Gedling Country Park has been awarded a ‘much loved’ park status in a national competition to find the UK’s best park. This summer’s UK’s Best Park award, organised by the Fields in Trust, has seen all-time high numbers of nominations and a record votes tally, with 36,832 park users casting votes to help decide the UK’s Best Park 2019.

In the East Midlands, 17 local parks and green spaces were nominated for the award. These nominations were then championed by park users, communities, Friends of groups, landowners and elected representatives as part of the public vote.

Following close of voting, the top four parks with the most votes received the ‘Much Loved’ status that included Gedling Country Park. The park will receive a certificate to recognise the support of the people who voted for it. Deputy Leader of Gedling Borough Council, Councillor Michael Payne said “I’m delighted Gedling Country Park has been granted ‘Much Loved’ status after it came in the top four parks in the entire East Midlands when the votes had been counted.

This award by Fields in Trust is yet another recognition of Gedling Country Park as a stunning jewel in the crown of Nottinghamshire and the wider East Midlands. Thank you to all of you who took the time to vote for our beautiful park”

Bassetlaw District Council took its campaign to reduce fly-tipping to Retford Town Centre with another hard-hitting and thought provoking display.
The Council is highlighting just how much fly-tipping is dumped on its streets, in its laybys and on country lanes by displaying a collection of fly-tipping in prominent locations around the district.

Retford was the latest town to see just how much waste is dumped in Bassetlaw on average each day and officers were on hand to inform the public of how serious a problem fly-tipping is and what they can do to help tackle it.

On average, it costs the Bassetlaw Tax-Payer more than £115,000 each year to clean up fly-tipping and between April 2018 and March 2019, there were 1,987 individual incidents reported and cleared. Cllr Julie Leigh, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods at Bassetlaw District Council, said; “Unfortunately, fly-tipping is on the increase nationally, especially in rural districts such as Bassetlaw, and the cost is being picked up by us the tax payer. Fly-tipping is a criminal offence and there is no excuse or justification for it.”

Through this campaign the Council is trying to spread the message that it’s ‘your rubbish and your responsibility’. Whether you dispose of it yourself at one of the Household Recycling Centres or pay someone to take it away for you, it is your responsibility to ensure that it is disposed of correctly.
Retford Ward members, have also committed their support for the campaign with Councillors Sue Shaw, James Anderson, Helen Richards and Claire Plevin all helping to highlight the negative impact fly-tipping is having on our community financially and the strain it has on our services. They hope that this campaign will make people think a little more about how they get rid of their waste.

Residents and businesses who wish to use waste removal companies can check if they are properly licenced to dispose of their waste. Waste carrier’s licences can be checked on the Environment Agency website https://environment.data.gov.uk/public-register/view/index
Residents can help to reduce fly-tipping by:
• Taking their waste to the Household Recycling Centres. Residents can view more information about the items accepted at Household Recycling Centres by visiting nottinghamshire.gov.uk
• Using a licensed waste carrier. If residents employ someone to remove their waste, they should always ask to see a waste carrier license and ask for a receipt. If their waste is found to have been fly-tipped, residents could be liable for a fine of up to £5,000 and have to pay for the clean-up costs.
• Reporting fly-tipping. If residents see a fly-tip taking place, please try to collect the following information: The date, time and location of the fly-tip, the registration number and a description of the vehicle, a description of the person dumping the waste.
• Residents can report fly-tipping in confidence on the Council’s website, bassetlaw.gov.uk or by calling the Environmental Health team on 01909 533 533.
• Residents can also book a Bulky Waste Collection through the Council by visiting bassetlaw.gov.uk/bulkywaste. Collections start at £12.50 per item and £9 for each additional item.

Kirkby and Sutton town centres are set to receive a huge financial boost.
Each will receive £25million in news the Leader of the Council Jason Zadrozny has hailed as a long-overdue boost. For the last year we have been working with Martin Rigley MBE and the Discover Ashfield Board, alongside local businesses to promote our ambition.

Councillor Jason Zadrozny has praised Council officers for bringing together our Town Teams and creating confidence in our vision and plans for the future of our towns which are set to transform the future of Kirkby and Sutton. Councillor Zadrozny said: “I am delighted that the hard work and ambition of our Council has been recognised with our successful bids.
“I have been working with Council officers over the past year to fight for much needed funding. Everyone knows that our town centres have been overlooked for too long. When I took over as Leader of the Council improving our town centres was a main priority for us.

“This news is the culmination of a huge team effort from so many people. Make no mistake that without our vision and ambition we would not be in a position to secure this once-in-a-lifetime funding, it is a long overdue boost.
“In Kirkby, this money is on top of the £14million for our new leisure destination including two swimming pools. In Sutton, we also have bids in for High Street Heritage Action Zone Fund of up to £3m and the Future High Streets Fund of up to £25m.

“With 1,800 jobs set to come to Summit Park in the near future and a many more exciting projects across the district, this really is ‘boom-time’ for Ashfield.”

Nottinghamshire County Council is working in partnership with Nottingham (lead authority) and Derby City Councils to deliver the Go Ultra-Low Programme which aims to create a major change in the number of ultra-low emission cars and vans on the roads. The objectives are to significantly improve air quality, reduce carbon emissions and create opportunities for the growth of electric car manufacturing.

The Nottingham Go Ultra Low programme is funded by £6.1m grant from the Office of Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV). Each element of the programme will be expanded into the county wherever this is possible. £2m of the grant has been has been earmarked for expanding the public electric vehicle charging infrastructure to create an area wide network across Nottinghamshire, Nottingham and Derby area by 2020. Locations that will form part of the charging network will be made publicly available for 24 hours every day.

Work is currently taking place to identify potential locations and assess their feasibility and a number of potential sites have been proposed for inclusion in the electric vehicle charging network. Currently, 91 public electric charge points have been installed in the county in thirteen different locations.

Two rapid electric vehicle charge points have recently been installed in the public car park at County Hall and it is proposed that more charging points are installed at suitable County Council properties, such as visitor attractions to expand the charging network. In addition, work is under way to expand the County Council’s electric pool cars and vans.
Local businesses or voluntary organisations may be able to apply for grants of up to £25,000 to help pay for the installation of electric charging points at their workplaces for their staff and visitors. Additional advice or loans may also available to help organisations introduce low-emission vehicles into their fleets.

Councillor John Cottee, Communities and Place Committee Chairman said:
“The County Council and its partners are committed to supporting the Go Ultra Low Programme to help make its ambitions a reality. We are promoting the introduction and use of electric vehicles, expanding the charging infrastructure on council premises for public use, supporting local businesses and voluntary organisations in introducing electric vehicles and charging points in their workplaces.

“The advantages can be enjoyed by everyone: lower costs involved with the maintenance and upkeep of electric vehicles and fewer emissions which leads to significantly improved air quality. These improve ments will help us to create a more sustainable environment, with the benefits being enjoyed now and in the future.”