I am absolutely delighted by the Chancellor’s announcement that the Government is fast-tracking the widening of the A453. This is the best Christmas gift that businesses and residents in Nottinghamshire could have, bringing a £540m boost to the East Midlands economy.
In May this year, Nottinghamshire County Council pledged £20m towards the scheme if it was bought forward. Since that pledge was made, the campaign to widen the road has garnered support from the local business community and other local councils, including a pledge of £500,000 towards the scheme from Rushcliffe Borough Council in October.
The A453 has been on the Council’s wishlist since the 1970s. At last it is going to happen and I am thrilled for local businesses and commuters alike. I want to particularly thank East Midlands Airport, Boots, RH Freight, Hardstaffs, the Nottingham Post newspaper and partner authorities for their support in this campaign.
In the five years up to October 2010, there were 185 accidents involving personal injury on just the Nottinghamshire part of the A453. The Nottinghamshire section of the road is the second most congested part of the national road network after a short section of the M25. This congestion has been costing larger businesses as much as £100,000 a year because of increased fuel usage, difficulty reaching customers, abandoned journeys and accident costs.
Finally, we can look forward to smoother and safer journeys on this vital road link through Nottinghamshire from the M1 and I am immensely pleased that the Government has listened to our determined campaign.
(Posted 29/11/2011)
West Bridgford Library
West Bridgford Library will close at 6.30pm on Friday 18 November for major re-development. This will provide a new, larger and improved library, which will be built on the current site, opening in spring 2013.
A temporary library will be open on Monday 5 December at 52A Rectory Road, West Bridgford, NG2 6BU. The temporary library is much smaller so will provide a basic service with a reduced stock for adults and children and fewer computers. The opening hours of the temporary library will be: -
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Monday 9.30 - 7.00
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Tuesday 9.30 - 6.00
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Wednesday 9.30 - 4.30
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Thursday 9.30 - 7.00
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Friday 9.30 - 6.00
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Saturday 9.00 - 4.00
(Updated 17/11/2011)
Bright future for National Water Sports Centre
Nottinghamshire County Council’s Cabinet has approved plans to look at running the National Water Sports Centre in partnership with a private company from as early as Spring 2013. As Cabinet Member for Culture & Community I regard the decision as great news for both local people and visitors to the county as it will help to secure a long term future for the site. Our ambition is to provide an accessible, high quality family activity and sporting centre with an adventurous flavour set in stunning green space. The Council is proposing to secure a partner to manage, operate and develop the Centre on the Council’s behalf, sharing the costs of building and maintenance works. The site will remain in the ownership of the Council.
(Posted 17/11/2011)
Newark bus station official opening
I was delighted to take part in the official opening ceremony for Newark's brand new bus station on Friday 11th November, before it opened for business the following day.
Part of the £50m Asda supermarket development on the town’s Potterdyke car park, the new state-of-the-art bus station is fully enclosed and boasts digital information screens, seating, CCTV for added security, toilets, baby changing area, vending machines and a staffed information point.
The new building is jointly owned by Nottinghamshire County Council – which will operate the bus station – and Newark and Sherwood District Council. Both worked alongside Asda on its development.
It has been estimated that there will be around 2,000 bus arrivals and departures a week – with around 25,000 passenger arrivals and departures over the same period.
The new bus station provides a welcoming first impression for anyone arriving in Newark by bus and I am confident that anyone using the new bus station will be impressed by the modern, first-rate facilities it offers. As joint owner of the facility, we are delighted to see it open and become available to residents of Newark and Sherwood. It is a significant part of the regeneration of this part of Newark town centre which will help to maximise the area’s economic potential.
The new Newark bus station is part of the County Council’s commitment to improving the quality of bus waiting facilities throughout the county. A new bus station opened in Retford in 2007, the bus station in Sutton in Ashfield was substantially improved in 2009 and work on a new £9m bus station in Mansfield is underway. Options to improve the bus facilities in Worksop are also being examined.
(Posted 11/11/2011)
Upper Saxondale Play Park
I'm delighted to report that the children of Upper Saxondale have celebrated the opening of their new play park – the 2000th Local Improvement Scheme from Nottinghamshire County Council. The £60,000 park located in the heart of St James Park was the brainchild of five mums, who wanted somewhere safe for their children to play after school and at weekends.
