self-referral form that the householder should fill in and return as directed. The scheme is run by Advice Nottingham and financed by the major energy companies. If you need help of this kind, please do make an application. Help and funding is available right now.  This scheme is run through St. Anns Advice Centre Telephone  (0115 908 1532) but it is available to residents in the whole of Nottinghamshire. 

13.   Red Lion Pottery

Alan Birchall invites you to ‘POTS PLUS 6’ at Red Lion Pottery Summer Open Studio on  Saturday 30 June and Sunday 1 July 2012 from 11.30am until 4.30pm at Red Lion Cottage, 228 High Road, Chilwell, Nottingham NG9 5DB. There will be lots of pots, either to buy or just to look at and handle in the showroom and in a marquee. Enjoy a drink, nibbles and a lovely garden. The studio is on the Indigo bus route. If coming by car please park at 230 High Road or on The Close.  Details are available from doc.albirchall@ntlworld.com or on the website at www.redlionpottery.co.uk. The Pottery will also be open as part of Broxtowe Open Studios Saturday-Monday 23-25th June 2012 10am to 6pm, with daily demonstration of hand building slabbed dishes.

14.   Broxtowe Community Celebration

This years Broxtowe Community Celebration, which celebrates the diversity of different cultures within the borough, takes place on Saturday 7th July at Round Hill School, Foster Ave, Beeston. I’ll post fuller details about this next week

As ever thank you for your support for this newsletter, and any feedback is gratefully received.

Best wishes

David

www.broxtoweliberaldemocrats.org.uk

www.davidwatts.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

Broxtowe Enews 9th June 2012

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. It’s been a bad week for me as someone forced the gate at the side of my house and stole my bike, which I really liked and used most days.

1.       Borough Housing Plans

May I remind everyone that the public consultation on the borough’s core strategy, which sets out the councils housing plans for the next 15 years along with a range of other policies, begins its public consultation on Monday. I would strongly encourage everyone to take the opportunity to comment on this, even if you have submitted comments before. Everything that is said in this round of consultation will go to the independent inspector who will pass judgement on the plans, so he needs to know what you think, whether you agree with our proposals or not. The details and response forms are available on www.broxtowe.gov.uk/corestrategy. Bramcote residents are invited to a meeting being held by the village Conservation Society on Tuesday at 8pm at the Memorial Hall to discuss the plans.

2.       Tram Works

NET have published details of their work programme for the next six weeks, setting out all the likely disruption. I have put a copy of this on the Broxtowe Lib-Dem web site at www.broxtowelibdems.org.uk and also on my personal web site at www.davidwatts.org.uk. This is on the front page of both sites so just keep scrolling down and you’ll come to it.

3.       Big Health Check Day

The NHS are holding a “Big Health Check Day” for people with learning disabilities, their family members and family carers and professionals. It takes place on Thursday 21^st June from 10am to 3.30pm at Rumbletums Café in Kimberley. A flyer advertising it is on the Broxtowe Lib-Dem web site at www.broxtoweliberaldemocrats.org.uk.

4.       Gambling Act Review of Principles

The Borough Council, as the licensing authority for the area, is required to review its policies each three years. This process is now beginning and the council have published draft principles. I’ve put a copy of these on the Broxtowe Lib-Dem web site.

5.       Improved Children’s Play Areas

This is the first of several good news stories today, which makes a change to the stories of cutbacks and recession that dominate the national media. At the cabinet meeting last week the borough council agreed to fund two significant upgrades to children’s play areas. £28,000 will be spent improving the Chetwynd Road play area in Toton and £104,500 will be spent improving the Manor Farm Recreation ground, also in Toton.

6.       Improvements To Parks

The council have also agreed to fund improvements to a number of parks and open spaces. Some of these will be funded immediately and some will occur later in the financial year. These are the Basil Russell Playing Fields in Nuthall, the Manor Road Recreation Ground in Eastwood, Coronation Park in Eastwood, the Stag Recreation Ground in Kimberley, Greenhills Road Recreation Ground in Greasley, and Beauvale Park in Greasley.  The Basil Russell and Coronation Park schemes are both for new skate parks, and have both been promoted by local young people. When I was the leader of the council County Councillor Keith Longdon arranged for a group of students from Eastwood Comprehensive to come and see me to discuss the poor state of the existing skate parks and they have been the driving force ever since behind the fund raising and design of the new park. Instances like this are examples of the real difference that people can make to their communities, and I’m delighted that young people are taking the opportunities available.

7.       Public Transport Improvements

The final area of significant expenditure agreed by the cabinet last week is in improvements to public transport schemes. £110,000 is going towards improvements to the Nottingham canal towpath, £20,000 for improvements to cycling infrastructure in Beeston and £10,000 towards improvements to the coach pick up point in Beeston. These were all suggestions that came from the survey that I ran last year into suggestions that people had for improvements to public transport.

