Welcome to Broxtowe Enews, brought to you by the Liberal Democrats and edited by David Watts, on behalf of the Lib-Dems in Broxtowe. May I give a special welcome to the new readers that we have this week. May I also wish all Dad’s a happy Fathers Day.

1. HS2
This week Derby City Council changed their previous position and are now backing Toton as the best location for the HS2 station in the East Midlands. As they were the only local authority who were still arguing against the Toton location until now this means that it is now extremely likely that Toton will be the location. This is something that I have always believed would happen, as I have said on here previously, and I think that this is very good news for the area. The Residents Commissioner who was appointed by the Government to take forward the interests of those affected by the route has now published her first report which can be seen at https://www.gov.uk/government/news/first-report-published-from-hs2-residents-commissioner. The compensation proposals for phase 1 of the route (to Birmingham) are well advanced but not yet for phase 2, which involves us. This is because work began on phase 1 several years earlier. The Government do have an emergency compensation scheme in place for people affected by phase 2 who need to sell immediately (not a “pathetic position” as the Labour party described it this week – if residents had the same thing for the tram it would have saved several years of stress for some people).

2. Solar Farm
I was really disappointed on Wednesday night that the Conservative administration in Broxtowe Borough Council rejected plans for the creation of a solar farm in Watnall. The proposed development at the old Watnall Brickworks, which has been a derelict and unkempt area of land for many years, would have provided 17Mw of power to the national grid, enough to power 5,150 houses a year and to save 6,700 tonnes of CO2 each year. Planning officers had recommended approval of the scheme but the Conservatives all voted against it, together with an independent councillor. The Conservative members of the planning committee even said that they didn’t believe that what they referred to as “so called renewable energy” was even needed. I really don’t believe that this was what people were expecting when they voted Conservative at the elections. I’ve tried to avoid comments which would sound like sour grapes after I lost my council seat at the last election but I do think that this was a serious error on the part of the council.

3. Beeston Square Development
The consultation on the next phase of developing Beeston Square closes on Monday. This means that if you want to have your say then please do so today. You can have your say at http://www.broxtowe.gov.uk/beestonsquare.

4. Brownies
3rd Bramcote Brownies are currently advertising that they have spaces for girls aged between 7 and 10. They meet on a Monday night at Pastures Church, Pastures Road in Stapleford. Full details are available by emailing 3rdbramcotebrownies@gmail.com.

5. Chilwell Carnival
Chilwell Carnival takes place next Saturday, 27th June, between 11:30am and 3pm at College House Junior School, Cator Lane, Chilwell, NG9 4BB. It will include pony rides, crazy golf, archery, performances in the arena and much more. Full details are available at https://friendsofcollegehouse.wordpress.com/carnival/.

6. Wadsworth Fields Primary School Summer Fair
Also on 27th June between 2pm and 4:30pmis the Wadsworth Fields Primary School Summer Fair which takes place at Wadsworth Fields Primary, Stapleford, NG9 8BD. This will include stalls, competitions a tombola and much more.

7. New Dementia Bungalows
Two new council bungalows, specifically designed for people with dementia, have this week been officially opened by the mayor of Broxtowe. These are an exciting new development and they will be followed by a number of further dementia bungalows in Beeston. The bungalows have been designed with a room for a carer and with surfaces which are adaptable to enable people to live in the community rather than have to move into a care facility.

8. Bin Lorries
Broxtowe Borough Council has this week taken delivery of two new bin lorries. The new vehicles, are worth over £300,000.00, and represent part of Broxtowe BC’s fleet renewal programme.They are fitted with Terberg’s low voltage, environmentally friendly and low noise electric OmniDEL E bin lifts which should ensure the quietest early morning wheelie bin collections possible.

9. Attenborough Church Pre-School Open Day
Next Saturday is the Attenborough Church Pre-School open day which takes place between 10:30am and 12 noon at Attenborough Village Hall. The pre-school will be displaying their pre-school and garden area and everyone is welcome to attend.

