Published 26th December, 1994.
Note, joined the Governors of Elliott Durham school.
In summary, the key points are -
Cuts for County Council agreed.
Local Government Commission recommends unitary council for Nottingham District
Errors in Tory Newsletter
Improvements mooted for Kingsthorpe Close
County Council Budget
Further to my last report, the increase for spending is 0.4% (after allowing for new responsibilities under "Care in the Community" and the transfer of funding to a new & separate Police Authority).
The cap on spending has been increased by 0.5%.
Reserves
The Council is planning to leave only a working balance of £4 million in reserves by April 1996.
Budget Principles
To reflect the changes in the County, £2m has been provided for the Acorn initiative to promote more nurseries and more youth clubs, particularly in the former mining areas.
There is full protection for Police, Fire and Health & Safety building budgets.
There is partial protection for schools (the ASB), Leisure Services and building maintenance.
Committee Cuts
The resultant cuts to be found by each committee are listed in the panel.
Other Proposals
The child protection services will receive about £1m more to ensure "Strong enough to care" is seen through.
There are other issues such as allowing for inflation, financing pay increases, increased Robin Hood Line costs, the over-running of the Magistrates Courts which are being met (I think) from reserves.
So Unnecessary
Given the improved PSBR and inflation figures, these cuts were not necessary.
As Tony Blair has pointed out, why excessively cut services now, merely to re-introduce some of the services during the election year.
Local Government Commission
The Commission is recommending unitary status for the Nottingham District and status quo (two-tier local government) for the rest of the County.
Next steps
John Gummer now has at least 6 weeks to consider the recommendation.
He can reject the proposal or make minor changes, but cannot propose something totally different.
There could be a judicial review.
MPs and the Lords have to agree any change and this is likely to be considered in the summer.
It's thought there will not any change until April 1997; the end of the current County Council's term.
Personally, should a unitary City be created in 1997, I shall seek nomination.
Wide Area Strategies
One of the main reasons I oppose change is that the current City District reflects, and would reinforce, the social segregation taking place within Greater Nottingham.
The County Council is seeking to define new policies that reflect the needs of the three parts of the County -
Greater Nottingham;
West Notts., structured around the now derelict coal industry;
East Notts., reflecting the rural half of the County.
It's thought this framework can be more attractive for bids for central and European Government funds.
Tory propaganda
Conservative Action Teams
These front their fight back on crime; anyone heard of them?
Loony Left
The leaflets refer to gay swimming sessions from way back in 1987; and complain about political correctness (though fail to cite a single instance).
Tory propaganda in Nottingham has frequently been homophobic and racist. Our challenge is raise the level of political debate.
Council Debt
They complain about £400m debts; but debt was higher when the City Council was run by the Tories.
Caunton Avenue Flats
The assertion that Labour dropped the Hall of Residence when the University lost interest is not true.
The Labour Chair of Housing led the decision to build social housing and faced considerable complaints from the University as a result.
The Tory deputy then attacked Labour for the waste of demolishing the flats.
Wells Road Centre
My understanding is that when the use of the cricket ground was first proposed, the Tories voted for it.
Tories represent the whole ward
This does not reflect my experience and it will be interesting to test this thesis with the public on the doorsteps again.
Rebuttal
Thought needs to be given to what the next issue of Labour Forward will say in reply.
Kingsthorpe Close
The complex consists of 180 flats and maisonettes, 18 houses and 2 bungalows.
The complex is 65% occupied and will be fully occupied by the end of January 1995.
There is no children's play area and recreation facilities are generally limited so there is a special lettings policy.
Proposals
Canvassing yielded a number of complaints, which I passed on to the Chair of Housing.
A number of proposals are being put to the Housing Cttee. to improve the situation.
One flat is to be used as office accommodation for the Housing dept. An extra caretaker is to be appointed.
Proposals have been made for controlled door entry and closed circuit TV monitoring.
Elliott Durham
I have been appointed as a co-opted member of the Board of Governors.
CTC
The school has matched the CTC for exam results.
Traffic Calming
The proposals for Magdala Road and Redcliffe Road have been approved.
St.Anns Wells Road Scheme
Questions were asked at the branch meeting about the chicane nearest the Bath St. roundabout and problems of extra jams and poor egress from Sheldon St.
Traffic calming schemes are subject to rules. Chicanes were proposed for the Wells Road because the number of road humps that would have been required would have been excessive. The purpose of the first chicane therefore is to demarcate the start of the whole scheme.
The complaint about traffic jams has been witnessed by officers but not to the extent sometimes alleged.
There is no wish to cause unnecessary queuing. So the impact of the scheme will be reviewed in February.
Dudley West
Labour 28,400 69%
Conservatives 7,706 19%
Lib Dems 3,154 8%
A record swing of 29%.
City Council Campaign
We now have 2 candidates.
The Dudley result (and the results in May and June) shows we have a wonderful opportunity to defeat the Tories in Mapperley next May.
Beating the Tory Leader will be an important achievement.
Unemployment
646 in Mapperley ward (16.3%, October '94).
Nottingham Arrow says Mapperley is one of only 3 wards to suffer increased unemployment over the last year, and in fact suffered the highest rise.
Cases
173 in 1994.
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