The biggest number of suggestions in that survey however were around improvements to bus services. Basically here the problem is that whilst the council are willing to look at these the county council, who have the final say on bus schemes, are extremely reluctant and are looking to make cuts not to encourage fresh investment. However there is cross party support in the borough council to try and implement improvements and we are continuing to look at ways that we can help.

8.       Citizens Advice Bureaux

The County Council cut funding for the CAB a couple of years ago, but since then the borough Council have been able to provide some financial support for them. We have agreed to carry on doing so for next year, and the council will be funding them to the tune of nearly £75,000 this year.

9.       Drink Drive Campaign

Notts police have launched a campaign to target drink driving over the summer months. This is a time of year when the number of people driving under the influence of alcohol increases, and with a whole summer of sport the problem is likely to be more acute this year than usual.

10.   Volunteer Community Drivers Needed

The County Council is currently looking to recruit new volunteer drivers for their community transport schemes. If you are interested please ring Robin Riley on 0115 977 4520.

11.   Bramcote Hills ICT Award

Bramcote Hills Primary School has been awarded a national ICT Mark for its strategic use of ICT both for teaching and administration. As a parent governor at that school I’m delighted that the efforts of our staff and in particular the senior team there are being recognised.

12.   Portas Money

As you may know the Government invited towns to bid for cash grants to help revive high streets, as part of its response to the Mary Portas review of town centres. Two bids were submitted from Broxtowe, one for Beeston and the other taking in the three other town centres. Sadly neither of these were successful.

13.   Olympic Party Packs

Notts County Council are offering free Olympic Party Packs, including pens, balls, flags, water bottles and bunting, to sports teams who can show that they would be able to use it to promote participation in their sport. The number of packs are limited and enquiries should be addressed to sports@nottscc.gov.uk.

14.   Stapleford Storytelling Evening

Local poet and writer Dave Wood will be hosting a storytelling evening at the Old Cross, Church Street, Stapleford on Thursday 21^st June starting at 7pm. Details can be obtained from Dave on 07709 977684.

  

As ever thank you for your support for this newsletter, and any feedback is gratefully received.

Best wishes

David

www.broxtoweliberaldemocrats.org.uk

www.davidwatts.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

Broxtowe Enews 26th May 2012

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 start with a quick apology to people still waiting to receive replies to correspondence over the past week or so. I’ve been snowed under at work but I will get back to you next week.

1.       New Mayor

At the council meeting on Wednesday evening councillor Margaret Handley from Greasley was elected as the new mayor of Broxtowe. The new deputy mayor is Stapleford councillor Iris White, so congratulations to them both. It was my privilege at the meeting to propose the vote of thanks for the outgoing mayor Cllr Jacky Williams, who has been absolutely excellent in the role.

2.       Possible new Leader

Cllr Milan Radulovic, the leader of Broxtowe Borough Council, was present at the meeting on Wednesday. Due to poor health and personal issues Cllr Radulovic has been off work since the turn of the year. It was good to see him on Wednesday but, with a voice heavy with emotion, he did say that if his health did not improve considerably in the near future it would be time to find a new leader of the council.

3.       Hickings Lane Rec

A number of poplar trees have been removed from Hickings Lane recreation ground, Stapleford, in the last few days. This is because the condition of the trees had deteriorated and they had become a safety hazard. Replacement trees will be planted in the autumn.

4.       Beeston Enterprise Zone

The creation of a new enterprise zone at the Boots site in Beeston is a step closer this week after the Notts and Derbyshire Local Enterprise Partnership announced that they would use a significant part of a £26million grant from the government to fund infrastructure development on the site. This is extremely good news and hopefully the enterprise zone will be up and running in the next few months.

5.       Field Farm Submissions

Some readers will have seen an email from Anna Soubry asking for people to send objections to the council’s core strategy, in particularly the likelihood of Field Farm being removed from the green belt and allocated for housing, as soon as possible. Please do not follow this advice. The council are currently considering a planning application for Field Farm as well as the site being included within the Core Strategy, soon to be subject to consultation. An objection (or support) for the Field Farm planning application cannot be used as a representation to the Core Strategy process as Anna suggested.

 The Core Strategy has reached a formal stage and it is important that the correct procedures are followed to make representations to that. There will be specific forms that need to be completed as this includes references to the "soundness" of the Core Strategy that any inspector will need to consider. The timescale for the consultation period will be from June 11th - 5.00pm 23rd July 2012. Representations outside that period are unlikely to be valid. Forms for representation will be available on the council’s website from that date with paper copies available at Council offices at Beeston & Eastwood and in local libraries in the Borough. I have also just approved the design of a leaflet to be sent out to every house in the Borough to advise people of the details and invite comments.

6.       School Meals Survey

A survey published this week by Notts County Council shows that 80% of parents whose kids have school meals rate them as good or very good. ‘d concur with that, my children have school meals and they have a varied and healthy menu.

