Private renters in Nottingham are among the best protected from so-called revenge evictions, according to the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health.
Nottingham City Council is among the top ten councils for taking formal action and offering tenants protection from landlords who evict tenants after they raise a complaint. The council is making use of a power that came in under the Deregulation Act 2015 which means that renters who raise a complaint with their landlord cannot be evicted for six months – but only if the council formally gets involved and issues an improvement notice for certain hazards such as damp, cold, asbestos, over-crowding and poor security.
The CIEH says that many councils try to resolve matters informally and not all complaints will involve this level of hazard, leaving one tenant in every 20 who complains to their council unprotected. It cites the top councils for taking formal action and offering tenants protection as Tower Hamlets, Merton, Nottingham, Wiltshire, North Somerset, Waltham Forest, Bournemouth, and Cornwall.
Nottingham City Council’s Head of Safer Housing and Anti-Social Behaviour, David Walker, said: “We are wholly focused on ensuring that private tenants can raise issues about the state of their property without being penalised either by rent increases or revenge evictions by unscrupulous landlords.
“Wherever possible, when we receive a complaint we will take formal action which rightly gives tenants protection from this sort of thing, while ensuring that the necessary improvements to the property are carried out.” If private renters in Nottingham experience problems with their property or landlord, they should call the council’s Safer Housing Team for advice and support on 0115 876 1331.
An appeal has been launched for environmentally minded Rushcliffe residents to apply to be a tree warden and ensure trees in their neighbourhoods are protected to breathe further life into communities. Tree wardens are volunteers appointed by Parish Councils to champion local trees and woods, involve fellow residents in tree projects and protect local trees by reporting early signs of insect pests, disease and vandalism. The initiative follows the Rushcliffe Borough Council’s successful free tree scheme last year, which saw over 1,600 trees given to residents and Parish Councils to plant in their gardens, properties and communities.
The Council’s Executive Manager for Communities Dave Mitchell said: “It is incredibly important not only that we plant new trees in Rushcliffe but also look to protect and encourage trees to flourish in our towns and villages. “Tree wardens in Rushcliffe will help to ensure that as communities grow, green, sustainable environments surrounding them will increase too, giving current and future residents a higher quality of life.”
Residents interested in joining the scheme should email media@rushcliffe.gov.uk or contact the Borough Council on any of its social media channels.
For residents living in West Bridgford, where no Parish or Town Council exists, or for further information, please email the Council’s Environmental Sustainability Officer Paul Phillips at environmentalissues@rushcliffe.gov.uk.
Belvoir Castle has been revealed as a ‘Garden of the Year’ finalist, a public voted awards organised by Historic Houses Association designed to celebrate the best gardens in the UK.
Emma Rutland is the 11th Duchess of Rutland: “We’re delighted to be up for Historic Houses’ Garden of the Year. Spring is the perfect time to explore our tranquil gardens, with camellias, daffodils and magnolias in bloom and lots of walking trails available. With the public vote now open, we hope everyone who loves visiting our beautiful landscapes will support us.”
Ursula Cholmeley, Gardens Editor, Historic House magazine, says: “What makes the gardens of Historic Houses special is the people who live in them, and we want to see their ideas and passion coming through in the way the garden is evolving. Our great country houses are, rightly, protected from much significant physical change, so it’s often only in the garden that a new generation of inhabitants of these much-loved family homes can really make their mark, leaving their own legacy for future generations. These shortlisted gardens are all ones where we can see that personal imprint.” The gardens at Belvoir Castle were designed and landscaped by the fifth Duchess of Rutland, Elizabeth Howard, and regarded as one of the greatest gardens north of London in the 18th century. Over the years, the gardens have been lovingly cared for with several Duchesses leaving their own mark. The 11th Duchess is determined to continue redeveloping these beautiful gardens to restore them to their former glory.
This year marks the beginning of a £200,000 restoration of the Rose Garden, following the rediscovery of the original plans drawn up by the 19th century designer Harold Peto in the Castle archives.
These reveal that the Rose Garden is shaped like a boat, with the Chinese horse at the bow, and the circular seat at the stern. Visitors can explore the classical formal gardens, woodlands and views across the rural countryside from the castle’s hilltop position.
