. July 2020 - Page 2 of 2 - Wilcop Media

July 2020

Lancashire News

Farnworth residents welcomed some new arrivals this week, the first of dozens of trees to be planted across the borough under Bolton Council’s Cleaner and Greener commitment.

Cabinet member Cllr Adele Warren was on hand as 20 new trees were planted in Farnworth Park on Tuesday (July 14).

The project received a grant from the Forestry Commission’s Urban Tree Challenge, which will also see trees planted in Little Lever Memorial Gardens, Queens Park and Old Station Park in Horwich.

The grant was met with £25,000 of match-funding from Bolton Council.

Bolton Council’s Cleaner and Greener commitment has seen £1.5m set aside for various projects to improve public areas and green spaces across the borough.

This includes an overall total of £150,000 for new trees across the borough, with a much bigger planting programme planned for next planting season.

Cllr Warren, the Executive Cabinet Member for Environmental Services Delivery, said:

“Trees play an invaluable role by supporting wildlife, capturing carbon and releasing oxygen into the environment.

“These new trees will greatly improve the natural environment which has such a positive impact on the physical and mental health of our residents.

“That is why we have committed £1.5m to improving the local environment, £150,000 of which is being used to plant even more trees in our parks and public spaces.

“On top of this, we will continue to bid for extra funding from projects like the Urban Tree Challenge so we can plant as many trees as possible across Bolton.

“I am thrilled that Farnworth Park is the first to receive new trees. I hope it is just the beginning of good news for the town as we wait for the result of the Future High Streets Fund bid.”

The council’s Cleaner and Greener fund has also paid for new mowers and future initiatives include the creation of wildflower meadows and new benches and bins in parks.

Nottingham News

New council homes could take a step closer next week when plans go before Nottingham City Council’s Executive Board for approval (Tuesday 21 July).

If approved, new council homes will be developed on a former school playing field off Beckhampton Road in Bestwood and a large amount of open space will be retained for the local community to enjoy.

A total of 131 homes are proposed for the site and include 72 two-bed and 14 three-bed houses, five one-bed bungalows, five three-bed disabled access bungalows and 35 one-bed flats. All of these types of homes are in high demand in Bestwood and will go to people on the council’s waiting list.

A variety of bungalows have been included as part of the scheme. Some will provide new, fit for purpose properties which will be suitable for families with special needs, and should help reduce demand for adaptations to existing properties. It is also hoped that some of the bungalows will be suitable for tenants wishing to downsize, which will help free up larger homes for families.

All the homes will be carbon and energy efficient, and car charging points and solar panels will be provided on homes where appropriate.

Right To Buy replacement funding – the money councils receive when tenants can buy their council home at a discounted rate – will meet up to 30% of the costs for developing the new housing.

The development is subject to planning approval and so the scheme design and detail is subject to change. Nottingham City Homes which is the council’s development agent and also manage the council’s housing stock, submitted a planning application for the scheme in May.


Nick Murphy, Chief Executive at Nottingham City Homes, said: “We’ve worked with the Council to build nearly 600 new council houses in the city so far and we are committed to building even more for Nottingham people.
“There is a real need for social housing across the city. With over 9,000 local households on our waiting list, Beckhampton would provide a range of much needed genuinely affordable homes for Nottingham families if approved.”

Councillor Linda Woodings, Portfolio Holder for Planning, Housing and Heritage at Nottingham City Council, said, “Helping people on the housing waiting list remains a priority for the City Council.

“Not only will this provide much-needed homes for those who need them, but building homes also encourages investment, creates jobs and helps to support local supply chain businesses, which will help aid the city’s recovery from the Coronavirus as lockdown measures are eased.

“The site in Bestwood provides an opportunity to regenerate the area and create new affordable accommodation, which meets the needs of Nottingham people waiting for a home.

“We hope to build even more homes in the future, but are looking to the Government to show greater flexibility with the rules surrounding funding in order to allow us to do this”.

Nottingham News

Rushcliffe Borough Council is taking further steps towards its goal for its operations to be carbon neutral by 2030 with the creation of a Team Manager for Environment in its Community Development team.

Despite the pressures of COVID-19 on the authority, it is continuing with its green priorities to recruit to the role and demonstrate its commitment towards recovering from the pandemic in line with its further investment in its Climate Change Action Reserve.

