David Watts

Liberal Democrat Councillor For Bramcote, Parliamentary Spokesperson for Newark, Editor of Challenge Magazine for the Green Liberal Democrats and Crime and Policing Spokesperson for Nottinghamshire Learn more

Broxtowe Enews 27th June 2016

by David Watts on 27 June, 2016

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 apologise that this newsletter is a day behind schedule and also that it is a bit shorter than normal, both due to circumstances beyond my control.

1. EU Referendum
There is only one place to start this week, which is with the EU Referendum. Here in Broxtowe the vote was 55% leave to 45% remain. As someone who was firmly committed to remain I am of course deeply disappointed with this and I am delighted that the Lib Dems have already announced that we will fight the next general election on a platform of returning to membership of the EU as soon as possible. This doesn’t mean that I think that the EU is perfect, which it isn’t (it is after all made up of imperfect people) but I think we were far better in than out. Nevertheless the decision has been made and I hope that the focus for the next few months will not be on backbiting and recriminations but on trying to draw our fractured country back together. That is what I want to focus my energies on.

2. Attenborough Summer Fete
Attenborough Summer Fete will take place on 2nd July on the Village Green on the Strand, between 2pm and 5pm. A fete with refreshments, all sorts of stalls, ice creams, rides, games, children’s sports, Top Brass band and arena events. The arena performers this year are the IBC School of Dancing and Long Eaton Judo Club. Admission is £1 for adults and 50p for children and there is plenty of free parking. The fete is organised by the church and involves many local groups. Profits go towards the running and upkeep of the St Mary’s Parish Church. This year the fete will be opened by The Mayor of Broxtowe.

3. Beeston Arts and Crafts Fair
On 1st and 2nd July there will be an arts and crafts fair in Beeston Square. There is free admission to the event, which runs from 10.30am until 4.30pm on both days. For more information please visit http://www.artsandcraftfairs.org/.

4. Police Targets
Nottinghamshire Police has missed its target for responding to 999 calls over the past 12 months. They aim to get to 85% of Grade 1 incidents – the most serious types of crimes – within 20 minutes but only achieved 81%, and for grade 2 crimes the target of responding to 80% of reports within 20 minutes was also missed. The actual figure was just 68.7%. The police say that they have recently switched to a new way of responding to crimes which will make them more flexible and that these figures should improve next year.

5. Nottingham Casuals Rugby Club
Nottingham Casuals are a very long established rugby team who play in Beeston. Some comments on social media in the last few weeks have linked them to the Nottingham Casuals Infidels, who are a far right hate group. The rugby club are very keen to stress that they are nothing to do with this organisation and that they are a family orientated club who offer coaching and opportunities for all ages.

6. Car Parking
Concerns have been raised this week about problems caused by parents parking inconsiderately when dropping children off at school. The particular problems highlighted were related to Wadsworth Field School in Stapleford but I’m aware that similar problems have been reported at other schools as well. If you do need to drive your children to school please ensure when parking that you do not block pavements so that people cannot get past with pushchairs, that you do not block peoples drives and that you do not leave so little room that emergency service vehicles cannot get past.

7. Tram Depot Visit
On Thursday 30 June Beeston and District Civic Society are organising a Tram Depot Visit, starting at 12:45pm. The tour will last for just over an hour and if you are interested in joining please call 0115 917 8488 as places are limited.

8. Road Closures
The A6002 Coventry Lane and the A6007 Ilkeston Road in Bramcote (between Hickings Lane and Stanley Drive) will both be closed overnight from 5th to 9th September between 7pm and 7am to allow resurfacing work to be carried out. Local diversions will be in place. If anyone has any queries regarding this they are asked to contact Lee Newton at the County Council on 01623 444 854. I will be contacting them to make sure that there are arrangements to prevent noise nuisance, given that there are houses (including my own) adjacent to both roads.

9. Alderman White Summer Festival
On Saturday 2 July the Summer Fest will take place at Alderman White School in Bramcote, between 11am and 3pm. This will include live entertainment, bouncy castle, sumo, a coconut shy, BBQ, home made cakes and scones, a giant hamper raffle, games, paper craft, face painting and lots more. Everyone is welcome to attend.

10. Battle of the Somme Commemorations
Also on 2nd July the Battle of Somme Commemorations will be held in Greasley Parish, starting at 9:30am promptly. The parade will start from Greasley Sports and Community Centre, Car Park, Dovecote Road, Newthorpe, NG16 3QN and head towards the new memorial bench which will be dedicated to the Battle of Somme a short service will be conducted by Revd David Marvin. The Parade will then march back to the Parish Hall for light refreshments and to view the displays.

11. Joining The Lib Dems
Since last Thursday 6,000 people have joined the Liberal Democrats. That works out at about 1 person a minute. Here in Broxtowe we’ve seen a part of that growth with more than ten new members already. If you’re a believer in freedom, liberty and equality then why not join us and become a part of the fastest growing political party in the UK. You can join online at www.libdems.org.uk.

Finally may I say a big well done to my younger daughter who has been selected for Nottingham Forest Ladies youth team. Regular readers will know that I am a Leeds United fan but I’m still absolutely delighted and so proud of her.

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

Best wishes

David
PS AS I write this England have just lost in Euro 2016. Somehow I know that this must be Boris Johnsons fault as well!
www.davidwatts.org.uk
www.broxtoweliberaldemocrats.org.uk
Follow me on Twitter @davidwatts12.

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