Capability Brown Tours have been launched as part of the 2019 season. Following a two-year restoration programme led by the 11th Duchess, which cleared over 500-acres of woodland and brought the lost plans of Capability Brown to life, visitors can explore the stunning vistas designed more than 250 years ago by the English landscape architect with a head set tour narrated by the Duchess from the new electric bus.
The Belvoir Flower and Garden Festival (13 & 14 July) also returns for its second year, a quintessential british day out with beautiful garden inspiration and ideas. Specialist plant growers, garden furniture, sculpture artists, show gardens, border displays, tools and crafts as well as Expert Horticulturists will be on hand to answer gardening questions. Admission to the Gardens only at Belvoir start from £12 for adults; £7 for children (4-16 years) and £34 for a family pass (two adults and up to three children). As a listed RHS Garden, Belvoir Castle opens its doors to RHS members in June for free of charge.
To vote for Belvoir Castle to be crowned Historic Houses’ Garden of the Year, visit: www.historichouses.org/goya2019.html. Alternatively, members of the public can cast their vote by making a post on Facebook that includes Historic Houses (@HistoricHousesUK), the words ‘My Vote’, the name of the garden they want to win, and the hashtag #HHgoya. Voting closes on 30 September and the winner will be revealed in November.
For more information about Belvoir Castle, visit: www.belvoircastle.com. With voting now open, the Leicestershire Estate is the only attraction to fly the flag for the East Midlands as it competes for the national title against seven other historic houses from all corners of the UK.
Following a successful consultation period, Ashfield District Council’s cabinet has approved a new spatial masterplan for Sutton Town Centre. The Spatial Masterplan will be a valuable document to underpin future investment into Sutton. This includes a multi-million pound bid to the Government’s Future High Street Fund to help make Sutton a 21st Century Town Centre. Town Centres up and down the country are undergoing fundamental change and it is important that the Council, together with its partners leads Sutton into a more prosperous future.
The public consultation, held over four weeks, received overwhelmingly positive feedback from residents and businesses. Representatives from Discover Ashfield, Idlewells Shopping Centre and Sutton Community Academy students all responded to the draft Masterplan that was published in January.
Councillor Jason Zadrozny, Leader of the Council, said: “The regeneration of Sutton Town Centre is a top priority for our Council. We are ambitious for Sutton’s future and need to build on the current success of the indoor market. Working with Discover Ashfield and other partners, we are determined to improve both the daytime and night time economy in the town centre.” Ashfield’s Cabinet agreed to adopt the Masterplan document as a basis for future action in Sutton, they were joined by students from Sutton Community Academy who illustrated their ambitions and aspirations for the future of the town centre.
One student said: “I would like to see improved leisure activities, we come out of school and there is nothing to do. I would like to see something like a cinema near Portland Square that we could go to, and activities that families from the local area will come into town to do.” At the meeting, Cabinet agreed to adopt the masterplan and approved recommendations to submit an Expression of Interest for the Government’s multi-million pound Future High Streets Fund. The Future High Streets Fund is a £675 million national fund which will support local area plans to make their high streets and town centres fit for the future and more resilient to change.
As well as this, the government have announced £1.6 billion for a Stronger Towns Fund to boost towns in England. This will be available to places that have not shared in the proceeds of growth in the same way as more prosperous parts of the country. Councillor Helen-Ann Smith, Councillor for Stanton Hill and Teversal said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for the Council to get support on its mission to regenerate Sutton.
We are extremely ambitious for our future and will do everything to deliver better funding for our Town Centres. It’s the very least our local residents deserve!” The Council is still looking for residents’ feedback and would love to hear from you. As part of the Council’s bid for funding, we want to hear your opinions on Sutton and how it can be improved. Please ‘back the bid’ by emailing place@ashfield.gov.uk.
A third CCTV car could soon be patrolling the roads outside Nottinghamshire’s schools looking for parents who are parking illegally. The county council already operates two camera enforcement cars and will be stepping up their efforts to keep children safe at drop off and pick up times as parents continue to ignore ‘School Keep Clear’ road markings. The CCTV cars record illegal parking so they have the evidence to hand out £70 fines to drivers.
