Ashfield District Council is seeking public feedback on a proposed new plan to reshape Sutton Town Centre. All Town Centres are undergoing fundamental change and it is important that the Council with its partners, leads Sutton into a more prosperous future. Sutton is a traditional small town centre with a mix of national and independent retailers, along with a successful indoor shopping centre and a market. The Council has recently provided investment into Sutton with a £1.4m refurbishment of the indoor market and shop front grants to bring empty properties back into productive use.

The Spatial Masterplan will be a valuable document to underpin future investment into Sutton, including a multi-million pound bid to the Government’s Future High Street Fund to help make Sutton a 21st Century Town Centre. The Spatial Masterplan and its high level covering statement aims to provide a framework for future investment and development to transform Sutton as a place into a real destination. It looks to maximise the opportunities for Sutton and capitalise on its existing assets. Importantly, the plan also considers opportunities for the town centre’s future in areas such as its night time economy, public realm and office accommodation.
In particular it:

• Provides a consensus and common understanding of Sutton Town Centre as a place – its character and identity.

• Establishes a clear vision for Sutton Town Centre to guide its development and improvements to 2029.

• Provides clear design principles for subsequent new development/projects with an emphasis on sustainability.

• Identifies sites and building where redevelopment and improvements will be encouraged.

• Aims to improve links to and within the Town Centre for pedestrians, cyclists and public transport users.

• Sets out how developments/projects and initiatives could be delivered, who would be involved in delivery, how they might be funded and by what mechanism.

• Provides an evidence base for the emerging Local Plan.

Councillor Jason Zadrozny, Leader of Ashfield District Council said: “Our town centres provide vitally important functions, such as being a focal point for local communities, a centre for economic activity, job creation and retention, transport hubs, spaces for leisure and, increasingly, places to live.
“It is vitally important for the Council to promote and support the role of our town centres by taking a positive approach to their growth, management and adaptation. The Sutton Town Centre Spatial Masterplan will be a key document in ensuring we fulfil our aspirations. “We hope to see as much public feedback as possible during this consultation period, because this is vital when it comes to shaping the future of our town centres.”

A public consultation on the Spatial Masterplan and supporting paper – Sutton Town Centre: Rethink, Repurpose, Remake, will take place from Wednesday 23rd January 2019 and close at 5.00pm on Friday 22nd February 2019. A copy of the Spatial Masterplan is available to view here, at the following libraries – Sutton, Huthwaite, Skegby, Kirkby, Hucknall and Selston; at the Council Offices on Urban Road, Kirkby; Brook Street, Sutton in Ashfield and; Watnall Road, Hucknall. Further information on submitting representations are also available at these locations.
Representations should preferably be submitted using the representation form, to Ashfield District Council, Forward Planning Section. The Forward Planning Team are happy to provide further information or assistance if required on telephone number 01623 457383 or via email at localplan@ashfield.gov.uk

Ashfield District Council is seeking public feedback on a proposed new plan to reshape Sutton Town Centre. All Town Centres are undergoing fundamental change and it is important that the Council with its partners, leads Sutton into a more prosperous future. Sutton is a traditional small town centre with a mix of national and independent retailers, along with a successful indoor shopping centre and a market. The Council has recently provided investment into Sutton with a £1.4m refurbishment of the indoor market and shop front grants to bring empty properties back into productive use.

The Spatial Masterplan will be a valuable document to underpin future investment into Sutton, including a multi-million pound bid to the Government’s Future High Street Fund to help make Sutton a 21st Century Town Centre. The Spatial Masterplan and its high level covering statement aims to provide a framework for future investment and development to transform Sutton as a place into a real destination. It looks to maximise the opportunities for Sutton and capitalise on its existing assets. Importantly, the plan also considers opportunities for the town centre’s future in areas such as its night time economy, public realm and office accommodation.
In particular it:

• Provides a consensus and common understanding of Sutton Town Centre as a place – its character and identity

• Establishes a clear vision for Sutton Town Centre to guide its development and improvements to 2029

• Provides clear design principles for subsequent new development/projects with an emphasis on sustainability

• Identifies sites and building where redevelopment and improvements will be encouraged.

