Welcome to Broxtowe Enews, brought to you by the Liberal Democrats and edited by David Watts, on behalf of the Lib-Dems in Broxtowe. I’d like to start this week by thanking Stan Heptinstall for taking the reins in the last issue when I was unable to do it.

1. New County Boundaries
at its meeting on Thursday Notts county council confirmed that they would be adopting new boundaries to the county divisions from the next elections in 2017. This means that Broxtowe loses one county councillor. The Liberal Democrats on the county council opposed the plans for Broxtowe, because we do not believe that they will help local democracy. For instance, parts of Bramcote are now placed in with Awsworth in a new ward. These two communities have no physical links with each other and it seems to be a wholly backward step to make them into one council division. Nevertheless our objections were ignored and the new boundaries will be implemented.

2. New Lib Dem Chair
Congratulations to Tim Hallam who has been elected as the new chair of Broxtowe Liberal Democrats. Tim takes over from Brian Taylor who has been an excellent chair for the last few years. I’m delighted that Brian will continue as the vice-chair to add his experience to the team. It was also very encouraging at our AGM last Friday to hear that the membership of the Broxtowe Liberal Democrats is now 50% more than it was 12 months ago. We are the one party where the members really do set the policies, and we will be delighted to have you joined as if you are liberally minded. If you’ve never joined a political party before why not give it a go now?

3. Councillor Stuart Rowland
It was sad to hear this week of the death of Cllr Stuart Rowland who represented Greasley on the borough council. I would like to extend my sympathy and that of the Liberal Democrats to his family, friends and colleagues.

4. Tasty Tales
On Saturday, December 1 Beeston library will be hosting a workshop where children can learn to tell their own “tasty tales.” The sessions are an hour-long and cost to pound per child, and booking via the library is essential.

5. Police and Crime Commissioners
The government have confirmed that the election for the Police and Crime Commissioner will take place in May next year, despite the fact that if they pushed through their devolution plans the role will be abolished just 12 months later. Given that the last election for the post cost £1 million and only had a turnout of 11% this seems to me to be a complete waste of money. I hope that common sense will prevail and that these elections will be scrapped.

6. Ambulances
There has been some good news for the East Midlands Ambulance Service this week. They have been awarded the Van Excellence accreditation, a national industry led scheme that aims to enhance standards within the transport sector. The award is in recognition of the way that the service looks after and maintains its fleet of ambulances.

7. Council Awards
Teams from Broxtowe Borough Council have been nominated for three awards at the Association for Public Sector Excellence awards next month. The authority’s parks and open space team have been shortlisted in the most improved performer category, and in the leisure part of that same award the team from Kimberley Leisure Centre have been nominated. The councils housing team, which carries out about 20,000 repairs a year, has been shortlisted for the most improved performance in building maintenance.

8. Trusted Traders
Nottinghamshire County Council is teaming up with a vetting website to protect residents from cowboy traders. The authority has partnered with checkatrade.com and is inviting local trade people to sign up as a trusted member. The purpose of the site is to allow people to find nearby traders, check their qualifications and experience, and view feedback from other customers.

9. Library, Cultural and Archive Services

Nottinghamshire County Council is launching a new cultural organisation called Inspire to manage its libraries, archives and cultural services across the county – and is looking to recruit members now! Inspire is a Community Benefit Society and this week the organisation begins a campaign to recruit members in preparation for starting business next spring. Inspire will deliver the following services on behalf of Nottinghamshire County Council: public libraries, archives, arts, Instrumental Music Teaching in schools, Community Learning and Skills Service, Nottinghamshire Music Hub and the Education Library Service. Full details are available at http://www.inspireculture.org.uk/.

10. Ofsted Rating
It was disappointing to hear this week that Ofsted inspectors have given Jubilee House School in new Thorp their lowest overall rating. They rated the school as inadequate in two areas and requiring improvement in the others. The school have indicated that they disagree with the assessment and they may well be challenging it in the next few days.

11. Building Control Services
Broxtowe Borough Council have teamed up with Erewash Council in Derbyshire to combine the building control service. This will now be based in Erewash, in a move that is expected to save £100,000 per year. People wishing to use the building control service, which checks that building work is being done to the appropriate standard, can still ring Broxtowe and they will be put through to the right department.

12. HS2
In the Chancellor’s Autumn statement last week he pledged £1.25 million to the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership to develop a growth strategy for the proposed station at Toton. This is an important step forward in the work to make sure that the local area benefits from having the new station here.

13. Christmas Meals
Young at Heart in Toton will be holding a Christmas dinner for seniors at the Manor Bar and Restaurant in Nottingham Road, Toton on December 1 and December 15. The events take place between 3 PM and 5 PM and tickets cost £5 per person. These can be booked by ringing 0115 946 3266.

14. Cycle Storage
New cycle lockers have been installed at the tram park-and-ride site on Toton Lane. There is storage space for 16 bikes, but cyclists must have a Citycard to gain access to them. These can be obtained from the Nottingham City Council website.

15. Greasley Community Badminton Group
Greasley Community Badminton Group are looking for players for their casual social session. The session takes place every Tuesday from 5 – 7pm at Greasley Sport and Community Centre. Sessions cost £3.20 and all under 16’s must attend with an adult. For further information call 01773 760072. Rackets and shuttles are provided.

16. Small Business Saturday
Broxtowe Borough will embrace the Small Business Saturday campaign next weekend to encourage the local community to shop locally and support small businesses on their high streets at a key time in the shopping calendar. Anyone looking to kick start their Christmas shopping is urged to visit their local town centres of Eastwood, Kimberley, Stapleford and Beeston on Saturday 5th December, with some local businesses offering exclusive discounts for one day only. A list of the offers available can be seen at http://www.broxtowe.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=15155&utm_content=&utm_medium=email&utm_name=&utm_source=govdelivery&utm_term=. This seems to be a far better idea than importing the Black Friday craze from America.

17. Friends Of Colliers Wood
Friends of Colliers Wood has planted a yew tree propagated from an ancient tree over a thousand years old as part of The Conservation Foundation’s We Love Yew campaign to protect Britain’s ancient yew heritage. The young yew is one of 800 being planted across Britain to celebrate this year’s 800th anniversary of the signing of the Magna Carta, when it is thought the Ankerwycke yew provided shelter for King John during its sealing at Runnymede. Further details can be seen at http://www.broxtowe.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=15143&utm_content=&utm_medium=email&utm_name=&utm_source=govdelivery&utm_term=.

18. Young Elizabethan League
I can’t finish this week without congratulating Stapleford Town under tens for their magnificent success in winning Division G of the Young Elizabethan League. This is the league that most of the youth football teams in the area playing. The under tens finish the season unbeaten, and whilst Division G may not sound great anyone who is a parent and has stood on the touchline in all weathers watching their kids play will know what a fantastic success this is. Last year they came second, losing the title to Long Eaton in the last game of the season, and they were really upset, so they have bounced back in the best way possible. Well done especially to Pete Scott, the manager, and to all the coaches.

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.

   Leave a comment