Last year more than 600 drivers were caught out and handed Penalty Charge Notices. Councillor Philip Owen, chairman of the Children and Young People’s committee, said he was delighted that a third CCTV car would now be considered for approval at the council’s Policy committee in April.
Councillor Owen said: “Pupil numbers have increased over the past five years, and changes in pupil placement policies have resulted in some pupils travelling greater distances to schools usually by car. “Illegal and bad parking outside schools is an issue that head teachers, school governors and local residents regularly express concerns about. “Parking outside schools is a perceived danger rather than it actually resulting in child casualties. It is important, however, that parents and pupils crossing outside schools have a clear safe space to do so (School Keep Clear road markings) and this designated area is kept clear of parking through effective traffic management.”
The county council’s first camera enforcement car was introduced in March 2016, and the second in May 2018. During 2018 more than 600 Penalty Charge Notices were issued by the council to cars parked on ‘School Keep Clear’ markings. The £70 penalty is reduced to £35 if paid within 14 days. The council already uses other road safety measures such as advance school warning signs for motorists, 20mph speed limits outside school entrances, and school crossing patrol services.
The CCTV cars run at a slight loss but are cross-subsidised by income from other parking enforcement areas. Schools can request the car to be outside the premises, and they are given information about the scheme to include in school newsletters.
The report, Investing in Nottinghamshire, outlines how the County Council intends to use its £1 billion office and land estate to drive economic growth and regeneration across the county, improve accessibility and transform service provision for local people. County Councillors will be asked to support plans to develop a new office building on existing County Council owned land at Top Wighay Farm, near Hucknall, to encourage additional private sector development including new housing and a new business park on the site.
The new office would become a single base for the County Council’s Customer Service Centre, Adult Access Team and Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) for children’s and adult social care cases which are currently based at the Annesley Business Park in rented office accommodation. Police and Health partners who work alongside the County Council in these services, will also be based in the same building – improving access to frontline services for local residents and greater efficiency by shared processes and systems.
The report sets out proposals for an iconic new building to be constructed on the County Hall campus in West Bridgford to accommodate the Council and its arms-length companies. Consideration will also be given to providing conference facilities to develop a modern, flexible, multi-use venue for use by the Council and others. This will allow the Council to vacate Trent Bridge House to further reduce costs and realign its office estate.
The report also identifies options to vacate other costly leasehold office buildings and to sell older buildings which require major repairs and are expensive to run. The County Council proposes to exit and dispose of Sir John Robinson House in Arnold which requires significant ongoing maintenance to operate as office accommodation but has attracted potential interest for conversion to residential use. Local service provision for the Gedling District and areas surrounding the north of the City of Nottingham will be retained.
Three further offices at Retford (Chancery Lane), Ollerton (Bevercotes House, Sherwood Energy Village) and Beeston (Prospect House) would also be vacated to help to reduce the running costs of the County Council’s offices. Appropriate local service provision will be retained; using existing Council buildings where possible.
The programme of work set out within the report includes other ways in which the Council is modernising how it works. This includes employees working more flexibly and reducing travel and down time. Councillor Kay Cutts MBE, Leader of the County Council said: “We’re ambitious for Nottinghamshire and we intend to use our assets to regenerate the local economy by opening up land we already own to new and exciting development opportunities.
“Our approach will make sure we spend taxpayers’ money wisely on the services people expect delivered from modern, efficient buildings local to where people live. “Our plans mean that we will vacate buildings we rent and move into fit for purpose buildings that we own, reducing our overheads and annual running costs by using the latest green technology. “Building new office accommodation at Top Wighay Farm and at County Hall means that we can use our own land assets to unlock new opportunities for jobs, growth and regeneration as part of our commitment to invest in Nottinghamshire.”
Subject to approval by County Councillors, further work will be undertaken by the Arc Partnership, a joint venture company between the County Council and Scape Group based in Nottingham, to evaluate the options agreed by Members.
In the days that preceded Forest’s tinderbox fixture with Derby County, there wasn’t a doubt in my mind that it would produce anything but a home win. In recent years I’ve approached the game with a glass half empty mindset, which is understandable considering that our last victory was in 2015 courtesy of Nelson Oliveira’s solitary strike at the Bridgford End. But there was an undercurrent of supreme confidence in the River Trent and for once I was grateful to have been swept away by it.