Nottinghamshire County Council’s Local Improvement Scheme, which is now in its eight year, has helped communities across the county with environmental, heritage, conservation, tourism and local identity projects. The schemes are community driven and supported by the local county councillor.
I was pleased to support the play park initiative because Upper Saxondale boasts a number of young families and I'm sure it will prove to be a magnet for anyone under the age of 12.
(Posted 11/11/2011)
CBI report boosts our A453 campaign
I welcome a report by the CBI which calls for a national programme of road building – including the widening of the A453 – to help boost the economy.
The CBI has issued a plea for 26 new road projects to be given the go-ahead to help unlock £200 billion of infrastructure investment and kick-start growth in the UK economy. The CBI’s "wish-list" of projects includes ten publicly-funded schemes which, it says, could be accelerated without damaging the Government’s fiscal plans.
In addition, it says that 14 projects – including the A453 – which have been delayed until after 2015 could be brought forward, possibly with the help of private finance. Nottinghamshire County Council has already pledged £20m towards the cost of widening the route and earlier in the year was part of a delegation which went to London to meet former transport minister Philip Hammond. I have now written to Mr Hammond’s successor, Justine Greening, to re-iterate that offer. Rushcliffe Borough Council has made an offer of a further £500,000 towards the cost, together with another £500,000 offered by private enterprise.
As the UK’s most influential business lobbying organisation, the views of the CBI carry a lot of weight with Government, so I hope their intervention can expedite the A453 improvements. It is one of the most congested roads in the country and costs larger businesses as much as £100,000 a year because of increased fuel usage, difficulty reaching customers, abandoned journeys and accident costs. To the region as a whole, it has been estimated that an improved A453 would bring a boost to the economy of £540m.
(Posted 10/11/11)
Union accommodation
At the full meeting of Nottinghamshire County Council on 3rd November 2011, my colleague Councillor Eric Kerry enquired as to what amount of Nottinghamshire taxpayers’ money had been spent each year for the last five years supporting and accommodating the work of the trade unions. In line with ACAS guidance, council employees who undertake trade union duties are entitled to reasonable time off with pay. The County Council is currently in discussions with the trade unions about the amount of paid time they should take for trade union duties including representing centrally employed staff.
Under previous arrangements in place since 2002, the annual cost of paid time off for directly employed staff who undertake trade union duties was the equivalent of 10.6 full time posts. This cost the authority approximately £212,000 per annum, or £1,060,000 over five years. In addition to this, £16,591 per annum was the value of the rent-free office that was occupied by trade union officials. Over a five year period this amounted to £82,955 until the arrangement ceased from August 2011. The total cost to this authority of supporting and accommodating trade union work over the last five years was therefore £1,145,355.
It is proposed that the cost of paid time off will be reduced to £132,000 per annum, which is the equivalent to 6.6 full time posts. This will be subject to annual review. This is alongside the ongoing saving in respect of the rent of trade union premises. The cessation of the use of these premises equates to an overall annual cost reduction of over 30%, in line with the level of the council's overall budget reduction. This reflects falling trade union membership across the council's non schools workforce, standing at around 47% of the workforce.
Also at that Council meeting, I presented my latest Leader's report to Council (see Leader's reports).
(Posted 7/11/11)
Launch of South Nottinghamshire Academy
On 21st October in my joint capacities as Leader of Nottinghamshire County Council and local councillor, I was delighted to attend the official launch of the South Nottinghamshire Academy in Radcliffe-on-Trent.
South Nottinghamshire Academy (formerly Dayncourt School) is a co-educational foundation academy for students aged 11 – 18 with Specialist Sports College status. The academy serves the communities of Cotgrave, Radcliffe on Trent and Shelford within the borough of Rushcliffe. There are currently around 750 students at South Nottinghamshire Academy plus 125 full and part-time staff.
Its mission is to ‘Improve young people’s lives’ whether through academic, sporting or personal achievement. Students are expected to work hard and achieve the best they can. The academy offers a broad variety of academic and vocational courses including GCSE, A Level and BTEC. A range of amenities are available including superb sports installations, excellent dining hall and fully equipped classrooms with the latest IT and music and drama facilities. Amenities are also heavily used out of normal learning hours by students, local community groups and sports clubs, reflecting a belief in providing lifelong learning opportunities for everyone.
I would like to offer my sincere thanks to the Board of Governors of South Nottinghamshire College for supporting this new and exciting project. I also extend my gratitude to all the staff, county officers and former governors who have given their commitment to this initiative. I wish students the greatest success for the future under the wise guidance of the new Principal, Michael Dennison.
