Log, March 2007

Here’s a quick summary of news, events and casework for March 2007

March

31st – see “Magic Numbers” in the new Old Market Square; earlier, interviewed about the square by the NEP;

30th – start distribution of newspaper on our environmental work;

30th – discuss bin problems with residents of Querneby Road;

30th – say thank you to Elliott Durham head Caroline Churchill who has taken the school on in leaps and bounds, with over 1/3rd of children now getting 5 good GCSEs; long-standing member of staff, Christine Stimpson takes over;

30th – concern expressed over intense development of 8 terraced houses proposed for 687 Carlton Road (ref. 07/00320/PFUL3);

28th – publicly challenge a Tory newspaper being circulated in Mapperley ward that gets basic facts wrong;

27th – web-page reaction to Labour’s manifesto launch sees Mapperley Tory activist claim Park Residents’ Association Annual General Meeting;

26th – Danielle Wood-Wallace from The Wells, and ex-Elliott Durham pupil, wins the Danielle Beccan Young Achiever Award at the “Nottingham’s Proud of You” awards, for high academic achievement in trying circumstances and her active participation in school life;

26th – Mapperley Park Residents’ Association Annual General Meeting;

26th – Nottingham Labour Party launches new web-site and manifesto; David Blunkett MP attends;

26th – historic agreement in Northern Ireland between the DUP and Sinn Fein;

26th – start of week of action in St.Ann’s and The Wells, including activities by local schools;

25th – meet new Polish workers who are now based in Nottingham;

24th – Old Market Square - event - Nottingham Music Schools concert, abolition of the Slave Trade Act event and opening spectacular;

24th – Distribute statement on impact of Gordon Brown’s budget for pensioners;

23rd – Mapperley Tory party newspaper highlights concerns over closure of “Ellis Guildford” [sic]; Ellis Guilford is not programmed for closure (and is not in Mapperley ward); as it happens, the plan for Elliott Durham is to be part of the new Eastern Academy - new buildings, better social mix for the cohort;

23rd – Distribute statement on progress in Mapperley ward, made by Labour;

22nd – Old Market Square - event - Nottingham Schools Show;

21st – start of Nottingham's Spring Clean;

20th – Mapperley & Sherwood Area Committee;

20th – Executive Board; extra money saved for Council through a better insurance deal;

16th – 5 David Camerons, carrying champagne and cigars, greet the Tories sent from a conference in Nottingham to Rise Park to campaign;

15th – Elliott Durham full governors;

15th – interviewed for the Corporate Assessment of Nottingham City Council;

13th – Nottingham’s Digital Challenge bid is awarded a share of £2m for reaching the finals;

13th – Labour Gov’t announces Climate Change Bill;

12th – host LGA Environment Board's visit to Nottingham; see first testing of lights and water on the new Old Market Square;

12th – Gordon Brown speaks on climate change;

11th – John Heppell MP joins a survey of the Ransom Road estate;

8th – Co-Councillor Mo Munir lays the final stone for the new Old Market Square;

7th – minimum wage to be increased to £5.52 per hour in October;

6th – savings in water consumption of 25% by Nottingham City Council wins an award from the Environment Agency;

6th – Enterprise day at Elliott Durham school;

5th - Full Council; - present budget; £7 million increase in services for a Council tax increase significantly below the national average; - agree to proceed to the next stage of the tram, despite Tory opposition;

5th - Labour Ministers visit Nottingham to learn of good practice in early intervention and tackling social exclusion;

3rd – Start survey of residents on crime and anti-social behaviour; John Heppell MP does a roving surgery of The Wells (E block of Mapperley ward);

2nd – join Deputy Lord Mayor & Co-Councillor Mo Munir in meeting Mr. Alyaksei Mazhukhou, Ambassador of the Republic of Belarus;

2nd – tour The Wells area;