• Aims to improve links to and within the Town Centre for pedestrians, cyclists and public transport users.

• Sets out how developments/projects and initiatives could be delivered, who would be involved in delivery, how they might be funded and by what mechanism.

• Provides an evidence base for the emerging Local Plan.

Councillor Jason Zadrozny, Leader of Ashfield District Council said: “Our town centres provide vitally important functions, such as being a focal point for local communities, a centre for economic activity, job creation and retention, transport hubs, spaces for leisure and, increasingly, places to live.
“It is vitally important for the Council to promote and support the role of our town centres by taking a positive approach to their growth, management and adaptation. The Sutton Town Centre Spatial Masterplan will be a key document in ensuring we fulfil our aspirations. “We hope to see as much public feedback as possible during this consultation period, because this is vital when it comes to shaping the future of our town centres.”

A public consultation on the Spatial Masterplan and supporting paper – Sutton Town Centre: Rethink, Repurpose, Remake, will take place from Wednesday 23rd January 2019 and close at 5.00pm on Friday 22nd February 2019. A copy of the Spatial Masterplan is available to view here, at the following libraries – Sutton, Huthwaite, Skegby, Kirkby, Hucknall and Selston; at the Council Offices on Urban Road, Kirkby; Brook Street, Sutton in Ashfield and; Watnall Road, Hucknall.

Further information on submitting representations are also available at these locations. Representations should preferably be submitted using the representation form, to Ashfield District Council, Forward Planning Section. The Forward Planning Team are happy to provide further information or assistance if required on telephone number 01623 457383 or via email at localplan@ashfield.gov.uk

Nottinghamshire County Council Leader, Councillor Kay Cutts MBE joined gritter driver Paul Davis for the first part of his four-hour gritting run out from Gamston depot to the east of Nottingham on the night of (Thursday, 24 January). Temperatures have been below seasonal norms this past week, with sustained periods of below zero temperatures which has required seven treatments of the county’s main routes within four days. Over the coming days it is expected that the weather will be slightly warmer, but then a further cold spell is expected from Sunday onwards.

Councillor Cutts was keen to see what a typical gritting run involved and used the opportunity to personally thank some of the gritter drivers for their hard work, both so far this year but particularly during the harsh conditions experienced last winter. The Leader joined the route which covered parts of the Radcliffe-on-Trent division, which she represent, including Shelford Tops, Radcliffe-on-Trent, Holme Pierrepont, and Gamston.

She said: “I want to thank all of our gritting crews based across our four depots at Gamston, Bilsthorpe, Newark and Markham Moor for their continued hard work, unfailing team spirit, and their tenacity during last winter’s particularly trying weather conditions. “And it was great to meet some of them in person last night as they prepared to head out on their various routes and then join Paul, one of our drivers, in his cab to experience first-hand what a gritting run involves. “What struck me was the effort and planning that goes into ensuring our gritting operations run effectively during the winter season, and also the experience and enthusiasm that exists within the team of drivers’

Last night the council’s 23 crews were out spreading salt on all of our A and B main roads and bus routes and our gritting teams are also likely to be out in the evenings from Sunday, according to the five-day forecast. “It’s been a slower start to the gritting season this year. So far we’ve been out 33 times, compared to 44 times at the same point last year, when we clocked up a total of 146 runs over the whole winter. But we’re just as prepared – stockpiling well above the Government’s recommended amounts of salt, “ added Councillor Cutts. “Our annual maintenance budget is £2.5m which is a sizeable amount and we often get asked why we don’t grit all of our roads. The truth is that we could do this, but that would cost an extra £5.2m, plus an additional £8m for the related equipment and extra salt storage each year.”