(Posted 27/10/11)
Bridgfest success shows young people in their true light
The 'Bridgfest' youth festival in West Bridgford on 14th August 2011 clocked up its biggest attendance since this became a regular annual event on the summer calendar.
Out of the 1,200 plus young people coming along to the day of free music, sport and fun organised by Nottinghamshire County Council, 700 signed up to a charter of non-violence condemning the recent spate of anti-social behaviour demonstrated by a small number of people in some of Britain’s cities. Those adding their names to the charter also called for the media to increase their coverage of the positive behaviour and activities that most young people are involved with on a regular basis.
I was happy to spend Sunday afternoon at Bridgfest joining in activities and chatting to youngsters. I believe young people often get a raw deal in the press and with older generations who perceive them to be troublemakers and up to no good, but the reality is that this is only a very small minority.
Bridgfest is a great example of youngsters enjoying a great afternoon of outdoor music and positive activities peacefully. Their behaviour was outstanding - a real credit to them. I think everyone there would agree that the atmosphere was fantastic and high levels of respect were evident between those at the event.
Since the first Bridgfest in 2009 when less than 500 teenagers attended the event, the festival’s popularity has kept on growing. Along with the 1,200 eight to 25- year-olds it attracted this year, a further 2,500 adults and younger children also attended.
Twelve rock and pop youth bands from the Rushcliffe area performed on the main stage and the urban marquee hosted MC-ing, DJ-ing, street dance and poetry. The fun activities on offer, including body zorbs, sumo wrestling with inflatable suits, graffiti art and circus skills, were mainly aimed at young people between 10 and 19, but children from five were also catered for. In the science gazebo, there was a chance to experiment with chemical balloons, hoop planes, make an iodine clock, and test your visual powers with optical illusions. Youngsters could also scale the climbing wall, check out the bungee run and skate ramps or join in football activities.
A big thank you to all our partners and providers also who helped make Bridgfest such a success.
(Posted 15/8/2011)
Southern Cross and Council care homes
Nottinghamshire County Council has been working with the NHS and the City Council for some time now to plan for any possible closures of Southern Cross homes. However, Southern Cross and the landlords have now announced they're going to have a planned restructuring of the service which will involve some of the landlords taking responsibility for the future service, enabling existing residents to remain in their residential homes.
Our first priority is to ensure continuity of care for the residents in the homes and we're pleased to see that Southern Cross have emphasised that their first priority is the care of their residents at this time. Homes are inspected by the County Council to ensure that the standard is maintained. This is over and above the inspection standard applied by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
The County Council funds residential and nursing care services for 2,900 residents in Nottinghamshire. In addition to the 12 residential homes currently run by Nottinghamshire County Council there are more than 160 homes run by the independent sector. We have developed a fair price for care with independent sector homeowners in Nottinghamshire and have invested more than £8 million in recent years in care home fees to help to improve quality and ensure that home owners receive a fair price for the care they provide.
The Council does have to make sure that it is getting the best value for council taxpayers' money. This means the right care at the right price. As an excellent adult social care authority we're committed to working with over 300 providers of care in Nottinghamshire to ensure that people who receive services get the care and support they deserve.
(Posted 20/7/2011)
£2.5 million boost for Supporting People
Despite local budget pressures and a reduced grant from central Government, Nottinghamshire County Council has invested an extra £2.5 million in its Supporting People programme.
Supporting People is a national programme that provides housing related support to help vulnerable people live independently. It will see its Government grant in Nottinghamshire reduced to £17.6 million this year, threatening the County Council’s previous year’s Supporting People spend of £22.5 million.
However, thanks to a new £1.5 million investment from the local NHS, plus a further £1 million diverted from the County Council budget, the Government’s allocation has been given a vital boost in Nottinghamshire. This limits the reduction in the County’s Supporting People budget to just over 10%, from £22.5 million to £20.11 million. The restricted budget reduction has also been made possible by the County Council’s decision early this year, following public consultation, to keep its savings on Supporting People to £10 million over the next three years rather than two higher reduction options of £12.5 million and £15 million.