10. Free Swimming
I am pleased to say that the new administration on the Borough Council have decided to carry on with providing free swimming for those aged 17 and below over the summer holidays. Free swimming will be on offer to all holders of a valid junior Broxtowe Leisure Card from Thursday 23 July to Tuesday 1 September at the Council’s Bramcote and Kimberley Leisure Centres. Cards are available completely free of charge. This will be the 7th year that free swimming has been provided.

11. Charity Summer Fair
A chaity summer fair will be held at Wollaton Road Methodist Church in Beeston on Saturday 11th July from 10am to 2pm. The stalls will include cakes, tombolas, books, groceries, hand made crafts and cards. Proceeds are for the Forever Stars charity, which is looking to provide a bereavement suite at the QMC for those who have suffered stillbirths or similar losses.

12. Beeston Parish Church Garden Party
Beeston Parish Church are holding a garden party in the church grounds on Saturday 27th June between 10:30am and 1:30pm. This will include many stalls from cakes, to crafts there will also be a BBQ and much more.

13. Wilko’s Return
The new Wilko’s Store in Beeston Town Square will be officially opened on Thursday 25th June (this Thursday) at 9.00am by the mayor of Broxtowe. It will be good to have Wilko’s back after three years away. A number of people have asked about what happens to the compensation that Wilko’s received when their old store was demolished. I’m afraid that this sort of detail is usually covered by commercial confidentiality and we are unlikely to find out the answer.

14. Voluntary Action Broxtowe Tearoom volunteers needed
Voluntary Action Broxtowe are looking for volunteers to come and help out in our Traditional Friday Tearooms. The volunteers’ duties will include greeting customers, taking their orders and handling cash, the serving of tea, coffee and cakes, and also setting up and clearing up afterwards. For further details ring James on 0115 9178080 or e mail jamest@vabroxtowe.org.uk.

15. Dagfa School Summer Fete
Dagfa School in Beeston will be holding their summer fete on Saturday 4th July from 2nd to 4pm. This will take place at Dagfa School, 57 Broadgate, Beeston, NG9 2FU. The school say “Whether you choose to have a spot of tea, browse the stalls, eat the hearty BBQ food or have a tipple at the bar, you will have a great time with us!”

16. County Council Boundary Changes
A number of people have said that they have had problems accessing the Boundary Commission website giving the details of their proposed changes for representation in Broxtowe. You can access the information at http://www.lgbce.org.uk/current-reviews/east-midlands/nottinghamshire/nottinghamshire-county-council.

17. Pizza Hut Coming To Beeston
I really don’t like pizza so this is of no use to me but I’m sure that many other local residents will be delighted by the news that Pizza Hut are to open in Beeston. Their premises will be on the High Road, and I think that this means that there will only be 2 vacant units on the High Road now.

18. Craft Fair
A craft fair will be held at the Library Bar on Scargill Way in Eastwood next Saturday, 27th June. There will be arts and crafts for sale as well as a treasure hunt and circus skills. It will take place between 10am and 2pm.

19. Training For Mobility Scooter Users
Notts County Council will be providing a training session for people thinking of using a mobility scooter. This will take place at the Hassocks Fire Station on Wednesday 22nd July. To book a place ring 0115 985 5780.

20. Watch Out For Cyclists
Figures released this week show that the number of cyclists injured on roads in Nottinghamshire went up by 17% last year. Fortunately the number of accidents where someone was killed or seriously injured has fallen, but one accident is still one too many. If you are a motorist please take extra care to watch out for cyclists.

21. Unemployment Falls
The number of jobseekers in Nottinghamshire continues to fall. Including the city area there were 6,269 fewer people claiming jobseekers allowance last month than the month before. In Beeston the number of claimants fell by 320.

22. Ilkeston Railway Station
Although the proposed Ilkeston Railway Station is in Derbyshire the car park is in Broxtowe. After numerous delays Derbyshire County Council have now announced that work to construct the station will start in September or October this year. The station will cost approximately £6 million to build.

As ever thank you for your support for this newsletter. Any feedback is gratefully received.

Best wishes

David
www.davidwatts.org.uk
www.broxtoweliberaldemocrats.org.uk
Follow me on Twitter @davidwatts12.

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