Driver, Paul Davis, who has been gritting our 1,560 km of road network for over 30 years, added: “Councillor Cutts was interested to see how the process works and to hear about how we coped with last winter’s Beast from the East. “Last year’s winter was one of the worst we have had for a number of years, and the snow that arrived in February was some of the most difficult conditions I have ever dealt with. But we are an experienced team and called on this to ensure the roads were as safe as possible.”
Every time the lorries go out, we grit an area the size of 100 large football pitches. And each gritting run can take over three hours – which means is that residents’ roads may be gritted sometime after the circuit starts. Councillor Cutts added: “For more rural communities, the cold weather can be particularly challenging for people getting to work, school or generally out and about, “added the Leader. “As well as salting roads, our gritting teams also make sure the 1,400-plus roadside grit bins across the county are full – these are for use by local communities on pavements and roads, but not private driveways. “We also have over 60 farmers on standby in case of severe weather, supported by 85 snow wardens who will help clear the roads as needed.”

When driving in wintery conditions, the County Council is advising people to plan their route with the help of our online maps which show which roads are gritted: www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/gritting

For winter weather alerts and information, follow @NottsCC on Twitter.
To see a short video from Paul Davis on how grit works to melt ice on the roads: https://www.youtube.com
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Let’s Live Well in Rushcliffe, the local social prescribing service that supports those with long term physical or mental health conditions has signed the Armed Forces Covenant to offer their support for servicemen and women who have served their country at home or abroad. The Let’s Live Well in Rushcliffe will now extend its service to help those with military backgrounds, assisting the work of Rushcliffe, Charnwood and Melton Borough Councils in supporting former and serving personnel in the area.

Upon commencing the programme, participants will be offered one to one support to create a personalised plan based on their goals and, if appropriate will connect with local groups and activities to help maintain their progress. Deputy Leader of the Council and Covenant Champion Councillor Debbie Mason said: “It is great to hear that another local service we work with has signed the Covenant, showing their support for those who have served or are serving in the Armed Forces. “We strive to give as much support as possible and Let’s Live Well in Rushcliffe will provide another vital aspect of the support available in the Borough.” Liz Walker, Project Manager at Let’s Live Well in Rushcliffe said: “It is an honour and a privilege to sign the Armed Forces Covenant on behalf of the group.’’ “We meet and advise people from all walks of life here, including people who serve in the armed forces, their families and veterans who may need help and advice on all manner of topics. “By signing the covenant, we are proudly stating to all Armed Forces personnel that we support them fully and are here to help in any way we can.” The Let’s Live Well in Rushcliffe project is a working partnership with GP’s, GP practices and others to empower and support individuals with long term conditions to take back control to improve their own lives.

In November 2018, the Councils were accredited with a silver award from the Armed Forces Covenant Ministry of Defence Employer Recognition Scheme acknowledging their awareness of the variety of transferable skills reservists, veterans and current personnel can bring to the civilian workplace. To find out more about Let’s Live Well in Rushcliffe please email LLWiR@nottshc.nhs.uk or call 07909 890699.

Alongside Derbyshire police, we’re investigating, a series of incidents where offenders have distracted shop workers to commit burglaries. We had three incidents of this in Notts last week, the first happened in Rochester Walk in Clifton at around 12.30pm on 21 January, the other two both happened in Woodfield Road, Broxtowe at 12.25pm and 12.35pm on Wednesday (23 January 2019). Eight people are said to have been involved. On all occasions, some of them distracted the shop keeper whilst another made their way through to the private area.

A variety of jewellery was taken from the Clifton incident. Derbyshire police are investigating five similar incidents and we are treating the eight incidents as a spate. The group are believed to be travelling around in a car similar to either a silver Ford Galaxy or Vauxhall Zafira (pictured).

If you recognise those in the images or have any information that could help, please call us on 101 quoting incident 362 of 23 January. You can also call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.