These funding measures support feedback gained from a second, two-month public consultation on Supporting People services this year (in Feb/March), to form new proposals which went before Full Council on 30th June 2011. These proposals ensure that:-
- Most accommodation based services continue to be funded, albeit at reduced levels;
- ‘Floating support’ services, which offer support to people in their own homes, will be delivered consistently across issues of homelessness prevention and offender, drug and alcohol, gypsy and traveller and young people’s services;
- Mental health services are reviewed and delivered more efficiently;
- Young people’s services are reviewed for greater efficiency;
- Community alarm and warden services for older people are replaced with a new short term service targeted at helping vulnerable people to remain independent in their own homes.
We’ve talked to those who use the services, to our District Council partners, to project providers and voluntary and community groups, including church leaders, to find ways to make savings through efficiencies. We will target the money at front line services that meet the needs of those who are most vulnerable and in greatest need.
Nottinghamshire was successful in securing Government money under Supporting People when the programme first started eight years ago but we’ve seen this central funding steadily fall by nearly £11 million since that time. We believe that after the £10 million savings have been made, the level of funding in Nottinghamshire for these services will still compare well with other Council areas.
(Posted 20/7/2011)
Welcome fall in crime in Nottinghamshire
As a member of the Nottinghamshire Safer Neighbourhoods Board, I welcome the latest Home Office figures which show crime in the county is reducing three times faster than the national average. All crime fell in the county by 14 percent during 2010/11 compared to the national average of just 5 percent.
Nottinghamshire County Council works in partnership with Nottinghamshire Police, local authorities and organisations in the county on community safety issues with the aim of making it a safer place for everyone by reducing crime. The Council’s community safety activities include working with young offenders, providing safer public areas, helping people feel safer at home and providing new facilities for young people.
These figures are great news and show that the Police and local authorities in the county are working in the right direction to help cut crime locally. As a key player in the Safer Nottinghamshire Board, the County Council is committed to making the county a safer place to live, visit and work.
We have made great strides with tackling domestic violence by providing support to high risk victims, introducing gating orders in areas with high rates of anti-social behaviour and reducing hate crime, particularly aimed at people with learning disabilities. However, we are not going to rest on our laurels and will continue to work hard to improve community safety in the county.
(Posted 20/7/11)
West Bridgford Library
On 6th July 2011 the Cabinet considered the latest report on proposed works to replace West Bridgford Library and create a Young People's Centre whilst retaining the 1938 original library building. Provision of a Registrar's office and Shopmobility service are also included in the scheme. It is anticipated that building works will start on site in November 2011 and be completed in February 2013.
(Posted 14/7/2011)
Pocket Park & Ride launched at Stragglethorpe
NOTTINGHAMSHIRE County Council is launching its second ‘pocket’ park and ride site, to help cut congestion and carbon emissions, on July 18, 2011.
Drivers will be able to park for free in the 56-space car park at the Shepherds pub, owned by Mitchells & Butlers, on Main Road, Stragglethorpe, between 7am and midnight and then catch a bus into West Bridgford or Nottingham from the stop outside. The Council is spending £39,500 on minor improvements to the car park and road, including lighting and CCTV, a bus shelter, cycle shelter and signs. It will pay the pub £1,000 a year for use of the site.
We opened what we believe is the first ‘pocket’ park and ride site in the country in December at Cotgrave Welfare and, if these prove successful, the aim is to open further sites in pub, club or community car parks that are mainly empty during the day.
This new site will be 70% bigger than the first one at Cotgrave and it is in an even more convenient location, so we hope and expect it can become popular.
The Rushcliffe district in particular needs a park and ride service and we believe that several smaller sites are much more cost-effective than one large site. We are also hoping to extend the scheme to the north of the county.
Details of Stragglethorpe buses are available at www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/timetable-a.
(Posted 14/7/11)
More grass cuts
Nottinghamshire County Council is increasing the number of times it will be cutting grass verges this year.
As part of this year’s budget savings it was originally intended to reduce the frequency of routine grass cutting in urban areas from six to four times a year. However, we have listened to public feedback and have now increased that frequency to five cuts. In rural areas the frequency remains at two cuts a year.
At the same time we have issued guidelines for a growing number of residents who are happy to cut the grass verges outside their homes. Again, this is a direct result of feedback from the Council’s Big Budget Conversation consultation process, when hundreds of people said they would be prepared to cut verges if it helped to release money for use on other priorities, such a repairing potholes.