7.       South Nottingham College

South Notts College have announced a number of changes to sites for the next few years. The Arthur Mee Site in Stapleford is probably going to close, which is extremely bad news for the town, and the Beeston campus is likely to receive a significant makeover. They also plan to change the name to Central College. The college have not finalised these plans yet but they are in an options document that the college have just released. I am sure that all the Stapleford Councillors will try and persuade the college not to go down this route as it is a very important element of life in the town.

8.       1^st Nuthall Scouts

The first Nuthall Scouts have received a grant of £500 from the County Council towards refurbishing their headquarters a facelift as a way of marking the Queens diamond jubilee.

9.       Greasley Multi-Use Games Area

This facility continues to cause problems unfortunately. It is owned by the parish council but used by a wide range of groups, and sadly sometimes the noise levels generated became a real problem for near neighbours. When I was the leader of the borough council we felt that we had no option but to take the matter to court and the magistrates issued a noise abatement order. Unfortunately the borough council have now had to take the parish council to court again for breach of that order. The case will resume on 30^th May.

10.   Bus Service Changes

Premier Buses have made alterations to their number 17 service from Beeston to Stapleford, so that the morning service now runs five minutes earlier and the early evening service has a new timetable. These changes start tomorrow. Whilst on the subject of buses may I mention that the borough council’s cabinet will be looking at the next meeting about steps that we can take to improve bus services in Broxtowe. This is a direct result of responses from readers of this newsletter. You may recall I asked for views last year because the council still have a significant amount of money to spend on public transport, and improving bus services was the most common response that I received. We’ve been exploring all the options over the past few months and are now ready for the council to make some decisions.

11.   Mobility Aids

Notts County Council’s Trading Standards Department are researching the sale of mobility scooters. If you have purchased any mobility aids, either for yourself or a relative, they are hoping that you will take a few minutes to fill in a questionnaire. You can access this at www.surveymonkey.com/s/ncc-mobility. Apparently this can be done anonymously.

12.   New School Buildings

As you may have heard on the national news the Government have announced a £17 billion nationwide investment in new school buildings. Amongst the successful applicants is Lynncroft Primary School in Eastwood. In addition to this the County Council is putting in £100 million investment into schools across the county.

13.   High Visibility Back Packs

The police station in Beeston has a number of high visibility back packs to give away free to local cyclists. If you want one just pop into the police station on Chilwell Road and ask. I’m mentioning this because a cyclist was killed on the road close to my house on Wednesday morning and so I hope that all cyclists will consider their safety anew. If they run out of supplies there will be a further promotion in September.

14.   Report from Bill Newton Dunn MEP

The latest news report from Bill Newton-Dunn MEP is available to read at our website – www.broxtoweliberaldemocrats.org.uk

15.   Funding Available For Health Projects in Broxtowe

Groups and organisations in Broxtowe are being encouraged by NHS Nottinghamshire County and the Broxtowe Borough Partnership to apply for up to £2,500 of funding to help tackle health inequalities in the area. ‘Choosing Health’ funding will support healthy initiatives run by voluntary, community and partnership groups in the Borough of Broxtowe.  Successful projects will be fresh, creative and help to make a difference to the health of local people.  This is a great way for local residents to be involved in improving the health and wellbeing of their local community. For more information and an application form, please contact Jill Burn on 0115 8835544 or email jill.burn@nottspct.nhs.uk. The deadline for applications will be 29 June 2012 for projects running from July 2012 to July 2013.                       

16.   Beeston and Chilwell Garden Trail

The annual Beeston and Chilwell Garden Trail is taking place on Saturday 9th June and Sunday 10th June. There are 14 gardens open this year, including some new ones to the trail. Further details can be found at www.beestonandchilwellgardentrail.org.uk

17.   Sharnford Way Estate

Can I end with a message solely for those who live, as I do, on the Sharnford Way estate in Bramcote. Does anyone know who owns the big black male cat without a collar that wanders round the estate. I’m getting fed up chasing him out of my kitchen and I was seriously unimpressed when he was sat outside my bedroom door at 4am this morning caterwauling for my cat, who was asleep on the bed. He’s also broken my cat flap five times now! I’d like to know where to frogmarch him back to when I eventually catch him.

As ever thank you for your support for this newsletter, and any feedback is gratefully received.

Best wishes

David

www.broxtoweliberaldemocrats.org.uk

www.davidwatts.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

Broxtowe Enews 28th April 2012

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 16^th 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 17^th May and at Alderman White school on 24^th 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

www.broxtoweliberaldemocrats.org.uk

www.davidwatts.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

Broxtowe Enews 31st March 2012

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 25^th 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 4^th 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 13^th 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 5^th, 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 13^th April.

As ever thank you for your support for this newsletter, and any feedback is gratefully received.

Best wishes

David

www.broxtoweliberaldemocrats.org.uk

www.davidwatts.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