It wasn’t down to the fact that the Rams had embarrassed themselves in their previous home game against Millwall but owing more to the tactics of Martin O’Neill of late. The Irishman has not only instilled a real confidence and belief amongst his players but has shown that each opponent warrants a different approach to the game; as I wrote at the beginning of his tenure at Forest, horses for courses.
The usual moans and groans emanated on social media when the current Forest side was announced on Monday, with two players being the specific target of disgruntlement, Ben Watson and Daryl Murphy. Personally, such is my confidence in the management team of late that I didn’t care who started the game, I just knew we’d be victorious. As for the aforementioned, they were instrumental in the game itself. Watson marshalled the space in front of the back four and Murphy held the ball up well before running the channels intelligently. Collectively, it was great team performance which again shows the confidence in the management by the players.
You’ve all heard reference to the twelfth man before but a minute prior to kick off the Reds unveiled a seventeenth. Another breathtaking display by the Forza Garibaldi supporters lit the touch paper for this fixture and in my opinion was the catalyst for the early goal. Six huge banners bisected by a centrepiece which read “The Rebel City” were draped down from the upper tier of the Trent End. Each one bearing a stunning picture of men and women who dared to make a difference. Those iconic images of Eric Irons, Helen Watts, Alan Sillitoe, DH Lawrence, Brian Clough and Ned Ludd were a fitting prelude to such a contest. Indelible proof that plastic flags and clappers have no place in the City of Legends!
And, as I mentioned previously, the rebel ghosts were the inspiration for Yohan Benalouane’s opening goal after just 77 seconds. The man in the mask wrote himself into Forest folklore as he slid home from close range to send the crowd into raptures.
An early goal can be blessing or a curse in such a fixture, but Forest were keen to build upon it. O’Neill’s men played with real intensity and should have scored twice more through Murphy and Yates. In contrast, Derby were limited to just a single opportunity in that first half. Waghorn’s superbly timed run wasn’t to be matched by his finish and you got the sense that the Rams would offer little more. It was always going to be a big Ask to replicate the energy levels and chances created in the second half, but Forest never looked in trouble. Yes, Derby had the lions share of possession in the second period but could find no way through a well organised Forest defence. Alex Milosevic and Yohan Benalouane looked impenetrable at times, Milosevic never seems to be dragged out of position and closes the spaces in the most unassuming of manners.
It would be remiss not to mention the contribution of my two candidates for player of the season thus far Joe Lolley and Jack Colback, both were brilliant as per usual. As the final whistle blew, I looked around our famous old ground to see red scarfs being waved in all four stands. I thanked my lucky stars (both of them) that this was our home and not some flat pack stadium subjected to more name changes than Prince.
As for the outcome of the game itself; it was never in doubt!
The cold weather at the beginning of February would see the first weekend of the month hit with many postponements and Carlton Town were no exception. Due to the adverse weather conditions they were left with a free weekend as for the first time all season a frozen pitch at Sheffield would prevent this fixture from going ahead.
Belper Town 2 – 1 Carlton Town So, a week on and with fresher legs the team would travel up into Derbyshire for a fixture that over recent seasons has always produced tight encounters and with the odd goal either way producing a winner. This one was to be no different than any other game from recent times with the home side having the better of the play for the majority of the first half and deservedly leading at the interval. The Millers would rally in the second half and improve on their first half performance but would still struggle to break down the home team. It was only during the final ten minutes when Carlton really pressed and dominated that they would get some reward from the game. A goal by Opoku via a sublime pass from Stovell just before injury time was just reward for the millers persistent in the latter stages of the game after having been two-nil down at the break. A rousing finish to the game would see the home side cling on and Carlton again would return home disappointed at not having got anything from the game.