The guidelines highlight what needs to be considered when cutting grass near the roadside. They can be found online at: www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/roadverges
(Posted 14/7/11)
Pledges of support sought for A453 widening
As you may have seen in the Nottingham Post newspaper and from a previous item below, Nottinghamshire County Council has stepped up the campaign to convince the Government of the urgent need to improve the A453. A letter has already been written to transport secretary Philip Hammond pledging £20m towards the cost of widening the route.
I have now also written to major businesses in the region, urging them to support the bid. The importance of improving the A453 to Nottinghamshire and the regional economy cannot be underestimated.
In order to maximise our chance of success we need to gather pledges of support from as many local people and businesses as possible. There is now a dedicated A453 web page on the Nottinghamshire County Council web site where you can read about the campaign and sign up to pledge your support.
(Posted 17/6/2011)
School buildings investment
I am delighted to report that St. Peter's (East Bridgford) C of E Primary is one of the schools set to benefit from the first phase of Nottinghamshire County Council's new £100 million programme to refurbish and improve school buildings.
At the Annual General Meeting of Nottinghamshire County Council on 19th May, the Cabinet Member for Children & Young People's Services, Councillor Philip Owen set out the full Schools Capital Refurbishment Programme List, covering three years up to 2014.
In line with the "Three R's" set out by the Government for school building works (Refresh, Refurbish, Re-use), Nottinghamshire County Council has set the criteria to prioritise the schools most in need of improvements for the first year. The condition of roofs, external walls and windows, electrical arrangements and mechanical issues such as boilers have been considered.
More in-depth surveys of the schools in the first year list will take place from June and works on a small number of schools will begin during the summer holidays. The Council started a review of school buildings across the county following the cancellation of the Building Schools for the Future (BSF) programme.
The County Council will be funding around £30m of the programme with the remaining money coming from the authority’s Government grant for school maintenance.
(Posted 1/6/2011)
Strict spending controls save £20 million
I am pleased to report that strict controls to stop non-essential spending at Nottinghamshire County Council have helped the authority to save £20.4m during 2010/11. Details of the saving are contained in the Council’s final accounts for 2010/11 which will be discussed at the Cabinet meeting on Wednesday 8 June.
The saving is due to a budget underspend and is in addition to the £29m saving made during 2010/11, much of which was reinvested in social care and protecting children at risk.
We have stopped non-essential spending including holding back on staff and councillors attending conferences and not travelling to meetings when email or telephone calls suffice.
Spending control measures were introduced in September to help meet the Council’s current financial challenges. Here are a few examples of the savings made on non-essential spending during 2010/11:
- £460,000 saved on reduced water and energy consumption.
- £820,000 saved by holding back on the purchase of IT equipment.
- £1.06m saved on staff travel and subsistence.
- £63,000 saved on restricting staff attendance at conferences.
- £743,000 saved on print and stationery.
The Council also has a strict policy on staff vacancies which restricts the filling of vacant posts unless there is a business need.
(Posted 31/5/2011)
A453
At the Nottinghamshire County Council meeting on 24th June 2010, councillors from all parties agreed the following motion, which we hope will convince the new Coalition Government to reconsider its decision to defer the A453 road-widening scheme for at least a year:-
"That this council recognises the immense financial challenges this nation faces, but still calls on the Government to fund the widening of the A453 as soon as possible.
We believe that improving the A453 from a single lane to a dual carriageway will enhance access to East Midlands Parkway Station and East Midlands Airport and is essential to ensuring economic growth in Nottingham, Nottinghamshire and the wider East Midlands."
Update: I am pleased to announce that Nottinghamshire County Council is offering the Coalition Government £20 million to kick start the A453 improvement scheme. We have written to the Secretary of State for Transport, Philip Hammond, offering to part-fund the project which is setimated would cost £164 million overall. It this succeeds it will end decades of waiting and would provide a massive boost to the local economy, benefiting businesses and the wider Nottinghamshire public.
(Updated 26/5/11)
D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership
I am very pleased that Nottinghamshire County Council has secured the full backing of our neighbours in Nottingham, Derby and Derbyshire for a joint Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), which will cover the two cities and counties.
I believe this puts us in a very strong position nationally, an LEP at the heart of the country with major infrastructure and business assets on our doorstep.
Following the Government announcement on 28th October 2010, the Coalition Government endorsed the new Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire LEP, known as D2N2 . The LEP's initial priorities are:-
- Build on the area's reputation for internationally competitive science, manufacturing, engineering and creative industries, driving better productivity and growth as we develop a low carbon economy;
- Develop our distinctive cultural, sport and tourism offer to world class standards;
- Share the benefits of our economic growth across our cities, towns and rural communities;
- Meet employers' current and future skills demands through our highly rated and ambitious education partners;
- Secure investment in regeneration and infrastructure projects that stimulate private sector growth.