The authority is seeking an ambitious, forward thinking individual to lead a team in delivering the Council’s commitments to achieving carbon neutral status including in its Carbon Management Action Plan that is tackling Property Assets, Fleet, Policy and Regulation in the organisation to reduce emissions over the next decade.

The position will also play a key role in influencing the Borough’s communities, internal stakeholders, groups and businesses to take similar steps towards reducing their emissions.

In March the Council’s Cabinet approved plans to become ‘Carbon Clever’ and reach the 2030 deadline with an added £1m towards the reserve in conjunction with an innovations from an internal working group that is now implementing changes.

Future Carbon Clever activities could include developing a tree planting plan for Council land, enforcing minimum energy standards in the private rented sector and the promotion of carbon reduction policies to developers working in Rushcliffe.

The authority’s Green House Gas Report 2018-19 was also released earlier this year that announced that the organisation had cut emissions by 40% since 2008/9, exceeding its previous target for 2020 by 10%.

Rushcliffe Borough Council’s Deputy Leader Cllr Debbie Mason said: “The work already completed by our internal working group is very exciting and sets us challenging but achievable targets for the future and we wish to recruit an individual to drive this project further.

“We are looking for someone who can demonstrate a real passion for the environment, show experience of working in partnership with partners and stakeholders to achieve real results and in line with governmental regulations and environmental sustainability best practices.

“As the recent Green House Gas Report demonstrates, we have a clear commitment to the environment and we will continue to support other organisations in making positive changes to become Carbon Clever themselves.”

The Carbon Management Action Plan is set to evolve in line with technological innovations and has been developed to integrate with the overarching D2N2 Energy Strategy in the region.

Interested applicants can apply on the jobs webpage or contact the Council’s Community Development Manager Derek Hayden on 0115 9148270 for an informal discussion on the role.

The closing date for applications is Sunday August 9.

Nottingham News

Sherwood Forest, Rufford Abbey and Holme Pierrepont Country Parks are looking forward to welcoming visitors after receiving the “We’re Good To Go” industry standard mark from VisitEngland.

Although the parks have remained open during the crisis, the award reflects the changes that have been made at each of the parks, including social distancing measures and staff training, to comply with Government COVID-19 guidance.

Councillor John Cottee, Chairman of Communities and Place Committee at Nottinghamshire County Council, said:

“It’s great news that everyone will be able to enjoy our country parks this summer and be confident that they can do so safely.

“Our partners are to be congratulated for the extra measures that they have put in place and I hope the ‘We’re Good To Go’ mark offers reassurance to our residents and visitors planning a fun day out in Nottinghamshire.”

Jack Garner, Contract Manager at Holme Pierrepont Country Park, said:
“We’re delighted to have received this accreditation to show the measures we have put in place will make a COVID safe environment for our staff and customers and look forward to welcoming more people back to the park.

“From 4 July, I’m pleased to say that the car park will open until 8.30pm, following feedback from users of the Country Park, at the weekends and self-contained motor homes and caravans will be welcomed onto the campsite.

“We’ve also added more slots for white water users to meet demand of the extremely successful re opening to paddlers recently and our regatta lake and public toilets remains open alongside take away catering services provided by our partner Romano’s catering.

“Unfortunately, campers will have to wait a little longer but all being well will be welcomed back from 22 July.”

Justin Palfrey, Assistant Regional Director, Parkwood Leisure, Rufford Abbey Country Park said:

“We are pleased to have received this accreditation from VisitEngland and are looking forward to more facilities re-opening this weekend. Our popular Adventure Play Area will once again be open for children of all ages to enjoy.

“The Play Area will be operating a one way in and out system, with restrictions enforced on numbers who can enter to ensure social distancing can be adhered to at busy times. We will also be opening extra take away catering outlets across the park to allow visitors to enjoy a hot drink, snacks and ice creams.

“Our car parking capacity is still limited and would highly recommend pre booking online before you visit. We are open daily from 10am – 4pm. We hope you can come and enjoy a visit to Rufford soon.”

Gemma Howarth, RSPB senior site manager at Sherwood Forest National Nature Reserve, said:

“We’re delighted to be able to reopen more of our facilities, having taken a phased approach to ensure the safety of everyone concerned. We’d like to thank our visitors for their patience whilst this has been done.

