Saturday 23 June 2012

Broxtowe Enews 23rd 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.       Boots
The biggest news this week was clearly the news that Boots are to merge with American firm Walgreen. In a letter sent to myself and other councillors Boots Chief Executive was keen to stress that this will open new markets to Boots whilst protecting jobs and investment at their Beeston site. It really does seem to be a win-win situation for Nottingham.

2.       Armed Forces Day
Notts County Council is holding a flag raising ceremony to mark Armed Forces day this coming Monday at County Hall, to mark their support for military personnel past and present. I’ve looked at their web site to see if I can find what time it starts but I can’t see anything. It is an open event for the public to attend.

3.       Beeston Bus Station
There have been some concerns expressed about information and seating in the bus station at the moment whilst work is undertaken to demolish the multi-storey car park.  The council have now agreed with NET a series of improvements, namely:
·         Large poster showing bus stop locations to be placed on nearest vacant shop unit window, poster showing way to the Foster Avenue taxi rank also to be placed
·         Small section of fencing to be erected to better control pedestrian crossing movements and to allow signs saying "Nottingham buses" and "outbound buses" to be put up
·         2 seats to be placed on Styring Street
·         Canopies to be investigated alongside B&M's
Discussions are continuing about how buses will be looked after during the main construction works on Styring Street.

4.       Latest NET Schedule
The latest six week schedule of works from NET over the construction of the new tram system is now available on the Broxtowe Lib-Dem web site at www.broxtoweliberaldemocrats.org.uk and on my own web site at www.davidwatts.org.uk.

5.       Community Action Team play
In a departure from the path taken by other Community Action Teams members of the Chilwell CAT are to perform a play. Their chosen work is “Bombshells,” a series of stories about four ladies. It takes place at Chilwell Arts Theatre  this Thursday and Friday, starting at 7.30pm. Tickets cost £5 or £7 and can be booked by ringing 07447 234327.

6.       Hall Park Football Tournament
A six a side football tournament for children aged from 7-15 takes place at Hall Park in Eastwood on 30th June and 1st July. 150 teams from as far away as Kent are taking part. Further information is available on 0115 917 3643.

7.       Whispers in the Wood
Also on 1st July is the “Whispers in the Wood” is performed as part of the Eastwood Arts Festival at Colliers Wood in Moorgreen. This will feature the Nottingham Concert Band and Chinese Whispers. It is a free concert and will be on between 1pm and 4pm. Other events for the arts festival take place through the next few weeks, including a family fun day at Coronation park on 14th July.

8.       Open Cast Mining
May I give a quick reminder to people that the closing date for making representations about the proposed open cast mining at Shortwood Farm is rapidly approaching. A week ago the County Council had received 120 letters, nearly all against the scheme, but I hope that many more people will send in comments this week so that they can know the full strength of feeling against it.

9.       South Nottingham College Name Change
South Nottingham College (previously Castle College, previously Broxtowe College) is to change it’s name for the new academic year. The college will now be known as Central College (Nottingham). The new name was supported in a public consultation and comes into force from 1st September.

10.   DH Lawrence Heritage Centre
Congratulations to all the staff at the DH Lawrence Heritage Centre which has been named as Nottinghamshire’s best tourist attraction in the County’s annual awards.  The centre is owned and run by Broxtowe Borough Council in partnership with Nottingham University. Part of the Centre, the birthplace museum, now has a new tour about the writers childhood as well.

11.   East Midlands Trains
It was good news for commuters this week to hear that drivers at East Midlands Trains have called off a series of strikes. Having had to travel to London on the train during one of the strikes I know how difficult they made things for people and I warmly welcome this decision.

12.   Theft Prevention Scheme For Bikes
This is too late for me as my bike was stolen a fortnight ago, but a Biker Shepherd scheme has been launched to enable cyclists to register the details of their bike on line and to display a special sticker to show that these details have been recorded. The website for this is at www.thebih-wheel.org.uk/bikesecurity.

13.   Children’s Care
Notts County Council has announced a series of measures to improve the way that it deals with children in care. This is after Ofsted found significant weaknesses in their previous performance. Teams will now be based in areas offering more consistent care for children who are being supported or monitored.

14.   Olympic Torch relay
Don’t forget that the Olympic Torch is carried through Nottingham on 28th and 29th June. Hopefully loads of people will turn out to see it and good luck to everyone who is carrying it. I know that at least one reader of this newsletter has been selected. There will unfortunately be disruption to roads and public transport during the procession but hopefully people will make allowances for this.

15.   Kimberley Town Council
Kimberley Town Council has a new leader. Jim McDonald, 61, of Troon Close, Kimberley takes over from Roy Plumb, and the new vice-chairman will be Dave Dunn. Best wishes to them both in their new roles.

16.   Low Wood Road, Nuthall
An application to build 139 homes built in Nuthall close to the A610 island has been withdrawn by the developers. The new estate which was planned to be built off Low Wood Road in front of the old Hempshill Hall Farm sparked opposition from Nuthall parish councillors. In a letter to Broxtowe Borough Council Leicestershire-based developers Langham Park said they were hoping to return with a new plan ‘in the next few months

As ever thank you for your support for this newsletter, and any feedback is gratefully received.
Best wishes
David
Follow me on Twitter at @DavidWatts12. 

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