We have listened carefully to the Derbyshire/Nottinghamshire Chamber of Commerce and the Federation of Small Businesses. They firmly supported a joint approach and it is important to emphasise that this partnership will be lead by the business community. We will work together to ensure the Partnership is able to deliver strong and tangible economic growth for the two cities and counties, by winning new investment and encouraging businesses to prosper.
(Updated 26/5/11)
Honorary Aldermen
At a Special Meeting of Nottinghamshire County Council before the Annual General Meeting on 19th May 2011, I had the pleasure of nominating two former council colleagues, Terry Butler and John Carter, to become Honorary Aldermen of Nottinghamshire County Council. The title of Honorary Alderman is the highest honour this authority can bestow upon those who have served the Council and serves recognition of a truly exceptional commitment to public services in the county.
When I first joined this Council in 1989, Terry Butler was already an established figure, but John Carter was a new Member like myself. During the whole of the time they were councillors, I found them unfailingly courteous and knowledgeable colleagues. Although we came from opposing political parties and we would frequently disagree over policy, I had the utmost respect for their ability and integrity.
The test of a good County Councillor is one that serves their local division well, but also can take the strategic view in the best interests of the County. Terry and John both had the ability to carry out plans and ambitious schemes in the long-term interests of the County. In John’s case it was buying land and buildings and in Terry’s case it was driving forward the development of the Robin Hood Line. They had an ability to work with a Government not of their persuasion and to carry Members from all parties with them with minimal dissention. Rare talents indeed!
(Posted 26/5/11)
Council Budget 2011/12
At the Nottinghamshire County Council Budget Meeting on 24th February 2011 I joined my Conservative colleagues in voting to freeze Council Tax for a second successive year. In doing so, I approved £4.1 million of changes to the Council’s original budget proposals in direct response to the outcomes of the Big Budget Conversation. Extra money has now been found from reserves for the Supporting People programme, grant aid to voluntary groups, libraries, country parks and welfare rights advice.
With less formula grant funding from the Government, Nottinghamshire County Council has to find more than £80 million of savings in 2011/12 by reducing management and administration costs and reviewing expenditure on non-essential services. Just over half of this is being reinvested to meet growing demand for our most vital services, including: -
The budget was approved at the Council meeting by 34 votes to 29.
(Posted 28/2/2011)
Budget 2011 responses to Unison
On 11th February I received a letter from Unison East Midlands providing their response to Nottinghamshire County Council's budget proposals as contained in the Cabinet reports of December 2010, January 2011 and February 2011. After careful consideration I sent a reply which addresses each of Unison's proposals and comments.
I received a further letter from Unison on 22nd February, two days before the Council Budget Meeting, to which I again sent a full reply.
As with all major committee meetings, the papers for the Council Budget Meeting are available online in the Council Diary.
(Updated 25/2/2011)
Don't be fooled...
It has been brought to my attention that someone has created false Facebook and Twitter accounts in my name. As much as I would like to claim I'm on the cutting edge of information technology, the truth is I'm only a relatively recent convert to email and the only page I maintain on the internet is the one you're reading now. If you want to read something genuine on Twitter, why not try Nottinghamshire County Council's Gritter Twitter - see below.
Gritter Twitter
Nottinghamshire County Council will now be advising the public of when the county’s roads will be gritted, using Twitter. During the cold weather last winter there were a number of calls to the Council’s Customer Service Centre asking when the roads would be gritted. Now people can sign up to the Council’s Gritter Twitter feed to receive the latest gritting alerts.
In an age of social networking and 24-hour news, the Council recognises the need to give people ‘live’ information that will help them plan their journey. You can sign up to follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/nottscc
(Posted 11/11/2010)
Improvement Programme latest
At the full meeting of Nottinghamshire County Council on 21st October I joined my Conservative colleagues in supporting the recommendations for action contained within the Nottinghamshire County Council Improvement Plan Progress Report.
The Deputy Leader of the Council, Councillor Martin Suthers set out the financial challenges facing local authorities across the country and stated that Nottinghamshire County Council needed to save £150 million over the next three years.
He said this would require savings of £69 million in 2011/12, to be achieved through a series of major initiatives including reprioritisation of services, improvements in business management and a review of property owned by the Council.