“The toilets have reopened for visitors from 10am – 4pm daily. To enable social distancing, only limited facilities are available and a queuing system is in place. No other areas of the visitor centre are currently open but we are working on reopening the shop over the next week or so.

“Light, pre-packaged refreshments and hot drinks are available from the catering van on the amphitheatre where payment is contactless only and the main and accessible car parks continue to open 10am – 4pm daily.

“Parking costs £4, or free to RSPB members, as normal but please do not arrive by car before 10am as this can cause queuing on the main road.”

Nottingham News, Notts Weddings

Since Nottinghamshire County Council confirmed that wedding ceremonies and civil partnerships in registration offices or Council approved premises could recommence from Saturday 4 July following the updated Government guidelines 28 have taken place.

The Nottinghamshire County Council Registration team is reminding couples of the new guidelines due to coronavirus which mean that their ceremony will perhaps be slightly different to what was originally planned.

There are five registration offices in Nottinghamshire where couples can now tie the knot and each location has its own maximum occupancy to allow for social distancing.  Whilst the Government guidelines allow up to 30 guests this is all based on the size of the ceremony room.

Nottinghamshire’s registration offices are based in West Bridgford, Arnold, Mansfield, Newark and Worksop and the numbers of guests varies from a total of six-people for West Bridgford and Arnold.  19-people at Mansfield, 10-people at Newark and four-people in Worksop.  In addition to these numbers there will be two registrars allowed at each office to perform the ceremony.

Ceremonies will look very different with everyone having to social distance and the ceremonies being very short with only the legal requirements taking place to ensure the partnership is legally binding.  The ceremony itself will have no readings, promises nor choice of music.  Ring exchange is allowed but the rings will need to be kept by the couple.

Councillor John Handley, Vice Chairman for the Communities and Place committee at the County Council said: “Our team of registrars are working hard to ensure our booked ceremonies can take place.  We have had almost half of the pre booked weddings cancelled or moved as some couples decide to wait for their big day when it can take place as they first planned.

“Not all our licensed premises are opening straight away, and it is the duty of the venue to ensure that the legal requirement of social distancing is adhered to.  Our team of registrars will be working with couples to ensure that the new guidelines are made clear so that everyone understands what can happen during this period. I’d like to please ask those with weddings planned, bear with us in these difficult circumstances.”

For further information on how to book a wedding or to seek any clarification if you have a wedding booked with a County Council Registrar please call the 0300 500 8080 or visit our weddings frequently asked questions.

For more information visit www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-for-small-marriages-and-civil-partnerships/covid-19-guidance-for-small-marriages-and-civil-partnerships

Nottingham News

Commenting on Nottinghamshire County Council’s financial challenge, Cllr Richard Jackson, Chairman of the Finance and Major Projects committee said:

“At the start of 2020 Nottinghamshire County Council was looking ahead with confidence regarding its finances, but COVID-19 has created a huge new funding challenge for all local authorities across the country. 

“The Government has provided an extra £37 million to Nottinghamshire County Council so far to help meet the cost of the crisis, but we still face a projected funding gap of more than £50 million over three years, including £26 million in the next year alone, and these figures are certain to rise.

“This Council has saved more than £250 million over the last ten years through an ambitious programme of innovation and modernisation, but that means there are very few efficiency savings left to be found, and certainly not the amounts of money we will need to balance our budget.

“We have a legal and moral duty to protect critical services such as children’s social care, support for vulnerable young and older people with complex health conditions, and repairing and maintaining the county’s roads, pavements and streetlighting to a decent standard.

“This leaves us with no alternative but to review other services that are discretionary or where we have scope within our statutory duty to redefine, for example libraries, youth centres, day centres, discretionary school transport, and community funds like the Local Improvement Scheme and the Councillors’ Divisional Fund.  The cost of keeping all of these services whilst also funding all of our extra costs for COVID-19 would be equivalent to a 10% increase in County Council tax.

“Whatever further funding we get from Central Government, we shall still have to look at every other possible way of saving money.  We think it is important for councils to provide these services because they are important to the people of Nottinghamshire and are what they expect to receive when they pay their council tax.  The Council will have to seriously consider where this money is to come from, as there are no easy options.”