Published 2nd November, 1995. Mapperley ward - social deprivation Unemployment
Sept. '95 figures are 684; 17.3%. 15th highest district ward in the county; these figures represent another increase when generally the figures went down.
Local Area Profile - Social need
Our area, when considered with Sherwood, does not rank so highly in terms of social need.
The County Council's 1994 social need study, drawing mainly on 1991 census data, scores Mapperley & Sherwood at 4.5.
In contrast, central Nott'm scores 21, Sneinton 17, Aspley & Bilborough 16.5, Bulwell 11, Mansfield 8, Sutton 6 and Worksop 5.5.
Local Area Profile - Document
I've received a document that details the County Council's provision in our two wards for -
- youth;
- under 5's;
- anti-poverty;
- community development and regeneration.
...
Crudely, we appear to receive less spending per head than might be expected for youth and community development, do averagely well for under 5's but do better for anti-poverty.
It's too early to demand more services using this data; further, simply looking at services in broad areas means you coul overlook the chronic needs of small areas like the Kingsthorpe estate.
Mapperley ward issues Carrington Sports Ground
The Leisure Dept. has issued a letter in response to the latest complaints.
They are considering building a new fence but are short of funds.
The old pavilion is to be demolished soon. There may be temporary changing accommodation.
Beechwood
A fence is to be erected around the back of the grounds.
Mapperley Crescent
I understand no improvements to the design of the zebra crossing would have helped prevent the accident that took place recently.
Mapperley Hospital
John Heppell is to be shown the site by the Nottingham Healthcare Trust.
Win / Wood Towers
I attended a meeting where a number of issues were raised. The most pressing is the planned cull of pigeons.
Sherwood Vale
Following a recent accident and letters received from residents, additional measures to warn drivers of an accident black spot have been implemented.
Woodborough Road / Porchester Road
A survey is to be carried out to establish if a pedestrian crossing at this junction is justified. Cases
143 in 1995. Nottinghamshire County coalfield issues
Coalfield Regeneration
The County passed a motion condemning Tory Gov't inaction and calling for 5 measures.
British Coal Enterprises
Concern in speeches was also expressed about the privatisation of British Coal Enterprises, which has helped in the past to create 3,300 jobs; but which may not take on the same types of risky projects if it became a private organisation.
Ray Hilton
Ray is County Councillor for Blidworth and pointed out how in 1985, there was 12 pits within 5 miles of his home employing 10,000. In 1992, there was 7 pits employing 4,000 and now there's 1 pit employing 450.
Budge
Budge is not a great employer. Miners have had no pay rise for four years.
The safety record is getting worse. In the first two quarters of '94, there was 13 and 14 accidents; this year, there was 33 and 48.
Thoresby accident
The suspicion is that the new culture within Budge and of contractors in mines has led to firstly, the accident in Thoresby happening the way it did, and then to the contractor deciding to go back for his tools.
Communities
The third suicide in the village happened only last week.
These communities need extra help because the miners used to finance their own leisure activities and facilities; now the County has to re-direct its resources to make up for that loss and this has been done to some extent with the Acorn initiative.
Nottinghamshire County issues Kirkby North by-election
Labour took 83% of the vote, the Tories 11% and the BNP 6%.
Their 104 votes was only slightly higher than they got in the District elections, when the seat was half the size. Waste Notts
The Group has resolved to sell off Waste Notts to meet a £5 million hole that has developed in this year's budget, due to things like the Robin Hood Line.
Robin Hood Line
Services to Mansfield are due to start soon.
Rufford Country Park
The restored Orangery is to be opened on 16th Nov.
"Opening the books" - consultation
The County expects to have to cut £50 million from next year's budget.
The County Council is consulting with the public on the extent of the cuts and the services we've chosen to cut.
Invite meeting
Thanks to those who helped me to organise this meeting.
This went well though I have noted a number of points for improvement.
Most pleasing was the attendance of 28 people, 11 of whom were not party members.
The main problem is that discussions like these leave people feeling depressed; that nothing can be done.
Hogarth School
I spoke at Hogarth School in Greenwood last night.
This primary school lost two teachers last year and is set to lose another 1.5 next year.
The meeting attracted 30 parents.
Protest!
The County Labour Group and the local trade unions are now launching a fightback.
A campaign has been launched called "Protest!"
Its highlight will be a major day of action on the 24th of November. There will be a rally which either John Prescott or Frank Dobson will address.
The HQ for the campaign is the GMB.
Gedling Labour Party
Vernon Coaker, their P.P.C., has already done a walk to all the schools to highlight the cuts.
He now plans a "Fat Cat" walk, where a colleague, in a fat cat costume, will walk between the headquarters of two privatised utilities in the area to protest at the sleazy management.
He's also holding a meet John Major event in a fake No.10 in Arnold Market.
Great stuff - maybe we need to think about doing something similar.
F.A.C.E.
This very effective campaign against cuts in education are also holding a series of events.
On Monday, 27th Nov., a candlelit vigil outside County Hall.
On Tuesday, 28th (Budget day), the telephone exchanges of four key Government departments will be jammed with protest telephone calls.
Again good stuff, though there is a risk that Government will respond to this kind of pressure but trying to ear mark money for education at the expense of other services such as social, youth, leisure and fire & rescue.
Join in
Please join in these events. As Alan Simpson has said, our ability to organise on such important matters is a real and practical test of our politics.
New Unitary Manifesto
It still may never happen, but I went to the conference anyway.
The most important message from speakers outside the city was that we should take tough decisions now, to give a new Council a better start.
This runs counter the culture that has previously suggested difficult County decisions will be reversed by the new unitary.
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