Of this £69 million, it is intended to reinvest £39 million largely in services for our most vulnerable service users. The council has faced a 59% increase in children’s social care referrals over the last year and a 25% increase in the number of children in care over the last two years.
For Children and Young People, a proposed reinvestment of £22.5 million will provide:-
Our Adult Social Care & Health services are under similar pressure, with 500 extra people aged over 80 and 4,000 extra people over the age of 65 in Nottinghamshire every year. Our proposed reinvestment of £13 million in 2011/12 will provide: -
- the care and support services necessary to meet this increased demand
- more support for adults with physical disabilities
- more support for adults with learning disabilities and mental health needs
- extra resources for independent sector care.
I joined my Conservative colleagues in arguing that Nottinghamshire County Council must live within its means and ensure frontline statutory services are maintained.
(Posted 5/11/2010)
Nottinghamshire Hospice shop in Radcliffe-on-Trent
On 29th July I was delighted to join Nottinghamshire Hospice patient Cynthia Radcliffe in conducting the formal opening of the new Hospice shop in Radcliffe-on-Trent. Their network of shops sell a wide range of quality donated goods, including furniture, clothing, video and audio tapes, DVDs and household ornaments.
You can contact the Hospice on (0115) 970 1427 if you have any good quality, saleable items you wish to donate to this excellent charity. If you wish to help with the fundraising, you can telephone (0115) 910 1008 or email fundraising@nottshospice.org
(Posted 29/7/10)
Join for Joel
I was pleased to lend my support on behalf of Nottinghamshire County Council to promote the Join for Joel event held at Nottingham Council House on 2nd June 2010.
In May 2009 The Anthony Nolan Trust launched an appeal asking people to join the bone marrow register in memory of Joel Picker Spence, a little boy from Farndon who was just 6 years old when he lost his 4-year battle against leukaemia. A bone marrow donor match was found for him by the Trust, but he was too ill to receive a transplant.
Every 21 minutes someone in the UK is diagnosed with a potentially life threatening blood disorder, such as leukaemia, where often the only chance of a full cure is to have a bone marrow transplant. The Trust run the UK's largest and most successful bone marrow register and are responsible for finding matches for all patients in need of bone marrow transplants. Potential donors have to be between 18 and 40, in good health and reasonably fit. The 15-minute test simply involves spitting into a container and filling in a form.
The event was organised by Joel’s mother, Ann Marie Spence and the Anthony Nolan Trust. I am pleased to report it was a success, attracting 128 new potential donors.
(Posted 30/6/10)
Formal Blessing and Grand Opening of the new Becket School
On 5th May I was pleased to attend the Formal Blessing and Grand Opening of the new Becket School building, celebrated by the Roman Catholic Bishop of Nottingham, the Right Reverend Malcolm McMahon.
Attendees at the Grand Opening included the Principal Guest of Honour, Kenneth Clarke QC MP; the then Chairman of the County Council, Councillor David Taylor; the Cabinet Member for Children & Young People’s Services, Councillor Philip Owen and the local Members for West Bridgford Central & South division, Councillor Michael Cox and Councillor Barrie Cooper.
Nottinghamshire County Council has worked closely with the school throughout the process of establishing their new site on The Becket Way off Wilford Lane. I wish The Becket School every success in their new, modern premises.
(Posted 30/6/10)
Rushcliffe town and parish council conference
On 20th April I fulfilled an invitation to be a panel member at a conference for Rushcliffe town and parish councillors, held at Rushcliffe Borough Council and chaired by my Conservative colleague Councillor Andy Stewart in his capacity as President of the Nottinghamshire Association of Local Councils.
(Posted 30/6/10)
Improvement Programme
Like every council in the country, Nottinghamshire County Council faces ongoing, significant and unavoidable increases in demand for key services. At the same time, it faces an unprecedented and long-term reduction in the resources available to it. Present forecasts are that the Council must reduce its current expenditure by at least £88m, or 18% of its revenue budget, over the next three financial years. Most of this reduction will be used to fund increased demand in other service areas. £30m of reductions have already been identified for 2010/11, leaving a further £58m to be found in 2011/12 and 2012/13.
In the past, reductions have been achieved through a process of allocating savings targets across departments. However, the scale of the financial challenge is now such that a more strategic approach is needed to achieve reductions in a structured and consistent way.