Carlton Town 2 – 2 Solihull Moors With players returning from injury and suspensions a mid-week fixture was arranged to give some of the squad an opportunity for game time and match fitness for the next league encounter in three days time. Solihull Moors, a conference league club, whom the previous evening had won and gone top of their division would bring a squad of players for a work-out at stoke lane which in the end would prove to be a good advert for the game. Here was an opportunity for both teams to see what options some of their fringe players would offer them for the remainder of the season and i’m sure that at the conclusion of the game both managers were left with food for thought as they say. It was a pretty even game throughout with both sides at times producing some good combinations and free-flowing football. Solihull were to open the scoring and take the lead into half-time, but the millers would start the second half the better team and be rewarded with an equaliser from the returning centre-half Eddie Clarke. With the game now going from end-to-end and both sides level-pegging the Moors would press on again and ten minutes on from the equaliser regain their lead. However, Carlton’s fighting spirit would continue and with twenty minutes left on the clock see Stovell hit a thunderous shot into the top of the net to bring the teams level. Bartram would hit a post late on in what was a positive work-out and one that should encourage the players to produce a performance on Saturday.
Carlton Town 1 – 2 Spalding United Three days on from a good and productive performance would see a team that the millers had over-run earliar in the season come to town. Spalding were lying in a similar position in the league as Carlton and this was definitely billed as a six-pointer. The millers never really got out of the dressing room in this one and showed too much respect and time to their opponents. The away side would lead at the interval by a single goal and with not much dividing the two sides ability wise would have more endeavour to go two-up with nine minutes to play. A consolation goal for Motshweni in injury time would reduce the deficit in what quite frankly was an average display from the home team.
Carlton Town 2 – 0 AFC Mansfield The senior cup was next on the agenda for the millers and a quarter-final against opposition whom had beaten them in the boxing day league fixture see an opportunity to gain revenge. The home side would not disappoint in this one ,but would start slowly and at times struggle to break down the opposition. Stovell, who was a constant threat with his pace and guile would cause the opposition a lot of problems in the first forty-five minutes but the game would stiil be a stalemate at half-time with neither side being able to break the deadlock. Five minutes into the second half would see Keiran Walker finally open the scoring and this now encouraged the home side to keep pressing the opposition. A late goal from Ollie Clark was to confirm the result and put the millers into the semi-finals for the second year in succession. The game would end bitterly though when Broadhead for the visitors would see red by kicking out at goalkeeper Steggles when he had the ball firmly clutched in his hands. A good performance all in all and with an added boost for the team with Ben Hutchinson getting some game time after recovering from a fractured sinus bone suffered in the victory over Pickering Town at the beginning of January.
And so March is upon us and possibly the most important month of the season regarding gaining results. The squad will need to be strong and pull in the same direction even more as the games will come thick and fast ,and with a lot of points to be won at stake, a good run of results with consistency and hard work is now required as we enter the penultimate month of the campaign.
Upcoming Fixtures 2nd March Lincoln United (h) 9th March Sheffield (a) 16th March Pontefract Collieries (h) 23rd March Cleethorpes Town (a) 30th March Morpeth Town (h)
Rushcliffe Borough Council has welcomed Nottingham Forest Football Club’s ambitions and plans to develop part of its City Ground stadium that could form part of a wider economic regeneration bringing housing and jobs to the site of its home in West Bridgford. Leader of the Council Cllr Simon Robinson said the club’s plans announced today could play a significant role in boosting the longer term housing options and employment opportunities in Rushcliffe’s Trent Bridge and neighbouring wards.
He said: “This is a wonderful opportunity for the club and partners in the public and private sector to assist the creation of the largest sports stadium in the East Midlands and regenerate the area for the benefit of the community, city and region. “Forest play such an integral part of life here in Rushcliffe and the plans highlight a chance to bring new jobs and employment to the area that could only enhance our strapline of Rushcliffe as ‘Great Place, Great Lifestyle, Great Sport’.
“We look forward to working with the club to realise their ambitions and see where we can advise to assist creation of facilities that could complement the world class offering at neighbouring Trent Bridge cricket ground.” Rushcliffe Borough Council Chief Executive Allen Graham said: “This major economic development project could be a great boost for this part of Rushcliffe and our staff teams will wish to work closely with Nottingham Forest officials to advise on planning, economic growth and any other matters.
“Any plans will of course be subject to an independent planning process once any applications are received.”
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