At the County Council meeting on 25th February 2010 the Deputy Leader of the Council, Cllr Martin Suthers gained approval for a new Improvement Programme to deliver these aims, called ‘One Council - One Business - One Plan’. This will involve an estimated investment of £21 million over five years to deliver total aggregated savings of over £200m over a five year period.
The Improvement Programme will include: -
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a complete overhaul of the Council’s approach to procurement
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implementation of an integrated Business Management System and changes in processes
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rationalisation of the Council’s property portfolio and improvement in flexible ways of working
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a fundamental review of all services followed by a comprehensive programme of organisational redesign
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departmental improvement programmes that deliver service-specific developments and
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the Chief Executive’s own programme to deliver improvements in partnership working, communications and organisational development.
The aim of ‘One Council-One Business-One Plan’ is to drive out inefficiency, target resources, minimise the impact on service delivery and create an organisation that is fit for purpose and financially sustainable in the long term.
(Posted 8/3/10)
New Strategic Plan
Nottinghamshire County Council's new Strategic Plan 2010-2014 sets out our promise to the people of Nottinghamshire; our priorities for the next four years; and how we aim to support the people of our county to be aspirational, independent and to share with us responsibility for the future.
This Plan complements the wider Nottinghamshire Sustainable Community Strategy which is the collective plan that outlines how organisations in the county will work together to promote and deliver a better Nottinghamshire.
Our plan is ambitious. It is a plan based on what local people tell us they want, and what they want to see happen. The success of our plan relies on us working well together with local people and organisations. Whilst we face challenging financial times, nevertheless we have opportunities to promote and deliver a better future for Nottinghamshire.
(Posted 8/3/10)
Gritting
The exceptionally cold weather which affected Nottinghamshire and most other parts of the UK between December and February led to unprecedented pressures on local authority gritting supplies. Nottinghamshire County Council possessed stockpiles far exceeding Government recommendations and was able to keep its priority routes gritted even when other councils had exhausted their supplies. The biggest difficulty was obtaining replacement supplies, given the exceptional pressure on the two national companies who supply the country’s salt.
Taking these events into account, it was agreed at the recent County Council budget meeting to increase the gritting budget by £50,000 for 2010/11. It is also intended to use 6mm rather than 10mm salt, which will improve spread rate and increase our gritting capacity still further.
(Posted 8/3/10)
Tram
On 24th September 2009 Nottinghamshire County Council voted to withdraw its financial support for the NET Phase Two transport scheme. As a Conservative County Councillor I was elected on a manifesto which stated: "We will avoid spending a small fortune on tram extensions which few people in the county will be able to use."
During the Council debate, several Conservative Members presented the argument for this change of policy. Some referred to the increasing costs of the scheme, whilst others supported the assertion of the Cabinet Member for Transport & Highways' that flexible bus services, rather a fixed tram line, represent the most suitable public transport solution to serve the whole of Nottinghamshire.
Some of my colleagues took the opportunity to state that, contrary to some media reports, the Conservative position on the proposed tram extensions has not changed. They pointed out that the previous Labour administration had entered into certain legal agreements in relation to NET Phase 2 which must be respected to protect the interests of the County taxpayer, but the new Conservative administration is quite clear that it does not support the proposed tram extension routes.
(Posted 5/10/09)
Workplace Parking Levy (WPL)
Also at the Nottinghamshire County Council meeting on 24th September 2009, the Cabinet Member for Transport & Highways, Councillor Richard Jackson, stated that the new Conservative county administration is opposed to Nottingham City Council's proposals for a Workplace Parking Levy (WPL). He expressed concern about the financial impact such a levy could have on County residents who work in the City and stated his belief that the WPL would be unlikely to cut congestion. Councillor Jackson argued that the scheme could lead to significant parking problems in the County area, frighten off economic investment in the City and County and hit business confidence at a time when it needs to be nurtured.
(Posted 5/10/09)
Flags at County Hall
I am pleased to report that the flag of St George and the Union flag are now flying permanently alongside the Nottinghamshire County Council flag outside County Hall as a lasting symbol of pride in our heritage and armed forces.
This authority has a number of former and current military personnel within its ranks, and we are all conscious that this a difficult time for our armed forces and their families. We fly the flags to show our respect for fallen and injured servicemen to whom we owe a tremendous debt of gratitude for the dangerous but necessary tasks they undertake on our behalf.
(Posted 5/10/09)
